Daily Inspiration 12-31-16

"Cherish forever 

what makes you unique, 

'cuz you're really a yawn if it goes." 

-- Bette Midler 

The last day of 2016 is here, and rather than looking back and seeing what we did or didn't do, made or didn't make, changed or didn't change, let us simply be ourselves, and enjoy the entire journey we have all been on individually and collectively. And, to help this idea along, I'm offering some words of wisdom and joy from Abraham, Esther Hicks, who never fail to inspire me every single day:

"If we were standing in your physical shoes, that would be our dominant quest: Entertaining Yourself, pleasing Yourself, connecting with Yourself, being Yourself, enjoying Yourself, loving Yourself. Some say, "Well, Abraham you teach selfishness." And we say, yes we do, yes we do, yes we do, because unless you are selfish enough to reach for that connection, you don't have anything to give anyone, anyway. And when you are selfish enough to make that connection--you have an enormous gift that you give everywhere you go." 

And, here's a little more from them as icing on the cake:

"You didn't come here to fix things that are broken, or to know things you don't know. You came because life on the path of least resistance is a delicious state of being. And you are in love with life, and you are in love with you, and you are in love with being in love with life." 

I hope that this day, along with all the ones before, and all that you intend to experience moving forward are days that bring you ever-increasing joy.


Struggle Is Not Required Or Desired. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by letting go of all that hides your joy. It's in there.

Daily Inspiration 12-30-16

"Great things are done 

by a series of small things 

brought together." 

-- Vincent Van Gogh 

I was thinking this morning that there is a financial term called depreciation. It is the purposeful reduction of a so-called asset to charge off income to reduce the tax burden the net revenue demands. This term can be used in a lot of ways, and in all ways, it is making something less. We are said to be depreciating something.

Another financial term is appreciation. Something goes up in value, perhaps increasing assets, whether in real money or on paper. This term can be used in a lot of ways also, and in all ways, it is making something more, or acknowledging the value of something that perhaps we had not noticed before. We are then said to be appreciating.

How many times, or how many days does one have to do something for it to become a habit. I've heard and read many times that it is about 21 days, and some say about 30 days, but it can happen quicker and also slower than this. I think it has more to do with intention mixed with a smidgen of will power.

So I thought if a person is habitually in a state of depreciation, or I could say, finding fault, seeing what is wrong, in general seeing a lot of life as a glass half empty, how would they reverse this state of depreciation and turn it into a state of appreciation? And, the answer was that it has to do with an intention mixed with a smidgen of will power, and a commitment to do for a selected period as a test, if nothing else, that it can be done.

Of course, the easy way to know where we are is how we feel most of the time. Someone who is in a state of depreciation, finding fault with many things throughout the day, will notice that they do not feel very good. In fact, probably not good at all, and someone in a state of appreciation will always be feeling pretty dang good. An easy way to decide is simply to ask how I want to feel? Good or crappy? Hmm.

Here's an example. I'm up and in my sweats and at 6:20 am I decide I want a sausage egg sandwich and a latte from Starbucks. I get in the truck and drive to Suisun City, less than two miles away. It's 36 degrees according to my truck temperature gauge. It's dark. I stop for a guy who just got off a bus and is standing on the corner at the crosswalk. He stands there. Then, I drive on. But, I stopped. That felt good, even though he wasn't really ready. He only looked the part. I turn the corner, and a train is coming, and the train crossing guards come down. I watch the train. It's interesting. I enjoy the little drive to Starbucks, place my order, and drive out. All the while on this drive so far, I am so enjoying my 15-year old truck. It runs like a top, and I love it. It feels good.

On the way back, I pass an apartment complex--well, two actually. Many years back, all the larger apartment complexes around here put up black iron fences and gates. I don't know if it was to keep them in or keep others out, but they cannot be missed. The second one was bought out by some company that completely renovated the complex and changed the name. They are obviously different. They painted the fence bright orange, along with all the balcony fences, and front doors. It's bold, and obviously, cannot be missed. I am in appreciation of their creativity, their taking care of the property, making it better for the renters, and demonstrating that they appreciate the complex too. And, I think the orange against the brown buildings is quite attractive.

I could go on, but this is a perfect example of being in a state of appreciation. I am looking for things to appreciate, and I am feeling good. That old negative self-talk is on hold. I am in charge of my thoughts and my observations this morning, and I do this all the time now. It has become habitual. It doesn't matter how insignificant a thing that I find appreciation for was, it is now significant. It requires no will power anymore, and it didn't require very much, to begin with.

So, here's a resolution worth keeping: Move into a state of appreciation. It will change your life. Guaranteed.


What State Do I Live In? Appreciation. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by finding perfection rather than fault.

Daily Inspiration 12-29-16

"It's not your partner's job 

to be more lovable. 

It's your job 

to be more loving." 

-- Barbara DeAngelis 

So true, and this short bit of wisdom took me so many years to truly understand. I don't think it was until I began studying the many authors in The Secret, most notably, the Teachings of Abraham beginning in 2007, that I began to accept, and then fully accepting this premise.

My relationships, especially marriage and other romantic relationships, adding in my relationships with those above me in my employment travels, were probably what many call normal: People do what they do and you wish they wouldn't, you want better, you want them to treat you better, give you more respect and appreciation for busting my ass for them and not getting my 'fair share' of the spoils, and the list is so long that I would lament on it just about every day in one way or another, and if not vocally, in my constant mental talk. It's the classic idea that what is wrong is outside of myself, and no matter what I do, I keep getting the short end of the stick. Boo-hoo.

Sure, I tried to make the best of it--don't we all? But, as positive as I tried to be, my inner world was one of massive negativity. I can see it so clearly in looking in the rearview mirror. I was never happy. I was pleasant, respectful (most of the time), and as easy-going as I could muster, but happy? Not really. Joy? What is that?

Of course, what I learned in my studies was that it wasn't them. It wasn't my wife. It wasn't my boss. It wasn't the government. It wasn't anything outside of myself. And, this was the hard revelation: It was ME. As much as I didn't want it to be me, or my fault, or my problem, or my world--too bad. It was. It is. It will always be. Then I was reminded of one of The Eagles songs that I took to heart: Get Over It. And, so I began to let go and find a more effective perspective.

Expecting anyone else regardless of our relationship to be something for me, or to act in a pleasing way to me, or to treat me in a certain way, is something that I now understand is truly pointless. If I want my wife to love me more or show me more love, I have to be the one doing that instead of putting that expectation on her or on my boss, or on any other. I had to learn something I was told way back in the early 1970s: Own your own feelings. Back then I didn't really get that in the way I get it now. And, it took a long journey to get there, but life is all about the journey, right? I learned it. I began living it, and now it is part of me.

I was tested by fire during the last two years of my wife's terminal illness, and I learned more about unconditional love than I ever had. As well, I learned more about patience than I had ever known. I couldn't change her or how she felt, or how she treated me, but I could choose to let go of all of that and just love her, accept her as she was then, appreciate all that had been in the 26 years we were together. I found cracks in my relatively new perspective and strengthened my resolve to let go of what was outside of me, and choose to love, to be at peace, and even to find joy.

