Daily Inspiration 10-31-18

"Everything happens for a reason. 

Sometimes the reason is 

that you're stupid 

and make bad decisions." 

-- Bill Murray 

[Classic post from 9-23-14]

From one of my all-time favorite comedic actors comes such hilarious and truthful words of wisdom and encouragement. How many times have I been brain-dead stupid and made bad decisions? I stopped counting years ago. It's embarrassing. But, it's only embarrassing when I think I should be some kind of financial wizard and selfless mutant. I laughed so hard when I read this quote because it is so true, for me anyway.

But, you know, it is being able to see this and laugh at myself and my own learning lessons that makes it okay to talk about. The list of mistakes, especially financial mistakes would be too long to list here, but I also know that none of that matters much when it comes to the end. It's all just stuff. It's all just decisions. It is all just results. Like the wonderful song sung by Kelly Clarkson, Whatever Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger! That is true as well. The lessons that I have learned. . .

There have been enough stupid decisions in my life to last several lifetimes, and there may still be more on the horizon; however, I no longer worry about that, focus on mistakes, or make excuses to others so that I might feel better. It's all good. Like yesterday's post, all those mistakes are just stepping stones to joy. In fact, I've learned to feel the joy on the way so that there is no regret, and no need to ask forgiveness. It's all good.


Reader's Digest Used To Have A Column Called, Laughter Is The Best Medicine. It Surely Is. It Realigns Us With Joy, Our Ultimate Goal.

Spread Some Joy Today--by laughing at ourselves, which is exactly the same as dropping the rope.

Daily Inspiration 10-30-18

"On some dimension or other, 

every event in life 

can be causing only one of two things: 

either it is good for you, 

or it is bringing up 

what you need to look at 

in order to create good for you. 

Evolution is win-win. . . 
life is self-correcting." 

-- Deepak Chopra 

[Classic post from 9-22-14]

There's a very popular phrase in recent years: 'It's all good!" Can this be true? Well, obviously, it depends on how you look at it and what you're paying attention to.

I love Deepak Chopra's way of seeing that it's all good. Based on this attitude and outlook, the Universe or God is conspiring always in our best interests. Interesting way of looking at it, don't you think?

Now ask yourself this question: What would my life be like, or how might my life change if I adopted such an outlook on life? What if I believed that no matter what was going on at the moment, that it truly is all good? What if I believed that life really is win-win and not win-lose?

I'm thinking that unless you already had this attitude that your life would change dramatically. Therein lies the possibility of it being all good.


"You Are Not A Drop In The Ocean, But The Ocean In The Drop." -- Deepak Chopra 

Spread Some Joy Today--by looking in the mirror and loving what you see.

Daily Inspiration 10-29-18

"You wander from room to room 

hunting for the diamond necklace 

that is already around your neck!" 

-- Rumi 

[Classic post from 9-21-14]

I laughed when I read this quote because I remember frantically searching for my eyeglasses one day long ago and I searched for more than an hour in every place I could think of and then I found that I was wearing them. Although, I'm certain that Rumi meant by this quote that we have the answers within us. It's like the Acres of Diamonds story by Russell Conwell that I was introduced to back in the early 70s, where a frustrated man sold his property and went on a trip to find his riches when all along his property was sitting on the richest cache of diamonds ever found. He had no idea what those rocks were.

I've come to believe that all of the answers we ever need are within us, yet often it is like the brain which stores everything, but recall is sometimes challenging. Learning from others, and gathering information may inspire us to come back to ourselves and trust in our own alignment with the God within. The best someone else can do for us is to redirect us to ourselves.

Not trusting ourselves in our own abilities and intelligence can be a roadblock, and this makes it all the more important to practice our knowing. We are far more than we seem. Each of us has a direct connection to God or the Universe or All-That-Is which we can tap into at will. As we go within and relax in our inner knowing, by practice, we become confident. Just by knowing that we have this connection and that all that we need is within, this narrows our search considerably.

Whether by prayer, meditation, relaxation, and others, it is a letting go of what is in our face and all around us for just a short time to make the inner connection. We just need to stop the flow of constant information long enough to find the truth for us.


"Do Not Feel Lonely, The Entire Universe Is Inside You." -- Rumi 

Spread Some Joy Today--by changing the tone of gossip, or walking away entirely. Either serve us.

Daily Inspiration 10-28-18

"People often say that 

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder," 

and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty

is realizing that you are the beholder. 

This empowers us to find beauty 

in places where others have not dared to look, 

including inside ourselves." 

-- Salma Hayek 

[Classic post from 9-19-14]

That was so well said, I'll leave it to stand on its own.


Close Your Eyes And See The Beauty In You!

Spread Some Joy Today--in your enthusiastic appreciation.

Daily Inspiration 10-27-18

"What would my life have been like 

if I hadn't cared so much 

about what people thought?" 

-- Oprah Winfrey 

[Classic post from 9-16-14]

Earlier this month, Oprah Winfrey published a book titled, What I Know For Sure, and I just had to share a bit of it with you. It is a very special book from a very special woman who has had the privilege to influence millions of people over time. Though I hardly ever watched her show since it was in the daytime, I could not help being influenced anyway, and what was also interesting looking back is that it has been as if she has been growing up, expanding, and becoming right along with all the rest of us.

In the chapter, Possibility, she talks about fear and how fear can rule your life. She says, "What I know for sure is this: Whatever you fear most has no power--it is your fear that has the power. The thing itself cannot touch you. But your fear can rob you of your life."

One of the strongest fears that she removed from her life was about what other people may or may not think about her. She began by acknowledging her fear. She says, "before I could challenge my fear and begin changing what I believe about myself, I had to admit that, yes, I had always been afraid--and that my fear was a form of slavery."

Then she quoted author Neale Donald Walsch, who said, "so long as you're still worried about what others think of you, you are owned by them. Only when you require no approval from outside yourself can you own yourself."

She says that when you decide and "dare to step out, speak up, change yourself, or simply do something outside of what others call the norm, the results may not always be pleasant. . . others may call you nutty. At times it may feel like the whole world is rising up to tell you who you cannot become and what you cannot do. (It can upset people when you exceed the limited expectations they've always had for you.)"

Oprah goes on to say, "but the alternatives are even worse: You might find yourself stuck in a miserable rut for years at a time. Or you could spend too many days languishing in regret, always wondering, What would my life have been like if I hadn't cared so much about what people thought?"

