Daily Inspiration 4-30-13

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied

at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around

doing nothing, it's when you've had everything

to do and you've done it."

 

-- Margaret Thatcher

Doing nothing is not something I endeavor to do; however there are many days when I feel that I haven't accomplished a darn thing worthwhile. I feel that even when it wasn't my intention to accomplish anything significant.

What is more important and to the point of this quote is that I agree that it is those days when I FEEL like I have accomplished much that I feel the most satisfaction with. Even though a person with real control, can have that feeling anytime they like, I have most often had to wait for it to come.

Another thing I learned from this thought is that the days that gave me the most satisfaction was when I was involved with interacting with other people. Whether it was giving a sales presentation, a talk, sharing some insights with one or more--in any case, I was interacting with one or more people in the vast majority of instances.

When is it that you have really felt great about your day? Any similarities?


It's Amazing How Often Others Are Involved In My Best Days.

Spread Some Joy Today--Find some interactivity with others today. One on one, or one on many. It's all good.

Daily Inspiration 4-29-13

"The earth laughs in flowers."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

If flowers are the laughter, the trees are the dancers. It is amazing how everything is so alive around me when I pay attention. Though I may look as if I am paying attention, I am often not even here at all. I'm off thinking about this and that, going over scenarios, possibilities, and more. As I am thinking of other things, I am no longer in the present, but in the past and the future. If I hadn't mastered driving to the point that I can do it without thinking much, I wouldn't be able to drive at all.

The first step to master any change is first awareness. I am aware that I am not paying attention. I can then become aware of my surroundings and notice these things rather than be off in thoughtland somewhere.

In the last few months, I have paid more attention whether I am present or not, and it is especially easy to notice when I am driving. Today, I noticed that I was in thought several times and each time I repeated to myself a phrase I borrowed from Jim Rohn: "Wherever you are, be there." After I said this phrase to myself, I immediately came back to the present for a short time. Today it happened many times and that phrase helped me return every time.

As I returned to the present, I saw the most interesting things around me, such as, scenery I had never seen though I'd been on this drive countless times. I am finding this process very valuable.


Practice Makes Perfect.

Spread Some Joy Today--Wherever you find yourself today, try to be there.

Daily Inspiration 4-28-13

"Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Anthony Robbins could have said this, and has in many different ways.

Essentially, the only way to change is to change your thoughts. As you change your thoughts you change your feelings and your feelings tell you whether you are on the right track or now.

There are two ways to do that. One is to actually just change your thoughts. The other, as Anthony Robbins has taught is to change your state. A sudden release of emotional energy like a scream, running around the track at full speed, and more are examples of changing your state. Ultimately, of course, this takes you to new thoughts.

Theory is good. Action is often far better. Either way gets you there. Although one is quicker than the other a lot of the time. Guess which one?



AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHH! Oh, Hello! Didn't See You Standing There. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--You don't have to cross the border to change your state.

Daily Inspiration 4-27-13

"Not knowing and yet doing

is infinitely better than

knowing and not doing."

 

-- Albert K Strong

When I don't know what to do and yet I find a way to act anyway, it is somewhat likely that I will stumble on to something worthwhile, but when I know what to do and either procrastinate doing, or choose deliberately to not do what I know I need to do, that is a fight at the core of my being.

I've learned enough from serious study to know what to do in a wide range of life tasks, and yet I do not do anywhere near as much as I could do. In some aspects, I procrastinate until tomorrow offers another today and then I procrastinate some more.

One of the biggest procrastinations is something I have referred to many times, but today I was watching an Abraham-Hicks video on YouTube and Esther Hicks spoke these words that rang a chord so that I could not let it go by unnoticed. She said, "If you can wake up every morning and think the thoughts that you want to think, then nothing can keep you from anything. But, if you're waking up and your thoughts are contained by the manifestation, then you can't move from where you are."

How many of you visualize? Think the thoughts that you really want to think? See things the way you want them to be? Find ways to appreciate where you are right now as you desire something else? I would answer those poorly. And, I know better. I truly do. It is this that I am referring to in my procrastination. Yes, the sign on my wall says, What is MY job and How is GODS job, and yet I don't do my job very well and I somehow expect that God will come through anyway. Not very realistic, or even fair.

As Esther says in paraphrase, as I pay all my attention to what is already created, or that which is the current reality and this that is all around me, I cannot move from where I am, or at least, not very dang far. But, if I will only do MY job of knowing what I want, thinking the thoughts I WANT to think, visualizing the life I want to be a part of, and more, then I have a very good chance of moving toward it, or rather, it becoming me.

