Balance Your Act

Everyone's talking about balance these days. Balance your diet with these supplements and that juicer. Balance your time with this timeshare or the latest electronic gizmo. If you use this abdominizer, that rubber stretcher or this electric shock heating pad, you'll balance your body in no time flat!



Balance doesn't come in a bottle or a box. It comes with Time and what you do with each moment.



Balance is the ultimate state of being. It's a completeness that can generate health and longevity. You see it mentioned in eastern philosophies where the yin and the yang have to be in harmony.



But you don't have to sit in silence for hours on end to achieve balance. In fact, the person who "works hard and plays hard" might actually be in more balance than anyone else.



So how do you get balanced? It's actually fairly easy in concept... and just a bit more difficult in practice.



Just add the other stuff...



It really is about ADDING, not SUBTRACTING. That might seem scary, considering all the stuff you already do; but if you realize that Time is finite, adding what you really want will help to push away the stuff that's putting you off balance.



It's also important not to subtract first. That creates a void? and anything can fill up the void, including the thing you just stopped. An example of that would be like a diet where you cut out sweets, but don't eat anything else? only to end up hitting the cookie jar at night. Adding gives you the control to have what you want.

Take time to play, if you work too hard.

Work, if all you do is play.



If you sit all day, go for a walk at night.

If it's too noisy, sneak away to a place for a moment of silence.



Eat some healthy food.

Exercise.



Do something, however little, for yourself every day.

It doesn't have to be equal time for each thing. Five minutes of quiet can balance eight hours of noise. A moment of play can counter tons of work. It's about HAVING this stuff in your life, more so than how long you have it.



It's your time, your life, your choice.



Add accordingly.

Being Present

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The greatest gift you can give to someone is being Present There is a special magic that happens when you acknowledge another person's existence. It doesn't have to be much… a smile, a kind word… just something to yes "hi, I know you're here."   The closer they are to you though, the more of "you" they need, in order to feel that sense of commitment. It's very simple in its principles, not always as easy as it looks, yet farther reaching than you can ever imagine. To make yourself "present" to someone, you have to bring yourself into the present moment fully, and remove all distractions so you can focus on being with that other person. Here're some hints to help you get there: Maintain eye contact When someone is talking to you, they can see where your focus is in your eyes. Looking away means your mind is there too. Looking them in the eye connects you.** Listen Don't pay any attention to that voice that's competing inside your head. Be silent, and really take in what they other person is saying. Acknowledge what they said "Uh huh... Yeah… Uh huh," is not acknowledgement. Make sure you let them know that you don't just hear what they say, you understand it too. Even paraphrase it in your own words and say it back, or ask them a question that furthers the conversation along. Add to their conversation not your own Your experience can be invaluable to them, but not if it's going off in some self-centered tangent. Make sure what you have to say is relevant, or else (again) they'll realize you weren't really paying attention. Don't judge their viewpoint This can be a tough one, because in order for you to understand them, you have to filter it through your own set of beliefs. You just have to keep your values to yourself, and not prejudge what you're hearing. Forget your past The mind is a funny thing most of the time. They'll say one thing and you'll be catapulted back to High School or Summer Camp and completely leave the present behind. If you get into those moments, get back to the Present. You'll get there by looking at the person with you and listening, Don't anticipate your future We also like to race ahead, way too often. Even if our intention is to hurry up and get to the answer, racing too far ahead will leave the solution behind. Besides, the person you're with might veer off at any moment, leaving you once again, not paying attention. Give them your time Don't rush things. Time is your life. The other person knows you value your time, so when you give of your time, you give of yourself. They get your present when you give a whole bunch of your present moments. ** Be aware that eye contact varies in different cultures… and the connection that comes from it might be construed as disrespect. Stay within the boundaries of comfort here, or else you'll miss all other points.

