Daily Inspiration 12-31-10

"Time has no divisions to mark its passage,

there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets

to announce the beginning of a new month or year.

Even when a new century begins, it is only

we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols."

-- Thomas Mann

"The more you praise and celebrate your life,

the more there is in life to celebrate."

-- Oprah Winfrey

Since we as people love to focus on beginnings and endings, I'm making a change to how this is done for our business. We're having a breakfast meeting with the company owners and spend a couple hours celebrating our successes this year. We're going to celebrate our personal success, overcoming challenges, what we've learned and how we learned it, what we've improved in our lives and business and how those improvements came through.

We're going to look in every nook and cranny for every tidbit of positive movement regardless of outward significance. We're going to write them down and celebrate them together as partners and friends. We're going to take the time to celebrate this year.

Don't forget to celebrate the things that didn't work so well. There are celebrations to be had in every event. Some of my biggest failures have been huge successes once I saw how that was true. It is all in the point of view. You get to see what you choose to see and that is our reality. Some say that reality is reality and looking at it differently is foolish and unrealistic. I say bunk to that. You see what you choose to see. I choose to see growth, improvement, fun, love, friendship, helping others and the list goes on. I choose to celebrate all of that, and not just at this time, but throughout the year. In this case, we will gather and celebrate together since we are all on this journey together.

Many people might take this time or this coming weekend to plan out next year. We've done that months ago, so there is no start or finish line, and there is no big change, or new agenda. Better right now to celebrate our efforts and reinforce our success for the coming year by that celebration. As Oprah so wonderfully says, "the more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."

Happy New Year. Let's celebrate!

"Celebrate What You Want To See More Of."

-- Tom Peters

Spread Some Joy Today--Celebrate something each and every day. You might even have a day-long celebration every day. What joy!

Daily Inspiration 12-30-10

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives,

room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done,

cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance

the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives. . .

not looking for flaws, but for potential."

-- Ellen Goodman

It must be a learned response that we learn very young. I have a hard time believing it is human nature; however, it seems that many, if not most of us, have a tendency to look at what is wrong; what is broken, or to pick out flaws, than to see what is good, or what is right, or what is working. It is a curious thing.

We lean more toward the problems than the virtues. We see what employee's do wrong, or poorly, rather than bolster up what they do well. We might reward good behavior, yet spend three times as much time and energy in the same meeting covering the failures, the misses, the work that is left to be done and so on. This often serves to negate the rewards, or at least it decreases their effect.

We look at a paint job on a car and if there is a flaw, we go right to it. It's really that way when we look in the mirror. We go right up against the mirror so our breath fogs it up and look at those flaws in great detail, fussing over them and cursing their existence. Thank goodness people don't get that close to us, right?

Well, where ever it came from, why ever it is functioning that way, I think that we all should make a pact to remember to remember to praise, praise, praise and praise some more. Let's remember to seek that which works, reward that which works and ignore that which does not.

Let's remember to compliment one another as often as humanly possible, even if it is a very simple thing. Let's remember to look at each other looking for the best points, the things we like about that person, or even if we think we don't, look for the things we think we could like if we wanted to like them--just in case.

Let's remember to give love and preferably not expect anything in return. Let's uncondition our love and imagine that we have a supply so deep and wide that it would be impossible to reach in your love bag and not find any to give away. It is constantly and never-endingly full as if it were the size of the Pacific Ocean in your bag. If there are any of those cold pricklies left in there, let's throw them on the fire and turn them into gas and blow them away.

There are so many little ways to show each other some love. A smile is a really good place to start. You can just feel the love from a smile, can't you? I know I can, and I cannot resist to show one back.

Let's remember to be more gentle and more slow to anger. Take deep breaths and count your bountiful blessings, for they are many no matter who you are. Wake up in the morning and count them first thing, last thing before z-land, count them again. Count them during the day. Write about them. Blog about them. Facebook about them.

Be a builder-upper instead of a tearer-downer. We in America are always on the hunt for who we can blame about whatever we don't like. It's a national obsession. It's time to do a 180 degree turn on that and America will be on the hunt for what ever is cool, good, refreshing, encouraging, and loving. We will find who to praise instead of who to blame.

All of this is simple to do. We begin with us, not caring if anyone joins us or not. We do it because we feel that way and we share because we have that joy that requires us to share. And the world is a wonderful place at our place first, then one more joins, then another, then the whole place will be rockin'.

Get your party hats on! It's party time!

If It Is To Be, It Must Start With Me. I Create A Better World Everyday In Some Meaningful Way.

Spread Some Joy Today--By practicing on purpose.

Daily Inspiration 12-29-10

"Life be not so short but that

there is always time for courtesy."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The test of good manners

is to be patient with bad ones."

-- Solomon ibn Gabirol

"We should give as we would receive,

cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation;

for there is no grace in a benefit

that sticks to the fingers."

-- Seneca

I learn lessons every day that I pay attention, which is most days. Today we were stood up on an appointment with a client. It's not the first time; in fact, it has happened many times, but this time I didn't expect it, because the appointment was just verified in person about 4 days before. So, we show up, each  driving distances to get there and the owner is not there, no message, no nothing. We call him and he isn't even in town.

Okay, this is a business reality. I'm not a green-pea, but it is oh so tiring. Some people have so little respect for others that they don't give it another thought that they are being rude. I find this obvious tidbit of business reality to be disgusting. I also find that it happens quite often in business and that is equally disappointing. I accept it as an undesirable reality that I want to avoid.

Still, this evening, I was pissed. I held my breath and left the premises, but I wasn't any too happy about it. There are other reasons surrounding this particular deal that added to that, but I was angry and I noticed that I was angry. So, my partner and I decide to have a meeting of our own, and we drive to a location a couple miles away. In the meantime, I'm analyzing my reaction, and I'm curious why I'm upset. It would be so easy to be angry for most people under the circumstances, but I really disliked responding that way, so I controlled it totally, but wanted to get deeper to the why part.

What I came up with is that I was upset because this person didn't appreciate us and what we've done for him for several years, and especially the last year. Then I thought about how everyone sees something different when they look at a picture. Everyone will interpret things differently--even those that seem to be the same are all unique in their view. This business owner is no different. Though I think he was rude and ungrateful, he may very well feel something so different, and may not even express it except to himself.