I'm so tired of this procrastination on this subject and I am redoubling my commitment to following through immediately. I'll keep you posted as to the progress of this important change.


I Have Always Had The Power, Yet Often Have Not Accepted It. The Time Is NOW.

Spread Some Joy Today--Feel your own power to create as the Creator that you are.

Daily Inspiration 4-26-13

"Help!

I need somebody.

Help!

Not just anybody.

Help!

You know I need someone.

Help!"

 

-- John Lennon and Paul McCartney

The song's first verse continues, "when I was younger, so much younger than today, I never needed anybody's help in any way. But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured, now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors." I just love the last part of that verse: "now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors."

I have a lot going on in my life and I also see so much all around me where we can all use some help and yet we seem to act like we are so much younger and not needing anyone's help. I think the truth is that we all need help in a variety of ways throughout our lives. Realizing and accepting that can be transforming.

We help businesses grow and we find people to help our business grow. I am constantly considering help and how my company or I can benefit from it. And, it is true, that sometimes for a range of reasons I resist reaching out, and stop looking, and as a result become stuck.

What gets me loose again is the decision to reach out, to stop resisting, and to risk the emotion. I know it is the ego that gets me into the 'I don't need help' space, but I ultimately have all the power I need over the ego by stepping away and seeing what is going on from a global point of view.

We really need each other more than we think. Not only that, but we benefit so much from sharing with each other that it enriches our lives and adds layers of satisfaction previously unavailable.


Help Is Close At Hand In Every Moment Ready.

Spread Some Joy Today--Here's another way: You reach out and help someone, offer to help someone, without them asking for help. They might say, "Yes! Thank you!"

Daily Inspiration 4-25-13

"Nothing can bring you peace

but yourself."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

It should be obvious from the last several posts that I am spending a bit of wonderful time with the wisdom, awareness and insight of Ralph Waldo Emerson. He continues to amaze me more all the time.

Yesterday I talked about some ways to adopt that will help avoid getting down about things, whatever they may be. We seem to have this natural egotistic tendency to make problems so much larger than they really are. In fact, we make them problems when they really are not. Instead, they are just experiences.

I mentioned that you can go do something, go somewhere, watch an uplifting movie and more, and I failed to mention something that I think is ultra important. That is that we have this tendency to transfer our mental anguish solution on some future event; such as, a vacation, going on retreat, getting out of Dodge, going to Europe, waiting for the weekend, waiting for the ______. That's all smoke and mirrors.

Truth is, none of that is needed. All that is needed is to open your eyes anew to what is going on around you, out the window, the feeling of the breeze on your body, your hair, the sound of the birds, the whir of the machine, the gleam in an eye, the smile on some lips, a loving thought, something you appreciate.

Don't get me wrong. It is lovely to get away, to go on a trip, take a vacation and such, but the need to go and do something, plan something, is not what is needed to let go of the burden you're carrying. It is only a new look and a different point of view. It is a new feeling of peace that comes from laying down the rope, letting go of holding on, allowing yourself to just experience what is true and real in the very moment right now this second, and then the next and the next and so on. Be amazed. Be encouraged. Be enlightened. Be refreshed, Be alive. Experience the now.


Whatever Problems That Remain Will Be There When You Get Back. This, Of Course, Assumes That You Will Want To Come Back. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--Breathe deeply and slowly. Close your eyes for a bit, then reopen them to a brand new view of reality.

Daily Inspiration 4-24-13

"Nothing external to you

has any power over you."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Struggle. It's trained into us that we are required to struggle. We say things like, "we must power through it, no pain, no gain, we will overcome," and such. We are taught to focus on the problem until it is solved. Sometimes we are instructed that to solve the problem, we must focus on the solution. There is some small kind of results in all of that, but not the satisfaction generally that we imagined.

For most of my life I believed that stuff. Now, I notice that I always feel crappy when I am struggling, trying so hard to power through, giving it my full attention to try to overcome, and I've never been very fond of pain. In fact, that's all a pain, don't you agree?

There is a far better way. There are lots of ways to say it, and here are a few.

Get out of the way. Often we are just in there mucking things up. We are in our own way thwarting the achievement we are desiring. We so often assign things far more power than they deserve. We make things so damn important when they are not very important at all in the scheme of things. That's all part of being in our own way.

