Daily Inspiration 9-14-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"If you do what you've always done,

you'll get what you've always gotten."

"You always succeed in producing a result."

"Whatever happens, take responsibility."

-- Anthony Robbins

To me, these three quotes go together so nicely. In order to change, we have to change. That sounds so simple and almost ridiculous, yet it remains perfectly true--there is no change without change.

The second is so simply true in that a result is always being produced, although it may not be the result we were hoping for. Of course, if we don't change, we will produce the result we've been getting.

The third quote is one that I have fully embraced, and it allows the other two to exist in my mind. I have always liked how Bob Proctor says it in just a bit more depth: "I am responsible for my life, for my feelings, and for every result I get." It wasn't until I began accepting full responsibility for what happened in my life, that I felt that I could have something more with some degree of certainty. Now I know for sure and certain that I am responsible for my own thinking which molds every thing else.

So, I could put these all together this way: When I take responsibility for what happens in my life, I realize that in order to change, I must change, because I am always producing a result and without change and accepting responsibility for it, I will continue to have results that I do not really want. This gives me total control and I no longer feel the need to rely on other authorities to give me what I want. I can choose.

It's Always About Our Choices, Isn't It?

Spread Some Joy Today--Choose on purpose and take control of your life today. Accept responsibility. That will spread joy near and far.

Daily Inspiration 9-13-10

Anthony Robbins Week

"One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular."

"Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives."

"I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk."

-- Anthony Robbins

I've had a few people who have really made a difference in my thinking and who have been mentors. One of them is Tony Robbins. I've read many of his books, listened to many of his tape programs and have attended one of his most popular weekend seminars/events. I have enjoyed each one and each has given me knowledge and control over my own thinking and results.

One of the most memorable experiences of my entire life was the "Unleash the Power Within" Event. The first day and evening is the Firewalk Experience and I never would have guessed that I would be walking about 25 feet through 1800 degree coals with my bare feet. It was a mind-bending experience and really proves to you that the mind has powers you don't even recognize. The rest of the event was molding as well and I will never forget it. Should anyone have the opportunity, I highly recommend it.

What I like most about Tony Robbins is that he is a guy who has solutions and they are simple and doable. He is not just about psychology or about what you should do, but gives you practical methods to achieve the results you want. He is a get it done kid of guy and sincerely wants to help people change their lives.

If you can't afford the weekend event, I highly recommend my favorite book of his, Awaken The Giant Within. This book is worth reading more than once and is packed with solutions and wonderful information.

I think we all need mentors and teachers. Anthony is a great one.

I Have A Stable Of Mentors And Welcome More.

Spread Some Joy Today--Find some mentors today. Buy a book, audiobook, seminar on tape, or buy tickets for an event. You have the power to buy the best.

Daily Inspiration 9-12-10

"The true measure of a man is how he treats

someone who can do him absolutely no good."

-- Samuel Johnson

I love this quote and it speaks wisdom in as few words. Basically, treating people with respect, dignity and courtesy regardless of the potential gain from the contact is timeless advice. It speaks of the Golden Rule, of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Great phrase, wonderful message.

As I was admiring and enjoying the quote, a thought came over me that it is interesting how I have discovered, as perhaps you have as well, that no meeting is inconsequential. I have found encounters where I would have thought that this person could do nothing to help me, only to find out down the road somewhere that is was a mistaken conclusion--to my joy, I might add.

Since I have found this last bit true enough, it makes the best sense then to treat everyone as if they could do you a world of good, and perhaps the opposite as well.

I do know this: everything happens for a reason and whether we have knowledge of it ahead of time is of no real concern.

Every Meeting Is A Valuable Experience.

Spread Some Joy Today--What may seem like an enemy or a competitor, may very well be your best friend or partner. Relax with people you encounter. Everyone has value. Every One.

Daily Inspiration 9-11-10

"It is impossible to feel grateful

and depressed in the same moment."

-- Naomi Williams

Thank goodness! That's great news!

Now, we all know that we have to choose one or the other. Easy.

Now. . . let's see. . .

It's Interesting The Choices We Make, And The Truth Is We Always Have The Choice.

Spread Some Joy Today--Make some harmonious choices today!

Daily Inspiration 9-10-10

"Education is the most powerful weapon

which you can use to change the world."

-- Nelson Mandela

"The greatest weapon against stress

is our ability to choose one thought over another."

