Do you remember years ago, maybe when you were a child, you used to spend hours on end dreaming about what it would be like when you grew up? Did you dream about traveling or living in wondrous places? Did you dream about being a musician, an author, a doctor? Perhaps you dreamed of having a husband or wife and a family of your own, owning a really cool car or being an astronaut. Where did those dreams go?
Maybe someone told you not to be such a dreamer, life isn’t like that. Or perhaps you got sidetracked somehow with work, bills, children, life in general? Whatever it was, we all have somehow found ourselves putting aside those dreams and gotten wrapped up in the day to day of our lives. Days, weeks, months and years pass and we may not even remember what those dreams were anymore….
Many of us are disengaged from life somehow. Our jobs and relationships are not fulfilling. We trudge through the day focused on what is in front of us and our dreams tend to be more about waiting for other things to happen – our vacation, the weekend, retirement. The problems we face take much of our time and energy or we are worried about the next one that might come along.
I have found that usually, people don’t feel the need to change anything in their lives until they encounter a challenge or problem. In fact, it is often our difficult times that motivate us to better ourselves. It is usually not a pleasant experience. However, there is another way! Our dreams can motivate us to change in ways that lead us to what we have always wanted and it can be a much nicer experience. Why don’t we do that? When was the last time you really sat down and thought about what your dreams are? What would your life be like if you were able to move gradually towards them with ease and grace? Wouldn’t it be amazing to have something to work towards and look forward to?
I encourage you to take some time this week if not today and pull up those parked dreams, dust them off, take a look at them, kick the tires and even fire them up and take them for a spin. Dreams are powerful things that can change our lives from lusterless to brilliant. Send me a list of them; I’d love to hear what they are.
Namasté
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Our Three Faces
It is interesting to me that we put so much energy into how we present ourselves in public. Whether we are in business looking to sell our services or products, single and looking for a romantic partner, or simply going out on a Friday evening, we tend to spend a great deal of energy doing whatever it takes to look our best. Society and the media places so much emphasis on this mainly because there is a multi-billion dollar industry based on exactly this.
I believe that we all have three faces which we tend to take with us when we go out into the public.
The first is the face that we want people to perceive us as. We go to unbelievable lengths to dress just right, wear the right make-up and colognes, deliver the perfect introductory “elevator speech” to promote ourselves, have perfect hair, present the right body shape, run with the right crowd, know the current fads…., I could go on forever. You know what I am saying…. How crazy-making is that? How pervasive is that? It is everywhere we turn. It is driven to a great extent by the second face – the face that is afraid of how people are actually seeing us!
This second face is the one that we take with us that is somewhat in the shadows. It is what causes us to suddenly feel we are over or under dressed for the situation we find ourselves in. It is the part of us that is terrified that the person in front of us doesn’t like us or is judging us in some way. It is the part of us that beats ourselves up for not saying the right thing or saying too much. It is the voice in the back of our head that says “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve to be liked”. It is driven by our poor self-esteem.
These first two faces take incredible energy to maintain.
The third face is who we really are – our authentic selves. This is the person we are without any effort. This is the face we have when we are in a place of self-acceptance or simple being. It is the person we are when we have been able to still the “monkey mind” that chatters in the back of our minds and drives us to distraction in our everyday lives. It is who we are when we are focusing on a task and are totally absorbed in where our attention is. It is where we are when we are enjoying ourselves and happy and at peace. It is who we are when we are consciously present in the current moment – in the Now as Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now describes.
The third state of being is not energy draining but is actually energizing and means the difference between struggle and hardship and ease and effortless success. Aren’t we all looking for this way of living and being in our lives?
People can sense BS a mile away. When we are putting so much effort into being someone other than our authentic self, we are presenting a fallacy to people we meet. When we are trying to sell ourselves or our products and services and focusing on presenting exactly what we think will convince the prospective customer to buy or like us, we aren’t being genuine. People will buy from people they know, like and trust. When we are not being authentic, we may still make sales but true success doesn’t come from struggle, nor does it have to be hard.
