Daily Inspiration 4-30-12

"I think where we differ dramatically, if I am deciphering these past few hours correctly, is that on Uranus we seem to have a reason for all our neuroses. From what I can discern from this brief session, you have neurotics on Earth, but I've yet to see that their neuroses have causes based in reality." -- Dr Wayne Dyer, Gifts From Eykis I must realize with all truthfulness that all my anxieties and worry is not based in, nor has it ever been based in reality, but fantasy of potential reality, most of which, did not, nor has ever occurred. I say most of which, because some of it has come about, and most likely by focusing on what I was thinking about. Julius Caesar is noted as saying it well by saying, "as a rule, what is out of sight disturbs men's minds more seriously than what they see." That has certainly been the case with me. As I've grown aware and honest about these fantasies, I have given more and more effort toward a more positive outlook on the potential future, but my focus on the current reality has not been of much help. Indeed, sometimes it was as Joseph Joubert said, "when one has too great a dread of what is impending, one feels some relief when the trouble has come." As much as I stated to myself and the world, I drew much toward me while claiming innocence all the way. We all probably have troubles, though mostly I see my own, yet I also know from study that this attention to troubles is a direct violation of my new awareness. Maybe my Zen is slipping from time to time. I'm working on that. . . One of my favorite authors and philosphers says exactly what I need to do:

"Drag Your Thoughts Away From Your Troubles. . . By The Ears, By the Heels, Or Any Other Way You Can Manage It." -- Mark Twain   Spread Some Joy Today--What troubles?

Daily Inspiration 4-29-12

"Applaud us when we run,

console us when we fall,

cheer us when we recover. . ."

-- Edmund Burke

Looking at the life I've lived thus far, this quote is exactly how I would teach my children today (which wasn't how I was brought up), except for one small missing ingredient. That ingredient is to love us without condition. The new version: Applaud us when we run, console us when we fall, cheer us when we recover, love us without condition.

One Can Never Go Wrong With Praise, Understanding And Love. Spread Some Joy Today--Put this into practical application daily!

Daily Inspiration 4-28-12

"Change in all things is sweet." -- Aristotle Someone from antiquity said this. . . and I'm thinking he was a smart fellow. Geez, what if that statement were true today?

What Would Life Be Like?   Spread Some Joy Today--There's only one thing we have true power over and that is our choice of perspective. I guess it really could be sweet. . .

Daily Inspiration 4-27-12

"Start where you are. Distant fields always look greener, but opportunity lies right where you are. Take advantage of every opportunity of service." -- Robert Collier When I am open to opportunities, I find that I don't need to seek them out. Instead, they seem to seek me. Pretty much, I just pay attention as much as I can. Many of those opportunities come from being of service to others. One never knows how helping someone with what they are working on, or want will come back to you in some way down the road. It may not come back from them, but someone else; however, it will come back. It must. It is the same with kindness, especially this that is spur of the moment. Smiles are that way too and those generally come back immediately!

Being Of Service Also Comes Back Multiplied. Just In Case It Means Anything. . . Spread Some Joy Today--When you give, you are giving from your abundance!

Daily Inspiration 4-26-12

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." -- Henry David Thoreau Whatever it is that we want that is not yet there, whomever we want to become that we are not yet, all of this is well and good and cannot stop, for our wanting anew is part of the creative process of life. However, there is one thing that some of us haven't done such a good job with, and that is accepting ourselves for what we are and where we are and who we are right now. We must accept and appreciate ourselves right now on the way to whatever we will be or have tomorrow. In fact, take joy in yourself for having gotten this far. Don't compare yourself with anyone else but seek to the be the most joyous you that you can be--regardless of what you have or have not. Chill.

There Is No Such Thing As Normal. There Is Only Unique.   Spread Some Joy Today--Open a new book and get started. There is such joy in learning something new.

Daily Inspiration 4-25-12

"Everything is on the way, not in the way; everything is instructive, not obstructive." -- John Demartini I read many books on a subject partly to know more about the subject, and partly to have better ways to explain things. That is the case with this wonderful quote from Dr. John Demartini. It is perfect! I've never heard it said better in all my travels. I used to love that it's not the destination, but the journey that is important and I agree with that, but we all know those things that just seem to get in our way and to say that "everything is on the way, not in the way," is so much more enlightening. Doesn't it hit you that way too? Powerful.

Everything Is On The Way. . . How Comforting. . .   Spread Some Joy Today--Seek peace by letting go of whatever you are holding on to.

