BE THE CHANGE - Take Those Steps to Freedom - It is Inside of You

Source: designskings.com

Steps to Freedom by  Madisyn Taylor of DailyOM strikes a chord in me in this year of 2014 where my resolve to embody the feeling of positively conscious and serene is taking a serious beating.

Life is about accepting daily changes as they occur and that means everyday spirituality to me.

My difficulties simply highlight the veils that must be torn away and the people I meet tell me and show me the manner in which I must evolve by not just facing my "ugly" truth but also knowing when I must remain true to myself and my beliefs.

Right now, it's about absolutely fearless me (or so I thought) having to;

• face down an abuser, a bully and a neanderthal all rolled into one in a police case; I faced the fear I didn't know was there.
• confront an intelligent, gifted and almost schizoid individual who believes that everyone is against her no matter what she does and childishly demands that I show care and concern for her while at the same time she tries to bend me to her will via emotional blackmail and threats and makes denigrating remarks in the misguided belief of having superior knowledge; I extended kindness towards her while severing our relationship at the same time. That was new and rewarding for me. And finally,
• walk away from the mentally disabled women in the homeless shelter where I lived as I have finally accepted after two long years that I cannot assist them in any tangible way.  Sadly, they all decided that they did not want to change anything in their lives. Even though they said that to me at before I didn't believe it. I thought I could change their outlook and thus their minds but that was futile and I feel very sad about it. I walked away with a tear in my heart and good wishes in mind for them all.

Facing these challengers force me to face not only my beliefs but also lisen to their truths about me and question myself about it. I know my truth only after I examine my feelings, bypassing the instinctive anger at the disrespect shown.

I love who I am, right now!

Nothing has the power to move you from what you know to be right. You are unshakeable.

We all will take those steps to freedom or diminish and die - and we all have been on this road reincarnation after reincarnation for quite a while now - and it's not about free speech or anything so mundane.

No, the freedom of which I speak is inside of you, and you, and you. When you free yourselves from the bondage of other people's beliefs and step into your own, you will move mountains by your very determination and perseverance and passion for whatever cause inspires you.

It's not about placard waving although there's that too if it's your style. There's also quiet diplomacy and communication, community development activities, keeping your family together through thick and thin. Whatever moves you to act, grasp it, hold on tight, follow it through to the end and amaze yourself.

That's right, you're doing it for your Self. When you take those steps to freedom, you not only inspire others but those around you benefit in countless ways. You have to be the change; there is no one else!



Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com

 STEPS TO FREEDOM

Change What Isn’t Working

If we don't change what isn't working in our lives, we will continually have the same day over and over again.

We have all had the experience of realizing that something in our lives is not working. This knowledge can come as a sudden realization or a nagging feeling of doubt that grows stronger, waking us up to the fact that something needs to change.

Some people have a tendency to act rashly and make sweeping changes before even understanding what the problem is. Other people fear change, so they live with the uncomfortable awareness that something needs to shift but won’t do anything about it. Between these two extreme responses lies a middle way that can help us powerfully and gracefully change what isn’t working in our lives.

The first step is remembering that your life is made up of parts that belong to an interconnected whole. Changing one thing can change everything. Because of this, small changes often have a big effect. Sometimes much bigger changes are necessary, but the only way to know for sure is to take the time to really understand the problem.

Examine your life as an entirety—your work, your relationships, where you live—and determine what specifically is not functioning the way you would like. Once you have figured out the problem, write it down on a piece of paper.

For example, “I am not happy with my relationship” or “I don’t like my apartment.”

The next step is to figure out the adjustment you would like to make and how you can go about making this change.

If you are unhappy with your relationship because you spend too much or not enough time with your partner, you may want to discuss this problem with them and come up with a compromise.

On the other hand, if you realize your relationship is not working to such a degree that it needs to end, begin working through that process. Writing down the truth can be a powerful catalyst for change.

The key to making changes that work is to accept the necessity of change as part of life. As we change, we may find it necessary to fine-tune our relationships, work, and living situations. Our lives are living, breathing entities that reflect our dynamic selves.

»»  read more

THOUGHT FOR TODAY - Success is not a destination: It is a Journey

Lotus flower by 0.tqn.com

Success is not a destination: It is a journey. The happiest people I know are those who are busy working toward specific objectives.  

The most bored and miserable people I know are those who are drifting along with no worthwhile objectives in mind. ~Zig Ziglar

»»  read more

The Power of Encouragement - Perseverance against the odds

Perseverence against the odds is what is demanded of us each and every day. That is why we are here, to achieve, grow, prosper doing what we love. When doubt rears its ugly head according to who's around we lose faith in ourselves and our abilities and fall into that fear full pit. Helped along by our so-called friends and family members.

The trick is to always maintain your focus on what you want to achieve to the exclusion of all else, know who your real friends are and even more importantly, understand that a family is not necessarily comprised of blood relatives but those who love and support you and lift you up when you feel down. They encourage you in spite of the odds. That is family and they will never let you down.

