There's an interesting phrase that is common in some circles, "What Would Jesus Do?" And when that idea gets confined to a particular belief system, would Jesus really approve?
There is a very good book, on the shelves, which I have just finished reading titled, "The Year Of Living Like Jesus", by Ed Dobson. Mr. Dobson is of a fundamentalist Baptist background and decides to forego the religious boxes in which Jesus gets stuffed into and sets a goal to live one full year as Jesus lived. Where would Jesus worship? Who did Jesus hang out with? What would Jesus do? With Jesus being Jewish, Ed Dobson begins a journey to into Judaism, along with Catholisism, Orthodox, Episcopalian, and his own fundamentalist belief systems to get his best composite on the man, Jesus.
This book brings up many interesting insights into many of Jesus' teachings along with the situations which occur in the authors' life. With the author suffering from ALS, how do miracles enter the picture? He also runs into a dilema with the prospect of a new position at a fundamentalist school vs. how did Jesus live, can he abide by the school rules and live as Jesus had? Ed Dobson does a wonderful job portraying his feelings surrounding his life and his attempt to live as Jesus had lived. Both the frustrations and the growth in faith are presented in this book.
So what would Jesus do in our world today?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
How to know affirmations work
You may have read about the benefits of affirmations. You possibly have tried your own affirmations and nothing has changed. In a spate of frustration, you give up, temporarily.
So how can you tell if affirmations are working? What evidence can be found in your life?
Do you feel like you have to struggle to make ends meet? Has anybody asked you, "what's wrong with you", and you reply that you have alot on your mind? Are you in deep concern over somebody whom you care about? Do you feel like there is never enough time? What are the deep concerns that create your anxieties?
When a problem, or problems repeat themselves over and over again in your mind, you are affirming these circumstances to your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind is an incredible faculty which delivers every consistant thought back at you. Should you worry about not having enough money, that thought becomes like a record which skips and stays in the same place. Not enough, skip, not enough, skip, not enough, skip. Without you knowing, you are doing an affirmation. Negative affirmations, which are things unwanted, are just as powerful as positive affirmations. Your subconscious mind is so very obedient, dwell on problems and it gives you reason to have problems.
Good News! When you grasp this concept it begins a new path to creating the things which you do want. The question arises, how can one think positive statements when all this stuff is happening. The answer is simple, it is merely, "you can".
Different things work for different people, so you will have to customize some things to be of the best benefit for you. Start by thinking of things you don't want. If you were able to trade away all your problems for something else, what would that something else be? Write down your ideas and repeat it to yourselves. When you write an affirmation, make it in the present moment. A statement of "I am happy with my life, and I approve of everything I do", is many times better than "I wish I was happy with my life, and I need to do better". There is much to overcome when negative affirmations are running amok. Yet by repeating your what you do want over and over to yourself, the negative begins to subside.
When you feel stuck and your positive affirmations last for several days and the negativity jumps on your back again, where can you turn? As a suggestion, Dudley and Dean Evenson have created a year of guided meditations. Every week you will receive in your email a new set of positive, life altering affirmative statements, designed to give you positive principles and ways to become your highest self. There is a perfection deep inside of you which no amount of problems can cover over, and perhaps allowing someone else to tell you this will set you on your path to personal freedom.
So how can you tell if affirmations are working? What evidence can be found in your life?
Do you feel like you have to struggle to make ends meet? Has anybody asked you, "what's wrong with you", and you reply that you have alot on your mind? Are you in deep concern over somebody whom you care about? Do you feel like there is never enough time? What are the deep concerns that create your anxieties?
When a problem, or problems repeat themselves over and over again in your mind, you are affirming these circumstances to your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind is an incredible faculty which delivers every consistant thought back at you. Should you worry about not having enough money, that thought becomes like a record which skips and stays in the same place. Not enough, skip, not enough, skip, not enough, skip. Without you knowing, you are doing an affirmation. Negative affirmations, which are things unwanted, are just as powerful as positive affirmations. Your subconscious mind is so very obedient, dwell on problems and it gives you reason to have problems.
Good News! When you grasp this concept it begins a new path to creating the things which you do want. The question arises, how can one think positive statements when all this stuff is happening. The answer is simple, it is merely, "you can".
Different things work for different people, so you will have to customize some things to be of the best benefit for you. Start by thinking of things you don't want. If you were able to trade away all your problems for something else, what would that something else be? Write down your ideas and repeat it to yourselves. When you write an affirmation, make it in the present moment. A statement of "I am happy with my life, and I approve of everything I do", is many times better than "I wish I was happy with my life, and I need to do better". There is much to overcome when negative affirmations are running amok. Yet by repeating your what you do want over and over to yourself, the negative begins to subside.
When you feel stuck and your positive affirmations last for several days and the negativity jumps on your back again, where can you turn? As a suggestion, Dudley and Dean Evenson have created a year of guided meditations. Every week you will receive in your email a new set of positive, life altering affirmative statements, designed to give you positive principles and ways to become your highest self. There is a perfection deep inside of you which no amount of problems can cover over, and perhaps allowing someone else to tell you this will set you on your path to personal freedom.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Stooge in me
I read an article on Yahoo today in which MGM and the Farrelly brothers are lining up the cast for a new Three Stooges movie, set to come out in 2010. As a self confessed Stoooge-aholic, this is big news.
I remember coming home from school, in the days before video recorders, and putting on the TV. Moe, Larry, and Curly were always on the UHF band, so the picture on many days was snowy or fuzzy. Didn't matter. My little sister and brother and I would watch these over and over again. If the picture got real bad, and I couldn't see what was happening, I'd fill in the scene in my mind.
During the commercial breaks, we had our chores to do. The house had to be clean and dinner had to be ready when dad got home from work. Mom always left a note on the table on how to cook dinner and being a few years older than my siblings, I usually started dinner. My brother and sister would get the table cleaned off and set with plates, silverware, and cups. Sometimes we would have things ready and sometimes not.
I always admired the Three Stooges. It seemed life was so serious, while growing up. The Stooges took all things cherished in my little world and made a mockery out of it. School, court, work, sports, girls, were the playground of the Three Stooges.
There was a time, as we got older, when my brother and I weren't getting along very well together. Dad gave us the job of painting the hallway that went upstairs. We began the job and over an hour into our chore, neither of us said a word. We were in close proximity to each other and I let my paint brush slip and hit him with paint. Oh, Sorry, nyuk nyuk nyuk, said I. He caught on and before long I was smacked with an errant brush stroke. Over the course of the next hour, there was more paint on each other than on the wall. We had fun, broke the ice between us, got the job done, and are best friends today.
You might even remember a song called the Curly Shuffle
, so I went looking and found it on Amazon for you.
If the lives we live now are dictated by the life we had when we were younger, I wonder how much different my life would be if I just let my inner Stooge flow more frequently. Laughter is the best medicine, maybe I'll start today, I just won't poke anybody in the eyes.
I remember coming home from school, in the days before video recorders, and putting on the TV. Moe, Larry, and Curly were always on the UHF band, so the picture on many days was snowy or fuzzy. Didn't matter. My little sister and brother and I would watch these over and over again. If the picture got real bad, and I couldn't see what was happening, I'd fill in the scene in my mind.
During the commercial breaks, we had our chores to do. The house had to be clean and dinner had to be ready when dad got home from work. Mom always left a note on the table on how to cook dinner and being a few years older than my siblings, I usually started dinner. My brother and sister would get the table cleaned off and set with plates, silverware, and cups. Sometimes we would have things ready and sometimes not.
I always admired the Three Stooges. It seemed life was so serious, while growing up. The Stooges took all things cherished in my little world and made a mockery out of it. School, court, work, sports, girls, were the playground of the Three Stooges.
There was a time, as we got older, when my brother and I weren't getting along very well together. Dad gave us the job of painting the hallway that went upstairs. We began the job and over an hour into our chore, neither of us said a word. We were in close proximity to each other and I let my paint brush slip and hit him with paint. Oh, Sorry, nyuk nyuk nyuk, said I. He caught on and before long I was smacked with an errant brush stroke. Over the course of the next hour, there was more paint on each other than on the wall. We had fun, broke the ice between us, got the job done, and are best friends today.
You might even remember a song called the Curly Shuffle
, so I went looking and found it on Amazon for you. If the lives we live now are dictated by the life we had when we were younger, I wonder how much different my life would be if I just let my inner Stooge flow more frequently. Laughter is the best medicine, maybe I'll start today, I just won't poke anybody in the eyes.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Prosperity is here today
There's a goldmine between your ears. That's an old saying that I just made up. But what if it was true? How do you mine something so intangible as the going ons of your mind? There are a myriad of books on prosperity, movies like The Secret, seminars, courses and more to help give you the tools to delve into your mental storehouse of riches.
Do you ever wonder sometimes if some of the current prosperity books are like a watered down not totally accurate way of acheiving success? We played a game as kids called Chinese Telephone. We would have a number of us kids lined up and the first would whisper something in the next kid's ear and then this kid would pass along the message to the next in line. This would continue on until the last kid would have to repeat the original message. We would all laugh on how distorted the message ended up. I makes me wonder why the world is in such economic turmoil with all the prosperity messages out there.
If we were to fall back to the original ideas on prosperity, would we come up with a different how-to list? Napoleon Hill's classic Think And Grow Rich is considered the heavy weight in terms of success and acheivement. Yet, where did his ideas come from? Who were his contemporaries and can additional information be gleaned from them?
There is a resource available where you can get the writings of many authors relating to prosperity and acheivement. Authors including Napoleon Hill, Thomas Troward, Ernest Holmes, Wallace Wattles, Charles Fillmore, Ralph Waldo Trine, James Allen, Florence Scovil Shinn, and more. 39 total books to give you the power tools to mine the gold inside of you and create your part of the world the way that you would like it to be created.
Ron Peer has compiled this collection for you to enjoy. Click Here to access your collection and to read how Ron has used the tools in these books to become a writer of plays and screen plays.
"Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire - you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away." -- Denis Waitley
Do you ever wonder sometimes if some of the current prosperity books are like a watered down not totally accurate way of acheiving success? We played a game as kids called Chinese Telephone. We would have a number of us kids lined up and the first would whisper something in the next kid's ear and then this kid would pass along the message to the next in line. This would continue on until the last kid would have to repeat the original message. We would all laugh on how distorted the message ended up. I makes me wonder why the world is in such economic turmoil with all the prosperity messages out there.
If we were to fall back to the original ideas on prosperity, would we come up with a different how-to list? Napoleon Hill's classic Think And Grow Rich is considered the heavy weight in terms of success and acheivement. Yet, where did his ideas come from? Who were his contemporaries and can additional information be gleaned from them?
There is a resource available where you can get the writings of many authors relating to prosperity and acheivement. Authors including Napoleon Hill, Thomas Troward, Ernest Holmes, Wallace Wattles, Charles Fillmore, Ralph Waldo Trine, James Allen, Florence Scovil Shinn, and more. 39 total books to give you the power tools to mine the gold inside of you and create your part of the world the way that you would like it to be created.
Ron Peer has compiled this collection for you to enjoy. Click Here to access your collection and to read how Ron has used the tools in these books to become a writer of plays and screen plays.
"Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire - you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away." -- Denis Waitley
Saturday, March 21, 2009
You are courageous indeed
I was reading an article on the DailyOm website and the article was titled Remembering Who We Are.
Many thoughts of our world today popped into my mind. Mostly the troubling parts, the wars, economy, suffering, stress, tension and more. The article shifted my focus dramatically. It said, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience."