-- William James

"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.

Teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime."

-- Lao Tzu

Remember that phrase? I'm sure you've heard it. . . "give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime." Now, forget about eating and insert other words instead of the food. This thought applies to so many things in our lives where we try to help people and then they become a burden to us. We try to save them. We end up becoming responsible. That's not what we imagined to begin with. We were just trying to help. By giving a fish.

The greatest power on earth is a thought.

How shall we choose it?

I have found wisdom in two things on this subject.

One, is learn so well that you can teach, not so you can teach, but so that you learn so well that you can and you will gain an understanding that is only gained in that way. So, I teach. To those who want to hear.

Two, I allow them to find their own way. I get out of their way. I don't swim upstream except in rare cases and then only a few strokes. This was the hardest lesson I ever learned because I was thick, if you know what I mean.

Education from teaching is important and valuable. What is more important and infinitely more powerful is self-education. This will only happen from a desire to learn which causes searching for knowledge. It is only in this realm that a teacher has value, otherwise, they are human-sitters.

The One And Only Thing That Will Change The World, The Country, Our Family, Ourselves, For The Better, Is Harmonious Thought.

Spread Some Joy Today--Practicing your harmonious thoughts will absolutely bring joy to you along with everyone around you.

Daily Inspiration 9-9-10

"The Ancient Mariner said to Neptune during a great storm,

"Oh God, you will save me if you wish,

but I am going to go on holding my tiller straight.""

-- Michel de Montaigne

"My will shall shape my future.

Whether I fail or succeed shall

be no man's doing but my own.

I am the force;

I can clear any obstacle before me

or I can be lost in the maze.

My choice, my responsibility;

win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny."

-- Elaine Maxwell

The power and force or our belief and conviction will guide us through the greatest obstacles toward fruition. This is so much more than believing we can do it, but is having it already done and so the success of the journey to the end is assured--all that remains is to stay the course.

Who can compete with this kind of conviction and belief?

Therein lies its power.

I Am.

Spread Some Joy Today--There is nothing more powerful than I am. Say it often. Just be aware of what comes after it. . . that might be important.

Daily Inspiration 9-8-10

"The man who makes everything that leads

to happiness depend upon himself,

and not upon other men,

has adopted the very best plan for living happily."

-- Plato

If we allow others to determine how we will feel within ourselves, we have abdicated responsibility for our well being to people who may not give a rip about us. The pinball in the game of life, bouncing from one circumstance to another to another. Once in a while, there is a good rebound and some extra points, only to be flipped back and forth again.

If we instead create our own pleasure and happiness regardless of what is going on around us or who says what or who does what to whom, or what the paper says, or the news, or the parents, or the spouse, we will get what we want and need.

How you feel is not up to the neighbors, or the boss, the job, the school, the church, the parents, the kids, the weather, the economy, unless. . . you decide to give all your authority to them. That's only input. You get to decide what to do with that input, including ignoring it completely.

You can feel as good or bad as you choose to feel in any time or situation.

I Choose To Be Happy--Regardless--And On Purpose!

Spread Some Joy Today--Interpret your day differently if you're not feeling good all day. Life is good if you let it. So, let it. Start now.

Daily Inspiration 9-7-10

"Some leaders are born women."

-- Geraldine Ferraro

Yes, they are. So very well said!

Of course, conversely, some leaders are born men. The bigger point is that we are not born leaders, we desire to lead and we learn to lead by first leading ourselves.

I Lead. Myself First.

Spread Some Joy Today--Lead where you're at right now.

Daily Inspiration 9-6-10

"There is no reality except the one contained within us."

-- Hermann Hesse

When I say that we create our own reality, it seems to encourage argument from some who want reality to be this thing that everyone perceives exactly the same--the "it is what it is and that's all that it is" concept, I guess. But, that is so easily disproved.

The harder someone argues against people creating their own reality, the more limitations and problems they bring into their lives.

Think about it. Two people see the same movie and saw different things. Two people live in the same neighborhood and one sees a crappy neighborhood and one sees a great neighborhood. Two people work at the same job doing the same tasks and one hates it and one loves it. Two people are listening to the lyrics of a song and one hears these lyrics and the other hears something different. One person sees the country going to hell in a handbasket, another sees a bright and awesome future. One person sees the glass half full another, half empty.

