Daily Inspiration 11-30-19

"Nothing stops 

 without something else beginning." 

-- Alan Cohen 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-11-15]

Somewhere along our travels, most of us have picked up expectations of how things should work. For example, how long should a marriage last? Until death do you part, right? Well, for sure for some and surely not for others. A better answer to the question might be until we choose otherwise.

Once I start my business, how long should it stay in business? Forever? Answer: Until is doesn't any longer. I grew up thinking Macy's was a forever store, then they went out of business. Well, let's say it is still there but it ain't the same.

I opened a musical instrument store and had it for a year and a half. Does that mean it failed? That could certainly be an assumption, but that would not be the truth. It didn't fail. I no longer had the desire for it. I had a desire for something different. So, I stopped one and started another. As far as I was and am concerned, it was a huge success. If nothing else, it was a grand educational experience which is useful in my life and that of others 35 years after the fact.

We have all manner of expectations that have been handed down to us, but you know, the only thing that really matters is our own experience and how we choose to view that experience. So, what might be some of the values of a short-lived enterprise or relationship?

• Creation. We take nothing more (which is really everything) than an idea and then take that thought and breathe life into it (it was already alive there) and cause it to be created in our reality. In other words, it went from the non-physical into the physical. 
• Co-Creation. We did it with others. It was not a single person's creation, but all who participated helped shape the outcome. 
• The economy moved. Money changed hands. Funds were raised, expended. 
• Education. We learned. There is much to learn every single day. 
• Change. We changed. Others changed. Nothing is static. 
• Difference. We made a difference. What we did mattered. What kind of difference may not be measurable from our own perspective. We cannot do anything and not make a difference. 
• Improvement. We made some improvements. However small or large they may be, improvements are a given. 
• Benefit. We provided a benefit, or many benefits to the community, to others, to the world. 
• Friends. We find new friends. Maybe even lifetime friends. 
• Passion. Beginnings are so often about passion. 
• Love. We get to share our love. We get to expand and enrich our own love. 

This is just a shortlist, and this process of thinking about things in this way is very helpful. Everything we do is a choice. We choose here, choose that, choose an idea, choose participants, convince others, promote our ideas, all choices. We choose to begin, to continue for a time, and then we choose to let go. If it continues to float on its own for a time, so be it, and if it doesn't, it is done for now, and on to another choice.

The most important choice we have is how we want to feel about our experiences. It is as easy to feel joy in having done something as it is to feel sad that it is no longer. Time is such a poor concept on the judgment of our experiences, and time is only an idea. Our living is always this moment, this moment, this moment. How we choose to feel is this moment, this moment, this moment.

I have found from a lifetime of study that to find ways to appreciate, love, and celebrate enhances our experience immeasurably. We all get to choose that or choose otherwise.


"In A Gentle Way, You Can Shake The World." -- Mahatma Gandhi 

Spread Some Joy Today--by making it your choice to do so.

Daily Inspiration 11-29-19

"Anytime what someone else thinks 

about you becomes more important 

than your own balance with self, 

you are in a less-than-healthy position 

because you are replacing your own 

Guidance System with their opinion." 

-- Abraham, Esther Hicks 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-10-15]

A long-time reader sent me a note asking me to address a situation of how to reframe their mental state when it is now in a negative state due to someone's belittling and ranting about how horrible they are or have been. I said I would write about that today as I have had more than my share of experience in this area over a lot of time.

This kind of situation seems to most often occur in parent/sibling and romantic relationships. In my case, they were all in marriage. At some point, I did not meet the expectations (whatever they may have been) by doing something they disapproved of, or wanted to be involved in, or made decisions without them, and more. Then anger would cause them to rant and yell and generally be upset.

What do you guess the very first thing someone on the receiving end of this would do? They would become very defensive. When you are attacked, you automatically defend yourself. Then the argument escalates and many, many things are said in the heat of the emotion that perhaps would not have been said in cooler moments. Feelings get hurt, the pain deepens. There is never relief in this scenario. It is always more pain and it creates a further separation from the other in both the offensive and defensive position.

In Transactional Analysis or T.A., they call this transaction, Critical Parent and Adapted Child. The only thing in T.A. that breaks this circle of pain is the non-emotional Adult (reason, compassion), or the Nurturing Parent and Natural Child combination.

For years I wanted it to end. I finally took the tack that I learned in my twenties about 'owning my own feelings.' In other words, those attacks on me are not my feelings, it is theirs. I can choose to think differently about myself.

I learned that whenever someone is yelling, belittling, verbally abusing you, that it is never about you. It is about them. They are trying to express themselves, but not realizing how much harm they are trying to cause at the same time. Some used to say, "Oh, that's the Italian in me." It's just someone who doesn't know what else to do except explode like a volcano. And, in a so-called loving relationship, that is nowhere near love. It is fear. The opposite of love.

Sometimes people say, "I do this because I love you." I say, "please stop loving me right now!" No, it isn't even close to love. It is way on the other end of that stick.

In the most recent episodes of anger, yelling, belittling, and more that I was on the receiving end of, I worked on not plugging into it. I just refused to accept it. I got good at that. But there was something else going on too. My wife was ill. Two years before her diagnosis of ALS, she was vocally belligerent many times to the point that was way more than anything like normal. One day she ranted at the top of her lungs for about an hour and fifteen minutes. It was ridiculous. Toward the end of that one, I had to take off and go for a ride, but it was her illness getting traction. As her illness progressed, she couldn't talk, so she wrote her nasty comments.

Let me say that this kind of verbal abuse is not something that one gets used to. And, in situations, like I had, leaving wasn't the right option, so I was forced to find a different way to come to terms with it and be okay in myself.

It is said, that you cannot love others until you love yourself. I never really understood that inside. Superficially, yes. Internally, no. But, I came to understand it. When you can't escape the abuse, you have to open your mind. I began to love myself.

That is probably easy for some, but loving myself was not easy for me. I had to play with it, study it, learn about it, and allow it. I'm still on that trail. Now I understand how if you don't love yourself, you really don't love someone else in the way that is truly loving. You can appreciate them, respect them, serve them, but loving has to begin with ourselves.