And that seems to me that we have this whole thing backwards. I have heard it said, in the beginning, God created man in his own image, and quickly mankind turned around and returned the favor by creating God in its own image. So humankind has forgotten who it really is, a being of eternal nature with infinite potential. We limit ourselves to the here and now and forget that there are no limits. I forget on a regular basis and as a result I get to feel the negative effects on my corner of the world.
The article continues with:
"As spiritual beings, we are visitors in this physical realm. The fact that we came here and lost all memory of what happened to us before we were born is one of the many reasons that it takes so much courage for a soul to incarnate on earth. This is why spiritual inquiry so often feels like a remembering—because it is."
The part that stopped me was the reference to courage. True courage incorporates the depths of the soul. How courageous you are working so hard to provide for your family. How courageous you are to sacrifice. How courageous you are to see your sons and daughters go to fight overseas.
On this earthly plane, we don't seem to get many answers. Search your soul, see your big picture, and remember that you are more than any earthly problem.
Many thoughts of our world today popped into my mind. Mostly the troubling parts, the wars, economy, suffering, stress, tension and more. The article shifted my focus dramatically. It said, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience."
And that seems to me that we have this whole thing backwards. I have heard it said, in the beginning, God created man in his own image, and quickly mankind turned around and returned the favor by creating God in its own image. So humankind has forgotten who it really is, a being of eternal nature with infinite potential. We limit ourselves to the here and now and forget that there are no limits. I forget on a regular basis and as a result I get to feel the negative effects on my corner of the world.
The article continues with:
"As spiritual beings, we are visitors in this physical realm. The fact that we came here and lost all memory of what happened to us before we were born is one of the many reasons that it takes so much courage for a soul to incarnate on earth. This is why spiritual inquiry so often feels like a remembering—because it is."
The part that stopped me was the reference to courage. True courage incorporates the depths of the soul. How courageous you are working so hard to provide for your family. How courageous you are to sacrifice. How courageous you are to see your sons and daughters go to fight overseas.
On this earthly plane, we don't seem to get many answers. Search your soul, see your big picture, and remember that you are more than any earthly problem.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Making big changes in your life?
John Lennon said “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”
Has that ever happened to you?One moment you are totally clear on where you are going and what you are doing and then WHAM, something comes up and suddenly your lost, dazed and confused?
This is the theme of the feature film TAOS.Here we meet John Wahlberg, a super-stressed out, fast-track lawyer in the prime of his life who is on the road to join his girlfriend in Aspen (where she is expecting him to propose). When his car breaks down, stranding him in Taos, New Mexico, he is suddenly stuck in a small town without WiFi or cell coverage. A shaman, a woman, and a little magic reveal the possibilities of a new way of living.One path leads to the unknown.The other path is his current buttoned up, elite, financially secure world. Curious to know which path John chooses?
Great news from our friends at Spiritual Cinema Circle -- you can receive TAOS plus 3 great short films for FREE when you sign up for a trial membership at no charge. (just pay a small shipping fee). They are the only DVD service dedicated to films about love, compassion and inspiration, one of the many reasons we wanted you to know about them.
“The Spiritual Cinema Circle is providing a great service to those who want to evolve and be entertained at the same time.” Deepak Chopra
Has that ever happened to you?One moment you are totally clear on where you are going and what you are doing and then WHAM, something comes up and suddenly your lost, dazed and confused?
This is the theme of the feature film TAOS.Here we meet John Wahlberg, a super-stressed out, fast-track lawyer in the prime of his life who is on the road to join his girlfriend in Aspen (where she is expecting him to propose). When his car breaks down, stranding him in Taos, New Mexico, he is suddenly stuck in a small town without WiFi or cell coverage. A shaman, a woman, and a little magic reveal the possibilities of a new way of living.One path leads to the unknown.The other path is his current buttoned up, elite, financially secure world. Curious to know which path John chooses?
Great news from our friends at Spiritual Cinema Circle -- you can receive TAOS plus 3 great short films for FREE when you sign up for a trial membership at no charge. (just pay a small shipping fee). They are the only DVD service dedicated to films about love, compassion and inspiration, one of the many reasons we wanted you to know about them.
“The Spiritual Cinema Circle is providing a great service to those who want to evolve and be entertained at the same time.” Deepak Chopra
Friday, March 13, 2009
Ideas for anxiety and stress relief
Meditation is a process of calming the mind to reap the benefits of anxiety and stress relief. In our challenging times, you may wonder, well great, how do I calm my mind? Bills to pay, collectors calling, work is slow, and I feel sick.
Anxiety and stress are big contributors to bad health. It amazes me that in times of mental turmoil, our minds can torture the body to the extent of creating headaches, body aches, muscle tension, changes in heart rate, and so much more. On the opposite end, when our minds are peaceful, the body is relaxed, and a smile just feels right.
Ok, so how can I get to the place where I can ease my worried mind and enjoy the benefits of calmness and peace of mind? Myself, personally, have had great results using meditation audios when I go to bed at night. I really get a good night's sleep, which is a key element in our ability to handle stress. The audios which have worked best for me have been from Effective Learning Systems. Audios are available for both resting or while active, such as driving.
Effective Learning Systems began in 1972 as a way to help people reach their full potential through deep relaxation, guided imagery, self hypnosis and more.
Do you have the jitters whenever you try to be still? Have you considered a natural solution? Various herbs can help to calm your body. Just as caffeine can give you a jolt, natural herbs such as passionflower, ashwagandha, melatonin, or 5-htp can help to bring down the anxiety to help you relax and make it even possible to meditate. 5-htp has been shown to favorably modulate serotonin levels, which can help with mental help and sleep patterns. Of course, if you are under a doctors care, check to see if any supplement will counteract any prescription which you may be taking.
The body and the mind are integrated into one unit, no matter how separate they may seem. Increasing the level of exercise throughout your day can be of benefit to you. I know, exercise is something that there is no time or energy for. So let's think about simple adjustments instead of 4 times a week at the gym. Parking a bit farther away from the grocery store gives your shoes a few more miles over time. When you take out the gallon of milk from the fridge, do some arm curls with the weight for several reps to keep the arm muscles toned. If you live close to the store, consider walking instead of driving. If you have a home or apartment with stairs, you have a built in stairmaster. Every little bit of exercise that you do allows the body to do what it does best naturally.
The body naturally regulates all the necessary ingredients to keep you healthy when you give it proper nutrition and a little exercise. Give yourself the choice of calm. Even in these stress filled times, you are still you! You are still magnificent! And you deserve to feel good about you!
Anxiety and stress are big contributors to bad health. It amazes me that in times of mental turmoil, our minds can torture the body to the extent of creating headaches, body aches, muscle tension, changes in heart rate, and so much more. On the opposite end, when our minds are peaceful, the body is relaxed, and a smile just feels right.
Ok, so how can I get to the place where I can ease my worried mind and enjoy the benefits of calmness and peace of mind? Myself, personally, have had great results using meditation audios when I go to bed at night. I really get a good night's sleep, which is a key element in our ability to handle stress. The audios which have worked best for me have been from Effective Learning Systems. Audios are available for both resting or while active, such as driving.
Effective Learning Systems began in 1972 as a way to help people reach their full potential through deep relaxation, guided imagery, self hypnosis and more.
Do you have the jitters whenever you try to be still? Have you considered a natural solution? Various herbs can help to calm your body. Just as caffeine can give you a jolt, natural herbs such as passionflower, ashwagandha, melatonin, or 5-htp can help to bring down the anxiety to help you relax and make it even possible to meditate. 5-htp has been shown to favorably modulate serotonin levels, which can help with mental help and sleep patterns. Of course, if you are under a doctors care, check to see if any supplement will counteract any prescription which you may be taking.
The body and the mind are integrated into one unit, no matter how separate they may seem. Increasing the level of exercise throughout your day can be of benefit to you. I know, exercise is something that there is no time or energy for. So let's think about simple adjustments instead of 4 times a week at the gym. Parking a bit farther away from the grocery store gives your shoes a few more miles over time. When you take out the gallon of milk from the fridge, do some arm curls with the weight for several reps to keep the arm muscles toned. If you live close to the store, consider walking instead of driving. If you have a home or apartment with stairs, you have a built in stairmaster. Every little bit of exercise that you do allows the body to do what it does best naturally.
The body naturally regulates all the necessary ingredients to keep you healthy when you give it proper nutrition and a little exercise. Give yourself the choice of calm. Even in these stress filled times, you are still you! You are still magnificent! And you deserve to feel good about you!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Neale Donald Walsch coming to Colorado
Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations With God, is coming to Lakewood, Colorado Friday March 20 and Saturday March 21.
The bestselling author of the renowned With God series is making another visit to Mile Hi Church to inspire important changes in your daily life.
Since the publication of the groundbreaking spiritual work, Conversations with God, people have repeatedly asked the author to explain the process of his dialogue with Deity. Now, in a very mind-expanding and spirit-awakening presentation, Neale not only explains, but for the first time demonstrates how he speaks with God and gives you an opportunity to have your own conversation with the Divine.
I have much enjoyed reading Conversations With God. If you find yourself in Colorado and not sure of where Mile Hi Church is located, contact me for directions. I'll be volunteering at the book sales counter, so stop by and say Hello.
Should you not be able to attend Neale's presentation or workshop, visit Amazon.com for his book and video selection. There is also an eleven week course presented by Mr. Walsch on DailyOm.com You will learn how to dial up the happiness in your life. Happiness is a key ingredient in your life, health, relationships, spirit, and the health of the planet.
The bestselling author of the renowned With God series is making another visit to Mile Hi Church to inspire important changes in your daily life.
Since the publication of the groundbreaking spiritual work, Conversations with God, people have repeatedly asked the author to explain the process of his dialogue with Deity. Now, in a very mind-expanding and spirit-awakening presentation, Neale not only explains, but for the first time demonstrates how he speaks with God and gives you an opportunity to have your own conversation with the Divine.
I have much enjoyed reading Conversations With God. If you find yourself in Colorado and not sure of where Mile Hi Church is located, contact me for directions. I'll be volunteering at the book sales counter, so stop by and say Hello.
Should you not be able to attend Neale's presentation or workshop, visit Amazon.com
for his book and video selection. There is also an eleven week course presented by Mr. Walsch on DailyOm.com You will learn how to dial up the happiness in your life. Happiness is a key ingredient in your life, health, relationships, spirit, and the health of the planet.
Monday, March 9, 2009
A path to enlightenment
This past Saturday I went to the library to return a couple of movies and a book. While there, I browsed the books and picked up "Everyday Enlightenment", by Dan Millman. I had watched the movie "Peaceful Warrior", based on a book written by Dan Millman and thoroughly enjoyed the movie and the philosophy of Socrates, a character in the movie.
Sunday morning I awoke tense, frustrated, and anxious. My life seems to be getting nowhere. I don't seem to be able to make money. I have many money making ideas, yet need time to develop the skills, marketing, and products to sell. I visualize my life as I believe it can be, and it still doesn't come to be.
I sat downstairs by my computer and bitched to God. Do You care? Does it matter that one of your creations is in pain? If you care at all I should be able to open this book and your Spirit will flow through the words. At random, I opened the book to a section on fear. I read about the strength of our immortal soul, yet within the framework of humanity we can still be stricken by fear. This fear goes by many names; anxiety, depression, stress, overwhelm, feeling stuck and more. I closed the book with a "what does it mean" feeling and the thoughts began to flow freely.
