Daily Inspiration 11-30-14

"To praise the sun 

is to praise your own eyes." 

-- Rumi 

Yesterday morning as I was stirring to wakefulness, I repeated several times a couple of phrases that I learned from Abraham and Esther Hicks. The first is, "today, no matter where I'm going and no matter what I am doing, it is my dominant intent to see that which I am wanting to see." The second, and more important of the two is, "nothing is more important than that I feel good." And, I shouldn't be surprised, but I found such good feelings and pure enjoyment throughout the day. The power of intention at play.

I was in a state of appreciation so much through the day, and I'll share one section with you. In recent years I find that I don't listen to music but rarely. I have thousands of songs in my library and then I discovered Spotify.com where I can pretty much find anything I want and even create playlists. In the last few months, I find myself listening more, but with much larger ears.

One of the things I love about Spotify is that it is like Netflix in that it suggests things I might like, and much of the time, I do. I adore Tommy Emmanuel as the peak of acoustic guitarists, and Spotify recommended a few like him. I found Martin Tallstrom there and what a find he was. He's a Swedish guitarist and I so relish an album he did in 2009 called Acoustics.

I listened to the album again and I found myself with eyes closed floating around in clouds and blue sky moving in rhythm and joy to each and every single note. Appreciation is an interesting thing in that it has no end that I have found. I was, and still am in fact, so deeply appreciating many things.

I was appreciating Martin's talent and dedication to improving his skill to form the presentation that I was hearing. I was appreciating the guitar maker who crafted a fine instrument for him to play. I was appreciating the guitar amplifier that adds such a depth to the sound. I was appreciating the recording; the recording studio that someone created; the skilled recording engineer; the record company; the stereo amplifier and the speakers that allowed me to listen to this. I was appreciating that Martin put himself out there and was willing, and perhaps even eager to share his blessings with me. The list goes on and on and on.

I play guitar so I can perhaps more fully appreciate what it takes to be as good as he is and the nuances that make the sound so perfect. I used to own a recording studio and have thousands of hours of recording time so I can appreciate the skill and knowledge it takes to record music so well. I own a business so I can appreciate what it takes to create that studio, market that music and more. Maybe now in looking back, this is why I learned what I did just so I could appreciate in a better way and to listen with larger ears. Or, maybe that didn't matter at all. It could just be that I was intent on feeling good and finding things that I wanted.

Abraham and Esther Hicks state that if you focus on something in appreciation (or in any other way too) for as little as 17 seconds, another thought joins it and then another and another and so on, drawing more to you that you are focused on. Yesterday I was focused on feeling good, I found things that I wanted, I began appreciating one aspect, then in my joy, I found another, then another and another until I was appreciating hundreds of things that surrounded this one piece of music I was listening to.


It Was A Day Of Pure Joy And Love. I Think I Will Go For A Repeat Today. . . 

Spread Some Joy Today--Share your joys and your joys are instantly increased.

Daily Inspiration 11-29-14

THANKSgiving Week Thoughts 

"The thankful receiver 

bears a plentiful harvest."

-- William Blake 

Today is the last day of Thanksgiving week and this last post will be about who gratitude is for. It is not for the benefit of the thing or person that you are thanking. It is for YOU.

You could think of this as being selfish, and if you want to do that, fine. It is true. The real benefit of becoming a grateful person and in finding anything and everything and everyone something to be thankful for is not appreciating of it or them. Of course, that certainly doesn't hurt and it obviously may have a benefit to them; however, it is the act of being thankful and finding the good, or rather, those things that we can be thankful for that really matters. It is being the receiver of the gratitude that we give out.

If you want to get really simple, fine. We FEEL better when we are thankful. We feel wonderful in our appreciation. We rise above in our gratitude. As far as I'm concerned that is not only reason enough to be grateful, but the all-important reason.

This is how we become more grateful as we begin our path of thankfulness. We feel it, and it feels good. We feel right. We feel aligned. We feel one with God. We feel blessed. We feel that our heart is full. It is that feeling that creates the desire for even more thankfulness and gratitude. It is why we do what we do whatever we do. We gain. We grow. We become more. We rise.

What anyone else feels when we are this way is strictly and blessedly, a side benefit.


Go For The Feeling Of Joy And Heartfelt Wonder. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by just being alive and knowing it. How could you not?

Daily Inspiration 11-28-14

THANKSgiving Week Thoughts 

"I'm too grateful to be hateful. 

I am too blessed to be stressed." 

-- El DeBarge 

The quote above is so good because that sequence and outcome is exactly how it works. When one is thankful and lives in gratitude for all that is, hatred is impossible. At the same time, when one is feeling blessed by the gifts that come their way, or just by the sunshine of a new day, there can be no stress.

Real love is full of gratitude. These high emotions are all in a similar plane of vibration: love, appreciation, feeling blessed, peace, gratitude, thankfulness.

When I was young, and then again as a teenager, my parents went through a nasty divorce. I think they were bent on teaching me that love can turn into hate. For a time, I went along with that idea because they were the role models, but as I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that love cannot turn into hate. And as a result of my decision about that and even though I went through a divorce myself, there was nothing but love and appreciation and gratitude and the whole thing went as smoothly as I knew it would.

Stress comes from fear. Hate comes from fear. Distrust comes from fear. And fear comes from the ego. They all feed on each other. These states are debilitating and destructive. It can go from bad to worse to terrible easy enough, and it is all too common in much the world.

Yet, here is an interesting thing--those other attributes like love, appreciation, gratitude, peace, and such also feed on each other. They are empowering and energizing. They go from good to great to spectacular.

And, here's the most interesting thing of all: We are fully in charge of the choices that we make and all those feelings are choices. How cool is that?


Thankfulness Puts One On The Path Of Least Resistance. 

Spread Some Joy Today--If you go shopping today, take some patience and joy along with you. You'll be amazed how valuable they can be. It's better than money.

Daily Inspiration 11-27-14

THANKSgiving Week Thoughts 

"Thanksgiving, after all, 

is a word of action." 

-- W. J. Cameron 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you this day. I stand in gratitude of all that is and hope you find a similar stance in your day.


"Thanksgiving Was Never Meant To Be Shut Up In A Single Day." -- Robert Caspar Lintner 

Spread Some Joy Today--by just being yourself. You are joy!

Daily Inspiration 11-26-14

THANKSgiving Week Thoughts 

"When eating bamboo sprouts, 

remember the man who planted them." 

-- Chinese Proverb 

A lot of people celebrate Thanksgiving and don't know any of the history of it. So, in case you haven't seen it, or forgot about it, here it is from Wikipedia:

"Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has been celebrated as a Federal holiday every year since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens", to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. Thanksgiving was also celebrated nationally in 1789, after a proclamation by George Washington. As a federal and public holiday in the U.S., Thanksgiving is one of the major holidays of the year. Together with Christmas and New Year, Thanksgiving is a part of the broader holiday season.