When we love ourselves--truly love ourselves, the opinions of others have less meaning. Someone can say all they want in whatever manner they choose, but it is all rejected as if it is bouncing off a rubber barrier. When we look to our own inner guidance, our God within, our inner being, or whatever words you like to use, that entity loves us as God loves all creation. Other's opinions have no value here. It is only our inner source and our own love of ourselves in total harmony. Once there, no one gets through to cause any pain.

We are best served by seeking only our own inner guidance and loving ourselves, and at the same time, because that is the love of God, we love those who attack us too. This doesn't mean we need to hang around and accept abuse very long. We can exercise our ultimate choice of who we enjoy being around. As we accept none of what others have to dish out, they stop dishing it out soon enough. Either way, we are the ones who are always in control. If we can't change the circumstances immediately, we always have the power of how we choose to think about them, and consequently, how we feel about them, and the other person.

The short answer is to learn, or rather remember to love ourselves as God loves us, and that love is without any condition, without any reason, without any need. It simply and beautifully is.


It Has Been Said, 'Love The One You're With.' What That Really Means Is YOU Because You Are ALWAYS With You Wherever You Go. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by letting go of the resistance of trying to satisfy others. Be yourself. The best you could ever be is to be your best self.

Daily Inspiration 11-28-19

"Life is less about 

getting somewhere, 

and more about 

being somewhere." 

-- Alan Cohen 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-9-15]

Here's a question for you: Who's in charge? Let's improve on that question just to make sure: Who's REALLY in charge?

How often do things happen that frustrate you? How often do you blame others for events in your life? And, here's a more telling question: How often do you beat up on yourself for decisions in the past, not doing what you said to yourself you were going to do, and the list can get very long here. 

I've figured out in my life that my biggest problem, strongest adversary, most persistent naysayer, and most critical voice is my own.

The best question I learned is to consider who's really in charge here. It certainly isn't the real me. It's that other guy. When I remember who is really in charge--the real me, the spiritual me, the part of everything me, the portion of God me--I can see clearly the tug-o-war rope I'm holding in my hands and what a struggle it is just to stay in one place. Once I see the rope and the resistance I've been clinging to, I know that the real me is in charge, and I just drop the rope and relax.

I've gotten much faster at recognizing what is going on through frustration, impatience, disappointment, initial-response anger, worry, and more. Now, I pay attention to how I am feeling. Am I feeling tense? Fearful? Worried? Frustrated? When I recognize that I'm not feeling good, I remember that the other guy is temporarily in charge. As quickly as I can, I choose to feel better because I want to feel good. In this process, I begin to relax.

I might close my eyes and just breathe for a bit, or look at and appreciate something in nature, celebrate what a nice day it is, put on some Jim 'Kimo' West slack-key music, move around, any number of things that will bring me back to the reality that the real me is now in charge. As I am there, I feel better, I am relaxed, I am peaceful, and I am refreshed. Then I laugh at how good it feels to be the one really in charge.


Who's In Charge? Who's REALLY In Charge? 

Spread Some Joy Today--by feeling your joy.

Daily Inspiration 11-27-19

"The truly wealthy 

dwell in the consciousness

of enoughness." 

-- Alan Cohen 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-8-15]

Yesterday, I wrote about chapter one in the book, Relax Into Wealth, by Alan Cohen, and today, I want to write briefly about chapter two. In this chapter, he discusses enoughness. When is enough, enough? He says that "every thought you have falls into one of two streams of energy: enough or not enough. The more you observe and affirm enough, the more enough you have. The more you observe and affirm not enough, the more not enough you have."

He says to "expand your sense of prosperity by focusing on the riches you already own. You can find wealth in good health; the beauty of nature; rewarding friendships; a loving family; bubbling creativity; your spiritual source; stimulating ideas; the kindness of people you meet; and much, much more. Right now in many ways, you are a billionaire! You may be richer than many people with lots of money because you give your attention to wealth rather than need."

To those who think contentment is a bad place to be, he says, "Does contentment mean that you must just stop where you are, never desire more, and never change anything from the way it is? Certainly not. A great way to position a contentment attitude is: happy and hungry. You appreciate what you have and enjoy the adventure of expanding your world. . . Everything wants to grow, and everything is perfect in its stage of growth. Perfection is not a place you arrive at; it is an attitude you enjoy as you go."

Abraham, Esther Hicks calls that, appreciating what you have and being eager for more. Enough isn't a place, it is an attitude.

Again, at the end of the chapter, he asks some great questions:

1. What do you feel you have enough of?

2. What do you feel you do not have enough of?

3. Take a few moments to focus on the elements of your life that make you feel rich. How rich are you? How do you feel after you focus on your wealth?

4. Find within yourself the delicious balance of happy and hungry. . . and these last questions jumped off the page for me:

What are you happy with? What are you hungry for? Notice how you feel when you let yourself be whole where you stand while reaching for higher.


"When You Realize That Nothing Is Lacking, The Whole World Belongs To You." -- Lao Tzu   

Spread Some Joy Today--You attract more joy from your joy and more lack of joy from your lack of joy.

Daily Inspiration 11-26-19

"Successful people 

ask better questions, 

and as a result, 

they get better answers." 

-- Tony Robbins 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-7-15]

Have you ever read a book, loved it, put it on the shelf and then a few years later, pick it up again, knowing full well you've read it, yet it seems so new to you? It's kind of amazing how many times that has happened to me, and it happened again today.

I've been reading some great fiction books of late. The last ten books were all fiction and so today I thought I'd pick up something different. I was drawn to Alan Cohen's book, Relax Into Wealth. A few years ago I bought a bunch of these and sent them to my team and many friends. It's a wonderful book and picking it up again only compounded that opinion.

I made a commitment early this year to read aloud. Don't ask me why. It's one of those weird things that come over me. There is something more powerful about reading aloud than to myself. Call it an exercise for my mouth, tongue and vocal cords. Anyway, as I began reading, I was amazed. I said aloud, "Wow!" I say it again, "Wow!"

Each chapter starts with a quote and ends with a few questions. Think of it like a course where you can cheat all you want, or not.

The first chapter is about the abundance that we more often than not, take for granted. He mentions big things like there are 70 sextillion stars in the visible universe, in 125 billion galaxies, then common things, like 13 billion gallons of water flow over Niagra Falls every single day. Wow. Our heart beats over 100,000 times a day. Then he mentions very small things that we cannot even see without the aid of specialized equipment. In all of this, he is saying that the universe is full of abundance. In fact, it is extravagant abundance. And more important than the abundance is that nothing is wasted. One thing is used to create another substance that is renewed. Energy just changes its form, but it never is used up.

