How Frank Lloyd Wright Got Into My Head, Under My Skin And Changed The Way I Think About Thinking, A Creative Thinking Blue Print For the 21st Century
By Sandy Sims
BLOG TOUR
In my book “How Frank Lloyd Wright Got Into My Head Under My Skin and Changed The Way I Think About Thinking,” I discussed the fact that I had a crisis in my early thirties, followed by an urgent need for help. I desperately needed a new way to look at life. I even rolled up my car windows while on the freeway screaming for help. Little did I recognize that very act had set into motion a future cascade of events. This included a psychiatrist, not just to see but to date-the immersion course so to speak, appeared in virtually no time at all.
She saw that I was a candidate for the self-empowerment model, one she was investigating herself. The ideas were not new, but they also were not mainstream. They were rooted in Eastern philosophy which was beginning to emerge here in the 60’s and 70’s under the umbrella of the New Age and Human Potential Movement.
Part of the issue for all people willing to engage in the fundamental pattern of developing a new belief system is that it is easy to be pumped up in a seminar, with the afterglow lasting at least a few days, a few weeks or more. However, moving from an idea to a belief can be an arduous journey, and there is plenty of conflicting information along the way to trip us up. For example, when competing parties are after the same goal there will be winners and losers. But are losers in the short term losers, or winners in training? Confusion abounds around what is actually a true intuitive hit, and what is bleeding through as simply a strong desire. All of this takes practice and work to sort it out.
That is why a gradual bite by bite method of exploration, starting with small successful manifestations, followed by more adventuresome ones, produces the best results. It is a way of examining the exact nature of our desires and what seems to be supported versus what appears to fail. Frequently, for example, the object of our desire is really masking a fear. We want a particular house, car, etc because we want to project success. Underneath the desire, however, may be a fear that without this goodie we might be projecting failure to the world around us. Which is stronger, the desire or the fear? We can, for example, use muscle testing to help discern whether a feeling is an intuitive hit or simply a strong desire.
My book was an accounting of this kind of a journey: one in which I could review my past, from this new vantage point. I could see the beginning desire and I could see the outcome. I noticed the time frames required. Once I began to connect these dots, the more confident I became. Moving forward I was still hesitant, but had more confidence, and such has been the journey.
In the process I wondered about the mechanics at play. What were the forces? How did they operate? Of course it is not necessary to know this. Most of us don’t understand how our modern car operates. We get in, turn on the key and take off. Secondly, there are the endless skeptical observations claiming quackery due to lack of evidence. Yet absence of proof is not proof of absence. We know all about electricity, but we don’t know exactly what it is.
The best explanation I have found emerges from the Seth Material by Jane Roberts. Here Seth discusses “Frameworks.” We exist in one framework. Our thoughts with intent summon legions of energetic patterns from another framework to finally emerge in this framework.
I also observed that my new ideas seemed to come from somewhere, either as answers to my questions, or as novelties, simply and graciously dumped into my lap. There seemed to exist a two way street of communication with this collective unconscious, as if we have invisible partners. Rather than simply ascribing these events to some divine being whom I was lucky enough to please, I liked the idea of having buddies, friends so to speak, who could see a larger landscape, moving through life with me, doing their best to assist my journey. They respond to my requests and also send me unsolicited ideas. I have no proof that this is the way it is, but it seems and feels possible, and that is good enough for me until a better story comes along.
Aside from intuitive urges, or the revelatory “Aha” experience the communication process between myself and my invisible partners seems to utilize positive as well as negative synchronicities, or as Jung has called them, meaningful coincidences. I feel we receive these every day. They are often so subtle, that we are oblivious to them. The classic example is the phone call you receive from a friend whereby just as you answer you say, “Oh, I was just thinking about calling you.” The important issue at this precise juncture is to recognize that there is a piece of information to harvest and to search for it. The call might be to mention an event. It is up to you to recognize that if you attend that process will put you in touch with a person, idea or sign which will steer you in a certain direction. If you fail to act, your invisible partners will simply have to try something else.
