“One truth you must consider. You are only as expansive, successful, joyous, peaceful and free as you truly love and accept yourself.”
~ Joseph
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Thank you and have a day full of joy and freedom,
Joseph
Today is one of those days rich and flowing over with potential. You wake up and take a few minutes to think about your day. You review the results you want. You commit to doing what it takes. You visualize the life you want to live, taking time to see, feel, hear and sense it. The more vivid you can imagine the better. The more you can get all the particles of your being energized for the result you seek, the sooner it will come into full reality. Soon you find yourself living in this world you have created and you are filled with gratitude and joy. This is your time and you, your higher self, and the creative forces of the universe have joined together to create the masterpiece called your life.
There are a variety of components you may want to include in your visualization: health; relationships and family; purposeful work; your place on the planet; health of the Earth; a peaceful, understanding, and compassionate world; abundance, prosperity, and wealth; the difference you make; the love you feel, the openness of mind and heart and whatever else you want to include. You can have everything you can imagine. If you can see it, you can make it happen.
Throughout the day you keep your thoughts and feelings focused on the life you have and how wonderful it is. The mind will need some nurturing to keep it positive and supportive of this life you desire. The inner dialogue will need updating. How you talk to yourself needs to be always with kindness and in an encouraging and helpful way. This extraordinary life flourishes when your thinking is free of blaming, complaining and of negativity of any kind. Any kinds of mind garbage can trash the best dreams. Positive and nurturing thoughts are essential to the realization of the life you want.
The next consideration is the idea, that in this present moment, all you want and hope for is already present. Your task if you choose to be the creator of your life is to step fully into the potential of the moment. The Now is where it is all happening. Nothing can happen any other time then the now. This means that all the ingredients to your extraordinary life are present in each moment. You just need to step into you ideal life as if it were now. It is, and with a positive expectation you can manifest it.
You will be guided when you are clear about your intention. Listen deeply along the way for the inner guidance of your higher knowing. Commit to following the intuitive wisdom within you. Take guidance from other trusted sources also. When the world sees what you are up to, it will join in and support your quest. There are no failures in this expansive journey, just feedback and course corrections. The more you trust what you know and are shown, the more the results show up.
Consider two more points: commitment and a better world. If you are committed to realizing this extraordinary life then you do what you need to do to make it a reality. This means taking action, taking risks, being creative, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and doing it all with passion. Are you up for having a blast and lots of bliss?
The second point is that all the forces of the universe will line up in support, if your vision, your dreams, your purpose are focused on leaving the world a better place. If you are on a mission to make a difference then all that you need to do so will be made available. Thinking and visualizing beyond our self is hugely more powerful then the gratification of individual needs. This is because inside of you is a unique calling that only you can answer. That calling is innately aligned with the great good of the humankind. You are to realize your highest dreams because you doing so will enrich the planet. Are you ready? We are all waiting in joyous anticipation of your full expression.
Fall is now officially here and I feel myself preparing for the colder weather. Yesterday was cold, wet and stormy and not my favorite kind of day. I know this is just a matter of preference. I like the warm sunny weather more then cold and wet. I like Indian food in certain restaurants better then in others. I prefer a run over a swim. I like to do creative things rather than the routines. All of these are preferences and everyone has preferences. Preferences are choices that you and I make about what we prefer. In this world of so much to choose from, it is natural we develop preferences. Sorting what we like and don’t like often happens as a response to an abundant world.
Now the only time preferences is a problem is when something comes up in which we don’t get what we prefer. For most of us that means we go for what’s the next best or we adapt to what is. On occasion and hopefully only on occasion, we can’t get what we want, and that may immobilize us or “take us out”. Let me explain this. My wife recently went to a training called the Enlightened Warrior (PeakPotentials.com) and the accommodations were Spartan like. She loves her showers and time to get ready. With 4 showers and 110 women to share them, her preference was totally tested. She hung in there. She didn’t let her shower preference take her out of the game. 40 out of the 200 men and women at the workshop allowed their preferences to take them out.
A primary teaching in “Warrior” is to not let things “take you out”. “Take you out” means, not to let your preferences, your limiting beliefs, or whatever, take you out of the game, out of what is going on. I am finding this harder to write about then it seems. So I will go at it again.
When you have a goal in mind and outcome you want to create, you set you intention and make a commitment to do what it takes to succeed. With you goal in mind you set up an action plan with tasks to do. Let’s say you run into a roadblock; you don’t like to do talks in front of a group especially if it involves asking for what you need. So you stop yourself from reaching your goal because you have a preference not to do talks and ask for what you need. You had wanted to help end hunger on the planet but asking for money or supplies from a group of people is difficult so you give up your project. That preference to avoid the situation of doing important talks and asking for what is needed, took you out of the game. Even though ending world hunger seems very important, you gave up the goal because it too hard or inconvenient in some way.
Let me give you another example. I recently joined a choir and we are going to sing the Messiah. I prefer singing songs I know so I can just let my voice do its thing. The Messiah is a huge collection of songs that seem impossible to learn before the concert in several months. It is, so my preference to know the songs is unrealistic and challenging but I will not let it take me out. Singing even if it means never knowing where I am going is still a great joy to me. I will not let the difficulties stop me from going forward. I will not be taken out of the game because my preferences are not met.
