Designer Faith

Designer Faith

Hey everyone! Great to be off to another exciting Designer week.
I feel like every day is so full of such tantalizing stuff, that I am overflowingly joyful and thankful. I find excitement in the most basic things, which brings me to this week’s focus: Designer Faith

Now, every so often, more often than not probably, I’m going to use words that some people will have all manner of mixed connotations attached to. It is never my intention to offend anyone. I accept everyone and whatever terminology they wish to use regarding their spirituality and the beliefs. Words, like life, are full of whatever we ascribe to them. Choose to ascribe well.

What is Designer Faith? Just ask any dog!

I’ve heard people say that dogs love humans unconditionally, but they are great with faith too. The two go hand in hand.
Now, when I arrive at the beach, it’s usually before the lifeguards have set up flags. In the earliest part of the day, doggies are allowed-on a leash, of course, but once the flags go up, these signs telling all the puppies to “Keep Out!” are erected too. No dogs near the bathers.
I kinda laughed to myself thinking about the fact that dog s don’t read. Nor, I venture, would they care. But there are repercussions if the message isn’t heeded.
The dog doesn’t concern himself with reading and/or obeying the signs...he just stays connected to his owner. He has absolutely NO FEAR or thought about where they’re going and as long as he’s with his owner, he doesn’t care.
Designer Faith is about staying consciously connected to the Creator within me, giving me absolute assurance that I am on the right path for me. Knowing I am loved, I learned to trust, and when I learnt trust, I began loving others-FEARLESSLY-Completely and unconditionally. Just like a dog.
Designer Faith for Life’s Essentials

I see Truth and Love in everything. I saw it in a seagull this morning.
It’s a bit hard to see, but this bird has found an apple core. How hard do you think that bird had to work to get that provision? Did sow the seed or grow the tree? Did it even pluck the fruit from the bough? No.

The bird just KNOWS it will have the sustenance it needs. “Consider the lilies of the field...” Nature presents us with the cues to follow. They are all around for those who ‘see’. When I’m consciously connected , I know my provision is certain. When I let my focus slip...then the conscious connection is broken, and stress, fear, doubt and lack are there, crouching by my door. I found my way into ever deepening understanding of these things because I had ‘reasons’ to feel afraid, but I hated the feeling s of fear and worry. I wanted to be free of them. I wanted to master the art of Abiding in God, and knowing the Power of the Universe lived inside me.

Sure, I slide in and out at times, but I am MUCH more often “in’ that place than ‘out’ of it, and here are some tips to help you learn this art too, and be free of the kind of mental torment that made my hair fall out!

And the best part? KNOWING “all things are mine”, gives me great confidence to jump at opportunities, and run at giants and boldness to claim my dreams-my Designer Life.

Designer Faith For Having Our Desires Fulfilled.

Once again, we can learn from the doggies around us. This Doggie is called Kane and when his owner, Ms J, takes him along the beach, they play with a thick stick. Once Ms J picks up the stick, the dog’s eyes never leave it. Kane’s gaze is FIRMLY FIXED on the object of his desire. NO distractions get his attention. He wants that stick. He doesn’t care about ANYthing else. And you can bet, he’s not entertaining for even a ‘split second’, the idea of NOT having that stick.
What do YOU want? How MUCH do you want it?
And don’t say ‘money’! That’s a cop out. Detail the life you feel money will make available to you.
How much time do you spend doubting your ability to achieve your dreams? It’s a massive energy leak. Focus all that energy on the already having of your desire-the home, the lifestyle, the travel. Become ‘obsessed’ in the best possible way, but do it from that place of connection where there is Joy and Peace and Love, rather than willpower, sheer grit and striving.

Life is only as hard as our resistance makes it. It’s as hard as we believe it has to be. It’s hard coz we think we DON’T-can't- have it.

An immediate way to improve things is to find reasons to be grateful and moments to take pleasure in. When you really do this, you align to Source. You connect. You FEEL better and you’ve begun to create something better. You also ‘see’ more clearly, and sometimes you feel prompted to take a certain action that becomes the pivotal turning point.

