Have you seen the movie “The Secret“? I really recommend it. I already believed in the power of manifestation before I watched it, but it was refreshing to see it so clearly visually represented. I even know a few skeptical businessmen who were really affected by this movie when it came out in 2006. Anyhow, this past week has been a great reminder for me about the strength of intention in our lives.

I mean, being here in Vienna and heading to Bali in a few hours for more art workshops are both huge examples of manifestation (thanks to the support of the Universe and so many of you!). It’s the smaller examples, however, that remind me daily of the potency of our thoughts and feelings.

Take this week, for instance. You’ve already read how I had wanted a haircut and asked my friend in the Czech Republic for a recommendation while on the way to visit friends I hadn’t seen in over 20 years. Within a couple of hours, sitting in their living room enjoying everyone’s company, I got a great haircut from their now-grown-up daughter who happened to be a hairdresser. That was a super-speed illustration of ask-and-ye-shall-receive. Thanks again Petra!

Well, my last day in Vienna provided me with quite a few more examples / reminders.  Here’s how manifestation works. While in the Czech Republic, a few friends talked about going cycling together in May or June. I got so excited and gave a big internal “yes!”. The place they described sounded fantastic and I hadn’t biked since I got to Europe. It was on my wish list. Apart from walking, cycling has been my main mode of transportation for decades. As part of my fundraiser to come here, however, I had followed through on guidance to sell “Baby”, my men’s 10-speed bike that I had had for 31 years and the only possession I shed tears for when it came time to let it go.  It had been my vehicle to so much joy,  freedom, health, and savings after all, but I hadn’t used it much for 2 years because of all the hills in St. John’s. Anyhow, I put it up for sale online at a really high price and sold it within a day – a clear sign it was meant to be. Keep this cycling story in mind as I take a little detour.

On my last day in the Czech Republic, my friend Lucka suggested we go pick wild garlic to add to our lunch. The idea of picking fresh food in the forest thrilled me, but time ran out, so we used some she had picked the day before instead.

Back to Vienna. I woke up yesterday not expecting to do much except finish packing, bring a last little bag of stuff for storage at school, and meet a couple of folks for lunch. I had put out an invitation to classmates and teachers to join me at The Reform House,  a healthy restaurant that serves mostly vegan food: one hot dish and your choice of 3 amazing salads for 7.50€. One of my classmates goes regularly by tram or scooter, but since I didn’t have a transit pass, I never had time to make it there and back to school on time by foot. I would always ask him to report on his choices, however, and kept telling myself I’d go one day. Lunch at the Reform House was definitely on my wish list.

So that’s what I did. I met Timea and Rachel there and had a delicious hot spinach pastry with beet & bean salad, Waldorf celery root salad, and potato salad. Delicious!  My original plan was to go back home after that. You can imagine, therefore, how thrilled I was when Timea invited us for a bike ride. OK, well, actually,  my first thought was “I don’t want to risk getting hurt before Bali, and most folks here don’t have helmets. Plus I’ve seen how dangerous tourists are when they walk unknowingly across bike paths in the core… I was one of those!”. So, as often is the case, I didn’t say a huge “Yes!” right away. Believe it or not, I’ve always had trouble adjusting to changes in plans and often see the potential danger of things at first. See, it’s all about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It’s about stretching comfort zones and realizing that Hey! I had asked the Universe for this in the first place through my joy at the idea of cycling just a few days ago. So after a minute of humming and hawing, I did say “Yes!” and had a most magical day!

Timea had 2 bikes, so I took one of those and Rachel registered for the rent-a-bikes that are all over town. Once you’re registered, they’re free for the first hour, and 1€ for the second hour, etc. So from thinking I was only going to stay home and pack while waiting for the next day to arrive, I found myself atop a most comfortable bike (I like sitting up straight – much better for my neck and back than Baby – my next bike will be more like this), cycling on Vienna’s superb bike path network through the city and across the Danube canal, through the Prater Park, and along both the new and old Danube rivers. I should mention that cycling on the Danube Island had been on my wish list since last September when I realized it was way too long to walk. Needless to say, I grinned most of the afternoon, thrilled at the sites along the way, the sunshine, the company, the feeling of zooming down a huge spiral ramp, etc. I even got to help a lady get her friend’s dog out of the river, where it was determined to get itself killed by a couple of equally stubborn swans. Quite the chaos!

It was only when Timea turned onto one of the many dirt paths in the Prater Park and stopped in a field of wild garlic that I realized I was living the power of manifestation in triple (Reform House, cycling, and picking wild garlic!). I believe that my simple “I’d love that!” feeling in Omice on Wednesday opened up this opportunity with Timea. I wanted to pick garlic, and I did. Perfect!

What a magical day indeed! As we sat near the new Danube river, me with a cola popsicle (something I hadn’t had since I was a child – so good, especially since I haven’t even had a Coke in years), and them with beer and pastry, I marveled at the law of attraction.  Joyful thoughts and feelings coupled with clear intention and letting go had once again led to what I wanted, as well as to deep gratitude (part of the cycle). Thank you Universe, Czech friends, Timea & Rachel, and Higher Self, who helped me get past the initial “No, I’m too scared” feelings that almost stop me from living my life at times. What a great reminder as I head off this morning for my big adventure in Bali. All is well indeed!

So here I am at the Vienna Airport –  6 hours early.  OK, I’ll admit, 6 hours is really early even for me, but I was ready and waiting at home anyway and no longer had my Internet cable. Plus the public transit system is amazing here! So now I can use the free wi-fi, people-watch, and ensure I won’t miss my plane due to some unforeseen event or long line-ups at security….  I don’t mind sitting around, especially after all that great exercise yesterday.  I can daydream, meditate, set intention, pray, and think pretty well anywhere.  Time to manifest a great month in Bali.

What thoughts and feelings are you projecting out to the Universe?