-------------------------------------------------
Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. When you dare to face the things that scare you, you open the door to freedom and success.
Most of your obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them or procrastinating about dealing with them, you make up your mind to walk boldly through them.
Don't be afraid to take the steps you need to take to make those positive changes in your life. To fight your fears, you must act. Your fears increase when you wait, put off, or postpone. If you understood your situation enough, you would never be afraid.
The attainment of your dreams is but a determined action away. Successful people take action.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Monday, March 20, 2006
Friday, March 17, 2006
A Separate Reality
--------------------------------------------------
Disconnecting From The Source
We all experience periods where we feel separated from the loving ebb and flow of the universe. These times of feeling disconnected from the source may occur for many reasons, but self-sabotage is the most common cause for us choosing to cut ourselves off from the flow of the universe. We purposefully, though often unconsciously, cut ourselves off from this flow and from the embrace of humanity so we can avoid dealing with painful issues, shun the necessary steps for growth, or prevent the success that we are afraid of achieving from ever happening. When you choose to disconnect from the source, you block the flow of the universe's energy from passing through you. You become like a sleepwalker who is not fully awake to life, and your hopes, plans, and dreams begin to appear as distant blurs on a faraway horizon. Universal support has never left you, but if you can remember that you became disconnected from source by choice, you can choose to reconnect.
Reconnecting with the universe grounds you and is as easy as you making a concerted effort to become interested in the activities you love or responding to what nurtures or stimulates you. You may also want to make a list of the activities and kinds of experiences that touch your soul. Try to pinpoint the times when you have felt fully engaged and aware and ask yourself what you were doing. But one of the easiest ways to reconnect is simply by stating the intention of doing so.
When you disconnect from the universe, your sense of purpose, creativity, and ability to be innovative are not as easy to access. You may also experience a deep and empty sense of longing or feel devoid of ideas or unworthy of love. It's important, however, to recognize that being disconnected from the universe is never a permanent state, and it can be reversed any time you decide that you are ready to reconnect. When you are connected to the universe, all aspects of your being will feel alive as the flow of the universe pours through your being and into your life.
What do you think?
Disconnecting From The Source
We all experience periods where we feel separated from the loving ebb and flow of the universe. These times of feeling disconnected from the source may occur for many reasons, but self-sabotage is the most common cause for us choosing to cut ourselves off from the flow of the universe. We purposefully, though often unconsciously, cut ourselves off from this flow and from the embrace of humanity so we can avoid dealing with painful issues, shun the necessary steps for growth, or prevent the success that we are afraid of achieving from ever happening. When you choose to disconnect from the source, you block the flow of the universe's energy from passing through you. You become like a sleepwalker who is not fully awake to life, and your hopes, plans, and dreams begin to appear as distant blurs on a faraway horizon. Universal support has never left you, but if you can remember that you became disconnected from source by choice, you can choose to reconnect.
Reconnecting with the universe grounds you and is as easy as you making a concerted effort to become interested in the activities you love or responding to what nurtures or stimulates you. You may also want to make a list of the activities and kinds of experiences that touch your soul. Try to pinpoint the times when you have felt fully engaged and aware and ask yourself what you were doing. But one of the easiest ways to reconnect is simply by stating the intention of doing so.
When you disconnect from the universe, your sense of purpose, creativity, and ability to be innovative are not as easy to access. You may also experience a deep and empty sense of longing or feel devoid of ideas or unworthy of love. It's important, however, to recognize that being disconnected from the universe is never a permanent state, and it can be reversed any time you decide that you are ready to reconnect. When you are connected to the universe, all aspects of your being will feel alive as the flow of the universe pours through your being and into your life.
What do you think?
Why Not You?
-------------------------------------------------
- By Steve Maraboli Copyright & used with permission
Today, many will awaken with a fresh sense of inspiration. Why not you?
Today, many will open their eyes to the beauty that surrounds them. Why not you?
Today, many will choose to leave the ghost of yesterday behind and seize the immeasurable power of today. Why not you?
Today, many will break through the barriers of the past by looking at the blessings of the present. Why not you?
Today, for many the burden of self doubt and insecurity will be lifted by the security and confidence of empowerment. Why not you?
Today, many will rise above their believed limitations and make contact with their powerful innate strength. Why not you?
Today, many will choose to live in such a manner that they will be a positive role model for their children. Why not you?
Today, many will choose to free themselves from the personal imprisonment of their bad habits. Why not you?
Today, many will choose to live free of conditions and rules governing their own happiness. Why not you?
Today, many will find abundance in simplicity. Why not you?
Today, many will be confronted by difficult moral choices and they will choose to do what is right instead of what is beneficial. Why not you?
Today, many will decide to no longer sit back with a victim mentality, but to take charge of their lives and make positive changes. Why not you?
Today, many will take the action necessary to make a difference. Why not you?
Today, many will make the commitment to be a better mother, father, son, daughter, student, teacher, worker, boss, brother, sister, & so much more. Why not you?
Today is a new day!
Many will seize this day.
Many will live it to the fullest.
Why not you?
About the Author:
Steve Maraboli is a renowned speaker,coach, and the author of numerous highly acclaimed and successful works including, "Dare to Be", "Why Not You?", "Today is a New Day", "A Life of Freedom", and so many more that have been published and posted globally. You can learn more about Steve at www.stevemaraboli.com
- By Steve Maraboli Copyright & used with permission
Today, many will awaken with a fresh sense of inspiration. Why not you?
Today, many will open their eyes to the beauty that surrounds them. Why not you?
Today, many will choose to leave the ghost of yesterday behind and seize the immeasurable power of today. Why not you?
Today, many will break through the barriers of the past by looking at the blessings of the present. Why not you?
Today, for many the burden of self doubt and insecurity will be lifted by the security and confidence of empowerment. Why not you?
Today, many will rise above their believed limitations and make contact with their powerful innate strength. Why not you?
Today, many will choose to live in such a manner that they will be a positive role model for their children. Why not you?
Today, many will choose to free themselves from the personal imprisonment of their bad habits. Why not you?
Today, many will choose to live free of conditions and rules governing their own happiness. Why not you?
Today, many will find abundance in simplicity. Why not you?
Today, many will be confronted by difficult moral choices and they will choose to do what is right instead of what is beneficial. Why not you?
Today, many will decide to no longer sit back with a victim mentality, but to take charge of their lives and make positive changes. Why not you?
Today, many will take the action necessary to make a difference. Why not you?
Today, many will make the commitment to be a better mother, father, son, daughter, student, teacher, worker, boss, brother, sister, & so much more. Why not you?
Today is a new day!
Many will seize this day.
Many will live it to the fullest.
Why not you?
About the Author:
Steve Maraboli is a renowned speaker,coach, and the author of numerous highly acclaimed and successful works including, "Dare to Be", "Why Not You?", "Today is a New Day", "A Life of Freedom", and so many more that have been published and posted globally. You can learn more about Steve at www.stevemaraboli.com
SUCCESS IS ON YOUR HORIZON
--------------------------------------------------
You can start at any time if you want to be successful. But you have to start.
You won't accomplish anything if you wait for all the possible objections to be overcome. Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.
Don't be afraid to live. Don't wait for things to change. Don't wait until you have more time, until you are less tired, until you get the promotion, until you settle down, until, until, until. Don't wait for a major event in your life to occur before you begin to live.
Begin where you are. Work where you are. The hour you are wasting now, dreaming of some far off success, is crowded with tremendous possibilities.
When you take the first step, your mind will mobilize all its forces to assist you.
Once you have started, all that is within you and unknown forces around you will come to your assistance.
The only way to start down the road to success is to move your feet, one step at a time. Success is waiting for you.
©2006 by Max Steingart
You can start at any time if you want to be successful. But you have to start.
You won't accomplish anything if you wait for all the possible objections to be overcome. Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.
Don't be afraid to live. Don't wait for things to change. Don't wait until you have more time, until you are less tired, until you get the promotion, until you settle down, until, until, until. Don't wait for a major event in your life to occur before you begin to live.
Begin where you are. Work where you are. The hour you are wasting now, dreaming of some far off success, is crowded with tremendous possibilities.
When you take the first step, your mind will mobilize all its forces to assist you.
Once you have started, all that is within you and unknown forces around you will come to your assistance.
The only way to start down the road to success is to move your feet, one step at a time. Success is waiting for you.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Power Of Empathy
------------------------------------------------
Being Afraid Of Opening Your Heart
It is not easy to have an open heart in a world that offers us a full plate of experiences. This life gives us much joy, love, and light, but it also shows us a fair amount of pain, sadness, and suffering. When our hearts are open, we take everything into ourselves, and we are deeply affected by what we see. We do not hold ourselves separate from the pain of others. In addition, our own personal disappointments may begin to take their toll. We may feel small, alone, and overwhelmed. Most of us may feel like we are not up to the task of living with our hearts open, and we might begin to close down, little by little, so that we can get through our days without having to feel too much.
One thing that can help us turn this situation around is an awareness of the power of empathy. To open our hearts to another person's suffering is a revolutionary act that has energetic implications. Many experiments with meditation have proven that we can reach far beyond the boundaries of our selves and heal others when our hearts are open. Heart meditations awaken this power and heal the person meditating as well as anyone who is the focus of the meditation.
You may want to experiment with this the next time you see or hear something painful. Instead of shuttering your emotions, resolve to hold your feelings in your heart. Tap into the divine energy of universal love that resides in your heart. This energy makes you powerful, for it is your protection that will transmute the pain of others. Breathe deeply, and let yourself feel the pain of the situation, knowing that your heart is big and strong enough to hold it. As you breathe, visualize healing light emanating from your heart and touching all that are suffering. You will heal your heart in the process.
What do you think?
Being Afraid Of Opening Your Heart
It is not easy to have an open heart in a world that offers us a full plate of experiences. This life gives us much joy, love, and light, but it also shows us a fair amount of pain, sadness, and suffering. When our hearts are open, we take everything into ourselves, and we are deeply affected by what we see. We do not hold ourselves separate from the pain of others. In addition, our own personal disappointments may begin to take their toll. We may feel small, alone, and overwhelmed. Most of us may feel like we are not up to the task of living with our hearts open, and we might begin to close down, little by little, so that we can get through our days without having to feel too much.
One thing that can help us turn this situation around is an awareness of the power of empathy. To open our hearts to another person's suffering is a revolutionary act that has energetic implications. Many experiments with meditation have proven that we can reach far beyond the boundaries of our selves and heal others when our hearts are open. Heart meditations awaken this power and heal the person meditating as well as anyone who is the focus of the meditation.
You may want to experiment with this the next time you see or hear something painful. Instead of shuttering your emotions, resolve to hold your feelings in your heart. Tap into the divine energy of universal love that resides in your heart. This energy makes you powerful, for it is your protection that will transmute the pain of others. Breathe deeply, and let yourself feel the pain of the situation, knowing that your heart is big and strong enough to hold it. As you breathe, visualize healing light emanating from your heart and touching all that are suffering. You will heal your heart in the process.
What do you think?
12 Easy Ways to Organize Your Work or Home Life (or both!)
--------------------------------------------------
- By Heather Diodati ***
I admit it! Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by the seemingly endless streams of paperwork. Emails I want to keep, e-zines or sections of them, ideas I found on the Internet, school papers, notes of ideas that popped into my head as I was waiting to have a tooth filled, newspaper clippings... EEEK! I would file and file and file and then forgot where that article was that I needed to complete the project that was due last Thursday!
I have been an avid list-maker all my life out of necessity, juggling a 9-to-5 work life, family time, a home busïness and taking care of two houses, as well as having a number of hobbies such as cartooning and fine art, clothing design and creation, crafts and ballroom dancing (at one point in my life even being a competitive ballroom dancer for 5 years as well as an assistant disc jockey for parties) (no stress!).
For all of you super-busy people, I have put together some handy hints on getting your life in order and keeping your sanity.
1) Notables: Keep a small notebook and pen handy, wherever you are, to jot down ideas or appointments or things to do instead of trying to remember them later on.
2) Telephonery: Set a time limit to each phöne call and make sure you tell your caller. That way you save yourself the stress of trying to end the phöne call, and it also helps the caller to condense the information they want you to hear.
3) In Waiting: Use waiting time at the dentist, meeting with your boss or while waiting on your roast to cook to catch up on reading or planning, or use the time to tidy up, file or other tasks.
4) Help Wanted: Be sure to offer praise to a subordinate, co-worker or to a member of the family for any effort you've noticed -- they'll be happy to help you when you're bogged down.
5) Don't Put It Off! If you procrastinate you'll only get stressed out when you think about that hateful "to do" item on your list. You'll blow it out of proportion in your mind, and it'll become almost impossible to accomplish. Make sure you tackle the largest or most disliked job first, dividing it up into manageable tasks; then the other jobs will be a breeze!
6) Control Bug: Delegate the tasks you have no time for or team up with someone who can help you. (See tip #4!)
7) Group Effort: Save time and footwork by collecting everything to bring with you to complete errands, or to distribute in each room of the house instead of making too many trips. Make a fast list while planning out your route and be sure to plan each stop along the way so you don't have to backtrack and losë time.
8) Schedule Fun Time! Make sure you include some personal time for YOU. Allot some time in your agenda -- make an appointment for yourself and keep it, even if it's only a leisurely 20-minute bubble bäth or a 15-minute walk in the fresh spring air!
9) Space Freebies: Go through any old unneeded files to frëe up space in your filing system.
10) Once and Only Once: Each piece of paper should be handled only once. Read it and either file it, redirect it to someone else, schedule it or toss it. Don't add it to an ever-ending pile on your desk in hopes that you'll get to it eventually.
11) Post-Master: Use sticky notes to write errands needed to be done. Stick them to your front door to remind you as you're headed out.
12) Systems Engineer: Too much time is wasted everyday on searching for things. Find a system that works for you and your lifestyle and apply it. Use it religiously and you'll find new time slots you thought you nevër had!
Get the new Memory Jogger System and forms for frëe! Subscribe to our new free e-zine and we'll email you our new Memory Jogger System complete with a kit of printable forms for you to use -- all for frëe! Time to organize your life! Please sign up for your frëe newsletter and the Memory Jogger kit on our site: http://www.whimsies-online.com
© 2003 DDesign Reprints of this article are frëe of charge as long as you include the
author portion of the text.
About the Author:
Heather Diodati, owner of DDesign, is the creator/distributor of the Pet Computer Virus, a novelty designed for the computer user, as well as other unique computer novelties, and Whimsies! Personalized Cartoon Designs for all occasions. Sign up for our frëe ezine, On A Whim, for your frëe Memory Jogger System; and if you looooove ballroom dancing be sure to subscribe to Dancing On Air e-zine, for your frëe gift, The Dancer's Notebook! http://www.whimsies-online.com
- By Heather Diodati ***
I admit it! Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by the seemingly endless streams of paperwork. Emails I want to keep, e-zines or sections of them, ideas I found on the Internet, school papers, notes of ideas that popped into my head as I was waiting to have a tooth filled, newspaper clippings... EEEK! I would file and file and file and then forgot where that article was that I needed to complete the project that was due last Thursday!
I have been an avid list-maker all my life out of necessity, juggling a 9-to-5 work life, family time, a home busïness and taking care of two houses, as well as having a number of hobbies such as cartooning and fine art, clothing design and creation, crafts and ballroom dancing (at one point in my life even being a competitive ballroom dancer for 5 years as well as an assistant disc jockey for parties) (no stress!).
For all of you super-busy people, I have put together some handy hints on getting your life in order and keeping your sanity.
1) Notables: Keep a small notebook and pen handy, wherever you are, to jot down ideas or appointments or things to do instead of trying to remember them later on.
2) Telephonery: Set a time limit to each phöne call and make sure you tell your caller. That way you save yourself the stress of trying to end the phöne call, and it also helps the caller to condense the information they want you to hear.