If you are anything like I was, expecting much from others, disappointed when they are not as I want them to be, I hope this personal message helps, even if it only opens the tiniest crack to get started. It will change your life for the better, as it has truly healed my own. My perspective is now as if I am looking at the world from space, rather than the cracks in the sidewalk, and I now truly love without condition.


If It Isn't Working, Try A Different Perspective. Life Is Meant To Be Joyful. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by releasing your need for others to be anything other than they already are.

Daily Inspiration 12-28-16

"I'm glad I've been handsomely paid for my efforts, 

but I truly would have done it for free--because I had to. 

It was the only way I found momentary release 

and the purpose I was looking for." 

-- Bruce Springsteen, 

from his new book, Born To Run 

Our internal guidance--that inner knowing, can guide us perfectly as we acknowledge it and pay attention to how we feel as we consider it. Here's something Wayne Dyer has said on this subject:

"There has been invisible guidance there for me each and every step of the way, just as there is for you as well. In order to access that guidance, I encourage you to make a commitment to be absolutely faithful to that which exists nowhere but within yourself. This is the great secret for seeing ever more clearly and living your life from a place of passion and purpose." 

You've heard the phrase, "you gotta do what you gotta do," right? Most often, that is the inner drive people refer to the moves a person along a path that works best for them, though it may not always be the clearest signal, and yet, the more we listen to it, feel it, and respond to it, the clearer it gets.

I even talk to it--just like I'm talking to God, because, I think it is. Sometimes I think I don't really know anything, so I am always open to guidance. In fact, the older I get and the more I have learned, the more I see I do not know. But, I believe that my inner guidance knows all, and thank goodness it doesn't dump it all on me, but nudges me along as Wayne said, each step along the way.

You aren't sure what you want? Perfect. Talk to your inner guidance. Say, "please show me what I want next. I'm ready to listen!" I think we all have intentions, and with all that is going on all around us, we sort of lose track from time to time. No problem. My inner guidance will help keep me on the right track!

There's something to be said for letting go and giving control to our higher power. This doesn't mean that we have lost our way, or that we are giving up our freedom of choice. It simply means that we are trusting in the greater knowing of my chosen intentions, which might be feeling a little cloudy at the moment, but soon enough after releasing control, I'm guided to the next logical step, and then the next.


I Love That I Am Never Alone In My Travels! 

Spread Some Joy Today--by allowing more, releasing more, loving more.

Daily Inspiration 12-27-16

"Your task is not to seek for love, 

but merely to seek and find 

all the barriers within yourself 

that you have built against it." 

-- Rumi 

So many of us begin building barriers to love at a very young age. We may be doing it as a way of survival, protecting ourselves, and a long list of other great reasons, and so there they are, protecting us, shielding us, from some perceived ill.

Barriers are just resistance, and so understanding this makes it easier to see the real issue. Resistance always intends to protect, and yet at the same time does not allow the things and feelings that we truly want, like love.

Abraham, Esther Hicks says that resistance is the only real issue we have in a joyous life. They say that our natural state is one of well-being, and that resistance, which comes in so many forms, is simply a cover-up to that natural state. All the love we could ever desire is there, and yet it is buried under the debris of our resistance.

We talk about stuffing feelings, and when I think about it that way it is easy to see how layer upon layer of resistance covers our wellness in many different ways, including physical and mental states.

These layers of resistance cause hardship. We fight to get loose and as we fight, we only add to it. It is like trying to find peace by having war. But, the way out is not struggle. It is ease.

From Abraham, Esther Hicks: "Most rarely align with their true power, because it seems illogical to them that there is power in relaxation, in letting go, or in love or joy or bliss. Most people do not understand that their true power lies in releasing resistance--which is the only obstacle to their true power." 

And they add, "There are so many things that you have been taught to believe that are counter to the powerful Laws of the Universe that it is difficult for you to think your way out." 

Trying to think our way out is the same thing as trying to figure out how we can get what we want, wondering why this is happening to me, lamenting about all the roadblocks that seem to be in the path, and these are all loaded with resistance, which, as Abraham stated, is the only obstacle to our true power.

The only answer remains. Ease. Release. Letting go of the rope. Relaxing into our always connected, though perhaps not recognized Spirit within. The best love we could ever imagine is inside each and every one of us all the time. We only need to let go of all of the barriers we have built for self-preservation, releasing all of that resistance we have built layer upon layer over the years, and there is the love beyond all expectation, right there where it has always been.


Forget Original Sin. It Is Original Love. And, It Is And Has Always Been There. Ready. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by following your bliss wherever it leads.

Daily Inspiration 12-26-16

"Love makes no comparisons." 

-- A Course in Miracles 

Ever heard the phrase, "I love you more?" More than what? More than whom? Does that mean that everyone gets a different amount of love as if it were a commodity that is divided among the chosen ones?

Conditional love is full of comparisons, judgment, expectation. But real love which is unconditional love--we could say it is love with a big "L"--has zero expectations, judgment, or expectations. It compares none, for there is no comparison.

Another way to see this is full acceptance. There is no wish that the other be better in any way for they are loved as they are, and as they will be, and as they have been. It matters not anything about their choices, they are simply loved.

And here's another insight. When someone loves without condition, there is no thought of reciprocity. It is given. It requires nothing. It seeks nothing. It simply is.

How can you love someone who is so different from us or makes what we might call terrible choices, or lives a damaging lifestyle? There is only one way. We must let go of our conditions.

This is also true of the people we do like, that live a life we admire and respect, and that makes choices that are good in our opinion. Are we loving them without condition, or are we loving them until they change? When they are easy to love, they are easy to not love too. But, as we love them without condition, we open ourselves to the opportunity to love anyone as we choose.

Of course, adding people to a list is sort of conditional in its own way, but as we expand into accepting fully all human beings, and all of creation, we might have just an inkling of what the Love of God truly is.


Love Makes No Comparisons. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by allowing all in the world choose as they will and find joy in that release.

Daily Inspiration 12-25-16

"To the American People: 

Christmas is not a time or a season 

but a state of mind. 

To cherish peace and good will, 

to be plenteous in mercy, 

is to have the real spirit of Christmas. 

If we think on these things, 

there will be born in us a Savior 

and over us will shine a star 

sending its gleam of hope to the world." 

-- Presidential Message, December 25, 1927
Calvin Coolidge 

In the world of commerce, Christmas is absolutely a season, and for the retailer, it is the biggest and best season of the year. Of course, this is easy enough to see visually by just driving by any mall in the United States in the last two weeks. And it isn't over yet. The biggest shopping day of the year even surpassing Black Friday, is often the day after Christmas.

It's easy to associate commerce and Christmas, and it cannot be discounted that it matters in this way to an awful lot of people buying and selling at the flood point of business meeting opportunity. So be it.

All of that is okay, but to me over the years, Christmas has come to mean more and at the same time less. It means less because the idea of buying lots of presents has left me. I have less and less interest in participating in the commerce, though this is only personal and not an attack on the commercial aspect of the season.