I like how Mike Dooley states it when he says that you have to avoid the curs-ed "how." We get so focused on how to solve the problem or situation, and we get so hung up on how to solve it that we are messing up the results. I've talked about the sign still on my wall prominently displayed that I need to remind me of what my job is in life. It says, What is my job. How is Gods job. It is my job to know what I want, and it is not my job to know how to get it. I can certainly play with that if I want to, and the key part of that phrase is to "play with it." As soon as it becomes more important than playing with it, the struggle is on.

Another favorite mentor is Eckhart Tolle. He is all about focusing on not only the present, but more importantly, BEING present. Another way to say that is being very observant of what is going on around you. Trees dancing in the wind, kindnesses people show each other that we don't see when we are all tensed up, and more. Again, we are taking our attention away from problem solving, problem focusing, solution focusing, and as he says, all those things are in the past and future anyway, where you can do nothing about them. There is only the present.

But back to the beginning. Nothing external to me has any power over me EXCEPT that which I choose to give it. To remember that we are always in control, whether things are going well or going poorly is great to remember. The best way I've found to get past the rough spots is by being present, releasing any kind of worry thoughts, not projecting into the future, or analyzing the past--just being present and paying attention to that that is going on around me and being alive without the struggle. The struggle will always be there if I ever want it bad enough to go back to it.

Often when we just "chill" we will find that problems often will evaporate or become solved without our struggle. And, that is the best part. The struggle is not a requirement. In fact, you may find as I have that it is actually a poor choice.


"Every Wall Is A Door." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spread Some Joy Today--Lighten up. Take a break. Go for a ride. Go see an uplifting movie. Sit and watch people go by. Get into the country. Pamper yourself. Recognize God is constantly surrounding and touching you. Seek joy first and foremost.

Daily Inspiration 4-23-13

"Make your own Bible.

Select and collect all the words

and sentences that in all your readings

have been to you like the blast of a trumpet."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Having been very involved with church for good period of time, I've heard many church leaders claim that the word of God is only in the Bible and the Bible is the only word of God. I've heard many say that to take bits and pieces out for your own convenience is tantamount to blasphemy at the extreme and shortsightedness at the least of concerns. Some say, take it all or take none of it.

I, on the other hand, feel more like Ralph Waldo Emerson and that it is okay, and not only okay, but actually preferred and empowering to take what resonates with you and leave the rest. The only thing that I would add to that is that to take what resonates with you from any source would be in your best interests. Gather it all, enjoy the flavor, taste the spices, delight in the goodness, the texture and the sound of hearing your own voice say it.

Make your own collection. I know that I have and it has made all the difference. If I had to take the whole or none, I would take none.

I think the key is what "resonates with you." If something resonates with you that is a very powerful connection. It is the kind of connection that people sometimes spend their lives looking for and often fail to recognize it as it is. I do believe that the "secrets" of life are so much easier and more fundamental that we would have them appear. Simplicity is the focus and something that resonates with you is always going to be something so simple that you just didn't recognize it the first time or first few times around.


No Matter What, You Get To Choose Everything. If You Didn't Choose It, It Is Not You And Doesn't Mean Anything. Whatever Resonates Is What You Would Choose.

Spread Some Joy Today--Pay the most attention to that which resonates with you alone.

Daily Inspiration 4-22-13

"You're a perfect example."

 

-- Albert K Strong

I saw another quote by Catherine Aird that talks about being an example. She said, "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." That's a bit harsh perhaps, but the truth is that we are all examples. In fact, we are each a perfect example.

The question begs to be asked though, what are we a perfect example of? Whatever we do, whomever we are, how we behave, how we respond or react, when and how we demonstrate love, forgiveness, joy, anger, all of these add up to make our own unique perfect example.


What Are You A Perfect Example Of?

Spread Some Joy Today--"People see God every day, they just don't recognize him." -- Pearl Bailey

Daily Inspiration 4-21-13

"If absolute power corrupts absolutely,

does absolute powerlessness make you pure?"

-- Harry Shearer

I had some thoughts on powerlessness that came to me today. It was this: "Your feelings of powerlessness automatically gives others more power over you rather than less as is somehow mistakenly hoped for. It is only in reasserting your own sense of power that allows others to give it back."

Ever know someone who exhibits and/or complains about feeling powerless? I can bet that what I just said from that thought today is true. It is interesting that the more we feel less, that the more others get more than they actually wanted. And, conversely, the more we feel more or adequate or wholly worthy, the less others take or want.

I think if we analyze our own feelings, we may decide to come to terms with how poorly they serve us in life other than to bring attention to the need for a change, a decision, some action on a previously unfulfilled decision and more.


Here's To Allowing Ourselves To Be Whole Rather Than Delegating Our Pieces.

