What Am I Telling the Universe?

My focus is clear on what I want... or is it?

My friend Kim commented the other day, "Sometimes I feel like I'm telling the Universe something, and the Universe is responding, but the response makes me feel like I'm not really understanding what I'm telling her!"

At first I laughed out loud. Then I got quiet and actually pondered the question - if the Universe is responding to what I am saying, then what am I saying??

The Universe is definitely responding to what I am saying.

I look around. I see my life as it is in all its glory, joys, messiness, trials, and successes. What have I been telling the Universe? What is the conversation I am having about myself and my desires? Is my conversation reflected in what I see and experience around me?

I know our beliefs are powerful. Our beliefs affect our actions and our outcomes. Our beliefs affect our perceptions and therefore our reactions. What we say, what we believe, will be given to us. Part of this has to do with the law of attraction, and the law of energy. Energy attracts a similar vibration. This is why people often experience a bad day getting worse. The morning starts with spilled coffee and a traffic jam, and throughout the day there are numerous accidents, trip-ups, or delays. On these days, we wonder why we ever got out of bed. Our energy started out low, maybe we were tired and clumsy. We stayed down in that wallowing energy, and our day never recovered.

Likewise, when our vibration is high, like the energy of love, joy, service, or gratitude, we attract more of that.

We've all experienced moments, days, or weeks when everything seems to just flow. That's energy.

I talk a lot about emotions, the subtle body, and getting out of our mind. I practice body awareness and rely on my intuition to guide me. However, the mind is an excellent teacher - when we observe the mind we gain insight into the messages we may be sending to the Universe. We gain awareness of our thoughts and beliefs. We can also use the logical mind to apply reason to our life choices.

In order for the Universe to respond to what we want, we need to be clear. We need to be focused. We need to say what we want and then mean it through our actions. If I say to the Universe, "I want to be a published author." But then I never write a book, and instead focus all my time and energy on another task, then I have just confused the Universe.

Connecting to our energy is not so much about asking for things - connecting to our energy means getting clear on what we want, and then showing the Universe through our own demonstration and action, what is important or of value to us. Where is my focus? How am I spending my time?

We are in constant communication - with the Universe and everyone around us. I can communicate that I am a friend, or not. I can communicate that I am reliable, or not. I can communicate that I am motivated, lazy, successful, indifferent, or willing. I communicate all these desires through my actions.

Sometimes I need to backtrack in order to see what I AM actually saying to the Universe: how did my past week reflect my values? I spent time with my kids, I worked, and I did my yoga/spiritual practices. What was my energy and intention around these activities? Was I fulfilled and joyful, or was it not how I wanted to spend my time?

The beauty of being in communication with the Universe is that everything can change in a moment. If you think you've been mis-communicating or misunderstood, it's easy to adjust. The Universe responds fast! Name your focus, and pay attention.