I made it! Today is my 365th blog and I have completed my goal for 2007. I am ecstatic about following through and completing what I set out to do. It has changed my life in many ways. I met my beautiful fiancée, became a part of a wonderful family, have the material to develop multiple personal development books, and I have developed the discipline to become an author. All of this in the course of one short year! I would say that is quite an accomplishment. In 2008, I am determined to write my first personal development book, write a thriller, and submit both books to a publisher. In addition to that, I am getting married. It will be a banner year! It is amazing how much you can get done in the course of a year if you break it up into individual daily goals. I have discovered how valuable discipline and dedication are to achieving your goals.
For me, I have always had a lofty vision for my life. I have dreamed of being a high achiever and of traveling all over the world. Well, I have finally met someone who shares my love of travel and adventure. We both love to have fun and we are very active. I have learned that while I want to have a lot of money, my goals have changed. I am no longer interested in acquiring many things, but rather being able to go places so that I can spend time experiencing other cultures. By moving to Washington, D.C from Texas, I have expanded my exposure to many cultures and experiences. My life is completely different than it was and it has not required huge changes. It has required that I follow my heart and my passions, and that I am true to myself. I have learned that gratitude is a gift and that the more that I am grateful for each day and all that it brings me, the better I feel about life. I have discovered that the more I enjoy the little things, the more I enjoy everything. Life is all about the attitude that you bring with you. It is a state of mind and you are in control of your experience. You may not be able to control all of the activities, but you can control your reactions to those activities. Your attitude about life will determine how you react and what you react too. When you are upset, you have a different way of looking at people’s actions than you do when you are happy. You tend to notice more of the negative when you are in a negative frame of mind. Like attracts like…so monitor your frame of mind. You have control over your state of mind. You can feel good or happy at any moment by simply doing so. It is under your control.
This is your life and you are the only one who can control what you experience. Since you have free will, you have the choice to live it to its fullest, or completely blow it off. That is your decision and you will have no one to blame but yourself if you choose the latter option. Too many people wait until life is almost over before they realize that it is meant to be lived. We bog ourselves down with unimportant things. All that really matters is happiness and making the most out of each moment that we have. Each day, you should be grateful that you are alive and focus on making today the best day it can be. The more you do that, the better you will feel about the day and you will seek to find more experiences that you want to do and you will live them. There is a movie that is coming out soon called, “The Bucket List.” It is about a couple of guys who find out they are going to die soon and they make a list of all of the things they must do before they die. I have a list like that now and I am not planning to die for a long time. You do not have to wait until your last days to start doing the things you want to do. In fact, it is better not to. On your deathbed, you should be able to meet death with peace because you have done everything that you want to do. Certainly, there will be people you will miss and that will miss you. However, you should be at peace with yourself because you have no regrets and you lived. Your legacy should not be the possessions you left behind; it should be the stories of the lives that you touched. The best way to help the world is to help yourself. Enjoy your life to its fullest and give back by sharing your life with others. Help make their life a little better because you were in it. That is the best legacy that you can leave. Live and love your life. It is the one thing that you have that you can control.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Perfect Season
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything,
That's how the light gets in.
- Leonard Cohen
I watched the New England Patriots finish a “perfect” season last night after they defeated the New York Giants in a very good game. The word perfection was discussed all of yesterday in the sporting world. I think there is a danger in labeling teams or people as perfect. As Harriet Braiker said, “Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.” Excellence is a great standard. It is the striving for perfection that is noble. Being perfect would be a drag. Goethe said, “Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.” There is nothing wrong with striving for perfection…it is a wonderful goal. However, often people become obsessed with being perfect and, frankly, it takes the fun out of everything. George Fisher said it best when he said, “When you aim for perfection, you discover it's a moving target.” What is considered perfect now will not be considered perfect in the future. It is a moving target. That does not mean you should not strive for it, it just means that it is not the end of the world if you do not achieve it. We need people to always strive for that impossible goal. We need people to constantly push the envelope. We are all moving targets that are each striving for our own goals and dreams. I like what Antonio Porchia said, “Nothing that is complete breathes.”
