Daily Inspiration 11-30-13

"If you're gonna make a change. . .

operate from a new belief that says,

life happens not to me but for me."

 

-- Anthony Robbins

Attitude is such an interesting thing. In an airplane, the plane's attitude is always relative to the horizon. Our own attitude is always relative to our beliefs. Our attitude determines how we look at life and act on things, and yet it is always relative to what we believe. So, the way to change things so we get a different result, assuming of course one is desired, we must adopt a new belief. Mr. Robbins suggests a wonderful change that will help us have a better outlook on everything.


It's Certainly Worth Considering. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--A belief is just a thought we keep thinking until we start thinking anew.

Daily Inspiration 11-29-13

"Spirit math:

The quality of your life

equals the ratio of

appreciation to complaint."

 

-- Alan Cohen

I love this quote and how it says so succinctly the simplest goal in life to have a better, more fruitful and enjoyable life. Simply increase the quantity and quality of appreciation and decrease the quantity or sooth the edges of complaint. If we did nothing else, that would be enough. No 10-point list of things to do, to wear, to drink, to eat, to rub on ourselves. Just more appreciation and less complaining.


When It Can Be Made Simple, I'm In. The Truth Is Always Simple. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Find some extra appreciation today. It's Black Friday. Use your spirit math today.

Daily Inspiration 11-28-13

"I'm thankful for every moment."

 

-- Al Green

Among the long and widely varied lists of things to be thankful for, Al Green's quote tops them all. To be thankful for every moment. . .well, that is as thankful I think as a person could get.

Albert Barnes said it this way: "We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning." Being thankful for every moment covers this nicely, but I like the way it is pointed out clearly that we are better to be thankful for everything, even the things that at first blush may not look to be serving us very well. I find that it is amazing to express gratitude for the things that aren't now seemingly working out, for I believe that they always will unless we thwart the effort of God.

Last, I like how Alan Cohen, one of my favorite writers puts it: "Appreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts."

Happy Thanksgiving!


May Your Day Bring You Bountiful Joy!

Spread Some Joy Today--There's so much to be thankful for. One way to help remember is to make a list. The other is to be thankful 24/7.

Daily Inspiration 11-27-13

"To seek permission

is to seek denial."

 

-- Steve Jobs

I agree 100% of this phrase from the famous Steve Jobs of Apple Computer, and many other endeavors. It is very rare that I would ask permission to do anything whether it was on my job with an employer, or in my family.

I learned early on that by asking permission, I was technically seeking denial and it was most common to hear the word no, or some excuse that sounds a whole lot like no. That wasn't what I wanted to hear, so I learned to stop asking and just do.

There is an old saying that it is better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission. I agree with that of course. But, the interesting part is that it will be rare that you will need to ask for forgiveness because most of the decisions would have been right on the mark.

You just have to trust that you are your own best consultant.


Give Yourself The Gift Of Your Own Authority.

Spread Some Joy Today--It is a effortless time to be generous. Find some ways. They are all around you.

Daily Inspiration 11-26-13

"We are not given

a good life or a bad life.

We are given life.

And it's up to you

to make it good or bad."

 

-- Ward Foley

I love the way this was stated. Absolutely true!


Make It An Awesome Day!

Spread Some Joy Today--Got your list of thanks that you're planning on giving?

Daily Inspiration 11-25-13

"A Course in Miracles tells us that all acts

are either expression of love or calls for love.

People who are angry, hurt, belligerent, or

difficult in any way are calling for love.

If we can see them not as mean people attacking,

but as children who are in pain and starving,

it is easier to be with them and respond to them

in a way that disarms their hurtful behavior."

 

-- Alan Cohen

Wouldn't it be interesting and also cool to look at behavior in the way of the quote above. Instead of returning anger from anger or hurt from hurt, we could return love for anger and love for hurt and help the healing process. For, I'm sure we all have learned full well that returning fire for fire is of no real use. Really.


Who Could You Not Love? It's A Fair Question. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--Let's just enjoy this day to the fullest. Why the heck not?

Daily Inspiration 11-24-13

"If you frequently give yourself permission

to doodle, wander, and be totally unproductive,

and you actually relish such interludes,

I can guarantee that your genius, creativity,

and productivity will increase exponentially.

I've seen it happen a billion times.

Through the roof,

The Universe."

-- A Note from the Universe, Mike Dooley

www.tut.com

I love this message that came on December 7th, 2012. It resonates with me today. And, I am a work in progress on this whole idea.