The event that Americans commonly call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. This feast lasted three days, and it was attended by 90 Native Americans (as accounted by attendee Edward Winslow) and 53 Pilgrims. The New England colonists were accustomed to regularly celebrating "thanksgivings"-days of prayer thanking God for blessings such as military victory or the end of a drought."

Whatever Thanksgiving Day means to you is wonderful. Some just enjoy the feast and getting together with relatives and friends, watching some football, enjoying each others company and the day regardless of the weather. So I hope that you enjoy your day in whatever way you choose.

Several years ago, our Pastor at church told us of the history of Thanksgiving, particularly the Pilgrim's portion. He suggested that the congregation get some dried corn, seeds, popcorn, or you could use small stones, buttons, whatever. Then pass 5 to 7 of these out to each person on Thanksgiving. If it is a large crowd, the smaller number. Then, one by one, each pushes out one of their tokens and states aloud something or someone that they are thankful for and why.

Doing this just before the food is served, just takes a small portion of the day, but it changes the way we think about the day and brings us all to focus on thankfulness. After all, when we call a day a day of thanksgiving, giving thanks would be such an appropriate thing to do. Keep a box of tissues nearby. . .


"Feeling Gratitude And Not Expressing It Is Like Wrapping A Present And Not Giving It." -- William Arthur Ward 

Spread Some Joy Today--by giving thanks.

Daily Inspiration 11-25-14

THANKSgiving Week Thoughts 

"If you concentrate on finding 

whatever is good in every situation, 

you will discover that your life 

will suddenly be filled with gratitude, 

a feeling that nurtures the soul." 

 -- Rabbi Harold Kushner 

Today is day three of the THANKSgiving Week Thoughts and it's all about giving thanks and filling myself with gratitude.

Things were what I focused on yesterday and starting with all the little things we take for granted yet can be thankful for and create a flow of thankful thoughts. Running water from the sink faucet, hot showers, toilet paper, washing machines, rubber tires. Indeed, there are thousands of things that we can express our thankfulness for and that we are thankful for except that they blend in and we just don't see them anymore in that way. Renewing that relationship helps to prime the pump and get the juices of thankfulness moving. Writing them down helps.

But, today, let's venture into the so-called 'harder' things to find thanks in. You know, the people who did you wrong, the job you hate, the politicians who don't care, your parents and how they never seemed to encourage you or fill in the blank. We all have had experiences, made decisions that we blame for some experiences we would rather forget. It's those things.

It's not about forgiveness. It's not even about letting go. Although those things seem to help, for these stronger ones it takes more. It takes finding the good and then becoming grateful for them instead of wanting to forget them.

I've dealt with a number of things from my past in this way. Enlightened philosophers and sages say there are no mistakes and that everything happens for a reason and everything is in perfect order. Trying to accept that premise just for a bit is helpful to find that silver lining in the midst of what we might have thought of as a tragedy, a mistake, something to forget.

At first, it is very hard to find good in it, so a good question is, 'if there could be something good in this, what might it be?' We get so stuck sometimes with our limited perceptions. Shakespeare said it perfectly: "Tis nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so." We just need a shift in perspective.

I have become thankful for virtually every situation or circumstance in my life now by facing them and finding the good and becoming thankful for the situation. This includes deaths of loved ones, so-called serious judgment errors, thinking my parents were ill-prepared for child rearing and much more. It is all perfect now and there is no fault because there is now nothing but gratitude for what was.


This Helps Live Today Free Of Baggage, Or At The Very Least, To Travel Much Lighter. Anchors Away! 

Spread Some Joy Today--Let joy be your compass today.

Daily Inspiration 11-24-14

THANKSgiving Week Thoughts 

"Sometimes the little things in life 

mean the most." 

-- Ellen Hopkins 

Some things are really easy to be grateful for, and for many, they don't come along regularly enough to help them become a grateful person. And certainly, the things that so many can never be grateful for because they are mean, nasty, evil, wrong, along with a lot of other descriptions. So with these, gratitude, or being thankful is rare enough.

Yesterday, I said that in day one that the message or recommendation is to make a decision to become a grateful, thankful person. Today is day two in the THANKSgiving Week Thoughts, and I will add what I think is the easiest and fastest way to open the floodgates to becoming a grateful person.

My grandmother used to tuck us in at night and tell us to count our blessings. It didn't mean too much to me then, but it is one of my main joys today. I now do it so much in my head, but writing it down is so excellent. This morning, I took just fifteen minutes and filled two and a half pages on college ruled lined paper. There were things, people, and more. As I sat there thinking and looking around my office, I would find another and that would cause me to find another, then one would just pop in my head. If I would have kept going I might have filled a whole binder. This is a wonderful place to begin.

Often we have hundreds of possessions and don't give them any thought or appreciation. Sometimes when I think of how thankful I am for something, I like to mention it to the appropriate party. I thought of my old stereo speakers that I was enjoying the sounds of this morning. They are Polk Audio 10 speakers, so I went on facebook, found their page and thanked them for these wonderful speakers that play as good as when they were new, yet I bought them in 1983. Look at all the enjoyment they have given me for so many years.

Sometimes it is mundane, yet very important products that we use in the home that comes to my mind. Here's one: toilet paper. I am so thankful for that invention and the creative people always making it better. Facial tissues are like that too. Toothpaste, hair shampoo in just your favorite smell and shampoo excellence.

I just have to think about the supermarket grocery store and I am in instant gratitude. This is a relatively recent invention where you can find almost anything to eat you could possibly want. How about double pane windows? They changed the environment in my home completely. My iPhone 5S. What a work of magic it is. Digital cameras, Memory cards, USB memory sticks, and more. The cloud. The Internet. My car. My truck. Music. Musicians. Electric guitars. Recorded music. Concerts. My HD TV and Blue Ray Player.

As you make your own list and keep adding to it, gratitude just builds and builds and more things that you are thankful for will come to you to appreciate again.


There Is Such A Wealth Of Things To Be Thankful For. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by seeing through eyes that find positive aspects in things and other people. As you acknowledge their existence, joy is a result.

Daily Inspiration 11-23-14

THANKSgiving Week Thoughts 

"So once in every year, we throng 

Upon a day apart, 

To praise the Lord with feast and song 

In thankfulness of heart." 

-- Arthur Guiterman 

To so many, Thanksgiving is a time to get together with family, some of which we may only see once a year at events like this holiday. It's a time to share being grateful for one another, enjoy the fruits of our labors by creating a feast that is easily five times what we would normally cook for a meal. It is a day set apart for giving thanks.

