ARE YOU READY?

My previous post, What Are You? was all about declaring yourself and commiting to that declaration. In today’s post we are talking about what happens next.

A lot of critics of The Secret or other motivational programs think it’s people sitting around chanting ‘bring me the guy (or girl) of my dreams!’, ‘a fully loaded G Wagon please!'(not my car pick, but you do you) or merely ‘Show me the money!’ and then sit on their bum waiting for it to arrive like a UPS package.

And yes, it can actually happen that way. A guy who became my bf was on the same dating app as me but due to my filters, we never connected. It was a random intro from a mutual friend. I’ve also had unexpected money show up in the mailbox in the form of a check from an unknown payout.

However, let’s revisit the last part of the previous post; a chance meeting with filmmaker/producer Ben Affleck. If he doesn’t have me tackled by security, what if his response to my statement, “I look forward to working with you!” is “What do you got?”

crickets crickets crickets crickets

If this were today, my honest reply would be, “I don’t have anything finished… but I have some really great ideas.”

WHAT?! This isn’t the 80’s, you can’t get jobs with just concepts anymore, you need a script, preferably more than one. And if it’s Jon Peters, it damn well better include a giant robot spider!

See, my fear isn’t that I won’t run into Ben or some other dream filmmaker/producer, (I’m talking ’bout you RoRo!) it’s that I won’t be prepared when I do. Because I’m so certain I will.

Some people, myself included, have wonderful aspirations but fail to commit to it fully enough due to lack of faith it will happen or lack of faith in them self. For me, it’s also a lack of urgency. I don’t have a deadline that feels legit because it’s still treated as a possibility not a fully conceived PLAN.

If you want to be the next Michael Jordan (#23 baby!) you don’t throw the wish out to the Universe and then wait for recruiters to call, you follow up with INSPIRED ACTION!

You are running every day, building up your endurance, on the court working on dribbling and hitting those 3’s!

If you are a singer, you are probably also working on your cardio, running vocal scales – while also running! And hopefully working with a vocal coach.

If you are a writer, you are writing, there’s a little more to it but you better be writing whenever, wherever you can. No mercy! Sorry, got a little Cobra Kai energy there for a sec.

Now you might be thinking, “Well of course Karma, you just mentioned desires that literally revolve around action, but what about meeting the love of your life?

I’m glad you asked because there is action to that too. Here’s some of my opinions on how to prepare for your soul mate or sole mate (Louboutins anyone?)

  1. Determine the WHY – You need to be clear about the reason for having a romantic relationship. Is it because you are lonely? You want someone to cuddle? Someone to love and love you back? A dog might fit that criteria! Keep in mind, a relationship is not like shoes, a car or money, it is a cooperative manifestation with another human, not a doll. Make sure you have a strong WHY.
  2. WHAT? Have a clear desire of what you want in a person/relationship. I’m not talking about playing Frankenstein with traits like must be 6’2″, dark hair, muscular, etc… this is your chance to go deep!
    Some of my preferred interests were open minded, kind, generous, loves nature, loves music, etc… You might even write out some scenarios like, “If my car broke down at 3am could I call him and how would he respond?”

I’m reminded of the scene in the movie SINGLES. Janet (Bridget Fonda) sits in the waiting room of the cosmetic surgeon with her friend Steve (Campbell Scott). She’s planning on breast augmentation to gain the attention of her love interest Cliff (Matt Dillon). Steve is trying to figure out his new love interest Linda (Kyra Sedwick).

Steve Dunne: Tell me, what do you really want from a guy?
Janet Livermore: Well when I first moved here from Tucson. I wanted a guy with looks, security, caring. Someone with their own place. Someone who said “bless you” or “gesundheit” when I sneezed. And someone who liked the same things as me, but not exactly. Someone who loves me.
Steve Dunne: Tall order.
Janet Livermore: I scaled it down a little.
Steve Dunne: What is it now?
Janet Livermore: Someone who says “gesundheit” when I sneeze. Though I prefer “bless you”. It’s nicer.

Remember the goal is a harmonious relationship, not something that looks good on Instagram.

  1. WHY NOW? After making a list of my desired traits, I stopped and asked myself two questions.

a. Why do I want a boyfriend? Is it because I’m lonely? That society thinks single women are SAD 😦 ?

b. Is there anything you need or want to do that will be more difficult once you’re in a relationship?

