Emotions 101 – Interview with author Luis Angel Diaz

Today I have the great pleasure of being the host on Day 12 of the Virtual Blog Tour for Memory in the Cells by author Luis Angel Diaz.

Newly translated from the popular Spanish edition, author Luis Diaz describes his book Memory in the Cells as “where Eckhart Tolle meets What the Bleep Do We Know, but taking you on a much more practical journey.” He says Memory in the Cells teaches “emotional education” and shows the reader how to transform the “pain body” into the “joy body”, helping to heal all aspects of their lives.

Yesterday, Luis visited Glenn M Smith at http://sensitiveselfhelp.com . For today’s stop on the tour, I decided to ask Luis some questions about emotions and how we can understand them and use them to be happier in our lives.

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Stu: I often talk about how thoughts create our spiritual world, while feelings create our physical world. Can you talk about feelings... what they are, where they come from and where they go after we experience them?

Luis: Our thoughts, opinions and beliefs create feelings in us. And the unconscious repetition of feelings determines our inner dialogue and our future actions and behavior.

If you explore your feelings, always, you will find a thought behind each one. Sometimes the belief is very deep and unconscious; these are called, core beliefs or personal lies.

For example, the common core belief many people share (but not many are aware of) is, "I am unworthy". This thought about oneself may trigger feelings of sadness and fear in those who are thinking it. The inner dialogue may say, "I am not important" or "Who cares?" But the opposite of that can also be active where we tell ourselves, "No one should know I am unworthy" or "I have to prove I am worthy!"

When you deeply believe you are unworthy, but you are not aware of it, you can be either totally depressed or totally stressed and overwhelmed with so many things to do. When you need to prove your own worthiness, you don't want to disappoint other people. Therefore, you take on things you wouldn't otherwise do, and you go through life rescuing people.

Imagine the impact of this belief on your health and wellbeing!

Stu: A lot of people let their emotions rule them, rather than the other way around. Why is that? How can they 'turn it around' so they can gain control of their lives?

Luis: Imagine the life experience of the child of a paranoid mother. What kind of feelings would this child have? A lot of fear, probably. He doesn't verify what his mother is saying. He just believes it and has feelings as a result.

Our bodies are always innocent. The mind matures but the body is always like a child. The body wants to love and be loved, play and have fun. It’s curious and likes adventure. That is the reason you see old people becoming like little kids after losing their mental capabilities. Without the mind and its cultural programming, things would be much simpler for us.

Our thoughts create reactions in our innocent body that "believes everything" the mind says, just like the child and his mother from the first paragraph. Harmony and wellbeing are the result of finding the balance between body and mind. It’s not achieved by killing the mind or by ruling over the body as we were told. We need the mind and we need the body working and supporting each other. The old paradigm that says the body needs to be controlled by the mind has created enough suffering in us.

When feelings in the body are allowed and not repressed, they move and we heal. When they move, they become emotions. Moving emotion is healthy as long as I take responsibility for them and don’t use them to blame others. Moving emotion is exercising our nature as energy beings that are created to recycle energy, instead of storing it.

We need emotional education. We need to know that toxic thoughts are going to create toxic feelings in us. We need to be educated in natural ways to release the emotional pollution that is the result of the feelings we have been suppressing.

Stu: How can someone positively envision something without getting caught in emotional expectations?

Luis: What is not true creates pain. What is true creates expansion and wellbeing. If we believe in lies, we suffer.

What you called "emotional expectation" is the effect upon the body causes by the activity of the mind. In this case, the mind imagines a future that matches what that mind believes. Therefore, it creates excitement or positive expectations within the body.

For example, let’s say you meet someone you like, and two hours into the conversation you are imagining yourself having a family with this person. This imagination is called fantasy and is just as toxic as negative expectations. It’s the result of a programming received by the culture we were brought up.