Ok, I hope that brought some clarity to the discussion? What preferences get in your way? Have you been taken out of a situation that matters to you because of a preference to avoid certain fears? Have you turned down opportunities because you preferred more favorable circumstances? If a preference is getting in the way of something that you want to make happen, then it may be time to examine the preference and make changes?
Let yourself be free of anything that inhibits you. If you are afraid in some way then it may be time to do it anyway. If you really want something in your life but it is inconvenient then your preference may need to be passed on by. Freedom is truly possible when you go for what you want even when it isn't always the way you want it along the way.
The title comes from a book called The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma. The tyranny is about your and my thoughts and how they limit us. We constantly limit ourselves by how and what we think. We have around 50,000 thoughts per day and most of those are repeated over and over again and are the same ones from the day before. Sometimes it is even amazing we make it through the day with the negative thoughts we carry in our heads. The following is a collection of thoughts that are show-stoppers on the road to success.
If you have judging thoughts that you are not ok or acceptable and you re-enforce these thoughts by repeating them over and over then how do you think you will feel about yourself?
If your thinking is full of blaming or complaining then you send out powerful attractor energy so that you continue to have lots to complain about.
If you think you don’t deserve the life you want, then your thoughts repeat themselves to assure you don’t have the life you want.
If you were taught beliefs and ideas that limit you and you don’t questions those thoughts, then you, through your thinking, continually set yourself up for failure.
If you think you are not a good person then good will not come your way.
If you think “I am not worthy of love” then the love you long for will never arrive.
If you think nothing ever works out the way you want it to, quess what happens?
If you are full of fearful thoughts, you find more reasons to be afraid.
If you think of yourself as struggling and poor then you continue to struggle and not have what you need.
If you thoughts and beliefs that label money, or wealth as bad then you are broke.
If your have thoughts that you need to be right or at least in control, then you will find yourself in a world that doubts you and feels out of control.
And on and on it goes until you change your thinking.
Your mind and your thoughts very much shape your experience of life. Everyone, including you, has limiting thoughts that hold you back. How do you limit yourself with your thoughts, beliefs and ideas? What learned ideas and beliefs badly need updating or rewriting? Where has your self-criticism worked to create the life you want? The answer to this one is most likely, never.
Take the time to monitor your thinking and don’t allow yourself to have negative and limiting thoughts any more. The time to stop this nonsense is now. You deserve so much more than you allow yourself to have.
As you know I have been writing a lot about peace these days. I feel compelled to stimulate the dialogue about peace and a better world. I do this because I fully believe in the human capacity to live according to the higher ideals of a loving and compassionate world. These higher values and capacities are simply in waiting, ready at any time for us to call forward the best and greatest in us. I invite you to take the time to make contact with who you are and what capacities in you want to be explored and expressed. I will write more about those potentials in you and I this week. Today I want to look at what is peace?
At our peace potluck on Friday, I became aware that people define peace in a variety of ways. Lets talk about what a world at peace could or would be like. I am going to share my ideas and some of what I learned Friday. I welcome your feedback and ideas because I now better understand that peace looks different for everyone.
Peace to me is:
Living with each other in ways that do no harm
A world where fear is no longer a powerful global force and humans can be free from being afraid
When the human potential is encouraged to be fully explore and expressed
When diversity of ethnicity, religion, beliefs, ideas and viewpoints are allowed and appreciated.
A world where all the basic needs of food, home and medical care are available to all
Where all nations are come together in support to deal with the world problems through dialogue and shared responsibility
A place where individuals are able to live fully with love and compassionate as guiding forces
A world where the wasted resources of war are turned into schools, alternative fuels, better food sources, health care etc.
A creative world that encourages the best in people
A fun world, where play and work have a wonderful balance
Where the power of the people control governments and corporations for the good of everyone
A world where education teaches people to believe in themselves and to live in the world as positive contributors
Where work is purposeful and something people enjoy
A world free of financial worries and burdens
Friends and relationships that our supportive, encouraging and loving
A quiet and supportive mind, an open heart, a healthy body and a spirit that is free to soar to its highest and holiest realization
What is peace to you?
Our Peace Together potluck in honor of International Peace Day went very well last night. We had lots of enthusiastic participants, we talked about our program and what we are up to, we took some time to tune into our individuals sense of peace, lots of good ideas were shared, we had several possible additions to the advisory board, and even had some donated funds. I feel like our commitment to making a positive difference was felt by everyone and had our home abuzz with energy. When people come together with focus, amazing things can happen.
We were out promoting peace today at a small Denver expo. The attendance was light and the weather was windy but since we are on a mission, we stayed anyway. We made some great contacts and did well enough with shirt sales to feel like our day was a good one.
I was thinking about how important it is to stick to what you commit yourself to. Many at the Expo packed up and left very early but staying had its rewards as sales were made and a very interesting opportunity presented itself. We are dedicated to promoting peace and having conversations to build community and both the expo and the potluck were about that. I know some very positive things will come from us going forward and doing what we know we are to do.
What matters most to you? What are you committed to? What do know you have to do in this life? What are you willing to do to make it happen? These are important questions in a world full of distractions, chaos, fear, and over stimulation. To be successful despite the odds is what is called for and it takes great courage and intention. Do you have what it takes?
