Daily Inspiration 5-31-15

"Less rules, more intuition." 

-- Alan Cohen 

Here's a quote from Seth Godin: "Our culture places a huge premium on choosing the right answer as if we're all on some sort of game show.

Much less credit is given to people brave enough to realize that they've made a mistake who go ahead and choose a new direction, a new strategy or a new set of tactics."

I'm not so sure that we need to use the word mistake, but he's talking about. and he titled this. "The Do-Over." Really what it is would be contrast causing one to evaluate the situation and keep making the same decision or choose a different one. In other words, the contrast causes us to evaluate where we stand relative to what we want-- to what the new desire created by the contrast reveals.

I like this quote from Abraham, Esther Hicks: "Is this pill really an effective pill? Is this process really an effective process? Anything that causes you to allow what you desire is the process of coming into alignment. And so, we're not, in any way, validating or invalidating anything. Many offer their "dog and pony show" as being the one that works. And good for all of them. We applaud anything that assists someone in allowing the Well-being, that they so much want and deserve, to flow."

To think that there is one right answer, one way, one set of rules and that we either choose them or we are lost is ludicrous. There is so much contrast in this world, so many people, cultures, levels of knowing. Potentially, there are billions of right answers, ways, and sets of rules that answer for them the new desire from the contrast that they are currently experiencing. And, how incredibly arrogant it would be to think that we in our own right way, answers, and sets of rules could decide for them. This world is filled with diversity, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally--even Universally.

If we pay attention to the contrast, we are experiencing and the resultant desire that it creates within us, and we follow our intuition to focus on that which we want as we are feeling good about that desire, it is unique perfection. It is right. It is truth. It is the way. For us. Not for others unless they choose it for themselves from their own experience, but our own correctness; our truth; our way. And, as we allow others to make their own choices by realizing that we could never legitimately choose for another, we free ourselves.


Follow Your Own Intuition. Follow Your Own Heart. Follow Your Own Internal Guidance. Allow All Others To Do The Same. Ultimately, This Is Love. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by just being yourself.

Daily Inspiration 5-30-15

"Imagination changes everything. 

The more freedom you give yourself 

to write your own reality, 

the more reality you get to experience." 

-- Patti Dobrowolski 

The above quote is a perfect lead into a delightful quote from Abraham, Esther Hicks, that I see more as an affirmation to begin each and every day:

"I'm going to be happy. I'm going to skip. I'm going to be glad. I'm going to smile a lot. I'm going to be easy. I'm going to count my blessings. I'm going to look for reasons to feel good. I'm going to dig up positive things from the past. I'm going to look for positive things where I stand. I'm going to look for positive things in the future. It is my natural state to be a happy person. It's natural for me to love and to laugh. This is what is most natural for me. I am a happy person!" 


Yes! What A Perfect Affirmation For Today And All The Days Of Our Lives. 

Spread Some Joy Today--be happy. Don't struggle. Just choose it.

Daily Inspiration 5-29-15

"People and events

do not create your experience. 

How you think about them does." 

-- Alan Cohen 

Here are some excellent words of wisdom from Abraham, Ester Hicks from a workshop in San Francisco on February 28, 2004:

"See this world as a free world, and see everyone in it as trying--through their individual experiences--to find their way back to that calling, back to that Source Energy. And even though there are billions of them going about it in a way that is different than you would choose, there's no right or wrong way. In other words, bless them all, and get on with the only thing you have any power about, which is opening or closing your vortex to your natural state of Well-Being."

I love this quote. "See this world as a free world," is such a perfect perspective. See others as "trying through their individual experiences to find their way back" to the Source that is within them, though they may have forgotten the way. "Bless them all." Allow them their individual experience as we allow ourselves our individual experiences. What we think about them has nothing to do with them and everything to do with us. As we see them, it is our perspective that we see. And, last, focus on the only one we have control over ourselves and our own desires, our own Well-Being, our own experience.


I'm Contemplating My Own Navel. It's An Innie. I Bless All The Innie's And All The Outies Of The World And To Whom They Are Attached. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by realizing that all your thoughts of others are your thoughts. Insist that your thoughts are filled with joy for them, and thereby spread it nicely.

Daily Inspiration 5-28-15

"The world we have created 

is a product of our thinking; 

it cannot be changed 

without changing our thinking." 

-- Albert Einstein 

I was wondering to myself, how often it has happened in my life where my habitual thinking, or thoughts has created more of what I want and less of what I don't want. Hmmm. I'm at a loss to find one.

It seems that any time that my life has changed for the better, I have changed my thoughts on the subject, and this caused me to make different decisions, whether out of desperation or out of desire. In fact, it seems that it really didn't matter what the need or desire was because whatever it was that caused the new thinking was good.

Then I thought when was the time that my so-called "instinctual reaction" benefited me in the situation that called it forth? I cannot remember one. This caused me to consider my anger, outrage, or unhappiness and whether they were beneficial to me in moving away from that place of this that I did not want toward that which I did want? I could not think of one.

It was then that I realized that Einstein had it down pat because I was trying to use my habitual thoughts and thinking to create a different reality, which is pretty much the definition of insanity according to Einstein, in that I do the same things, think the same thoughts and expect a different result.

This is the problem with losing weight and having it come right back, and all those other things where we use only our action to try to change, when it requires a thinking change first, then action has a chance. How many times have you seen people choose the same type of people in a relationship over an over again, or find the same kind of bosses at the next job and so on? It's because we take ourselves wherever we go.

We simply must change our thoughts, our thinking, to be able to make a meaningful change.

It is easy to do this when we realize that we have been dealing with fear more than anything else. By finding anything to be grateful for, this helps us to see another thing that we can be thankful for, which leads us to someone to appreciate, and as we go with that flow and focus there for a while, our thoughts and thinking have changed. Fear is our ego and our habitual thought, and the only remedy that I have ever found that actually works is gratitude, or finding things and people to appreciate. 

Basically, there are only two emotions: feeling good and not feeling good. Or, we could say. love and fear. Gratitude is the key to the new thoughts and gratitude is focused on love and away from fear. 

So, what I've found true for me. What it has all come down to for me to change my thinking is incredibly simple. I just find things to appreciate. It doesn't even matter what. When I find one thing, another comes quickly, then another and another until I am pointed in a whole new direction with dramatically different results too.


Long-Term Better Results Requires Better Thoughts, Thinking Differently. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by choosing joyful thoughts through appreciation.

Daily Inspiration 5-27-15

"A solitary fantasy

can transform a million realities."

-- Maya Angelou

I found this video very interesting and short enough to watch for most. It has a lot of great ideas about how to get more of what you want. The text below the video is about the video. Enjoy!

