Daily Inspiration 9-30-10

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent."

-- Eleanor Roosevelt

"It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes."

-- Sally Fields

"It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to."

-- W. C. Fields

 

You know. . . I get these quotes and I agree with them whole-heartedly, but it ain't always easy, is it? Just when you were expecting that you did good, someone pipes up to say otherwise. Just when you were hoping to get approval, you may find the tide turning against you. And so it can get to be real hard to hear those unkind words or gestures. I get that it is not easy.

But here's the deal: it is necessary for us to be open to what others have to say about us or what we do or fail to do, but it is not necessary for us to believe them, and it is certainly not necessary to allow them to rule.

What is left is just hurt feelings. I say just, like it's not that important--and it isn't, but at the same time it is. It is not important in that this is only a response to a stimuli and we can decide to change that reaction any time we choose to do so. It may or may not take some time to make that change, but it can be changed. It is important, in that feeling that negative emotion is an indication that what has happened was not in your best interests. That is well worth paying attention to, for it can be a primer to a better way: to choose your response (so much better than a reaction) instead of having it chosen for you (reaction).

So, indeed, we do give people permission or not and we are the ultimate authority.

I Think I'm As Important As Any Other Practicing Human Being. I'm The Only Authority On Myself.

Spread Some Joy Today--Take charge of your own importance today. Not more important than anyone else, just as important. We're all practicing.

Daily Inspiration 9-29-10

"Opportunity is often difficult to recognize;

we usually expect it to beckon us with beepers and billboards."

-- William Arthur Ward

"Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there

more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along."

-- Hugh Allen

He says, "Oh Lord, show me a sign!" and he's looking all around at the shape of the clouds and the color of the sky and waiting for the big announcement. It doesn't come, and he keeps praying and keeps looking. . .

. . . while he is tripping over all the opportunities that are so plentiful all around him. It's just that they aren't big. Maybe there's no big change. Maybe they are just little changes leading to the same result.

How many times in our lives have we missed paying attention to what is going on in front of us while we're waiting for the big sign?

What about the little signs? How about meeting someone new and sharing something that seems strangely important. Someone makes an offer, and it is passed off as not important. You're invited to an event and there is a special person attending this event that you would meet, but you chose to pass on the event.

Those little signs are happening almost every day and they are all choices we make and those choice make a difference.

I think the best advice I've heard on this subject is having your objective, and paying attention to, and enjoying the journey. So many roads lead to the objective. Who knows what the next curve will hold?

I Am Open To Every Possibility. I'm A Possibilitarian.

Spread Some Joy Today--Smile. People will wonder what you're up to.

Daily Inspiration 9-28-10

Issue Number 365

Today marks the one year anniversary of the CTS Daily Inspirations: Issue Number 365, September 28th, 2010. The loving response to these daily passages has been most gratifying and wonderful. I began them to inspire a few discouraged sales people at one of our clients locations and it evolved from that to a far wider audience. I am grateful for every reader and all the input I have received. It is a joy to do these and the fact that anyone gains any benefit from them makes the effort worthwhile. Thank you for reading and thank you for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us

are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

For this issue, it seems appropriate to review one of my favorite quotes of all time by Ralph Waldo Emerson. To me, it is so inspiring because it indicates that I have power or control over my life. There are many who believe that circumstances and other outside influences rule their lives and that fate or luck or gods or devils use them as pawns in the big game. Those thoughts cause me to have no desire to live, no desire to grow, no desire to do anything, for I would be working against the odds of the have's and the have not's.

It also inspires me to know that no matter where I am in my life travels, looking at the past or even the future--no matter what I used to think or do or have or be--I can change. This thought gives me strength and enthusiasm and life.

As a child and teenager, I would think about fate and wonder how life is a blessing to some and a burden to others. I was taught to do my best, to do the right things and with some luck, I could have a good life and a good job. With some luck was the questionable phrase. I didn't understand where luck came from. It was mysterious.

Now, so many years later, I've come to the realization that I have had the power, or the control to have the life I want within me all the time, but I never took conscious control of it. The only thing I can truly control in life is what I choose to think and that is control indeed. Circumstances do not have the effect they once did. Luck is not an issue. All the other outside influences have no control either. It is all inside me. It is what I choose to think.

That leads me to the final comment on this quote by Emerson: It is my responsibility, if I ever had one--to choose, to take control, to get at the wheel and accept responsibility for my own choices and to learn how to guide myself because I have the power within me and to look outside of me is to ignore it and have my thoughts be controlled by circumstance and others. In other words, to not live my own life.

I am so excited and pleased to have acquired this knowledge and to have accepted the responsibility, for it is to live my own life and to be of value. If it is to be. . . it is NOT up to them! It is up to me!

I Accept The Responsibility Of Creating My Own Unique Experience--My Own Life.

Spread Some Joy Today--Make a blame list. How many people, circumstances and events have you blamed for things that did not please you--or even those few that did please you. Now, accept responsibility for all that yourself. It will make an enlightening list, I assure you.

Daily Inspiration 9-27-10

"Most teachers have little control over school policy or curriculum or choice of texts or special placement of students, but most have a great deal of autonomy inside the classroom. To a degree shared by only a few other occupations, such as police work, public education rests precariously on the skill and virtue of the people at the bottom of the institution pyramid."

-- Tracy Kidder

"A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring

the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron."

-- Horace Mann

As I look back on my formal education in school, I can count on one hand (and probably a finger or two) the teachers that really made a difference compared to the many others who were either a bore or a chore. The ones that stood out for me created in me a desire to want to know more and I wanted to stay as long as I could and learn more compared to the others where I couldn't wait to get on to the next class or the end of the day. I'm sure I'm not alone in this backward view.