Spread Some Joy Today--Love is the only answer and starting at home base first.

Daily Inspiration 4-20-13

"Every story has an end.

But, in life, every ending

is just a new beginning."

 

-- The character Ray, played by Dakota Fanning

in the movie Uptown Girls

I've heard this concept stated many ways, but none as cool and succinct as this one. "Every story has an end. But, in life, every ending is just a new beginning." Isn't it the truth when you have the advantage of 20/20 hindsight.

It's amazing how upset we can be about endings. It shouldn't be. Too short. Why me? It could have been something!, Good riddance. And, a thousand and one other responses to endings. Yet, they aren't really endings, but new beginnings.

What about getting excited about endings? Ever have that happen? I've gotten so excited about some endings that they were among the most joyous days of my life. And, conversely, I have also felt the opposite. The difference is, one, I was ready to let go, couldn't wait for it to end and the other I couldn't stand to let it go, my ego was so tied up in it, and I was wishing and hoping for another way than an end.

The reality? They were both new beginnings. One by choice, and one by default, but beginnings they were. Guess which ones were the more joyous all around? Certainly not the ones where I was dragging my feet so horribly. . .


It's So Much Fun To Recognize The New Beginning In The End.

Spread Some Joy Today--Where are your new beginnings? I'm sure there are several in your path. Get excited. Spread the joy.

Daily Inspiration 4-19-13

"Everything has its pros and cons.

Focus on the pros and you become a pro.

Focus on the cons and you become a con."

 

-- Alan Cohen

You know, I challenge you to do what I did and read this several times and contemplate it for a bit. I think that you'll agree that it is far more profound than it looks.


It's One Of Those Aha-Ha Experiences. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--Be a pro.

Daily Inspiration 4-18-13

"Most of the shadows of this life are

caused by standing in one's own sunshine."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

In terms of my life span so far, it was just a short time ago that I was a chronic and eager complainer. It was so easy for me to find blame outside of myself, and I found plenty of it to go around.

It's funny though. I loved talking about what was wrong and my speculation about why to those who would listen, but though I seemed to thrive on doing it, afterward, I felt crappy. A better word is unsatisfied. Kind of like about an hour or so after eating that delicious greasy burger and fries.

Fortunately, I found another direction and I've been happily practicing ever since and the joy and satisfaction I get from talking about enthusiasm, love, beauty, nature, fun, and all the positive aspects of life has given me new life. Yet, there are things that are not going exactly well sometimes and I find myself reluctant to even talk about it at all. But, it seems to be expected and so I do, and again I experience that lack of satisfaction just by discussing it.

I'm not fully clear in how to deal with this, but it feels to me like another famous quote of Ralph Waldo Emerson when he says, "the mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions." So, I find that the answer that works best for me is that I speak often and openly about things of joy, learning, present experience and such, and less and progressively less about all the rest.


What Was That Saying About Falling In A Bucket Of Crap And Then Smelling Like A Rose? I Like Roses! What Can I Say?

Spread Some Joy Today--By sharing your joy it is multiplied. It is meant to be shared.

Daily Inspiration 4-17-13

"Be silly. Be honest. Be kind."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love this one so much better than the one I seemed to have been taught, to be serious, honest and kind. Being silly is way better, don't you think? At first it didn't seem to belong, but it didn't take but a moment to think otherwise.


Have Some FUN Today! Inject A Bit Of Silliness.

Spread Some Joy Today--Don't worry. Be happy.

Daily Inspiration 4-16-13

"I don't need meetings!

There's nothing wrong with me.

I just need my family to behave

the way they're supposed to!"

 

-- Eileen Cleary character

played by Kathleen Turner

in the movie, The Perfect Family

There's no expense on the planet that gives me so much value as the pittance I spend monthly on Netflix. Movies are my entertainment of choice and it is absolutely amazing how much joy and lessons I learn from watching movies, and Netflix is hands-down the best at helping me find movies I never would have otherwise enjoyed. Such was the case again tonight. I stumbled across the movie, The Perfect Family from 2011 and it was available on instant view, so I watched it immediately after seeing how fun the trailer was.

The movie was extremely powerful to me. It had me laughing aloud, crying and using plenty of tissues, and reminded of how life really is instead of the way it is "supposed to be." Frankly, it reminded me of my own dysfunctional family and that of so many I know. Having grown up with Leave It To Beaver, Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet, My Three Sons, and such unrealistic, yet idealistic, and yes, entertaining shows, it made my family so much more dysfunctional. I wanted life the way the shows were, but it never came.