Each chapter is very short, and he presented three questions at the end of this chapter:

1. Sit right where you are or go to the window of your room. Name five things you can see that exist in great abundance right before you.

2. Mentally survey the world beyond your current view, such as your home, places you have visited, read, heard, or thought about, and photographs you have seen. What are the most abundant things you can think of?

3. Complete this sentence at least three times, with a different response each time:

     If I knew I lived in an abundant universe that supplies all my needs,
     I would ____________________.

These are some good questions to ponder and answer. The reality is that we often don't think of the world as abundant. Instead, we think of it lacking what we want and need. Yet, as he makes clear, abundance is all around us all the time and it is we who choose to view it less than it really is.


How Many Blades Of Grass In Your Lawn? How Many Cells In Your Little Finger?

Spread Some Joy Today--Start counting!

Daily Inspiration 11-25-19

"The most important thing 

in communication 

is hearing 

what isn't said." 

-- Peter Drucker 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-6-15]

Even though I've read many of Peter Drucker's books and I love many of his ideas on management and business, the quote above is one of those that I like because it is interesting, and dislike because it creates more problems with no solutions.

I think, "Oh, good! There's another thing I have to get training on, to learn more about, to try to figure out what people are saying when they aren't talking. Yet another skill I need to find a book about."

Hearing what isn't said. . . hmm. Is he saying that people say one thing but mean something completely different? Is he saying, they are telling lies? Is he saying that they're just making stuff up? Is he saying that they want to say something else but they don't know how? How in the world do I go about knowing what people are not saying when they are saying something? Sounds pretty mystical to me.

Well, bringing this back down to earth, we all know that people don't say everything that can be said. We know they hold back things for a wide variety of reasons, mostly fear-related. We also know that from a different perspective some people say a lot of things to enhance their own agenda or position. So, how do we wade through all that? "

First answer: We are smarter than we allow ourselves to be sometimes. Our intuition is a mental and spiritual device that can aid us in seeing the smoke on the screen and getting behind the screen. Many times we may distrust it, but it is certainly worthy of trust.

Second answer: Don't pay so much attention to the words. Pay more attention to the vibration. You might be saying, "Oh, there's another word, vibration. What the heck do I know about vibration?" A lot. Certainly a lot more than you might think. Instead of thinking about vibration, think about how you feel.

Tie it all together by paying attention to how you feel by what others are saying. Open the pathway to use your intuition to "feel" how if what they are saying is ringing true with your inner knowing, your intuition, your inner guidance. Feeling good is good. Feeling bad is not good. Everything can pass that filter and be cleaned perfectly for your own understanding.

I might say that instead of hearing what isn't said as being the most important thing in communication, it could certainly be paying attention to the vibes--or rather, how you feel when it is compared with your own inner guidance via your intuition.


Can You Repeat That Please? I Didn't Quite Get The Feeling Yet... 

Spread Some Joy Today--Let go and ye shall find.

Daily Inspiration 11-24-19

"To see within ourselves, 

we need to close our eyes." 

-- Albert K. Strong 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-5-15]

In October of 2009, I bought and read a very informative book. I find myself reminded of it from time to time and then I pull it from the shelf and look at it again. I did that again this morning. The book is by Vincent M. Roazzi, and the title is, The Spirituality of Success. I love this book because it is written with a great deal of insight and common sense in common language.

I opened to chapter 7: Expectations Are Excuses. Vincent was a national trainer traveling all over the country, and he said that "whenever I did an initial introductory training session, I would ask the trainees to share with the group their expectations of training. What did they expect would be covered during the training session? What did they need to learn about in order to become successful?" Then he said, "Of the hundreds of training sessions I conducted, the list of training expectations were always basically the same:

1. The Company 
2. The Product 
3. The Sales Leads 
4. The Competition 
5. The Customers 
6. Pricing 
7. Paperwork 
8. Management 
9. Sales Techniques
10. Underwriting (We sold an insurance product.)" 

He continues, "As the group said each item, I would list them on a whiteboard in the front of the room." And, here's a couple of key phrases he said next: "I was always amazed that no one ever included themselves, the salesperson, on the list! The salesperson, according to studies, is 85 percent of the sale, and yet no one referred to the 85 percent as what they needed or expected to learn about." 

Finally, he said, "One day, as I was standing in the back of the room, I looked at the list and realized that all their expectations were also the excuses they would give if they failed. Now the fact that they never mentioned themselves and what that meant was even more amazing."

I think this tidbit from Vincent's wonderful book is telling. And, I don't mean only for salespeople in a training class. I mean for all of our interactions in our personal and business lives. What are our expectations? Where do we fit in those expectations? If what Vincent said is correct, and I'm sure if not that it is mighty close, that 85% is within, not without, then we may need to close our eyes much more often in reflection and personal assessment.

Are We Looking For A Way In, A Way Out, Or A Way Through? 

Spread Some Joy Today--The past and the future cannot have access to you when you are in the present. All joy is in the present.

Daily Inspiration 11-23-19

"Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. 

It is won by disregarding things

that lie beyond our control. 

Stop aspiring to be anyone 

other than your own best self: 

for that does fall within your control." 

-- Epictetus 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-4-15]

Abraham, Esther Hicks has often said, "You are so free, you can choose bondage." And so we have, in many ways. The author, James Patterson said, "People kind of want to be manipulated, but they want it done well." That one brings a smile to my face in its succinct and wise observation.

Freedom is not a thing. It is an idea. It is not something to achieve. It is a feeling. We choose or not. We are manipulated or think independently. Napoleon Bonaparte long ago shared, "Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious than to be able to decide." We choose, or through manipulation or choosing not to choose, get what we get, think what we think, feel what we feel.

Friedrich Nietzsche said, "Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves." And, so it is. I like how he used the word, 'will' here, which is another word for choice or choosing, only with a bit more oomph.

The best quote I've ever seen to so perfectly describe freedom for me, I used just a few days ago, and since it is so perfect, here it is again from Edward Abbey: "Freedom begins between the ears." It is an idea, and as so many other ideas, develops into a feeling. Through the thought (the idea) and into the feeling, that is everything that freedom is or can be, and since that is what it is, it is our choice to choose it or not; to experience it or not; to exude it or not; to share with others or not.


