Downstream vs. Against the Grain

One of the earliest memories I have, as I began to learn about the Law of Attraction, was the Abraham-Hicks recommendation to “go downstream.” This group consciousness from the non-physical dimension expressed their amusement that humans seem so intent on fighting the current of life.  “Nothing you want is upstream,” they communicate.

But there’s another popular maxim that seems to contradict the downstream approach.  Maybe you’re familiar with the Nickelback song, “If Today Was Your Last Day.”

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If you pay close attention to the other lyrics, it seems to be advising, ‘Life is too short to let your fears get the best of you.  Go for it!’ And, while that certainly seems like common sense, you can’t escape the underlying message:  ‘Go against the grain!  Take the path less traveled!  If you want life’s prize, you need to fight for it!’

Let’s put a finer point on this apparent opposition by looking at an actual situation involving two good friends of mine.  One is strongly encouraging the other to overcome her fears of public speaking and begin making group presentations.  She seems torn between the satisfaction that may come from rising to this challenge–and the considerable dread she feels for actually doing it.

Isn’t it true that many people have found incredible success by overcoming their fears?  Isn’t it true that many are deeply grateful they were able to conquer them?  Isn’t it also true that taking fears head-on is also perfectly contrary to Abraham’s advice?  Isn’t it strenuously paddling upstream instead of pulling those oars in and drifting with the current?

I’d love to get your thoughts on this one.  Are these two schools of thought able to coexist peacefully–or are they impossibly contradicting one another?

But what do you do???

Read books… Watch DVDs… Attend events… Go to Meetups… All great ways to learn more about the Law of Attraction.  But if you’re like me, at some point you realize that a significant portion of your time is spent talking and not doing. As I travel the United States, in search of remarkable LoA Success Stories, I find people who simply love talking about the subject and communing with other enthusiasts.  But I guess I’d say that I don’t find them with very much confidence in an actual process for attracting what they want.

I’d say I’m constantly inspired by the Abraham-Hicks material, and I do find so much within it that’s very useful in actual application.  I also appreciate Michael Losier’s excellent, nuts-and-bolts book, “Law of Attraction.”  And, as you’ve read here before, Joe Dispenza’s approach to meditation to “change your mind and create a new one” has been tremendously valuable.

And what about you?  What actual methods (as opposed to general concepts) have been most helpful in actually applying the Law of Attraction in your life?  Affirmations?  Meditation?  Do you apply these things daily?  More than once daily?

For the benefit of our readers, what do you actually do???