So be careful who you  listen to and sometimes, it's worth turning a deaf ear to helpful advice which is not always in your best interest.

Will, Fern, and the Power of Encouragement

Two frogs named Will and Fern fell into a deep pit together. At first, they thought it would be easy to jump out. But after lots of failed attempts they cried for help and a crowd of animals gathered around the pit.

Everyone agreed it was hopeless so they urged Will and Fern to accept their fate. The harder the trapped frogs jumped, the more the crowd yelled at them to give up. Finally, Will stopped trying. Fern refused to quit and with one mighty try she leaped out of the pit.

The crowd was amazed. Someone asked her why she kept trying when everyone told her she had no chance.

Fern was baffled. “What are you saying?” she asked. “I’m a bit deaf. I was sure you were all cheering me on. I couldn’t have done it without your encouragement.” 

I learned of this story from a woman who was in a transitional housing program recovering from a long period of drug abuse, homelessness and hopelessness. She wanted everyone to understand how important positivism and encouragement can be to help people who seem down and out to get up and out. She said she got out of her own pit because caring people helped her believe in herself and gave her the confidence she needed to jump a little harder. 

There will always be people in your life ready to tell you what you can’t do. Real friends root for you, support you and help you discover your inner talents and strengths. 

I hope you will find and treasure those kinds of friends and be one yourself. 

Remember, character counts.

Michael Josephson
www.whatwillmatter.com

»»  read more

Stay Positive When Things Don't Seem to be Going Your Way

Optimistic, Affirmative Aspirations

Affirmative in your approach to life today, you may be feeling especially optimistic regarding your aspirations. As you walk toward the world of your dreams, you may be filled with positive feelings that keep your attitude upbeat despite appearances. Staying positive when things don't seem to be going the way you'd like is important for keeping the momentum going toward the creation of our goals.  

If we become discouraged, we invest our energy into something other than our goals and make the road to our aspirations an even longer, more circuitous journey.  

By keeping positive pictures in front of us, we walk confidently through the shadows of the unknown to arrive in the light at the other side. Today you have the energy to stay positive as you advance toward your aspirations.
 

 Affirmations are like seeds for your growth. Louise L. Hay

There are times when it seems natural and easy to be optimistic. But positive thinking and affirmations of our goals are most important when they don't come naturally. These thoughts act like a lighthouse, showing us how to find the shore when we are in the midst of fog or stormy seas.  

They keep us on course and moving toward our dreams. If we become discouraged, we must hold on to our map and not throw it to the ground in disgust. Without it, we can lose our way and find reasons to focus more on the negative than the positive.  

Today your upbeat and optimistic attitude keeps you and all around you pointed in the right direction toward the manifestation of your greatest aspirations. DailyOM

More to uplift you

Louise Hay's How to use affirmations to change your life is a fabulous tool to help you build up yourself (first) and everyone else around you.

Jo Dunning's The Secret of Life (and the difference a slight change can make in your life)  

»»  read more

The Olympics of Life

There I was reflecting on life's injustices, if you can call it that just to situate my thoughts, when my on again, off again man friend that I sometimes like told me that I cannot be trusted. To quote him "all you women can't be fucking trusted" simply because I told him to stay out of my business when I found out he intended to hassle a man who owed me money.

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.  ~Dr. Seuss

This fella is brutal in words and bristles with violence when he drinks and that is not my way of handling conflict because approaches like that only aggravate the situation.

I was nonplussed and felt hurt really, like a punch to the chest because the underlying message was about his insecurity as a 49-year old male in a relationship in which he feels inadequate. We got the platonic thing going on and he's a very virile male.

So as I mulled over my life and my connection to this man I went from hurt to anger and decided to cut him off and go cold turkey. He has helped me a lot, has taught me about this Trinidad and Tobago which is a new country to me and he gives me a bill or two every so often to enable me to buy necessities. One hand washes the other and that's fine.  Then I went to bed.

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.  Bernard M. Baruch

It was on waking the words Olympics of life came to mind. It was linked to a dream just ended when someone held up a Russian newspaper with a blaring headline (which I understood) and photos of the games in progress and participants and spectators.

So fascinating!

That was my message from the ether, the universal mind - as all dreams are - that my life and how I live  it make me a world class athlete and I/we have to, like all great sportsmen and sportswomen stay focused with absolute commitment and do our best to make the grade into that elite group of Olympians.

Eat right, sleep well, practice, practice, practice, focus on winning to be able to make the grade and be selected into the most elite club to perform in front of the world. That's what we non-sporting types do as well. Life is like that and once we're there as I am and no doubt you are as well, we gotta just do it.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I live in a shelter for homeless people and I've been wondering lately what have I achieved, if anything in this life of 54 years here since living here for 18 months and still jobless.