To others, it is a day of dread. They may not have family, or family that cares. They may be poor and have no feasting plans. They may be lost and feel alone. There are organizations and people who try to alleviate some of this like The Salvation Army, Local Shelters, Anthony Robbins Foundation, and many more with volunteers from all walks of life.

To some, it is an obligation. It is an expectation. And that is often mixed in smaller and larger doses to the whole mix.

I've always disliked the obligation aspect of this and so I focus on the word thanks. I do that because regardless of what our individual circumstances, there are things we can be thankful for, and even if we are not known as a grateful person, we might go along with the spirit of this holiday and express our thankfulness for any and all things we could find that we are or could be thankful for.

So, for this 7-day period of Thanksgiving week beginning today, I will focus on finding ways, things, people, events, circumstances, and more to be thankful for.

There are so many things that we simply take for granted that if we thought about them from a different perspective, we could find waves of gratitude. In recent years I have become such a grateful person and I see things, people, and circumstances every hour of every single day now that used to pass my glazed over eyes. Now I see them, and I think that this began with a desire to be a grateful person. I remember reading so clearly the first time in the Bible to "give thanks in all things." It didn't say some things, or once a year, but all things and that would be all the time.

Day one of this week's THANKSgiving Week Thought message is just that: Choose to be a grateful person. Regardless of your religious beliefs, or even whether you have any at all, that Bible quote to give thanks in all things is as valid and effective and true. Decide today. Try it for just one week. I guarantee you will never go back.


"If The Only Prayer You Said In Your Whole Life Was, 'Thank You,' That Would Suffice." --Meister Eckhart 

Spread Some Joy Today--by making a list of things you are grateful for. You will need a large binder.

Daily Inspiration 11-22-14

"Here is a relationship booster 

that is guaranteed to work: 

Every time your spouse or lover 

says something stupid 

make your eyes light up 

as if you just heard something brilliant." 

-- Rumi 

Just helping prepare a positive and upbeat flow of relationships for the upcoming annual feast of Thanksgiving. What a great place to start, regardless of the relationship.


You'll Soon Enough See The Value Your Kindness. 

Spread Some Joy Today--What can you do to help prepare? That will spread some joy.

Daily Inspiration 11-21-14

"There is a thinking stuff 

from which all things are made, 

and which, in its original state, 

 permeates, penetrates, and fills 

the interspaces of the universe." 

-- Wallace D Wattles 

The quote above comes from the book, The Science of Getting Rich, Financial Success Through Creative Thought by Wallace D Wattles. I first bought this book on audio and I just loved hearing so many of the simple lines in this book that hold such depth of meaning that one can come back to them again and again.

This book was originally published in 1910 and was the inspiration for the movie and then the book, The Secret. It is only 79 pages and a pleasure to read or listen to on audio.

There are several key points in the book and I want to address just one of them right now. I was thinking about how I think that success is simply doing your best with what you have to work with. The key part of that sentence is simply doing your best. Then I remembered how Wallace Wattles talked about that in his book.

Once a person's mind is made up as to what they want, he indicates that we must act. In the action it isn't about the result, it is about the presence of the person and the willingness to focus on today's tasks. I'll let him tell it:

"And your action, whatever it is, must most likely be in your present business or employment and must be upon the persons and things in your present environment.

You cannot act where you are not; you cannot act where you have been, and you cannot act where you are going to be; you can act only where you are.

Don't bother as to whether yesterday's work was well done or ill done; do today's work well.

Do not try to do tomorrow's work now; there will be plenty of time to do that when you get to it.

Do not try, by occult or mystical means, to act on people or things that are out of your reach.

Do not wait for a change of environment, before you act; get a change of environment by action.

You can so act upon the environment in which you are now, as to cause yourself to be transferred to a better environment.

Hold with faith and purpose the vision of yourself in the better environment, but act upon your present environment with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your mind."

Doing Our Best Right Here And Now Is Great Advice. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by focusing on right now today. Joy is not a promise, it is a current event.

Daily Inspiration 11-20-14

"If you had started doing anything 

two weeks ago, 

by today you would have been 

two weeks better at it." 

-- John Mayer 

Today marks the 1,878th post in this blog, just into its sixth year. In all this time, I've missed one day. It was the day my wife died. I chose to mark it that way. In all this time I have reposted approximately 5 or 6 posts, so pretty much, they are new every day. That's a lot of new every day, and it requires the 'c' word--commitment.

I do my best to be inspired before I begin writing. It might come in a minute, or it might take hours, but eventually, I have to sit down and write or it will not get done. There are dry days and wet days. Some days it flows, and other days it might be a real challenge, yet via the idea of commitment, it always gets done. It might sometimes spill into the next morning, but it gets done.

When I'm inspired, I feel brilliant. That doesn't necessarily mean that I am, but I feel that I am. Other times, I think it might be a poor effort, especially when I read it the following morning. And, that is so interesting to me when after one that I think I missed the quality mark on, I might get several people responding saying that this particular message was speaking volumes to them personally at the perfect time when they needed such inspiration. Often, I laugh at that to myself because I thought I missed it completely.

Then there are times I feel brilliant and I get nothing. All this used to amaze me, but it doesn't anymore. I just show up, do my best to be inspired, give it my best shot at being brilliant, and let it sail away. That's all my part requires, and the rest is up to the reader. I share my thoughts, joy, love and how it is received is not in my realm of control.

This applies to so many things in life where we don't really have control over the outcome, but we certainly do have control over the activity. If we put ourselves out there with a positive attitude, expressing ourselves as best we can under the circumstances and with what knowledge and skill we currently possess, that is totally our job in life. What comes of that is up to the rest of the universe.


I Rest My Pen In Joy. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by being the best that you can be. There is no more.

Daily Inspiration 11-19-14

"What are the real differences

between impatience and eagerness? 

Fear and joy." 

-- Albert K Strong 

To some sales managers, business owners, and others who have charge of others to do things for an organization or firm, impatience is often set as a virtue. They may think that when you've got to get it done, the motivation to achieve that end comes through the impatience to succeed. Yet I have learned that impatience is just another name for fear.

What I've learned about fear could fill a book easily, and one of the things I know about fear is that whatever motivation it creates is extremely short-lived and actually counterproductive in the long run. This is especially true in sales I think.

Now eagerness is far more useful and it comes from love and joy and desire. That creates a motivation that moves mountains. It is also long-term by nature.

So how does a sales manager, business owner, or other leader create eagerness in people? You don't. You encourage it. How do you do that? By not leading from fear. Lead with love. Well, how do I make them get the job done? You can't make them do anything. You can only encourage them, and fear is not an encouragement.

