Perhaps you are wondering why the Afterword is here instead of at the end of the book. [Remember, you are reading an excerpt from my book. I did not originally write this for the World Wide Web.] I suppose I was afraid you wouldn't find it there after all those directory listings. And I'm working on doing things my way and hope you are having fun doing the same in your life.
For years I didn't even know what an Afterword was. I recently read that it is supposed to be a personal message from the author to the readers wishing them the best of luck using the book. Since I'm not a big believer in luck, I would rather wish you love and joy and inner peace with all of your life's decisions.Through my networking, I meet extraordinary people who are totally committed to their spiritual growth. Yet many of them tell me that they are vaguely discontented and ask me for advice. Most often I hear about their struggle with indecision, especially as it relates to their work. Most are looking for right livelihood - work they feel is in harmony with their spiritual journey. They say things like, "I don't know what to do next." "How can I be sure I'm making the right decision?" "What if I make a big mistake and can't go back?" But they also ask for guidance on spiritual paths and practices, diet, relationship questions, and anything else we humans struggle with. I am no guru, to be sure. I can only share my own life experiences. But I can definitely identify with them.
I am no stranger to uncertainty. I struggled for years with indecision when it was time to take the next step, whether it was changing jobs, spiritual paths or relationships. Then one day, not that long ago, my wonderful mother-in-law, Annette Greenwood, passed down a bit of wisdom that changed my life. It rescued me from the pain of indecision. Simply put, when I am trying to make a decision, if I don't get a clear YES, I'll take that as a NO. It sounds so obvious, an oversimplification for sure, but it works for me. Maybe it will work for you. When something is right for you, deep inside, you know.
NO wears red, like a stop sign. It is unequivicable, non-negotiable and doesn't paralyze you with indecision. NO is easy. That still small voice inside you knows when something is definitely not right for you.
MAYBE feels a wee bit wimpy and terribly taxing. MAYBE wears respectable beige. It appeals to your intellect, begging for a rational decision. MAYBE takes you for a ride on a pendulum that whimpers, "Maybe I should. Maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should. Maybe I shouldn't." MAYBE swings you back and forth, zaps your strength and toys with your self-confidence. MAYBE is exhausting. It whines at me and tempts me to bore my friends by talking matters to death. I confess I've asked total strangers for advice. Sometimes I think MAYBE is a devious plot to keep me from achieving my dreams!
But "YES" ... Ah, sweet YES!
YES bursts on the scene like fireworks and sparklers.
Imagination dancing wildly with Desire and Expectation anticipating the bliss of creative expression.YES!!! is exploding exclamation points!!!
It always blesses you with all the energy and tools you need to get the job done.
YES surprises you with support from the most unexpected sources
to fulfill its promise.YES is the green light of grace that shouts, "Jump!"
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