Daily Inspiration 4-24-12

"One of the reasons it has seemed so difficult for a person to change his habits, his personality, or his way of life, has been that heretofore nearly all efforts at change have been directed to the circumference of the self, so to speak, rather than to the center." -- Maxwell Maltz It has been said, "so within, so without," and yet when we want to change something about ourselves, we can't help but work on the outside. As an example, we want to lose weight so we exercise, or eat less, or eat different things, or take meal replacement therapy, or combinations of these things. All are in the circumference. I believe that this is why if we were able to succeed by applying the effort that it doesn't last as we think it would because we haven't done anything to change the core. It is the core that appears to be the toughest challenge. The same is true with our businesses, our worklife, anything and everything that we do. Working in our business is far easier than working on our business. Working in the thing that we think brings us our money is so much easier than becoming a money attractor from within. Plus there's no roadmap, or so it would seem. But there is. The problem with that is that it is within and it is something that we can focus on and work with instead of against, but we choose to focus on the circumference. We have to answer the phone, deal with this issue and that, and interruptions--you know, the stuff of life. Then, it's the end of the day and we vow to change tomorrow and redouble our efforts, maybe even write it down on a to-do list, then repeat the same scenario throughout many years, even a lifetime. It is a proven fact that meditation helps us to get in touch with our inner selves, yet so few of us devote so little time in that connection we so need. Visualization is another such device and finding quiet time to visualize what we want each day is at least as hard as the meditation. At some point, we hope that we will make a commitment to ourselves to heal ourselves and love ourselves and devote a reasonable amount of time in our day to ourselves and being in alignment and focus. When we do, we remember how easy it is to change, when we don't, we remember just how hard it is to change.

We Will Change When We Want To Enough   Spread Some Joy Today--Realize that within each of us is all the power and direction that we need. All of it.

Daily Inspiration 4-23-12

"One way to drive fear out of a relationship is to realize

that your partner's values are the same as yours, that what

you care about is exactly what they care about. In my opinion,

that drives fear out and makes for a great partnership

whether it's a corporate partnership or a marriage."

-- Steve Jobs

This idea from Steve Jobs demonstrates that we all need each other and when we find those with common values, a relationship can be mutually beneficial.

Another quote that adds to this idea is from Hermann Hesse, where he says that "our mission is to gain true discernment of the contraries, first as contraries, but then as poles of unity." I just love that "discernment of the contraries" portion of the quote.

Often what appears to be contraries is after all, poles of unity. Truly, we all came from the same source and will return there.

There Is More In Common Than Not.

Spread Some Joy Today--Be extra kind to someone just for the joy of it.

Daily Inspiration 4-22-12

"The key to your universe is that you can choose."

-- Carl Frederick

Today is Earth Day and many will focus on what is wrong about the climate and the deforestation and the ozone, and a long list of other perceived ailments. I say, why have a special day to do that? We have a tendency to do that every day.

So, today, let's try something different. Let us bless this miraculous Earth, with its continuing abundance, and its variety of spectacular views, highs and lows of terrain, bountiful water, and much more.

Let us find all the things that we can think of that are wonderful about the Earth that we live on. Let us put our focus on the wellness rather than the illness. It is far more in our own perceptions than anything else.

Let Us Focus On What Is Right And Good. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--If you focus on joy, you will see and have joy.

Daily Inspiration 4-21-12

"I used to say, "I sure hope things will change."

Then I learned that the only way things are going

to change for me is when I change."

"It doesn't matter which side of the fence

you get off on sometimes. What matters most

is getting off! You Cannot make progress

without making decisions."

-- Jim Rohn

I was talking with a friend and colleague tonight and we were talking about money issues and one thing came up about new radical opportunities for making big money in new creative enterprises on the Internet. I said something that was interesting and was mainly coming out of my mouth so that I could actually hear it with my ears and not just rattling around in my head via self-talk. Many times, it is more powerful that way.

Here's essentially what I said with all sincerity: "I'm done chasing money. I've done that all my life. I don't want the easy way of something for nothing, I want to build my company by providing a valuable service that helps our clients grow their business, to provide opportunities for employment to others, to feel proud about what I do and what value I bring to the marketplace, and to feel proud to turn it over to others down the road that I created something worthwhile." In other words, I'm ready to let money chase me for a change.

I would like the company to grow quickly, but I'm also not in a hurry. I am wanting it to be well-built and thoughtfully designed. I want happy, long-term clients because we are like a partner to them with the service we provide. I am fully committed to these ideals because I've been wanting this all of my life and I made the decision a few years back to go down this path. I'm very pleased with what we have been able to accomplish in the time we have spent, and very grateful for it and for the challenge and the learning that comes from doing something you didn't know how to do until you decided to do it anyway. I'm especially grateful for the decisions of the people we have added or attracted which seems kind of magical to me.

It is more about becoming and participating and organizing and sharing, than it is about money and rewards and retirement. I could care less about retirement. I'm having the time of my life now.