My anxiety was just long term fear. My lack of focus was fear of not being able to follow through with a project. A voice seemed to say "why do you wear so much fear?" I was quite bewildered because I didn't know fear was a constant companion. An image popped into my mind of all my fears looking like clothes and banners that I wore. The voice seemed to say "how would you feel if you could take off your fear like taking off a tee shirt? What if for just a few moments you took off your fear and just breathed in the lightness of just being you?" In my mind I removed my banners of fear -- the angst, worthlessness, feeling of failure. I still clung to my fear in the form of a tee shirt. "Well, what if?" I thought. Can I give up my fear? I took off the fear tee shirt and immediately felt free. I was awe struck. In my mind I wandered around a beautiful sunlit hillside totally ecstatic of being released from this burden. I went on to have an absolutely wonderful day and evening. I even awoke today very content just being me.
I am curious also to see how events unfold. I don't know if I will don my cloak of fear once more or acknowledge its presence in my life and coexist in a peaceful way. In the book, Dan Millman states "Fear is not only an adversary, it is also a guide." My fear said, don't write this blog post, nobody cares. Which possibly means somebody else needs this. Maybe it's you.
", by Dan Millman. I had watched the movie "Peaceful Warrior", based on a book written by Dan Millman and thoroughly enjoyed the movie and the philosophy of Socrates, a character in the movie.Sunday morning I awoke tense, frustrated, and anxious. My life seems to be getting nowhere. I don't seem to be able to make money. I have many money making ideas, yet need time to develop the skills, marketing, and products to sell. I visualize my life as I believe it can be, and it still doesn't come to be.
I sat downstairs by my computer and bitched to God. Do You care? Does it matter that one of your creations is in pain? If you care at all I should be able to open this book and your Spirit will flow through the words. At random, I opened the book to a section on fear. I read about the strength of our immortal soul, yet within the framework of humanity we can still be stricken by fear. This fear goes by many names; anxiety, depression, stress, overwhelm, feeling stuck and more. I closed the book with a "what does it mean" feeling and the thoughts began to flow freely.
My anxiety was just long term fear. My lack of focus was fear of not being able to follow through with a project. A voice seemed to say "why do you wear so much fear?" I was quite bewildered because I didn't know fear was a constant companion. An image popped into my mind of all my fears looking like clothes and banners that I wore. The voice seemed to say "how would you feel if you could take off your fear like taking off a tee shirt? What if for just a few moments you took off your fear and just breathed in the lightness of just being you?" In my mind I removed my banners of fear -- the angst, worthlessness, feeling of failure. I still clung to my fear in the form of a tee shirt. "Well, what if?" I thought. Can I give up my fear? I took off the fear tee shirt and immediately felt free. I was awe struck. In my mind I wandered around a beautiful sunlit hillside totally ecstatic of being released from this burden. I went on to have an absolutely wonderful day and evening. I even awoke today very content just being me.
I am curious also to see how events unfold. I don't know if I will don my cloak of fear once more or acknowledge its presence in my life and coexist in a peaceful way. In the book, Dan Millman states "Fear is not only an adversary, it is also a guide." My fear said, don't write this blog post, nobody cares. Which possibly means somebody else needs this. Maybe it's you.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
How your ideas make you money
I am absolutely confident, that in this economy, you can make money. I am so confident in you, that I am here to let you know the world needs you.
It seems many of us have lost our entrepreneurial passions and sold our souls to a corporation. Yet, not many corporations are taking care of us, are they? I'm not much of a historian, but I think the first European families that landed in America, faced quite a challenge economically. There wasn't a Walmart around then nor was there a job to be found in the land. To survive, they relied on each other.
Who is relying on you? Who are you relying on? When you take inventory of your personal skills, or better yet, let somebody close to you take inventory of your skills, you will find that you are actually confined and limited by your job. If you allow your talent to flow, what need can you fill? Who can benefit by your abilities? How much is your time worth? When you bring value into some one's life, they bring money into your life. We are so much more connected than we will ever know.
Silly example from my life. I have a scroll saw and I just kind of tinker with making things. In the beginning of my new "toy", I was quite crude in my attempts at art. I had come a long way and during the holidays this past Christmas, I had made some gifts from scrap wood on my scroll saw. I was shocked and flattered when I was asked to make a piece of art for a co-worker of Lisa's. I was absolutely befuddled when she wanted to know how much I would charge. In a nutshell, two people were happy over this, Lisa's friend had a work of art, and I had some extra money. I have now been asked to make an artistic birdhouse, which I will begin after writing this post. I never seriously thought of this tool as a means to make any money.
The point is, what are you good at, and yet you don't see the value in that talent? Are you good at sewing? Cooking? Arranging? Wood? Metal? Teaching? And through the internet, you can greatly expand talent beyond your local area.
Just like the original colonists, when we rely on each other, the support, the value exchange, the harmony will overcome mere survival and will allow us all to thrive.
It seems many of us have lost our entrepreneurial passions and sold our souls to a corporation. Yet, not many corporations are taking care of us, are they? I'm not much of a historian, but I think the first European families that landed in America, faced quite a challenge economically. There wasn't a Walmart around then nor was there a job to be found in the land. To survive, they relied on each other.
Who is relying on you? Who are you relying on? When you take inventory of your personal skills, or better yet, let somebody close to you take inventory of your skills, you will find that you are actually confined and limited by your job. If you allow your talent to flow, what need can you fill? Who can benefit by your abilities? How much is your time worth? When you bring value into some one's life, they bring money into your life. We are so much more connected than we will ever know.
Silly example from my life. I have a scroll saw and I just kind of tinker with making things. In the beginning of my new "toy", I was quite crude in my attempts at art. I had come a long way and during the holidays this past Christmas, I had made some gifts from scrap wood on my scroll saw. I was shocked and flattered when I was asked to make a piece of art for a co-worker of Lisa's. I was absolutely befuddled when she wanted to know how much I would charge. In a nutshell, two people were happy over this, Lisa's friend had a work of art, and I had some extra money. I have now been asked to make an artistic birdhouse, which I will begin after writing this post. I never seriously thought of this tool as a means to make any money.
The point is, what are you good at, and yet you don't see the value in that talent? Are you good at sewing? Cooking? Arranging? Wood? Metal? Teaching? And through the internet, you can greatly expand talent beyond your local area.
Just like the original colonists, when we rely on each other, the support, the value exchange, the harmony will overcome mere survival and will allow us all to thrive.
Monday, February 23, 2009
A Good Infection?
The winter time of year is amazingly rich in various infections; colds, flu, sinus or respiratory infections. However, the worst kind of infection is an attitude infection. Have you ever worked with, or lived with, or had a neighbor that could bring down the most positive part of your being? Have you ever worked on bringing someone else down? All of us being human, I'm unsure if we can avoid sharing negativity all together.
Jacques Cousteau is quoted as saying:
If we were logical, the future would be bleak indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work.
That sounds like a good antidote for a negatively infected world. In our own little corner of the world, should we bring faith and hope into our work and leisure, we then become a good infection. If someone you come across has a sour attitude, what would your smile and kind words do for that person? I don't know either, but if for a brief moment that person was able to leave the prison of negative self affliction because you were there, great change will have taken place. It is said, that it is difficult to soar with eagles when you work with turkeys, yet remember, only an eagle can soar with an eagle. Our choice is powerful stuff.
In my quest to becoming My Best Me possible, I am constantly challenged by my external world and its attitude, and I do really appreciate my choice, this world will be slightly better because I have travelled here.
Jacques Cousteau is quoted as saying:
If we were logical, the future would be bleak indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work.
That sounds like a good antidote for a negatively infected world. In our own little corner of the world, should we bring faith and hope into our work and leisure, we then become a good infection. If someone you come across has a sour attitude, what would your smile and kind words do for that person? I don't know either, but if for a brief moment that person was able to leave the prison of negative self affliction because you were there, great change will have taken place. It is said, that it is difficult to soar with eagles when you work with turkeys, yet remember, only an eagle can soar with an eagle. Our choice is powerful stuff.
In my quest to becoming My Best Me possible, I am constantly challenged by my external world and its attitude, and I do really appreciate my choice, this world will be slightly better because I have travelled here.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Forgiveness gives you a clean slate to be your best
I had the radio on the other day and "The Heart of the Matter" by Don Henley came on. That song meant alot to me way back when and its inspirational message came through once more.
A part of the lyrics goes like this:
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I'd figured out
I have to learn again
I've been trying to get down
to the heart of the matter
But everything changes
and my friends seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore
Forgiveness is a key element in relationships, isn't it? Forgiveness begins with the self, because after all, you can't give something which you don't have. And if you're hard on yourself, do you think that you may possibly have a grudge with another also?
I find the cycles of life quite intriguing. The ebb and flow, the good the bad, the rich the poor, the friends the loneliness. We all long for good times, happy times. But life doesn't always work that way. The contrast seems to present itself to help us in making better choices along the way. Without being able to anger somebody, there would be no need to see how we could make another happy. Without lack or limits, there wouldn't be as much appreciation for any amount of abundance.
But through it all, we find ourselves in it all. The whole world really does revolve around you! And it also revolves around me. We are each at the center of our world. Being able to forgive, yourself, then those in your world, gives you a new start, a clean slate. We all make mistakes and to hold those mistakes against another causes us to re-live the past. In forgiveness, we can value somebody just for who they are, today, even if they don't love you anymore.
Therein lies freedom to be all that you can be today, without the burden of the past, therein lies the Heart of the Matter. This freedom allows you to follow your bliss, to live your bliss, to be your bliss.
A part of the lyrics goes like this:
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I'd figured out
I have to learn again
I've been trying to get down
to the heart of the matter
But everything changes
and my friends seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore
Forgiveness is a key element in relationships, isn't it? Forgiveness begins with the self, because after all, you can't give something which you don't have. And if you're hard on yourself, do you think that you may possibly have a grudge with another also?
I find the cycles of life quite intriguing. The ebb and flow, the good the bad, the rich the poor, the friends the loneliness. We all long for good times, happy times. But life doesn't always work that way. The contrast seems to present itself to help us in making better choices along the way. Without being able to anger somebody, there would be no need to see how we could make another happy. Without lack or limits, there wouldn't be as much appreciation for any amount of abundance.
But through it all, we find ourselves in it all. The whole world really does revolve around you! And it also revolves around me. We are each at the center of our world. Being able to forgive, yourself, then those in your world, gives you a new start, a clean slate. We all make mistakes and to hold those mistakes against another causes us to re-live the past. In forgiveness, we can value somebody just for who they are, today, even if they don't love you anymore.
Therein lies freedom to be all that you can be today, without the burden of the past, therein lies the Heart of the Matter
. This freedom allows you to follow your bliss, to live your bliss, to be your bliss.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Attraction, Inspiration, Healing, and Love
What happens when the Law of Attraction is governed by the Law of Love? We are vibrational beings constantly emitting and attracting things in accord with our vibration. Should we be so in tuned with Love, how would our Attraction change?
Lisa had a doctors appointment and the news was quite painful to bear. Seems medication is going to be her close companion for the rest of her life. She is a Registered Nurse, however, over the past several years has been coming more in tune with holistic healing. The words from the doctor regarding her illness, ulcerative colitis, possibly Crohn's Disease, and his approach to dealing with the illness, brought Lisa down quickly and dramatically.
That evening, we watched "You can heal your life", a movie from Louise Hay. We were quite inspired and uplifted to hear of others who had healed themselves from illnesses or other life circumstances. I don't know if we can get to a point where Lisa's illness will completely disappear. I do know that her ability to love herself will have a dramatic impact on the severity of this challenge.
From an observational standpoint, what a great place to be in. To be in a place of weakness and to see the power of the universe displayed through her body. It's funny to think that a few short years ago I did not believe miracles occurred, and now I expect one.