A nationally acclaimed comic performer, high-performance business consultant, speaker, strategic illustrator and newly minted author, Patti Dobrowolski spends her time focused on new neuroscience discoveries that leverage the power of imagination and visuals to actualize a vision of the future. Dobrowolski works with teams and leaders of Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits around the world to inspire them to create new and different strategies while literally capturing the organization's vision in a 4' x 8' illustration.


Draw Your New Reality! 

Spread Some Joy Today--by simply enjoying yourself today. Let go of the rope.

Daily Inspiration 5-26-15

"Enough is not a number or condition. 

It is a state of mind." 

-- Alan Cohen 

I've heard people say things like, "that guy is a multi-billionaire, so why does he keep going for more? He will never spend all he has now." Or, "when is enough, enough?"

First of all, it's not about the money. It never was. Yet, that doesn't help, does it? If we have thousands, and they have millions, it is easy to think it is all about money and what money will do for us, which is really about freedom, not money.

According to Abraham, Esther Hicks, "Everything that I think that I need to do is all only in order to propel me to some place that when I get there, I think I will be happier. So, everything that I am doing, no matter what it is, all of my lists of rights and wrongs. . . are all about me getting to a manifestation that I believe I will then be happier. . . So, why don't I take a short cut and just go get happy?"

Not a bad idea. . . but, we say, it can't be that simple. So here's another way to see it:

"So, why am I who I am, and why am I born to who I am born to, and why is it set up the way it is set up? We say, "For the fun of it. For the expansion of it. For the growth of it. For the difference in it. For the desire producing value in it."

To take all that, which I think answers it well, then top it off with an even grander perspective, they add this:

"Every single person on the planet and every single Consciousness in the Universe has the same experience of being here and having a desire to be there. In other words, it is the promise of this eternal Universe. You're always, always, always going to be on your way to something more--always. And when you relax and accept that, and stop beating up on yourself for not being someplace that you're not, and instead, start embracing where you are while you keep your eye on where you're going--now life becomes really, really, really fun."

So, when is enough, enough? It is never enough. It is good. I am happier, yet I am, after all, on a journey. While I may enjoy this spot for a while, I am on my way to that other place. I'm here for the experience of all of that. Sometimes, I might like the spot I'm in so much, that I keep choosing it over and over again, enjoying it even more, or I may choose something entirely different. Whatever it is, I think I will feel better in the choice I make and what I want out of the choice, or not. Either way, I get to keep on choosing.


It Is Never Done. We Never Get "There." At Least Not Permanently. We Are All A Work In Progress. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by choosing to be happy where you are on your journey to wherever you may want to be.

Daily Inspiration 5-25-15

"People are attracted to you 

by what they see in you; 

they remain attracted to you 

by what you see in yourself." 

-- Mark Amend 

The above quote is a fascinating one to consider. What does it mean "by what you see in yourself?" Consider this quote from Abraham, Esther Hicks: "The only thing that makes the difference in the way you feel right now is the thought that you are thinking right now. It doesn't mater how much money you've got; there are joyful people with no money, and there are unhappy people with lots of money. How you feel is about how you are allowing the Source that is You to flow. So when we talk about the Art of Allowing, we're talking about the art of living; about the art of thriving; about the art of clarity. We're talking about the art of being who you really are."

How we see ourselves has everything to do with what we think, and what we think has everything to do with how we feel. How we feel and how we think has everything to do with what we hear and see and read and experience and our interpretation of that. It has to do with the story we tell, or rather, the story we tell has to do with how things are turning out; that is, how we are thinking and consequently, how we are feeling. All of that has everything to do with how we are attracting.

Consider these stories supplied by Abraham, Esther Hicks, many of which are so familiar to me because I used to tell them, live them, and experience them repeatedly:

. . . things that have gone wrong.
. . . things that aren't the way I want them to be or think they should be.
. . . others who have let me down.
. . . others who have not been truthful with me.
. . . not enough money.
. . . not enough time.
. . . how things usually are.
. . . how things have been all my life.
. . . how things have been lately.
. . . injustices that I see in the world.
. . . others who just don't understand.
. . . others who don't make an effort.
. . . others who are capable but who don't apply themselves.
. . . dissatisfaction with my appearance.
. . . worry about my body's health.
. . . people who take advantage of others.
. . . people who want to control me.

Sound familiar? Some? All? Consider a new story, a new reality, a new way of life:

. . . the positive aspects of my current subject of attention.
. . . the way I really want things to be.
. . . how well things are going.
. . . how the Law of Attraction is the true manager of all things.
. . . abundance that flows abundantly.
. . . how time is perceptual and endless.
. . . the best things I see.
. . . my favorite memories.
. . . the obvious expansion of my life.
. . . the amazing or interesting or wonderful aspects of my world.
. . . the incredible variety that surrounds me.
. . . the willingness and effectiveness of so many.
. . . the power of my own thoughts.
. . . the positive aspects of my own body.
. . . the stable basis of my physical body.
. . . how we all create our own reality.
. . . my absolute freedom and my joyous awareness of it.

"Each and every component that makes up your life experience is drawn to you by the powerful Law of Attraction's response to the thoughts you think and the story you tell about your life. . . If you will let your dominant intention be to revise and improve the content of the story you tell every day of your life, it is our absolute promise to you that your life will become that ever-improving story."

I know this is true for me for I have experienced it and the resultant change within and without. My new stories; my own expansion; my learning of and practicing of the Art of Allowing, all have contributed to a completely different view. Now what I see in myself is far more attractive.


How Do Your Stories Cause You To Feel? 

Spread Some Joy Today--because freedom, love and joy are what you really are.

Daily Inspiration 5-24-15

"What is history 

but a fable agreed upon?" 

-- Napoleon Bonaparte 

Consider this quote from Abraham, Esther Hicks from a workshop in San Rafael CA on February 27, 1999:

"Someone asked us recently, "Is there any limitation to the body's ability to heal?" And we said, "None other than the belief that you hold." And he said, "Then why aren't people growing new limbs?" And we said, "Because no one believes that they can."

I read a book a couple of years ago by Anita Moorjani, titled, Dying To Be Me: My Journey From Cancer to Near Death to True Healing. I've mentioned it before by saying that it was a very powerful book. I've read it a couple of times and also have it on audio, and took two audio courses from Anita at Hay House.com.

If you haven't read the book, I think you would learn a lot from it. I think that even though she began reluctantly, she has become a guiding light in encouraging people to let go of trying to fit in or be someone they think they should be or who others think they should be and allow your truest self, the real you to fully come into being and guide your renewed life.