For visioning to be effective and genuine, it needs to be fueled by the person's values. These are the core priorities that generate aliveness inside us and connection with our source. The moment we bring the cultural programming into the process, it gets polluted and the whole thing stops working.

Stu: What advice would you give to people who try to avoid all negative emotions, thoughts, situations, etc?

Luis: We all want freedom and love and peace; isn’t that true? They are what I called "human values". There are several of them, but I am going to use these three as examples.

How do we feel when we don’t have these values? Angry, upset, sad, anxious, afraid, etc.

How do we feel when we do have them? Joyful, calm, creative, inspired, connected to life, loving, etc.

Both negative and positive feelings are important for us. We need to listen to all of them. They tell us how far or how close we are from our values. It’s not true that we need to avoid the first and favor the second in order to have good life. On the contrary, feelings, (positive or negative) are part of our guidance system. And without this system we are lost and confused.

Stu: What's one thing that people can do RIGHT NOW to change the course of their lives for the better?

Luis: I teach and train people to reconnect with their bodies and honor and respect their feelings, especially the negative ones. They are all messages to the owner. If we dismiss those messages, they will keep coming back louder and louder until we finally hear them!

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I hope you enjoyed this interview with Luis Angel Diaz and that you’ll check out his new book Memory in the Cells, which is coming to Amazon on Tuesday October 5, 2010. You can receive a complete library of beautiful personal development gifts when you buy the book on the day of its launch, including one from me: a free download of "Toon Up Your Life.”

In addition, Luis is hosting a very special FREE telesummit entitled “Healing at a Cellular Level” on September 27^th, 28^th and 29^th with a distinguished panel of some of today’s most inspiring authors and speakers on the topic of emotional healing and holistic wellbeing. If you’d like to attend, all you have to do is request a “launch reminder” about the book, and you’ll receive all the information to attend. If you cannot make the live event, you can download the audio at your convenience.

To find out how to buy Luis’s book and receive these gifts,
including the FREE pass to the 3-day online telesummit, go to

http://www.memoryinthecells.com

AND you can read all about the telesummit and the guests at http://tinyurl.com/cmr-telesummit

Be sure to follow Luis tomorrow when the next stop on his Virtual Blog Tour is Callie Carling´s Blog http://empoweredhealer.co.uk

As usual, please do feel free to share your comments and thoughts below. I love reading your feedback.

Giving in is not giving up

Life has its moments... of uplifting joy and debilitating sadness. Welcome to Life. It only seems unfair because we can't feel the pain of others, and our load seems heaviest because it's what we have to carry.

But everyone goes through life in their own way, the best way they know how.

And I know that there are times when you feel that the best you can do isn't good enough... that it's all 'too much'... and you just want to give up. I get it. I've been there.

But it's at times like that when giving up just won't solve the problem. In fact, it probably will make it worse.

So, instead, just give in.

Give in to the pain and the sorrow... and the frustrations that darken every moment. You're human... and one of the gifts we get with the human experience is feeling emotions. THEY are not our enemies. So don't fight THEM.

When you give up, you stop taking action. When you give in, you might feel horrible, but you do it anyway. When you give up, you can feel like a failure... when you give in, you end up feeling human (and that's really not a bad thing at all!)

So give yourself permission to be yourself... going through what you're going through. Feel that you're going to feel, and adjust your actions to match your current CIRCUMSTANCES rather than your current MOOD.

You are better than what tries to bring you down. So don't give in to THEM... give in to YOU.

And THAT will keep the light on!

GuruStu

Piece, Out...

Peace by Piece... a New Dawn Awaits!

Remember the interview I did on Saturday with E. Dee Conrad? Well, today (Tuesday September 21st) is the official launch of the brand new book by E.Dee Conrad, A New Dawn Awaits: The Times ahead and How to Shift Your Consciousness.

What's most interesting is that this book, which has so much to do with the future of humanity, is celebrating its launch on World Peace Day (although the launch wasn't planned that way). In this time of stress and anxiety the link between E.Dee’s book and World Peace Day seems such a perfect fit.

