When you mistake YOUR truth for THE truth, you're not thinking BIG enough.

I saw this questions posed just the other day and I answered it as I had done to the many others who have posed it before them. The question was,

If there is only one Universal Truth, how come so many people have completely different perspectives?

I explained that the answer is simple... much simpler than you might think.

We're just looking at a portion of it from a single unique angle.

THE Truth is really, really big... and resides partially in the world that we can see, yet mostly in the world we cannot.

We see only 'visible' light, hear only a certain range of sounds... our five senses, however magical and mystical they are, automatically put us in a limited range of perception.

Add to that, the very angle from which we observe shapes our experience. Think of two people witnessing an accident... or think of how different a magic act would be if you saw it from backstage instead of from the front.

And so from the very start, the way we experience something is limited to whatever reaches us.

Once inside, those perceptions have to then travel through a whole series of beliefs in order to be understood. Think of two people having a heated discussion and you'll see how vastly different the same event is experienced.

Then add yet another layer on top of this... projection. We are beings who thrive on completion. Our understanding relies on us being able to complete the whole picture. If we can only see a portion of it, we fill in the blanks with our best guess. That's where faith often comes in (that can be faith in science just as much as it can be faith in some form of religion)

So you see, Truth is what it is... yet it's bigger than we are. It's big enough to include everyone else's opinion... and even bigger to embrace seeming contradictions.

The only problem that arises is when we assume that the truth that we know is the final answer... because from that point of view, all others are wrong... and those that hold those beliefs are bad... and that we are separate from one another.

So If you believe that you're alone and everyone else is alone... then we're all alike... in one giant group... which means we're not really alone, now are we?

Or it's the other way around.

And that's the truth!

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

'Where you came from' & 'Where you're going' make You who you are Today... Just as you make them what they are.

We come to understand ourselves through relationships. We see our 'Now' as it pertains to what came before and what we expect (hope) will come after. That connection to the past and the future can help us get a sense of continuity, a direction, a rightness of purpose. It can also help us to adjust our course whenever we veer from the line that connects our past and our desired future.

Yet where we come from and where we're headed are not just the leaders of our choices, they are also the followers. We decide what past to keep and what to forget and the future is waiting for our command... so while some choose to believe that we're all just victims of our situations and others choose to believe that we control every single blip of our existence... it's all one big cooperative plan. We need our past and future as much as they need us.

And the NOW is smack dab in the center of the past and the future... which is where you are... right here... right NOW.

Right ON!

GuruStu

Time flies

Time flies when you do.

Successful people have problems that are bigger than most, yet still smaller than they are.

The problem is when the problem becomes a problem.

If you sit down and talk with anyone who has ever failed, they can give you a long list of the problems they face. If you sit down and talk with anyone who has succeeded, they can also give you a long list of the problems they face.

Problems happen. They happen because we live in three worlds... the one we dream of, the one we plan on and the one we get. Whenever and wherever they don't match, that's a 'problem'.

Because you have your three worlds, and everyone else in your life has their three worlds... and the world has its three worlds... well, that's going to make for a LOT of 'problems'. They're not really going to go away. They're actually an integral part of the system.

The nice thing is that you can avoid them, get over them, go around them or persevere through them. The 'problem' will still be 'there' but you'll be someplace else, where it won't be in your way.

The goal is to be able to handle the 'problems' that come your way... so that even when they may slow you down, they never stop you. And you allow them to teach you, and strengthen you, so that with each successive 'problem' they become smaller and you become larger.

You are not your problems. You are not your circumstances. You are a Dreamer, and a Planner and a Problem Solver. You are bigger and better and more beautiful than any problem will have you believe.

How do I know this?

Because you're here.

Keep that light on!

GuruStu

PS I had the honor and pleasure of seeing my friend and mentor Dave Corbin at the premiere of Three Feet From Gold. He has a new book, Illuminate: Harnessing the Positive Power of Negative Thinking which is one of the ways I'm making myself bigger, better and more beautiful. If you don't know this amazing man, or his awesome work, it's time for you to do so.

Get a Pet

Animals can be a wonderful addition to anyone's life. So full of personality and livelihood… and just so darn cute! They make us tap on the glass at the pet stores when we're not supposed to, they make us dribble on in our itty-bitty-cutsy-wootsie-widdle-baby-tawk… they just get us so INVOLVED, you know?

And it isn't until we get them home that we realize just how much we got ourselves in for.

Why is it easier said than done?
Pets are living, breathing souls who share their time with us. They have needs and they don't like to wait. They have to eat and go out and when there's play to be had, watch out! They require us to pay attention; to take away time from our busy schedules to take care of THEM.

They don't care what kind of day we've had. It's their world and that's all that matters.

Why should I do it anyway?
They don't care what kind of day we've had. We are their world… and that's all that matters.

Paying attention to them gets us out of ourselves. They can get us out of our heads for a while.

And they can get inside our hearts.

They love us unconditionally. How many people can we say that about?

Where do I begin?
It's important to figure out what kind of person we are, first. Are we Dog People? Cat People? Maybe we want a pet that's a bit lower maintenance, like a fish.

Next we should start to look around legitimate, loving places that help find homes for animals. Pet adoption days at pet stores, veterinarian offices and boarding homes for pets-on-vacation are just some of the places to find the right love of our life.

Then, when we meet the right pet… and we'll both know it when we do… that's the time to just open up our hearts and let the loving lifetime begin.

PS Don't forget to pick up the food, bowls, leashes, toys, litter (if need be); set up the vet appointment, start the list of pet sitters and get ready to quickly pet proof the house as soon as possible… phew!

When in doubt, get out of it.

Life is never certain... but then again, that doesn't mean we have to wallow around in uncertainty all the time either.

Now the saying above "When in doubt, get out of it" can have many meanings. Some people comments hinted that they saw it as "when in doubt, get out of the situation." That could be a job or relationship that makes you very unhappy.

But I have another meaning to that sentence.

"When in doubt, get out of doubt."

That means, when you find yourself in a state of uncertainty, go forth and discover 'certainty' (whatever that means to you). Explore your circumstances further, look within yourself deeper, ask others for guidance. In other words, get some answers to your questions. Quench your uncertainty with knowledge... so that you can make more informed decisions while traveling the road known as "Life".

Doubt is just a State of Mind... so hurry up and get across that border!

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Sometimes a wrong turn is the right way.

If you've ever been in Los Angeles, there's one thing you know for sure... traffic is bad (to put it mildly). From the very beginning of my evening commute, I knew it wasn't going to be bad, because it was already worse from the get-go.

Making the most of it, I turned off the mind-numbing radio, rolled down the windows and imagined myself on a back porch somewhere, enjoying a lazy summer evening (another thing about LA is that an October day can easily reach 95 degrees whenever it feels like it). Thanks to several days of rain, the air was now fresh (yeah, I know, LA... but it happens).

Driving through the canyons, the scent of hyacinth mixed with pine, the occasional rose from someone's garden... with short bursts of bus fumes to remind me I was still on the road.

It took me twice as long to get up the one side of the hill, so I thought about that short cut that winds parallel to the main boulevard. It greeted me with open arms and I smiled as I winded past the ranch style homes with their white picket fences; a little bit of country nestled inside this sprawling city.

I don't know if it was the daydreaming, or the desire to keep going on this road but I soon discovered that a simple turn had started me back down the mountain, heading away from my destination. Being discouraged by the long line of cars heading up, I figured I could wait until I got to famous Mulholland Drive, which was 'out of the way' but still on the way to where I needed to be.

I settled in again, knowing that there wasn't much I could do to get home faster, so I might as well enjoy the ride.

As the sun began to set, turning the sky into a sea of crimson and gold and mystical blue, I turned the bend and realized what a gift I had been given. Thousands of lights, like diamonds, sparkled below me... expanding in all directions, as if the stars came down to earth to lay before my feet. I understood why so many people wanted to live up here, with a view that just took my breath away.

I had to stop to take it all in... the stars, the lights, the hyacinth and honking cars. All of it was magical... and I saw that getting home wasn't the most important thing of the evening.

As I finished the last leg of my journey, I got to thinking about Life in general. How much do we miss when we take the same route at the same time, in the same way, every single day.

Just one 'wrong' turn can take us to places we hardly even imagine. The world's still the same no matter what, but the view we get is so much more spectacular just one step outside our norm.

So when are you going to take your turn?

Keep those lights on!

GuruStu

Don't get blinded by the present moment. It only looks bigger 'cause it's closer.

Have you ever looked at something in the distance, like a mountain, and then put your thumb up in front of your eye? It blocks the mountain, right? But if you ever compared sizes between your thumb and the mountain, the difference is pretty obvious.