Lisa had a doctors appointment and the news was quite painful to bear. Seems medication is going to be her close companion for the rest of her life. She is a Registered Nurse, however, over the past several years has been coming more in tune with holistic healing. The words from the doctor regarding her illness, ulcerative colitis, possibly Crohn's Disease, and his approach to dealing with the illness, brought Lisa down quickly and dramatically.
That evening, we watched "You can heal your life", a movie from Louise Hay. We were quite inspired and uplifted to hear of others who had healed themselves from illnesses or other life circumstances. I don't know if we can get to a point where Lisa's illness will completely disappear. I do know that her ability to love herself will have a dramatic impact on the severity of this challenge.
From an observational standpoint, what a great place to be in. To be in a place of weakness and to see the power of the universe displayed through her body. It's funny to think that a few short years ago I did not believe miracles occurred, and now I expect one.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Easily meditate your way to a better life
Meditation doesn't come easily to me. Growing up, my family didn't get involved with such "cultish" behavior such as meditation. At this stage of my life, I look for things that help me achieve a spiritual and mental balance which produces a peace and happiness on the inside. I've gotten to the point of being able to meditate for about 5 minutes now, and that is quite a leap.
Something that has been very helpful to me is what I call mini-meditations. I can't settle down and be still for a half hour, so I quiet my mind and still myself for a minute or two throughout my day. That has been very helpful in keeping a sense of calm and balance when the storms of life blow in. I feel much more connected to something much larger than all humanity through meditation, and I am very grateful that my life has gone down this path.
If you are new to meditation or find life just getting in the way and not having the time to meditate, there are numerous programs available from Effective Learning Systems. I put on a CD and the gentle relaxing voice-over and soft music allow me to go to sleep almost instantly. I went through a period of incredibly high anxiety, and these CD's helped to ease my mind and get a good nights sleep. Over time, my attitude began to change as well, and balance is returning to my mind.
With titles ranging from business success, to stop smoking, to weight loss, to being more positive, Effective Learning System can help you break out of patterns that are repeating in your life, freeing you to be what you always dreamed you could be.
Something that has been very helpful to me is what I call mini-meditations. I can't settle down and be still for a half hour, so I quiet my mind and still myself for a minute or two throughout my day. That has been very helpful in keeping a sense of calm and balance when the storms of life blow in. I feel much more connected to something much larger than all humanity through meditation, and I am very grateful that my life has gone down this path.
If you are new to meditation or find life just getting in the way and not having the time to meditate, there are numerous programs available from Effective Learning Systems. I put on a CD and the gentle relaxing voice-over and soft music allow me to go to sleep almost instantly. I went through a period of incredibly high anxiety, and these CD's helped to ease my mind and get a good nights sleep. Over time, my attitude began to change as well, and balance is returning to my mind.
With titles ranging from business success, to stop smoking, to weight loss, to being more positive, Effective Learning System can help you break out of patterns that are repeating in your life, freeing you to be what you always dreamed you could be.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Last Lecture
On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”
What an inspired talk Randy Puasch gave. At the beginning of his talk, he showed slides of the cancer eating away at his body, letting the audience know that the doctors had given him just months to live. But it takes more than cancer to quell such enthusiasm. You can see him on YouTube, all 1 hour and 16 minutes. Over 8 million people have watched this amazing and final lecture given by Randy Puasch.
You can pick up his book, The Last Lecture from Amazon.com. I found out about his inspiring video while browsing the website for International Association of Home Business Entrepreneurs.
If you need a shot of inspiration, I recommend watching this video. It will make you think about acheiving your childhood dreams.
What an inspired talk Randy Puasch gave. At the beginning of his talk, he showed slides of the cancer eating away at his body, letting the audience know that the doctors had given him just months to live. But it takes more than cancer to quell such enthusiasm. You can see him on YouTube, all 1 hour and 16 minutes. Over 8 million people have watched this amazing and final lecture given by Randy Puasch.
You can pick up his book, The Last Lecture
from Amazon.com. I found out about his inspiring video while browsing the website for International Association of Home Business Entrepreneurs.If you need a shot of inspiration, I recommend watching this video. It will make you think about acheiving your childhood dreams.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Enlightenment of Jesus
I have had my beliefs challenged a bit lately. By challenged, I mean a different twist in a philosophical system was brought to my attention and I can't just sweep it under a rug and let it go away. I don't look for things to bring about right / wrong conclusion, I like things that leave the door wide open to allow everyone to believe as they wish.
Being an avid reader, I received a copy of Jesus, A Story Of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra. I had not read any of Deepak Chopra's book before. He was a featured guest speaker at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood Colorado and I had an opportunity to see him speak. Very interesting, I truly enjoyed his talk. I also received a free copy of this book. I did not know what to expect, but I remained open minded and had fun reading.
This book about Jesus, is first of a work of fiction. There are some references to things that we know about Jesus, but mostly this book is about things we don't know about Jesus. The Bible tells us about Jesus birth, when he was 12 years old, and his ministry around age 30. Deepak Chopra weaves a tale around the missing years of Jesus' life. Chopra also mixes in some Jewish traditions and philosophies, some Roman pressures on the Jewish community, and an interesting plot as Jesus strives toward enlightenment.
This book isn't meant to change any thoughts about who Jesus is, but it provides good enough entertainment to last a couple of days. The confrontation between Jesus and the Devil will stoke your imagination, but not too much, because we already know who won.
Being an avid reader, I received a copy of Jesus, A Story Of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra
. I had not read any of Deepak Chopra's book before. He was a featured guest speaker at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood Colorado and I had an opportunity to see him speak. Very interesting, I truly enjoyed his talk. I also received a free copy of this book. I did not know what to expect, but I remained open minded and had fun reading.This book about Jesus, is first of a work of fiction. There are some references to things that we know about Jesus, but mostly this book is about things we don't know about Jesus. The Bible tells us about Jesus birth, when he was 12 years old, and his ministry around age 30. Deepak Chopra weaves a tale around the missing years of Jesus' life. Chopra also mixes in some Jewish traditions and philosophies, some Roman pressures on the Jewish community, and an interesting plot as Jesus strives toward enlightenment.
This book isn't meant to change any thoughts about who Jesus is, but it provides good enough entertainment to last a couple of days. The confrontation between Jesus and the Devil will stoke your imagination, but not too much, because we already know who won.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow...have you seen yours?
It's Groundhog Day! Yep, Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, signifying another 6 weeks of winter. And what a relief that is! Relief, you say? Yes, as I typed this blog post, I mistakenly typed 6 months of winter. So, I pass my relief on to you. You can read the article from The Evening Sun.
What is a shadow? Have you ever stopped to think about it? When light gets blocked by something solid, a shadow is formed. If light is blocked altogether, it's called darkness.
We have heard of a person having a dark side, a hidden shadow. Just what does that mean? Debbie Ford has done extensive "shadow" work and has written a couple of books to help us with that, The Secret of the Shadow, and Dark Side of the Light Chasers. You can see Debbie's bibliography at Amazon.com.
When I have tried to suppress the unwanted side of myself, I've have become the unfortunate victim of my own character, and that has had many ways of manifesting in eruptions, or embarrassments, or dozens of other ways.
I remember when I was a department supervisor at a printer that I had worked at that excuses ran rampant amongst various departments. As a cog in the business wheel, other departments directly affected the workload in my department and our ability to get the job done on time. I remember my frustration getting so bad that, at one point, when I went home I sat on my computer one evening and came up with a deck of "Excuse Cards". I printed it on heavier card stock and made it into a deck of cards which read things like "Theresa said it's OK", "Gery says Don't Worry", etc. etc. All the same things that brought us to a stall in our meetings but never got us closer to getting the job done. I was actually quite proud of my work and I brought the cards to an associate from another department and we had us a good laugh. I did not know that he had kept some cards and during our meeting that day he began to "play" the cards one by one in front of the excuse makers. After the meeting I was called into the office for a lecture.
My dark side needed an outlet, but why did it blow up in my face? I have learned much since that event, and although I don't handle things perfectly, I found that I could use the shadow to my benefit.
These 2 books, The Secret of the Shadow, and Dark Side of the Light Chasers, have been a tremendous help in allowing me to not only see my dark side, but to allow it to make me a complete person. With your shadow properly channeled, and we all have a shadow, you are one powerful human being. If you are looking to be your best, I highly recommend a book or two from Debbie Ford. I think you will like her openness and honesty by highlighting her own missteps and those of others. Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow, but I bet he doesn't have to deal with a dark side.
What is a shadow? Have you ever stopped to think about it? When light gets blocked by something solid, a shadow is formed. If light is blocked altogether, it's called darkness.
We have heard of a person having a dark side, a hidden shadow. Just what does that mean? Debbie Ford has done extensive "shadow" work and has written a couple of books to help us with that, The Secret of the Shadow, and Dark Side of the Light Chasers. You can see Debbie's bibliography at Amazon.com
.When I have tried to suppress the unwanted side of myself, I've have become the unfortunate victim of my own character, and that has had many ways of manifesting in eruptions, or embarrassments, or dozens of other ways.
I remember when I was a department supervisor at a printer that I had worked at that excuses ran rampant amongst various departments. As a cog in the business wheel, other departments directly affected the workload in my department and our ability to get the job done on time. I remember my frustration getting so bad that, at one point, when I went home I sat on my computer one evening and came up with a deck of "Excuse Cards". I printed it on heavier card stock and made it into a deck of cards which read things like "Theresa said it's OK", "Gery says Don't Worry", etc. etc. All the same things that brought us to a stall in our meetings but never got us closer to getting the job done. I was actually quite proud of my work and I brought the cards to an associate from another department and we had us a good laugh. I did not know that he had kept some cards and during our meeting that day he began to "play" the cards one by one in front of the excuse makers. After the meeting I was called into the office for a lecture.
My dark side needed an outlet, but why did it blow up in my face? I have learned much since that event, and although I don't handle things perfectly, I found that I could use the shadow to my benefit.
These 2 books, The Secret of the Shadow, and Dark Side of the Light Chasers, have been a tremendous help in allowing me to not only see my dark side, but to allow it to make me a complete person. With your shadow properly channeled, and we all have a shadow, you are one powerful human being. If you are looking to be your best, I highly recommend a book or two from Debbie Ford. I think you will like her openness and honesty by highlighting her own missteps and those of others. Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow, but I bet he doesn't have to deal with a dark side.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
What is your foundation for inner peace?
While contemplating A Course in Miracles this morning, a few lines really stood out at me.
"The miracle enables you to see your brother without his past, and so perceive him as born again. His errors are all past, and by perceiving him without them you are releasing him. And since his past is yours, you share in this release. Your past was made in anger, and if you use it to attack the present, you will not see the freedom that the present holds."
I let my imagination go free and tried to overlay this paragraph over my life to see if it would look any different. It's so true that I see people in my life based on their past as we have related to one and other over time. But I really noticed the judgements about these people and it was quite eye opening to see character areas that I was critical of, I was also critical of myself in the same area. The areas in which I enjoyed others, I enjoyed myself as well.
What a miracle it is to see others as they are right now, without the overlay of past mistakes. It really is freeing.
this morning, a few lines really stood out at me. "The miracle enables you to see your brother without his past, and so perceive him as born again. His errors are all past, and by perceiving him without them you are releasing him. And since his past is yours, you share in this release. Your past was made in anger, and if you use it to attack the present, you will not see the freedom that the present holds."
I let my imagination go free and tried to overlay this paragraph over my life to see if it would look any different. It's so true that I see people in my life based on their past as we have related to one and other over time. But I really noticed the judgements about these people and it was quite eye opening to see character areas that I was critical of, I was also critical of myself in the same area. The areas in which I enjoyed others, I enjoyed myself as well.