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Love, Love, Love

The Beatles sang "All you need is Love." Although two slices of bread and Love won't make a sandwich, they definitely were on to something. Love, when applied properly can make the difference between an ordinary existence and a fulfilling Life. To get your life in line with love takes a three step approach… Do what you love, love what you do and share it with those you love. Do What You Love Whether it's your job, or your family or just a hobby, if there's something you really enjoy doing, do it. There's no point putting up with a lot of "stuff" that you don't enjoy waiting for something better to come along. Even if you have to start small, don't put it off for another time. Love What You Do When you're doing something, do you take the time to take it in? Do you use that time to express yourself through it? Not everything is black and white, and it's not all gray either. There're a million colors out there to experience. So even if you're doing something that isn't completely fulfilling, bringing in even the tiniest bits of love can change your whole experience of the moment. Share It With Those You Love. Fulfilling moments last for the time they happen. Sharing the experience with those you care about elongates the moments… it changes them, enhances them and enriches them. And enriched moments make for a more fulfilling life… …and to get there, all you need is Love.

Don't Pursue Do!

I was at a "Meet and Greet" networking party a little while back. I met a lot of "Planners" there, with their dreams and schemes; something that they always wanted to pursue. The only problem was… no one was actually DOING anything.



Too often we talk in "some days." "Some day I'm going to sit down and write…", "I'm going to learn how to paint…", "…going to Europe…" There's never any date set, or plans to get there… only "I want to's" and "one of these days."

To get what you want out of Life, you have to put your Life into what you want.



That means you need to set up your goal, with a date and a plan to get there. And every day, yes EVERY day, you have to be moving in the direction of that goal, along your plan.



This web site is a perfect example of getting things done. Every day I checked my list and made sure I did SOMETHING… even if I didn't have a lot of time, I made sure the smaller things got done. And now that the site is here, I still have my tasks:

• Every day, I type an entry into my "blog"
• Every week, I add an article or letter.
• Every other week, my newsletter goes out.
• Every month, I add some entries in the personal side of my site - Guru Who?
• At least every quarter, I review the site itself, and improve the navigation, features, etc. to make overall improvements

That may seem like A LOT, especially if you look at it BEFORE you do it… but when you see that it really doesn't take as much as you think, you will see how far you can go.

An hour a day… or maybe only half an hour a day… but something… one step at a time. To get somewhere, you have to GO somewhere. So get going!



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The Right Brain's Guide to the Law of Attraction

A little while ago, I wrote “The Left Brain’s Guide to the Law of Attraction” for all my brainy friends who need to see the logic behind The Secret and the Law of Attraction. Well, for all you people in your right minds, I FEEL the urgency to tell the other side of the story.

Can you SEE it?
The right brain is the more visual, ‘creative’ side of the brain. It understands patterns, sees connections that don’t make any sense to the left, more ‘logical’, side. People who are more right-dominant tend to be artists, poets, dreamers… and experts at creating vision boards.

(In fact, they tell or their friends about vision boards and even hold vision board parties! But that’s another story, so let’s move on…)

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Feelings
Right-brainers are also more in ‘tune’ with their feelings, so as far as visualization goes, they’ve also got this one down. They know what it’s like to drive that car, to take that vacation, to wake up beside the one that they love.

Because emotions are energy-in-motion, the Law of Attraction often kicks in quicker for them. Right-brainers have great stories of how things manifested in 10 minutes and will brag about all the good parking spots.

Practically speaking
On the other hand, if logic is thrown out the window, the mind can become distracted by other shiny things. The Dreamer then becomes disappointed and wonders what they’re doing wrong (“I’ve got all my boards done and I visualize every day, why don’t I have it yet?”)

Results come from balancing the dream with the doing. In order to go from Dreams to Results you must take ACTION.

The Law of Attraction will bring it to you, but to GET it, you have to GRAB it.

Can you feel it?

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Learn the secret behind The Secret

The Left Brain's Guide to the Law of Attraction

I've heard people say that the Law of Attraction doesn't make sense. That The Secret makes it look too easy – just think and it shall come. While I have my own magical moments thanks to this "Law" I can understand how any "logical" person can dispute these mystical claims.

Well, I've got half a mind to tell you what I think.

So here's my left brain explaining some of the 'secrets' behind this power.

What Power of Positive Thinking?
Studies have shown that a positive outlook on life actually prolongs it. But even if it doesn't who cares? Do you really want to be grumpy all day?