A New Dawn Awaits is described as being, “a compassionate and inspiring channelled collection of short inspirational reflections, bringing together wisdom of the ages, showing us how to access knowledge that has been part of our consciousness, but has been dormant, for eons. It is a book to help readers reach inwards into their divine essence and outwards to the energy that connects us as one humanity.”

The launch started officially at 12:01 AM Pacific, Tuesday September 21st.

If you purchase A New Dawn Awaits today, you can receive a complete library of personal development gifts from dozens of leading authors, coaches, healers and teachers on the subject of consciousness and self-awareness.

To purchase the book can claim your bonus gifts, just go to http://tinyurl.com/NewDawnAwaits

There you will find links to purchase the book from Amazon (US, Canada and UK), and instructions on how to claim your bonus gifts, including a collection of my cartoons, "Toon Up Your Life" and some other stuff I threw in "just because."

Last week, hundreds of listeners got to know 1st-time author E.Dee Conrad, when she and me dear friend Lynn Serafinn co-hosted the 3-Day Telesummit entitled, “The Shift. The Message. The Transformation.” If you were amongst these listeners, I'm sure you'll agree with Lynn when she says, “E.Dee is one of the kindest, most balanced and natural people I know, and her message is full of compassion, hope and common sense.”

Lynn also says, “I believe when people read New Dawn Awaits, it will help them to rise above the anxieties the media tend to stir up about the future. On the other hand, I also believe E.Dee’s book will help to bring people’s understanding of the evolution of consciousness out of the realm of the ‘cosmic’, and back down to Earth at a practical level.”

I know E.Dee’s motivation for writing the book is simply to “get the message out”: the message that “a new dawn awaits” —a bright and exciting new dawn—for all of us in the times ahead. I do encourage you to check out A New Dawn Awaits on World Peace Day, Tuesday Sept 21st.

Buy A New Dawn Awaits by E.Dee Conrad on Sept 21st
and can claim your bonus gifts at
http://tinyurl.com/NewDawnAwaits

Don’t worry about not having enough time to download all the bonus gifts. As long as you purchase the book during the launch, you’ll have access to the download page until the end of September.

AND… if you happened to miss the 3-Day Telesummit, you also can download the audio for free when you buy the book during the launch, as her gift to you.

Know your limitations. None.

From the time we're born, we're taught to believe that we are limited; constantly told we can't do something, or are compared to others, or told that we need to be humble about our own magnificence.

Now I know that not everyone does things the same... and, of course, there are people who excel at things you don't... but that doesn't mean that you have to feel LIMITED.

The secret is to do what you do do and don't do what you don't do.

Within the realm of your possibilities are infinite combinations. All you need to do is focus on what you do well, and do it better... fill yourself up and push aside whatever makes you feel "less than".

... Then have fun mixing and matching your skills until you can discover just how multi-faceted you really are.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Today is where tomorrow begins...

Whenever I go on an adventure, I love taking a tour, don't you? It not only helps you to find your way around, it gives you details you wouldn't get by going it alone.

The same goes for this little stop here.

This is Day 12 of the Virtual Blog Tour for A New Dawn Awaits by author E.Dee Conrad, and I'm your humble tour guide for the day.

A New Dawn Awaits is a compassionate and inspiring channelled collection of short inspirational reflections, bringing together wisdom of the ages, showing us how to access knowledge that has been part of our consciousness, but has been dormant, for eons. E.Dee’s intention in writing this book is to help readers reach inwards into their divine essence and outwards to the energy that connects us as one humanity.

Yesterday, E.Dee visited Callie Carling’s blog http://www.holisticfeathers.co.uk/.

As part of my teaching "DARE to be your BEST" I stress the importance of going beyond Thought. Of course, Thoughts ultimately creates our Physical Worlds, but what creates Thought?