You see, I have spent a lot of time finding things to do for myself. Some make an income, so do not, and all consume my time. What is worse than anything is time I spend feeling that I should be doing something that I either don't want to do right now, or need to do. Now, I've learned recently that the word need is an interesting word and statement. It seems like it is solid, firmly planted, immovable, and righteous, instead I find that it is really a variable. In fact, I think it is as much a variable as the word want.

Based on that, this new philosophy of need allows me so much flexibility in how I choose to address it. Or when. Or if. Or, if I will even pay it any attention at all.

So, recently I have been experimenting by giving myself permission and authority to doodle, wander, and be totally unproductive on purpose. At first this was a challenge for me, but as I practice, I find myself enjoying my days so much more, and I don't know that anything is suffering as a result of my playfulness. I even feel more creative, and productive in a new way.


Isn't Life Interesting. . .?!

Spread Some Joy Today--Well, there ya go. Spread some joy today. That's got to feel good, don't ya know.

Daily Inspiration 11-23-13

"We long for an affection

altogether ignorant of our faults.

Heaven has accorded this to us

in the uncritical canine attachment."

 

-- George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans)

Dogs are so simple. Eat, sleep, pee on things, look curiously at us, wag their tail, show enthusiasm for a walk going anywhere in any terrain, location or time of day, spoon over being petted desiring ever more.

Humans are complicated. If Charlie wants to go for a walk, he's ready in a moment. I, however, must put on my shoes and socks, pants, brush my hair--you know, get ready. He's sitting there watching and I'm sure he's thinking about the world coming to an end before we actually get going. Yet, when I'm ready, again is he in all his glory.

He doesn't care about any of my idiosyncrasies. He doesn't seem to think anything of it. When I go pet him, he relaxes as if he is taking a spiritual bath in complete and total safety. He loves to be loved.

You know, speaking of that--humans are challenged about loving being loved, or so it seems. We're not sure. Perhaps there is an alternate agenda that has not been disclosed. Perhaps they aren't thinking what I'm thinking. Perhaps this isn't real. Perhaps this is insincere. Perhaps they will love me then hurt me. There is much fear mixed in and this mixture leads to resistance, tenseness, questioning, and less allowing.

When we are like Charlie and we relax and allow, what a change takes place in how we feel--in fact, in how we both feel.


By Allowing Love Openly And Without Condition, We Experience Bliss.

Spread Some Joy Today--Release your fear. If only for today. Notice how you feel.

Daily Inspiration 11-22-13

"My wish for you is that

this life becomes all that you want it to.

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small.

You never need to carry more than you can hold

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you,

and wants the same things too.

This is my wish."

 

-- Rascal Flatts

Nicely said . . .

Hear the song and see all the lyric at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhrCc8VCHns&feature=kp


Remember The "Somebody Loves You" Part. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--by spreading this sentiment. Loving yourself and loving others.

Daily Inspiration 11-21-13

"Insults are like angry bulls. . .

they can only do damage

if you let them in.

You can't control what people say,

but you can control if you let it bother you.

 

No one's opinion of you

is more important than you own."

 

-- Doe Zantamata

The last line in this wonderful quote is certainly the most important. So, get a piece of paper out and write this one sentence down in bold lettering: "No one's opinion of you is more important than your own."

People may have something to say about you. Perhaps how you do your job, how you are as a husband or father, wife or mother, friend or associate. They have a right to their opinion and sometimes what they have to say lifts us up. That is a wonderful thing. Then, other times, what they may say is not uplifting. In fact, it might even be downgrading or derogatory about you.

This is important: Listen to all that uplifts you and let pass you by the opinions that don't. Let me repeat: Listen to all that uplifts you and delight in it, and let all the other opinions pass you by and be on their way.

There is no opinion of you that is more important than your own opinion on yourself. You are in charge of your own life. Let others--allow others, to be in charge of their own; however, let no one else be in charge of you except you. What they have to say can be accepted or rejected at will. You are your own best judge.


Allow Yourself The Authority To Be Your Own Judge.

Spread Some Joy Today--Whatever helps you to feel good about yourself today, do that. Let everything else wait.

Daily Inspiration 11-20-13

"For things to change,

you have to change."

 

-- Jim Rohn

"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they are yours." -- Richard Bach. It is amazing how many of us will argue and continue to argue for our limitations, even when we know better. It must be a habit from years of training ourselves. When we express our limitations, we are so focused on where we are and where we've been. The only thing we can see about the future, is some form of what we have experienced already, real or imagined.