Money is just an idea; a medium of exchange; something of value for something of value. I'm not looking for a golden parachute, but to gaze fondly at all those beautiful buildings.

I'm So Glad My Ears Heard That Coming Out Of My Own Mouth.

Spread Some Joy Today--Consider your own passion!

Daily Inspiration 4-20-12

"Pefection is another name for reality."

-- Baruch Spinoza

For the last year or so, I've not stopped myself from having whatever I wanted to eat and over time, I've gained more weight than I am comfortable with. In the last month, it has become a problem I can no longer ignore and make excuses for. It's over the line, and I've known it for some time, but it didn't help much.

The biggest issue is that I've just been living in front of my computer and loving potato chips and chocolate, two of the main food groups for weight watchers. The second biggest issue is lack of exercise. Some years back I used to walk about 4 miles a day 5 days a week minimum and for the last many months, so little and infrequent.

So yesterday, since the weather is more spring like, I walked about 3.5 miles and the same today and I feel better already. I have to schedule care of myself and well being into my day just like I do my clients.

I've been trying to come to terms with it. And I know it isn't a matter of strenuous effort, it is more a matter of aligning with what I say I want. Then, tonight, I remembered something that is transformative that I wasn't remembering: Gratitude.

John Demartini in one of my favorite books, The Gratitude Effect (a short book, only 150 pages), said this: "No matter who you are, you have things you like and dislike, or even admire and despise about yourself. Everyone practices the same math: fifty-fifty, right down the middle. Both things you like and dislike are going to serve you in your life, and the wisdom is appreciating this balance and being grateful for it. The Gratitude Effect also encompasses your beautifully balanced body. To love it is to appreciate what is assumed to be attractive and repulsive."

He goes on to talk about what a magnificent structure the human body is. When we look at it this way it changes our perspective. I've learned over the years that becoming grateful for something I don't really want is the fastest way to come to terms with it and to allow myself to change my thinking and emotions about it. Now I am back on track and I am confident I'll be back where I like what I see in the mirror very soon, and I'm sure that I'll have fun with it.

"Take Care Of Your Body. It's The Only Place You Have To Live." -- Jim Rohn

Spread Some Joy Today--Use gratitude as a way of loving yourself first.

Daily Inspiration 4-19-12

"To desire is to obtain;

to aspire is to achieve."

"You will become as small as you controlling desire;

or as great as your dominant aspiration."

-- James Allen

Tonight I am fascinated with the word aspire. It sort of makes wants and desires little things. It is grand in scope and weightless in spirit. It means to rise, to ascend, to soar and in Latin it means to breathe upon. That makes me think about breathing life into something. A desire it wanting something, but to aspire is to become, to intend.

When I am considering and dreaming of and playing with my aspirations, I feel free and alive and full of hope and wonder at the same time. What is happening here and now is of little importance. It is more like a connection with the Infinite and what possibilities exist regardless of circumstances, past history, or any other limiting factor.

It is exciting and joyous to have and consider my aspirations--those near and not so near and the more attention I place there instead of the most current desire or such things as goals, the better everything works for me.

Yet sometimes, we think that we must pay more attention to reality. This that is in our face right now this minute. Sure, maybe we need to deal with some things, but that number is never as large as we seem to think. We need to get back to our aspirations, our dreams, our passion and live there!

Live The Dream, Baby. . . Live The Dream!

Spread Some Joy Today--When I dream of possibilities, I find joy, and when I think about reality, I find obligation and no joy. Let's see. . . Joy. . . no joy. . . which shall it be? Hmmmmm. . .

Daily Inspiration 4-18-12

"Give whatever you are doing and whoever

you are with the gift of your attention."

-- Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn had such a way with words and was blessed with a gift of making a complex idea simple and akin to common sense. He might just change one word in a sentence and it went from mundane to magical. The sentence above is an indication when he adds the word gift. The gift of your attention. What a powerful phrase that becomes.

I try to remember how important this is to me when I am in communication with another. I caught myself doing poorly the other day when having coffee with someone and in the background was all these strange people that were out of place in that environment. It seemed almost impossible for my eyes to not see what was going on and pay closer attention to the person in front of me. So, I kept reminding myself to focus.

I have many business meetings with people who have a lot of interruptions, who take many phone calls and such while we are meeting. I always wait patiently because I know they are busy and I don't want them to miss any opportunity at business, but at the same time, they are not giving me or what I am bringing to them the attention that it so deserves. I will often tell them to take the call if they need to in order to have it feel okay with them.

What is really irritating is talking to someone on the phone and having them put me on hold and take other calls. I've even had people take several calls, sometimes coming back and saying they have to take this call, and sometimes, I just hang up. It shows a disrespect and it is an indication of where my importance is on their scale.

