Daily Inspiration 2-28-13

"It's impossible to consistently behave

in a manner inconsistent

with how we see ourselves.

We can do very few things

in a positive way if we feel

negative about ourselves."

 

-- Zig Ziglar

In looking through a few quotes tonight, I tripped over this one by Zig Ziglar. It got my attention because of the way it was phrased and how it made me think about my own accomplishments, successes, so-called failures, and my own consistent behaviors over time.

It seems that when I don't truly believe in my abilities or my positive future due to negative, questioning self-talk, that I can't seem to get out of my own way. When I am able to believe in myself and the successful outcome of current and future scenarios or events, things generally go well.

I am talking to myself so much and I realize when that talk is going well and when it isn't. So, when it isn't going so well, I can step in and shake things up a bit by taking charge and restating things. That helps a great deal.

There was a time when I didn't step in, but just let the talk go its way. Those were not good times in my life. Having learned that I have the power to pay attention, and the power to step in and change things has made a huge difference.

It all comes down to how we see ourselves and our self-talk is a perfect and clear indicator.


"No Factor Is More Important In People's Psychological Development And Motivation Than The Value Judgments They Make About Themselves." -- Nathaniel Branden

Spread Some Joy Today--Make an encouragement call. Send an encouraging card. Encourage someone today. You know how much you like it, so share it.

Daily Inspiration 2-27-13

"You will never change your life

until you change something

you do daily."

 

-- John C Maxwell

Don't ya just hate it when people say brilliant things like the quote above? I mean, duh! I get it. But, the hardest part is actually doing it and sticking with it long enough to have a different result. Maybe I'll wait until tomorrow. . .

My clothes don't fit anymore. I've been heavier than I should be according to the charts for a long time, but other than my pudgy belly, the clothes fit okay. But last October, I dove into the Halloween candy and there was so much left over that I couldn't waste. I was taught to never waste food because of all those starving kids in China and other places. Truth is that I was enjoying the leftover candy so much. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Yum! Hershey's Milk Chocolate. Double yum.

So then there was Thanksgiving and all that glorious food, along with chips and dip and so much more. It's amazing how far ahead of time the preparation and actual testing of all the foods takes. Same thing with Christmas. The leftovers go on for days. Then, I also love sandwiches with mayo and cheese--big sandwiches with lots of chips.

Enough! I've had more than enough. I've exceeded my capacity. Many of my clothes barely fit and some don't at all. Time to change. So, a friend and I started Sunday on a new adventure of unloading the 50+ extra pounds we have so carefully added to our bodies. I procrastinated until Monday morning, but I think I'm on a roll. If two days could be considered any kind of roll.

Nonetheless, I have found some very low calorie things I like and have not exceeded 1200 either day. When I look at what I have eaten in the past two days, I know I had to have been consuming over 3,000 a day on average, with peaks around 5k. I see a new body on the horizon. One that I can feel more comfortable in and especially when that guy in the mirror is looking at me.

As John says, nothing will change until I change something or things I do daily. For years I somehow thought there was a different way, but I'm in now. Thanks, John.


Encouragement Is Always Accepted!

Spread Some Joy Today--Here's your mantra for the day, courtesy of Abraham: Today, no matter where I'm going and no matter what I am doing, it is my dominant intent to see that which I am wanting to see!

Daily Inspiration 2-26-13

"When there is scarcity, we worry a lot about

our fair share--what goes to him doesn't go to me.

The harvest becomes fraught with danger and competition.

 

When we worry more about planting, though,

sharing the harvest gets a lot less complex.

 

Plant enough seeds and the scarcity eases.

In fact, if you plant enough, you'll never

have to think twice about harvesting."

 

-- Seth Godin

Scarcity is always our impression. It's a judgment call of things seen and the future predicted, and of course, considering all of this creates fear and worry. Knowing this about ourselves, it is easy enough to turn away from that train of thought and choose something else: abundance.

Seth says that we can create abundance by turning from the powerless position of worry, and acting on the idea of abundance by planting, or doing, shipping. Then, when we develop this new way of being into a habit, there is no more reason to worry about the harvest, or the goal, or the outcome. It is a foregone conclusion of abundance.