Somehow we expect that teachers should be better. Of course, some are, but most don't seem to be--yet I know we all have such a reservoir of ability, so I know they have it, though they don't display it. Why do we think that? Just like we think that all cops should be good cops.

So, all electricians should be good electricians? All carpenters should be good carpenters? All car sales people should be honest and good? All politicians should be honest and good. No, we don't expect that they will all be good, instead, we might think that it is hard to find a good one out of the clutter of poor prospects.

There is something primal about a teacher in that we need them to help us, yet at the same time, we don't really appreciate them as we could. Some of them can make such a difference in our lives as did Edward James Olmos in the movie, Stand and Deliver.

In this, aren't we all in that teacher role? I want my kids to be inspired to learn more and if I can have the smallest part in that, I am very satisfied and successful. At the job site and the interactions with others, I am a teacher and can have the same possibilities of effect.

So, where it all starts and ends is in ourselves. If we are looking outside of ourselves for someone else to make the difference, we are missing out on the real difference: our teaching; our influence; our enthusiasm; our love; our inspiration.

There is nothing more pleasing to me than to feel that I am an inspiration to someone else as I feel that same inspiration within me. It's kind of like surfing a big one at Sunset Beach and after a sweet and long ride, landing on 20' deep down comforter.

Cowabunga!

Spread Some Joy Today--Get excited about your own influence and how you might be able to inspire others to think more of themselves than they did before. You'll get high!

Daily Inspiration 9-26-10

"Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday."

-- Don Marquis

"[Procrastination. . .] I'm so good at it, I could teach it."

-- Jim Rohn

"Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal

hanging on of an uncompleted task."

-- William James

Guilt is married to procrastination and they both flirt with frustration. What a family that is! I say, let's divorce them all and move on. . . or maybe I should think about it just a little longer. . . I don't want to be too harsh and to quick to judge, you know.

Of course we put things off. That is part of choosing every day. Choice is good, but guilt about that is bad. Whatever we don't do that day regardless of the list we have, whether self-generated or other-generated, is what we didn't do. So what?

I've started looking at this as just choices instead of procrastination. If I don't participate in procrastination, I have no need for any guilt about it, or frustration either. I'm free to roam about the cabin.

I'm really beginning to like this power of choice thing. . . pretty cool.

It's About Choices: Our Own Power To Choose.

Spread Some Joy Today--Let go and relax. It's okay. It's all a game. Don't take it too seriously. You get to choose how you want to feel and what, if anything, you want to do. You got the power!

Daily Inspiration 9-25-10

"You can't push on a rope."

-- Persian Proverb

"If someone throws you the ball,

you don't have to catch it."

-- Richard Carlson

This is another quote (pushing the rope) that I have grown so fond of. It indicates frustration or futility because as the visual image of the phrase suggests, you cannot push a rope as it is far too flexible; however, it can be pulled effectively.

The other quote indicates that we are each in control of what we choose to do and to whom and what we choose to respond to, or not respond to. I have used these in my life in several ways to help me make sense of things and to help change the way I feel. Where I used to feel guilty about not wanting to do something, now I don't feel that way. I don't have to catch the ball. I can choose to or not and the call is mine alone.

Where the rope is concerned, it has helped me to help others not swim upstream with me. For example, when I was a teenager, I took Judo lessons and in Judo, you learn how to dissipate your opponents energy by going with it a short way, but at the same time giving it guidance to keep you from harm. It's about balance and energy flow. So, back to the point, if someone is trying to blame me for something, rather than argue my point of view, I accept their assessment--I accept blame. It really doesn't matter to me that I am blamed or not blamed, what matters is diffusing the energy so I can still feel good instead of fighting and feeling bad.

It is amazing how often I have used this technique about the rope. People can only have power over you if you allow it to be so. When you become a rope, they cannot push you, their energy is diffused and they have little or no power to harm you. Now, I am pleased to discuss an issue and share points of view, but arguments incite bad feelings and good conclusions are an extremely rare thing. Refuse to participate in the argument and progress can be made if both parties desire to progress.

You might want to try this approach. It has been extremely effective for me. Next time someone--a spouse, parent, boss, supervisor, whatever wants an argument, become a rope and see what happens. Use your mental Judo and diffuse their energy. It's really kind of fun. I enjoy it immensely!


I Am As Flexible As A Rope And A Willing Dissenter.

Spread Some Joy Today--When someone is yelling at you, there is no requirement that you feel bad. Feel as good as you want to feel. You are not the one out of control. Be a rope.

Daily Inspiration 9-24-10

"It is amazing what you can accomplish

if you do not care who gets the credit."

-- H. S. Truman

"Do you prefer to be right,

or that you be happy?"

-- A Course In Miracles

Being right and getting credit for something are not goals for me anymore. There was a time when I would "swim upstream" (one of my favorite topics) with people to convince them I was right or to demonstrate what I have done or accomplished. I guess you could say that I was a self-righteous do-gooder. I had always looked on recognition for accomplishment as critical to the success of the fact that I bothered to do a thing. If no one notices, what's the point? So, I would make a point of bringing up what I had done. Since they didn't notice and make a deal about it, they must have missed it, so I now have to resort to telling them. How sad.

Then, at the same time (and these go together like bread and butter), I was always trying to prove that I was right about anything and everything. It was a vain attempt to bolster my importance to others and myself. It was all about recognition that I was smart, or knew what I was doing, or whatever. Of course, I never was smart enough or recognized enough, so I kept up this process for years. It didn't get me anything at all.

Then I learned that key phrase that I've shared a few times before that was critical to me learning a better way: "there is no way. There is your way, my way and their way." This phrase really and truly helped me get a grasp on my self-righteousness and put me on a level playing field with everyone else in the world.