It's the same thing with every moment in your life. The present moment always seems the biggest, intensifying the good, the bad and the ugly to ginormous proportions... to the point where we make decisions without having full sight of what lies beyond.

Take a step back when the moment gets too much... take the thumb away from your eyes, and look at the bigger picture. By keeping the distance in focus, you'll be able to keep your aim and your direction and not be distracted by the little things.

Thumbs up to you!

GuruStu

Never confuse taking care of busyness with taking care of business.

I have a confession to make... something I'm notoriously guilty of... if you've ever asked me this question, you'll probably be able to guess my answer.

"How are you?"

What's my usual answer?

"Busy!"

Yup, busy... sometimes I mix it up and say "super busy" or "crazy busy" but that word... that busy busy word creeps in all the time?

Now why is that? Because somehow somewhere along the way I got to thinking that "busy" was a badge of honor... "busy" is popular, "busy" is productive and "busy" gets me out of doing other stuff that I don't want to do, cause y'know... "I'm busy".

But how productive is it really?

Of course I'd like to think that I'm busy taking care of all of the important business in my life. After all, I've had some pretty good results... and have had some truly amazing things happen that have brought great joy to my life... but!... it hasn't been all it's cracked up to be.

Some of the busy-ness has been just that, or better called busy-Mess... because the return I get just isn't worth the effort that went in.

So what to do?

For one, ask "is this worth it?" It might be hard to tell if it will be... and some things look more important than they really are... but if we all just ask that question at the beginning, the obvious NO's can be eliminated right off the bat.

If it has to get done, then ask "Do I have to do it?" It's quite possible that someone else can do it better than you can... and saving YOUR time is worth having someone else take care of it. For example, I once attended a Wealth Seminar where the speaker said "You're never going to get rich cleaning your own house" Her point was that someone else can take care of your cleaning while you take care of your business. (If you've ever seen my dust bunnies, you'd agree)

And finally, if it is worth doing, ask yourself, "Do I love doing it?" because something are worth doing, but they might not be worth it for you. Being a brain surgeon is certain a worthwhile cause, but do you want to do it?

So take a moment our of your busy schedule to think about everything I just said... see what fits and what doesn't, and go from there.

And, I know this note's been rather large, so I thank you for taking the time to read it all.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

The up-trodden needs your help too

There are people in this world in desperate need of help.

When you think about who that might be, you often imagine someone disheveled, homeless, addicted, elderly or infirmed. You call them the 'downtrodden.'

While it's a divine gift to serve these poor souls, they're not the ones I'm referring to now.

There are millions, even billions, of others out there... who make enough money to keep a roof over their head, food in their stomachs and put their children into good schools... there are a lot of really good-looking people out there... and really smart people with incredible educations...

... and they need your help desperately.

Among them, despite all appearances, are those that are in great pain; they feel disconnected from life, with no real sense of belonging, or purpose.

Yet do you think about them very much?

If a beautiful person says that they can't find love, do you feel sorry for them?

If a millionaire, or a billionaire, talks about their struggles, do you reply with "I wish I had their problems!"

If so, then it's time for you to look deeper into your self, to see the root of your own prejudgments.

Everyone wants, and needs, love. They want to feel 'right'; they want to belong... and without that, they suffer.

Having beauty or wealth or smarts doesn't exempt them from feeling the bitter cold of darkness.

So don't save your charity for people that you are think are beneath you.

Everyone deserves the light...

YOUR light.

So shine on!!

GuruStu

If you want to be nothing, feel free to do nothing. Everything else may require more of your attention.

Nothing in life requires you to do something or to be something... and that's actually the beauty of it all. We do things because we WANT to. We have this desire to have more and do more and be more...

And we can have it all... as long as we are will to give something of value first. When we give of ourselves, we open up to receiving. Action gets Results (Desires start actions, but desire alone only gets you a daydream).

So if you don't want anything more than what you already have, you can stop reading now. Otherwise, the next sentence is for you...

Do something.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

What appears to be a setback might just be Life's way of pulling back the bow.

Setbacks happen.

And when you look at them up close, it looks like everything is slipping away...

But Life is about the Big Picture.

From that perspective, it could just be a Pause, or a Settling, or an Adjustment... but certainly not an End.

Another way to look at it is like a bow and arrow. The bow must move back, in order for the arrow to catapult forward.

In fact, the more tension there is, the more powerful the flight.

The key is to keep your focus and your aim; to know when to let go of the tension...

... and let yourself fly.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Let Someone In

We are born vulnerable, yet open to all the world has to offer. Yet after years of disappointment and heartache, we begin to believe that we're better off alone. Our shells harden and even if we still desperately wish for someone to come in, we make it nearly impossible to break through.

Yet that's also exactly what prevents us from breaking out as well. The more we set ourselves apart from the world, the farther away from our Selves we become.

We aren't really as alone as we believe… and one way to see that is to open up the shell and let someone in.

Why is it easier said than done?
Fear, depression and complacency all grow under that shell. Opening up the shell means having to face them head-on; not an easy thing. Also, we have to give up some control and we have to be willing to be vulnerable with another person; not really knowing if we'll be hurt all over again.

That's just scary.

Why should I do it anyway?
With great vulnerability can come great joy. The world can seem new again. All past wounds can be healed; all past wrongs righted… or at least, it could be the start of something wonderful!

We'll never know, if we never try.

Where do I begin?
We start by acknowledging the shell we've built, the fears we have. We then take a deep breath and say it'll be ok… and just let it go.

Next, be honest with someone else. Let them help. Be open and vulnerable to them…

…And don't worry that they might judge… because if they truly are meant to be here, there won't be judgment… or pain… or complacency.

Just love.

It is not by rising above our humanity, but above our inhumanity, that sets us free.

I missed a few of these posts because I had the extreme honor of performing in a play. While I've been on stage for many years now, it's been quite some time since I had lines and a character to portray. It was truly a transcendent moment; one which I will cherish tremendously.

It was the Andersonville Trial, a Civil War Court Room Drama, about the inhuman treatment of Union Soldiers in a prisoner-of-war camp. As the story unfolded, and the questions arose about following orders vs making humane choices, one couldn't help but think about the other astounding moments in history... Nazi Germany... Vietnam... Guantanamo.

Have we learned anything? Are times getting worse? Or are we just better televised?

I believe (perhaps this is the Optimist in me) that a majority of the world is made up of very good people... people who wish to lead a decent, moral life; raising their children to be more kind and forgiving than we've been.

And yet, it's not just about those that willfully do harm to others... it's also about how good people often turn away, doing nothing, that let's the bad things continue. The North and South knew those camps existed, so did the Germans in 1940... just as we know what's going on in places like Guantanamo, Iraq, Iran, Somalia and Afghanistan.

The question is... what can we do? What can you do?

All too often, we see our humanity as a problem... as if being human is somehow faulty, imperfect; something to be ignored or overcome...

But that's just not the case. To be Human is to be Divine. We are magnificent beings... enabled to do so much magic... as long as we believe in that magic.

The problem is when we forget that... in ourselves, and in each other... when we think of others as less than Human, less than Divine, in order for use to feel justified in our hatred and our cruelty to one another.

Loving one another is loving ourselves. Embracing our humanity, and remembering just how special WE ALL ARE is the key to freedom. Losing that means losing so much more.

Keep that light on! (and I mean it!!)

GuruStu

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, but if it keeps squeaking, it's also the first to be replaced.

I've often heard the saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" as a positive way of saying "speak up to get what you want"... but all too often it actually means "complain to get what you want".

Now I'm all for speaking up, especially if getting what you want will help you to help others... but complaining is never the way to do it. Complaining is a negative reaction to a negative situation; and often adds to the problem.

Giving you grease because you've given grief is just covering up a problem that will eventually work it's way back.

Instead, focus on solutions. Make sure that you ask for, and receive, something positive to make the end results positive.

That's the way for everyone to win.

Keep the light on!

If you only get one chance to make a first impression, can you get two chances to get a second opinion?

While it is important to put your best foot forward and make a great first impression, that's not all there is to you. You're way too special, amazing and multi-faceted to get to know in one single moment... so don't put so much pressure on yourself. Sure there are times that are important, like first dates and job interviews, but there are millions of other moments that need your attention.

Just be you at all times.

That matters the most to the people who matter the most.

Keep the light on!

When you say "it's a lot of work" let that be the beginning, not the ending of your story.

You ever hear the saying 'if it came in a bottle we'd all have it" referring to weight loss, or success or a million dollars... basically, if it were easy, we'd all get it.

But it's not.

