The Answer to creating and finding opportunity in your life can be found by observing the patterns of change in nature.

Recent research has shown that the Universe is 13 billion years old.  The Universal Cycles of Change (UCC) model* shown is based upon that Universal wisdom.  Research shows that there is a connection between the patterns of change that occur in the environment and the unconscious patterns that exist in humans.  Afterall, we're a part of nature.  The UCC model observes seven phases which occur in living systems like plants, cells and animals, and non-living systems like computers, cars and economy.  These phases are also observed in human life and behavior such as career, relationships and so on.  These seven phases are part of the Universe, part of nature and part of you.  They are:

Creation This phase is about new beginnings- a starting point and an idea- similar to planting seeds.

Growth Growth is initial creation taking form or shape and self-organizing. For example: the seeds begin to grow into a plant.

Maturity This phase is about reaching steady state or being in the "zone".  The plant is fully grown and is at its peak.

Turbulence This phase can be considered feedback from the environment.  Turbulence shows us that current conditions cannot be supported and that a shift must occur in order to go to the next level of creation.  If the shift doesn't occur, chaos sets in. For instance, when autumn begins the plant receives feedback that the environment will no longer support its growth.

Chaos Things start to fall apart.

Dropping Off Once chaos exists, something must go.  The plant lets go its leaves and flowers in order to recreate again.

Meditation and Inward silence Before one can move forward, plenty of time is needed to assess, renew and rejuvenate so that creation may begin again.

This cycle occurs even though we are unaware of it.  If living systems get too complex, growth and creation are hindered.  Something must be released  to regain balance and start creating again.  Remember, letting go chaos frees you to find opportunity!

Out of all the living systems in the Universe, one will stay stuck in turbulence and chaos.  Can you guess who or what might that be?  Humans, of course!  People stay stuck  in chaos because of fear; fear of change, letting go and risking.  We don't realize that we sabotage ourselves  by not leaping forward, taking action and  following our passion.  Wildly successful people are inherently in tune with this cycle.

After becoming familiar with this model, I could see how the Universal Cycle of Change had been at work  in my life.  I had "dropped off"  in important areas of my life. After giving birth to my daughter, I knew that if I went back to work full time our life would be chaotic and my time with her would be limited.  Moreover, this precious time in my life would not come again.  I decided to drop two working days a week.  As a result, our income for the household was affected.  We were in turbulence until I decided to start a home-based business with a network marketing company.  I was back in the creation phase and had found opportunity.

I am grateful for the time I spent with that company,  I discovered my passion for public speaking, coaching and training.  I invested in myself and my future and as time went by, my speaking career took off but I found myself turbulent again because I was doing too much.  I was running my business, conducting seminars, educating myself and neglecting my family.  I realized I must let go of something again.

Although, I had dropped two days of work a week to spend time with my daughter, I was violating that decision.  I decided to follow my passion for speaking and dropped my home-based business. This was a painful choice, but I knew I could not move forward as long as I was stuck in chaos.  This decision allowed me to seek other opportunities and to spend more time with my family.

Now that I am consciously aware of this model, I live with it in mind each day.  It helps to bridge the gap between my outer reality, which is a reflection of my inner reality. Everything in nature evolves and so should we.  Chaos is a beautiful thing as it precedes order and with order comes opportunity and new creation.

*UCC was created by Tim and Kris Hallbom for the WealthyMind Program