It Helps to Believe in God’s Angels

We were near the half way point of our pilgrimage along The Way (or the Camino de Santiago) in Galacia, Spain. The quarter-sized blister on my right heel constantly reminded me it was there and the ache in my bones was gnawing and deep – a kind of deep I had never experienced before. It felt as if my bones were moaning. The pain was not muscular strain or a symptom of my lack of endurance, but something more I could not identify. This added emotional fatigue to my physical pain. One step in front of the other was my only choice unless I wanted to give up and ride the bus.

No way! Not this pilgrim. I traveled to Spain with my husband to experience this spiritual journey and I was going to do just that!

Ken and I started the first few mornings hiking together, but his pace was much faster than mine especially given his long legs and my physical state. As the days progressed, I urged him to go ahead so he could move at a more gratifying and natural cadence. This provided the opportunity for each of us to walk parts of the Camino with our new friends from our small tour group. Ken usually hiked the morning with Clay since their pace was similar. I often hiked with Cathy, since she bravely traveled solo on this journey and had no built-in hiking partner. Her life story was humbling to my heart. I cherished the time I got to spend with her along The Way. Experiencing different parts of the journey each day with a new friend who willingly shared their own significant story became a special treasure.

Each morning our guides mapped out what we should expect from the miles ahead. They plotted our touch-point-stops so they could account for us throughout the day. The group was good about keeping a mindful pace that allowed us to meet for lunch and finish within thirty minutes to an hour of one another at the end of the day. I am not sure when or why my evaluation of this mapped-out journey shifted, but somehow my vision that I had created in my mind of this spiritual trek was not matching the reality of it. My focus was clearly clouded.

The morning instructions and evening recaps from our guides seemed laborious. The history lesson at lunch BEFORE eating a crumb of food after eight to ten miles of hiking was an impediment for re-balancing my blood sugar. The pain was mounting in my body and the circles and bags under my eyes were becoming more exaggerated. The hard mattresses and dark, dank rooms were tiring and void of the joy and comfort that I anticipated at the outset. The mostly gray skies that threatened of rain daily dampened my outlook.

These things consumed me.

Did I love the people who were gathered around us as new friends? Yes! Was the food excellent and plentiful? Absolutely! Were our guides lovely and helpful? Of course. Was my husband loving me through my struggles? Hmmm. . . ? That peach umbrella protection he offered day one of our quest seemed now to be a great emotional distance away.

I was pretty sure my inner pouting was making its way out to the visible side of me. Much to his credit, Ken and I began the afternoon part of our hike together. I fought desperately to suppress my misery. He was rightfully sick and tired of my whiny presence and for remaining slightly ahead of me on the trail, yet I could not stand staring at his back any longer.

I stopped and stomped and proclaimed that this whole adventure seemed to be about reaching target after target, destination after destination, and hard bed after hard bed. Nothing about it was feeling very spiritual to me! Ken stopped. He turned and looked at me. I continued by barely muttering that I had carried my mother’s kite in my backpack for days and it seemed we never slowed long enough to fly it. It seemed we never paused long enough to notice the wind.

At this point, I was tired of my own damn self.

It was time for Ken to respond. He walked back toward me. He reached for my hand and said, “Let’s step off the trail and fly the kite.” A faint “Really?” came out of me. “Really.” he said. We stepped off the trail. Tears were just under the surface of my suffering fighting for my joy to win. I told Ken that I loved his invitation but I did not think the moment was right because the breeze was too inconsistent to take the kite up; he insisted that we try. . . so we did.

The kite rose and then swiftly fell. At that very moment I heard a voice behind me saying, “Give it more string, it will fly.” Who is that? Those are words my mother would say. Again, “Give it more string.” The next thing I knew, this man who seemed to have a lifetime of belongings on his back exited the Camino to help me and my mother’s kite seek out freedom and the breeze. He picked up the kite. He opened its wind channels and he gently encouraged me again to give it more string as he held it above his head.

We both watched it take flight. My heart took flight with it. Unbeknownst to me, my husband was yards away shooting a video with his phone. He captured the encounter with this stranger from the Camino. The encounter that took place just after I had made the proclamation that there seemed to be no room in this hike for my spiritual journey.

My husband, though tired of my disposition, led me off the beaten path to encourage me to take the time to experience God’s presence. And what did God do? He sent an angel to speak familiar words that I have heard many times from my mother. That angel had earbuds around his neck with music playing from them. The tune was captured on my husband’s video. The song was FREEBIRD by Lynyrd Skynyrd. That moment could not have been more masterfully orchestrated.

God sent me an angel when I finally exclaimed, “I want this to be a spiritual journey!” He reminded me that it was up to me to ask and to seek that adventure. He reminded me, “Robin, let it go. Don’t hold on so tightly. Freedom comes when you stop controlling every outcome.” I was indeed holding onto so many things that I needed to release like believing my expectations were the only right way for this pilgrimage to be significant or godly. I needed to look up and I needed to step off path and snap myself out of the self-centered place I had allowed myself to go. I was reminded to look around me and to see the beautiful gifts He has waiting for me. When I ask, seek, and notice, he answers me.