I know in my own life that I have dealt a lot with the fear and fantasies of what other people may think about what I say or do or have said and done or failed to do. It can be such a burden causing me to hide out. One of the ways I have come out of that cave is writing these notes. I put myself out there sometimes and whatever happens, happens. The doing of it teaches me to be less fearful and my goal is to be fearless. It's also interesting that of all the comments that people have sent me over these last five years of postings, not a single one was negative in any way. It was as if I were growing up, expanding, and becoming right along with all the rest.

As a final note to this post, I have to exclaim how powerfully joyful I have felt by this book from Oprah. I am more into audiobooks now than print, but often buy both. Often the audiobook is a matter of convenience, but in this case, I think that the best way to get the feel of this book is the audiobook version. Oprah is reading it and it is hands down, the best read audiobook ever, full of feeling as only she who has lived it could tell. I suggest you would thoroughly enjoy it. I think it is worth sipping, letting the subtle flavors be completely noticed and appreciated. The messages have been said in many ways by many people, but never in the way that Oprah says them and entirely worth the trip.


"And What If You Decided Right Now That You Will Stop Letting Fear Block You?" -- Oprah Winfrey 

Spread Some Joy Today--by realizing that fear is simply resistance and that by letting go of that rope, joy is possible, and as you become more joyous, those around you will as well.

Daily Inspiration 10-26-18

"And suddenly you know: 

It's time to start something new 

and trust the magic of beginnings." 

-- Meister Eckhart 

[Classic post from 9-15-14]

Yes. I am. I Will. It's time. I love beginnings. I love entrepreneurship. Management bogs me down somewhat, but beginnings are special and so damn exciting. I've been thinking long enough. It is time. I am ready. . .


. . . I Think. . . 

Spread Some Joy Today--because you know you want to. Is there anything that feels better?

Daily Inspiration 10-25-18

"Crime panel finds 

pockets of despair." 

-- Headline from the 9-13-14 issue 

of the Fairfield CA Daily Republic newspaper 

[Classic post from 9-14-14]

I receive the daily local newspaper, not to get news, but to see any advertisements for our clients and to see any articles that we might spread on their behalf. When I opened it up this morning the headline said Crime panel finds pockets of despair. At first glance, I thought, are they serious? Then I just broke out in laughter for several minutes. Really? Pockets of despair?

What made me laugh the longest were the three photos of politicians on the panel that had smiling faces as if they finally found the problem. Then they went into several of the underlying issues contributing to the pockets of despair. Are you ready? It is single mothers. The offenders were raised by single mothers. Well, there you have it, folks--it's the single mother issue as if getting rid of single mothers would solve anything.

They are ready now to present this wonderful package of crime panel findings to the City Council on Tuesday. I'll bet they will be amazed at the report. They also add that "the commission was impressed with the comprehensive crime-fighting employed by the police and they were praised for the department's forward thinking.

So, now we know the problem and the solution: Single mothers and forward thinking police. Then, they get into more of the same old blah, blah, blah as if this blah wasn't enough. They had to have a whole commissioned panel to get to the bottom of this.

OK, enough of the sarcasm, but I just couldn't help it. It's hilarious. One more quote: "The city will never have the fiscal resources necessary for an all-out war on crime." As if wars have ever solved anything in the entire history of humankind.

The real thing is that crime is not something to fight, nor drugs, cancer, bullying, and the list is endless in today's world. Fighting these things only strengthens them. Creating more awareness about them only makes them stronger and more well-known. It doesn't solve the problem but only makes it worse.

Single mothers don't create criminals. Some criminals have single moms. It's simpler than we make it, but not necessarily easy. The only thing that will change any of this is thinking differently by choosing better thoughts, which helps us make better choices and by being aware that we alone are responsible for our thinking and our actions. It's not about fighting against but turning toward the solution and the solution will always be based on what we think. Teach that on a massive scale starting with ourselves and we will be on to a far better world.


Pockets Of Despair? What A Limited Focus! Change The Thoughts From Fear To Love And Change A Bit Of The World. One Pocket At A Time. What's In Your Pocket? 

Spread Some Joy Today--by turning your eyes to the thriving world; the enthusiastic world; the loving world. Joy doesn't attack. It is simply a choice.

Daily Inspiration 10-24-18

"I've always thought

you have to live life

looking forward, not backward. 

I've had no interest at all 

in who my ancestors are." 

-- Jeremy Paxman 

[Classic post from 9-20-14]

I was talking on the phone with a dear old friend the other day. The call was lengthy and full of laughter and joy and love. My love for this guy is so deep and pure and unconditional and having very different religious views hasn't the slightest effect to change this love, nor the large time spaces between communications. He has always been perfect and full of life and love to me.

As we were talking, I said to him that I feel as if I have lived twice already and am beginning my third life in this same body. It's interesting, but that is what I feel like. Each life has been a huge learning and growing experience with all the ups and downs and in and outs that might fill one full life. There were lots of experimentation, risk-taking, successes and so-called failures. There were joy and sorrow and plenty of frustration to lubricate the wheel of new desire.

The reason I say they were different lives is that they were full enough to be a full life, and the benefit as I see it now is that I began again from a different perspective, from a different level of being.

The best part is how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to experience them. I truly am blessed to have received these lives. As I look at my present now and how this third life feels, I feel so much joy, wonder, appreciation for this new starting point and for the extreme joy that is before me. How fascinating it feels to look at things this way in what has gone before and what is now with views of an even greater becoming.

One thing I know for sure in this newest life is that it will be largely focused on living in the unconditional love of all others and myself as I practice its fullness.


Rejoice! Endings Always Lead To New Beginnings. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by releasing the need to be right. That alone will do it.

Daily Inspiration 10-23-18

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, 

but no one thinks of changing himself." 

-- Leo Tolstoy 

[Classic post from 9-12-14]

As I was reflecting just a bit about yesterdays Daily Inspiration on the subject of mentoring and how it is up to the one wanting to be mentored to reach out, otherwise nothing will come of it. It is up to us to ask, and as the Bible said so succinctly, "Ask, and Ye Shall Receive, Seek and Ye Shall Find."

I've been studying personal empowerment, spiritual awakening, and learning to love myself and others and choose my own path for some years now. The good news for me is that I have almost no drama anymore in my life. After much trial, I have learned as Eckhart Tolle said, "Whatever you fight, you strengthen, and what you resist, persists." So, I've learned to put the oars in the boat and go with the current rather than row upstream.

It is no small thing in my life to learn these things and put them to work, or rather, play, in my life. It is something I am so joyful about and would love to share the whole path of mine with everyone, but I also have learned through much trial that people will only listen when their ears are ready, and they will only reach out when they are ready for a change and eager to learn.

