I had struggled for years without this key. In fact, at times, I found myself having serious doubts about my belief system and chosen life path. If I truly create my own reality, why would it be so difficult to consciously determine my experience? Why did it seem like negative manifesting was so much easier than the positive? If I possessed any intelligence at all, why wasn't I getting the results I wanted?

Part one of the answer came a few years back in the form of Lynn Grabhorn. In the audio series Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting, she stresses the importance of feeling as you visualize your desires. To borrow from the band Queensryche, it “hit me like a two-ton heavy thing.” While listening to her own success stories, I found myself transported back to the times in my life when I had consciously manifested – experiences both good and bad – and was reminded of the powerful emotions I generated prior to my intentions taking physical form.

After the excitement of Lynn's message wore off, I again fell back into the slumber of day-to-day life. It seems most of us, at least in western cultures, are taught that physical action is the primary (if not sole) cause of physical results. Despite learning at such an early age that my/our source is spiritual, not physical, I quickly retreated into the habit of micro-managing my experience through predominant physical action. It didn't take long before I was feeling greater frustration than prior to hearing Grabhorn's series.

Fast forward to this year. In a one-two punch, I was presented with material by Dr. Robert Anthony ( Know How to Be Rich ), and a movie called The Secret . Dr. Anthony took two decades of metaphysical education and tied it all together, beautifully filling in the gaps. As with Lynn Grabhorn, Anthony speaks of the importance of emotion. The Secret delivers essentially the same message, accompanied by powerful visuals and special effects.

To say I was “blown away“ by this material would be a huge understatement. I was literally brought to tears many times, both listening to Dr. Anthony and watching the The Secret . These were tears releasing so many years of frustration and self-doubt; tears of gratitude and joy in “finally getting it.” I now know the sequence, and where to place the emphasis, in the manifestation process.

The final component (at least for me) is integrating emotion into the visualization equation. Words, mantras, affirmations and self-talk are powerful and necessary, but can take time. They form the vehicle in which we drive around to our “field of infinite possibilities” superstores and collect our desires. Emotions fuel that vehicle. Words by themselves can get us where we want, akin to getting out and pushing our transport – slowly, and likely painfully. Emotions – truly focused and powerful emotions, coupled with imagination – can supercharge that car and rapidly manifest our desires.

A short while back, I was doing sound, lights and multimedia for IBI Colorado, as I do 46 weeks out of the year. In addition to my a/v skills, I am known in the community as a musician. I was approached by a young man fresh out of high school, who is close friends with a drummer. He asked if I might have any advice for his friend, and if he could have my contact information. Little did he know, but my mind raced that night as I pondered my advice. What lessons have I learned, and what would I change if given the opportunity? Jotting my ideas down, I'm convinced they would not only assist young musicians, but anyone aspiring to live their dreams.

Beware of the J.O.B. Addiction
I am convinced that the false sense of security provided by a regularly scheduled paycheck is an addiction as powerful, and potentially destructive, as (fill in the blank). It took me roughly 18 years to “kick the habit”, and to awaken to the devastation my J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) addiction had caused. By its very nature, it competed directly with my higher purpose, sapping time and energy from that which I love. The J.O.B. provided immediate income, where the dream did not. It also provided cultural acceptance, both internally and externally, by doing what is considered right and responsible. The same cannot be said of an aspiring rock star. The alternatives to J.O.B. Addiction are many. If you must compromise to generate income, remember that its purpose is to fuel your dream, not cause you to forget about it. I would also encourage you to try to work as closely to your dream as you can, as quickly as possible. Had I only looked, there were many money making opportunities in music available to me straight out of high school, which would have positioned me within close reach of my ultimate goals. Examples include working in music stores, for local sound companies producing national events, or even compromising stylistically to join a working band.

Cooperate and Network
Competition is so ingrained, at such an early age, that I viewed other local bands, or bassists, for that matter, as direct threats to my success. Consciously or otherwise, my bandmates and I worked within the constraints of the competitive model for many years. It was not until my exposure to IBI Colorado that I re-evaluated my beliefs and recognized the value of networking and cooperating. With my eyes now open, I can see examples where bands have helped one another attain success both locally and nationally. Had I only paid attention to all those liner notes I read, I would have seen many examples of one band thanking another for giving them a shot as an opening act. I've also watched, as I've personally struggled to find work, as well networked musicians stay busy continuously, and in a couple of instances, have been one call away from landing a spot in a band with a lucrative record contract.