So, for today’s stop on the tour, I interview E.Dee on the topic of consciousness, that which shapes our thoughts, and where we, as a humanity, are heading next.

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Stuart: So tell me, what is "Consciousness"?

E.Dee: Consciousness is your awareness of your unique thoughts, emotions, memories, and environment. It is your awareness of what is going on around you and inside of you.

Stuart: How can someone become a "conscious being"?

E.Dee: A “conscious being” is one who is knowingly aware of what is going on in their internal as well as external worlds. We can all increase our level of individual awareness by paying attention to our thoughts.

Stuart: If thoughts shape our reality, what shapes our thoughts?

E.Dee: Emotions are the cornerstone upon which all thoughts and actions are based. Without emotions, there would be no you. Emotions create and color your thoughts. These thoughts then bring about a manifested reality, a tangible world full of experiences and events.

Stuart: People often think they want something that they really don't want? How can they get into alignment with what they truly want?

E.Dee: One way is to become aware of what emotion is driving the desire. Is it a positive and constructive emotion or is it a negative and destructive emotion?

In order to be in balance and harmony with the universe, try to live your life according to the principles of unconditional love and gratitude. Try to think of others like you would want them to think of you. Treat others like you would want them to treat you.

Stuart: What trips people up the most when manifesting things into their lives?

E.Dee: Not knowing or understanding what is really motivating you or what emotion is driving you can create hiccups in the manifestation process. For example, if you are trying to manifest a new job and your motivation is a need for power, then you will never have enough to alleviate the thirst for power because it is a negative emotion and negative emotions can never be fully satisfied.

Don’t try to control or create your future. Life is not meant to be a struggle or a competition. Life is a delicate balance few of us understand, so let go and see what life brings.

Learn to embrace change and take action from a place of peace and balance, and not fear or doubt. Be grateful for what you have and what you do not have, knowing that you are a creator of your life, not a victim of it.

Stuart: With 2012 just around the corner, some people are saying that the world is coming to an end, while others say it's just coming to an end as we know it. Where do you see the world coming to?

E.Dee: The universe, like nature, is cyclical and we are coming to the end of a cycle. At this moment, we are standing on stage and ready to witness the greatest transformation of spirit humankind has ever experienced. Humanity is beginning to wake up to the true nature of reality. Not everyone will make the shift at this time, but those who do will find themselves in a world where spiritual growth has replaced greed and the need for money and power.

Stuart: What can we do NOW to change tomorrow?

E.Dee: Become aware of your thoughts. Awareness alone is enough to bring about a change in your thought patterns without additional effort on your part. Your negative thoughts will automatically decrease and your positive thoughts will increase, bringing about a better life for you and everyone else.

Stop putting out more hatred and fear. Take responsibility and do what you can to minimize the cycle of pain and grief the world is now experiencing. Get in touch with your inner self, your inner being, and re-access your limitless supply of compassion and understanding. Help make the world a better place immediately by putting away your fears and worries and getting in touch with your eternal core, your eternal essence of love.

You don’t have to become perfect overnight. All you have to do is make an attempt…try. That is all you have to do in order to proceed to the next level of being.

Stuart: Thanks for sharing YOUR thoughts!


* * * * *

I hope you enjoyed this interview with E.Dee Conrad and that you’ll check out her book A New Dawn Awaits, which is coming to Amazon on Tuesday September 21, 2010. You can receive a collection of over 30 beautiful personal development gifts when you buy her book on the day of her launch.

In addition, E.Dee is hosting a very special FREE telesummit entitled “The Shift. The Message. The Transformation” on September 14th, 15th and 16th with nine of today’s most vibrant authors and speakers on the topic of the consciousness, transformation and the global “shift” occurring on our planet today. If you’d like to attend, all you have to do is request a “launch reminder” about the book, and you’ll receive all the information to attend. If you cannot make the live event, you can download the audio at your convenience.

