Stream Blog - Janet PearlmanJanet Pearlman | Living in the Stream of Yes

May 27, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
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Empower Ourselves By Taking a Break

Much of the culture around us encourages not only working hard but also pushing through (ignoring) feelings of fatigue and distraction. That mode signifies us living with a lot of resistance to the flow of life. This author knows living with more ease is a lot more fun and produces better results!

Chipper Pink Day, 24 x 30, Acrylic with Texture on Canvas, $525

Instead, let’s pursue what we want with balance and good feeling.

Moment of Shifting toward Ease

Recently Tamara was having quiet time. Many thoughts drifted up, some related to next steps for projects, she jotted them down.

T picked up the notebook, started her to do list, and put down some thoughts that had appeared in her mind in a few breaths. “Oh my, “Our star sighed, “I have forgotten the one that prompted my starting the list! Uh oh, drat!”

For some seconds this dear woman began both to grumble and to “concentrate harder” to call up that item that has slipped away. That method was not working to recall that missing item.

Instead, Tamara returned to her quiet time, let her mind drift. Definitely she felt better relaxing again and hanging out.

A couple of minutes, then Pop! there it came. This dear woman remembered the task she had wanted to note.

What’s the big deal?

It’s true. Many of us know that phrase “Oh I will remember that in a minute.” Many of us realize letting go of that “push” can assist us.

Intellectually we may “know” that taking a respite for a chunk of time produces results. Maybe we can apply this principle in more areas of life than we realize.

Other Kinds of Relief

Withdraw after an intense discussion. Allow myself to “reboot,” walk around the block, Breathe.
Take a break after writing all morning.
When we fall, allow some recovery right there on the ground and allow some calm to return.
Allow two days for a 14 hour car excursion instead of one.
Put focus elsewhere when search for lost item. Relaxing and accepting the situation often allows finding the object.

Leonardo Technique

In How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci[1] author Michael Gelb describes how daVinci advocated strongly for shifting the focus. DaVinci recommended use of juggling physical objects. He found pausing in a concentration got his mind and body working differently, resting of attention. After the break, with returning to the creative task we can access new vigor, new creative prowess.

Take Away

Notice when we need to take breaks.
“Easing up on the pedal,” may allow us greater productivity
Experiment with what works for you to lift your energy.
Have more fun.

Please comment to report on discoveries. Did you create more enjoyment of your days?

About the Author

Janet Pearlman is a spiritual teacher, counselor, healer and artist. These posts demonstrate everyday applications of the path to greater self knowledge and mastery. Opportunities for greater empowerment abound in the moments of our lives. As we all go for operating from a centered and loving space, we are creating a world where peace can prevail. In her forty-six year journey of self-discovery, Janet has deeply studied the teachings of Abraham-Hicks, Ernest Holmes, Inayat Khan and more. Janet offers individual sessions by phone and in person. Please contact her at jpearl555@earthink.net to arrange an appointment.

[1] Gelb, Michael, How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, New York, New York(Delacorte Press, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc, 1998)

May 20, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
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Pause and Let the Universe Help

Let’s keep in mind that the Forces of Good are all around us all of the time! As we become more tuned to this benign environment, we become more relaxed and allowing of how what we need will be delivered in its time.

When we find ourselves “trying hard” to solve a problem, we can release that extra effort. How about if we ease up, and coast for a bit.

In that resting, we create a space where we can attract and receive solutions.

Illustration

Deanna now had charge of caring for the house. The living-with partner left to pursue in his life in a new direction. Among the adjustments D had to learn how to get the lawn mowed.

The Ex had stored the lawnmower in the basement, using planks as a ramp to pull out the machine and put it back. This approach was beyond the strength of our star.

This dear woman wondered what to do? Some acquainted with her declared that she needed a shed in which to store the device. Developing that possibility, Deanna learned that the shed would need siting and a foundation, and cost many hundreds of dollars. There was not an obvious spot for this building, might require tree removal and landscape leveling. Complications and expenses abounded.

He borther visited to help her get the lawnmower out of the basement, get it oiled and the lawn mowed. Then she rested.

Our heroine put the care of her lawn aside for a bit and attended to errands, chores, working full time, and much other stuff of life.