How does this love thing work? It begins by hiring the right people. I love the Jim Rohn quote about this where he says, "Good people are found, not changed. Recently, I read a headline that said, 'We don't teach our people to be nice. We simply hire nice people.' Wow! What a clever shortcut."

Once we find good people, then love them, help them, encourage them, praise them, catch them doing things right, lead by example, coach them, support them. In a lot of business environments, many of these things are forgotten in the haste and busyness of the day to day challenges. It takes awareness and some patience to do these things, and they will create the best in everyone involved.


Business And Stress Are Not Synonymous. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by letting go of any and all resistance.

Daily Inspiration 11-18-14

"I don't like that man. 
I must get to know him better."

"I destroy my enemies 
when I make them my friends."

-- Abraham Lincoln

Have you ever met someone you just don't like? I'm sure you have. I have met several. It's like they just rub you the wrong way somehow. Sometimes, it is hard to even put your finger on what it is exactly. Sometimes it is glaringly clear! You might even have some choice words for how you would describe those. I know I have.

When I was in grade school, I had the pleasure of dealing with a number of bullies. I was an easy target, I'm sure. They were always acting so tough. You know, the kind who grow up to be big, burly men who like to hit women and children to show off their strength. (Just a touch of sarcasm) Anyway, every once in a while, I would see a crack in their facade and actually see a human being in there. Just like me.

When I was a very young sales manager, I had a Chevy factory rep call on me. He was rude and arrogant, never called before he just showed up and expected me to drop everything and deal with him. One day, I decided to say something to him. I said, "I don't like you. You are rude and arrogant. You never let me know you're coming and you want me to drop everything to listen to you." Well, you should have seen his chin hit the ground! He was shocked. He earnestly wanted to know more about why I felt that way and he vowed to change it immediately. We actually became friends. He invited me and my wife to dinner at their house and until they got transferred, we had a great relationship.

Sometimes people might need a little jolt to wake them out of their habitual operation. They may have no idea what effect they are having on people. Other times, you might need to catch them when they are alone and start up a conversation to learn more about them.

I can truthfully say that every person that I have not liked when I learned more about them, I liked them more and even began to respect them, and perhaps even understand them in why they have the facade that hides the real person from most others. It's very much like the wizard in the Wizard of Oz. "Ignore that man behind the curtain!" How can I? That is the real deal!

Enemies. Ever have any? People working against you, doing what they can to be victorious over you? When I make them friends by refusing to fight in the war, they can become friends instead.

I learned a good deal about this from a very good friend named Dallan. Why? Dallan just seems to love everybody with such a passion, that there is no such thing as an adversary. It is delightful and interesting to watch. Has such enthusiasm. You can see and feel the love he exudes in his face. He will just hug you until you soften. He doesn't give up. I've watched him turn angry buttheads into milk toast. He has that touch. He just loves people and I think he can see right through anyone's facade. That is a powerfully good thing. Taking an adversary and making them a friend is one of the greatest successes possible in life, I think.

You know, we are all just looking for love and recognition and understanding. The more we give those things to other people, the more we get for ourselves. It is so interesting how that works. You have to give in order to get. Ahead of time.

Makes you just want to go find someone you don't like and make them a friend!


I Can Never, Ever Have Enough Friends!

Spread Some Joy Today--Tell A Few People You Love Them. It Will Make Their Day!

Daily Inspiration 11-17-14

"The mediocre teacher tells. 

The good teacher explains.

The superior teacher demonstrates. 

The great teacher inspires."

-- William Arthur Ward

In one way or another, I have been teaching all my life. As the oldest of five, I was thrust into this role at an early age. As a teacher, I have evolved through the levels as shown in the quote above. I learned from watching other teachers and how they did things and how people responded to them--especially how I responded to them. You see, as a teacher, I am also a life-long student. The more I know, the more I see there is to know.

Considering all the teachers I've seen, the ones I even remember well were inspiring. Oh, they taught the curriculum, but they did it in a way that had me owning it, immersing myself in it, and loving it. My aim was to inspire others as they inspired me.

What I learned was that inspiration is not a tool in a tool belt, like explaining, telling or demonstrating. It is more a gift that is given to others because you are inspired. I guess it takes one to know one. . .

I don't try to inspire people. I seek inspiration every day in every way that I can. I seek to be inspired. I think it comes from delight and wonder. I might see it in a scene in a movie, a line in a song, a guitar solo, words on a page, looking at nature, the joy of a photograph, or a hundred other ways. I seek it and am open to it and it just comes right in and I am delighted, and in awe of how that happened.

If I could teach anything well, I would love to teach people to be open to and even to seek out daily inspiration. It is life-transforming once you get hold of it. Inspiration is so much fun!

Close your eyes. Think of someone you totally love. Picture them in your mind. See their smiling face. See your love reflected back at you. Let that thought pour over you like a pitcher of it being poured over your head. You are immersed in it. Enjoy it for a few moments. You've just been inspired!

The next half hour will be AWESOME!!!


Inspire Yourself! You Know You Want To!

Spread Some Joy Today--Feel The Joy In Your Love To Others Being Reflected Back To You!

Daily Inspiration 11-16-14

"Adapting is not the same 

as giving up or giving in." 

-- Albert K Strong 

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned a change in policy at a business that had the potential to have a negative effect on the independent contractors who worked within that business. The management was sternly holding fast to the decision regardless of the consequences it may have on the people involved. It is, of course, their prerogative, and that those involved can either comply or leave as they choose. Ultimatums are harsh no matter how they come and so it would be easy to be upset by this kind of scenario. I've experienced this kind of situation with employers too.

So, some get pissed off and bad mouth the decision and attempt to stir dissension, though that never, ever works like they might hope. Then, also, some just say, 'the heck with it,' and quit. Others may go along while carrying the unhappy feeling with them and that unhappiness shows up in all they do from then on. In many cases, they and everyone else would be better off if they quit too.

Quitting is one answer, and it also creates a question. Will wherever I go now be better? Am I prepared to start all over again? You can never take all your clients with you when you leave a certain place. Quitting may also be a perfect answer for some in that it sort of forces something new and something new might be exactly what they needed. In other words, it creates an opportunity for change.

Then, there is the other side. What if this was a great decision and we might have even made ourselves had we been in the owner's mindset, but we were afraid to make that kind of decision because of fear of loss? I might lose some clients, but maybe that could be a good thing? Maybe this decision that the boss made will create a far better environment than previously existed.

There are many sides to every story and every decision. We all get to respond or react as we choose. It would be in everyone's best interest to at the very least, consider the various points of view in earnest. It could be the worst thing that ever happened, and it could be the best thing that ever happened, and it could be a non-issue, or it could be a minor or a major issue. These possibilities are all there and we get to choose.

