Gratitude and Manifestation

01 Jan 2025 Leave a comment

by Dr. Tricia Wolanin in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

“When you appreciate what you have, then you will receive more. When you are in this moment feeling gratitude for this moment you actually up your vibrational signal to attract more things to be grateful for.”-Joe Vitale

Oftentimes we think manifestation is simply visualizing what one wants, taking action, and awaiting results.  We often forget that one component of manifestation is being grateful for what you already have.  And in doing this, you receive more of that, your heightened vibration attracts other high vibration things and people.  Often we want to jump to the next thing we are desiring, without taking in what is already in our lives. 

This tendency we have as humans to move quickly to the next thing reminds me of the time when I lived in England, and tried to participate in the 3 Peak Challenge.  The true nature of this challenge is one tries to climb the highest mountain in Scotland, England, and Wales in 24 hours.  This includes travel time once arriving at the first mountain.  The group I went with, we tried to complete this in 3 days versus 1.  It was interesting to note the competitors who were invested in the spirit of the challenge. They were intent of rushing to get to the peak in as fast as possible, then the bottom of the mountain with as quick of speed.  Although they were exponentially quick, their pace didn’t allow them space to take in the view.  They wanted to get down to the next task at hand.  In reality that day, my friends and I made it up and down 2/3 mountains, and chose the day in between as one of rest and leisure.  That was more our speed, and in that we were able to explore the quaint little town we were staying in Wales.

I admit I am one who tries to prepare for the next accomplishment in my life.  If I am in an undesirable situation in my life, I want to jump forward to the next best thing.  Yet what the law of attraction teaches us is we must truly embrace our current reality before we manifest what is next.

This holiday season was going to be quiet for me.  Spent cleaning, decluttering, as I had minimal time off.  I was spending it focusing on how I want the next part of my life to go.  My brother joked that I was being the Grinch.  He invited me to his fiance’s family house on Christmas Eve and we spent Christmas with our dogs on the beach.  He and his fiancé bought me a purse that I had my eye of for years. Receiving this was a form of manifestation.  The Rive Gauche Yves Saint Laurent one, as each time I looked at it, it reminded me of my year in Paris residing on the Left Bank.  He told me use the purse that day at the beach.  I declined, as I didn’t want to get it dirty.  I wanted to wait for a special occasion to premiere the purse.  He reminded me that on a daily basis he wears nice luxury items just for himself, not for anyone else or any special occasion.  “You need to wear nice things even if it’s just for you.”

And so today, as I sit in a local coffee shop, I am wearing my new purse.  I am noticing how I manifested this into my life.  At the same time, I am appreciating what I have right now.  What I brought into my life at this current moment, taking this in before I jump into what’s next. 

Small Manifestations

28 Dec 2024 Leave a comment

by Dr. Tricia Wolanin in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

“Everything you seek and everything you experience – everything– is inside you. If you want to change anything, you do it inside, not outside. The whole idea is total responsibility. There’s no one to blame. It’s all you.”-Joe Vitale

I’ve always been a fan of the film and book The Secret, created by Rhonda Byrne in collaboration with numerous other teachers.  At the time, I was exposed to it, I was working at a homeless shelter in the Bronx.  I was so inspired by it, I bought the DVD, and had a screening at the shelter with a mini workshop. I shared it with friends and parents, who implemented it into my life. And that was the initiation of vision boards in my life. 

Manifestation is a tool I’ve continued to intentionally dabble with in my life, generally at this time of year.  There had been some lashback over the years with the film, because of it’s focus on material things.  I admit that it’s not always on the forefront of my mind of manifesting the life I want.  I sometimes go by the mantra a client once said to me, “life just lifes.”  Yet, over time what is becoming to become apparent is we are constant manifestors, although often unintentional.

The past several days, with preparation for the new year, with fresh goals and intentions I have been listening to interviews with manifesting teachers such as Emma Mumford, Joe Vitale, and Pam Oslie.  There is a reminder that manifestation is a process, but also we are constantly manifesting without even being aware of this. Our thoughts create our reality. The reality we are living (even all that we are complaining about) we manifested this.

I had all this in my mind lately, prior to walking my dog Bella yesterday. A passing thought came of her poop bag by the side of the outside door. I kept it there and didn’t throw it away, because it was a small poop and thought I could add to it, by reusing the bag.  As I opened the front door, the poop bag moved several feet to be on my doorstep waiting for me. I manifested it. It made me laughed but reminded me we manifest on all layers.  However small or large. Our thoughts create reality.

Several weeks ago, I was in Santa Fe New Mexico, inspired by the communal creative vibe that exuded from that city. I went home, wanted create art, and was on the hunt to find a canvas.  I stepped into various everything store shops, and couldn’t find the perfect size.  After having lunch with a friend in Silverlake, in the parking lot was a new canvas and a chair, with a note from the previous owner offering his blessing of creative possibilities to the new owner. I manifested this! 

If I can manifest canvases and poop bags, what else can I manifest?