To find out how to buy E.Dee’s book and receive these gifts, including the FREE pass to the 3-day online telesummit, go to http://spiritauthors.com/pages/edee/new-dawn-awaits-by-edee-conrad.html

AND you can read all about the telesummit and the guests on the 3 days at
http://virtualspiritualevents.com

Be sure to follow E.Dee tomorrow when the next stop on her Virtual Blog Tour is
Paula Tarrant’s blog at http://www.inspiredwomenwork.com/blog.

As usual, please do feel free to share your comments and thoughts below. I love reading your feedback.


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Come spend time at my main site, GuruStu.com

When you're a party of one, shouldn't you be the life of it?

Parties are interesting events, aren't they? Some people love 'em, other people despise them. And then there are your characters, the "one in every crowd"... the loner/wallflower on the one end and the 'life of the party' on the other.

So which are you?

And which one are you when you're a 'party of one'?

You know that old adage, "Bitter... Party of One... Bitter... Party of One!" which is very true that bitter people tend to be alone... but that doesn't mean the reverse has to be true; that just because you're alone, there has to be something wrong.

Now we could talk about being in a relationship and all that, but that's really another story. I just would really rather talk about You... Alone.

Being alone is freedom, even if it's only for five minutes. When you're alone, you're 'it' and the time is all yours.

So do you spend most of it feeling bad that you're alone? Or do you do things just for you? Do you tap into the awesome power of Aloneness?

If you're next thoughts wander into 'but I never have ENOUGH time' or 'I don't know what to do with myself' then you're wasting time. You're wasting NOW because you're thinking about doing nothing when you are alone (when you have no what, you have nowhere)... and you're really going to be wasting time when you get to 'Alone' because you came into it unprepared.

So take the time now, whether you're alone now or not, and think about what YOU really, really want to do.

Then when you have the time to yourself. jump at the opportunity...

... and party hearty!

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

More Now Later...

I love the Now so much, I'm going to have more Now later.

When the wind is with you, be a sail; when against, be a kite.

I don't know if you noticed this, but the wind blows... pretty much wherever it wants to. It can pick up speed, slow down, change directions at a whim... and none of it is personal.

Of course you wouldn't know it by talking to some people. You know the ones, who usually tell you how much the world is against them. Doesn't matter that the wind is blowing the same direction for you too.

You haven't cursed the wind at that time too, have you?

Good, I didn't think so.

Oh, I know it's tempting to do so and all, but you and I know better... that the wind just blows... and spitting into it usually just ends up with unpleasant results.

So that leaves us with the better choice, of focusing on what we CAN change... ourselves... rather than rely on the wind to do all the work.

So when the wind is at our backs (i.e. The Good Times) that's when it's best to be like a sail... catch the wind... go for the ride as far as you can go... and enjoy it while you're at it!

And then, when the wind shifts and is now coming right at us (i.e. The Bad Times) remember to catch the wind in another way... like a kite. Be lifted up... rise above the forces that appear to be against you. You may not go the distance that you'd like, but boy will you reach new heights!

And, I know you wouldn't think this, but sometimes that obnoxious little voice in people's heads go "yeah, but what do you do when the wind stops completely?"

Row!

Happy journeys and keep the light on!
GuruStu

A negative attitude is like an onion. It might taste good to you, but to everyone else, it just stinks.

Have you ever notice how flavorful food becomes when you add onions? The right amount, cooked in just the right way and bam! Your food just rocks!

On the other hand, you ever notice that everyone else knows you've had onions, and their opinions aren't the same as yours?

Yeah, onions are meant for private experiences.

It's the same thing when you have a negative attitude.

It simmers with all your other emotions and it can just feel so good, to feel so bad. Maybe you're fired up with anger, or swept away by your melancholy, or you just feel so comfortable being uncomfortable.

So peal away all the delicate layers... and think twice about it to the recipe of your life. It's not really helping you as much as you think it is and everyone else definitely can smell it a mile away.