The truth is, when you're depressed you don't want to do much of anything besides mope. Well, maybe eat a pint of ice cream too, but mostly mope. When you do nothing, you get nothing. Success isn't going to show up if you're not even going to get off your couch to answer the door.

Positive thinking puts you in a frame of mind to take ACTION… and action is what counts when you want to get anything done.

Like Attracts What?
Like attracts like. That's not magic, that's psychology talking. People tend to huddle in groups with people they feel safe with, whether it’s because they have similar characteristics or they know each other. Remember the saying "misery loves company"? That's grouchy people seeking out other grouchy people to out-complain each other. They hate happy people; and go the other way whenever a "Pollyanna" comes around. The same is true of happy people. They don't want the "Grinches" to spoil their mood, so they seek out other happy people.

Unsuccessful people hang out with other unsuccessful people, just as much as successful people hang out with others like themselves.

So if you want to hang out with successful, happy people, how are you going to have to be?

When will I see it?
You'll see it when you believe it. That's a Wayne Dyer-ish… and it's so true.

Opportunity happens all around us, all day long. We just don't see it. Growing up, we're inundated with input, so we learn to tune things out. Unfortunately, that also teaches us to not see opportunity even when it's staring us in the face.

Have you ever thought of buying a particular car only to then begin to notice it EVERYWHERE? It's not that there are more of that type of car out there, it's just you now have a reason to notice. It's called Reticular Activation; basically, "an aware brain."

So...

When we believe that there are opportunities everywhere, when we believe that we deserve them and when we are willing to jump in and do something about them, then we'll actually start to notice them more and more.

Here's another tip
It's called the Tipping Point. It's when it goes from struggle-struggle-struggle to a life of its own, perpetuating its own motion.

You ever notice that a project or cause can have no one for the longest time, and then suddenly more and more people get involved? Like when a bank doesn't want to help with financing until you don't need them. That will also seem like the Law of Attraction (which it is) but that too is not a surprise.

You see, there are an awful lot of people who want to be successful, but don't want to do all the work. So they're busy scanning all horizons for someone/something to attach themselves too. If your neighbor is successful, these same people would attach themselves to the neighbor. If you're the one, then you can expect them to come around just as soon as you succeed.

So what's the point?
The point is that the Law of Attraction DOES exist. For some, it will be about love and light, but maybe for you it'll be about logic instead. That doesn't matter. What does matter is that it would be a real shame to miss out on opportunity because you think you can't think your way to success.

Well, think again.


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Here's opportunity staring you in the face... are you ready for action?

Hold em or Fold em...

In the movie The Gambler, Ken Rodgers has a song about knowing when to “hold ‘em” and when to “fold ‘em.” Basically understanding when it’s a good time to keep what you have, or when it’s better to just take your losses and move on.



Trusting your initial impression is good, but it’s not always the best choice. Some things are better kept keeping, even when the going gets rough… and some things are better giving away, even when they seem so good now. So how do you know when it’s right and when it’s not?



Here’s what we’re up against…



Everything in life has a level of pleasure and of pain.

Even if the measurement is zero, it’s still on the level and each of us has a different threshold of tolerance. That means that one set of rules for one person does not necessarily work for all people. However, as long as we look at generalities, we can at least set up some guidelines for us all to follow.



We all have our own ideas for resolution.

Some of us like to run away and hide from every little thing, while others always put up a fight.



We’re not always the best judge of our own moments

Our perspective is closer to each situation while we’re in it. We have our past experience that affects our reactions. Often times we second guess ourselves to the point of paralysis.



We don’t predict the future very well.

And even if we did, would we necessarily make better choices?



So whenever we’re faced with a situation where we have to choose, here’re some suggested questions to ask yourself:



How balanced am I?

How bad is the pain?

How close am I to my threshold?

If I’m past my threshold, is there a way to lower it or endure it by building up my tolerance?

Is the pleasure too much?

Am I seeking out the pleasure at the expense of other things?



Am I on the right path?

If I could go back in time and do something different, would I?

Hindsight is 20/20 as they say. Taking a closer look at it might reveal some clues to what we might be able to do in the future.



What are the consequences of my actions?

Will I or those I love be hurt by what I’m doing, or planning on doing? Or will everyone be better off?