3) In Waiting: Use waiting time at the dentist, meeting with your boss or while waiting on your roast to cook to catch up on reading or planning, or use the time to tidy up, file or other tasks.
4) Help Wanted: Be sure to offer praise to a subordinate, co-worker or to a member of the family for any effort you've noticed -- they'll be happy to help you when you're bogged down.
5) Don't Put It Off! If you procrastinate you'll only get stressed out when you think about that hateful "to do" item on your list. You'll blow it out of proportion in your mind, and it'll become almost impossible to accomplish. Make sure you tackle the largest or most disliked job first, dividing it up into manageable tasks; then the other jobs will be a breeze!
6) Control Bug: Delegate the tasks you have no time for or team up with someone who can help you. (See tip #4!)
7) Group Effort: Save time and footwork by collecting everything to bring with you to complete errands, or to distribute in each room of the house instead of making too many trips. Make a fast list while planning out your route and be sure to plan each stop along the way so you don't have to backtrack and losë time.
8) Schedule Fun Time! Make sure you include some personal time for YOU. Allot some time in your agenda -- make an appointment for yourself and keep it, even if it's only a leisurely 20-minute bubble bäth or a 15-minute walk in the fresh spring air!
9) Space Freebies: Go through any old unneeded files to frëe up space in your filing system.
10) Once and Only Once: Each piece of paper should be handled only once. Read it and either file it, redirect it to someone else, schedule it or toss it. Don't add it to an ever-ending pile on your desk in hopes that you'll get to it eventually.
11) Post-Master: Use sticky notes to write errands needed to be done. Stick them to your front door to remind you as you're headed out.
12) Systems Engineer: Too much time is wasted everyday on searching for things. Find a system that works for you and your lifestyle and apply it. Use it religiously and you'll find new time slots you thought you nevër had!
Get the new Memory Jogger System and forms for frëe! Subscribe to our new free e-zine and we'll email you our new Memory Jogger System complete with a kit of printable forms for you to use -- all for frëe! Time to organize your life! Please sign up for your frëe newsletter and the Memory Jogger kit on our site: http://www.whimsies-online.com
© 2003 DDesign Reprints of this article are frëe of charge as long as you include the
author portion of the text.
About the Author:
Heather Diodati, owner of DDesign, is the creator/distributor of the Pet Computer Virus, a novelty designed for the computer user, as well as other unique computer novelties, and Whimsies! Personalized Cartoon Designs for all occasions. Sign up for our frëe ezine, On A Whim, for your frëe Memory Jogger System; and if you looooove ballroom dancing be sure to subscribe to Dancing On Air e-zine, for your frëe gift, The Dancer's Notebook! http://www.whimsies-online.com
REALITY FORMS AROUND YOUR COMMITMENTS
------------------------------------------------
The intense anticipation of things to come will transform your possibilities into reality. Your desires are the precursors of the things that you can have. They will in time externalize themselves into concrete fact.
Just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat, weak desires bring weak results. Live your life with fire and passion. Always remember, if you care enough for the end result, you'll almost certainly attain it.
You can make your world.
©2006 by Max Steingart
The intense anticipation of things to come will transform your possibilities into reality. Your desires are the precursors of the things that you can have. They will in time externalize themselves into concrete fact.
Just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat, weak desires bring weak results. Live your life with fire and passion. Always remember, if you care enough for the end result, you'll almost certainly attain it.
You can make your world.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Staying Afloat
-------------------------------------------------
Riding The Wave Of life
Our lives are continually in motion, buoyed by the wave that is the universe's flow. As the wave rises and falls, we are carried forward, through life's high and low points. The universe's flow may take us to a place in life where we would rather not be. As tempting as it can be to fight the direction and size of this wave that propels us, riding the wave is intended to make life easier. When you ride the wave, your life can evolve naturally and with minimal effort. Riding the wave, however, is not a passive experience. It is an active process that requires you to be attentive, centered, and awake. You must also practice stillness so you can flow with, rather than resist the wave's motion.
Because life is dynamic and always changing, it is when we try to make the wave stand still or resist its direction that we are likely to get pulled under by its weight. If you try to move against the wave, you may feel as if you are trapped by it and have no control over your destiny. When you reach a low point while riding the wave and find your feet touching bottom, remember to stay standing so that you can leap forward along with the wave the next time it rises. Trying to resist life's flow is a losing proposition and costly because you waste energy.
Riding the wave allows you to move forward without expending too much of your own efforts. When you ride the wave, you are carried by it and your head can "stay above water" as you go wherever it takes you. It can be difficult to trust the universe and let go of the urge to fight life's flow, and you may find it easier to ride the wave if you can stay calm and relaxed. Riding the wave will always take you where you need to go.
What do you think?
Riding The Wave Of life
Our lives are continually in motion, buoyed by the wave that is the universe's flow. As the wave rises and falls, we are carried forward, through life's high and low points. The universe's flow may take us to a place in life where we would rather not be. As tempting as it can be to fight the direction and size of this wave that propels us, riding the wave is intended to make life easier. When you ride the wave, your life can evolve naturally and with minimal effort. Riding the wave, however, is not a passive experience. It is an active process that requires you to be attentive, centered, and awake. You must also practice stillness so you can flow with, rather than resist the wave's motion.
Because life is dynamic and always changing, it is when we try to make the wave stand still or resist its direction that we are likely to get pulled under by its weight. If you try to move against the wave, you may feel as if you are trapped by it and have no control over your destiny. When you reach a low point while riding the wave and find your feet touching bottom, remember to stay standing so that you can leap forward along with the wave the next time it rises. Trying to resist life's flow is a losing proposition and costly because you waste energy.
Riding the wave allows you to move forward without expending too much of your own efforts. When you ride the wave, you are carried by it and your head can "stay above water" as you go wherever it takes you. It can be difficult to trust the universe and let go of the urge to fight life's flow, and you may find it easier to ride the wave if you can stay calm and relaxed. Riding the wave will always take you where you need to go.
What do you think?
Excuse Me...Your Life Is Waiting!
----------------------------------------------------
– By Doreen Banaszak
What if one day you were minding your own business when someone tapped you on the shoulder and said,
"Excuse me, your life is waiting. It's right over there and in it you have all that you ever desired. You have financïal freedom, the job of your dreams or the business you always wanted. All of your relationships are strong, loving and beneficial. You are strong, sure of yourself and happier than you've ever dared to imagine."
You might say, "Show me the way!" and the person would, but of course there is a price...
You would need to leave behind all of your fears, jealousies, thoughts of separateness, anxieties, anger, frustrations, limiting beliefs. Could you do it? Could you shed all of these and walk toward what you say you REALLY want?
Nöw, if you are reading this article, clearly you are the one doing the tapping and deep down you know exactly what you need to do to get from hëre to there.
So why aren't you doing it? Start by asking yourself how you are feeling. That's right, how are you feeling?
All the feelings in the world roll up to just two; you either feel good or you feel bad. There really is no in between because the absence of good is bad and the absence of bad is good.
When was the last time you came up with a solution to a problem when you were feeling scared or frustrated? When you are feeling these things your thoughts are locked on the fear, not the potential solution.
So how can you expect to create the life you want if you are constantly having thoughts that serve and maintain your fears?
There are 4 steps you can follow that will break you out of the fear and into the possibility of having the life experience you really want.
Step One
Know What You Don't Want
Part of the reason we are fearful is because we are not clear on what it is that we really want. Crazy as it sounds, for a lot of us, it is much easier to come up with what we don't want than what we do want. Take a few minutes and jot down, in list format, what you really don't want.
Step Two
Know What You Do Want
Take your don't wants and simply flip them into do wants. For example, "I don't want to travel so much for work" becomes "I only want to travel once a month for work." As you go through your list, notice how you are starting to feel better and be more hopeful.
Step Three
Get Into the "Feeling" Place of Your Want
Nöw that you have started to shift your attention away from what you don't want onto what you do want, you can't help but feel better. Nöw you want to take that feeling and expand it. Phrase your do want in the present, as though you already have it...
"I am traveling once a month for work nöw. I love having this extra time to spend with my family. I am much more involved in my kid's lives and it feels good to know that I am contributing more around the house. My customers are even more satisfied because nöw I meet with them weekly by phöne in addition to my monthly visit. I am very pleased with these results and we still get miles for our trips to Disney World!"
Step Four
Allow It To Happen
The first thing we do, when we get clear on what it is we really want, is try to make it happen as soon as possible. This step is all about allowing, not forcing, your desire to happen. You have already started doing this by taking your attention off of what you don't want, which already has started to allow thoughts and ideas on how to make it happen.
When you force, you are in fear mode and remember what we said, not living in fear is part of the price you pay for having what you want. The best indication that you are headed in the right direction is again how you feel. If it feels good, go for it! If it feels bad, avoid it!
So there you have it, the key to having what you want in life. Are you ready to use it?
About the Author:
Doreen Banaszak is a coach, teacher and the author of the upcoming book, "Excuse Me, Your Life Is RIGHT Nöw," the follow-up to Lynn Grabhorn's New York Times Best Seller, "Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting." Register for Doreen's frëe mini-course, "4 Steps to Your Next Personal and Professional Breakthrough" at http://www.getunslumped.com
– By Doreen Banaszak
What if one day you were minding your own business when someone tapped you on the shoulder and said,
"Excuse me, your life is waiting. It's right over there and in it you have all that you ever desired. You have financïal freedom, the job of your dreams or the business you always wanted. All of your relationships are strong, loving and beneficial. You are strong, sure of yourself and happier than you've ever dared to imagine."
You might say, "Show me the way!" and the person would, but of course there is a price...
You would need to leave behind all of your fears, jealousies, thoughts of separateness, anxieties, anger, frustrations, limiting beliefs. Could you do it? Could you shed all of these and walk toward what you say you REALLY want?
Nöw, if you are reading this article, clearly you are the one doing the tapping and deep down you know exactly what you need to do to get from hëre to there.
So why aren't you doing it? Start by asking yourself how you are feeling. That's right, how are you feeling?
All the feelings in the world roll up to just two; you either feel good or you feel bad. There really is no in between because the absence of good is bad and the absence of bad is good.
When was the last time you came up with a solution to a problem when you were feeling scared or frustrated? When you are feeling these things your thoughts are locked on the fear, not the potential solution.
So how can you expect to create the life you want if you are constantly having thoughts that serve and maintain your fears?
There are 4 steps you can follow that will break you out of the fear and into the possibility of having the life experience you really want.
Step One
Know What You Don't Want
Part of the reason we are fearful is because we are not clear on what it is that we really want. Crazy as it sounds, for a lot of us, it is much easier to come up with what we don't want than what we do want. Take a few minutes and jot down, in list format, what you really don't want.
Step Two
Know What You Do Want
Take your don't wants and simply flip them into do wants. For example, "I don't want to travel so much for work" becomes "I only want to travel once a month for work." As you go through your list, notice how you are starting to feel better and be more hopeful.
Step Three
Get Into the "Feeling" Place of Your Want
Nöw that you have started to shift your attention away from what you don't want onto what you do want, you can't help but feel better. Nöw you want to take that feeling and expand it. Phrase your do want in the present, as though you already have it...
"I am traveling once a month for work nöw. I love having this extra time to spend with my family. I am much more involved in my kid's lives and it feels good to know that I am contributing more around the house. My customers are even more satisfied because nöw I meet with them weekly by phöne in addition to my monthly visit. I am very pleased with these results and we still get miles for our trips to Disney World!"
Step Four
Allow It To Happen
The first thing we do, when we get clear on what it is we really want, is try to make it happen as soon as possible. This step is all about allowing, not forcing, your desire to happen. You have already started doing this by taking your attention off of what you don't want, which already has started to allow thoughts and ideas on how to make it happen.
When you force, you are in fear mode and remember what we said, not living in fear is part of the price you pay for having what you want. The best indication that you are headed in the right direction is again how you feel. If it feels good, go for it! If it feels bad, avoid it!
So there you have it, the key to having what you want in life. Are you ready to use it?
About the Author:
Doreen Banaszak is a coach, teacher and the author of the upcoming book, "Excuse Me, Your Life Is RIGHT Nöw," the follow-up to Lynn Grabhorn's New York Times Best Seller, "Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting." Register for Doreen's frëe mini-course, "4 Steps to Your Next Personal and Professional Breakthrough" at http://www.getunslumped.com
APPLY PERSISTENCE TO YOUR POSSIBILITIES
-------------------------------------------------
Your success is not a matter of idle chance, it's a matter of making the right choices. Success is not something you wait for, but rather something you achieve with effort. Things won't turn up in this world until you turn them up.
Success is neither magical nor mysterious. The people that truly succeed in the world are the people who look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, they make them.
Don't sit on the sidelines, get in the game. Your access to success has no real limits. The great opportunity in your life is where you are right now.
Every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity for you. You have grand opportunities all around you. Open your eyes, and you will find it.
If you have the desire, you have the power to be successful. Taking continuous action is all that is required.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Your success is not a matter of idle chance, it's a matter of making the right choices. Success is not something you wait for, but rather something you achieve with effort. Things won't turn up in this world until you turn them up.
Success is neither magical nor mysterious. The people that truly succeed in the world are the people who look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, they make them.
Don't sit on the sidelines, get in the game. Your access to success has no real limits. The great opportunity in your life is where you are right now.
Every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity for you. You have grand opportunities all around you. Open your eyes, and you will find it.
If you have the desire, you have the power to be successful. Taking continuous action is all that is required.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Expanding Their Vision
-------------------------------------------------
Nine Ways To Help Others Awaken To Consciousness
1. Living by your values allows you to become a positive source of inspiration for others. Don't hide - express yourself and embrace life without reservation. By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see how one person can make a difference by being a living example of consciousness.
2. When you communicate your views, do so casually and in a nondogmatic manner. Allow the people you speak with to ask questions. Offer only as much information as they are ready to hear.
3. Igniting the spark of consciousness can be as easy as giving someone a gift. A favorite book, a medicine bag, or a beautiful gemstone can pique your loved ones' curiosity and prompt them to begin an exploration of the soul.
4. Teaching a friend, relative, or colleague to meditate or chant can put them on the path to consciousness while simultaneously reducing their stress levels.
5. Others may want to know more about living consciously but are unsure of how to begin. Starting a discussion group - even a virtual one - can help you reach out to individuals that are eager to learn.
6. By recognizing and acknowledging the inherent value in everyone you encounter, you can teach them how to value others. Sometimes, the easiest way to encourage people - even challenging ones - to respect others is to respect them first.
7. Invite people from your personal and professional lives to join you in attending a ceremony or ritual. The experience may touch them in a profound way or introduce them to a new spiritual path.
8. Casually point out the interconnectedness of all living beings using concrete, everyday examples. Many people are unaware of how their actions affect the world and are intrigued when they learn of the power they hold.
9. Introduce your loved ones to conscious living in a lighthearted and enjoyable way. Serve delicious organic recipes at gatherings, volunteer as a group, and show them how wonderful it can feel to be truly aware and connected to the universe.
What do you think?
Nine Ways To Help Others Awaken To Consciousness
1. Living by your values allows you to become a positive source of inspiration for others. Don't hide - express yourself and embrace life without reservation. By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see how one person can make a difference by being a living example of consciousness.
2. When you communicate your views, do so casually and in a nondogmatic manner. Allow the people you speak with to ask questions. Offer only as much information as they are ready to hear.
3. Igniting the spark of consciousness can be as easy as giving someone a gift. A favorite book, a medicine bag, or a beautiful gemstone can pique your loved ones' curiosity and prompt them to begin an exploration of the soul.
4. Teaching a friend, relative, or colleague to meditate or chant can put them on the path to consciousness while simultaneously reducing their stress levels.
5. Others may want to know more about living consciously but are unsure of how to begin. Starting a discussion group - even a virtual one - can help you reach out to individuals that are eager to learn.