A dear friend visited and brought her husband. He observed the situation and commented off the top of his head, “Throw a tarp over it.”

Deanna’s mouth fell open—could it be that simple? She beamed with delight. Such an easy approach after all the effort the shed idea involved. To this protagonist it felt like a miracle.

Got stories that validate the value of letting it come to you, flowing with ease? Please share them.

About the Author

May 14, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
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Focus on Faith: Rewards Flow

We can choose to keep our minds on Forces of Good even when we may have someone “targeting” us. This may require extra focus and more intensive prayer. Let’s notice the power we can have with an especially intense focus. Check out this account.

I. The Beginning

Nadine worked in a government agency at a program manager level, three levels in the bureaucracy below the Commissioner. Her Unit Supervisor, her immediate boss, moved on and a new person, Camine was hired by the Bureau Chief. Her Unit supervised a contract worth a hundred million dollars of services.

Nadine knew that she was not favored by the Bureau Chief.

N had a job to do and she continued to do her best at her duties.

She reported to the Unit Supervisor and followed that person’s direction the best she could. Unfolding, the new Unit Supervisor proved to be dictatorial, capricious, and unproductive for everyone with whom she interacted including Nadine.

II. Strategy

Nadine assessed her situation and became determined to behave aligned with Forces of Good, exercising her Faith. For her this was an effective way to handle these circumstances.

What did that look like day to day? N refused to complain about the situation to anyone, and she did not gossip at all. She behaved the best she could and chose never to bad mouth Carmine.

As weeks and months passed, Nadine’s strategy resulted in Nadine losing most of her friendly connection to many staff at the contractor. In addition, Carmine put Nadine in difficult situations, gave her tasks that were very challenging sometimes with harsh deadlines. Once she landed a burdensome problem on her desk just prior to a long weekend knowing that would worry Nadine.

Internally, N kept her mind on positive energy and a flow of Good.

III. The Transfer

After many months, a surprising message came to N from the Bureau Chief. After three years on this contract management role, she was being transferred to another unit effective in three days. A bit ruffled, Nadine landed on her feet and went to the new work group.

Before too long, Nadine was given an assignment to create new programming in a difficult policy area, one that several other staff had been assigned and could not crack. In she dove, made connections in other departments and developed a multi-year plan of impressive scope and depth.

IV. Truth Came Out

After about a year, Carmine was terminated due to incompetence. Before she left the agency, she came over to visit with Nadine. C told N the story of how she had been instructed to make N’s work life hard, render her much less effective and isolate her. C admitted she had not realized how competent an employee N had been.

Carmine apologized for her actions and asked for forgiveness. Nadine forgave her.

V. Satisfaction Over Time

The transfer led to Nadine having an opportunity to do the best work of her career and to succeed in totally transforming the service delivery for that new policy area.

Throughout working under those trying circumstances, Nadine held to her principles without knowing her future. As it turned out her living in that Cone of Goodness had tremendous (and unforeseen) pay off.

VI. Summary

This story illustrates an assertion that Emmet Fox makes about dissipating evil.

“If someone comes into a room at home or into the office or shop[1], looking as if he meant to make trouble, just try switching your attention straight to the Divine, instead of squaring up aggressively to meet the difficulty or shrinking away to avoid it, according to your temperament. You will be amused and gratified to see the anger fade from the subject’s face (which will mean it has faded from his heart too) and quite different expression take its place.

VII. Take Away

We recommend aligning with Source Energy because it feels better than alternatives. Good outcomes result when we put focus on Forces of Good!

Like Attracts like. What energy we put forth will bring to us situations to match us!

Have some stories along these lines to share? Please inspire us all soon!

About the Author

[1] Emmet Fox, Around the Year with Emmet Fox (New York:HarpersCollins Publishers, 1931) p. 125

May 6, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
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Empowered by Affirming the Positive

As we recognize our autonomy, we are empowered as we affirm the positive. This is a huge step for many. Where do we focus our dear self with the energy of this freedom? Read about this account to learn about further steps in our path of unfoldment.

Story

Bella attended a memorial for Gail, a woman of her generation. B had not known the person well and still enjoyed hearing all the heart-warming testimonials regarding how the speakers had benefited from knowing this deceased dear one.