John Henry Newman said, “A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.” If we all wait until we are perfect before we do something, then nothing would ever get done. How will you ever obtain perfection if you never take a chance and try? The real problem with labeling something as perfect is that it is not an objective standard…it is totally subjective. For example, in football, they are calling the perfect season one with no losses. That seems objective, but does that mean that they are the best team? Maybe it does. Maybe their schedule was lighter than some. It is a matter of odds, skill and luck. Granted, the Patriots played very well all season and it could be called Excellent. They got out there and executed their strategy and skills as well as they could and ended up victorious. Well, whatever you call it, you just have to allow some room for error. Confucius said, “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” We all have flaws and that is good in a way. Can you imagine how dull life would be if it was all smooth? Sometimes we wish it was smoother, but we all need a little bit of variance in the mix. It is because we have opposing human needs. We have the need for certainty and we also have the need for uncertainty. This is one of the paradoxes of life. That is why perfection is not really a necessary goal. We have the need to take a little risk in our life. If we didn’t we would never be able to move. Risk requires us to improve our skills and trust that everything will be ok. That means that there is always a level of uncertainty.
It is the idea of perfection that we most want to believe in. It is the striving for excellence that makes us constantly achieve more. We need that “strive” more than we need the end result. Results will always change because our expectations will always change. The higher you get, the higher you think you can get. We are goal driven and will never settle for what has been. There is no such thing as impossible…just not accomplished yet. Look at the works of Nicola Tesla and Albert Einstein. Today’s scientists are making their theories real applications. It was Carl Schurz who said, “Ideas are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny.” Perfection is a grand idea and one that we should strive for…but the real accomplishment comes from living the experience and enjoying the moment.
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything,
That's how the light gets in.
- Leonard Cohen
I watched the New England Patriots finish a “perfect” season last night after they defeated the New York Giants in a very good game. The word perfection was discussed all of yesterday in the sporting world. I think there is a danger in labeling teams or people as perfect. As Harriet Braiker said, “Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.” Excellence is a great standard. It is the striving for perfection that is noble. Being perfect would be a drag. Goethe said, “Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.” There is nothing wrong with striving for perfection…it is a wonderful goal. However, often people become obsessed with being perfect and, frankly, it takes the fun out of everything. George Fisher said it best when he said, “When you aim for perfection, you discover it's a moving target.” What is considered perfect now will not be considered perfect in the future. It is a moving target. That does not mean you should not strive for it, it just means that it is not the end of the world if you do not achieve it. We need people to always strive for that impossible goal. We need people to constantly push the envelope. We are all moving targets that are each striving for our own goals and dreams. I like what Antonio Porchia said, “Nothing that is complete breathes.”
John Henry Newman said, “A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.” If we all wait until we are perfect before we do something, then nothing would ever get done. How will you ever obtain perfection if you never take a chance and try? The real problem with labeling something as perfect is that it is not an objective standard…it is totally subjective. For example, in football, they are calling the perfect season one with no losses. That seems objective, but does that mean that they are the best team? Maybe it does. Maybe their schedule was lighter than some. It is a matter of odds, skill and luck. Granted, the Patriots played very well all season and it could be called Excellent. They got out there and executed their strategy and skills as well as they could and ended up victorious. Well, whatever you call it, you just have to allow some room for error. Confucius said, “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” We all have flaws and that is good in a way. Can you imagine how dull life would be if it was all smooth? Sometimes we wish it was smoother, but we all need a little bit of variance in the mix. It is because we have opposing human needs. We have the need for certainty and we also have the need for uncertainty. This is one of the paradoxes of life. That is why perfection is not really a necessary goal. We have the need to take a little risk in our life. If we didn’t we would never be able to move. Risk requires us to improve our skills and trust that everything will be ok. That means that there is always a level of uncertainty.
It is the idea of perfection that we most want to believe in. It is the striving for excellence that makes us constantly achieve more. We need that “strive” more than we need the end result. Results will always change because our expectations will always change. The higher you get, the higher you think you can get. We are goal driven and will never settle for what has been. There is no such thing as impossible…just not accomplished yet. Look at the works of Nicola Tesla and Albert Einstein. Today’s scientists are making their theories real applications. It was Carl Schurz who said, “Ideas are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny.” Perfection is a grand idea and one that we should strive for…but the real accomplishment comes from living the experience and enjoying the moment.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Three - it's a magic number
What is it about the number three that seems so natural? Three has been a powerful number since the beginning of time. We relate three to the triad…a symbol of strength. B We relate three to the holy trinity and to the triune nature of ourselves (body, mind and spirit). We relate time into three categories, the past, present and future. It is a part of our life an always will be. It is funny how complicated we make things when they can all be boiled down to the most basic elements. We are all connected in these basic elements. I have three on the brain today because I am down to my last three blogs for 2007. When I took on this task of writing, I had no idea of how daunting a task it would be and yet how rewarding it has been. It has taught me that the way to handle a huge task is to break it down into manageable, much smaller goals. My goal was to write a book and now I have enough material to form several books. It has gotten me into the habit of writing and has inspired not only personal development books, but thrillers as well. I have a creative brain that works better on some days than others. I have stepped back into a creative role and have brought writing and music back into my life. I have become a part of a wonderful family and my goals and convictions in life have become strong and focused. I have discovered who I am and where I am going. I am on my path and things are going great. I have found something to believe in again and it has renewed my faith in me and in life. I have found a reason to always smile and to just be me. I am happy because I choose to be. I like what Jim Valvano said, “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week; you're going to have something special.” That is great advice and I am following it.