I Choose Freedom. I Feel Free. I Am Free. I Am Freedom. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by focusing on the best aspects of everything you see today.

Daily Inspiration 11-22-19

"The thought that

you should be doing

something else

is a distraction. 

Be fully present 

with what you are doing, 

and it will lead to better." 

-- Alan Cohen 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-3-15]

Here's an interesting question: Where does 'should' come from? Here's the answer: Not from us. In other words, it comes from 'outside' of us. It comes from two places, and sometimes they work in unison. It comes from our own ego, which is absolutely outside of the real us, and it comes from other people.

I like how Alan Cohen said, "It's easy to get people to follow a person. It's harder to get people to follow themselves." It seems like it could be a matter of confidence, and that is close enough. But, it is a bit deeper than this, as confidence is a result.

Nana Veary is quoted as saying something very profound and enlightening to me. She said, "The only problem facing you in life is your belief in separation from the Source. Solve that one, and all the others will vanish."

When we believe in our own inner power; our own inner Source of being; our own internal guidance, we are connecting to that Source. It is our source of true strength. And, we would never be connected to Source and put others down, think we are better than anyone else and such. We would be uplifters of others AND uplifters of ourselves. We would realize our own value, our uniqueness, and at the same time, we would see the value of others, their uniqueness, and even all of our sameness.

I believe that every single person and every single thing is connected to Source, or you could use many other words, many of which are loaded with baggage. Everything is connected; however, we can and most often are disallowing that connection. We do that by looking outside of ourselves. Maybe we are looking at the past or the future, and both of those are outside of us.

Abraham Maslow said, "I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness."


"If A Man Plant Himself Indomitably On His Instincts, And There Abide, The Huge World Will Come Round To Him." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Spread Some Joy Today--Let go of the rope. Allow your natural connection through.

Daily Inspiration 11-21-19

"Freedom begins between the ears" 

-- Edward Abbey 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-2-15]

I've recently told several people that I have had such a wonderful, and delightful sense of freedom in my life. I've never felt this kind of freedom before. It's like something that I have wanted all my life and now I have arrived. It is magical. I love it. Every second of that feeling. It is the equivalent of unconditional love. And, by the way, sharing unconditional love doesn't mean that it always must be focused on others. It could and should be focused on ourselves as well.

I got up very early today to drive almost 3 hours to a meeting. It was a very hot day. I experienced the most delightful trip up and trip back and time spent there. I listened to a wonderful reading of The Litigators by John Grisham. It is a very long book, but today I thoroughly enjoyed--and I mean IN-joyed almost 5 hours of it. The reader is delightful, and I found myself laughing at so much of this great book on the way up to the meeting. The trip would have been perfect with that alone, but I got to enjoy so much more while at my destination. What a glorious day!

Freedom is indeed between the ears. So is happiness, joy, love, and every other emotion. We only have to choose what we want and we will be there. My number one goal in life which I have stated several times now is simply to enjoy myself every single day, every single hour, and every minute and moment possible. I get to choose that. It doesn't happen to me. I choose it. From the audiobook choice to the choice of my thoughts, to whether I focus on delight or pain. It is all within my domain.


I Am Not Alone. It Is All Between The Ears. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Choose as you will and joy is always an excellent choice.

Daily Inspiration 11-20-19

"I have found the best way 

to give advice to your children 

is to find out what they want 

and then advise them to do it." 

-- Harry S. Truman 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 7-1-15]

Sounds like superb advice to me. Maybe it applies to everyone in our lives. Who knows better than they?


Sounds A Whole Lot Like Unconditional Love. . . 

Spread Some Joy Today--by simply enjoying yourself.

Daily Inspiration 11-19-19

"Forget not that the earth delights 

to feel your bare feet 

and the winds long 

to play with your hair." 

-- Kahlil Gibran 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-30-15]

Just when we thought that we were experiencing everything around us, a wise soul reminds us that we are also the experienced. I think that makes us the experiencer and the experienced.


Hmmm. An Interesting Perspective. . . 

Spread Some Joy Today--because you're going to be spreading something, and joy seems like a highly beneficial thing to share. Not everyone will accept it, but enough so that you cannot be discouraged.

Daily Inspiration 11-18-19

Life's Biggest Lessons 

"The biggest lesson, in a sense I got, 

is the power of unconditional love. 

I think there is no power on earth, 

like unconditional love." 

-- Warren Buffett 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-29-15]

What does unconditional love mean? It means simply this: To love. Regardless. Absolutely. To fully accept.

Can we worry about someone and love them? Those two things vibrate at such different frequencies that it is like trying to get the music on 101.9 FM by tuning to 740 AM. Not even close.

Can we be disappointed in them and love them? Be angry at them and love them? Feel jealousy about them and love them? Feel grief and love them? Feel discouragement and love them? Be frustrated with them and love them? Have impatience or irritation and love them?

Not even.

In really loving them, this emotion is at the top of the scale, and fear, grief, and despair are at the complete opposite end of that scale. They are completely and totally incompatible.

If we truly love someone, it would be without any condition and without any negative emotion. We just love them. We want the best for them. We want them to love others the way we love them. We cannot be loving and feeling negative emotions at the same time. It cannot be. The frequencies don't match.

Can we allow those we love to make mistakes? Especially those situations that we know to be mistaken? Yes. Imagine your own life without so-called mistakes. We learn by thinking and doing. Besides, in unconditional love, it isn't really a mistake, it is purely a result.

Another word for unconditional love is freedom. By loving you are giving freedom. You know what freedom really feels like. You want that for others too.

Another word for unconditional love is empowerment. By loving you are empowering others. You know how being empowered feels. You want that for others too.

Another word for unconditional love is joy. You know what joy feels like. You want that for others too.

Another word for unconditional love is appreciation. You know what it feels like to appreciate. You want that for others too.


There Is Nothing So Empowering, Uplifting, Freeing, Joyful, And Appreciative As Unconditional Love. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Hmm. . . that would be done mainly by loving without condition. . .

Daily Inspiration 11-17-19

"We ask ourselves, 

 'Who am I to be brilliant, 

 gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' 

Actually, who are you not to be?" 