6. By recognizing and acknowledging the inherent value in everyone you encounter, you can teach them how to value others. Sometimes, the easiest way to encourage people - even challenging ones - to respect others is to respect them first.
7. Invite people from your personal and professional lives to join you in attending a ceremony or ritual. The experience may touch them in a profound way or introduce them to a new spiritual path.
8. Casually point out the interconnectedness of all living beings using concrete, everyday examples. Many people are unaware of how their actions affect the world and are intrigued when they learn of the power they hold.
9. Introduce your loved ones to conscious living in a lighthearted and enjoyable way. Serve delicious organic recipes at gatherings, volunteer as a group, and show them how wonderful it can feel to be truly aware and connected to the universe.
What do you think?
Building Attitude Awareness.
The First Step to Building Attitude
----------------------------------------------------
– By Jeffrey Gitomer
Got attitude? "YES!" You all scream. A positive one? "YES!" You all scream.
Wanna bet?
I'll bet every one of you "thinks" you have a positive attitude, and the same amount of you have NEVËR taken a course in it.
Let's go a bit deeper. How much of your success is dependent on your positive attitude? The answer is somewhere between "lots" and "all."
So 80-100% of your success is dependent on your positive attitude, yet you've had no formal training. OK, suppose you needed surgery and I recommend a surgeon with no formal training, but "thinks" he can do a great job. Get it?
You can start by reading and studying these four books:
1. Think and Grow Rich -- Napoleon Hill
2. How to Wïn Friends and Influence People -- Dale Carnegie
3. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living -- Dale Carnegie
4. The Power of Positive Thinking -- Norman Vincent Peale
Me personally? I read two pages from these books every day. I've been doing attitude-reading for fifteen minutes a day for thirty years. I don't know if it's working yet. I'm going to do it another thirty years, and then that's it, I'm going to quit.
If you want wealth, first build a wealth of knowledge.
I also recommend that you enroll in the nearest Dale Carnegie program. Carnegie courses are timeless and will provide a great attitude foundation.
But I know you. You want it NÖW and you want it FRËE. OK, hëre are 20.5 attitude gems I've picked up along the way that I recommend you read, cut-out, copy, share with others, post on your wall, and study in a way that you implement into your "thought and expression" process. They are not in "course" format. They are mental snacks to chew on and digest.
1. Change your input to change your attitude. If you seek a positive mind, you MUST expose yourself to positive information and hang around positive people. If you want to achieve "positive" you have to surround yourself with it and live it.
2. You were born to wïn -- but you must plan to wïn, prepare to wïn, then you can expect to wïn (a famous Zig Ziglar quote).
3. The will to wïn is nothing without the will to prepare to wïn (Vince Lombardi, famous coach).
4. You will get whatever you want if you help enough people get whatever they want (a quote that many claim to have said -- it doesn't matter who said it -- just live it).
5. Make every day as productive as the day before you go on vacation. That's a day that EVERYTHING gets done.
6. Ignore people who tell you "you can't" (except your boss). People will try to rain on your parade because they have no parade of their own.
7. If you have nothing nice to say about someone, say nothing (a famous quote said by your mother).
8. Don't dwell on (whine about) the problem; concentrate on the solution. Resolve how you can, not lament why you can't.
9. Forgive and go forward. Grudge BLOCKS positive. Until you clear the past you are destined to repeat it.
10. Self-talk equals self-performänce. Look at any athlete – self-talk is a crucial part of their expected positive performänce.
11. What is the picture you have of yourself? That is what you will become. Spend 15 minutes a day focusing on a positive picture.
12. You will hear the word no 116,000 times in your lifetïme. Try converting just 1,000 of them to a "yes," and the world is your oyster.
13. What you do off the job determines what you are likely to do on the job. Uh oh.
14. Strengthen your weaknesses and strengthen your strengths at the same time. Combine positive with negative for better personal development results.
15. Failure is an event, not a person. Think of failure as "it," not "me."
16. It's not what happens to you. It's what you do with what happens to you. Attitude manifests itself in your RESPONSE to events.
17. Every obstacle presents an opportunïty. If you're looking for it. "Revel" and "lament" are choices. Your choices.
18. Hard work makes luck. Nothing affects positive circumstance and results more than hard work.
19. How many of your problems are cured with 10 grand? A question my dad once asked me as I lamented my problems. If monëy makes your problem go away, attitude makes them go away as well.
20. It's not what you say; it's how you say it. The tone of your verbiage determines the atmosphere of your environment.
20.5. Resign your position as general manager of the universe. Don't try to solve (butt into) other people's problems, until YOU are problem-frëe.
And then there are the "Attitude Aha's." Many (many) years ago I was riding down the road listening to a tape by Earl Nightingale (one of the founding fathers of personal development). On tape 4 of his legendary, but unavailable, series, "Direct Line," the topic was enthusiasm.
"Enthusiasm," Earl said, "Comes from the Greek 'entheos' meaning the God within."
AHA! All of a sudden all the other quotes and advice made sense. The strength of self-belief is within your own spirit, if you hunger for the feeling.
And these words are food for yours.
Frëe GitBit. Want to start taking Attitude Actions? I have compiled a list of physical and mental actions you can take to immediately make your attitude better. Go to http://www.gitomer.com -- register if you're a first-time user, and enter the words ATTITUDE ACTIONS in the GitBit box.
About the Author:
Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Säles Bible, and Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless. President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives seminars, runs annual säles meetings, and conducts training programs on selling and customer service. He can be reached at 704/333-1112 or e-mail to salesman@gitomer.com
© 2001 All Rights Reserved -- Don't even think about reproducing this document without written permission from Jeffrey H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer. 704/333-1112
----------------------------------------------------
– By Jeffrey Gitomer
Got attitude? "YES!" You all scream. A positive one? "YES!" You all scream.
Wanna bet?
I'll bet every one of you "thinks" you have a positive attitude, and the same amount of you have NEVËR taken a course in it.
Let's go a bit deeper. How much of your success is dependent on your positive attitude? The answer is somewhere between "lots" and "all."
So 80-100% of your success is dependent on your positive attitude, yet you've had no formal training. OK, suppose you needed surgery and I recommend a surgeon with no formal training, but "thinks" he can do a great job. Get it?
You can start by reading and studying these four books:
1. Think and Grow Rich -- Napoleon Hill
2. How to Wïn Friends and Influence People -- Dale Carnegie
3. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living -- Dale Carnegie
4. The Power of Positive Thinking -- Norman Vincent Peale
Me personally? I read two pages from these books every day. I've been doing attitude-reading for fifteen minutes a day for thirty years. I don't know if it's working yet. I'm going to do it another thirty years, and then that's it, I'm going to quit.
If you want wealth, first build a wealth of knowledge.
I also recommend that you enroll in the nearest Dale Carnegie program. Carnegie courses are timeless and will provide a great attitude foundation.
But I know you. You want it NÖW and you want it FRËE. OK, hëre are 20.5 attitude gems I've picked up along the way that I recommend you read, cut-out, copy, share with others, post on your wall, and study in a way that you implement into your "thought and expression" process. They are not in "course" format. They are mental snacks to chew on and digest.
1. Change your input to change your attitude. If you seek a positive mind, you MUST expose yourself to positive information and hang around positive people. If you want to achieve "positive" you have to surround yourself with it and live it.
2. You were born to wïn -- but you must plan to wïn, prepare to wïn, then you can expect to wïn (a famous Zig Ziglar quote).
3. The will to wïn is nothing without the will to prepare to wïn (Vince Lombardi, famous coach).
4. You will get whatever you want if you help enough people get whatever they want (a quote that many claim to have said -- it doesn't matter who said it -- just live it).
5. Make every day as productive as the day before you go on vacation. That's a day that EVERYTHING gets done.
6. Ignore people who tell you "you can't" (except your boss). People will try to rain on your parade because they have no parade of their own.
7. If you have nothing nice to say about someone, say nothing (a famous quote said by your mother).
8. Don't dwell on (whine about) the problem; concentrate on the solution. Resolve how you can, not lament why you can't.
9. Forgive and go forward. Grudge BLOCKS positive. Until you clear the past you are destined to repeat it.
10. Self-talk equals self-performänce. Look at any athlete – self-talk is a crucial part of their expected positive performänce.
11. What is the picture you have of yourself? That is what you will become. Spend 15 minutes a day focusing on a positive picture.
12. You will hear the word no 116,000 times in your lifetïme. Try converting just 1,000 of them to a "yes," and the world is your oyster.
13. What you do off the job determines what you are likely to do on the job. Uh oh.
14. Strengthen your weaknesses and strengthen your strengths at the same time. Combine positive with negative for better personal development results.
15. Failure is an event, not a person. Think of failure as "it," not "me."
16. It's not what happens to you. It's what you do with what happens to you. Attitude manifests itself in your RESPONSE to events.
17. Every obstacle presents an opportunïty. If you're looking for it. "Revel" and "lament" are choices. Your choices.
18. Hard work makes luck. Nothing affects positive circumstance and results more than hard work.
19. How many of your problems are cured with 10 grand? A question my dad once asked me as I lamented my problems. If monëy makes your problem go away, attitude makes them go away as well.
20. It's not what you say; it's how you say it. The tone of your verbiage determines the atmosphere of your environment.
20.5. Resign your position as general manager of the universe. Don't try to solve (butt into) other people's problems, until YOU are problem-frëe.
And then there are the "Attitude Aha's." Many (many) years ago I was riding down the road listening to a tape by Earl Nightingale (one of the founding fathers of personal development). On tape 4 of his legendary, but unavailable, series, "Direct Line," the topic was enthusiasm.
"Enthusiasm," Earl said, "Comes from the Greek 'entheos' meaning the God within."
AHA! All of a sudden all the other quotes and advice made sense. The strength of self-belief is within your own spirit, if you hunger for the feeling.
And these words are food for yours.
Frëe GitBit. Want to start taking Attitude Actions? I have compiled a list of physical and mental actions you can take to immediately make your attitude better. Go to http://www.gitomer.com -- register if you're a first-time user, and enter the words ATTITUDE ACTIONS in the GitBit box.
About the Author:
Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Säles Bible, and Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless. President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives seminars, runs annual säles meetings, and conducts training programs on selling and customer service. He can be reached at 704/333-1112 or e-mail to salesman@gitomer.com
© 2001 All Rights Reserved -- Don't even think about reproducing this document without written permission from Jeffrey H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer. 704/333-1112
FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE NOT YOUR PAST
---------------------------------------------------
Your future is a big adventure. Prepare for your future, don't live in the past. Savor your good memories, use any bad ones as lessons in life.
Carve out a niche for yourself in your imagined future. Think, feel and see yourself as successful. To achieve any goal in life, you need to project your end result. Think of the elation, the satisfaction, the joy you'll feel. Carry these ecstatic feelings with you every day and they'll bring your desired goals into view.
Sooner or later, you can win if you think you can. The cards you are dealt in life
are less important than the way you play them. Every day you're offered a new deal and new cards.
Success is in your future if you're willing to work for it.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Your future is a big adventure. Prepare for your future, don't live in the past. Savor your good memories, use any bad ones as lessons in life.
Carve out a niche for yourself in your imagined future. Think, feel and see yourself as successful. To achieve any goal in life, you need to project your end result. Think of the elation, the satisfaction, the joy you'll feel. Carry these ecstatic feelings with you every day and they'll bring your desired goals into view.
Sooner or later, you can win if you think you can. The cards you are dealt in life
are less important than the way you play them. Every day you're offered a new deal and new cards.
Success is in your future if you're willing to work for it.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Monday, March 13, 2006
Memories Of The Soul
-------------------------------------------------
Past Life Regression
Inside our subconscious lie our memories from past lives. Though we seldom remember even having lived these past lives, the experiences we had living them have had a hand in shaping who we are today. The effects of a past life can manifest in a later lifetime in many ways - phobias, self-limiting beliefs, physical problems, or innate creative abilities. Violence, death, and trauma in a past life may show up as fear, uncontrollable anger, or low self-esteem in this one, while positive experiences from an earlier lifetime may cause you to feel strongly drawn to certain people, places, or objects without knowing why.
Many people turn to past life regression therapists to revisit their past lives. Past life regression allows you to recall the memories and emotions associated with a past life that continue to exert an influence over your present reality. You may not have even been aware that these experiences are still affecting you today. Past life regression therapy can offer you a unique opportunity to reconnect with these memories so you can understand them and free yourself.
To discover more about your past lives, consider keeping a notebook where you can record anything that could be a memory from a different lifetime. You may also feel drawn to a particular period in history, a seemingly unfamiliar locale, or a new person you've met who seems oddly familiar. Pick a time and choose a place where you can relax. Envision your body being filled with healing white light. Remember that nothing you see or hear will harm you. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve through regression and connect with your inner vision. Observe what you see without judgment. When you are done, think about how what you experienced relates to your present life. There may be beliefs from a past life that you are still operating under but are now ready to let go of. The significance of your past life memory may not be immediately obvious until much later. You can make the most of your past lives by learning from them. While past life regression can be an exciting journey, it is not a substitute for living in the present where we are most needed right here and now.
What do you think?
Past Life Regression
Inside our subconscious lie our memories from past lives. Though we seldom remember even having lived these past lives, the experiences we had living them have had a hand in shaping who we are today. The effects of a past life can manifest in a later lifetime in many ways - phobias, self-limiting beliefs, physical problems, or innate creative abilities. Violence, death, and trauma in a past life may show up as fear, uncontrollable anger, or low self-esteem in this one, while positive experiences from an earlier lifetime may cause you to feel strongly drawn to certain people, places, or objects without knowing why.
Many people turn to past life regression therapists to revisit their past lives. Past life regression allows you to recall the memories and emotions associated with a past life that continue to exert an influence over your present reality. You may not have even been aware that these experiences are still affecting you today. Past life regression therapy can offer you a unique opportunity to reconnect with these memories so you can understand them and free yourself.
To discover more about your past lives, consider keeping a notebook where you can record anything that could be a memory from a different lifetime. You may also feel drawn to a particular period in history, a seemingly unfamiliar locale, or a new person you've met who seems oddly familiar. Pick a time and choose a place where you can relax. Envision your body being filled with healing white light. Remember that nothing you see or hear will harm you. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve through regression and connect with your inner vision. Observe what you see without judgment. When you are done, think about how what you experienced relates to your present life. There may be beliefs from a past life that you are still operating under but are now ready to let go of. The significance of your past life memory may not be immediately obvious until much later. You can make the most of your past lives by learning from them. While past life regression can be an exciting journey, it is not a substitute for living in the present where we are most needed right here and now.
What do you think?
Don't be afraid to fail. Read on...
-------------------------------------------------
- Author unknown
You've failed many times, although you may not remember.
You fell down the first time you tried to walk. You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim, didn't you?
Did you hit the ball the first time you swung a bat? Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the most home runs, also strike out a lot.
R.H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on.
English novelist John Creasey got 753 rejection slips before he published 564 books.
Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs.
Don't worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.
- Author unknown
You've failed many times, although you may not remember.
You fell down the first time you tried to walk. You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim, didn't you?
Did you hit the ball the first time you swung a bat? Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the most home runs, also strike out a lot.
R.H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on.
English novelist John Creasey got 753 rejection slips before he published 564 books.
Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs.
Don't worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.
SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS
--------------------------------------------------
You're in control of your life to the degree that you make decisions. It's your life. You decide what you're going to do with it. If you don't run your own life, someone else will.
To control the outcome of anything, you control the action at the point of decision making. If you let others make decisions for you, you give up control. When you control the decisions, you control the actions.
Take charge of your life, so there is no longer a need to ask permission of others. When you ask permission, you are giving someone veto power over your life.
Only you are responsible for your life. Make your own decisions.
©2006 by Max Steingart
You're in control of your life to the degree that you make decisions. It's your life. You decide what you're going to do with it. If you don't run your own life, someone else will.