Truth is, we all see it differently and it is our own reality. My reality is that I like the neighborhood and the other persons is that they think it is crappy and can't wait to get out. My reality is I love what I do and another's, they can't wait until quitting time and they wish they didn't have to come back tomorrow.

We call these perceptions. That's true. And, those perceptions are our reality. If two people looked at the same thing and saw and felt the same way, they would have a shared reality, but it is still their perception of it. The neighborhood is the neighborhood? No, it's whomever is perceiving it.

Accepting the fact that we create our own reality is accepting responsibility for our lives and actions and our perceptions. As long as we do that, we must also allow others to have theirs. This is also freeing and taking responsibility. If we understand that perception is reality, then we also know that each is unique and so each will have a unique perspective and reality.

Reality isn't. Our reality is.

We can keep it; we can adapt it; we can discard it for another,

but it is our own to do with as we please. . . or displease.

That's Just The Way It Was Created. . . By Me.

Spread Some Joy Today--Having your own reality and perception is a given. You cannot do without it. What will be enlightening and bring joy today is to allow all others to have their own without you needing to control it or judge it.

Daily Inspiration 9-5-10

"Getting fit is a political act--you are taking charge of your life."

-- Jane Fonda

What is the measure of our determination? It certainly is not a goal. I set goals all the time and reset them and ignore them and rationalize why I am deciding something different today, and the list continues.

It is not the decision. The decision is necessary to begin, but after the decision is made, there is many times this wishy-washy land of excuse and forgotten appointments and laziness and the whole general pleasure (something I want to do now) versus. . . what was that decision again? Oh yes, that one. . . well. . . you know it was 100 degrees today and. . .

The measure of our determination could be our commitment. That's a logical choice, but it won't hold up in court. Commitments change with decision and goals and how ever we happen to feel in the moment. We like to think of commitment as something really strong, but it only sounds that way.

So, what is the measure of our determination?

It is WHY.

Yes, it is just why. The bigger the why; the stronger the why; the more personal the why; the more why's in the why, the more determination is achieved.

I've been thinking. . . I need to lose 30 lbs. That thought will not help because I've been thinking that for years and I still have the 30 lbs., although it moves around a bit. What I need to have the 30 lbs. go away is strong enough why's. In the last two or three days, I think I have found them, and now, this will be a test of my determination, won't it? To see if my why's will get me to the goal.

So, I've made a decision. Yes, I will do it. I've made a goal. By Thanksgiving. I'm writing out all of my why's and I will keep them in front of me to remind me why I'm doing this when it would be so much better to be on the couch. I'll keep you posted. Today is September 5th. That is about 90 days in round numbers. Just a few ounces per day, right? Easy. . .

Of course, all of this applies to everything in our life and business. It's not the decision or the goal or the commitment--it's having enough strong why's.

I Have My Reasons, And The Stronger They Are, The More I Get What I Want.

Spread Some Joy Today--Got why's? Make a list and keep it close. You'll need it when the going gets a bit tough.

Daily Inspiration 9-4-10

"God, why do I storm heaven for answers that are already in my heart?

Every grace I need has already been given me.

Oh, lead me to the Beyond within."

-- Preston Bradley

"Look well into thyself; there is a source which

will always spring up if thou wilt always search there."

-- Marcus Aurelius

Seek and ye shall find doesn't necessarily mean it is outside of ourselves. We've just come to think of it that way. There is such a well within ourselves and it is our emotions that guide us to our best choices. It is interesting how clearly they do this. If it feels bad, you can rest assured it is not good. If it feels good, that is an indication of being on the best path. What an awesome guidance plan!

I don't mean the guilt trip of the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other and hearing them argue with one another. Truth is, we know deep inside what is best, right and good and how we feel when we think on things will tell us if we're on target or not. It is a built-in guidance system that is always working and always indicating to us at any time where we are on the path to where we want to be.

It's not a matter of being worthy, good enough, or any other judgement. It matters not how old or young, rich or poor, drunk or sober, whatever. It is always working and will always indicate where we are and whether we are on target or not.

Once we come to understand the simplicity and incredible design of this system, we know we no longer need to ask anyone any more. We know in our own depth what is best and accepting this means there is no more transference--no more blaming other people, things, circumstances, and such.

There is such power in this realization.

My Emotional Guidance System Is So Awesome!