-- Marianne Williamson 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-28-15]

I used this photo a few days ago and I cannot get it out of my mind. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and I know that is true, as this one speaks volumes to me. Here's some of what this photo says to me--even screams to me with delight:

I'm fabulous! I feel fabulous! I feel like a star! I feel joy! I love my perfect hat. I love my choice in shades. I can be anybody behind some cool shades, and right now I'm fabulous. I've got beautiful, naturally curly hair. I love my hair. My great summer dress with the yellow borders clicks with my shades as do the other colors that blend so nicely with my great hat. I feel alive. I feel good. I feel free. I feel wonderful. 

I'm in love with me right now. I love me. I love myself. I feel like I'm showing off the real person inside me that so often I have tried to hide. I am hiding no more today. I am feeling too good to be concerned about any of that. I am feeling like I have a smile on my entire body. I feel like a wave of deliciousness has covered me giving me even more joy. I am fabulous. I feel fabulous. I am so enjoying this moment as if there were no other moments to be concerned about. 

And, while I am loving me and feeling fabulous today, I am loving every single person and thing that I see through my eyes and my perfect shades. I see them as fabulous too. In fact, we are all fabulous today. The sky is fabulous, the air is fabulous, the animals are fabulous, the ground is fabulous, the people I see are fabulous, everything around me is fabulous. Isn't fabulous so divine? I love it. I want to feel this way all the time, or at least as often as I can because it feels so delightful and fun. 

It isn't the things I'm wearing. I love them, and they are fun, but it isn't the things on my body. It is me. It is how I feel deep inside. I adore this feeling. When I add these beautiful and fun things to my body, I feel like that feeling deep inside that I don't pay attention to very much is allowed to come up to the surface and have fun with me. The things I'm wearing just enhance the feelings that are already within me. It is so marvelous when I allow this to happen. I want it much more often. I love being fabulous, feeling fabulous, and sharing my fabulousness with the entire world. 


"If You Allow Yourself To Feel Fabulous, You Are Fabulous!" -- Natalia Kills 

Spread Some Joy Today--Be Fabulous!

Daily Inspiration 11-16-19

"Begin challenging 

 your own assumptions. 

Your assumptions are
your windows on the world. 

 Scrub them off 

every once in a while, 

or the light won't come in." 

-- Alan Alda 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-27-15]

Some challenging questions to scrub off our assumptions:

Where and when did I learn that?
When did I learn to feel sad about that; those kinds of things or situations?
How many things do I feel sad about?
When did I learn to hate that or them or it?
How many things do I hate?
When did I learn to worry about that, this, them?
How did I learn to be jealous? Envious?
When did I learn to feel guilty?
Why do I feel insecure?
Where did I learn that?
How often am I unhappy? Why? When?

I heard this story long ago and perhaps you have as well: A mother and daughter were in the kitchen cooking a holiday meal of ham. The mother cut the ends off of the ham, and her daughter was very curious about that and said, "mother, why do you cut the ends off the ham?" She thinks about it and says, "well, I'm not really sure. I've always done it. I think I learned it from my mother." Since this is a holiday gathering, the mother finds her mother and asks her why she always cut the ends off the ham. Her mother said, "well, I don't know why except that my mother did that and I guess I learned it from her." So, they ask the great grandmother why she did that, and she said, "Oh, when I was first married way back, we had a very small kitchen and a very small oven and the ham wouldn't fit, so I cut the ends off."

Sometimes, and probably often, we just don't know or seem to be aware of what we are doing day to day, situation to situation, event to event. We learned something and never questioned it. We assumed that was the way to do it and so we do it that way, at that time, during this part of the year, under these circumstances, with these people, with these choices. It became a habit. Now it seems to be part of us. We see it as truth, the right way, the way it should be, the only way, my way. We own it.

A good question to ask from time to time might be, "is this assumption, this truth, this way serving me? Or is it not serving me?" Another great question is, "how do I feel about this or that?" If it doesn't cause you to feel good, the questions can help bring awareness and then the opportunity to change the assumption. Because they used to believe that the world was flat. In fact, the list of things that people used to believe as truth has changed so much, that today we question how they could have ever made that assumption, to begin with. We can't even fathom believing it now. Now it is false. It used to be the truth.

The truth may not be as solid as we once thought. Just like the planet, we stand on. We think it is solid, but there is much more going on underneath than we realize. It's okay and even good to challenge our own truths and assumptions, why we do things, how we feel about things, what allows happiness within us and what causes unhappy feelings.

When I was going to church, I heard the Senior Pastor say many times that "you know it when you know in your knower." Well, on the surface, that may sound silly, but I knew it as profound. We all have an inner knower, a Christ consciousness, a Universal Mind, a God within. When we line up with that, we know. When we follow others, we may have to challenge that learning. The place to challenge it is by seeing if it lines up with our 'knower' or not.


All Scrubbed Off And Feeling Good Again! 

Spread Some Joy Today--by loving more. Just love. Leo Tolstoy said it so well when he said, "If you want to be happy, be."

Daily Inspiration 11-15-19

"A friend is someone 

who knows the song in your heart, 

and can sing it back to you 

when you have forgotten the words." 

-- Donna Roberts 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-26-15]

Yes! Having this kind of friend is among life's greatest gifts. That's the kind of friend I want to be. I want to be an uplifter, a reminder of self-value, an encouraging influence.

I don't want to be the kind of friend who commiserates, one that allows you to feel sorry for yourself in front of me. I don't want to sympathize with you or blame others on your behalf. I don't want to discuss the problem or problems over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. I don't want to be that kind of friend. I don't want to feel bad along with you or about you.

I want to sing your joy back to you. I want to talk about all that you are and all that you are going to be. I want to boost and bolster you. I want to strengthen you, reassure and reinforce you. I want to lift you up, and never fail to recognize an opportunity to root for you, smile upon you, and pull for you.

I know who you are and I want to remind you of who you are. You are more powerful than you know. You are more in charge than you think. You have more love than you realize. You have more abundance than you acknowledge.

I want to be a friend. A real friend. Even to people I have never met in person. I have chosen this on purpose. It is what I want. This is what I am.


I Am A Friend. I Am Your Friend. I Love You. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by singing your joy within you, then sending it out to others.

Daily Inspiration 11-14-19

"One of the keys

to all drama

is conflict. 

If there isn't any conflict, 

there isn't any drama." 