Keep it light!
GuruStu

Riddle me this...

Life is a puzzle where not every piece fits.

It's not about what you want... It's about what you really, really, really, REALLY want.

If you have a child, or ever was one, you know the game of 'why?'. It starts off innocently enough, like "why is the sky blue?" and then the little why's-ones keep asking "why?" to every answer you can come up with (It usually ends with "because I said so" but that's another story).

The point is: It's almost never about the first thing you can think of... or the second... or third... it goes way deeper than that.

The why's dominate our lives and don't turn into wis-dom until we can bring those answers to the surface.

If you ask anyone "What do you want?" you could get a very quick laundry list of more STUFF... bigger home, new car, better job... or it could be a list of LESS stuff... less stress, less weight, less annoying people. Whatever it is, it isn't the answer.

So ask "why?"
The first level down usually uncovers a desire for more pleasure or less pain. It's showing some of the misalignment between where someone is and where they want to be.

But it's still not the answer.
When you get to the "What do you really, really, really want" level (3 levels down) you start to get a glimpse of the person underneath... without the "responsibilities" and "details" and "excuses" that weigh them down and keep them from manifesting their authentic lives.

I find a lot of marketers target this area in other people's lives. They "nail it" with the saying, "Freedom to do what you want to do, with whomever you want to do it with, whenever you want to" (or some variation therein).

Because people do want to be free to be themselves... I mean, don't you?

But then... why?

The deeper you go, the more you will discover that what people really, really, really, REALLY want is to be CONNECTED. The word LOVE often comes up here... or higher beings... or God... or the universe... or LIFE... whatever it is. It will look different for each person, but it's all basically the same.

(Note: people who say they want to disconnect usually do so on one of the upper levels, and it's because they've given up on the idea that connection is possible)

And even if you get to the level where you "know" your deep want to be connected, there's always another "why?" just beyond.

Some people look outside themselves for the answers; and so they look to others to "complete" them... or they buy stuff to impress people they don't really care about. Others look inside themselves... and end up dumping the outside world.

And still others "get it". They know their deepest desires and align their thoughts, words and deeds to match... and their why's become wiser.

And how do I know why that is?

Because I said so :-)

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

You’ll find yourself underneath who you think you are.

From the time we’re born we start adding layers to our lives. We begin by defining our roles as The Child; and as we grow, we learn to play The Student, The Friend, The Lover, The Spouse, The Parent, The Worker… you get the idea.

While roles help us bring order and make progress in our lives, they can also restrict us… especially when we take those roles so seriously. Sure you DO those things, but it’s important to remember that they are not who you ARE.

YOU are so much more than that.

And you’re not going to know that by looking at what you DO.

Go deeper.

Look under the carpet and behind the curtain you call Life.

You’ll find yourself just as soon as you forget yourself.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Don't waste time proving yourself. Spend time leaving proof of yourself.

It's amazing how much time we spend trying to prove ourselves to other people. Some people I know are spending their entire lives trying to please people who aren't even on this planet anymore. That's what happens when we look outside ourselves for some sign that we're "good enough."

You are...

...and you don't need to do that anymore.

Imagine how different your life will be if instead of proving yourself, you spend your time leaving proof that you are here. It will look surprisingly similar, but it will be worlds apart.

You're here because the world needs you... so tell that little voice to shut up.

You have amazing skills and gifts to give... so stop hogging it behind a veil of shyness and false humility.

And what you leave behind is what you make while you are here... so don't wait until then to wish you had something to leave.

Right now, know that you are amazing and what you give now... will change the future.

You don't need the proof... you ARE the proof.

And I don't need to prove it... so just trust me on that.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Of course you're amazing just the way you are, but the world won't know it until you show them.

Do you know what's truly amazing about you? Out of all the variations and combinations that ever were, and ever will be; through all the choices, circumstance and happenstance, everything came together to make YOU.

What are the odds on that? Beyond astronomical. It's astounding!

