The answer comes in three parts: attachments and expectations, fear of change and gremlin talk.

Attachments and Expectations

All too often we approach sticky situations with a substantial amount of attachment also known as expectation. For instance, we might expect our co-workers to behave in a certain way. We assist them on a project or say some kind words, hoping for some kindness or cooperation when the next interaction surprisingly brings misery and unhappiness. You may have worked hard on a business deal and are ready to close it, when suddenly the deal falls through and you are left upset and discouraged. In both instances, we end up feeling disappointed, perhaps even defeated. What happened? Consider: Perhaps you were too attached to a particular outcome?

When we have too much attachment to the results we want, we limit the Law of Attraction because we allow the universe only one way to fulfill our request. We deprive ourselves of the universe’s flexibility to fulfill our request in some other fashion, perhaps in some way that will allow for an even better outcome than we expected. It’s like going to a flower shop to buy a bouquet of flowers. Perhaps you are attached to one kind of flower and instruct the sales person to put together a bouquet of red roses that turns out so-so when you could have told him or her to put together a beautiful bouquet that could have been better than you envisioned. By limiting the sales person, you limited yourself to one outcome. Perhaps the bouquet of red roses WAS beautiful. But if you open yourself to more options, you allow for the chance of receiving something much better.

Here is another way for you to understand this. Take your right hand and grab your left wrist. What you have is your left wrist what you don’t have is a hand that is available to receive. But yes, you do have your left wrist.

Fear of Change

Most of us hold on to things because we would rather have what we have than have nothing. We are afraid to change because the process of change requires us to let go off what we have. It is like standing with your toes at the edge of the high dive. You are about to jump but have no idea what the landing will be like. For a moment, you will have to let go of what you know -- of safety and security -- in order to experience the thrill of flying through the air before you dive into the water.

Not all moments of letting go are that dramatic, BUT before you can really apply the Law of Attraction you need to create a space inside of you where you can receive. This is an opportunity to review your old beliefs - to see if they are still working for you.

Some of us have been around belief systems for a long time. We thought everybody had the same belief systems when we found out that only our family or our religion had bought stock in this belief system. Oh well, you know as well as I that we are powerful creators and that belief systems are changeable.

Face your fear and do it anyway. Be willing to be uncomfortable and see what happens on the other side of your discomfort. Feelings do lie to us on a regular basis – especially fear.

Gremlins – Head trash – Negative Self Talk

I don’t really care what you call this part of yourself that keeps you attached to the past; that keeps us afraid or small. I call it my Gremlin (thanks to Richard Carson for term) and I’ve named her Brunhilde. She is big and strong -- a Valkyrie who brings the fallen warriors home. She thinks that she can keep me (Barbara) away from harm (dying on the battlefield) by keeping me small. She does not like to see me take risks (i.e.: dive from the high board) and she likes me to hold on to what I already have. It is she who keeps me attached and she pushes me away from change. She pretends to be fearless in her pursuit to keep me safe and sound. But after years of getting to know one another, I realized that it is Brunhilde who is afraid.

Of course Brunhilde is part of me and there were once sound reasons why I created her, but reasons are part of the past. In recent years I have given her a new job. She is getting used to her new role, Director of Fun and Entertainment.

Well, if your gremlin is talking trash and reinforcing your negative beliefs about yourself, I suggest you have a good long talk with him or her. Remember: No Law of Attraction is strong enough to withstand the negativity you generate all by yourself.