SimplyNumbers

Creative Thinking

Michael Michalko, at Psychology Today, has posted an interesting article about taking time out to "incubate" your creativity. He writes:

"Cognitive scientists have observed that people that after a period of incubation are 39 percent more likely to infer connections among distantly related ideas. Yet this enhancement of creative thinking exists completely beneath the radar screen. In other words, people are more creative after they forget about the problem for a period of time, but they don't know it. It's as if a period of incubation resets your mind. You're taking a walk or taking a shower and realize 'Wait a minute, there's another way to do this.'"

John Eldredge: Rousing The Heart

The inner life, the story of our heart, is the life of the deep places within us, our passions and dreams, our fears and our deepest wounds. It is the unseen life, the mystery within-what Buechner calls our "shimmering self." It cannot be managed like a corporation. The heart does not respond to principles and programs; it seeks not efficiency, but passion. Art, poetry, beauty, mystery, ecstasy: These are what rouse the heart. ~ John Eldredge, "The Sacred Romance"

SynTarotis: Brainstorming with Tarot Cards

I've recently discovered SynTarotis! It's a wonderful site, which helps to show how to simply work with the Tarot, without feeling like you need to master your intuition first. Many different decks are utilized throughout the posts. One of my favorite entries is about Brainstorming with the cards.

From SynTarotis: "Brainstorming with Tarot cards is a remarkably effective technique to think up ideas and solutions. It takes advantage of the evocative quality of the cards—not only the images and symbols, but also the layers of meaning that have accumulated around the cards."

Discovery News: Cultured People Feel Less Stress

People who go to museums and concerts or create art or play an instrument are more satisfied with their lives, a study finds.

2011 and the Number 11

Within the world of Numerology, the 11 is recognized as a number with special importance. The 11 along with the 22 and 33 are viewed as Master numbers. These numbers can represent significant potential. When they appear in our lives, they place a heavy spiritual emphasis and focus on your life. You can feel called to undertake personal shifts, changes and challenges.

All numbers are related to certain characteristics, and have a "balanced" and an "unbalanced" side. For the 11 the following qualities are associated with it:

Balanced:
Intuitive, Directed, Desiring, Dynamic, Leader, Sensitive, Compassionate

Unbalanced:
Depressed, Lusting, Dreaming, Stubborn, Controlling, Authoritarian, Fearful

 

When you're living your life in a meaningful and healthy way you will be living with the energy and potential of the balanced side of the number. So, you'll be better able to access your intuitive side when you find ways to step out of your fear and uncertainty and live your life with compassion and awareness.

When you fall into the trap of living unconsciously you'll be living more with the influence of the unbalanced side of the number. This is when you could feel angry and depressed. Of course, no number is bad or evil, they merely represent particular opportunities or challenges. How you experience the particular opportunities you will face depends on your own level of acceptance, spirituality and maturity.

It is also important to understand the overall theme and energy of 2011 as a whole. Numerologically, 2011 can be a year to evaluate where you are in all areas of your life. This year can be a time to take a clear and balanced view of your goals and directions. This process isn't about "what ifs", rather it is about being practical, down to earth and realistic. Don't be afraid to shoot for the stars but be willing to put in the effort to achieve your goals. If you allow it, this year can be a powerful time to free yourself from past constraints, especially those that no longer serve you.

Knowing all of this, you might wonder what the dates, such as  1/11/2011, 4/4/11,  10/01/2011 and 11/11/2011 might mean for you? Well, these dates, with the focus on the 11 and 1, can represent a powerful opportunity to set an intention for moving out of confusion, doubt or fear and stepping fully into an adventure. The April date provides another unique experience of triple 444's which relates to authority and center.

Consider each of these days as a powerful stepping stone in your life. If you're able, prepared and ready, these days can provide windows of opportunity to initiate something new, vibrant and exciting within your life.

Good questions to ask at this time:
• How do my relationships support me?