What “Designer Faith” means to me.
I love God.
I don’t think it matters what name you give, or don’t give, this Being. It is KNOWING the Being that counts.
“that which we call a rose...by any other name, would smell as sweet”...William Shakespeare.
God, no matter what you call him is glorious! Source is LOVE. The power of All-That-Is, the energy of all things, is LOVE. The Universe reeks of LOVE. My designer faith allows me to believe, touch, experience and savour this LOVE-In everything. It is in everything and everyone, as it is the very essence of all that we are-Energy

I feel like I’ve become an expert at extracting love from all around me in my life, through my Designer Faith. 

The Art of Controlled Chaos

For anyone interested in reading the Article I wrote for Business Broker magazine Feb 2010 issue

go here

[The Art of] Controlled Chaos in 2010.

Consider this: What if Chaos could help you to escape to a better place?

What if ‘Controlled Chaos’ could actually lead a person-or business-into freedom? Could it be creative navigation at its best?

The uncertainty and change of our current economic climate actually creates a rich incubator for creativity and forward movement. The challenge is to know where and how to set boundaries that keep a state of stability and security-and where not to-so that positive transition can evolve smoothly.

Allowing ‘chaos’ makes room for creative freedom and idea generation. Having ‘control’ is about keeping the outer parameters intact, and imposes a direction, and productivity, on what is created.

Regardless of your position in this economy, a little ‘controlled chaos’ could go a long way to improve it.

Expect the Unexpected

Based upon how well Australia has coped with the recession, it’s anticipated that our economy will increase throughout 2010. We suffered least of all the top 30 industrial nations, and have good fiscal procedures in place.

In essence, Australia has come through the worst and is looking ahead to a positive economic future. Even though this adds up to an optimistic outlook in 2010, don’t expect that it will be ‘business as usual’, for “The times, they are a-changin’”-and they are doing so at a breakneck speed.

The ability to adapt in the midst of flux is paramount. The need to respond with flexibility to change rather than react fearfully to it is Not-Negotiable. Going the extra mile will be essential. That is, actually being able to exploit change as a proactive launching pad. This will be an inestimable skill.

Having a regular practice of creative thinking will develop such dexterity. Creativity is the process of generating or discovering novel and valuable ways to solve problems or meet needs.

Improvisation and Innovation fuse as the core of creativity. Climbing out of a hole to anywhere is all uphill. Being confident with spontaneous problem solving nouse will certainly improve conditions. Competence in finding alternatives will make the journey a lot more fun, far more satisfying, and a great deal less stressful.

What Can be Done?

Learning various techniques to help develop your own creative thinking is a great place to start. Tools are available that can be easily taught. Engaging the services of a Creative facilitator will also to help ensure the activities are being properly done. If they’re not you miss out on their full benefit you could also doubt their value.

Once established, these thinking processes will simply ‘kick in’ at the appropriate times. Alternatively, they can be intentionally undertaken for a specific desired end. Creativity is permanently on tap for those who know how to control the ‘on’ switch to ‘chaos’.

Creative Thinking will encourage innovation to current products and services in a favourable way. It will enable business owners to recognise what matters and why, when redesigning. Keeping the best and revamping the rest brings fresh life to the business.

Well thought out changes in decor can lift morale. Subtle changes (e.g.in stationery or P.R. material) can stimulate thought and create a forward moving vibe for clients. A regular joint masterminding venture to review routines and systems is a great idea to improve staff culture. The synergy of the whole team will pick up.

Change is best implemented incrementally. One of the absolute best traits of true creativity is-it’s just plain FUN. It makes people feel good. People adapt much more easily, when change is fun. Creative growth is organic in nature, not Steroid-Injected. It has a natural flow-not forced.

Colourful Outcomes Leading to Greater Opportunities

People that feel good do a better job of everything.

Creative characters are fun to be around, exciting, upbeat, interesting. They dare to do more and tackle challenge with playful, yet sincere, enthusiasm. They need a little more creative license to display their initiative, but given a little structure, will yield, far more cutting edge returns.

