Saturday, July 31, 2010

Success is not the destination, nor even the journey ahead. It's the footprints you leave behind.

Now I've always been a fan of the saying "Success is not a destination, it's the journey" because that gets you to enjoy what you're doing, not just focused exclusively on where you're going. However, when you think of someone else's success, do you think about the journey that lies before them, or do you look at what they've already done?

The thing is, we don't measure success by what people DO as much as we measure what people have DONE. It's all in the completion and the impact that they leave on others.

And so it is with us as well.

Not that I want you to walk backwards, making sure you've left your footprints behind you, but rather I want you to become more conscious of the impact you have on this world.

You are an amazing person. You make this HUGE difference, just because you walk among us. Some people tread lightly, others have very big shoes to fill, but no one (and I mean no one) else can leave the impression that you can.

Walk proudly upon this earth, know your destination, love your journey... yet always be mindful to leave a path so that others may follow.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

PS: I'm in a contest to become the NEXT TOP SPIRITUAL AUTHOR. Check it out at http://YesOnStu.com

Friday, July 30, 2010

3 Easy Steps to Success: 1) Face Success, 2) Take a Step, 3) Repeat.

I'm often asked, "what is the formula for success?" and it really is simpler than you might think.

1) Face Success
2) Take a Step
3) Repeat

Now I know what you're thinking (cause you usually tell me this right after I say what I just said) "That's easier said than done."

Well, duh!

That's why I said it :-)

But it really is that 'easy'. The details of each step is what's going to be challenging, for sure, but the steps, the one you're in, is going to be one of those three.

Face Success
Are you actually facing where you want to go? Do you even know where you want to go? The clearer you are, the more you continue to face it, the more you will head toward it. Keep your eye on the target! Even when you get off course (and that happens sometimes) just face success from wherever you are at the moment.

Take a Step
You actually have to move toward what you want. It's not coming to you. Success meets you along the road; it's not a delivery service.

Repeat
Seems like a reference to shampoo, but it's really vital to success. Repeat. If it works, repeat. If you're getting closer, repeat. It's called "Persistence" and it's what gets you there.

So even if it is "easier said than done" if you want it done, you've got to do it.

It's that easy.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

PS: I'm in a contest to become the NEXT TOP SPIRITUAL AUTHOR. Check it out at http://YesOnStu.com

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Give yourself permission to have emotions, but do not give your emotions permission to have you.

Emotions are a sign of weakness, or so we've been told. We've been taught not to trust them, because they hurt too much, or betray us, or whatever other lie we choose to believe in. Yet, emotions are the actual drivers of life; they push us forward, they color our experiences. Despite our attempts to do without them, life would not be rich or rewarding if we succeed in eliminating them.

Emotions are meant to move through us. They are e-motion; energy in motion. When we block them, they mess us up. When we deny them, we mess them up.

When we accept them, and allow them to run their proper course, they do what they need to do, then move on.

That's how it's supposed to be!

It doesn't matter if we laugh or cry, they both have this magical way of relieving our pain. Oh, I know it doesn't feel like it at the time, but it really does.

Don't think you're better than your emotions; think that you're better because of your emotions.

Just don't keep them. Emotions are not collectors items. If you let them control you, then you won't get to where you want to get to. And if you control them, then you won't get to live the life you've got.

So go ahead, indulge in your humanity.

It'll do your body good.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Sunday, July 25, 2010

What now?

Neither here nor there
The now is a present that keeps on giving.

Simplify

Life finds its simplest form, however complex

Life can seem every complex at times. Pieces just don't seem to fit. People don't see eye-to-eye. Heck, sometimes we don't even see ourselves eye-to-eye. It's just that we get lost in the details all too often… and that's what's complex; not the situation.

The key to having a life that works is to make everything in it as simple as possible.

Look at the core
Everything has a center – our dreams, our actions, our beliefs. It's there that either the pieces fit, or they don't. It's just that finding that core can be difficult because of the multitude of layers that have caked up on top over the years.

Start at the top
Treat everything as if it's an onion. Start with the very top layer and peel it away. This is the layer to throw away actually. It's the hardest, oldest and farthest away from the core.

What that looks like, is "clear away the clutter." That means, go through the closet, grab all the clothes that don't fit or aren't worn, and just give them away to charity. Go through the house, peeling away everything - the nick-nacks, the old furniture – if it's not close to the core, it goes.