Namasté
I believe that we all have three faces which we tend to take with us when we go out into the public.
The first is the face that we want people to perceive us as. We go to unbelievable lengths to dress just right, wear the right make-up and colognes, deliver the perfect introductory “elevator speech” to promote ourselves, have perfect hair, present the right body shape, run with the right crowd, know the current fads…., I could go on forever. You know what I am saying…. How crazy-making is that? How pervasive is that? It is everywhere we turn. It is driven to a great extent by the second face – the face that is afraid of how people are actually seeing us!
This second face is the one that we take with us that is somewhat in the shadows. It is what causes us to suddenly feel we are over or under dressed for the situation we find ourselves in. It is the part of us that is terrified that the person in front of us doesn’t like us or is judging us in some way. It is the part of us that beats ourselves up for not saying the right thing or saying too much. It is the voice in the back of our head that says “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve to be liked”. It is driven by our poor self-esteem.
These first two faces take incredible energy to maintain.
The third face is who we really are – our authentic selves. This is the person we are without any effort. This is the face we have when we are in a place of self-acceptance or simple being. It is the person we are when we have been able to still the “monkey mind” that chatters in the back of our minds and drives us to distraction in our everyday lives. It is who we are when we are focusing on a task and are totally absorbed in where our attention is. It is where we are when we are enjoying ourselves and happy and at peace. It is who we are when we are consciously present in the current moment – in the Now as Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now describes.
The third state of being is not energy draining but is actually energizing and means the difference between struggle and hardship and ease and effortless success. Aren’t we all looking for this way of living and being in our lives?
People can sense BS a mile away. When we are putting so much effort into being someone other than our authentic self, we are presenting a fallacy to people we meet. When we are trying to sell ourselves or our products and services and focusing on presenting exactly what we think will convince the prospective customer to buy or like us, we aren’t being genuine. People will buy from people they know, like and trust. When we are not being authentic, we may still make sales but true success doesn’t come from struggle, nor does it have to be hard.
Namasté
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Pause that Refreshes
The best way for me to start my days is to take the time to sit, clear my mind and just be present in the moment. This simple habit makes a major positive difference to the rest of my day. Why is it that I forget to do it so easily and so often? Many days start off with my monkey mind running back and forth to line up all the things to do that day; things scheduled, things forgotten or neglected yesterday, things to put in place for the rest of the week. Before I know it, the day is almost over and I wonder where it went. Our society focuses on performance, material things and consumerism. We cannot help picking up the same habits that our parents, siblings, and teachers displayed in our formative years.
We do have a choice. We can change our habits. It’s not easy, it takes focus and energy, but we can do it.
When I stop and spend just fifteen or twenty minutes being still and meditating, I am placing myself firmly in the Now. In this beautiful time of year when the earth is coming back to life after the long dormant winter, I can feel the greening of the plants, the singing of the newly returned birds and the warmth of the breeze. I feel my gratitude for my health, my prosperity, the friends and loved ones in my life, freedom, and the boundless possibilities which are all around me. When I ground myself in the stillness of the fresh new day, it can only continue throughout. When I am in the Now I know that indeed, all is well.
Namasté
We do have a choice. We can change our habits. It’s not easy, it takes focus and energy, but we can do it.
When I stop and spend just fifteen or twenty minutes being still and meditating, I am placing myself firmly in the Now. In this beautiful time of year when the earth is coming back to life after the long dormant winter, I can feel the greening of the plants, the singing of the newly returned birds and the warmth of the breeze. I feel my gratitude for my health, my prosperity, the friends and loved ones in my life, freedom, and the boundless possibilities which are all around me. When I ground myself in the stillness of the fresh new day, it can only continue throughout. When I am in the Now I know that indeed, all is well.
Namasté
Friday, March 13, 2009
There is No Love in Struggle
Most of us find it wonderful to give of ourselves to those around us, yet when it comes to being given to, why do we seem to have such a difficult time? We seem to feel that when we are in a difficult situation or facing a hard task, we are failing somehow if we ask for help. We don’t like to be an imposition to others or be seen as dependant or needy. Instead of asking for help, we would rather go it alone and stay in struggle.