The best thing in my mind is to not react. The best thing is to not plug into any negativity surrounding the subject, The best thing would be to take some time to consider and feel our way. If we then find ourselves feeling good, it is working and if we are not, it is not. At this point, a response would be appropriate.


It's Important To Remain In Charge By Not Allowing Others Or Circumstances To Choose For Us. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Sometimes we might think that joy is a result of something, but we could never rely on such a scenario for very much joy. However, when you realize that joy is a choice, you get to choose it at will.

Daily Inspiration 11-15-14

"If it's never our fault, 

we can't take responsibility for it. 

If we can't take responsibility for it, 

we'll always be its victim." 

-- Richard Bach 

When many of us were young, we learned very well that being at fault meant punishment of some kind, and that caused pain of one kind or another. So, it became foolish to accept responsibility for something even when we were asked directly about it. It became acceptable, and may I even say, desirable to lie about it regardless of how we felt inside or whether we thought they believed us or not. It was like a basic survival learning experience of the law of cause and effect. We knew what the effect was if we were the cause.

Somehow we missed learning the real law of cause and effect and so many of us have carried this basic survival learning into adulthood; albeit, less blatantly. Blame is still easier and safer we think. But is it?

A long time ago I learned about a psychological game that makes this basic survival experience so clear to me. I see it so easily in others and then I also have learned to see it in myself and then stop and get a better handle on my thinking and actions. Here is the game:

Draw a triangle and at one point write the word Persecutor, at the next point (either one), write the word Victim, and at the last point, write the word Rescuer. Now, once you get a handle on this game, you may see it being played by a number of people including relatives. It's pretty logical. First, someone is playing the Victim portion of the game. They need a Persecutor to blame for their problems for it would be impossible in this game to accept responsibility for any of their actions. Then, there is someone who is playing the Rescuer part. They are trying to point out things that can be done to alleviate the problem, move forward, etc., but the Victim will never, ever listen seriously to a Rescuer; however, they really need them in this game. If the other two are not always in the game, there is nothing for the Victim, or the Persecutor, or the Rescuer.

For much of my life, I was a Rescuer. I call it 'swimming upstream.' It is never effective in the game because no one wants to be rescued. Logic would dictate they want to be rescued, but really, they love playing the part. They've grown accustomed to it.

There's only one way out. Step away from the game. There's only one way to step away from the game: Begin accepting responsibility for your thinking and your actions. People will still be playing the Persecutor with you, but you won't be jumping in playing the Rescuer, so you're on the outside looking in. When you are there, it is pretty clear that it's a game. Otherwise, you will always be the game's Victim. (Here's a link to see more about the Karpman Drama Triangle.)


Here's to accepting responsibility! I Create My Own Reality! 

Spread Some Joy Today--See if you see anyone playing the triangle game. . . Smile that you know the way out.

Daily Inspiration 11-14-14

"All my life I have tried to 
pluck a thistle and plant a flower

wherever the flower would grow 
in thought and mind."

-- Abraham Lincoln

Get a few million people doing this and it is a very different planet!

Let it start with me!


I Have The Power To Change The World! It Starts With Me Changing My World!

Spread Some Joy Today--See if you can pluck at least one thistle and plant one flower today.

Daily Inspiration 11-13-14

"If you can't be happy where you are,

it's a cinch you can't be happy where you ain't."

-- Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

We somehow think that circumstances, events, money, fame, love, a mate, a nice house, a secure job, or other external things have the power to give us happiness.

It isn't possible.

Happiness is something you and only you can give to yourself and it has nothing whatsoever to do with external things, circumstances or events. The love of our life doesn't have the power. Money doesn't have the power, security doesn't have the power. Only you and you alone have the power.

This is why I love Charlie "Tremendous" Jones' statement: "If you can't be happy where you are (where you live, what you have, who you're with), it's a cinch you can't be happy where you ain't (where you think you need to be in order to have happiness)."

Once this really settles into your thinking, and believe me, it took a while for me to really get this, it changes you as you feel so empowered that you really have the power to choose or not choose happiness. Not only that, but you have the power every second of every day. With that, you can actually see and feel yourself choosing to be unhappy sometimes. That is enlightening! It is so because you can then see how you have chosen unhappiness so many times in the past based solely on how you thought about something.

Once you have this power, I cannot imagine that you will ever let go of it. Though you may occasionally choose unhappiness again, you full well know, you can change it back instantly as you desire. That's like being a 5-star General, you're being so in command.

Is this not the coolest thing possible? To know who's in charge and how it is done? It is awesome! You are awesome! Command those thoughts. Make that happiness. Savor the victory!

The sweet smell of success!


You Make Me Happy? Wrong! I Make Me Happy!

Spread Some Joy Today--Make Yourself Happy Today! For No Special Reason. Make Up One If You Feel You Need To.

Daily Inspiration 11-12-14

"You don't get harmony 

when everybody sings 

the same note." 

-- Doug Floyd 

I've read some things lately about how there is an awakening happening on the planet and vibrations are being raised and awareness is alive and good thoughts, and creative thoughts are on the rise. This is sometimes lifted up as a beacon to the masses in the hopes that all will be as one in this song.

There is no doubt that there is a shift going on in some circles, and some of those circles may even include a large number of souls. Yet, I cannot succumb to the idea that this will reign in the way they claim to hope it will be: universal and complete.

I have to say, 'welcome to the real world of diversity.' Any time we think that our way is the one and true way, we are delusional to the extreme. There are lots of ways. Guess how many? As of 2013, there are reportedly 7.125 billion people on the plant, so that would mean that the potential for the number of ways might be 7.125 billion.

It's always nice to have some agreements with others, but the truest reality that I have found in my long search is that we each create our own reality. Certainly, we allow co-creators into our reality to add some flavor and color, but everyone the same? Never happen. And, I think the idea that it could happen is pure silliness.

This, of course, does not promote creating problems or ill will for others. But, knowing the number is 7.125 billion, some of that is a given purely based on odds probably.

What it comes down to is simply this: Be the best, most original and unique you that you can be. Live to enjoy and thrive, love and share. To be a part and take part. To share thoughts and ideals without insistence on having your way. The best word for that is to allow and even celebrate the differences.


How Utterly Boring And Bland Would Be A Uniform, All-Alike-Thinking World. Thank Goodness, It Is Not That. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Whoever you are. I celebrate YOU.

Daily Inspiration 11-11-14

"Life waits not for your understanding. 

It calls for your appreciation." 