But, back to the investigation. . . it wasn't about how he feels, or even what he did or didn't do, or whether he appreciated us or not--no, it is about me and these were my feelings of anger, not his. I am creating my own anger based on my view of the picture, or my interpretation of the event. I got over the anger part very quickly, and it changed into a curiosity of why I felt the way I did.

Here's what I ended up with after several hours of back of the mind reflection: I wasn't giving freely. I was hanging on to my gift. We had given this client a gift, and I know that the best and right thing to do when you give a gift is to let go of the package, and let go of the outcome. If they like it, fine, and if they don't like it, fine. I give it and it is no longer mine, it is out there. If they want to then throw it in the trash, it is of no concern of mine since it is now theirs to do with as they please. But, that isn't what I did. I was expecting a grateful response. I was expecting appreciation. I was expecting a change. My bad. I learned a very long time ago to own my own feelings, and I was claiming blame on the client for mine.

The thing I must remember is to do what I feel is right, give heartily and FREELY, and let it be what it will be. In this I can be true to myself and my philosophy, and at the same time let go of any expectation in that. I am so glad this happened tonight. I am grateful to be reminded of this. Thank you.

Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You. Even In Business. In Other Words, Give Without Any Expectation Except The Love In Your Heart.

Spread Some Joy Today--Love is ALWAYS a better way, and it will bring so much joy to all that it touches--especially the giver.

Daily Inspiration 12-28-10

"He talks positive but speaks negative."

-- Terry Minion

"How many legs does a dog have

if you call the tail a leg? Four.

Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."

-- Abraham Lincoln

Today I was thinking of some people I know who talk positive and speak negative. That phrase just came to me this morning, and I thought it was an interesting play on ideas, and at the same time, says it the way it seems to be with a number of people.

These are people who claim to have a positive outlook, and claim to see a brighter future ahead, yet who are so stained by the reality what is going on right now or in the recent past that they say one thing and really believe another. It's not quite a complete contradiction, but more an optimistic pessimism--or, perhaps a more common way to say it, they'll believe it when they actually see it. Of course, what they are seeing is what they are really believing and that is not the brighter future, but the current reality. So, to not seem like a negative person, because everyone knows that person is a loser, they talk positive things when they can muster the energy. In politics, they call it the spin.

But, I love what Abraham Lincoln says, "calling it a leg, doesn't make it a leg."

Now, to be fair, this person has been myself and I may still demonstrate a bit of that outlook from time to time, but now it is so little and so easily recognized, and I think that is the real key to relaxing the contradiction. I need to recognize quickly when it is happening and then to get back on track to stay in the positive realm. Learning to really hear and pay attention to what is coming out of my mouth, or even in my self-talk so that I can recognize the shift and make the adjustment has helped me immensely.

For most of my life, I talked positive and spoke negative and some people even thought I was positive, but underneath I was an angry, negative person. It is thankfully true that an old dog can and has learned new tricks.

If We Didn't Learn From Our Own Mistakes, We Would Continually Repeat Them. The Same Goes With Our Thinking.

Spread Some Joy Today--Guess what!? You can change any time you decide to. Maybe today is a good day for a bit of change. Here's a good start: buy the book, (or download for free online), As A Man Thinketh.

Daily Inspiration 12-27-10

"Men are not great or small because of their

material possessions. They are great or

small because of what they are."

-- James Cash Penney

"I conceive that the great part of the miseries

of mankind are brought upon them by false

estimates they have made of the value of things."

-- Benjamin Franklin

I have a serious pile of possessions and it is funny to me how little value the vast majority of them have to me now. I learned to value possessions from my mother and TV. I always tried to buy things that were quality because I always considered them as assets that could be turned back into cash. Of course, you know by reading this that this philosophy is seriously flawed. An extremely small number of things go up in value in one lifetime and only few more things even remain close to the same. The reality is that they depreciate dramatically, so they couldn't be considered an asset in the right thinking world.

As I look around my room and see a lot of things, lately I ask myself this question: "If I were to just get up and leave and never come back, leaving all there is here, what is it that I would really and truly miss?" My answer is very few things. Very, very few.

It is a materialistic world; or a consumer society. We buy things, bring them home, we may even use them for a while, then they go into storage. The off-site storage business is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States. Just looking at how many are in my city is amazing. I've been renting one for a lot of years and storing it with things that can almost all be replaced by money, and yet spend more than they could be replaced for to pay the storage for a year. This is silliness, but the storage places are full, so I'm not alone. We love our things.

I've probably bought over 1,000 music CD's, hundreds of cassettes, music albums, and 8-track tapes. Of course, I love music, so I got a lot of enjoyment out of them over the years. Once I've listened to them once, maybe twice, there they sit for years.

I've spent more money on one thing than any other: books and audio books. I'm sure I've spent in the tens of thousands over the years and still have a library of about 3,000 books. Learning is something that is so important to me, that I feel totally comfortable with every cent I've ever spent on books. Of course, once I've read them, they hold little value, but the value I received by reading them is priceless.

I've had lots of cars, all kinds of furniture and every other kind of thing that we all own, and the things that are being used are important now, but the hanging on to them is a questionable practice.

As my mother demonstrated to me, her value was in things, how many she had and the quality of them, and so she has such a hard time letting any of them go. I inherited some of that and probably more than I will admit; however, I have learned the most important thing: my value is not in anything that I own outwardly, it is what I am, and who I have become. I know that I can walk away from every possession I have ever owned and be comfortable with me. Regardless of the things and their current or future value, I celebrate that lesson and am absolutely grateful for it.

My Value Is In Me And It Is Constantly And Continually Rising In Value.

Spread Some Joy Today--Consider your increase in value as you grow, learn and become. Celebrate from time to time to mark the improvement in your value.

Daily Inspiration 12-26-10

"I am simple, complex, generous, selfish,

unattractive, beautiful, lazy and driven."

-- Barbra Steisand

That about says it for all of us, I think. . .

We Are All So Much More Than We Show, Including Contradictions And Mystery.