Sometimes, I might talk with someone who is hurting and I know that the knowledge that I have come to could benefit them greatly, and yet I don't offer or encourage anymore other than what kinds of things I might share here. The Law of Attraction is real and it is constantly working and as I said yesterday when the student is ready, he or she will attract the teacher and the information. It is always available. Just as it was for me when I was seriously ready in 2007.

So, sometimes we want to help others because we know that it has helped us, but telling them before they are ready is just a bunch of white noise to them. Besides, here's the other thing that is equally important--there are many paths and they can all be good. The is no way, but many ways. It is much more a factor of does it resonate with them, then that is for them. If it resonates with me, that is for me. When something resonates it is the most powerful influence on any of us. It is the inspiration in vibration.

Pushing against unwanted things is of no value and only serves to strengthen them, and make them more prevalent in our lives. It is rowing upstream. It is the tug-o-war contest. Only by releasing the rope, and thereby releasing the resistance can anything positive come of it. At the same time, it is only the releasing of our own resistance that we can become open to hearing about change that can bring us new life. When we try to push that enthusiasm on others when they aren't ready, it is the same thing as picking the rope up again.


"We Change The World Not By What We Say Or Do, But As A Consequence Of What We Have Become." -- David R Hawkins 

Spread Some Joy Today--It's so hard to get anything good done with that rope in your hand. Just lay it down and feel the joy well up in you already. Turn and walk outside and raise your arms up high. Shout "Thank You!"

Daily Inspiration 10-22-18

"You can only mentor somebody 

if they want to be." 

-- Phil Ramone 

[Classic post from 9-11-14]

Donovan Bailey says that "every kid needs a mentor. Everybody needs a mentor." Based on all I know from living my life, I agree with this entirely. It has also been an observation of mine that I have met a lot of people who fail to take the lead in being mentored. It is the mentee, or the person desiring or needing mentoring--it is their responsibility to reach out to a potential mentor. Sometimes, there might be a situation where a third party brings them together, and whereas this can be a beginning, it will go nowhere fast without the action of the mentee. A mentor is not the one that reaches out beyond once if that. It is the wrong sequence.

There are so many people who have certain skills, knowledge, ideas that can and will be mentors to those who are bold enough to reach out. Even famous people, who on first glance, we might think they wouldn't be interested at all or too busy, are open to it. Clint Eastwood is quoted as saying, "I'm a mentor to anybody who's interested." That pretty plain. Some even go out of their way to help, as with this quote from the singer, actress, entrepreneur, Paula Abdul, who said, "I love doing what I do. I'm a born mentor. I've launched so many people's careers. I worked hard." And Jessica Simpson said, "To be a mentor for up-and-coming artists is right up my alley."

Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life are ready and willing, but as the old and very wise saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. In addition, that is when the learning is most effective too.

One last thing about mentoring. as the quote by Donovan Baily says above. . . everybody needs a mentor. This would apply to all ages. I need a mentor and I reach out and find them and they don't even have to be alive in today's world for me to get the mentoring that I need and want. I'm always ready to be mentored. As well, I am always ready to be a mentor.


"It's An Intangible Thing, This Thing We Call Talent, Especially If We're In A Position To Teach And Mentor Others." -- Alan Zweibel 

Spread Some Joy Today--because it's Monday. That should be a good enough reason!

Daily Inspiration 10-21-18

"Man is timid and apologetic; 

he is no longer upright; 

he dares not say "I think," "I am," 

but quotes some saint or sage. 

He is ashamed before the blade of grass

  or the blowing rose. 

These roses under my window 

make no reference to former roses or to better ones; 

they are for what they are; 

 they exist with God today. 

There is no time for them. 

There is simply the rose; 

it is perfect in every moment of its existence. 

Before a leaf-bud has burst, 

its whole life acts; 

in the full-blown flower there is no more; 

in the leafless root, there is no less. 

Its nature is satisfied, 

and it satisfies nature, 

in all moments alike. 

But man postpones or remembers; 

he does not live in the present, 

but with reverted eye laments the past, 

or, heedless of the riches that surround him, 

stands on tiptoe to foresee the future. 

He cannot be happy and strong 

until he too lives with nature 

in the present, above time." 

 -- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

[Classic post from 9-10-14]

Standing on tiptoes to foresee the future. . . my reverted eye laments the past, both often heedless of the riches that surround me. This would make me think that the present is not where I want to be because of whatever it is in the present that I do not want; however, being present has nothing whatsoever to do with that. It is more an acknowledgment that there is no such thing as the past or the future, and that all there ever is would be right now. All of our actions can only be done now. Our decisions can only be now. All of life is right now. To miss the awe of that moment is to not be present.


"Live In The Sunshine, Swim In The Sea, Drink The Wild Air." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Spread Some Joy Today--as it is impossible not to do so when you are in joy.

Daily Inspiration 10-20-18

"Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. 

All life is an experiment. 

The more experiments you make the better." 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

[Classic post from 9-9-14]

Sometimes there is a tendency to tarry long in hopes of making the right decision when, in fact, any decision might get you there.

I'll bet you can think back on decisions you've made that could have turned out poorly and yet they turned out to be excellent choices. It may not have been the most direct way to the target, but it arrived in excellent fashion regardless.

I'll also bet that you can think back on decisions you've made where you were sure you wanted a certain objective to be attained and found instead that the decision you made caused a series of events and circumstances to lead you to something you had not considered, and perhaps didn't even think was possible, and was more spot on what you wanted at the same time.

The best thing about decisions is the action they create. It is the movement. Some might say that deciding not to decide is a decision, and I call that procrastination, which is a lack of decision. Though I have at times been an expert in procrastination, I do know the thrill and sheer power of a decision. Even if it may appear to be the so-called wrong decision, I've made enough of them to know that I'm in good company in simply making one.


Right Or Wrong Doesn't Matter. Movement Or Not Does. Movement IS Life. 

Spread Some Joy Today--when you realize your mind is on a tangent of a complaint and observing what you do not want or like, that is good. Now step by step, move toward joy. The easiest way is to begin to appreciate something, anything. Then another and another. If you cannot find anything, ask yourself, 'If I could appreciate something, what might it be right now?'

Daily Inspiration 10-19-18

"What we see 

depends mainly 

on what we look for." 

-- John Lubbock 

[Classic post from 9-6-14]

Since my wife, Nancy died a year ago, I've gone through hundreds, maybe even into the thousands of photographs, most of which I had never seen. I pulled out probably around a hundred that spoke to me and I have them on display to appreciate what they say to me.