Years ago when I used to have an office and was a busy sales manager at an auto dealership, if I had an appointment with someone, I would close my door and mute my phone and give them my full attention for a few minutes. I really do believe that Jim is right in that it is a gift of attention.

I haven't always succeeded with perfection at this, but it has become a habit with me generally and I find it very beneficial.

I've Also Found That The More Important The Person I'm Talking To Is, The More They Control Their Time By Giving Me The Gift Of Their Attention. I Love Gifts Like That!

Spread Some Joy Today--Give people the gift of your attention today without commercial interruption.

Daily Inspiration 4-17-12

"The average American worker has fifty

interruptions a day, of which

seventy percent have nothing to do with work."

-- W. Edwards Deming

I've been paying attention to my work day the last few weeks, trying to look at it from a global perspective to see why I am not getting all the things done that I've scheduled and thought I had time to achieve. It has become so clear to me that it is interruptions that sneak into my schedule and though they weren't invited (technically, anyway), they have a way of seeming to be either more attractive to pay attention to or they seem like an emergency. Of course, they are very rarely emergencies, they just seem that way.

It's very much like feeling the need to answer the phone just because it is ringing, or because we're afraid we might miss something. I think that the fact that the phone rings audibly commands attention and some ringtones even expand on that to the point of irritation.

Sometimes it even seems like life can be one non-stop series of interruptions. You want to do this and other people want you to do something else. I've been working out of my home for fifteen years now, and when my wife is home and I'm in the home office, I can guarantee all kinds of interruptions. I've learned to be flexible with that, and realize I won't get as much done on those days, but I get plenty of interruptions when she is not there. The problem is that, like the phone, I allow them to get my attention when I could just as easily ignore them or postpone them.

Here's another aspect of this from Andre Maurois, who says, "the effectiveness of work increases according to geometric progression if there are no interruptions." This is one reason why I get so much more done early in the morning or late in the evening. No one is calling and I don't receive hardly any email.

I have found that when I can concentrate and focus, I can get an amazing amount of work done and get it done efficiently. Since I'm building a business, I need to find more time to concentrate and focus and control how interruptions eat up my day. Jack Canfield said it so well: "To be successful in achieving your goals and creating your desired lifestyle, you will have to get good at saying no to all of the people and distractions that would otherwise devour you. Successful people know how to say no without feeling guilty."

I know that it is easier for me in my environment than it is when you're working for others in an office, shop or building. Still, if there is work to be done, the best way to get it done well is to be able to concentrate on tasks until completed or until sufficient progress has been made toward that goal.

Time Flies When I'm Focused!

Spread Some Joy Today--Joy is in doing what you love to do!

Daily Inspiration 4-16-12

"Complaining means you have a reference point

for something better that you would prefer

but that you are unwilling to take the risk of creating.

Either accept that you are making the choice to stay

where you are, take responsibility for your choice,

and stop complaining. . .or. . .take the risk

of creating your life exactly the way you want it."

-- Jack Canfield

The above quote comes from The Success Principles by Jack Canfield and is principle number 1: Take 100% Responsibility For Your Life. I love how he begins the chapter with theses words:

"One of the most pervasive myths in the American culture today is that we are entitled to a great life--that somehow, somewhere, someone (certainly not us) is responsible for filling our lives with continual happiness, exciting career options, nurturing family time, and blissful personal relationships simply because we exist.

But the real truth--and the one lesson this whole book is based on--is that there is only one person responsible for the quality of life you live.

That person is you.

If you want to be successful, you have to take 100% responsibility for everything that you experience in your life. This includes the level of your achievements, the results you produce, the quality of your relationships, the state of your health and physical fitness, your income, your debts, your feelings--everything!"

This might be where some people close the book and say heck with the other 63 principles, this guy ain't putting all that on me!

To me, though I do not yet have everything that I want, it has been one of the most empowering things I have ever accepted, and that is that I create my own circumstances, events, and outcomes. Whatever I look at in my life, I now fully accept that I created it. That includes the things that I don't like that much, or the things I'm not proud of.

At the same time, as I look at those things, I find myself making peace with them rather than pushing them off as someone else's responsibility. This allows me to see my real power and then to turn and create anew something more pleasing.

"It Is Time To Stop Looking Outside Yourself For The Answers."

 -- Jack Canfield

Spread Some Joy Today--Feel the joy that being a powerful creator brings.

Daily Inspiration 4-15-12

"Acknowledge Your Positive Past:

Because the brain more easily remembers events that were

accompanied by strong emotions, most people underestimate

and underappreciate the number of successes they've had

in relation to the number of failures they've had.

One of the ways to counteract this phenomenon is

to consciously focus on and celebrate your successes."