One of my other favorite authors that I quote all the time is Alan Cohen, and this quote tells the story of these guiding lights. He said, "You and I are greater than our circumstances. We have the power to serve as uplifters and light places that would otherwise be dark. When you uplift others, you uplift yourself. We are all angels in disguise, and when we express our divine nature, we live to our highest potential and make the world a better place."

In Anita's book, you see her go from as far down the path through a devastating illness that has ravaged her body to the point of final shutdown. Then she returns from a near-death experience to full and complete healing within just a few weeks. To hear or read it being told by her, it is so hard to imagine that she could be healed from that place. It was tantamount to growing new limbs as in the quote from Abraham. Yet, we so often cannot believe it can be true, or at the very least that it was just for her alone. Our beliefs are so powerful in whatever direction we may aim them.

The hope for me, or her light for me, is that I have the power within me to heal whatever I can choose to believe I can. I am practicing thinking in this way. I am letting go of any resistance. allowing my body to be molded as I desire and not be dictated by others regardless of their degree or where they went to school, or who they are to me.

It is so great to know that if it has been done, it can be done. If one can do it, another can do it. It's like the 4-minute mile. When that number was finally broken by Roger Bannister on May 6th, 1954. Virtually everyone said that it could not be done, that it was impossible, that the body could not endure it, and much more. Then he did it. Once it was done, another did it, then another, and now it is commonplace in that field. Our beliefs can stop us or propel us as we choose. As Alan said, it is not the circumstances. We are greater than our circumstances.

My heartfelt thanks go to Anita and the encouragement and coaching of Wayne Dyer in the publication of her wonderful and uplifting book, Dying To Be Me. She continues to uplift and shines a light to help guide more of us to our own miraculous inner power. I am so grateful for all these guiding lights, including Abraham and Esther Hicks.


"I Just Had To Be Myself, Fearlessly!" -- Anita Moorjani 

Spread Some Joy Today--by uplifting others. You can be an angel in disguise.

Daily Inspiration 5-23-15

"Though my physical address 

is in the State of California, 

I am living more and more

in the State of Appreciation." 

-- Terry Minion 

For the last several weeks, or maybe even much longer, I've been enjoying the weather. It is rare to get fog where I live, and maybe that's one reason they named it Fairfield. The fog usually stops outside of town at the hills, but this time of year, we have 20mph winds from the west and that is strong enough to blow the fog further. Yet, it is gone by around 11am and the sun is out and in the mid-70s, and even with that wind--or I might even say, because of the wind, these days are so glorious to be out and about in.

Charlie and I drove to Vacaville which is only 7 miles away to go to Sam's Club. We always take a short walk there which he so enjoys and looks forward to before I go in to shop. And, yesterday, I was so delighting in the breeze and the air and the white clouds, and the trees.

I began saying, "thank you for this breeze, thank you for this beautiful blue sky with the white clouds, thank you for the air flowing over my skin and ruffling my shirt and having me feeling good. Thank you for my feeling good. Thank you for the great car I drive that has served me so long and well. Thank you for the brand new one of the same model that I am eagerly anticipating in the near future. Thank you for the money in my pocket and in the bank to be able to go into the store and buy what I need or want. Thank you for all these people around me who are finding their own experiences, living the lives they are choosing for themselves. Everywhere I looked, I was finding that which I was seeing in a state of appreciation.

To say I was overwhelmed with thankfulness is not the right way to say it. I was rollicking in my thankfulness. I was exuberant about it, effervescent, sparkling, bubbly, expansive, animated, irrepressible, exhilarated, ebullient, effusive, frolicsome, gay, playful, elastic, perky, buoyant, in high spirits, captivated, enchanted, astonished.

My experience was remarkable, magnificent, ambrosial, heavenly, luscious, delectable, delicious, alluring, superb, stupendous, tasty, yummy, and oh, so refreshing.

To say I was delighted is simply not enough. I had to find some other words to try to share what I was feeling, and even all of those seem to fall a bit short, though they are certainly in the ballpark.

Yes, I physically live in the State of California, and I now live more and more often in the state of appreciation. As I am more and more in the state of appreciation, it just doesn't matter where I am physically. California is a wonderful place to live, but I have come to prefer the state of appreciation, where the cost of living and the benefits are always dynamic and fabulous.


Thankfulness And Gratitude Are On The Target, And Appreciation Is The Bullseye. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by moving into a state of appreciation. Joy is within.

Daily Inspiration 5-22-15

"The truth is nice. . . 

but a rumor is priceless!"

-- From the character 

played by Johnny Depp 

in the film, Mortdecai 

I watched the movie, Mortdecai, a few nights ago and the quote above so lit me up that I had to stop the movie and write it down. What a perfect idea. And, of course, it is true in so many ways. . .

It also caused me to remember a passage from Abraham, Esther Hicks from their book, Money, and the Law of Attraction:

"Perhaps the strongest resistance that people have to beginning to tell a different story about their own life is their belief that they should "tell it like it is." But when you understand that the Law of Attraction is responding to you while you are telling your story of "how it is"--and therefore is perpetuating more of whatever story you are telling--you may decide that it really is in your best interest to tell a different story, a story that more closely matches what you would now like to live. When you acknowledge what you do not want, and then ask yourself, "What is it that I do want?" you begin a gradual shift into the telling of your new story and into a much-improved point of attraction. 

It is always helpful to remember that you get the essence of what you think about--whether you want it or not--because the Law of Attraction is unerringly consistent. Therefore, you are never only telling the story of "how it is now." You are also telling the story of the future experience that you are creating right now." 

When I'm concerned about money, meaning that I don't have enough for what I need to get done, I am focusing on lack. If I tell it like it is, and especially telling myself the way it is in my head quietly, I am focused on lack and discussing or strengthening that position of lack. If I am ever to escape this repetitive lackful thinking, I must tell a different story to myself.

The way they explain how to pivot and change perspective is that if there were four or five things that are not the way we want, and one that is, then the object would be to give that one thing that is working all of our attention. In other words, if we are thinking lackful thoughts whether it be about money, health or a relationship, find what IS working; what feels good; what is going well; and then focus on that; talk about that; think about that, and just let go of all the rest.

In so doing, I am in a new and better point of attraction, and also feeling better. When we tell it like it is, and what is now in our experience is not to our liking, we are not feeling good. That is a perfect wake-up call to pivot and focus on what is good. And, there is always something, however small, that is working or good to focus on.


The Truth Is Not All It's Cranked Up To Be. Become A Better Story Teller! 

Spread Some Joy Today--by telling your new stories throughout your day. The joy you feel will be flowing out of you.