To control the outcome of anything, you control the action at the point of decision making. If you let others make decisions for you, you give up control. When you control the decisions, you control the actions.
Take charge of your life, so there is no longer a need to ask permission of others. When you ask permission, you are giving someone veto power over your life.
Only you are responsible for your life. Make your own decisions.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Friday, March 10, 2006
Why Me?
-------------------------------------------------
Pity Party
We all have days when the bad things seem to outweigh the good ones and we begin to think that life isn't fair. You get stuck in traffic, which makes you late for an important meeting, and then your car gets towed. You might ask yourself, "Why me?" Events like this one can test anyone's ability to be grateful and feel optimistic. If you have a tendency to feel sorry for yourself, and many of us do, things usually progress to the next stage: the pity party. You begin to feel like the innocent victim of a dismal fate because you are seeing your life through inaccurate lenses. Most of the thoughts that run through your mind at times like these are not helpful, and they mainly serve to increase your indignation and feelings of powerlessness. What these feelings and thoughts don't do is change your circumstances or make you feel better.
When you have a terrible day, there should definitely be a time and place to have your feelings so you can process them. It's important not to pretend that you are fine with things when you aren't. It's also important, however, to notice when you're having a pity party. It's a good idea to set a time limit in which to fully express your emotions and not feel guilty, ashamed, or judge yourself. Having a friend witness you during this process can be helpful. You may also want to write about your feelings. When your time is up, let go of the negativity you just expressed. You can declare your intention to your friend. If you've written down your feelings, you can burn the piece of paper or throw it in the recycling bin.
Try not to dwell on unpleasant experiences and do everything you can to avoid holding on to negative emotions. When you indulge in self-pity, you only make a bad day worse. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, release the notion that you are a victim, and notice the good that exists in your life.
What do you think?
Pity Party
We all have days when the bad things seem to outweigh the good ones and we begin to think that life isn't fair. You get stuck in traffic, which makes you late for an important meeting, and then your car gets towed. You might ask yourself, "Why me?" Events like this one can test anyone's ability to be grateful and feel optimistic. If you have a tendency to feel sorry for yourself, and many of us do, things usually progress to the next stage: the pity party. You begin to feel like the innocent victim of a dismal fate because you are seeing your life through inaccurate lenses. Most of the thoughts that run through your mind at times like these are not helpful, and they mainly serve to increase your indignation and feelings of powerlessness. What these feelings and thoughts don't do is change your circumstances or make you feel better.
When you have a terrible day, there should definitely be a time and place to have your feelings so you can process them. It's important not to pretend that you are fine with things when you aren't. It's also important, however, to notice when you're having a pity party. It's a good idea to set a time limit in which to fully express your emotions and not feel guilty, ashamed, or judge yourself. Having a friend witness you during this process can be helpful. You may also want to write about your feelings. When your time is up, let go of the negativity you just expressed. You can declare your intention to your friend. If you've written down your feelings, you can burn the piece of paper or throw it in the recycling bin.
Try not to dwell on unpleasant experiences and do everything you can to avoid holding on to negative emotions. When you indulge in self-pity, you only make a bad day worse. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, release the notion that you are a victim, and notice the good that exists in your life.
What do you think?
Six Months to Live--and Laugh
-------------------------------------------------
On the day a woman learns she has only a short time to live, she meets someone who shows her the humorous side.
By Dorothy G. Hensley
Editor's Note: Dorothy G. Hensley, age 89, is in the final months of her battle with congestive heart disease. We received this submission from the Dream Foundation, whose mission it is to grant terminally ill adults one final wish. Dorothy's dream is to be a published writer. We are happy to acknowledge her talent and publish her wonderful story.
This is the day I learned that my life is coming to an end, and that's all right. Eighty-eight years is more than most people get.
My daughter and I sat in Dr. Barbara's office. "I have done everything I can for you," she said, kindness in her voice. "Would you like me to contact hospice?" Surprised, I didn't know how to react. The doctor was looking into my eyes, waiting for a sign of understanding. "They can take care of your needs, enabling you to stay home." She paused, and then said, "Do you know about hospice?"
I said, "Yes. I had hospice when Mia's dad died." I was remembering the flurry of activity, almost eight years ago, when a registered nurse and two aides arrived at our home, along with a delivery of a hospital bed, bedside potty, a wheelchair, and a walker. In no time at all the bed was standing and made up in the living room, the potty was hidden behind a screen, the wheelchair was out of the line of traffic, and the walker was folded and leaned against a wall. Yes, I was acquainted with hospice.
Mia spoke, "Are you telling me my mother has six months to live?"
The doctor transferred her attention to Mia. "No. We don't say that now." She looked back at me, "You may live months or a year..." I sensed hesitation in her demeanor. I stood, ready to leave; I needed to go home and talk this over with God.
However, before I could go home, I had to keep an appointment made last week with a beautician, a stranger, since retirement had claimed the operator I was in the habit of using. Maybe the hair-do would give me a lift. Yet I felt a strong need to talk about what I thought of as my new status. Until I was better acquainted with it myself, I didn't want to discuss the obvious change in our relationship with Mia; she needed time, too.
Back in the car an unfamiliar silence lay between us. By the time Mia stopped the car to let me out at the beauty shop, I knew what I was going to do. Suddenly I was glad I didn't know the hairdresser.
Her name was Melody. After introductions, I was seated in an adjustable chair, leaned back against a sink, and felt water and shampoo fingered onto my scalp. Then, before I could change my mind, I said, "I've just been told that I'm going to die." Her fingers stilled immediately. She said nothing for a moment, so I added, "I'll have to call in hospice." Then I sat quietly, waiting. When her fingers started working again, I felt the muscles in my neck become tense. What was she going to say?
"Hospice, huh? You're telling me you've got six months to live?" I opened my mouth to speak but didn't have time before she continued. "You can't have six months. That's mine. You can have three months or five or nine, but you can't have six."
For the second time that day, I was too surprised to speak. She finished rinsing my hair and pushed a knob on the chair that allowed me to sit up-and just kept talking. I began to laugh.
"I get lots of free lunches out of that six-month prognosis. My kids treat me great too. The other day my granddaughter said, 'Don't say that, Grandma. It might be bad luck.' I said, 'Well, someday it's going to be true. Then won't you be glad you were nice to me all those years?" I was laughing out loud now, and it felt wonderful
"I tell anybody who needs to know," she added. "One day I parked in a hard-to-find-space, and a woman in a Mercedes stopped behind my car as I got out. She yelled at me, 'I've been waiting to park there. I had to turn around first.' The teenage boy sitting in the passenger seat looked embarrassed-as well he should. I told her, 'You want this parking place? Okay. You can have it. I've got six months to live, so a parking place is the least of my worries. I'll just get in my car and pull out. You can have it.' The teenager said, 'M-o-m-m-m?' and the lady left without further chatter. It comes in handy, you know?" I continued to laugh.
Only God has the wisdom and the knowledge to choreograph that particular afternoon in my life, with all the right people in all the right places at the right time. As I got ready to go home, I faced the back of the shop where Melody was shampooing her next client and talking a mile a minute. Smiling, I said in my heart, "Thank you, God."
On occasion, when I sense a dark mood hovering around, waiting to pounce, I think of Melody and laugh. Oh, I'm still going to die, but I won't die in six months. I wouldn't dare!
More About the Author:
Dorothy G. Hensley has said of writing that she felt "almost overpowered with a passion as strong as hunger, as demanding as birth." Dorothy did not complete high school and never believed she had the talent to be a writer; but she has written all her life. Her daughter remembers her mother getting up very early in the morning so she could write at the kitchen table while the house was quiet.
When Dorothy was in her 40's, she went to a junior college to learn to be a better writer, despite lack of support from her husband and ridicule from classmates 25 years her junior. Three years ago, at the urging of her daughter, Dorothy began taking a memoir-writing class. It was in those classes that her instructors and classmates acknowledged her as a talented writer, and she began to believe it.
Dorothy has written many stories about her family and experiences while growing up. It is her dream to see her passion of writing in print--to be recognized as a writer of promise before she dies. She is currently in hospice care.
The Dream Foundation, the first national organization founded to bestow a final wish on adults. Dream spokesperson Eve Lechner wrote, "Our dreams focus on providing resolution, a sense of completion and fulfillment. We cannot provide a cure for our dreamers, but we can dramatically impact the quality of their fragile lives with the joy experienced from a dream come true."
If you would like to contact Dorothy and let her know how her story touched you, please email Eve2@aol.com
On the day a woman learns she has only a short time to live, she meets someone who shows her the humorous side.
By Dorothy G. Hensley
Editor's Note: Dorothy G. Hensley, age 89, is in the final months of her battle with congestive heart disease. We received this submission from the Dream Foundation, whose mission it is to grant terminally ill adults one final wish. Dorothy's dream is to be a published writer. We are happy to acknowledge her talent and publish her wonderful story.
This is the day I learned that my life is coming to an end, and that's all right. Eighty-eight years is more than most people get.
My daughter and I sat in Dr. Barbara's office. "I have done everything I can for you," she said, kindness in her voice. "Would you like me to contact hospice?" Surprised, I didn't know how to react. The doctor was looking into my eyes, waiting for a sign of understanding. "They can take care of your needs, enabling you to stay home." She paused, and then said, "Do you know about hospice?"
I said, "Yes. I had hospice when Mia's dad died." I was remembering the flurry of activity, almost eight years ago, when a registered nurse and two aides arrived at our home, along with a delivery of a hospital bed, bedside potty, a wheelchair, and a walker. In no time at all the bed was standing and made up in the living room, the potty was hidden behind a screen, the wheelchair was out of the line of traffic, and the walker was folded and leaned against a wall. Yes, I was acquainted with hospice.
Mia spoke, "Are you telling me my mother has six months to live?"
The doctor transferred her attention to Mia. "No. We don't say that now." She looked back at me, "You may live months or a year..." I sensed hesitation in her demeanor. I stood, ready to leave; I needed to go home and talk this over with God.
However, before I could go home, I had to keep an appointment made last week with a beautician, a stranger, since retirement had claimed the operator I was in the habit of using. Maybe the hair-do would give me a lift. Yet I felt a strong need to talk about what I thought of as my new status. Until I was better acquainted with it myself, I didn't want to discuss the obvious change in our relationship with Mia; she needed time, too.
Back in the car an unfamiliar silence lay between us. By the time Mia stopped the car to let me out at the beauty shop, I knew what I was going to do. Suddenly I was glad I didn't know the hairdresser.
Her name was Melody. After introductions, I was seated in an adjustable chair, leaned back against a sink, and felt water and shampoo fingered onto my scalp. Then, before I could change my mind, I said, "I've just been told that I'm going to die." Her fingers stilled immediately. She said nothing for a moment, so I added, "I'll have to call in hospice." Then I sat quietly, waiting. When her fingers started working again, I felt the muscles in my neck become tense. What was she going to say?
"Hospice, huh? You're telling me you've got six months to live?" I opened my mouth to speak but didn't have time before she continued. "You can't have six months. That's mine. You can have three months or five or nine, but you can't have six."
For the second time that day, I was too surprised to speak. She finished rinsing my hair and pushed a knob on the chair that allowed me to sit up-and just kept talking. I began to laugh.
"I get lots of free lunches out of that six-month prognosis. My kids treat me great too. The other day my granddaughter said, 'Don't say that, Grandma. It might be bad luck.' I said, 'Well, someday it's going to be true. Then won't you be glad you were nice to me all those years?" I was laughing out loud now, and it felt wonderful
"I tell anybody who needs to know," she added. "One day I parked in a hard-to-find-space, and a woman in a Mercedes stopped behind my car as I got out. She yelled at me, 'I've been waiting to park there. I had to turn around first.' The teenage boy sitting in the passenger seat looked embarrassed-as well he should. I told her, 'You want this parking place? Okay. You can have it. I've got six months to live, so a parking place is the least of my worries. I'll just get in my car and pull out. You can have it.' The teenager said, 'M-o-m-m-m?' and the lady left without further chatter. It comes in handy, you know?" I continued to laugh.
Only God has the wisdom and the knowledge to choreograph that particular afternoon in my life, with all the right people in all the right places at the right time. As I got ready to go home, I faced the back of the shop where Melody was shampooing her next client and talking a mile a minute. Smiling, I said in my heart, "Thank you, God."
On occasion, when I sense a dark mood hovering around, waiting to pounce, I think of Melody and laugh. Oh, I'm still going to die, but I won't die in six months. I wouldn't dare!
More About the Author:
Dorothy G. Hensley has said of writing that she felt "almost overpowered with a passion as strong as hunger, as demanding as birth." Dorothy did not complete high school and never believed she had the talent to be a writer; but she has written all her life. Her daughter remembers her mother getting up very early in the morning so she could write at the kitchen table while the house was quiet.
When Dorothy was in her 40's, she went to a junior college to learn to be a better writer, despite lack of support from her husband and ridicule from classmates 25 years her junior. Three years ago, at the urging of her daughter, Dorothy began taking a memoir-writing class. It was in those classes that her instructors and classmates acknowledged her as a talented writer, and she began to believe it.
Dorothy has written many stories about her family and experiences while growing up. It is her dream to see her passion of writing in print--to be recognized as a writer of promise before she dies. She is currently in hospice care.
The Dream Foundation, the first national organization founded to bestow a final wish on adults. Dream spokesperson Eve Lechner wrote, "Our dreams focus on providing resolution, a sense of completion and fulfillment. We cannot provide a cure for our dreamers, but we can dramatically impact the quality of their fragile lives with the joy experienced from a dream come true."
If you would like to contact Dorothy and let her know how her story touched you, please email Eve2@aol.com
OPPORTUNITY LIES IN THE MIDST OF DIFFICULTY
------------------------------------------------
Every problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity.
You'll find that every situation, properly perceived, offers opportunity. As fast as each opportunity presents itself, use it. No matter how tiny an opportunity it may be, use it. You'll find new directions when you have an open mind and a willing hand.
Successful people didn't achieve their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They developed an opportunity that was at hand.
You must make your own opportunities if you want success. Opportunities are all around you. Open your eyes and act on the opportunity in front of you.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Every problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity.
You'll find that every situation, properly perceived, offers opportunity. As fast as each opportunity presents itself, use it. No matter how tiny an opportunity it may be, use it. You'll find new directions when you have an open mind and a willing hand.
Successful people didn't achieve their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They developed an opportunity that was at hand.
You must make your own opportunities if you want success. Opportunities are all around you. Open your eyes and act on the opportunity in front of you.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Spirit Of The Sea
-------------------------------------------------
Whale Medicine
Native Americans teach us that the Great Spirit speaks to us through our animal brethren. The whale is one animal that we can learn from. Whales have existed for over 50 million years and are considered to be record-keepers who possess knowledge of the past.
It is through the vibrations of their unique sound that they release this ancient wisdom to us. At the same time, their sound carries across such great distances that whales can enter the realm of the future where they can acquire knowledge of what is to come. Every whale sings a song, and they never repeat the same pattern when they sing their song. Since whales must be conscious at all times in order to breathe, they cannot afford to fall into an unconscious state for too long. Never completely asleep, their brain has constant access to the collective unconscious where all answers lie. Whales float peacefully, secure in the ocean environment that supports and sustains them.
You can learn from the wisdom of whales by remembering to express what's uniquely yours. Each of us has a unique "song" or gift to offer the world. Your song is meant to be sung by you and heard by others. No one else can sing this song but you, and your song is medicine for the healing of the planet. Like whales, you can choose to access information about the future when you go into a meditative state. Whales teach us to look at where we came from and where we are headed. Knowing that our past helps shape our future, we can remember to make positive choices regarding our lives, the environment, and our world. Like whales, we can remember to stay awake and actively engaged in a universe that supports and sustains us. When we express ourselves and share our unique gifts, we add our wisdom and vibration to the planet.
