-Michelle

When we are together we have experiences that the only word I can use to adequately describe them is magical. Some of my experiences with this group of people have been beyond extraordinary. These are transcendent experiences that have propelled me forward in my own growth and understanding of the universe we live in.

The trust level is extremely high. We would do anything for each other at any time. The love is very deep. The word “friends” has not been good enough to describe these special people in my life. They are like family, but aren’t. So, I use the term spiritual family. It seems to fit quite well.

My life would not be as rich without them. I don’t think I would have grown as much without their help and compassion. We share a bond that runs deep and feels like it has existed for lifetimes. Maybe it has. I simply don’t know.

Today, I acknowledge the special gifts these friends are and how fortunate I am to have them in my life. I look forward to many more. J

Michael

Each of us is an impregnable fortress that can be laid waste only from within. – Timothy J. Flynn

Timothy Flynn makes an intriguing point. The only thing that can take us down a road of unhappiness, low self esteem, a lack of life fulfillment and general misery is ourselves. Nothing external can do the damage that we can do to ourselves from the inside.

That means our spouses, friends, work, the government, strangers, world events and etc. have very little if no real effect on us. How can that be you say? This person made me angry. Such and such happened and I don’t feel good. My boss is a real pain. My job is boring. And on and on and on.

In every situation, bar none, we have, at the very least, the ability to change how we react. How we choose to respond to events external to us determines whether we place the “blame” for our feelings on that external thing or whether we take responsibility ourselves. Once we decide the responsibility for how we feel resides in something outside of ourselves, we loose the power over our lives.

We are always in control of our attitude, reactions and what direction we want to go. Regardless of how it appears on the outside, we always have that level of control.

If you can start looking at your relation to the world in this way, your life becomes a bed of opportunity. You will feel like you are doing what you want to do. You will feel happier. Things will start to magically work out for you.

In other words, life becomes better and more fun.

That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Michael

You have to trust your inner knowing. If you have a clear mind and an open heart, you won’t have to search for direction. Direction will come to you. – Phil Jackson with Hugh Delehanty

I firmly believe that we have all the answers. But, sometimes, we just need to learn to get out of our own way. When you greatly reduce or rid yourself of anxiety, fear, worry, guilt, hopelessness and etc. you help to keep the mind clear.

If you can learn to relax with life, keep your outlook as if you were a child and give yourself a “break”, you’ll find that you’ll be more in touch with the answers and direction you are looking for.

Everyone has the ability to gain information to help them along their way. We are more powerful than we realize sometimes. We have an amazing ability to figure things out or come up with solutions to vexing problems. But, most of the time if we can just simply be okay with ourselves in the moment, the answers and direction come to us.

That’s what Phil and Hugh are talking about. So, as you go through your day, be easy on yourself, don’t take everything so seriously and cultivate a bit of faith that you will be just fine.

Michael

STOP THE EXCUSES!!  TOMMORROW NEVER COMES.   THE TIME IS NOW!!  

Ask Yourself What Have You Always Wanted To Do Or Try?   Play An Instrument, Bungee Jump, Write A Book..etc

This One Breakthrough Could Alter Your Life Dramatically Positive. :0)

-Michelle

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. – Mother Teresa

What if each of us gave one kind word to three people everyday?

I think it would change the world.

I’m starting today.

Michael

To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future. – Plutarch

We all mistakes, everyday. But, are they really mistakes?

We place judgments on the actions we take. Once we judge a decision or action as a mistake, we then attach blame. Guilt usually follows. Sometimes, we hold on to the guilt for years, decades or our entire lives which is complete madness. We have a lot of better things to do then manage or deal with years of guilt.

How about looking at what you used to call mistakes as nothing more than information? In other words, you make a decision or take an action and it doesn’t work out or you don’t feel good afterwards. Use your negative emotional state as an easy guide to make another decision or go in a different direction. No more judgment.

We all have free will and can go in any direction we want at any time. Plus, our desires and the directions we want to pursue are continually changing. So, stop the self judgment.

Here is the simple rule:

• If we do something and it makes us feel good then continue in that direction.
• If we do something and we don’t feel good, change directions. Typically, the change in direction doesn’t have to be drastic; just a small shift will usually work.

Remember to use how you feel as your guide and not judge your decisions or actions. Life will be much simpler, more fun and lot less stressful.

Michael

To see things in the seed – that is genius. – Lao Tzu

Most of us would find this easier when looking at the gifts and unique talents of another person. But, when turned inward, we seem to become less objective. Our perspective is filled with fog. The end result is that we live our lives less than what exists as potential. A seed is nothing more than potential and what a huge potential it is.

No matter what family we have, what career we pursue, what hobbies we play at, what age we are, where we live or what race we were born, we all have a unique combination of talents and skills. I don’t mean that some of us have this. We all do. It means we have to look at ourselves like we would look at someone else. It means that we have to leave all judgments behind. We tend to view talents and skills in a very limited way like how much money we can make, the relationships we form and other forms of external success. We don’t notice, recognize or see the other soft talents; making people laugh, teaching children, raising a family, art, music, ability to help others and etc. You don’t have to be a celebrity to be successful, fulfilled or help others.

If you have never looked at yourself in this objective way, then start now. Pretend you are a friend looking at yourself. What do you see? What talents are lurking behind fears, anxiety, responsibilities and etc.? What potential are you not meeting? What are you good at but are doing?

One of my favorite quotes is: “Life is supposed to be fun.” If you can view the seed of what you are and then follow it, life will be fun.

Michael

There is no set path. Just follow your heart. – Unknown

I’m still working on making this a daily practice in my own life. The rewards are tremendous, but for me and I suspect for many others, this is a difficult thing to do. We tend to listen to everyone else about what we “should” and “shouldn’t do”; which way is the best way to go; what direction society is forcing into compliance.

Bottom line, it’s really only about us. Our path must be where we are drawn to go, what we are compelled to do and what makes us passionately happy. It’s not about anyone else at all. This is not the definition of selfishness in case you were wondering. This is the definition of how to live a fulfilled and meaningful life.

When we are following our path or going where our heart wants us to go, then we become relaxed, happy, content and our cups are filled to the top. This allows us to help others in a big way. We have more to give and more to share. But the biggest thing we can give others is the example of how we are living.

Following our heart is exactly what children do. If we can show children that adults can follow their hearts, then maybe, just maybe, that won’t have to relearn that when they get older.

Have a great day!

Michael