So, I could relate to how the main character felt in this flick, and all the others in it as well. I loved the dialog, the premise, everything. It instantly went into my top ten by how it moved me emotionally. I thought it was going to just be a funny movie, but it was a slice of my own life played out in front of me. Bravo!

If you haven't seen it, or haven't seen it lately, you might enjoy the lessons and exchange of emotion too.


Life Is. There Is No Way. We Are All Perfect In Our Own Perfect Way. Embrace It.

Spread Some Joy Today--Loving yourself the way you are is the beginning of joy.

Daily Inspiration 4-15-13

"Interpret events in your favor."

 

-- Alan Cohen

I saw this quote early this morning and was instantly amazed at is subtle brilliance! My first thought was, of course! It makes perfect sense, although we generally don't think of doing that, do we? I mean, normally, we interpret events as they seem to be and we may even add some potential fear-based conclusions that certainly do not favor us. It is more of the world coming down on us, things not turning out the way we want, just as the news on TV does.

But of course, we have always had and always will have the ultimate power to choose how we will think about anything. So, based on that power, why the heck not spin it to be something that is beneficial to us? Why the heck not?

Try it today. Try interpreting any and all events going on in your life and around you into events that totally benefit you. It's time for you to be incredibly selfish. Serve yourself. Make it good. In fact, make it damn good! You deserve it all.


Well Done! YOU ROCK!

Spread Some Joy Today--Get on with your bad self! Share that joy!

Daily Inspiration 4-14-13

"One of these days,

I'm going to publish a book

of all the pictures I did not take."

 

-- Rene Burri

I always thought I would wake up some day and think "I should have taken more pictures and video." But, then I think about all the hundreds of photos I have sitting in the cabinet and maybe, just maybe, I looked at them once or twice for a few minutes and that was it. The truth for me is that more pictures just doesn't do anything for me.

But, experiencing does do it for me. To see it live and in person is so powerful and memorable. I have never ever seen a photograph that comes anywhere close to what I see with my own eyes. No matter who the professional photographer is, I cannot imagine a photo doing anything more than showing a small section of what I actually see. And then, there is the wind and sun and rain and all weather, along with sounds, all mixed together that no video could ever hope to capture.

While I fumble for the camera to take that shot to not look at many weeks, months, years from now, I potentially miss the real thing--the experience. I take photos, but not very many and not all that often. But, I keep my eyes, ears, and feelings on wide open throttle.


See It, Feel It, Hear It, Live It. It's Captured.

Spread Some Joy Today--Smile often and much. Have a blast at whatever you are doing today.

Daily Inspiration 4-13-13

"If you will pump long enough,

hard enough, and enthusiastically enough,

sooner or later the effort

will bring forth the reward."

 

-- Zig Ziglar

I was talking briefly with a client and friend (yes, they go hand in hand!) and I said something about needing to prime the pump. That's a phrase you don't hear much anymore, so I thought I would share this classic Zig Ziglar video about priming the pump.

It's easy enough to give up when it doesn't look like the results you want are coming. It's true also when you're trying so hard. But, sometimes, just a little priming of the pump with get that thing working quickly and once working, the rewards are greater than the efforts.


Consider Ways You Can Prime The Pump And Speed Up The Flow.

Spread Some Joy Today--You have to believe it first.

Daily Inspiration 4-12-13

"We cure disagreements

by building a bridge

of mutual respect first,

a bridge that permits

education or dialogue or learning.

When you burn that bridge,

you've ensured nothing but conflict."

 

-- Seth Godin

I was thinking about major disagreements. One holds tight to this the other holds tight to that and apart they remain. In fact, not just apart, but at odds with one another because there is nothing to discuss except supporting arguments solidifying one's own position. I'm right and you're, of course, wrong. What else is there?

Then I saw this bit from management guru, Seth Godin, and I see how clearly it is that major disagreements can bring adversaries together utilizing a bridge of mutual respect. It is that bridge that allows the flow of potential information that may sway minds to consider another path; other options.

How does one build this bridge amid the emotion and chaos of territorial defense? We begin with love. Yes, it is love the builds the bridge. It is love that creates the idea of respecting the other enough to allow another, more open and human look into how and why they feel the way they do.

It is in this loving position of empathy, that we connect to ourselves in the other, and they in us. The bridge brings us together to the potential of not only understanding, but perhaps even exchanging positions, or even more loving, allowing each position to exist on its own without any insistence that there be only one position.

The position of right and wrong destroys the bridge. We must let that go to cross it.


I Think It Is Not Just Personal Disagreements, But ALL Disagreements That This Applies To.

