2 Steps 2 Success: 1) Do the best u can with what you've got 2) Do better next time.

How many times have you heard someone say (or were guilty of saying it yourself) that you could be successful "if only..." and then you filled in the blank with some form of lack. Then to top it off, they (or you) look at someone else who's having great success and wonder how can someone with less (fill in the blank) possibly be farther along than them (you).

Sound familiar?

That's because while one person was making excuses, the other was making progress.

Who do you want to be?

If you want to make progress, you don't need to have (fill in the blank) right now... just begin to go in the direction you want to be. You'll pick it up along the way.

Besides, you can't start from 'there'... you can only start from 'here'

So start here... and give it your best... each and every time...

... then live and learn to do better next time.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

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

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

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

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

And so it is with us as well.

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

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

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

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

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

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

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

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

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

Well, duh!

That's why I said it :-)

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

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

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

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

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

It's that easy.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

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

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

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

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

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

That's how it's supposed to be!

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

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

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

So go ahead, indulge in your humanity.

It'll do your body good.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

What now?

The now is a present that keeps on giving.

Simplify

Life finds its simplest form, however complex

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The solution is simple!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All you gotta do is do it.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Focus on the positive, but fix the negative.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the end, what matters is the end.

Until then...

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Are we having fun yet?

Sand doesn't need a box.

You have to COMMAND respect; you cannot DEMAND it.

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

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

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

That means "when you are worthy of respect."

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

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

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

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

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

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

That's all.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

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

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

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

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

It's "YOU"

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

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

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

All you have to do is bring it out.

Here's to YOU!
GuruStu

Here we go again...

You can't get there from here.

Say "No"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you?

Do what you do.

What if they signed a Declaration of Self-Responsibility?

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

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

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

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

And what of us?

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

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

We have that freedom.

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

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

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Relativity is a theory

No one compares to you.

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

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

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

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

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

Just make it a story worth telling.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

The Key Element

The key is a combination

Life is so big, it has all the answers. Choose yours wisely.

Life is so full of wonder. Everywhere you turn, there seems to be an answer... and a million more questions. Yet, every one of those million questions also has an answer. The reason why we get along with some people, and not get along with others, is because of the answers WE choose.

We mix and match our answers, creating the tapestry that is our life. The more answers we find that look like the ones we already have, the more we feel that we're on the right track. The more 'correct' the new answers, the more 'right' we feel.

Some take it farther than that, going beyond the heart and into their spirit, and then begin to feel 'righteous'. When the intention is still to do 'right' by loving the world, that's not such a bad thing.

If you get so full of yourself that you start to become 'self-righteous' then your answers might not be the best ones.

Yes, feel right and do right. Yes, become filled with You... just never full of You.

Realize that others have their answers too, neither 'better' nor 'worse'... just different. And their answers give them different choices... and their different choices give them different results... and different results make the world a different place.

So you can see how powerful your answers are.

Pick the right ones.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Say Yes

Yes" is such a powerful word. We often want to hear it, but don't as often want to say it.

"No" means going about our status quo. "Yes" is a lot of work! It's a commitment, an obligation that requires time and can affect our reputation and our relationships.



Why is it easier said than done?

"Yes" forces us to show our hand. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, even fear of success can set in. There's also a level of sacrifice that comes with it. "What do I have to give up in order to do this?" or "What if I over-commit?" There are so many other factors that it can become a juggling act for quite a while.

Why should I do it anyway?

If you want nothing, then do nothing. It's very rare that the dream life comes on its own. Most people have to go out and get what they want out of life.

While we shouldn't automatically say "yes" to everything, we shouldn't automatically say "no" either. Every opportunity that comes our way deserves at least some consideration before making a decision.

Success has no excuses.

Where do I begin?

Start by creating three lists: "What I Do", "What I Want to Do" and "What I've Been Asked to Do."

Now, disregarding what list its actually in, check off only those things that you'd actually do if there was nothing to hold you back. Cross off all the others that you wouldn't do.

There are no "maybes"; everything is either a "yes" or a "no."

Now take those checked items and write down your "yes" list; posting it where you can see it every day.

This is what every goal is to be measured against; current or new. If it fits, do it; if it doesn't, don't.

That's the true power of "Yes."

If you try to keep up with life, you'll fall behind. Instead, plan ahead and let life catch up to you.