What a miracle it is to see others as they are right now, without the overlay of past mistakes. It really is freeing.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Questions surrounding a miscarriage
I would like to open this blog post up to all of your comments and suggestions. I'm sure there have been times in your life where you have felt very limited, both in your ability to change or control a situation and at the same time limited in a good philosophical perspective.
Lisa's daughter, a bright and beautiful 20 year old, was looking forward to not having a drink on her 21st birthday because she was expecting to deliver her first baby in August. That changed yesterday when the doctor informed her that she had miscarried her baby. The depths of her hurt feelings can't be expressed in words, yet her face and tears tells the story.
Lisa had several miscarriages before she had 3 wonderful children, and upon hearing that her daughter had followed in her footsteps caused Lisa to leave work immediately and brought a flood of feelings from so long ago. It was good for mom and daughter to be together last night.
If you feel so moved, I would appreciate any comments that you have regarding things that have helped you to cope, lessons you have learned, your frustrations and guilt, and how you have changed through the years because of such a loss.
Thank you.
Lisa's daughter, a bright and beautiful 20 year old, was looking forward to not having a drink on her 21st birthday because she was expecting to deliver her first baby in August. That changed yesterday when the doctor informed her that she had miscarried her baby. The depths of her hurt feelings can't be expressed in words, yet her face and tears tells the story.
Lisa had several miscarriages before she had 3 wonderful children, and upon hearing that her daughter had followed in her footsteps caused Lisa to leave work immediately and brought a flood of feelings from so long ago. It was good for mom and daughter to be together last night.
If you feel so moved, I would appreciate any comments that you have regarding things that have helped you to cope, lessons you have learned, your frustrations and guilt, and how you have changed through the years because of such a loss.
Thank you.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Obama on Al-Arabiya network
President Barak Obama had his first interview with the Arabic network. I'm not here to get all political, but I'd like to draw some parallels to help us in becoming our best.
There's that endless cycle of art imitating life, and life imitating art. In a similar manner, the outside world reflects our inner world, and the inner world reflect the outside world.
In art, we have the "Good Cop, Bad Cop" type which Hollywood has given us. I've never been arrested, so I apologize if my metaphor is off. Here is Barak Obama portraying the Good Cop, and in the Arab world, George Bush portrayed the Bad Cop. Abraham Lincoln said, "If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend." I don't know if Mr. Obama is looking for friendship in the Middle East, but he is delivering some tough love.
If we take this moment in history and personalize it, perhaps we can see the Good Cop, Bad Cop within our mind pushing us toward our ideal life. Both Presidents, Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama have our countries best interests in mind, though both have dramatically different approaches to the situation. In a similar sense, a split mind will see the same situation through different lenses and differing approaches.
If you have your own personal conflict within, maybe watching external events unfold, such as Mr. Obama on Al-Arabiya, can give you the hope that you need. Rest assured that peace within is possible. And the effect of that inner peace just might be a smile to someone who needs it, or a friendly word, or it may go so far as to give a helping hand.
There is a line in a spiritual song that goes, Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me". However, for peace to begin with me, it has to begin inside of me, inside my mind, inside my soul. And Louis Armstrong sang, "What a Wonderful World".
Click Here to read the news article as posted on Yahoo.
There's that endless cycle of art imitating life, and life imitating art. In a similar manner, the outside world reflects our inner world, and the inner world reflect the outside world.
In art, we have the "Good Cop, Bad Cop" type which Hollywood has given us. I've never been arrested, so I apologize if my metaphor is off. Here is Barak Obama portraying the Good Cop, and in the Arab world, George Bush portrayed the Bad Cop. Abraham Lincoln said, "If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend." I don't know if Mr. Obama is looking for friendship in the Middle East, but he is delivering some tough love.
If we take this moment in history and personalize it, perhaps we can see the Good Cop, Bad Cop within our mind pushing us toward our ideal life. Both Presidents, Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama have our countries best interests in mind, though both have dramatically different approaches to the situation. In a similar sense, a split mind will see the same situation through different lenses and differing approaches.
If you have your own personal conflict within, maybe watching external events unfold, such as Mr. Obama on Al-Arabiya, can give you the hope that you need. Rest assured that peace within is possible. And the effect of that inner peace just might be a smile to someone who needs it, or a friendly word, or it may go so far as to give a helping hand.
There is a line in a spiritual song that goes, Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me". However, for peace to begin with me, it has to begin inside of me, inside my mind, inside my soul. And Louis Armstrong sang, "What a Wonderful World".
Click Here to read the news article as posted on Yahoo.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sometimes my best needs a boost
Do you feel like your body just runs out of gas? It's like hitting an invisible time barrier and the body says, Ok, it's nap time. The mind says go, the body says no. An internal argument breaks and the mind says we got work to do, and the body says fine but your doing it without me.
I don't know if you get this way, but when I succumb to an afternoon nap, I wake up so unfocused, scattered, and distant, that sometimes I wonder why I napped in the first place. I am a fan of coffee, and it does the trick to perk me up in the morning but it doesn't help one bit after a nap.
Lisa and I are Independent Distributors for Herbalife and there is an energy drink called Liftoff. I have not been a fan of energy drinks, probably because they weren't available when I was younger. So I am no authority on energy drinks. And, of course, there are refrigerators full of various brands at a grocery store.
I decided to give Liftoff a try. I mean, if you're going to sell something it's nice to know what it does. I don't really enjoy it in the morning, after all, that is my coffee time. After my little afternoon nap, Oh Yeah. It clears out the cobwebs in minutes and I can get back to functioning as a normal human being.
Some of the ingredients that clear the brain is guarana, ginseng, ginko, C and B vitamins, and some caffeine. The vitamins in the formula probably won't replace your One-A-Day multivitamins, but if your diet is lacking some nutrients, vitamins from an energy drink can only help.
I did a little research on the internet about these energy drinks and I'd like to pass along some things that I have gathered. Energy drinks appear to have started with Red Bull. Although, I wonder if a cook on a chuck wagon making coffee for the cowboys on a cattle drive was the originator of the energy drink. What I found interesting in my not very official research was the government was considering a bill to regulate energy drinks. Some drinks were very, or possibly hyper-caffeinated. The caffeine levels are so high in some drinks that they can pose a health hazard.
Anything in our modern world taken to an excess will cause some sort of health problem, so here is just a quick tip on what to watch for in your energy drink. It may sound boring, but reading the label is a good place to start. Next is probably how it makes you feel, such as good or supercharged. Most doctors recommend no more than about 250 mg of caffeine a day. And that caffeine can come from anywhere, coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate or wherever. An average cup of joe is about 80mg give or take a few mg.
Some common sense is useful in all areas of life and it's no different with energy drinks. If your body feels overly excited, jazzed, amped, then perhaps it's time to back off a bit with your drinks. I invite you to drop in our Herbalife store and email me your opinion. Visit http://www.my-best-me.com
Feel free to forward this blog post, or anything on this site, if you know somebody that can benefit from things that I write.
I don't know if you get this way, but when I succumb to an afternoon nap, I wake up so unfocused, scattered, and distant, that sometimes I wonder why I napped in the first place. I am a fan of coffee, and it does the trick to perk me up in the morning but it doesn't help one bit after a nap.
Lisa and I are Independent Distributors for Herbalife and there is an energy drink called Liftoff. I have not been a fan of energy drinks, probably because they weren't available when I was younger. So I am no authority on energy drinks. And, of course, there are refrigerators full of various brands at a grocery store.
I decided to give Liftoff a try. I mean, if you're going to sell something it's nice to know what it does. I don't really enjoy it in the morning, after all, that is my coffee time. After my little afternoon nap, Oh Yeah. It clears out the cobwebs in minutes and I can get back to functioning as a normal human being.
Some of the ingredients that clear the brain is guarana, ginseng, ginko, C and B vitamins, and some caffeine. The vitamins in the formula probably won't replace your One-A-Day multivitamins, but if your diet is lacking some nutrients, vitamins from an energy drink can only help.
I did a little research on the internet about these energy drinks and I'd like to pass along some things that I have gathered. Energy drinks appear to have started with Red Bull. Although, I wonder if a cook on a chuck wagon making coffee for the cowboys on a cattle drive was the originator of the energy drink. What I found interesting in my not very official research was the government was considering a bill to regulate energy drinks. Some drinks were very, or possibly hyper-caffeinated. The caffeine levels are so high in some drinks that they can pose a health hazard.
Anything in our modern world taken to an excess will cause some sort of health problem, so here is just a quick tip on what to watch for in your energy drink. It may sound boring, but reading the label is a good place to start. Next is probably how it makes you feel, such as good or supercharged. Most doctors recommend no more than about 250 mg of caffeine a day. And that caffeine can come from anywhere, coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate or wherever. An average cup of joe is about 80mg give or take a few mg.
Some common sense is useful in all areas of life and it's no different with energy drinks. If your body feels overly excited, jazzed, amped, then perhaps it's time to back off a bit with your drinks. I invite you to drop in our Herbalife store and email me your opinion. Visit http://www.my-best-me.com
Feel free to forward this blog post, or anything on this site, if you know somebody that can benefit from things that I write.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Author Elizabeth Gilbert coming to Denver
Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love is coming to Mile Hi Church in Lakewood Colorado on Sunday, February 15. Visit http://www.milehichurch.com/ for tickets and more info.
With over six million copies sold and nearly two years on the New York Times Best-Seller List, Eat, Pray, Love’s author has become a literary rock star with fans and media. Elizabeth Gilbert will make a rare appearance at Mile Hi Church to speak about her current and future book and previous writings.
If you are going to be in the Denver area, perhaps you can put this event in your planner. I am a local member of Mile Hi Church and should you need directions, feel free to email me.
And just what is Mile Hi Church anyway? It is completely different from any church that I have ever been to. It is a refreshing breath of fresh air in its acceptance, its tolerance, its holding to its own tenets of belief. It is a place to allow you to come to Spirit on your own terms. Mile Hi Church is a place where all walks of faith are welcomed, because at its very core, all walks of faith lead to the Eternal One. Mile Hi Church is the place where I can be MyBestMe.
Every human being is a doorway through which the Infinite passes into the finite, through which God becomes human, through which the Universal becomes individual.
-RALPH WALDO EMERSON-
With over six million copies sold and nearly two years on the New York Times Best-Seller List, Eat, Pray, Love’s author has become a literary rock star with fans and media. Elizabeth Gilbert will make a rare appearance at Mile Hi Church to speak about her current and future book and previous writings.
If you are going to be in the Denver area, perhaps you can put this event in your planner. I am a local member of Mile Hi Church and should you need directions, feel free to email me.
And just what is Mile Hi Church anyway? It is completely different from any church that I have ever been to. It is a refreshing breath of fresh air in its acceptance, its tolerance, its holding to its own tenets of belief. It is a place to allow you to come to Spirit on your own terms. Mile Hi Church is a place where all walks of faith are welcomed, because at its very core, all walks of faith lead to the Eternal One. Mile Hi Church is the place where I can be MyBestMe.
Every human being is a doorway through which the Infinite passes into the finite, through which God becomes human, through which the Universal becomes individual.
-RALPH WALDO EMERSON-
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A sewer, a snake, and the law of attraction
Are you thinking a cobra, boa, or a rattler? Cool snakes, but not quite.
For a couple of years I have been studying The Law of Attraction. I've watched movies, read books, gone to seminars, all in an effort to design my perfect life. It's funny how the road I was on took a detour.
Several years ago, I had gotten into the fix and flip business. Handyman that I am, I had just about every tool needed to rehab any house. You may have guessed it, what I lacked was a power drain snake. My business went belly up and I no longer do fix and flips.
