Sunday, February 26, 2012

Paying Attention to Energy Flow



I have had the oddest experience over the last couple of weeks. It has brought home the notion that when we pay attention to the energy of an experience, we actually attune ourselves to the flow of life. It's probably the same thing as synchronicity. Meaningful coincidences, and all of that.

I have wanted nothing more than to move back to Portland, Oregon, to live near my family - especially my grandson. We are having a mutual love affair at the moment, and since I know these things never last, once he gets even slightly older, I haven't wanted to miss a moment. But the energy is simply not flowing.

The first realtor I called took all of my information and then never called me back! We had an extended conversation on what I was looking for, granted it changes with the wind, but that is normal for house hunting. Most Realtors are patient and helpful, guiding you to the homes that might meet your needs. Not this one - she just never called back. 

So, in the meantime, I have been working on ideas for a shared-living-resources plan that would include my family. (You have to start somewhere.) Since we actually live in Nevada, we would only be there part of the time, allowing for my family to live in the house until we retire in a few years. Well, it seems that doesn't work because we have very different ideas on the part of town we want to live in. My children only want to live in the urban, bicycle riding, walk to pubs and restaurants part of town, and we crave a more serene and nature-filled part of town. Very different lifestyles.

Okay, fine. Next, we decided to just look for a home for my husband and myself, and if the children want to live in it, then fine - but if not, no problem, we'll just use the home while we are in Portland during our many visits, moving into it permanently when we retire. So I talk with our new realtor about the change in plans, my daughter talks with the realtor about the change in plans, I send him some new listings I would like him to check out for me and....he just never answers my email about the new listings! Just a short note to say we need to find a duplex that would work for an extended family, and then nothing! Just a great big VOID. I think he has bonded with my daughter and son-in-law, and if we are not buying something with them in mind - he's not interested. (Realtors must be doing much better in Portland than here in Reno/Tahoe...)

Bottom line? There is simply no energy in this endeavor at this time. For some reason, now is not the time to find a home in Portland. I've decided to listen, and have procured a very large storage unit for our upcoming move from the home we are in, and will wait for what's in store for us. I may feel disappointed, but I'm also sure there is some reason this wasn't going the way I thought it should go.

I'm kind of excited. Something else may be just around the corner.

Have you ever experienced a lack of energy flow? Did you listen, or did you fight it? What was the outcome?

20 comments:

GYPSYWOMAN said...

i'm in one of those right now, nancy - lack of energy flow - on almost every front of my life - it's the weirdest thing - at first, i was rebelling - and rather also like the stages of grief, am now at acceptance of whatever "it" is - and while i intellectually understand that "it" is, in fact and in deed, part of the whole of the period of grief in which i do quite literally find myself right now - the recent death of my only remaining sibling, and other really major familial life stressors, it hasn't made any of it easier - so, i have decided to change my focus toward things over which i can exert control and positive outcome and leave to the universe those other things - for now - maybe, just maybe, the answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind! ;) [let us hope!]

Nancy said...

Gypsy - I know exactly what you mean. Maybe things happen when they need to - in other words, I think you have it right - the answer is blowin in the wind. We just need to settle down and work on what we feel we can control. Like the book by the same name says - time to Chop Wood, Carry Water. (So very sorry about your sister.)

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Fascinating! I think you just have to go with it, the lack of flow, and accept that there must be a reason for it.

We went thru this some years ago when we tried and tried to sell our house. More than 100 showings and nothing. Now, in retrospect, we realize that if we'd moved, we would be in a house with an underwater mortgage.

Brian Miller said...

def i see this as true as well...if the doors are not opening for something to happen then wasting energy on it will only lead to frustration...

Nancy said...

T&R - I guess we just need to pay attention to the energy flow. Thank goodness you didn't sell your house!