Not that it can't be easy... but in order to get what we want, we often have to go out and get it.

And that takes work.

So... how badly do you want it?

If you say "it's a lot of work" as an excuse so you can go back to not doing it, then accept the fact that you probably won't get it.

But if you say 'it's a lot of work" and then start working...

Well then... you're on your way, now aren't you?

Happy planting!

Your Cause is to be your best. Let the world take care of the Effect.

We are like pebbles, tossed into a still pond. We cannot say what happens to the ripples after that. Once they go out, they will do as they will.

The same with us.

We can't really control the effect that our words and deeds and actions have upon the world. Of course, those of us with good intentions, certainly want the currents to be helpful and not harmful to others... but then the intention belongs to us... the ripples belong to the world.

So don't edit yourself, or second guess what MIGHT happen... especially if that causes you to do nothing because of fear.

Just be the best pebble you can be... and go out and make a big splash upon the world!

Keep the light on!

Make More Than You Spend

Money is a very powerful force in our lives. Although it can't buy us happiness, it sure can make it easier to go after our dreams… and that makes us very happy.

Many people have an unhealthy relationship with money. We're unhappy with what we have, so we feel we need more. Then we spend money we don't have to temporarily pave over a hole that will eventually show itself again in our lives.

Ways to do that

Make More
Get a raise
Get a better job
Get a second job
Convert a hobby to a job
Sell stuff around the house
Sell other stuff

Spend Less
Use coupons
Don't buy retail
Negotiate
Substitute with cheaper
Split it with someone
Do without

Why is it easier said than done?
Time is a valuable thing. It's often not easy to just add another job. Getting a better one or any of the other things mentioned all involve a bit of risk. It also involves sacrificing and depriving ourselves of something we enjoy. Now who wants to do that?

Why should I do it anyway?
Because we can still find a way to have all the important things in our lives… and they can be more valuable to use, when we remove all the fat that surrounds us. Also, we can't keep living at a deficit forever. Eventually we run out of stuff… and everything comes to a complete halt.

Where do I begin?
It is easier to begin with what we have, than what we don't. Therefore, the first place to start is in saving what we have, by shopping around, using coupons or just not shopping at all. It's amazing how money can just slip out of our hands, so watch the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves. Next would be selling what we don't need, because once again, we're starting from what we do have. Then, while all this is going on, we ought to look for ways to increase the money coming in; not just by wishing it, or playing the lottery, but by setting actual attainable goals, then doing the right action to make them happen.

By making more than we spend, or spending less than we make, we can build reserves for more lean times; or just start to generate a feeling of security and wealth. That alone is worth its weight in gold.

There's always enough time to change your past.

You've always heard the saying 'you can't change the past' but the truth is, you do; every day. You decide what's important, what's memorable, what's painful... you decide what you keep and what you let go... and you look back with a different set of eyes, and a renewed perspective that gives you insight in ways you haven't seen before.

So you can look back now, at everything that brought you here, and rearrange it all. Keep some things, purge the rest... the past is simply the echoes of yesterday... and today you can sing a different song.

The past is yours, as much as the present and the future... you have the power to change all of it.

Add to their conversation, not your own.

While you are an amazing, fascinating, incredible being, when it's time to connect to our fellow amazing, fascinating and incredible beings, drop the agendas and the running monologues. Listen to others and connect to what they are saying. By all means, share your stories and opinions, even when they disagree... just as long as the connection is there.

Stay in the moment too. Leap frogging three steps ahead disconnects the conversation and puts you back into your own story.

It's easier said once done.

If you can't let it go, at least let it be.

While it's important to let each emotion go, sometimes they cling a little harder; linger a little longer; dig a little deeper. In times like that, it's important not to add emotions to emotions. For example, getting angry over being sad is certainly not going to make you happy, now will it?

Yet there are circumstances that are bigger than your day-to-day feelings; where you can't just 'get over it'. In those times, don't force anything. By all means, do stuff that brings you good feelings, but don't get stuck on being stuck.

Let it be... this too will pass, when you let it runs its course.

It's all part of being human.

Keep the light on!

Challenge yourself up to the point of success... no more, no less.

Success takes effort; sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. It's different each time, so we really can't say definitively 'how much is enough?' Put in too little, and nothing happens; too much, and you burn out.

The key is in finding the sweet spot...

But how?

Hint: You know more than you think you know.

Trust yourself. Take a moment out to do a check-up on yourself. How do you FEEL? Good or Bad? Energized or Tired? Fulfilled or Frustrated?

Your emotions are your gauges for what's going on under your hood. They're closer to your subconscious than you realize... so see what they have to say.

Then make adjustments along the way. Rest if you need to; or get up and do something.

The road to success is a winding one, so adjust as you go.

Keep the light on!

When you're one step away, don't step away.

Sometimes we're lucky enough to see the finish line; other times we just don't know if success is just around the corner or not... yet the only way to find out is to keep going!

Right now, you are at the threshold of your dreams-coming-true. Sure, it's been a long road, you're tired, impatient and in need of a nice hot shower... but thinking about that isn't going to get you farther... one more step will.

In fact, one small step might just be the quantum leap you've been looking for.

So what are you waiting for? Step to it!

Want to learn patience? I'll tell you later.

Having this saying on my status brought up a lot of interesting reactions from people. It seems people don't want to wait to learn how to be patient. We've grown to become such an instant society that fast food is just too slow and conversations have all but abandoned the use of vowels.

Patience is not something you get, even if you wait for it. It's really an expression of other virtues...

Faith
Patience is Trust in your Persistence. It's a belief that the path you are on is the right one... and a belief that with enough time, this road will lead you to where you want to go.

Hope
Hope is like Faith, in that it's a belief in what you are doing. However, Hope is also a belief that what is at the end of the road is ultimately worth the journey.

Determination
Determination is the desire behind the journey. It's the motivation to keep on going, even when the going gets rough; it's the force that helps you get up when you're knocked down, to do it even when you don't want to. It's Faith and Hope in Action.

Love
Love is the journey itself; it's the reason behind the journey; it's the road there... and the final destination. When you have Love for the process itself, and not just for the expectations of something up ahead, then and only then, will you truly be able to understand Patience.

PS Let me know when you get 'there' so I can say 'I told you so' :-)

Keep the light on!

Negative experiences are a part of Life. Positive Outcomes are a part of Living.

Stuff happens. None of it is really 'good' or 'bad' but rather we either like what happens, or we don't. Now of course, y'gotta admit that there's an awful lot of stuff that nobody would really WANT to happen... but then it's going to happen anyway.

While you might argue that some people are dealt better hands than others, none of it really matters. It's all in how you play the game. You really only lose if you sit there and complain about the cards.

Our present moments are the results of our past events, and even more so the results of how we dealt with those events. Good, bad or indifferent... they all got us HERE.

So the future is dependant on what you do Today with all your stuff. Going through some negative experiences? It happens. Move through it; Learn from it; Grow out of it.

Take it for what it's worth... turn it around... and you can make it worth so much more tomorrow.

A seed can only become a flower after it has let go of its shell.

As I hiked up around this beautiful mountainside, I was in awe at the thought that all of those mighty oaks once started as a tiny acorn. I found an empty acorn shell along the way and carried it with me as I went higher up the trail.

It got me thinking about how many people stay inside their shell, mostly for their own protection, I understood that... but just look at how tiny life is, when you remain closed up and hardened against the world.

While breaking through the shell certainly can make you vulnerable... with proper nurturing, you can keep yourself planted firmly while still reaching for the sky.

Let go and watch it grow!

Remember when a stick would become a rocketship and dragons flew among the clouds? They didn't change.

There was a time when everything was possible, where our imaginations could take us to the outer reaches of the universe and back again in the blink of an eye. Yet as we got older and more 'responsible' we lost that sense of awe and wonder. The open road ahead seems full of prowlers instead of possibilities. The clouds just seem to get in the way of our sunny day.

But...

They're not the one who changed.

Just ask any child.

Take the time today to take a peak. You'll see what I mean.

A 'rut' and a 'groove' look alike... But are lightyears apart.

We all have daily habits, some out of necessity, others out of old rituals... and some routines so old that we've even forgotten why we do them. If you find that you've fallen into a rut, it's time to re-examine every habit and double-check if they're still useful.

If a routine serves your purpose, then keep it; if it doesn't, look for new ways to fulfill your needs and bring joy back into you rlife.

make small adjustments now... and you'll be into the groove in no time!

Move it

Even "Choose" is a word..

The Pull of Life

Whenever we find ourselves having to PUSH ourselves out of bed in the morning, to PUSH ourselves to work, then PUSH ourselves back home to someone waiting for us, we're living the wrong life.