If you happen to be a follower of The Law of Attraction yourself, you may have come across somebody talking about 7 universal laws. I even came across a website that said there were only 5 universal laws. I figured these laws needed another law. I call it The Law of Distraction.
The nice things about my Law of Distraction is you can make up anything that fits within this law. I've tried many times to attract wealth and it hasn't happened. I've tried to attract numerous things and it hasn't happened. So I started wondering how could this be. I thought I was doing all the right things, visualizing, writing goals, building desire, cutting out photos for the vision board and even going to seminars, but I still have not felt like I had attracted the things that I desired. The things that did pop up in my life made me wonder if the universe had a twisted sense of humor and I was on the receiving end of a practical joke.
When I came across the series of books written by Esther and Jerry Hicks
, I began to see things in a new light. I had been focusing on the things that I wanted, but I would drift also to the things that I did not want. A visual metaphor that works for me is like the difference between a ping-pong table and a golf tee shot. In life you can be the golf ball and be launched or you can let yourself be just bouncing back and forth like on the ping-pong table. The more distractions that you have allowed to take your eyes off your goals, the more like ping-pong the game of your life gets.
So what does this have to do with a sewer, a snake or the Law of Attraction. I had wanted a 50' powered drain snake to run through the sewers of the houses that I rehabbed. Seeing how my business didn't make it, I dropped that idea of ever needing, much less owning a drain snake. Sunday night, Lisa asks me why is there so much water on the basement floor. Like a good handyman, I go get my flashlight and investigate. Our sewer was plugged up and all the water, from the sinks, shower, laundry, toilet was on the floor. It was late at evening and we couldn't do much other than promise each other we would not flush. The next day, you guessed it, I got a new 50' powered drain snake. I really don't know anybody else that would get thrilled by a purchase such as this, however, I am an avid tool nut.
So, as a word of encouragement, hang in there with the things you are looking to attract. Distractions will always be there. You can let distraction become a law to you, but hey, it is your life, make it exactly as you want it, not what circumstances dictate.
I still have not attracted wealth, but I do have a much better attitude. I bet you were waiting for me to write that I have a much better attitude to enjoy my poverty, and that may be true, but I have attracted the love of my life in Lisa, I've attracted a family (I never had kids), and now I've attracted a 50' power drain snake. I really enjoy the increase in happiness, and the rest will follow in good time.
For a couple of years I have been studying The Law of Attraction. I've watched movies, read books, gone to seminars, all in an effort to design my perfect life. It's funny how the road I was on took a detour.
Several years ago, I had gotten into the fix and flip business. Handyman that I am, I had just about every tool needed to rehab any house. You may have guessed it, what I lacked was a power drain snake. My business went belly up and I no longer do fix and flips.
If you happen to be a follower of The Law of Attraction yourself, you may have come across somebody talking about 7 universal laws. I even came across a website that said there were only 5 universal laws. I figured these laws needed another law. I call it The Law of Distraction.
The nice things about my Law of Distraction is you can make up anything that fits within this law. I've tried many times to attract wealth and it hasn't happened. I've tried to attract numerous things and it hasn't happened. So I started wondering how could this be. I thought I was doing all the right things, visualizing, writing goals, building desire, cutting out photos for the vision board and even going to seminars, but I still have not felt like I had attracted the things that I desired. The things that did pop up in my life made me wonder if the universe had a twisted sense of humor and I was on the receiving end of a practical joke.
When I came across the series of books written by Esther and Jerry Hicks
So what does this have to do with a sewer, a snake or the Law of Attraction. I had wanted a 50' powered drain snake to run through the sewers of the houses that I rehabbed. Seeing how my business didn't make it, I dropped that idea of ever needing, much less owning a drain snake. Sunday night, Lisa asks me why is there so much water on the basement floor. Like a good handyman, I go get my flashlight and investigate. Our sewer was plugged up and all the water, from the sinks, shower, laundry, toilet was on the floor. It was late at evening and we couldn't do much other than promise each other we would not flush. The next day, you guessed it, I got a new 50' powered drain snake. I really don't know anybody else that would get thrilled by a purchase such as this, however, I am an avid tool nut.
So, as a word of encouragement, hang in there with the things you are looking to attract. Distractions will always be there. You can let distraction become a law to you, but hey, it is your life, make it exactly as you want it, not what circumstances dictate.
I still have not attracted wealth, but I do have a much better attitude. I bet you were waiting for me to write that I have a much better attitude to enjoy my poverty, and that may be true, but I have attracted the love of my life in Lisa, I've attracted a family (I never had kids), and now I've attracted a 50' power drain snake. I really enjoy the increase in happiness, and the rest will follow in good time.
Friday, January 16, 2009
To clean or not to clean
When you have a skin sensitivity to normal cleaners, what are your options? Sometimes, where there is a skin reaction, there is also an allergic reaction in your sinuses, burning in your throat, and tearing in your eyes.
Chemicals do a phenomenal job in our modern world. Without chemicals, we wouldn't have many of the things that we take for granted. That "new car smell" is outgassing of chemicals from the manufacturing process. Carpeting and furniture have a new smell as well, and the reason behind the smell is the same. And in our homes we find a myriad of chemical laden items, from the paint on the wall, to refrigerators, circuit boards in all our electronic devices, fertilizers, pesticides, and perhaps in many cleaners as well.
When you have allergies, is our chemical world partly to blame? I'm not a doctor or a chemist, so I will pass on that question. What I will comment on is how my body reacts to various things around my house.
I had worked in a chemical plant running machines when I was in my early 20's and my body always reacted in a certain way when I was at work. While at work, my throat would get tight, my eyes would burn, my sinuses would run. Yeah, I know, fun stuff. What is funny to me is I get that exact same feeling from almost all name brand or store brand household cleaners.
In my quest for cleaner cleaners, I found some that I like. One thing that I've learned is not everybody reacts the same to cleaners or even body soaps. Things that irritate my body have no effect on another family member, or visa versa. I liked Melaleuca laundry soap, but Lisa broke out everytime her clothes were washed in it. The kids love the smell of super scented Tide laundry soap and Irish Spring body wash, and I'd have to leave the house until the vapors dissipated.
The cleaners that we have all fallen in love with come from Veriuni. You can go to http://www.moreinfo247.com/9814916/vcl for a lineup of their all natural cleaners. At first glance, it appears like their prices are a bit high. However, these cleaners are all in their concentrated form and when mixed with water, go a bit farther than many other brands. What I really like is all the ingredients are spelled out right on the label.
It makes one wonder what possibly could be in various cleaners that could cause reactions like I have. When I worked for the chemical plant and in the printing business, we had what was called an MSDS which means Material Safety Data Sheet. These aren't supplied to the consumer because anything that could cause problems are in such small quantity as to be deemed safe. Just for fun I did a search for the MSDS of cleaners to see what kind of goodies are in the formula. Much to my surprise, I even came across one household cleaner that employs heavy enough chemicals to be considered toxic waste in California. It was a real eye opener. Not every cleaner or body wash had bad chemicals. Bad is a relative term which for me is something that causes me to have an allergic reaction.
You can Google the MSDS of your favorite cleaner by typing in msds and the name of your favorite cleaner. There isn't much government oversight as to the accuracy of the MSDS, so don't be surprised if everthing isn't broken down in detail. If you have little children, take into consideration that the MSDS is based on a healthy adult. Also, that great pine scent after cleaning is an indication of residue on the surface that was cleaned, and sensitive baby skin may get irritated.
So when you clean you house, if you do a spray and run until the air clears, consider using an all natural cleaner. Your local store might have some good ones or checkout Veriuni because they are really that good.
Chemicals do a phenomenal job in our modern world. Without chemicals, we wouldn't have many of the things that we take for granted. That "new car smell" is outgassing of chemicals from the manufacturing process. Carpeting and furniture have a new smell as well, and the reason behind the smell is the same. And in our homes we find a myriad of chemical laden items, from the paint on the wall, to refrigerators, circuit boards in all our electronic devices, fertilizers, pesticides, and perhaps in many cleaners as well.
When you have allergies, is our chemical world partly to blame? I'm not a doctor or a chemist, so I will pass on that question. What I will comment on is how my body reacts to various things around my house.
I had worked in a chemical plant running machines when I was in my early 20's and my body always reacted in a certain way when I was at work. While at work, my throat would get tight, my eyes would burn, my sinuses would run. Yeah, I know, fun stuff. What is funny to me is I get that exact same feeling from almost all name brand or store brand household cleaners.
In my quest for cleaner cleaners, I found some that I like. One thing that I've learned is not everybody reacts the same to cleaners or even body soaps. Things that irritate my body have no effect on another family member, or visa versa. I liked Melaleuca laundry soap, but Lisa broke out everytime her clothes were washed in it. The kids love the smell of super scented Tide laundry soap and Irish Spring body wash, and I'd have to leave the house until the vapors dissipated.
The cleaners that we have all fallen in love with come from Veriuni. You can go to http://www.moreinfo247.com/9814916/vcl for a lineup of their all natural cleaners. At first glance, it appears like their prices are a bit high. However, these cleaners are all in their concentrated form and when mixed with water, go a bit farther than many other brands. What I really like is all the ingredients are spelled out right on the label.
It makes one wonder what possibly could be in various cleaners that could cause reactions like I have. When I worked for the chemical plant and in the printing business, we had what was called an MSDS which means Material Safety Data Sheet. These aren't supplied to the consumer because anything that could cause problems are in such small quantity as to be deemed safe. Just for fun I did a search for the MSDS of cleaners to see what kind of goodies are in the formula. Much to my surprise, I even came across one household cleaner that employs heavy enough chemicals to be considered toxic waste in California. It was a real eye opener. Not every cleaner or body wash had bad chemicals. Bad is a relative term which for me is something that causes me to have an allergic reaction.
You can Google the MSDS of your favorite cleaner by typing in msds and the name of your favorite cleaner. There isn't much government oversight as to the accuracy of the MSDS, so don't be surprised if everthing isn't broken down in detail. If you have little children, take into consideration that the MSDS is based on a healthy adult. Also, that great pine scent after cleaning is an indication of residue on the surface that was cleaned, and sensitive baby skin may get irritated.
So when you clean you house, if you do a spray and run until the air clears, consider using an all natural cleaner. Your local store might have some good ones or checkout Veriuni because they are really that good.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
You Eat Puppies & Doggies???? Come Again!!
Olga had an absolutely bewildered look on her face when she asked with astonishment and shock, "You Eat Puppies and Doggies"?
Years ago, I worked in the printing business running machines in the bindery. A bindery is the part of the printing industry where you take the printed material and make it into fliers, books, pamphlets, coupons, whatever. I worked with many Hispanic people who were absolutely wonderful to work with. We did have a huge language gap, though. I had 2 years of Spanish in high school, which I passed, barely, with a "D". The folks I worked with had only some schooling with almost no high school. We had to work together, so we had to figure out a way to make this situation work, if we wanted our jobs. Fortunately, there was always somebody around who was fluent, or at least quite good at speaking both languages who could come to our rescue if needed.
Over some weeks and months, my lessons from high school would pop back into my head and I could remember short phrases or words. From time to time, my coworkers and I would ask each other how to say things in each others language. We became quite good at communicating with each other and I really thought that I had gotten this Spanish thing down. I was quickly brought back to earth when another Hispanic person whom I did not work side by side with spoke to me. Have you ever spoken to somebody and their sentence seems like it is just one very long word? It really seemed that way. They would talk so fast and I could comprehend maybe 3 words out of a paragraph and I guess "my deer in the headlights look" gave away the fact that I just wasn't getting it. Hence the need for the translator in another department.