Like it or not, technology is increasing at warp speed. This is inevitably resulting in many profound changes, the apparent loss of decision making time being at the head of the list. Less contemplative time, coupled with instant technological communication, means more dependence on new tools.
Learning how to discern between intuition and strong desires, how to recognize synchronicities and use them, and how to consciously manifest are all tools being given to us to navigate the new landscape. I refer to the adaption to these processes and tools as creative thinking for the 21st Century.
After reflecting on the nature of this particular journey as revealed in my book, I collaborated with Dr. Kerry Monick, MD, the psychiatrist whom was so instrumental in my process, to create a simple guidebook. The idea was to replicate the same thinking patterns I had undergone with some additional structures to help one assess their own journey and what is possible going forward. If there is at least one useful point then the guidebook has done its job.
Sandy Sims Bio –
Sandy Sims was raised and educated in the South. After serving as Naval Officer and finishing graduate business school, he followed a dream to live in Honolulu where he built one of Hawaii's most successful advertising agencies.
The crisis of personal health and business setbacks opened the way to larger spiritual dimensions including a long association with the Caddy family, founders of the Findhorn Spiritual Community in Scotland His book,”How Frank Lloyd Wright Got Into My Head, Under My Skin And Changed The Way I Think About Thinking, A Creative Thinking Blue Print For the 21st Century,” is a memoir of his journey culminating in a 20 year project with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
He has collaborated with Psychiatrist, Kerry Monick MD, and authored Creative Thinking For The 21st Century, An Experiential Guidebook. Accepting the science that our intention does indeed affect the material world, it addresses what to be thinking about, how to shape these thoughts, and what might be the best way to avoid unintended consequences.
When not traveling, Sandy resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where you can find him writing, playing tennis, poking around with his camera and embracing a new culture.
For more information about Sandy Sims and How Frank Lloyd Wright Got Into My Head, Under My Skin And Changed The Way I Think About Thinking, A Creative Thinking Blue Print For the 21st Century, visit http://creativethinkingbook.com/ and visit this page to get the Amazon links http://creativethinkingbook.com/buy-your-copy/.
Showing posts with label virtual blog tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label virtual blog tour. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, October 31, 2010
KARMIC WHEEL TOUR SCHEDULE!
STOP IN ON THESE SITES AND SEE WHAT MONICA BRINKMAN HAS TO SAY!
Thursday, November 18
Book Reviewed at Stiletto Storytime
Guest Blogging at The Book Faery Reviews
Monday, November 22
Book Reviewed at My Reading Room
Book Reviewed at Stiletto Storytime
Guest Blogging at The Book Faery Reviews
Monday, November 22
Book Reviewed at My Reading Room
Sunday, June 6, 2010
FEMALE NOMAD AND FRIENDS
Female Nomad and Friends: Tales of Breaking Free and Breaking Bread Around the World – From the author of the international bestseller, Tales of a Female Nomad, Female Nomad and Friends is a moving anthology of essays that celebrates traveling, connecting, and eating around the world. Also included are more than 30 travel-inspired, taste-tested and author-approved recipes.
Rita Golden Gelman is the author of Tales of a Female Nomad and more than seventy children’s books, including More Spaghetti, I Say!, a staple in every first grade classroom. As a nomad, Rita has no permanent address. She is currently involved in an initiative called Let’s Get Global, a project of US Servas, Inc, a national movement deigned to bring the gap year to the United States. Learn more at: www.letsgetglobal.org
My Favorite Organization Ever by Rita Golden Gelman (Excerpt from Female Nomad and Friends)
Rita Golden Gelman
Being a part of Servas is like having family all over the world. It’s actually better than family. People join Servas because they want you to visit them when you are in their country. Not always the case with family.
Since I have no home, I’m always a traveler and never a host. Servas visits are for two nights, and everyone (hosts and travelers) is screened in a face- to- face interview. Servas charges a small annual membership fee, and travelers pay a deposit for host lists in the countries they want to visit. During the visits, however, no money changes hands.