-- Jack Canfield, Principle 26 of The Success Principles

I love Jack Canfield's book, The Success Principles. It contains 64 principles to success and all are short enough to read in a few minutes, come back any time, or just open the book where ever you might like and pull out a gem of wisdom. My copy has post-it notes all throughout of places I want to visit again and again.

This one is great because, he says that we are trained into this pattern early with our parents and in grade school. A lot of people get upset if we don't perform properly and punish us or yell at us to help guide us to do better, but what really happens is we become more emotionally involved in the failures and that makes it seem sometimes that we have more failure than success.

Jack says, "the sad truth is that we all have many more victories than failures--it's just that we set the bar too high for what we call a success." He goes on to talk about a participant in one of his programs who told that he left Iran to Germany where he learned the language and became an auto mechanic. Then he had the opportunity to come to America, learn English and was learning how to be a welder, but he thought he was not a success. Come to find out, his idea of success was a home in Beverly Hills and driving a luxury car! Yet, to many others his life was an ongoing massive success.

Jack talks about creating a Victory Log, which can be a fancy leather bound diary or a spiral notebook. It is just something that you record your successes or victories in regardless of the size of them to later show how many you have. Success needs to be reinforced.

He adds to display your success on a success wall and look at it often. Make it so that your successes, however minor they may seem get the attention they deserve, or rather, you deserve to create in each of us a stronger and more risk-taking self-esteem. It's not about bragging, it's about putting things in perspective. We may as well let our successes lead the way.

Success Is Probably A Way Of Life For You!

Spread Some Joy Today--Feel good about your life and what you've accomplished!

Daily Inspiration 4-14-12

"Accept everything about yourself--I mean everything.

You are you and that is the beginning

and the end--no apologies, no regrets."

-- Clark Moustakas

I find that being upset or unhappy about where I am right now has a tendency to keep me where I am, regardless of what I say I want, or where I might prefer to be. It doesn't matter how well developed my goals are, how much effort I put forth, if I am focusing on what is not right in my life right now, that's where the dominant thought keeps me.

What I need to do is to stop beating myself up about what I am or am not, what skills I have or have not, how success-oriented I am or am not, how much I have or have not, or how old I am now when I should have "made it" by now. All of that simply creates an invisible anchor and reinforces my so-called failures.

The key is to find peace where I am, to accept myself fully now and all that has come in the past. This will lighten the baggage I carry so that I can move on. It doesn't matter at all what came before because anyone can change, and each and every moment is a new moment with new experience. America is obsessed with blame, all of which is externally focused, and many of us are obsessed with blaming ourselves, our circumstances, our results or lack of them. The worst of that is blaming ourselves, which causes us to feel poorly about ourselves, which keeps us repeating that again and again. It reminds me of Einstein's message that to keep doing the same things over and over and expect a different result is the very definition of insanity.

I recommend to begin to love yourself even as God loves you. Lighten up. Look at where you are, what you are and what you have in a positive light. Start with, "I know there are many people that have been right where I am and they have found a way through," and then add to that. Everything is never all bad regardless of what it is. See what is good about where you are. Enjoy the things that you have however meager they may be to someone else. Accept yourself where you are now, where you have been, as you decide to change into your new circumstances and attitudes in the days ahead. Be of good cheer as you travel joyously loving yourself and your new found life.

"I Got A New Attitude. . ."

Spread Some Joy Today--Accept everyone else and where they may be as you accept yourself. Good or bad is a viewing choice. Put on your good glasses and find your joy.

Daily Inspiration 4-13-12

"A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought.

There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor."

-- Victor Hugo

Just sitting or standing in thought can be either exhilarating or tiring. The body is involved even while not moving. If you've every had a couple of 2 hour meetings back to back, you know what I mean. That's a full day of work right there.

The thing that I've learned and find myself constantly playing on is to find a way to feel good emotionally. Then it isn't really work at all, but play.

If you find yourself there and you really don't want to be there, find a way to feel a little better about that, then a little better until you find yourself feeling good about it. Sometimes we are excited to participate in thought and sometimes we have to find a way to be excited, but being excited or feeling good is the ultimate goal.

They Say 'Go With The Flow' And That Means Downstream! There Is NO Flow Upstream. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--Play on feeling good.

Daily Inspiration 4-12-12

One of my subscribers responded to yesterday's message by sending me this video clip and poem. I thought it was wonderful and wanted to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

Bruce Lee was an avid fan of the spoken word. One of his favorite poems was "IF" by Rudyard Kipling. He had it put on a plaque, hanging it in his home as a constant reference and source of inspiration. Shannon Lee pulled the poem from the Bruce Lee archives and reads it here

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

Daily Inspiration 4-11-12

"It's not what you are that holds you back, it's what you think you're not."

