tobacco – Pam Grout

Break free from your assumptions about the way the world works

May 22, 2017 19 Comments

“Most of our assumptions have outlived their usefulness.” ― Marshall McLuhan

If I were writing an elevator speech to describe my work, it would have something to do with challenging assumptions.

We all have so many, most of which are invisible to us. We honestly can’t see life as it really is because our assumptions, the stories we tell ourselves block the world’s unlimited largesse.

Instead of keeping track of all the beautiful gifts we’ve been given, we keep track of how many times we’ve been rejected or how many times this or that didn’t work.

But what if the opposite is true? What if the life force is actively working on our behalf at all times to deliver exactly what we ask for?

What if everything we could possibly need is already here? Most of us believe, that if we want something, we have to save up the money, go to a store and buy said thing. But what if that’s an erroneous assumption? What if all we have to do is make the request?

At my workshop in Seattle, I mentioned the story about the mom at the beach who decided to do a Native American healing ritual. She thought to herself, “I wish I had tobacco.” Not two minutes later, a seagull swung around and dropped a package right at her feet. Not only was it a pouch of loose tobacco, but it was the very brand (American Spirit) that she uses in her prayers.

On the break, one of the workshop participants mentioned a similar story. She was out for a walk and started sniffling. “I have allergies,” she told me, “so I normally take tissue in my pocket. This time I had forgotten.”

But no sooner did she wish she had tissue then she looked over and underneath the tree was a small packet of Kleenex, unopened and still sealed.

Another reader, an artist, sent this story:

“I made sure to be clear to the Universe that I wanted a physical gift to show up. I don’t really leave the house because I am an artist who works from home, but I said “OK, Universe now is your time to show me.” I started the experiment at 1pm. Around 11am the next day I found out that I had won the Grand Prize in the American Women Artist Spring Online show, an award that included $1000, a $500 art supply gift card and two ads in art magazines. I was super excited but I had made it very clear to the Universe that I wanted a physical object to come to me.

“The following day at 12:40, 20 minutes before the end of the experiment, the doorbell rang. The art supply company had FedExed my check and included in the package an apron. I was blown away and haven’t lived my life the same since.”

So here’s the assumption I suggest questioning today. Is it true that, if you need something, you have to go to the store to buy it? Or will the universe deliver it to you, as long as you simply ask and don’t let your assumptions get in the way?

Pam Grout is the author of 18 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the recently released, Thank and Grow Rich: a 30-day Experiment in Shameless Gratitude and Unabashed Joy.

Don’t miss your blessings and signs from the universe

February 2, 2015 20 Comments

“Scientists are slowly waking up to an inconvenient truth – the universe looks suspiciously like a fix. It’s as if a super-intellect has monkeyed with physics.—Paul Davies

Carol Burnett, who won countless Emmys and Golden Globes during her 12-year tenure on CBS, used to pull on her earlobe during her variety show. It was a sign to her children, who were watching at home, that she loved them.

The universe, for those of us paying attention, is every bit as generous. It’s constantly sending us signs, constantly letting us know that, “Hey, it’s going to be okay. You’re all right. Life is here for your enjoyment.”

Pope Francis says that whenever he’s troubled or needing comfort, he sees a white rose. That’s his personal sign, directly from the Big Guy. My friend Annola is sent a crane—the bird, not the construction rig.

Blessings and signs such as these never end. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t paying attention. We’re too busy following the scripts and constructs we created to serve as our reality.

I’m lucky because I get cool stories sent straight to my inbox from readers who remind me daily of the world’s beneficence.

Here’s one that came in this weekend:

“I joined an E-squared group and had just started the first experiment. Got an unexpected retro check for over $300 I wasn’t expecting but that wasn’t the best part. Later that day my two kids and I went to the beach. I went down to the water’s edge to sing a water healing song and pray for the water. I was wishing I had some tobacco to offer with my prayers. I finished and headed back toward the kids. My eldest son was coming toward me following a seagull which had something in it’s beak. As I got closer, the seagull swung around and flew right toward me. I swear it looked right at me as it dropped it’s package on the ground in front of me. Not only was it a pouch of loose tobacco, it was the very brand (American Spirit) that I use for my prayers! Can you say mind blowing???!!”

I look forward to the day when stories like this are no longer mind-blowing. But simply cause us to nod, pump our fists in the air and say, “Well, duh!”

Pam Grout is the author of 17 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the just-released sequel, E-Cubed, 9 More Experiments that Prove Mirth, Magic and Merriment is your Full-time Gig.