As physical things go, I enjoy the colorful lights on houses and trees and bushes, the tree, real or artificial indoors with dressings all around the room, the smell of cinnamon in the Scentsy warmer, champagne, special foods. But, they are not required.

It means more to me because it is all about matters of the heart. All the other stuff just described is matters of the mind, but Christmas is all about the heart to me. It is love, appreciation, generosity, joy, dignity, and respect. It is about peace within and without. It is about harmony, choosing and allowing. And, of all of these, it is completely embodied in one word overall, and that is love. 

Many years ago now, I took a statement by Charles Dickens to my own heart. He said, "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." This I have done and continue to do every single day of the year.


From My Heart To Yours. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by relaxing into it, as it is always there and ready.

Daily Inspiration 12-24-16

"In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season;

the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church;

the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue;

the atheists went to parties and drank.

People passing each other on the street would say,

'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!'

or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'"

-- Dave Barry

[Classic post from 12-24-10]

I saw this quote a week or so ago and thought it was very funny. . . look out for the wall. . . that's funny stuff. So, I never thought seriously about using it until tonight.

I was at a local event where people gathered and many of the same people come to this event. I was there early, and greeted people coming in and said 'Merry Christmas!' to all that I greeted. A gentleman who is a regular, after my greeting, said something odd that I cannot remember, but it was curious. I just had the impression that he was not interested in Christmas because it is a religious holiday. But, I didn't think much of it as I like this gentleman and I was glad to see him.

A few minutes later, it was getting full in the area we were in and a woman came in with two friends and they were joyous and greeting some of the other people they know and this woman greeted this man, and said 'Merry Christmas,' and I didn't hear it directly, but later found out that he said, 'why don't you leave Christ out of it!' Well, this lady loudly called him an a**hole, which got everyone's attention. He seemed a bit embarrassed, but she was obviously mad. Then her friend was mad and fuming about his remark and so on.

What do you think of that scenario? I think it is interesting. Her comments certainly are an argument, but is that a strange way to defend Christ or Christianity? I think it is strange and also extremely ineffective. I guess the quote with Dave Barry is another way, and although way funnier, may still be a strange way.

Maybe this is a better way:

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas which is peace;

The heart of Christmas which is love."

-- Ada V Hendricks

"But Now Abide Faith, Hope, Love, These Three; But The Greatest Of These Is Love." -- 1 Corinthians 13:13, The Bible

Spread Some Joy Today--Love is always the better way.

Daily Inspiration 12-23-16

"It is really not a good idea 

to encourage your friends 

to complain about things to you. 

There is no value in assisting anyone 

to describe, in detail, 

their unhappy experiences." 

-- Abraham, Esther Hicks 

Or to share our own with others. . .

Have you ever shared complaints about something in your own life, such as, maybe how you are feeling, how upset you are about some situation or any number of things that are easy to complain about? Of course. Who hasn't?

But, here's a better question: Has that ever really helped you? Has it ever solved the situation? I think what would be more likely is that it would expand the problem. So, instead of letting go of it in the sharing of it with someone else, now they add to your troubles by sharing theirs, or their advice on yours, and more. It expands even though what you really wanted was to offload it. In other words, now is is bigger, more important, and even perhaps justified, and it is still in your possession.

I like how Simone Weil adds value here: "We must not wish for the disappearance of our troubles but for the grace to transform them." 

How do we do that? We do it by letting go. Some say, let go and let God. That which is larger than all of the life we see here, whatever you want to call that can certainly and absolutely accept our unwanted problems. Just let go of it. Sharing it is holding on to it. Thinking about it is holding on to it.

Realize that every problem that we think we have is in our mind. It wouldn't be a problem if we couldn't think about it, perceive it, communicate it, feel it, experience it, and all of that comes from the mind.

We have the opportunity to transform it by how we will think about it.

We love quotes because they often have valuable wisdom or insight. I was thinking this morning: What is the value of someone else's wisdom? To me, there is only one possible answer: To lead me to my own wisdom. To open the door to my own secrets, passion, desires, decisions. They don't do it for me, I always do it myself. I might follow advice, but in every case, it leads me to my own power.

I was just sharing something about this the other day, and it kind of amazed me that it came out the way it did. I said something like this: "Awareness of the resistance that we are feeling is key. In recognizing it as being there, we can then let go of it, just as we would let go of a rope we were holding on to, and in letting go, we come back to our power." 

Sure, I've read it, listened to it, studied it for a long time, but that led me to my own wisdom, my own power. You could say that it is no longer something learned, but that it is now a complete part of me.

Now during the day, I find myself aware that my mind is a tool, but that I am not my mind, and that any problem that I have, whether physical or non-physical, it is my mind that is creating and expanding the problem. I then, pay attention to how I feel. I can immediately feel tension. I realize that right now is the time to let go of that rope. I don't share the problem with anyone, I just let them go one at a time as they come up, and I watch them sail into the sunset.


I Am The Sole Owner Of My Problems AND My Joy. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by realizing that joy is in your complete control, any time, any place, with infinite levels.

Daily Inspiration 12-22-16

"Society evolves 

not by shouting each other down, 

but by the unique capacity 

of unique, individual human beings 

to comprehend each other." 

-- Lewis Thomas 

Yesterday was a very enjoyable and interesting day. It ended up being 13 hours from 5:30am to 6:30pm, and being involved with a whole team of people in 6 different smaller group meetings where I was to answer any questions they may have that my experience could cover.

I was surprised and pleased with some of my answers and suggestions--surprised because many things I said doesn't normally find its way into this sort of teaching environment, and pleased because of where I have arrived in my life travels.

These wonderful folks were every different part of a so-called technological company offering a software solution to a unique market. In fact, it has revolutionized that market with their product and service, which they are constantly improving as they grow. Some were in direct sales, others behind the scenes never talking directly to a client, others developing software expansion and enhancement, others were inside sales follow-up and more.

Two things I said yesterday to virtually all of the groups that stood out from my perspective were these:

1. Stop thinking and using the word, 'technology.' I'm in the technological business too, but I never use that word. It scares most people, though they may never say so. In understanding your technology, find simple ways to explain things that anyone can absorb and feel good about. In other words, we don't supply this and that and that and this and here's how it works and here's the benefits, but we have some tools that can multiply your own successful efforts, and we do most of it without you lifting a finger. Which one of those would you want?

2. We're all the same and yet we are all different. Let go of the rope. As individual humans, we have this tendency to try to change others and the majority of them resist change. We need to love people right where they are, play with getting to know them and building a meaningful relationship with them, help them when we can, and leave them alone when that is desired. Many questions were such as, "how can we get them to see this? How can we get them to do this? How can we help them to see the value? How can we have them use our product more fully? I totally get all of that. Yet, in most of this, there is a whole bunch of resistance. We get tense, our muscles contract, our breath is shorter, our heart beats faster. We're holding on to the rope. We need to remember to let go when we feel this way. It's okay. Whatever it is, it is. For now. Lighten up.