Daily Inspiration 5-21-15

"People are anything but ordinary. 

Everyone has something extraordinary 

that can impact our lives 

and change us in a positive way." 

-- Gary Rohmann 

I have a client and dear friend (whom I've never met in person) who lives just outside of Nashville in Spring Hill, TN. His name is Gary Rohmann. Today, he sent me an article for us to post to his blog and social media and I liked it so much I asked if I could share it. He titled it, Inspired by the Ordinary. Here is the article:

"Every time I go out to the mall, the grocery store or stop and take 'time out' for a cup of coffee, I meet incredibly interesting people. Not necessarily famous people, but certainly interesting people in the midst of everyday life.

Recently I stopped to take a break over a cup of coffee (love Dunkin Donuts--and grateful that we have one in Spring Hill, TN!) As I was waiting for my coffee to be served, I approached a young man who was focused on his computer, diligently typing away. I approached him and asked, "By chance are you a millionaire?" You should have seen his expression! It brought me to my knees in laughter! And what a conversation we had about life in general. Just incredible, and made my day.'

Every person that crosses our respective 'life path' offers an opportunity to learn. People are fascinating. People, if we allow them to and we are open to learning, can teach us remarkable lessons. As you rush through your day, why not pause and look around. Just watch, listen, and ask some questions. You will be inspired by what you learn.

Some things that I have learned and been inspired by these ordinary people include:

• Everyone is hurting in some way, and everyone needs praise. You and I are in a position to give that praise. 

• Everyone has a hidden talent. Take time to get to know them. Often the most needed skills are right in front of us. 

• Age does not equal wisdom. Learning from the mistakes of others can benefit us more than we realize. 

• Often what we see is just the surface. Take time to realize the talents and abilities of the people around you. 

People are anything but ordinary. Everyone has something extraordinary that can impact our lives and change us in a positive way. We are all ordinary people, but we are all extraordinary in our own way. It's just a matter of looking around and allowing ordinary people to enter your life. President Lyndon Johnson was right when he said, "There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few we can solve by ourselves.""


What I got out of this the most was risking to talk to a stranger, just for the learning of it. Also, it is interesting how much we can learn about others and ourselves in this risk of reaching out. The millionaire question was great. If a millionaire is being rich, then we are all rich in some way or another. Even the poorest person is rich in some way. And, last, we can indeed uplift one another, enjoy some moments, share love and joy. Even with a stranger.

 [Gary Rohmann's website is www.GaryRohmann.com]


Every Person Is Of Value. Every Single One. 

Spread Some Joy Today--That's right. Great idea.

Daily Inspiration 5-20-15

"You always have the energy to do 

what you are passionate about." 

-- Alan Cohen 

It's probably the things you find time to do when with other things there just isn't enough time or energy. Maybe a good time to make a little list and see what those things are. . .


Here's A Great Question: Can Passion Be Developed? Hmmm... 

Spread Some Joy Today--Such a great phrase, don't you think? Spread some joy today.

Daily Inspiration 5-19-15

"If you follow the crowd, 

you will go no further than the crowd. 

But if you walk alone, 

and find your own way, 

you will likely find yourself 

in places no one has ever been before." 

-- Albert Einstein 

And, The View From Here Is Quite Spectacular! 

Spread Some Joy Today--Check your love quotient today. Then give at least 50% of it to yourself, and the rest to everyone else you see today.

Daily Inspiration 5-18-15

"Thought is the sculptor 

who can create the person 

you want to be." 

-- Henry David Thoreau 

Toward the end of 2013, I found this poster by Andy Dooley. Actually, he sent it out to who knows how many people in his newsletter which I subscribe to. I sent him a note and said that I would be very interested in buying several copies of it if he would offer it on Zazzle.com where he has several other of his wonderful art posters and other artwork available. I loved the sentiment of someone telling you that you rock and even giving a list of reasons to support that statement. Andy was happy to fulfill my request and he did it right away too. I was grateful.

I bought posters in various sizes, had them framed, and gave them out to clients, and our team members along with some other Andy Dooley things. I loved the idea that they could put it on their desk or their wall and see it often to remind them that they are special and that they rock.

I gave out quite a number of them, took my time gathering them and getting them ready for Christmastime giving. It was fun and it was a mission of love too. I kept two of them myself--one 8x10 size in my office and one 16x20 on my wall that I see every time I walk down my hallway. It helps me remember that I rock too.

So, here's my throwdown challenge for you today and this week. Get a spiral notebook or legal pad and write this phrase on the first line:

I ROCK Because. . .

And then, write a list of reasons why you rock. Keep writing until you can't think of any more, then come back tomorrow or the next day and write some more. Keep it nearby and look at it periodically to remind yourself all the ways in which you rock. Sing your praises, lift yourself up. Be selfish enough to do this because loving really begins with self-love.

Besides, what do you have to lose except your self-criticism?


U ROCK!

Spread Some Joy Today--by thinking of some new and more exciting words to use when today someone asks you, how are you? How about enchanting, alluring, ravishing, astonishing, remarkable, divine, yummy, delectable, captivating, just to name a few.

Daily Inspiration 5-17-15

"If you have identified yourself 

as a spiritual seeker, 

re-identify yourself 

as a spiritual finder, 

and all the love 

you ever wanted 

will be yours." 

-- Alan Cohen 

D. H. Lawrence said, "Those who go searching for love only find their own lovelessness. But the loveless never find love; only the loving find love, and they never have to search for it." My favorite line in this great quote is, "only the loving find love." That part of the quote leaped off the page at me. It spoke to me that virtually everything we might want, we need to first give. What I mean by that is give the feeling of, feel the believing of, and enjoying the being of whatever that is. If I wanted to have love, I allow myself to love, and I practice loving, and I become a lover, then I will have more love than I imagined was even available.

If I wanted to be wealthy, I allow myself to be wealthy, I practice being wealthy, and I become someone who is wealthy. I am wealthy. I am in wealth. I become wealthy by the giving of my wealth, just as I love in the giving of my love. I am loving. I am love. I become spiritual by giving or sharing my spirituality, living my spirituality, expressing that spirit that is within me. I become healthy by allowing my health, living my health, being in health. I am healthy. I am health.

We are the only ones who hold ourselves away from whatever it is that we want. Merely stating it isn't enough. Merely wanting it is not enough. Wishing and hoping is not enough. Believing is enough. Becoming is enough. Being is enough. I am enough.

In another Wisdom for Today from Alan Cohen, and easily one of the more profound to me of those I received, he added, "Buddha said that all suffering is based on the belief that there is something outside you that you need to get to be happy. Healing or enlightenment (becoming the Buddha) is based on the belief that there is something inside you that can make you perfectly happy as you discover and claim it."