-- Alan Cohen 

As I have traveled through many, many books on spirituality, living in the now, and many other entanglements, I see how many different ways there are to look at the same sort of thing. Each perspective, or way of explaining things is interesting and some actually are quite helpful, others not so much.

It all kind of came together with the quote above. As much as I have tried to understand things that I wasn't taught before, I find so many answers that I almost forget the questions. So, whenever something is so simple as the quote above, I revel in its wisdom, and I have learned that real wisdom is always simple.

Life isn't waiting for my understanding of it. Yet, Alan is right on, to me at least, in that life calls for my appreciation.

It has been written a long time ago that God is love. Somehow I know this without it having to be said, and appreciation and love are in unison.

Keeping it simple, then, as I allow myself, encourage myself, allow the spirit within me to rise, I find myself in such a state of appreciation. I said some time back that the best state to live in is appreciation, and as I appreciate, I find more to appreciate, and then more and more until my cup runneth over with love and appreciation.

To take this down to the very simplest idea for living a great life is to learn how to appreciate all that is around us. If something isn't pleasing to us, we can turn and find something to appreciate. Then, also, as we do that, those unpleasing things soon take on a different look.


Life Might Call For My Appreciation, But I Know Life RESPONDS To My Appreciation. 

Spread Some Joy Today--in appreciation of your own joy.

Daily Inspiration 11-10-14

"So I'm curious, my fellow creators. 

Since you and I are in charge 

of making a New Earth-- 

not just breaking down the dying culture-- 

where do we begin? 

What stories do we want 

at the heart of our experiments? 

What questions will be our oracles? 

Here's what I say: 

In the New Earth we're creating, 

we will ridicule the cult 

of doom and gloom, 

and embrace the cause 

of zoom and boom. 

We laugh at the stupidity 

of evil and hate; 

we will summon the brilliance 

to praise and create. 

No matter how upside down 

it all may appear, 

we will have no fear, 

because we know this big secret: 

All of creation is conspiring 

to shower us with blessings. 

Life is crazily in love with us-- 

brazenly and innocently 

in love with us." 

-- Rob Brezsny 

Yes, and amen!


"All Creation Is Conspiring To Shower Us With Blessings." -- Rob Brezsny 

Spread Some Joy Today--please.

Daily Inspiration 11-9-14

"Live as long as you may, 

the first twenty years are 

the longest half of your life." 

-- Robert Southey 

Milestones are an interesting thing. One I recall very well was turning 18. When I was 18, I felt like I was almost 'there,' and my obsession other than the opposite sex was turning 21. But, what I remember most about 18 was that I tried as earnestly as I could to imagine being 30 years old and could not imagine it. It seemed like light years away from where I was.

Then it came. I turned 30 and then 35 and then 40 and so on. Yet, as Satchel Paige said so well, "how old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? I'd be 35.

But then there was this other milestone that I could not image reaching, and today I have attained it. I am 65 today. Who knew? I surely didn't think it was even possible. I thought maybe I may not live that long, but here it is in real life.

Yet, I still feel 35 in my head. I realize my body is somewhat different. I know that because I have a number of photos during that period. There is a distinct difference I detect from the mirror.

Satchel Paige said something else that hits home: "Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Now that I'm here, I don't mind, so it doesn't matter much. I don't care about birthdays and haven't for a lot of years now. It is what it is, but I am only as old as I feel. My favorite quote about age is by Chili Davis: "Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional." I prefer to never grow up.

What is most interesting on this day is that I have no regrets and nothing but fond memories of the trail I've been wandering and the horizon is brighter than it has ever been.


Another Happy Day On The Trail. . . 

Spread Some Joy Today--because it feels so much better than sharing the news.

Daily Inspiration 11-8-14

"Being patient 

does not mean 

being passive." 

-- Mike Dooley 

Continuing with some gems I found in Mike Dooley's latest book, The Top Ten Things Dead People Want To Tell You, the quote above was another one that leaped from the page to my attention.

In this quote, he is suggesting that we chill and learn to trust that things will work in our favor. He says that whatever it is that we want there are only two steps to attain it. Step one is to define what you want, and step two is to show up to receive it. He says, "the Universe does all the rest."

I'm told that a lot of people are not so good at step number one. Defining what we want can be challenging, but it is not going to define itself. That would be the crapshoot theory. I'm also told that many people are not as into receiving as they would like to be. Part of that is past training that it is better to give than receive and such, along with the worthiness thing, and the deserving thing, and the lacking skill or intelligence thing. Yet, these two steps are truly our main work in getting what we want.

Then there is the impatience thing. It's not here yet. It's not here yet. Where is it? My ship got lost at sea? So, if we are to receive, we must trust that it will be, or rather, in fact, that it is already done. This is the patience part.

Having patience doesn't mean being passive as he said. So, we define and then we show up and sleep until it arrives? No, he explains that well enough, so I'll let Mike tell it: "So get on with it. Being patient does not mean being passive. Move toward your dreams while you celebrate all that does work, all that you do have, and how you now are. Be with friends. Spend time alone. Don't worry. Be happy."

Patience is trust. It is trusting that everything will work out. It isn't about standing or sitting on the bench or the sidelines, it is about living our lives. To paraphrase the Bible, "whatsoever you ask, believing, will be done." In Mike Dooley's text, he is saying that the believing part is the showing up part. Why show up if you don't believe?


Have Patience. Trust In God, The Universe, Your Higher Power Or Whatever Word You Want To Use. In The Meantime, Have A Good Time. Enjoy. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by thinking of a couple people that you love and how much you love them and all the things and attributes that cause love to well up in you. Let it gush all over the place. Wade in it. Swim around. Do the backstroke. Relax in it. Celebrate it. Adore it. Embrace it.

Daily Inspiration 11-7-14

"Forgiveness is only necessary 

when first there's blame." 

-- Mike Dooley 

Mike Dooley's latest book was just published late last month and I just finished it a few days ago. Although all the material I've accepted for some time, a different person explains things in a different way, and sometimes how I think I know something changes. Mike uses a lot of logic in his book, The Top Ten Things Dead People Want To Tell You, and the quote above jumped off the page at me as if it were screaming.

We've all been taught that it is good to forgive and that we should forgive others and also ourselves. Mike says that forgiveness is a lie, and that was an in-your-face kind of statement, challenging the old idea of 'it is a virtue to forgive.'

Since he is teaching a new understanding in his book, he says, "With understanding flooding your senses more and more, a new irony appears on your radar: Forgiveness is only necessary when first there's blame. The second lie needs the first lie. Withdraw the blame and forgiveness becomes a moot point."

He goes on to say, "To cast blame means to not understand that you create your own reality, and such a blind spot can rob you of your power to live deliberately today and in the future. It prevents you from accepting responsibility for shaping the rest of your life."