My coworkers and I had eventually, unwittingly, come up with our own 3rd language. It was a blend of English and Spanish and body language and facial expression thrown in for good measure. I actually found out how important body language was when I tried to speak on the phone to them, and didn't understand what was being said! Over time, as we got to work together through the years, we had brought each other lunches or traded rides to work, or borrowed money, whatever, we became a close knit department.
One night I had made poppy seed dumplings for dinner. It is an old Polish recipe that my mom had handed down to me and I find this dish one of my favorite pigout foods. So I thought this would make a great lunch at work. I asked Olga, one of my coworkers, if she would like to try some poppy seed dumplings at lunch today. She looked at me with an "I don't understand" look, and I simply repeated if she would like to eat some poppy seed dumplings at lunchtime today. I had no clue how to even come close to Spanishizing these words and I figured that if she didn't understand the meaning of my words that I would just be trusted that this food was not only edible, but delicious. Olga had an absolutely bewildered look on her face when she asked with astonishment and shock, "You Eat Puppies and Doggies"!
I wasn't ready for that question. I roared in laughter and she was still in shock. Olga was speaking the only words that she knew of, and I was laughing at her. So how do you tell someone that doesn't speak your language completely about your favorite ethnic dish? I tried, gave up, and let her have some at lunch and yes she loved them.
There's another reason for this story. I was in quite a down mood yesterday morning. I went for a walk to blow off some energy and it didn't help. The saying goes, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade". Well there was a gap in time between the being handed lemons and the making lemonade part, and in that gap was absolute frustration. I have been doing much studying about how our thoughts aren't just nothing, but when directed can be an incredibly creative force that cannot be stopped, yet when unfocused can create mayhem. OK, great, here I was confronted with a problem, and my thoughts about the problem magnified it by 1000% and I was not a happy camper. I tried to change my thoughts and I could not do it.
Later, while Lisa was cleaning out the refrigerator, she ran across an unopened cottage cheese which we had bought to make poppy seed dumplings, and I had not done so yet. "Just leave the cottage cheese out, I'll make it right now", I said. So I made the dumplings, thought of Olga, had a laugh to myself and got out of the funk I was in. Isn't it great that our lives are so rich? Our memories can be such a tremendous resource. What a great way to change an attitude, by remembering good times from long ago. I'm sure most people won't understand the difficulty and determination it took to get to the point where Olga and I could even talk about puppies and doggies, but for me,that memory was just what I needed to give me a boost back to where I want my life to be. I don't like being crabby, and neither does Lisa!
If you're interested in learning more on how your thoughts create your life, in other words, change your thoughts and change your life, go to http://www.selfmastery.thesgrprogram.com/
If you're interested, here is the recipe for puppies & doggies, I mean poppy seed dumplings. I am going to appologize ahead of time, my mom didn't measure anything on this recipe, so I have no specifics, but the results are delicious.
1 large container of cottage cheese
2 eggs
lots of poppy seeds
enough flour to form an easy to roll dough
add cottage cheese and eggs to mixing bowl and while mixer is mixing your batch add the poppy seeds. I add enough to make the cheese pretty dark because you will add quite a bit of flour which will cause the seeds to be fewer than it looks right now. Slowly add flour, I add about a tablespoon at a time and allow it to mix in well. When the dough begins to stick to the beater, I stop the mixer and if the dough is real sticky and still loose, I add more flour. I like the dough to have a little stickyness because they cook better. Have a pan of water boiling. In a bowl, add several tablespoons of flour. Coat the palms of your hands with flour, yes this is going to be a mess, but what a fun mess it is. With a spoon scoop a bit of dough and roll between your hands into a ball. Once firmly rolled into a ball, I roll it into a long finger length dumpling and then drop into the boiling water. When the dumpling is first put into the water, it will sink. When it has cooked, it will rise to the top of the water. I let it sit in on top for an extra minute (approximate) before removing it because some of the thicker dumplings may not be cooked all the way through when it first rises. You can eat the dumplings right out of the water or you can brown them in butter. I enjoy them both ways. Perhaps you can create your own variation of the dumplings. You can dip them in sour cream or add in small pieces to salad, etc.
Years ago, I worked in the printing business running machines in the bindery. A bindery is the part of the printing industry where you take the printed material and make it into fliers, books, pamphlets, coupons, whatever. I worked with many Hispanic people who were absolutely wonderful to work with. We did have a huge language gap, though. I had 2 years of Spanish in high school, which I passed, barely, with a "D". The folks I worked with had only some schooling with almost no high school. We had to work together, so we had to figure out a way to make this situation work, if we wanted our jobs. Fortunately, there was always somebody around who was fluent, or at least quite good at speaking both languages who could come to our rescue if needed.
Over some weeks and months, my lessons from high school would pop back into my head and I could remember short phrases or words. From time to time, my coworkers and I would ask each other how to say things in each others language. We became quite good at communicating with each other and I really thought that I had gotten this Spanish thing down. I was quickly brought back to earth when another Hispanic person whom I did not work side by side with spoke to me. Have you ever spoken to somebody and their sentence seems like it is just one very long word? It really seemed that way. They would talk so fast and I could comprehend maybe 3 words out of a paragraph and I guess "my deer in the headlights look" gave away the fact that I just wasn't getting it. Hence the need for the translator in another department.
My coworkers and I had eventually, unwittingly, come up with our own 3rd language. It was a blend of English and Spanish and body language and facial expression thrown in for good measure. I actually found out how important body language was when I tried to speak on the phone to them, and didn't understand what was being said! Over time, as we got to work together through the years, we had brought each other lunches or traded rides to work, or borrowed money, whatever, we became a close knit department.
One night I had made poppy seed dumplings for dinner. It is an old Polish recipe that my mom had handed down to me and I find this dish one of my favorite pigout foods. So I thought this would make a great lunch at work. I asked Olga, one of my coworkers, if she would like to try some poppy seed dumplings at lunch today. She looked at me with an "I don't understand" look, and I simply repeated if she would like to eat some poppy seed dumplings at lunchtime today. I had no clue how to even come close to Spanishizing these words and I figured that if she didn't understand the meaning of my words that I would just be trusted that this food was not only edible, but delicious. Olga had an absolutely bewildered look on her face when she asked with astonishment and shock, "You Eat Puppies and Doggies"!
I wasn't ready for that question. I roared in laughter and she was still in shock. Olga was speaking the only words that she knew of, and I was laughing at her. So how do you tell someone that doesn't speak your language completely about your favorite ethnic dish? I tried, gave up, and let her have some at lunch and yes she loved them.
There's another reason for this story. I was in quite a down mood yesterday morning. I went for a walk to blow off some energy and it didn't help. The saying goes, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade". Well there was a gap in time between the being handed lemons and the making lemonade part, and in that gap was absolute frustration. I have been doing much studying about how our thoughts aren't just nothing, but when directed can be an incredibly creative force that cannot be stopped, yet when unfocused can create mayhem. OK, great, here I was confronted with a problem, and my thoughts about the problem magnified it by 1000% and I was not a happy camper. I tried to change my thoughts and I could not do it.
Later, while Lisa was cleaning out the refrigerator, she ran across an unopened cottage cheese which we had bought to make poppy seed dumplings, and I had not done so yet. "Just leave the cottage cheese out, I'll make it right now", I said. So I made the dumplings, thought of Olga, had a laugh to myself and got out of the funk I was in. Isn't it great that our lives are so rich? Our memories can be such a tremendous resource. What a great way to change an attitude, by remembering good times from long ago. I'm sure most people won't understand the difficulty and determination it took to get to the point where Olga and I could even talk about puppies and doggies, but for me,that memory was just what I needed to give me a boost back to where I want my life to be. I don't like being crabby, and neither does Lisa!
If you're interested in learning more on how your thoughts create your life, in other words, change your thoughts and change your life, go to http://www.selfmastery.thesgrprogram.com/
If you're interested, here is the recipe for puppies & doggies, I mean poppy seed dumplings. I am going to appologize ahead of time, my mom didn't measure anything on this recipe, so I have no specifics, but the results are delicious.
1 large container of cottage cheese
2 eggs
lots of poppy seeds
enough flour to form an easy to roll dough
add cottage cheese and eggs to mixing bowl and while mixer is mixing your batch add the poppy seeds. I add enough to make the cheese pretty dark because you will add quite a bit of flour which will cause the seeds to be fewer than it looks right now. Slowly add flour, I add about a tablespoon at a time and allow it to mix in well. When the dough begins to stick to the beater, I stop the mixer and if the dough is real sticky and still loose, I add more flour. I like the dough to have a little stickyness because they cook better. Have a pan of water boiling. In a bowl, add several tablespoons of flour. Coat the palms of your hands with flour, yes this is going to be a mess, but what a fun mess it is. With a spoon scoop a bit of dough and roll between your hands into a ball. Once firmly rolled into a ball, I roll it into a long finger length dumpling and then drop into the boiling water. When the dumpling is first put into the water, it will sink. When it has cooked, it will rise to the top of the water. I let it sit in on top for an extra minute (approximate) before removing it because some of the thicker dumplings may not be cooked all the way through when it first rises. You can eat the dumplings right out of the water or you can brown them in butter. I enjoy them both ways. Perhaps you can create your own variation of the dumplings. You can dip them in sour cream or add in small pieces to salad, etc.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Small things add up to a big difference
Perhaps this is the year that you have decided to make a difference. You may have decided to cut your environmental footprint by going organic, walking more, buying sustainable wood products, or whatever.
The saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Loosely, I'd like to change that to, when one is ready to live a conscious lifestyle, a company with that same philosophy will appear. OK, 100 years from now, nobody will remember that last line ;). However, I would like to talk about a company which I discovered about 10 years ago and how they have influenced my purchasing decisions. That company is Gaiam.
I find their corporate philosophy refreshing. The name Gaiam is a fusion of Gaia - an ancient word for Mother Earth - and "I am", symbolizing the connection between the Earth and all living things.
Philosophy is great, but unless you can express it somehow, it becomes another idea to banter about and then shelve when you've made your point. So Gaiam walks its walk and talks its talk. You will find hundreds of items from organic cotton clothes and bedding, to meditative and stress relieving devices, exercise and yoga equipment, numerous hand made, sustainably harvested items that are made by fair trade artisans around the world.
When I discovered Gaiam, I was beginning to realize how my choices affected our country and countries internationally. My purchases were only that of one man, yet I shared the same ideas as millions in this country. What that had meant to me was if change was going to happen, it had to begin with me. I have enjoyed the products from Gaiam, yet more importantly, I enjoy my place on the planet.
The saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Loosely, I'd like to change that to, when one is ready to live a conscious lifestyle, a company with that same philosophy will appear. OK, 100 years from now, nobody will remember that last line ;). However, I would like to talk about a company which I discovered about 10 years ago and how they have influenced my purchasing decisions. That company is Gaiam.
I find their corporate philosophy refreshing. The name Gaiam is a fusion of Gaia - an ancient word for Mother Earth - and "I am", symbolizing the connection between the Earth and all living things.
Philosophy is great, but unless you can express it somehow, it becomes another idea to banter about and then shelve when you've made your point. So Gaiam walks its walk and talks its talk. You will find hundreds of items from organic cotton clothes and bedding, to meditative and stress relieving devices, exercise and yoga equipment, numerous hand made, sustainably harvested items that are made by fair trade artisans around the world.
When I discovered Gaiam, I was beginning to realize how my choices affected our country and countries internationally. My purchases were only that of one man, yet I shared the same ideas as millions in this country. What that had meant to me was if change was going to happen, it had to begin with me. I have enjoyed the products from Gaiam, yet more importantly, I enjoy my place on the planet.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Spiritual movies to brighten your soul
Dr. Wayne Dyer has just released a new movie, Ambition to Meaning. The movie takes you from our Ambition based drive, anchored on our ego, and moves us to Meaning. What takes place after you achieve your goals? When you look back at your successes with pride, do you feel complete, or is there still a yearning?