This doesn't mean to not do your best. It means to put yourself in the other person's shoes. We can all give plenty of advice on what we would do if we were them, and as we consider this, we become frustrated that the client or prospect is not responding as desired, or maybe has even gone radio silent. Praise them in your mind. Lift them up. Love them where they are, and love yourself where you are. You're doing your best. That is enough. Let the rest of it go.

It's good to enjoy what you do when you are spending all day doing it. If not, all kinds of ills are nearby. Back up. Take a new approach. Let go for a while and come back later. Respect people for making their own choices whether we think it serves them or not. We cannot think for them, or feel for them. The best we can do to be of service is to love people where they are while loving ourselves, and enjoying our own travels.

Though these are a couple of things that stood out for me during my day there, I am not yet privy to what if anything stood out for them. That part isn't up to me, is it? Yet I'm confident an equivalent value exchange took place.


Business Is NOT Business. Business IS People. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by letting go of the rope every single time you feel the least bit tense. This act automatically releases spurts of joy.

Daily Inspiration 12-21-16

"The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a

flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes

another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return,

are to me continual spiritual exercises."

-- Leo Buscaglia

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves

to recognize how good things really are."

-- Marianne Williamson

[Classic post from 12-4-10]

Joy is something I've wanted to experience more often, and now I experience it so regularly, that I am continually amazed. I thought it was a response to seeing something and appreciating it, or someone doing something nice for me, or such. No, I've found that joy is not something to seek, or even to get, but only to allow.

Think of it this way: we already have it in all the abundance we could imagine wanting, and it is just waiting there, waiting to be allowed. As I allow it, I cannot stop appreciating everything and every one around me.

I don't need a vacation, or need to be in a certain place, or time. I don't need anyone to help me. I just need to relax, let go of any idea of control about anything and just allow myself the pleasure of joy.

I used to feel the need to be away from work, but now I experience joy while I work, talking with prospects, clients, associates. It is absolutely a mind set--a decision. It works more often and more effectively with continual practice.

It's Not Joy We Seek, It's Allowing.

Spread Some Joy Today--Allow your joy to flow out of you. It is absolutely contagious and some who come anywhere near you will be infected with joy. We are all carriers.

Daily Inspiration 12-20-16

"The day the power of love 

overrules the love of power, 

the world will know peace." 

-- Mahatma Gandhi 

Well, that's nice. . . but why wait for eternity? Because it will likely be an eternity before there is world peace. It's a pipe dream. Relying on any situation or thing or idea outside of ourselves for peace means that we have zero control over it, and as we cannot control it, we cannot have it the way we want it.

There is no such thing as world peace, but there is such a thing as personal peace, or inner peace. If I want world peace, I must become peace. There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.

How can I expect others to be peaceful if I am not? Do as I say, not as I do? I want you to act the way you should act, while I get to choose what that is?

I recently read a bit by Abraham, Esther Hicks where it said something like this (my paraphrase): "There are as many worlds as there are perceivers of the world." In other words, we all see through our own eyes and we call create the world that we see in one way or another. In this case, there can be world peace. Our own world. Our own world peace. Peace within our world. Peace within.


I Turn My Expectations Of Others Upon Myself. I Accept Responsibility For My Own Peace. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by choosing for yourself without any concern about how others may choose, or even whether they will choose or not.

Daily Inspiration 12-19-16

"May I see my own limits with compassion, 

just as I view the limits of others."

-- Roshi Joan Halifax 

What a wonderful quote to expand upon. May I hear my own voice and what I am saying with compassion as I hear the voices of others. May I acknowledge my own thoughts with compassion as I imagine others in the same way.

Here's some of the best questions that I think we could ever ask ourselves:

Who am I to judge?

Who am I with all that goes on in my head to think others should think something that I think is appropriate?

Who am I to speak ill of anyone?

Under what authority do I criticize any other?

Indeed, who am I to even judge myself critically?


Of course, this goes all ways too:

Who am I to praise?

Under what authority do I praise?

Who am I to speak praise to another?

Who am I to fill my head with love, joy, and appreciation?

Indeed, who am I to love myself as I love others?


I'll Bet One Of Those Positions Feels Really Good, While The Other. . . . 

Spread Some Joy Today--because feeling good feels so much better, don't you think?

Daily Inspiration 12-18-16

"We took such care of tomorrow, 

but died on the way there." 

-- Warsan Shire 

Assuming that change is desired, when is the best time to begin change? Well, it is usually tomorrow. One of those tomorrows. We like even dates sometimes, or the first of the month, or the fifteenth, or on Monday, or Saturday, the beginning of the 2-days of freedom weekend. We love tomorrow. It's easy-peasy, always looks good to us, we can fantasize about all that success of going for that change, and how fast the change will come together. We'll be new again. Refreshed. Alive. Re-born.

They also say that tomorrow never comes, and they would be correct. Tomorrow is always tomorrow. It will never be now. It can only be tomorrow. And, as Clint Eastwood says, "tomorrow is promised to no one." Yet, we are still fascinated with the mystical promise of tomorrow.

We're getting so close to the biggest tomorrow of all: New Year's Day.

I was reading some magnificent bits from Abraham, Esther Hicks this morning. See if any of it resonates with you:

"Appreciation and self-love are the most important tools that you could ever nurture. Appreciation of others, and the appreciation of yourself is the closest vibrational match to your Source Energy of anything that we've ever witnessed anywhere in the Universe." If all you did was just look for things to appreciate you would live a joyous, spectacular life.

"If there was nothing else that you ever came to understand other than just look for things to appreciate, it's the only tool you would ever need to predominantly hook you up with who you really are. That's all you'd need." 

You know how doctors often specialize, where they might be a cardiologist, or a podiotrist? So, among your other titles, or rather your main title above all the other titles you might have could be an appreciationist, or an appreciator. Feel free to put a BA after your name for a BA in appreciation, or an MA for a Masters degree in appreciation, or even a PhD to become a Doctor of the Heart, just like Dolly Parton in one of my favorite movies, Straight Talk. 

Do you think that by becoming an appreciationist that your life would change for the better? Here's a better question: Do you think that it could not?

And, here's the really good news! There is not one reason that this cannot begin this second. Make right now the beginning of this change. Right now! Just look at something and find something about that which you are looking at to appreciate. Anything. Look at something else. Do it again. Doctors practice medicine (which means they aren't really the experts that we thought they were), and so you can begin to practice too. Be a practicing appreciationist. Let loose your appreciation on all that is around you, and don't leave out what is in the mirror in the bathroom.


The Only Time Is Now. Begin! 

Spread Some Joy Today--and you will find that it cannot be helped when you are appreciating.

Daily Inspiration 12-17-16

"As we move without, 

or advance deep within, 

what we see now as an issue 

becomes infinitely thin." 

-- Albert K. Strong 

Many years ago, I acquired a set of scientific books in a series. One book was called, The Powers of Ten. I have never forgotten it and it has really helped to give me another opportunity at choosing a perspective. There is also a great YouTube video of it here.