"Nothing worthwhile 

happens without conflict." 

-- James Patterson 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-25-15]

Last weekend on Facebook, I saw a link to a class put on by James Patterson, who is considered the world's most successful author, on a site called MasterClass.com. I immediately signed up and took the entire course with 22 videos that same day. It was quite interesting and worth far more than the cost of admission. There are some other courses on there like an acting course by Dustin Hoffman. Very inexpensive too. End of commercial.

It's interesting and funny to me that I might watch 22 videos on a subject with thousands of words spoken, and have a handful of them reach out and grab my attention. And, it happens a lot, then I must stop and write it down. This is the case with the two quotes above. I found them fascinating and insightful in our daily lives.

Of course, in James Patterson's case, he is creating conflict on purpose to create drama and create, as he calls it, "commercial fiction." He also wants to draw people in, keep them guessing and moving all the way to the end. This he does.

I was thinking more along the lines of how we feel as we move through our lives. We all want to feel good, yet quite often people end up choosing to feel anxious, angry, unhappy, depressed, melancholy, worried, and much more that causes them to feel bad or not good. What causes that? It is conflict. 

Conflict is having animosity, feeling different than, feeling strife, having bad blood, feeling antagonistic, in opposition to, competition, having a dispute, having hostility about someone or something, disagreeing with, struggling, being disturbed by, and more. If you're alive, there will be conflict in your life.

It is here for a reason and it can either be beneficial as in the second quote, "nothing worthwhile happens without conflict," or it can become such a part of our lives that we are ruled by it. That would be a lot of drama, and I'll bet that you know someone that is just that way, and you can easily see how obvious it is once you know what you're looking for.

A more beneficial word for conflict is contrast. The value of that is to see what we do not want, causing us to know better what we do want. As we realize by how we feel that where we are and have the awareness to know that which is happening, we can choose what we do want and move toward it by choosing better feeling thoughts.

This process need not have drama. It need not have pain. Though the contrast may cause us to not feel as good, that is perfect guidance to help us on our way to what we do want instead. As James said, "nothing worthwhile happens without conflict." Just change the last word to contrast to soften it, but either way, it is true enough. The results of that are determined by how we respond to the conflict or contrast. Only we are in charge of that.


If You Step In Some Nasty Stuff, The Only Thing That Really Matters Is How Long You Stand There. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Keep moving toward joy. It's what you really want, so keep moving.

Daily Inspiration 11-13-19

"Your best teacher 

is your last mistake." 

-- Ralph Nader 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-24-15]

. . . and your last success, and your last experience, and this very moment. The only secret to learning is to be awake to it, be open to it, and every moment can be a learning experience.

Does learning, or 'a learning experience' mean that we miss the enjoyment of the moment, being in the moment? Absolutely not. It simply means we are paying attention. Based on that, it deepens the experience, the moment.

It is true that I have seen some who don't seem to pay attention, who keep doing the same things without realizing their repetitive behavior. I have confidence that they will awaken at any moment. It might be a song, a phrase, a book, or a look, and then they will awaken. What a glorious time this is, and I have to believe, because of its sheer mountain of ecstasy at the moment of awakening, that all who are human want to experience this. There is more going right in your world and mine than we may notice or pay attention to.

There is more beauty and fullness too. There is more well-being, more abundance, more joy than we may have previously imagined.

This Place Is A Connection With All-That-Is. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by loving the moment you're with.

Daily Inspiration 11-12-19

"If your goal is "to become successful," 

you might be overlooking 

what you've already achieved." 

-- Michael Katz 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-23-15]

It's perfect to know where you are headed, what you want in your career, your life, your family. It's great to set goals with the intent of achieving them. But, sometimes maybe we get too focused on what we do not yet have that we forget what we've gathered along the way.

Oprah Winfrey said, "If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough." I like how Abraham, Esther Hicks points out that, "You cannot desire something--and notice that it isn't coming--without offering two contradictory vibrations that won't let it come." It reminds me of kids on a long trip so often asking, "are we there yet?" Or maybe, "how much longer?"

There are millions of shades of gray and other colors, so many shades of love, lots of things that have variations on the same theme. Why not success? I know we think that success for us is much more concrete in that it is a solid place we intend to achieve, but what if it's not? What if it is a long line of shades of success as you move toward that solid goal of finally being there? What if every hour, every day is one more successful step in a successful journey toward success? What if you're already successful and not acknowledging it, not celebrating it, not giving yourself the credit that you already deserve?

Maybe a good way is to chill just enough to enjoy your day. Maybe relax and celebrate today and the accumulated success, knowledge, skills, love, expansion that you are achieving today and have achieved all along your way to wherever you are headed. What a delightful journey that would be in comparison with wondering if you're there yet, or fretting over the fact that you have not yet arrived. You are there. You have achieved much. You have grown and expanded. You cannot help it. That is your destiny to want and to experience. Now simply enjoy it as you travel to the next destination.

There will always be the next destination. It doesn't matter so much what that is because it will change soon enough; however, what matters more is how you feel today and feeling good will delight you on your journey and cause it to be worthwhile every single step along the way.


Celebrate Each Moment In Your Travel. Enjoy Your Journey. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by choosing to focus on feeling good. As you do, you cannot help but share that with others. Even without saying a word.

Daily Inspiration 11-11-19

"There is so much more that is 

going right in your world than wrong." 

-- Abraham, Esther Hicks 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-21-15]

A really great way to live my life is to think that I am living in my dream. I get to choose what is in my dream. I get to choose what I focus on or ignore. Crime isn't in my world, it is in the world of other people. War and strife are not in my world. Unhappiness is not in my world. My world is at peace.

Here's a magical way to start each day from Abraham, Esther Hicks. Let's not call it an affirmation. Let's call it a blueprint. All buildings are built from a blueprint. Maybe write it down, print this out, and paste it where you can see it every morning and then read along. The magic begins the very first day:

"Today, I will look for reasons to feel good. Nothing is more important than that I feel good. Nothing is more important than that I choose thoughts that attract other thoughts that attract other thoughts that raise my vibrational frequency to the place where I can resonate with the positive aspects of the Universe."

If that's too long, feel free to shorten it to this:

"Today, I will look for reasons to feel good. Nothing is more important than that I feel good." That will do just fine. The magic begins on day one and continues with each day. Expect magic.