I suppose when you go from where I was living a very good  life, secure in yourself working and seeing the world, putting up with the usual shite, you have money and don't feel the need to focus on it, when exploring the spiritual side of life is your passion and seeing the world is really all that interests you, you have a handful of really good friends, you meaning me, don't ever contemplate that you would lose your financial wherewithal to end up homeless.


Thankfully, I don't relate to that German billionaire who a few years ago lost 3 or was it 4 of his 7 billion dollars and committed suicide because he defined himself by his money. Mine was just a few million and thank you again Bernie Madoff.

Comfort matters to me and beauty is essential to my well-being. You wouldn't think that beauty can be found in a homeless shelter with former street people, drug addicts, prostitutes, mental outpatients and the dispossessed like myself, would you.

But I have been pleasantly surprised by the stunning sunsets from our third floor balcony to the sometimes caring gestures from some of the most brutal men and women I never considered ever speaking to.

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. ~Oscar Wilde

The message from the ether about the Olympics of life takes on a special significance previously unthought of.

When you're at the peak of your game which is what life is really, the dance of life, and I don't feel that I am but I must be eh, you have to perform in your chosen field and everybody's watching not to hinder but to cheer you on.

At the Olympics games, people willingly pay to see the best and that is who you are  in the Olympics of life. You  might feel low at times like oh what's the use when what you try doesn't bring the results expected but hear what, doing your best is what you do even then it doesn't appear to make the grade.

Performing any less than your best would not have brought you to peak conditioning to face the challenges life throws at you with the guts, grit and determination that is intrinsic in your makeup.

Always keep in mind that every situation you encounter is meant to teach you something - that was the hardest lesson I have ever had to learn - and when you "get it" you naturally move on because you have stopped re-acting, stopped resisting what is, accepted your role in the game and took the necessary intuitive action.

You are all you have and right now is all you've got. You are in it to win it, whatever that may be. Start now and cross those hurdles effortlessly in the Olympics of life!

Death is a stripping away of all that is not you. The secret of life is to "die before you die" --- and find that there is no death. ~Eckhart Tolle

»»  read more

CHARACTER COUNTS - The Boys Down At The Stable, A Lesson

What happens when we step up into the life that we want to live only to discover that people who we thought supported us, don't?

Here's one of those stories and the response from the files of Bob Proctor...

Many years ago a young lady who was attending a seminar shared an interesting story with me.

Apparently she and two or three of her girlfriends went and tried out for a place in a stage play. She got the starring role while her girlfriends were not even picked for the supporting cast.  

Opening night she said she was really excited but afterwards became very disappointed when her girlfriends never came out and supported her. She was explaining the situation to an elderly friend of her fathers named Hap. He wrote her a letter and she gave me a copy with her permission to share it with others. Read it carefully and think.

Dear Ann,

Once upon a time there was a fellow by the name of Al Capp who wrote a comic strip called "L'il Abner."  

Many years ago he had some characters in his strip who lived in a town near Dogpatch. They were the town bums, the n'er do wells, the failures whose whole aim in life was to pass judgement on others.  

Their criticism and ridicule became so vehement that in time the rest of the people in the town became acutely conscious of it. "The boys down at the stable," as they were called because that's where they spent most of their time, soon set the social standards of the town.  

Nobody could do anything without their sanction.

Because they lived within the structure of their crummy little world, they would laugh and point their fingers at anyone and everyone who tried to be better than they were.  

As a result the people feared the ridicule of the boys down at the stable so much that they stopped trying. Soon everybody became bums and the town died.

In every social structure, Ann, whether it be family, town, county or state, there are "The boys down at the stable." They are the jealous ones.  They are too scared to try something different. They show their ignorance by laughing at those who do.  

Learn to recognize them Ann, for what they are. Don't let them hurt you. It takes a certain amount of toughness to succeed. One has to rise above those who would tear you down so that they can laugh and say, "I told you so!"

There are too many of us who love you and want you to make it. I could put myself at the top of the list. You aren't going to fall flat on your face as they would have you. You are going to do a superb job.  

Remember this show is only a small step in the direction of greater things you will do, many of which are beyond your wildest dreams. All you have to do is want to. One of the things I like about you best is that you always give it hell for try.

The show will be a success because of you and others like you who try. There are only winners in the cast. The losers are gathered down at the stable laughing and hoping for your failure.  

If we could dig down deep inside them, I'm sure we'd find they want to win also, but are too scared to try, and they attempt to cover up their own failures as human beings by laughing at others.  

In a sense I'm sorry for them. Their guilt must make them very unhappy people.

Much love,
Hap

»»  read more

Answer Discouragement with Intelligent Action

I have not read such a powerful message as this one from Bob Proctor as this one about discouragement - the bane of our existence - it's really a feeling of lack of self-worth and that is such a terrible, terrible feeling. I've been there, got nurtured on it on my mother's breast.

When you let it take hold, you sink yourself into a morass of self-pity from which it is often times difficult to extricate yourself.

If you with to receive similar mail do subscribe to his free Insights of the Day newsletter.

