I’ve been reading Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Yes, I know that I’m a dork for reading Star Wars but I just couldn’t read another self help book. So as I’m reading, Obi-Won Kenobi says this to Anakin: “Until the possible becomes actual, it is only a distraction. Be mindful of what is, not what could be.” I have read that passage over and over again. I think it’s so simple, but quite profound. I’ve gone through a few experiences in the last couple of weeks that have tested my patience, my integrity, and my emotional well being. I have learned that I like to anticipate potential problems in my business and prepare for them in case they happen. I think that is being a good agent. Well, recently I’ve encountered situations where I don’t have the kind of control I’m used to having. Wow, that is a slap in the face teaching me to let go. Sometimes I have no control, so what do I do in those types of situations? Do I fight it? Do I try to force it to change? Do I let go and let god? It’s been a challenge to just let go for me. Why? Is it because I think I know what’s best? Is it because I think MY way is the only way? Am I being closed minded and not open to new experiences? Am I reacting out of fear? OOOOOOO….that one hit close to home. Fear. Stupid fear. What would I be like without this emotion? Who would I be? All of these questions I’m asking myself, can be answered in the books I’ve read. Fighting against reality is flowing “upstream” according to Abraham. Who would I be without the thoughts of fear? Byron Katie would say, that I would be Felipe doing his job. Are these situations coming into my life to teach me yet again that I haven’t quite let go of the need to control things? That’s how I feel right now.

If you’re looking for a photographer in Las Vegas for Headshots, Fashion Shoots, and Weddings, look no further than Derik Klein. Derik has an incredible skill with natural light, as well as studio shoots.  I first saw his work when we were on Tour together in Chicago the Musical.  I was blown away at his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in this field.  He eventually did.  His business continues to grow along with his talent.   I think one of the reasons he’s able to capture magic through his camera is his knowledge of performing.  He’s been on stage and knows what actors and models are like and what they need.  He’s incredibly creative and willing to try new ideas with a willing model.  Check out a few of his pictures:

If you’d like to see more of Derik Klein’s work, visit his website at Http://www.DerikKlein.com You won’t be disappointed!  Happy photo shooting!

It’s that simple.  Are you happy and passionate?  If so, then you’re on the right path.  When you feel bad or negative emotions, stop, become aware of your thoughts, and consciously reach for a better feeling thought. The book I’m currently reading, The Astonishing Power of Emotions by Jerry and Esther Hicks has spurred me on to think more about this Now you can’t go from Desperation to Passion in 2.5 seconds, but you can nudge your feelings in the right direction by simply by choosing a thought that brings you a sense of relief from your negative feelings.  Once you have nudged your thoughts in the right direction, more thoughts of relief will come to you. It’s the law of attraction in it’s fundamental state: attracting like thoughts. It’s so easy to focus on the aspects of your life that you’re not happy with, but the constant feeling of negativity attracts more negativity into your life. So one simple phrase I’ve been saying to myself is, reach for a thought that makes you feel better than you are feeling currently.  That’s all you have to do.  When you’re in alignment with your true self, all actions and situations will lead you to your desires.  ALWAYS.   It might not be HOW you thought, but that’s not your job. Our job as creative beings on this Earth is to live a life of joy.   The cynic in me wants to be “bitchy” and say what a crock of SH*#!  And then I return to my happy place and realize that little voice is my ego trying to control my true self.  Well, I’m not buying into that voice anymore.  That voice makes me feel not worthy. That voice makes me doubt myself. That voice makes me think I’m not enough.  What a stupid voice huh? Why do I even listen?  I’m not sure why….but he can be a pain in the ass.   And back to the loving place…

I just had an amazing dinner with someone who embodies spirituality and passion. Every time I meet with her we connect at such a fundamental level that I feel excited and passionate about my spiritual, personal, and business desires. She makes me want to live to my true self’s potential. It’s so fulfilling. Here’s one of our topics of discussion:

Going with the flow of life. I just wrote a post about flowing with life or against life and I brought that up to my friend and she completed the phrase by saying “the FLOW knows.” I thought that was brilliant. The flow is “God.” The Flow is “The Universe.” Flow is “Vibrational Energy.” Flow is “Buddha.” When you stop dwelling negatively on your current state and start consciously reaching for a good feeling, you will flow with your “TRUE SELF”, “Inner Being”, or your “Soul.” I always interject in my head to this statement, by saying to myself “How the hell, does it know where to go?!*#? Answer:The Flow knows which way to go because of you. In every situation you’re in that is negative, there is a “rocket of desire” that releases from you of a better situation. When you feel bad about a situation, you realize what you don’t want- which then makes you realize what you DO want. I know all you skeptics, ME INCLUDED, say what’s the catch??? There is one, but it’s not too bad. The catch is The Flow navigates the river of your desires on ITS path, not yours. Many times I have wanted to control where this river goes, but that’s not my job. My job is to focus on what I want and let the river flow to my destination. Being completely in the moment really helps me on this path. It is a little new for me to let go of the oars and follow the path. As a complete side note: while I was writing all these analogies on this post, I just kept thinking “God some of this is SO cliche.” Maybe it is, but the truth behind these phrases are incredible. Why would I think a thought like that? Self confidence is something I am learning to enjoy, but I still have moments of doubt. Anyway, one way to measure if you’re flowing with life or against it is to check in with your emotions. Ask yourself a couple of questions:

• Do I feel good?
• Do I feel Bad?
• What am I thinking right now? Do those thoughts make me feel good or bad?
• What thoughts would make me feel a little bit better? Then what thought would make me feel better than that thought? And continue to ask yourself.
• When you feel good, you are going with the flow.