There is one that I call perspectives that I will share today.

This photo was taken by Nancy about 20 years ago, and it may be even slightly older than that. Most of the backyard was a 36' long swimming pool plus a deck on three sides.

When I look at this I have my own perspectives, but I wonder what hers were. I can only speculate knowing Nancy, but I wonder what she was looking at.

Was she seeing the electric pole and the wires that appear to be foreign to the rest of that environment? Was she looking at the bushes and trees? Maybe it was the table and chairs with the umbrella, maybe wishing they were different than they are. Or, maybe it was the tile which never quite sparkled? Maybe she was critical of her legs, or feet, or the lounge chair she was reclining on?

I know what I hoped would be her perspective. I'll speak it in the first person as if I were Nancy.

I have great legs. They are shapely and long and perfect. I love my feet and red is such a great color next to my skin color. It is so wonderful to lay here in the sun, basking in the warmth on this truly beautiful day. I love watching the water shimmer as the sunlight plays with it, and I love the blue color as it reflects the color of the sky. What an awesome place this is just outside the back door where I can kick back, catch some rays, unwind, relax, and truly let go and simply enjoy myself. I feel like I'm on vacation and so I am at this moment. I have such gratitude for all of this that surrounds me and I feel so full of joy right now. It is a magnificent day!

Now, I know what I see when I look at this photo. I see those gorgeous legs, the red nail polish, and I want to be laying there next to her holding her other hand than the one taking the photo.

What do you see? What is your perspective?


"The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back." -- Henry David Thoreau 

Spread Some Joy Today--by changing your self-talk to speak highly of yourself and everything around you.

Daily Inspiration 10-18-18

"If you knew who walked beside you at all times, 

on the path that you have chosen, 

you could never experience fear or doubt again." 

-- Wayne W Dyer 

[Classic post from 9-5-14]

No matter how much I have learned, or how enlightened I have become, there are those times that I beat up on myself about the silliest things. The good news is that where this used to happen virtually every day, it now happens rarely. The other part of the good news is that I now understand my emotional guidance system so much better and can realize soon that in my feeling crappy about myself or actions I have taken, or not taken (more likely), I know that is not where I want to be and remember that what I really want is to feel good.

To put things into perspective, I love another quote by Wayne Dyer where he says that, "conflict cannot survive without your participation." I know that this applies to conflict on the inside of us as much as conflict outside.

This brought me to something I shared several days ago from an online class I took with Anita Moorjani where she suggests we ask the question in several different ways, "If I loved myself. . . what would I be doing? Thinking? How would I be treating myself? How would I want to feel? How would I choose to live my life?" And, this morning when I got up, feeling crappy about myself, I began asking that question and as I answered each one, I began feeling better and better and better.

I don't think I will ever get to the point where I don't think poorly of myself from time to time. It is just part of the way life works; however, I do know what to do about it. I do know how to recognize that it is happening. I do know that if I turn and look at anything that I can appreciate that I will find another and another. I do know that when I am appreciating things and people that I feel wonderful inside. I do know that I can find things to appreciate about myself. I do know that I have all of the power of the solution and can recognize and even appreciate the problem for it leads me to become more, to expand, to love. And, now that I feel good, I can thrive!


There Is Power In Contrast Once We Realize That It Is There To Help Us, Not Hurt Us. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by joining with me today in letting go of the rope.

Daily Inspiration 10-17-18

"How one can live without 

being able to judge oneself, 

criticize what one has accomplished,

 and still, enjoy what one does, 

is unimaginable to me." 

 -- Anna Freud 

[Classic post from 9-4-14]

Well. . . I sure can! I cannot remember when judging myself ever helped me to become more, or better. I cannot remember when criticizing what I did or did not accomplish ever helped me to excel or grow, or love. I know this from many years of practice at trying to make those things work. They don't work on our behalf. They do; however, work to make us small, reduce our value, hide our love.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said it so much better and very succinctly when he said, "Correction does much, but encouragement does more."

Amen to that!


Carrot Or Stick? It IS Valuable To Know What You Don't Want Or Don't Want Anymore, Then Turn To Praise And Encouragement For What Was, What Is, And What May Come. 

Spread Some Joy Today--simply because it is your natural state when you allow it.

Daily Inspiration 10-16-18

"I finally found the best state to live in.

It is the state of appreciation!"

-- Terry Minion

[Classic post from 9-3-14]

About four or five years ago, I started a five-subject notebook of Positive Aspects, recording things I have learned to appreciate, love, things I've learned and I did this in five areas. Then I lost the book. Today, I found it again, and it was fascinating to read some of the entries. So, I thought it might be fun to share just a few of them with you.

In the section titled, My Life, I made a list of things that I've learned or am learning. Here's a sampling:

• I've expanded my capacity.
• I've learned that it's okay to focus on what I want instead of what others want for me.
• I can find joy every day.
• It's OK to say NO.
• It's OK to let go of things.
• I am learning to be OK with me as I am.
• I'm learning to share without the word should.

I had a list of notes of appreciation about my late wife, Nancy:

• What attracted me to Nancy the evening we met, even before we actually met, is the same thing that attracts me today: Her eyes and her smile. When she smiles, it just lights up her face and she is adorable and beautiful and exciting.
• Nancy is one of the most intelligent people I know. She has great ideas and can see a plan in detail.
• Nancy is a very good conversationalist. I hear her on the phone with people, asking questions and getting them to talk. There is an art to doing that effectively.

It is great to make lists of appreciation about others, and it is equally, if not more important, to make lists of appreciation of things about ourselves. It's probably something we normally wouldn't do, but we must. So I started a list about myself:

• I have the courage to try things; to step out and do. I decided to do a number of things and just did them. Some examples are that I decided that I could learn to write a song and did so, and have done so for a long time. I decided to learn to play guitar and bass, learn to fly an airplane, become a sales manager, write a book, own a business, go to Hawaii, learn to operate a computer, seek joy.
• I love looking at how things are made, especially buildings. I have a large appreciation of architecture and design.
• I love learning and I am open to learning from anyone that can teach me.
• I love teaching what I know and what I want to know well. I think I am very good at this.
• I love to write and speak my thoughts on paper. Writing the CTS Blog every day is a joy to me.
• I love my hair.
• I love being tall.
• I love feeling so much younger than I am in years.
• I think I have a great way of looking at things, especially globally.

