Daily Inspiration 7-31-10

"Take your life in your own hands, and what happens?

A terrible thing: no one to blame."

-- Erica Jong

"God has entrusted me with myself."

-- Epictetus

It may be a bit lonely at first, and fully empowering as I relax in the acceptance that I alone make decisions for me. Of course, that's when I'm in acceptance instead of when I'm in denial. I've been down that river. Didn't like it much, really. Today, I'm accepting the responsibility for me. And, today, I am thankful that God has entrusted me with myself. I am worthy and I accept.

It Ain't My Mother, Or My Brother, or The Other.

It's Me.

Spread Some Joy Today--Take charge today and make a decision or two that will set you free today! The joy will be felt all around you.

Daily Inspiration 7-30-10

"There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance."

-- Joseph Addison

"Joy is the simplist form of gratitude."

-- Karl Barth

"There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. . ." What a profound and true statement according to my own experience. I have found nothing that is more freeing and yet connecting deeply than learning to be grateful for anything and everything. It is yet fascinating how a grateful heart for the previously taken for granted or that which might seem to be displeasing at the onset, will release new pleasures and delight and relax into perfection.

For practice, there is nothing so sweet as allowing joy to flow to the end that joy is the beginning and the end as gratitude is mixed throughout and inseparable. Finding joy in the smallest of things, events, people, is unending fun and I have even found there seems to be no end to the levels of joy. To that I rejoice anew.

The Words That Begin The Process: Thank You.

Spread Some Joy Today--As you are thankful for whatever you might choose to appreciate today, your joy cannot be mistaken or denied.

Daily Inspiration 7-29-10

"The ultimate reason for setting goals is to entice you

to become the person it takes to achieve them."

"Beware what you become in pursuit of what you want."

-- Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn was a huge influence on me and continues to be from the volume I've read and listened to from him over a period of many years. They call him the World's Greatest Business and Personal Success Philosopher. He had such a way of explaining things in simple terms and stories. The two related quotes above have always been special with me because I've always heard people talk about the person who became wealthy but also became an extremely poor citizen and a terrible person.

That person never listened to Jim Rohn, because Jim was always interested in becoming more in all the best areas of his life. He knew that he had to become more in order to be more successful, wealthy, healthy, wise. He knew he had to expand his own awareness and to expand his generosity and to become friends with more people and to provide so much more value than in the past in order to move to that higher level. He had to grow and become more.

I've known this for some time and I am constantly becoming more. Now, two and half years into my own business, I see this philosophy playing out so much clearer than before, and I can see how necessary and valuable it is to do what it takes to become the kind of person it takes to achieve the goals. Were it all to stop this moment, the growth curve would be so sharply upward that it would be unmistakable.

Here's a toast to setting goals and becoming the person it takes to achieve them!

Beware Of Who You Become In Pursuit Of What You Want.

Spread Some Joy Today--Think of ways in which you can become more, provide more value, have more generosity, and generally expand your greatness. It will be worth it.

Daily Inspiration 7-28-10

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare;

it is because we do not dare that they are difficult."

-- Marcus Annaeus Seneca

(54 BC - 39 AD)

This quote from Seneca the elder inspires me. It also helps me to understand the obstacles that appear in my pathway and how I have dealt with them in the past as well as how I might better deal with them today and in the future.

The very first thing that came to my mind when I read this quote was learning to build a website and to be more Internet savvy. In September of 2007, I had spent the last few years wondering about websites and wanting someone to magically appear and come do things for me and then I wouldn't have to learn anything about doing them. This is a common trait in my thinking from time to time wherein I create these huge thirty foot high walls that I expect I will have to climb over, but I don't have the energy and so, back to the couch I go to escape into much more pleasing thoughts. Every feel that way? It's not fun.

Once I decide that I really want to learn, it is so interesting how this thirty foot wall all of a sudden becomes more like ten feet, then 6 feet, then 4 feet, then 10 inches, then a 4-lane highway. Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about! I'm certain that I'm not alone. But, ain't it grand that this happens? Problem solved. Yesterday I couldn't spell it and today I are one! Success! That's what I'm talking about!