Simple right? Just start being aware of how often you are not feeling good, and ask yourself the first question: Do I feel good? If no, make a conscious effort to feel better.

Two books are great for this type of thinking: Loving What Is by Byron Katie and The Astonishing Power of Emotions by Jerry and Esther Hicks.

Any thoughts?

Ok, First I have to say that having a little break from writing has been good for me. I’ve been going through a lot of emotional issues right now, and it’s been a bit confusing. I started to feel obligated to write something and that takes all the joy out of blogging for me. So I just waited until I felt the need. Well, here I am. I knew it would happen again. I’m currently reading a wonderful book called The Astonishing Power of Emotions by Jerry and Esther Hicks. It’s another book from the teachings of Abraham. That sounds SO cultish when I say that. Anyway, the book has brought to light some issues I’ve been having with my life at the moment and a light bulb just went off- hence the post. The main premise in this book is quite simple: Your life is a boat on a river, you can choose to flow with the river, or you can struggle to paddle up stream against the flow. Which one are you doing right now? That concept is very easy to understand intellectually and most people can see how it would be easier to go with the current. One thing I discovered, or I should say AM DISCOVERING, is how often I am struggling up stream. It’s the false belief I have that if I DO something, my situation with instantly improve. This passage hit me like a ton of bricks when I read it because it talks about people’s ideas of action being the only way to change a situation in your life:

…..without action, your society would be without a great many of its things. But when you make action the cornerstone of your Creative Process without considering the vibrational basis of your being as you are taking the action, you are working under a distinct handicap, for there simply is not enough power in the action itself to compensate for the competing Energies of your misaligned thought.

WOW. Let’s break that down. You are doing everything you NEED to be doing in order to achieve a certain result, but while you’re doing these actions you don’t FEEL good or happy. No matter how hard you try, the energy of your thoughts and your feelings are more powerful. Your negative emotions will hinder and block all of your efforts.

It is not your action that matters; it is your vibration. It is not your action that makes you fat; it is your vibration. It is not what you are doing that makes the difference; it is how you are feeling about what you are doing.

This is VERY powerful for those of us, and this is definitely ME, who believe action with fix everything. It was so clear to me after reading this passage that if my mindset, thoughts, vibrations, whatever you want to call it, is NOT focused on feeling good, then ALL of my actions will be in vain. It’s almost like going through the motions to go to the other side, but the lack of feeling and passion won’t let you break through.

I think that the next part of this process is the hardest to grasp and keep in balance. Well, maybe I should stop saying it’s hard, because then it will be. Hmmmm….ok, this next part is a great way to check in with yourself. Abraham talks in the book about the key to successfully aligning yourself with your INNER SELF.

The key to bringing your situation to a new place is to see it differently from the way it is. It is necessary that you focus upon the situation that is coming and distract yourself from the negative aspects of your current situation, for as long as you are seeing your situation as it is, you are contradicting the vibration of the idea of a new situation. You cannot create a new reality while looking at your current reality.

That instantly brought up resistance in me. So he’s saying that you can’t focus on your current situation. To me that translates as not being in the moment. But after I think about it some more, maybe it’s being conscious IN THE MOMENT of your current thoughts ABOUT the moment. If you are constantly focusing on how horrible your current situation is, you will never attract a different one. You are flowing against the current of life by attaching negative feelings to the current moment. If you became aware of those negative feelings, and simply tried to feel better about the situation by changing the direction of your thoughts, a new situation will come into your life. If you are constantly searching for a better feeling, and not focused on the results, your desire will flow to you with ease. As soon as a negative feeling creeps into your thoughts, your boat is pointed the wrong direction. Just reach for an improved feeling. THAT’S ALL.  The rest with flow.

Folks, I’m officially an adult today. I am 30! I already had a wonderful dinner with my sister last night, and friends have been calling me and wishing me well. It’s so nice to have a group of people who care about you and want you to succeed. Thank you guys! I can’t wait to experience more learning and growth in my 30’s.
Happy birthday to ME!

I walked around my yard today and admired all of the beautiful plants that are starting to bloom.  I noticed there were a bunch of daisies that had bloomed and started to wilt and die.  My ex taught me how to “deadhead” flowers.  I was always curious why you always had to deadhead, and he explained it like this: “The plant continues to give energy and life to those flowers that have run their course.  That energy is spent on dying blooms and it takes away from the energy new blooms need to flower.  So you cut off the parts that have bloomed to give way to more blooms.”