In one friend’s account, Gail was entertaining the group at a party when she declared, “I no longer want to be a good girl—in the past I have devoted my life to that. No More! “

The gathered folks at the memorial all enjoyed that anecdote and admired Gail’s awakened spirit.

Observing Bella felt a strong impulse to say more about that. To flesh out what that “good girl” sentiment meant to her and what she personally had done with it.

Bell’s Perspective

As the event was ending, Bella received an invitation to visit with a new acquaintance for dinner. Delighted, Bella accepted.

As the meal unfolded, B took the chance to talk more about that “good girl” remark.

B: Yes, it is great for us each to expand beyond roles that we were given early in our lives. It is so important to tune into our own reactions desires and dreams. We shift our focus off pleasing others or meeting a societal standard but on what we really want.

I want to reframe my consciousness to serving Love. My mind jumps to attuning to an inner force of unconditional loving.

“I am not a good girl.”

Bella continues: Outwardly I may appear to follow a path of societal norms. Being a good girl can look like a compassionate response, a kindness, a gesture of generosity. That feels great!

Saying no to being a good girl could look like an expression of anger, defiance for its own sake. For the mostpart I want to move swifthly through those to reflect the Forces of Good operating through me.

My goal is service to Self-Mastery in Love and not some random rebellion. And we know much focus is required to pass up resentment, anger, hatred, blame and the like.

For me shedding the good girl label does not open the floodgate for the opposite of love and care to dominate.

Another way to say it: I want to live in a genuinely Good way.

This requires me to pay attention, not to behave as though straight out of society’s can of programmed “sweet or quiet” attitudes, but instead to move towards nobility, calm and openness.

The dinner companion nodded and smiled, “I see your point. I cheer you on for living into those high ideals.”

Soon the two parted. Bella’s comrade hugged her with affection and said, “You are a treasure. I am so fortunate to have happened upon you. Thanks for taking time to have this visit.”

We have all been through passages of shedding outdated roles and imposed rules. Please share stories of your next steps and joys you have experienced.

About the Author

April 30, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
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Softening in Our Emotional Reactions

We move on the path of growing more self-aware and seeing the world with greater compassion. We discover deeply and long held habits of thought which inhibit the generous and good feelings we prefer to exhibit.

When we feel a sharpness of a hurt reaction, how can we shift off that and get back to feeling good?

Answer: the best we can in that moment and step by step.

We don’t always release this stuff on a dime. Some of our material may not leave with the first pass of awareness. We make where we are ok and keep reaching for feeling better.

How a Recovery Process Might Go

Lucy aspires to releasing her hurts as quickly as she can. L cheered herself on for noticing her hurt reaction and accepted that in herself. Wait a minute, how can she shift out of this?

Luce reviewed “what happened”. A fellow with whom this star was interacting turned out to be writing to another woman. Hmmph! His focus was not exclusively on her!

To start this dear woman distracted herself by watching some tv. Some relief to get her mind on something else.

In this story, Cindy Lou did not readily release this particular disturbance. Yes, she could notice that her habits were running strong.

Her inner voices were saying, “I guess I am not good looking enough to keep his attention. He has made me feel humiliated and rejected! I must had said something he did not like. “

She was not ready to be cheered up yet. Several like- minded friends offered to help with her reframing. Lucy closed off their input.

In her head boomed, “Shut up and leave me alone. GRRR.”

A Gradual Turnaround

In the second day a back ache showed up and did not easily clear up during the day.

On the third day, our protagonist relaxed her thinking and let in more air and light into her mood. Then L’s dear body produced quite an upset stomach. This too passed through her.

Softening

Lucy listened to a podcast by an experienced leader of A Course in Miracles. This speaker reminded this dear one that she controlled her life with the thoughts she entertained.

As she went about her morning ablutions, she let in the realization: she was defending her hurt reaction, making “out there” more powerful than “in here.” As she forgave herself, she had the power to feel good again.

Alright, alright L accepted that she had stepped on a landmine of past hurt. “Ok,” she admitted, “I have been resisting recovery. I embrace now that my good continues to surround me.”

To find more ease she crooned to herself, “Hey Angel Pie, I am releasing another layer of sludgy feelings from the past. This is so human and understandable. I remain loveable as I purify and release these painful times from the past.”

