Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Shoulda, Time Stealer

GURUSTU NEWS (GN) A dangerous criminal "Should" escaped around New Years, during Resolution Season. Also known as "Shoulda," has been seen with accomplices, "Coulda" and "Woulda." They are very dangerous, and have been known to steal, and even kill, Time...



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In both of its forms, "Should" and "Shoulda" have a way of wasting your time; and it's gotta stop!



"Should" is that thing that you just HAVE to do, but know you're really not going to do it... so you say it to acknowledge that it's the right thing to do... all the while reprimanding yourself for not doing it sooner, if at all...



"Shoulda" is the same thing, only you're facing the wrong way. You're looking back, full of regret and 20/20 hindsight... and slapping yourself because you SHOULD have known better.



Well, you didn't know better... and if you did, you made different choices then than you would now. In any of case, just get over it.



The easiest fix to all this is to forget the shoulda's, focus on tomorrow and either replace the "should do's" with the "will do's" or just don't do.



You really should drop "should" from your vocabulary, shouldn't you?



So will you?



Monday, December 15, 2008

Don´t Blame Me!!

Pointing the finger isn't just child's play. We still do it as adults... every day. And as long as it's "someone else's problem" we can just ignore it, right?... unfortunately that also robs us of something more important - our own empowerment.



Putting off problems to someone else doesn't solve it. In fact, it can come back and haunt you even more. So rather than deflect and defer, why not respect and respond?



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Don't look for someone or something to blame

Think of how much further you'll get if you spend your time looking for solutions. Besides, if you find someone else to blame, think of how much time they're going to lose blaming YOU.



Taking the responsibility isn't taking the blame

Being "responsible" puts you in a position of power... and being in power means that you can help control how the solution will be implemented. Are you really comfortable with someone else's solution?



Make Allegiances

Form a team of allies; especially with the person who started the blame game. There is less resistance if your "enemy" becomes your "ally," and that will get you to the solution quicker.



Keep relationships intact

Remember that the relationship between people is more important than winning an argument. If you can all value that, no problem is too big to tackle.



Keep focus on the solutions

There's a natural tendency to want to figure out what went wrong, so as not to do it again. Nothing wrong with that, except when the return on that investment amounts to very little. Before you begin to look back, ask yourself if it would be better to just keep looking forward. Some things are better just fixed and forgotten.



Learn and move on

When it's all over, then you can review and see what NOT to do again in the future. Then, once you learned something GET ON WITH IT.



Saturday, December 06, 2008

You Got It...

You've got all you need to move to the next level... because if Time is infinite into the Past and equally infinite into the Future, then you are in the exact center of Time... and being in the center you have 360 degrees of choice in every moment... so don't worry about the "Big Picture."



There is no "Big Picture"



Even if there ARE "Master Plans" and "Grand Schemes" out there, when you get far enough away to see the "Big Picture" ... with all the people, and all the moments, and all the 360 degrees ... you will see that the real Big Picture is nothing but a Sea of Endless Possibilities...





... and your life is seen simply as a Pattern along one Path.





Even if it's easier...





... to do what you did before...







... or do nothing...







Remember, you always have the Choice and the Power to make a different choice.



And you don't need anything you don't already have...



... to move to that next step.




There's 360 choices in this very moment...



... and the next one as well.




The Bigger Picture is only seen after many next steps...



... so choose one


... and take it.


Monday, November 24, 2008

Being Thankful...

I'm thankful for good times, for those are the days I live

and also for bad, 'cause that's when I learn the most about Life



I'm thankful for the people who've come into my life,

And those that just passed by



I'm thankful for all that I know; and all that I don't



I thankful for the things I have, because they make me feel rich

And all the things I don't, for they make me richer



I'm thankful for the food in my belly and the roof over my head

They're not as easy to come by as one would think



I thankful I still have dreams; and thankful that I'm finding a way to make those dreams come true.



Saturday, November 15, 2008

Guilt Trip to a Family Dysfunction

Are you going to be taking a guilt trip to another family dysfunction again this year?