How can I be a support to you personal mission; to you realization of purpose? I am here and available to assist you through my blog, my encouragement and inspiration, my coaching and consultations, and any other way I can be supportive of your journey. Where you are going and what you are here to do, does matter and I am here to lend my support. Please leave a comment below or email me at explorelifeblog@gmail.com if I can be of assistance in any way as you move forward with purpose. Together we can be a huge force for a better world.
International Peace Day is today September 21. This is a day meant for celebrating a world at peace. The possibility for peace is on the way if you and are a willing to make it happen. Yes you and I are the ones. Lets focus on what we want; not on what we don’t have. We cannot count on our elected officials or the executive branch to bring about peace. Corporations make too much money preparing for war and going to war. Media shows what their corporations want us to see, so they can’t be counted on either. It is up to us. Are you ready for the task?
I thought one of my favorite things to do is to read something inspirational when I want to celebrate something or ready myself for a challenge. Inspiration expands me into a greater awareness and joy for life. I enjoy reading novels that have a metaphysical, spiritual, higher knowing, Eastern wisdom, teaching kind of flavor. I guess I am not the only one that likes these types of stories after the success of The DaVinci Code.
I just finished a thought provoking and enjoyable book. The book was titled The Greatest Spiritual Secret of the Century by a progressive thinker named Thom Hartmann. It was published in 2000. The greatest secret is not a secret but it is something we need to be reminded of on a regular basis and a reminder may not do it, for it takes a level of consciousness to fully grasp the teaching. The story is well written and moves along at a nice pace with great visuals compliments of the author’s descriptions. I felt inspired and my thinking was expanded by the concepts shared in story. The book also has a lot of social commentary that I found supportive of my observations. There is much about this book that would lend itself to creating peace and to supporting us living a purposeful life.
Several others books come to mind as I finished this and wanted another one to replace it. Illusions by Richard Bach is a favorite; so to is The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman; and Siddhartha by Herman Hess is a classic treasure. I just relocated a book, through Amazon, I read a number of years ago called, Confessions of a Taoist on Wall Street and then there is The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a favorite. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield has some great concepts and is enjoyable to read. Another favorite is Old Path, White Clouds a story of the Buddha told by Thich Nhat Hahn. What are your favorites in this genre?
Reading that lifts us up is so needed in this spinning, chaotic world we live in. When a book takes me higher, I consider it a great gift that enriches my life. Books can put us in the mood to celebrate life and to proceed with whatever lies ahead. We can all use a boost of inspiration because there is much to do.
Have a peaceful peace day and be inspired so you can make the world a better place.
WOW! WOW! WOW! Today is my 200th blog entry. I am deeply grateful for the inspiration that flows through me, and the source of that inspiration, and for my dedication to sit here in front of the computer and take the time to write with purpose and dedication. My blog is about living with purpose and passion and about exploring the potentials you and I were given. I write to encourage you to find your own peace and to inspire you to live with joy and an open heart. Here’s to you!!! and a big pat on my own back. Appreciating yourself is a wonderful thing to do.
My list yesterday of 33 Ways to Have More Peace was definitely inspired by a greater source. Did you get a chance to explore it? I hope so because the ideas in this list can have a huge positive affect in your life. Any resistance to exploring these ideas comes from a place that is limiting the possibilities in you. No criticism intended but an excellent opportunity to learn something about your self and how you might get in your own way. Maybe there is a limiting belief in there somewhere?
I was talking to by brother Jim who is going through a phase of walking for his health. He has lost over 40 lbs and will walk a marathon on October 7. He said he tells people he inherited the same fitness fanatic gene that his brother Joe has. I laughed and said I had never been told I was a fitness fanatic until he said it. I have worked out daily for many years but don’t feel fanatic because I do it to keep fit and healthy and because it gives me great energy. From another viewpoint I guess my dedication could be seen as something else.
Fitness fanatic is like another description of me “health nut” I have heard. Do people define others by what they do as a way to make sense out of it? Is doing anything with dedication libel to be judged by those less focused? I don’t know but it is interesting how others see you. I did get a different glimpse of myself from my brother whom I trust. That feedback is an opportunity to be more aware. Anything you or I do by habit and without awareness may lead to problems. I now will try to bring more choice into my fitness and be less habit driven.
Awareness is powerful tool as I have written before at this blog. I wanted to say a little more here about the benefits of insight and awareness in your life. Seeing who you are; finding out what makes you the way you are, is very helpful in creating the life you want. Being run by unconscious habits and limiting beliefs will put the brakes on whatever you are trying to make happen. Awareness is a great gift that can come in many different ways. It is a gift that keeps on giving. The more the better as far as awareness is concerned
I will write more about the energy of beliefs soon as my recent reading has been shedding some light of insight on me. I need time to integrate the new knowing before I can write about it. I also just finished a book called, The Greatest Spiritual Secret of the Century by Thom Hartmann. I will write about that too in the next couple of days. Stay tuned and post that list of 33 tips some place as a reminder. I am printing the list now and will do the same.
Hope your day flows with the joy and wisdom you are open to realize.
Friday September 21st is International Peace Day and Bobbi and I and Peace Together are having a Peace Potluck to celebrate peace. Yes I know peace is still a work in progress but celebrating peace is a positive thing to do on the road to our goal. Peace is possible if we believe it is and if we are willing to visualize it, feel it, sense it, imagine it, and even dream about a peaceful world. Those that think peace is not possible are limiting themselves with that belief. There are many things going on in the world that do not fall into the category of peaceful but that doesn’t mean you and I shouldn’t have peace inside. Inner peace is a good place to start.