It seems that I should recognize this scenario each time that silly thirty foot wall appears. It's happened enough times, but I still feel that overwhelmed feeling. Yet, there is good news. I feel it less and less now that I am aware of how to deal with those walls. And the better news is that I am finding less and less thirty foot walls too. So, it's all good.

I've heard people say that, God doesn't give you a problem so big that you can't deal with it. I say, I'm glad he kept them under forty feet. . .

I'm Sharing My Daring For Difficulties Sake.

Spread Some Joy Today--Got walls? It's just a mirage! Walk toward it with a tinge of confidence and those walls come a tumblin' down. Rock on!

Daily Inspiration 7-27-10

"You do not HAVE to be angry

just because you have the right to be angry."

-- Phillip C McGraw

There is an emotional expectation that many people have of how one should feel under any given set of circumstances. For example, if someone does something to you that is not to your liking, they say it is right and justified to be angry and especially when that thing or act is something really not to your liking. Some of these may be:

• Someone who pulls in front of you on the freeway is reason enough to be pissed off and give them a hand indication of your displeasure with their complete lack of courtesy and correctness. This causes you to be upset for many miles and if there is a passenger with you, you will talk it over with them for sympathetic verification of your rightedness in your anger. They will normally agree with you and that feels so much better than just experiencing it on your own. Right?
• The payroll department made a mistake on your paycheck and it will take a couple of days to get it fixed. Who wouldn't be pissed by that callous act? I mean, messing with your pay is the worst! Right? I mean, after all, it is just plain wrong and now you have to wait until Monday to get it fixed. It's just one more reason that you don't like working here and you just want to find a place that is to your liking and will not do these stupid things.
• You had a big trash week. You put the trash receptacles out for pickup and the truck misses picking yours up. When you get home that night you see that the trash receptacle is full and now what are you going to do with the new trash all week. You can't call them until tomorrow and it's all so upsetting. Why can't these people just do their jobs? Where is this country going to?

Well, these few examples of which were selected from millions of possible scenarios, are all so minor in the scheme of things, but one does not need major things to get pissed about. Much of the time, it is the minor things that drive us crazy. We have plenty of justification from TV news, newspapers, radio all talking about those wronged and how wronged they were and how everyone felt about how wronged they were and how they felt about how wronged they were and how the country has been pouring out sympathy of how wronged they were and it is just all wrong, you know? What is this country coming to?

To many people, if you are not pissed about these things and all the other wrongs that are constantly spreading throughout humanity, you are INSENSITIVE, DISCONNECTED, NOT FACING REALITY, IN YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD, THINKING ONLY OF YOURSELF, SELFISH, NUMB, NOT HUMAN, and a few hundred other lovely terms.

To that I say, things like that just seem to happen to people like you. . . go forth and be pissed! Have a nice day. Well. . . that's a little harsh. How about I just ignore you? Talk to the hand.

We have choice. What a wonderful thing!


Happiness Management Beats Anger Management.

Spread Some Joy Today--There is a space between something happening and your response to it. That is a good place to take a nanosecond to ask yourself how you want to feel rather than how people think you should feel. They're your feelings. You get to choose.

Daily Inspiration 7-26-10

"It is no use walking anywhere to preach

unless our walking is our preaching."

-- St Francis of Assisi

(1181-1226)

"Practice yourself what you preach."

-- Titus Maccius Plautus

(254 BC-184 BC)

Since I was a young child watching my parents say one thing and do another, I have grown to pay closer attention to what I say compared with what I do and endeavor to have them match up with my thinking and actions. I haven't always been successful, but I am always wanting to be.

I have never heard that sentiment said better than St Francis of Assisi when he said, "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching." How poetic that sounds and yet that message hits home with me as squarely as the practice what you preach quote.

In these daily inspirations, I am even more cognizant of my role to be authentic. I share my thoughts, my learning, my trials and some tribulations. It is interesting in that this is as much a learning experience for me as it may be for the reader. There is something so special about writing my thoughts out compared to just thinking them. It's not that they become more permanent, it is that they become even more real to me and at the same time, that causes me to be as authentic as I can be. I highly recommend the process to any who may be interested in making the effort. It is rewarding in and of itself with me as the only reader and in that is a powerful learning experience.

Walk With Yourself Even If No One Follow.