It begins with the view of life that we live within, and then in increments of the power of ten moves away, eventually into the deepest space 100 million light years away. Then it comes back to our current life reality space, pausing only for a moment, then moving within, under our skin, into the deepest spaces of atoms and energy within.

This helped me because what we think is a problem, is only a problem from a certain perspective, and as we move away or within, we no longer can see or feel problems. They just don't exist. Even if all of the powers of destruction that we have made on earth were amassed in one place and exploded, that would be so insignificant to the powers that the universe controls.

We hear of and see on the television wars going on in various places on earth, with much terrible bloodshed, and trauma, and yet as we withdraw only the small distance to the International Space Station, we see no war or destruction. Indeed, as we look at the Earth from space, it is so colorful and beautiful, and alive.

When a problem or an issue has our attention. It can be a real treat to let go of it, if even for a few minutes, to see that problem, or problems, or issues from a different perspective. When we come back to them, as we will inevitably do, they may be so much easier to deal with than before. Mentally move out into space for a few moments and see the Earth as beautiful. See the harmony of the Universe in action. Take a little break from 'what is' to see 'what is' from a different perspective.


Pause. Try A Different Perspective. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by seeing things with refreshed eyes, or better yet, see them with your heart rather than your eyes.

Daily Inspiration 12-16-16

"The world is full of magic things, 

patiently waiting for our senses 

to grow sharper."

-- W. B. Yeats 

What is the purpose of intention? To move Energy. So let's do some right now. Say this with me:

Today, I will experience some magic. 

I will be alert to all that goes on around me, 

and I will be delighted and amazed. 

Now that the Energy has lined up with your intention, all you need do is pay attention.


Ask, And You Will Receive! 

Spread Some Joy Today--because that is your ultimate goal of life. Well, part of it. The other part is having it to give away. Say this with me: Joy, you complete me!

Daily Inspiration 12-15-16

"You don't have to feel like a failure, 

powerless, or even depressed 

in order to feel like shit. 

In fact, any reason will do." 

-- Albert K. Strong 

There are so many good reasons to feel like shit. Wonderful reasons. Justified reasons. All of them work as good as the other. Whatever our focus it is justified in one way or another, and there is so much help to have us focus on problems in our lives and all around the world, that we don't really even have to ask. It is given regardless.

What a great way to start an inspirational message, right? There's always plenty to feel like shit about as we choose to focus there. Yet, as we choose to focus on what feels delightful, we will find all manner of reasons to feel good, and even way better than good. We could be overwhelmed with joy if we really got into it. But, I'm not so sure we can actually be overwhelmed when it comes to joy. . .

I was reading a few bits this morning and was amazed how they all lined up. For example, this popped out at me from Wayne Dyer: "Remember, it's always about being in harmony with your Source. Your thoughts can either emerge from a beingness that's in rapport with intention or in contradiction to it." 

I loved this bit from Abraham, Esther Hicks: "When you take the problems of the world on your shoulders, your body doesn't feel good. It's just that simple. Leave the problems of the world to the individual problem-makers of the world, and you be the joy-seeker that your are." 

Here's another from Abraham, Esther Hicks: "Make a decision of what you want, give your attention there, find the feeling place of it--and you're there instantly. There is no reason for you to suffer or struggle your way to or through anything." 

I have learned that as I think, I create my reality. That is hard to take sometimes because there seems to be so much outside influence in play; however, that outside influence is predominantly created in response to our focus and thought. The Law of Attraction helps us with more thoughts matching the vibration of our current thoughts. I get it and know how it works, and I can see it working in my life and in the lives of others.

Plus, I have studied this so much, that you'd think I couldn't get any new insights, but that would be wrong. I got another one today right between the eyes--or at least, that's the way it felt.

Whatever we want, whether health instead of illness, abundance instead of lack, peace instead of turmoil and such, we have to focus on what we want. Yet, in a world where we have conditioned ourselves to be reminded of lack in so many ways from our past for example, we think so often about that lack. Lack of this, not enough of that, never getting ahead, too much month at the end of the money, and the list goes on and on. I can still remember my step-father opening the fridge and yelling, "who drank the last of the milk?" My invited friend spoke up that he did, and my step-dad was so upset with him. My friend wasn't sure why it was being saved for no one in particular. But, that is pure lack thinking, isn't it?

So, we have this energy of lack going on inside. We decide that we want abundance, and follow the idea of Abraham to visualize abundance and to get that feeling of abundance, and we do for a few seconds, and then we go back to our daily life currently filled with lack expressions and thoughts.

We find that it is so much work to try to "think positive" when the reality is showing us otherwise. So, we often give up on the "airy-fairy" new-age thoughts create my reality stuff, and stay where we are. Or, if not giving up, we do so little toward what we want, while spending the majority of our time with our current reality of lack.

So this morning, I thought about the Law of Attraction being easily confused by us; albeit, it is no respecter of person or thought, in that I visualized one abundant scenario, and thought about my abundance for a few seconds one time today, and then I ended the day having visualized my reality of lack, and my thoughts of lack 55 times. Which do you think the Law of Attraction spent the most time on? It was giving me more thoughts to match my vibration of lack.

But, forcing myself to think positive thoughts, and to have abundant thoughts is so hard. My Emotional Guidance System tells me that I am feeling good when I think abundance because it is aligned with my Source of Well-Being, and as I think otherwise, I feel bad. I am then feeling bad more than feeling good. Sometimes we might call that feeling normal.

So, here's the learning from this morning. We don't have to sit and concentrate on abundant thoughts to overcome the lack thoughts, we merely, and delightfully only need to remain in alignment or resonating with our Inner Being by deciding to feel good. At the same time, we must let go of more and more of the resistance that we've accumulated with the lack thoughts.

It doesn't much matter what the thoughts are, but we want to feel better, and feel good when we think them. Any good feeling thought is in alignment with abundance. Any bad feeling thought is out of alignment with our Source which is abundance.

The only rule if there were to be any rules would be the decision and the choice to want to feel good. As we think of anything that feels bad, we know we do not want it, and so as we choose to let loose our grip on that rope, even as it may have been such a habit, we can pivot and choose to focus on something, anything, that causes us to feel good. Any thought. Look at a bush or a hummingbird, or the sky. It just doesn't matter what it is. As we are feeling good, the Law of Attraction will now bring us more that will help us to continue to feel good, even all throughout the day.

Don't worry about focusing thoughts on anything in particular, focus instead on anything that causes a good feeling inside. Every good thing comes from this resonance or alignment within.


I Am In A Powerful Place As I Choose To Feel Good. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by thinking of any thought that feels good. Joy is called forth by such thoughts.

Daily Inspiration 12-14-16

"Human interaction 

is a complex environment." 

-- Albert K. Strong 

Last night I watched a movie on DVD just released, Southside With You, about the first 'date' (a heartily debated term in the movie) of Barrack and Michelle, later to become the Obama's. In an impromptu speech he made at a gathering of concerned citizens trying to get the city to help them with a community center, there was so much negativity about the 'no' that they received from the city, and how angry, disappointed, and frustrated they were with the long struggle through the political process. Barrack suggested they stop focusing on the no and turn the letters around to 'on,' as in carry on.