Whether in my previous profession of the auto business, or as a consultant, or any manager, or employee, I've always worked toward partnering with people rather than attempting to compete with them. That in itself is a statement of abundance. Helping each other help ourselves and each other. There is plenty to go around. Rather than compete for a share of the pie, create a larger pie so everyone can increase.

Does it work? Like nothing I've ever experienced, and it worked that way from day one. Now, it is something I gravitate to immediately. I have a very long list of successes as a result of this attitude and choice. It is all about abundance, and if for some reason I don't feel that way from time to time, I know better and can choose to turn away and turn toward abundance again.

Wherever I am, I am planting seeds. I plant so many seeds and so much of that work I don't earn a dime from, but they are seeds that will sprout and grow and create more and more abundance in so many ways.

Next time you're thinking about lack, that there isn't enough of whatever, allow yourself to turn away, seek partners, see to add value, seek to plant seeds and abundance will seek you.


I Don't Think It Can Be Said Any More Simply or Elegantly As Dr. Wayne Dyer Has Said It: "Change The Way You Look At Things And The Things You Look At Change."

Spread Some Joy Today--Create some partnerships. Help someone else and let them help you.

Daily Inspiration 2-25-13

"You cannot change

your destination overnight,

but you can change

your direction overnight."

 

-- Jim Rohn

I've come to realize that destinations can be illusive. What is so much more powerful than a destination is making a decision to more toward something. Although, some may think that we need to move away from things, it is the choice of moving toward that is most powerful.

In reality, the destination is a moving target. It changes with the wind almost. But, that doesn't really matter. It is only the inspiration to action, and the significant action is the decision, and the movement toward is the faith and commitment. Once moving, the destination can change and it doesn't really matter because you're on your way and all growth--indeed, all life--is in a forward direction.

I told someone the other day that at age 58, I jumped off a cliff and I am learning how to put my parachute on as I am falling. Falling is the wrong word, but it flows with the cliff scenario. The thing is that I made a decision and I stepped out in faith. I have a destination in mind, but that is not important. What is more important is the act of doing. It is not trying. As Yoda has said, "do or do not. There is no try." The choice and activity is the main event. THAT is what we can control. The rest is not entirely in our control.

Though this may seem unrelated, I think that my choice to stop blaming makes a big difference. Katherine Hepburn said it well: "We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers--but never blame yourself. It's never your fault. But it's always your fault, because if you wanted to change you're the one who has got to change." So, when I think I want to blame someone or some situation for whatever is going on in my life, I turn to gratitude instead and it makes a world of difference.

I may not be able to change the destination so quickly, but I am empowered to be able to change my direction at a moments notice.


If The Direction Doesn't Feel Right. Make A Different Decision Until It Does.

Spread Some Joy Today--Celebrate what others use to be sad. What is the point of being sad? Get excited!

Daily Inspiration 2-24-13

"The fact is that five years ago I was,

as near as possible, a different person

to what I am tonight. I, as I am now,

didn't exist at all. Will the same thing

happen in the next five years?

I hope so."

 

-- Siegfried Sassoon

Growth is life itself. It is interesting from time to time to look in the memory at time passed and see the changes and growth that has come to expand us. Expansion is the right word. I have expanded, become more, changed, have more awareness of life around me. I have become more passionate and compassionate, calm and peaceful and at the same time filled with excitement. I have become more joyous and at the same time, more successful. I have defined success for me and it is different than it was five years ago.

I live more in the present moment than I ever have and when I look at the future it is generally with anticipation, and I rarely look at the past anymore without gratitude of what has gone before to have me landing where I am. I see all this change going on in my life as perfect and as if I chose it on purpose regardless of whether it feels good or not good. I see nature around me as so magnificent. Often, it is as if I were seeing it for the first time though I may have gazed upon it hundreds of times before.

The person and frame of mind I am now has never existed before. What was before is not what now is. To imagine that five years hence I could have the same or even greater growth and change is too much to comprehend right now.


I Celebrate Change. I Celebrate Growth.

Spread Some Joy Today--Try this: Here and there throughout your day, take a few minutes to re-energize by doing a quick meditation. Sit, close your eyes and breathe calmly and deeply. Consider gratitude, and relax. When you come back from that, you will be instantly renewed and it took only a couple minutes.