The promise for any business owner who is willing to try a little creative navigation and commit to some “Controlled Chaos” in 2010, is that they will enjoy many benefits.

Lisa Shah-Director

Creator of CTT : Creative Thinking Technology

0438 944 745

www.lisashahescape.com

E.S.C.A.P.E. Outta the box

Gold Coast Queensland

Designer Alignment

Hello All! :-)

Hope you all enjoyed wonderful Valentine moments.

I made a very poor quality recording (on my phone) of myself at my gig singing “My Funny Valentine” and sent it to someone very special. Gotta say I love how technology affords such fantastic ‘connectivity’. I LOVE telling people when I think of them, what I feel for them, and somehow sharing a unique NOW with them-involving them in my life in a very present way. It’s an awesome gift!

So…this week I wanted to look at how we can align to, define and refine our Designer Life and how important it is to keep on our ‘energy toes’ with where our focus is going. A practice of taking time to “align” ourselves with what we want in our lives helps to keep our goals clear. Once that’s done, we can refine any NOW actions that can be taken to begin to align ourselves with the ultimate Design of our lives.

There is, I guarantee it, a lot more of your dreams accessible to you right now then you may even have realised.

My Definition of Alignment

To align oneself, according to me, is to be in harmony with, to agree, to flow with. In alignment there is no sense of resistance, only freedom since all that you are is merged with All-That-is. This may sound rather ethereal, but I’m sure you can tell when you feel ‘out of sync’ with yourself, or your natural rhythms. For example, when an opportunity looks good but something doesn’t feel right=out of alignment. Or when you’re looking into the face of your laughing baby and everything feels utterly perfect=aligned. It’s not really that hard to know the state of ‘alignment’. It FEELS GOOD, in all the healthiest ways. Fear, guilt, frustration=out of alignment and they DON’T feel good.

As we become increasingly familiar with what helps us to ‘connect’ to All-That-Is, we become more adept at staying in that state. Like anything, it takes practice and the creating of new habits-‘habituate to habitate’, but it DOES get easier, and so does intentionally creating your life from that place. When you create from this position, you will LOVE what unfolds.”Always reach for the thought that FEELS better”-Abe-Hicks

How To Go With the Flow

Your talents, gifts and passions are a fantastic ‘door’ into this elusive ‘secret garden’. PLEEEEEASE don’t relegate these things to your retirement, or render them unimportant or inconsequential. Given the ease of connection they offer, and the enormous capacity for personal satisfaction, they become of the utmost importance. They CAN become the very tools by which you SPECIFICALLY fashion your life into being. Mine are. Making time to work on a project or ‘just play’ is NOT NEGOTIABLE. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to complete a work/piece, as long as you have some measurable progress points. It only matters that you really engage with your inner fire.

The other infallible way to ‘align’ is gratitude and appreciation. There’s not a lot around that leverages energy in your favour the way these do. Be genuine. As with ‘playing with your passions’, it’s not what you physically produce that matters , so much as you fully and actively engage in the process. And the longer you do this and the more frequent, the better off you’ll be. Being appreciative of something’s value in your life costs nothing but some thinking. Rather than just listing what you’d miss, if you DIDN”t have something…think intently about what it really means TO have something. EG you know life would be tough without hands, right? But rather than stay in the place of imagining life without them, allow yourself to be fascinated by the life they GIVE YOU. Stop and look at them, look at how they’re made, what it takes for them to function-without your conscious thought. This is the type of DECONSTRUCTION I’ve mentioned before.

Rather than look AT something/someone…look INTO them. You’ll find such rich treasures.

Defining your Desires

When you’re in this state, you have a great sense of needing nothing. You enter into the knowing of “all things are mine” and all it takes to manifest any one of them is the confident acknowledgment that this is so. When you ‘live’ here, and you are on the path of “Zero Resistance”, you receive things swiftly, coz there is nothing in the way.

From this vantage point of Conscious Connection, you get a clear view of what you really want your life to look like. You know what really matters. AT other times, logic may want to come and tell you otherwise, but “Here”, you know. It’s so relieving, and so revealing. So medicinal. If I could physically give anybody anything, it would be to touch them with this feeling and the outlook it brings. Once you’ve tasted it, you’ll be addicted and never settle for less. Your soul knows its Home.