Spread Some Joy Today--Hone your bridge building skills. Love your enemies.

Daily Inspiration 4-11-13

"Life is truly a ride. We're all strapped in, and no one can stop it. As you make your way from youth to adulthood to maturity, sometimes you put your arms up and scream; sometimes you just hang onto the bar in front of you. But the ride is the thing. I think the most you can hope for at the end of life is that your hair is messed up, you're out of breath, and you didn't throw up."

 

-- Jerry Seinfeld

Words of wisdom to ponder today. . .


Hang Ten, Or Hang On!

Spread Some Joy Today--Give yourself a bit more rope. You deserve the space.

Daily Inspiration 4-10-13

"Whenever you're called on to make up your mind

And you're hampered by not having any

The best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find

Is simply by spinning a penny

 

Not so that chance shall decide the affair

While you're passively standing there moping

But the moment the penny is up in the air

You suddenly know what you're hoping."

 

-- Piet Hines

How many times have you or I been in a place where we don't know what to do, and then finally we have a few choices, and finally being committed to actually make a choice, we feel even more unsure now? Whether it's weighing the pros and cons, looking at all the aspects of each potential choice, just doesn't seem to be enough. We're afraid of making a bad decision and of the potential problems that will come as a result. Then, maybe we think of flipping a coin . . .

Alan Cohen says, "When you find yourself standing at a crossroad of choice, take a coin and assign one alternative to heads, and the other to tails. Then flip the coin and imagine that the side that comes up will indicate the path you absolutely follow. Then, the moment you see which side appears, notice your immediate gut reaction. Do you feel happy, or disappointed? Energized, or deflated? Enlivened, or depressed? Be honest about how you feel, and you will see that your inner guidance is speaking to you through your voice of joy or its absence."

If we can accept the idea that we have an inner being within us, or God within us, or an inner wisdom, it is the emotions that are the guiding light. Choosing what feels good, feels right, feels joyful, will always be the greatest of guidance.


Brings New Meaning To The Old Phrase, "If It Feels Good, Do It," Don't You Think?

Spread Some Joy Today--Follow your bliss.

Daily Inspiration 4-9-13

"You are so beautiful to me

You are so beautiful to me

Can't you see

You're everything I hoped for

You're everything I need

You are so beautiful to me

 

Such joy and happiness you bring

Such joy and happiness you bring

Like a dream

A guiding light that shines in the night

Heavens gift to me

You are so beautiful to me."

 

-- Song written by Dennis Wilson and Billy Preston

Popularized by Joe Cocker in 1975

 

As I was thinking about this ever so beautiful song and expressed so well by the one and only Joe Cocker, I thought envisioned God singing this love song to each and every one of you.


May Love Follow You All Day Long Today.

Spread Some Joy Today--Rest easy in it. You are loved.

Daily Inspiration 4-8-13

"No matter what your history has been,

your destiny is what you create today.

What are you going to create?"

 

-- Steve Maraboli

Some believe that we are predestined to be, do and have what we are, act upon, and posses. I think we are creators and that we choose what we create. Indeed, sometimes--in fact, probably often--we create out of habit, past experience, parental upbringing and more, but we create. And, each day I think we create anew. The past really doesn't matter because we can create again differently if we choose to.

So, let's say, just for giggles, that you believed that too. What are you going to create today? Good times? Enjoyable experience? Abundance? Or something else?


The Ability To Choose Is Your Ultimate Power.

Spread Some Joy Today--Focus on your own happiness. People will notice.

Daily Inspiration 4-7-13

"Books can be dangerous.

The best ones should be labeled

"This could change your life."

 

-- Helen Exley

I saw this quote and immediately loved it. I loved it because it is so true! So, just for giggles, I thought I would put together my top 10 books that changed my life. As I was doing that, it became clear to me that doing a top 100 would be hard enough, but top 10 is quite a challenge. But, here goes . . .

These are in order of the most substantial change in my life and experience from having read these books. Number one is the largest change, to number ten. Although there was a growing from early age to now, these are not in order of having read them, but only focused on how much of a change they caused in me.

1. The Bible
2. The Secret (unabridged audiobook) by Rhonda Byrne
3. Love Is Letting Go Of Fear by Gerald Jampolsky
4. Ask and It Is Given by Esther Hicks
5. Your Erroneous Zones by Wayne Dyer
6. As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
7. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
8. How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling by Frank Bettger
9. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
10. Leadership Is An Art by Max DePree

Well, that's pretty much it; however, it is certainly possible that if I were asked for my top 10 again, I might have a slightly different list. Of course, The Bible is where much of the others got some great content. . . at least parts of it.