Daily Inspiration 2-23-13

"You never change things

by fighting existing reality.

To change something,

build a new model

that makes the existing model

obsolete."

 

-- Buckminster Fuller

I love this quote by Buckminster Fuller, and I have also found it to be very true and have used it in my business with great success. But, one of the best stories to make this quote ring true I recently read in John C Maxwell's latest book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, under the Law of Pain, and I will shorten the story here and thank John for sharing its wonderful message.

There was a chicken farmer whose land flooded every spring and he didn't want to give up the land and move. Sometimes he couldn't get all his chickens out in time when the floods came and he suffered great losses from time to time. One spring the flood was so devastating that he lost his entire flock and he told his wife that he had finally had it. He said also that he can't afford to buy another and he can't sell this one and he didn't know what to do. His wife replied, "buy ducks."

Sometimes there isn't much you can do with reality than to accept it for what it is and if reality isn't what you need, you can make other choices if you can learn to let go of the situation that is capturing all of your attention long enough to see other possibilities. It is certain that you don't have eyes for the solution when your eyes are glued to the problem.

I think the key of our growth, and certainly the effectiveness of it depends on how long it takes us to stop struggling or tugging on the rope with little or no success in order to pause long enough to allow another point of view to infiltrate our mind, whether through others or from the Universe at large. It may be just a twist that is necessary--just a little something added that makes it all work together. It may be an entirely different thing that was exactly the right choice.


If The Ego Is In Control, I Will Be Out Of Control. It Is Open Minds That Rule.

Spread Some Joy Today--Are you holding tight to something that hasn't been working? Try letting go, even if for just a short time. It will open new possibilities.

Daily Inspiration 2-22-13

"If you want to change attitudes,

start with a change in behavior."

--Katharine Hepburn

I'll never forget working with a salesman at the last car dealership I worked at. As the sales manager about 35 years old, I was trying to help one of the best salespeople on the staff to adopt a different attitude to help make sales. He was in his fifties and was happy doing things the way he did. But, to his credit, he was willing to change.

I asked him to say that it was "in the warehouse" the next time we didn't have the vehicle the customer wanted and close the sale based on that. The first time he did that, he came to me and said, "OK, it damn well better be in the warehouse!" I said, "no problem." Then I did a locate with other dealers, found the vehicle and made the switch. Everyone wins.

Trust is not a theoretical thing, it is an action. When we risk to trust, we are acting on success, though we may certainly hold on to a bit of skepticism. His attitude was changed. He now believed he had more power, more control, more ideas, and he made more money. And, I had developed such a relationship with other dealers, that it was a no brainer to me.

I've used this idea in many ways. One is when trying to help an auto dealer move into the realm of commercial trucks and we talk philosophy for a while, but it is the actual behavior change of stepping out and acting by doing and trusting that changes the attitude. Words don't teach. Actions speak louder than words.

I've used it on myself. My attitude about a thing may well be that it is hard and it's not going to work, and so on. My attitude is negative and skeptical and fearful and unkowing. Then, I decide to act. I trust. I move. I try. I do. This is how I built my first website in 2007 after many years of having that poor attitude about it. Then, I started an Internet company. THAT was a serious attitude change! And, I have a long list of things where my attitude was unsuccessful no matter how I thought about it; that is, until I changed my behavior. Then everything changed.


I Can Trust My Way Into Behavior, And Behave My Way Into Believing.

Spread Some Joy Today--Whenever you have the opportunity, forget about percentages and just overtip. It is amazing how that will feel to both of you.

Daily Inspiration 2-21-13

"It's not that some people

have willpower and some don't. . .

It's that some people are ready

to change and others are not."

-- James Gordon

I see it all around me--people that need to change. Sue Grafton said it in an interesting way: "You can't save others from themselves because those who make a perpetual muddle of their lives don't appreciate your interfering with the drama they've created. They want your poor-sweet-baby sympathy, but they don't want to change." Then, there's that very old phrase I've used many times, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."

No matter what I think, people will change when they decide they want or need to change. The best I can do is to attempt to inspire them, remind them, and even sometimes guide them, and the rest is totally up to them.