Have you ever considered that when we ask for help we are actually giving that person a gift – an opportunity to make a contribution? We know how easy it is to make a gift of our time or attention to someone else and how good it makes us feel. Would you have had that wonderful experience if the other person hadn’t asked for your help or at least received your gift graciously?
By asking for someone’s help the next time you are faced with a difficult undertaking or find yourself struggling, ask for assistance from a friend or family member. You give them the gift of an opportunity to make a contribution, to demonstrate their love and to increase the bond of your friendship and connection. All that and life just got easier. BONUS!
Namasté
Have you ever considered that when we ask for help we are actually giving that person a gift – an opportunity to make a contribution? We know how easy it is to make a gift of our time or attention to someone else and how good it makes us feel. Would you have had that wonderful experience if the other person hadn’t asked for your help or at least received your gift graciously?
By asking for someone’s help the next time you are faced with a difficult undertaking or find yourself struggling, ask for assistance from a friend or family member. You give them the gift of an opportunity to make a contribution, to demonstrate their love and to increase the bond of your friendship and connection. All that and life just got easier. BONUS!
Namasté
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Peace, Be Still
I find it so easy to get wrapped up in worry and tension in the world we live in today. With the fast pace, the constant bombardment of negativity and commercialism and the noise and chaos, I drift easily into that space where I seem adrift.
When I become conscious of this feeling, it is important to remind myself that my place of source energy and peace is never far away if I simply stop, still my mind and spend a few minutes in meditation. To still my mind, I often use a mantra; a phrase I repeat silently to myself over and over again. “Peace, Be Still”. In no time I am back in a grounded and peaceful state which can last for the rest of the day.
The next time you find yourself in worry and fear, know that this is not your natural state of being. Try finding a quiet place where you can sit comfortably and not be disturbed. Close your eyes gently and start repeating the mantra “Peace, Be Still” in your mind and feel the stress slip away. If thoughts intrude on your practice, as they will, don’t judge them as right or wrong. Just acknowledge them and let them pass through your mind and return your attention to continuing the mantra. It may take a bit of practice to be comfortable with this but the rewards will be well worth it.
Namasté
When I become conscious of this feeling, it is important to remind myself that my place of source energy and peace is never far away if I simply stop, still my mind and spend a few minutes in meditation. To still my mind, I often use a mantra; a phrase I repeat silently to myself over and over again. “Peace, Be Still”. In no time I am back in a grounded and peaceful state which can last for the rest of the day.
The next time you find yourself in worry and fear, know that this is not your natural state of being. Try finding a quiet place where you can sit comfortably and not be disturbed. Close your eyes gently and start repeating the mantra “Peace, Be Still” in your mind and feel the stress slip away. If thoughts intrude on your practice, as they will, don’t judge them as right or wrong. Just acknowledge them and let them pass through your mind and return your attention to continuing the mantra. It may take a bit of practice to be comfortable with this but the rewards will be well worth it.
Namasté
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Mastering the Energies of your Life
There are six different energies in life that we can focus on the goals we wish to accomplish:
• Money
• Time
• Physical vitality
• Creativity
• Enjoyment
• Relationship
How we use each of these energies can impact how successful we are in achieving these goals. Also, how we use one of these energies can give us clues about how we use the other energies. If we are inattentive to money, for instance, chances are we are also inattentive to our time and health. Changing how we approach our use of one of these energies can have huge impacts on our use of the others. Small changes can have major impacts.
Are you focusing your energies towards what really matters to you? If not, you may put a lot of effort into getting these goals accomplished. Although you may reach them, it can be with a great deal of struggle and effort. Focusing our energies on what really matters to us can lead to success which I define as doing what we say we are going to do with clarity, focus, ease and grace.
Paying attention to what we are doing is a function of how conscious we are. As we awaken to the present moment, we can conserve our energies, using them in more interesting and effective ways. Our life becomes more exciting and fulfilling and we experience more moments of luminosity.