As you prepare to trek across the miles to see your sister, with her out of work husband and two bratty kids... thinking about your drunk uncle, and mother who thinks you've still not got your life together... there's more to take with you besides just presents and fruitcake.



Before you go and end up with a repeat performance of last year, read on and make your season a little brighter...





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Make sure to pack these in your suitcase to bring with you:



Patience

Realize that some people may never change. It's their life, not yours. They might be making the same mistakes they did for years; they may or may not be trying to change it. Don't let that get to you.



Openmindedness

Realize that some people may actually have changed. Don't assume they're the same, don't treat them the same; don't force them ro treat you the same way either.



Understanding

People go through a lot in one year. There might be a lot going on "behind the scenes" that you don't know about. Get the whole story before jumping into judgement.



Perserverence

Be who you are today. Reunions have a tendancy to put you back into old roles and old habits. Don't change because someone else wants to pigeonhole you into history.



Tolerance

People are just different. If you don't like it, it's YOUR judgement, and YOUR problem. Deal with yourself, and you'll be happier about everything else.



Forgiveness

The best present you can have is to let go of the past. Even if others have a hard time forgiving, that's also not your problem. Be the bigger person and forgive them for not forgiving you.



Love

It's what ultimately works best. Find a way to do everything out of Love, and you will find the true spirit of the holidays and of your life.



Saturday, November 01, 2008

Letting Go

Arghhhhh.... !!!!!



You ever have one of those days that you just wish you could be left alone? That you didn't have so much you had to do? That you didn't have to be YOU?



Well, you can... without changing anything outside yourself... without changing anything you do.



"Impossible!" you say? No, but it won't necessarily be easy, or even understandable... at least until you try it.



The secret is in "Letting go."



So as not to get your mind going off in the wrong direction, let me start by saying what "Letting Go" is NOT:



Isolation

You don't have to separate yourself from anyone or anything. Just because you go from birth to death on your own, doesn't mean you have to go it alone. You can share your life with many wonderful people; you can partake of many wonderful things; and still be free.



Abandonment

Leaving the people you care about just to be "free" will probably make things worse. Creating a void for you and everyone else is not "free" -- it's the other side of free, which is debt... and that's a bad thing.



Desolation

Getting rid of the things you own can also be a bad idea. "Using possessions" and possessing things are completely different things entirely. Besides -- having a car means you can be "freer" on the weekends.



Forgetting

You don't have to lose your memory to be free either. If someone has wronged you in the past, you don't have to forget what they've done, nor give them permission to do it again...



Which brings us to what "Letting Go" is:



Forgiveness

Coming to a deeper understanding that people are human; they sometimes make mistakes. Sometimes they lack the appropriate knowledge or consideration, so they strike out from their own ignorance or pain. YOU have the power to forgive.



Understanding

Not just of others, but of yourself. You too are human and have your fair share of "oops." It is a deeper understanding that you play as important a role in the lives of others, as they have a role in yours.





Free From Expectations

This is the biggest one. As long as you don't expect anything, everything can be as it really is.



Non-attachment to people

Freedom to experience others, and to express yourself, with no strings attached. And the closer other people are to you, the less you should even think of strings.



Non-attachment to possessions

Again, experience the joy of using the things around you, but never being possessive of those things.



Unconditional Life

Once you no longer feel the need to possess objects or people, you can let go of expectations; you can live... just live.



Once you've got that, it's an amazing feeling to possess.



(Did I say "possess"??? Well, forget that too...)



Let go... live free... have it all.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Put Your Dreams Into Action

Why is it we look at dreamers like good-for-nothing slackers, yet successful people as "Visionaries." Don't they both have dreams? So what's the big difference?



Simple... Visionaries actually DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.



Begin with a dream

Visionaries understand that the greatest actions in life begin with a dream. Afterall, a dream is a "vision;" it's a way of seeing something different. All the great visionaries of history looked at the same world everyone else did, and dreamed of something different.