You know, I think if you try this, you will also find your book of Positive Aspects to be a powerful tool in the expansion of your love and joy. Add to it daily and celebrate your life, your unique perspective, and the lives of those around you.


Move To The Best State: The State Of Appreciation!

Spread Some Joy Today--because you just can't help yourself. . .

Daily Inspiration 10-15-18

"You are constantly invited

to be what you are."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Classic post from 9-2-14]

Yes, that may be true, and so often we may be so focused on what we are not yet.

This weekend, I took an online class from Anita Moorjani, who is the author of Dying To Be Me, which is easily one of the more powerful and interesting books I've ever read. Much of what she teaches is learning to just let go and be the real you rather than the 'adapted children', or 'critical parents' we have perhaps become. To her, it is all about unconditional love and especially practicing loving ourselves.

She had such an interesting question in lesson two. She said to ask ourselves this question in several ways: "If I loved myself, what would I be doing now?" She expands on that to ask, "If I loved myself, what would I be eating?, what kind of work would I be doing? Who would I be around?"

She says you have to start by accepting and loving yourself right where you are at this moment. She says, "this is who I am right now and it's okay. This is what I have right now, and it's okay." To make it even more emphatic, she says, "I love who I am right now!"

She said that some ask her what it means to love ourselves since we don't really have any training in that. We've often been brought up to focus on others and exclude ourselves. She gave her opinion of loving ourselves this way: "To love yourself means to value your life, feeling that your life has purpose, and trusting in the process by being grateful for everything that we have, all the people in our life, and everyone around us."

Sounds good to me. . .


"See The Gift Of Where You Are Right Now. Embrace Where You Are Right Now." -- Anita Moorjani

Spread Some Joy Today--by seeing your gift and sharing the gift of you.

Daily Inspiration 10-14-18

"Tact is the ability 

to describe others 

as they see themselves." 

-- Abraham Lincoln 

[Classic post from 9-1-14]

I think this is one of the most fascinating quotes I have ever read from tens of thousands I have reviewed over time. It comes from a master of brevity and an artful and skillful wordsmith.

The definition I found of tact is an adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues (often one in the same). It is often associated with diplomacy, thoughtfulness, consideration, discretion, and subtlety to name a few. That would have been my understanding as well; however, when it is phrased as it came from Abraham Lincoln, he sheds a whole other perspective of the use of tact.

Certainly to be tactful is to be courteous, concerned, understanding, diplomatic, thoughtful, discrete and subtle. Any one of them works as do they all, yet to describe others as they see themselves offers shading that is not normally associated. The light has changed.

What better way to be courteous, understanding, or thoughtful than to step into someone else's shoes, to attempt to see and feel from their unique perspective, as to be able to describe to them how they see themselves through that perspective?


It Is Empathy, Compassion, And Love In One Act. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by learning to allow.

Daily Inspiration 10-13-18

"No matter what 

 accomplishments you achieve, 

somebody helps you." 

-- Althea Gibson 

[Classic post from 8-31-14]

Sometimes, I think we might have an illusion that we accomplish things on our own. Often, people are singled out, whether in history, or in current affairs, or big businesses such as Steve Jobs and Apple, so that many think they were the creators when in all actuality, they may have been very influential, but not one, including Abraham Lincoln, did it alone. They all had help, and many of them had a great deal of help, though naught may be recognized as providing such.

A better way is to understand this from the start and not only accept the assistance, but embrace it. Probably, with many, recognition alone is sufficient reward, to others appreciation. What an inexpensive way toward accomplishment.

Some may contribute in tiny ways, and others in grand fashion. In any case, it is well to acknowledge and appreciate all in the best ways suited to the volume and quality.


Being A Leader Is Not Nearly As Lonely A Job As It Might Seem.

Spread Some Joy Today--by dropping the rope of finding fault with yourself or your actions, or lack of them. Joy is in this direction.

Daily Inspiration 10-12-18

"Don't stop your vacation 

because you think 

you have to go back to work." 

-- Alan Cohen 

[Classic post from 8-30-14]

I live two miles from Interstate 80 in Fairfield, one of the busiest corridors in northern California between the San Francisco Bay area and Sacramento. Certain times of the day or week it gets very busy. This is especially true for typical Friday evenings after 3pm, but a holiday weekend like this Labor Day, the eastbound direction looks more like a 5-lane parking lot as it did yesterday and it began early in the day before noon and was still going strong after 6pm. Maybe I should have said creeping strong.

Anyway, as I drove over the freeway a couple of times yesterday and saw this spectacle, I wondered why someone wants to get into that flow. I thought, wouldn't it be better to create your own weekend and forget about all that traffic and stress? That's right, make your own Labor Day 3-day weekend next week, or the week after, or August or October. Heck, since you're choosing, it could be any time you like. How about spur-of-the-moment? There's nothing like a spontaneous 3-day getaway. Who says the government needs to agree with you as to when you get a 3-day weekend? Who's in charge, anyway?

Then I thought that if you like the feeling of being on a vacation, why not have that feeling more often? How about any time you dang well feel like it? How about every weekend? Better yet, how about all week long? That feeling, after all, is not a physical thing, but a mental thing. Rather than allowing the calendar to create the feeling, just decide to have that vacation feeling all the time.

A year ago, I became a Tommy Bahama guy. I've always loved Hawaiian style shirts and have owned a number of them, but never the quality of the Tommy Bahama. I wear them all year long. I now have quite a number of them and whether I am wearing nice slacks and good shoes, or shorts and flip-flops, they help me to be a little unique, and more important to me, they help me to feel as if I am on vacation even when I am working, helping clients, teaching classes, whatever. It's just fun for me. Now keep in mind that not all of these wonderful shirts are flowered, but they fit and feel the same so I can look more dressed up or down as my choice.

I love this quote by Deepak Chopra: "The most creative act you will ever undertake is the act of creating yourself." This is our life and we do get to create it any way we want.

When you get back to work after this holiday weekend, consider the words of Seth Godin: "If we can fall in love with serving people, creating value, solving problems, building valuable connections and doing work that matters, it makes it far more likely we're going to do important work." And, I would add that it will feel more like a fun vacation too.

[Update 10-12-18. As I'm posting favorite posts from a few years ago that speak as much value and truth today as then, I thought I would add this little personal note. Considering the Hawaiian shirt reference and my ongoing preference for them, I have found myself living in Lahaina, Hawaii on the island of Maui. Who knew? I'm still enjoying my vacation which was then as it is now, my work life too! Aloha! All my blessings to you and your joy.]


