Even as I feel called to share what I have learned, I also feel silly, like I am strange or odd among a society that is not yet ready (at large) to consider it’s own development. As individuals, we do not consider our own development, I suspect, until at least stage 6’s first visit (understand the stages of human development here). Most people, on average, may progress along through the stages quite unaware of their own progression. But at some point, you question your life.
The cliche mid-life crisis, for me, came at age 31. I remember it vividly. I looked in the mirror as I always did but something had changed that morning. I was a little more awake and I did not like where things were going physically and I questioned where things were going otherwise. I became my needs again and my needs included diet changes, exercise and self-development. I didn’t really know where to begin on the self-development side so I started with diet and exercise. Exercise was like meditation in that it was a chance to quiet my thoughts and listen to the silence. The revelations were many and harsh – the realities of major mistakes made and unhealthy environments. I asked for experiences and a return to my self – to the core of my being that I had not felt since age 13 or 14. The universe did not disappoint… but it meant about 6 years of a VERY hard path.
I wonder sometimes if it is just me. Maybe this is just MY developmental path and maybe it’s just me who can manifest people, places and things into my life. Maybe it’s just me who can shape my reality with my thoughts and feelings. If so, then you are part of my reality and choose that you can do it too. Therefore you can. LOL. But in all reality, once I saw the work of Kegan, Fowler and the countless people out there online saying something similar, I knew that it was not just me – it’s all of us; and it is not new, it has been this way from the dawn of time.
Scott Adams, of Dilbert fame, recounts a great example of experimenting with manifesting in his interview with Tim Ferriss. These personal accounts show that you don’t even need to believe that it will work, you just have to do it correctly. It’s like Physics – you don’t have to believe that you can hit the target with the arrow, you just have to learn how to do it correctly. Practice, and the physics will take it from there.
The problem is that when you first hear about manifesting, it is usually from a somewhat woo-woo source like the movie, The Secret or a metaphysical website. But I have to tell you that it is really not so esoteric. The movie left out some crucial details and caveats, however. But it’s really very simple and easy to do. Frankly, I think it should be taught in school but I shudder to think what the results would be at that age. Vision boards and post-it notes are nice but they are only part of the story. It’s a skill,, like walking – something you are built to do, it just takes a little practice.