Believe it can be done

As long as you see your dreams as something left to dreamers, then you will never attain them. They will be out of your reach because you won't give them the necessary energy and time needed to make them happen. You have to BELIEVE that it can be done, so that you're willing to do what it takes to get there.



Dreams + Devotion = Goals





Do it your way

There are billions of people on this planet, yet only one you. So do you choose to be 1/6000000000th of the world, or one in 6 billion?



Don't please everyone

Trying to be all things to all people averages you out to the middle. The best you will ever do is rise to the level mediocrity. Choose to reach the top, and let those that want to be down, stay down. Rise up to the highest level you can, despite what others might think.



Make no excuses

Nothing kills a dream better than an excuse. "I really couldn't" ... "I don't have the time" ... "If only I had this/didn't have that" ... There will always be a millions reasons why you failed, but only one if you succeed -- you didn't give up.





Break your goals down into managable chunks

Your goals might be much bigger than you are... at least right now; so instead of giving up, break it down. One of my favorite sayings:



How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.*



Set deadlines

Reaching goals actually take time. So set some actual, realistic dates. The worked towards them. That's what breaking them down into the manageable chunks is all about.



Do something every day

Back to the fact that every goals takes time. What do you think you have during your day? Time. Use it. Even if it's only a little bit.



Every drop of rain makes the river stronger.



Be open to alternate routes to the same goals

Sometimes what you're trying to do doesn't work; so stop doing it that way. Learn from it, and move on to a better way of getting there.



A rock may change the river's course, but it does not change the river.



It's not about being in the right place at the right time

It's about being everywhere and knowing when to take advantage of the opportunities that are around you.



When in doubt, repeat

There will be down times and sad times and slow times. That's when you ought to take the time to go back and remind yourself of your original dream. They start down the path again.









* Disclaimer: To all my friends at PETA and other animal rights groups. I've never actually eaten an elephant. I never even wanted to eat an elephant. In fact, I don't even think they'd taste like chicken.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Second Chances...

Welcome to GuruMuse... MuruStu's... GuruStu's Muse!... There you go, I knew I'd get it right eventually.



That's what I want to talk about today... getting it right the SECOND time...



Why do we do things wrong the first time only to have to make up for it the next time?



You know that saying "You only get one chance to make a first impression" so why do we botch it up?! It's the strength of that belief that puts a lot of pressure on you to get it right... the more important you make that first meeting, the more pressure there is.



Now, how well do you handle pressure? If you perform well, then your first impression has a good chance of going well. If you crumble, so might your reputation.



I think first impressions are overrated...



Sure it's important to be at your best at important times, but if another person is going to continue to judge you because of that first impression, you don't need them.



Keep this in mind, whenever you give more importance to someone else's opinion of you then you give up your power to make a good impression. If you let someone else decide if you're good enough, you lose the control over your own self-esteem... and without your self-esteem, how can you expect to make a good impression?



Okay, let's look at those situations where someone decides your fate, like a job interview. True, someone else decides whether you're good enough. Yes, their opinion matters greatly and you only one chance to make a first impression. It's got all the conditions we're talking about... so it would seem that everything I just said should go out the window, right?



Wrong. Even though your job is dependent on their decision, even though your income and even your future livelihood is going to be affected... your self-esteem does not have to be destroyed by a possible rejection... the imposed pressure does not have to get you down.



When it comes to a job... you have to know, it's just a job. As the famous saying goes, no one ever said on their death bed that they wish they had spent more time at the office.



Haven't you had jobs you've hated? Jobs you felt weren't right for you? So what makes you think this next one will be all that much better?



Don't make such a big assumption about the importance of the employment. In english that means... don't make a mountain out of a molehill.



Your self-esteem is dependent on how you feel about yourself, not on how you think others feel about you... that's why it's called self-esteem and not other-esteem.



If you feel good about yourself, if you have confidence in what you do, if you don't let the pressure of other people's opinions affect you... then you can focus on being your best and not on someone else's first impression.



The first thing to help you get over first impression depression is to take away your fear... and you do that by not putting more importance on their opinion than on your own self-worth...



Don't undervalue yourself... and you won't overwhelm yourself...