Brian - It's hard to understand that concept when it goes against what you want, but you're right - it just causes frustration. Or worse - the wrong decision.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

That happened to me a couple of times when I was working. A project that everyone said they wanted just wouldn't take shape. In one case I forced it to happen, which was a waste of energy because the stakeholders weren't invested in it. Learning to listen is definitely a useful skill!

Grandmother Mary said...

Follow the energy has been our mantra. Sometimes it's about where to live and sometimes about work to do but follow the energy and then let go of the outcome because we're not in control and great blessings await us if we're patient/ listening/ paying attention. I'm excited for you!

Nancy said...

Blissed - But oh so hard when it goes against something we want!

Grandmother - You said it perfectly! Thank you.

Umā said...

I couldn't agree more, Nancy. "Flow" is actually my word for 2012 but unlike 2011 I'm going to try and not overly control/force where life flows but instead try to be more spontaneous and open about what the Universe/life is trying to show me and where it wants to bring me. I'm confident it will be bigger/better/different than anything I could come up with on my own ;)

Rob-bear said...

Sometimes things just don't seem to want to stand up and live one little bit. Frustrating, but with attention. Why doesn't this want to live? Where is the energy being blocked?

Blessings and Bear hugs while you try to figure this out.

Hilary said...

You're wise to think of it this way. I often need these little reminders to stop and listen to the energy or lack thereof. You'll find the right place at the right time. Of this, I have no doubt.

Marlene said...

We have had a similiar void, with a office space my husband wants to invest in.. we have made 3 offers in a space of 6 months and always somethings from the sellers end happens ( no response or they cant even contact her) I think its the universe saying.. not the right time.. not the right space.. wait...just wait...we are listening ...

Nancy said...

Uma - I totally agree. It is counter intuitive to everything we have been taught - go get what you want, and don't give up until you achieve what it is you're looking for - instead it is about letting go of the outcome - and trusting in a whole new way.

Rob - bear - Great way of putting it - some things just do not want to live.

Hilary - I have to constantly remind myself to let go of outcomes.

Marlene - I love that. It just isn't right - be patient - we're listening...

Bruce Coltin said...

I agree with this concept of "flow." But I believe that we can usually redirect that flow, if we really want to. In this case, signs told you that the situation just was not right. Do you wonder: "What if I called one more broker? Or five more brokers?" Would you have found the perfect one who would have come up with a workable solution? Perhaps that would have changed the flow. But that flow might have led to a bad situation.

DJan said...

The fact that realtors don't return your calls or follow through: a definite sign that the time in not right. I too applaud you for listening to the universe telling you it's not the right direction. I enjoyed your description and came to the same conclusion. It's exciting to speculate on what it might mean! :-)

Nancy said...

Bruce - I think that is the way I would have normally addressed an issue like this. I would have just called another broker. But I'm trying to feel my way more these days - look at the synchronicities of two brokers not wanting to sell us a home. How often does that happen? Especially in this market. Add to that the familial issues that weren't coming together and it feels "flat." So is there a subtle message there for us? Maybe it's not the right time, not the right house, not the right risk to take? Is there something "else" organizing already - something we want or need more than this house, and we are just not aware of it yet?

DJan - You see it like I see it. Something is just not flowing in that direction. Time to step back and wait and see. Patience is not my strong point, however, I am working on it.

Kathryn said...

Realtors not calling back? Definitely a sign! Be still and wait a bit - there may be a reason that you shouldn't pursue this move right now whether you are aware of it or not. I don't usually feel and sound so 'fortune-teller' when I post comments, but this situation struck a chord. It really seems that this move shouldn't happen right now, at least not until you and your kids are more on the same page regarding location, proximity, style of house, and life-overlap expectations. Maybe you just need to talk to the kids some more... and something will come out.

Nancy said...

Kathryn - I couldn't agree more!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Energy flow? Yes, like the past two months or more. I guess I've waited it out and found my way back. Not certain if it will last, but will take it while it goes.

Portland real estate must be doing well.

susan said...

Sometimes all we can do is be patient.