What do you think?
Whale Medicine
Native Americans teach us that the Great Spirit speaks to us through our animal brethren. The whale is one animal that we can learn from. Whales have existed for over 50 million years and are considered to be record-keepers who possess knowledge of the past.
It is through the vibrations of their unique sound that they release this ancient wisdom to us. At the same time, their sound carries across such great distances that whales can enter the realm of the future where they can acquire knowledge of what is to come. Every whale sings a song, and they never repeat the same pattern when they sing their song. Since whales must be conscious at all times in order to breathe, they cannot afford to fall into an unconscious state for too long. Never completely asleep, their brain has constant access to the collective unconscious where all answers lie. Whales float peacefully, secure in the ocean environment that supports and sustains them.
You can learn from the wisdom of whales by remembering to express what's uniquely yours. Each of us has a unique "song" or gift to offer the world. Your song is meant to be sung by you and heard by others. No one else can sing this song but you, and your song is medicine for the healing of the planet. Like whales, you can choose to access information about the future when you go into a meditative state. Whales teach us to look at where we came from and where we are headed. Knowing that our past helps shape our future, we can remember to make positive choices regarding our lives, the environment, and our world. Like whales, we can remember to stay awake and actively engaged in a universe that supports and sustains us. When we express ourselves and share our unique gifts, we add our wisdom and vibration to the planet.
What do you think?
Grace Under Fire
----------------------------------------------------
– By Julie Fuimano
Every day it happens. You experience emotions. We all do. But how good are you at managing them when they arise? How did you learn how to deal with anger, hurt, disappointment, frustration, and fear? What about joy? How often have you experienced joy, and do you know how to enjoy it when it arises?
Like everyone else, you probably learned about emotions from watching others, like your parents. How well did they express their emotions? It’s not like someone takes you aside in high school and teaches you how to recognize and manage all of the different emotions you experience in life. Each of us has to fumble along and figure out what works for us.
Until the last 15 years, that is. There is nöw a whole field of study dedicated to emotions called Emotional Intelligence or EI. EI is defined as the capacity to effectively perceive, express, understand, and handle your emotions and the emotions of others in a positive and productive manner. EI is about connecting with others and with yourself on an emotional level. People who possess a high EI are more successful in relationships and are viewed as more effective leaders.
The first step in managing your emotions is to recognize that you are experiencing one. You have to be self-aware. Most people are not. They act out of habit. Someone experiences an emotion and there is an automatic response that occurs without even being consciously aware. So before you know it, you are doing it again. You’ve raised your voice or shrunk away and said nothing because you could not find the words. Saying nothing is just as bad as screaming. When you say nothing, you do not honor yourself or the message your Inner Self is trying to communicate.
It’s easy to see why there is so much emphasis on conflict in the workplace. People disagree and tempers fly. And if you are not skilled at managing your own emotions, it’s even harder to handle it when others are emotional in your presence.
While you have no control of what other people do, you always control you and your response. You are responsible for your emotions and your behavior. Hëre are several things to know when dealing with emotions in the workplace:
1) Emotions are inner messages. They bring your attention to something. The next time you experience an emotion, just notice. Identify what emotion it is that you are experiencing. Pause before you respond. This is the way to gain control over your emotions rather than allowing them to control you.
2) Acknowledge the emotion you are experiencing. Emotions are one way the universe communicates to us. We are so dependent upon our brains and our deductive reasoning ability, but the body is also a source of intelligence IF we learn how to listen to it.
3) You cannot think and feel at the same time. We’ve all tried to rationalize while we were angry or sad, and it doesn’t work. So don’t try it. Separate the emotion from logic. If you are upset or emotional and you cannot think clearly, take a time-out to experience the emotion. If you can think clearly, then handle the situation at hand and process the emotion later. Don’t just stuff the emotion; you need to know what this emotional energy is telling you.
4) Don’t try to problem-solve, rationalize, or communicate with someone else’s emotions either. If the other person becomes emotional, acknowledge the emotion. “You seem upset. Do you want to talk about that?” The emotion is a distraction and requires attention. Often people don’t even realize that they are wearing their emotion on their sleeves. They are not aware of what they do and how their behavior is affecting their ability to communicate.
5) You don’t have to tolerate other people’s bad behavior. Ask for what you want. You need to teach people how you want to be treated. This is best done in the förm of direct requests. “Please lower your voice.” Or “It’s not acceptable to speak to me in that way.” This is known as having personal boundaries, and it’s a way of letting people know what you are willing to tolerate in your presence. If you don’t tell them, they will continue to treat you in whatever way they like. You need to speak your truth.
People often experience emotions in times of conflict, both internal conflicts as well as conflicts with others. Understanding the sources of conflict can be helpful in transcending it.
1) Conflict occurs when people take things personally, when they are attached to the outcome being the way they want it to be and no other, or when they make assumptions about the knowledge you have in your head and what they have in theirs.
2) Seek to understand what the other person is trying to say. This means you need to be simply curious. Ask questïons. When you are genuinely interested in what they have to communicate, they will feel that you are interested in them. If you repeat back what they have shared to be certain you understand what they are saying, they will feel heard.
3) People are limited by their use of language and their ability to express themselves clearly. People also do not give proper consideration to what they want to convey before they speak. They don’t always speak with purpose or intention; they just want to get their feelings or thoughts off their chest. After listening and reflecting back what’s been shared, ask them if they need something from you. They may not. Being heard may be enough.
4) You can only control you, so make sure that you do not take it personally when someone else becomes emotional. It is not about you; it’s about them.
5) And do not be attached to the outcome. In other words, listen to them, do what you can to express yourself, and then let it go. Sometimes people will get it and sometimes they won’t. You can only do what you can to help them to understand your position. Then you have to let it go.
The steps I’ve outlined hëre are not easy. They sound simple but they take practice and discipline.
Mary is a client who was frustrated by her boss’s demeaning and intimidating behavior. Through our work she is able to see how, while she cannot change him, she does control how she responds to him. His continued treatment of her in this way sends the message that she is not being clear enough with him about how she expects to be treated. She is not a victim unless she chooses to be, and this is a great opportunïty for learning how to be more direct in her communications. Her feelings of frustration are about her, not him, and bring her attention to what she is doing (or not doing) to allow him to continue his inappropriate behavior. Speaking up
may not ensure a change in his behavior; however, it is what she needs to do to honor herself.
Mary might be thinking, “He should know better.” And maybe he should, but the fact is he doesn’t. Or maybe he does know better but he doesn’t practice it. This is how he acts. She needs to respond to reality rather than indulging her emotions or wishing he would be different.
You can become more comfortable at handling emotions as you learn a process of self-mastery that allows you to experience your emotions and honor what they are trying to teach you. When you can be calm in the midst of chaos, this is the goal of a self-management process. The more you practice, the more comfortable you become with not only your own emotions, but with other’s emotions as well.
About the Author:
Do you want to be a more effective communicator? Do you want to manage your emotions confidently and experience less conflict? Or are you looking to create a productive team? Then contact us today at (610) 277-2726 to see how coaching would support you in achieving the results you want. Julie Fuimano, MBA, BSN, RN is a Success Coach and the author of “The Journey Called YOU: A Roadmap to Self-Discovery and Acceptance,” the manual for personal leadership. Sign up for her e-newsletter or purchase your copy of the book at http://www.nurturingyoursuccess.com or write to
Julie@nurturingyoursuccess.com
– By Julie Fuimano
Every day it happens. You experience emotions. We all do. But how good are you at managing them when they arise? How did you learn how to deal with anger, hurt, disappointment, frustration, and fear? What about joy? How often have you experienced joy, and do you know how to enjoy it when it arises?
Like everyone else, you probably learned about emotions from watching others, like your parents. How well did they express their emotions? It’s not like someone takes you aside in high school and teaches you how to recognize and manage all of the different emotions you experience in life. Each of us has to fumble along and figure out what works for us.
Until the last 15 years, that is. There is nöw a whole field of study dedicated to emotions called Emotional Intelligence or EI. EI is defined as the capacity to effectively perceive, express, understand, and handle your emotions and the emotions of others in a positive and productive manner. EI is about connecting with others and with yourself on an emotional level. People who possess a high EI are more successful in relationships and are viewed as more effective leaders.
The first step in managing your emotions is to recognize that you are experiencing one. You have to be self-aware. Most people are not. They act out of habit. Someone experiences an emotion and there is an automatic response that occurs without even being consciously aware. So before you know it, you are doing it again. You’ve raised your voice or shrunk away and said nothing because you could not find the words. Saying nothing is just as bad as screaming. When you say nothing, you do not honor yourself or the message your Inner Self is trying to communicate.
It’s easy to see why there is so much emphasis on conflict in the workplace. People disagree and tempers fly. And if you are not skilled at managing your own emotions, it’s even harder to handle it when others are emotional in your presence.
While you have no control of what other people do, you always control you and your response. You are responsible for your emotions and your behavior. Hëre are several things to know when dealing with emotions in the workplace:
1) Emotions are inner messages. They bring your attention to something. The next time you experience an emotion, just notice. Identify what emotion it is that you are experiencing. Pause before you respond. This is the way to gain control over your emotions rather than allowing them to control you.
2) Acknowledge the emotion you are experiencing. Emotions are one way the universe communicates to us. We are so dependent upon our brains and our deductive reasoning ability, but the body is also a source of intelligence IF we learn how to listen to it.
3) You cannot think and feel at the same time. We’ve all tried to rationalize while we were angry or sad, and it doesn’t work. So don’t try it. Separate the emotion from logic. If you are upset or emotional and you cannot think clearly, take a time-out to experience the emotion. If you can think clearly, then handle the situation at hand and process the emotion later. Don’t just stuff the emotion; you need to know what this emotional energy is telling you.
4) Don’t try to problem-solve, rationalize, or communicate with someone else’s emotions either. If the other person becomes emotional, acknowledge the emotion. “You seem upset. Do you want to talk about that?” The emotion is a distraction and requires attention. Often people don’t even realize that they are wearing their emotion on their sleeves. They are not aware of what they do and how their behavior is affecting their ability to communicate.
5) You don’t have to tolerate other people’s bad behavior. Ask for what you want. You need to teach people how you want to be treated. This is best done in the förm of direct requests. “Please lower your voice.” Or “It’s not acceptable to speak to me in that way.” This is known as having personal boundaries, and it’s a way of letting people know what you are willing to tolerate in your presence. If you don’t tell them, they will continue to treat you in whatever way they like. You need to speak your truth.
People often experience emotions in times of conflict, both internal conflicts as well as conflicts with others. Understanding the sources of conflict can be helpful in transcending it.
1) Conflict occurs when people take things personally, when they are attached to the outcome being the way they want it to be and no other, or when they make assumptions about the knowledge you have in your head and what they have in theirs.
2) Seek to understand what the other person is trying to say. This means you need to be simply curious. Ask questïons. When you are genuinely interested in what they have to communicate, they will feel that you are interested in them. If you repeat back what they have shared to be certain you understand what they are saying, they will feel heard.
3) People are limited by their use of language and their ability to express themselves clearly. People also do not give proper consideration to what they want to convey before they speak. They don’t always speak with purpose or intention; they just want to get their feelings or thoughts off their chest. After listening and reflecting back what’s been shared, ask them if they need something from you. They may not. Being heard may be enough.
4) You can only control you, so make sure that you do not take it personally when someone else becomes emotional. It is not about you; it’s about them.
5) And do not be attached to the outcome. In other words, listen to them, do what you can to express yourself, and then let it go. Sometimes people will get it and sometimes they won’t. You can only do what you can to help them to understand your position. Then you have to let it go.
The steps I’ve outlined hëre are not easy. They sound simple but they take practice and discipline.
Mary is a client who was frustrated by her boss’s demeaning and intimidating behavior. Through our work she is able to see how, while she cannot change him, she does control how she responds to him. His continued treatment of her in this way sends the message that she is not being clear enough with him about how she expects to be treated. She is not a victim unless she chooses to be, and this is a great opportunïty for learning how to be more direct in her communications. Her feelings of frustration are about her, not him, and bring her attention to what she is doing (or not doing) to allow him to continue his inappropriate behavior. Speaking up
may not ensure a change in his behavior; however, it is what she needs to do to honor herself.
Mary might be thinking, “He should know better.” And maybe he should, but the fact is he doesn’t. Or maybe he does know better but he doesn’t practice it. This is how he acts. She needs to respond to reality rather than indulging her emotions or wishing he would be different.
You can become more comfortable at handling emotions as you learn a process of self-mastery that allows you to experience your emotions and honor what they are trying to teach you. When you can be calm in the midst of chaos, this is the goal of a self-management process. The more you practice, the more comfortable you become with not only your own emotions, but with other’s emotions as well.
About the Author:
Do you want to be a more effective communicator? Do you want to manage your emotions confidently and experience less conflict? Or are you looking to create a productive team? Then contact us today at (610) 277-2726 to see how coaching would support you in achieving the results you want. Julie Fuimano, MBA, BSN, RN is a Success Coach and the author of “The Journey Called YOU: A Roadmap to Self-Discovery and Acceptance,” the manual for personal leadership. Sign up for her e-newsletter or purchase your copy of the book at http://www.nurturingyoursuccess.com or write to
Julie@nurturingyoursuccess.com
WANTING TO WIN IS EVERYTHING
--------------------------------------------------
Success is connected with continuous action. It's largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. You're not finished when you're defeated, you're only finished when you quit.
The most important quality essential to success is perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
You can have a fresh start any time you choose, for "failure" is not in the falling down, but in the staying down. It's not over until it's over.
If you've got the courage to stick it out, you'll attain your goal. Winning isn't everything, but wanting to is.
If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Success is connected with continuous action. It's largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. You're not finished when you're defeated, you're only finished when you quit.
The most important quality essential to success is perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
You can have a fresh start any time you choose, for "failure" is not in the falling down, but in the staying down. It's not over until it's over.
If you've got the courage to stick it out, you'll attain your goal. Winning isn't everything, but wanting to is.
If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
The Upside Of Irritation
------------------------------------------------
Things That Annoy Us
There are many stories of spiritual masters embracing the presence of an annoying student in their community. There is even one story that documents a teacher paying an irritating person to live among his students. From an everyday perspective, this is difficult to comprehend. We generally work hard to avoid people and things that we find annoying so they don't bother us.
From a deeper spiritual perspective, however, irritation can be an important teacher and indicator that we are making progress on our path. Being able to remain centered and awake even when we feel uncomfortable is much more impressive than doing so in an environment where everything is to our liking. No matter how good we are at controlling our circumstances, there will always be factors and people that we cannot control. How we respond to these experiences to a great degree determines the quality of our lives. The goal of spiritual development is not to learn to control our environment-which is more of an ego-driven desire. And while having some measure of control over our external reality is important, it is when we are confronted with a person or situation that irritates us and we can choose not to react that we know have made progress spiritually. It is when we have mastered our internal reality that we will have become the masters of our lives.
The more we try to eliminate annoyances, instead of learning to handle them gracefully, the further we get from developing the qualities that come with spiritual growth, such as patience, tolerance, and acceptance. It is often in the presence of people and experiences we find annoying that we have an opportunity to develop these qualities. Fortunately for most of us, our lives offer an abundance of opportunities to practice and cultivate these traits.
What do you think?
Things That Annoy Us
There are many stories of spiritual masters embracing the presence of an annoying student in their community. There is even one story that documents a teacher paying an irritating person to live among his students. From an everyday perspective, this is difficult to comprehend. We generally work hard to avoid people and things that we find annoying so they don't bother us.