What Are Your Top 10 Life Changing Books? Send Me Yours!

Spread Some Joy Today--Have an awesome day today. Just because.

Daily Inspiration 4-6-13

"You can't just wish change;

you have to live the change

in order for it to become a reality."

 

-- Steve Maraboli

Sometimes is seems so difficult to change. I wish that it would just be done and I wouldn't have to go through it to get there, if you know what I mean. It's the going through it or living the change that seems to be the work I often do not want to do, and yet I want the accomplishment of having done it. Silly.

I seem to think that once I got to the other side, or the goal, that life would be better, the bells will be ringing, the grass will be greener. But, by the time I get there that feeling is replaced by something different. It is still very good, but different.

The hardest thing I've found is to change long-held habits. I know I can do it. Ability isn't even on the list of questions. Will I do it? Well, that's the best question. And, how I feel at any given time has much to do with it, but more than this, it is my well worn justification mechanism that is in play too often. You know, the devil on the other shoulder telling me it's okay, it's only. . . and you can start tomorrow. . . there's too much stress going on right now to deal with this. . . just chill. . . take a break. . . you deserve it. . . enjoy it now. . . it will all be here tomorrow. . . Then I chime in: Yes! I do deserve it. . . I can't give up all the things I love. . . I'll start fresh tomorrow. . .

None of this probably ever happens to you. I'm sure it is just me. For me change is sometimes easy and sometimes it is a son-of-a-bitch! Until I find a way to want the new results, or change, more than the status quo, I study.


It's All In The Sincere Desire To Be Where I Want To Be, Picture It, Live It, Feel It, And Then I Become It.

Spread Some Joy Today--Lighten up on yourself. Make it more fun. Ask yourself, how can I have fun doing this?

Daily Inspiration 4-5-13

"Above all else, go with a sense of humor.

It is needed armor.

Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lip

is a sign that the person down deep

has a pretty good grasp of life."

 

-- Hugh Sidey

Today I found a group photo of a weeklong class I took and since I'm tall, I was in the back row. There was a life-sized cardboard cutout of the company founder and I'm standing next to his image with my hand showing around his shoulder. I laughed when I saw it, and admitted to myself something I've never actually said about myself. I said, "I have a sense of humor!" I knew that of course, but I never really thought that about myself in quite that way and this picture brought that out.

I love to laugh. In fact, I love my partners because whenever we are together and most of the time on the phone, we laugh. There's always something humorous going on, some reason to laugh out loud and lighten whatever serious issue is before us. Of course, serious is a relative term . . .

I used to take life so seriously. I laughed here and there, but mostly it was serious. The thing that made it serious was called drama. As soon as I finally decided to let go of the drama and my own importance life got lighter and laughter came easier.

Whatever is going on is going on. Lay down the rope. Stop tugging on it. Have some fun. Laugh. Cry with joy! Shout out! Smile. It is a great day!


In Every Way Possible Today, I Will Find Things That I WANT to see. I Will Laugh. I Will ENJOY Myself!

Spread Some Joy Today--LIFE is for the living.

Daily Inspiration 4-4-13

"Whoever is in a hurry

shows that the thing he is about

is too big for him."

 

-- Lord Chesterfield

I had two sales presentations today. One I did and another I was the mentor. The first was relaxed, yet enthusiastic, confident, full of discussion and just plain fun. The second when we arrived we found the prospect unprepared due to a time constraint on another appointment and granted us only about 20 minutes. It takes that long just to understand what they are needing on the surface and I should have remembered that, but we went ahead anyway and it felt rushed from the start. That felt crappy to me, and if it feels that way to me, I can imagine how the prospect might feel.

The better plan on the second call would have been to give the elevator rendition ever so briefly, then some things to look at online, and schedule a follow up appointment. It would have been relaxed, smooth, and they would have felt comfortable thinking about the their next appointment.

No matter how long you've been in sales, no matter how many presentations you've made in all kinds of environments, you learn something from each and every one. You might learn what to do next time, and what not to do next time, but there is always something to learn.


And, That's A GOOD Thing.

Spread Some Joy Today--Consider this: "Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." -- St Francis de Sales

Daily Inspiration 4-3-13

"On the day you die,

you will have e-mail in your inbox.

Then what will you do?."