Even though Life does take effort, PUSHING is not the direction to go. In fact, pushing either send us in a haphazard direction, or no direction at all. Have you ever tried to PUSH a dog leash?

Instead, let Life PULL you towards your dreams...

It's about PASSION
If it seems like the future is calling, that's because it comes from a very deep part of the soul. It's what we care about so much, that other things are paled in comparison. It's what we want our lives to be about; our legacy, if we could make it so.

It's about PURPOSE
By changing our focus from a PUSH to a PULL, each step will be purposely driven closer one-step-at-a-time. We're not distracted like pushing the shopping cart down the candy aisle, we stay focused on what we need and go straight for it.

Hurdles aren't roadblocks
Hurdles are still going to be there. That's just the way Life is. Yet, instead of PUSHING harder to get over them, or through them, it's better to keep our eyes on the goal, put our energy into RISING ABOVE the hurdle and let our dreams PULL us over.

Like a rubber band
Sometimes it's not going to be a constant pull either. In fact, there are times when it's best to stay put and prepare for the flight. Like a rubber band, let the tension build. The stronger the tension, the higher the flight.

Let go and fly
Then stop fighting it. Everything is in place. The pull is strong. The goal is set. Letting go will let it happen.

The greatest gift you can give yourself is permission just to be.

We live in a world where perfection is just a photo touch-up away. Billboards, magazines, TV shows all tell us that there's someone else we're supposed to be. The images are there to sell us something, but all too often we buy into the idea that there's something wrong with the way we are.

Here's a hint: we're fine just the way we are.

We're supposed to be 'imperfect'... it's the perfect design, actually.

Think about it. If we were in perfect balance, we'd just stay put, not going anywhere... but by being just a little 'off-balance' we have a direction to lean into... someplace to grow.

While it's nice to aspire to something 'better' it's important to realize that what we see is not attainable... even the people in the magazines don't look like the people in the magazines. So don't put so much emphasis on becoming THAT.

You are beautiful just the way you are.

That's not to say you can't go out and make 'improvements'... after all, that's the whole point of life... to grow, to try new things... to unfold... to become...

Just understand that the 'imperfections' are there to give you something to go on... and go for... and get.

All you have to do is give yourself permission to let it be.

Better than nothing...

Don't do nothing, do something.

Smaller success is better than bigger failure.

Let me start off by saying that it's great to live large... to have big dreams, and lofty goals... and it's OK to fail in the attempt to achieve them (failure is a great teacher if you're willing to learn)... yet in our pursuit of the big picture, we sometime miss out on all the joy of the finer details... the smaller successes that come along every day.

There'a ll this talk about focusing on the successes so that we get more of them. That's a lovely thought... but it also suggests that those next moments are somehow more important than the ones that just passed.

So just stop for a moment and be grateful for grateful sake. Savor the moments as they are, for what they are... because, in the end, they make the day that much sweeter.

And, really, that's what Life is all about.

Without a Shell

Life is filled with many shells. Turtles have shells. Acorns have shells. Even people have a soft shell, that we call "skin." It's there for our protection… to protect the more vulnerable insides. However, shells don't let us grow very much (an extra five pounds from Holiday stuffing notwithstanding).

An acorn can only become a mighty oak until after it has let go of its shell. We need to let go in order to become who we truly are meant to be.


There's pain under there

If you've ever cut yourself, you know how painful it is just beneath the surface. That's often why we become afraid to let anything get under our skin.

When we start to care about someone else, we let them in under our skin… that opens us up to be hurt. That's why after a hurt, we often regrow that shell even harder and refuse to let anyone else do that again.

There's pleasure below that

That's why we get into love in the first place, because underneath the layer of pain is great joy. It's closer to our core… and at our core is the purest form of energy…

There's Love below that

Our inner most being, the center that makes us what we are, is Love. A very real Energy=Mega-C2 power that we witness when two people get close enough to send the sparks between them; a light that we see when we're brave enough to go deeper than our fear will let us.

It is dangerous, but...

To let go of the shell can be pretty scary… to live without it might seem absurd… but to truly have Love; to truly BE Love… we must live without it.

We're actually stronger without it

Living with a shell allows us to grow weaker inside. When the weakest part of us is strong enough to withstand anything; we're invincible to take on an endless future.

Just… let… go.

Can I get a transfer?

The greatest gift you can share, is you..

Better late...

Don't wait for Life to be there later.

The Power of Pause

In this world of go-go-go, we've lost the valuable time between our moments. It's easy to become overloaded, overwhelmed and overworked.

We don't really live in the moments, but rather in between... and if we don't take the time to pause, we'll never really take the time to live.


Catch our breath
Breathing is an essential part of life. It's when we take a moment to let the life force enter into us; giving us the energy to meet the next moment. If we don't take the time to catch our breath, we'll quickly become unable to do anything.

Let the dust settle
Many times we kick up a lot of dirt, figuratively speaking. It gets so chaotic around us, that we just can't see anything clearly. Taking a pause will allow everything to settle into what it is meant to be.

Look back
A pause is an excellent tim eof reflection. There's time between us now and what we did before. Hopefully there's insight in there as well. Since hindsight is 20/20, using the pause to learn more about ourselves is one of the best uses of the moment.

Think ahead
We also have the chance to dream... to take what we've learned and apply it to our plans now. We have a chance to change our lives by looking ahead, seeing where we want to be and making those adjustments in this very moment.

Start anew
A pause also allows us to let go of everything that's weighing us down. After all, the past is the past. Even if we could change it, why bother? It's better to pick it up from here. Make the next moment the one we want to live in; not the last moment that's already gone.

The next moment is right around the corner. When it's time to leave this pause, will you be ready?

You know it!

Passion not only heats up your life, it enlightens it too.

Easy does it

It's as easy as you say it is.

Do It!

Dreams without action are just words... They are empty words… Words that can't be trusted.


It's only when we take action that we get what we dream of. Things get done when we do them.

Do it when you want to
So often we just put our passions into overdrive, and sit there in neutral. We want it 'til it burns deeper into our souls… yet we do nothing about it. All we're left with are burnt out souls. Doing something when we want it is the only way to even get a chance at having it. Maybe we'll get it; maybe we won't, but going for it will get us closer… and it might even get us things we never even dreamed of.

Do it when you don't want to
Then there are the things that we just HAVE to do, but HATE doing them. They're our responsibility and if we don't do them, then our lives will only get worse. It takes a lot to recognize when we are the only ones to do something, and that something has to be done. It takes even more to be the one who gets it done.

Do it when someone else wants you to
Service to others is divinity in action. It not only helps out someone else, but it makes the entire world a better place. Fulfilling someone else's needs also helps to get ourselves out of our heads, so we don't focus on our own problems so much.

Do it when someone else doesn't want you to
There's also going to be times when we have to choose what is right for us over what someone else thinks is right. It comes down to being true to ourselves, no matter how much resistance, no matter how much pain… the reward on the other side of the pain is worth the effort.

Do it!
Again, it is action that counts; action that changes everything… so it's time to stop thinking about it, talking about it, reading about it. Go out and do it now!

Now, now...

You've got to begin it to win it.

It's Elementary - Lessons from the Elements (Air)

Life is comprised of four elements – Air, Water, Earth and Fire. They intertwine and compliment one another. Each one has a little something to teach us, if we open ourselves up to lessons it has to offer.

Our first Guru is Air.

Be Present
Air is ever present. It surrounds us and moves through us. With every single breath we take, it comes in and travels through our entire being in the tiniest of moments. To be like Air is to be everywhere in this moment. Live in the Total Here-and-Now. Realize that even though we are like a single breath, we are also a part of the Greater Whole.

Be Still
One of Air’s special qualities is its stillness. It doesn’t have to be or do anything in order to be Air. It just is.

In stillness, air carries the sweet sounds of nature. It lets light and all creatures pass through undisturbed. Within its stillness is Peace.

Be Gentle
Air can be gentle. It’s calm and subtle force is what helps move Life from one place to another. It teaches us that we don’t have to be forceful just to get things going.

Within its gentleness, Air calms and soothes our souls. We can be as equally gentle to ourselves as Air.

Be Supportive
Air is also very strong. After all, how can something we can’t see, or which lets us pass through so easily, be able to hold up giant airplanes?

Air teaches us how to be supportive of others, just by being itself.

Be Powerful
When wind picks up, it can level entire landscapes. It becomes a force to be reckoned with; and reminds us of the true power of its strength.

Through its strength, Air teaches us that by unleashing our power within, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.

What's wrong?

If you think you're wrong, you're wrong.

Positively No...