Spread Some Joy Today--Relax. You're good. You're covered. You are loved . . . As You Are.

Daily Inspiration 12-25-10

"Christmas is forever, not for just a day,

for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself. . ."

-- Norman Wesley Brooks

"Your most precious, valued possessions and your

greatest powers are invisible and intangible. No one

can take them. You, and you alone, can give them.

You will receive abundance for your giving."

-- W. Clement Stone

Merry Christmas!

All The Best To You And Your Families.

Spread Some Joy Today--Have the Christmas spirit all year long.

Daily Inspiration 12-24-10

"In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season;

the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church;

the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue;

the atheists went to parties and drank.

People passing each other on the street would say,

'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!'

or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'"

-- Dave Barry

I saw this quote a week or so ago and thought it was very funny. . . look out for the wall. . . that's funny stuff. So, I never thought seriously about using it until tonight.

I was at a local event where people gathered and many of the same people come to this event. I was there early, and greeted people coming in and said 'Merry Christmas!' to all that I greeted. A gentleman who is a regular, after my greeting, said something odd that I cannot remember, but it was curious. I just had the impression that he was not interested in Christmas because it is a religious holiday. But, I didn't think much of it as I like this gentleman and I was glad to see him.

A few minutes later, it was getting full in the area we were in and a woman came in with two friends and they were joyous and greeting some of the other people they know and this woman greeted this man, and said 'Merry Christmas,' and I didn't hear it directly, but later found out that he said, 'why don't you leave Christ out of it!' Well, this lady loudly called him an a**hole, which got everyone's attention. He seemed a bit embarrassed, but she was obviously mad. Then her friend was mad and fuming about his remark and so on.

What do you think of that scenario? I think it is interesting. Her comments certainly are an argument, but is that a strange way to defend Christ or Christianity? I think it is strange and also extremely ineffective. I guess the quote with Dave Barry is another way, and although way funnier, may still be a strange way.

Maybe this is a better way:

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas which is peace;

The heart of Christmas which is love."

-- Ada V Hendricks

"But Now Abide Faith, Hope, Love, These Three; But The Greatest Of These Is Love." -- 1 Corinthians 13:13, The Bible

Spread Some Joy Today--Love is always the better way.

Daily Inspiration 12-23-10

"If all of our misfortunes were laid in one

common heap whence everyone must take

an equal portion, most people would be

contented to take their own and depart."

-- Socrates

We think our problems are so big and heavy and hard to solve. . . until we trade ours with someone else who may very well have problems that make our own look like child's play. That would give us some perspective, wouldn't it?

I have found, and perhaps others have too, that many of my problems are really problems because I have not made a decision to do anything, but rather, I rehash the problem over and over thinking that something needs to get done and that I need to make a decision and I want it to be the right one and then I run different scenarios through my brain and round and round it goes. Of course, maybe it's just me. . .

Here's some key things that I've recently learned. Start with the first part of the sentence at the beginning of this: "we think our problems are so big and heavy and hard to solve. . ." The key word is think. That is also the problem leading the problem. How about if we thought our problems were teeny and light and a piece of cake to solve? Would that change anything? So, that is one thing I've learned: I must--I repeat--I must change my thinking about this, as it is my thinking that is expanding it.

The other thing I learned is that it is most likely procrastination that is helping to not only prolong the problem but increase it's size and weight due to the lack of decision. Instead of thinking (or trying to) of how to solve the problem, which is a long, drawn-out affair, I know that I must make a decision quickly and even risk making the wrong decision in order to move ahead. Invariably, the problem immediately decreases in size and weight and begins to be solved very quickly.

Of course the last way is to trade them out with someone else. That hasn't ever worked out. It must be that when they learn about mine, they like theirs way better than they did before. Go figure.

We Just Think Up Our Problems . . . And, We Can Just As Easily Unthink Them, Or At Least, Think Lesser Of Them.

Spread Some Joy Today--Is it time to make a few decisions? That will immediately bring some joy from my own experience. Take charge today!

Daily Inspiration 12-22-10

"It is the heart that makes a man rich.

He is rich according to what he is,

not according to what he has."

-- Henry Ward Beecher

The movie, It's a Wonderful Life is a fine movie. It seems like I've seen it every year for most of my life, except I hadn't seen it in the last 8 years or so, and so thought I would view it again--you know--for old times sake.

The whole premise is that George, the main character gets in a financial jam and thinks he is worth more dead than alive. Desperation is a powerful emotion.

George went through his whole life doing the right thing even when he really wanted badly to do his own thing. Yet, he continually gave up doing his own thing in order to do the right thing at every opportunity and those opportunities were plenty. So, he lived the struggle of the poor helping the poor while watching the mean old grinch of a man, Mr. Potter, the richest man around and the meanest, nastiest one too, buy things up to profit more from the poor than before, if you know what I mean. It's a popular, but inaccurate theme that has been carried out throughout time: the rich being the mean, money-grubbing, poorer-making sleezeballs that any decent human would despise, while the poor, but genuinely good, hard-working, family-oriented townsfolk struggle to make a good life amid this lopsided and unfair system of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

I used to belief in and agree with that scenario and it skewed my thinking when it comes to money and having plenty of it. Now, I have changed my thinking and see that part of the movie for what it is, yet still enjoying the more positive aspects of this show. For example:

• George is very, very good at being a leader, yet he doesn't seem to realize he is a leader. He is a great communicator and learned how to grow the town by building a large housing project. Of course, he realizes it in the end with the help of the guardian angel.
• George is a wonderful dreamer and he can certainly make excellent use of those dreams right where he is. This reminds me of the Acres of Diamonds story.
• George finds real, true, soul-mate love, even though it had to hit him over the head with a frying pan to get him to pull his head out and get a clue! And, he ends up with a perfect family and family life.
• This is a picture of small town life where people know each other and interact with each other and this is just as alive today as it ever was.
• Doing the right thing is right. Thinking of others needs is good.

What he finally learns is that happiness is not something outside, but inside. He also learns he is the richest man in town when he counts the most important thing: Love. And, last, he came through for others so often, others got a golden opportunity to come through for him. People are basically good at heart and if we give them the benefit of believing that, they will show it to be true.

