My car was irreparably wrecked this month. A very nice policeman woke us up in the middle of the night to tell us to come outside. My car had been parked on the street because we were painting our garage. When we got outside, it had been hit so hard it was half up on the curb, and looked quite bad. The police were philosophical about the whole thing, it not being their car, and doubted the person who did it would ever be found.

Amazingly, I also was calm about the whole incident. I say amazingly, because in the old days, this would have sent me into a tailspin that could have lasted weeks. Instead, I took a few pictures and went to bed! I am actively learning about and practicing attracting more of what I truly desire into my life. It is one of the subjects I teach in workshops and I believe we truly do create our lives each and every moment. Nothing happens that we do not invite, mostly unconsciously, into our lives. This is a hard pill for some to swallow. But I find it exhilarating because it means I can affect the outcome.

Believing this, I asked my self, why was my car destroyed? My first notion was that I must have been having negative thoughts and feelings and attracted this "negative" event into my life. But it is only negative if I attach that meaning to it. I actually discarded this idea after only an hour or two or low-key ruminating about it.

So if it wasn't my negativity, what was it? I sat down and made a list of facts about the wreck.

• It happened at night.
• No one was hurt in the wreck.
• I didn't witness the wreck, so no "trauma" about that.
• Last year, I tried to win a new Prius (Toyota hybrid car).
• I had planned to have my old car for at least two more years.
• While this affected my budget and financial plans, I actually had enough money to buy another car

I brainstormed all the reasons I could think of why this may have happened to me and my car.

• I invited this into my life through negativity and unresolved issues.
• This was someone else's lesson to learn, e.g., the driver may have been drunk and this was to help him or her "hit bottom" and change.
• Car was wrecked because it was dangerous and I or someone I love was going to be hurt or killed in it.
• I like to be in control and this is another lesson in impermanence.
• The process of buying a new car may introduce me to someone I need to know for my business or other goals.
• This was the Universe's way of giving me the Prius (which I didn't win).
• Using my available cash to buy a car is a way of prompting me to put more energy and commitment into my business.
• Jungian analysis: my old way of transport (moving through the world) will no longer work, I need a new way.
• Car was wrecked to prevent me from driving the next couple of days. Maybe to prevent me or someone else from being harmed.

Each of these brought up different feelings. For example, the one about prompting me to invest more energy and commitment in my business actually excited me. The one about saving me or a loved one from harm made me feel so grateful and full of joy. This one finally helped me to accept that this happened for my good and could only be positive.

Now, of course, I cannot really know why this happened. Maybe I'll understand better after it all plays out, but it really doesn't matter. Knowing that it is for my highest good, even if I can't quite see it, fills me with gratitude and high expectations for what is next.

I bought a new car, a Honda CRV. It was the easiest car purchase I've ever made. My husband did all the research, the sales person was easy and pleasant; so pleasant, I actually bought and gave him a gift when we closed. The car is perfect for what I need. We paid the price we wanted with little negotation. And the insurance company totalled my car and gave me more than I was anticipating.

So the next time something "bad" happens, try shifting your perspective. Search for any good you can that lessens your upset or pain. Changing the way you think about it changes the way you feel about it.

Here is an exercise for you to enhance or discover your creativity. It's just for fun so be playful with it. Several of you posted your responses to this exercise last time. Bravo! A few of you were too shy to post in public. Either way works, but posting it is another step in putting yourself out there. This is a fairly safe environment so be brave!

Listed below are five words and one emotion. Write a paragraph, poem, word picture or short story using all of them. Remember, no pressure, no judgement. Just have fun.

• Simple
• Weak
• Large
• Container
• Charge
• And the emotion is: Disdain

I've created a yahoo group where your stories or responses can be posted. Be brave...step out...enjoy!

The July Attraction Circle Workshop has started and ends in mid-August. There will be another one starting in September. If you didn't get signed up for the July class, register now for the September class. We are having so much fun together, creating what we desire most in our lives.

THE ATTRACTION CIRCLE: PRACTICING THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION AND LEARNING TO MANIFEST YOUR DESIRES

• Weekly fun-filled experiential exercises designed to uncover your ability to allow and attract desires with ease.
• Learn tangible, pleasurable ways to remain in a state of receptivity and vibrational harmony with your desires.
• The exercises allow your deepest desires to surface.
• Recognize the power and joy in achieving all that you desire in life.
• Yes, you really can!