That's Good

I often talk about Earl Nightingale and the positive influence he had on my life. The personal association I had with him was a great education but I could never estimate the effect his recorded messages have had on my life.

One of his recorded messages was titled "That's Good". I listened to it so often I could almost repeat it verbatim.

On that record he shared a fable about the devil having a sale that is most interesting and, as Earl mentioned, like most old fables it has a moral that is worth thinking about.

The story goes that Satan was having a sale of his wares. On display, and offered for sale, were the rapier of jealousy, the dagger of fear, and the strangling noose of hatred, each with its own high price.

But standing alone on a purple pedestal was a worn and battered wedge. This was the devil's most prized possession, for with it alone he could stay in business. It was not for sale ... it was the wedge of discouragement.

Why do you suppose the devil valued so highly, and actually would not sell, the worn and battered wedge of discouragement? Makes you think doesn't it?

He prized discouragement because of its enfeebling, demoralizing effect. Hatred, fear or jealousy may lead an immature person to act unwisely, to fight, or to run. But at least they act.

Discouragement on the other hand, hurts the person more than any of these. It causes the person to sit down, pity himself or herself and do nothing.

Now this doesn't have to happen, but unfortunately it all too frequently does. Not until we realize that discouragement is often a form of self pity, do we begin to take stock of ourselves and our predicament and decide to act ... to do something that will take us out of the unpleasant situation.

The answer to discouragement then is intelligent action. Get rid of discouragement before it gets rid of you. The devil might not survive without this priceless wedge ... but we can.

To your success,
Bob Proctor

»»  read more

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - Never be controlled by the mind of another

Control your own mind, and you may never be controlled by the mind of another.

The mind is the most powerful weapon known to man. It simply cannot be controlled or contained by an outside force, however formidable that force may at first appear.

Throughout history, tyrants have tried to control those who opposed them, but eventually these rulers discovered the power of the imagination was far greater than the threat of the sword.

As Victor Hugo said, “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.”  NapoleonHill

»»  read more

Stick to your Principels in the Hour of Adversity

Your real courage shows best in the hour of adversity.

Some setbacks are so severe that to give in to them means losing the whole ball game.

When he assumed command of the Korean War, Gen. Matthew Ridgeway found his forces pushed far to the south, hard pressed by the invaders.

Only a determined decision to hold the lines allowed the American forces to keep from being swept into the sea and to eventually regain all the territory they had lost.

When a defeat strikes, you may not have the time to withdraw and contemplate your mistakes without risking further setbacks. Don’t succumb to paralysis.

It is important to know at that moment what it is you truly desire and to act to preserve your resources and your hope. If you crumble utterly, you will take a blow to your self-esteem that will be hard to repair.

Instead, stick to your principles, and you will know, at the very least, that you have protected the most important thing you have.

Your successes in life will far outnumber your failures.

 NapoleonHill

»»  read more

Don't Ever Lose Faith in Yourself

Entrance to History Museum, Port of Spain, Trinidad

When you're feeling down, lost and alone after you have been trodden upon by those whom you thought cared for you, read this. Barbara Cage exhorts you not to lose faith in yourself and tells you how to keep hope alive in your heart.

Perseverence is the key. It works for me and picks me up. Russell Bishop's Soul Talk: How to find perfection in rejection helps clarify how acceptance of "rejection" helps build you.

There is a fabulous anonymous affirmation included in his article that must not be missed.

Most people think acceptance has something to do with liking your circumstances. In truth, acceptance merely means recognizing the obvious, cooperating with the reality of it, and finding ways to move forward in spite of the situation. Russell Bishop

Do The Work with Byron Katie. It is a absolutely amazing life system where you face yourself and your individual life challenges one at a time by asking yourself four questions . This is where being authentic will turn your life around.

Her book Loving What Is is changing how I see myself, my life and others, and no, I am not getting paid for plugging this book. Marvelous!

Don't Ever Lose Faith in Yourself

You may be feeling a little uncertain about your future right now

But you need to trust your decisions and feelings and do what is best for you.

The future will work itself out.

You're the kind of person who can make it happen.

Don't let anyone else's negativity influence your dreams, values or hopes.

Focus on what you can change and let go of what you can't.

You know your own worth, what you've accomplished, and what you're capable of.

Your goals may take a bit longer and be harder to achieve than you had hoped, but concentrate on the positives and combine faith with generous portions of patience and determination.

Step boldly and confidently into your future where happiness, success, and dreams await you.

You have the potential for greatness... never give up.

Barbara Cage

Soulful reading:

Soul Talk: How to find perfection in rejection, Russell Bishop

»»  read more

Live the Best of You not the Worst

When all is going well, you feel up, really pumped.You feel you can take on the world. It's such a marvelous feeling that nothing can get you down. Problems? What problems?! We can fix that!

Ideas flow in an unending stream - such a wonderful feeling...

You have people around who support and guide you. You recognise that a mistake is just something to be experienced. It's not a failure.