Wayne W. Dyer, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. He’s the author of 30 books, has created numerous audio programs and videos, and has appeared on thousands of television and radio shows.
How much power do you have? Do you have healing power in you? Do you have the power to be whoever you want? Do you have the life that you really want? I have watched this movie by Louise Hay several times, and I am awe struck each time I have seen it. The movie highlights how many have benefited by merely being led to love and accept themselves as there are right now. And the thing that is so amazing, is when they had accepted themselves with their flaws, illnesses, shortcomings, then great healings had taken place.
Western Medicine is incredible in its ability to diagnose and through surgery or medicine, bring about healing. Yet, there are many times when Western Medicine gives up because there just isn't enough knowledge available. This movie is very inspiring and can lift your spirits when medicine just isn't enough. The movie is not just about physical healing, but you can create a life that is everything that you could ever want.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Global Garage Sale
Hey, calling all garage sale lovers! Don't you just enjoy summer sales? The temperature is perfect, great time to clean out your closets or browse other neighbors wares. My mom was always the great bargain hunter at garage sales, estate sales, even thrift stores. I enjoy it also.
But, it's the middle of winter, are you missing one of your favorite past times?
Well, I've got something new with you in mind. I have started a new web store and on the website, anyone can post their things that they no longer need. Consider it the worlds largest garage sale. Do you make crafts or artwork? Put it on my store! Do you have things collecting dust? Put it on my store! Do you work with a dropshipper? You guessed it, put it on my store!
And of course you make the money when it sells. Click Here to visit the global garage sale!
I am an affiliate with SFI, a company in Lincoln Nebraska that has a global reach in over 200 countries. So I invite you to drop in and browse or post your unwanted items. If you would like to have a store like this of your very own, becoming an affiliate is easy, and free. Click Here to become an affiliate.
But, it's the middle of winter, are you missing one of your favorite past times?
Well, I've got something new with you in mind. I have started a new web store and on the website, anyone can post their things that they no longer need. Consider it the worlds largest garage sale. Do you make crafts or artwork? Put it on my store! Do you have things collecting dust? Put it on my store! Do you work with a dropshipper? You guessed it, put it on my store!
And of course you make the money when it sells. Click Here to visit the global garage sale!
I am an affiliate with SFI, a company in Lincoln Nebraska that has a global reach in over 200 countries. So I invite you to drop in and browse or post your unwanted items. If you would like to have a store like this of your very own, becoming an affiliate is easy, and free. Click Here to become an affiliate.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Say NO to heart disease
Good health plays a huge role in our ability to be our best. Perfect health is desired by almost everybody. The body is an incredible organism capable of repairing itself of environmental, viral, and bacterial stress. Yet over time, the body shows signs of succumbing to the onslaught of life through normal aging.
Can we reverse this process of the body breaking down? Is there a fountain of youth from which you and I can drink? Science has unlocked one of the keys to not only allowing you to live a long life, but a healthy life as well.
The Nobel Prize winner in Medicine in 1998 was awarded to Dr. Louis Ignarro, Dr. Ferid Murad, and Dr. Robert F. Furchgott for the discovery of the signalling properties of Nitric Oxide in the body. Blood vessels use NO to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thus dilating the arteries, increasing blood flow, and maintaining normal blood pressure. These blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to, as well as remove waste products from, every cell in your body.
In short, NO maintains healthy blood pressure, reduces cardiovascular aging, promotes immunes system health, acts as a neurotransmitter which may help with memory, and more. NO is a very important molecule, and a large percentage of people are deficient in their production of NO, which places them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
You can enhance the production and effectiveness of NO in your body by exercising for 20 minutes, 3 times each week. You want an activity that will force you to breath deeply. Fast walking, jogging, bicycling, tennis are a few examples. You also need to have a healthy diet that is rich in L-Arginine, L-Citruline, Taurine, and Antioxidants. Supplements can also be a big help to ensure that you have the right balance to enhance NO production.
Dr. Louis Ignarro has endorsed Niteworks from Herbalife as the supplement for NO production. You can learn more from Dr. Ignarros' website http://www.drignarro.com/ and you can order Niteworks from http://www.my-best-me.com/
Can we reverse this process of the body breaking down? Is there a fountain of youth from which you and I can drink? Science has unlocked one of the keys to not only allowing you to live a long life, but a healthy life as well.
The Nobel Prize winner in Medicine in 1998 was awarded to Dr. Louis Ignarro, Dr. Ferid Murad, and Dr. Robert F. Furchgott for the discovery of the signalling properties of Nitric Oxide in the body. Blood vessels use NO to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thus dilating the arteries, increasing blood flow, and maintaining normal blood pressure. These blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to, as well as remove waste products from, every cell in your body.
In short, NO maintains healthy blood pressure, reduces cardiovascular aging, promotes immunes system health, acts as a neurotransmitter which may help with memory, and more. NO is a very important molecule, and a large percentage of people are deficient in their production of NO, which places them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
You can enhance the production and effectiveness of NO in your body by exercising for 20 minutes, 3 times each week. You want an activity that will force you to breath deeply. Fast walking, jogging, bicycling, tennis are a few examples. You also need to have a healthy diet that is rich in L-Arginine, L-Citruline, Taurine, and Antioxidants. Supplements can also be a big help to ensure that you have the right balance to enhance NO production.
Dr. Louis Ignarro has endorsed Niteworks from Herbalife as the supplement for NO production. You can learn more from Dr. Ignarros' website http://www.drignarro.com/ and you can order Niteworks from http://www.my-best-me.com/
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Left turn to a long day
It started out as a normal day. Put the coffee on, opened the curtains, and basked in the warm glow of the morning sun.
I went outside to start the car and scrape the frost off the windshield. I got to the corner and I needed to turn left. Traffic was clear and I made it almost all the way across the street when I finally noticed that I had pulled in front of a car that was making a left onto the street which I had just left. I was quite startled and asked my girlfriend, where did that car come from? She snickered at how rattled I was. So I told her I had not seen that car until I was across the street.
I find it interesting how an incident like that has such power over me. For the rest of the day, I couldn't get it out of my mind. And while it was on my mind, I had a hard time focusing on the good things in my life. I had unwittingly opened the doorway to a negative stream of thinking, and my good mood had gone sour. My inner critic tied me to the whipping post.
In years gone by, I would have chalked it up to One of Those Days. I mean, any kind of excuse would do as long as I didn't have to see myself as the cause.
I am beginning to become aware of the cause and effect relationship in my life. I enjoy reading and recently have gotten hooked on The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks
. Their insight has really helped me see how my thoughts create my mood, my day, my week, my life. So I am quite a bit more deliberate now in my thinking, and I pull myself back to a better attitude before too long.
I went outside to start the car and scrape the frost off the windshield. I got to the corner and I needed to turn left. Traffic was clear and I made it almost all the way across the street when I finally noticed that I had pulled in front of a car that was making a left onto the street which I had just left. I was quite startled and asked my girlfriend, where did that car come from? She snickered at how rattled I was. So I told her I had not seen that car until I was across the street.
I find it interesting how an incident like that has such power over me. For the rest of the day, I couldn't get it out of my mind. And while it was on my mind, I had a hard time focusing on the good things in my life. I had unwittingly opened the doorway to a negative stream of thinking, and my good mood had gone sour. My inner critic tied me to the whipping post.
In years gone by, I would have chalked it up to One of Those Days. I mean, any kind of excuse would do as long as I didn't have to see myself as the cause.
I am beginning to become aware of the cause and effect relationship in my life. I enjoy reading and recently have gotten hooked on The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks
Monday, January 5, 2009
Michael Beckwith coming to Denver
Michael Beckwith, the founder of Agape International Spiritual Center, is an incredibly dynamic speaker. He is coming to Denver, Colorado area on Friday January 9 at the Mile Hi Church in Lakewood at 7pm. Michael has been featured in movies such as "The Secret" and "The Moses Code".
Tickets still may be available at http://www.milehichurch.org
I enjoy hearing various speakers at events such as this. I am having some difficulty with finances and attending events is not even a consideration right now. So I volunteer to help with book sales for authors who promote their books at events such as this Friday featuring Michael Beckwith. I still get to see the authors speak at engagements and it doesn't cost a thing. And I get a good feeling from helping out the staff and answering questions from book buyers.
In this new year we still have carried over many of the problems from the previous year. We need to be the change that we would like to see. Perhaps volunteering for something that you enjoy will bring change into your life that really excites you.
Tickets still may be available at http://www.milehichurch.org
I enjoy hearing various speakers at events such as this. I am having some difficulty with finances and attending events is not even a consideration right now. So I volunteer to help with book sales for authors who promote their books at events such as this Friday featuring Michael Beckwith. I still get to see the authors speak at engagements and it doesn't cost a thing. And I get a good feeling from helping out the staff and answering questions from book buyers.
In this new year we still have carried over many of the problems from the previous year. We need to be the change that we would like to see. Perhaps volunteering for something that you enjoy will bring change into your life that really excites you.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Do you have a home business also?
Are you finding it a struggle to keep up financially? I find myself in that same situation. So I keep my options open, by trying to pick up some sideline work or by affiliate programs on the internet.
The internet is such a great place to set up a business. It seems everywhere there are outrageous claims of making buckets of money with little effort, and equally there are claims of everything on the internet being a scam. It would be nice to have a little balance here.
And having a business that has real goods that can be run from home has its own challenges. I pick up some sideline work fixing things for people.
Being a simple guy with no college degrees and no marketing skills, I look elsewhere to find ideas to make my home businesses successful. I found a website, Internation Association of Business Entreprenuers, and it is has a wealth of information. Not just for internet websites, either, but for services or retail / resale shops that you can run from home.
IAHBE has some freebies which is great for members. Free book of the month, free software downloads, audio seminars, video how to's, and lots more.
I really enjoy the audios. I have taken seminars, and found that I am terrible at taking notes. I remember what my notes mean immediately following the seminar, yet several days or weeks go by and I'm quite hazy about what I meant. So being able to listen again has been a real treat.
If you could use some help and advice from successful entreprenuers, IAHBE is definately worth a look. It is a membership site with the first month for free. Check it out, it just might be the catalyst toward your success.
Good luck in your business ventures.
http://www.moreinfo247.com/9814916/iahbe
The internet is such a great place to set up a business. It seems everywhere there are outrageous claims of making buckets of money with little effort, and equally there are claims of everything on the internet being a scam. It would be nice to have a little balance here.
And having a business that has real goods that can be run from home has its own challenges. I pick up some sideline work fixing things for people.
Being a simple guy with no college degrees and no marketing skills, I look elsewhere to find ideas to make my home businesses successful. I found a website, Internation Association of Business Entreprenuers, and it is has a wealth of information. Not just for internet websites, either, but for services or retail / resale shops that you can run from home.
IAHBE has some freebies which is great for members. Free book of the month, free software downloads, audio seminars, video how to's, and lots more.
I really enjoy the audios. I have taken seminars, and found that I am terrible at taking notes. I remember what my notes mean immediately following the seminar, yet several days or weeks go by and I'm quite hazy about what I meant. So being able to listen again has been a real treat.
If you could use some help and advice from successful entreprenuers, IAHBE is definately worth a look. It is a membership site with the first month for free. Check it out, it just might be the catalyst toward your success.
Good luck in your business ventures.
http://www.moreinfo247.com/9814916/iahbe
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