I share this because the stories we hear of manifestation don’t just have to be big dramatic shifts and changes.  They can, but they start with witnessing and acknowledging the small ways we manifest.  It’s easy to get frustrated with what life seems to throw at us, we seem to be living the motto “life just lifes.”  But we have the power to shift things.  When we complain or act as the victim, we are simply bringing more energy to that situation and remain in it versus taking action. We do have the right to vent, but do we want to live in it?

And so as I write this, what will you manifest?  I will end with a question one spiritual teacher Cynthia Sue Larson asks herself daily…

“How good could it get?”

Quarterly Goal Check In

13 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

by Dr. Tricia Wolanin in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

            The first quarter of the year has completed, and one of the goals I kept is not buying any clothing, shoes, or accessories for the entire year.  And somehow so far I have kept this up!  Has it been difficult?  Initially, yes.  In January, I went to the visiting art exhibit Luna Luna, which was a display of carnival art pieces from the likes of Keith Haring, Salvador Dali, Jean Michel Basquiat.  Of course, I wanted something to remember this exhibit by or prove I was there, and what better way to do this than a tee shirt or sweatshirt?  But I turned it down.  Another time, I went into a clothing store on a rainy day, as I waited for my Tesla to charge.  I saw a white tee shirt that simply said the French word for yes “Oui.”  I wanted it.  I love simple tee shirts to wear for a season that goes with everything, but I knew buying this would be a slippery slope.  If I made an excuse to purchase this, I would make an excuse to purchase other things.  And I stuck to my goal. 

            Now it’s cloudy day in April, and as I walked Bella this morning along the seaside before the rain sprinkled, wearing my Dubai hat and an Mtv vintaged style tee shirt from Spain, yoga pants and socks from the UK, and my New Balances from America, I thought I love the clothes I do have.  They tell stories about me , where I’ve come from, who I was, and who I am.  If I allow myself the space of not adding more to my closet but simply using it, I can find joy in that which already exists in there.  It’s a different type of appreciation I didn’t expect.  It’s true that when we buy new items of clothing we want to “premiere” them and show them off, but when there are things that are loved that are rotated in and out, it brings a smile to my face.

            There are other goals I am shooting to accomplish, but for some reason this one has been prominent and a priority. And it’s tangible.  There are values I am living by which include, spending time with my dog Bella, my family, and friends. I’ve been reading more than expected, which includes physical books and audio books. Sharing what is learned, going to conferences that expand my mind.  But this small going of not buying clothes or shoes for one year is proving to be more fruitful than imagined.  I am not adding anything to my life, or subtracting.  I am maintaining, appreciating, and expanding. 

Clothing Challenge

10 Jan 2024 Leave a comment

by Dr. Tricia Wolanin in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

“There are two ways to be rich: One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.” -Jackie French Koller

As the new year began, my friend Isabella said one of her New Year Resolutions was to not buy clothes, shoes, or accessories for one year.  I quickly decided to make this pact and make this one of my resolutions.  It was something I was going towards anyways, buy less, use what you love.

But how quickly we forget about this, and can mindlessly buy things when we are bored, when there’s a sale, when we want to change an aspect of ourselves, numb out, or even to feel a certain way.  But a new challenge has arisen.  Can we find that inspiration with what is already existing in your closet? This is the challenge.

Over the years, I have really gotten rid of so many things.  Now that I have moved back to America and reunited with all of my belongings that were in storage, I am reminded of the hold me that has existed. Does the old me equate with the new me? This is the question.  And now that I am in a new job and must go into an office, I am realizing I have less plain shirts than I realize. My clothes are on repeat.  But this is okay.

You want to wear what you love. You want to wear what sparks joy.  But it’s an opportunity to have one year to take stock on what exists in that closet. And see what one can combine, create, and surprise yourself. Perhaps new styles will arise, combinations added together that can ignite a new you.  Are you up for the challenge?

New Lands, Same Excitement

08 Mar 2023 Leave a comment

by Dr. Tricia Wolanin in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Yesterday I just booked a flight for this summer to Sofia Bulgaria, which will include a day trip to Northern Macedonia.  I couldn’t be more excited.  These will be my 51st and 52nd countries to visit respectively (depending on what country counter you are using).  Generally these countries are not on people’s to do list, but the more one travels, the further one wants to explore.  And a feeling returned that I hadn’t had in awhile….

Excitement.

Yes, I have travelled post the pandemic, including moving two new countries post Covid: France and Spain.  But I haven’t visited new countries since February 2020.  These were Lithuania and Ukraine (image below).  Both of which I loved, and were timely.  

Although I thought some of my wanderlust was dying down, I was surprised to see it still exists within for unchartered territory.   What makes these travels more delightful is going to places I never dreamed of going to before.  I knew I would always see the top 5 of Europe because this is what is sold to us on American films and media.   But when I go to these new locations that I never dreamed of, it’s a reminder that I am pushing myself beyond the boundaries.  I am expanding the box and surpassing a goal that I never even set. 