The best is yet to be. Robert Browning

No challenge is too great because you are in the stream going with the flow which in turn brings all the solutions to your door in one form or another.

Life is grand, stressful but it's good stress of working towards something positve and lasting.

It brings you joy that shines from within and expands outward further than you can possibly imagine. Sometimes you can't even express the vastness and solidity of the connection you feel inside but hey, as long as you know it's all good.

Your highs come with some lows and you recognise, hopefully early in the game, that you need to maintain a balance to maintain focus on what's real and important to you.

When we are criticized or attacked it is important to not take it into our heart space. Madisyn Taylor

Are you aware that it's possible to live this way permanently? It is but it takes work not hard work, eh. I'm talking about the effortless effort to stay in the flow and not allow yourself to be pulled out of the zone when you engage in another's story.

When you love what you do, it's not work and no matter the difficulties, solutions abound. Everything gels. That is effortless effort!

From my experience and I'm only just starting at 53, meditation in whatever form you choose is the key to maintaining a solid inner life while the outside world is off-kilter.

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Dan Millman's book The Peaceful Warrior beautifully illustrates this, and Ed and Deb Shapiro's books and articles discuss meditation for the uninitiated. One of their user-friendly articles on Huffington Post is linked below.

When life starts to go wrong, which by the way is impossible, you panic, you become afraid and your fear pulls you out of the flow and as a consequence, your connection to Source is blocked.

When that happens you get a sinking feeling in your stomach because you know you're up shit creek without a paddle and you don't know how to find your way back.

It's at this precise moment that you can stop, take stock and figure out where you went wrong, and return to the stream of consciousness. All will be well or at least better than you expected.

I have experienced this - both sides actually - but few of us are that aware and that was a passing phase for me because I was not conscious of what I was doing but it worked.

Know that all it requires is a decision and faith in your life choice.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. Mark Twain

When you don't reconnect with your higher Self, Inner Being, or whatever you call it, and you decide to fight against your circumstances you create more difficulties.

Because of this negative vibration, all that you touch seems to disintegrate and turn to muck. Then you being to act small (petty) just like everyone else. After all the situation demands it, right?

You then find yourself like the salmon constantly fighting your way upstream against the raging current, and like them you meet the hungry animals of land and air along the way just waiting to bite your arse off.

This kind of living can and does last years. I have lived that too. It's pretty damned awful and it feels worse when you finally understand that you and only you created your unpleasant living conditions.

Self-flagellation is the order of the day.

You have to decide to stop exhibiting the worst of you. You have to decide that you want and deserve a better life, that you are worth it. A prosperous life is your right!

Money is not the only measure of prosperity and in any case, when you are back on track money naturally flows to you.

You must decide to stop re-acting. It's a negative action with a a negative result. Decide to live to the best of you one day at a time. When you do so you rise and will eventually see others way down there and wonder why did I take so long. They really are little people.

Decide to be the change you want to see. You decide to take charge of your life and not leave it up to others. You get to decide to be open and listen to what others say to you.

Sometimes it's shit but you accept it because that's what you are living. Nothing wrong there so just brush it off.

Be bigger, taller, better, greater. You just may find a golden nugget in there too and when that happens, say thank you and move on.

Wisdom comes from the most unlikely places and that is why remaining open is essential for lasting change and growth.

It takes determination every day to live up to the best of you. No one can do it for you. Your efforts will be noticed and that is your signal that the tide is turning in your favour.

It's impossible to miss like people offering assistance unasked or support coming from the darndest of sources. Regardless of where it originates never look a gift horse in the  mouth.

It begins as a trickling stream and turns in a deep, powerful and unstoppable flow.

Say thank you and stay in it this time!

Pay attention to everything that uplifts you, ask for the guidance and support you need and for heaven's sake, be explicit and watch it come to you without any special effort on your part.

Offer blessings to those who have hurt or wronged you. That is the best medicine you can offer yourself. Forgive in your heart and smile. That's magic right there.

Dr Judith Rich sent me this magnificent mantra when I told her I wasn't up to blessing anything or anyone recently. When pain strikes offer yourself these words, use them as a mantra she says:

May the pain in your heart be soothed with the warmth of love.

May you send back love to those who curse or blame you.

May you see light in the darkness and follow it home.

May peace be your constant companion on the journey.

Be grateful for that steep learning curve and the lessons learnt and every day admire your life as it turns around for you, and like as said earlier, live the best of you, not the worse.

As Eckhart Tolle says in A New Earth, you are life so how could it not flow in your favour!

Soulful Reading:

Ending the Cycle, Madisyn Taylor

Let it roll off our backs, Madisyn Taylor

Your feelings matter, Mike Robbins

The Act of Blessing: A GPS guide to the soul, Judith Rich

The best friend you will ever have: Meditation, Ed and Deb Shapiro

Stillness is where creativity and the solutions to problems are found. Eckhart Tolle

»»  read more

Ignore Seemingly Immovable Barriers and Go for Gold

Did you know that a "Man grows 1,360-acre forest in India...by himself" - determination, perseverance and action are the watch words here. It is always easier to allow yourself to be put down or dissuaded from what you set out to do but when your passion and life's work calls you must follow it to its fruition.