If I move on, am I willing to live without what I leave behind?

“Folding ‘em” sometimes takes more commitment than staying. It’s a commitment to me and my future. Am I willing to risk the leap, and am I willing to let the past go?



Are there alternatives?

Are the alternatives really as good as they look from here? Or are they just better ‘cause the grass looks greener on the other side?



Are there alternatives to the alternatives?

I have more choices than I think. By opening myself up to finding new possibilities, I will discover options I’m not currently aware of.



Am I SURE?

Remember, I might not be the best judge of my moments, so I will get outside advice… from people I trust, but who don’t have a vested interest in the outcome. Remember that other people have their agendas as well, so make sure they care more about ME than themselves.



Once you’ve chosen, be ready to move forward with your choice wholeheartedly. Remember, you have more choices up ahead… and if the ones you make tomorrow aren’t much better than the ones you make today, you can go through this list again and plan for the day after tomorrow.

Do Less for More

Does it never seem like you have enough time to get stuff done? Are you one of those people who need lists just to keep track of your lists? Do you ever describe yourself as a “Jack of All Trades, Master of None”?



Spreading ourselves too thin is a chronic illness that often starts from childhood. We either have trouble saying no, or we get into that mode of thinking where “if I don’t do it, it won’t get done.” Or we’re still chasing after our dreams, with no real idea where we’re going, so keep gambling, thinking that the “next thing” is gonna be IT.



The solution is not in doing one thing more… and you not going to get more time, no matter how much you wish for. What is going to get you MORE out of life, is actually in doing LESS.



To get the most benefit out of this, you’ll need either a notepad or a lot of paper to write on…



Taking Inventory



First thing to do before going on your Time Diet is to take inventory. Write down the THINGS you do. That’s stuff like “Work” or “Family.” You know, the big ticket items. Put them across the top of the page, since they’re your categories.



Next, under that write down your ACTIVITIES associated with those THINGS. Use as much paper as you need to. This is an inventory, after all. And no particular order, just however they come to mind… “soccer practice” … “write that report” … “feed the dog.” In fact, the activities might remind you of some other THINGS that didn’t come up before.



When you’ve done that, label it “Inventory” and set it aside.



Assessing your current situation



On your next set of pages, write down each of the THINGS one at a time, with two columns below that. One column is labeled “BENEFITS” and the other “COST.” Then really take you time with each one and think, “what do I get out of doing this?” (e.g. education, health, personal satisfaction) That’s your BENEFIT. “What do I have to give in order to have this?” (e.g. money, time, blood pressure) is your COST.



Looking forward

Do the same as your current situation, but instead do it for the things you would like to do. “Write a novel,” “learn to fly,” “spend more time with my family;” whatever it is. Just write those THINGS done and their BENEFITS and COSTS.



The Five R’s



Rate ‘em

Next set of pages, write down the list of THINGS as a list. Rate them with one of the following letters:



A- Must have in my life; brings me the most rewards

B- Must have in my life; but costs too much

C- Don’t need in my life.



At this phase just rate them. You don’t need to have so many A’s and so many C’s. Just rate them.



After that though, it’s time to number them, by order of importance to you. You cannot have ties. It’s A1, A2, A3… B1, B2… C1, C2, C3, etc. Each letter starts off with “1”



Remove ‘em

Here’s the quickest way to trim your life and get more time. Say goodbye to the C’s. If you needed them in your life, they wouldn’t have been rated a “C.” So you can just stop all the C’s at once, cold turkey… or if that seems too drastic for you, start at the lowest C (i.e. C10) and work your way up til you reach C1.



Reduce ‘em

Next look at the B list. You said it cost too much. Time to look at the BENEFITS of those B items and brainstorm ideas. Put these ideas on pages labeled “BRAINSTORMING”



Ask yourself “how can I get the same benefit for less cost?” Consider the local park as an alternative to the movies as a way to spend time with your family. The cost is definitely less, and the time will be more rewarding. Remember that you’re brainstorming, no idea is silly. You’re trying to find way to get the same benefits for less time and money and whatever else it costs you.