The answers were so revealing! I realized I was trying to fulfill some SOCIETAL validation and that it would be tough to have a relationship with a person when I already had a relationship with my laptop. Funny enough, I met a guy 2 weeks later and we were together three years.

  1. MAKE ROOM! This one is actually quite literal. Do you have physical room for another person? Some things to consider are making room in your closet and removing all those extra pillows and stuffed animals from your bed. It doesn’t mean you’re moving the person in as soon as you meet them but rather you are signaling to the Universe you are ready for that happening at the appropriate time.

In Florence Scovel Shinn’s book, The Game of Life and How to Play It, she describes a woman setting the dinner table for two and purchasing an extra chair for the livingroom.

This also includes time, just like with a dog, you need to have room on your calendar!

SET IT and FORGET IT! Now, send it out into the Universe and go on with your life, which is already awesome, like you! Maybe even go out and explore – not with the expectation of meeting someone but with the goal to experience JOY.

And just maybe, while attending an art exhibit you love, you might also meet someone who will love you, too.

These processes can be applied to other experiences as well.

For money, be clear about the amount and the why. Just stating you want more money will bring you that. I once found a nickel!

Try to be specific like:
I am open to receiving $350,000 for a new house. WHY? I need a place to live and I don’t want an apartment. WHY NOW? I’m planning a move in the next 3 months. MAKE ROOM! Feung Shui practice encourages decluttering your current space, it will make moving easier – this can also be applied to your wallet.

Regan Hillyer suggests creating ‘containers’ for your money. You could do this literally by labelling envelopes with the goal. I have a change jar for found money, once it’s full the coins are separated into plastic bags then stored in a larger container; it’s getting really heavy!

Then let it go! That means not forcing any hustles, not stressing about when it’s coming. LET. IT. GO. Trust that the Universe knows where to find you when it’s time to deliver.

The Universe brought me money in an interesting way, though it might seem obvious. I had to take out a loan for a dental procedure, unfortunately, the loan didn’t cover the full amount and I had a high balance with the dentist. I wasn’t worried at the time, I figured the money would come somehow and worst case it would just delay completion.

That was in 2024, in 2025 the dentist was asking when I planned on finalizing payment. I didn’t have an answer and I was stressing. This amount of money was beyond commititing to over time at work and would most likely require another loan…if I could even get one. One day out of frustration I marked the bill ‘PAID IN FULL’ with green marker to really highlight it. I had no idea how it would happen but I was adamant that I was tired of worrying about it.

Then, in February of 2026, the tempory dental broke and I was suddenly faced with the urgency that I couldn’t put it off, I needed to do something now. I struggled, trying to figure out a way, doubled down on the faith it would work out, then inspiration hit, could I pull the money from my 401k? Turns out not only could I – a hardship withdrawal – but I had more than enough available.

The other day I found the bill marked ‘PAID IN FULL’ and it made my heart so happy knowing it was realized! In fact I’ve taken to applying that process to other bills.

Here are some takeaways from this: Yes, the option was always there but not visible to me as I thought the money had to come only in ways that made sense to me. I restricted the options.

Also, lets go back to when the loan was processed, leaving me with a balance with the dentist that I had wished the loan had covered. The interest on that loan was way higher than any fees and/or interest on the withdrawal, so I was benefitted by paying this amount separately.

****DISCLAIMER – Now I don’t want to hear people reminding me about how my dipping into my 401k was a terrible financial choice – hello, obvious there are soooo many that led to here! But can we just agree that having that money available to pull from, without putting unnecessary strain on household expenses was a blessing? Thanks! Let’s move on, shall we!

So what did we learn? Faith is first and foremost, whether it’s in God, the Universe or Source – I like to call it GUS 😉 You don’t always get to know how it’s working out, just that it does – like the electricity that turns on the lights when you flick the switch…unless you’re Bill Nye.

But also, action is important, but only as long as it’s INSPIRED ACTION! That’s filling out that job application, talking to the person who made your heart flutter, writing your outline for your script. 🙂

Tell me in the comments if this resonated with you, confused you or what your favorite color is… I’m kidding! I actually want to know your favorite movie or TV show with a Happy Ending…meaning the protagonist manifested what they wanted, not…well, uh, you know.

Until next time, go forth and be awesome!

Love and Blessings!