There are going to be times when you need a break, or just to slow down. It's actually vitally important that you do that every once in a while. Yet when you're struggling to keep up with each moment, that can feel like you're falling behind more and more.

Now, while I'm a huge fan of living in the Now, it's really important not to ignore the future until it gets here. When you do that, you'll always end up giving reactions rather than getting results.

By projecting your desires into the future, and adjusting your course along the way, you will rise up to meet the next moment, rather than getting run over by it.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

I just discovered the secret to success... YOU.

You're going to have a lot of results in your life; some you'll like, some you won't. You'll consider some to be joyful successes, while others will be painful failures. Whatever the case, at the center of all of them will be YOU.

You may not be the cause for either the success or the failure, but both of them begin and end with you. They begin with what you WANT and end with what you GET.

Or put another way, they begin with what YOU want and end with what YOU get.

So, ultimately, it all depends on you. It depends on how clear you are with what you want, and how much you're willing to go out to get it. It depends on how you adapt to early results. Do you stay the course when you need to keep going, and do you adjust course as things around you change? (Or do you zig when you're supposed to zag and zag when you're supposed to zig?)

You're the Captain of your own ship. Never take that role lightly (or too seriously)

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Want more time in your day? Deepen every moment.

Do you remember when you were younger and had nothing to do, how sloooooooow time seemed to move? And you ever notice that the more you have to do now, the faster time seems to go? There was the same amount per day then as it is now. Time didn't really change...

Or did it?

On the surface, there is the same amount of time each day... and that's what you get, when that's all you see.

Yet Time is a funny thing really, each moment itself is more than what we see. Each moment has an amazing depth to it. The deeper you sink into it, the more it slows down. It's like walking through mud, rather than a hard surface.

Although deep moments are much richer than walking through mud (maybe it's more like walking through fudge).

The fastest and easiest way to deepen your moments is to let more in; experience things you normally wouldn't. Take in the sights and sounds around you. Let yourself feel more emotions. Put more effort into something than you've done before.

Another way to deepen a moment is to carefully choose your multi-task. If you try to do too many big things at the same time, you end up splitting the moment; thus getting LESS time. Yet by mixing the momentous with the mundane, you can get more out of the moment. For example, I write in my notebook while waiting in lines at the supermarket or listen to motivations CDs while in my car.

So realize that you have more time than you realize. The more you fill up each moment, the more full-filled you'll become.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Lower your standard for happiness to include everything.

You ever play the game "If Only"? You know, "If only I had a better job/more money/someone to love/fill in the blank..." While it's nice to dream... (in fact, it's the first step to achieving it)... it's not good if it stops you from enjoying what you DO have.

Most of your life is going to be filled with the little things.

Notice I didn't say "minor things"... I said, "little things"... HUGE different.

A hamburger is just as good as a Filet Mignon and an economy car is just as good as a luxury vehicle IF you enjoy it. In fact they are BETTER, if all you have is a hamburger in your economy car and not your filet in the luxury car.

This is what the saying "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" is all about. What you DO have is much more valuable and much more enjoyable than what you DON'T have.

So while it's still important to keep growing and keep going on your path of improvement, lower the level of what makes you happy. Make it so that EVERYTHING makes you happy. Really enjoy that meal, and that job, and the people around you... everything, everything, everything. That makes it's easier to get happy, be happy and make happy.

Have a happy day!
GuruStu

PS You make me happy :-)

If not now, when?

Now and again

If you really want to impress other people, show them how great THEY are.

Do you know why people like to look up to other people? Not because they like the qualities of the person, but because they want to be LIKE that person. They don't necessarily want to BE that person, just have that one or two qualities that the other person has. So that's definitely a reason for you to be your best, so that others will want those qualities for themselves.

But do you really want to know a better way to get them to be impressed by you? Show them just how totally beautiful, smart, funny, caring, dynamic, divine, and incredibly unique THEY are.

You see, people want YOUR qualities because they think it would make them feel better if they had it. Yet, if they realized that they have admirable qualities too, then they wouldn't have to look outside themselves for something to make them feel better.

Of all the qualities you could cultivate to make yourself look better, the best one is becoming the shiniest mirror you can be.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Live Life like a baker that kneads bread rather than a beggar that needs bread.

Life owes you nothing, yet offers you everything. The only thing that keeps you from it is not what you have or don't have, but rather what you think of yourself.