There are some key words people use. One is because. "I can't do that because they won't give me the help, support, money, power, whatever." It doesn't matter what comes after the word because since it is all made up anyway. Another key word is but. "I wanted to do that, but they wouldn't let me, support me, give me the tools, or whatever." Whatever comes after the word but is all made up.

We look for the things that will sound really good after those words. It's so important for it to sound real, and absolve ourselves entirely of any blame whatsoever. It cannot be our fault, otherwise it wouldn't be a limitation. Limitations always come from outside of us, never inside of us. At least that's what we want to believe because it helps the whole thing work.

The truth is that we create our own limitations strictly with our thoughts. We think we can't so naturally, we can't. It's simple, but it isn't from the outside. It is from the inside. Until we accept responsibility for that knowledge and empower ourselves to act on our own behalf with power, our weakness will lead.

What are your limitations? At home? At work? In general? What do you say after, because or but?


I Am The ONLY ONE In Charge Of What I Think. Period.

Spread Some Joy Today--Do something nice for someone else today. Just for the joy of it.

Daily Inspiration 11-19-13

"As your faith is strengthened

you will find

that there is no longer the need

to have a sense of control,

that things will flow as they will,

and that you will flow with them,

to your great delight and benefit."

 

-- Emmanuel / Pat Rodegast

Fear need not have more than a very temporary presence in our lives. It comes and we see it for what it is, and we let it go on through. The list of all the things that could go wrong are no longer relevant. They leave in the wake of fear gone. We give them passing notice at best and let them pass us by.

It is our faith in everything working out well for us that remains predominate. There is only wellness and anything less is resistance. We practice our faith in everything working out for our benefit as if that is the way it was meant to be. Because it is.

As we practice our faith there is no need for control for it is all working according to our plan. And, whatever we decide that needs to be changed will naturally and easily change.

There is a flow as if a river of life that we only need to allow. Anything other is resistance. Anything other is dis-ease. Relax and flow. Relax and flow. Faith is strengthened by relaxing and flowing with all that appears in our lives.


Strengthen Your Faith By Allowing And Understanding That All Being Well Is The Plan.

Spread Some Joy Today--Seek joy. Seek to appreciate and joy will be there. Seek to love and joy is there. Seek to allow and joy is there.

Daily Inspiration 11-18-13

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant

before receiving a meal.

It's a way to live."

 

-- Jacqueline Winspea

What would it be like to be in a perpetual state of grace, gratitude, peace and love? Some kind of ideal for people who don't have any problems, kids, spouses, family, employers, lawyers, and such. You know, those people. Right?

Who has time to contemplate all the stuff in the world? There's too much going on every day. It's more a matter of how many fires we have to put out. Doing that, how could we find time to even do our jobs, grow our businesses? That's for those monks in the cave up in the mountains with no worries, no cares.

Yet, you see people with these thoughts sitting at a table, bowing their heads, saying some combination of words meant to give thanks to God for the meal. What about all the rest of the day? Week? Month? Year?

I think we make rituals sometimes to attempt to make up for paying attention the whole of our day. Sort of like going to church on Sunday to absolve us of the rest of the week. How much better to find ourselves paying attention, being awake, finding gratitude throughout our day and staying in a state of grace as much as we can.

How many times each day can you be thankful? Express gratitude? Experience love?


Perhaps A Challenge. . . Start Or Start Again Right Now.

Spread Some Joy Today--Whatever is happening is perfect. Find the perfection. Find yourself being okay with it. Find yourself being grateful.

Daily Inspiration 11-17-13

"What does freedom mean to you?"

 

-- Adam Baker

I ran across this excellent Ted Talk video by Adam Baker the other day and thought I might share it with you. I thought the question stated above was one worth pondering thoughtfully and trying to answer to the best of our ability. It may even be surprising.

Text from below video on YouTube: In 2008, after the birth of his first child, Baker and his wife decided to sell everything they owned, pay off their consumer debt, and spend a year traveling abroad as a family. They began sharing their journey in early 2009 on the blog Man vs. Debt, now 15000 subscribers strong. In sharing their ups and downs in the areas of personal finance, consumerism, clutter, travel, minimalism, and passionate entrepreneurship, they realized they aren't alone in a desire to explore and grow.


Freedom Is A Very Personal Thing.

Spread Some Joy Today--Practice responding instead of reacting. It puts the calm in charge.

Daily Inspiration 11-16-13

"Just because a marriage (or anything) ends,

doesn't mean it failed. Ideally, of course,

we would like a marriage to last a lifetime.

