SimplyNumbers

Book ideas: The Three Only Things - by Robert Moss

"The Three 'Only' Things - Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence & Imagination" by Robert Moss.

Robert Moss has written several books on the subject of dreaming and leads popular seminars about learning to understand your dreams all around the globe. He even offers an intensive training to learn to teach his dream interpretation techniques.

Moss was born in Australia, where he managed to survive multiple life threatening illnesses in his childhood. During his early career he worked as a journalist and as a lecturer at the Australian National University, where he taught ancient history. I believe that the skills and training he acquired in these fields adds further depth and validity to his wisdom that he tries to portray in an honest, simple and fully intelligent manner throughout his books.

The title "Three Only Things" refers to dreams, imagination and coincidences. The book urges that we not be dismissive about them. How often do you find yourself treating a dream, idea or chance encounter as if it were meaningless. Think about how often you hear phrases like the following:

• "It’s only a dream."
• "Our dreams are meaningless."
• "That was only pure chance."
• "That was only a coincidence."
• "It was only in my imagination."
• "Don't let your imagination run wild."
• "I was thinking of X, and I bumped into him at the market."
• “Funny meeting YOU here.”
• “I was just thinking of you.”

The ultimate goal of the book is to help you to begin to see that your dreams, imagination, experiences and synchronicities have value, importance and meaning for your overall life and well-being. The well structured guidance from the book can help you to better appreciate that what you once considered "only" a dream might actually offer a solution to a particular challenge. Perhaps, what you consider "only" to be your wild imagination might be important guidance to keep you out of harms way. A remarkable opportunity might unfold from what you initially perceived as "only" a coincidence. Moss helps you to look at dreams, imagination and synchronicities as personal guidance. 

“In our everyday speech, in our unconsidered reflexive behaviors, we discount or put down dreams, coincidence and imagination as only this or that. Ironically, these three ‘only' things are extraordinary sources of guidance, healing and power - if we will only pay attention.” ~ Robert Moss, The Three Only Things

Throughout the book Moss shares stories that help you to see that somehow, buried within the trappings of everyday life, important personal symbols are awaiting your discovery. Through various simple, yet often fun, games and exercises Moss teaches you how to recognize the value and uniqueness of your experiences. The book is packed with powerful examples of people who have begun to recognize the power of the "Three Only Things" within their own lives. Personal stories from anonymous and well known people are included. He mentions Mark Twain, Winston Churhill and others. For many of these people, it's interesting to see that their lives were probably not that different from yours, but they learned to work with their intuition, and became keen observers of the events and surroundings in their lives. Their stories make you eager to try out the examples and exercises for yourself.

The book offers plenty of tips, practical guidelines, ideas and tools. For myself, and I hope you too, the exercises and the stories were both motivational and inspiring. The book helps to melt away your disconnect with reality, symbolism and intuition. You learn that there is a place for mystery and wonder in your life. By being alert to the symbolism within your everyday waking life you can tap into an important, and often hidden, source of personal guidance.

Reading the book really helps you to begin to want to listen to the voice of your intuition. Gradually, the book will help you to begin to be able to decode messages hidden in your dreams, imagination and chance encounters. As you begin to work with the exercises, you'll come to understand the validity of the "Three Things" and realize that they do often contain guidance and insight for making changes, being creative and healing. You will come to realize that you can be your own guide, if you're willing and able to listen to your intuition. Your dreams, coincidences and chance encounters all can be vital sources of intuitive guidance. Moss teaches that by being discerning, yet curious, you can find meaning within all of your experiences by peering beneath the surface of your life. The process is about becoming more alive, awake and conscious of your choices and actions. It's also about having a sense of wonder. This process will help you to more deeply embrace and appreciate your life and the richness that it has to offer.

You'll find many simple exercises and suggestions for how to develop and sharpen your intuitive skills. One of the exercises I found most exciting is one done with a group of people. The exercise has everyone in the group write down something that "pops" into their mind on an index card. They are only instructed to write something on the card, but not about what is about to happen after they are done. They can jot down anything that they are thinking of in the moment. It could be a quote, song lyrics, something they said to their kids or whatever they are inspired to write or draw on their card. The cards are then collected and shuffled and placed in a basket. Then one at a time, everyone asks a question that they want an answer for. They do this aloud or to themselves, and then pull a card from the basket. The card is now treated as if it was a Tarot or oracle card, and you can use it to answer your question. I worked with this at a workshop that I attended and many people had amazing answers that brought wisdom and clarity to their questions.

The "Three Only Things" is a practical and simple to understand book that will help you to develop and enhance your intuition. I encourage you to read it, especially if you have an interest in dream interpretation or understanding more about the the power of your imagination, or the significance of coincidences in your life.

Find out more at: www.mossdreams.com

 

You can't try to do things; you simply must do them. ~ Ray Bradbury

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Experiencing Gratefulness

Benedictine monk and author, Brother David Steindal-Rast, discusses being grateful in the above video.

Black Friday and Gratitude

Tomorrow is “Black Friday”. The day is called "Black Friday" because this is the turning point in the year when the stores go from a loss (red) to profit (black). During the past few years this day has become very heavily promoted. For the shopper, it has been portrayed as a day when the stores all have super bargains that are difficult to resist.