It is already within each of us. Anyone from the outside could only help us to remember our own inner wealth, beauty and spirit. We are not a hole that needs to be filled because within us we are already whole.

As Abraham, Esther Hicks has said so often, "you will know it by how you feel. If you are feeling bad or less than, this is only an indication of the direction you are facing. At this point, you may choose to pivot and look upon a different view that feels better, and then by practicing better and better feelings, you are there, and so in this way, you can get to wherever you want to be from where you are."

I like how Anthony Robbins said it too: "What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are."

There is a world of difference between seeking and finding. . . and we are in control.


Become A Seeker Or A Finder? Hmmm. Finder! 

Spread Some Joy Today--by sharing those things that you have become; that is within you.

Daily Inspiration 5-16-15

"Something significant 

that I often teach in class 

to auto salespeople: 

"Though 100% may talk about price, 

only 4% actually buy price." 

-- Terry Minion 

I was re-reading a Wisdom for Today from Alan Cohen issue where he talked about a friend named Michael Royce whom he helped with some advice about publishing his book, Beat the Car Salesman, published in 1996. In the piece, he suggests Alan call him next time he was wanting to buy a new car. Alan said that Michael stated, "You can avoid the entire showroom negotiation game by simply calling the dealership's fleet manager and offering him $200 over invoice for the car of your choice." Alan was skeptical and stated, "I have a hard time believing it can be that easy. Every time I have bought a car, the process has been a nerve-racking game of cat and mouse."

When the time came, Alan called Michael and let him make the call to the dealer. Michael came back that it was done and that he got the car for $200 under invoice. Alan was thrilled and went and bought the car.

It wasn't the price that caused the sale to be made. It was something else. It is easy to think it was the price, but the reality to me is no one likes getting a bad deal. And, deal is a very relative term. What it comes down to is that people want to feel good about whatever they purchase, and the big reason for that is because they are buying it in the idea that they will feel better in having it.

It has been said that are only two basic motivations: Desire for gain and fear of loss. Of these two, it has been said that the greater motivator by far is fear of loss. People want to make a good decision. They want to feel that they received a fair exchange. They want to feel good about their purchase. 

The auto business, by and large, has had a negative image when it comes to buying a car. This image is frankly, well-deserved. It was earned by those that saw methods of taking advantage of people, manipulative tactics, and much more. And yet, it is a small number that created that image for everyone. And, this is true of other businesses besides the auto business.

What to do?

I think the best thing is to begin within our own heart and know that people that are wanting to buy just want a fair exchange and to feel good about their decision and purchase. The more a salesperson can do to help the buyer feel comfortable and confident, the better the end result. It has nothing to do with price in the end except for that 4%, who for $25 would go with the lowest price. Fortunately, that leaves 96% who will buy at a fair exchange providing they can feel good about the process and outcome of the purchase.

Whether it is a spa, a restaurant, chiropractor, dentist, an accountant, a retail store, a website development company, a consultant, a doctor, an architect, barber, beauty shop, auto body shop, or any business where things or services are exchanged with people for their money, instilling confidence, showing courtesy, providing fair value are key ingredients in success. Jeffrey Gitomer says, "People don't like to be sold. They like to buy." It isn't about price, but a fair exchange. If our own heart is in the game, we will see clearly what the other truly wants.


The Golden Rule Applies As Much Here As Anywhere. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by looking for things that help you feel joyful.

Daily Inspiration 5-15-15

"Life is not a period

or a question mark. 

It's an exclamation point." 

-- Alan Cohen 

I am confident that the more you appreciate yourself and those around you, the circumstances that are in your life, the creativity and sharing in others of their skills and talents, the ground we stand on, the weather whatever it may be, the air we breathe, just to name a very few, the more you will agree that life is indeed an exclamation point.


Feel Free To Move About The Planet! Keep Your Eyes And Heart Wide Open! 

Spread Some Joy Today--Yes! Let's all do that today!

Daily Inspiration 5-14-15

"With age, 

you get to a place

where you don't want

to knock people out. 

You just want to 

give people a hug." 

-- Vin Diesel 

I get this totally, except I would have to change one thing. I would remove the word 'age' and insert 'wisdom' or 'enlightenment'. It really has nothing to do with age, but I believe it has everything to do with coming into alignment with Source and seeing all others as fellow travelers in time and space on this ball of fire called Earth. Or, simply letting go of your current viewpoint for long enough to see another.

The more we see our community, the more we see our commonality (or is it the other way around?), the more we feel the presence of God or Source in our lives. When we get here, allowing each to make their own choices without any condemnation or insistence they satisfy us is a given.

Everyone wants the same thing. We want to feel good. Some take the harder trip to the same goal, but that, after all, is the adventure, isn't it?

Consider this bit of wisdom from Abraham, Esther Hicks on this subject:

"People say, "The joy is in the journey," but they rarely understand what they are saying. You are in this focused time/space reality with goals and objectives that call you because as you identify a desire it literally summons life through you. Life summoning through you is what it's all about--it's not the completion of anything."


Enjoy Your 'Journey' And Wear Some Good Shoes, Just In Case The Road Is A Bit Rough. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by getting older quickly or getting into alignment. Your choice.

Daily Inspiration 5-13-15

"Some people have 

 a wonderful capacity 

to appreciate again and again, 

freshly and naively, 

the basic goods of life, 

with awe, pleasure, wonder, 

and even ecstasy." 

-- Abraham Maslow 

Something in me has changed. It's obvious to me. It may completely escape others, but I don't know how it could. It's a bit hard to explain; however, the quote above is pretty dang good.

In about the last six months give or take, my level of joy has increased and expanded. I find joy in almost any direction I look. I am almost constantly delighted. It is wonderful.

I told my business partner that I feel like I've had Spring Fever for about six months, all the way through winter. He had never heard the phrase Spring Fever I guess, so I tried to explain to him what that was. But, that is how I feel.

I delight in the weather. Lately, it has been in the mid-70s with a westerly breeze off the Pacific ocean. It just doesn't get much better than this. The trees are swaying with the 10-15 mph breezes. All the leaves are on the trees. There's a multitude of shade, but being in the direct sun is not a burden.

I delight in Charlie. He seems to have Spring Fever too. He's taking more time at each little stop. Then he looks up at me and his eyes seem glazed over. He's loving it too. I can tell.

I see silly things like traffic and I laugh. I think a funny thought and I laugh. I watch a movie and I laugh. I've watched some recently that I rated at a 3 star on Netflix and now I rate them as a 5 star. The movie didn't change. But my take on it sure enough has.