But more than this, he was asking them to look so much deeper than what they see and currently feel and do their best to try to understand the other many valid points of view, the feelings of the others involved, to look at the much bigger picture of the process and more.

At the same time, he was not taking no for an answer from Michelle, and it was as if none of that even fazed him, and he just took a slightly different approach each time, some bold, some soft, and all toward the goal of having her become his girlfriend. I've seen some very good closers in the auto business, but none of Barrack's caliber!

How many noes does it take to get a yes? It has been taught in sales for years that it is at least five on average.

At the same time, I am listening to a new audiobook by Jia Jiang, titled, Rejection Proof -- How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection. It is fascinating to say the least and he has become famous by doing crazy things to try to be rejected on purpose while recording each encounter on video. He was amazed how he got many totally unexpected yeses instead of the much anticipated noes.

In the book, it is the fear of rejection that keeps us from going past the first no. In fact, it often keeps us from trying to get the first no. What's the use? They're just going to say, no. Right? So, he decided to desensitize himself to the idea of being rejected as being a negative thing. And, it paid off in so many unexpected ways.

Jia wasn't just trying to get noes to desensitize himself to them any more. That was the original plan, but early on he realized that talking about the request or answering the 'why' question often led to a change in not only the answer, but the demeanor of the entire confrontation. He began to see mutual benefit instead of self-seeking or self-preserving opponents. This changed everything about the game, and changes of direction in his own life as a result of what he learned.

As we decide that we want something, the best beginning I think is to try to visualize it as already being done. As Jesus and so many other grand leaders have taught, it is as we believe and that it is our belief that is the healer, builder, manager. As we give up on our quest because we think it is too big, or too anything, this is an indication that there never was any belief at all. It is the belief that rules and every other circumstance, need, relationship, money, things, and more is at the beckon call of the belief.

In the movie, Barrack had a belief that it could be different, and that he could make a difference in that by helping those in the room think about things differently. Not just more positively, although that is also true, but more openly, considering many things that they would have heretofore not even considered. In this, they open themselves to possibility, as Jia opened himself to possibility, and once in that realm, what we think and see changes. As Wayne Dyer has said, "When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change."


It Is Possible? It Is Not Only Possible, It Can Even Become Probable, And Then Accomplished. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by believing in yourself. You can do whatever your heart desires with that belief.

Daily Inspiration 12-13-16

"The real value of competition 

is contrast."

-- Terry Minion 

This morning when I was in the kitchen having some coffee and an egg sandwich, my mind went into the archives and brought out a memory that caused me to think the statement above.

The memory was when foreign cars started selling in the United States. My stepdad drove from Sonoma where we lived to Fairfield CA and bought a Datsun pickup at a new dealership there. It was a dinky little thing. I think they called it a compact pickup. At 6' 3" I barely fit in the little cab. It was designed to carry weight that would belie its overall size. It had heavy duty truck type tires, and even some mudflaps. It rode like a tank, and even though the metal seemed thinner than U.S. vehicles, doors thinner, and things like that, it was made with quality in mind along with functionality.

Later, he would buy a Datsun 510 wagon, which I crashed one night, and before that, and even after it was fixed, it was a high-quality vehicle.

Later still, after leaving the Air Force as an auto mechanic, I went to work at S&K Chevrolet in Vallejo CA as a salesman, and then two years later became a sales manager. As I worked there selling Chevy's and teaching others how to do the same, I was often disappointed in the quality of the vehicles coming from the factory to the dealership. I worked there from late 1972 to the end of 1979.

The worst quality vehicle we sold was the Corvette. Paint was terrible, fit and finish bad, but that was overlooked often because it was, after all, THE Corvette, America's only true production sports car, or so the ads went. It seemed like the factory just didn't care too much about what they put out. I remember one time when there was a rattle in a car that they couldn't seem to find. Finally determining exactly where the sound was coming from, they cut open the sail panel and found a soda can inside.

In the meantime, foreign cars, as we called them, kept coming with new makes and constant improvements. They didn't even have to sell them, they just took numbers. They were mainly from Japan--Datsun (now Nissan), Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and more. Their contrast is what was their big success. Everything fit, higher quality, longer service without the typical and obvious decline in quality of performance. They began awakening the giants of industry in the U.S., and they finally responded; albeit, it took quite some time before they rose to the competition's quality level.

Complacency is a funny thing. It seems normal after a while. Competition has a way of showing how complacent things have been. But, it is simply, and beautifully contrast in its truest form. Sometimes all you have to say is, "Hey! Look over here! What do you think?" People can see and appreciate the difference.

Of course, this idea applies in a lot things in life, not just our work, or products we manufacture. It applies in relationships too. People leave each other because of the contrast. People become complacent with each other, and then some contrast passes by. Well, hello contrast! It happens in our routines. After a while, complacency can be the norm and all the rewards that go along with that. Rewards? Of course! And then, some contrast sparks our interest. I really want to look that good, he or she says. I'm tired of this place. I want someplace new.

It's all contrast. Calling it competition is a misnomer. It is just contrast, and as we realize our complacent ruts and drag on doing the same, now boring things, we yearn for some life-giving contrast.


Without Contrast, There Would Be No Living. There Might Be Life, Just Barely, But Contrast Is The Spice Of Life. It Moves Us. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by unwrapping that complacent joy and let it fly!

Daily Inspiration 12-12-16

"WYSIWYG is an acronym meaning 

What You See Is What You Get, 

but it is often what you don't see 

that affects what you get."

-- Albert K. Strong 

Way back in high school, I took a class called Stagecraft. We were the behind the scenes people. In fact, we built the 'flats' that became the scene backgrounds. Without what is going on behind the scenes, the scene people would see would be dramatically different. No pun intended.

It is this way with everything in the entire world I think. At least I am becoming more aware that this seems to be true.

In sales I used to teach that when a prospect or customer seems irritated and short in their answers, it may be that someone kicked their cat before they left home. In other words, there is a lot going on behind the scenes that we haven't got a clue about, and as we bump into people who are acting irritated, it's more than likely not you, but something going on in their lives.

They don't necessarily realize that they are bringing emotional pieces of those behind the scenes issues with them to work, or to the car garage to get their car repaired, or the dentist, or the line at the return counter at the store in the mall.

I mentioned in a recent post that we are all walking wounded in some sort of way, and I know that is true. It's not necessarily that they have negative things going on, although that might often be true, but just a lot of stuff going on, plans to make, pieces to tie together, other people to try to please, and the list can go on forever.

This season--especially if we wait until this month to go Christmas shopping can add just enough more to the pile of things going on behind the scenes of people to visibly see some cracks in their performance during the day. It may not take much when so many layers of things are going on in someone's life, and even though there may be some hard things to deal with for them going on, it may just be a lot of little things that gets heavier each day.