Tom Bodett said, “They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” I believe this to be true. Love, meaning and purpose are three things that we cannot live without. Sometimes we may think we can do without these things, but eventually, we find that we cannot. We are here to experience life and to communicate with our soul so that we connect with the oneness of the universe. It is difficult to get your mind, body and spirit on the same path, but it is essential if you want to discover the true meaning of existence. Your soul is that all-knowing connection to the universe. It is the reason we are here. Our body and mind is the mechanism for us to experience things. For we may know things without experiencing them, but we do not really know until we actually experience them. Just as you can watch a movie or read a book and feel as if you understand something. Until you physically experience that something, it is only a theory. Too often in life, we think we know what is happening because we are aware of it, but it is through actual experience that we really know something. Connecting that knowing by connecting our soul, body and mind is what true experience is all about. In that way, all of us are alike. We each have the three parts and each of us is trying to connect them in some way. Each of us has our own journey and our own will to make it happen. We each have choices which will determine our experiences. Our life is the sum of those experiences. Too often, we let it slip away without really doing what we want to do. We have the belief that we cannot accomplish something, or we have developed rules that prevent us from experiencing something that we want to. You only have one opportunity as the person you are now to experience this lifetime. Do not squander time, for as Benjamin Franklin once said, “it is the stuff that life is made of.” Three is a significant number with much symbolism associated with it. When it comes to time, however, there is only one portion of it to concern yourself with…and that is the present. Live your life in the now and enjoy every moment you have. Life is a blast if you don’t take it too seriously. Live it to its fullest and never regret letting a moment slip by.
Tom Bodett said, “They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” I believe this to be true. Love, meaning and purpose are three things that we cannot live without. Sometimes we may think we can do without these things, but eventually, we find that we cannot. We are here to experience life and to communicate with our soul so that we connect with the oneness of the universe. It is difficult to get your mind, body and spirit on the same path, but it is essential if you want to discover the true meaning of existence. Your soul is that all-knowing connection to the universe. It is the reason we are here. Our body and mind is the mechanism for us to experience things. For we may know things without experiencing them, but we do not really know until we actually experience them. Just as you can watch a movie or read a book and feel as if you understand something. Until you physically experience that something, it is only a theory. Too often in life, we think we know what is happening because we are aware of it, but it is through actual experience that we really know something. Connecting that knowing by connecting our soul, body and mind is what true experience is all about. In that way, all of us are alike. We each have the three parts and each of us is trying to connect them in some way. Each of us has our own journey and our own will to make it happen. We each have choices which will determine our experiences. Our life is the sum of those experiences. Too often, we let it slip away without really doing what we want to do. We have the belief that we cannot accomplish something, or we have developed rules that prevent us from experiencing something that we want to. You only have one opportunity as the person you are now to experience this lifetime. Do not squander time, for as Benjamin Franklin once said, “it is the stuff that life is made of.” Three is a significant number with much symbolism associated with it. When it comes to time, however, there is only one portion of it to concern yourself with…and that is the present. Live your life in the now and enjoy every moment you have. Life is a blast if you don’t take it too seriously. Live it to its fullest and never regret letting a moment slip by.