From a deeper spiritual perspective, however, irritation can be an important teacher and indicator that we are making progress on our path. Being able to remain centered and awake even when we feel uncomfortable is much more impressive than doing so in an environment where everything is to our liking. No matter how good we are at controlling our circumstances, there will always be factors and people that we cannot control. How we respond to these experiences to a great degree determines the quality of our lives. The goal of spiritual development is not to learn to control our environment-which is more of an ego-driven desire. And while having some measure of control over our external reality is important, it is when we are confronted with a person or situation that irritates us and we can choose not to react that we know have made progress spiritually. It is when we have mastered our internal reality that we will have become the masters of our lives.
The more we try to eliminate annoyances, instead of learning to handle them gracefully, the further we get from developing the qualities that come with spiritual growth, such as patience, tolerance, and acceptance. It is often in the presence of people and experiences we find annoying that we have an opportunity to develop these qualities. Fortunately for most of us, our lives offer an abundance of opportunities to practice and cultivate these traits.
What do you think?
Never turn down an idea,...
it may turn out to be the next BIG winner!
-----------------------------------------------
- By Author Unknown
When young F. W. Woolworth was a store clerk, he tried to convince his boss to have a ten-cent sale to reduce inventory. The boss agreed, and the idea was a resounding success.
This inspired Woolworth to open his own store and price items at a nickel and a dime. He needed capital for such a venture, so he asked his boss to supply the capital for part interest in the store. His boss turned him down flat. "The idea is too risky," he told Woolworth. "There are not enough items to sell for five and ten cents."
Woolworth went ahead without his boss's backing, and he not only was successful in his first store, but eventually he owned a chain of F. W. Woolworth stores across the nation.
Later, his former boss was heard to remark, "As far as I can figure out, every word I used to turn Woolworth down cost me about a million dollars."
-----------------------------------------------
- By Author Unknown
When young F. W. Woolworth was a store clerk, he tried to convince his boss to have a ten-cent sale to reduce inventory. The boss agreed, and the idea was a resounding success.
This inspired Woolworth to open his own store and price items at a nickel and a dime. He needed capital for such a venture, so he asked his boss to supply the capital for part interest in the store. His boss turned him down flat. "The idea is too risky," he told Woolworth. "There are not enough items to sell for five and ten cents."
Woolworth went ahead without his boss's backing, and he not only was successful in his first store, but eventually he owned a chain of F. W. Woolworth stores across the nation.
Later, his former boss was heard to remark, "As far as I can figure out, every word I used to turn Woolworth down cost me about a million dollars."
SUCCESS IS WITHIN YOU
-------------------------------------------------
How things look on the outside of you always depends on how things are on the inside of you.
Your thoughts have brought you to where you are today. Your actions always mirror your thoughts. Take a good look at where you are and what you're doing, and you can understand what you've been thinking. Your mind is your true essence.
Your behavior is the perpetual revealing of yourself. What you do, tells everyone who and what you are.
Change your thoughts and you can change your position in life. You can start this process at anytime. Why not start today?
©2006 by Max Steingart
How things look on the outside of you always depends on how things are on the inside of you.
Your thoughts have brought you to where you are today. Your actions always mirror your thoughts. Take a good look at where you are and what you're doing, and you can understand what you've been thinking. Your mind is your true essence.
Your behavior is the perpetual revealing of yourself. What you do, tells everyone who and what you are.
Change your thoughts and you can change your position in life. You can start this process at anytime. Why not start today?
©2006 by Max Steingart
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Feeling For Blocks
-------------------------------------------------
Self-Body Scan
As the living vehicles for our spirits, our bodies deserve loving attention and care. We can positively affect our health, prevent illness, and heal injuries by regularly focusing our mental and spiritual energy on the workings of our bodies. This can be done by performing a body scan on yourself.
Begin by lying in a comfortable position and taking three deep cleansing breaths. Imagine, if you will, a sunbeam entering the top of your head. Feel this light slowly scanning each part of your internal body. Allow it to scan every cell in your body and keep breathing. Every time you exhale, blow out negative energy you may feel. Notice any changes in your body. Sensations may vary from person to person. You may feel a shift in body temperature, see a color or flash of light, or hear a voice offering you guidance. If you feel a block in a certain area of your body, sit with that block and feel into it. Ask your body why that block is there and what you need to do to release it. Try not to judge or analyze the wisdom that comes to you. Often, we experience energy blocks in our body because our body is trying to tell us something. You may want to breathe into that area until you feel the block dissolving. When you have finished your scan, take one last deep breath and exhale any energetic residue that you are ready to release.
The body doesn't lie, and it has much wisdom to share with us. Any injuries or blocks that exist in our bodies are there so that we can learn from having them in our bodies. An existing injury can teach us to slow down or help us recognize that something is out of balance in our bodies. The more you scan your body, the better you will become at it. If you sense that something is not right in your body, you may want to visit a doctor and tell them about your experience. When you have finished your scan, don't forget to thank your wonderful, amazing body.
What do you think?
Self-Body Scan
As the living vehicles for our spirits, our bodies deserve loving attention and care. We can positively affect our health, prevent illness, and heal injuries by regularly focusing our mental and spiritual energy on the workings of our bodies. This can be done by performing a body scan on yourself.
Begin by lying in a comfortable position and taking three deep cleansing breaths. Imagine, if you will, a sunbeam entering the top of your head. Feel this light slowly scanning each part of your internal body. Allow it to scan every cell in your body and keep breathing. Every time you exhale, blow out negative energy you may feel. Notice any changes in your body. Sensations may vary from person to person. You may feel a shift in body temperature, see a color or flash of light, or hear a voice offering you guidance. If you feel a block in a certain area of your body, sit with that block and feel into it. Ask your body why that block is there and what you need to do to release it. Try not to judge or analyze the wisdom that comes to you. Often, we experience energy blocks in our body because our body is trying to tell us something. You may want to breathe into that area until you feel the block dissolving. When you have finished your scan, take one last deep breath and exhale any energetic residue that you are ready to release.
The body doesn't lie, and it has much wisdom to share with us. Any injuries or blocks that exist in our bodies are there so that we can learn from having them in our bodies. An existing injury can teach us to slow down or help us recognize that something is out of balance in our bodies. The more you scan your body, the better you will become at it. If you sense that something is not right in your body, you may want to visit a doctor and tell them about your experience. When you have finished your scan, don't forget to thank your wonderful, amazing body.
What do you think?
How Life Looks When I Am Inspired
--------------------------------------------------
– By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer ***
The following excerpt is taken from the new book "Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling," by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. It is published by Hay House (March 2006) and is available as part of a special package at http://www.drwaynedyer.com/promotion.html
Chapter 18
“Give me a man who sings at his work.” – Thomas Carlyle
“They can because they think they can.” – Virgil
I’d like to acknowledge right from the outset that I don’t live at this level of being in-Spirit 100 percent of the time - like most everyone else, I occasionally have lapses and feel uninspired. Yet these moments have become rarer and rarer; in fact, it’s difficult for me to recall a day in the past several years when I felt completely uninspired.
What follows is a personal account of both how I feel inside and what seems to take place in the world around me when I feel connected to Spirit in the ways that I’ve written about.
* Jack
The same day that I completed Chapter 17 [of "Inspiration"] and read it over the telephone to my editor, Joanna, on Bainbridge Island, Washington, I had the most profoundly mystical experience of being in-Spirit in all of my 65 years. The photograph on the cover of the book is a re-creation of what happened.
When I finished up with Joanna, I went for my daily hour-long walk along the beach...but for some reason I elected to take a slightly different route along a grassy area ADJACENT to the beach. I was recalling my friend Jack Boland, a Unity minister in Detroit, who crossed over about a decade ago. Jack loved monarch butterflies, often telling stories of how he marveled at these paper-thin creatures who migrated thousands of miles in high winds and returned to the same branch on the same tree where they first emerged from their cocoons. Before Jack passed away, I presented him with a beautiful paperweight containing a dead monarch that I’d found in perfect condition. When he died, his wïfe returned it to me, telling me how much Jack loved that gift and how much he admired these amazing creatures who had such mysterious intelligence built into their brains, which are the size of a pinhead.
Jack always told me to “be in a state of gratitude,” and he ended every sermon with this message to God: “Thank You, thank You, thank You.” On three occasions since his death, a monarch butterfly has landed on my body. Since these creatures studiously avoid human contact, each time this has happened I’ve thought of Jack and thought, Thank You, God--thank You, thank You.
Anyway, as I walked, feeling grateful for having completed the second-to-last chapter of [the] book, a monarch landed on the ground, three feet in front of me. I said Jack’s magic words to myself (Thank You, God--thank You, thank You), and felt deep appreciation for my life and the beauty of the day. The butterfly stayed right there until I approached, then he flapped his wings several times and flew away. Thinking of Jack and feeling a little bewildered and immensely thankful, I watched this creature in flight, nöw 40 or 50 yards away.
As God is my witness, the butterfly made a U-turn and not only headed in my direction, but landed right smack on my finger! Needless to say, I was shocked--but not totally surprised. I must confess that it seems to me that the more I stay in-Spirit, the more I experience synchronicities similar to this one. But what followed did border on the incredulous, even for me.
This little creature became my constant companion for the next two-and-a-half hours--he sat first on one hand and then moved to my other hand, nevër even coming close to flying away. He seemed to be trying to communicate with me by moving his wings back and forth, and even opening and closing his tiny mouth as if attempting to speak...and as crazy as it may sound, I felt a deep affinity to this precious living being. I sat on the ground and simply stayed with my new fragile friend for 30 or so
minutes. Then I called Joanna from my cell phöne, and she was also stunned by the synchronicity, insisting that I somehow get a picture of this event.
* Inspirational Vibrations
When I live my life so as to be open to the language of Spirit, I find almost overwhelming rapture overtaking me. For several days after my experience with Jack, people kept telling me that I seemed so peaceful and content, and one woman even suggested that I was “walking grace.” This episode with my butterfly friend and the communiqués from Spirit touched me at an unprecedented level. From the perspective of being in-Spirit, I’ve seen Its hands embrace me and heard It say: “You are not alone. You can count on me to guide you--and whatever you do, do not doubt My presence.”
This makes me feel safe, comforted, and that I’m not alone. I feel good (God) because I’m living in almost perfect harmony with the Source of my being, living on purpose and writing from my heart. The reason I feel inspired isn’t because the world looks perfect. Rather, it’s the other way around: The reason the world looks perfect to me is because I’m in-Spirit -- person who chooses to live an inspired life. I’m able to stay in a state of gratitude from the moment I awake early in the morning right up until I close my eyes while falling asleep; and throughout each day, I’m reminded that staying in-Spirit is really about staying in vibrational harmony.
I don’t find it necessary to change anyone or anything that I encounter or read about in my daily life. Each time that I’m tempted to, I catch myself and return to a mind-set that calls to me to be more like God, right hëre and right nöw. I stay inspired by making an energetic shift within myself; when I do, the world looks completely different, and I move inwardly toward peace and kindness. The energetic shift is merely a way of processing people and events from the insight of being unified with the All-Creating Source--that is, by eschewing judgment and allowing the world to be as it IS, rather than as I think it SHOULD BE.
I stay inspired by encouraging others to live out their destiny and allowing the world to unfold as it will, and I’m much more likely to feel peaceful. In fact, when I’m living my life from this perspective of inspiration, my vibrational energy is more attuned to that of the creative energy of the Universe, and I find that my effect on others is far more spiritually aligned. Furthermore, I know within my own being that I’m doing something very powerful to make this world a more spiritually oriented place for us all.
You see, when I resonate to anger, shame, hatred, or revenge, I add to these decidedly nonspiritual energies by joining in what I find to be so objectionable. But when I remember to bring nonjudgment, love, tolerance, and compassion to these low, ego-dominated energies, I see how different the world looks, and even how different those around me act in the presence of these God-realized energies. I feel optimistic when I’m in-Spirit, with an inner knowing that nothing can interfere with an idea whose time is coming or has already arrived.
I trust that our Creator knows what It’s doing, and that good triumphs over what ego believes is bad or evil. I sense that we’re all moving toward a world that will no longer know the horrors of war or practice our long-established habits of inhumanity toward our brothers and sisters around the globe, who may have different cultural views and their own unique physical distinctiveness. By staying in-Spirit, I’m truly inspired to see the potential for greatness that’s in all of us, as one people, and
I turn from anguish to faith that at least I can live from a place of God-realization, and practice being a force for good (God).
Staying in vibrational alignment with Spirit allows me to be more present in all of my life activities. I find myself less concerned with goals, outcomes, winning, and accumulations, and far more involved in the process of enjoying the activities of my life. Arriving seems to replace striving, and being in a state of flow is far more common that my old uninspired state of worry and anguish. I remind myself that Spirit is only hëre and nöw--not yesterday, not tomorrow, only NÖW. By keeping my vibration aligned spiritually, I see the ecstasy in the present. Everything else
that once was a source of worry doesn’t come up for me, since the outcomes are already handled for me in my own mind. What will be, will be, I remind myself. The world looks so much more peaceful when I approach it this way, and my ego, which once needed to wïn at all costs, is relegated to a distant seat in a stadium in another galaxy!
http://www.drwaynedyer.com/promotion.html
-----------------
For a limited tïme, Dr. Wayne Dyer and a group of some of the world’s leading experts have created an outstanding offer for you that will surprise you, delight you, and definitely inspire you. This is where you need to go right nöw:
http://www.drwaynedyer.com/promotion.html
– By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer ***
The following excerpt is taken from the new book "Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling," by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. It is published by Hay House (March 2006) and is available as part of a special package at http://www.drwaynedyer.com/promotion.html
Chapter 18
“Give me a man who sings at his work.” – Thomas Carlyle
“They can because they think they can.” – Virgil
I’d like to acknowledge right from the outset that I don’t live at this level of being in-Spirit 100 percent of the time - like most everyone else, I occasionally have lapses and feel uninspired. Yet these moments have become rarer and rarer; in fact, it’s difficult for me to recall a day in the past several years when I felt completely uninspired.
What follows is a personal account of both how I feel inside and what seems to take place in the world around me when I feel connected to Spirit in the ways that I’ve written about.
* Jack
The same day that I completed Chapter 17 [of "Inspiration"] and read it over the telephone to my editor, Joanna, on Bainbridge Island, Washington, I had the most profoundly mystical experience of being in-Spirit in all of my 65 years. The photograph on the cover of the book is a re-creation of what happened.
When I finished up with Joanna, I went for my daily hour-long walk along the beach...but for some reason I elected to take a slightly different route along a grassy area ADJACENT to the beach. I was recalling my friend Jack Boland, a Unity minister in Detroit, who crossed over about a decade ago. Jack loved monarch butterflies, often telling stories of how he marveled at these paper-thin creatures who migrated thousands of miles in high winds and returned to the same branch on the same tree where they first emerged from their cocoons. Before Jack passed away, I presented him with a beautiful paperweight containing a dead monarch that I’d found in perfect condition. When he died, his wïfe returned it to me, telling me how much Jack loved that gift and how much he admired these amazing creatures who had such mysterious intelligence built into their brains, which are the size of a pinhead.
Jack always told me to “be in a state of gratitude,” and he ended every sermon with this message to God: “Thank You, thank You, thank You.” On three occasions since his death, a monarch butterfly has landed on my body. Since these creatures studiously avoid human contact, each time this has happened I’ve thought of Jack and thought, Thank You, God--thank You, thank You.
Anyway, as I walked, feeling grateful for having completed the second-to-last chapter of [the] book, a monarch landed on the ground, three feet in front of me. I said Jack’s magic words to myself (Thank You, God--thank You, thank You), and felt deep appreciation for my life and the beauty of the day. The butterfly stayed right there until I approached, then he flapped his wings several times and flew away. Thinking of Jack and feeling a little bewildered and immensely thankful, I watched this creature in flight, nöw 40 or 50 yards away.
As God is my witness, the butterfly made a U-turn and not only headed in my direction, but landed right smack on my finger! Needless to say, I was shocked--but not totally surprised. I must confess that it seems to me that the more I stay in-Spirit, the more I experience synchronicities similar to this one. But what followed did border on the incredulous, even for me.