I invite you to set aside some time on Friday to imagine peace, to feel what it would be like to live in a peaceful world. Take at least a few minutes to honor the idea of peace, even sense your body and how it would feel in a peaceful life. You could join us at our potluck, or have one with friends. You could dance for peace or sing peace songs. You could start a peace community or have people get together and create a peace project. You could have a day of quiet contemplation or have a peace retreat. Do what you can do to create peace in your life. Here are some ideas to help you find more peace.
33 Ways to Have More Peace in Your Life
• Slow down and let your body come to rest once in a while
• Let you inner critic go and instead talk nice to yourself
• Listen to you heart and love more freely
• Pay attention to your feelings, make sure you are doing ok
• Spend time in the calmness of nature
• Take a nap and dream about being peaceful
• Pay attention to your intuition and act accordingly
• Be more playful, do more fun things and laugh often
• Have art days and express yourself creatively
• Read about being peaceful, Thich Nhat Hahn is great
• Sing songs that uplift you
• Check out the dances for universal peace in your community
• Go for quiet and relaxing walks
• Listen to the birds sing, the sounds of a stream or the wind
• Feel gratitude for all you have and for each moment
• Expand your breathing and feel how alive you are
• See the beauty of the world around you
• Finish unfinished stuff that is bothering you
• Have friends that really listen, be a friend and listen too
• Change beliefs that limit you or make you feel guilty
• Stop watching nightly news, do something healthy instead
• Notice where fear runs you and change your thinking
• Be kind to yourself and love and accept who you are
• Do what feels right, say no to what doesn’t
• Follow your own truth and live by your values
• Enjoy your uniqueness and express who you are
• Have a purpose in life and live it with passion
• Only make commitments you can honor and follow through on
• Focus on the positive and expect good things to happen
• Stop blaming, take responsibility for creating your life
• Explore what interests you and be a life long learner
• Wake up and see yourself having a wonderful day
• Find the peaceful place inside and visit often
You can start creating a peaceful life today. Enjoy and explore these ideas and let me know how it goes. Please feel free to leave your valued comments.
I have been thinking about how my thoughts, beliefs, ideas, experiences, biases, emotions, and history shape how I look at the world. Am I ever able to see things as they are or do I just see the world around me through all my filters (thoughts, beliefs, ideas etc.)? Is my reality created by how I see and experience the world through my filters or screens? I am of the belief that I create my own experience of my life. So if I have a collection of filters then I limit my own ability to create a more expanded world for myself. I limit myself. That is a very interesting realization in this moment.
How do I remove my acquired and self-imposed limits? This is a challenging question and I want to share with you my understanding at this time. Here are the five ideas I think you will find helpful:
1. Self-Inquiry – to understand yourself and who you are is an important step along the way to creating true freedom in your life. “Who Am I?” is the basic question of this inquiry. Are you your thoughts, beliefs, ideas, experiences, body, or mind? If not then who are you? What is your spirit, your soul? Is there a you before or after this lifetime? Who is that you? Is the freer you of your childhood still available to play?
2. Awareness – what are you aware of? Do you know what your thoughts are? How much are you aware of your emotions? Do you sense the mental states and emotions of others? How do your preferences limit your life? How much is the satisfaction of the ego a driving force? How are you letting fear run you? There are many questions and much to be aware of moment to moment.
3. Understand Beliefs – what beliefs rule your life? What are your limiting beliefs that hold you back? Are all of your beliefs yours or are number of them learned and in need of questioning? Can a belief be changed easily? Let’s say you gained a new perspective on an old learned belief, would that affect how you thought about that belief? Of course it would.
4. Impartiality – I have written about impartiality in past blogs because of the importance of being able to step away from the self-judgment and objectively and fairly observe who you are. If you want to be free of self-limiting ideas develop your ability to observe how you are in relationship to yourself and the world around you. See, appreciate, learn and grow from your observations and cut out the crap of judging yourself as not ok in some way. Harshly self-judging is a learned behavior/belief that messes you up and limits you incredibly.
5. Higher-Self – there is in you a greater source of wisdom that is not bound by beliefs or limiting ideas. This part of you speaks through your intuition, your heart, you gut and in the quiet stillness. This is both your highest consciousness and the collective consciousness from the source of all of creation. You are always guided from a Higher Source if you listen.
There is within you unlimited possibilities once you remove your own limits. There are books you can read, conversations to explore, teachers to guide you, practices that will enhance you, and you inner knowing to be listened to and followed. Make a commitment to explore the above ideas and set yourself free.
In my blog yesterday I wrote about integrity and how much it seems to be missing these days at least on a mega level of governments, corporations, media, churches, sports and elsewhere. How about at the personal level, is integrity important? From the level of self-esteem, integrity is essential. Fulfilling your commitments to yourself and to others helps you feel ok about yourself. Living according to your values boosts your sense of inner well-being. Having what you say be in integrity with your truth keeps you harmonious inside. Anytime you ignore or go against, your word, your commitments, your values and beliefs, you create a disconnect within and lower your sense of self-worth.