Friday, December 28, 2007
My challenge to you
Today I challenge you to believe in something bigger than yourself, but coming from yourself. I challenge you to believe in a better you…the person you dream of becoming. Rather than looking at the world and dreaming of what it could be, imagine that you have already achieved what you want and you are the person you have always wanted to be. How would it look? How would it feel? Imagine yourself already possessing those qualities and that status. Now, do that for all of 2008! Keep that persona going. Believe that you are that person and act accordingly. Make decisions from that frame of mind. Live as if you were that person and believe with all of your heart that it is so. I am out to prove that the Law of Attraction works and I am recruiting all volunteers who want to experiment too! The old adage, “Act as if,” really does work. Just as a performer loses themselves in their role and take on the traits of their character, we will do the same. If we are to be brave, then we will be brave. If we are to be rich, then we think from a rich person’s frame of mind. When we dream of riches, but are always worried about our finances, then we are not rich. We are thinking from a place of lack instead of prosperity. In order to, “act as if,” you actually must become the other person. It takes focus and dedication, but as you “act” it, you will become it.
How would it feel to be everything you want to be? How would it feel to have everything you have ever wanted? I am sure the answer would be, “It would feel GREAT!” The funny thing is that what we are really after is the feeling and not the stuff. That feeling is what we crave. We associate having that feeling with the stuff and that is where our err lies. The truth is that you do not want to be rich because you want the money. You want the money because you have associated power, status, security or some other thing that makes you feel good. It is the feeling that you are after. The even funnier part of the equation is that you can feel like that at anytime. The reason we like to dream and daydream so much is that we feel like it is real. We can imagine ourselves in any situation. Our subconscious mind does not know the difference between real and imagined. Our subconscious communicates with the universe and aligns our thoughts and vibrations with like vibrations. This is what triggers the Law of Attraction into being. We get what we focus on. If we only see the limits of what our eyes can see, then we miss what is all around us. We think that we take everything in, but we have filters that block out what we do not want to see. Once we expose our mind to what we want to see, amazingly it appears. We have this experience when we activate our reticular activation system. You know this from when you buy a new car and suddenly notice how many of the same cars are now on the freeway. You start seeing things that were always there, but you did not pay any attention to them because they really did not mean anything to you. Once you attach meaning to an object or item, you associate it in your brain and you have a reason to notice it. Now, think of all of the things that you have not really thought about in your life. You have not noticed all that was around you. It would boggle your mind at what is right under your nose, but you were unaware.
Right now, you have the power to feel great. You can choose to focus on feeling wonderful and it will be so. We have gotten so good at holding onto our ailments. We have held onto the limitations that we imposed on ourselves at some point in our life. We believed the nonsense that put ceilings on how high we could climb. We scared ourselves into not trying because we did not want to fail. All the while, we secretly dreamed that we were stronger, smarter, and much more daring. You know, we can be whatever we want to be. Dare to dream! Dare to live your life without limitations. Believe that you have that power now and act it out until it is real! The time is now! You have to act if you want anything to happen. My experiment for myself is to be the man I have always pictured myself to be. I am starting today and making 2008 my own case study. I believe with all of my heart that I am that man. I believe with all of my heart that I can achieve all that I have ever wanted. Now is my time to prove to myself that all I believe is real and can happen in the blink of an eye. It all comes down to a decision. I believe in myself and I believe in the Law of Attraction. It is time to see what I have stopped myself from seeing. It is time to be the man I have stopped myself from being. The time is now! Who is with me?
How would it feel to be everything you want to be? How would it feel to have everything you have ever wanted? I am sure the answer would be, “It would feel GREAT!” The funny thing is that what we are really after is the feeling and not the stuff. That feeling is what we crave. We associate having that feeling with the stuff and that is where our err lies. The truth is that you do not want to be rich because you want the money. You want the money because you have associated power, status, security or some other thing that makes you feel good. It is the feeling that you are after. The even funnier part of the equation is that you can feel like that at anytime. The reason we like to dream and daydream so much is that we feel like it is real. We can imagine ourselves in any situation. Our subconscious mind does not know the difference between real and imagined. Our subconscious communicates with the universe and aligns our thoughts and vibrations with like vibrations. This is what triggers the Law of Attraction into being. We get what we focus on. If we only see the limits of what our eyes can see, then we miss what is all around us. We think that we take everything in, but we have filters that block out what we do not want to see. Once we expose our mind to what we want to see, amazingly it appears. We have this experience when we activate our reticular activation system. You know this from when you buy a new car and suddenly notice how many of the same cars are now on the freeway. You start seeing things that were always there, but you did not pay any attention to them because they really did not mean anything to you. Once you attach meaning to an object or item, you associate it in your brain and you have a reason to notice it. Now, think of all of the things that you have not really thought about in your life. You have not noticed all that was around you. It would boggle your mind at what is right under your nose, but you were unaware.