-- Denis Waitley

One of the words that I have tried to delete from my vocabulary is the word 'should.' When you're not completely confident in yourself and your own abilities, it is easy to be seriously distracted by what we think we should be, how we should act, how efficient we should be, how financially smart we should be, and a very long list of should's.

We know that where ever we go, others have expectations of us, and we probably all want to rise to meet them, but often it is those personal expectations of ourselves that create problems for us. Why am I not more like such and such, I need to be more organized like such and such. Sometimes this even leads us to forget that we are good at anything.

It is important to remember that we are talented human beings and that we have skills and that we are valuable. Maybe we're not a rock star with a perfect body and millions in the bank, but we each have a lot to be thankful for. We need to pay more attention and love ourselves more and give ourselves more credit.

Another thing that would be helpful is to stop comparing ourselves to others, but to appreciate the unique talents and personal value that we each have. It's okay to praise the successful rock star, as long as we praise ourselves for what we do and have done. It's okay to appreciate others as long as we appreciate ourselves.

One of the things that helps to expand our own self-confidence and self-worth can be affirmations. Speak aloud and to yourself appreciative words of yourself and your accomplishments. Do that often each day for a while and it will get you into a better place increased confidence.

Other things that will help is to do more, take more chances. Let's let go of putting ourselves down in our own head and begin building ourselves up instead. I know a lot of people say not to be self-centered, but that is crap. Center yourself! What they really meant was not to think you were better than others; however, being self-centered is a good thing as long as you are loving yourself AND loving others for who and what they are.

It's All About Love, Isn't It?!

Spread Some Joy Today--The most joyous thing you can do is to love yourself. Besides, it reinforces the Creator that they were on the right track creating you! As if that could be needed. . .

Daily Inspiration 4-10-12

"A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he

was born with--a man is what he makes of himself."

-- Alexander Graham Bell

I've found the key in myself is to follow my passions, my desires, what I'm interested in. Then, I get inspiration to do something. Many times it doesn't follow the path I thought it might, but I'm now totally okay with this.

I'm happy to see where it takes me and what the turnout will be, all the while enjoying the my travels. It is my passions and desires that caused me to learn to play guitar, to own a music store, to become a sales manager, to write a song and on and on it goes.

Now, as I look back at all those things I tried and did, it is fun to see the choices I've made and so many were really good choices. Sometimes I do things purely for the experience of it and zero monetary reward. Everything doesn't have to be a business or an income. Just following your own joy would be reward enough.

I really do get to choose! That is so exciting to understand this more fully. Sometimes people wait so long to do a thing that they never get around to it. That won't do for me. I would rather do and make mistakes than to wait for the perfect opportunity.

I don't think that really exists anyway.

"Things Won Are Done, Joy's Soul Lies In The Doing." -- William Shakespeare

Spread Some Joy Today--"There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward." -- Kahlil Gibran

Daily Inspiration 4-9-12

"I can't go back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." 

-- Lewis Carroll 

Have you ever gone back to a place from childhood, such as a grade school, a place you used to live and such, only to find that it looks so much different than you remember? Of course you were smaller in size, but it is interesting how my memory is so different, the dimensions so different when I see something so much later. 

 A couple years ago I went back to a place I used to live as a child in Azusa, CA. My old grade school was still there and I stopped and walked onto the playground area and by the classrooms that hadn't changed in the 47 years since I left there. Yet it all looked so small and so different other than I recognized the building. There were also some new temporary buildings. Then I drove around the area and had the same experience, including the house we lived in a few blocks from the school. 

 I'm far better off with my memories. Going back didn't do anything for me except to point out that going back is not possible. It was a different time in the 1950's and the surrounding area had changed dramatically so that it was even hard to recognize that it was the same place. A few things remained, but most things have changed. 

 It is impossible to go back to the way it was. 

 The same holds with when we change our beliefs, our philosophy, and attitudes. Once we've changed, going back doesn't serve. In fact, it feels weird to try to go back because you've moved beyond it. It would be like being in college and trying to go back to junior high school. Even if everyone were the same age as you are now, you've moved beyond it so far and you're not the same person you were. 

 Even just a year ago, I'm not the same person I was. I am constantly changing and growing and becoming. I am seeking, so my thoughts are changing, being influenced with my permission by others and my mind is continually expanding. As this happens and I move beyond something, or I have let something go for something else, I find that going back is not only not possible really, but is counter productive to even try. 

Thank goodness! 

"The Mind, Once Expanded To The Dimensions Of Larger Ideas, Never Returns To Its Original Size" -- Oliver Wendell Holmes 

Spread Some Joy Today--Seek always to feel good. Choose better feeling thoughts whenever the slightest bit off track.

Daily Inspiration 4-8-12

"The secret to learning from mentors is first to find one and then to become one. You'll learn as much from the latter as the former."