This little creature became my constant companion for the next two-and-a-half hours--he sat first on one hand and then moved to my other hand, nevër even coming close to flying away. He seemed to be trying to communicate with me by moving his wings back and forth, and even opening and closing his tiny mouth as if attempting to speak...and as crazy as it may sound, I felt a deep affinity to this precious living being. I sat on the ground and simply stayed with my new fragile friend for 30 or so
minutes. Then I called Joanna from my cell phöne, and she was also stunned by the synchronicity, insisting that I somehow get a picture of this event.
* Inspirational Vibrations
When I live my life so as to be open to the language of Spirit, I find almost overwhelming rapture overtaking me. For several days after my experience with Jack, people kept telling me that I seemed so peaceful and content, and one woman even suggested that I was “walking grace.” This episode with my butterfly friend and the communiqués from Spirit touched me at an unprecedented level. From the perspective of being in-Spirit, I’ve seen Its hands embrace me and heard It say: “You are not alone. You can count on me to guide you--and whatever you do, do not doubt My presence.”
This makes me feel safe, comforted, and that I’m not alone. I feel good (God) because I’m living in almost perfect harmony with the Source of my being, living on purpose and writing from my heart. The reason I feel inspired isn’t because the world looks perfect. Rather, it’s the other way around: The reason the world looks perfect to me is because I’m in-Spirit -- person who chooses to live an inspired life. I’m able to stay in a state of gratitude from the moment I awake early in the morning right up until I close my eyes while falling asleep; and throughout each day, I’m reminded that staying in-Spirit is really about staying in vibrational harmony.
I don’t find it necessary to change anyone or anything that I encounter or read about in my daily life. Each time that I’m tempted to, I catch myself and return to a mind-set that calls to me to be more like God, right hëre and right nöw. I stay inspired by making an energetic shift within myself; when I do, the world looks completely different, and I move inwardly toward peace and kindness. The energetic shift is merely a way of processing people and events from the insight of being unified with the All-Creating Source--that is, by eschewing judgment and allowing the world to be as it IS, rather than as I think it SHOULD BE.
I stay inspired by encouraging others to live out their destiny and allowing the world to unfold as it will, and I’m much more likely to feel peaceful. In fact, when I’m living my life from this perspective of inspiration, my vibrational energy is more attuned to that of the creative energy of the Universe, and I find that my effect on others is far more spiritually aligned. Furthermore, I know within my own being that I’m doing something very powerful to make this world a more spiritually oriented place for us all.
You see, when I resonate to anger, shame, hatred, or revenge, I add to these decidedly nonspiritual energies by joining in what I find to be so objectionable. But when I remember to bring nonjudgment, love, tolerance, and compassion to these low, ego-dominated energies, I see how different the world looks, and even how different those around me act in the presence of these God-realized energies. I feel optimistic when I’m in-Spirit, with an inner knowing that nothing can interfere with an idea whose time is coming or has already arrived.
I trust that our Creator knows what It’s doing, and that good triumphs over what ego believes is bad or evil. I sense that we’re all moving toward a world that will no longer know the horrors of war or practice our long-established habits of inhumanity toward our brothers and sisters around the globe, who may have different cultural views and their own unique physical distinctiveness. By staying in-Spirit, I’m truly inspired to see the potential for greatness that’s in all of us, as one people, and
I turn from anguish to faith that at least I can live from a place of God-realization, and practice being a force for good (God).
Staying in vibrational alignment with Spirit allows me to be more present in all of my life activities. I find myself less concerned with goals, outcomes, winning, and accumulations, and far more involved in the process of enjoying the activities of my life. Arriving seems to replace striving, and being in a state of flow is far more common that my old uninspired state of worry and anguish. I remind myself that Spirit is only hëre and nöw--not yesterday, not tomorrow, only NÖW. By keeping my vibration aligned spiritually, I see the ecstasy in the present. Everything else
that once was a source of worry doesn’t come up for me, since the outcomes are already handled for me in my own mind. What will be, will be, I remind myself. The world looks so much more peaceful when I approach it this way, and my ego, which once needed to wïn at all costs, is relegated to a distant seat in a stadium in another galaxy!
http://www.drwaynedyer.com/promotion.html
-----------------
For a limited tïme, Dr. Wayne Dyer and a group of some of the world’s leading experts have created an outstanding offer for you that will surprise you, delight you, and definitely inspire you. This is where you need to go right nöw:
http://www.drwaynedyer.com/promotion.html
YOU'LL FIND TRUE JOY USING YOUR POTENTIAL
-----------------------------------------------
Your greatest success and happiness in life will be found when you use your natural abilities to their fullest extent.
Happiness is not in having or being, it's in the doing. The essence of true wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is activity, laughter and love.
You were created to conquer your environment, to solve problems and to achieve goals. You'll find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve.
Yes, there is true happiness. It's found in doing a job well done, in achieving a worthy goal, in putting your child to sleep, and in writing the last line of your journal.
Your personal growth itself contains the seed of happiness.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Your greatest success and happiness in life will be found when you use your natural abilities to their fullest extent.
Happiness is not in having or being, it's in the doing. The essence of true wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is activity, laughter and love.
You were created to conquer your environment, to solve problems and to achieve goals. You'll find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve.
Yes, there is true happiness. It's found in doing a job well done, in achieving a worthy goal, in putting your child to sleep, and in writing the last line of your journal.
Your personal growth itself contains the seed of happiness.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Monday, March 06, 2006
YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHANCE
-------------------------------------------------
You have the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you as soon as you change your beliefs. If you did all the things you're capable of doing, you would literally amaze yourself.
You know what you are today, but not what you may become tomorrow. Look at things as you want them to be, and then make those things happen. You don't know what you can do until you try.
You can do anything you wish to do, have anything you wish to have, be anything you wish to be.
Never say never.
©2006 by Max Steingart
You have the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you as soon as you change your beliefs. If you did all the things you're capable of doing, you would literally amaze yourself.
You know what you are today, but not what you may become tomorrow. Look at things as you want them to be, and then make those things happen. You don't know what you can do until you try.
You can do anything you wish to do, have anything you wish to have, be anything you wish to be.
Never say never.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Friday, March 03, 2006
Clarity Of Soul
------------------------------------------------
Chakra Clearing Exercise
Just as the physical spaces we inhabit require that we clear them periodically of clutter, the energetic fields that are a vital part of our being must also be cleared of old thoughts, energy, and emotions. Clearing your chakras and your aura restores and strengthens your connection to yourself and your divine inner wisdom. Unfettered by energetic baggage masquerading as fear, pain, and self-hatred, your consciousness is once again free to grow. If you find the thought of clearing your energy fields disconcerting, simply think of it as cleansing the energy that surrounds you and releasing any stagnancy. You may not be able to see the results of your efforts, but you will experience a lightness of being and clarity of mind.
You can begin by sitting or lying down on a comfortable surface. Take a series of deep breaths and allow your soul to connect with Mother Earth and the vast expanse of the Universe. Visualize your first chakra, situated near the tailbone, and imagine if you will, a valve opening there, much like a faucet. Imagine a cord dropping from your tailbone deep into Mother Earth and let everything that is stagnant within you flow through it. Let go of old energy, inactive thoughts, and anything else that no longer serves you. Ask the earth to accept what you are offering by turning this old energy into light. Continue to let old energy drain out of you until you feel like you've released all your energetic baggage. When you are done, imagine the valve closing. Before moving on to clear your next chakra, let vibrant terra cotta light travel upward from the earth and through the cord into your first chakra. Repeat this process with all seven of the body's chakras. The second chakra is orange, the third is yellow, the fourth is green, the fifth is blue, the sixth is indigo and the 7th is violet. Afterward, visualize your crown chakra and draw beautiful, golden-white light from the universe flowing down through the top of your head. Release any worries or fears that you have been holding on to. Draw this light into your aura and enjoy the resultant feeling of peace.
To finish clearing your energy and ensure that you have rid yourself of the last vestiges of clutter, take a bath infused with one cup apple cider vinegar, one cup Epsom salt, and one cup sea salt. After completing this exercise, be sure to thank Mother Earth and the universe for their help.
What do you think?
Chakra Clearing Exercise
Just as the physical spaces we inhabit require that we clear them periodically of clutter, the energetic fields that are a vital part of our being must also be cleared of old thoughts, energy, and emotions. Clearing your chakras and your aura restores and strengthens your connection to yourself and your divine inner wisdom. Unfettered by energetic baggage masquerading as fear, pain, and self-hatred, your consciousness is once again free to grow. If you find the thought of clearing your energy fields disconcerting, simply think of it as cleansing the energy that surrounds you and releasing any stagnancy. You may not be able to see the results of your efforts, but you will experience a lightness of being and clarity of mind.
You can begin by sitting or lying down on a comfortable surface. Take a series of deep breaths and allow your soul to connect with Mother Earth and the vast expanse of the Universe. Visualize your first chakra, situated near the tailbone, and imagine if you will, a valve opening there, much like a faucet. Imagine a cord dropping from your tailbone deep into Mother Earth and let everything that is stagnant within you flow through it. Let go of old energy, inactive thoughts, and anything else that no longer serves you. Ask the earth to accept what you are offering by turning this old energy into light. Continue to let old energy drain out of you until you feel like you've released all your energetic baggage. When you are done, imagine the valve closing. Before moving on to clear your next chakra, let vibrant terra cotta light travel upward from the earth and through the cord into your first chakra. Repeat this process with all seven of the body's chakras. The second chakra is orange, the third is yellow, the fourth is green, the fifth is blue, the sixth is indigo and the 7th is violet. Afterward, visualize your crown chakra and draw beautiful, golden-white light from the universe flowing down through the top of your head. Release any worries or fears that you have been holding on to. Draw this light into your aura and enjoy the resultant feeling of peace.
To finish clearing your energy and ensure that you have rid yourself of the last vestiges of clutter, take a bath infused with one cup apple cider vinegar, one cup Epsom salt, and one cup sea salt. After completing this exercise, be sure to thank Mother Earth and the universe for their help.
What do you think?
Stress Management
-------------------------------------------------
A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it."
"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it!"
And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
The second mouse gets the cheese.
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
You may be only one person in the world to some people, but to one person, you may be the world.
We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Have an awesome day!
- Sent to you as a courtesy of...Your friends at AsAManThinketh.net
A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it."
"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it!"
And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
The second mouse gets the cheese.
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
You may be only one person in the world to some people, but to one person, you may be the world.
We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Have an awesome day!
- Sent to you as a courtesy of...Your friends at AsAManThinketh.net
YOUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE
-------------------------------------------------
You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true.
The achievement of your goal is assured the moment you commit yourself to it. If you have the desire, you have the power to attain it.
You can have anything you want in life if you're willing to make sacrifices to get it.
Your dreams can come true if you pursue them. Where there's a will, there's always a way.
©2006 by Max Steingart
You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true.
The achievement of your goal is assured the moment you commit yourself to it. If you have the desire, you have the power to attain it.
You can have anything you want in life if you're willing to make sacrifices to get it.
Your dreams can come true if you pursue them. Where there's a will, there's always a way.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Applying Their Principles
-------------------------------------------------
Yogis of Tibet
The word "yogi" means "to realize the wisdom of pure awareness." To do this, the yogis of Tibet practice Tibetan Buddhist meditation techniques. They have gained a level of mastery that makes it possible for them to practice in isolation for periods of one to three years. During this time, they focus their complete attention on connecting with spirit and gain an extraordinary level of control over their minds and bodies. We may not want to focus on one activity for one to three years, but there are principles that the yogis of Tibet live by that we can apply to our lives.
Like all yogis, we can make it a priority to connect with spirit. A few moments spent focusing our attention inward can allow us to see life with fresh eyes. We can also expand our view of the world by educating ourselves like the yogis do before they attain yogic mastery. Yogis study not only spiritual disciplines, but they also study science, philosophy, the arts, and medicine. Another way to emulate the yogis of Tibet is to focus our minds on positive thoughts that affirm the well-being of the planet. Yogis chant prayers for the well-being of the world even while doing tasks that don't require their full concentration. It is through chanting, positive thoughts, and meditation that we learn to have compassion, feel empathy, and look for the good in every situation. We also become aware of our ability to create change in the world with our thoughts, actions, and intentions.
The yogis of Tibet have been called "supreme artists of life" for their ability to treat every situation like a spiritual endeavor. As we aspire to express the same art of patience, compassion, and peace in our lives, we too can radiate the tranquility, warmth, and joy attributed to these spiritual masters.
What do you think?
Yogis of Tibet
The word "yogi" means "to realize the wisdom of pure awareness." To do this, the yogis of Tibet practice Tibetan Buddhist meditation techniques. They have gained a level of mastery that makes it possible for them to practice in isolation for periods of one to three years. During this time, they focus their complete attention on connecting with spirit and gain an extraordinary level of control over their minds and bodies. We may not want to focus on one activity for one to three years, but there are principles that the yogis of Tibet live by that we can apply to our lives.
Like all yogis, we can make it a priority to connect with spirit. A few moments spent focusing our attention inward can allow us to see life with fresh eyes. We can also expand our view of the world by educating ourselves like the yogis do before they attain yogic mastery. Yogis study not only spiritual disciplines, but they also study science, philosophy, the arts, and medicine. Another way to emulate the yogis of Tibet is to focus our minds on positive thoughts that affirm the well-being of the planet. Yogis chant prayers for the well-being of the world even while doing tasks that don't require their full concentration. It is through chanting, positive thoughts, and meditation that we learn to have compassion, feel empathy, and look for the good in every situation. We also become aware of our ability to create change in the world with our thoughts, actions, and intentions.
The yogis of Tibet have been called "supreme artists of life" for their ability to treat every situation like a spiritual endeavor. As we aspire to express the same art of patience, compassion, and peace in our lives, we too can radiate the tranquility, warmth, and joy attributed to these spiritual masters.
What do you think?
Six Ways to Overcome Fear
– By Marcia Wieder, America's Dream Coach®
------------------------------------------------
As you get closer to fulfilling your dreams, don’t be surprised if doubt and fear surface. The number-one way we sabotage our dreams is by saying things like, “But, what if?” and imagining the worst. But, what if I...fail, succeed, say or do the wrong thing, don’t make enough monëy?
With this thinking, as you move toward your dream, you’ll also move toward your fears and worst nightmares. With too much to risk, most of us give up or nevër even begin. Hëre are six ways to overcome fear:
1. If you feel indecisive, this can help. Draw a line across the center of a piece of paper. On the top, write your dream in as much detail as possible. On the bottom, write out your reality (about this dream) including your fears, doubts and “but, what ifs.”
Are you more committed to your dream or to your fear?
Two things will cause you to be more committed to your fear. The first is if you don’t have a clearly defined dream. The second is if you project your worst fears into your dream, you’ll choose reality because it’s safer. But when fear is placed in its proper place, as part of reality, it’s easier to be more committed to your vision, and fear simply becomes something to manage.
2. As you connect to your dreams, you’ll often run into the voice of your “Doubter.” We might ignore or obsess over this because it tells us everything that might go wrong. Left unattended, this voice can be disruptive. But turn the Doubter down and it becomes the voice of the “Realist,” who primarily wants to know what you are planning, usually related to time and monëy issues. Early on, you may not have all the details figured out, which is why going to strategy too soon can actually hinder or limit your dream. Interview your Doubter and be curious. Capture its needs, insights, and wisdom.
3. Your Doubter can provide a list of obstacles based on its fears and concerns. The Dream Coach rule is, wherever there’s an obstacle, design a strategy to manage it. Make a list of your obstacles and identify which ones are negative self-perceptions or beliefs and which ones require strategies. The first step in managing fear is to identify exactly what you are afraid if. Just saying, “I’m afraid,” can be a whitewash and keep you stuck. Identify what you fear.