I started thinking about this and how much we all can learn from plants.  I started looking at my life and thinking about “deadheading the parts that have bloomed.”  If we stopped putting so much energy into the parts of our lives that have bloomed and have started to fade, we will be able to give our energy to the next bloom in our lives.  It’s a simple way to approach life, but sometimes it can be difficult to let go of the “blooms”.  When life is good, I have a tendency to hold on to it, squeeze the life out of it to try and keep it in my life.  What if I couldn’t do that?  What if I just stayed in the moment and let beauty come into my life, and let it leave when it’s supposed to?  I bet you I would be a little happier and more present.  Something to think about.

I try to make things happen. I am impatient. That combo of qualities can make me feel stressed at times. It also makes me try to force things to be the way I want them to be, instead of accepting them for what they are….or letting them evolve and become what they are supposed to be. I had a friend in town a few weeks ago who said to me “I’m going to let the situation reveal itself.” I was fascinated by that statement. A situation will become what it’s supposed to be regardless of my stressful thought or feelings right? I can have an idea of what i want, hold to that vision, and let the situation come into my life. That’s all good, but that persistent voice in the back of my head for things to happen quickly is so loud that I try to manipulate or force situations, people, business, clients, my body. You name it, and I have been impatient with it at some point in my life. WHY!?! What’s the rush?!

I spoke to one of my friends about this last night, this need to arrive. Well, the thing I’m realizing is that I don’t think I EVER will “Arrive”. Just saying that statement makes me a little anxious, like I am not doing enough. That idea that once I get this concept or know who I am, then life will be easier, or I’ll be happier. I will never arrive. Period. New challenges will continue to make me grow and adapt and learn and evolve until I die. So what’s the rush? What’s this need to get there, or to “know” everything, or to be a certain way? I’m not sure. What’s the compulsion to be a better person? I have no idea. The only thing I do know is that need will never go away, and I will constantly be out of the moment if I continue to think that I haven’t arrived. That thought comes up, I acknowledge it, and I think “Oh, silly ego. Destinations are for kids. Enjoy the journey.” That’s the only thing I can do: BE PRESENT.

This video is a great reminder. Plant don’t rush the process and they’re made up of the same infinite knowledge we are. Be like plants.

Pumpkin male flower time lapse from Timelapser on Vimeo.

I have RE-discovered that I need a lot of attention. …well, not NEED, but WANT a lot of attention or approval.  Where does this need stem from? If someone says they love me, and want to be with me, I feel a sense of peace.  I’m sure it’s a false sense of peace, but why do I crave that so badly to begin with?  What do I have when someone says that to me? I almost feel desperate for those words, but on the outside I try to play cool and calm.  I’m sure that desperate feeling just pushes people away, so why do I want it so badly? Is it that I’m not accepting myself?  I’m not happy with my life?  I have to say that I’m a pretty happy guy. I enjoy people, I enjoy my job, I like how I look, but sometimes I want more.  Why do I always want more? Am I EVER going to be satisfied? I learned so much from my last relationship, about forcing a situation that I shouldn’t have forced.  I tried to force it because I had a major health scare and it threw my world upside down.  I thought I was this strong man, and it turned out I was a frightened little boy.  I look back and I think wow, I did not have the tools to deal with that. I abandoned my family, my partner, my life I had grown accustomed to all from fear.   I think I still have some of that fear and maybe that’s why I want to latch on.  A sense of security maybe? I’m starting to realize it’s a false sense of security, so how do I work through this? How do I let go of this need?  How do I embrace the uncertainty of life and love? I can hear all my self help guru’s telling me to be in the present moment.  Right Derik & Tricia? The present moment doesn’t have any need to be accepted, the present moment is just a moment.  And then another…and another… The only thing I can control is my actions and my thoughts.  Back to focusing on myself….and It’s not selfish. I have to keep repeating that.

Hi. My name is Felipe , and I’m a realty television show addict.  There, I said it ok? Every time I watch these shows, I start getting caught up in the drama of it all. I like to see who’s going to win and how these contestants do each week.  For some reason, I was thinking this weekend about how I speak to people about current situations in my life.  It was almost as if there was a little voice, my ego,  in my head saying “Poor me, look at how I was treated.”  It was as if my ego, wanted validation for my situation.  It was like I was watching a reality tv show of my own life.  THAT SCARED ME!! What is this need? My ego is fighting for survival and is dramatizing my life for me.  I see it so much clearer in other people, and then realized I was creating my own Bravo show.  As much fun as that sounds to be famous for 15 minutes, that goes away and what do you have left? YOU! That’s it. Other people’s sympathy, hearing how wronged you were, or anger directed towards someone doesn’t amount to anything in the long run.  It’s useless…but I continue to buy into it. I don’t want to do that anymore.  I don’t need to be a victim. I don’t need to broadcast my insecurities to others by imploring their sympathies.  Deal with them.  Work through it.  Focus on your desires, your dreams and let go of the “obstacles” in your path.  It’s amazing how quickly I can tell that to someone else, but when it comes to me I don’t live it fully.  Just another step on this spiritual path.