While it is true that none of us know what awaits us down the line but we try to play it safe anyway, following that powerful urge that will not be silenced is the soul's desires expressing itself and it will not be ignored.

Know that your internal guidance when you actively listen always leads you true and while it is not easy or simple, you must ignore seemingly immovable barriers in your way regardless of so-called taboos that must be broken. Go for gold!

Here is your Friday story from Bob Proctor's Insight of the Day - it speaks for itself.


A man in India single-handedly planted an entire forest, proving that one person really can make a large difference.
You always hear that one person can make a large difference in the world. Today, we've got a story that proves that saying.

When he was a teenager in Northern India's Assam region about 30 years ago, Jadav "Molai" Payeng began planting seeds in a sandbar near his birthplace. A few years later, he moved into the area and turned the seed-planting and tree-nurturing into his life's work, planting seeds and helping them grow over a wide area that was initially left for desolate.

In the past 30 years, his seed-planting endeavors have resulted in a massive, 1,360-acre jungle in Assam, a forest ecosystem that has left an incredible mark on the Indian landscape and stands as a testament to Payeng's dedication.

Initially, the forest department told Payeng that trees could not grow in that area. He was not dissuaded; instead he dedicated himself to the task of nurturing the forest, and his dedication has produced results. The Molai woods, in addition to being covered with lush greenery, is now home to a whole host of creatures big and small, including birds, deers, rhinos, tigers, and elephants.

Jadav "Molai" Payeng is a hero to those animals, to the ecosystem in the area, and to conservationists across India. But he is also a hero to us, people living oceans away who don't necessarily work in forestry or in the environment industry. Payeng is a hero because he has proven that with commitment, blood, sweat, knowledge, and dedication to making a difference, one person can truly make a difference, and a large difference, on the world.

It's easy to discount the impact that we can have on the people and places around us. It's easy to feel insignificant when faced with the enormity of the issues that surround us. But it's important to remember that our actions, no matter how small they may be, make a difference. Whether it's bringing a smile to someone's day or revitalizing a forest ecosystem, the little acts of kindness and good have enormous impact.

Our small actions may not necessarily lead to a forest and safe haven for animals, but they have the potential to grow and flourish all the same.

Sameer Vasta
Writer and Blogger

»»  read more

Leaping for New Opportunities - How Good are You ?

A superb lesson in determination and perseverance no matter what from Callie. How good are you at leaping for new opportunities in spite of seemingly invincible odds stacked against you?
More wonderful food for thought from Bob Proctor's Insight of the Day.

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, 'I'll try again tomorrow. -Mary Anne Radmacher

How many times have ideas occurred to you, simple and straightforward that felt right but because they were outside your normal frame of reference you procrastinated until you killed it and your shivery excitement about it?

How many times has an opportunity presented itself to you and due to the spurious reasons you created to stop yourself from doing it, like where I am going to find the time, what will people say, my "family/friends" won't approve, and more crap like that and you let it die?

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. -Dale Carnegie

Let me tell you something people, if you do not dare to dream you will never get anywhere in your life. You will stay stuck living the life and remain unfulfilled living what someone else planned for you, be they parents, husband, boss etc.

Dare to demand what you want, step out of that box you are squeezed into and spread your wings!

Nothing great has ever been achieved except by those who dared to believe that something inside them was superior to circumstances. - Bruce Barton
Leap for New Opportunities
Callie, the little kitten we rescued from the brush, walked across the back of our sofa and looked anxiously at me. Her eyes were wide with anticipation. I slipped my hand under the blanket we use for naps. My fingers wiggled under the soft cloth. Callie prepared herself. Her furry bottom twitched. Callie swished her tail back and forth, as she focused on the moving blanket. I watched carefully, ready for her attack.
Callie twitched her rear end one last time, leapt into the air and with her paws spread like the wings of a bird, landed on the scary moving blanket. Armed with sharp claws and teeth, she fearlessly attacked the ferocious moving cloth. She sank her dagger sharp teeth and claws into fabric and shook her head to make sure she made the kill.
The blanket was not ready to give up. My hand, slightly protected by the blanket, fought back. Callie tumbled to the left, got a new grip on the evil blanket and was thrown to the right, where she landed on her back, but continued to do battle. The fight seemed to be over, but Callie did not give up. She withdrew her claws, ran to the end of the sofa and planned a new attack.
She dropped to the floor and watched the blanket from a new angle. Her eyes followed every movement it made. She waited for an opening in its defense and leapt on it again. She landed hard and gripped my hidden hand with a vengeance. Her claws and teeth pierced the fabric and my skin. I screamed and pulled my hand away.
Callie won! She always does.
I wish I had her fearlessness. Where would I be today, if I did what she does? I've looked at many scary moving blankets in my life. There were a few I had the courage leap on, like taking a new job in another city. Mostly, I've seen the blanket move and ran away, afraid of the challenge.
We saved Callie from a life of dumpster feeding and that little furry girl taught me a life lesson - have no fear! Accept the challenge. Leap for new opportunities.

