Sticky Situation

Back in my 80’s college days, I remember smurfin’ away at the Blackburn Center at Howard University to a dance tune called Sticky Situation. Thanks to YouTube, I  took a lovely dance down memory lane this morning.

I figured the lyrics were about some kind of relationship drama but back then, I don’t think lyrics were the focus.

Today, however, I’m talking about a different kind of sticky situation when it comes to relationships.

How many of us have thought that by simply leaving a relationship or situation, all of our problems would be solved?

Not necessarily running away (even though that may have been a part of the exit strategy) but the notion that simply removing ourselves from the person or situation would make everything copacetic? (Another throwback for my 80’s crew!)

I’m here to tell you – based on personal experience – that if we don’t learn life lessons as they are presented, they will be back.

Like bad fungus.

What I also know for sure is that if we want them to, these lessons can usher us into a greater communion with the Divine, which is ultimately expressed in the love we show for ourselves and one another.

In my relentless search for Truth, I stumbled upon this wonderful passage in Rhonda Byrne’s latest offering, The Power.

Miss Rhonda is best known for her powerful book, The Secret, a wonderful introduction to the Law of Attraction. In The Power, Miss Rhonda makes it clear that the Power behind the Secret is…you guessed it – L-O-V-E.

In the chapter on The Power and Relationships, Miss Rhonda notes that the Law of Attraction is a sticky business. What that means is whatever I rejoice in, give, or offer out sticks to me.

What’s more, she also notes that I can make a shift in how I manage the people in my life that I consider challenging or difficult by looking at them as Personal Emotional Trainers (PETs). In this way, they are like physical personal trainers because, “they push me to my limits…but [they] are the ones who are making me stronger to choose love no matter what.”

So if I have trouble in my relationships, this sticky business, "...is fantastic news because it means [I] can stick everything [I] love and want to [me] by looking for the things [I] love in other people, and saying yes to them with all of [my] heart!"

I have to power to change my relationship challenges by, “noticing everything I love in other people,” which, she goes on to say, is a full-time job.

Ain’t that the truth.

I would have to say that since my existing strategies have not worked, I am willing to give her suggestion a whirl.

Last week while I was meditating over my cup of coffee with Queen Latifah, I purchased a journal with a cover that read, “Keep Calm and Carry On” (see Keep Calm and Carry On - Alli’s Two Cents dated January 19, 2012). Based on a principle from Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Simple Abundance, I decided to use this as my gratitude journal. According to Miss Sarah, Miss Rhonda, and Oprah, listing five things I am grateful for before going to sleep every night can be life changing no matter what my day brought.

Since I am famous for buying beautiful journals to embark upon one inner journey or another, the frugal side of me kept the receipt in case this was another one of my internal excursions that cost me money I should probably spend on something more practical, like groceries or gas.

But alas, the Universe confirmed that I’m on the right track.

Every Monday, Miss Rhonda sends an email called the Secret Scrolls. This inspirational message is designed to help us Truth Seekers stay on the Path.

Here’s what the challenge was for this week:

If you have a problem with a member of your family who is negative, begin by writing a list of all the things you appreciate about that person. Remember to include gratitude to them for giving you a great desire for positivity in your life; because that is a gift they are giving you. As you focus with all of your strength on appreciation, you will not only reduce your exposure to the negativity, but at the same time you will be attracting positive people into your life. Get yourself on to the appreciation frequency, and the law of attraction can only surround you with people who are in a positive state.

Funny how the Universe responds to your intentions.

So I’ve embarked on a 30-Day Gratitude Experiment.

I am on Day Two of writing down five things I am grateful for not only in my day but in relationships that I may have deemed negative.

So far, my awareness has already increased and I am truly grateful for that! (Item #1 for tonight J)

I predict I will report back in 30 days a changed woman – more joyful, more at peace, and more loving. And I invite you to join me! Start today focusing on gratitude for whatever you may think isn’t working in your life and watch what happens! And do share!!