Have A Great Vacation! 

Spread Some Joy Today--by deciding to feel good as often and as much as possible. Find better and better feeling thoughts until you find joy.

Daily Inspiration 10-11-18

"We must be willing 

to get rid of the life we've planned, 

so as to have 

the life that is waiting for us."

-- Joseph Campbell 

[Classic post from 8-29-14]

I've been considering this very thing for more than just a little while in recent time. It is intriguing, to say the least, and I am, after much thought, willing. That doesn't mean that I know yet what to do, but progress has been made in opening the realm of possibility. It remains to be seen, and I expect that I will have a front row seat.


"The Big Question Is Whether You Are (I Am) Going To Be Able To Say A Hearty Yes To Your (My) Adventure." -- Joseph Campbell 

Spread Some Joy Today--by letting go. Too many ropes to pick up and none of them are helpful. Just let go.

Daily Inspiration 10-10-18

"Change brings opportunity." 

-- Nido Qubein 

[Classic post from 8-27-14]

I was thinking about change and how often we might feel that we don't like change much unless of course, it is fully to our benefit and perfectly timed. Good luck with that.

What I was realizing is that without change, nothing moves, and nothing happens. Change is necessary. It is desired when we realize that we cannot live without it. Aristotle said, "Change in all things is sweet." He had it down pat.

Sometimes we might think that we need to change for the better because what is or has been being less than perfect. I don't think that has anything to do with it, except that whatever decisions we make are always made in the hopes of feeling better.

It is more about expansion than anything. We are expanding beings, the Universe is expanding, and that is what we want: expansion. Some might call it growth, but I like the word expansion better. We cannot help but expand and change is the only way it can come about.

So many of the quotes I've reviewed about change put change in a positive light and that it is necessary and good. I agree. It's when we are in a rut, or doing the same things over and over without even thinking about it that things get dull. That contrast leads to a desire for a change. We can only sleep so long and then we just have to get up and get going.

Movement is life. Change is movement. When I understand the value of a change in this way, I look forward to the change and the opportunities.


"Change Alone Is Eternal, Perpetual, Immortal." -- Arthur Schopenhauer 

Spread Some Joy Today--by building on your list of positive aspects daily. A great way to start is at the top of the page, write "I love. . ." and then fill in the blank lines. Call it a joy-builder and a life-enhancer.

Daily Inspiration 10-9-18

"If you can't win by reason, 

go for volume." 

-- Bill Watterson 

[Classic post from 8-26-14]

The process of change is not as full of reason as we might like it to be. It is often full of righteous indignation, superior attitudes, and just plain ego and stress. The best way to deal with it then and not only survive, but thrive, is to do as they do in Judo and let the momentum of their actions fuel their realizations.

Let's say you're a manager in an organization and that you have a certain level-headed philosophy that is not only successful but healthy for all involved. Now, let's say that the upper management is used to doing things a certain way, and your way is not that way. This conflict can grind the whole thing to a stop, or if not that severe, create a great deal of frustration on all sides.

I just rented the movie Hoosiers again because it is such a great movie and this was the case with the new coach. The town menfolk gathered to tell the coach how they've always done it and wanted to make sure that he knew how it should be done, but he was having none of it. He made his own choices and almost lost the position as a result, but at the same time, he won the championship with the same exact decision and commitment.

To me, what this says is that it is best to be ourselves. However, in being ourselves, standing firm with our own philosophy, we have to remember that we are not alone. We need not bow to others, but it is to our mutual benefit that we take them into consideration, and see if we can develop as much cooperation as possible.

I've been in several of these scenarios and found that I could have my way as long as I could demonstrate that it worked. Of course, I knew it did and I got very creative about demonstrating how it worked and in what ways it was beneficial. Without this cooperative attitude, I would have never been able to succeed as I did.

It's not about the right way and the wrong way. That is so old-school. It's a lame argument. And, it has nothing to do with cooperation. It is the opposite of that.

Here are the best things I have found to do in these kinds of tumultuous situations. Focus on you and what you are doing and forget about what they are doing. Again, it isn't about who is right and who is wrong, there are too many ways for a thing to get done to deal with that. Stop thinking about what they are doing or not doing and just perform yourself or with your team. Next, find ways to demonstrate that performance in written ways that the other parties understand. Show them on paper and in reality. Keep good records.

As with the basketball team in the movie, winning games changed the support structure and attitude. It applies here too. Be the best you can be. Create the best team you can create. Don't spend any attention on what other people are doing or not doing or whether you get enough support or not. Do it anyway. Do it well. Do it like you were meant to do it.


Shine! Have Fun! Focus On What Feels Good Not What Feels Crappy.

Spread Some Joy Today--Let them see the shine in your eyes. Don't let others foul your own joy. Your spirit is yours.

Daily Inspiration 10-8-18

"Practice presence. 

Embrace the place 

where life happens." 

-- Eckhart Tolle 

[Classic post from 8-25-14]

I learned a lot from Eckhart Tolle, and probably the single most important thing I learned was to practice being present. That is no small thing. It is huge.

My life flows smoothly and hardly ever rushed anymore, but much of my life was like so many I see around me, rushing here, there, phone, texts, emails, crises, problems, issues, disappointments, frustration and, well. . . I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Some get so focused on their own importance that they are in fear of taking any time off, or delegating, or asking for or paying for assistance. It's not a happy life as I recall so well. In fact, it seemed to be full of problems. If it wasn't one thing, it was another.

A couple of years ago, I read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. It had been out for several years, but it wasn't on my radar. Once it was, I couldn't put it down. Since then, I have been practicing taking my head away from my perceived problems, and focusing on being here and now and at the same time releasing thought.

One of the really easy ways to do this is by taking a walk. Charlie and I did a leisurely long walk today, and it would be common for me to be thinking about all sorts of things so that my mind is spinning around. I sort of enjoy thinking that way, but also keeps me away from being present. So, I practice shutting up my self-talk by telling my mind to shut up and then I look at a tree or bush and focus on a leaf, the tree trunk, the leaves on the ground, and pretty much anything around me. I don't take them all in at once but focus on one thing at a time.

I walk by a bush that has a thousand different colors of green leaves. I am amazed. Sometimes I stop and commune with a tree trunk for a few seconds, touching it, and sensing the living part of it. It is really easy with Nature, but it also works just fine on any man-made object as well, such as, a great looking car or truck, catching a glimpse of someone's eyes for just a moment, Charlie sniffing an intriguing spot.

We went 4 miles today and I was practicing the whole way. Many times, I found my mind wandering, so I would purposefully bring it back and begin again.

