How do I apply the Law of Detachment when I know that I won't be happy unless I get what I want?

Detaching from the outcome of what we desire is, in my opinion, the trickiest and most difficult manifesting step to master. Here's the dilemma that I'm sure you've run into, first, you identify what you want. Okay, I want…"a beautiful garden" for example. Then, you imagine what it would feel like when you have this beautiful garden. You imagine how relaxed you'll feel kicking back and enjoying the beautiful view; you imagine how wonderfully fresh and inviting the aroma of jasmine, honeysuckle and gardenias will be as they take turns blooming throughout the year; you imagine how the sound of birds playing, hummingbirds spinning and squirrels chasing each other around your garden oasis lifts your spirits and instantly makes you feel inspired and in awe of life. You imagine sipping your favorite beverage while breathing in the fresh air and relaxing deliciously into your achievement.

Now, you're flying high even though you haven't begun to break dirt. You plan to go to the store to purchase some flowers tomorrow and thereby begin the physical part of your manifestation. You wake up feeling inspired only to discover that a late snowstorm is headed your way and spring will be postponed for another two weeks or longer. You wait two weeks; only to discover that this is going to be the wettest spring in history and you can't get into the garden to start digging without being swept away with the rain. You continue to wait it out; only to get to the nursery and everything is so outrageously priced you can only justify affording one small, rose bush that you feel probably won't make it a week!

Okay, the power of imagining your ideal garden is not completely wasted but the disappointment, however slight, resulting from what we judge as one set back after another is certainly an indication that our attachment to what we want is preventing us from having it.

On the other hand, if we choose to refuse to judge anything as wrong, but instead choose to assume the best, then we will be maintaining our vibration while remaining detached. For example, assume the snowstorm is the Universe ensuring you will plant in perfect timing to be able to enjoy your garden for the longest, desired time possible. Assume the rain is there to wash the bad soil away, leaving beautifully irrigated, nutrient rich soil ready for your artistry. Assume a plant sale is about to be held somewhere and you're not meant to buy anything overpriced today because then you'll miss out on what you really, really want.

One technique that I use with great success for detaching is to completely surrender to the worst-case scenario.

For example, when the snowstorm shows up I would say:

"Okay, if it's meant to be that the worst case scenario happens here and I don't get to plant in time for my favorite flowers to bloom, then so be it. It'll be okay. I know that there's a divine plan in store for my desires and I relax into this plan. I surrender to the snow never clearing up. I surrender to my worst fears coming true. And, so what?!? I'll still survive and it'll all be okay!" And, then I'd say, "And, what I want is to feel, wonderfully relaxed in my beautiful garden. And, I enjoy so much imagining my garden that it doesn't matter if I ever get it or not. However, what I want is to feel the flowers and the dirt in my hands. What I want is to invite friends and family over to enjoy it with me. I see this happening now, in perfect timing and I relax!"

To surrender does not mean to resign. Surrendering is nothing like resignation. You are simply realigning yourself with the knowledge that the Divine Order of life is at hand and you are at peace with it now.

You will know you are detached when you feel "at peace" no matter what the manifestation and you feel faithful and content that in perfect timing all that you desire already is and will be yours.