Attract, don't chase

That saying, “everything happens for a reason”. I have always believed it.

There are so many wisdom sayings that we have to help us get through moments of challenge.

Why have I been struggling to call in a better opportunity? Why am I being met with so much rejection?

I am finding this chapter of my life is the one where the Universe is gently calling my bluff, and asking me to truly live within my values. Embody my beliefs.

What does that mean?

I’ve focused on abundance. I’ve acknowledged the patterns of thought that are aligned with lack, and I do my best to communicate in positive affirmative language.

I’ve focused on manifestation. For as long as I’ve been alive, I’ve written down visions for what I aim to create and I have been pretty successful at creating beauty in my life this way.

But it all feels like I’ve been missing a big key point.

I’ve been getting clear on what I want, I’ve been writing the visions, I’ve been doing the worksheets. I’ve been there mentally.

But I haven’t been leaning on the biggest gifts and support the Universe has to offer to me as a human being.

My physical vessel. My embodiment. The interface I have with everything around.

I’ve been so good at mentally planning the perfect next opportunity. But am I embodying the person who is a fit for that opportunity? Am I putting myself into the places that I will meet these opportunities?

I can say the answer to that question is no.

Another question that follows is, if I was embodying the person who I can now only imagine is a fit for that opportunity, is that the best I can do? Or is there an even better opportunity that is outside of the bounds of what I can conceive in my mind at this time.

Surprisingly, this approach create good results

I’ve been mass applying to jobs I am not even sure I want, because I’m just going through the motions. Mainly, because LinkedIn tells me that it’s how it should be. Mass rejections. Putting in the reps. Finding myself getting more and more irritated each time an application asks me for anything more than my resume, because… ain’t nobody got time for that.

But then I realize something my life training has told me this again and again. This experience is created by actions, for me to learn. I am responsible for my experience. I am choosing to take this approach, and I am allowing myself to become more and more frustrated as I go.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that the emotions: irritation, frustration, are not in alignment with this wonderful next opportunity I am planning to create. In fact, that sounds a whole lot like what I’m trying to avoid re-creating!

Attract, don’t chase.

This feels like a big realization to me, it may be obvious to others. Perhaps, it’s obvious because it’s clear when you see it in another person, but it’s not obvious when you are not adhering to it. (I should take note of this more often, I fall victim to it)

I’ve been resisting putting myself out to my own network, even though those are the people who know me and they are 100% my best chance of getting where I am going. I know that in my life at large, opportunities come through people. Magic, synchronicity, kismet comes through shared experience with others. And yet, in my work life, I have been actively avoiding situations that would allow that experience!

The other night, I was feeling a bit low, maybe inching towards despair. So I do what I know helps the most when my problems feel bigger than I can manage, I spent the end of my evening communicating with that unifying force of love that looks out for us all. I asked for support. I said, “Dear God, help me find my path forward, please. I put my trust in you”.

The morning after, I awoke to a LinkedIn message from a recruiter that said they saw my profile and thought my experience aligned with what they were looking for. I said yes to a call. We had a great chat. I feel excited. I don’t know if it will lead to a job. But I do know that I’ve felt great since. It’s put a little wind in my sails, and that is what I need at this time to keep going.

My takeaway from the experience, is that I need to focus more time on putting myself out there. Not as a piece of paper, but as a vulnerable Carly to the people who have known and loved her for years.

This season, I am looking to create opportunities that are beyond what I’ve experienced thus far. And so, I need to become the kind of person that those things would happen to. The miracles I’m after, they don’t happen to people who hide themselves away and are afraid to shine.

No, no. It’s time to shine.