The saying “a watched pot never boils” is a perfect analogy for someone who is trying too hard to manifest specific events and circumstances. It seems the more you check your results, look over your shoulder to see how things are coming, and so forth, the less ever happens.

Here’s a little tidbit many people have trouble talking about:

There is NO guarantee of any kind that your life will unfold in a manner consistent with what you think you want. And certainly there is ZERO guarantee that things will coordinate with your ego’s desired time line.

Am I saying all this talk about manifestation and attraction is bunk? Not at all; in fact I believe strongly in both, as the many articles on this blog should attest.

However the blueprint of individual has desire, sets intention, stays positive, and then enjoys visualized results is not 100% reliable. There are so many layers and levels of human consciousness that we can easily believe we want something when in fact we want something quite different.

I’m not even talking about self-sabotage or counter intentions here. I’m merely pointing out that we can sometimes get really hung up on a desire and think it’s what we really want out of life, when in fact our true self has other plans.

For this reason it’s best to have fun with your vision boards, goals lists, and manifestation exercises. avoid getting obsessive about any one goal and decide to allow the big picture to deliver what your higher mind really wants in the time frame that works best for the greater good.

It’s fine to want numerous very specific things, events, even people in your life. But be open to any possibilities, even ones that are completely different from what you think you want.

This is where the “or something better” affirmations come into play. Many teachers recommend adding the line “all this or something better” to the end of your vision sessions and/or daily goals affirmations.

The idea is to accept the fact that your ego mind is but a tiny portion of the big picture. There is a part of you so much bigger, smarter, and more powerful than the identity/personality field, and it’s this higher mind that is really calling the shots.

Trust that life conspires to serve you and to give you many wonderful blessings. But don’t get in a tizzy over the fine print and specific details.

For example, you may feel 100% certain you must have her. But months later you could end up with her sister and be extremely happy about the whole situation.

In this scenario did things go wrong? Not likely; your ego mind just got hung up on what it thought it needed while the universe (as always) proceeded to deliver what really served the greater good.

So to answer our question: Do watched pots boil or not?

Sometimes. And when they don’t it’s probably because the casserole dish in the oven was what you really wanted in the first place.