Michael T. Smith
Michael lives in Caldwell, Idaho with his wonderful wife Ginny. He writes in his spare time and is completing a collection of his stories to be called, From My Heart to Yours. To read more of his stories, go to:


http://ourecho.com/biography-353-Michael-Timothy-Smith.shtml#stories

»»  read more

Do You Have Something Worth Dying For ?

Here is a superbly edifying story about love and perseverance in the face of terrible odds from Bob Proctor's Insight of the Day. What do you have that is worth dying for?

Something Worth Dying For


As Valentine's week draws to a close, my mind wanders to Nell and Jim Hamm, who in 2007 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A month before this milestone the couple decided to take a hike in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park situated in Northern California. There, on this walk, just days before their 50th wedding anniversary, Jim was attacked by a 200 pound, eight foot long mountain lion.


This lion, pouncing seemingly from the sky, pinned Jim to the ground. Nell, age 65, didn't even hear the animal. She turned to find Jim, 70 years young, underneath the lion with his head partially in the animal's mouth. "He didn't scream," Nell later said. "It was a different, horrible plea for help."


The next few minutes were a fight for life. It was seeing everything important to the couple flashing before their eyes. It was pain and blood and sweat but most of all, love. Nell could have run. She could have gone for help, but she didn't. There, before her was the most important thing in her life, something worth dying for.


With that in mind she reacted, grabbing a log and begun beating the animal. When that didn't work, she took a pen from Jim's pocket and tried to stab one of the eyes of the mountain lion. She poked until the pen was bent and unusable.then she picked up the log again and beat. She beat and beat.


It worked, the lion finally backed off. He looked at Nell one last time and disappeared into the foliage. Nell was afraid to leave her bleeding and dazed husband. She was able to move him about a quarter of a mile to a trail head where she covered him with branches, to protect against another attack then waited for help.


"She saved his life, there's no doubt about that" said a spokesman for the Department of Fish and Game. When asked if she was a hero however, Nell shook her head no. "You hear remarks of hero. It wasn't that. We love each other very much."


In that moment, Nell found one thing in her life worth dying for.she was willing to go toe to toe with a powerful animal and risk her own life for her husband and for their life together.

And some do lay down their lives for powerful and positive purposes; some of these purposes are saving another, for our freedom, for a child.But dying for most of us isn't about literally wrestling mountain lions to free a loved one.

Instead, dying might be confronting our fears and anxieties to help our loved one. Dying might be doing something we don't like, because he/she does. Or, dying might simply be biting our tongue instead of speaking out and hurting another's feelings.


Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may have said it best, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Die a little today for something powerful and positive that is worth dying for.and in so doing save your life and another's along the way. Happy Valentine's week!


Matt Forck, CSP & JLW


Matt Forck is a keynote speaker, author and columnist. Matt and his family reside in Columbia MO. Check out Matt's motivational books, Check Up From the Neck Up-101 Ways to Get Your Head in the Game of Life and Gutsy - - Go Until Time Stops You! by clicking this link; http://www.thesafetysoul.org/Matt%20Forck%20Safety%20Speaker%20Review%20Books.htm . And, contact Matt through the web, http://www.thesafetysoul.org/.

»»  read more

Everything In Its Perfect Time

Thai Jasmine (Keep Smiling.g..g.g :-)  A Perfect affirmation for you today!

Some things you're not letting happen right now because the timing isn't perfect for you. Some you're not letting happen because you are very aware of where you are. But all things, as they are happening, are happening in perfect order. And if you will relax and begin saying, "Everything in its perfect time. Everything is unfolding. And I'm enjoying where I am now, in relationship to where I'm going. Content where I am, and eager for more," that is the perfect vibrational stance.
—Abraham

»»  read more

When The Going Is Hardest, Keep On Going

              Beesy Body by Cheng I When the going is hardest, just keep on keeping on, and you’ll get there sooner than someone who finds the going easy.

If you think achieving great heights of success will be easy, you either don't understand at all how the process works or you have your sights set too low.

Reaching the top of any field is difficult, time-consuming, and often tedious. The reason it isn't crowded at the top is that most people won't do the things that are necessary to achieve success. They are all too willing to give up when the going gets tough.

If you need inspiration to persevere, read the biographies of men and women who have achieved greatness in their lives. You will find that they prevailed because they refused to quit. They continued to toil alone long after the masses had given up and gone home. Napoleon Hill

»»  read more

4 Reasons Why Mind Movies Do Not Work

Image by Mubina H
Mind movies do not work!

We all know that for a fact, right. Wrong! 