So you're pretty darn special!

... That's good to know.

Do you wanna know what would be even more special than just you knowing that?

... If the world knew it too.


We are Finite
Yeah, yeah, deep down inside, we are all infinite beings, with infinite possibilities, I know... but within each life here on Earth, we have a certain set of skills and passions and connections; like a hand in a game of cards. That's the way it's supposed to be, because we need to share our cards (ie skills and passions and connections) in order to enhance and expand each other.


We Get More by Giving
When we give to others, two things can happen. The more they like you, the more doors they will open; and secondly, giving to others often triggers their desire to give back.


(I've personally received so much more when I've given more, so I can't GIVE you this advice enough)

People Talk
Good or bad, people like to share. So what you put out there will continue to go out there; all based on the effect you have on them.

On a plus note, that means the more you give, the more that is given.


Show 'Em
Now, while people like to talk, they don't always like to listen. You can tell them how amazing you all all you want, but they probably won't believe you until you SHOW THEM.

You do that by BEING your greatness and by constantly finding new ways to get your greatness out into the world.

So now you know you're amazing and I know you're amazing, but there's a whole big world out there just waiting to know it too.

Keep that light on!

GuruStu

Acceptance is Acknowledgement, not Abandonment.

Whenever I talk about 'Acceptance' invariably someone brings up some negative encounter; be it an injustice, a disagreement or just plain 'bad luck' ... and then they ask if they MUST accept it.

While my answer to that is "YES" it doesn't mean that you do nothing about it.

'Acceptance' comes in many forms and it will vary based on the situation... but in every case, it's about acknowledging that something is the way it is. It's neither better nor worse, good nor bad; it just is...

One way to accept is to 'Let Go'... it's like taking your hands off the wheel and just watching what happens. It certainly can be freeing, but it also gives up control to anything and everything everything else; so the results may not turn out as you would like.

Another way is to 'Allow'... which is similar to letting go, but more active in the observation. I'd say it's more like 'loosing up your grip' as opposed to 'letting go.'

My favorite form of acceptance though is to 'Affirm'. That means to recognize that 'it is what it is' and accepting your responsibility in making it the best possible experience. Even when it's not the 'ideal' situation to be in, you can still make it the best IT can be. I've often heard that referred to as 'Making the most of a bad situation' or 'Turning lemons into lemonade.'

Whatever it is, it's not burying your head in the sand, tolerating an injustice or being overwhelmed by circumstance. It's embracing life for what it is, reconnecting with what you want it to be, and committing to make it happen.

And you can accept that as your final answer... or not.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Only keep routines that keep you en route.

Habits are helpful. They can help shape our day; make parts of it easier because of practice and generally give us a sense of identity too.

They can also be harmful, especially when they're small. Smaller habits can actually be bigger problems, because they're small enough to go unnoticed, but they can rob us of valuable time, set us off in the wrong direction or just keep us as small as they are.

Question everything
Just because you've 'always done it this way' doesn't mean that it's good for you. It's just comfortable for you. There's a huge difference.

Try something new
Do one thing differently than you did before. It can be just as small as any other routine; just one you're not used to. You'll notice how 'strange' it seems; which can shed light on the past routine, as well as all the other routines that relied on the old routine. Whole new avenues can open up just by 'trying' one new thing.

Keep the good ones
By trying something new, you'll also find that some of the old ones were chosen for a good reason... they work! If an old routine works to keep you going towards your goals, keep at 'em!

Make 'em bigger
If you want more, and it works, work it more. Either do more of it, do it bigger, or duplicate it. Teaching others your good routines taps into the Law of Leverage... which can help you (and others) grow exponentially.

You know the saying "Success is a journey, not a destination" but did you know that your routines ARE the journey?

So get to the route of it...

...and keep the light on!
GuruStu

Gotta love it

You win when you don't have to.