Right now, you have the power to feel great. You can choose to focus on feeling wonderful and it will be so. We have gotten so good at holding onto our ailments. We have held onto the limitations that we imposed on ourselves at some point in our life. We believed the nonsense that put ceilings on how high we could climb. We scared ourselves into not trying because we did not want to fail. All the while, we secretly dreamed that we were stronger, smarter, and much more daring. You know, we can be whatever we want to be. Dare to dream! Dare to live your life without limitations. Believe that you have that power now and act it out until it is real! The time is now! You have to act if you want anything to happen. My experiment for myself is to be the man I have always pictured myself to be. I am starting today and making 2008 my own case study. I believe with all of my heart that I am that man. I believe with all of my heart that I can achieve all that I have ever wanted. Now is my time to prove to myself that all I believe is real and can happen in the blink of an eye. It all comes down to a decision. I believe in myself and I believe in the Law of Attraction. It is time to see what I have stopped myself from seeing. It is time to be the man I have stopped myself from being. The time is now! Who is with me?
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Life gets better when you get better
James Allen said, "Let there be nothing within thee that is not very beautiful and very gentle, and there will be nothing without thee that is not beautiful and softened by the spell of thy presence." There is something very sacred about these words. Over the years I have learned the very opposite. I have learned to be greedy. I have learned to push instead of pull. I have learned to manipulate others so that I can get my way. I see the same in others all around me. What I realize now is that I am merely projecting myself into the world and I am seeing a reflection of me. That is a sobering moment when you realize that it is not the world that is sick…it is you. I have anger inside me…so I see anger in others. I have worry in me, so I find things to worry about. I also have love and compassion in me, so I get mixed feelings much of the time. However, what I have learned…especially this year is that as I get better…the world gets better. Meaning this…as I dissipate my anger and focus more on love…I will see less anger in the world and I will start to see more love. When I stop being mad at the world for what I don’t have and start being grateful for what I do have…then life gets better. As Benjamin Disraeli said, "Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think." Therefore, it is in my power to live the life I want to in the world the way that I perceive it. You can immediately change your life if you understand that concept.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox said, "The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind." The old adage about the nice guy finishing last is wrong. What do you win by being greedy? All of these things we idolize are really no different than what we are now. The reason we place things on pedestals is because we do not believe in ourselves. Once you begin to believe in yourself and you are really honest with yourself…you begin to tap into a power that is very strong. You begin to see that nothing has power over you. You begin to believe that the best things in life are free. Last night, my fiancée, the boys and I played a board game for hours and had the time of our lives. It didn’t cost anything but some time together. I consider that a blessing! I have learned that I have to give of myself and open up to let people in. I never realized how much I blocked people out of my life until I started letting them in. I have missed a lot of wonderful experiences by being a loner and not allowing people into my life. That was a mistake…but it does not have to be my story. For I am the author of my life and I can change the direction at any time. I was sick, but I realized it and found the cure. The cure is love and belief. I like what Earl Nightingale said, "Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored."
Quality of life comes from diving in and swimming in the river the life. The ebb and flow of the river will bring all kinds of adventures. It is up to you to let life envelope you in its warm embrace. Much of the trouble we experience comes from our own resistance. Life is a trip. It is being written every moment and you get what you focus on. So start by learning who you are and get in touch with that inner you who has been trying to guide you all through life. It is a wise teacher in the fact that it stays out of your way until you are through trying to do it your own way and you are ready to listen. You are a body, a mind, and a soul. All three have different agendas and serve you separately. Life is about getting those three entities to fly in unison. It is in the synchronicity process that causes the waves. It is an interesting lesson that changes as you think you have it down. The master continuously studies and practices for a lifetime. You keep getting better and the better you get, the more you know there is to learn. Be patient and be grateful for you are on your own path. Life will get better when you get better. Think beautiful and kind thoughts and be your own person. I am starting today with this as my focus. I am getting better!