Pressure is not an outside force, it's a response that comes from inside. We may have deadlines, we may try to do too much in a small amount of time or try to do something better than everybody else, but those are all circumstances. The pressure that you feel is all your own doing. Keeping yourself composed, working at your fastest pace and at the best of your ability is all you can expect of yourself. Striving to make yourself better is one thing... so is competing to be the best... but expecting too much can be downrigth exhausting and totally unproductive.



It's expectations that cause pressure... especially when things don't go as hoped for... especially if you've put a lot of faith into those expectations. If you've changed your life to accommodate your wishes and they don't come true, then your fall can be that much bigger.



But what if those expectations came from a promise? What if someone else made a vow to you, built up those hopes and dreams, strengthened those expectations, only to let you down? What good are second chances then?



Unfortunately though, not everyone gets that second chance... because some people are unforgiving of a mistake... and so neither one of them gets a chance to make it better... healing does not take place and the people involved carry the wounds through the rest of their lives.



I've seen that with friends and even members of my own family... they've been carrying the wounds of years ago, letting it tear them apart, both apart inside and apart from each other. I wonder, is anything really worth losing time?



If you find yourself having a hard time dealing with another's mistake, try your best to understand it... take a step back and look at it from a different perspective. Overcome your wounded pride and talk it out. Make it better before it makes you worse.



And if you've ever made a mistake in your life... and I sure every one of us has... then don't allow yourself to become so engrossed in your own embarrassment that you give up.



You never fail until you quit trying



Failure is Life's way of giving you a lesson. If you let it get to you, then you won't learn the lesson you need to...



Keep the light on!





Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Value your time

Taking the assertion E=MC2 and equating "E" to energy, being equal to "M", meaning minutes, multiplied by the square of "C", which stands for Cash, we can prove, unequivocally that Time does indeed equal Money.



You know, you can have more or less money than the next person... you can even have more or less money than you did just yesterday... but the thing we all have an equal amount of is time. We may not have equal number of days, but each of us has twenty four hours to each day we have... and each of us has the same amount in this day than we did yesterday.



Time, it doesn't matter how much of it you have... it matters how much you do with it.



There never seems to be enough time, to do the things you want to do, once you find them... why is that? What is Time, anyway?



Scientists, philosophers and, yes, even Gurus have pondered that question since the beginning of time. It's as if if we could just figure out what time is, then maybe we can do something more with it. People play with time all the time... they want to speed it up when they're young... slow it down when they're old... go back and change just a few things here and there.



One reason we don't change time like that is because we'd end up losing so much of Life's Little Lessons. Time is an experience of sequences. It gives us a chance to see different aspects of the same thing... watching the seasons change, for instance... or watching a puppy turn into a full grown dog... watching ourselves grow...



Do you really think that if we never saw ourselves change, we would really be motivated to change our lives? You know, a lot of the things we do are motivated by the fact that we see our bodies change, we see time as something we have less of... and so, we need that in order to get off our duffs and do something with our lives.



Time is here so we don't have to do everything at once. We can structure things. Our lives can be built on a cycle of growth and decay. It's so we can see our lives one piece at a time, moving around it so that we can get every possible angle in before we have to leave this world behind. Time is part of the experience. Life would never be the same without it.



And yet a sad part of all this is... how many people really do something with their time? What do you do with it?



Do you find yourself getting caught up in time, constantly worried about deadlines, rushing to get to work, speed-eating your lunch, rushing off to home... rush rush rush?



Or do you find yourself lagging behind, seemingly waiting for your life to begin?



The biggest question today is, are you happy with your life?



Are you at peace with Time?



You know the old adage, "No one has ever said on their death beds that they had wished to spend more time at the office." Are you taking the time out to enjoy the moment?



And if you're one of the slow pokes, are you waiting for your life to come bump you in the butt? Are you waiting for someone else to come live your life for you? What are you waiting for?



Here's one for you, are you one of those that find yourself always doing too much... always doing things for everyone else, but yourself... never able to say "no"... always feeling so good when you're helping someone else, but always feeling guilty when doing something for yourself? (Got you pegged, huh?)



