Well what can I say? Are you tired yet from all the paperwork, repairs, renewals and the details in the practical areas of your life? Don’t worry, things will be slowing down soon, as Mercury Retrograde hits once again on August 20th - Sept 12th. Expect to hear from friends from the past and maybe get a little sentimental about the “old times”. Enjoy the nostalgia by tuning into your favorite oldies station, or for me that would be the 80’s channel! What can I say, it doesn’t get any better than 80’s films such as “Back To The Future” and “The Karate Kid”! As many times as Hollywood tried to bring these films back with a bang (with special effects), it just doesn’t compete with the simplicity of the original 80’s films.

Which brings me to my next topic: Simplicity. As you have seen from my announcement above, I have a passion for real estate, homes and all kinds of structures. Even though I am not a Feng Shui practitioner, I am amazed by how much our homes and the energy they bring have an effect on our lives.

When I bought my first home, I couldn’t believe the information that was given to me during my consultation. And it just so happens that the woman who was brought into my life (randomly — but of course you all know “random” is just the universe doing it’s work anonymously!) — is now one of our Certified Readers, Yona! She offers Feng Shui consultations for anyone buying a new home, selling and those who would like better energy living in their current homes. Plus now she offers intuitive readings at our events, so she is a great resource. Her website link is below!

My love of real estate combined with what I’ve learned about energy and how it affects us, is what finally led me to find out more about the real estate business. I thought this might be a great addition to what I already do, and may aid my current clients to a happy place full of great energy!

Mind you, I have been thinking about this for the last three years! Over the past month, I finally took the plunge, enrolled in classes, took tests, filled out paperwork, and most recently interviewed with many brokerage firms. During the class, several of these companies provide luncheons for recruiting purposes. Being a business owner, I found it fascinating how each company worked differently.

Since I have been doing this and posting about it on Facebook, I can’t believe how many of you are in the real estate business! Thanks for coming forward and offering me your insights!

There is not much out there about “choosing your brokerage” firm. Of course, I have to rely on my area of expertise: “my intuition”. Nevertheless I still got pretty confused because I don’t know the industry well. During my two week journey, I decided to meet with as many companies as possible. I’ve become so inspired by each manager, their belief systems and ethics about business. I even met with one manager who had a passion for technology greater than mine, which was awesome! We ended up talking about cool gadgets for a while. I met with some really great people, all who became successful in their own right through pursuing their passions in life.

Of course, being as curious as I am, I’m not one of those people who just chooses a company based on the quality of pizza at the luncheon. Although, food definitely is a way to my soul (mind you some companies had BAD food — so yes, I have to admit, they were out of the game for me). I thought maybe it would be nice to choose one based on the colors, just to see what would happen (just kidding!). So yes, being the extremist, I had to do it all! I met with as many as I could! So as I was thinking about what to write about during my August message, and this came to mind.

During one of my interviews, a manager gave me a copy of the book, “The Millionaire Real Estate Agent” By Gary Keller (founder of Keller Williams Realty). I love books and decided to read a little bit. I assumed it would be about the real estate business, but that was only the title.

Basically, it is a book about success, and how each one of us limits ourselves through our beliefs and doubts about our own achievements. He mentions how fears need to be dissolved in order for success to happen! Now I’m sure you loyal readers have heard me say that once or twice

He mentions how most people have a very limited idea of what they can achieve. Next, he outlines the statistics that indicate how those who are successful didn’t limit themselves in their aims for success. THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE IT IS POSSIBLE. They don’t “hope”, they don’t “dream”, they just believe it to be true! He talks about a concept called your “Ceiling of Achievement” and how you will remain at that level unless you have a breakthrough. You may only go so far as your natural ability will take you.

He writes that the path to success and to fulfilling our dreams is simple, but we tend to think the formula is complex. So, most of us stay in our comfort zones and believe that aiming high is very risky and not a probability. So many of you just won’t try! If you are in business, or just want a little inspiration and don’t mind some real estate terms, it’s a definite read.