You act according to your nature. You do what comes naturally. It's just that what feels "natural" and what is your true nature don't often match. Years of negative conditioning has gotten you all doubtful, fearful or cynical and now it just feels like you're the victim, or you're in competition for a limited supply or just plain undeserving of all life's riches.

Get over yourself.

There IS an unlimited supply out there, providing we give back from what we receive. A baker sees a world full of flour, water and eggs and gives back bread. A beggar sees a world of only so much bread and begs the world to give it up.

Both are right, but one of them has the secret to abundance.

So how do you see yourself, and the world around you?

I'm begging you to be the baker ;-)

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

It is the worst of times that brings out the best in people.

During the good times, it's easy to forget. It's easy to overlook flaws; and it's easy to look really good. Yet, the good times are when we build the character that we show during the worst of times.

Natural disasters happen. We may not understand the reason for them, but they do. They don't matter nearly as much as what we do about them.

Do we use them to question God or the Universe (or whatever higher power you might believe in)?
There is suffering in the world, does that mean they're cannot be something compassionate out there? Some will lose their faith.

Do we use them to think we are superior to others?
The recent comments of Pat Robertson, that the Haitians brought the earthquake on themselves because of a pact with the devil, says so much more about him than about the people who now lie buried in rubble. Others, like Rush Limbaugh, would use this disaster to attack others no matter what the outcome. Had President Obama been slow to act, he would have complained about Obama's lack of compassion; because the response was quick, he accused Obama of bring political. Clearly these people are exposing their truer nature. Some people will lose faith in them.

Do we them to show we care?
You CAN focus on all the suffering and devastation, if you wish, or you can look at all the people coming together to help one another. People rushing to their cellphones to make donations, organizations mobilizing to bring food and water to survivors, and big equipment to help create more survivors... and seeming enemies coming together, if only for a moment, to forget about their differences and concentrate on their common goal. Some people will gain faith.

Do we take the time to treasure what we have?
Disasters that happen to others can also impact us. They can remind us of how much we have, and what is most important to us. We may hug our loved ones a little tighter, or enjoy the comfort and warmth of our beds just a little bit more. Some people will gain gratitude.

We can't choose our disasters, but we can choose whether we turn them into tragedies or triumphs.

What do you choose?

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character"

~ Rev. Martin Luther King Jr

Almost

There's no There there.

You CAN change the past... by making today worth it.

There's a big movement to put the past behind us. It's over, after all, so why bring it back up,

right? Because there's so much more than just a threat to repeat it, if we forget it.

We lived the past for a reason. Not just to put it behind us. It was there to teach us, to

nurture us and to make us who we are today. To leave it back in time robs us of so much of its

power.

The past is very much alive, in the choices we make and the experiences that we share. And it's

alive not just because we're still alive now, but because our past changes just as much as our

future does.

Something seemingly insignificant can suddenly pop into importance, or an old friend's name can

suddenly disappear from our tongues. It doesn't matter what happened in our past; what matters is

what we do with it right now.

And a even greater truth is not that we are doomed to repeat forgotten pasts, but rather we are

doomed to repeat pasts that are remember the same way over and over again. Remember, hindsight is

20/20, so don't be afraid to look back with new eyes. See the past differently than you did

before and you will not only change that past, you'll change your present and your future as

well.

Here's lookin' at you, kid!

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Learn something new

You know the saying, "You can't teach an old dog a new trick," right? Well, go to the mirror right now. Are you old? Maybe. Are you a dog? If you are, congratulations on being able to read; now go outside and play. Everyone else, listen up!

That saying is just an excuse for people unwilling to open up their minds and grow.



Why is it easier said than done?

Learning can take a lot of time; a rarity in this busy world of ours. It takes commitment. It also means having to break old habits, having to admit that we don't know it all, or being uncomfortable until we know it.

Why should I do it anyway?

Just because we've done something for a very long time, that doesn't mean that it's the best way. One new thing, even if it's little, might actually replace years of bad ways.

Learning something new also opens up the door to new possibilities. For example, learning a new language makes it possible to travel to countries we've never seen before. Perhaps learning a new skill can break us of a dependency on someone else.

Learning is freedom.

Where do I begin?

IStart by looking at your goals… or at some things that are holding you back. Remember, we either want something or we want to get rid of something, so goals and barriers are good places to examine.

Next, check out local school and organizations and see what courses they offer. Often it's just one evening or a few evenings to give you a starting point.