Well, I've got the answer for all of you... for those that do too much, for those that don't do enough... for anyone who wants to be at peace with themselves and with Time. Here is the key to solving this problem:



When it comes to Time, Value Your Own. Period.



Seems simple, doesn't it? If you take a closer look though, you'll understand that it's far more comprehensive than that.



Now notice, I didn't tell you how to value your time. I didn't tell you to take a vacation, or to work extra hours, or get a new job or even a new life. I'm asking you to add just one more thing to your life... and that's value. believe me, the rest will take care of itself.



Let me show you how.



Say for instance you have a hard time saying "no" to people. "Can you take care of Little Billy for me this weekend?" "Can you stay an extra two hours to finish up this project?" "Can you give me... get me... buy me... blah blah blah."



Now, if you valued your time, you may still do these things. Of course you would love to stay with Billy or work longer, but this time, you'll be doing it because you want to and not because you'll be manipulated... And, if you would rather do something else besides "blah, blah, blah", then that choice, too, will be up to you. You will be valuing your time... making decisions based on what is good for you?



Now is there something wrong with that? Is a little voice going off beside your ear saying, "I could never turn them down, it would make me feel bad" or worse yet, "That would be selfish of me to do that!"



Would it? Would it actually be selfish if you took time for yourself? If you think you have to give up your weekend so that Billy's parents can go off and play then you are stating that they are better than you and you do not deserve to enjoy your life.



Again, we are not talking about denying help to others, we are making a declaration that our time is valuable... it is all we have... and we must make our choices with that in mind. How valuable is our time?



Valuing our time is a key to our self-esteem. Our lives are comprised of time... if we don't value our time, we don't value our lives... and if we don't value our lives, how can we possible value ourselves?



You see, we often think we have to value ourselves first, and then we will automatically value our time. Sure, that can be true, but it's not as easy to get a handle on. We can't control "Our Life"... there are too many factors involved... but we can value our time... it's singular... and it can be controlled in every moment. We don't have to wait until tomorrow to get control of it, because by then, a whole day would have slipped by... all we have to do is say, "this moment, this moment right here, is very value to me... and I'm going to do the most with it that I can."



Just changing that... that one, singular moment, can -- and will -- change the entire direction of all your tomorrows to come.



Every moment is precious... hold it while you can and make it golden.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Simply amazing

Sometimes it's the simplest things that are the most profound.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

A brief moment



For a brief moment, it was (or will be) June 7, 2008 at 9:10 am... that's 06-07-08 9:10 am... in fact, for one second, it will be 06-07-08 9:10:11 am.

Did you notice it? Did it slip past like so many other moments?

So what are you doing with these moments that sparkle and fade away in the blink of an eye?

Each moment is special... yet is gone whether we do something about it or not.

So what will you do with the precious moments that are coming your way?

Here one comes again!

Monday, May 26, 2008

In memorium

Whether or not you agree with the war, the candidates or each other... always remember the sacrifices that others made so that you may live free.

Think back and thank those that you knew... and those the world has long forgotten... the ones that brought you to this day... that helped shape you to be who you are now... and who inspire you to become better tomorrow.

While we honor those that sacrificed their lives, let us not forget those that sacrificed the time in their lives as well. People paid it forward a long time ago... even though they cannot see the fruits of their sacrifice... be grateful that you can.

Honor all those before you, by living the dream they had... by being the person that brings about the end of wars, and poverty, and sickness, and suffering...

So that no one today needs to sacrifice for tomorrow.

Keep that light on!

For everyone.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

40 Tips for Better Life - 2008

This came in the email bin today...

40 Tips for Better Life - 2008


1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.


2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.


3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.


4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'


5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.


6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.


7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.


8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.


9. Dream more while you are awake.


10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.


11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.


12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.


13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.


14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.


15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.


16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like college kid with a maxed out charge card.


17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.


18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.


19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.


23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.


24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.