So now I ask you, what is your “ceiling” and how are you limiting yourself? Do you believe your dreams are possible? When someone asks you how much you would like to make in the next year, do you give a “reasonable number”? Once you give that number, once you speak it out loud, it will become what the universe provides for you. Why limit yourself? Do you do the same things with relationships? Do you settle for the draining friend who you just have to “deal with”? Do you settle for temporary happiness when you go on vacation? Or maybe some of you may believe you don’t even DESERVE a vacation.

Breakthroughs are not easy, but they can happen in an instant. Some people say that a breakdown is actually a breakthrough — it’s just our perception. Are you positive or negative?

Another great author on breaking out of lack and limitation is the late metaphysician, Florence Scovel Shinn (who was actually born in Camden NJ and went to school in Philadelphia!). Her teachings are very simple. Most of her books use bible quotes to reflect on the teachings.

However, if you are a different religion or just spiritual in nature, don’t let the bible quotes close the door to you reading this book. She outlines simple ways to manifest abundance in all areas of your life. Her teachings seem so simple that you almost don’t believe they work! Her concepts were very “forward thinking” for her time, especially living and teaching in the late 1800’s. I would recommend getting the complete collected works on amazon. You can get the entire collection on one book.

^{Florence Scovel Shinn (September 24, 1871, Camden, New Jersey - October 17, 1940) was an American artist and book illustrator who became a New Thought spiritual teacher and metaphysical writer in her middle years.[1][2] In New Thought circles, she is best known for her first book, The Game of Life and how to Play it (1925).}

^{Shinn expressed her philosophy as:}

^{The invisible forces are ever working for man who is always ‘pulling the strings’ himself, though he does not know it. Owing to the vibratory power of words, whatever man voices, he begins to attract.}

^{The Game of Life, Florence Scovel Shinn[1]}

Collected works: F.S. Shinn, The Wisdom of Florence Scovel Shinn: Four complete books, Fireside Books, New York, 1989.

My advice for August, get out of YOUR comfort zone, and try something you have always wanted to try. It will give you a sense of renewed energy and even increase your confidence. Sometimes, when we have too much energy to spare, and there is no passion or creativity attached, the mental energy becomes unbalanced and the racing thoughts begin. Boredom sets in and then drama or chaos is usually the next fix for the mind. If the mind is bored, it will take that exhilaration, even if it is negative because you are looking for stimulation.

However, the stimulation you get will not be long lasting. You may get this from your anger, hearing gossip, or being involved in negative thinking and obsessions. This blocks creativity and passion from your life. If you are living doing things you love, your experiences will always have an element of joy to them.

Also, you have to watch your energy flow. As a full time medium, I am always receiving energy. I’m giving out my energy all the time, listening and picking up on the energy of others. That can literally “drain the battery”. I have to find ways to replenish my energy and “feed the life force” energy or I will become unbalanced. How do you do that? Do the things you love!

If someone asked you right now, “What are you passionate about?” Would you be able to tell them? If not, you need to go on the journey to finding yourself, because maybe other things have prevented you from knowing who YOU truly are. And if you don’t know yourself, how can you share that joy with others?

Are you unhappy in life right now? If so, stop ruminating in your head! If you have no idea what you love to do, try something new and if you don’t like that, you are a step closer to knowing what you do like.

WHO ARE YOU?

I’m finding out a little about who I am every day. I’m really looking forward to learning more about the real estate business! I still have some more technical things to take care of before I become an active agent — but the journey thus far has been most interesting. I will keep you all up to date with an official announcement in the next few weeks about where I will be working and the details!

But don’t worry all my Connection Beyond fans! My work in the spiritual realm and my clients here are still my priority! I hope this will just be an added addition, and of course something fun for me. Stay tuned also to lot of exciting new happenings in the fall with Connection Beyond. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events!

For more on Feng Shui practitioner, Yona Beller, please click here.

All my best for August!

Marisa