Truth is, we are all smart and we all deserve recognition and we all have something special to contribute. We all have a bounty of love. We can all choose to not have to be right, and to be open to others ideas, and suggestions. We can all give others credit in moving forward a project to move it along more swiftly and effectively if that will help us.

I now try my best to be real and to be loving and to care very much about other people and what they think and what they do and how they do it. And, of course, you know the moral of this story already. . . it makes a huge difference in me and brings me such satisfaction to be this way than the way I was for so many years. That alone, makes it worth the effort and any temporary sacrifice.

What do you think?

It's Not Who's Responsible or Who's Right That Matters So Much, But How You Choose To Feel.

Spread Some Joy Today--Let go of your need to be right or to get recognition. Better to have more fun and less stress, don't you think? What does being right really get you in the end?

Daily Inspiration 9-23-10

"There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude.

It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction

that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance."

-- Joseph Addison

I speak of gratitude often because it is the one thing that I can trace my own mental change back to. As I have utilized it and expanded it in my life, it has grown more and more important and joyous at the same time. And, it is the simplest thing in the world to do, and I think the single most rewarding thing in my life. Isn't that an interesting statement: the single most rewarding thing in my life.

If I want to have joy in my life, I can have it in about 2-3 seconds any time I choose. All I need do is decide to be grateful for something. It can be anything. It can be the color of the sky, the hand at the end of my arm, the smell of the air, a smile on someone's face or on my face, someone laughing, or a million and one other things.

I no longer need to wait for someone else, await the proper circumstances, have it be payday, or any other thing external to my mind. I just decide and it is done. Once you realize that we each have that same ability, it is so empowering and life building. Having that control over life is truly wonderful, and I make more use of it every day.

Once you start to be grateful on purpose and on your decision, you will find more and more things to be grateful for. When I first started, it seemed that there wasn't a lot, but I found some things and began in earnest, later I found more, and I have and continually find more to the point that there pretty much isn't anything that I cannot be grateful for. Isn't that interesting! I wouldn't have even thought that was possible just a few years ago. I guess practice does make perfect!

Here's a good way to start. Take out a sheet of lined paper and at the top, write I Love. . ., then on the first line write something that you love. Then, continue down the page and add more pages. You will begin to find a lot of things that you love and that focus will automatically cause feelings of gratitude. Heck, I love the smell of wet concrete on a hot day. It is a distinct smell and reminds me of when I was a kid at the swimming pool (we called it the plunge) and I would get out of the pool and lay face down on the concrete and the sun would be trying to dry the concrete and the smell was very nice and so different. You see, you can be grateful for just about anything if you decide you can or you are. The I Love. . . list will really help get you going.

Enjoy your new gratitude list!

I Now Find I Am Grateful For The Most Common Things That I Used To Ignore Or Not Even See.

Spread Some Joy Today--Don't worry be happy is a good thought. Make your I Love. . . list and watch the world around you change--for the better!

Daily Inspiration 9-22-10

"I don't feel old.

I don't feel anything till noon.

That's when it's time for my nap."

-- Bob Hope

"I'm saving that rocker for the day

when I feel as old as I really am."

-- Dwight D Eisenhower

I think age is like any other circumstance or thing on which we place judgment.

I was in the bank yesterday making a deposit (I like deposits!) and an older lady came in and was walking slowly and uncomfortably. It wasn't busy and she didn't want to walk all the way around through the maze, and asked to come straight to the front and get behind me. I said, "sure. You can get in front of me if you like, I'm not in a hurry." She said, "No, that's okay, I'm just old and didn't want to walk all the way around." I said, "no problem." Then she said, "I'm 71 years old and when you're in your seventies, you have to expect to be tired and have problems." I looked at her and with a smile, replied, "Why?" She looked a bit puzzled because most people I'm sure just agree with her when she says that. Then, she said, "well, I don't know. . ." The conversation was over, but she wasn't getting any of that old and tired stuff from me.

Of course, these common things that we say to others and also say to ourselves are really affirmations. You are as old and tired as you decide you're going to be and that is it. Age has nothing to do with it. The mind doesn't age.

I'm a month or so away from 61 years of age and truly I feel 35. I act 35 (only wiser and smarter!). I feel great and I know it is just a decision to feel that way. I just decided many years ago that I wouldn't get any older than 35. I liked 35 and it was a sweet combination of maturity (some) and spunk. I just decided it was me and it still is today.

I remember asking an old man once how old he was in his head. He was 85 if I remember correctly, but he said that he felt 45. He decided the same thing and just chose a different time--and he looked and acted 45 with a few more wrinkles. I've now asked that question to old people many times and the responses are quite telling!

There is no rule that you must act your age, no matter what your mother used to tell you. Make up your own. Keep the one you like best and just live it!

I Am As Young Or Old As I Decide I Am.

Spread Some Joy Today--Start acting YOUR age. Choose the one you want. You can change it later, it's okay. No rules. You're in charge!

Daily Inspiration 9-21-10

"He who is of calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition youth and age are equally a burden."

-- Plato

Lighten up!

It's supposed to be fun!

All Is Well.

Spread Some Joy Today--Find nothing but good feeling thoughts today. You can get back in the game tomorrow.

Daily Inspiration 9-20-10

"As I began to explore the power of vocabulary, I still found myself fighting the idea that something as simplistic as changing the words that we use could ever make such a radical difference in our life experience. But when my study of language intensified, I came across some surprising facts that began to convince me that words absolutely do filter and transform experience."