I have previously written about my take on forgiveness is letting go of the rope by just laying it down. The rope is the resistance or the struggle, and that struggle is mostly a struggle within ourselves. You could see the rope as what it really is, which is blame. Blame is the struggle, and Mike is right in that without that blame first, there is no need for forgiveness.

I know a few people who live their life so full of blame of others that there is no peace. They find it impossible to forgive and that is because they find it impossible to let go of the blame they feel. And truly, that has nothing whatsoever to do with anything on the outside. It is fully an internal struggle within themselves.

If you blame anyone for anything in your life, consider putting that tug-o-war rope down. Forget about forgiveness. When you drop the blame, there is no need for it.


"Within Every Situation, There Is Meaning, Order, Healing, And Love." -- Mike Dooley

Spread Some Joy Today--Joy is not something to seek and find. It is simply something to allow. It is your natural state.

Daily Inspiration 11-6-14

"What people call serendipity 

sometimes is just having your eyes open." 

-- Jose Manuel Barroso 

I've probably taken at least 50,000 photos, but from a photographers point of view, I'm not one. That's why they separate amateurs from professionals. There is probably something more to it than that, but I don't really care.

It's more about opportunities than skill much of the time to catch a glimpse of something special. In the last year or so, I've caught two that stand out to me. Just for the fun of it, I'll share them with you.

The photos of the hawk above are in the birdbath outside my office (which used to be a garage when the house was first built). I have a 7' sliding glass door to view the courtyard and get to see a lot of different birds drinking and taking a bath. Most of the time, they are common residents like Robins, Blue Jays, Finches and so on, with periodic visitors like Cedar Waxwings. But, never a hawk. In fact, in 29 years here, I've only ever seen one overhead, but never in the yard, and especially not in the birdbath that is way too shallow for such a big bird.

Then, yesterday on the 5th of November, 2014, I was talking with my business partner on the phone and I looked out at the courtyard and there was this hawk sitting in the water. He or she sat there for the longest time allowing me to use two different cameras and even shoot some video. Finally it took a bath went up into the nearby tree and preened a bit and was on its way.

According to my bird book, this was an immature Cooper's Hawk. At first I thought it was an American Kestrel. What a beautiful and at the same time, serious-looking bird.

The squirrel. This was also strange. Nancy bought this yellow squirrel solar night light. It would light up at night which looked odd. We had it for several years. Never saw a squirrel in our yard, and then one day we saw one eating some of the bird seed. We put out some peanuts and other nuts and it came around more. Then months later, there were two. We would put nuts on the deck table and the squirrel would get up there and eat them or run off with them.

One day I decided to put the solar squirrel on the table in hopes that I might have the unique opportunity to catch them side by side. It came to pass. I didn't have much time, but got some quick shots and this is the best of the lot where they are sitting at opposite angles, eating in the same way. I couldn't believe my luck, but I know it isn't luck at all.

Be careful what you intend (we used to say 'wish for'), as it may very well come true!


When You Delight In What You See And Experience, More To See And Experience Will Be Along Soon. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by choosing to make it a perfect day. No matter the weather, no matter the circumstance, no matter what. No one can choose except you.

Daily Inspiration 11-5-14

"There is no such thing

as a situation that is inherently difficult. 

A sense of difficulty depends 

on your definition of the situation." 

-- Bashar 

For so many years I subscribed to the belief as preached by the biggest and best in personal development that "if you are willing to work hard, you can achieve what you want." They use that word 'hard' over and over, and throw in a few sacrifices here and there, going the extra mile over yonder, and being willing to work extra hours and become part of the working-up-a-sweat crowd.

I quit that club.

I don't use those phrases any more and haven't for some time. James Allen says that "mind is the master," and he is right, of course, but it is never the mind alone in a physical environment. However, it isn't about working hard. You can if you want to. I won't stop you. It isn't about sacrifice. You can if you want to. I won't stop you there either. And, going the extra mile? Why the heck not. Knock yourself out.

Those old and tired phrases make me tired just thinking about them.

So, let's try some better ones. How about action? Works for me. How about focus? Can't live without it. Let's throw in some enthusiasm and a sprinkle or two of delight. Now we're cooking. Next, let's dance with some inspiration. If perspiration comes, so be it, but we cannot call this stuff work. We should call it play, enjoyment, love, fun, movin', and groovin', excited and looking toward (not forward) with eager anticipation.

You might be laughing at me just switching around a bunch of words and phrases that you think might mean the same thing, but if you think about it, they mean something completely different, don't they? These new words and phrases change the whole scope of whatever it is that we are doing.


What Was A Burden, Is Now A Joy. THAT Changes Everything. 

Spread Some Joy Today--and a little love while you're at it.

Daily Inspiration 11-4-14

"Not only are you loved 

through the packages and bundles 

that are Fido and Fifi, 

but their presence in your life 

is just one more invitation 

for you to love 

as you could not have loved otherwise, 

even as they teach you 

lessons of compassion, tolerance, 

patience, or whatever else 

 you stand in need of." 

-- Mike Dooley 

When Nancy passed a year and a half ago, she left me her dog. He hated me, was always barking at me and so protective of her. Yet, I would take him on walks and he was in total joy. Little did I know the lessons that I would learn from this dinky little dog during this time. He has taught me to love more.

He has taught me to set aside what I'm doing because it isn't nearly as important as what he wants. He has taught me more to live in the present. He doesn't ever seem to be in the past or the future, but always in the moment. He is always ready for a ride, a walk, an adventure. Even if he doesn't get out of the car, he wants to go. I take him on appointments with clients and sometimes he sits in the car for a while, but he just takes a snooze and awaits my return. He is amazing.

As I was thinking about all I have learned from Charlie, the little dog, I responded to an email from a friend and client. She sent some photos and I wasn't sure why because, at first glance, I didn't notice anything different than was already on the website. So, after looking at them more closely, I had a number of questions and sent her an email. Previously, she only sent photos with no story.

She responded with this: "Yes--oh my goodness I forgot to tell you that--I always think you can read my mind." That caused a whole other train of thought though it was related to the dog story, so bear with me.

Her response was so appropriate and so closely matched to how my own and so many people's relationships, marriages are. We don't tell our partners, lovers, friends what we really want or need, but we somehow expect that they will figure it out on their own. We think maybe they will see our mood and deduce something that we want or need that we are unwilling to actually say.

Suppose the wife, woman, lover, comes home from work and had a bad day. Stuff went on at work and the thoughts and emotions are running through her head as she walks in the front door. There is a cloud following her every move. Maybe she even vocalizes anger and disappointment, or complaint, but who wants to hear that? Better to find something important to do so that we don't have to listen to it.