On day four Lucy started to flow with good feeling again! YAY!

Take Away

From time to time we may feel hurt from past experiences, and might review it (lick our wounds for awhile.) “Hey this is not happening now. Let’s change our thinking.”

We make it ok that it takes as long as it takes to let go of past pain. We persist.

This is the process of growth! Good for me! I am growing stronger and more resilient!

Please share a story that resonates with this post. You inspire us all!

About the Author

April 22, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
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Fresh Response to a Familiar Difficulty

We can have “bad” experiences with a service provider. Yes, we might pop with the temptation to “badmouth” them as we request their help. Oh my, many of our friends will eagerly cheer us on in complaint. Hmm. What about a more creative and effective approach? Read on…

The Scoop

Dame Rocket Spring, 9 x 12, Acrylic, $120

On a recent morning Ines went to use her computer and realized she had no internet. She felt a distress rise. She had an appointment that morning, checked the clock and decided she had time for a quick call to the provider to get a repair ticket going.

On that first call she made it through the automated phone screening, got put through to those service people but no one picked up the call. She heard a room full of chatter and noise but nothing else. Oh, dear she felt a bit of aggravation start to rise.

Six months prior our star had had a traumatizing series of interactions with this provide resulting in having no service for 10 days.

At that time Ines had become very distressed, struggled with the situation, felt frustration and shared about her difficulty a lot, upgraded her phone to handle paying bills in the service gap and more. So many friends jumped on the bandwagon to agree that the provider she had was “awful” with a poor record for service.

In the present at lunch time this dear woman sat calmly to call for a service repair. Inside Ines felt an impulse to start with her sad story from six months ago and adopt a disgruntled attitude. “Really,” Ines said to herself “Are you devoted to inner work? Do you want to step into a new moment? Yes I do. Dump that complaining tone!

Let me address this person with an authentic well-mannered request for assistance. Let me be in the flow.”

Before too long after a stint on hold, the customer service person offered her a repair slot for the next day.

The inner dialogue: “I do have commitments for tomorrow. This company wants customers to have an eight-hour day free to wait for the service. In my schedule I don’t have a whole business day free till a week from now.”

Insight from a Higher Source spoke, “Dear One, cancel those morning appointments. Go with the flow here, it will be fixed in no time!”

This heroine followed her wiser self and next day awaited the repairman. He came midmorning and completed the fix in less than one hour. The job was accomplished in less than twenty-four hours from when she called it in. Such an easy experience this time!

Ines insisted on living an open and cooperative attitude and wow what a big difference that made!

Have you had occasions when you withheld a frustrated blaming tone and chose to interact with a fresh good-natured approach? Did you see results? Let’s hear about it! We inspire one another.

About the Author

April 15, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
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Spiritual Beam

We are strengthening our inner compass; more and more we connect with the means to direct our path. Can we live flowing with unconditional love? Yes, as we practice more and more, bit by bit, we recognize the way to proceed.

Please take in this inspiration from Emmet Fox:

Flowers II, 24 x 30, acrylic on canvas, $595

“Those who believe in the Allness of God have a spiritual beam on which to navigate.

You are off the beam the moment you are angry or resentful or jealous or frightened or depressed, and when such a condition arises you should get back on the beam by turning quietly to God in thought, claiming his Presence, claiming that His Love and Intelligence are with you, and that the promises in the Bible are true today. You are back on the beam and you will reach port in safety.”[1]

Example

Carey was caught off guard by a client. After a session of body work and walking that dear one to her car, the recipient turned in hostility to Carey and harangued about their political differences. That person accused our star of being misguided and ignorant and went on in that vein for several minutes.

Our heroine did her best to remain balanced, keep her poise and placate the client. A few days later, C turned to Wise Counsel to ask what she should do about that client. Wise Counsel’s response below:

“You want advice on what to do going forward? I recommend doing work on your own inner planes.

Have you forgiven this person? That is an important step. You can acknowledge that you are not actually harmed and that you hold no grudge.

You can also spend quiet time appreciating her. That may seem counter intuitive. This act is designed to move your focus from your distressed human response to one more like seeing the story as a divine being would. You can shift to more unconditional loving. What good qualities do you see? What do you enjoy about her?