It is knowing WHO YOU ARE and how you fit: what your deepest passions are and what you want to leave as a legacy through them. Here, you will find a way to ‘carve your organic niche’ and leave a major mark on your world.

Refining the Package

I actually devised a CTT workshop for Home Business Operators and Online Business Entrepreneurs called “Carving Your Organic Niche” and it walks people through this process of Aligning and defining and refining their business goals, so that ALL they do is working WITH all that they are! If you’d like to have some interactive webinars like this, let me know lisa@lisashahescape.com . When there is no resistance, things ‘fall’ into place. Synchronicities you could NEVER have imagined, let alone orchestrated, take place all around you. And the REALLY fun part is when you can see how you played an active co-creator role in the specific and intentional masterpiece that is your life.

Living this way is a high like no other. Sure, the times when you’d like to blame someone, or something, else for what’s happening come along. But in accepting that everything is simply a mirror, looking for the insight it carries, being deeply thankful and adjusting our thoughts/energy, then like Simba from the Lion King, we can take our place as powerful participants in the Circle of Life-Creating our dreams and leading the way to show others how they can too-Making this a better place for all.

Why are you here?

A final exhortation just to encourage you to take some time to identify WHY you are in Obepro-or any business. And not just “to make money”, because it ISN’T just money. It’s what you think having money will do for you…in short, how it will make you feel. Imagine I was going to give you a cheque to cover whatever desires you could list in detail with approximate costs. Now…make/draw/collage/write your list in glorious detail. Send a copy to me if you can. :-) have a great Valentine’s Day week…savour it.

Lisa

Creator CTT Creative Thinking Technology

E.S.C.A.P.E. Outta the Box

http://lisashahescape.com

Designer Relationships Vol 1 Pt1-4

Here's the video that accompanies the last blog...made up from four short Facebook installments.

I'd really appreciate your opinion on whether you feel it's better to do these as individual parts, or like this. Thanks in advance! :-)

Designer Relationships

Hey All!

With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought this week's blog could focus on 'sharing the love'.

Two of my kids and my niece, and great niece, between them...we love well! (from our annual family reunion)

It Takes All Kinds

In our lives, we have all manner of relationships-from acquaintances we bump into at the shop, friends with whom we share a common interest, all the way to people we live and work with. Each of these serves a different kind of purpose and represents a different type of connection-but they all have something in common.

They all have the ability to change the way we feel.

And we have the ability to change their dynamics, so that they can all leave us feeling GOOD.

Keeping It Simple

As this is just a small space to get your attention, I'm not going labour anything, but hopefully get you thinking a bit.

There are basically two types of relationship, for all the forms they take.

Replenishing....and Draining.

Draw up a simple table with these two descriptions at the top.

Think about the people in your life.

Characteristics of a Replenishing Relationship

Consider one of your 'easy, 'replenishing relationships. The kind of person who is always so easy for you to be around. Think of someone right now...before continuing.

Ask yourself WHY you feel good around them and list your thoughts under the replenishing side.

When we feel good around someone it is because they make it easy for us to be ourselves. In fact, we even feel like it's safe enough to reveal aspects of ourselves we may not share with others. We know we won't be judged, or criticised, or gossiped about. We may even feel UNDERSTOOD, which makes us feel APPRECIATED.

It could be because this person makes you laugh. Their humour helps you detach from care just long enough for the burden to feel lighter. They feel like 'home'. They make it easy for us to feel connected to who we really are.

Also write down what you think this person usually feels when in your company...and how they feel after having shared time with you.

Are you replenishing for them as well?

In looking at these types of relationships, it will become obvious that these people accept responsibility for themselves, and never manipulate through bribery, fear, money, conditional acceptance, let alone coerce through emotional blackmail. Such ploys are not required. Everything is open and honest, and sometimes uncomfortably frank, but because you know the love is there, speaking the truth is not only acceptable, but DEEPLY DESIRED.