As I made room for gratitude to grow within me more miraculous encounters followed throughout that day and the days after.

Imagine that.

LESSON 2:

My suffering can block my view of joy. Waiting for my spiritual journey to happen to me only means I miss the signs along the way. I have to be an active participant by surrendering my frailties and trusting in God’s help. Of course, believing that He sends me an angel now and then doesn’t hurt.

I hope you will stay tuned for Lesson 3 to follow. I look forward to hearing from you in comments below!

One of my favorite quotes, “Create the space and a bigger life happens” is by Alysia Reiner. The first time I read this quote I felt the need to de-clutter my physical space. You know, purge and eliminate piles. It seemed I was skilled at creating little piles in every room – and my desk… forget about it.
So, I began the task of eliminating piles to create more physical and visual space. With each step toward “less is more” I found a desire to “create space” in other areas as space can be physical space, calendar space, mental space or soul space. I was discovering that in all of these spaces “clutter happens.”

Generally my life was organized, but busy and filled with lots of activity and commitment. Busy felt natural – most of the time, but it was beginning to consume me. It was time to pause. A forced pause was created in my life. It turned out to be a gift even if I did not see that right away. However, I now understand that I can actually “create” an intentional pause! Pause creates more clarity. Pause re-introduced me to myself. As I took time to be still, I began to really consider “bigger life.” At first, I thought how in the world would there be space for MORE? Yikes, more or bigger sounded scary and nearly impossible.

Does a “Bigger Life” sound scary or exciting to you?

For me it’s both. As I reflected further on this “bigger life” concept I asked myself… isn’t wanting more selfish? After all, my most important needs are covered: food, clean water, shelter and love. For all of these I am grateful. So what is a bigger life all about? Bigger began to translate into less of going through the motions and more intentional living toward what mattered most to my heart. This meant deciding to step off of the path of least resistance to step toward heart-filling commitments. I was seeking ways to fill my soul not just my time.

The pixels started filling in to create a new overall picture. I started small by eliminating one pile at a time in my home and office. The visual and physical space created more air, more peace. This created a natural desire to pause and breathe which then created greater desire within me to de-clutter other areas of my life like my calendar of commitments. I was officially on the quest of less is more!

Momentum was growing. As I reviewed my calendar of commitments, I asked myself one question over and over, “does that fill my heart or drain my spirit?” You see, I did not ask, is it important? I can tend to make every commitment important and therefore hard to eliminate. (Does that sound familiar?) Instead, I had to get creative about how I would resolve the draining part. Do I eliminate, delegate, find new ways to approach it? As my calendar began to transform so did my life. Fewer commitments that actually drained my spirit provided more space for the more meaningful. This also meant the people or events I was (and am) dedicated to got (and get) the “best me.”

Life was transforming from less of going through the motions and more intentional and authentic choices. I was (am) becoming who God created me to be. I firmly believe that you too were created to be fulfilled not just busy so that you too live your BIG LIFE of fulfillment. We were not created to be lost in busy-ness or carried along in the flow of what others expect our life to look like from the outside. Creating the space within our soul and heart to live a more fulfilled life is what God has in mind for each of us. YOUR PATH MATTERS! Your dreams matter. Your choices matter – every day. It’s your path – your choice.

Simplifying my life in this way also provided the space to dream, to be courageous, to step out to lift others in ways to help them also realize their best life and their best version of who they were created to be. http://yourpathmatters.com/we-offer/

I invite you to pause, to choose … Less busy, filled life for more fulfilled life.© Are you ready to trade piles and stuff for space, or trade commitments that drain you for commitments that lift you or a filled calendar for intentional time to pause, reflect, rest, read, dream and grow into your bigger life?

What could YOU have less of to create space for more of __________ ?

What might compel YOU to pause? To breathe? To live YOUR bigger, more fulfilled life?

I would love to hear about it. Let us all know what you have traded for “less?” Your story could help others who are reading! Thank you in advance for your important contribution.

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Thank you for reading “Pause Creates New Space!” Please consider leaving a comment.

Be on the lookout… Your Path Matters Message Jewelry Store opening soon! Be sure to come back to check out the site or facebook for the store opening!

I Need a Sign… Part III of A Skywriter, A Billboard, A Bumper Sticker and A Phone Call

This time God dialed in through A PHONE CALL…

It was March 2011 about a year after I had the privilege of presenting my very first Women’s retreat. I set this goal, dream actually, in 2008, to help other women find joy, purpose and fulfillment. THIS, I believed would be my mission forward. This vision was rooted in my faith. I hoped that through this retreat process and the sharing of my own life stories others would see God and all his goodness.

In August of 2009, my friend Nancy and I were sitting on a balcony overlooking the San Diego harbor sipping a glass of Chardonnay. Nancy looked at me and said with direct inquisition, “So, Rob, you have been talking about this retreat stuff for a while now, when is the first one going to take place?” I understood. Dreams are good. They set direction and focus to our goals, but it was up to me to set a concrete date to my plan in order to advance the dream. Nancy was right. Together we set a date and agreed the first retreat would take place in Nancy’s retreat-like living room. There was new fire within me to complete the itinerary for the 2-day event. All my focus was directed toward making that dream come alive.