-- Vic Johnson

I love the quote from Vic, and I can also personally relate to it. I have found mentors and I have become a mentor and have learned so much from both. I started this process in earnest in the 1970's and have continued through today. There were some spots where I turned off the learning switch, and each time I realized this, I found my way back.

The reason I kept coming back is that my mentors inspire me onward, and since one of my main goals in life is to be a teacher of inspiration, I found it so helpful to keep my spirits up and mind focused. I consider in these mentors, their knowledge and skills, their philosophy, the actions they took, and how they affected others. One of my mentors has been Jesus of Nazareth.

When I think of Jesus as a person, leader and mentor, I am inspired. He is never far from my mind no matter how many other mentors I have or have had. His brilliance as a leader of a team of men and women is superb and as a leader also of people is unmatched. He had the ability to simplify and to be the solution instead of the problem. He was down to earth and fully relational to others regardless of societal standing. This ability alone is extremely rare and valued. He was the embodiment of unconditional love and it is this last quality that has inspired me the most.

Where ever I go, it is love that inspires me the most and it is practicing unconditional love that I aspire to perfect in myself. It is easy to love when people are lovable. The only way to practice the art of unconditional love is to learn to love when people appear to be unlovable. The truth is that everyone is lovable just because they are, and this was the essence of the teaching of Jesus to me.

Happy Easter!

Spread Some Joy Today--Think of someone you know that is a serious challenge to love and then send loving thoughts to them. If they are close by, say it to them.

Daily Inspiration 4-7-12

"It is a simple task to make things complex, but a complex task to make them simple."

-- Meyer's Law

I will never forget the phrase I read somewhere how Abraham Lincoln was a 'master of brevity.' Though I cannot remember where I got this, it has stuck with me for so many years. One of the best examples of this attribute of Lincoln was the Gettysburg Address.

"As Garry Wills so skillfully demonstrates, in contrast to the "real" Gettysburg Address (Edward Everett's two hour oration) Lincoln makes NO use of specific names, nor does he once reference "the enemy," or the constitution, sectionalism, slavery, specific battles, armies, or even the word Gettysburg. Lincoln spoke only in concepts, the spirituality of the nation. His "few appropriate remarks" would ultimately redefine democracy in America, applicable to Americans in Texas, as well as Maine."

This quote from Jeff Wissot found online quoting the book, Lincoln at Gettysburg by Garry Wills reminds me of the 2 hour oration of Edward Everett versus the approximately 2 minutes that Lincoln spoke.

This and other examples of brevity, or keeping it simple I've found have been helpful to have me keep things as short as I can. It is a skill that requires practice and one will inevitably get better at it as practiced.

Another way that has been of equal value is simple analogies to explain harder to understand concepts. What is very helpful in creating these is knowing the subject intimately. As I find a deeper knowledge, I am compelled to share it and the best way to share it is to find simpler and shorter ways to explain it.

Keep It Simple, Student! That's Me, A Student Of Simplicity.

Spread Some Joy Today--Share your enthusiasm with anyone and everyone you can. There is nothing so contagious as enthusiasm, and enthusiasm is another word for joy.

Daily Inspiration 4-6-12

"I like to think that if you put your trust out there, I mean if you really give people the benefit of the doubt and see their best intentions, people will rise to the occasion."

-- Character of Ned in the movie, Our Idiot Brother

The other night I watched a very funny and also poignant movie called, Our Idiot Brother which recently came out on DVD. It is interesting--no, fascinating to me how I can watch a movie and one line of dialog will just jump out at me and the quote above was it in this movie.

This character was generally happy, easy going, unconcerned about problems. I liked how he would go from plan A to plan B and C so effortlessly. He just loved people and trusted them for the most part and he felt that that was a good choice even though it didn't happen that way all the time. In fact, he believed that given the chance, people will rise to the occasion. . . more often than not.

What a great way to live. It reminds me of the idea of a self-fulfilling prophesy, where based on our own attitude, belief or trust, people turn out to be just that way. . . for the most part. It certainly is a very low stress approach to life. What is there to worry and fret about?

What really seems to help me in doing this more often is to see myself loving the other person or persons regardless of how they seem to be initially. As I see them in a loving way, I see that which they are inside and see perhaps the real person who is also loving though they may have packed some baggage to carry rather than discard it.

As with any of these little things I am learning to impliment, it is the steady practice that helps me adjust my philosophy rather than just get lucky.

What We See, We So Often Get. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--We all have an unending supply of love. We can share an abundance of it and still have an abundance available.

Daily Inspiration 4-5-12

"Let this be understood, then, at starting; that the patient conquest of difficulties which rise in the regular and legitimate channels of business and enterprise is not only essential in securing the success which you seek but it is essential to that preparation of your mind, requisite for the enjoyment of your successes, and for retaining them when gained. . . So, day by day, and week by week; so, month after month, and year after year, work on, and in that process gain strength and symmetry, and nerve and knowledge, that when success, patiently and bravely worked for, shall come, it may find you prepared to receive it and keep it."