This bit really jumped off the page at me on Friday, June 19th from that day's message in the Ask and It Is Given perpetual calendar: "Once you are in control of the way you feel, you will enjoy it all: You will enjoy your exposure to the variety and contrast that helps you identify your desire--and you will enjoy the sensation of your own desire that is being launched from your own valuable perspective and is flowing from you."

This is the part that jumped off the page at me:  "Once you are in control of the way you feel, you will enjoy it all." And I'm still thinking about it today. It is so true.

In years past, and I've mentioned it several times in these Daily Inspirations, I often felt like a ball in a pinball machine emotionally. I was bouncing off this issue, that statement, getting flipped here and there, sinking to new lows, all the while trying to be so positive during the day at work. People would piss me off and I'd be in a funk about it. Things would go on in the world that I hated with a passion. My boss was an idiot more often than I cared for, and of course, it was never me. It was never my thinking. It was always what they did that caused problems with me. I was innocent. I was the victim.

That was a whole bunch of feeling sorry for myself and thinking I was not in charge of circumstances in my life, let alone the feelings I had about things. Sad, but true.

I have learned from much joyful study that I am in control of my world. What happens in my world is in my sole control. Anything that happens that I don't like is simply contrast that guides me to what my new desire is. I now control my emotions. I control how I choose to feel. If I feel a negative emotion, I can get excited because that is my guidance system at work, and it reminds me that in my world, I am in charge and I can change what I think and how I feel any time I so desire. And, in fact, that contrast creates that new desire which makes it so easy.

"Once you are in control of the way you feel, you will enjoy it all." That line is the ultimate guidance to me. It is where I have wanted to be and it is where I am because I know that I control my world, and every other person controls their own world. We come together in co-creation as we choose, yet ultimately, and delightfully, we are the final decision maker of our own way. We each can choose this or ignore it as we wish. I spent a lifetime looking for it (I could say it is the holy grail for me), and I relish that choice.

It is all choice, and the magic of beginning with this: "Today, I will look for reasons to feel good. Nothing is more important than that I feel good," which leads to the holy grail of, "Once you are in control of the way you feel, you will enjoy it all."


May The Choice Be With You. 

Spread Some Joy Today--because it simply cannot be helped.

Daily Inspiration 11-10-19

"It doesn't matter how many times 

during the day that I pick up the rope, 

it only matters that I lay it down." 

-- Terry Minion 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-20-15]

It doesn't matter to me anymore whether after picking up the rope and pulling on it I think I am winning the tug-o-war or losing the war. It is all resistance. Simply the act of picking it up is resistance. And, I now realize and understand that whenever I pick up that rope, I feel bad. It doesn't matter what name I give the emotion, such as, anger, jealousy, unhappiness, hurt feelings, disappointment, they are always negative when I have the rope in my hands--even when I think I'm winning.

I might pick up that rope many times during the day. Some people might think I need the exercise. However, there is one strong value in realizing that I have the rope in my hands again. It is that I am seeing what I do not want, and this allows me to realize that I am struggling with what I do not want. At the same time, as I pay attention to how I am feeling, I have the opportunity to know what I do want instead, and if I summon even the smallest amount of courage, I can drop the rope and go in the direction of my new desire, and I will always feel good in the process.

Some might think that when I finally get fully positive that I will never ever again have negative thoughts and emotions. That will never happen. What does, and what has happened though, is that I no longer dwell on what I don't want as much, and every day that I realize my own power, I dwell there less and less. So, yes, I pick up that rope, often not realizing that I have done so for a short while, but by paying attention to how I am feeling, and noticing that I am not feeling good, I remember that which is what I want more than anything: to feel good. At that moment, I drop the rope, and there I am feeling better already.

There are hundreds of ways that we all pick up that rope. We often find plenty of justification. And I know this--whenever we pick up that rope, we are not feeling good. We are feeling bad. We will never feel good holding on to the rope. It doesn't matter how strong we think we are or how many are on our side pulling because holding and pulling on that rope is a no-win game. Unless we enjoy feeling bad, the only solution to feeling good is in dropping the rope. It doesn't matter how many times we pick it up each day, week, month, year. It only matters that we lay it down so that we can feel good again. With each act of laying it down, we get more and more relief.


Lay It Down. Or Not. We Always Choose For Ourselves. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by realizing that we cannot hold the rope and have joy at the same time.

Daily Inspiration 11-9-19

"Habits are at first cobwebs, 

then cables." 

-- Spanish Proverb 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-19-15]

The following is one of the best quotes I've ever seen, and it is full of wisdom and insight. I will let it stand on its own:

"Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us, 

choosing gratitude until we are grateful, 

praising God until we ourselves 

are a constant act of praise." 

Fr. Richard Rohr 

Amen.

Spread Some Joy Today--by making choices that lift you up.

Daily Inspiration 11-8-19

"Make an executive decision, 

then act on it with boldness. 

Regardless of how it turns out, 

it will be far better 

than thinking it to death." 

-- Albert K. Strong 

New: Audio version

{Classic post from 6-18-15]

Henry Ford so matter-of-factually said, "You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do." All the best thoughts and decisions have so little value without action. Accomplishment requires activity. 

A decision to change something is limp without activity following the decision. Let's say that I want to quit smoking, lose some weight, get more physically fit. I've made the decision hundreds of times probably and then remained the same or even made it worse by continually focusing on the problem and not the solution. The solution requires--no, it doesn't simply require--it demands action. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. so eloquently encouraged us to "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

As important as the action is, it was thinking that created a decision, and thinking that caused us to act, and it will be thinking that will keep us on the path toward our goal. If one were more important than the other, it would be thinking that prevails; however, when it comes to accomplishment in the physical world, activity, or action with our dedicated thinking behind it rules.

When I get my mind in order; that is, aligned with what I really want, then I make that executive decision, and take even the weakest of action, I am on my way. The more aligned my thought is, the stronger the action will be, but the less strength is required. Action alone is all work and no play and has limited results. Aligned thought with action makes accomplishment a delight.


Even The So-Called Wrong Decision Can Be Far Superior To No Decision At All. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by deciding to simply enjoy yourself today regardless of what is going on. Let's hear some praise and appreciation in that self-talk!

Daily Inspiration 11-7-19

"Dreams are renewable. 