This is as it should be. As I live my life, I find things that work and incorporate them into my life, with that change, I may share my experience and others will do as they will with that. One of the things that I have to constantly remind myself of is that there are so many ways of doing a thing, and whatever I have chosen is a way. I remind myself as often as necessary that there is no way, there is your way, my way, and their way, and they are all ways.

As a result of reminding myself about the ways, I see Sue's comment, which I've agreed with many times, and I see in it that as we say "those who make a perpetual muddle of their lives," is entirely judgmental and not in a positive way. It's true that "they don't appreciate your interfering with the drama they've created," because those are their choices and the drama is their payoff probably. So be it. And, they often want sympathy. So be it. However, we can let them choose their way, and choose our own by walking away.

One last perspective. I so enjoy hearing others share their "way" and what they've learned. I especially love their passion when I hear it and see it.


There Is Plenty Of Room For Each And Every Way.

Spread Some Joy Today--If you can, take a break and find a place with people around and just watch them, see the different ways they act, clothes they wear, shapes of their bodies, voices, everything. It is so fascinating.

Daily Inspiration 2-20-13

"Do I contradict myself?

Very well, then,

I contradict myself;

I am large--I contain multitudes."

-- Walt Whitman

Somehow many of us get it into our heads that once we believe something or do something a certain way over some period of time, that there is an expectation that we remain true to that. It really doesn't make any sense if you think about human experience and the fact that change is a rather constant given. Sometimes those changes may be subtle and even unseen in others, but they are occurring nonetheless.

I studied Walt Whitman for a while when I was studying the Civil War a few years ago. Here is a man like no other that I have found in history that was living how he felt and really felt how he was living. It was as if he wore his feelings on his sleeve, and he didn't care who knew it or even much of what they thought about it.

I love the quote above and particularly the last part: "I am large--I contain multitudes." What a wonderful thought. I am large and I contain multitudes. There is so much more to me than meets the eye, critical or otherwise. There is so much going on below the surface, even hundreds of thoughts a minute. Many of them are contradictory. So be it.

The one thing I've come down to more than anything else is that I find a way to relax and enjoy--truly, enjoy my time all throughout the day. Changes? Take them in stride. Contradictions? Allow them in. Presence? Absolutely!


I Have Never Enjoyed My Life As Much As I Do Now Every Single Hour Of Every Single Day. That, My Friends Is What I Consider Success.

Spread Some Joy Today--Wherever you are today--be there. There is joy where you are and it will find you if you just allow it to be.

Daily Inspiration 2-19-13

"How would your life be different if. . .

You stopped worrying

about things you can't control

and started focusing

on things you can?

 

Let today be the day. . .

You free yourself

from fruitless worry,

seize the day

and take effective action

on the things you can change."

 

-- Steve Maraboli

I'm looking out of the 19th story hotel room in Las Vegas. Not your average desert wasteland, but you can see it from this height and it looks beautiful and strange in comparison from where I live.

For those who don't believe I actually write these inspirations every day, you'll see this one is latet because I arrived last night in time to get it done, but the hotel Internet was inop. They were going to send a technician but that didn't come to pass. Time for plan B, and that was to relax and go to sleep. Plan B couldn't have come at a better time. I was ready for it.

The quote above is on a theme that I write about often. The reason? I need all the reminders and help I can get. It seems to me that plugging into glitches and temporary problems, and even larger problems is so counterproductive. I know that now and have for many years, but my memory is in constant need of reminding. That may not be an issue with you, but it appears by observation that I am not alone.

It's fun now to make a game of it. Oh well, this happened, I can't seem to do anything about it, so. . . what can I do that would be fun and interesting? Or, just start doing something else; anything else.


 Even When It Seems I Don't Have Control, I Find That I Actually Do and Always Have.

Spread Some Joy Today--Be cool.

Daily Inspiration 2-18-13

"Life is a series of natural

and spontaneous changes.

Don't resist them;

that only creates sorrow.

Let reality be reality.

Let things flow naturally forward

in whatever way they like."

 

-- Lao Tzu

For most of my life, as things have changed unexpectedly around me, I had responded as being upset, even often angry at those changes because they weren't supposed to happen. I didn't like it and I showed it in various ways, and always complaining about it to whomever would listen. No more.