Things to note:

• You can rate each activity as well, not just the categories

• You can always reevaluate the A list at any time to see if they really are A’s



Recommit ‘em

You’re getting rid of C’s and B’s because of how important A’s are to you. Now is the time to recommit yourself to those A’s. The best way to prevent yourself from taking on more C’s is to spend most of your time doing A’s.



Replace ‘em

If you’ve cut out the C list and reduced the B list, you’re going to discover a big shift in your life. Not only will you will have more time for the A items, but you’ll also have time to do the things on your wish list. The only rule here is that you can only choose one of the A wish list items at a time. Bring it into your life, and go through this whole process of the five R’s again before doing even more.



The key is in doing less STUFF, and more of the things that enrich your life.



Rate, Remove, Reduce, Recommit and Replace, and you will be able to Regain your life.

Stay Tuned...

Your life is a song, played by an orchestra. You are the conductor. And like every great conductor, you have to make sure that everything is in tune, played together in harmony, with style and grace.



So what song is yours? And what does it take to get it all together?



All the things that make up a good orchestra can be compared to what makes up a good life. After all, music is an expression of our souls… so we have so much we can learn from those that make the music happen.



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Accuracy

Every individual piece -- in fact, every individual note -- needs to be correct in order for the whole to be pure.



Is everything in my life being true to itself?



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Consistency

Does the note before it go with this one? And the next one? Does it make sense over time?



Am I living truthfully from moment to moment?



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Harmony

All the notes happening at the same time must go together.



Are the different aspects of my life working well with each other?



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Balance

In an orchestra, you can't have one section take over the whole piece. There has to be a time for each area to express itself.



Am I giving equal time to everything in my life?



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Quality

The value of the sound is all important to an orchestra. Is it full, rich, deep? Or thin and lonely sounding?



How fulfilling is what I'm doing in my life?



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Timing

One beat off, and you immediately know that something is wrong with a song. The same goes for your life.



Am I doing everything WHEN I should?



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Style

Every orchestra makes the same music sound different. They add their own sense of rhythm, mood; a sense of character.



Am I expressing myself fully?



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If your life isn't playing out like you want it to, remember that you are the conductor. You have a huge saying in how it comes out. A good conductor observes all that is going on in the present, and has a good understanding of how to direct it into the future.

Take control of this orchestra known as your Life, and let the world hear your song.



Bravo!

Not Yet Mended

Dear Gurustu,



"Jason" and I broke up last Valentines Day after dating for three years. He really broke my heart. I started going out with "Kevin" a couple of times after we met at a Christmas party and this is our first Valentines Day together. I'm excited, but really scared. What do I do?



Signed,

Not Yet Mended, Not Yet Dead.



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Dear NYM/NYD,



Valentines can be a great time for people in love; it can also be a time of great sadness for those without love... or a time of great pressure to move the relationship to the next level. This relationship is fairly new, so take it slow.



Approach this date without expectations. It's not like last Valentine's Day and it won't be like your next one either. Kevin isn't Jason, so don't plan as if he is... and don't plan as if he isn't either. Just go and enjoy yourself.



Also, put him at ease. He might be just as scared and as pressured. That won't bring you two any closer. If you haven't said "I love you" yet, don't feel like you HAVE to. It's tricky, I know, cause you don't want to NOT say it, for fear that it will signal that you're not really willing to go in that direction. Just be honest with him. Open communication can bring you two closer together. And if he knows he doesn't have to say or do anything but be with you, it might be all you need to have a fully loving relationship by next Valentines.



Just be true.



Gurustu

Resolutions Revisited

Last month sure was inspirational, huh? You had all those plans laid out... even knew exactly how you were going to achieve those goals. That's why they're called resolutions, right? …because you RESOLVED to change your life.



So how's it coming? Did you start? Did you achieve your goals? Are you still doing what you said you were?



The average resolution lasts for a couple of weeks. It usually dies because you really did plan on putting too much life into it in the first place. Your schedule went back to the old way, the cheese danish just looked too good to pass up, "you don't understand, it's not that easy!"



Well, no; most resolutions aren't easy. They don't happen overnight. But just because you may have slipped, or even given up by now, it's not too late to make NEW resolutions, instead of New YEARS resolutions.