So, this can be really helpful to allow us to be a little bit more understanding when people show irritation, or anger, and such. Compassion is the best thing we can serve them as they come and pass through our daily lives. Cut them some slack. Give them a break. Deal with things as best you can, and as you do, remember how many things are going on behind the scenes in your own life. I'm sure that will help.

Bless People Straight Through What You See In Front Of You Soothing All That Is Behind The Scenes. 

Spread Some Joy Today--because every little blessing helps.

Daily Inspiration 12-11-16

"Learning, 

whether it comes from desire 

or from someone else's encouragement 

is still an incredible thing to me." 

-- Terry Minion 

This morning, I sat down at my trusty computer to write this post. I look to the left and grab a tissue and had instant gratitude for this flowery box of soft tissues. There's that one tissue sticking up in the air, I grab one, and another pops up for next time. I thought, hmmm, what a fantastic little non-mechanized machine! I wonder how they made these things since they are fragile paper. I went to YouTube and there at the top of my search I find How It's Made: Tissues.

What a wonderful world this is right now when you can sit at a computer and learn about pretty much anything you want, and even get differing perspectives too. When I was in school, no one had computers, nor did the school. The personal computer which changed life on this planet very quickly wasn't yet invented.

In the last couple of days, I had to learn some things, even about my own business. We run an Internet Marketing business called Upward Trend, and we do a lot, yet it is a dinky slice of that grand pie called the Internet. There's so much to know if you wanted to know it all, and I'm not sure there are any experts in the whole of it. So, I keep learning bits here and there.

A client sent me an email with some questions. I wasn't really clear on the answers, so I spent half my day yesterday doing research. Then, I was able to respond intelligently and try to have it make sense to the client. You could say I was forced to learn, but that isn't accurate. I was encouraged. I could have made some stuff up that sounded good, but I didn't, and I got to learn some cool things about analytics. What a minefield that is! Still, I was very pleased to learn what I did and be able to respond to the client with good advice.

I could have been bummed out that I had to do some research or put myself down because I didn't know the answers, but that is pointless, and besides, I love to learn. Even when I might be a bit resistant because I'm not sure where to find the information, as I let go of that silly rope, I'm excited and on an adventure in learning. Besides, what can you not find on one of the most fantastic inventions the world has ever seen since computers--the Internet.

I love learning more than almost anything, and I love getting excited about it, and feeling the joy of it. It reminds me of being a kid, as I was even more excited about learning then.


What A Wonderful Time To Be Alive! 

Spread Some Joy Today--by taking an inquiring look at one or two things that you take for granted. See how they're made. Feel how wonderful they are in your life, even simple things like tissue, underarm deodorant, your sink faucet with drinkable, clean water coming out. Not long ago, none of this stuff existed.

Daily Inspiration 12-10-16

"Always the beautiful answer 

who asks a more beautiful question." 

-- e. e. cummings 

Last weekend, I did a guided meditation with Davidji that he called, Release All That Weighs You Down Weekend Meditation. During that meditation, I was overcome emotionally by feeling some blockages I have within, which is internal resistance.

Then this morning, I read a bit from Abraham, Esther Hicks that intrigued me:

"Your role is to utilize Energy. That is why you exist. You are an Energy-flowing Being--a focuser, a perceiver. You are a creator, and there is nothing worse in all of the Universe than to come forth into the environment of great contrast, where desire is easily born, and not allow Energy to flow to your desire--that is a true squandering of life."

Then, I read this one next:

"There is a current that runs through everything. It exists throughout the Universe, and it exists throughout All-That-Is. It is the basis of the Universe, and as you begin to understand this basis of your world and begin to feel for your awareness of this Source Energy that is the basis of all things, you will then more clearly understand everything about your own experience and the experiences of those around you."

This caused me to think about resistors that are used in electronics. I found a webpage, explainthatstuff.com and a page on their site about resistors. Here's a bit that I pulled from that source:

"Electricity flows through a material carried by electrons, tiny charged particles inside atoms. Broadly speaking, materials that conduct electricity well are ones that allow electrons to flow freely through them. . . If a material has a high resistance, it means electricity will struggle to get through it. The more the electricity has to struggle, the more energy is wasted."

When we have a high resistance--in fact, any resistance inside, the energy cannot fully flow. The force of it is diminished to one degree or another. If the resistance is small, it is minimally diminished, and if the resistance is large, the flow is cut dramatically. So if I think about this as Life Energy, and the resistance I have accumulated over many years of stuffing things, I can see how illnesses, even major illnesses, along with all manner of malformed manifestations can come about. You could think of it as plaque in a blood vessel to the heart building up blocking the flow of life giving blood.

I knew there was resistance within me, but I didn't realize how big it was until the meditation allowed me to feel it.

Seeking to know more about the resistance within me, I sat down and wrote out some questions. I wasn't thinking only of me, but of anyone who might have resistance they may not be aware of. One of my favorite chapters in Tony Robbin's great book, Awaken the Giant Within, is Questions Are the Answer.

The first question I wrote on the page was this: What is causing tension, stress, resistance in your (my) life? What are you (am I) holding on to? I added a directional message after that question by saying, you'll know what those are when you close your eyes, sit quietly, and think about them one at a time. Feel your stomach and the muscles in your body, your jaw, your breathing. You can feel the tension in the tightening of your muscles. Then imagine letting go of the 'problem.' Relax your muscles on purpose. Feel the relief. Take note, and move on to the next one.

Question two:
What are you willing to let go of that you've been holding on to? 

Question three:
Why are you holding on to this? 

Question four:
Is this 'thing' attached to other things that you're holding on to? 

Question five:
What do you imagine would happen if you just let go of it? 

Question six:
What's the worst thing that could happen? Is it that bad? 

Question seven:
What's the best thing that could happen? What is good about that? 

Much of the time, we are all letting information stick inside of us. Rather than it coming and going as a flow, we begin to associate with the information, to play around with it, take it to heart (literally), and hold it inside. Over time, and with similar repetitive actions, layer upon layer of resistance build. It's imperceivable that this is happening in the beginning, and then after so much build up, it has a way of interrupting us. Call it a wake-up call, and some calls cannot be ignored any longer.

This subject could easily become several books, and you might be asking, what's inspirational about this? To me it is inspirational because I become more and more clear about how I get in my own way. I am not intending on blocking myself, but layer by layer, it is building into a blockage. There are ways to unblock it, and that is inspiring. One can be as simple as asking questions about what I am holding on to, and holding on is resistance. I've got that rope in my hands and I'm holding on, pulling against the opponent, which is also me.

Understanding how resistance works by relating it to how resistance works in other ways, such as electronics, helps me to understand how it works inside my mind and my body. I have become so aware of how my body feels when I think about things now. Just a moment ago as I was thinking of the word resistance, I could feel my legs become tense. As well, the value of awareness that there is something going on and then asking questions of myself to help clarify what it might be that I am holding on to will lead me out of this and allow me to renew the inflow and outflow of Energy more fully through me.