And, here is the most beneficial and interesting part of this practice: There are zero problems there. There are no issues. There are no deadlines. There are no frustrations. There are no ills whatsoever. What there is would be only and completely the present moment as if it were a haven from the everyday world. I look at things with interest but don't let my mind offer a bunch of thoughts about it. Instead, it is just appreciating the moment and what is here.

I try to do this in my office or while I'm driving or doing something, and I am getting better, and I need more practice there. But, that little escape into the present of taking a little or long walk is a magic relief valve.


The Peace Of The Present Moment Is Like Stepping Into Another World. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Let go of the rope. Focus on your joy.

Daily Inspiration 10-7-18

"There are many things 

of which a wise man 

might wish to be ignorant." 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

[Classic post from 8-24-14]

What I put my attention on will increase in my life, and I have learned that I have control over my attention. Often, I've been habitual as so many of us have in allowing my attention to go where it doesn't serve me. The biggest change that I have experienced in my life is the realization that I get to choose what I focus on, what I listen to, what I watch, to whom and what I allow my attention.

Often people have said to me, 'did you hear about _______?' I probably say my usual, 'no.' Then they might say, 'don't you want to know what's going on in the world?' I have to admit that I'm not much interested in that because generally, the news is negative things that I don't want in my life, so why would I pay attention to it. So, then they might say, 'well how can you converse with people without knowing what is going on?' But, talking about those things just makes it more and more dominant in my experience, so I purposefully ignore it to my ultimate bliss.

As Esther Hicks and Abraham say, I've become a selective sifter. If it uplifts, enlightens, teaches me something I want in my life, it comes in without restriction, if it is going to bring me down, cause me to have fear and worry or concern, I have no use for it. Besides, the real truth about news is that it is an extremely small bit of the activity in the world and the vast majority of the activity is positive, not negative.

How about looking at the world from a point of view of being in love with all that is around us. It is a life-giving point of view. Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed it nicely in this way: "He who is in love is wise and is becoming wiser, sees newly every time he looks at the object beloved, drawing from it with his eyes and his mind those virtues which it possesses." The object beloved can easily be anything or anyone to whom we allow our attention. This attitude will change everything for the better.


What A Great Way To Live.

Spread Some Joy Today--by looking through the eyes of love.

Daily Inspiration 10-6-18

"There is no man so low down 

that the cure for his condition 

does not lie strictly within himself." 

-- Thomas L Masson 

[Classic post from 8-23-14]

Isn't it interesting how when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. . .

I used to sell a lot of books on eBay and at one time had around 15,000 of them in a warehouse, so I was buying and selling all the time. I only have a small number left and one of the books that I had online for years that didn't sell was on one of my bookshelves and as I passed by the other day, it beckoned me to pull it out and open it up.

It is an old library book last checked out in 1970 and was published in 1913. The title is The Great Diamond Hoax and Other Stirring Incidents in the Life of Asbury Harpending. Long title. I thought it was old and in great condition and it would sell, but I was wrong. It was meant to be on my shelf years later so I could pick it up and actually for the first time read a bit of it. Well, it is so fascinating and is about the early history of California and such and learning about this most interesting man brought joy and laughter in my joy. It was my fortune to find this book and begin reading it.

I'll tell you just a tidbit that I gleaned from the beginning of the book. He was brought up to be well educated, from a well to do family of means. His "father was one of the largest landed proprietors of Kentucky, in the southwestern section of the State. That was still on the frontier of the Far West." At 15 he ran away from college and tried to join the Walker Expedition going to Nicaragua, was caught and escaped and ended up back home "in a condition that made the Prodigal Son look like 30 cents." His father knowing that his son was smitten with the adventurous spirit, suggested that he go to California and gave him a liberal grub stake when he turned 16.

Asbury Harpending at 16

He went to New Orleans found that his paper money was almost worthless because back then each state made their own, and he found that Louisiana had no desire for Kentucky's money. Yet he had enough for boat passage and had a $5 gold coin left for the rest of his trip. Back then, $5 dollars was enough to do a lot.

On the boat the conditions were deplorable and a boat designed for 400 had 1,000 people on it. There were two stores of fruits that the purser had in two storage areas he was to sell at the destination for a profit, but with so many people, the food ran out very early and the crowd ravaged one of the two fruit stores eating every bit in sight. Then Asbury had the idea to offer a sum to the purser who was probably going to lose the other store the next day, and they agreed on $10, so Asbury gave him the $5 gold coin and said he would bring the other from a locker or something.

Asbury then found a man who was a good sales barker and began selling the fruit 5 for a half dollar. They sold all the fruit, paid off the purser and Asbury had $400 remaining. He went on to earn many other fortunes in many ways, but this first incident taught him that he had within him the will to succeed and the creative power to consider options that others had not considered. He felt that he was beneath being a "fruit peddler" but found it's ultimate outcome to be more than satisfactory. Now he had enough money to get a good start in California.

I would love to tell more but this is too long already. What I loved about this was one, how young he was. He was only 16 at that time. Two, I loved the fact that he was open to creative ideas and situations. Three, he had talent and also needed help to supply talent he didn't possess, so he hired that. Four, he was focused on the end result of what he wanted most: to get to California, survive, and thrive. Five, he knew he could be self-reliant and acted accordingly, and six, he loved the adventure, or in other words, he loved what he was doing. Last but not least, he learned in this and other adventures to go with the flow of things rather than swimming against the current, and he not only learned to go with that flow, he learned how doing this was beneficial to him.


There's Nothing Like A Grand Adventure! Of Course, 100% Of That Is Mental, So We Can Feel That Way Any Time We Choose. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Allow. Flow. Thrive.

Daily Inspiration 10-5-18

"The greatest weakness 

of most humans 

is their hesitancy 

to tell others 

how much they love them 

while they're still alive." 

 -- O. A. Battista 

[Classic post from 8-22-14]

Some years ago, I did a consulting work for three years with a company and the main manager I dealt with regularly could not tell his father that he loved him. I was amazed. His father was the head of the business and there every day, but whether at work or at home for family meals, he just couldn't bring himself to say those three words directly to his father. He told me that he loved him, but could not tell his father.

This reminds me of someone who has little or no patience. I learned early on that patience doesn't come, but requires regular practice. The same is true with love and especially expressing that love vocally. Yet what a difference it makes in people's lives when you tell them.