25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'


26. Forgive everyone for everything.


27. What other people think of you is none of your business.


28. GOD heals almost everything.


29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.


30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.


31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.


32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.


33. The best is yet to come.


34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!


36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)


37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.


38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.


39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.


40. Forward to everyone you care about.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Who you are does make a difference

Someone forwarded this to me... watch it and pass it on...

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Made From Concentrate

The more value you put INTO your time, the more value your get OUT of your time.

.................................

My days have been filled with multiple tasks, spinning around until it made me dizzy. I used to pride myself on my ability to multi-task, much more than on my ability to actually get anything done. But I noticed something was wrong when I didn't even have time to fully listen to a video that was talking about the ills of multi-tasking.

I **KNEW** the importance of concentration, especially when I sat down to write my newsletter on, you guessed it, the power of concentration. Soooooo...

I followed my advice to the tee... got rid of any distractions, dedicated time and stuck with it no matter how tempting it was to do everything else.

And guess what?

It got done.

'Multi-tasking' doesn't mean working on multiple things at the same time. (OK, maybe it does in the dictionary, but you know what I'm saying)... it means, doing multiple things ONE-THING-AT-A-TIME.

I call it 'MONO-TASKING' and right now, I'm basking in the glory of accomplishing a mono-task.

And, come to think of it, now that I'm finished blogging about it... that now makes two.

Friday, March 21, 2008

In Times Like These...

Thanks Debi for sharing this...

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Friday, March 14, 2008

At the top of your game

I was half way to my destination and halfway through my phone interview when suddenly I noticed I was heading in the wrong direction... not the road, but certainly on my career path.

while I was answering the questions to the best of my ability I could was very much aware when it took a turn for the worst. I simply wasn't saying what he wanted to hear. My heart sunk along with his tone, because from the description, this job sounded really exciting.

As the call and my chances came to an end, I played the conversation over again in my head. Even if this was not the right job for me, I wanted to take away some valuable lesson.

What stayed very clear in my head was this:

You must always be at the top of your game.

You may or may not be THE ONE, but if you're not the best you can be, you're never going to be THE ONE for anything.

Why is Tiger Woods worth a billion dollars? Because he's at the top of his game. How did Albert Einstein devise his Theory of Relativity? Or Edmund Hillary get to the top of Mt. Everest? Because they too lived their life at the top.

So what about me? Am I stretching out for my own top? or playing out a safer, smaller game? Is every day an unfolding of my unlimited potential? or a folding inward to a sheltered little ball?

It all comes down to how we see it... and the choices we make upon them.

This wasn't a business call... this was a wakeup call.

Do you hear it ringing?

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Your time will come

I was drawn to watching Joel Osteen on TV this morning. There was just so much power coming off the screen that despite the pull of the computer in the other room, his words seemed so much more important.

Over and over again he emphasized saying to yourself "my time will come!" Now usually someone says that meaning "you're gonna get yours sucka!" but he meant really "you are going to get yours... as long as you believe you will."

It's actually in the most trying times that you have to believe that.

Believe that the BEST is yet to come... that the next shoe to drop is to complete a brand new pair, not to trample you down.

That's the funny thing about faith... you actually have to take that step BEFORE you know if it's going to be alright. (Why else do you need that other shoe, if not to take a step with?)

So often people hold off, waiting for a sign that it will be successful before they even try... yet history will tell you that it was those that stepped out in blind faith that journeyed the farthest.

I needed that message more than anyone today. My breath has been too shallow lately, my steps too small. I've had guilty moments where I thought of loss; even when I know how powerful positive thoughts can be. I have felt the power of thinking big, and the loneliness of thinking small.

I know what it feels like to be knocked down, only to be knocked down again... but I remember what it feels like to stand tall... and to step out blindly... not into the darkness, but the light.

And the light can hurt too, when you first step into it... but once you feel the warmth, you don't let the cold keep you down.

My time will come.

It's about time.

Friday, March 07, 2008

The Best

Here's a story I received in an email from Bob Proctor's Insight of the Day. It was so inspirational that I just had to write the author and tell her so...