-- Anthony Robbins

from "Awaken The Giant Within"

Ever really listen to phrases or words that people use regularly? I remember listening to my parents and the phrases they used often. I picked them up and used them habitually myself until I was awakened to the power of those phrases. Many of you may even find some of these that I heard and picked up from your childhoods: When asked how you are doing? I would hear, "fair to midlin." When asked about money, I would hear, "do you think money grows on trees? or "we can't afford that." When asked about the weather, "it's yucky outside." As I look back and remember many of these phrases, I see that the vast majority of them are negative. Much of the focus was on what was wrong, what others were doing to us, and so on.

As I grew older and began really studying personal development, I started thinking about my own word choices, how often I used the f-word and more. Then, I got Awaken the Giant Within and it really opened my eyes to how to change your picture of things by changing your language.

Some of the first things I changed (even if I didn't actually feel it at the moment), was the most common responses, such as, when someone asks you, "how are you?" We know they don't really mean it, but I would shake things up a bit by saying something they didn't expect. I might say, "off-the-chart awesome! How about you?" I would make it extremely positive and put some emotion into it as well. It was fun and I still do it 25 years later, and the main benefit is that I changed and those statements became true.

I began changing other words that I commonly used. Tony has a couple of lists to make choices from to change the whole feeling from negative to positive, from lifeless to exciting and so on. In a chart on page 226, he changes a word confused into curious. I love this one: from pissed off to tinkled. I've used that one many times and especially talking to myself. Or this: from fear to wonderment, frightened to inquiring, frustrated to fascinated, hurt to dinged. Love the last one. Image this: "I'm so mad, she really hurt me" turned to this: "I'm so disenchanted, she really dinged me." It's laughable now. What a difference changing a few words makes to, as Tony calls it, your state, or your point of view.

Some people will think you've lost it. That's okay. It really wasn't worth having to me. Today, the weather is overcast and drizzly. Someone said to me that it was yucky today and I responded that I was excited and was absolutely loving this change. They stopped talking. What they wanted was agreement, but I cannot oblige them, or I would be back in that old way of thinking.

When people say that we don't create our own world, I have to heartily disagree. We do and we do it every minute of every day in some of the most taken for granted kind of ways using our habitual language and habitual thinking. What is really awesome to me about that realization is that if someone wants to change their world, it is so easy to do and changing some of the language we use will help begin the process. Try it for a week and see for yourself.

I Love The Fact That I Need Not Wait For Any Person, Event, Circumstance, Or Outside Power. I Have The Power To Change As I Desire.

Spread Some Joy Today--Go ahead. Try some new words. You might get the book, Awaken the Giant Within and start with chapter 9 and use some words from Tony's lists. They're fun and interesting and they will change things up--for the better!

Daily Inspiration 9-19-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true

it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish

in a year, and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!"

"In essence, if we want to direct our lives,

we must take control of our consistent actions.

It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives,

but what we do consistently."

-- Anthony Robbins

The Tortoise and the Hair is a story of consistent action, consistent and patient effort and success despite the odds. It's the effective habit, or consistent application that makes the difference, doing so much each day, but making sure that each day is done.

I've taught in sales prospecting, to start with a small number. Setting a goal to make 50 calls is silliness and 99.9% would take a hike. But change the goal to 5 and we might even see superior results. Once the small goal is established and consistently maintained, if there is capacity remaining, add to that, but starting big is like the hair and sticking with a smaller number is like the tortoise.

The same thing applies in learning. I want to read two books a week. That's too many for some, but two a month would be no big deal and at the end of a year, that would be probably 24 more books than they might have otherwise read.

First make it doable consistently, then consider more. Just like Tony says above, "most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year, and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade."

This applies in our website marketing business, Upward Trend.org. People want a fast fix to get to the top of the search engines, but it is the consistent application of content and "signs" that will make the best difference. What good would it do to get found and then when they find you there is nothing to see? After six months of consistent application, it is flat amazing what you can do on the Internet to move the needle. Give it two years and you own it.

Whatever we want to achieve, applying consistent thought, focus, or effort will make all the difference. Tortoise and Hair.

Getting There Is Pretty Much Assured With Consistent Focus.

Spread Some Joy Today--Think of things that you have been applying occassional focus to that if you changed that may make a huge difference.

Daily Inspiration 9-18-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy.

Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience

of their lives and create a meaning that disempowers them

or one that can literally save their lives."

"We will act consistently with our view of who we truly are,

whether that view is accurate or not."

-- Anthony Robbins

No matter what, it is impossible to escape the fact that we become what we think about and what we think about becomes us. Our beliefs are just what we are thinking over and over and it is true for us for that period of time that we choose to continue thinking that way. That can empower us or disempower us.

Let's say someone is habitually unhappy, angry, no one ever meets their expectations, the world is against them and all those other unhappy thoughts. As long as they continue to think that--the world is flat and if I sailed out there I would fall off--they will continue to have those same results and it is indeed a self fulfilling prophecy. You've seen them--no matter what happens, they are just unhappy about everything, constantly complaining and helping to make people around them miserable with them. Misery really does like company.

But, now let's just change the source--the thought--and practice some different thoughts. For sure, someone with the unhappy habit will not "feel" it right away, but a little practice will turn that completely around. So it is really what we focus on and continually think about that dictates our disposition.

In addition, and to go a bit deeper, the unhappy feelings that these people get is their internal guidance system telling them that they are on the wrong path based on what they really want. They are experiencing what they don't want. But, the real problem is that they are focusing on what they don't want, all the time wanting it to go away, but the mind doesn't work that way. You get what you think about and focus on, so reiterating the problem is only continuing the problem.