First thing, whether you've been successful or not so far, take the time to review the past month. What have you been doing differently? What results have you seen?



Next, make adjustments to your plans. Plans, after all, are just guidelines. Tweaking them as they go along will suit your life better; and not force you into an all-or-nothing situation. Can't really get to the gym three times a week? How about a walking program one night a week after dinner?



And then just get back to it. If you've been sticking to it, congratulate yourself and just keep at it. If you've slipped a little (or a lot) just pretend the last month didn't happen, and start the resolutions THIS month.



Seriously, we're talking about your LIFE here… your WHOLE life.. and that's more time than the days between News Years and today… so revisit, review and revitalize those resolutions.



Happy Year!!

Bringing Bliss

Doing what you love will make you happy, but loving what you do will bring you Bliss.



Too often we postpone joy. We thank God it's Friday, we look at vacation brochures, we wait for the kids to grow. Happiness always seems to be something we have to "get to" rather than something we create for ourselves.



We judge our moments. We think that one is better than the other. And, yes, of course some things are really, really good and some things are really, really bad. Life is a cycle after all… but I'm not talking about the biggest moments in your life. I'm talking about where you spend most of your day… usually somewhere in the middle.



The big question to ask yourself is "am I enjoying what I'm doing at this very moment?" (since you're reading this article right now, I hope your answer is yes, but that's another story). So when this moment has passed, when you're in another moment, ask again.



If the answer is no, ask yourself why not. If it's neither a bad moment nor a good moment, are you judging it because you think you should be doing something more exciting… more fulfilling?



Did you know it will take more energy to go off and do something else than it would to simply let go of judgment and just experience it?



One of my favorite stories is of the monk and the Buddha. The monk asks "how can I get rid of my desire to eat and to sleep?" The Buddha replies, "eat, sleep."



The answer really is simple. It's not more complicated than eat, sleep, bathe, take out the trash, do laundry… so enjoy them!! Don't judge it. Don't wish you were somewhere else. Just do each moment with Love.



There are people who would love the luxury of a hot shower or a cold drink. Don't take what you have for granted. Experience your moments as if for the first time, or as if for the last time. Become present in the Present. Happiness isn't something we get OUT of life, it's something we put INTO it.



So enjoy this moment… and your next one too.

Invaded by Fear...

We don't just live in one world; we live in many; from the little world of our private moments, through the worlds of friend and family, all the way to the world at all. You would think that the further away the events, the less of an impact that they would have on your life. Yet since the advent of television, the World that's worlds away has found its way directly into your head. Right now, between the dishes and dirty laundry are images of death and disaster. The war is one the other side of the planet. For most people, for most of the time, there is no danger. Not directly, but tell that to your mind. Every explosion pounds in your head and fear invades every fiber of your being. The problem is that fear is here for our survival, to help us fight or flee. When we can do nothing about it though, it just sits inside us and wears us down. When we let it inside us, deeper than the moments that are closer to us, we lose control. It doesn't have to be that way. Don't mega-dose on the images. You can stay informed without putting yourself through the experience over and over again. Get your news from the newspaper or the radio or the internet. "Support" doesn't mean checking in every minute. You don't have to show you care by watching TV every moment of the day. Watch TV only in a small timeframe to catch up… then go do something else. Remember, YOUR life is important too. Don't trivialize yourself, just because something big is happening elsewhere. It isn't selfish to enjoy yourself. Your mood isn't going to change anything over there, but it will change EVERYTHING over here. You can send light. Whether or not you believe in prayer, having good thoughts is so welcome in a world that generates the fear in your head. Get plenty of rest, eat right and exercise. Take care of yourself. You're the closest and most influential person in your life.

Optimism = Option for Opportunity

A Pessimist walks into the barn, steps in manure and says "There goes a good pair of boots!"



An Optimist walks into the barn, steps in manure and says "Where's the pony?"



The same events happen to all people - good, bad and indifferent. People just don't realize how much they shape their own experience. Your attitude really does change everything. It not only tints your experience; it dictates the decisions you make next, that have a very direct impact on your future.



A perfect example is company "reorgs" - where lots of employees get shifted around from department to department. It's very uncertain; with people getting half the picture, if at all. They're left to fill in the blanks with their own imagination.