There is an online organization called the Travel Century Club, which has a different type of count of territories.  They have over 300 territories.  If you have travelled to at least 100, you can join the club. My new goal is to hit the 100 club by the time I am 50.  And I think this is doable.  At this time, the number I am at is 64 territories.  This is an average of at least 6 more per year to visit.  https://travelerscenturyclub.org/countries-and-territories/alphabetical-list

I was excited about it, I told my mother today.  “I have a new goal.  I want to join the Travel Century Goal.”  After explaining what it was, she said, “oh I thought you had a real goal like of your life purpose, not a travel goal.”  I said “no, right now this is my purpose, at least until I’m 50.”  She laughed it off.  But why can’t it be?  There are certain goals I have that are out of my control, but this goal I can accomplish.  Why can’t a life goal be one’s current purpose? One’s North Star? 

It’s the internal excitement that was the signal to me that my soul again is once stirred.  This is the fuel I have been lacking.  And it is enough.  We are the ones who dictate our purposes, our lives.  Our purpose doesn’t have to be monumental.  It can shift.  It can be what pulls your life force.  And right now for me it’s the Century Club. 

Why Do I Do This Blog

03 Jan 2023 1 Comment

by Dr. Tricia Wolanin in Uncategorized Tags: , , ,

Why I Do This Blog?

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” – Princess Diana. 

            Why do I do this blog?  I am asked this question frequently, and it’s something I often wonder do I keep up after over a decade of committing to it.  I’ve given these positive quote cards (which may have led you to this blog) to baristas, celebrities, homeless people, airport security, store assistants, friends, ex romantic partners, family members, favorite authors, or more recently children who are enamored by my dog.  The business card which leads to the blog, generally has an inspirational quote on top of a beautiful backdrop and an image of my dogs.

            Initially I did this blog and quote cards as a way to offer a tangible form of gratitude to a passing stranger.  I copied the idea from author Cheryl Richardson, who said in a workshop that she leaves these positive quotes with her from one of her card decks she created as a form of positivity.  I liked the idea, and wanted to do a variation of it.  I wanted to make people smile too, because I knew that people tend to spread their negativity frequently, just as easily they could spread positivity.  I wanted to be part of that movement in some way.  

            What has happened to these cards over the years?  What has been the impact?  I do not know.  They may have been thrown away, re-gifted to a friend or stranger, or forgotten about and packed away in some shoebox forgotten about.  Once I had returned to a store in Arizona, and saw the staff member have placed the card under glass with other important pieces of memorabilia from fellow customers.  In London, I visited one psychic in an esoteric store a year later and he had the card I had given him placed on the wall.  After Puzo died, a friend took a selfie of him and the card to show me he still carries the sweet words and image in his wallet.  Most recently, after giving this to a store associate at a high end Parisian department store, she found me on Instagram and sent me the following sweet message offering her gratitude, here is a snippet:

“It gave me joy in my day and reminded me why I am doing this job: to meet nice people like you.”

Her finding me and taking the time out to say how this made her day, made my day.  To know such a small simple act of kindness can impact others means the world to me.  Often, we think our purpose in the world has to be something grand.  Our purpose must equate to making millions of dollars, attaining a high degree, being famous, and making a newsworthy mark in society.  But our purpose could be to simply bring smiles and joys to strangers.  We can brighten their day without much effort, and this impact will overflow in their interactions with others.  It doesn’t take much.  

So this new year, as we contemplate what goals we want to achieve, perhaps we can step back and simply smile at a stranger, open a door, leave a nice tip, or give someone an unexpected compliment.  It doesn’t take much, it only takes a smile.  

Fall Into Productivity

12 Sep 2022 Leave a comment

by Dr. Tricia Wolanin in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

            Several days ago I returned from a week long journey to Spain for the Camino de Finisterre.  I was only gone one week, but it seemed as if when I returned it was to a different season.  Autumn has have arrived in Paris.  Streets are full again, all are back from vacances.  The air is cooler, people are wearing leather or puffy coats, boots.  This may be a bit extreme.  The weather is bordering on 60s-70s Fahrenheit (16 to 20 degrees Celsius), it appears that people are eager to allow their fall attire to emerge.  But it seems that people not only want to display their new wardrobe but they also want to exhibit their new found motivation. 

It’s mid September, now people access new found energy for productivity.  Perhaps this is because there are only several months remaining in the year to ensure they hit their annual goals.  Or now that vacation has passed, they can fire up another aspect of themselves.  The get s$it done version.  I am not simply noticing this in others, I am observing this in myself.  

During the hot summer months, we seem to feel as if time expands.  Sunlight is plentiful, our days are actually longer.  We take time for granted because there is an abundance of it, but when September hits things shift.  It’s harvest season, and not only do farmers harvest their crops, but we attempt to harvest time.  This has now become difficult to grasp.  

Time is elusive.  There is a finality to what the year has in store, and knowing this we begin to question what do we want to do with this time left.  What do you want to do with the remaining 100 days?    

“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back. “-Harvey Mackay