Ella Wheeler Wilcox said, "The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind." The old adage about the nice guy finishing last is wrong. What do you win by being greedy? All of these things we idolize are really no different than what we are now. The reason we place things on pedestals is because we do not believe in ourselves. Once you begin to believe in yourself and you are really honest with yourself…you begin to tap into a power that is very strong. You begin to see that nothing has power over you. You begin to believe that the best things in life are free. Last night, my fiancée, the boys and I played a board game for hours and had the time of our lives. It didn’t cost anything but some time together. I consider that a blessing! I have learned that I have to give of myself and open up to let people in. I never realized how much I blocked people out of my life until I started letting them in. I have missed a lot of wonderful experiences by being a loner and not allowing people into my life. That was a mistake…but it does not have to be my story. For I am the author of my life and I can change the direction at any time. I was sick, but I realized it and found the cure. The cure is love and belief. I like what Earl Nightingale said, "Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored."
Quality of life comes from diving in and swimming in the river the life. The ebb and flow of the river will bring all kinds of adventures. It is up to you to let life envelope you in its warm embrace. Much of the trouble we experience comes from our own resistance. Life is a trip. It is being written every moment and you get what you focus on. So start by learning who you are and get in touch with that inner you who has been trying to guide you all through life. It is a wise teacher in the fact that it stays out of your way until you are through trying to do it your own way and you are ready to listen. You are a body, a mind, and a soul. All three have different agendas and serve you separately. Life is about getting those three entities to fly in unison. It is in the synchronicity process that causes the waves. It is an interesting lesson that changes as you think you have it down. The master continuously studies and practices for a lifetime. You keep getting better and the better you get, the more you know there is to learn. Be patient and be grateful for you are on your own path. Life will get better when you get better. Think beautiful and kind thoughts and be your own person. I am starting today with this as my focus. I am getting better!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
2007 - a reflection
Looking back over the past year, I have to notice that remarkable events took place. I knew at the end of last year that 2007 would be something special. I decided at the end of last year to write a blog each day so that I could focus on Personal Development and get a little closer to being able to write a book. I knew that focus was a powerful thing, but I had no idea what was in store for me. I met the woman of my dreams, I got engaged, I am a part of a family, I lost a job and gained one, I discovered new talents and have renewed an old one, and I have enough material now to develop into my first book. Wow! What a year! From a simple idea and an enormous amount of action (broken into many small parts), I am well on my way to living the life I have always dreamed of. But something bigger than that happened to me as well. I have learned what “being” really means. I understand the difference between dreaming and a focused vision. I understand the significance of taking action towards your goal on a daily basis. Each step led me a little closer. As I reflect, I see that I have made huge steps and my life is completely different than it was a year ago. By taking smaller steps, big goals aren’t immediately noticeable. We think that bigger actions are necessary. If we consistently made big steps, we would reach the goal sooner, but by taking little steps, we will reach the goal just the same.
Armed with that knowledge, I will make 2008 even bigger than 2007. The key will be that I no longer am trying to prove it to myself…I know for sure that it works. My new task is to be the person I see myself ultimately as. I have been watching my mind movie consistently and a funny thing has happened….I believe it! I believe in me. I know that I am the creator of my life and that my thoughts, words and actions are the key determinants of where I end up. I know that my attitude will determine my quality of life. I know that by giving more of myself and by being grateful for everything in my life, that I will live a much more enriching and satisfied life. I am happy and I choose to be happy. I am in control and every time I forget that…life teaches me a lesson to show me how wrong I am to give up that control to anyone or anything. It is not my fiancée’s responsibility for my happiness. It is not the economy or the weather’s responsibility for me being happy. The responsibility lies specifically with me. For that reason, I must never lie to myself about anything. “To thine own self be true” is really the most important lesson you can ever learn because you are the center of your own world. You have to look out for yourself and you must love yourself. If you do not, you can never give of yourself completely. Giving is how we receive and you must do both to complete the circle. Life is a fascinating, highly complex compilation of trillions of interactions. However, our jobs are not to run everything…thank goodness that is provided! Our job is to be who we are meant to be and to experience this wonderful life each and every day. Love each day and keep your control. I hope your year was as successful as mine. I am looking forward to an even better 2008!