In the world you and I live in there is so much coming at us; so many people flooding the airways with their opinions; so much misinformation and spin. To sort all this out, it takes quieting yourself down and listening inward to find the truth of your heart, mind and spirit. This sorting process is essential to living in integrity with yourself, not with other people’s values or beliefs. As you learn new perspectives, gain deeper insights and are more conscious, your beliefs and values will evolve to reflect your higher knowing. Your higher knowing is always more evolved then those of government, commerce, and even most religion. I bet you never had that thought? I didn’t either until my higher knowing wrote this.
I wanted to take this idea of integrity and talk about the importance of speaking up. What is so needed today in our world is for you and I to speak up for what is right, fair, just, compassionate, and true. We need to speak of our concerns for those we care about. We need to say what we think to those that represent us in government. We need to hold those that are dishonest accountable.
Did you know that the oil industry spends millions of dollars to finance quasi-scientific research to say there is no global warming and to falsify real scientific evidence? Did you know this administration has spent millions of your government money to convince you of their agenda around elimination of social security, the war in Iraq and other ridiculous ideas they have? Have you seen that Union busting is at an all time high because of bad press and manipulated information and yet the workers need unions more now then ever to offset the almighty profit motive and the lack of integrity in corporations? Is this ok with you?
This speaking up is key ingredient of democracy. In this administration, speaking up around the President has all but been totally eliminated. All his public appearances ban any dissent. The media too often attacks and misreports those that speak up. The recent MoveOn.org ads stirred the media in a frenzy of attacking talking heads. Speaking up takes incredible courage these days when you know it may mean getting spied on by our own government.
Speaking up isn’t only for dissent or to confront falsehoods. On a personal level it means talking to those you care about who are hurting themselves. It means saying no to your children when you know limits are needed. It means speaking your truth even when they may not be accepted. It means speaking honestly to yourself when you need to move in a healthier direction.
Speak up, let your voice be heard, share your concerns, be compassionate, live by your truths, and the world will be a better place.
Sunday evening is here and I am tired from a busy weekend at the Sustainability Fair. The fair was good to us as we sold lots of shirts, had some excellent conversations, and made some good contacts. The day was windy and potentially stormy for a while. Our booth lifted its weights and all and moved back a foot after a particularly forceful gust of wind. Being outdoors in the elements is so nice when the weather plays along.
I was thinking about integrity and how important of a quality it is especially today when so many seem to have forgotten what that means. It seems that in politics integrity is no longer valued. In many companies integrity is no longer a concern. In sports integrity is push aside with winning the highest value. In churches ministers and priests lack the integrity to live according to the values they preach about. Even the President of the US and his VP seem to say whatever they want with no concern about integrity or truth. What kind of models are these people who in the past were looked up to and now don’t seem to value integrity?
I don’t know about you, but to me integrity is an important value and one each of us must live by if we are going to feel ok about ourselves and be trusted by others. More than a few politicians, Presidents, CEO’s, corporations, ministers, athletes , coaches, media etc. seem to have forgotten that integrity is a key component of what they do. If integrity is not valued then how is trust possible?
Does integrity matter to you? Should our government and our elected officials have integrity? Should corporations have integrity? Should ministers and churches have integrity? Should sports have integrity? Is lying, cheating, abusing power, deceit, misinformation, and whatever else, lacking integrity, ok now? If profits are made, if games are won, if power is achieved, if agendas are realized, without integrity, are they still ok? I don’t think so, but if you watch what is going on in the world you must wonder why the lack of integrity has become rationalized in so many ways that make it acceptable. Does it seem to you that the truth to many doesn’t matter as long as the goal is achieved?
Tomorrow I want to talk about living in integrity and speaking up for what you believe in and what you know is right.
It is beautiful day here in Ft Collins, Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Sustainability Living Fair has really grown since last year. There are so many more booths and such interesting things to check out. I love to explore what people are passionate about and sharing with the world.
This fair is about helping the area come into green living, healthy eating, alternative health, non-traditional building, cruelty free products, grow local produce, organic food and products, non profits and non government organizations driven by purpose and values. Each booth and attendee has their own collection of ideas and beliefs yet they all share the value of caring about the planet we live on. It feels so go to be around so many people who can expand their thoughts beyond self and think globally and act locally.
Last night I went to the most incredible music event with Deva Premal, her husband Miten and their incredible flute player Manose in Boulder. There were 2000-3000 of us singing and chanting together and it was incredibly uplifting. These people know how to take a group and lift them into a higher realm. I have done chanting as way of active meditative practice for years. This singing to get higher is so wonderful to experience. This group is on a tour and I see there are heading to California and other places www.devapremalmiten.com. It they come to a place near you and you like to get naturally high, you need to join them and have a wonderful experience.
One of the headliners for this Fair today was Amy Goodman of Democracy Now.of the She is a true investigative reporter who has put her own life on the line in pursuit of the truth. She is a national treasure for those who support really questioning what is going on in this country and our government. Her talk today was as exceptional as usual and she left everyone more informed about what is really going on beyond the media spin most receive. Tune in and listen or watch Democracy Now www.democracynow.org is you local area.
It is back to the fair tomorrow and to meet some more really interesting people. Have a good day.