Then change to this scene. She walks in and is beside herself with the trials of the day. She's had enough of this day. She sees me (or you) and says, "honey, I've had stuff go all awry today, I need a friend right now. Will you come and sit with me, hold me for a while and let me let off some of these thoughts while I bask in your love and acceptance?"

I'm trying to keep this short, but you see the difference, right? Maybe you're the exception, but I know in my life that we expected each other to figure things out and to be a backstop for our fastballs and curveballs and knuckleballs. Whether it is coming home from work, or in the bedroom, or on a trip somewhere, rarely, if ever does the communication come out so simply and brilliantly.

Charlie does it. He comes over while I'm doing computer work and I can tell without a word that he wants some love and attention. In the past, I might think that what I'm doing was so all-fired important that I would miss so many moments like these. I know I did that with her too. Not meaning to, just not knowing any better. Not seeing the present in full bloom, taking advantage of the opportunities.

Praise be to those bold enough to say what they want, to ask rather than expect, to get our attention rather than give up and go sulking alone.


It's Amazing Who Your Teachers Can Be. When The Student Is Ready. . . 

Spread Some Joy Today--Say what you want. Ask for joy. Ask for love. Pay attention to the moments. There is nothing so important as that.

Daily Inspiration 11-3-14

"There are truths 

on this side of the Pyrenees, 

which are falsehoods 

on the other." 

-- Blaise Pascal 

Truth is a universal idea, but it is only universal in that it may be one truth here, another there, another there, and so on. There is no such thing as The Truth. What truth really comes down to is a belief. If you believe it, then it is true for you, regardless if others agree with you or not.

I attended a professional panel for a group of youth aging from 15 to 17 and one of the 17-year-old girls said that she put in 23 applications and did not get one call and how hard it was to find a job. As she said that, I was looking quickly around the room and a lot of heads were nodding in agreement--even some of the professionals on the panel.

Later we had breakout sessions and when this girl came to my table, I mentioned to her that it was only hard for her to find a job because she believed that to be true. I know this because I believe that it is easy.

I have the feeling based on hearing a lot of opinions that a majority lives in the truth that it is hard, that the pie is only so big and there is only so much to go around, and so on. Yet, a majority doesn't create The Truth, they can only create their truth. We get to choose our own truth, and in the end, that is the only one that matters.

Limiting beliefs can feel very cozy and comfortable, and they can often find agreement with others to help us strengthen our position of outside limitations as being the norm. We can also decide to change those limiting thoughts and beliefs and cross the Pyrenees to the other side at any time.


Maybe It's Time To Let Go Of Some Of Those Limitations.

Spread Some Joy Today--by choosing to see the unlimited beauty all around you no matter where you happen to be.

Daily Inspiration 11-2-14

"If only. 

Those must be 

the two saddest words 

in the world." 

-- Mercedes Lackey 

Does it matter how far the past is past? Does it matter more if it was yesterday than a year ago? Does a year ago matter more than 10 years ago? It seems that if I'm relenting at all about the past, that it is what I intended to do and did not do, which is most often yesterday. Sometimes, I might relent a bit further back, and I guess it is only because the memory is fresh.

Then today it occurred to me that it really doesn't matter at all whether it was an hour ago, yesterday, this week, last month, or 25 years ago. It is done. It was experienced at the time and what happened did happen and I cannot go back and do anything at all about it. It is past.

However, I can and do have total control over this moment, right here and right now. I can change course, change my mind, change my thoughts, change my residence, change my job, change anything--but only right here and right now.

If loving ourselves and then others is the ideal, and I believe that it is, loving ourselves begins with acceptance of ourselves, and that means everything we have done, will do, and what we are and what we will become. To mourn over the past is to negate the moment we have. The best way we can serve the past is by living in this moment. The 'if only' of regret is an impossible accomplishment.

Imagine that what you did or didn't do yesterday that you are feeling regret about was turned into a block of metal and then put on a skid with a rope, and now today, you pick up that rope and drag that skid wherever you go today. Think how tired that makes you, and how it slows you down, how it gets in the way of everything you are trying to do today. The more regret you feel, the heavier that skid becomes. It's torture, and it is exactly what many people go through in the 'if only' world.

Now imagine that you love yourself and accept full responsibility for all of your thoughts and actions right here and right now. You let go of the rope attached to the 'if only' skid and walk freely, act more positively, and feel joy in the present as you do whatever you choose, change whatever you feel needs changing, relaxing in the glow of the moment.


Ahhhhhhhh. That's What I'm Talkin' About! Peace Of Mind. Sing It With Me. . . Pe-e-e-eace, Peace Of Mind, Pe-e-e-eace, Peace Of Mind. . . 

Spread Some Joy Today--by just letting go of this rope and that rope and all those tangled ropes you've got going on. Once you are freed, you will soar.

Daily Inspiration 11-1-14

"Reaction -- A boat 

 which is going against the current 

but which does not prevent 

the river from flowing on." 

-- Victor Hugo 

A friend told me about another friends reaction, or rather, overreaction to a small event and then promptly created a new policy that seemed unreasonable to all except this person.

I like Paul Coelho's quote about reason where he says, "Don't allow your mind to tell your heart what to do. The mind gives up so easily." Well, no matter what, reactions like that are all fear based and that usually not only doesn't work out, it often works in the opposite direction.

It's so easy for us on the receiving end of such a reactive outburst and immediate change in overall policy to have a reaction ourselves, and it is invariably in the opposite direction, or as Victor Hugo puts it, "a boat which is going against the current." In this case, now everyone is. Reason is out the window in the face of reaction.

What a great opportunity this is to pause and consider. What has been going on in the life of that person who reacted so poorly to such a small thing? That person could very easily have all kinds of issues, emotions running around, feeling overwhelmed, out of sorts, maybe even having family issues. Now, if we all in our own reaction row upstream too, we are all in fear and distress. The only way out is downstream.

A long time ago my wife and I went to Marriage Encounters, which is an event where couples work out issues in new ways to help solidify their relationship. A big part of that is writing out feelings, then reading it aloud and the receiver is to listen without judgment. Couples are encouraged to continue to write to each other long after the event. It is quite effective in my opinion.

So I suggested to my friend that she write out her thoughts and how that reaction is creating problems now and in the future and express how she feels about it and do it with love and not fear. I hope she does because I know that this is a very powerful tool. Writing allows you to think through things without so much emotion and certainly without any reactive components from another as is experienced in all verbal confrontations.

Cooler heads will always prevail. Understanding and a loving approach will be the real power.


"It's Not The Situation. . . It's Your Reaction To The Situation." -- Robert Conklin 

Spread Some Joy Today--by finding the love in you to understand how others may be feeling and reacting.