You attitude affects your altitude

It's the Little Things

Even the mightiest of oaks starts as the tiniest of acorns. Neither one is greater than the other; they’re just merely different forms of the same thing. And yet, we often look around our lives and see things from only today’s perspective. We look up at the oak, but down at the acorn. Sometimes we fail to realize that it’s really the acorn that makes all the difference.

We can control the little things
It’s far easier to take that acorn and do something with it, than it is to conquer the oak. If we look around our lives, we’ll see many, many acorns. Now is the time to grab the ones we want to plant, not later when they grow beyond us.

We can nurture the little things
Bigger trees need more stuff… more sunlight, more water. Little things just need a little bit of nurturing to get them started.

We can dedicate ourselves to the little things
Sometimes dedicating yourself to big things just seems to be overwhelming. Tat alone can stop us from even trying. If what we’re trying to do, or trying to get, seems small; then it makes us “go for it” where other times we wouldn’t even try.

We can change the course of the little things
Pivotal moments are actually tiny moments. They just have a HUGE impact on everything from that moment onward. It’s in those tiny moments that we have the most power; we control the direction of where it’s going. Better to be aware, and to be in control, of those pivotal moments; so that we can adjust as we go.

We can love the little things
Love is big, regardless of size. Love isn’t earned by how much something grows, or how big it is. It simply is; and it’s loved or not loved for what it is. Let’s not wait for something to grow before we decide to love it or not. It needs more love at the beginning anyway… so love freely and often.

Can you see it?

You'll see it when you believe it.

Body for a Lifetime

The wedding vows say “'Til Death do us part” but we all know that that statement is true only about half the time. The one place where it’s true all the time is between you and your body. For better or worse, you two will be together ‘til death steps in.

The goal is to make sure that relationship stays intact until the end.

Some of it is going to sound like common sense and other parts will sound like sales pitches, but the concepts behind taking care of your body are fundamentally important. You’re in it for life. Hopefully that’s a long term commitment; filled with a lot of happiness and very little pain.

Now this won’t guarantee any of that, but improving your chances is E-Z…

Exercise
I know a number of people who don’t exercise because they’re tired; and a lot of people who exercise who aren’t tired. I know for a fact that the more intense I exercise, the less intense everything else in life becomes. There IS a correlation.

Eat Right
Unfortunately, in today’s society eating wrong is easier. We don’t think we have enough time and then we think that this junk is better than nothing. Our bodies can only keep itself running smoothly with the nutrition we provide. Garbage in, garbage out. Not today, so we won’t notice it… but eventually it’ll become too late. Invest IN yourself.

Easy does it
We also need a break from all the stress we put on ourselves. Rest is really important to regenerate our bodies. A change of scenery is really good to refresh our brains. Constant stress wears us down. “Easy” doesn’t mean slacking; it means releasing tension.

Equalize
Life’s about balance. Work, play, rest. If you find yourself doing too much of one, take some time to do the other stuff.

Energize!
Whether you believe in a Spiritual Being, or a Life Force or a Sub-Atomic Energy Cycle, energy is what keeps us going. What that energy is has been the most misunderstood and misrepresented thing on the planet. What matters though is that we’re connected to it. It is the fuel that is within us as well as around us. It IS us, whatever you call it… so reach out and connect!

If it fits...

Do you have it together?

Shhh!

Slice off a peace

Daydream Believer

We have a lot of power at our disposal. We can tap into it at any time and no special equipment is needed. It’s misunderstood and under-used by millions. A lot of other people see it as a bad thing, even though they’ve probably been caught doing it too. It’s called “daydreaming.”



Daydreams aren’t for losers or people out to waste their time. Daydreams are amazing tools of creativity, which can unlock our deepest potential and create the life we’re meant to live.



Dream of the Impossible

Our minds are not tethered by any the laws of nature, so we can go ahead and dream up anything we want. By freeing our thoughts we can uncover our deepest wishes… some we may not have even imagined we had.



Dream of the Possible

The next thing to do is to pull out of our dreams all those elements that could actually become real for us. Now we mustn’t get caught up in low self-esteem and the limited ideals that often keep us trapped away from success. We just need to ask ourselves “is it possible” not whether it’s easy or whether it’ll take a lot of other people to make it happen. Just “is it possible?”



Dream of the Day-to-Day

The next thing to do is to picture what our dream would look like on a daily basis. Don’t say “massage in the morning and golf at noon” because those are benefits, but rather picture what it would be like to do the daily things of a successful life.



Wake up!

Now stop dreaming and start planning. The bigger the dream, the more effort that’s got to go into it. Map it out. Set out little goals to head in the right direction. Take it upon yourself to make it happen.





Guru-cise It



Start small, with something that might need just a little attention. For example, a problem that needs to be solved at work or at home. Begin by thinking of the ultimate solution, free of any boundaries. Let your imagination soar. Then go through the steps of picking out the possible and see if there’s anything that can actually make it better.

You know you want it...

It's easier to see when it's clear.

Now's the time to make New Year's Real Solutions.

New Year's Resolutions are getting a bad rap. Just because a number of other people have made promises that they know they can't or won't keep doesn't mean that you shouldn't make promises to yourself.

Lately it's gotten so hip to put down resolutions... everyone explaining why they don't work, or why they'll never make them for themselves, yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah... but nevertheless, "resolution" means to commit to a something, a determination to follow through. How is that a bad thing?

The transition from an old to a new year is an excellent time to reflect upon the achievements and lessons of the past, and then to set a new course for the future. Sure it can be done on any other day of the year, but the world's made it a habit to do it at the "New Year"... so take advantage of it.

Make one (or two)

Then, all you have to do is stick to it and show everyone else how it's done.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Don't be an Old Dog in the New Year

Life is full of contradictions. As we get older, we're supposed to be getting wiser. Wisdom means learning new things, and yet we buy into the old excuse that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." Well, my dear puppies, I'm here to tell you that you can.

Being that the New Year is on its way; and resolutions are flying everywhere, there's no time like the present to learn.


Forget that you "can’t"
That’s the only thing really holds us back; that we believe we can’t do something. Whether it’s situational ("the job takes up all my time"), relational ("the kids! the kids!") or motivational ("I just don’t want to do that...") it all comes down to an excuse not to go after what we want. It seems easier not to do something now, but in the long run, it actually holds us back. Believing in "I can" is the first and most important step. The rest just becomes a matter of "how."

Forget everything you know now
The more set in our ways we become, the harder it is to learn. That' why children learn so much faster than us, because they're more open to everything that comes in. We mustn’t let what-we-know get in the way of what-we-can-become.

Don’t fight contradictions
There are multiple sides to everything in Life… and we only see it from one angle at a time. The opposite angle can really look like it negates the first angle. That's not true; both sides are true. It’s how we look at it that makes the difference. By being open to the fact that contradictions exist, we won’t get stuck on the narrow side.

Try it
Change happens by doing. We learn so much more by experiencing it first hand. Remember, we always have the option of not doing it again, or going back to our old way. Getting out of our comfort zone actually makes us stronger. Even if it's only a tiny toe out into the bigger world, stick your toe out!

But wait, there's more!
It took a long time for us to get the way we are. There was also a lot of other things that helped support our old tricks. Doing something new won't feel right, unless other things in our lives support them. Don't just try one new thing; try all the stuff that goes with it too. That’s the only real way to make a new life for yourself in the new year.

Guru-cise it!

DON'T make a resolution …

Resolutions are just empty promises with built in escape clauses in February. Stay away from the generalized commitments like "going to the gym" or "eating right" but rather focus on a specific TASK or ACTIVITY that you want to add into your life. "Learn to ski" fits right into "getting more exercise" without being "exercise."It has a fun factor built into it, which makes it more likely to happen. It's easier to reach a task that a resolution, so this year focus on the thing itself!

Balance and Harmony

The song of Life isn't just about an equal number of notes, it's about making sure they make beautiful music together.

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

I've been spending a lot of time thinking about balance... balancing time, energy, resources and motivation... balancing the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual elements... and kind of ignoring a different aspect of Life... harmony.

Not that I wasn't pursuing it, mind you; I just wasn't finding a place to put it in my lil book. One of my good friends sent me a planner he uses and it just sort of reminded me about harmony. I think they were using harmony like balance, which is good for them.... but since I do see them as different aspect of life, I'm going to continue to search for the best way to get them BOTH down on paper.

Balance is about giving some equality to the different parts of our lives. Work Time and Play Time may not be the same amount of hours, but they ought to be given the same amount of consideration. The same with Rest Time. We really did learn everything we needed to know in Kindergarten, didn't we?