If you would like to experience less struggle and more fulfillment in your life, I invite you to contact me to discuss options for doing just that.
Namasté
• Money
• Time
• Physical vitality
• Creativity
• Enjoyment
• Relationship
How we use each of these energies can impact how successful we are in achieving these goals. Also, how we use one of these energies can give us clues about how we use the other energies. If we are inattentive to money, for instance, chances are we are also inattentive to our time and health. Changing how we approach our use of one of these energies can have huge impacts on our use of the others. Small changes can have major impacts.
Are you focusing your energies towards what really matters to you? If not, you may put a lot of effort into getting these goals accomplished. Although you may reach them, it can be with a great deal of struggle and effort. Focusing our energies on what really matters to us can lead to success which I define as doing what we say we are going to do with clarity, focus, ease and grace.
Paying attention to what we are doing is a function of how conscious we are. As we awaken to the present moment, we can conserve our energies, using them in more interesting and effective ways. Our life becomes more exciting and fulfilling and we experience more moments of luminosity.
If you would like to experience less struggle and more fulfillment in your life, I invite you to contact me to discuss options for doing just that.
Namasté
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Knowledge + Wisdom + Action = Success
If you are anything like most people, you are probably shaking your head and wondering when this economy will turn around so we can get back to the life we really want. The news is full of all of the terrible things that come along each day to further shake our faith that things are going to be alright. There may be personal setbacks that further reinforce the difficulties of this time in our lives. When is it all going to end?
The good news is it is going to end when you decide it is going to end. Personally, we have the ultimate responsibility to turn our own lives around. Sure, we can continue to point our fingers at all sorts of current events and statistics to justify why we cannot do anything about it. Nevertheless, we can also make a personal commitment to ourselves that enough is enough and change our perception. We can decide to make our lives better right now by becoming willing to change how we think. When we change our thinking, things around us change.
There is more knowledge available to us now than ever before in history. The internet has brought a virtually limitless bounty of information to our very fingertips right in our homes. Books, seminars, workshops, coaches, chat rooms and help lines abound in our world. Yet we don’t access them, and if we do, we don’t put our new knowledge to use, and if we do put it to use, it often doesn’t work. The common thing that stops us is our belief about what is true. If we don’t think we can change things, if we don’t believe we have the wisdom to do it, if we don’t believe things will work, we will be right. Our thoughts and attitudes are everything!
Taking action is the final component of our success. When we take small, sweet steps towards our goals and those goals are in alignment with our beliefs, and we use the knowledge that is readily available to us, success happens.
I urge you today to pick one thing that you truly want to do in your life and take the first step. We can make a difference to our lives and the world around us by simply taking the first step to turning things around personally. The more of us who do this, the quicker the change in the world will take place. It only always starts with you.
Namaste
The good news is it is going to end when you decide it is going to end. Personally, we have the ultimate responsibility to turn our own lives around. Sure, we can continue to point our fingers at all sorts of current events and statistics to justify why we cannot do anything about it. Nevertheless, we can also make a personal commitment to ourselves that enough is enough and change our perception. We can decide to make our lives better right now by becoming willing to change how we think. When we change our thinking, things around us change.
There is more knowledge available to us now than ever before in history. The internet has brought a virtually limitless bounty of information to our very fingertips right in our homes. Books, seminars, workshops, coaches, chat rooms and help lines abound in our world. Yet we don’t access them, and if we do, we don’t put our new knowledge to use, and if we do put it to use, it often doesn’t work. The common thing that stops us is our belief about what is true. If we don’t think we can change things, if we don’t believe we have the wisdom to do it, if we don’t believe things will work, we will be right. Our thoughts and attitudes are everything!
Taking action is the final component of our success. When we take small, sweet steps towards our goals and those goals are in alignment with our beliefs, and we use the knowledge that is readily available to us, success happens.
I urge you today to pick one thing that you truly want to do in your life and take the first step. We can make a difference to our lives and the world around us by simply taking the first step to turning things around personally. The more of us who do this, the quicker the change in the world will take place. It only always starts with you.
Namaste
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