But when it doesn't, we dishonor the relationship

by casting an aura of failure over all of it.

If you loved, learned, and grew during the time

you were together, there was real success."

 

-- Alan Cohen

"And, they lived happily ever after. . ." Well, some perhaps, but change is more likely to occur. Often that change is to another partner. It is also easy to blame each other, and to feel they failed us or we failed them. How sad that we often have to take that point of view. It is only reality if we accept it as such.

Far better it is, from my own experience and that of my study, to celebrate the time, celebrate the experience, celebrate the learning, celebrate the discovery and celebrate each other. Finding blame is fear-based. Feeling guilty is fear-based. And both are ego-centric. Let go of that rope. Lay it down and move toward loving each other, without the need to live together.

This same strategy and perspective applies to so many other areas of our lives, whether it is our jobs, careers, employers, friends, and even our own communication with ourselves. Although, in these instances, we may not consider them failures as easily as we do in a relationship or a marriage.

Movies, newspapers, and other publications and sites show how people fall into love and out of love. That is all crap as far as I'm concerned. If you love someone, it doesn't change into something other than love unless it is coerced by your ego. It's okay to not want to be around each other all the time, and still love each other. In fact, it is preferred, don't you think?

Celebrate the successes regardless of size or duration. Let all the rest fall away.


"Love Is The Ability And Willingness To Allow Those You Care For To Be What They Choose For Themselves Without Any Insistence That They Satisfy You." -- Wayne Dyer

Spread Some Joy Today--Love doesn't expect. It is a free gift, or it is something else entirely.

Daily Inspiration 11-15-13

"Letting go is always easier

than holding on.

And it's how the new stuff will find you."

 

-- Mike Dooley

It fascinates me how seriously profound thoughts like that statement above are, and yet at the same time so incredibly simple.

We fear letting go. We fight and resist letting go. The reason is because we see it as some kind of failure to persevere. However, I would suggest that we consider a different way of looking at this great quote.

Rather than thinking of letting go as painful or bad or wrong, consider instead the idea of allowing things to be. If you think about holding on as resistance, which it generally is, then this idea is easier to grapple with. By letting go of resistance, or letting go of the rope, we put things in motion in an allowing sort of way for things to come to us. It may be the answer we've been looking for, or it may be something physical we've been wanting. As long as we have resistance in force, that which we want is most often held away from us. Let go and allow and the freshness of that perspective can take over.

Give it some thought and I think you will understand fully what I am saying here.


Release Your Point Of View In Order To Have A New Perspective.

Spread Some Joy Today--Do something to show yourself some love today.

Daily Inspiration 11-14-13

"You cannot worry about someone

and love them at the same time.

Most people mistake the emotion of worry

for the emotion of love.

They think that worrying about somebody

means that you love them."

 

"Worrying is using your imagination

to create something you don't want."

 

-- Abraham, Ester Hicks

Worry is not love, it is fear. There is no fear in love. So worry has no place there. It reminds me of this powerful quote from Eckhart Tolle, where he says, "suffering needs time. It cannot survive in the now." Worry is suffering and suffering or worrying needs time. It needs the past and the future. It has no place in the now. It thrives on past experience, past judgment, future projection, personal movie and script making.

Next time you are worrying about anything, stop in your tracks and consider your emotions. Consider how you feel and I think you will find that none of it is positive. Try letting the worry go as if you are letting go of a rope you've been pulling. As you let it go, you will feel relief. You'll realize that you've been using past experiences and thoughts to create a negative situation in the future. By letting go, you release all of that and have the opportunity to just relax and allow more positive thoughts to take charge.

You may instinctively react, but with your awareness, you can stop, and change direction. This will keep you on the path you were intending all along.


Love Is Allowing. Love Is Letting Go Of The Rope. Love Is Caring Without Needing To Control. Love Is Allowing.

Spread Some Joy Today--Do something to treat yourself today. You ALWAYS deserve it.

Daily Inspiration 11-13-13

"You don't launch a popular blog,

you build one."

 

-- Seth Godin

In my company, Upward Trend, our main job and the one we spend the most time, energy and money on is blogging. We have a package called the Trend Setter Package which includes a website, blog, some social media management, an email newsletter, video and more. But, out of all of that, the blogging takes center stage. In fact, we have a team of four bloggers, with one of them doing close to 60 blogs.

I started blogging in April of 2008 shortly after I learned what the heck a blog was. Then, we went from not knowing what one was to doing well over a hundred every day. Amazing.