I used to keep that idea about saying I love you to myself as well, and then many years ago, I began purposefully practicing it. First I would focus on feeling it, then I would find a way to practice it by saying it. Sometimes it might be in writing, other times vocally. Sometimes on the phone, other times in person.

I love my clients and so I would tell many of them how I felt. It was fun. It seemed a bit awkward at first, but the more I did it, the more joy I received from doing it. Some of my clients are nose-to-the-grindstone types and saying I love you to them was even more fun. They didn't know what to say or do. At first many of them said nothing, sort of like they didn't hear me, but later, they let go of that big old rope and relaxed in the joy of that feeling themselves.


What A Wonderful, Delightful Gift That Costs Almost Nothing (Maybe Just A Dinky Bit Of Effort), Yet Is So Valuable. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by saying 'I love you!' And, by the way, I love you too!

Daily Inspiration 10-4-18

"You cannot get through

a single day

without having an impact
on the world around you. 

 What you do 

makes a difference." 

-- Jane Goodall 

[Classic post from 8-21-14]

Jane Goodall added just a bit to this quote by saying, "and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." I would interpret this just a tiny bit different that might make a huge difference by changing the word 'have' to 'get.' So it would say, "and you get to decide what kind of difference you want to make." I believe we always get to choose if we want to.

The more I learn about life, the more clearly it resonates with me that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. It also means that we all come from the same source and we are all connected in ways that are hard to imagine in this physical life where we perceive ourselves separate from each other and everything else. I think that the underlying truth is that as Jane Goodall says, that we cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around us. We likely have little or no idea of that impact, but it can be dramatic or small, yet it becomes part of the whole.

Consider some of these ideas:

You are genuinely kind to someone and you did not know that this day was one of the lowest points in that person's life. This act of kindness may have been very small to the giver and a life-changing event to the other.

Maybe something you said in the way that you said it was the impetus to a decision in another that set them on a whole new life adventure of joy and success.

It could be just a look on your face which was a physical manifestation of your inner thought which someone across the room noticed and felt and they became inspired and wanted to feel the way that you appeared to feel.

Perhaps your act of generosity without any ulterior motives was noticed by someone who has been reluctant to express their generosity, and as a direct result of that moment became a more generous person.

Maybe you offered to help someone by giving them instruction from the skills that you have acquired over time, and this bit of training set them on a mighty successful and profitable path.


We may never find out in what way we have touched another that created a benefit to them, but it is certain to me that we will have some kind of impact. Perhaps we can be lucky enough to learn of some of those instances, but even the knowledge that may bring us a bit of joy and wonder is a tiny fraction of the reality of the effect. Knowing this effect and its strength may encourage us to take better care of the opportunity of affecting others. That's why I changed the word from 'have to' to 'get to.' It truly is an opportunity, and when accepted with a joyous heart changes the world in very positive ways.


The Best Way To Have The Best Impact Is Simple: Just Be Yourself. Not The Way You May Have Learned To Be, But The Way You Really And Truly Are Deep Inside. 

Spread Some Joy Today--because you just can't help it if you're joyous.

Daily Inspiration 10-3-18

"I'm at my strongest when I'm able to let go

when I suspend my beliefs as well as disbeliefs
and leave myself open to all possibilities. 

That also seems to be when I'm able 

to experience the most 

internal clarity and synchronicities."

-- Anita Moojani 

[Classic post from 8-20-14]

Albert Einstein is famous for saying, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

I just finished Anita Moojani's OUTSTANDING book, Dying To Be Me, for the second time, and it was even more powerful in the second reading for me. Here's a woman dealing with cancer for four years and is at the end stage with organs shut down and has a near-death experience that causes her to not only come back from death but to do it so quickly that the medical teams could not believe it was possible. Not only could they not believe it, but they also refused to accept it and gave her chemo drugs for weeks after they knew there was no cancer there.

You'll have to read the story and her revelations after, but what I wanted to point out about this is that the medical team has rejected the idea of miracles for so long that they couldn't believe in one--even when it was right in front of their eyes. As Einstein said, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Anything is possible to those who believe in possibilities.

Though the doctors are looking on the inside, it is not in the way that Anita explains when she said, "I believe that the greatest truths of the universe don't lie outside, in the study of the stars and the planets. They lie deep within us, in the magnificence of our heart, mind, and soul. Until we understand what is within, we can't understand what is without."

She explains it another way: "Words taken literally or held as ultimate truth can keep us stagnant and stuck, holding on to old ideologies. I now know that everything I need is already contained within me and is completely accessible if I allow myself to open up to what I sense is true for me. . and the same is true for you."

We are far more powerful than we realize when we connect to the miracles all around us.


Look Around In Awe Today At All The Miracles. 

Spread Some Joy Today--See your life full of joy and it will be just that.

Daily Inspiration 10-2-18

"At any given time 

the universe is giving you 

the best result possible." 

-- Deepak Chopra 

[Classic post from 8-19-14]

Consider the possibility that the universe gives us the focus of our thinking and giving us the best possible result based on that asking. Then, if what we are receiving is not what we are wanting, the question would be with what we are asking rather than what we are receiving. Perhaps we are asking with a lot of doubt. Maybe we are even thinking about how things don't happen well for us.

I was listening to someone who is normally positive the other day, and he said, "it's just my luck for that to happen!" He wasn't referring to a good or beneficial thing, but something that based on his inference was a common result in his life that he didn't much like, yet he talked about it as if it was the way it is in his life as if fate is his deserved result and that the fate is looking unfavorably on him.

Luck has nothing to do with it unless that is what we offer up. A better idea would be to say it the way we want it to be rather than the way it seems to be or the way we are perhaps used to receiving. Sometimes it is very hard, or at least it seems that way, to go against the way things have been for us.

The first step that I have learned that is changing my life in this is to tell a different story. I love the phrase that I picked up from Esther Hicks, "things are always working out for me!" What a wonderful phrase to say over and over again until you actually believe it to be true. Things are always working out for me. I just cannot seem to get it wrong. Good things are coming to me--in fact, they are seeking me out for well being and joy. God is giving me all things good and for my own good and to my ultimate benefit. Everything is always working out for me! 

So, I recommend that it is good to consider that what Deepak Chopra said is very true: "At any given time the universe is giving you the best result possible." We can decide to take full advantage of this by accepting that idea and realizing more clearly exactly what we are asking and what conversations we have about ourselves with others.


"Ask For Nothing Less Than Inspiration." -- Deepak Chopra 

Spread Some Joy Today--by accepting your role as a creator of your own life. Creating some joy will benefit you and everyone around you. Let go of the rope and allow joy.