• How might my yearnings be offering important guidance?

• What can I do to better support my health and well-being?

• What have I been waiting to start in my life?
 

Is there anything you would you regret not having tried?

As you probably already know, your Life Path represents those things that you're passionate about within your life. Your Life Path represents your inner drive and passion. It’s the “What do I want to do with my life” impulse that is buried deeply within your heart and soul. It’s a question that must be answered, but you can only fully answer it by following your heart.

You can really think of your Life Path as an essential blueprint or treasure map for where you can have passionate life experiences. Your Life Path can be a powerful ally, that has the potential to guide you toward learning and working with the skills, qualities and talents that will be beneficial for you and can come easily and naturally to you.

Generally, you will feel naturally drawn to experiences and situations in which you can develop and express your particular talents and abilities. As you will feel drawn to these activities, it's best to find ways to encourage yourself to move toward these dreams and aspirations. All of us have our own dreams, but unfortunately there are times when we let life get in the way, and we're pulled in other directions.

Over time, we can let our dreams fade and they become memories of dreams that we used to believe in. Then we build up stress and regret about not pursuing these dreams. Instead of living with the regret, why not embrace your dreams and try to find a way to pursue them? You might not become an expert in your field, but you can still satisfy your inner calling by pursuing the activities that you're drawn to. Following a dream may not have an immediate and observable benefit, but may help you to open new doors and possibilities.

Have you seen the 2007 movie the "Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? The movie is about two men who are dieing and have a list of things they want to accomplish before they pass away. The two men make a pact to do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die. As you watch the two men go through challenges and adventures, something is stirred in your soul. You as the viewer are somehow inspired to fulfill the challenges on your own list.

Now, if you were to create your own bucket list, what would be on it? What activities would you have regrets about, if you never pursued them during your lifetime? What things would you have liked try?

Find some personal space and time to explore and identify your dreams that you may have put on hold. You can make a list of desired activities and dreams, and order them by importance. By following your dreams, you're actually working toward living out your passion. And, you'll have the added benefit of not having regrets.

Jean Houston on Spirituality and waking up

"Many of the spiritual teachers of the world have likened our lives to 'a sleep and a forgetting.' The mystic path is predicated on awakening, on going off robot and abandoning lackluster passivity to engage co-creation with vigor, attention, focus, and radiance, characteristics we might note we often find in our animal friends." ~ Jean Houston, Spirituality and the Meaning of Mysticism for Our Time

These words from Jean Houston are extremely potent. They are more than mere words, but really a call to open up to your full potential. She, along with many others like Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson and Wayne Dyer, sees so much potential for the world collectively. 

Her words encourage and urge us to look within and bring out out very best. She would urge that now is the time to help facilitate change and foster growth and healing for ourselves, our communities and the world at large. And, what other time do we really have than Now?

What is it that you are waiting to do? How are you trying to be of service? What is holding you back? Do you believe that there is no true calling for your abilities? I would call upon you to reflect on any "inner calling" as a true spiritual calling that really needs to be answered. Placing your vision or dream on hold not only denies possibilities to you, but it prevents an unfolding that may benefit the world in ways that you cannot see or guess.

"So how can we birth this miracle within ourselves? How can we foster our natural birthright of spiritual presence?" ~ Jean Houston

How can you take the next step? How can you take a moment to "step aside" and allow for your life to unfold in new and meaningful ways? It might be that you begin to seek out others who are actively following and living in a way that is a real expression of your inner calling. It might be that you begin to make the time to really begin to act on your inner calling in some small, but still important, ways.

This process is really about understanding the importance of finding meaning within your life. When you deny yourself to even listen to your inner needs, that is when life becomes dull and colorless. Whether you understand the words of Jean Houston, or not, I would urge you to wonder "what if"? What if you live and act as if your desire has value and is meaningful?