This weekend’s experiment is that we are doing our peace thing at Ft. Collins Sustainability Fair. I enjoy this group because everyone is concerned about the health of our planet. If you read this blog and are in Ft Collins this weekend please stop by our Peace Together peace t-shirt booth and say hi. Meeting one of my blog readers outside those I already know has never happened before so I am hoping for a first.
Talking about life as an experiment, John Girard is still making his way across the country seeking fame in 31 days. So far he has not fully realized his goals but he is courageous and has some funny videos on his site. Check him out at www.famousin31days.com. He could use some help since he only has 6 more days to go, so please pass his website on to as many people as you can. If you know Jay Leno give him a call, John really wants to be a guest on his show.
I started writing today’s blog last evening, I was wiped out from a difficult run and a hot soak after. I was sitting in front of my computer trying to rally and my brain was cloudy kind of like Joe had in Joe Vs The Volcano starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Not a great movie but some excellent scenes especially the work scenes that look like some kind of hell realm. I think of that film sometimes when I think of all the brave people that slog off to difficult jobs everyday. “Soldiers of Industry” is what I call those millions of guys in their suits and ties heading off to work to help make profits for their company and doing what it takes to make a living while providing for their loved ones. My admiration goes to all those who work so hard. What a dedicated experiment in making the best of life.
Yesterday I was doing training at Qwest and was impressed by the attendees’ participation in the presentation and how they were not just going through the motions. I got great questions and heard real compassion for their fellow workers and concerns about how to help them when they were not doing well. They understood that everyone runs into struggle at times. The experiment is how to live positively and happily even in the most challenging of situations.
A good nights sleep has cleared my San Francisco (foggy) state of mind. I have experimented in times when my mind lacks clarity and have discovered I can just trust and let my fingers do their thing and the words flow. It is a very positive feeling to find that my inner resources take over when the body and mind are not cooperating. These resources are my heart’s knowing and my higher self. The vastness of this knowing in you and I is unlimited. Try exploring that vastness and living in a more expanded state.
I have been feeling kind of stuck with how to get money for my musical so I can move it forward. I am open to guidance and my intuition has a quiet sense of confidence. It is the mind that can knock me off center when it throws worry, fear and self-doubt at me. I need to trust the deeper knowing and go on with the experiment of living each day as fully as I can. I was, in a very direct way, given this musical by some greater Source then me. Now I feel that Source will help me complete the upgrade and take the musical out into the world. This is really an interesting exploration since I feel like I know very little about song writing and the dialogue for musicals.
Excuse the food diversion but do you watch the Iron Chef on the Food Network? Last night was a battle of Italian chefs and I wanted so much to be on the judging panel to sample all that great looking food. The announcer said, "If your mouth isn’t watering then you need to go see a physician." I have to agree.
I enjoy reading and learning as part of the way I spice up my experiment of life. I have 5-6 books I am exploring now and each one has new insights waiting for me to discover. I started a book on beliefs yesterday and I will let you know the good stuff I get out of it.
Have a good weekend and I hope to give you an update from the fair on Saturday.
Yesterday I wrote about the importance of us all joining together to create a peaceful world. What would a peaceful world look like? I will share my ideas and very much welcome yours. We can make this happen if we work together.
A peaceful world would be one in which we learn to live with compassion and caring for each other. That means all people and all their beliefs can find a place to be in the world. You know if we sat everyone down and asked them what they believed and what matters most to them, we would find that each person has a unique view of the world. We would also see what mattered most would be true for many of us. Beliefs vary but underlying values are more universal. All beliefs and values in a peaceful world would be appreciated and dysfunction would not evolve when there is understanding. More wars have been fought over dysfunctional beliefs than any other reason.
In a world at peace the basic needs of all people would be met. All would have a home, food and the medical care they needed. Sweat shops would be replaced by fair working environments. Reasonable housing and healthy food supplies would be available to those with fewer resources. When basic needs are met peace is possible.
A world at peace would be less driven by corporate profits and more driven by human values. All companies would be evaluated by how they took care of their people and the planet as well as the quality of their goods and services. The military-industrial complex would be reduced or eliminated. Livelong education and training would be available to all with the savings from cuts to defense budget.
In a world of peace there would be a compassionate and just legal system designed to help bring healing to those who caused problems and were harmful to others. All problems come from those who have been hurt or suffer from a lack of love. Many prisons would be replaced by facilities for personal healing and skill training so those involved can become positive members of society.
In a world of peace, love and compassion would be allowed to fully blossom because fear would no longer run humans. Safety and security would be taken for granted. In a safe world peace comes naturally. Most of us grew up in safe worlds and I suspect those safe places are still waiting to be reclaimed or resuscitated.
A peaceful world is full of possibilities, passion, purpose and potential. People can live their lives purposefully, follow their passions, and explore their potential. They have freedom to be who they are and can create the life they want. This is a happy world full of the highest human expression.
All these qualities of a peaceful world may seem out of reach but they are not. All that needs to happen is that we have to open our hearts and minds and listen and understand each other. Then anything is possible. The inner resources in each of us are set for peace if we just step into the possibility in each of us.
What are your thoughts about a peaceful world? Please share them in the comment section below.
Rant Warning: Just yesterday, I committed to not being reactive and this entry is more reactive than I want to be but frankly I am stirred up. I have been inspired by the two young people walking for peace from San Francisco to DC who made it to their destination yesterday. They must have stories to tell. Check www.marchforpeace.info. While all the news is focused on the Iraq hearings, 9/11 and Bin Laden videos, that always seem to appear right on time, there are many people out there doing what they can to ask real questions in search of the truth which seems to be hard to find these days.