It would be okay to say "I don't want that," if it stopped there and the thoughts then changed to what they do want. Knowing what we don't want is good to know, but bad to focus on. Change the thinking, and the focus to what you do want and your life will change before your own eyes in dramatic ways. No longer will the world have power over you. No longer will circumstances rule your life. No longer will you be unhappy, depressed and angry. Those are impossible thoughts when you are focused on what you want instead of focusing on what you don't want.

This is why fighting against things doesn't help. You give thought and focus to what you don't want hoping it will go away, but it is the focus that makes it stronger. You can't fight cancer and win. You must focus on health. You can't fight crime and win. You must focus on well being and community. Focus on what you want, not what you don't want and you will live in a world that is bright and hopeful because you are bright and hopeful.

And even more than hopeful--grateful. Being grateful is the fastest and best way to change thinking from unhappy to happy. I have seen nothing work as well--not even close. Practice it every minute of every day. It will change how you look at the world and how you look at yourself in the world and it is your picture of self that matters more than anything.

Go forth and be happy! Life is good! You have the power! You rock!

The Answers Are So Much Simpler Than Many Would Like Them To Be. I Like Simple So Much Better!

Spread Some Joy Today--Get your gratitude book going. Start writing out what you are grateful in your life. Make the list longer and longer and never, ever stop.

Daily Inspiration 9-17-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"What we can or cannot do,

what we consider possible or impossible,

rarely a function of our true capability.

It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are."

"You see, it's never the environment; it's never the events of our lives,

but the meaning we attach to the events--how we interpret them--that

shapes who we are today and who we'll become tomorrow."

-- Anthony Robbins

The more I study and experience, the more it comes back to me that everything we experience and draw to ourselves comes from thought and what we believe, which is just a thought we keep thinking.

People can do the most amazing things when they believe they can--even if it is only an imagined belief or a temporary belief. I didn't really believe that I could walk on hot coals bare footed and not get burned, but I had a imagined belief and a temporary belief through suggestion and training. Now, I don't need the temporary any more, I believe, because I experienced it.

It is absolutely amazing what can be done with thinking it can be done and focusing on the imagination of having already achieved it. The greatest golfers and other athletes visualize their success prior to participating in the event itself. We can do the same, yet most of us rarely, if ever, make deliberate use of it. Many of us, instead, seek answers in the environment, events, authority; you know--reality. Yet it is the imagination that will help the most in making a change.

We do this all the time now. It's just that the imagination is used too often to imagine the worst, to build on the problem by focusing on it and continuing to speak of it or them. If we want to turn this around, we just use the same tools, but with a different perspective.

We Always Have, Have Had, And Will Have The Solutions We Want By Accepting That Fact And Making Use Of Our Own Power.

Spread Some Joy Today--Maybe it's time to stop looking outside. . .

Daily Inspiration 9-16-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"Stay committed to your decisions,

but stay flexible in your approach."

"There is no such thing as failure.

There are only results."

-- Anthony Robbins

 

I think I have truly learned the lesson that there is no such thing as failure, only a result. I read about Edison and many others who essentially failed their way to success. I'm currently reading an excellent book (hard to put down) of someone else who failed his way to success and he's young and still has a many more in him I'm sure. The man is Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, and the book is Delivering Happiness - A Path To Profits, Passion, and Purpose. I love reading stories like that--and there are tens of thousands of them.

Another lesson learned is to stay committed to the project, goal, idea, and stay flexible on how it will get done. I know in our Upward Trend business, we've stayed with the overall objective, but we have modified the path to fulfillment several times and most recently completely redesigned the business toward that end. That same "success story" is told in hundreds of books I've read of people like Conrad Hilton, Andrew Carnegie, Harvey Firestone, Alfred Sloan, Thomas Edison and the list goes on and on.

There's two other words for this: Tenacity and Resiliance. Considering the company I mentioned, it has got to be a very successful strategy.

It's Amazing What We Can Learn From Others! In Addition, It Sure Saves A Bunch Of Trial And Error.

Spread Some Joy Today--Before you give up on that project, goal, dream or idea, consider looking at it in several different ways to find a better, more effective way.

Daily Inspiration 9-15-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"It's not knowing what to do,

it's doing what you know."

"The way we communicate with others

and with ourselves

ultimately determines the quality of our lives."

-- Anthony Robbins

You know, when I saw the first quote here, I thought, "how harsh!" And, how true. I won't speak for anyone else, but I pretty much have always known, yet was constantly looking for what to do, people to show me, tell me--you know, someone you can blame if it doesn't work out so well. I knew, but was reluctant to accept full responsibility.

Whenever I would do what I know, it would always work out and to just stay on that track would be pretty cool. Where have I fallen off the path? That leads me to the second quote: the way we communicate--or rather, the way I communicate with me. It's probably the instant gratification that comes from doing what you want when doing something else will have a larger, longer term benefit. You know, potato chips (Kettle Brand, lightly salted. . .), the leather reclining chair (my favorite), procrastination (wasn't that a Carly Simon song?), doing the less important, but more fun things in lieu of the things that actually have a payoff, and. . . well, you make your own list.

That all comes from the way I talk to me, how I allow myself to present such a pathetically poor case and still win the trial. Only in our own minds could it be that easy.

So, I know what to do enough, and if I just do what I know, I'll do fine as long as I learn how to communicate and be a better team player. After all, it's been my own team I've been selling out. . . Maybe I should write a book.

I Am Always Leading Myself Somewhere. Where?

Spread Some Joy Today--Maybe just for today. . . you know what to do, so doing it is the next step. It'll make a difference.

Daily Inspiration 9-14-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"If you do what you've always done,

you'll get what you've always gotten."

"You always succeed in producing a result."

"Whatever happens, take responsibility."