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

 

Your Life Path and Creativity

Being creative can be a way to let go of stress, brainstorm, and to find new avenues for personal exploration in your life. Within Numerology, you can look to your Life Path  to help guide you in your quest to be creative.  Creativity can help you to find a way around certain challenges or obstacles in your, and it may even make the process less stressful!

It may help to look to your Life Path from the viewpoint of your younger self, especially around issues surrounding problem solving and creativity. Your Life Path can be looked as a blueprint of what your life is calling you to do. It’s up to you to find a way to go and do that!

I've provided a list of some great questions to consider when you're looking to create something new in your life or are simply trying to bring about small changes, especially around the way in which you support yourself.

Life Path questions:

    * As a child what were my talents or hobbies, and how does that relate to my avocation/vocation?
    * Who in my childhood encouraged my progression along my Life Path?
    * How have I forgotten about these special talents or hobbies?
    * What am I called to do now?
    * Where do I feel stuck?
    * Where do I feel enabled and free?
    * Where can I find a solution to my challenge or obstacle?
    * How might I help others around their challenges or obstacles?
    * How might I help others to ignite their passions and follow their callings?
    * How can I believe in myself?
    * How can I make more room for my own needs and desires?
    * How can I be more creative in my problem solving?

When pondering the above questions, it may help for you to find time to sit and talk out your answers and beliefs with your family and friends. They may have insights about your talents and inspirations that you might not think about. Let them help you to fill in the gaps, and together you may uncover memories and dreams that you have long forgotten.

Before you address your friends and family, you might spend time simply answering the questions with a pad and paper. Don’t judge yourself as you write the answers. Just write. Spend as much time as you need, and continue to write whatever comes to your mind. Eventually you will know when you are done. When you feel complete, look at the answers and try to determine if their is a particular pattern or idea that appears to leap out at you. That bit of information that does leap out at you may be something to grasp onto and run with.

Within Numerology, we can work with your Life Path reading to help you to get a clearer picture of how you might work with this material in a creative and fun way, In a Life Path reading I can assist you in making choices around perceived difficulties that may face as you try to shift your life to one that more closely matches the calling and passion of your Life Path. Additionally, together we can map out your Numerology Personal Years and see where you might best be focusing your attention in your life so that you can creatively and healthfully meet the calling of your Life Path. It may be a challenge, but with support from your family, friends, and your Numerology chart, you may begin to more clearly see how you can navigate within your life to create the changes that you desire.

Joy, Celebration and Numerology

As we normally feel happy and joyful when we celebrate, I’d like to look at how we allow joy and happiness into our lives when we celebrate, especially on a daily basis. I feel that looking at how we feel about and express ourselves is also important. As is passion and creativity in our lives. Feeling naturally happy and joyful doesn’t have to be difficult at all. It can basically mean that you appreciate the simple opportunities to celebrate that life has to offer.

Is feeling joyful difficult for you in times of stress? Are there particular times when you attack yourself and then feel depressed? At one time or another we all may find ways to be critical of ourselves. Is self-acceptance difficult for you in times of stress? Are there particular times when you attack yourself? Are there certain situations that trigger your inner critic? Self-criticism can become self-destructive and sabotaging. It’s important to identify the times in which we hinder ourselves, because our ability to accept and have faith in our abilities is weakened.

Within Numerology you probably are aware that your Soul Number reflects how you see yourself. Do you see yourself as happy and satisfied with your life and open to celebration? Do you see that you have pursued those dreams and desires that you soul calls out for?

Ask yourself about those inner dreams or personal desires, that if achieved, would be reason to really celebrate? This question can enable you to look within and come to terms with your own abilities and desires. What are you drawn to do or have a calling for? Honestly, listening to the call of your soul, especially through the help of your Soul Number means finding ways to do the things you feel drawn to, even if you feel that you are not necessarily good at them. If you feel drawn to acting, then find a way to take part in local theater. If you feel drawn to painting, find a way to allow yourself to paint or at least to foster creativity within you.