Why we need to remember 9/11 is because it shows that there are people out there in the world that are hurting and sick of heart and mind. They can be helped. The world came to support us after that horrible day and for a moment we all seemed connected. Together we could have figured out a solution to these wayward brothers and sisters. Instead the leaders saw it as an opportunity to return to their old ways and seek out and destroy. The old unenlightened approach of an eye for an eye, ego against ego doesn’t work anymore. As Gandhi said this only makes everyone blind. Yes the blindness is everywhere especially in DC where the PR General is rationalizing the insanity with his testimony and the Senators appear concerned but will again vote to continue the funding of this war that never needed to happen.
This is all a reflection of us. Have we gone asleep at the wheel? Have we gotten to busy to govern? Have we given up our power to decide for the illusion of safety? Have we said ok take our rights away, spy on us, imprison whomever you want, but just keep the bad guys away? Have we gotten so small in our own view of self that we feel we have no power? Have we allowed the corporate sponsors of the war to profit so we can have greater stock returns? Have you not noticed that opposition is being oppressed? I just don’t understand why this war is still going on when the polls say most Americans want out of Iraq. If most of us want out then why are we not making it happen?
Ok fine, I will cool my jets and see this with less emotional reaction. We are at one of those crossroads where humanity either steps forward and evolves or falls back from fear. Yes you and I can choose to be awake and in our power or we give it away because we don’t want it or are too afraid? The choices are not always clear because the barrage of spin is complicated and successful at creating confusion and doubt. The heart however knows the truth and is steady when the mind dances about the misinformation looking for a solid place to land. Please listen inward to the knowing of the heart and the higher wisdom contained in you. You will know what to do.
I think that people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of their way and let them have it.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
Mohandas Gandhi
Yes, we love peace, but we are not willing to take wounds for it, as we are for war.
John Andrew Holmes
It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it.
Eleanor Roosevelt
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa
Let’s join together and make peace an effort we share together, with open minds and ready hearts. Look in the mirror and see the power of peace that is contained in the sparkle of your eyes and the glow of compassion within and in unity with all citizens of the Earth.
Yesterday was time to say goodbye to my friends at my part-time job. Each person there has been a joy for me to know. I will miss seeing each of them so regularly. Cal, Randa, Neal, Larry, Mike, Bryan, Nancy, Susan, Mark, Dianna, Michael, Jennifer, Christin, Irving, Smitty you are all wonderful human beings and I look forward to seeing you again. Thanks for being who you are and for sharing the time we have spent together. I was there two years and I am grateful for the many positive experiences I had.
Now it is time to go forward with my life and as I wrote yesterday I have a plan. My main focus will be on building traffic to my blog, growing Peace Together www.peace-together.com, getting the musical ready for production, and utilizing my skills as a teacher/trainer and coach/consultant. That seems like a lot of things to focus on? It is and they are all things that have meaning and purpose for me so I will tend the garden and see which ones grow into full blossoming beauties of creation.
A further note about the people I worked with and the people I have met lately. There are so many good, kind and value driven people in the world. Many, many, many more then there are people we should fear. If you watch the news on a regular basis you may forget about all the people worth knowing out there. The news is fear driven and so slanted towards provoking an emotional response that they program it with content that will stir you up. Fear is a powerful emotions and news uses it to get your attention. I stopped watching the news because I do not want to be bombarded by their programming of fear. I can get my news by reading the paper/internet and there too I only read enough to keep informed and I try to get a variety of viewpoints. I would encourage you to take a news fast and instead run your own emotional interior instead of having the impact of news programming ruining your own inner peace. News programs are not liberal or conservative, they are corporations running their own agenda and less and less concerned about what is good and healthful/helpful for the people and instead are totally driven by profits.
Well I see here that I am wondering about with my writing today. That is how it flows and that is where I go. I am making commitment to myself and to you the reader today. I will do my absolute best, with my writing this blog, to be tuned into my inner guidance and not to be run by my reactions to things and situations. There is much to react to and frankly I don’t think our reactions are our highest wisdom. Reactivity is run by ego and too often based on fear.
I am bringing all my focus, intention, purpose and attention to creating a life that has meaning for me and will make a positive difference. As I wrote in a past blogs, I am committed to being the best I can be in each moment, to spreading peace, love and consciousness each day with as much clarity, awareness and understanding as I can bring through these fingers onto the page you are reading. Thanks for joining me today and every day that you stop by and have a read. I am on a mission to be awake and to awaken and I am glad to have you as a partner. Stay tuned as I explore this experiment called life as fully as I can.
One last thought from the wise writings of Wallace Wattles; go over in you mind what you want in your life, see it, feel it, sense it as fully as you can, then keep your mind focused on it and you will make it happen. All you have to do is want it so much that you keep it constantly in your thoughts and heart.
Have a great week and stay tuned.
The heat came on in the house today for the first time since spring. The dreary morning here has me thinking I need to get my mind to a place that will uplift me. I can do that because there is much to be excited about today. My regular part-time work is ending this afternoon and my venture into fully following my purpose starts now. Hurray and Yikes is what comes to mind.
