The term spiritual imagineering is a port-manteau word, meaning two or more words that when combined, give a loaded meaning. “Imagineering” is a term that was created by one of the most creative minds in our culture, Walt Disney and of course, is a fusion of the words “imagination” and “engineering.” In his research on Disney, Robert Dilts, author of Strategies of Genius, states that genius is “the ability to take something that exists in the imagination only and forge it into a physical existence that directly influences the experience of others in a positive way.”

Spiritual imagineering takes this meaning a step higher: To allow one’s spiritual self to create a life that is rich in spirit. This entails manifesting your full capacity, fulfilling your sacred contract and moving beyond your comfort zones. Unfortunately, many of us are not Imagineering but Imagi-fearing. Most people are living from a place of fear, too afraid to reach for what they truly want and merely settling. Carolyn Myss has shared how people are afraid of people becoming conscious. “Most people say, ‘I want to become more conscious,’ but when it gets down to doing it, they really don’t.” Why? Because we’re afraid of taking full responsibility for our lives, afraid of changing, afraid of “outgrowing” someone we love, afraid we’ll lose some of the people in our lives, afraid that we’ll be rejected… the list goes on and on.

So many people are settling; settling in their relationships, work, finances, health, creativity and spiritual growth. For example, there have been times when people have contacted me after watching my TV show Relationship Wisdom to tell me that they’re OK being single, that perhaps being in a relationship isn’t all that it’s “cracked up” to be. This usually comes from someone who has been struggling in their relationships. They’re justifying why it’s OK to be alone even though what they really want is a loving, intimate, passionate relationship. What do you think their chances are of having such a relationship? Zero! We cannot manifest that which we minimize.

A Course in Miracles reminds us that we do not ask for too much, but for far too little: “The truth about you is so lofty that nothing unworthy of God is worthy of you.”

We are worth much more than anything we have ever been taught by this society. Spiritual imagineering involves more than thinking big; it requires taking our power back, letting our light shine, and allowing ourselves to experience all of the happiness and abundance that is our birthright. There’s nothing pious or spiritual about struggling. Awakened people do not play small, nor do they ever apologize for feeling happy and being at peace.

Let’s take a look at some of the beliefs of an “awakened” person compared to someone who is “asleep.”

Awakened Belief #1: I am the creator of my life.

Asleep people believe that life just happens and they have very little, if any, control over it. Asleep people often feel like a victim and their unconscious mantra is often “Poor me.” How do you know when someone believes he/she is a victim?

1. Chronic Complaining.

Asleep people can always find someone or something to blame for their circumstances. It’s similar to the game called “Look Around and Point the Finger.” It’s fun for victims because they’re not taking any responsibility for their choices or reactions, but it’s not such a joyride for others. Karla McLaren in her tape series titled Energetic Boundaries, shares that people who spend time with victims often become easy scapegoats. If you’re taking responsibility for your thoughts, feelings and actions and you’re hanging out with someone who believes he is a victim, watch out! You may unknowingly become his target.

Further, the Law of Attraction is clear that what we focus on grows. Chronic complaining creates more of we’re complaining about. Awakened people recognize the power of their thoughts, intention, words and actions. They realize that they create their circumstances and only they have the power to change them. They don’t complain and whine about life, rather, they tap into their inner power and change their circumstances by taking action that is divinely inspired.

2. Justifying: “My life is just fine the way it is.”

T. Harv Eker, in his Secrets of the Millionaire Mind workshops says that inevitably, people will approach him during the break and say, “Harv, money’s not that important,” to which Harv replies, “You’re broke! You’re broke and you’re trying to rationalize why you’re always struggling with money. Of course you’re broke. You’re trying to convince yourself that money doesn’t matter.” Again, whatever we affirm “doesn’t matter” becomes impossible to create.

Spiritual imagineering entails making a commitment to awakening. Most people are more clear about what they don’t want than what they do want. Asleep people focus on avoiding what they’re afraid of while awake people focus on creating what they love. A commitment to awakening does not involve wishful thinking but an unwavering devotion. You cannot be totally committed sometimes. Yet once you become committed to awakening, legions of support will be provided. Joseph Campbell once wrote: “When you follow your bliss, and by bliss I mean the deep sense of being in it and doing what the push is out of your own existence – it may not be fun, but it's your bliss and there's bliss behind pain too. You follow that, and doors will open where there were no doors before, where you would not have thought there were going to be doors, and where there wouldn't be a door for anybody else.”

Affirm the following truth and allow your spiritual self to create a life for you that is rich in spirit: I am not a victim of the world I see. I commit to awakening. I commit to fulfilling my sacred contract. I commit to imagineering a life that is rich in spirit.

Laura V. Hyde is the Spiritual Leader of the Circle of Spiritual Enlightenment in Central Coast, CA, a national author and speaker. Laura provides spiritual counseling and is the author of the books “Gifts of the Soul, “”The Intimate Soul,” and the host of the show “Relationship Wisdom” on Public Access Television. Visit www.laurahyde.com