I love happy movies, especially true stories with a happy ending. I cry almost every time. I just finished a wonderful, delightful book that just hit the stores this month. It is called, It's a Long Story, by Willie Nelson. I was reading it aloud and there were many parts where I just couldn't get the words out let alone see the page through the tears. It's not a sad book. It's a delightful book. I highly recommend it. Sad things don't bring me to tears much, but happy things that are maybe a bit unexpected sure do.

I feel so peaceful and content. I feel like I haven't got a care in the world. I'm not worrying about anything. I'm not fearful. On the contrary, I'm delightfully optimistic. I know there is more for me, even at my age, and yet I feel no rush or anxiety. I know it is coming and I know it will knock my socks off when it arrives.

I am much more of a deliberate creator than I ever have been. I am enjoying myself totally doing as I wish when I wish to focus on thoughts that feel good. I am grateful for my business, my wonderful clients, my team, friends and loved ones.

I hear music differently. I find a new album of slack key guitar music or fingerstyle guitar, or something different and I just want to buy a thousand of their albums and give them away to people. I am grateful beyond words for their gift to me of their delightful skill and creativity. I am amazed at what so many people create out of thin air.

I feel like I'm on vacation pretty much every day. I discovered some delectable Slack Key music from Jim Kimo West and can't stop playing it. His CD's take me back to one of my favorite places on earth: Hawaii. I love his style and his original tunes.

Food tastes different. It is more delicious. I make up a bunch of strange recipes on my own and delight in each flavor on my tongue. I have the same experience at restaurants. Food is so much better.

I am so full of gratitude for everything and everyone. I am constantly giving thanks for the day, the moment, the person, the circumstance. Sometimes that gratitude is like a cup spilling over. I just let it run.

Geez. I think I could go on all evening. Whatever it is that changed, I want to bottle it and give it all away. I think it is just that I have learned how to be in joy. I've learned how to practice turning my gaze to something that I feel good looking at. I've learned how to allow others to have what they will while I may choose not that. I love people more deeply. This all ties so closely with yesterday's long post. I think it is the practice of all that I have learned from Abraham, Esther Hicks, and many others that is so obviously beneficial to me and what I now think about my life. I simply call it joy. Choosing joy.


I Am Blessed With This Change Of Life. 

Spread Some Joy Today--I can't help it. It just spills out.

Daily Inspiration 5-12-14

"The "underdeveloped" country

is not inappropriate in any way. 

It has different desires and different standards, 

and it is not lesser than--it is just different. 

We did not all come to be alike. 

We came as a diverse bunch 

of Non-Physical Energies 

wanting different experiences." 

-- Abraham, Esther Hicks 

from a workshop in North Los Angeles Aug 13, 2001 

When we are in our ego-based opinion and heightened position of evolution about ourselves or our class, field, or even country, we tend to believe that we are better. That's how we feel about democracy or a republic in that it is the best form of government, by the people and for the people, and all that. That's how we feel about those back-woods, uneducated, poor-as-dirt people in our own country's off-the-beaten-path dwellers. It's how we feel about those people over there always stirring up trouble because they just don't understand. It's about all those people who so desperately need our help because they are so helpless and without hope.

It's about those who have a college degree versus those who do not. Or, those who have a Harvard degree versus those who graduated from Tinwater College. It's about those who have their own jet versus those who have to fly on public carriers. It's about those who have loads of money versus those who live paycheck to paycheck. It's about my way or the highway. It's about having intelligence and being stupid.

It's about conformity and non-conformity. It's about following the rules and ignoring the rules. It's about making rules and choosing not to have rules.

Consider how many ways we promote conformity, sameness, a certain view of how life 'should' be, or even 'could' be.

We even do it at work, in our jobs, in our schools, in our institutions. "This is the way it is done here. We only do it this way." "If you don't have a college degree, you will never get a good job." "If you work hard, and keep your nose to the grindstone, you will be successful." [Whatever that means...] "Get a medical checkup once a year to make sure you don't have a 'pre-condition'."

What it all comes down to is that if you are not doing it the way I think it should be done, you are doing it wrong. "I have learned the right way, the right religion--in fact, the only religion, the one true religion. I have been schooled. I have knowledge that you do not. You are less than me. You need my help. I'm not sure I want to give you any help, but you certainly need it. I am a ____________ and a ___________ and I know the best way. I am successful. I follow the law. I abide by the rules. I help create the best rules. You are ignorant. It's not your fault. It's just your lot in life. I can help you. I don't know if I want to help you. Maybe you should just go home. You don't belong here. You just don't fit in. You don't speak our language. You are a loser. You scare me. Get out of here. Now."

Or. . . maybe we all came here for our own experience. Maybe we came wanting to enjoy our own experience and our own journey toward that which we have wanted. At the same time, maybe we came intending to be an allower. To allow every other person to have their own personally created experience. For me to truly enjoy my own experience, it is most beneficial to me and everyone else too when I allow others to be that which they choose to be.

I attract that which I want unto me and they attract that which they want unto them. How perfect. We live on the same planet, and this planet is so diverse in people, and choices, and climate and terrain. I love it here, but over there is cool too. They must be loving it over there as I love it here and that is so perfect. I attract these people around me and I love these people, and over there, they are attracting those people around them and that is perfect. We each can attract what we want. We have no need, or desire to attract the same things. I can thoroughly appreciate what I have chosen while I appreciate their choices. I can thoroughly appreciate that we each get to choose. I allow them to be whatever they choose and want, while I do the same for me. There is plenty for all. There is love enough for everyone's cup to run over. I lovingly offer any help that they may want, and I will gladly give it as they want it, but I never give it because I have an attitude that they need it. This is a perfect place of perfect diversity and I love this life I have chosen.

We all came from the same place. We all came from the Non-Physical Energy. We are all made of the same kinds of molecules and energy. We are all independent and apart and yet we are at the same time, whole. What perfection surrounds us all.


There Is No Way. Every Way Is A Way. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by loving yourself enough to love all others.

Daily Inspiration 5-11-15

"In optimism there is magic. 

In pessimism there is nothing." 

-- Abraham, Esther Hicks 

The quote above came from the end of a workshop in San Rafael, CA on March 4, 1998. I thought I would share it with you because I find it so delightful and helpful:

"We're asking you to trust in the Well-being. In optimism there is magic. In pessimism there is nothing. In positive expectation, there is thrill and success. In pessimism or awareness of what is not wanted, there is nothing. 

What you're wanting to do is redefine your relationship with the Stream. [There is only a Stream of Well-being that we are aligning with or resisting.] 