Embark upon your journey toward conscious co- creation today by joining our Attraction Circle now. We're going to help you amp up your energy around your desires and give you lots of practice.

Call Mary Anne at (713) 528-5971 or email maf@lifeunfolds.com for more information and to register. Also see http://www.lifeunfolds.com/attraction.htm for more information.

• Starts September 6th.
• Day class is Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 pm, four weeks.
• Evening class is Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm, four weeks.
• Held in Montrose area in Houston, Texas.
• Fee is only $89.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you register with a friend for the Attraction Circle Workshop, you each receive a 10% discount off the tuition. If you register with TWO friends, you each receive 20% off the tuition.

Related reading:

Ask And It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks

The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer

The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale

Attracting Perfect Customers by Stacey Hall and Jan Brogniez

Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan

Notes From the Universe by Mike Dooley

The Magic of Believing by Claude M. Bristol

I'm Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams by Thomas L. Pauley and Penelope J. Pauley

The Feel Good Guide to Prosperity by Eva Gregory

Oftentimes my clients and students are very clear about what they want. They ask for things like: $1,000,000 in the bank, a new job that pays six figures, a new blue Porsche, a second home in the country, etc. One of the first questions I usually ask is, why do you want that? Oftentimes there is an underlying desire such as "I want a million dollars so I feel secure," or "I want to make six figures so I can pay off my debt and buy a home" or "I want a Porsche so I can feel young again" or " I want a home in the country because I'm stressed out at my job and I want to feel peaceful and serene." Now, all of these are legitimate desires just because we have them. However, it is simpler and more effective to ask for what you really want rather than something that you "think" will get you what you want. For example, in asking for a million dollars so you can feel secure, why not ask for a feeling of security instead? Instead of a career with six figures, ask for your debt to be easily paid and a new home perfect for you and your family. In all cases, what you desire is really a feeling: happiness, security, well-being, serenity, etc. You want a thing or an event because you believe it will make you feel a certain way.

One of the concepts taught in the Attraction Circle workshop is that you don't have to worry about HOW you will receive what you desire, you just have to ask for it and wait. The more you try to control the how, the more difficult the task. By asking for money (or whatever) instead of what you really want, you are trying to control the how. Let go!

By not focusing on how your dream will show up, you are allowing the Universe to use all of its creative ability to provide what you want as quickly as possible. The Universe will provide clues if there is anything you need to do. Sometimes, money may be required as part of your dream, but it shows up as needed and easily.

Sometimes we are just plain lazy and don't bother to look at what we really desire. It takes too much effort or may be uncomfortable looking inside one's self. However, since asking for what we really makes their creation speedier and more effective, it is worth the time and effort. Look inside. What do you REALLY want?

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new." -- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich." -- Sarah Bernhardt

"We create our lives a thought at a time. And sometimes, it comes down to changing a thought such as "Why did this happen to me?" into "There is a divine plan and there is a reason for this, and my choice is to create the most positive reaction I can." -- Dee Wallace Stone

"A man of good will with a little effort and belief in his own powers can enjoy a deep, tranquil, rich life -- provided he go his own way. He need not and should not think of making a good living, but rather of creating a good life for himself. To live one's own life is still the best way of life, always was, and always will be." -- Henry Miller

I have two new mini-workshops in October. These will be held through Leisure Learning in Houston, Texas. Check them out and join me! I promise you'll learn something new and have fun at the same time.

I Create My Day Workshop. This workshop is to help create a perfect start-of-day environment and routine, developed just for you. This helps you to be energized and productive and to have more ease in your life. We also will develop a statement (or meditation) of what you intend to create that day (based on the I Create My Day talk from the movie, What the Bleep?). Powerful and fun class. $25 fee, Thursday, 7:15 to 9:15 pm, October 6th, 2005.

It's Not Just About Money -- A Personal Prosperity Map. Create your own personal prosperity map...a big poster describing what you want to do, have or become. The sky's the limit! This map supports your big dreams, offers you a visual reminder, and gives your goals and desires a focus. Seeing the images every day helps concentrate your thoughts, emotions and actions to attract more of what you want and less of what you don't want. This is a fun class with serious results. $35 fee, Thursday, 7:15 to 9:15 pm, October 6th, 2005.