Also, ask friends. After all, they too have had goals and road blocks. They can be a good source of ideas… and who knows, they might even join you.

Just look around. You might be surprised at just how many resources there are out there to us you achieve your growth.

The very first step, however, is to get back to that mirror. Look yourself straight in the eye and say:

"I'm not old and I'm not a dog!"

Now go outside and play!

Someone may open a door for you, but you still need to walk through.

Successful people don't have more opportunities than unsuccessful people, they just see more. And highly successful people don't have more opportunities than successful people, they just do more.

Opportunities are EVERYWHERE... and they are available for EVERYONE. They're not one-size-fits-all and that's why some have better results than others... but WHOEVER you are, and WHEREVER you are, and HOWEVER you are, there's an opportunity.

BUT!

You have to SEE it.
You have to SEIZE it.
You have to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Even when someone else opens a door for you... if THEY walk through, then it's THEIR opportunity. You want it to be YOUR opportunity? Then YOU walk through!

Knock knock!
Who's there?

It better be YOU!

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

'Perfect' is not to be, but to 'Be' is perfect.

The 'problem' with "Perfection" is that it changes every time... because Life changes every moment. There are 'right times' and 'right actions' and occasionally those two come together, but all too often, we strive to be "Perfect" all the while keeping that at an unreachable length away.

I'm going to give away a giant secret now...

You're already Perfect... just the way you are.

Sure, you've got lessons to learn, and dreams still unborn; and you don't always say the right thing or know what to do in an awkward moment... that's all part of Life. It's MEANT to be that way.

"Perfect" is an end result, an achievement, and therefore it's finite. Life isn't. Life in Infinite. YOU are infinite.

So stop trying to be something that stops. Instead, rise to every occasion, do the best you can whenever you can. Just BE.

Live, Learn and Love. It's perfect, so you don't have to be.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

The road behind you may be empty, but the road ahead is open.

There are going to be times when you look back and wonder "what have I done with my life... have I made it worth my while, did I make a difference?" You may end up focusing on all the things that went wrong, or never happened and then start to think that it's not going to happen now or in the future either.

But just because you can look back and see emptiness, and even look forward and see emptiness there too, doesn't mean the entire road has nothing to offer. On the contrary, the open road ahead is full of possibilities! How do I know this? Because that's what fills up the emptiness that surrounds us... infinite possibility!

And besides, you're so busy looking around to notice that the road is NOT empty. ow do I know THAT? Because of YOU. YOU are on it. As long as the road has SOMETHING, it can't have NOTHING.

So stop looking for nothing... go boldly on the open road and let the world see that you really are SOMETHING.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

When someone sees you as 'less' it is because they see less, not because you are less.

You are an amazingly divine being, as only you can know it. Those who look at you can only see you from the outside, through the eyes of their own limited beliefs. When someone looks upon you and considers you to be less than they are, it has nothing to do with you. They may have this desire to be 'right' and can only achieve that by believing others are 'wrong'. Or perhaps they can't see into other people deep enough to see their light. Whatever the case, someone else's closed eyes doesn't have to put you in the dark.

KNOW that your light shines, even when it isn't looked upon. Make a vow to show your light to those that matter.

And DON'T return their favor... don't think of THEM as any less than you, simply because they cannot see your light. For they have a light too... and if you judge them, you will be just as blind.

Be free.

And Shine on!
GuruStu

How many times do you need to bang your head against the wall before the wall decides to stop hurting you?

How many people do you know who have blamed everyone and everything around them for their pain, anguish, wrong-doing; while you can plainly see that they're the ones causing their own pain?

So after you just ran down a list of all your relatives, many of your co-workers and a few of your close friends... did you take a moment to count the bumps on your own head?

We cause most (I'd dare say ALL, but then that'd give you a headache)... most... of our problems. That's not to say we're in the middle of difficult circumstances, or that certain people are pains in parts other than our heads... but the source of the pain is US.

It's all in how we react to what's going on around us. Other people being difficult? That's THEIR problem. Stuck in a situation that isn't much fun... it's not the situation that's the problem.

The wall is just a wall. That's all it is, and that's all it does. It doesn't cause pain. It hurts when you hit it, sure, but that's YOU. What YOU'RE hitting is causing YOUR pain.

Same with everything else in life. Pain, pleasure and everything in between comes from how we feel about what we do.