We do not ask you to look at something that is black and call it white. We do not ask you to see something that is not as you want it to be and pretend that it is. 

What we ask you to do is practice moving your gaze. Practice changing your perspective. Practice talking to different people. Practice going to new places. Practice sifting through the data for the things that feel like you want to feel and using those things to cause you to feel a familiar place. 

In other words, we want you to feel familiar in your joy. Familiar in your positive expectation, familiar in your knowing that all is well because this Universe will knock itself out giving you evidence of that Well-being once you find that place." 


Letting Go Is A Great Place To Begin To Get Hold. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by trusting your journey. As you feel good, you spread your own joy.

Daily Inspiration 5-10-15

"Each day of our lives 

we make deposits 

in the memory banks 

of our children." 

-- Charles R Swindoll 

Happy Mother's Day! 

"Biology Is The Least Of What Makes Someone A Mother." -- Oprah Winfrey 

Spread Some Joy Today--by loving your mother wherever she may be.

Daily Inspiration 5-9-15

"Economies are prospered 

by people who remember abundance 

and keep it flowing 

because they recognize the all-sufficiency 

 of their economy and all of life." 

-- Alan Cohen 

At the same time, economies will shrink from nothing more than forgetting about the abundance that is available and then living temporarily in fear. When hope returns, so does prosperity. It is far more in the mind than being real--on either side of this equation. It is perspective.

Alan Cohen suggests that one of the best ways to continuously have prosperity is by remembering and noting the prosperity you already have, and by focusing on and enjoying your current prosperity, more is always on its way to you.

This next paragraph from Alan is surely worth writing out, or better yet, by making your own list, and putting on your wall or keeping it close so that any time you may be feeling less than prosperous, you can pick it up, read, and remember:

"Money is just one small slice of the pie we call prosperity; if you focus on that one slice, whether it is there or not, you lose perspective and sight of the whole pie. Consider the many ways you are prosperous independent of the criterion of money: You may have a family you love and who loves you; dear friends; a devoted pet companion; rich nature around you or which you can visit; inspiring music, art, literature, and movies; a spiritual mentor or friends with whom you share a spiritual path; creative ideas; health; love; laughter; and on and on and on. If you think about it, you are very right indeed--right now!" 


We Are Always More Prosperous Than We Realize. It's Good To Remember. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by spreading your prosperity consciousness.

Daily Inspiration 5-8-15

"Take this job and shove it!" 

-- David Allan Coe, 

tag line from his famous song 

popularized by Johnny Paycheck 

Sometimes, we've had it. I've been there. A few times. And then we may run off and do something that causes more pain than we had to begin with. Quitting jobs is often like that, along with quitting relationships, divorce, and many other similar situations. Here is one of the most enlightening things I learned about the Law of Attraction and how this kind of thing can lead to betterment instead of the typical, 'same story, different place,' scenario.

From the book, The Law of Attraction, The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, Abraham points to something worth taking note of. I have.

"Often, from a place that is very far from what is wanted, people will decide what they do want. But instead of focusing upon that desire, and practicing the vibration of it until they have achieved vibrational alignment with their true desire--and allowing the Law of Attraction to then reach out into the Universe and bring them perfect matching results--they become impatient and try to make it happen by jumping into action. But when they take action before they have improved the content of their vibration, what they get is something that matches their current vibration instead of something that matches their desire." 

They give an example of a woman in a bad relationship who wants something better and leaves the relationship, but her vibration is still predominantly focused on what she has just left which is what she no longer wants, and not on what she now wants. She is impatient because she is not used to being without a person in her daily life, so she takes action to find a new mate, finds a good candidate, or so she thinks. But her vibration is still vibrating the old thoughts of fear of a bad relationship and more, and the Law of Attraction is bringing her more of the same that she had because that is her dominant vibration. If she would have taken the time to focus on what she wanted and have it become her dominant vibration, the Universe would be matching her up with her desire instead.

Have you ever had it with a job, and then wanted to find an employer who appreciates you, and in your impatience, you act, find something else and then later, after the honeymoon, you find yourself in the same story, different place? I have.

Another way this works is that you are focused so much on your need that you take what you think is good, but it wasn't really satisfying the need in the longer run. In fact, it may have gone backward.

By aligning with what we want, having it become our dominant vibration, things come to us, rather than us having to go and find them with our action. We're so action-oriented in this life, but it is not the action that gets us what we want, but our alignment with what we want.

I remember how this applied in my life after 25 years in the car business. I wanted out, but I didn't know much else. I know I did not want to go work for another dealer and that would have been the normal scenario. I wanted something different. Consequently, I took 5 months off and focused on what I wanted until it became a dominant vibration within me, although I would not have been able to express it exactly that way then. This enabled the Law of Attraction, a thing which I knew nothing about then, to bring to me different opportunities and it changed my life completely. Had I not been willing to do this, I would still be where I was, but same story, different location.

However, it would have been less financially draining for me if I had worked through this while I was still employed. Although, I have nothing but fond and joyous thoughts of that period in my life. In fact, I could make you a very, very long list of the benefits that have come to me as a result of lining myself up before I made the next move.

All this reminds me about the sign long on my wall: WHAT is MY job! HOW is GOD'S job! The less I mess with His work and focus on my work, the better it everything is for me.


Take A Breath, Then Breathe. . . Chill. . . Get In Tune With Your Own Desires. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by choosing to do so. That's pretty simple.

Daily Inspiration 5-7-15

"When you trust your intuition 

as much as you have trusted your doubts, 

you will really be getting somewhere." 

-- Alan Cohen 

I need to change this great and thoughtful quote above. Here is the new quote:

"When I trust my intuition 

as much as I have trusted my doubts, 

I will really be getting somewhere!"

Over the years, I must have had millions of doubts, and I know for a fact that I trusted them more than my intuition so many times. Yet, luckily, I have also trusted my intuition. I only want to do that more.

Here's a great quote from Karen Salmansohn (www.notsalmon.com):

"Live this day as if. . . 

you were given Super Powers. . . 

to succeed. . . 

at everything you do." 

I'm On IT! Up, Up, And Away! 

Spread Some Joy Today--Heck. You got Super Powers. No problem!

Daily Inspiration 5-6-15

"When one door of happiness closes, 

another opens; but often we look so long 

at the closed door that we do not see 

the one which has been opened for us." 

-- Helen Keller 

I've been thinking lately about how I have a tendency to continue to focus on what is not right or what is happening that I do not want or do not like when I have learned better. The only value of spending any amount of time on what I do not want or do not like is that it caused me to learn what I do want and do like. If I am paying attention to my feelings, I would be noticing negative emotion as I focus on that closed door, when I could be experiencing positive emotion by turning and focusing on the newly opened door, or in the direction of what I want. Sometimes I need a kick in the pants.

