A funny thing happened with the Law of Attraction: I found an unanticipated speed bump. You may have bumped into something similar, or not. Let me back up to July 2006 for a moment. I was having coffee with a friend when a statement was spontaneously uttered by me about something I wanted in my life. It really was spontaneous. I'd never given that particular scenario any thought, certainly nothing as specific as what I surprised myself with saying. And, it was a pretty grand scenario.

Now in Earth-time, it took until July of this year to show up; but I'm pretty clear, based on what had to take place, that the quantum field said, "Your wish is my command," and it was done. Everything and everyone fell right into place at the right time. It couldn't be more obvious. And yet ...

I found it not quite manifesting the way I thought it would, so had to give this contemplation. What became apparent to me was the presence of numerous old belief patterns having to do with receiving, allowing what I'd stated was mine to be mine. Old beliefs can really stick, like someone used a super-sticking glue to hold them in place. Of course, the someone is me. So, I've been addressing this matter with quite a lot of time and energy, kind of like untangling Christmas lights.

A parallel came to me. I imagined ordering my dream car with absolutely everything just as I'd want it. The doorbell rings, I open the door, and a delivery person is standing there holding the keys. I look at the person, then at the car, and say, "No, thank you." Difficult to imagine doing that, but that's what it feels like to stand here looking at my dream sitting in my life and hesitating to let it fully become my reality.

Part of the hold-up is that a good deal of focus has been going to the part I perceive as "hasn't happened yet." Check all the books about the Law. Check "The Secret." What you focus on is what you attract more of. End of story. It made me remember the first movie version of "Miracle on 34th Street," with the very young Natalie Wood riding in the car on Christmas Day, repeatedly muttering, "I believe. I believe." I remember how sluggishly she had to say those words, with the resigned expression on her face that her dream wouldn't manifest, then the look on her face when she saw her dream house.

I've also been re-reading all of the Harry Potter books. Amazing where we can find what we need. The lesson on apparating, disappearing from one spot and reappearing in another, had three keys: Destination, Determination and Deliberation. Just as the young wizards had to build their attention level so they arrived where they intended, it's important to know you may need a bit of time to move from doubt to expectancy.

If you're dealing with anything similar, any refusal or hesitancy to receive or believe what you truly desire is yours, repeat with me, "I expect. I allow. I receive."

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Joyce Shafer is a life empowerment coach and author of "I Don't Want to be Your Guru, but I Have Something to Say," as well as "How to Have What You Really Want," and contributor of articles to various publications. She has an eclectic background and focuses on learning, growing and sharing information at every opportunity. She can be emailed at {email jls1422@yahoo.com}jls1422@yahoo.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Joyce Shafer.