How harmony differs is that each of these times kind of needs to "fit" with each other. They don't have to be similar (we could have a desk job during the week and skydive during the weekend) but they should somehow compliment one another. By that I mean, they go with who we are. If we're a brainiac/weekend warrior, then the desk job/skydive thing is a perfect fit. Harmony happens when each part of who we are gets to resonate every once in a while. Harmony comes when we're wholly satisfied.

It's when we neglect some piece of ourselves that we eventually take notice. It's this little black hole that starts to tug at our attention. Our lives feel less fulfilled when we ignore it.

Remember that even one note unplayed is noticeable amongst a giant symphony. That's why it's important to not only make the time, but make the time count.

Leave no song unsung!

ROTFLMAO

The Modern Day Christmas Card...

Don't be futile

Letting go is catching on.

Stuck

We're our own life support.>

A Life Without Judgment

It’s not an easy thing to do; especially when we’re taught to have strong beliefs about right and wrong. Everything around us stirs up some sort of opinion. Yet the most freeing thing we can do for ourselves - and others - is to live our lives without judgment.



We only see a little piece

The world is bigger than our senses… and there’s just so much more going on outside our range than we’ll ever encounter. The smaller the picture, the less likely our judgment will be fair and just. With that margin of error, judgment is not a very safe bet.



Disagreement is not judgment

Not judging doesn’t mean with have to agree with everything. We all see Life from a different angle. It’s okay to believe we have a right view of the world, just as long as it doesn’t mean that everyone else has to be wrong.



Judgment hurts us more

When we judge, everything outside our ideal view becomes a threat. We build walls based on fear and insecurity. We become increasingly isolated; and that robs us of fully experience all the joys Life has to offer.



The strongest person doesn’t have a shell. They don’t need one.



A life without...

The absence of judgment allows us to help others easier, because our focus is on them and not us. It helps us to really know someone or something outside ourselves. We aren’t threatened by others and their opinions. We get to see Life as it is; not how we expect it to be.



Guru-cise it!



Stop talking and start asking...



The next time you find yourself passing judgment; don’t rush to say anything, even in your head. Instead cultivate the desire to ask questions; to get to know someone or something else as it is, not how you think it is. Make sure you don’t ask opinionated questions like “why are you doing that wrong?” but rather leave it open like “why do you do that?” or how about just “why?”

Way to go!

Distance is relative.

This ain't it.

There are times in our lives that we look around at all we’ve got, and just sigh. We’re not sure how we got here, not sure where we’re going and not even sure what it is we even want… all we know is THIS AIN’T IT.



That kind of feeling can bring such a feeling of being lost. It devalues everything we have and just makes us want to quit and start over; if only we knew how.



Well, we don’t have to be that drastic, but we have to do SOMETHING before it’s too late.



Define It!

Childhood was filled with such wonder and possibilities. In the blink of an eye, we could be a movie star AND an astronaut. Nothing seemed impossible. Somehow we forgot that. So it’s time to get back to that wonderment. Even if it might be a bit late to become that astronaut, is it really that impossible to fly?

What’s that look like?

John’s a manager in a Fortune 500 company and miserable. He thinks he can’t leave because of mortgage, family, blah blah blah. He loves space and always dreamed of being an astronaut. He’s not going to move to join NASA any time soon. Suddenly a friend mentions that the local Air Force base is looking for a manager…



Is it exactly like his childhood? No… but it’s closer to flying than before.

Build It!

Life is full of good and bad stuff. Just thinking about the bad stuff makes us sad; and isn’t very productive. Paying more attention to the good stuff, however tiny it might be, helps us to nurture it. And there’s only so much time in the day, so the more we fill it up with good stuff, the less time we have for the other stuff to bring us down.



Stop It!

You know, if it really ain’t it, then it just ain’t it… so stop it. You’re not making it any better by keeping at it. If you’ve got the big house and the fancy car and you want the simpler life, go out and simplify your life. If you’re under-skilled and under-appreciated, go out and get those skills; then go where you can be appreciated.



Do it!

It’s not just about positive attitude, and cheerful dreams, it’s all about action; doing things that make a difference. It’s not magic, but the results can be magical.

Get up!

On a clear day, you can rise forever

Keep your Promise

A promise is a contract… to someone else, to ourselves; to life itself. To take that lightly has serious consequences for everyone involved. Keeping our promises builds our relationships, our reputation; even our self-esteem. It’s setting goals, but with accountability and commitment built right in. A promise is the vehicle that drives us to our goal.



Only make promises I can keep.

We must be able to do what we say we can do. If we know we can't achieve it, we shouldn't promise it in the first place. Also, we shouldn't promise results if there's too many things out of our control (we can promise "I'll do my best to win the gold medal" but we can't really promise that we'll actually win it)



Only make promises for myself.

We can't control the will of others, so we also can't make promises for them. Either the other person is going to resent us for committing them; or if they fail to deliver, we'll be the one who looks bad. It's not a winning thing to do. It's better to get them to make their own promises if we need their help.



Don't make conflicting promises with another.

To be really true to the goal, we shouldn't make a promise to someone else that conflicts. One of them is sure to be deisappointed; maybe even both.



Follow through.

It's not about being able to make a promise that builds our character and our reputation. It's about us actually coming through on them. To become known as someone who follows through helps us as much as it helps them.



Follow up.

How will we ever really know if we "did good" unless we ask? Getting the feedback not only tells us whether we've succeeded or not, it helps to show we really, really care.



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



Guru-cize it



Start small. Think of the little promises we make during the course of the day."I'll pick up bread on the way home" or "I'll call you this afternoon" and write them down. Have a little "promise book" in your pocket; like a "to do" list but only of the things that have been committed to someone else.



Then make sure to check them off.

Go!

When you gotta go, you know you know,

B.U.

You are unique... just like everyone else!

Don't Speed on the Learning Curve

Life is full of lessons, and those lessons take time to "get." Sometimes we're so distracted by everything else that we don't get it for quite some time. It's not really a problem, as long as we understand that. Unfortunately, it often comes with a lack of patience too. We've become such a Now Generation that we don't even enjoy learning; we just want to know it NOW.



Well, it doesn't work that way… and if we try to speed along the learning curve, we're setting ourselves up to fall off the edge.



Accept it

Acceptance is a huge way of lifting the burden. "It's going to take some time, ok!" That way we're more willing to take the time, because we know we need it.



Set smaller goals along the way

The trip of Life requires snacks and potty breaks. Let's not see it as one long road, but a series of short hops. It'll make the trip go by smoother and be a lot more enjoyable.



Get ready for more curves

The learning curve is not one long curve… it's a series of twists and turns all over the place. We can't see around the bend either, so it's best to just be prepared to turn.



Look for short cuts

That's how everyone else makes it look so easy; they know that there's easier ways to do everything. So we need to find our own short cuts. One we do that, the learning curve won't so look big and menacing after all.



Ask for directions

Other people have "been there, done that" before us; so asking them about their experiences will not only show us short cuts, it'll help us avoid the pitfalls. Don't let their experience go to waste.



Look back every once in a while

When all we do is look forward, it seems like we're never going to get there. Every once in a while, it helps to look back at the progress we've made. It's not only surprising, it can also be comforting.



Show others the way

The best way to learn is to teach. That's because we have to simplify it for someone without our experience. Simplifying it for them often simplifies it for us. So share knowledge and experience; give them directions. Hopefully, they'll take them.





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



Guru-cize it



Make a map of your learning curve...



• Pick something you're learning or want to learn

• Pick out "Progress Points" along the route

• Estimate the time line (be realistic)

• Seek out advisors (on the web, or organizations, etc.)

• Commit to do it, and stick to it, until you arrive

My Better Half

The day's not over til you're over the top!

Challenges should not be Struggles

We all know that there is suffering in Life. We often use it as an excuse to stop trying, or to not believe in something bigger than ourselves. There used to be a popular saying "No Pain, No Gain" but if something really hurts, it's just not right.



Just because Life can be tough, that doesn't mean that everything we do has to be painful.



They look alike

Challenges and Struggles have a lot in common. It's often impossible to tell the difference when you're in the middle of it. There are differences though, and recognizing them early can save you a lot of frustration and pain.



The difference is in the goal

What often sets a challenge apart is a specific attainable goal. Struggling happens when you lose focus and your sense of direction and purpose.



The difference is attitude

A challenger doesn't give up hope, even when faced with impossible odds. A Struggler doubts.



The difference is in the progress

Progress is measured by how much closer we move towards our goal. It might be a lot of so little it's hard to tell. If we find ourselves going in all different directions, that's a good indication of a struggle.