It Is A Wonderful Life! Believe It And It's True!

Spread Some Joy Today--Get excited about your own value and your own personality and your own skills and talents and your boundless love. That will do it.

Daily Inspiration 12-21-10

"Don't let your mind bully your body into believing

it must carry the burden of its worries."

-- Astrid Alauda

"Releasing the pressure,

it's good for the teapot and the water.

Try it sometime."

-- Jeb Dickerson

"Tension is who you think you should be.

Relaxation is who you are."

-- Chinese Proverb

Several nights ago, I was talking with a friend briefly and he was telling me how stressful his life has been of late and how that stress was taking a toll on his body. I really care for this person, so I suggested that he try just letting it all go and shaking it off. I said that it was not anything in reality, but a reaction to events or circumstances. I said that all you need do is change your thinking about the event, and there will be change in the way you feel. I said that stress is something that exists only in the mind, and that we are the culprits who put it there, and that we can throw it out anytime we decide to do so.

He looked at me like I was a bit of a loon. I suppose that might be true from time to time, but what I said was accurate and timely. People worry themselves sick and worry is just a thought about something. Worry exists only in thought, as does stress. I told him I loved him and wanted the best for him.

Thinking about this meeting, I looked up stress in the dictionary. It is "1. constraining force or influence, a: a force exerted when one body or body part presses on, pulls on, pushes against, or tends to compress or twist another body or body part. . . c: a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation." Now substitute the word thought for body in part a and this is a great way to see the stress that we talk about: A force exerted when one thought presses on, pulls on, pushes against, or tends to compress or twist another thought.

Consider a bridge in a storm with the water rising and rushing faster against the bridge supports. The bridge is the body and the storm is the worry and stress pushing the thoughts ever faster toward the support structure of the body. If you don't think the body is being affected by your worry, stress and your general thinking, check your heartbeat and you'll think again. They call it stress because you feel it in your body. And, yet it is but a figment of our imagination.

Stress only has any power when we give it power. Relax and let it go and it has no power whatsoever. Indeed, as this happens, it completely vanishes. The fact that stress has become a socially acceptable thing to have in our lives doesn't make it worthwhile. Let go of it, stop the struggle, release the resistance or pressure. It's good for the teapot AND the water.

Accepting Responsibility For Our Own Thinking Is The Single Most Powerful Thing We Can Do.

Spread Some Joy Today--If you're a worrier, spread some joy today by taking the day off. Your co-workers will be joyful and you can go to your serious worryroom at home and worry yourself into a frenzy. Let me know if it helps anything.

Daily Inspiration 12-20-10

"I always prefer to believe the best of everybody.

It saves so much trouble."

-- Rudyard Kipling

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear

and the blind can see."

-- Mark Twain

"During my second year of nursing school, our professor

gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read

the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans

the school?" Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning

woman several times, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Before the class ended, one student asked if the last

question would count toward our grade. "Absolutely," the

professor said. "In your careers, you will meet many people.

All are significant. They deserve your attention and care,

even if all you do is smile and say hello." I've never forgotten

that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy."

-- Joann C Jones

This is something that my partner, Ryan is very good at and teaches me regularly. I am very thankful for that continual reminder.

Everyone Is Part Of The Whole. All Parts Have A Job.

Spread Some Joy Today--Is there anyone that you may have previously overlooked in your life? Today might be a good day to change that.

Daily Inspiration 12-19-10

"Capital isn't that important in business.

Experience isn't that important.

You can get both of these things.

What is important is ideas. . .

If you have ideas, you have the main

asset you need, and there isn't any limit

to what you can do with your business

and your life. Ideas are any man's greatest asset. . .

Thought, not money, is the real business capital."

-- Harvey Firestone

Just when you thought that ever conceivable use of advertising has been used, a new idea pops up.

Tonight at Sacramento International Airport, while waiting for our guests luggage to come down the conveyer, I saw a brilliant use of advertising: They placed very durable ads on the track that carries the luggage around. They were very visual and nicely done, and you just couldn't possibly miss them. You might try to ignore them, but they are pretty much impossible to ignore, yet because they use a space that used to just be black plastic before, it kind of dresses it up. They call this advertising "baggage carousel wraps." (You can see some of this at www.clearchannelairports.com.)

At Sacramento, they had a lot of ads on one carousel and on a different carousel there was only one ad, so it is new and growing. I think this is a brilliant idea and is the kind of thing Harvey Firestone is talking about. It's finding new ways, new ideas, new twists to an old thing. It is this kind of creative thinking that drives business profits and expansion.

Great Ideas Are Like Solid Gold.

Spread Some Joy Today--Regular brainstorming can be like mining a rich mine. You will find ideas a great source of joy.

Daily Inspiration 12-18-10

"Everybody is a genius.

But, if you judge a fish by its ability

to climb a tree, it will spend its whole

life believing that it is stupid."

-- Albert Einstein

I love this quote by my friend, Albert. I didn't used to believe this, but now most certainly do. I believe that everyone is a genius and each of us has very special talents, ability and value. I think it is part of our life work to find what special talents, abilities and value we have to offer, for I know that in the offering, is the life worth living. At the same time, I think we are all challenged equally to find those things in others and help them see it for themselves. I think in that offering, we find ourselves.

Celebrate Your Genius!

Spread Some Joy Today--Start by celebrating your genius, then celebrate it in others. It will be non-stop joydom.

Daily Inspiration 12-17-10

"The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm."

"A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought-evolved being. For such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees ever more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to fuss, fume, worry, and grieve. He remains poised, steadfast, serene."

-- James Allen, 1902

"Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to

remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances."

-- Thomas Jefferson

I don't have a million dollars in the bank . . . yet, although that is on the list; however I do have other things that I want to achieve, experience, celebrate and share. One of the most important is to be calm and serene when one might otherwise be challenged.