-- Anthony Robbins

To me, these three quotes go together so nicely. In order to change, we have to change. That sounds so simple and almost ridiculous, yet it remains perfectly true--there is no change without change.

The second is so simply true in that a result is always being produced, although it may not be the result we were hoping for. Of course, if we don't change, we will produce the result we've been getting.

The third quote is one that I have fully embraced, and it allows the other two to exist in my mind. I have always liked how Bob Proctor says it in just a bit more depth: "I am responsible for my life, for my feelings, and for every result I get." It wasn't until I began accepting full responsibility for what happened in my life, that I felt that I could have something more with some degree of certainty. Now I know for sure and certain that I am responsible for my own thinking which molds every thing else.

So, I could put these all together this way: When I take responsibility for what happens in my life, I realize that in order to change, I must change, because I am always producing a result and without change and accepting responsibility for it, I will continue to have results that I do not really want. This gives me total control and I no longer feel the need to rely on other authorities to give me what I want. I can choose.

It's Always About Our Choices, Isn't It?

Spread Some Joy Today--Choose on purpose and take control of your life today. Accept responsibility. That will spread joy near and far.

Daily Inspiration 9-13-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular."

"Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives."

"I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk."

-- Anthony Robbins

I've had a few people who have really made a difference in my thinking and who have been mentors. One of them is Tony Robbins. I've read many of his books, listened to many of his tape programs and have attended one of his most popular weekend seminars/events. I have enjoyed each one and each has given me knowledge and control over my own thinking and results.

One of the most memorable experiences of my entire life was the "Unleash the Power Within" Event. The first day and evening is the Firewalk Experience and I never would have guessed that I would be walking about 25 feet through 1800 degree coals with my bare feet. It was a mind-bending experience and really proves to you that the mind has powers you don't even recognize. The rest of the event was molding as well and I will never forget it. Should anyone have the opportunity, I highly recommend it.

What I like most about Tony Robbins is that he is a guy who has solutions and they are simple and doable. He is not just about psychology or about what you should do, but gives you practical methods to achieve the results you want. He is a get it done kid of guy and sincerely wants to help people change their lives.

If you can't afford the weekend event, I highly recommend my favorite book of his, Awaken The Giant Within. This book is worth reading more than once and is packed with solutions and wonderful information.

I think we all need mentors and teachers. Anthony is a great one.

I Have A Stable Of Mentors And Welcome More.

Spread Some Joy Today--Find some mentors today. Buy a book, audiobook, seminar on tape, or buy tickets for an event. You have the power to buy the best.

Daily Inspiration 9-12-10

"The true measure of a man is how he treats

someone who can do him absolutely no good."

-- Samuel Johnson

I love this quote and it speaks wisdom in as few words. Basically, treating people with respect, dignity and courtesy regardless of the potential gain from the contact is timeless advice. It speaks of the Golden Rule, of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Great phrase, wonderful message.

As I was admiring and enjoying the quote, a thought came over me that it is interesting how I have discovered, as perhaps you have as well, that no meeting is inconsequential. I have found encounters where I would have thought that this person could do nothing to help me, only to find out down the road somewhere that is was a mistaken conclusion--to my joy, I might add.

Since I have found this last bit true enough, it makes the best sense then to treat everyone as if they could do you a world of good, and perhaps the opposite as well.

I do know this: everything happens for a reason and whether we have knowledge of it ahead of time is of no real concern.

Every Meeting Is A Valuable Experience.

Spread Some Joy Today--What may seem like an enemy or a competitor, may very well be your best friend or partner. Relax with people you encounter. Everyone has value. Every One.

Daily Inspiration 9-11-10

"It is impossible to feel grateful

and depressed in the same moment."

-- Naomi Williams

Thank goodness! That's great news!

Now, we all know that we have to choose one or the other. Easy.

Now. . . let's see. . .

It's Interesting The Choices We Make, And The Truth Is We Always Have The Choice.

Spread Some Joy Today--Make some harmonious choices today!

Daily Inspiration 9-10-10

"Education is the most powerful weapon

which you can use to change the world."

-- Nelson Mandela

"The greatest weapon against stress

is our ability to choose one thought over another."

-- William James

"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.

Teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime."

-- Lao Tzu

Remember that phrase? I'm sure you've heard it. . . "give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime." Now, forget about eating and insert other words instead of the food. This thought applies to so many things in our lives where we try to help people and then they become a burden to us. We try to save them. We end up becoming responsible. That's not what we imagined to begin with. We were just trying to help. By giving a fish.

The greatest power on earth is a thought.

How shall we choose it?

I have found wisdom in two things on this subject.

One, is learn so well that you can teach, not so you can teach, but so that you learn so well that you can and you will gain an understanding that is only gained in that way. So, I teach. To those who want to hear.

Two, I allow them to find their own way. I get out of their way. I don't swim upstream except in rare cases and then only a few strokes. This was the hardest lesson I ever learned because I was thick, if you know what I mean.

Education from teaching is important and valuable. What is more important and infinitely more powerful is self-education. This will only happen from a desire to learn which causes searching for knowledge. It is only in this realm that a teacher has value, otherwise, they are human-sitters.

The One And Only Thing That Will Change The World, The Country, Our Family, Ourselves, For The Better, Is Harmonious Thought.

Spread Some Joy Today--Practicing your harmonious thoughts will absolutely bring joy to you along with everyone around you.

Daily Inspiration 9-9-10

"The Ancient Mariner said to Neptune during a great storm,

"Oh God, you will save me if you wish,

but I am going to go on holding my tiller straight.""

-- Michel de Montaigne

"My will shall shape my future.

Whether I fail or succeed shall

be no man's doing but my own.