Yet, in today's world, people want immediate results. They want to be at the top of every imaginable Google search, and they want their website and blog to be very popular, often without providing anything in the way of content to us. That isn't a complaint, just an observation.

In the world of blogging, it takes time, patience, content and consistency to become popular. Then again, popularity is a widely defined thing. Some think of having a hundred thousand hits a day, and to others popularity is a million and others one hundred. If Oprah mentions your blog, you could get lucky. But, the main thing is just thinking about growing it day by day by day by day by day, and then one day, it is popular.

As I related this to our business, my clients' blogs and even my own blogs, I couldn't help but relate this to almost everything in life. Whether it is relationships, or our career, getting along with others, families, becoming healthy, becoming fit, or whatever, it is far better I think to look at this long term with small efforts on a regular basis than in huge efforts in a small space of time.

To have 10 books that you've written, you obviously need to start with one, and before you can have one, you have probably been writing smaller things for a long period of time. I'm a practicing writer, and as such, I have practiced since I was a teenager. Who knows when I'll get there, but getting there isn't really the issue and that is part of the point here. It is the journey. One foot in front of the other in front of the other again and again will get you across a great distance.

You don't launch a perfect relationship or marriage, you build it. You don't launch a perfect career or business, you build one. Some strides may be larger than others, but by focusing on the daily efforts, the daily positive thoughts and so on, we will get to where we want to be and enjoy the journey at the same time.


You Don't Launch A Perfect Life, You Build One.

Spread Some Joy Today--If you've been searching, stop now. Focus on this moment. Enjoy what you are doing. Seek joy. It is only found in the moment.

Daily Inspiration 11-12-13

"Be more concerned

with your character

than your reputation,

because your character

is what you really are,

while your reputation

is merely what others

think you are."

 

-- John Wooden

A quote to consider again and again from one of the world's great, John Wooden. Wonderful words of wisdom.


Character Is The Foundation. Reputation Is A Mirage.

Spread Some Joy Today--Follow only your joy today. It will lead you perfectly.

Daily Inspiration 11-11-13

"Every new day is a once in a lifetime event.

How much more exciting would our lives be

if we embraced this truth and lived accordingly?!"

 

-- Steve Mariboli

I went to bed extra early last night and didn't do this Daily Inspiration until this morning. As my feet touched the floor in getting out of bed, the thought came to me that today is a completely new day. I have never seen, or experienced this day. Whatever that has gone before need not influence it, and yet it so often does. We are carrying all that load from days gone by into this brand new day.

So I thought, what would it be like to really recognize this new day as a huge gift--say, a gift from God or the Universe, that it was specially made just for me, and that all that went before need not affect it in any way or I can allow that if I like as my sole responsibility to choose? What would that be like?

I saw several quotes about the new day. Here's a few more by Steve Mariboli for your pleasure:

"A new day:

Be open enough to see opportunities.

Be wise enough to be grateful.

Be courageous enough to be happy."

 

 

Today is a new day.

It's a day you have never seen before

and will never see again.

Stop telling yourself the 'same crap, different day' lie!

How many days has that lie stolen from you?

 

 

Seize the wonder and uniqueness of today!"

Participate in your dreams today.

There are unlimited opportunities available with this new day.

Take action on those wonderful dreams you've had in your mind for so long.

Remember, success is something you experience when you act accordingly."

"Each New Day Greets Us With No Rules Except For The Rules We Place On It. Greet This New Day With Open Arms And Endless Possibility." -- Steve Mariboli

Spread Some Joy Today--Allow the majority of your thoughts today to cause a smile to brighten your face. Make feeling good your number one priority today. Try it even if for only today.

Daily Inspiration 11-10-13

"In moving forward,

are you keeping your eyes on

the cracks in the sidewalk,

or on the horizon?

With each you will make

radically different decisions

based on what you see,

and consequentially receive

dramatically different results.

 

-- Albert K Strong

In the late fifties and early sixties as I was a kid, there were no such things as store bought skateboards. We made ours out of clamp on steel skates with steel wheels nailed to a piece of 2"x4". Any small pebble, round or otherwise that was on the sidewalk was potentially a problem when the steel wheel would contact it.

Thus, it was easy to look at the cracks in the sidewalk as we skated along so that we could look out for the pebbles or other debris that could send us sailing and landing poorly. To keep our eyes on the horizon would be beneficial to where we were going, but we had to learn to trust in order to do that. When fear was involved, we looked at the cracks in the sidewalk.