Naming the retreat was part of the creative process as well. The name was claimed after attending a creative workshop with a group of dear friends. It would be “ALL IN.” Yes, ALL IN RETREATS™. The acronym “A.I.R.” seemed completely appropriate. I could see women coming to this retreat seeking fulfillment, purpose and meaningful dreams as much as they sought AIR itself, (to borrow a page from Socrates’ book).

The retreat was just about a week away and road blocks were popping up right and left. I consulted friends for prayer. I was determined to stay the course. The day before the event, a snow and ice storm moved in. Nancy’s living room was a 2 hour trip for some of us. I consulted the travelers. They were “ALL IN.” We traveled through the storm in faith. The retreat took place for two glorious days. As we experienced the very first ALL IN RETREAT together our hearts were filled with song, inspiration, new dreams and pure delight fueled by the hope that our dreams are possible.

Even so, about a year after the first retreat and several subsequent others, I was beginning to doubt if this retreat business was my purpose or was it just a frivolous dream? I was working to get other retreats scheduled but it seemed people were too busy or perhaps just not ready for the topics at hand. I was getting discouraged, so what did I do? Yup, I asked God to give me a sign. “God please make it clear if this dream is about you and not about me. I need a sign.”

The very next morning, March 4, 2011, at 7:15 am, I was on my way to a breakfast meeting and my friend Nancy called. This was very unusual time to hear from her. Her immediate question to me, “Hey Rob, have you ever researched the meaning of the words ‘all in?’” Really? She called me at 7:15 am to ask me this question after I prayed for a sign the night before?

My answer to her, “no, but something tells me you have.” She was reading the book Aspire, by Kevin Hall (a must read!) and in the foreword was the definition of All In. This is what she read to me that very morning…

“The word Ollin is a word of depth from the Aztecs. It described a powerful event, like an earthquake or a great storm that shakes the earth. It conveys intense and immediate movement. Ollin means to move and act now with all your heart.

To experience Ollin you have to get All In. Global words such as this can unite a people throughout the world with a common language.”

So my goal was and is to move women’s hearts in intense and immediate ways using the common language of love. I believed that the retreats would begin locally with a message that could be embraced universally. And WOW, there it was. My answer in Kevin Hall’s book shared through my friend Nancy on a phone call the very morning after I asked for a sign. So not only am I grateful for God’s messages, I am also grateful for dear friends who are prompted and committed to deliver them.

God hears our requests. We just have to believe that when the answers come they are personal not just coincidence. They are sent especially for us.

Have you ever asked for clarity and received an answer in a simple yet miraculous way? I’d love to hear about it and celebrate it with you!

Do you have a friend who believes in your dreams and vision? I would LOVE to cheer you on if you want to share your dream!!

Have you ever sent up a prayer and then just moved on? I do it often. I have lots of requests for God, but then often I forget to linger long enough to give Him an opportunity to answer me in some way. I just move along with my day and essentially block God out. I don’t always get answers when I ask and seek, but sometimes answers come in massive message form.

It’s crazy really. It’s okay if you don’t believe me because it really is hard to believe that at times when I have asked God for a sign he has sent a skywriter (for real!), a billboard (not kidding), a bumper sticker (which could have been missed in a blink) – the list goes on. These stories will show up in future blogs. You can read them and decide for yourself what you believe. For me, the evidence is so alive that I cannot deny that they are answers to my prayers, to “my ask.”

I have been asking for affirmation about sharing this YPM message with the world in larger form. So here I am writing this blog, creating message Jewelry for YOU to wear, share and embrace, and teaching workshops every chance I get. In reflection, all signs have positively led me to this moment. Along the way, my sense of urgency to share this YOUR PATH MATTERS message sometimes translated into doubt because I wondered if I was “doing enough or moving fast enough or even on the right path at all.”

My heart can sometimes make too much room for the fearful questions of “not enough.” Sometimes my desire to complete the vision even led me to expensive or significant time delay detours. I have felt “ready” for years to share this message, God’s love, and my struggles (oddly enough) in hopes to help others. Even though I am learning that it is up to me to pause long enough on my path to Ask, Seek, Knock and listen. I am also realizing that I will never have all the answers or “enough” information.

So, NOW is the time for COURAGE and ACTION. I am grateful for this opportunity to share.

Donald Miller, in Blue like Jazz, says that “…sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself (like Jazz or God). It is as if they are showing you the way.”

Believing in something can be sparked by a feeling but then it is up to us to decide whether or not to embrace that feeling as a value in our own life.

So here I am today sharing the YOUR PATH MATTERS in what I trust is God’s perfect timing for you to have discovered this site, these words, this message. Can you trace any of the steps on your path that brought you here today? Was it whim or perhaps purpose? You get to decide….YOUR PATH MATTERS.

Ask…Seek…Knock

Matt. 7:7 – “Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.”