So if you find yourself in any situation that's causing pain, and not making much headway (sorry about the pun) don't look for something outside to blame. Check to see what you're bumping into.

You might just see the light instead of the stars.

Keep that light on!
GuruStu

A Winner can lose and a Loser can win. It's what they do about it that makes all the difference.

Everybody wins, and loses, sometimes.

Both Winner and Loser can tell you their tale of woe. The Loser will gain your sympathy when they explain how it stopped them. The Winner, however, will earn your admiration when they explain how their woe inspired them to go on.

They can also share with you stories of their successes, one explaining how fleeting it can be, the other telling you how it can be duplicated.

You see, such is life. No one is immune to failure, disappointment and setbacks... just as no one has more rights to happiness and grand success than any other.

No matter what is handed to you in life, success is ultimately earned.

It doesn't matter where you've started... it matters where you finish.

It matters what you do along the way... how you handle each twist and turn... and how you experience what you see... and how many lives you touch along the many stops.

A Winner wins every moment, regardless of the circumstance.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Different isn't always better, but Better is always different.

You've heard the saying before... "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results." Yet that never stops us from trying just one... more... time... right?

We do the same thing because it's the easiest thing for us to do. It's automatic, it's habit, it's comfortable... and when we end up with the same results, we probably go through the same round of feelings, wondering when are things ever going to change.

When we do something different, right?

Nope.

"Different" is just that, different. You can exchange your dollar for quarters, dimes, nickels or quarters, but it's never going to be worth more than a dollar.

If you truly want your results, and hence your life, to be better, then you need more that 'different' you need to be BETTER.

You need to BE better. Learn more so you can do more. Do what you do just a little bit better than you did it before. Care more, so that everything you do is worth more. If you simply cannot, then enlist the help of those that do it better than you do, so that what gets done, is done better.

To get a higher standard of living, live to a higher standard.

Don't just keep the light on... make it brighter,

Wishing you all the BEST,
GuruStu

The fastest way to 'have it all' is to consider yourself a co-owner with the rest of the world.

There is abundance all around and it's great to revel in all the 'stuff' Life has to offer. It only becomes a 'problem' when act as if someone else has to lose in order for us to have something.

Did you know that there is more wealth than there are riches? There isn't enough physical money or property or valuables to equal how much people are worth. That's because we're sharing it. Money passes from hand to hand to hand. No one actually 'owns' it... we share it.

Yet if we take that concept to a much bigger view, you'll discover that we share EVERYTHING.... the air we breathe, the water we drink. Just try holding on to all the air in the world... doesn't work, does it?

So if you really want to 'have it all' just look around you.

You already do.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

One of the biggest mistakes you could make would be trying to live without them.

The perfect answer to being perfect is that there are no perfect answers. One of the biggest (and most ironic) reasons why people fail is that they are afraid to fail. They might fear ridicule, or judgment; they might tie their self-worth into their ability to get something 'right' and then end up not even trying at all. All they're left with is a life of empty dreams and never-ending, never-fulfilled potential.

Mistakes are not only a part of Life, they're an integral part of the process. They help us define what works by showing us what does NOT work.

They also teach us patience and persistence and continually test us to make sure we still have our resolve. Success may not be assured through persistence, but failure is assured through quitting.

Remember the saying "fail forward fast" meaning get the mistakes done with as soon as possible. Getting a few really good mistakes over right away can save huge amounts of time later.

So don't fear them, revere them. Respect what they have to teach us.

Now go out and goof up... because the biggest success is waiting for you just beyond.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

What do you want?

Can you feel it?

People can't see the thanks you have, only the thanks you give.

There's all this talk about having gratitude... and that's great. I'm all for being thankful for what I have... but that's a private affair. It gives me the warm and fuzzies and helps we focus on manifesting more warm and fuzzies... but it does little for making the world a better place.

GIVING thanks is just that... it's sending gratitude out into the world to do MORE than just make me feel better. It's like the ripple in the pond... it just gets bigger and bigger the more it's out there. It surrounds more and more and is felt by anyone who comes in contact with it.

So remember that this holiday season is all about giving... so let your thanks be known.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

To broaden your horizons, deepen your moments.

There's only so much time in a day. How many times have you heard it, or said it to yourself? You find yourself reaching the end of the day so quickly, wondering how you got here and how come nothing seems to have gotten done. Right?