I am the force;

I can clear any obstacle before me

or I can be lost in the maze.

My choice, my responsibility;

win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny."

-- Elaine Maxwell

The power and force or our belief and conviction will guide us through the greatest obstacles toward fruition. This is so much more than believing we can do it, but is having it already done and so the success of the journey to the end is assured--all that remains is to stay the course.

Who can compete with this kind of conviction and belief?

Therein lies its power.

I Am.

Spread Some Joy Today--There is nothing more powerful than I am. Say it often. Just be aware of what comes after it. . . that might be important.

Daily Inspiration 9-8-10

"The man who makes everything that leads

to happiness depend upon himself,

and not upon other men,

has adopted the very best plan for living happily."

-- Plato

If we allow others to determine how we will feel within ourselves, we have abdicated responsibility for our well being to people who may not give a rip about us. The pinball in the game of life, bouncing from one circumstance to another to another. Once in a while, there is a good rebound and some extra points, only to be flipped back and forth again.

If we instead create our own pleasure and happiness regardless of what is going on around us or who says what or who does what to whom, or what the paper says, or the news, or the parents, or the spouse, we will get what we want and need.

How you feel is not up to the neighbors, or the boss, the job, the school, the church, the parents, the kids, the weather, the economy, unless. . . you decide to give all your authority to them. That's only input. You get to decide what to do with that input, including ignoring it completely.

You can feel as good or bad as you choose to feel in any time or situation.

I Choose To Be Happy--Regardless--And On Purpose!

Spread Some Joy Today--Interpret your day differently if you're not feeling good all day. Life is good if you let it. So, let it. Start now.

Daily Inspiration 9-7-10

"Some leaders are born women."

-- Geraldine Ferraro

Yes, they are. So very well said!

Of course, conversely, some leaders are born men. The bigger point is that we are not born leaders, we desire to lead and we learn to lead by first leading ourselves.

I Lead. Myself First.

Spread Some Joy Today--Lead where you're at right now.

Daily Inspiration 9-6-10

"There is no reality except the one contained within us."

-- Hermann Hesse

When I say that we create our own reality, it seems to encourage argument from some who want reality to be this thing that everyone perceives exactly the same--the "it is what it is and that's all that it is" concept, I guess. But, that is so easily disproved.

The harder someone argues against people creating their own reality, the more limitations and problems they bring into their lives.

Think about it. Two people see the same movie and saw different things. Two people live in the same neighborhood and one sees a crappy neighborhood and one sees a great neighborhood. Two people work at the same job doing the same tasks and one hates it and one loves it. Two people are listening to the lyrics of a song and one hears these lyrics and the other hears something different. One person sees the country going to hell in a handbasket, another sees a bright and awesome future. One person sees the glass half full another, half empty.

Truth is, we all see it differently and it is our own reality. My reality is that I like the neighborhood and the other persons is that they think it is crappy and can't wait to get out. My reality is I love what I do and another's, they can't wait until quitting time and they wish they didn't have to come back tomorrow.

We call these perceptions. That's true. And, those perceptions are our reality. If two people looked at the same thing and saw and felt the same way, they would have a shared reality, but it is still their perception of it. The neighborhood is the neighborhood? No, it's whomever is perceiving it.

Accepting the fact that we create our own reality is accepting responsibility for our lives and actions and our perceptions. As long as we do that, we must also allow others to have theirs. This is also freeing and taking responsibility. If we understand that perception is reality, then we also know that each is unique and so each will have a unique perspective and reality.

Reality isn't. Our reality is.

We can keep it; we can adapt it; we can discard it for another,

but it is our own to do with as we please. . . or displease.

That's Just The Way It Was Created. . . By Me.

Spread Some Joy Today--Having your own reality and perception is a given. You cannot do without it. What will be enlightening and bring joy today is to allow all others to have their own without you needing to control it or judge it.

Daily Inspiration 9-5-10

"Getting fit is a political act--you are taking charge of your life."

-- Jane Fonda

What is the measure of our determination? It certainly is not a goal. I set goals all the time and reset them and ignore them and rationalize why I am deciding something different today, and the list continues.

It is not the decision. The decision is necessary to begin, but after the decision is made, there is many times this wishy-washy land of excuse and forgotten appointments and laziness and the whole general pleasure (something I want to do now) versus. . . what was that decision again? Oh yes, that one. . . well. . . you know it was 100 degrees today and. . .

The measure of our determination could be our commitment. That's a logical choice, but it won't hold up in court. Commitments change with decision and goals and how ever we happen to feel in the moment. We like to think of commitment as something really strong, but it only sounds that way.

So, what is the measure of our determination?

It is WHY.

Yes, it is just why. The bigger the why; the stronger the why; the more personal the why; the more why's in the why, the more determination is achieved.

I've been thinking. . . I need to lose 30 lbs. That thought will not help because I've been thinking that for years and I still have the 30 lbs., although it moves around a bit. What I need to have the 30 lbs. go away is strong enough why's. In the last two or three days, I think I have found them, and now, this will be a test of my determination, won't it? To see if my why's will get me to the goal.

So, I've made a decision. Yes, I will do it. I've made a goal. By Thanksgiving. I'm writing out all of my why's and I will keep them in front of me to remind me why I'm doing this when it would be so much better to be on the couch. I'll keep you posted. Today is September 5th. That is about 90 days in round numbers. Just a few ounces per day, right? Easy. . .

Of course, all of this applies to everything in our life and business. It's not the decision or the goal or the commitment--it's having enough strong why's.

I Have My Reasons, And The Stronger They Are, The More I Get What I Want.

Spread Some Joy Today--Got why's? Make a list and keep it close. You'll need it when the going gets a bit tough.