Making The Best Of A Bad Situation

As long as I can remember, there have been two things, other than our children, that my husband has had a deep passion for; golf and flying. As a young 18 year old, I can remember our first date-a blind date I might add, in which, Steve was going to college full time, fueling airplanes after classes and working on his flight hours at night-this was his passion, his vision and his future and he had set out on a course to graduate from college, become a major airline pilot, and hopefully someday own his own company as well.

Within a matter of years, Steve became an airline pilot with United Airlines, I graduated with a Masters degree in Communication/Journalism and we lived the "American Dream." Great house, beautiful children, money in the bank and the love and support of wonderful friends and family-until that day.

Arriving home from a three day trip on September 10, 2001, Steve walked into the random chaos of our home. With a two year old and three and a half year old, toys were always scattered everywhere, nothing was ever organized and sleep was a luxury, not a need. However, the sound of little feet running to greet him after each trip and a wife with a big smile on her face because she had a little bit of relief for the next 24 hours was what it was all about during that time. All in all, life was good, dinner was done, kids were bathed and Steve, who had been doing Boston-San Francisco trips all month, was home for 24 hours before flying to Chile for three days and then home for about a week-a week in which would include spending time with the kids and possibly a round of golf. Of course, his time on the course was not the same as it had been prior to kids-it was like sleep, a true luxury.

The next morning, our lives, as those of every American, were forever changed. In route to the store, Steve called, "come home, United has lost a plane in route to San Francisco." The tone in his voice was one in which I will never forget. "This is your route and your airplane," I remember screaming as we watched the horrific news that day. It had been speculated and later confirmed, that the terrorists had been in and out of the Boston airport, possibly on one of Steve's flights the past week as a test run. As the phone rang with people calling to see if Steve was home, we cried and knew the worst was yet to come.

And boy did it come. It was apparent, that Steve could be laid off at anytime. By Christmas time, most of the lay-offs had happened on the pilot end of the company, and Steve was one of the lucky ones-but a 50% pay cut happened right before the holidays. But who were we to complain, Steve was alive and had a job.

We decided that if any opportunities came up for me to go back to work, we should seriously consider it. So in the winter of 2002, I began to contact my previous group of co-workers and business associates and Steve and I decided to join up with some of my fellow co-workers from the "pre-kid" days and start a series of community lifestyle magazines-Lifestyle Publications. The magazines focused on people making a difference in the community. By year 3, we were mailing out over a 100,000 magazines a month and were purchased by a large publishing group, due to an offer we could not refuse. Steve continued to fly and I was happy as a stay at home mom to three wonderful children, active in their school and loving life once again.

About the time when you begin to get really comfortable in your daily routine, inevitably life throws you a curve ball to see how you are going to handle it and once again, we had another one hit us.

18 months ago, Steve came home from an international flight with a stiff back, through some misdiagnosis and mistreatment, he suffered a ruptured disk within days, and within a matter of three months underwent 2 surgeries, 3 epidurals, countless pain pills and was told he could not play golf or fly an airplane for at least a year, possibly two. But then, as it has done throughout our lives, The LAW OF POSITIVE ATTRACTION kicked in again, just like it did after 9/11-Steve took this injury as an opportunity. An opportunity to begin to publish his dream magazine, one in which he had put on paper over 4 years prior-but with flying, the Lifestyle magazines and 3 kids-there was no time-until now.

Along this uncertain road, and at times tragic events that have occurred in our life, the determination to succeed, and the faith in God, our personal strengths, the unbelievable support of family and the positive people that we have met, we have risked it all once again and believe that the Law of Attraction has already delivered to us and will continue to deliver to us because we ask for the success every single day.

So here we are today-a year under our belt with Golf Fitness Magazine, a magazine that teaches you how to play your best golf by improving your body and mind. The magazine continues to grow and grow and grow- The people that we have met and the lessons we continue to learn, once again make this "extreme risk" an experience we would not ever give back.

We now live with the attitude that this will be the biggest and best Golf magazine in the country and that Golf Fitness Magazine can offer something for everyone.