Spread Some Joy Today--You might start a journal and write out some of your life travels and that may help you see how close your walk with your talk is. It may even help them become one.

Daily Inspiration 7-25-10

"I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal--and soon they'll forget my number."

-- Edith Armstrong

Awareness is a wonderful thing!

Once I became aware that I was attracting what I was thinking about, and especially those that had strong emotion attached, I began to pay more attention to what I was thinking and saying and listening to. As I paid more attention, I would be in a small group where things were being discussed that I no longer wanted in my life, so I would excuse myself and get away from that. It has made a dramatic difference.

I love Edith Armstrong's quote because I could relate to the doubt, anxiety and fear that used to call me quite often and that automatically meant that peace, harmony, health, love and abundance was not able to get through. I was so busy lamenting the circumstances--the "reality" of the moment--that I could scarcely think of anything else. And I had plenty of it and extra to share with others too.

Now I consciously focus on peace, harmony, health, love and abundance and as I do, I get more of it and while I am paying attention to these, the doubt, anxiety and fear cannot get through, and though they do try and I hear the call waiting signal, I am working on putting them on permanent ignore and eventually I know they will stop calling.

Awareness and decision are wonderful things.

Peace, Harmony, Health, Love and Abundance Rule.

Spread Some Joy Today--Know someone who is sick? Focus on their health, not their sickness. Know someone who is poor? Focus on their prosperity, not their lack. Just because people talk about a subject doesn't mean you need to participate. They probably rarely talk about Peace, Harmony, Health, Love and Abundance--at least that has been my experience. But--YOU CAN!

Daily Inspiration 7-24-10

"I live by this credo: Have a little laugh at life and look around you for happiness instead of sadness. Laughter has always brought me out of unhappy situations. Even in your darkest moment, you usually can find something to laugh about if you try hard enough."

-- Red Skelton

There is nothing so rewarding and releasing than laughter. I just love being around people that make me laugh. I reach out for laughter. It brightens not just my day, it brightens me.

Find A Way To Laugh Everyday.

Spread Some Joy Today--That is spreading joy: causing laughter, enjoying laughter, receiving laughter.

Daily Inspiration 7-23-10

"Everyone wants to be appreciated,

so if you appreciate someone,

don't keep it a secret."

-- Mary Kay Ash

Isn't this so, so true. We all want to be appreciated, from people we know and even people we have yet to know. It is so rare and special when someone is relaxed enough to say something to us and I am sure we all feel that there needs to be more relaxed people in the world.

So, I let it start with me.

I now find myself appreciating so many things about people whether they just look sharp or they are especially kind, or any number of seemingly little things. It is always interesting to see the brighter face after I relaxed and said something that I appreciated about them. And you know, that glow must be contagious, because I seem to feel a glow in me at almost the same time. What a strange and wonderful coincidence!

You Just Look Like You're On Top Of The World Today! I Can Feel Your Joy!

Spread Some Joy Today--Okay. You have a goal. Write it down. You must give five (5) sincere compliments today to people you know or don't yet know. Pay attention during this exercise!

Daily Inspiration 7-22-10

"A man who finds no satisfaction in himself,
seeks for it in vain elsewhere."

-- Francois de La Rochefoucauld


"Try not to become a man of success,
but rather try to become a man of value."

-- Mark Twain


I used to chase success. I've read hundreds, maybe a thousand quotes about, "success is. . ." Many of them state something about efforts, doing things; e.g., do this and that and success will result. The variance in what is required is mind-boggling, and more importantly, confusing.

I chose the two quotes above to help express what I have come to learn about success. First, success isn't something you go out to find. You already have it inside you, so it is much easier to find in there. Second, if you're not satisfied with yourself, it won't be found elsewhere and satisfaction with yourself is the biggest part of knowing success. Third, being a success, being successful, is a small thing compared to being a person of value. And, last, though these are my thoughts through my life and my learning, success can only be defined by you. Whatever you say it is, it is.

So. . . what is success to you?


Success Is Overrated. Value Is Not. Joy Is Not.

Spread Some Joy Today--Know some people chasing success? Looks like a puppy chasing their tail? Suggest a new definition: Love yourself. Love others. Be joyful.

Daily Inspiration 7-21-10

"Pour Your Head Into It.

Care more than others think wise.

Risk more than others think safe.