This is where I see the biggest difference between Pessimists and Optimists. The Pessimists paint the whole world with doom-and-gloom, and resign themselves to the "way it is." They say things like "we have no choice" and "it's only going to get worse."



Optimists, on the other hand, are seen as naive, hopeless and hapless... at least by the Pessimists (who by this point are labeling themselves the "Realists"). What the Pessimists often miss are the subtle differences between the Passive Optimists and the Active Optimists.



Passive Optimists are the "hope for the best crowd" that often prove the Pessimists right. The Active Optimists, on the other hand, are the ones that can really take advantage of change -- in the office and everywhere. Here's some qualities of the Active Optimist:

• Not afraid of change



• Sees opportunities in every move



• Doesn't let negative events stop them



• Doesn't sit by and wait to be victimized



• If they don't see an opportunity, they seek one



• They stay proactive, not reactive



• Does what they can to keep the spirits up of those around them



• Gets up one time more than they are knocked down

Opportunities don't often come to those that just sit there. By being Active, the Optimist takes actual steps that could lead to advancement. By staying positive, they also have an effect on others that the Pessimists don't. That alone can make all the difference in the world.

The Best Policy

Now be honest with yourself…. Do you think you're honest? Do you think other people are? Do you really think that honesty is the best policy? Do you really want others to be honest? Can you handle the truth?



Well, to be honest with you… I don't have the answers to that. I have MY answers, sure… but I can't honestly say that those are the right answers.



Well, right or wrong, can you handle this article? If so, read on, gentle readers…



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It takes a lot of courage to live your life honestly. It doesn't always get you out of a troubled spot; it can even make things worse. "Honey, does this outfit make me look fat?" is a place where your honesty may never win.



In any case, here's one path to getting yourself to a more honest life:



Face everything head on.

Look at your life as it is, not how you think it should/could/would be. Look at it without judgment. Whenever you become defensive or judgmental about yourself or those things around you, you automatically build walls between you and whatever it is you think is threatening you. This could be anything, from other people and their criticisms of you to your own judgment of yourself.



Be Truthful.

Live with right information, with yourself and others. You don't have to tell your most private thoughts and feelings to every nosey person out there. It just means not being false (Remember that "it's none of your business" is a truth you can also live with.)



Accept it.

You don't have to like the truth, just accept it as Truth. Dealing with the truth is a better foundation to build upon than anything else.



Leave it alone.

Stop twisting things out of shape to fit your moments. You don't have to cover up the truth, decorate it or force it into any mold. "Truth will out," isn't that the way the saying goes? Truth, when left to itself, is truthful. All it needs is your encouragement.



Live as if Truth matters.

If you don't value the truth, you won't honor it. Put Truth above your personal feelings of safety. Make it matter enough to seek it, hold it; live it.



And just for the record, my answers to the questions are "for the most part" ...



...and that's the truth :-)

Happy New You

A new year is like a blank canvas, waiting for you to paint your masterpiece.

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

Well, Happy New Year everyone. I hope you all had your chance to celebrate another year last night and are looking forward to a brand new one.

There's something about a new year that's exciting. Resolutions are in the air and everyone is fired up to make positive changes in their lives.

It's just really important NOT to make New Year's resolutions, but rather Life Changing Revolutions. Resolutions have a bad reputation of having an expiration date. No one really blames you for quitting in February; in fact they applaud you if you make it to March.

The main focus needs to be on the New You, not the New Year. Think about where you want to be New Year's Day next year... who do you want to be... how do you want to live?

A New You is an every day thing. I've vowed to keep being the person I like, and just stop doing the things that stop me from being all that I can be.

I've created a calendar to help me do that. I'll be adding forms to it over the year and making it even better. For those that buy it, the new forms are free.

It's important to write out your goals and come to understand why you have them, what you want with them and what you want to get from them. Otherwise, we'll rely on our old habits, getting the same results we've always gotten. If we're happy with that, great! If not, there's no time like the present to be who you're going to be in the future.

Make '07 your lucky year!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Simply amazing

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

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!

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.

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.

Manifesting the Positive with Linda Forsythe

Who you are does make a difference

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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