I began giving this unhappiness away several years ago, and now changes--even last minute changes are barely a blip on the screen in comparison. That has brought my blood pressure down and made life smoother.

Now, I go with the flow so easily, change to plan b and c without a hitch that it amazes me when it happens. Life really is a series of natural and spontaneous changes, and if I don't resist them, the change flows.

I think I learned the most about this from Dr. John Demartini. His books are full of this kind of wisdom. Wayne Dyer was also a strong influence, and of course, Lao Tzu and other Eastern masters.

All I can say is how grateful I am to have walked down this path seeking something better.


Ask, And Ye Shall Receive . . .

Spread Some Joy Today--Consider how far you've come and how much more joyous your life is as a result.

Daily Inspiration 2-17-13

"The night I graduated from Sevier County

High School back in 1964, all the graduates

had been asked to stand up and talk about what we

were going to do with the rest of our lives. . .

When it came my time, I stood up and said,

'I'm going to Nashville and I'm gonna be a star.'

Well, the whole place laughed out loud"

 

-- Dolly Parton

 

 

 

"I strive to do great things.

Maybe that's what makes me work so hard

and why some of the things I have done

that have lived up to my dreams

make up for the others that haven't. . .

I will never retire. . .

I hope that I drop dead right onstage

one of these days, doing exactly what I want to do. . .

I just hope it doesn't happen today or tomorrow--

but I know it will someday. And when it does,

just know that I went happy, because

chasing my dreams is what I do love to do.

 

I want you to chase your dreams.

So if I have but one wish for you,

it is to dream more."

 

-- Dolly Parton

 

 

I watched the YouTube video of Dolly Parton's University of Tennessee commencement address from 2009. Last year she published a book based on that speech. It is a short, and wonderful little book, titled, Dream More - Celebrate the Dreamer In You. On the back cover it says, "If I have a wish for you, it is that you: Dream more, Learn more, Care more, Be More, Love Dolly." If you get a chance, the book is well worth a quick read. It has some very inspiring thoughts.

 

 

I Dream!

 

Spread Some Joy Today--Take someone to lunch today and really enjoy their company. That is a very special treat.

Daily Inspiration 2-16-13

"I find that, as a rule,

when a thing is a wonder to us

it is not because of what we see in it,

but because of what others have seen in it.

We get almost all our wonders at second hand."

 

-- Mark Twain

Influence is an interesting thing. I have been influenced by so many and in many different ways. It then becomes even more difficult with time to determine who's influence has influenced me more or less. As if that really matters. . .

This morning, my Internet service was down for a few hours. For someone who manages an Internet business, that can be a challenge and potential frustration, but I found it a fun opportunity to not stare at the computer screen for a while. As I was enjoying myself in my office, I was glancing at a huge bookshelf with so many business, motivational, and philosophical books in my collection. Some authors I had several of their books, others only one. But, I didn't feel that any one of them was so much more influential than another--just different.

If I believe that I attract what I want and need at the time I want and need it, then all of them came into my life perfectly. Some of them I devoured and thirsted for more from them, later to be left on the shelf with little interest in reading any more from them. Some I got into only partially and closed the door. Many were studied and are full of highlights or underlines and notes in the margins. Many also have matching audiobooks so I can read them while driving.

Each and every one is influential in some way. Which caused me to wonder, which one would I leave out? To me, it is sort of like asking which one of my children would I send away? I say NONE! I love them all. Each is unique, yet in some ways they are all the same. Each has helped me bridge a gap, reach a new mark, expand my comfort zone, titillate my wonder.


I Am Grateful For All Of Them.

Spread Some Joy Today--Allow yourself the joy of learning. Buy a book or audiobook and renew your wonder.

Daily Inspiration 2-15-13

"With a single act

I managed to make

a mess of. . . everything.

The thing is though,

that the mess feels better

than life did before."

 

-- Will, played by Patrick Wilson

in the movie, Life in Flight

 

 

I know EXACTLY how he feels. . .

It's What I Call "A Perfect Mess!"

Spread Some Joy Today--Give someone a hug today that you care about other than your spouse and family (but hug them too!).