Don't stop there
Next comes the people in our lives; the takers and time wasters who don't add that much value to our lives. It might seem insensitive to 'discard' people but really, we're just setting them free and committing our time to those that are closer. This could be a very good thing for everyone.

Do more with less
The next way to simplify is to combine. If there's one new thing that can satisfy the need of two old things, then go with the new thing. Even if it's three for two, it's still getting more done with less. For example, I used to write articles on paper, then type them into a computer. Now I use a laptop and type directly. Same results; simpler.

Be direct
All too often we "beat around the bush" or go way out of our way to avoid doing something; or we don't know any shortcuts. So… learn shortcuts and get to the point. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

The solution is simple!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sometimes 'simplifying' can be the most complicated thing you have to face.

In this complex world of ours, there's a real push (one might even say a real NEED) to simplify. Yet, simplifying is not as easy as it sounds. It's not just about doing with less, it's about doing MORE with less. Perhaps a better way of looking at it is 'streamlining' rather than simplifying.

Well, whatever you call it, let's keep it simple, shall we?

Do away with time wasters
There are obvious wasters of time; several TV shows come to mind; also a few people who like to talk (mostly about those same TV shows). Simply removing them will do wonders. They won't get rid of the complicated things we do, but this will automatically allow us to commit more time to those things if we need to.

Stop giving more than you get
This is not a call to stop being charitable, but it is a call for some selfishness. If there's something you do, like belong to some committee, that doesn't return much value to your life, dump it!

Do this and you might notice you're breathing for the first time in a very long time.

Let someone else do it
Some things need to get done, but not necessarily by YOU. Enlist help and the scales of simplicity will start heading your way.

Do it better
Just because you've grown accustomed to doing something a certain way, doesn't mean it's the easiest way to do it.

Always look for ways to do it better than last time.

Add more to your schedule
Now I know THAT is completely opposite of what you think you need to do, but it's the secret to simplicity. Add more SIMPLE stuff. Do more things that you are GOOD at, that you are PASSION about, because they just seem easier to do. Add RELAXATION and MEDITATION and REST.

You only have so many hours in the day. By filling it up with the stuff you love, you won't have any time left for the complications that creep in between all the other stuff.

It might seem like a lot of work now, but it's really simple.

All you gotta do is do it.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Focus on the positive, but fix the negative.

Well, of course it's important to have positive thoughts and feelings and actions and all that; because as you know, what we focus on, we get... but that doesn't mean that all we should do is focus on the positive and ignore everything else.

If you're driving along in your car and the engine light comes on, it's advisable not to just fix the light and move on. That underlying 'thing' that you're ignoring will eventually come back much worse.

Life isn't about just positive things; it's about positive and negative things. The key to success is a positive OUTCOME... that means, leveraging everything positive, and turning every negative into its positive equivalent.

It isn't about getting rid of debt, it's about making more money than you owe. It's about living courageously, instead of being without fear. It's about doing what you want, instead of not doing what you don't want.

So just be bigger than the problems, so there are no problems (none that can't handle anyway). Yes, there are going to be things to factor in, but there is nothing you need to worry about.

Adjust yourself, accommodate for circumstance, and accentuate the positive.

In the end, what matters is the end.

Until then...

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Are we having fun yet?

Neither here nor there
Sand doesn't need a box.

Monday, July 12, 2010

You have to COMMAND respect; you cannot DEMAND it.

You know the lyrics "R-E-S-P-E-C-T... find out what it means to me" but what does it mean to you anyway?

A lot of people want it, yet think they deserve "just because"... maybe just because they're the parent, or the boss, or a citizen... or whatever else is out there. But respect is a privilege, a gift, not a right.

Should you be respected? Absolutely! But only when you are respectable.

That means "when you are worthy of respect."

The good news is that it's easy to become respectable... and well worth the effort.

There's just a few things you need to do:

All you need to do is be respect-full... have respect, and show respect... for all of life around you... even those that have yet to earn it.

All you need to do is give it first. Never think that someone is so far below you that they don't deserve compassion and a helping hand. Never think that someone is doomed to their current condition or behavior.

All you need to do is be the living example that you expect in others. Don't wait for someone else to show you the way. Be the way for others to follow. Don't just stand there and point... show 'em how it's done.

All you need to do is earn it; every moment, every chance you get. Realize how precious and fragile Respect really is... and treat it accordingly.