Spread Some Joy Today--Now you can feel your decisions being made positive!

Daily Inspiration 9-3-10

"We're all in this together. . . alone."

-- Lily Tomlin

"I have always regarded myself as the pillar of my life."

-- Meryl Streep

"I don't follow precedent, I establish it."

-- Fanny Ellen Holtzman

As much as we would sometimes like to look to others to do for us, make decisions for us and otherwise guide us, in the end it comes down to us alone. I love how Lily Tomlin puts it: we have all this around us and it is us alone at the same time.

It's great to get advice, input, hear pros and cons and other valuable research, yet we must make our own mind in the end and we might as well just accept that fact and be even more proactive and active in it. There is strength in that and this is what I take from Meryl Streep's being the pillar in her own life. More often, we hear songs and other comments that someone else is the pillar that supports us. I love the idea that we are our own pillar of support.

And all of that lead me to Fanny Holtzman's wonderful quote where she doesn't follow precedent, she establishes it. How bold! How awesome! How positive.

So, here we go from the idea that we ultimately make our own decisions, our own situation, to being our own strength, which is just a great place to get to with such confidence and tenacity. Then, those lead to the bold position of setting the agenda; the precedent; the role; the circumstance, and being a leader in confidence.

What a wonderful, uplifting, empowering and encouraging place to be.

I Have So Much More Strength Available Than I Will Ever Choose To Use.

Spread Some Joy Today--How does ultimate confidence feel? Try it out today and see if you can find out.

Daily Inspiration 9-2-10

"Security is when everything is settled.

When nothing can happen to you.

Security is the denial of life."

-- Germaine Greer

"Only the insecure strive for security."

-- Wayne Dyer

Shortly after I got into the business world for real at age 22, I wanted to be the manager. Perhaps it was my eldest of five upbringing, but I always saw myself in that role. In addition, it was not just to be "in charge," but more to be a teacher than anything else because I always saw a good manager as a teacher. In less than three years, my goal was reached. Boy, did I have a lot to learn. . . but that's another issue!

The reason I bring this up is that I see so many young people who are not willing to risk much in employment because they focus on security and the immediate reward. I know for certain that had I thought that way back at age 22, I would never have progressed into, or would have been good at management because just making the decision to go there requires risk. There were so many things I offered to do for free just to get experience and I seriously began studying more than I ever did in school. I wanted it, was willing to risk time, money and energy, as well as forgo immediate reward for longer term gain.

I hear of lack of opportunity from many young people and I see a lot of them looking for security and consistency. "How much does that pay?" might be a typical question. They want the sure thing. That would be nice, perhaps, but it is not very real. What security does is create the lack of opportunity by locking out alternatives to progress. There are all kinds of opportunities available when the limits are removed.

I like how Henry Ford says it:

"The only real security that a man can have in this world

is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability."

And now, in my later years and in a new and exciting business, I have decided to dedicate much toward sharing the opportunity possibilities with as many young people as I can and my plan is that many will accept more risk and receive far greater rewards--to see countless opportunities where they would have perceived lack. We have begun creating entrepreneurs and will expand this greatly very soon.

The Perception Of The Fullness Of The Glass Speaks Prophetically To The Outcome Of The Endeavor.

Spread Some Joy Today--Give someone else some encouragement today. We all need regular and healthy doses of encouragement. Tell people how they have helped you. It will be good for both of you.

Daily Inspiration 9-1-10

"Bad times have a scientific value.

These are occasions a good learner would not miss."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

If these times are bad--and there's every indication of that from the newspaper, TV news, radio news, Internet news, and gossip news--then a good learner would find much joy in this time because there must be a great deal to learn.

Some good questions may help. For example:

What could I do next time (and we all know there will be a next time in our lifetime), that would make this kind of time more enjoyable?

What would be good to no longer do that I have habitually or decidedly done in the past?

What can I do today that will help fix my past choices?

and a better question is . . .

What can I do right now that will help me feel strong, powerful, excited, enthusiastic, loving, joyful and free?

and the best question is. . .

How can I change my thinking so I can feel this way regardless of outside circumstances.

Feeling Good Is Where It Is At. Feeling Bad Is Of Only One Value: To Lead Us To A Better Feeling.

Spread Some Joy Today--Learn from the past and maybe it will help today and the future. Focusing on the past or the problems will only make them more prominent. You get more of what you focus on.