As I thought back about those days and those experiences, I related them to how business owners (and every day folks too) often end up doing the same thing. Many get so focused on the sidewalk; i.e., what is in front of them, the heat on the phone call, the problem in production, the messed up order, not trusting that things will turn out well, and much more.

Yet, if we think about it, keeping our eyes on the horizon is what really helps a company, marriage, student to thrive and entertain innovation and tenacity. In fact, Seth Godin, a recognized management expert says that, "Tenacity is not the same as persistence. Persistence is doing something again and again until it works." We could compare that to looking at the cracks in the sidewalk. Then he says, "Tenacity is using new data to make new decisions to find new pathways to find new ways to achieve a goal when the old ways didn't work." We could call this looking at the horizon.

Raising our eyes, our focus, our vision, our intent above what is, what is yelling at us, what is trying to command our attention can be a very positive and tenacious thing to do. As those persistent noises do their best to keep us looking down, we find entirely different thoughts, patterns and results by giving more attention than the noise seems to demand.

A really good question to ask is, where do you want to be, or what and how do you want to be doing it, five years, ten years from now. Looking at that distance ahead can be highly beneficial. Some highly successful companies look 50 years down the road. And, again, this doesn't just apply to companies or businesses. . .


Head's Up! Eyes Forward!

Spread Some Joy Today--See what you can do to thank someone today.

Daily Inspiration 11-9-13

"Everything changes when you

start to emit your own frequency

rather than absorbing

the frequencies around you.

When you start imprinting

your intent on the universe

rather than receiving

an imprint from existence."

 

-- Barbara Marciniak

Everything changes. Everything. It is amazing to watch it happening. It is amazing to see it in ourselves and in others. At some point, as discussed a couple days ago, our fear of things staying the same becomes greater than our fear of change. It is so amazing when intent is put into gear.

It is interesting how long we can continue doing things that we've lost interest in, that no longer satisfy us, and more. It is often called 'going through the motions.' I think it is called that because it is like a machine that keeps running even after the ignition is turned off. Ever had one of those cars?

But then one day, we decide that we've had enough of that and we go see a mechanic, or trade the car in, or sell it, or give it away. Then we begin moving again. We feel refreshed, alive, engaged. Maybe it took a bit of inspiration, some coaching, but regardless of that assistance, it is always our own affair in making the change.

After that decision or intent has arrived, it is among the most freeing, gratifying, and exciting places to be for how ever long it lasts. There will be more. It's just a process, and though some are deeper than others, the process is never ending.


I Deserve Better. . . I Want More. . . I'm Tired Of This! These Are All Good Beginnings.

Spread Some Joy Today--Are you ready?

Daily Inspiration 11-8-13

"People only see

what they are prepared to see."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

What a fascinating thought day I've had today! There was some intellectual excitement, emotional excitement, and even a tinge of spiritual excitement. I have a smile on my face just thinking about the day. I'll share a section of it for the heck of it.

Early evening I went to the grocery store, picked up a few things. This store has a Food For Families program every holiday season and the last two seasons they match your donation in $10 increments. I love that idea of generosity and spirit and have huge respect for this store. So, I gave a $100 donation to get it rolling and that means it was really $200. How wonderful and easy.

Feeling good about that and my purchases, I'm on my way to my truck and I see a man approaching me looking sort of needy. I used to hurry up and get in the vehicle and move along, but nowadays I welcome the opportunity to share a bit more. It doesn't matter what it is used for, it is the allowing that really matters.

So, he gives me this request for something so he can eat. Fair enough. I reach in my pocket and give him a $20. Sometimes they are excited and impressed, but it didn't faze this guy! He was grateful, but held in in his hand most of the time we were together. He tells me he is a veteran and asks if I am. He said he was Marines and was in Vietnam. He said he saw a lot of battles and was injured in one in particular and then became a prisoner of war. During this experience, he showed me a scar on his head where he said they were playing games with him with a .32 caliber handgun.

He asked me about my service too. I told him it was Air Force and he asked if I went over and I said that I was only in Dover, Delaware as an auto mechanic. Then he looks at me and says that I have a 'Christian Glow' about me and wondered if I went to church. I thought he was giving me some kind of line, but I said that I used to and was a worship leader for a time, and he says, "well, it's not the church, it's the heart." Then, he quoted me scripture. He quoted Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

That did it. I could handle all the rest, sharing a bit of military service history, being kind and friendly, but then he goes and quotes scripture in the parking lot of the grocery store. I teared up immediately looked him as intently and lovingly in the eyes as I could, grasped his hand with both of mine and could say nothing further. He thanked me again, said his father was a preacher, and was on his way across the lot. I watched him walk most of the way across the parking lot amazed and grateful to have bumped into him.