I have decided some time ago to be a deliberate creator rather than taking what is, but I am not always paying attention to how I feel and so not focusing on where it benefits me. Abraham, Esther Hicks has some great points here: "By deliberately directing your thoughts--rather than merely observing what is happening around you--you will begin to change the vibrational patterns to which the Law of Attraction is responding. . . "

"You would not likely see a sculptor throwing his large wad of clay down onto his worktable exclaiming, "Oh, it didn't turn out right!" He knows that he must put his hands into his clay and work with it to mold it so that the vision in his mind matches the clay on his table. The variety of your life experience gives you the clay from which you will mold your life experience, and merely observing it as it is, without getting ahold of it and deliberately molding it to match your desires, is not satisfying. . . We want you to understand that your "clay," no matter how it may look right now, is moldable. No exceptions."

Rather than paying attention to what is as I look at this unwanted closed door, I forget that all I need do is turn and see the other opportunities to mold my clay anew. As I then focus on what I do want, I am creating with deliberate intent. The value of the closed door is that I have learned what I do not want and do not like. That is valuable information, or it is crippling. It just depends on whether I'm paying attention, and then turn and focus anew.

What's Wrong With This Silly Door? Is The Latch Broken? Oh. . . The Open Door Moved Over Here. . . I Get It! 

Spread Some Joy Today--by enjoying your day. It is an important day!

Daily Inspiration 5-5-15

"To me, sales is a combination 

of caring, sharing, and pairing." 

-- Terry Minion 

Sales is caring. When we care about the person we are talking within a sales situation, this is the beginning of a potentially beneficial relationship. Wanting a beneficial outcome for the buyer and the seller is the best place to begin.

Sales is sharing. If we don't have significant features and benefits to share, all that is left to discuss would be price and other similar issues.

Sales is pairing. We are guiding the buyer to the best product or service to suit their particular needs and desires.

Lately, I've been doing a lot of commercial truck videos with clients and doing classroom training, and walk-around presentation training. It is interesting to me how few know their product well enough to do a convincing job of sharing. If you haven't got much to say at this level, price will probably be the next topic. If price is the main topic, the outcome is fully in jeopardy.

Whatever we are selling, and assuming that we want to do well, it would be a far larger benefit than is commonly understood to learn everything that we possibly can about our product or service.

We would never impart all of that knowledge on one prospect. We don't need that much information to close a sale. We only need 4-6 things, points, features and benefits generally, and occasionally a little more or less. However, we do need all the tools we can have so that we may choose the best ones for this particular job. Not having the tools in our toolbox is severely limiting.

It is always the best strategy to know what you are talking about.

If we do a good job of sharing, the pairing comes smoothly and naturally, and because we began with caring, the entire journey is one of mutual benefit.

And, because selling is interaction with another person or group of people, these aspects of sales that I refer to do not just apply to sales as a job description, because it applies to all of our interactions. 


Worth Your Consideration. . . 

Spread Some Joy Today! Why the heck not? You're going to spread something. Why not joy?

Daily Inspiration 5-4-15

"The smallest seed of faith 

is better than the largest 
fruit of happiness." 

-- Henry David Thoreau 

The word, 'faith' is used in numerous ways, but when I read this quote by Thoreau, I had a view of faith as far beyond simple belief, or even a firm belief, to an inner knowing or an absolute knowing that there could be no question whatsoever as to its manifestation being true.

The faith of the kind I refer to is the guide and deliverer of not only happiness but everything a person could ever want. I see his quote as the difference between feeding someone for a day and teaching them how to fish. The difference is night and day.

Just image that your wildest dreams could come true. You've had the desire, the desire is answered by the Universe, in other words, it is given, and the only part left is the allowing of it, or the believing or expecting that it is yours, or the most powerful and fastest way: the inner knowing it is already yours. There's not even a question about it. There is not even a molecule of doubt. It is.

Just imagine that. . .


This Is The Faith That Moves Mountains. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by simply and delightfully enjoying your day.

Daily Inspiration 5-3-15

"Are we there yet?" 

-- Common lament of
children on a long trip 

I went into a bank on Friday, and it just happened to be the first of the month. I full well knew that this is not the best day to go there if I want to get in and out quickly and smoothly. Nonetheless, I needed to so I went. Oh, did I mention it was 12 noon when I got there?

So, guess what? The line was long, but I can assure you that I benefited by not arriving ten or fifteen minutes after I did, for the line grew in length. Three tellers on the first day of the month. Silliness, but it is what it is. The line wasn't moving because those at the tellers were doing a month's worth of banking in a day or had a lot of issues. Then one goes to lunch, or somewhere. Now there are two and the line is twice as long as when I got there.

Ahhhh, I knew what I was in for, but like I have learned to do in situations like this, I practiced my patience, and everyone knows that I need the practice. So I practiced. I'm swaying and enjoying myself in one place. Every once in awhile, I would think about whose strategy this people management exercise was. Then, I would remind myself that it is none of my affair, and went back to practicing my patience.

Another lady starts doing leg exercises using a nearby counter. Hey, might as well stay in shape while we're standing here, right? She starts complaining and getting others involved in her complaining. "This is just bad management! I used to run this government office, and this would never have happened there!" And more. Much more.

She is two ahead of me and when she finally gets to the counter, she wants to register a complaint. Registering one must be more meaningful than just stating several. Not my affair, so I focus on swaying. Now, she's telling those in line that she is registering a formal complaint on behalf of all of them when she gets home. Maybe some heads bobbed, I wasn't looking, but nobody said anything.

My transaction took 30 seconds. As I was going out the door, this lady who would register the formal complaint was now telling the security guard outside all about it and I'm not sure he was listening intently, but he was standing there. I kept going. I'm done with my task, and it's a beautiful day, so I am on my way to another place to continue to enjoy it.

This is a very simple and extremely common situation for people to get into. When we push against anything, which complaining is, filing a complaint is, filing a formal complaint is, telling everyone in sight is, no good value comes from the exercise. It is purely frustration attracting more frustration. Like attracts like. It's the law. I'm wishing her well and hoping that her day improves, but it isn't my affair. She is the only one who can do that for her. And, I am the only one who can do it for me.


We May Not Always Seem To Choose The Situation, But We ALWAYS Are The Chooser Of The Way We Want To Feel About It By How We Think And Act About It. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Plan for a wonderful day. It is purely your choice, so why not choose wonderful?