4. Beliefs are nevër neutral. They either move you forward or hold you back, but you choose what to believe. The way to move from limiting beliefs that hold you back to empowering beliefs that move you forward is through willingness, courage, and practice. Be willing to believe in yourself and your dreams and have the courage to act on what you believe. Develop this as part of your identity by practicing this behavior continuously until it becomes true.
5. Are you aware of what typically stops you? For most of us, it’s something we hate, we’re not good at, or that we have no idea how to tackle. It can be frightening, and when that task is essential to the success of your venture, it could be your demise. Don’t allow one need or issue to destroy your dream.
If your dream is to write a book but you can’t type, this doesn’t have to stop you. Learn a new skill or hire someone. If you can’t afford that, explore bartering. Get creative and get going. The time you waste worrying would best be used by seeking guidance and finding answers.
6. Overcome fear and other obstacles (even time and monëy issues) by enrolling others into your vision. Master this skill and you’ll accomplish bïgger dreams with less effort. Learn to talk to anyone, anytime, and anyplace about their dreams in a way where they feel inspired. Ask what their personal or professional dreams are and explore. Build an arsenal of people that you can reach out to in a pinch. Develop a robust database of brilliant resources that you can access at any given moment. Build a community of fellow dreamers or join one that already exists like this: http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/dreamcircle.html
About the Author:
As America’s Dream Coach®, Marcia Wieder travels the world -- an ambassador for making dreams real. To learn how you can get support on your dreams, go to http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/dreamcircle.html
------------------------------------------------
As you get closer to fulfilling your dreams, don’t be surprised if doubt and fear surface. The number-one way we sabotage our dreams is by saying things like, “But, what if?” and imagining the worst. But, what if I...fail, succeed, say or do the wrong thing, don’t make enough monëy?
With this thinking, as you move toward your dream, you’ll also move toward your fears and worst nightmares. With too much to risk, most of us give up or nevër even begin. Hëre are six ways to overcome fear:
1. If you feel indecisive, this can help. Draw a line across the center of a piece of paper. On the top, write your dream in as much detail as possible. On the bottom, write out your reality (about this dream) including your fears, doubts and “but, what ifs.”
Are you more committed to your dream or to your fear?
Two things will cause you to be more committed to your fear. The first is if you don’t have a clearly defined dream. The second is if you project your worst fears into your dream, you’ll choose reality because it’s safer. But when fear is placed in its proper place, as part of reality, it’s easier to be more committed to your vision, and fear simply becomes something to manage.
2. As you connect to your dreams, you’ll often run into the voice of your “Doubter.” We might ignore or obsess over this because it tells us everything that might go wrong. Left unattended, this voice can be disruptive. But turn the Doubter down and it becomes the voice of the “Realist,” who primarily wants to know what you are planning, usually related to time and monëy issues. Early on, you may not have all the details figured out, which is why going to strategy too soon can actually hinder or limit your dream. Interview your Doubter and be curious. Capture its needs, insights, and wisdom.
3. Your Doubter can provide a list of obstacles based on its fears and concerns. The Dream Coach rule is, wherever there’s an obstacle, design a strategy to manage it. Make a list of your obstacles and identify which ones are negative self-perceptions or beliefs and which ones require strategies. The first step in managing fear is to identify exactly what you are afraid if. Just saying, “I’m afraid,” can be a whitewash and keep you stuck. Identify what you fear.
4. Beliefs are nevër neutral. They either move you forward or hold you back, but you choose what to believe. The way to move from limiting beliefs that hold you back to empowering beliefs that move you forward is through willingness, courage, and practice. Be willing to believe in yourself and your dreams and have the courage to act on what you believe. Develop this as part of your identity by practicing this behavior continuously until it becomes true.
5. Are you aware of what typically stops you? For most of us, it’s something we hate, we’re not good at, or that we have no idea how to tackle. It can be frightening, and when that task is essential to the success of your venture, it could be your demise. Don’t allow one need or issue to destroy your dream.
If your dream is to write a book but you can’t type, this doesn’t have to stop you. Learn a new skill or hire someone. If you can’t afford that, explore bartering. Get creative and get going. The time you waste worrying would best be used by seeking guidance and finding answers.
6. Overcome fear and other obstacles (even time and monëy issues) by enrolling others into your vision. Master this skill and you’ll accomplish bïgger dreams with less effort. Learn to talk to anyone, anytime, and anyplace about their dreams in a way where they feel inspired. Ask what their personal or professional dreams are and explore. Build an arsenal of people that you can reach out to in a pinch. Develop a robust database of brilliant resources that you can access at any given moment. Build a community of fellow dreamers or join one that already exists like this: http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/dreamcircle.html
About the Author:
As America’s Dream Coach®, Marcia Wieder travels the world -- an ambassador for making dreams real. To learn how you can get support on your dreams, go to http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/dreamcircle.html
YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOU
-------------------------------------------------
While your character is formed by circumstances, your own desires can do much to shape those circumstances. Thus, you have the power over the formation of your own character. You're the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.
Nature is always at work around you. Your character and destiny are her handiwork. She gives you love and hate, jealousy and reverence. You have the power to choose which impulse you will follow.
You can at any time decide to alter the course of your life. No one can ever take that away from you.
The greatest power you possess is the power to choose. You're the master of your joys and your sorrows.
©2006 by Max Steingart
While your character is formed by circumstances, your own desires can do much to shape those circumstances. Thus, you have the power over the formation of your own character. You're the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.
Nature is always at work around you. Your character and destiny are her handiwork. She gives you love and hate, jealousy and reverence. You have the power to choose which impulse you will follow.
You can at any time decide to alter the course of your life. No one can ever take that away from you.
The greatest power you possess is the power to choose. You're the master of your joys and your sorrows.
©2006 by Max Steingart
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Gift Of Solitude
-------------------------------------------------
When Isolation Is Ok
We all need time alone. Even those of us who are social butterflies need some time to ourselves. Solitude is necessary for meditation and quiet reflection. We also may choose to isolate ourselves when we are busy and need to meet a deadline. We may cherish time alone when we want to give ourselves over to art or music, lose ourselves in a good book, or delve into a personal project. Having time to ourselves allows us to focus completely on our yoga practice or get into the zone while running or strength training. Sometimes we need to be alone to simply do nothing but enjoy the sound of silence. Our alone time revitalizes and replenishes us, grounding us in our own company.
Yet, too much isolation, especially when our intention is to hide, withdraw, or not deal with the realities of our lives is not physically, mentally, or spiritually healthy. It is during moments like these when being in isolation takes us away from our lives, rather than enhancing it. If anything, too much isolation can create a buffer whereby we don't have to deal with our problems. Sometimes, pushing ourselves to deal with our issues and be in our lives, rather than isolate, is one of the best gifts we can give to ourselves.
Also, just as it is important for us to have our "alone" time, we need to remember that as human beings, we are by nature social creatures that thrive on human contact. Our lives cannot occur in a vacuum, and we cannot fully live in this world without interacting with others. Consider using isolation as time spent for rest, reinvigoration, and personal growth. Isolation can then not only empower you, but it can allow you to return to your work and your relationships restored and ready for life.
Click here for your free DailyCD
What do you think?
When Isolation Is Ok
We all need time alone. Even those of us who are social butterflies need some time to ourselves. Solitude is necessary for meditation and quiet reflection. We also may choose to isolate ourselves when we are busy and need to meet a deadline. We may cherish time alone when we want to give ourselves over to art or music, lose ourselves in a good book, or delve into a personal project. Having time to ourselves allows us to focus completely on our yoga practice or get into the zone while running or strength training. Sometimes we need to be alone to simply do nothing but enjoy the sound of silence. Our alone time revitalizes and replenishes us, grounding us in our own company.
Yet, too much isolation, especially when our intention is to hide, withdraw, or not deal with the realities of our lives is not physically, mentally, or spiritually healthy. It is during moments like these when being in isolation takes us away from our lives, rather than enhancing it. If anything, too much isolation can create a buffer whereby we don't have to deal with our problems. Sometimes, pushing ourselves to deal with our issues and be in our lives, rather than isolate, is one of the best gifts we can give to ourselves.
Also, just as it is important for us to have our "alone" time, we need to remember that as human beings, we are by nature social creatures that thrive on human contact. Our lives cannot occur in a vacuum, and we cannot fully live in this world without interacting with others. Consider using isolation as time spent for rest, reinvigoration, and personal growth. Isolation can then not only empower you, but it can allow you to return to your work and your relationships restored and ready for life.
Click here for your free DailyCD
What do you think?
Personal and Professional Development
What’s the Difference?
----------------------------------------------------
– By Kevin Eikenberry
When people ask me about my business, I tell them I’m in the learning business-- that we help organizations, teams and individuals reach their potential through learning. This is a fine statement and it does describe the breadth of what we do, but it often leads to the follow-up question like... “Do you do personal development stuff or just business skills training?”
My answer is yes.
Because I don’t believe there is a significant difference between personal development and professional development.
Why do I say that?
The Reasons Why:
Since my opinion might differ from yours, or perhaps you’ve nevër thought about this, it makes sense to explain myself. There are at least five major reasons why I think personal and professional development are the same thing.
Learning is Learning. We were granted an amazing potential for learning at birth. Most of us haven’t used very much of that potential. It’s like we are mowing our lawn with a jet engine. Sure the jet engine has enough horsepower to turn the blade, but it has virtually unlimïted potential that isn’t being used. When we are learning we are increasing our capacity to learn more because we are flexing and exercising our “learning muscles.” In other words, whenever we are learning we are increasing our capacity to learn even more.
All Experience Counts. One of the powerful ways that we learn is by connecting new learning to what we already know. As we continue to build our knowledge and experiences, it allows us to make new connections faster. In other words, the more we learn, the more successful we will be at learning new things, and in most situations more quickly with deeper understanding.
We’re a Whole Package. It isn’t like we go to work and don’t use anything we know from our personal life to be more effective professionally. And while we may not need to know how to repair rotating drum equipment at home--those skills might help you diagnose the problem with your washing machine. And even though you don’t have to back up the system database at home, you might be able to deal with your home PC better because of what you learned at work. And while you hope you’ll nevër need to follow the new Customer Service procedure at home, that procedure might teach you
something when following a process, or be more understanding when you are the customer.
The bottom line is that we are complete humans, and as such we take our entire work knowledge home and bring all of our personal knowledge and experience to work. So any förm of growth or development will benefit you both personally and professionally.
The Most Important Skills are Always the Most Important. Where does being a better listener help you--at home or at work? Both, of course. When you learn how to coach more effectively at work, does it make you a better parent? It sure can!
We could make a long list of these valuable skills, from communication to dealing with conflict, to learning how to learn, to giving better feedback to being more creative... you get the idea (and have probably thought of five other examples yourself by nöw). There are many skills that we might learn as “self improvement” that will help us at work, and vice versa. So why label it one or the other?
Serendipity Rules. Because our learning grows based on connections, you nevër know when something you learned on the Discovery Channel might give you an ‘a-ha’ at work, or that the insight shared by the seminar leader at work helps you solve a vexing problem at home. Again, all development, all learning, all growth helps us in all parts of our lives.
But wait.
Does all of this mean that as I become a better knitter or bowler, I’ll be more productive and successful at work? Yes, for the reasons I described above (and some others too).
That doesn’t mean that your organization should send everyone to knitting class or bowling lessons, but it does mean that there is substantial merit in supporting any förm of learning regardless of the content.
In the end, my goal is to help you view all skills more broadly in their application--instead of classifying some things as “personal development” and therefore they don’t matter at work.
Learning is learning. Personal development is professional development.
When you stop worrying about the distinctions, but rather think about the applications, you serve yourself and others much better.
About the Author:
Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group - http://KevinEikenberry.com - a learning consulting company. To receive a frëe Special Report on leadership that includes resources, ideas, and advice go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/leadership.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.
----------------------------------------------------
– By Kevin Eikenberry
When people ask me about my business, I tell them I’m in the learning business-- that we help organizations, teams and individuals reach their potential through learning. This is a fine statement and it does describe the breadth of what we do, but it often leads to the follow-up question like... “Do you do personal development stuff or just business skills training?”
My answer is yes.
Because I don’t believe there is a significant difference between personal development and professional development.
Why do I say that?
The Reasons Why:
Since my opinion might differ from yours, or perhaps you’ve nevër thought about this, it makes sense to explain myself. There are at least five major reasons why I think personal and professional development are the same thing.
Learning is Learning. We were granted an amazing potential for learning at birth. Most of us haven’t used very much of that potential. It’s like we are mowing our lawn with a jet engine. Sure the jet engine has enough horsepower to turn the blade, but it has virtually unlimïted potential that isn’t being used. When we are learning we are increasing our capacity to learn more because we are flexing and exercising our “learning muscles.” In other words, whenever we are learning we are increasing our capacity to learn even more.
All Experience Counts. One of the powerful ways that we learn is by connecting new learning to what we already know. As we continue to build our knowledge and experiences, it allows us to make new connections faster. In other words, the more we learn, the more successful we will be at learning new things, and in most situations more quickly with deeper understanding.
We’re a Whole Package. It isn’t like we go to work and don’t use anything we know from our personal life to be more effective professionally. And while we may not need to know how to repair rotating drum equipment at home--those skills might help you diagnose the problem with your washing machine. And even though you don’t have to back up the system database at home, you might be able to deal with your home PC better because of what you learned at work. And while you hope you’ll nevër need to follow the new Customer Service procedure at home, that procedure might teach you
something when following a process, or be more understanding when you are the customer.
The bottom line is that we are complete humans, and as such we take our entire work knowledge home and bring all of our personal knowledge and experience to work. So any förm of growth or development will benefit you both personally and professionally.
The Most Important Skills are Always the Most Important. Where does being a better listener help you--at home or at work? Both, of course. When you learn how to coach more effectively at work, does it make you a better parent? It sure can!
We could make a long list of these valuable skills, from communication to dealing with conflict, to learning how to learn, to giving better feedback to being more creative... you get the idea (and have probably thought of five other examples yourself by nöw). There are many skills that we might learn as “self improvement” that will help us at work, and vice versa. So why label it one or the other?
Serendipity Rules. Because our learning grows based on connections, you nevër know when something you learned on the Discovery Channel might give you an ‘a-ha’ at work, or that the insight shared by the seminar leader at work helps you solve a vexing problem at home. Again, all development, all learning, all growth helps us in all parts of our lives.
But wait.
Does all of this mean that as I become a better knitter or bowler, I’ll be more productive and successful at work? Yes, for the reasons I described above (and some others too).
That doesn’t mean that your organization should send everyone to knitting class or bowling lessons, but it does mean that there is substantial merit in supporting any förm of learning regardless of the content.
In the end, my goal is to help you view all skills more broadly in their application--instead of classifying some things as “personal development” and therefore they don’t matter at work.
Learning is learning. Personal development is professional development.
When you stop worrying about the distinctions, but rather think about the applications, you serve yourself and others much better.
About the Author:
Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group - http://KevinEikenberry.com - a learning consulting company. To receive a frëe Special Report on leadership that includes resources, ideas, and advice go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/leadership.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK
-------------------------------------------------
Whatever you plant in your subconscious mind and nourish every day with conviction and emotion will one day become a reality.
Constant repetition carries conviction. Repeat something often enough and it will start to become you. A change in what you tell yourself will result in a change in your behavior.
What you impress upon your mind, you'll inevitably become. Self suggestion will make you master of yourself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
©2006 by Max Steingart
Whatever you plant in your subconscious mind and nourish every day with conviction and emotion will one day become a reality.
Constant repetition carries conviction. Repeat something often enough and it will start to become you. A change in what you tell yourself will result in a change in your behavior.
What you impress upon your mind, you'll inevitably become. Self suggestion will make you master of yourself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
©2006 by Max Steingart
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)