It reminded me of this quote by Abraham Josua Heschel: "When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people." This was one of the kindest I have met in a long, long time.


"Your Life Is A Series Of Opportunities To Become Yourself." -- Alan Cohen

Spread Some Joy Today--Share your generosity in whatever form that may be. It's just about kindness, you know.

Daily Inspiration 11-7-13

"When the fear of "things staying the same"

exceeds the fear of "failure,"

stuff happens."

 

-- Mike Dooley

At an excellent meeting today, I met a young man who says that he really wants to go for it and be the best he can be and become really good at his newly chosen field in sales. Do you have any idea how many times I've heard that?

It is many. I even asked him if he was serious. He claims he is. And, no matter how many times I hear it, and no matter how many times they are just moving air with the mouth and lungs, I want to not only believe it, but become their biggest and best cheerleader. I would relish helping them, mentoring them, doing whatever I could to be of service. Seriously.

I was him one time very long ago. I spoke that fresh enthusiasm I had to others around me. Many of the older, wiser, skilled salespeople came to my aid to talk me out of my dreamy state and force a dose of reality upon me. I have learned in time that there are two ways to have the tallest building: One, to become known as a builder, and two, to become known as a destroyer. My sales partners were all destroyers because it kept their relative safety secure. For the moment.

The only time something really gets done is when the fear of things staying the same is greater than the fear of failure. I say, go for it. It reminds me of a sign I saw in a friends auto garage which said, "One: If you're going to be a bear, be a grizzley! Two: Shit happens." So failure isn't such a failure after all. It is just a response and it only means effort was made. Now, do it again. And again. And again. And one more time for good measure.

Ask yourself two important questions. One, what am I really afraid of? and Two, what's the worst thing that can happen?


It's Always Easier Said Than Done Until You Overcome The Fear Of Things Staying The Same.

Spread Some Joy Today--Just do it.

Daily Inspiration 11-6-13

"If people refuse to look at you in a new light

and they can only see you for what you were,

only see you for the mistakes you've made,

if they don't realize that you are not your mistakes,

then they have to go."

 

-- Steve Maraboli

Sometimes people (it is so often relatives. . .) cannot see beyond your past. They see the mistakes, maybe even bring them up again and again. That is not you. Those were simply choices in time and that time has passed. The only thing worth looking at is the here and now.

If you've let go of all past baggage, then those around you need to let go as well, or they have to go. We cannot keep moving forward by having people hanging on to our past actions any more than we can do that ourselves. It's okay to move on.

It's okay to disassociate with some. It is a healing sometimes. Focus on where you are now and where you are headed now and that is all that is important.


The Rest Is History.

Spread Some Joy Today--Cut yourself some slack. In fact, cut yourself a huge swath of slack. You are awesome just the way you are! Rock on!

Daily Inspiration 11-5-13

"Change your thoughts

and you change your world."

 

-- Norman Vincent Peale

Albert Einstein said that "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing(s) and expecting a different result." That is so well said and so true, and yet many, if not most of us may not remember it enough.

I see a lot of businesses (including my own!), where we want something more--more sales, more income, whatever--and yet we are not willing to change what we think and thereby what we do in order to have what we want. Instead, we look for external things that may be hindering our progress. Some of them may be the weather, the economy, the holidays, tax time, too much rain, not enough rain, the city, county, state or the federal governments.

You name it, and we have something to blame on it, or as a result of it, or who is in charge, or who is not in charge, but should be. We can blame people equally with things, events, ideas, concepts, time, age, and more. It seems we can even blame ourselves, though more rarely, yet that is actually worse, or at least that's how it feels.

Rainer Maria Rilke said, "Don't be too quick to draw conclusions from what happens to you; simply let it happen. Otherwise it will be too easy for you to look with blame. . . at your past, which naturally has a share with everything that now meets you." And, let me follow that quote up with this one from Bashar: "You must own the choices you have already made before you can make new ones."

There is no doubt at all that our thinking and our choices from the past have effect on our present, and allowing those to be and accepting responsibility for making them is the most powerful tool to the ability to change. As Madeleine Albright said, "What people have the capacity to choose, they have the ability to change." We accept, allow, choose differently, and change is secured.

Next time you are wanting something different and you continue to think the same thoughts and do the same things that created where you are, remember Einstein and his magical phrase, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing(s) and expecting [or hoping for] a different result."


Let's Try Something Different!