That's all.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Want an incredible life? Then get to know this amazing person... You!

So many people want an incredible life. You just have to ask them and they can give you all the ingredients that would make it up; yet no matter how hard they try, they just can't seem to get it together.

Do you know that feeling? Does it sound way too familiar?

Well, I know what you need. Just one simple missing ingredient... and it's something that you have that no one else does.

It's "YOU"

With a little bit of You in everything you do, it will make everything better. Life will somehow fit better, be stronger, taste sweeter... everything will just be shinier... all because it will have a deep mystical, magical glow.

This "You" isn't new... it's eternal, both in its infinite past and infinite future, yet everything it touches will seem as if it never existed before.

And the best part is that you don't have to go anywhere to get it. You already have it safe inside.

All you have to do is bring it out.

Here's to YOU!
GuruStu

Friday, July 09, 2010

Here we go again...

Neither here nor there
You can't get there from here.

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Say "No"

Our lives are full of "shoulda's" and "coulda's." We all know what we've got to do and create long lists to prove it. A lot of those things have lingered there for a long time, weighing heavily on our minds and our motivation.

The thing is… it's so easy to get a lot of them to just disappear. All it takes is one simple, magic word… "No."

Why is it easier said than done?
There's a lot of stuff that just has to get done; and we have no one else to do them. There are also a lot of other people that we've made commitments to. Saying "no" threatens to break promises and bonds. Saying "no" can make us appear uncaring or selfish.

Why should I do it anyway?
Unless we're actively doing something, being on a list isn't going to get it done faster. We're actually doing a disservice to ourselves, our commitments and to the thing itself. Some things are better off being done by others; and some things are better off just not getting done at all.

Where do I begin?
It's time to get out that list and take a cold hard look at it. Strike out all the things that we're not right for, the ones we don’t really want to do, and the ones we're never really going to do anyway. Set them all aside for a "no" list.

Next, find someone else who might be able to get some of the no list done. After all, those things might just need to be done; just not by us.

Then, get out of the commitments without breaking the bonds. For those things that we said we'd do, but aren't going to do them, now is a good time to explain it to the ones we've committed to. Commit to the relationship more than the thing, and try to come up with a solution to get it done, without the damage.

As for the rest, those are truly "no" things… They're "nothing" … so let them go.

And when something new comes along, all shiny and wanting attention, we need to ask ourselves "does this fit?" Is this something that I'll do, that I want to do… or will it becomes another "shoulda" on my plate? If that's the case, don't even let it in.

Our lives are measured by the things we do, not by our intentions. Saying "no" to the wrong things is like saying "yes" to the right things.

And there's no time like now to get that started.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Do you?

Do what you do
Do what you do.

Sunday, July 04, 2010

What if they signed a Declaration of Self-Responsibility?

In 1776, a brave of daring men signed a Declaration of Independence. It was meant to separate them from the rule of the British Empire, to be free to do as they please, in a pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. It has meant a lot of things to a lot of people. Many have risked everything in order to preserve those ideals.

Many people use it as an excuse to overeat and drink on a day off, but that's another story.

One of the unfortunate drawbacks of this independence is the separation of action and responsibility. All you have to do is turn on the news and see people declare that they had nothing to do with the economic and ecological devastation that their actions clearly created.

"Not me" is the new mantra, from people to be the first to take the credit, but the last to take the blame.

And what of us?

As we watch these people on the news, are we the first to blame them and the last to take the responsibility ourselves? While we may not be poisoning the Gulf with oil, or ransacking the financial world, are we taking responsibility for the actions we take?

Are we taking part in the problem, thinking there's nothing we can do about it? Or are we doing all we can to make our world a better place?

We have that freedom.

It's our freedom to choose, and our freedom to lose.

So when you think about your own independence today, what will you do with it?

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Relativity is a theory

Don't compare
No one compares to you.

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Live fully. No one else can live the life you don't.

We often like to joke about who is going to play us in the movies (Sorry Brad, I know how eager you are, but I've already promised the role to Tom) but in real life the only one who can play you, is you.

And while you may want to hide out in your trailer practicing your lines, there are no cameras waiting for you to begin. You're "on" 24/7, no stand-ins, no stunt people and no second takes.

So if there are things that you want to do, someone you want to be, don't lose half your day wishing or wanting or waiting. Get out there and give it your all.

It's all you, baby, and that's enough to fill up your life's story.

Just make it a story worth telling.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu