Resourcefulness, An Attitude of Possibility!

Resourcefulness is a mindset of empowerment versus victimhood.  When we encounter something that must be resolved, we can either respond with frustration (victimhood) or creative problem-solving (empowerment).  Getting mad, angry, and frustrated feels good in the moment, but it does nothing to help us reach a solution.  Plus, getting mad, angry, and frustrated usually leads to wanting to draw others into our emotional state, which is not very fair to them—you know the desire to call your best friend and b*tch about what just happened!  I know I’m not alone in that. =)

Sure, it feels good to complain to someone about the frustration that we are feeling, but that’s just fueling our identification with feeling victimized.  Plus, we just end up sounding like babies—Why did this happen to me???  Nothing ever goes my way!  Ugh!—Whaa, whaa, whaa!, on and on we go.  Note:  I can’t spell sounds, but I’m sure you get my drift that it’s supposed to be a cry baby sound. =)

Identifying with being a victim is the opposite of where this journey is meant to be leading us.  This journey is not about succumbing to our circumstances; it’s about opening and listening to the Wisdom that comes not of us (A Course In Miracles).  Resourcefulness comes from this wisdom.

Resourcefulness occurs when we open to creative solutions versus caving to the frustration caused by the circumstances that necessitate resourcefulness.  When I say resourcefulness is a mindset, it’s because I believe resourcefulness can become a conditioned response to the problems that are bound to occur in our life.  Instead of responding with anger, which only serves to block creative solutions, we can train ourselves to become resourceful.  We can condition ourselves to become centered, instead of frustrated, when problems arise.  Through this centering, we open to the Widsom that is not our own.

Resourcefulness is another form of creativity, which means that it, too, springs from the space where our connection to our higher-power resides.  To connect to the space where creative solutions are born, we need to work at keeping this connection unobstructed from things like anger, fear, and frustration.  We have to clear our mind of thoughts that stem from these negative emotions, so that creative solutions can reach our conscious awareness; otherwise they remain hidden behind the veil of those emotions.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, the best way to create and maintain the space for this connection is to create a practice of silence through meditation.  In creating this space, creative ideas and solutions will have an avenue to materialize from.  The quieter we allow our minds to be, the less blocked we are from this guidance/creativity.

The more trusting we are of this space, the more we are able to turn to it and rely on it.  Our ability to connect to this space is based in our faith to be led by an intelligence much greater than our own.  We are trusting that this intelligence exists and that we can tap into it.

How much more of an empowering position can we be in than to rely on an all knowing intelligence to help us resolve the issue?

This all knowing intelligence may provide us with the solution in meditative silence or it may come to us at a later time, through an “aha” moment, a conversation where someone leads us to the next step in our solution process, or some other avenue.  The key is to maintain the space, through a practice of silence or meditation, for these ideas to materialize in our conscious awareness.  Our role is to create this space and, then, to trust, listen, and follow whatever comes, whenever it decides to come.

I think this is also key to believing in our ability to materialize our dreams.  A lot of people get stuck because the route to achieve their dreams is unknown, just like the unknown solution to the problem that needs to be solved.

The unknown is a lot less scary and frustrating when we no longer feel that we are venturing into it alone.

When I realized that I was writing a book, I didn’t get overwhelmed by the fact that I didn’t know or understand the publishing process.  I trusted that the path would be revealed to me.  Plus, in today’s age, access to information is at our fingertips—just Google it.  God puts things in our path and Google is one of them!  As I’ve mentioned in the past, once you open to the idea that you have a path that you’re meant to follow, you’ll gravitate to what you’re meant to connect to in order to help you move down your destined path.  It’s a matter to opening to the dream or the solution, whichever is the case, in that moment.

Not to mention, we are now in the most “do-it-yourself” era that has ever existed!  I guess I should qualify that as everyone between cavemen and pioneers were pretty do-it-yourself!  I mean “do-it-yourself” as it relates to chasing your dreams, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, writer, or musician.  The whole “indie” movement for filmmakers and musicians has completely changed what is able to be brought to market.  No longer must artists be squeezed through the machine of what is commercially marketable as determined by the “suits”—they can do what they believe in and let the audience decide for themselves.  With the advent of self-publishing, writers are able to join this “indie” movement, too.  As technology continues to be made more user-friendly, the barrier between who can use it and who can’t has been virtually eliminated.  If you have information and/or art that you want to share with the world to see who’ll respond, you can.  You can build your entire “platform” from your laptop.  This is exciting and all it takes is a little resourcefulness!  As Marie Forleo likes to say, “everything is figureoutable”.

The entire “do-it-yourself” attitude is based in resourcefulness, which is why I love it—it is very empowering!  My friend, Alex Scheel, is the perfect example of using a DIY attitude to materialize his dreams.  He is the lead singer in the San Antonio-based indie rock band, Pop Pistol.  They book their own tours, which have taken them across the country multiple times.  They write and produce their own music.  Alex does the artwork for their CD and vinly covers.  For their latest music video, Alex had to “figure out” how to turn his drawings into animations—talk about the epitome of DIY!  The band, along with a local production company, came together to create this super creative video for their latest song, No New Years Know.  Check it out here and let the doors to your own creativity and resourcefulness open up to what is possible!

My personal amendment to the Do-It-Yourself attitude would be to rename it Do-It-With God, which, from my perspective, is what is really going on behind the scenes. =)  Though, I must admit that I still don’t have any interest in DIY home projects! 😉

Much love to all,

Shanna

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