Dream more than others think practical.

Expect more than others think possible."

-- Howard Schultz

Howard Schultz makes a powerful case for life in all its aspects and transitions. It speaks enthusiasm and excitment that it becomes just one word: JOY.

The Joy Of Living Expectantly.

Spread Some Joy Today--This is one of the best quotes to write out and carry around and look at often. Spread the joy of living that way.

Daily Inspiration 7-20-10

"People are disturbed not by things,

but by the view they take of them."

-- Epictetus c200 AD

For at least 2,000 years of recorded history, it has been known and stated by wise people how we create our own ills, fashion our own history, choose our own destiny. All of it is fashioned not in what goes on around us or to us, but what goes on about those things within us.

Fundemental wisdom doesn't need to change. It works.

Here I Am Again Reacting To A Has Been.

Spread Some Joy Today--Leave the has been's be. They are of no real value. Leave also the would be's and should be's and ought to's. Let them join the has beens and they can all be miserable with each other. It's a good place for them to be.

Daily Inspiration 7-19-10

"When you develop your ability to balance your emotions,
unexpected problems won't knock you off balance as easily,
and you'll return more quickly to a positive outlook."

-- Peggy McColl


I am so very glad to know what this means now. Just in the last couple of days, I have had several issues come up that would have normally upset me and had me complaining, bemoaning the circumstances and sharing that negative energy with whomever would listen to me. As it is now, I just responded to the issue by dealing with it as a matter of fact and getting it done in the most efficient manner possible. All the while, I maintained my positive outlook, even trying to be thankful for the problem to help me see the benefit involved. This is a huge success for me and a real joy to be able to avoid being upset for the day, or days, or even sometimes weeks.

Here's a good phrase: It is what it is. Deal with it in the best way you can.

It's just a bump in the road.
I've got independent suspension so I can take those bumps with ease.


Being Upset Never Helped Me Solve A Problem.

Spread Some Joy Today--Here's an idea. Practice not reacting, or reacting with pleasure next time something "goes wrong." It might be fun.

Daily Inspiration 7-18-10

"Make it your habit not to be critical about small things."

-- Edward Everett Hale

This is the best place to begin to make a whole life change of moving from a critic to an artist. I used to get tweaked by the most mundane of things, such as friends, family or co-workers not doing things the "right" way. Of course, my way was THE right way. After all, I had been taught that there is the right way and the wrong way and there wasn't really any in between.

As long as I believed I was right, it was then impossible for others to comply because they were always saying their way was right and so there was this debate about the right and the right and the right and the right. We would even write about the right and lobby about the right and politicize about the right. There was the religious right and the right of this and that, the bill of rights and the right wing.

Everywhere I looked there were people with rights and many were plenty vocal about their points of view about how right their right was compared to the rights of the others who were somehow misinformed, poorly educated, came from ignorant families, or were just plain self-righteous, which we all abhor.

Of course, I was almost always right and would be so reluctant to admit any not-rightedness. You could say I was right about everything. I was especially right about things that already happened because it gave justification for my rightedness when it was so clear that I was right all along and everyone else was just plain wrong.

I knew the right way to everything.

And that led me to be increasingly unhappy and unsatisfied. No matter how right I was or how justified I could be or how much I verified that I was right, it just didn't feel good anymore because I was so often alone in my rightedness. That's not the same as self-righteous, but I've been that too.

I had only one simple choice: Allow others to be right. Give up my own rightedness, and allow others to have all of my rightedness and keep their own at the same time. I just had to let it all go.

So, I saw this phrase: "There is no right way. There is your way, my way and their way." And, I started thinking deeply about that profound statement. I decided that there just had to be more than one right way, otherwise I would be forever depressed and deprived--and alone. So, I stopped being right so much. I did it a little at a time, but kept going and being less and less right, while allowing my opinion only.

You know what? It worked like magic. It still works like magic every day and it grows and grows. Becoming less critical was only achieved by allowing others to be right. There is no right way. There is your way, my way and their way.

Your Way May Be Far More Interesting Than Mine.

Spread Some Joy Today--Watch what happens when you begin allowing others to not only be right, but to tell them how smart they are about that and build them up in their rightedness. It's like a magic potion. Try it. You'll see!