From this prayer time this situation will shift. Certainly, you will change yourself. And it may be surprising what else will transform.”

Carey responded with an expression that appeared to say something like “You have got to be kidding.”

WC: “Seriously I recommend giving this a try.”

Have any of you readers experimenting with this kind of inner action? Please share your experience. This author has and the results have been impressive. The “troublesome” person often responds with sweetness over time.

What are your thoughts? Please comment.

About the Author

[1] Emmet Fox, Around the Year with Emmet Fox, A book of Daily Readings, (New York: Harpers & Brothers, 1931) p.103

April 9, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
0 comments

Sharpen Focus on Promoting Bodily Well Being

Let’s sharpen our focus on how we talk about our bodily conditions. Have you heard this kind of talk?

1. That leg always acts up when it rains.

2. I am afraid I’ll throw my hip out. I’ve done that three times.

3. I have a bad right knee.

4. My back has not been right since that fall.

In these examples, the language focuses on what we DO NOT want and sound as though the condition will continue as is for the foreseeable future. We have more power than this talk indicates.

Illustration

Gloria was diagnosed with a condition called leaky gut syndrome. This heroine followed the guidance of a holistic physician who recommended a specific food plan to heal many food sensitivities, including items to eat freely, rotate every four days and those to eliminate. G also took five supplements at each meal.

How did our star discuss her condition as she lived through the next year? She chose NOT to declare, “I don’t eat that I am allergic to it.” Instead, Gloria said, “When I was tested last August, I had a reaction to that food but now I am healing my gut and expect to be able to eat it before too long.”

This gal stuck to her regime. Each time she was tempted to stray, she told herself, “No one else cares if you eat that. Do you want to get better? Yes, so let’s skip that for now.”

After a year G was retested for the reactivity to a roster of foods: the results showed that all but one of the long list of reactive items was ok to consume again. She had healed the gut.

If we have something in our bodies we want to shift, let’s not talk about it like it will always be true! Instead, let’s express acknowledging we are a healing project underway.

Revisiting the disharmonies mentioned above. How about this language instead:

1. Sometimes I notice sensation in my leg in weather conditions of high humidity. It is healing now so rain annoying me is time limited.

2. Right now I’m attending to my hip, and I feel how easily it moves. I move more easily now!

3. My right knee feels on the road to recovery. I feel improvements in subtle ways, I sense the healing process.

4. My back strengthens each day. I picture all my vertebrae of my spine lined up and feeling good.

Well-Being abounds! I align my thoughts with that harmony and effortlessly allow improvements in my body.

Does this essay inspire some thinking for you? Do you have stories to tell me or questions? Love to hear from you at jpearl@streamofyes.com. What you do for yourself matters for all of us!

About the Author

April 1, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
0 comments

Love and Wholeness

We all travel the path to wholeness. Some of us are becoming more conscious of the power we can wield with our focus to make lives around us better, including our own.

Background

Olivia attended an online class related to personal growth. In one coaching session the teacher recommended to students that each identify an inner voice that the teacher dubbed the “mean girl” i.e., when a person receives inner advice filled with criticism and provoking guilt. That leader suggested the listeners select a name for that voice.

Olivia was not drawn to this business of talking to a mean girl inside. However, she was intrigued by noticing other voices and possibly naming them as a device for greater consciousness. Olivia called Wise Counsel to garner helpful thoughts on the topic.

The Exchange

O: What do you think of picking names for our inner voices?

WC: I have not used naming my inner voices as a tool myself. Here are some guidelines I recommend regarding inner voices.

Please cheer yourself on for noticing an inner voice. You are growing in your awareness.
All the parts of you are worthy of positive regard. Even a voice that on the surface seems mean spirited can be accepted and understood.
We may have voices that echo scolding authority figures in our life. Some of that may contain self-loathing feeling. Any message that we deserve our own loathing, rejection, is not one to follow.
More and more we want to feel whole and integrated. We can listen to any voice that arises and see how it feels. We accept our process of growing in our consciousness.
Yes, we will become aware of the effects of the way we have been treated earlier in our life. As we grow toward and with Goodness, we will perceive that unhealthy, unwanted programming on the way to dissolving it.

O: I agree. I want the consciousness of the messages inside and I select the ones that are loving to act upon.