The difference is in the results

Basically results tell it all. "The proof is in the pudding" as the saying goes. Does all this effort pay off with an enriching reward? It is fulfilling all by itself? Are we better for doing it? Then the challenge is worth it.





Guru-cize it



Choose something that you're going through now; anything that takes effort. Then ask yourself these questions:



• Is it rewarding?

• Is it lofty / noble?

• Is it attainable?

• Is it enriching to myself or to those I love?

• Is the reward ultimately larger than the effort?

Y'Think

I have so many thoughts outside the box, I need a box to keep them in.

Dealing With Unfinished Business

Leaving things undone, ignoring past messes or putting things off altogether does nothing to further our lives. In fact, it lingers over us like a rain cloud. It leaves us feeling as incomplete as the very thing we ignore. Facing the 'unfinished' head on and truly getting it done is the only real way for us to grow and move forward in Life.



What is unfinished?

We need to ask ourselves, 'What one thing would I really really regret if I left it undone?' We talk about living a life of no regret, but regrets happen anyway. So if we can't forget 'em, we might as well fix 'em.



Why is it unfinished?

Once we know what business we want to finish, it's important to look at why it's unfinished. Did we just give up? Did we lose interest? Did we say or do the wrong thing once, and became too proud to fix it? It's time to look for clues so we can turn it around to become our action plan.



What would it take to finish it?

Now let's get right down to the goals... what would it tale to finish it? Write it down. Step by little step. The focus here is on HOW we're going to get this thing done.



What does 'Finished' look like?

It's really important to know what 'Finished' looks like. Otherwise. how will we ever know we've arrived? Write it down as well; see it clearly. That's our end result. That's the whole reason for doing this.



Are other people involved?

Having other people involved means one of two things. Either it's going to take longer to finish or it'll happen much quicker than we ever imagined. It all depends on the desires and plans of those other people. If they want to finish it too, amazing things can happen.



What first step can I take to start the finishing process?

We're the ones who want to finish, so we have to be the one to start it. It's so easy to be prideful and either say 'they need to make the first move' or 'I can't do THAT!' Well, that foolishness needs to stop now. Finishing is more important than anything else we can dream of. And when it's all said and done, won't it feel even better to know that we started it?



If I can't finish it this time, am I willing to really let it go?

OK, let's face it. Sometimes no matter what we want, it's not going to happen. Can we face that 'reality' if it comes? If we're willing to accept that and let it go, in a way it IS finished, even if not in the way we wanted.

You lift up when you get up

A Moment Too Late...

We've all had those moments. The train just left, the phone stops ringing before we pick it up, whatever. In any case, we've just missed some sort of opportunity, Is it over? Is it really too late? Or is there something we can do to still succeed after all?



Some things truly are once-in-a-lifetime opportuntities and when they're gone, they're gone. However, most things in Life have a funny way of coming back around again; although often disguised as something completely different.



Learn from it

We're here to learn lessons. That's why there isn't just one thing to learn, in one single way. Events and people come into our lives over and over again until we "get it" so why not help it along? Pay attention. Ask "what went wrong to make me miss the opportunity in the first place?"



Is there any salvage?

Is there anything we can get from the "wake" of the opportunity? Just cause it passed us by doesn't mean it's absolutely too late. Perhaps the opportunity is still close enough that we can "catch it" if we hurry. It's like hitting "redial" on the phone while the number is still fresh in memory.



Fix the flaws

Knowing why we were late still doesn't bring back the opportunity. If there's something we can do to better ourselves, we ought to do it. That way, the next time (if there is one) we'll be more ready.



Move forward

Once we've figured out what went wrong, it's time to stop dwelling on the past. That event IS gone, so let it be gone. Seriously, all that talk about "crying over spilled milk" is right, "The one that got away" isn't ours. Let's put your focus on catching the next one.



Give it all you got

Live passionately and with purpose; otherwise, it's just a life of regrets.



For me...

I know in my life, I've missed a number of opportunities. "Gurustu" came and went a couple of time because of them. It's why I'm so focused on it right now. If there are second and third chances out there, I'm ready to grab them!

Shhh

Silence can be noisy

Time sure flies... do you?

I can't believe it's Friday already... I can't believe it's the weekend... can you believe it's already October?... can you believe it's almost the holidays?... The year's almost over, where'd the time go?

If you smiled and nodded at those statements, then you know how time flies. Sure seems to be moving faster than when we were kids, right?

Not really. Time's been moving at the same speed since it started... it just seems to be going faster. Why? because now we have so much more STUFF to do. The more stuff we have, the more stuff we have to do to keep the stuff... or get more stuff... or newer stuff... we're just stuffed!!

But if time feels like it's flying away from you, that means that you're not doing the right stuff.

Now there's two types of time flights... one where you're so busy engulfed by something you love that you don't notice the time (that's the good stuff)... and then there's the "other stuff" that just takes up time but doesn't quite leave you fulfilled when it's over (that's bad stuff).

So what to do... what to do?

Take a moment to think about it...

Take all the time you need...

Oh, right, I got it...

Do more good stuff!!

Spend the time doing what you love, with the people you love, for the world that you love.

Time's still going to fly by... but then again, so will you.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Sanitize for Sanity

Clutter messes up our lives. We can't find anything when we need it. We stub our toes on stuff. Our thinking gets as muddled as the space around us. The tangled web we weave often traps us the most.



It's time to "clean up."





Clean up your space, literally

It's not just 'cause it looks nice; it's so that you can get to the stuff you need to get to. You will save time and a lot of frustration. Follow the rules of file-forward-or-forget-it. Start at one end of your space and move to the other. Everything you see, ask yourself, "do I need to keep this?" (file it in a place you can find next time) or "would this be better off if I gave it to someone else?" (donate it to charity or gift it to a friend) or "does anyone really need this? (trash it). Have a legitimate reason for each and stick to it. By the time you reach the other side, you're whole world will be changed.



Clean up your thoughts

This isn't a message to "get your head out of the gutter." It's about organizing them; make lists of to do's (don't forget to do the file-forward-forget to each task as well). Keep a journal. Having to organize your thoughts on paper (or computer) can help clarify an awful lot of stuff.



Dream

Don't forget to do that. They're your thoughts and hopes played out. Write them down to and get them organized. Organized dreams turn into goals.



Clean up your actions

You act as you think, whether you think you do or not. Actions can give you very powerful insight into your thoughts (cluttered actions come from cluttered minds); and actions can also have a profound way of affecting thoughts.



Although changing your thought will change you actions, you don't always have to change the thought first. You can actually go "against" your thoughts and do actions of the way you'd like to be. With enough practice, your thoughts may change to "fit" better.



Just remember to be true to yourself

Removing clutter is meant to uncover the real you; not strip away all the qualities that make you special.

Tempting

It helps to have clear intentions

Deal with the Dark Side

Life isn't all light and fluffy. There's no guaranteed Hollywood ending and no one ever promised that it's going to be fair. There are going to be times when darkness surrounds us and is within us. To deny the darkness' existence is as dangerous as wallowing within it.



The dark doesn't matter; what matters is whether or not you choose to turn on the light.



Filter what comes in

Life just is. It can be as big or as small as you want. It can be all rosy, or all despair. You're not obligated to let it all in. Turn off the TV, select what you read. Life will go on outside you, even without you tuning in to find out what's next after the commercial break. Only let in what you want. It won't change the world one bit, but it will change your world in ways unimaginable.



Deal with what comes in

Stuff is gonna get in, no matter how hard we try... so we need to know what to do with it. Our strength is actually in what we do with what gets in.



Edit what goes out

Sure misery loves company, but just 'cause bad moods happen, we don't have to ruin everyone else's day. That will only come back to haunt us. It's better to let the light in, rather than let the dark out. Find things to brighten your day.



Do something light

Listen to music you like, go for a walk... anything that doesn't put more pressure on you.



Get rid of the Dark Makers

If there is a definite cause for all the darkness around you, work on getting rid of the source. Just doing that can save you most of the hassles.



Help someone else out of the darkness

We can't see our own problems, cause we're too close. Helping someone else out of their darkness can sometimes have amazing results for us. The advice you give to others is often the one you need to take the most.



Don't wait for someone else to light your fire

Waiting for someone else to do it is disempowering for yourself, and too much to ask from anyone else. You are the light; so shine.

What were we talking about?

All my memories have been recalled

Can you hear me?

Listen...

Get off your excuses

It's easy to fail... just do nothing. Better yet, make up an excuse. You know, there's always a million reasons why it can't be done, so pick one. Then you can just settle down to an unfulfilling life.



Of course, if you want something better than that, you're going to have to give up something to get something. Your excuses.



