Getting Highly Sensitive, Highly Creative Visionaries Back On Track With What You Were Put Here To Do

Things have been literally topsy-turvy for me lately (there’s nothing quite like being upside-down in a car wreck to turn your world view on its head) and I know I’m being lovingly confronted by the Universe AGAIN with the reminder that no, in fact, I am not in control, as much as I might like to believe that I am. Can you relate?

My Facebook buddy, Ricky Barnes, commented on my wall today, “It’s interesting, if we pay close enough attention, more times than not things go against plans than with them. We disguise this fact by claiming what actually took place — good or bad — is what we’d intended. We grant ourselves the illusion of control but, when we’re genuinely honest, we can admit we have very little. The mistake is in craving control rather than nurturing a passion for the unexpected which is, after all, commonplace.”

His brilliance was another reminder of the wisdom I’ve been receiving all around me. My fearless branding muse, Giulietta Nardone, wrote me just the other day and said, “You’re on a journey that requires the BIG LET GO to enjoy the ride.“

How perfect for someone with a Life Lesson of Trust and Surrender, eh?

So how does one relinquish control? Especially someone with YEARS of training in trying to manage the unmanageable? Seriously, you could submit my name for General Manager of the Universe and I’d probably get the job.

Control is clearly an illusion after all, and yet I find myself believing that I can, should, and have to worry, fret, or take charge in order to create the outcome I want.

And yet, really, that doesn’t leave much room for the Universe to step in, does it?

Here are a few lovely ideas I’ve been reminded of lately:

1. Ask For This or Something Better. My teacher Sonia Choquette always reminds me to wish for “This or something better,” to make space for the Universe to improve on what I’m dreaming of.

2. Have a Mantra. My favorite phrase, “Somehow this will all work out, even if I can’t see how yet,” is my best antidote for my mind’s desire to “figure it all out.” It’s so easy to get caught up in strategizing, angling, thinking through, what if-ing, and calculating, when in fact, there’s very little I can do but enjoy the ride and go with the flow of life.

This mantra helps me to remember to let go.

3. Create an “Answered Prayer Box.” One of my teachers and colleagues, Pamelah Landers, told me about her “Answered Prayer” box. In it, she puts notes about the things she’d like help creating. On top of the box is a sticky note that says, “Answered Prayers.” She says she instantly feels better when she puts a note in her box, knowing her guides and the Universe are going to work on her behalf.

Of course this reminds me 1) that we STILL aren’t in control, even when we’re wishing, and 2) of a blog post I read today about Why The Secret Hasn’t Made You a Millionaire. But it is a powerful reminder to WISH for and then RELEASE the things we are dreaming of.

4. Remember that Creative Angst is Simply Bottled Up Energy. In the midst of all this control drama, my creative angst (and Part 2 of my Life Lesson: Creativity) have been showing up in the form of confusion and uncertainty about what I’m “supposed to do next” (even though I really know it’s about writing my screenplay). (And do you notice, that’s about control and figuring it out again??)

My writing buddy and shaman Elaine La Joie reminded me that I was judging my discomfort as confusion (a mental idea) instead of simply recognizing it as 1) my Lesson, and 2) energy that doesn’t yet have an outlet.

Then I was able to remember that creative confusion, apathy and spinning in circles are just smokescreens for creative fears and that the antidote is to take action doing something creative. I got my logline finished for my screenplay, and voilà, felt so much better.

5. Get support. Can you see from all the names I’ve listed here today how much I’ve been relying on others? As Sonia says, “You cannot do it alone.” This means that we need our guides, the Universe, and each other.

This seems to be true even now more than ever before, doesn’t it?

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What’s Jenna Up To?

~> August 19, 2010 is the second session of my Embrace Your Inner Wisdom intuitive mentoring series. Learn to work with one of your greatest gifts as a creative, sensitive soul — your intuition. We postponed our second class to 8/19, so it’s really not to late to join us — the first class was recorded so you can easily catch up. Register here.

~> September 3, 2010. Appearing in a special guest panel at the upcoming HSP Gathering in Petaluma, California, called “Most Important Lessons Learned on My Journey toward becoming an Empowered HSP” along with Kristine Carey and author Barrie Jaeger. Leading a breakout session that afternoon. Registration details.

~> September 9 through 12, 2010. Appearing in a special guest panel at Baeth Davis’ Life Purpose Summit in Phoenix, Arizona and doing life purpose hand readings. Registration details (affiliate link).

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