A Story as Example

Scarlett stopped at a mall to entertain herself. In her mind popped the voice, “I want some ice cream. In this mall there is an especially tasty ice cream shoppe. Let’s go there. Yum.”

This inner voice eagerly directed our star toward the ice cream.

Pause, Pause Wait a Minute!

This heroine was becoming more aware of her adorable inner voices. S had been following a food plan that managed her food allergic reactions and helped her reduce her weight.

Alas ice cream for both its dairy and sugar content was not on her current food list from the allergy practitioner consulted. It did not help with her weight reduction goals either.

This time Scarlett rose up in her aligned self-parenting and honored herself. This dear woman skipped the ice cream.

Summary

We want to become aware of what voices are in our minds. We want to act on thoughts that are aligned with unconditional love for our dear selves. Each day each hour we move toward embodiment of more self love.

The person who grows becomes aware of his or her inner environment. Likely those on this path will notice a flow of unloving messages from the past.

As that consciousness arises, we let go of the chaff of put-down chatter and sharpen the focus on deep acceptance of Source. We move toward greater discernment about what messages from inside we will believe and feel again. We are building the inner experience of LOVE.

What stories can you share about how you overcame negative messages from within? Please inspire us!

About the Author

March 25, 2025
by Janet Pearlman
0 comments

Tipping’s Thoughts on Forgiveness

Many of us have been trained to judge ourselves and when we do so, we feel uncomfortable, agitated and weary. The feelings of guilt and shame run and that inner voice of condemnation can sound so true!

How can we soothe ourselves when we find ourselves in that unwanted state? Let’s look at some key recommendations provided in the book Radical Forgiveness[1] by Colin Tipping.

Isla’s Story

Isla had been enjoying a friendship with a woman, Irene, for over 6 years now. They checked in each week and often arranged some outing they could both enjoy: a lunch, browsing in a charity shop, talking a walk.

Each recognized they had many differences and still they appreciated one another staying largely on topics they shared.

During the last year, new tensions arose with pressures on the women from pandemic and polarized attitudes.

One day Irene phoned feeling deeply upset. This friend could no longer accept their differences in political points of view. Irene announced she could no longer be a friend to Isla and this was goodbye.

For our heroine this was shaking, unnerving, disappointing. Her mind went to a common refrain under such circumstances, “What did I do wrong?”

Guidance on Forgiveness from Tipping

1) Take responsibility for what was created and make it ok.

Our Dear One knew that she had been an active participant here—of course she had played a role. Issy reached for accepting what had occurred, and she knew she would continue to thrive. This would be ok.

2) Notice the self judgments.

Yes, Issy had started down the road to blaming herself. Our star began to tell herself that she had shared too much and ventured to areas where they do not agree. “Oh dear, I fear I erred in the way I spoke and behaved,” thought Isla.

Isla had practiced many tools of self-awareness and bringing self-love. In this account the star was catching herself in these judgments quickly and appreciated that she knew how to be kind to herself, even as the other accused her of various transgressions.

So many of us humans experience thoughts like this.

Yes, we notice self-judgments and we can make it ok that we have them. This phenomenon runs rampant in our culture.

Good Awareness! It is ok to have been raised on Planet Earth in these times!

3) Cultivate a willingness to accept oneself as is.

Issy had let herself flow with some opinions, express as she loved to do. This friend got disturbed. Our heroine loved the path of growth and self-expression. She greatly valued her clarity.

4) Tune into this present moment.

The protagonist called someone for support and continued uplifting and loving herself. She put more focus on tuning into what she could enjoy—the landscapes, her creativity, reaching out to make new friends and enrich the connection with others in her environment.

For example, Issy heard birds chirping all winter, relished the signs of spring popping all around her blossoming of trees, stands of yellow flowers and more.

We can “test drive” Tipping’s suggestions, experiment with seeing when and how they help us, and employ what’s useful in our toolkit for changing our habits of thought.

Please share what happens for you in the comments. What questions arose, if any? How were you enriched? It feels so good to lift our guilt and let life flow!

About the Author

[1] Colin C Tipping, Radical Forgiveness, Making Room for the Miracle(Marietta, GA:Global 13 Publications Co, Trust, 1997)