By Estra Roell

Life causes us to ask. Every time we experience something we don’t want we get more clarity on what we do want. A desire is broadcast to the Universe at that moment. The Universe hears and responds by immediately setting into motion the cooperative components necessary for bringing us what we want. When we are faced with a difficult decision we ask for an answer. We are very clear that we wish we knew the best course of action to take.

So why does it seem that we often don’t get what we want? Many people ask by default without really putting intention behind the asking. The Universe is poised to help us. The question is, are we ready to receive the help and are we grateful?

Remember that the Universe responds to our vibration, not our words. Our vibration is determined by how we are feeling in any given moment. So–the desire goes out, the Universe begins to gather the components together, and we stop the receiving by continuing to complain about our situation. We run around trying to affect our situation through taking action. Action is a fine thing and necessary to receiving what you want, but if it is not inspired action, it may be a long time before anything you DO pays off. Inspired action comes from getting quiet, stilling the mind, and then asking, with the intention that what you receive is for your highest good. Now, most importantly, you must listen for the answer. It may come immediately, or it may come later, when you are taking a relaxing bath, reading a book, just about to fall asleep, just waking up. Notice that these are all times when you are relaxed and receptive. You’ll know when the action is right because it will feel like something you can’t wait to do, even if it is somewhat outside of your comfort zone. Everything will flow effortlessly, the way will seem clear.

Asking for help is the first step to manifesting. Ask with the idea that you deserve the thing you want. Be playful and have fun with it. Notice where you are putting your attention. Is it on what you want, or is it on the lack of it it? Are you complaining or stressing about it not being there? The Universe will give you what you choose to spend your time and focus with. Are you hanging out with lack, or are you engaged in enjoying what you have and what you are manifesting? Are you focused on gratitude or are you whining about your life? As Wallace Wattles says in The Science of Getting Rich, ” Gratitude brings your whole mind into closer harmony with the creative energies of the Universe”.

Here are some tools to help you get into that playful, fun, grateful feeling of manifesting;

1. Keep a gratitude journal. Buy a special notebook that is attractive to you and a special pen that feels good to hold. Then, every day, write down what you are grateful for. Include what you already have and what you know is coming. Feeling grateful for what you have not yet seen manifest is true gratitude. Remember that 99% of what we want is already done before we see evidence of it.

2. When you are stuck in a feeling of worry or lack, or impatience look for the positive aspects in your situation. Write a list of all the things that are going right. Take any subject, whether it relates to the thing you want or not and ask yourself what you love about it. It can be a person, a pet, your garden, your house, a meal you ate–anything. The idea is to be focused on things that feel good. When you are in a state of appreciation you shift your vibration and are attractive to everything you want.

3. Love the contrast. I find this especially powerful. Think for a moment. Without the challenges in your life you wouldn’t be so clear on what you do want. The contrast is what causes us to ask. It’s what points out what we want to be, do or have that is different. It is the contrast that causes us to grow and expand. Without it we would stagnate. So include it in your gratitude journal. You might say “I am so grateful for this challenge that has pointed out to me the direction in which I desire to grow. I am now able to see more clearly, heal this situation and move forward.” I know in retrospect, all my challenges were extremely wonderful tools for moving me forward into something that was infinitely better than where I was.

4. Segment Intending: This is a process from Abraham-Hicks that involves setting your intention for each segment of your day. You have segments to your day of getting up and getting ready for the day, segments of driving, segments of work, eating, conversations, etc. Before moving into the next segment, stop, and set your intention for how you want to see it happen. I add a little extra, by paving the way with light. Just use your wonderful imagination! Have fun with this! See if you can stretch your vision to include a little more than you think you can have in each segment.

We are not alone–the Universe wants to give us what we desire even more than we want it. By expanding ourselves, we expand the Universe for we are not separate from it. Ask and it is given.