Spread Some Joy Today--Love your choices. Love where you've been because it has led you to here. From here, you can go anywhere!

Daily Inspiration 11-4-13

"Believe in your dreams.

Believe in today.

Believe that you are loved.

Believe that you make a difference.

Believe we can build a better world.

Believe when others might not.

Believe there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Believe that you might be that light for someone else.

Believe that the best is yet to be.

Believe in each other.

Believe in yourself.

I believe in you."

 

-- Kobi Yamada

There you go . . .


A True Believer!

Spread Some Joy Today--Believe.

Daily Inspiration 11-3-13

"You've done better than you know.

You've helped more than you realize.

And you're closer than you think."

 

-- Mike Dooley as The Universe

Today is TUT day. Mike Dooley started www.tut.com and began an inspirational path pretending to be The Universe and sending daily uplifting messages to as many humans in humanity that found the path and chose to walk with him. I've been a receiver of Messages From The Universe for many years, and he also has hundreds in book form. They are short and funny, thought-provoking and warm-hearted. The one at the top is a favorite. Here are two others to soften and enhance your day:

"The real trick, for confronting boredom is to ask more questions.

For tackling loneliness, it's to take more action.

And for easing sadness, it's to think more of others.

Then we dance."

 

 

"Did you know that if you get happy enough

you can actually hear colors and see music?

Paint without numbers?

Eat desserts and lose weight?

Spend money and have more?

Heal the sick?

Feed the poor?

Love unconditionally?

And live forever?

 

If you get happy enough.

I am."

"Dreams Come True, All They Need Is You." -- Mike Dooley

Spread Some Joy Today--Try just one goal today: To feel good. Choose it.

Daily Inspiration 11-2-13

"Rather than continuing

to seek the truth,

simply let go of your views."

 

-- Gautama Buddha

If you haven't read the book that came out early last year by Anita Moorjani, titled, Dying To Be Me, I can highly without any reservation recommend it. It is such an interesting and empowering story of a woman who was taken with extreme cancer and at the very end, came back to health with in a few short weeks. Completely healed in that short span is a miraculous story, and one that I think we could all learn from.

I was thinking about some of the physical things that I have lived with all my life in one way or another and then just yesterday remembered this book and thought, 'if she could come back from that fullness of despair and trauma, my maladies are as insignificant as a cold in comparison. So, why can't I be healed too?'

I think it is because of what we believe, or have come to believe or have been trained to believe. In that belief, it is often hard to change the belief into one that serves us better, so we are fighting the resistance of that which is a non-plus game. The best than could happen in this game is a tie or being neutral.

Buddha's genius remark is so telling. If we can just simply let go of our beliefs, we have a shot. It is in the holding on to them that we find that resistance that keeps us from having a more open point of view. So, we hope for the miraculous when all that may be required is to let go of our own position. Another way to say that is to allow.

Consider the idea, even if it is for the subject of discussion, that we can heal ourselves of any ailment, malady, situation, physical or otherwise. You have to admit, I think, that it is such an awesome concept. Play with it. Have some fun. Relax, you're soaking in it. . .

"Letting go of attachment to any way of believing or thinking has made me feel more expanded and almost transparent so that universal energy can just flow through me." -- Anita Moorjani

"I can't say this strongly enough, but our feelings about ourselves are actually the most important barometer for determining the condition of our lives." -- Anita Moorjani


What I Am Willing To See Can Be.

Spread Some Joy Today--Celebrate. Enjoy yourself today. As things distract you--and they will--come back to enjoyment.

Daily Inspiration 11-1-13

"The significance

is hiding in the insignificant.

Appreciate everything."

 

-- Eckhart Tolle

The more I think about the quote by Eckhart Tolle, the more intriguing it becomes. Indeed, the more I consider it, the more I see that confirms it.

Just imagine for a moment or two what it would be like to appreciate everything. Not just the nice things, nice people, good remarks, wonderful events, but all things--everything. Stuff like the rude person on the phone. . . hallelujah! Or, the traffic going braindead stupid on your way to an appointment with no spare time planned. . . superb! Or, that bill for the new crown because your tooth broke. . . outstanding! You know, the stuff that doesn't go according to how you thought it should go. Yeah. All that stuff. He says to appreciate everything.

Of course, I have to tell you the truth. Though the more I consider it, the more I see that confirms it, in my own experience, it requires earnest practice to get any good at it. Otherwise, you just forget all about appreciating it, and begin depreciating it instead.


Another One Of Those Practice Opportunities. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--Give someone a present they would never expect. It need not cost much in dollars.