Armed with that knowledge, I will make 2008 even bigger than 2007. The key will be that I no longer am trying to prove it to myself…I know for sure that it works. My new task is to be the person I see myself ultimately as. I have been watching my mind movie consistently and a funny thing has happened….I believe it! I believe in me. I know that I am the creator of my life and that my thoughts, words and actions are the key determinants of where I end up. I know that my attitude will determine my quality of life. I know that by giving more of myself and by being grateful for everything in my life, that I will live a much more enriching and satisfied life. I am happy and I choose to be happy. I am in control and every time I forget that…life teaches me a lesson to show me how wrong I am to give up that control to anyone or anything. It is not my fiancée’s responsibility for my happiness. It is not the economy or the weather’s responsibility for me being happy. The responsibility lies specifically with me. For that reason, I must never lie to myself about anything. “To thine own self be true” is really the most important lesson you can ever learn because you are the center of your own world. You have to look out for yourself and you must love yourself. If you do not, you can never give of yourself completely. Giving is how we receive and you must do both to complete the circle. Life is a fascinating, highly complex compilation of trillions of interactions. However, our jobs are not to run everything…thank goodness that is provided! Our job is to be who we are meant to be and to experience this wonderful life each and every day. Love each day and keep your control. I hope your year was as successful as mine. I am looking forward to an even better 2008!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Challenges are what makes life interesting
This has been a wonderful day full of firsts and I am exhilarated with the way my life is heading. Today I was fortunate enough to see the excitement of a child receiving a gift. I saw my own childlike qualities come to life when I was putting the batteries in a robotic dinosaur. I was as excited for the dinosaur to get going as the child was. This is a major step in my life. Christmas is a wonderful day and I hope that everyone was as fortunate as I was. It makes my topic seem a little off-the-cuff because I am choosing to write about challenges. However, I accepted a challenge today that is fun and difficult. There is a song that I have wanted to play on my guitar for a long time….and for whatever reason, I never have learned it. Well today, I decided that I will learn this song no matter how long it takes. It is called, “The Clap,” by Steve Howe. I am working on it today and have already gotten a few of the parts. It is a very fun and challenging song and it is my newest challenge. I like what Joshua Marine said, “Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” It does make life meaningful. It may be as simple as learning a song…but after I master it, it will raise my skills to a new level and I will accept more difficult challenges. There are always patterns in life and they are all the result of our choices. As George S. Patton said, “Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.” Anything unattempted remains impossible….so get out there and try something new. Accept a challenge that you have been putting off so you can finally put it behind you. Amelia Earhart said, “Adventure is worthwhile.” It is what adds the variety that makes our spice of life.
There is a Chinese proverb that says, “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” Growing is an inevitable part of life. We live and we learn. That is the way it is and the way it is supposed to be. You can fight it, but why? What is good about staying the same? You know Billy Joel sang that “the good ole days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.” Generally it is our own stubbornness and unwillingness that keeps us from having any fun. We are embarrassed, so we don’t dance and we never figure out why we don’t get the prize. Well, silly….only the dancers get the prize. You can watch others having fun…or you can have your own fun. You know, those that are too busy living their own life rarely have time to complain about others! It is like what Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “As long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in his way.” You will see the obstacles if that is what you look for. Did you know that you can cause your own accidents to happen by focusing on trying to avoid them? You are focusing on the problem. You have to focus on your life the way you want it to be…not the way it is. You are here from all of your past thinking. You will be where you want to be by what you think about now. Who cares if you have it hard? William Ellery Channing said, “Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” We need the conflict to hone our skills and make us stronger! We are in control and we get to choose! I love what Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Blaze your own path of glory by facing a new challenge and building up your arsenal of options in your life. My Christmas wish for you is to find your passion and seek it out. Don’t worry about the challenges…find the strength within to overcome whatever challenge you face. Life is your gift; Live it well!
There is a Chinese proverb that says, “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” Growing is an inevitable part of life. We live and we learn. That is the way it is and the way it is supposed to be. You can fight it, but why? What is good about staying the same? You know Billy Joel sang that “the good ole days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.” Generally it is our own stubbornness and unwillingness that keeps us from having any fun. We are embarrassed, so we don’t dance and we never figure out why we don’t get the prize. Well, silly….only the dancers get the prize. You can watch others having fun…or you can have your own fun. You know, those that are too busy living their own life rarely have time to complain about others! It is like what Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “As long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in his way.” You will see the obstacles if that is what you look for. Did you know that you can cause your own accidents to happen by focusing on trying to avoid them? You are focusing on the problem. You have to focus on your life the way you want it to be…not the way it is. You are here from all of your past thinking. You will be where you want to be by what you think about now. Who cares if you have it hard? William Ellery Channing said, “Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” We need the conflict to hone our skills and make us stronger! We are in control and we get to choose! I love what Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Blaze your own path of glory by facing a new challenge and building up your arsenal of options in your life. My Christmas wish for you is to find your passion and seek it out. Don’t worry about the challenges…find the strength within to overcome whatever challenge you face. Life is your gift; Live it well!
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