You always know where you stand-LOVED

Finish this list with whatever details you think of and then, shift to the thought of a 'draining' relationship.

DID YOU FEEL THE IMMEDIATE SHIFT IN YOUR ENERGY?????

I did, and I wasn't even thinking of someONE in particular...just the idea of those types of scenarios.

Characteristics of a Draining Relationship

These people usually complain a lot, but have all the answers for why they can't be helped. Healthy people can have a mood, or season in this state but these guys pitch a tent and set up camp here! They might as well build a solid structure, coz it's quite possible that they're never gonna move...

They want you to 'fix' things, coz you obviously had everything handed to you on a silver platter, but you know you can't, coz they are a parasite, and will never have whatever it is they think you should give them. Draining relationships are unhealthy for everyone involved, and it is only the people who are used to 'toxic, codependent love' that feel any need of them. Healthy people feel their leaching power, they will bleed you to death...just like the energy shift I mentioned.

They can also be cruel, intimidating, abusive...these extremes require a bit more depth...so contact me for more on those.

Write how they make you feel, the level of personal freedom you have in their company or not, the boundaries they cross. ALL the shitty detail... when you're done...revisit the good stuff...before going ahead.

Don't Throw the Baby Out With the Bathwater

Ok, so obviously you're gonna encounter all types. Not all relationships are ideal, but ALL PEOPLE ARE PRECIOUS.

These 'monsters' are there in your life, don't get mad now...because YOU LET THEM IN. It's time for some house cleaning. If you look at these relationships, you'll find these people have unrealistic expectations, cross boundaries and don't regard your time as valuable. They've become accustomed to interacting with you this way.

Use the standard of your better relationships to gauge them.

1. Draw up your healthy boundaries...learn to say 'no'. Not out of anger...but just 'no'. You don't need to explain, or justify or appease...just let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no'. This will do away with resentment on your part instantly, and it really doesn't matter what they think of you.And it will teach you to let other people to say ‘no’ without guilt or explanation as well. This type of freedom is very important.

2.Make a genuine offer to help with permanent change if you feel that connected, but if they're not ready to help themselves..move on GUILT-FREE.

3. If you do genuinely want them in your life, this is the way they can learn to interact with you in a powerfully positive way. It will also potentially teach them how to duplicate the process of accepting responsibility.

The best thing a HEALTHY person can do is accept responsibility in preserving their own state, and in doing so, make choices to position others for the same opportunity. You can't make their choice for them.

In Conclusion...for now

If you have to live in stressful conditions...take a pen and paper, and try to find things about that person and household that you like...or once liked. Try to imagine them that way again. In your thinking of them, do you utmost to look ONLY at those things you can appreciate, even if it's something as minor as the shape of their ears!

This isn't easy, but like all things, you can get better with practice, AND it should lead to more worthy of liking in your eyes. If you remain diligent and consistent, you should see a change in them, when they are with you. When they're not with you, relax knowing, that they're probably not in the state you like anyway!

I am surrounded by fantastic relationships. The ones that aren't 'healthy' just don't stick.

This coming week show your love flamboyantly and freely. It doesn't have to be expensive, but CREATIVE is good. Get in touch for ideas using CTT!

Footnote: My family was one of the most torn apart groups of dysfunctional people I knew. What exists today was not 'handed to us'...we had to envisage and design it!

Make the fault the feature Pt3 &4

I actually have an even better approach to this blog/vlog thing!!
Hang in till next week...you may even like playing the game!

One more part to this one...stay tuned..

till then,

Make the fault the feature Pt2

hey guys...there are two more instalments for this content...that compliment the written blog.

Hope you enjoy them!

p.s. don't get blase now, will you!?

Lisa

Make the fault the feature

Make the Fault the Feature.
The Only Certainty in Life is Uncertainty.
CHANGE is the one ongoing constant.
So how is it possible to ever FEEL secure? IS it possible?
It is indeed!

