There’s an interesting balance between being focused on achieving what you want, and doing what Gabby Bernstein calls manic manifesting – being so tightly bound into the outcome you desire, that you aren’t open to other possibilities, some of which might be better for you in the end.

As Gabby says, “Manic manifesting happens when we try to control our manifestations. It’s very common, because we all get hung up on outcomes. We all want things to go a certain way.

People often say to me, “I’m doing everything right, but nothing is working. I pray, I meditate, I use affirmations, I journal, but I’m still not attracting what I want. What am I doing wrong?”

Here’s the thing: We can have all the spiritual tools in the world, but if we don’t tune in to the Universe, we can’t receive.”

We are all taught that hard work is a prerequisite for success, and indeed massive action is part of the process. But on the other hand, we are also told to be open to ease and flow, to be willing to have miracles happen and things just fall into place. Are these two things not contradictory?

I am reminded of the famous quote from the mountaineer W. H. Murray. “Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative or creation, there is one elementary truth…that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves. too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have believed would have come his way.

Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it.”

So maybe that’s where we need to go – to take action towards what we wish, even massive action. There’s nothing wrong with working hard. But if your teeth are clenched and you are not feeling good about the work you are doing, it’s not going to get you where you want to go.

Of course, we all have to do things we don’t want to sometimes, in order to achieve our goals. Feeling good doesn’t mean being lazy and just sitting around waiting for the Universe to deliver our desires in a Tiffany package. We do need to work. But it needs to be work that lifts us up and brings us closer to our desires. It’s not all unicorns and rainbows every day, but we need to feel good about our journey.

I know I’ve been guilty of manic manifesting. How about you?