I didn't realize how much I wanted that until this evening as I was looking again at the quotes above, particularly the ones by James Allen. It was just about two years ago that I first saw the quotes from James Allen by reading and studying his book, As A Man Thinketh

I think that I have wanted this all my life, but didn't understand it, because I have had anger in and around me for most of my life. In the last five to ten years, I've worked at moving away from it in myself and had made good progress generally. The problem is that the others who were close to me didn't let go of theirs. I've just realized how wonderful that has been. Instead of it being a continual thorn in my side, which it has, it has now become a blessing teaching me by example the challenge to learn how to become that calm, serene person.

In this, I celebrate the realization that these past years of dealing with other people's anger has always been a blessing, and I celebrate that I am getting very successful at it too. I would even go so far as to say I'm 80% or so there, and the little that remains gets easier because my range of emotion in face of the anger is not as deep. I love that. In addition, should I get upset (off-balance), that is easily transformed to a better feeling emotion, working upward until I feel really good again.

The other thing I just realized is that it is a confidence or commitment issue. When I know where I am and where I am going and the value of what I am doing, there is so little that has enough power to dissuade me from my path.

I want more money, but I want calmness and serenity more--much more. I'm a little surprised to realize that I didn't know how much I wanted that until tonight, and I also realize that I have made such wonderful progress and I celebrate it now.

Another's Anger Is Exactly That--Theirs. I Have No Desire To Compete For Any Of It, So I'll Just Let Them Keep It All . . . And I'll Just Keep The Peace.

Spread Some Joy Today--What could be more joyful than serenity? It's like a permanent smile. The kind that fills you up with love. Spread that by becoming that.

Daily Inspiration 12-16-10

"My play was a complete success.

The audience was a failure."

-- Ashleigh Brilliant

"My first book (The 4-Hour Workweek),

after being turned down by 26 out of 27 publishers,

had just hit the New York Times bestseller list

and seemed headed for #1 on the business list,

where it landed several months later."

-- Timothy Ferriss

Just because some people say it is not good, doesn't work, will never work, shouldn't work, or other such, doesn't make it true if we don't accept it as truth. It certainly can be, and often is, truth for them, but it need not be our truth just because they say it is truth.

One could create miles of quotes of people who have been turned down, outcast and ignored for what they believed in, and yet succeeded only because of their own conviction and despite the disbelief of the many. I love Ashliegh Brilliant's quote where the whole audience is a failure. That is a very interesting way to look at it. Indeed, the way we look at it is everything to what it becomes.

How many people do you think thought that Steve Jobs was crazy as a loon in the garage playing around with electronic circuits and such with Steve Wazniak? Then he sold his car to start the company? Craziness for sure.

I've studied many of these "failures." People like Harvey Firestone, Conrad Hilton, Ray Kroc, J Paul Getty, Henry Ford, Alfred P Sloan Jr., John H Dessauer, J C Penney, Wallace E Johnson, Fred Smith, Colonel Harland Sanders, William C Durant, William T Piper, A P Giannini, Tom Monaghan, Bill Lear, Dr Edwin H Land, and hundreds more. Some of those names may be familiar and some not, but you know the companies and products and they have benefited millions.

It's easy to get discouraged, to begin to agree with the audience and let go and forget about the struggle to go on. I thank God that none of those mentioned in the previous paragraph felt that way. They went through some very dry times and times when they couldn't seem to find a friend, then at some future point, every one wanted to be their friend. Public opinion is not necessary important, but sometimes that opinion can be a benefit to drive us harder, smarter and faster toward success.

The most important thing for all of us is to believe in ourselves FIRST and foremost. If it's not working yet, this doesn't mean it's not going to work. Maybe it's time to change it up a bit, swish it around and add some flavoring, and glow-in-the-dark sparkles.

Opinions Can Be Interesting. . . Or Not. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--Confidence is a special friend. . . and a joy to behold!

Daily Inspiration 12-15-10

"It makes no sense to worry about things you have

no control over because there's nothing you can do

about them, and why worry about thing you do control?

The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized."

-- Wayne Dyer

It is easier to relate to the quote above intellectually, than in actual practice. I know that is true, and I also know it is true because we have come to believe that worry is expected, or that it is natural. It is not natural, it is learned.

So, one day I started thinking about all the worry I've experienced from years past and wondering if there was ever anything that improved as a result of my worry. I could not come up with even one. Wayne has it right when he says it immobilizes.

Worry reminds me of a dog chasing its tail until it gets so tired that it stops and goes to sleep. It is complete and total wasted emotion.

There is one thing that will change worry: trust. Begin trusting that it will work out, trusting that everything will be okay. If you trust, worry is evaporated.

If you're a Christian, trust in the Lord. Or, trust in God, or whatever God means to you. Consider this: you didn't make this planet, nor I. We didn't create this day, our bodies, or almost anything else in the world. We are stewards, users of these things. What is there to worry about? Seriously.

I used to lead worship at church and I wrote a lot of songs then. I'm sharing this one from 2000 because it speaks perfectly to what I am saying here.

TRUST IN THE LORD

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord,

have never forsaken those who seek you-Psalm 9:10 NIV

I TRUST IN THE LORD,

I TRUST IN HIS GUIDANCE

I TRUST IN THE LORD TO LEAD MY LIFE

I TRUST IN THE LORD,

I TRUST IN HIS WISDOM

I TRUST IN THE LORD TO LEAD MY LIFE

I GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS

KNOWING GOD IS IN CONTROL

WHEN WHAT I WANT MAY DISAGREE,

I WILL PRAY AND LET IT GO AND TRUST IN GOD

Pray (Trust) And Let It Go (More Trust). TRUST.

Spread Some Joy Today--If you feel a bit of worry today, pray for a solution, then let it go and trust. It will all be okay.

Daily Inspiration 12-14-10

"Peace is the only battle worth waging."

-- Albert Camus

"Peace cannot be achieved through violence,

it can only be attained through understanding."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I was looking at books today, and one title jumped out at me: "The Battle For Peace," A Frontline Vision Of America's Power and Purpose by General Tony Zinni and Tony Koltz. It jumped out at me because I was thinking it was an oxymoron--like those two words don't belong in the same sentence. Perhaps the idea for the title came from the Albert Camus quote above, that "peace is the only battle worth waging." To me, that one seems even worse, or even funnier.