No matter what our age or condition, 

there are still untapped possibilities within us 

and new beauty waiting to be born." 

-- Dr. Dale Turner 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-17-15]

I think the biggest problem with dreams and the fulfillment of them, is that we get too focused on time, and worse than this is focusing on how they would come about. When we don't see them happening or even coming any closer than thought, we begin wondering how they could come about. Then, we begin the ego-driven analyzing of how that cannot work because we are too _______, don't have enough ___________, or we weren't born to the right parents, or there isn't enough time, or. . . the list is very, very long.

If we really had a belief in our own power and the power of God or the Universe, and if we would leave all the how aspects to them, more would come about to match our desires and dreams. When we struggle against our own dreams, this is the epitome of resistance. We pick up that rope and start struggling against all those enemies: time, lack, unworthiness, timing, age, and more.

Let's all let go of that rope, and just allow God or the Universe to do what they do best.


We Can Just Chill. It Will All Be Okay. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by taking some deep breaths and focus on our own job: What do we want?

Daily Inspiration 11-6-19

"Don't wish it were easier, 

wish you were better. 

Don't wish for fewer problems, 

wish for more skills. 

Don't wish for less challenges, 

wish for more wisdom." 

-- Earl Shoaf 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-16-15]

There is a definite difference in looking at the problem and looking at the solution. They have completely different vibrations. Wishing for fewer problems is focusing on the problems, and wishing for more skills, is focusing on the solution. What a dramatic difference is displayed in this short quote by Earl Shoaf, who was Jim Rohn's mentor.

An even better way to look at this is to stop looking at, reminding ourselves of, and mentally or vocally discussing what it is that we don't want. The only way out of this is to focus on what we do want, why we want it, how wonderful it will be to have it, to mentally, vocally, and enthusiastically discuss it, and imagine ourselves already in possession of it.

The way to know where we're at in this focus is absolutely how we feel. When we feel off, negative, angry, down, depressed, jealous, and more, we are focused on what we do not want. When we feel good, alive, energetic, enthusiastic, joyous and more, we are focused on what we do want.


Simply A Change Of Focus. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by focusing on what you want today.

Daily Inspiration 11-5-19

"Our chief want 

is someone who will inspire us 

to be what we know we could be." 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-15-15]

I love this quote by Emerson, and I love how Jim Rohn would respond to it. He would, and has said, "But, what if they don't show up?"

How do we become inspired? What is considered an inspiration? What is it to be inspired? What sizes do inspirations come in? What is it to resist inspiration? Can we make a habit of being inspired?

As with many words, there is more than one definition of inspiration or to be inspired. According to Webster, it is this:

1.a: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.
   b: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions
   c: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions

2. the act of drawing in; specifically: the drawing of air into the lungs

Perhaps some of us are feeling unworthy of divine influence, but that is nonsense because all are worthy. Or perhaps some of us are waiting and hoping for that huge inspiration, and I say huge because it is divine. It's interesting how we judge divine.

On a smaller scale perhaps it is the action or power of moving our intellect and/or emotions. This is also available to all. Read a book, watch a movie, feel the wind, hear a song, touch the earth, take a nice warm shower. Yesterday I became so inspired just walking the dog. It was 84 degrees with a 15 mph breeze with periodic gusts and it felt so divine and luxurious. I wanted it to last all day, so we walked slowly and further than normal. Any of these kinds of things can be inspiring.

The act of influencing or suggesting opinions. Opinions of others influence me as a quote inspires me. That's how I began writing today. I saw this quote by Emerson and my thoughts began flowing. Are they important? It doesn't matter. I'm sharing my opinions, and maybe someone is inspired by them, or not. But, I am, so that is good enough.

The act of drawing in. . . I think of this more as allowing. To be inspired means to allow. So often we may resist inspiration. I know I've done plenty of that, and perhaps even every single day in some way. I've got concerns or fears on my mind and that is a mental loop that blocks out inspiration. To be inspired, I have to allow, I have to draw it in and the only way to do that is to allow. I have to let go in order to allow. Once I get to the point of allowing, the inspiration is received.

Back to size. Sometimes maybe we are looking for that grand, large, huge, divine inspiration--that life-changing event kind of inspiration. I know I do. I love those. Yet, the more I see that missing, the more it is missing. Does that make sense? It's like staring at the problem and we get so used to the problem, or so hung up on it, that we cannot allow a solution--we even resist the solution. Since these grand life-changing inspirations come once in a while, the best way to find more of them is to expect them and allow them. Calm, confident patience works well here.

And, the other thing that helps more than we know, is to not forsake the small, daily, hourly, minute by minute, moment by moment inspirations from other people, our environment, nature, our own connection to the Infinite. They also require allowing, and by allowing them, even expecting and encouraging them, more of them arrive, touch us, and delight us, as we eagerly anticipate that divine influence that we adore so much, as it is on its timely way to us, as we become more of an allower.


To Become More Of An Allower, Become Grateful, And Develop The Habit Of Thankfulness. This Habit Will Bless You All The Rest Of Your Life. 

Spread Some Joy Today--by allowing your own joy to flow out of you.

Daily Inspiration 11-4-19

"Accept no one's definition of your life; 

define yourself." 

-- Harvey Fierstein 

New: Audio version

[Classic post from 6-13-15]

Alan Cohen said, "The more you try to justify yourself or your actions, the farther you drift from authority. Let your being speak for itself."

Last night after reading these two quotes, a thought popped into my head, and it was this: There isn't any person or group on the planet--not my parents, relatives, employers, spouse, teachers--in fact, not anyone outside of myself who knows about what I want, and who I am as I do. Personality or psychological tests can't determine it, there are no methods that can do it. They would all be grossly inaccurate. They could get lucky in bits and pieces, but that is like having three or four pieces of an 850 piece puzzle.

Since I know this to be true, there is only one single authority about me. It is me. Any time that I allow someone else to be an authority about me, I am disempowered. When I remember that I am the only real authority on me, I am re-empowered.

With all those around us who attempt to influence us, along with the media, publications, video, government, and advertising, it can be a challenge when we forget for a few moments who is really in charge. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, and it is perhaps even truer today than in his day, "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."


You Alone Are In Charge Of You. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Delight in this day. If you're reading this, it's another day to enjoy, to learn, to love, to experience--to be.