My first Servas visit was with Gabi and Batsheva in Tel Aviv in 1988. Before the trip, I saw their names in the Israel host book; I wrote asking if I could stay with them when I visited.
They welcomed me as they would an old friend. They fed me, toured me, guided me, and shared their stories as I shared mine. I helped with the cooking and clean- up and bought a meal or a snack here and there.
After only one day we felt so close that we decided their single son, then living in the Dominican Republic, and my single daughter, then living in New York, should marry! Never happened, but we did have fun planning the meeting and discussing the wedding. It was wonderful getting to know them.
Their love for each other made being with them a pleasure. Gabi and Batsheva met in an orphanage. Their parents were killed by the Nazis. During and after the war, the surviving kids were taken from Europe to an orphanage in Palestine.
The two found themselves among the oldest children there and ended up working on the same projects and caring for the younger kids together. They fell in love. Batsheva had a sister, Tova, who was also in the orphanage. I never met Tova, but Gabi and the two sisters shared a special closeness as the only survivors of both families. The sisters meant everything to each other.
As we shared our stories, Gabi, Batsheva, and I developed a special bond. Servas is like that. A level of intimacy is quickly established, and you always leave feeling as though you have made a new friend— or extended your family.
Several years later I returned to Israel for my cousin’s wedding. I called Gabi and Batsheva. Gabi answered the phone. He was excited to hear from me, but he explained that Tova had recently died and Batsheva was devastated. He didn’t think she felt ready for guests. The two women had been incredibly close, he reminded me. I suggested that maybe this time I could take care of Batsheva. They talked it over and decided it was a good idea.
I didn’t exactly take care of her, but I did some cooking and a little cleaning; and Batsheva was able to share her happy Tova stories, as well as her pain.
On the second day of my visit, Batsheva received a letter from a Servas friend in Brazil. Claudia had heard about Tova’s death and written a sympathy note. She had included her e- mail address. I offered to write to Claudia on my computer.
In the e- mail I introduced myself to Claudia, and then Batsheva dictated her response while I typed. I left the next day, sad, but pleased that I had been able to help.
Four years later in Argentina, I once again connected with people through Servas. I was staying in my friend Gera’s home in San Miguel, outside of Buenos Aires, so I didn’t need a place to stay, but I wanted to meet people in Buenos Aires. I took out my host list and called a few people. The response was fantastic. Servas members invited me to share meals, parties, and excursions.
After I had met a number of hosts, they told me that a group of them planned on taking a boat across the river the next Sunday to meet Uruguayan hosts. Would I like to come?
Of course. Our two groups got together in the charming Uruguayan town of Colonia and wandered for a few hours before lunch. Everyone wanted to talk a little to everyone else, so two of us would walk and talk for a while, and then we’d switch. The fi rst two Uruguayans I met insisted that I come back as their Servas guest (which I did). I was able to converse with them in Spanish, although they both spoke better English than I did Spanish.
The third person I met asked me not to speak Spanish. “My Spanish is not very good,” she said. “My English is better.”
“But aren’t you from Uruguay?” I asked.
“No, I’m not. I’m from over the border in Brazil.”
It was at that point that we introduced ourselves. “My name is Rita. I’m from the United States.”
“Oh, my God,” she said. “I can’t believe it. I’m Claudia.”
Yes, she was that Claudia! We hugged like old friends. And cried. And a month later I was a Servas guest in Claudia’s house in Brazil.
If you’re a traveler and a connector, check it out. It’s an amazing organization: www.servas.org or www.usservas.org.
Reprinted from “Female Nomad and Friends” by Rita Golden Gelman. Copyright © 2010. Published by Three Rivers Press/Crown Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc.
You can learn much more about Rita Golden Gelman and her work on her website – www.ritagoldengelman.com. The book can be preordered on Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Female-Nomad-Friends-Breaking-Around/dp/0307588017/
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