Let's see. . . since peace is the absence of conflict, tranquility, quiet, calmness. . . I'm thinking those aren't going to get beaten into submission, or chased down by a tank, punctured by a rocket from an airplane, or even subdued by a marine with an M-16. I'm thinking that those qualities can only be attracted, encouraged, released to, relaxed into, or drawn. Surrounding it and capturing it seems ridiculous.

Peace cannot be something to battle, but the absence of the battle. It is not something to win, but something to decide and accept.

Stop Fighting. Start Loving. That's Peace.

Spread Some Joy Today--Stop fighting and start loving at work today. Relax and allow peace. Cooperation is not instantly required. Imagination will suffice.

Daily Inspiration 12-13-10

"Stress is nothing more than a socially

acceptable form of mental illness."

-- Richard Carlson

When I ran across this quote, I had to laugh and agree that this makes sense. I know people who claim stress as if it is something that attacks them. There really is no such thing as stress, but there is a reaction to something said, something that occurred, or something thought that we call stress. It is purely a reaction, or a choice of thought that we choose to think; albeit, it can be a rather typical thought that we have learned to think over and over again. In other words, a habit pattern. Still, it is a response, not an stimulus, or an occurrence.

It has become so socially acceptable to have stress. There are industries built around stress offering stress relief, solving stress problems, stress clinics and the like. You have stress? Then you need ________. Some relief may include drugs or alcohol. There are thousands of ways of relieving our stress now and this makes it even more socially accepted, and indeed, even expected.

How about if we just choose to not react from habit, but choose our response and the thoughts we choose to think? This is perfect in that it is totally free, completely in our control, and though it is currently socially inacceptable in comparison, it is gaining ground as a more effective and pleasing way to live. I choose choice.

Socially Acceptable Is An Excuse.

Spread Some Joy Today--Break away from the crowd who believes that stress attacks, and stress causes, and stress kills. If stress were to exist, it would solely be caused by us alone. Accept full responsibility. There is joy in that.

Daily Inspiration 12-12-10

"A deadline is a negative inspiration.

Still, it's better than no inspiration at all."

-- Rita Mae Brown

"I love deadlines.

I like the whooshing sound

they make as they fly by."

-- Douglas Adams

Deadlines are interesting things. Heck, I set so many of them and I also hear that whooshing sound as they fly by. I'm not really convinced that they are all that helpful, but the business world lives on goals and deadlines. I wonder what it would be like with no deadlines? Would we all cease to exist? Would all businesses fall apart? What would managers do? Is it really the deadlines that drives the progress? or the activity? What if we communicated differently about what we want?

Interesting questions. . .

Change Deadlines To LifeLines? It's Possible. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--Joy is the lifeline. . .

Daily Inspiration 12-11-10

"Your paycheck is not your employer's

responsibility, it's your responsibility.

Your employer has no control

over your value, but you do."

-- Jim Rohn

The concept of this great quote by one of my favorite mentors, the late Jim Rohn, is something I am so glad I learned, and I try to teach it where ever I go. We provide the value to others by what we become. We value ourselves by what we are willing to learn and how we are willing to expand to become more and more.

I've seen many who want more money, but are not willing to become more in order to get it. That is not going to work very well. As we become more valuable to the company, we receive more value in the form of money, responsibility, authority and so on.

I've tried to look at it this way: even if I offer to do something for no additional pay because I want to learn it or I think it will be a valuable skill to have, I figure that I am getting paid to learn. You go to college and you pay them to learn, but go to a company for work, and they pay you to learn! What a great deal that is! You'd be amazed at the things I've taken on for free that brought me skills that I sold for more money later on, and all the while getting paid to learn. Doesn't seem fair to the employer. . .

Learning And Earning Are Closely Related.

Spread Some Joy Today--Learn something! That will spread some joy.

Daily Inspiration 12-10-10

"We often take for granted the very things

that most deserve our gratitude."

-- Cynthia Ozick

Over the years, when referring to people who write self-help or inspirational books, I've heard several people say, "they just do that to make money--it's all for personal gain." I used to swim upstream with them a few strokes, then I just let them have their opinion. Of course, this opinion, each and every time, is not based on having read any of the books these people wrote. It must be based on some cosmic wisdom or other such information source.

As I remembered a couple of those instances of people who were close to me, it caused me to think how genuinely grateful I am for all of those who have taken the time, energy, and expense to share their thoughts, advice, ideas, and stories with me.

My mind has been shaped and molded by each and every book I have ever read and there are certain authors that I have a particular attachment to and so dearly enjoy their messages and work. Not one of them has taken me a place I did not want to go. In fact, more often than not, I didn't heed the wonderful advice that was in so many of the books, audio, and video. I am always in charge of the gateway to my mind and the workings of it as well.

I thank all of those who have shared with me and I sincerely hope they made hundreds of millions of dollars as a result. Frankly, I think they've earned it!

Express Appreciation For Your Mentors!

Spread Some Joy Today--This is only one area, but I am sure there are others that we are taking for granted. Let's all do as little of that as possible!

Daily Inspiration 12-9-10

"It's never too late to be who you might have been."

-- George Eliot

Every minute of every day is another opportunity to let go of fear and live. Every minute of every day is another opportunity to do what you've always wanted to do that you've rationalized your way out of doing. I can't because. . . or, I want to, but. . . and a number of other phrases that we may be using to try to justify not doing those things.

Maybe it's time to create a bucket list and start doing some of those things you've put off for so long. Other people recommend a 101 item list of things you want to do in your life.

Experience all you can and I think you'll find it so much better and more fulfilling than the rationalizing of why not.

Why Not? Why Not You? Why Not Now?

Spread Some Joy Today--What greater way to spread joy than doing things you've wanted to do and put off? People will notice.

Daily Inspiration 12-8-10

"When nobody around you seems to measure up,

it's time to check your yardstick."

-- Bill Lemley

"I'm never pleased with anything,

I'm a perfectionist, it's part of who I am."

-- Michael Jackson

If you're a student, everyone is a teacher. That includes people who are among the most negative around you, and that is a wonderful way to look at others that you don't like being around.

