Archive for Inspiration
Are you Alive?
Posted by: | CommentsDo you wake up on Monday mornings with dread? Is it another day of the same old same old…
Here’s a challenge to help you bridge the gap to brilliance:
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs.
Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then do that.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Harold Thurman (1899-1981), American author, theologian, philosopher, educator, civil rights leader
It’s never too late to come alive to your joy. Make the time to ask and answer that question and watch the magic unfold.
Loving yourself Happy
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve heard it said that life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans.
How true. James, my late husband, left 92 single spaced pages of ideas and thoughts for his books and poetry. He never lived to see retirement nor get them published. A school friend signed as a professional football player at 17, and never made it to training camp. His motorcycle slid into a car and he spent the rest of his life as a quadriplegic. Instead of football, he became an engineer, and even drove his own van, operated by the touch of his finger on the controls! It’s up to us to create happiness from the opportunities we’ve been given. Rest assured, in the thick of things, it is hard to see beyond the current upset into the potential for growth and happiness. Life isn’t for the fainthearted.
James suffered with life long chronic pain. When he got past the idea of, “Why me?” he accepted life as it was and lived a full, productive and happy life – even though he left an unfulfilled dream of being an author. He spent weekends at his writing craft. James was a writer and he wrote. That was his process and the end result didn’t matter.
My grad school chum and I used to dance together. He would use his fingers on the joystick of his electric wheelchair to make it move, and I’d dance around him. He told me shortly before he passed away that he had the most amazing life. He confided that his condition was a great gift – a living experience of being loved ‘from the inside out.’ – and he knew himself as a Beloved Child of God. He lived a happy life.
It’s not what happens to us that determines our happiness and joy.
Happiness is a moment by moment process, not a one time event.
It is up to us to choose happiness.
I like knowing what’s ahead. I also like to control outcomes! Health challenges, the uncertainty of change, financial, physical, emotional, mental or spiritual pain are signals that something’s afoot. I can attempt to control the outcome of everything and plan my life, but life really plans me. When I decide to consciously choose positive thoughts, I get to emerge victorious! Some days I play the romantic, the martial artist, entrepreneur or author. Other days the victim, victorious, wise one or fool. They are all facets of my personality. Life is my playground, and I can change thoughts as I please. When I change those thoughts to ones of loving, compassion, acceptance and gentleness, life gets happy indeed. It’s so much more fun to be happy!
Life is an adventure. Letting go and trusting that all is well, regardless of how it looks on the outside, sometimes comes down to breathing in and out. They say in 12-step programs that the first step is to say, “God (Higher Power) I can’t, you can, please help.” That’s great advice for all of us when the going gets tough.
Here’s your challenge for the week: Drop the story of why your life is or isn’t what you want and love yourself happy. If not how, when?
Superman Takes Clark Kent’s Job
Posted by: | CommentsFlash, Universe Provides Insight (UPI) press
It was announced today that Superman has replaced Clark Kent, the mild mannered reporter for the Daily Planet.
Superman revealed that he and Clark Kent are one and the same. Superman confessed that his decision to hide was initially made in order to fit in with the establishment. Ashamed that he was able to leap tall buildings with a single bound, he created the mild mannered persona of Clark Kent. “It is no longer possible to hide behind a meek reporter’s image, so that I will be safe from humiliation because I am different.” The hero went on to acknowledge all the Supermen and Superwomen on Earth who face life fully without hiding behind a mask.
The cape’s out of the bag, so to speak. Superman, as an advocate for all the hidden supermen and women in the world, announced that the time has come for them to step forward as themselves. “The Earth needs humans to step into their full potential, without regard to the need for approval, security, or control,” said Superman.
When asked who inspired this revelation, Superman acknowledged it was the actor, Christopher Reeve, who taught him that it is not physical strength, but strength of character, determination, dedication, love, and the willingness to be vulnerable that convinced him to “get real.” Every human has their own “kryptonite” that has the potential to weaken them. A truly great person learns to overcome their challenges and turn them to strengths.
Superman hopes that his decision will inspire others to live fully and rise to the challenge of becoming powerful heros and heroines in their own lives. That, concluded comic book hero, “is the way to transform your world.”
Spirituality & the Business of Life
Posted by: | CommentsDo what you love and the Spirit will follow! In today’s world there is a growing trend toward applying spiritual principles in everyday life. That includes not only your personal life, but your business life as well.
Millions of individuals are no longer willing to compromise their ethics for their paycheck. Large portions of corporate Americans are leaving, either by choice or lay off. Many are choosing to simplify their lifestyle, oftentimes choosing to follow a dream and become entrepreneurs. Greed and corruption have broken the backs of many corporations.
There is a countering ground swell of people who practice applied spirituality. They care, take appropriate action, and actively work to make this world a better place. They have always been there. Now, however, the are becoming more visible.
What is practical spirituality? I refer to spiritual as that which expresses the highest part of our nature, and religion as a container through which we express this nature. Spirituality can be expressed apart from religion, although religion is not really separate from spirituality.
Practical spirituality is the application of spiritual principles to life. Love, faith, integrity, trust, gratitude, acceptance, cooperation, curiosity, joy, service, and creativity represent facets in the fabric of spiritual expression. When these attributes are applied in the business world they foster good will, loyalty, and a host of other benefits to employees and customers alike.
In the four years between 1994 and 1998, the Gallup organization found that the number of people who said they needed spiritual growth jumped from 56 to 82 percent. Today, workshops and books integrating spirituality and business are common.
Fifteen years ago, the separation between spiritual practice and business was distinct. Boundary crossing was an illicit journey. As a national karate champion, I had the luxury of sharing my spiritual perspectives with the language of the martial arts. The paradox is that the martial arts are spiritual arts.
Commitment to something you love will eventually blossom into the language of spirituality. To love life is to live fully. To live fully requires discipline, or discipleship towards something. Martial arts, a business, a loved hobby, service to others, caring for those you love, and commitment to a cause are all aspects of a spiritual life in action.
Retired Americans are looking for second or third careers. While some do so out of necessity, others express a heartfelt desire to make a difference in the world – spirituality in action.
Young people have embraced social entrepreneurship and social media as avenues to create change. It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to donate 10% of their income to charities of their choice. Young and old alike are actively reaching out to build bridges of opportunity for those they have chosen to serve. The gifts they bring gives me hope that, “The best is yet to come.”
If you would like more information about integrating practical spirituality in the business world, register now in the box below for a complimentary tele-seminar on June 18th, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. PST. The call will be hosted byTom Martin of Martin Media. Learn how to build your bottom line while lifting your Spirit.
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