Karma Marie

Looking For Mr. Wright

So last we left, I was running from the office of Neil Gaiman. Oops! Perhaps next time I should use more than Google for research but there are no telephone books anymore. What am I, the C.I.A.? M.I.6? FOX?

I gotta tell you, I felt pretty defeated, in that I – didn’t – succeed – at – my – mission kind of way. But life is short! Or maybe, it’s long!

I think we can all agree that life is something, right?

Anyways, in my obsess- purely normal interest in this accomplished filmmaker, Edgar Wright, I have been reading interviews and reviews and watching movies and even short films. There is a lot you can learn from this talented and tantalizing -(that’s a director word) – auteur.

I’m especially keen to try out some of his quick cuts and sound effects. I don’t have a fancy camera yet but I will try with my phone. I already have an eager and willing talent to star. Bella Marie!

Anyways, Edgar wrote, directed, filmed and edited the short film Dead Right. A parody of Dirty Harry movies that was filmed from 1992, mostly shot on weekends, and released in 1993.

It’s great fun, I loved it! You can see a lot of his signature style of long shots, cut aways, zooms and of course his trademark editing and humor. It was shot for approximately 275£ or $365.23 American cash. Which is pretty impressive, especially for an 18 yr. old and his friends. I can tell you I wasn’t so ambitious when I was 18. What? What do you mean, you’re not surprised?

It also contained– MORE SIGNS! That’s right, the Universe, she threw me for a loop – yet another film term. 😉 Don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about? No? Don’t worry I will, just stop paying such close attention.

SPOILERS AHEAD

There is a scene where he uses a viewing of Grease 2 as sadistic torture device! Hell to the Yeah!

Now, I’m not sure if I shared the story of my (totally imaginary) beef with Brett Goldstein, Roy from Ted Lasso but also from the macabre named yet inspiring podcast – Films to Be Buried With. https://www.filmstobeburiedwith.com/

Brett brings on various guests from the film and tv world to discuss the first movie they ever saw, the movie that made them laugh, makes them cry and so on. One such guest was the beautiful and talented, Yvette Nicole Brown and the category was favorite critically hated movie…

The two of them bonded over…GREASE (motherf’n) 2!

They thought it was amazing- in fact they wouldn’t shut up about it. So much so that I experienced a temporary lack of judgement and I…

I watched it.

I know, it was a moment of weakness. I like to believe I’m an incredibly open minded and cultured patron (I have an extremely vivid imagination!) truth be told, I so badly wanted to fit in with the popular kids, so I said to myself, “You know Karma, maybe you didn’t like it the first time you watched it back in 1980 whenever was because you were just a kid and you didn’t get it.”

Maybe I needed 30 years and this charming duo to open my eyes to the wonder, enchantment and sheer delight that is Grease 2.

NOPE! No, I tried and couldn’t get past the first musical number. Sorry kiddos, I stand resolute in my dislike of the sequel to the Olivia Newton John masterpiece.

So seeing it in the movie used in the most perfect way was a definitive sign!

Now for the second sign, there’s a scene in Dead Right where the lead character, Detective Stern, picks up a stuffed elephant! Wait, I didn’t tell you why the elephant is important.

(Not actual photo of stuffed elephant sign)

Okay, so I was watching a motivational video by Mary Kate on YouTube, she’s incredible, you can check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExHeiVtXEls&lc=UgyAJqwgIs7stnWesKl4AaABAg

The point of the exercise was to choose an item and when you see it, that is your sign that you are in alignment with G.U.S. – God, Universe, Source. The options were a bear, butterflies, pineapple, blue bird aaaannnnnnddd wait for it……………………………………………………ELEPHANT!

That’s two signs that Edgar and I are meant to be…….

Co creators of an awesome film! Not that I would be adverse to-

Tim: “So what’s the deal with you and Karma?”

Edgar: (shifting uncomfortably) “You know about the deal?”

Tune in next time for more signs, that may or may not lead me towards my goal of director friendships and all about my (totally imaginary) beef with Brett Goldstein over the exclusion of Muppet Treasure Island from any Muppet lists. Why is it always about Muppet Christmas Carol with you mate? Treasure Island is a gem! It stars Tim Curry for crikes sake!

Until next time – cheers!
Karma Marie

Wait! Before you go, leave me a comment about whatever you like but extra points if you have a special sign that you call lucky 😉