Yet, how come some people seem to get so much done before noon?

The answer is "quality time". By that I don't mean the half hour before bedtime that an overworked parent spends reading to their kids... I mean making the most of every moment.

In order to succeed, you don't have to add more moments. You don't need to do double or triple the work than the next person. You don't even have to stop doing a lot of the stuff you do now.

Instead, just get more out of each moment.

How?

That's also quite simple...

Just put more INTO each moment.

Go into each moment knowing what you want to get out of it. Set a goal, even for the most mundane tasks. You know how to do dishes... so don't think about the dishes... and don't think about the laundry, or the day's problems while doing the dishes either... think about Love and about doing the things you love... let your mind flow over creative solutions, like the water flowing over the plate.

Or if that doesn't suit you, how about listening to a motivational CD or MP3 while you do your daily tasks?

Wouldn't that be putting more into the moment? It still takes the same amount of time it would have anyway... so see how different it is when you add to the moment?

Also, if you're going to some event, or have to do some particular project, plan out what lessons you'll get from it. Realize that even if the project you're about to work on isn't your ideal thing, you can learn the process of getting it done, so that you can use it for more important things later on.

So if you want to find more time, look inside each moment. Just go deeper.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Your word is law. If you can't be trusted with the small stuff, how can you expect to be trusted with the big stuff?

So often we don't think anyone would notice... y'know, the little white lies, the forgotten promises, the excuses about traffic and some such. It's really no big deal, right? It happens to everyone...

That is, it happens to everyone who wonders why things aren't working out right for them...

These things are sometimes so small that we fail to notice the connection, or consider them exceptions, but the fact of the matter is, how we are with the little things reflect how we are with the big things.

Putting care into the details matter... a lot; not only because they make the bigger things better, but because they make YOU better in the process.

When you put integrity into your promises, you become Trustworthy... i.e. Worthy of Trust. And that worth makes you more valuable, to yourself and to others.

And the more value you put into the world, the more value you receive.

So say what you mean and mean what you say. When you say you're going to do something or be somewhere, then make sure it is done.

Remember, it's only small stuff when you belittle it. Respect it and you will be respected in return.

Keep your word... and the light on!

GuruStu

Don't just make better choices; become a person who makes better choices.

We all make choices, every single moment, of every single day. Even those people who say "I don't have a choice" have a choice (they just decide to stick with the most 'obvious' choice, even if it's not one that they like). People make choices to succeed, and they make choices to fail. They choose to push their desires into reality, or they choose to let Life push their dreams into dust... but whatever they decide, and whatever results they get from that decision, is ultimately their choice.

Our choices are limited by our socio-economic conditions (e.g. "I don't have enough money") or because of our race, sex, nationality, preference, age... every single one of those conditions ABSOLUTELY LIMITS OUR CHOICES... they really, really do.

When we choose to let them.

Especially when it's easier to stick to the few choices before us and use them as an excuse for our failure... especially when going out to look for better choices is just "too much work" or "too far away". I mean, after all, sure, a better choice could be only a few feet away, but it might not be up the road at all, so why try, right?

Unless you really are tired of having limited choices and disappointing results. In that case, it might just be worth the effort to go out in search of more options.

Or, you don't have to go out anywhere... you could go INSIDE yourself in search of the decision makers. You know the ones, those beliefs that says you're not good enough, or not deserving enough, or that you can't do it because of (fill in the blank). You could... if you wanted to expand your life to unlimited choices... go inside and realize that the only limited choices you have are the choices that limit who you are.

You might discover that becoming a better decision maker gives you more choices... or that bigger better choices are available to those that become bigger and better first... but you really won't find that out unless you try.

It's your choice.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Negating the negative leaves you with nothing. Being positive is better than nothing.

It's not that you can't negate a negative. I just did. It's just that the best it will get you is nothing. Being positive is better than nothing.

When you negate a negative, like quitting smoking or drinking, you're left with a void. Without a replacement, it's often easier to just go back.

It's about doing something, not not-doing something.

The object is to turn the negated negative into its positive alternative. Instead of not smoking, become a non-smoker. Instead of losing weight, become your ideal weight. Both act the same, but who you are is vastly different.

Coming from that positive place, you have a goal, a vision, and outcome, already built in.You're not left in neutral, having to find something else to do. You'll not only be doing it, you'll be living it.

Now go out and be positive!!