We hear stuff like that then we hear others say they are getting great results, so who do you want to believe.

It is about attracting what you want and you are tempted to give it a try, why not. It can't hurt to try, can it?

But nothing happens for you so you side with the nay-sayers.

MindMovies is taking people into an area of themselves 

that maybe they've never gone. ~Bob Proctor

Michele Blood gives us 4 reasons for this non-achievement and it makes sense because I made all the mistakes she listed. 

She has teamed up with the wonderful Bob Proctor and they are promoting a Law of Attraction MindMovie and I received her newsletter in which she talks about the reasons why MindMovies do not work. 

As you will see the mistakes are obvious; I have made them because I figured it was a fad but a pretty one. I expected no results at all so of course, I didn't get any!

Here's how Michele tells it:

One of the things Bob talks about are some of the most common misconceptions about visualization, and boy can I relate. I remember when I first began exploring the Law of Attraction. I pretty much made ALL of these mistakes!

For example...

Image by Rennett Stowe 1. You make some effort to practice visualizations for a few days--but nothing happens. So you decide it's a waste of time and stop. And guess what? Nothing happens. Duh.

2.  You think you have to spend hours every day intensely focused on the things you want most. You settle down in the Lazy Boy and have at it — and you either fall asleep, get a pounding headache, or start thinking about a problem you're having at work. What a hassle — no wonder you've given up!

3.  You've painstakingly glued a vision board together and you stare at it every day. You don't want anyone to know this, but you're bored. This whole activity is dull as dust and you don't feel much of anything except distracted.

4.  You're not completely sure visualization will work--so you figure it's not worth trying unless you are 100% certain something wonderful will happen.

In fact, you've perfected "why bother" into an art form. Any of these things sound familiar? Well here's the good news...

Bob's Got The Answers—And It Will Change Your Life » MindMovies. Here's one of my favorite quotes from this video...

"Even if you don't believe in it--do it anyway. My attitude is: if your way isn't working, try mine. I'm doing all right. I'm healthy, happy, and I'm wealthy. I earn more money in one hour than I used to in twenty years. So I must know something. And I know that this works."  ~Bob Proctor

Image by *Brunna Peretti Loureiro* I sincerely hope you find this as encouraging as I do—because the thing is, even if you're not sure visualization will work for you and result in successful manifesting—just do it! Give it a try and see what happens.

But not for just a day or two--or even a week or two.

What you've got to do is make the commitment to spend a few minutes on this every single day—and I do mean EVERY DAY!

Maybe even morning and night—but consistently make the effort. Because according to Bob (and he should know!) it's the REPETITION of your visualizations that add up to a grand slam eventually.

Michele

»»  read more

8 Step Visualisation Technique: Start The New Year on The Right Foot

New Year - Which Direction? by randihausken

We all want to do the best we can and live the most we can but most of us usually start a new year on the wrong foot! Linda Joy, author of Live a juicy joyful life fame who was a single mother on welfare developed this 8-step visualisation technique.

Let the light in — use it to start the new year on the right foot — taken from the lovely Kari Henley's article Let go of recession depression and live a juicy, joyful life.

Let's jump right into it, shall we. See you on the other side!

1 - First find a quiet place, and light an intention candle.

2 - Ask your deepest self, "When I look at 2010 as a successful year, what made is successful?"

3 - After that, follow up with:
 
"When I look at the parts of 2010 that were not as successful, what would I have changed?"

4 - Notice your reaction to both questions.

The assumption began that 2010 was a successful year -- did it change your retrieval process?

5 - Now, look forward into 2011. Ask yourself the following question:

"If I could envision the year I'd like to create, what is the first thing that comes to mind?"

6 - Be sure to pay attention to the very first flicker of an image or voice that arrives in your consciousness, as that is usually a divining rod to the soul, and the answer to follow.

Maybe it is an unexpected answer, like more time with the spouse, or learning how to dance. Once this image has come to mind, thank yourself for the recognition.

So often our lives are filled with the "woulds" and "shoulds" of life, so the inner voices of destiny rarely are given the microphone and center stage. Acknowledge whatever vision has come to mind, and let it make you smile!

7 - The final step is about Intention. Ask yourself:

"What are two steps that I will commit to take around this thought in the month of January?"

Again, nothing radical; just two simple steps.

8 - Close the visualization with words of gratitude for this burgeoning intention, and blow out your candle. That's it!

 

—I AM WEALTH. I AM ABUNDANCE. I AM JOY—

»»  read more

A One-Legged Bird Can Still Fly

Sleeping Caribbean Flamingo 

What must I do
Am I a fool
That doesn't ring true

Am I a song
Whose melody is unsung

Am I a one-winged bird
That cannot fly
A blackbird that cannot be white

A one-legged bird can still fly
That means I can try

I refuse to make do
That would lead to...

More poo

I intend to break free
I intend to do what's right for me
I intend to live in truth and in love
And fill that hole in my soul.

»»  read more