-- Josiah Gilbert Holland

In other words, keep your eyes on the horizon; the potential completion, whatever that is, and regardless of how it may change. Find a way to feel good about what you are doing day by day. Some may say to enjoy the journey. What that means to me is more than enjoying the journey, but to appreciate the journey. Though we may have a specific outcome in mind, pay little attention to how that will come about.

In that idea of allowing it to come; to be, we give God or the Universe all the flexibility to show us new paths of lesser resistance, and even joy in the process. We cannot seriously be overwhelmed regardless of how busy we seem to get when we are standing in appreciation of the life that is unfolding and becoming. This is especially true when we are passionate about what we want regardless of how big or small others may consider it to be. I recall it being said that God will never give one more than they can handle, and I think that by standing in appreciation is the best way to allow our dreams to come true.

Lack Of Joy Is Nothing But Resistance To Our Natural Well Being. It Is By Allowing That It Is Uncovered.

Spread Some Joy Today--by allowing yourself to experience pleasure when others may choose pain.

Daily Inspiration 4-4-12

"The key factor that will determine your

financial future is not the economy;

the key factor is your philosophy."

"Philosophy is the sum total of all that

you know and what you decide is valuable."

-- Jim Rohn

Change a thought, change a life. Change a perspective, change a life. Attitude is everything, and attitude is simply the way we choose to look at something. What if we pretended to rise out of our body up to the ceiling and look at ourselves from that outside perspective? What if we chose to become the person we are talking to while looking at ourselves and listening to what we are saying to them?

How about if we look at our so-called problems with these different views? Do you think these other perspectives could give us another way to see our problems, perhaps to even appreciate them?

Essentially, our philosophy is what we believe. We have this tendency to think that beliefs are truly powerful things that are very difficult to change; or at least, we might think that they should be hard to change. Yet, from a different perspective, we can see that beliefs are just thoughts that we keep thinking.

Think about that. Beliefs are just thoughts we continue to think, or habitually think. That's all they are. Based on that, they are not all that powerful, nor even as solid as we might have thought. How about thinking of them as if they are a file cabinet on wheels where the wheels are locked. Now, just flip the lever and unlock the wheels, and now the file cabinet can move easily where ever you might like it to go. You can even take files out and discard them and put new files in if you like. It is just our current philosophy at any given time. Now you can easily go with the flow holding on to what you want, and letting go of what you no longer want.

Everything in the future is rooted in our current philosophy. We either hold ourselves in a place that keeps us in the same position tomorrow, or we allow our philosophy to change allowing a change in the future. The key idea is that the future is not going to change if we don't change and that change must take place today--right this minute.

The More Important Thing Is That No One Else Has Any Real Power To Change Our Philosophy. That Is Only Done By Ourselves. What An Empowering Thought!

Spread Some Joy Today--Enjoy the company of someone or someones that you really like today.

Daily Inspiration 4-3-12

"Humans can turn nothing into something, pennies into fortune, and disaster into success. And the reason they can do such remarkable things is because they are remarkable."

-- Jim Rohn

I spend the time to think about and create these Daily Inspirations because I know how much this kind of thing from other people has meant to me. Sometimes it is just a phrase, or a concept that turns a light on inside me and I'm off and running again. I've found several mentors that do that for me and even today, I receive daily emails from several key people to me that I find most inspiring. Today I received a special one from the newsletter at www.jimrohn.com titled Doing the Remarkable by Jim Rohn.

I first heard Jim speak from a cassette tape handed to me by a guy who was in a multi-level marketing company looking for prospects back in late 1980. He told me to listen to it and I did. I'll never forget how Jim's style and down home wisdom captured me. I went on to buy many of his audio series back then from Nightingale-Conant.

In this short piece, Doing the Remarkable, Jim goes on to say, "if you don't like how something is going for you, change it. If something isn't enough, change it. If something doesn't suit you; change it. If something doesn't please you, change it. You don't ever have to be the same after today." That is so powerfully simple.

Why are humans remarkable? He says, "Humans are different than any other creation. When a dog starts with weeds, he winds up with weeds. And the reason is because he's a dog. But that's not true with human beings. Humans can turn weeds into gardens."

We humans also have this tendency to wallow in our current reality not realizing that we have so much power to change our reality; our circumstances; our lives. We do have the power. All we have to do is change our thoughts to ones with belief in our own ability and power to change at a moments notice, then act on that inspiration!

Get Excited About Your Remarkable Power!

Spread Some Joy Today--Share the source of your inspirations with others. You never know a life you may change for the better.