In addition, Steve has been given the green light to go back flying and to play golf, and his vision since age 18, is now forever a reality.

Kristi Gomen

A year ago Kristi and her husband Steve founded Golf Fitness Magazine to fill a void in the market place. They understand the importance of making a positive impact in the lives of others. To send Kristi your thoughts on this story email her at: Kristi@golffitness-magazine.com and to support their great magazine please go to: www.golffitnessmagazine.com/subscribe

................................

These people not only founded a magazine, they founded TWO! Each time taking something that could have devastated them into obscurity, and making a difference... not only in their life but the lives of others.

So no matter how trying these times get, think about what you're doing... and what you're doing about it.

It's not the hand that we're dealt, but how we play the game that counts.


Tuesday, March 04, 2008

A dentist who cleans your spirit too...

I first heard of Dr. Joe Capista through my good friend, Kathleen Gage. Every so often she gives me an opportunity to review a book, and if I like it, to give my endorsement and participate in the bonus program.

So when I got my copy of "What Can a Dentist Teach You about Business, Life and Success?" I thought, "hmm, what CAN a dentist team me about business life and success?"

And you know what? Quite a lot actually...

Right off the bat he tells the story of how he turned his dreams into goals and went about achieving them. See, it really isn't as painful as a root canal.

I really liked what Dr. Joe had to say about balance of life too. After all, I have my video on the Law of Balance, so you know I'm going to like this chapter.

Check out some sample chapters at http://www.joecapista.com/samplechapters.htm

So why am I talking about him now?

Well, simply put.. he's having a special that I'm a part of.

If you buy his book "What Can a Dentist Teach You about Business, Life and Success?" today, you get a whole bunch of bonuses ($2,551 worth actually)... one of which is the ebook version of my cartoon collection.

If you've been to my site, or checked out my pages on social networks, you've see my cartoons about success, work, life and business... and you'll understand why my stuff fits in so nicely with his stuff.

But you don't just have to take my word for it (though you really should take my word for it, seriously, you should)

The fact is, Dr. Joe built a life that is filled with abundance, prosperity, health and love. His book is filled with incredible information that it has been endorsed by people like T. Harv Eker, Pat Croce, Peggy McColl and Joe Nunziata.

Go check out all the details at http://www.joecapista.com/amazon.htm and pick up a copy TODAY (because TODAY is when the special is on)

I tell you, when you read this book you will be amazed and you're going to thank me for recommending it.

http://www.joecapista.com/amazon.htm

Keep the light on!

GuruStu


PS. Can you help us get the word out? Please forward this message to anyone you know who wants really great information on success principles that work.

http://www.joecapista.com/amazon.htm

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Like a Fine Whine

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life .. . You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT l unch; you TURN 4:30 ; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away.


And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!

Friday, January 25, 2008

It matters

This is one of the warmest stories I've ever heard. You will know precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end, and you'll want to share this with your loved ones and special friends.

Puppy Size


“Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this,” the mother told the volunteer.

“What is it she keeps asking for?” the volunteer asked.

“Puppy size!” replied the mother.

“Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for.”

“I know ... we have seen most of them,” the mom said in frustration.

Just then Danielle came walking into the office ...

“Well, did you find one?” asked her mom. “No, not this time,Danielle
said with sadness in her voice. “Can we come back on the weekend?”

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. “You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply,” the volunteer said.

Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. “Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend,” she said.

Over the next few days both mom and dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. “It's this weekend or we're not looking any more,” Dad finally said in frustration.

“We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either,” Mom added. Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning.

By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window, so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one.

One by one she said, “Sorry, you're not the one.”

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup.

The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.

“Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!” she screamed with joy. “It's the puppy size!”

“But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,” Mom said.

“No, not size—the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,” she said. “Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!”

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

“Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms,” she said. Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, “Mom, he
loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!”

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Monday, January 21, 2008

Dance...

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.

You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time.

You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You'll fight with your best friend.

You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.

You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone
you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Happy Holidays

Wishing you all the best this holiday season.