What will you be doing tomorrow? Will you be out "shopping till you drop?" Will you be searching the mall from one end to the other, hunting for bargains? Now, don't get me wrong, I am not advocating for opting out of making any purchases. But, I am asking you to look at your needs, especially since today is Thanksgiving.

I am also asking you to look at your life from a perspective of gratitude. There may be things in your home that you are grateful for, and have brought you great pleasure, but now these things are merely taking up space. Is your home filled with stuff that you do not need or even use? Do you have things that you haven't used in months or years?

Before you rush out and bring more stuff into your life, take a moment to inventory your home and see what you might be able to let go of. Look to see if your home is cluttered with things that you do not use. Looking around my own home, I do notice 2 winter jackets, clothes which are now too big, some old (but still very powerful) speakers that I haven’t used in a while, and an old printer. I will be looking into recycling the printer, and finding a place to donate the clothes and jackets. I am sure that many of us can find stuff that can be recycled or donated.

Are you grateful for the things that you have? Do you have gratitude for their usefulness to you? Are you willing to let them go, so that they may be of use to someone else. Letting go of items you no longer use or need can clear some space in your home, helping it to become less cluttered. In addition, someone else may have a real need for these things. Imagine how grateful they will be when they receive your items.

If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily. ~ Gerald Good

Let us rise up and be thankful,
for if we didn't learn a lot today,
at least we learned a little,
and if we didn't learn a little,
at least we didn't get sick,
and if we got sick,
at least we didn't die;
so, let us all be thankful.

~ Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C

Clearing the clutter from your life

Clutter stands out for me when I think about having a positive self image. When you’re living in a cluttered environment, you can be dragged down by the feeling that “something” needs to be done. And, the longer you live with that feeling, the more tense, tired, drained and depressed you can become.

I’ve been thinking about clutter, as I usually have several stacks of books ready to be read, and they are in several different places. You might do the same thing. Others might stack clothing that is too big, or in need of mending in a pile, and it sits for months. Or, you might drop bags of stuff in the front entryway and think that you’ll get to it later. At times, we’ve all had piles of stuff that needs to be attended to, but remains neglected for weeks or months.

But, there is good news. There is hope. You can find a way to de-clutter, even if you only spend 15 minutes a day clearing your space. If you are able to be determined and patient, then over time, you’ll find that you have lifted a burden off of yourself. You may even feel that you have more energy to do the things that you really want to do.

You can join me in a daily de-cluttering ritual. All it takes is 15 minutes. It might be messy today, but by tomorrow, next week or next month your home will start to feel different, and you might even relax, as you let go of your stress and put away the boxes and bags, shelve the books, and donate your unused clothes or other no longer needed items.

What did you do as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Herein lies the key to what you should be doing in your worldly pursuits.~  Carl Jung

Positive thinking and your health

Having an upbeat, and overall positive, outlook on life can help you be better equipped to manage stress and worry effectively. New studies are constantly informing us of the benefits derived from having a positive focus. Some of these benefits might include having a longer life and better overall health, as well as a wider circle of friends. And, research led by Nicholas Christakis shows that each additional happy person you're connected with makes you happier too.

Many of us are our own worst enemy when it comes to having a positive outlook. As we try to make choices or decisions, we're often trapped in a cycle of negative self-talk. For many of us our negative self-talk is severely limiting and keeps us from being fully satisfied with our lives. The Mayo clinic is looking at the role of negative self-talk and its ability to hinder our positive outlook. Much of this self-talk might even be based off of incorrect or misleading information. You might be putting yourself down for no good reason.

The clinic offers some guidance to focus in on your negative self-talk. They suggest that you:

• Periodically check your thinking to evaluate for negative self-talk
• Allow humor into your life
• Find time for healthy food and exercise
• Surround yourself with positive people
• Practice positive self-talk

Within Numerology we could look at your Core Numbers, with an eye on your Life Path. Your main focus should be on looking at where you push away ideas, hopes or dreams. It doesn't matter whether they seem achievable or not. Your ideas may help you to progress along your Life Path. By belittling, neglecting or devaluing them, you're devaluing yourself. 

After reviewing your Core Numbers you may have some questions that you might like to consider:

• How do I let memories of the past influence my present behavior?
• How can I let go of past criticisms from others?
• How can I begin to believe in myself?
• Where can I find the support the I need?
• Who is supporting me in my life right now?
• Who am I supporting right now?
• How can I have compassion for myself and others?

Spend some time with alone or with a trusted friend or partner and review your answers. Perhaps you can begin to find ways, especially with compassion and patience, to walk away from your negative self-talk and find a way to constructively make important changes in your life.

We can also look at your Current Year chart to see where any potential challenges or opportunities might be presenting a chance for you to take steps into new situations, especially if you are not letting negative self-talk get in your way. You might be in a year that relates to transitioninng and ending, but that doesn't mean that you can't plan for the future. There are always steps that you can take to work toward achieving your dreams.

In addition to utilizing Numerology you may also consider working with Shamanism, or other healing modality. These tools might help you might look to find a way to let go of, or clear, any past trauma that you may be consciously or unconsciously holding on to.