Becoming Unstuck By Wanting To Flow. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by letting go of some of that resistance to your joy. Everyone has some, and periodic release is in order.

Daily Inspiration 12-9-16

Question: 

Which one do you like better? 

Answer: 

Do I have to? 

-- Terry Minion 

The quote above was a thought that landed in my brain a few days ago and I had to write it down. It seems that we are supposed to always know which we like better when we are presented with a selection of some kind. So, I thought, what if I like them all? What if I see value across the board? What if the fact that they are different from one another doesn't mean that one is better, or even preferred?

This post from Seth Godin's blog landed in my inbox yesterday:

He says that there are "Two kinds of winning. Some can only win when others lose. Others seek to win by helping others succeed. One of these approaches scales far better than the other."

My favorite perspective on this I learned from one of my early mentors, Jim Rohn. He said, "There are two ways to have the tallest building. Tear everyone else's down, or build your own." He mentioned in one seminar that when the destroyer comes around, he says, "I heard about you!" Of course, pushing against him or the idea of people trying to destroy, tear apart, try to steal your clients by pointing out the faults, and more is counterproductive in every case. Besides, are taller buildings better?

I like how Alan Cohen says to act: "Control what you can, but flow with what you can't." I can only control what I think and what I do, but I cannot control how other people think and act. And, one thing that I have learned is that there is no need to join them, no matter what they think they could do to me.

I had a couple of attackers in the last few days, and my first reaction was who do they think they are? It's bullshit, I say. It's all bullshit. (I love that word, and even put it in a song one time on an album I recorded). Well you know, that is how reactions are and that is why it is called a reaction because there isn't much thinking going on, but a whole bunch of defensive ego in charge (another way to see resistance). So, I don't respond yet. I have to gain some more loving perspective.

First, I lay down the rope. Then, I pick it up. Then, I lay it down, and now it is on the ground. I breathe deeply. I realize that this is just someone who is inexperienced and thinks that 1+1 is 2, when it is really 3. I will respond today with a clear head and a loving perspective. The more I get attached to something, including a client, the more trouble I will be in. I just let go of any ill feelings. It's all okay.

I realize that if they think they can steal a client, so be it. If the client will choose them instead of us, then so be it. I love my clients, but I am unafraid. Is one company better than the other? Does it need to be? It's a strong belief in lack that causes someone to tear the other down to get what they want, and I believe in abundance. There's plenty to go around. There's enough for everyone.

I love Alan Cohen's phrase to "control what you can, but flow with what you can't." As much as I control, I will serve and as much as I cannot, I will flow with that river because swimming against the current takes too dang much energy, and you can never ever stop and smell the roses right outside the door..


Winning Is Fun, But It Does Not Require Losers. We All Choose Our Perspectives. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by loving yourself. You are enough. You are magic. You are worthy. You are loved. Yes, you are.

Daily Inspiration 12-8-16

"I know what I have given you. . . 

I do not know what you have received." 

-- Antonio Porchia 

That is, until you tell me in your own words, or show me with your own actions.


It's Always A Challenge To Achieve True Communication. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by communicating your joy. It's not up to you to worry if others receive it though. Just let it fly.

Daily Inspiration 12-7-16

"There is no more courageous act 

than to speak the truth with love." 

-- Albert K. Strong 

Yesterday afternoon, I witnessed a sad event. There were four young boys playing basketball across the street with one of those portable basketball hoop posts out on the curb. I was relaxing in my carport writing some thoughts. I heard the usual yelling with the game going on, the ball bouncing on the pavement. I couldn't see them all or the hoop from my angle. Then I hear, "get outta here you stupid faggot! Then one of them threw the basketball at him and hit him in the back. The victim's hand immediately went to his back as I'm certain it hurt, or at the very least was stinging. The ball bounced off, and it was thrown again hitting him in the butt this time. The kid was the only one I could see from where I was sitting. He picked up his scooter that he was holding on to and began walking home around the corner.

I couldn't help myself. I got up and walked out to the sidewalk, I wanted to comfort that kid a bit, but he was already down the street. I walked out to the three remaining kids, and I told them, "that was so sad what you did to the other kid. It was just plain sad. There is no need to treat people that way." They took pause if only for a moment and then went back to what they were doing, but I know they heard me, and I know they knew exactly what I meant. I wasn't angry. I was saddened by how cruel kids can be to one another, and I could relate because I had things like that happen to me as a kid. I know how it feels, and it feels so crappy, and you just want to cry, but you're too big to cry now, so you suck it up. But I was crying inside for that kid. I had compassion for him.

This event reminded me of how cruel and harmful we can often be to each other. It could be a boss to and employee, an employee to another employee, an impatient and overloaded mother, a stressed-out father, the bullies at school, or in the neighborhood, the bored and tired cashier at the tax department window that I watched yesterday impatient with a man who was from another country and his English and his responses were a bit slow.

It's easy to justify our position because the other is being an idiot, brain-dead, irritating, and a hundred more, all from our own perspective, of course. Compassion is out the window, and even the most basic kindness is missing from the attempted composure as a servant. All this because we are only thinking of ourselves and everyone else is a downer because they are not acting as perfectly as we would like them to.

You might be going along seemingly fine and then for some inexplicable reason, they turn on you and attack, like yesterday when they are all together having fun, and then they turn on one of their own. Although I couldn't see the others when it happened, I'm certain that only one threw the ball, and the other two were either offering mental and verbal support, as a fellow attacker, or attempting to stay in the group out of self-preservation. One of them left shortly after the incident, so I think my little talk hit home with at least one.

So, today is the anniversary of the day that lives in infamy, December 7th. I didn't plan this tie in, but it does tie in. We attack each other and support each other in the attack, for who knows how many reasons, and all of them good, and some of them perfect, and yet it is still the kids on the street, only with much bigger ammunition.

If those three kids were to put themselves into the shoes of the kid that they attacked, there could be some understanding, but that is not the way the world at large works. We justify whatever we need to carry out whatever we think needs to be done.

Consider the quote above. What would it have been like if the kid that was feeling the need to attack, stopped the game for a few moments, gathered together as a group, and expressed verbally without weapons, how he felt about him at this time and why. It requires courage to set aside the ego, seek a compassionate stance and speak the truth about how we feel and why. This applies to any and all relationships within ourselves and with other people. It requires a willingness to be vulnerable, which is one of the best ways to demonstrate courage.

The older and hopefully wiser I get, the more I see a need for us to have more courage. More courage about ourselves, and more courage about how we can deal with others, get what we want, and have them get what they want too. We think we are so separate from one another, and yet inside, we are all walking wounded in some way. We all want to be treated with dignity and respect. We all want to give and receive love. We just are not very courageous sometimes.

We can't get this from our government, or from anywhere else outside of ourselves. We can follow the lead of the pack, or we can choose to be courageous instead. This is the meaning of courage for me. It takes no courage to attack. It takes courage to speak our truth to one another in love so that they receive it in the best possible way. We need understanding. We all need respect and dignity. We all need love and care. And, we can all use more courage.


I Wish For You Some Extra Courage Today. 

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