Creating the Ideal You

Today is a special day for me.  I’ve called it my favorite holiday, but I’m not sure it even is a holiday and most people don’t know what it is.  So what is today?  It’s Pentecost Sunday.  Stay with me, I’ll explain why it’s important to me…

Have you ever felt like you had a calling?  A drive to do something in your life?  Or maybe a strong desire to improve one facet of your life or improve a relationship?

Where are you in life now?  Is there something you want to change?  Are you job searching?  Trying to find your real passion in life?  Or looking to be fully devoted to making a positive difference in the lives of your loved one?

I know I’ve had some horrendous results in my life and areas that certainly need to change: Business venture where there is a pressing need that has not been acted on.  Making the income level needed to give back to world in the way we plan to.  Being fully present and devoted to making a positive impact in every cherished moment we spend with our loves ones. Etc.

…but in whatever area you want to change or improve or wherever it is you’re being called to do, you can always see the way you desire to be.

Do you ever see this ideal you at some point in the future and you want to go to that place – to be that ideal you – to be the greatest vision of the grandest version of yourself.

Have you had one of those moments when you feel like the universe is aligned in your favor, when everything is going right, you feel unstoppable, on top of the world like you truly could do anything you could think of and you will succeed?  Some would call this their peak state.  While in this state, you see that ideal you or that something you want in your life.  You see it as being reality. You see that future picture in vivid detail, and the vision of the accomplished goal is so inspiring that it propels you to action.

For me, I most often find this peak state in what I’d call the post-workout high, after a super-intense CrossFit style workout with the inspiring music of Pearl Jam and Third Day blaring through the speakers.  In this peak state, I feel one with the universe and like anything I envision can be a reality.  For those supporters of the Law of Attraction, this is the same philosophy of seeing the vision of what you want in your life as a reality in the future.  Taking this oneness with the universe a step further, I’d say it’s connecting with our inner (true) self, the power in the universe and the unifying love that drives this world.

Whatever you call your creator, your God or the force the makes the universe go, that’s what I’m talking about here.

For me, it’s the power of God, the Holy Trinity, the Spirit of God working through us.  God is inside each and every one of us and it’s in those moments of passion and the action that we take from them that we let our lights shine brightest for all the world to see.  This is the connection to Pentecost.  Pentecost Sunday commemorates the decent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ Apostles.  It gave them the power and inspiration to go forth and spread the Good News.

Back in high school, I had a very powerful experience on a religious retreat where I felt God’s love in such a strong way that it really did change my life.  The retreat closed with a Mass.  At Mass, after communion with the spirit of God in me, I looked up at the crucifix and saw rays of light.  I was filled with a love that cannot be described in words.  It gave me all the inspiration I could need to go forth in life.  I still look back on that day as “my Pentecost.”

While I have not had experiences as powerful as that again, I do love to tap in to that pure, powerful love that is out there to help us make a change and to respond to a calling.

So, whatever change you want to make in yourself or in the world, you can harness that power and find the spirit that moves you.  In may not be in a post-workout state, but rather a quiet meditative state.  Whatever works for you, do it.  When the power of God is behind you, you can’t lose.  As my grandfather wrote to me in a letter when I went on that retreat, “You have everything you need to be successful in this world. Just put yourself in God’s hands and make it happen.”

So, what I am doing to respond to the calling and to make those changes in my life happen? (For fans of Tony Robbins, you will recognize these steps)
1)    Got into my peak state
2)    Recognized the issue I wanted to improve
3)    Saw the ideal future of what I desire
4)    Clearly defined why I wanted this future vision
5)    Used that peak state motivation to create the plan to get there
6)    …and now, taking massive action

Harnessing the power of love can be life changing.  The amazing phenomenon of love is the more we share, the more we get back.  Inspired by the lyrics of Eddie Vedder in Pearl Jam’s Given to Fly, “He gives his love, he just gives it away and love he receives is the love that is saved,” part of my mission is to go forth to love and serve the world.

I’d encourage you to find whatever it may be in your life you are looking to change or what steps you need to take to create the ideal you.

Whether you are spending time celebrating cherished moments with loved ones in Florida or are making a positive difference in the lives of others in Africa, we can all take the steps to bring a little more light into this world, so go forth to light, love and serve the world!