Controlling Chaos
Creativity is about being able to flow with change in a productive, even proactive, way. Rather than being a ‘victim’ of uncertainty, it is entirely possible, and I believe even intended, that we become INSTIGATORS of our own evolution.
When a person has practiced approaching life from the creative perspective, change becomes an adventure, simply because it becomes an opportunity to explore new frontiers, whether in relationships, family or business.
The fascinating ‘game’ of exploration and discovery takes hold of our minds.
Earl Nightingale says “...our part is to look with new eyes, the eyes of creation...and become ‘Collaborators in Creation’...”

When you are a conscious contributor in being the agent of change, you will immediately feel more positively toward it. Being willing and open to accept that responsibility is the first step.
But how does creativity bring us to this place of confidence in crisis?

Everything is Ever Evolving & the "Picasso Principle"

Since everything is energy and life is ever growing, the greatest resistance anyone can have to a fulfilling life or business, is to want to stay as they are! We cannot stop the flow of change. NEVER! What we can do is learn how to ride the tides...and this, my friend, we can master!

The skills that ‘playing with creativity’ hones and develops are those that embrace and initiate change. Learning how to objectively see a situation or ‘problem’ from multiple perspectives will allow several, even countless , potential solutions to emerge in your thinking.( I refer to this practice as the “Picasso Principle”, because Pablo Picasso, in his early Cubism work, presented flat versions of 3D images through multi facetted pieces placed adjacent to each other.)

Our friend Earl Nightingale, calls this perspective “Intelligent Objectivity”, and I also call it ‘Detached Observation’. It is about removing yourself from the centre of something and viewing it from without, turning it around and considering all the elements from various viewpoints.

In DECONSTRUCTING something this way, we become aware of ‘hidden information’, and this stimulates new ideas-especially when rearranged into new positions.

Make the Fault the Feature

When crisis dictates change, it helps to view the closing cycles as being transformed, rather than ‘ending’ or ‘dying’. When loss is our focus, it’s hard to see the present, let alone potential, gains...and there are ALWAYS gains. Change doesn’t have to come through calamity, either. New life brings about as much ‘shaking’. Just ask anyone who has had their first baby!

And this is a valid point: personally, I have taken the practice of viewing the cycles of life from this positive perspective that even when something I have so thoroughly enjoyed begins to ebb, I have no fear or regret. I know I have exploited as much opportunity to experience it and grow as I could. I am FULL of gratitude for it, and even if I may miss that old ‘way’ or ‘form’, I am SO excited at what is coming forth, that no sense of diminishing dampens my outlook.

I have literally trained myself to see ‘ends’ as beginnings. What could have been considered a ‘bad’ thing...or a fault (because I didn’t want to ‘let it go’), has become the shining feature, whose benefit brings excitement , adventure and more fulfilment. Through this attitude, I’ve entered joyfully into the flow of change, and this entry came as a result of being able to view things differently, through the “eyes of Creation”.

Habituate to Habitate-the Cure for Instability

I have been practicing Creative Thinking Technology (CTT) long before I ever packaged it and gave it that name. These thinking processes and practices are well and truly part of my wiring, and I know they are responsible for all the GOOD is see everywhere in my life-because I choose HOW I see.

From birth, one trauma after another, one enormous shift after another, one environment after another and even one tragedy after another, created the perfect place for me to learn and master these skills. I feel like an expert in transition. A shape shifter. Now, I’d go as far as saying I’m addicted to the rush of growing through change. Stagnation is something I heard of once, and no more!

Things like CTT can be used in one-off situations with purposeful intent to generate results, but it’s no substitute to a life of Intentional Design. Obepro provides a perfect ‘playing field’ to get creative, with its innovative approach to home business. To make the most of such a cutting edge opportunity, hone those cutting edge skills to wield this fantastic tool. The staples of good business building are in your hands, but the way you build can be as fresh as each sunrise. Being Creative will help you ‘think on feet’ in any contingency and bring you to a whole new depth of personal assurance. AND its FUN!!

**http://inspireyourattire.com/products-page/ using coupon code "DIYDesigner" for $2 disc or in Oz, email cory@inspireyourattire.com with "We want to inspire Our Attire"

For other videos that accompany this blog go to http://facebook.com/lisashah or http:/youtUbe.com/lisashahescape