I had a boss once who was probably the most unhappy person I'd ever met. He was mean-spirited, condescending, sarcastic, loud-mouthed, demanding, constantly disappointed in others, and more. Not a pretty picture. At the time, I would go home and just let all my frustration out about this a**hole and what a terrible excuse for a person he was. Yet, he was a teacher to me and I was a student, though I certainly didn't look at it this way at the time.

One of the most powerful things he taught me was the kind of person I never wanted to be. Knowing what you really do not want is powerful learning.

Sometimes we would have lunch together. I love having a meal with people because you learn so much in that environment. People tend to let go a little. Maybe it's being away from the work environment, or the personal closeness, but it is powerful. At one lunch meeting, he said to me that "no one ever lives up to my expectations." That was a very telling statement and it demonstrated where his attitude came from.

In this case, the best thing would be to immediately lower his standards. He had himself so high on a pedestal that no one could be praised, since everyone fell short.

The best thing that I learned from him was what I wanted. I wanted to praise others and encourage them to be the best that they can be. The way I found to do that effectively is to find things to praise them about. There is always something to praise people for when you look for them. What ends up happening is that you find you love them the way they are because they are a unique person and each of us has our own special talents and virtues.

The last thing that he taught me is that life is too short to go around being unhappy. He died an unhappy man, but I have decided to be a happy one. What a wonderful series of lessons to learn. I am so grateful for this man coming into my life.

If People Disappoint You. It May Be Your Fault.

Spread Some Joy Today--Find some uplifting things to say to two or three people today. Maybe their hair looks great, they're dressed especially well, their smile is bright, or their eyes are shining. It is so easy to find things to praise when you look for them. If that doesn't spread joy, nothing will.

Daily Inspiration 12-7-10

"When you aim for perfection,

you discover it's a moving target."

-- George Fisher

"Always live up to your standards--

by lowering them, if necessary."

-- Mignon Mclaughlin

Everything that I do, I want to be good, but I don't care about perfection. I want to improve everything that I do constantly, but perfection will always be just an idea that someone thought up. It doesn't really exist in the way many people think of it because it is changing moment to moment.

It's better to get something done, to do my best, to produce than to fret over details that will most likely be insignificant tomorrow. I'll give you a personal example.

I wrote my first song when I was 18 and at the time, it was way cool. It was cool because I'd never written a song before, and now I had written one. Some time passes, and fourteen years later, I decide to write songs. I started putting them out in volume and with the encouragement of a friend, I kept putting them out. When I look back now 28 years later, I think they were pretty bad, but if it weren't for those, I would never have written some that were pretty darn good that touched a number of people and that brought me such satisfaction. Had it not been for a willingness to act without delay, I dare say none would have been written.

Every day is an improvement from the last and I let go of what was for what is now. I give it my best shot with what I have to work with in the time frame I have to work with it, and ship the product. Think of the first cell phones and how bad they were compared with what is available today. If I can look back and say to myself honestly that I was doing the best I could with what I had, who I was and the time frame I was operating under, it stands proudly as accomplishment worth doing.

As a writer, I am constantly improving my craft. I want to get better, I am willing to get better, I am willing to fail and I am focused on production through practice. The more I write, the better I get. Of course, mistakes are made. I may forget to run spellcheck, or spellcheck may not find the wrong word choice, but it doesn't really matter to me. I've done my best under the circumstances, and I leave it there without regret. There is time enough tomorrow to improve, but I can do nothing but view yesterday.

They say, if it is worth doing, it is worth doing well. I agree, and the most important part of that statement is "it is worth doing." It is in the doing that we grow.

Aim, Fire, Ready. Give It Your Best Shot, But Shoot.

Spread Some Joy Today--Sometimes perfectionism is just another word for procrastination, or excuse. This world would never move forward without production. Since perfection is an idea that is constantly moving, relax in the fact that doing is the best course of action.

Daily Inspiration 12-6-10

"An Englishmen thinks seated;

a Frenchmen standing;

an American pacing,

an Irishman, afterwards."

-- Austin O'Malley

Pacing is something that I have found highly beneficial in helping me think about things and find new ways of looking at something. I think most people might think of pacing as an activity of worry, but I love it and the activity of slow methodical pacing back and forth is soothing.

As I pace, I'm brainstorming, allowing any and every idea to come in and let it roll around with the others in my head. Sometimes, a fearful thought, or worrisome thought will appear and I can immediately tell by how I feel. As I feel that anxiety, I immediately let it go and go back to the possibility thinking instead. I cannot allow myself to have worrisome thoughts when I am brainstorming.

It is something about the activity of the slow walking that helps ideas to flow. I've tried sitting quietly in a chair and that is way too comfortable and I find myself fading. . . It is so much more effective to walk about. Sometimes if the weather is warm, I'll go for a long walk and that works well too, yet the pacing in my office or other smaller area seems to work best. The pace is important to me and it is approximately counting each step as one thousand one, one thousand two and so on, although I just figured that out to share with you the rhythm of my pacing.

As each idea comes in, unless another idea comes in right afterward, I will play with that idea and run visuals of how it might work, look, feel. I don't want to adhere to anything in particular, just play with it. It has really become very effective for me. It is quite amazing how it works and how fast it can work. Many times I have procrastinated on something, then I am up against a deadline of some kind. I do my pacing and within a few minutes, the ideas just flow in.

How do you get your best ideas?

Brainstorming Is Fun! It's Great Exercise Too!

Spread Some Joy Today--Letting go of worrisome thoughts and looking for new ideas will bring joy. As that joy settles in to you, others see it as a billboard. There is always a better way, no matter how many ways you've tried.

Daily Inspiration 12-5-10

"Do not wait; the time will never be "just right."

Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools

you may have at your command, and better tools

will be found as you go along."

-- Napoleon Hill

"So what do we do? Anything. Something.

So long as we just don't sit there.

If we screw it up, start over. Try something else.

If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties,

it may be too late."

-- Lee Iacocca

"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time;

it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."

-- Sydney Harris

The volume of things that I've put off is staggering. It is so easy to be indecisive and desire to think more on it, or research more about it. I dare say that we are all experts at this strategy. I know that I certainly am, and I could go on for great lengths about the things I have procrastinated on in the past as well as the present. Yes, I still wallow in some indecisiveness,

But. . .

the thing to avoid about indecisiveness, or procrastination, or putting things off, lies at the heart of the third quote above: . . ."it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." The thing to avoid is guilt. So, you didn't do it; so you couldn't quite make up your mind; so what?