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

PS Come visit my Facebook page and check out some of the latest interviews I did with Bob Proctor and John Assaraf at the world premiere of Three Feet From Gold (more to come!!)

Don't focus on making a difference, focus on giving value. That'll make a huge difference.

A lot of people talk about "making a difference" in the world. That's really awesome... since what they intend is to make the world better in some way.

The only thing is... that's not very clear.

Anyone can make a difference... just go stand in the middle of the road and you'll make a difference in the way people drive... but that's not very positive, now is it?

The key is not to focus on making any sort of difference... none whatsoever.

Sounds radical, I know, but the difference you make is really none of your business.

Change is going to happen completely out of your control, so don't get caught up in it. You could find yourself so wrapped up in the results that you lose sight of what you're doing in the first place.

Instead, focus on giving value to the world. Just give. It doesn't matter if you think it's good enough or big enough or right enough. As long as you give from your heart and through your talent, it's enough.

And even there, don't focus on your talent or your heart... but instead focus on the NEED. Just find a need and fill it... to the best of your ability... from the purist of intentions.

Then, and only then, will you "make a difference".

Now go!

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

Perfect!

You're the best.

Take care if yourself

We often think that rewards come from sacrifice. We put off eating right and sleeping well to pursue the money... or we think we're selfless and have to just keep giving to others, no matter what the cost. Well, the cost is you... and you're too valuable to lose.

Suffering is suffering; doesn't matter the goal. Regardless of whether or not the goal is reached, the path to it is just horrible. Life is so much more than that!



We are the vehicles of our dreams. Our goals and aspirations are created by us, and happen to us. If we slowly eat away at that vehicle, it won't matter what happens outside ourselves; we won't be able to enjoy it by the time it arrives. So we need to take care of our most valuable assets... our selves.

To do that we need to create BALANCE - which is a fair amount of effort in exchange for what we receive - and HARMONY - having each part of ourselves work well with everything else.

To achieve that, we need to fulfill each one of these areas - work, play, rest and growth. Each one feeds off of, and nurtures, the others... providing they stay in harmony and balance.

Why is it easier said than done?

Old habits get in the way; or somewhere along the way we were taught that thinking about ourselves was selfish and "selfish" is wrong.

It's also just easier to NOT take care of ourselves. Junk food is handy. Lack of exercise only needs a sofa. It's easier to come up with an excuse than it is to come up with a solution.

Why should I do it anyway?

Life decays when it's not cared for. The less we do, the less we're able to do.

The opposite is also true. The more we do, the more we are able to do. (Remember I'm saying "do" not "overdo"... keep thinking balance and harmony, balance and harmony)

Where do I begin?

Take note of all the stuff you do do... how much work, how much play, etc. Next, starts to find activities in the empty areas. Take time away from the bad things and start putting them into the good things. (That means "TAKE A BREAK" for you... and "GET OFF THAT COUCH" for you)

Start eating better, rather than stop eating poorly; start being active if you're not. Just keep track of what you're lacking and bring it in. Your balance will find itself.

Just 'cause someone agrees w/ you doesn't mean you're right; & just 'cause they disagree doesn't mean they're right either.

People like to be right... right? For the most part, people do... for many reasons. For some, it means validation; for others, love; and for still others, it at least means not having to backtrack and start over. That's why when we meet people of 'like minds' we're immediately attracted to one another. It feels comfortable, familiar... it just feels 'right'.

But just because someone agrees with your point of view, that doesn't make it any more 'real'. It just means you share common ideals. You could (theoretically) both be off track.

I'm not making this point to imply that you are 'wrong' by any means. I'm just bringing this up as a gentle reminder that all of life is perspective (even this sentence) and if we start to feel that we are 'right' we run the risk of believing that other people are 'wrong', or worse, 'less' than ourselves.

We also run the risk of easing up on our own growth, figuring that since we've already got all the answers, there's nothing else to look for.

Don't rob yourself of becoming a witness to your own Divinity, or the Divinity in others.

Life is too precious to worry about if it's right or not.

It's ALL RIGHT just the way it is.

And so are YOU.

But just remember, if you strive for everything to be ALL RIGHT, then you'll end up with NOTHING LEFT.

So I'm going now... and you can say that I ** LEFT ** you ** RIGHT ** where you started... somewhere securely in the ** MIDDLE ** of your Divine Life.

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

:-)

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?