This is my five-fold plan:
1. Grow the blog so it can go full force and generating more income here
2. Bring Peace Together into its full realization as profit generating center and foundation
3. Do what has to be done to get the musical moving forward so it can come into its potential for success
4. Teach and do training, consultations, and do critical incident debriefings for EAP
5. Be open to other projects that come my way.
The goal is to create a sustainable life that makes a positive difference and leaves the world a better place. Spreading Peace, love (compassion and understanding) and consciousness is my purpose. Your thoughts and heart felt support is appreciated.
Today I leave behind a stressful/unhealthy job and some really great co-workers. I will keep in touch with the people but not miss the dysfunction of the corporation. I feel both sadness and joy, both anxious and excited.
These times of transition are great opportunities to tune into your inner landscape and watch the workings of the mind and emotions. Change is a time to notice how much you want to hang on to what is familiar and do what is predictable. You want to feel in control. It is a time to notice if the mind is supportive, fearful, doubting, judging, encouraging etc. You also want to know what emotions are present so you can be aware of your reactions. Then there is the higher knowing in you. I call that the Higher Self, the part of you that is beyond the ego and in touch with the wisdom and creative forces of the universe. This higher wisdom is the one you will receive the most benefit from in times of transition. You will do well to listen inward and be guided by this knowing that is beyond the fear and in union with the unlimited.
Going forward successfully is guaranteed. There may be course corrections needs but movement with intention and purpose always create results. There is in you forces that know no limits; that are amazing manifesters; that are filled with joy, creativity and energy; and that have the ability to work in harmony with the source of the entire universe. These forces can change the course of your life profoundly in a second, or in a day, week, month, or year as you guide them with you thoughts and emotions. You create your reality in relationship to the world.
Ok it is off to further create this day as fully and richly as I can. Be with me as I travel and I will be with you. If you have questions and want support or want to lend support please let me know at the comment section below or at explorelifeblog@gmail.com
It sure feels like fall here in Boulder today. It is 51 degrees this morning and the clouds have blocked out the usual sunny morning view of the mountains. I am not ready yet for fall are you? There isn’t a lot I can do about summer winding down so I guess I better gear my thinking towards making the best of what is coming.
Talking about making the best of what is coming, I have come to understand this is the way to live life every day if happiness is your goal. Happiness comes from enjoying what comes your way, from creating the experiences you want to have within the context of what is given to you. Children are masters of that. They can live in a war torn or disaster area and turn it in to a playground where fun and happiness can be created. Making the best of what you got is a wonderful skill and way to live.
“I remember one morning. Getting up at dawn. There was such a sense of possibility. We were going to do everything. Do you know that feeling? I remember thinking: ‘This it the beginning of happiness.’ That’s what I thought. ‘So this is the feeling. This is where it starts. And of course there’ll always be more.’ It never occurred to me: it wasn’t the beginning. It was happiness. It was the moment right then.”
Clarissa in “The Hours” (David Hare, Screenwriter)
“Accept what the present brings and live in that. If one is not established in the present, then one is nowhere and nothing is possible.” Rodney Collin
“Everything that happens in the present moment is necessary.”
Ramesh S. Balsekar
“It is only possible to live happily-ever-after on a day-today basis” Margaret Bonnano
“Life is a constant surprise. And I am not talking about some divine life – the ordinary life is so extraordinary.” Osho
I have been working on my fitness level lately because I wanted to see how fast I could run a mile. Today I ran a 5K race to get a measure for how fit I am. I set as my goal to run under 8 minutes per mile and I was successful at 7:47 per mile. The course was hilly and ended with the last ¼ mile up to the finish line and wow did that hurt to push through that. Now I remember why I had stop running races because they hurt too much. The good news was the race was small and the people in my age range were slow so I got to win my age division. As you might guess, that made the hurting for 24 minutes feel better.
Next race I am going to run easier and not push as hard so it will be more fun. My ego got the best of me and thus the pain. Sounds kind of familiar doesn’t it? Following the needs of the ego too often ends up in pain. If I would have cruised more and enjoyed my pace then the suffering would pretty much go away. Taking it easy and enjoying what I am doing has it benefits especially in comparison to letting the ego drive me to suffering.
The ego versus doing it in the flow of what feels right is a battle you and I have fought. The ego is the part of you that wants to look good, make an impressive showing, be in control, etc. The ego has benefits because it can be a driving force that makes you go for more in life. Ego is neither good or bad, it is just a part of you that you need to be aware to make sure your motives are for the best reasons. When you are driven to be successful because you have a purpose; are determined to realize your fullest potential; or to make a positive difference in the world then ego is often in a minor role. When your goal is to be the best; to impress the world; or to gain power over others, then the ego may be more dominant. Again the ego is not good or bad but possibly more dominant in some of these situations.
If the ego does run you and your decisions most likely it will get you in trouble. I think immediately of the people running Enron as an example of egos trying to prove they are the best and above the rules and how much that cause suffering to all those they mislead. Politicians too often are driven by the need for approval so their egos are too tied to how they look. That is so often the reason they disappoint those that had believe in them. You and I too have done things that were driven by our egos and hopeful they didn’t cause too much suffering to those around us.
If you are concerned about inner peace and world peace then the ego needs to be paid attention to. A strong ego will make inner peace difficult. All wars are cause by the egos of those that start them. War is ego gone mad.