Daily Inspiration 9-4-10

"God, why do I storm heaven for answers that are already in my heart?

Every grace I need has already been given me.

Oh, lead me to the Beyond within."

-- Preston Bradley

"Look well into thyself; there is a source which

will always spring up if thou wilt always search there."

-- Marcus Aurelius

Seek and ye shall find doesn't necessarily mean it is outside of ourselves. We've just come to think of it that way. There is such a well within ourselves and it is our emotions that guide us to our best choices. It is interesting how clearly they do this. If it feels bad, you can rest assured it is not good. If it feels good, that is an indication of being on the best path. What an awesome guidance plan!

I don't mean the guilt trip of the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other and hearing them argue with one another. Truth is, we know deep inside what is best, right and good and how we feel when we think on things will tell us if we're on target or not. It is a built-in guidance system that is always working and always indicating to us at any time where we are on the path to where we want to be.

It's not a matter of being worthy, good enough, or any other judgement. It matters not how old or young, rich or poor, drunk or sober, whatever. It is always working and will always indicate where we are and whether we are on target or not.

Once we come to understand the simplicity and incredible design of this system, we know we no longer need to ask anyone any more. We know in our own depth what is best and accepting this means there is no more transference--no more blaming other people, things, circumstances, and such.

There is such power in this realization.

My Emotional Guidance System Is So Awesome!

Spread Some Joy Today--Now you can feel your decisions being made positive!

Daily Inspiration 9-3-10

"We're all in this together. . . alone."

-- Lily Tomlin

"I have always regarded myself as the pillar of my life."

-- Meryl Streep

"I don't follow precedent, I establish it."

-- Fanny Ellen Holtzman

As much as we would sometimes like to look to others to do for us, make decisions for us and otherwise guide us, in the end it comes down to us alone. I love how Lily Tomlin puts it: we have all this around us and it is us alone at the same time.

It's great to get advice, input, hear pros and cons and other valuable research, yet we must make our own mind in the end and we might as well just accept that fact and be even more proactive and active in it. There is strength in that and this is what I take from Meryl Streep's being the pillar in her own life. More often, we hear songs and other comments that someone else is the pillar that supports us. I love the idea that we are our own pillar of support.

And all of that lead me to Fanny Holtzman's wonderful quote where she doesn't follow precedent, she establishes it. How bold! How awesome! How positive.

So, here we go from the idea that we ultimately make our own decisions, our own situation, to being our own strength, which is just a great place to get to with such confidence and tenacity. Then, those lead to the bold position of setting the agenda; the precedent; the role; the circumstance, and being a leader in confidence.

What a wonderful, uplifting, empowering and encouraging place to be.

I Have So Much More Strength Available Than I Will Ever Choose To Use.

Spread Some Joy Today--How does ultimate confidence feel? Try it out today and see if you can find out.

Daily Inspiration 9-2-10

"Security is when everything is settled.

When nothing can happen to you.

Security is the denial of life."

-- Germaine Greer

"Only the insecure strive for security."

-- Wayne Dyer

Shortly after I got into the business world for real at age 22, I wanted to be the manager. Perhaps it was my eldest of five upbringing, but I always saw myself in that role. In addition, it was not just to be "in charge," but more to be a teacher than anything else because I always saw a good manager as a teacher. In less than three years, my goal was reached. Boy, did I have a lot to learn. . . but that's another issue!

The reason I bring this up is that I see so many young people who are not willing to risk much in employment because they focus on security and the immediate reward. I know for certain that had I thought that way back at age 22, I would never have progressed into, or would have been good at management because just making the decision to go there requires risk. There were so many things I offered to do for free just to get experience and I seriously began studying more than I ever did in school. I wanted it, was willing to risk time, money and energy, as well as forgo immediate reward for longer term gain.

I hear of lack of opportunity from many young people and I see a lot of them looking for security and consistency. "How much does that pay?" might be a typical question. They want the sure thing. That would be nice, perhaps, but it is not very real. What security does is create the lack of opportunity by locking out alternatives to progress. There are all kinds of opportunities available when the limits are removed.

I like how Henry Ford says it:

"The only real security that a man can have in this world

is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability."

And now, in my later years and in a new and exciting business, I have decided to dedicate much toward sharing the opportunity possibilities with as many young people as I can and my plan is that many will accept more risk and receive far greater rewards--to see countless opportunities where they would have perceived lack. We have begun creating entrepreneurs and will expand this greatly very soon.

The Perception Of The Fullness Of The Glass Speaks Prophetically To The Outcome Of The Endeavor.

Spread Some Joy Today--Give someone else some encouragement today. We all need regular and healthy doses of encouragement. Tell people how they have helped you. It will be good for both of you.

Daily Inspiration 9-1-10

"Bad times have a scientific value.

These are occasions a good learner would not miss."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

If these times are bad--and there's every indication of that from the newspaper, TV news, radio news, Internet news, and gossip news--then a good learner would find much joy in this time because there must be a great deal to learn.

Some good questions may help. For example:

What could I do next time (and we all know there will be a next time in our lifetime), that would make this kind of time more enjoyable?

What would be good to no longer do that I have habitually or decidedly done in the past?

What can I do today that will help fix my past choices?

and a better question is . . .

What can I do right now that will help me feel strong, powerful, excited, enthusiastic, loving, joyful and free?

and the best question is. . .

How can I change my thinking so I can feel this way regardless of outside circumstances.

Feeling Good Is Where It Is At. Feeling Bad Is Of Only One Value: To Lead Us To A Better Feeling.

Spread Some Joy Today--Learn from the past and maybe it will help today and the future. Focusing on the past or the problems will only make them more prominent. You get more of what you focus on.