Want success

We actually have to want success. Seems pretty simple, but it's amazing just how many people are afraid of success. Will I be good enough? Will they expect too much? Will they see me as a fraud? Don't be one of those people. You have to want it to get it.



Take responsibility

Responsibility is the first step in empowerment. It's ownership. It's not taking the blame; it's taking charge of the situation and your own life. Looking for someone or something to blame is just a waste of time and energy. Time that could be spent working on getting it right.



Look for solutions

People often think they have to get to the root of the problem before they can solve it. That's not always the case. Some things don't need to be understood; they just need to be fixed, then forgotten. Focusing on solutions is also a more positive approach than searching for the problem.



Look forward

The past is over, we've heard that a million times; but we still look there. Maybe it's because we know the past, not the future; but where are you going to spend the rest of your life, hmm? Right, the future… so look there.



Learn from it

It's really only failure if we don't get anything out of it. Any lesson learned is valuable. So instead of using the past to explain away our mistakes, let's use it as our teacher. After all, that's why we're here.

Humble Beginnings

"Even the mighty ram bows its head before the blow."



One of the strongest positions we can take as we begin something new is humility. 'Humble' not in a way of thinking less of yourself, but rather from the sincerest form of pride.





Be thankful

All too often, if it's something we already have, we don't seem to think very much of it. We don't appreciate it until it's gone. Other times, we can become boastful because we think it makes us better than everyone else. In all cases, we're blind. Taking just a moment to say "thank you" opens our eyes to the gift called Life.



Be honest with yourself

You may actually be the best in the world at something; or you might actually be the worst. After all, someone has to be, right? More than likely, though, it isn’t you. You're somewhere in the middle in the world scale… but that should never stop you from becoming the best that you can be. You're the only one in the world who can do THAT.



See the greatness in yourself

Don't you see it? I mean, look deep inside. Get away from all your opinions and the opinions of others. Look at that spark inside you. That's greatness. Look!!!



See the greatness in others

I always say that true humility doesn't come with seeing yourself as less than others, but rather seeing how great everyone else is AS WELL as you.



Namaste

"Namaste" means "the spirit in me recognizes the spirit within you." There is no greater gift than to wholeheartedly acknowledge the existence of another.



Agape

Okay, maybe there is ONE thing that is greater than acknowledging another… it's LOVING them… unconditionally, without expectations or opinions.



The spirit in me loves the spirit in you. Nice.



Balance yourself out with greatness and you will have pride in what you do and who you are, without ego going off in a wrong direction.



It truly is a humbling experience.

Get in there

You gotta be in it to win it.

How to succeed by being lazy

How many times have you said "if I only had the time…"? Don't you just feel like a slacker? You don't? You feel tired, burned out and frantic all at once? You just feel too busy to be lazy, right? So why aren't you succeeding?



'Cause you're not lazy, that's why... At least, not in ways that matter…





Don't do more than you have to

If you're painting a picture and you just keep adding color after color after color, you know what? It turns muddy. It loses its value. There comes a time to stop.



There's got to be an easier way

Ask yourself, "Can I still get what I want in some easier way?" Sometimes the road you're on is just too long, and there are shortcuts everywhere. Find them.



Get more for less

A string of smaller successes can really add up over time, and take you farther than bigger success. If you do one "something" to get back three things, you'll have more than five "somethings" only getting you back ten.



Do I really need it?

Yeah, do you? Sure you may want it badly… but for how long? Take a closer look at it. Do without it for just a bit longer. If you don't really miss it, you can save time by not pursuing it.



Don't do all that "stuff"

We really have so much time on our hands, we really do. We just fill it in with so much "stuff" It actually takes a lot of work to be lazy enough to come up with solutions, but in the end, it gives you back enough time to get the really important stuff done.



Just get there

Results matter; not how much it took to get there. The one who comes in last can do just as much work as the one who comes in first. Success has a lot of other factors besides how much effort you put into it.



Now I'm not implying that you should cheat. Lazy people shouldn't cheat. That's just more "stuff" you don't need. What I'm saying is that you don't have to work so hard at getting success; you have to become lazy enough to let it happen.

Many Reasons for a One Track Mind

It's what I call "wide success" because there's nothing particularly wrong with that. It's just success that goes "sideways."



If you want "far success" however, you'll need to stay on a single track, if you want to go the distance. For that, you need a "one track mind."



It gives you focus

Not only is there a lot going on inside you, there's even more stuff going on outside. It can all be such a blur at times, but if you have a single purpose, you can pick out only what you need to.



It gives you a sense of definition

It also helps to define who you are. How you finish a sentence that starts with "I am..." is very powerful. "I am a writer" ... "I am a construction worker" ... "I am a mother/father" ... "I am rich" or "I am poor."



It gives you a sense of purpose

When you do a little bit of everything, you might get this sense that you don't really make much of a difference. With a one track mind, at least you feel like you're onto something.



You can map it out

When you know what you want, it makes it easier to get there. It's still not necessarily easier to get, but it easier to head in the direction of your desire.



You can see how far you've come

When you're on one track for some time, you can look back and see just hwo far you've travelled. It can be very encouraging to see your past successes lined up. It helps you want to go on.



You can say "no"

There's always going to be distractions along the way. Like small towns alongside the railroad, some will draw your attention. It's OK to take a break and rest a while, but if you have a one track mind, you must get back on it... no settling in and no switching tracks.



What happens when you get there?

There isn't really a destination. You may say I want to achieve this and you actually do, but that doesn't mean you're done with your journey. Could it be that you just didn't see that there are more tracks on the other side of your goal?



The journey continues!!

Neg Blocker

There's all this popular talk about blocking out carb-fat-calories-radiation these days. Wouldn't it be nice if we had something to block out the negativity that surrounds our lives?



Well, we do.



It just doesn't come in pill form.





Recognize the negativity

You may just be having a sense that something is wrong, but not actually know what it is. Go find out. Do some investigation; whether it's searching inside yourself or asking trusted people you know. Become aware of just what the negativity is, what it looks like and especially what it's doing to you.



See if you can stop it at its source

Once you can recognize the negativity, see if you can get rid of the cause. It could be a person, or an activity, or an old habit. Whatever it is, see if you can make it go away.



Fight fire with fire

In lieu of removing the source, you can always control its effect on you. Literally fight negativity with negativity… Say "NO" ... if not to the source, at least to yourself. You may not want to get too loud if you're in the library or on a crowded street, since people might look at you funny, but whenever you feel the negativity creeping in, say it. "NO!!!" can have a powerful way of stopping it from sinking in further.



Fill 'er up with the good stuff

If you're filled up with positivity… good thoughts, well wishes… it will be tougher for negativity to make room. After you say "NO"… immediately picture what you DO want (whatever that is, even if it's seemingly unrelated to the situation) Say "YES." For example, you might have an argument with a coworker or spouse and you picture a vacation home in southern France. Seems off-the-wall, but it shifts you towards a better state of being.



Stay true

All too often, we get into a revenge mode, or a "well, everyone else is doing it" mentality… and we let that justify our slip into a darker place. Don't do it. Just don't. If you truly want the world to be a better place, then you have to be the better person. Don't make "Everybody does it" a true statement… as long as you don't do it, the world is automatically a better place.



See how important you are?

How to be a Happy Pessimist

A Pessimist is not a Downer, just as an Optimist is not a Dreamer. Both just see the world differently. They expect different outcomes. The Pessimists like to fancy themselves "Realists" because they think they see the world as it really is, but actually they're only seeing half the picture.



Prepare, but don't expect

The really good thing about Pessimists is that they don't ignore the possibility of failure. That gives them a chance to explore the possibilities and have alternate plans ready. It's just really important not to EXPECT the worse to happen, because you may actually do subtle actions to ruin your chances of success.



Expect nothing, gain everything.





Enjoy the good times while they last

You believe that the good times won't last, right? But what are you doing while they're here? There's no law that says you can't enjoy the wonderful moments that life has to offer. So stop worrying that the worse is yet to come, and get to enjoying what's here now.





Don't make things worse

You create your own reality by every choice you make. If you believe that something is going to be bad, and you stop trying to make it better, it might actually get worse. You'll feel vindicated in that you expected it, but being in a worse situation won't make you feel any better, now will it? Be aware that you might be making the bad times happen.





You don't need to suffer

Yes, there is suffering in the world, and you should do something about it; just don't feel bad and believe you have to suffer yourself. Starving yourself is not going to feed a hungry child in a Third World Country (unless you mail them your sandwich). Feeling badly about a homeless person is not going to get them off the street any time soon. Don't feel guilty for having more than someone else, or just for having a good day.



By taking care of yourself, the world has one less person who's in pain.