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of making decisions and moving right away. I do not want to put something off that I really want to do. And, there is is other key. If I really want to do it, it will get done. If I'm not sure about it, I will have to think on it some more, delay making a decision, or procrastinate. So, thinking about it has value in that I can find clarity, or hope to find clarity, or sort things out so that I am comfortable with the thought.

Because it has helped me a great deal, others may find that the thing that helps is to think more in terms of allowing and appreciating the experience, rather than something we might want to do that may not work out. By allowing and appreciating the experience, it takes away a lot of stress about performance and objective completion. It's okay. Every thing will work out just fine. Let it be as The Beatles said it.

So, bottom line is just have a little courage in experiencing more of life and it will seem less like a chance and more like an experience. Jump in. See what it's like. You may find that procrastination will become part of your joy instead of your guilt. I guess you might call that a guilty pleasure. . .

Doing What I Love. That's My Favorite Experience.

Spread Some Joy Today--Don't sweat the small stuff. . . it's all small stuff. . . both good thoughts to remember. Have some fun procrastinating today. Since we do it, we may as well have some fun with it.

Daily Inspiration 12-4-10

"The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a

flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes

another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return,

are to me continual spiritual exercises."

-- Leo Buscaglia

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves

to recognize how good things really are."

-- Marianne Williamson

Joy is something I've wanted to experience more often, and now I experience it so regularly, that I am continually amazed. I thought it was a response to seeing something and appreciating it, or someone doing something nice for me, or such. No, I've found that joy is not something to seek, or even to get, but only to allow.

Think of it this way: we already have it in all the abundance we could imagine wanting, and it is just waiting there, waiting to be allowed. As I allow it, I cannot stop appreciating everything and every one around me.

I don't need a vacation, or need to be in a certain place, or time. I don't need anyone to help me. I just need to relax, let go of any idea of control about anything and just allow myself the pleasure of joy.

I used to feel the need to be away from work, but now I experience joy while I work, talking with prospects, clients, associates. It is absolutely a mind set--a decision. It works more often and more effectively with continual practice.

It's Not Joy We Seek, It's Allowing.

Spread Some Joy Today--Allow your joy to flow out of you. It is absolutely contagious and some who come anywhere near you will be infected with joy. We are all carriers.

Daily Inspiration 12-3-10

"What you do is more important than how much you make,

and how you feel about it is more important than what you do."

-- Jerry Gillies

Playing the field is a phrase from the game of dating, and I think of it also in terms of finding work that one would love. I highly recommend trying things to find out what you love to do in the world of work. Finding things we don't like is just as valuable a result because it leads to things that are much more appealing.

I look back and see the things I've tried, and not just tried a little, but gave it a good shot. Each and every experience has been so valuable and things that I might learn about one task would certainly help me in some way in other tasks.

I've been an auto mechanic, rising to the journeyman level. I've driven dump trucks, used skip loaders, worked in landscaping and colored rock. I harvested turkey eggs at a turkey ranch (well, just for one day. . . yuck!), worked in 3 different gas stations, worked for Hills Bros Coffee in San Francisco. I was a car salesman for 2.5 years and they called me the Vega king. We got 13 "millionth Vega's" and I sold 11 of them. I was a sales manager, general sales manager (big deal. . .), and commercial truck manager for 25 years. I worked for a truck body manufacturer for 10 years. I've been a songwriter and written a couple hundred songs, have recorded songs, done an album, played music live as solo and in groups, I've taught many, many classes from sales, to commercial trucks, to songwriting and more. I've owned a musical instrument store, did multi-level marketing for two years with Shaklee, owned a recording studio. I've owned an eBay store for over 6 years selling over 16,000 items. Now I own a consulting company, and an Internet marketing company, with more enterprises on the horizon. I've written and published a book and am writing another now. And much more.

What I've done has been very interesting and I've found a number of things I didn't care for too much. I've found things that didn't earn much money, and things that did. As I share this and look back, I feel wonderful that I have had the courage and tenacity to venture out into other things to see what they are like. Each and every experience has been valuable and has aided my current enterprises and my personal knowledge, skill, confidence and beliefs.

I would encourage young men and women to play the field in search of love; in search of passion. Enjoy the journey and fill your bag with all that you can. It will be worth it all I assure you. It certainly has been for me, and I don't plan on stopping any time soon.

Play The Field--Even If It Is Just For The Fun Of It!

Spread Some Joy Today--I've loved something about everything I've done and finding what I loved about it was the best part. What do you love about what you do? You don't have to love it all, but if you don't love a good part of it, why do it at all?

Daily Inspiration 12-2-10

"Empowering means defining the parameters

in which people are allowed to operate,

and then setting them free."

-- John C Maxwell from The 360 Degree Leader

Empowerment is something a lot of people want in the business world and probably most do not receive as they would like. I know I used to feel that way in certain positions. I would wait and hope to be empowered to act with a certain degree of autonomy, and then I decided to empower myself and wait no longer. It was that decision that gave me any success I've received, because that was how I got a lot of things done that would have otherwise waited for a better time.

As part of that personal empowerment, I developed another mindset wherein I would rather beg forgiveness than ask permission. I am sure the managers above me appreciated that most of the time, as I would as a manager. Self-starters are to be praised generally. So many people are afraid to act.

This empowerment gave me a personal feeling of freedom that I loved. I would even do things for free just to get the experience to add to my collection.

Yes, I've made some errors and even had to suck it up and apologize here and there, but the good news is the gains that were made far and away overshadowed the errors. I'm reminded of how many times Babe Ruth struck out versus how many home runs made, but there was no doubt in his enthusiastic efforts.

Since I have felt the joy of empowerment as well as the confinement of being micro-managed, as a business owner and manager now, I really want the people on my team to have the freedom to excel by having me stay out of their way as much as possible.

We Can All Empower Ourselves.

Spread Some Joy Today--Give yourself the authority to act. It is a joyful experience.