 

-- Robert Holden

Today I had one more opportunity to rise to spontaneity rather than doing work, or thinking about work as is my lifelong habit pattern. Work is important. I've a business to run and all that, but living life is important, and life is precious. I'm seeing that more every day as my wife's illness depletes her physically. So, when she is wanting to take a ride or something that she wants to do and she has the energy, where I used to find ways to avoid going to do what seemed pressing, I now find ways to say yes to go and do while the opportunity still exists.

We have this tendency to take life for granted until there is something that causes and interruption to that train of thought. The interesting thing is that none of us knows when our time will be. I've seen family members, co-workers, and others who were here today, and suddenly gone tomorrow. What would be different in our lives if we treated each person we interact with as if they wouldn't be here a month from now? Maybe we would pay more attention to them, or say what we feel, or spend more time with them. Maybe we would love them while we could, and that would be a very good thing.

So today, she got up, got dressed and wanted to ride up the coast which is a long drive. At first I said that I had so much to do, could we do it in a day or two, and then I thought which was the real important thing? It became obvious that the ride was far more important, so we went for a long ride. My email was there when I returned and nothing fell apart. In fact, probably some things just fell together. That's the benefit of a team. My company doesn't revolve around me in reality, though from time to time my ego argues with that theory.

I have a very strong work ethic. I enjoy my work. It isn't even work to me most of the time. But, as the quote at the top says, I will have emails in my inbox when I die and then what will I do about that? There's only one answer: nothing!

We've all heard that stuff about smelling the roses, right? Well today, it seemed that all the trees on the planet grew leaves in the last two days. The greenery was incredible. There were forests of purple and yellow flowers on the brush all around out by the coast. There was so much beauty surrounding us that it often took our breath away. All for the cost of a half a tank of gas and a few hours of daylight. What a bargain!


Time Is Not Short. Life Is. Live It.

Spread Some Joy Today--Find a way to say yes instead of a list of reasons why not.

Daily Inspiration 4-2-13

"It's true!

The scale can only give you

a numerical reflection of

your relationship with gravity.

 

That's it.

 

It cannot measure beauty,

talent, purpose, life force,

possibility, strength, or love.

 

Don't give the scale

more power than it has earned.

 

Take note of the number,

then get off the scale

and live your life.

 

You are beautiful!"

 

-- Steve Maraboli

This is such an awesome quote and worthy of printing it our nicely and putting it on the wall--maybe even in a frame.

Two lines leap off the page at me when I read this:

1. Don't give the scale more power than it has earned. Or, anything else for that matter. We give many things way more importance than they deserve. Most, if not all of the "scales" we use in judgment cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength or love.

2. You are beautiful! That is worthy of being on the wall in huge, bold letters! Yes! We need to remind ourselves often that we are beautiful; that we are marvelous; that we are magnificent, and powerful.


It's Just A Reflection. A Mirage.

Spread Some Joy Today--Begin and end the day loving yourself. As you do, spreading joy cannot possibly be avoided.

Daily Inspiration 4-1-13

"Values:

Everyone has them,

everyone has different ones,

and the content and order of these values

determines, almost entirely, your behavior."

 

-- Dr. John F Demartini

I love John Demartini's books. He has a calming, common sense way of getting to the heart of things. The quote above is an example. He goes on to say, "Whatever is highest on your value list is where your mind is sharp and alert, disciplined and focused. Whatever is lower on your value list is where you hesitate and procrastinate."

I'm going to make a sign to put on my wall to remind me that if I am procrastinating and lack discipline on a subject or activity, it is clear that I do not value it much. I may think I SHOULD do something for whatever benefit may SEEM important, but the reality is that if I really valued it or if it were high in my list of things I value, I would find a way to not only get it done, but get it done with joy.

In business, I see how people value or don't value making time to get things done to help us help them. Some go right to it and bang it out. They value the result of what we are doing and want to help make it the best it can be. Many are always too busy, can't find time, don't know what to do and a longer list that is purely an indication that it is not high on their values list.

I used to try to impose my values about what we do on them, and now I'm okay with whatever they choose to do or do not do. I understand how busy we can make ourselves. I do it myself in many ways. Sometimes accomplishment is not even on the list--just activities--and lots of them!

But, we do what we value and we don't do what we don't value. Of course, there's even another way of seeing this. They value that we are doing it for them and they don't have to think about it. At the same time, we value taking the best care of them possible. So it all works out just fine.

What are your prime values? What do you spend your time on? What do you spend your money on? What do you find important? Unimportant? The value story is telling.


I Accomplish That Which I Value Most. Everything Else Takes A Back Seat Until I Change My Values.

Spread Some Joy Today--Do what you value most and do for others what they value most.