Maintenance is as important as Growth

Growth is great. It's what propels us forward and gives us a purpose for moving boldly into tomorrow. Yet if all you do is focus on it, you're missing half of the equation.

Once something arrives, it starts to head into the past. It gets used, it gets old; it decays. While it doesn't sound pleasant when you put it like that, it's just a part of the cycle of life. It's needed for the overall sustainability of Life itself. So it's important to recognize it and to live with it.

Acceptance is Acknowledgement, not Abandonment.

Just because you recognize it and accept it for what it is, that doesn't mean you have to just let it happen. Actually it's imperative that you take care of it; that's why it was given to you.

Maintenance is the foundation of Growth. It's your baseline. Growth is simply a higher baseline for you to maintain.

So take the time to care for what you already have. Mend the holes, polish back the shine, and get the rest you need now.

Rejuvenation today means invigoration tomorrow.

Make it shine!
GuruStu

Our lives are not measured by the steps we take, but by the path we leave.

I'm a reflective kind of guy. I don't mean shiny, although I do need SPF80 just to go out in the sun. I mean I like to look back upon the path I've made and think about where I'm going to go next.

I like to do it twice a year... New Year's and my Fiscal Year, also known as my Birthday. It very enlightening to summarize one year's time, as well as look at the half way mark to get that sense of belonging right where you are. Owning the moments... the ones that got you here, and the ones that lay ahead.

When I think about my one year accomplishments, it's astounding to realize that the majority of them actually took place in the first half of this year. It's as if the last half of last year was leading up to what unfolded since January 1.

It was the very last few days of last year when I sat down to write the novelized version of DARE to be your BEST. Every day I immersed myself in it and hardly noticed that three months had gone by when the last few words were captured.

"But only if we DARE."

(I'm not really giving anything away by telling you that)

As if on cue, a status update from a Facebook friend said "I just joined the Next Top Spiritual Author contest, check it out!" popped up on my phone.

"But only if we DARE" popped into my head.

So that moment I jumped right in and committed my energy and love into the contest. what an amazing experience it has been. I put together a book proposal, got onto radio shows, started new joint ventures and made friendships that will far outlast this contest.

The fact that I've made it into the top 25, out of 2,800 original participants ain't bad either. (PS It's up to the judges now, so no more emails from me about voting). What really made the news special was when Round 3 was announced, I was actually at a private retreat with the mentors who inspired the characters in the book. How cool is that?

So now I'm back to my "Sacred Hour" of writing every day, and am immersed in the second draft... realizing just how much I missed these people. The bonds I've formed with my characters are as strong as my friendships among the other participants. To the mind and heart, there is no separation, right?

So what about you?

More than likely it's not your birthday today (I know one other exception to that... Happy Birthday!!) yet we are half way through the course of the year.

Are you half way to your goals for January 1, next year? What do you need to add, subtract or adjust?

I changed course a couple of times this year, and have gotten farther because of it. So it's far from "too late". Even if you make fewer steps this year, you can still take big strides.

"But only if you DARE."

Keep the light on!
Stu

Oh, it was nothing...

Nothing really is something.

You always have a choice; even not to believe that.

Have you ever found yourself saying "I don't have a choice" followed by details about "responsibilities" or "inabilities" of some sort; really convincing yourself that there's only one way for you to go.

For that one moment, you're right.

It's not true, but you are right.

You have "no choice" but not because there aren't choices, but rather because you either can't see other options or believe that everything else is less than desirable.

Oh sure, you may face a lot of unpleasant choices, and opt for the less painful one... but what's really, really (really) important here is the recognition that you are STILL MAKING A CHOICE.

Recognizing that brings the control of the situation to you... and that the first step to having more control, and more choices, in the future.

After that, open up your mind to the possibility of other possibilities. When you tie yourself down by limited thoughts and beliefs, you end up with limited results; and that in turn makes it appear like you have less choices.

Expand yourself! The bigger you are, the more choices you have. If you increase your wealth, your health, your family, your friends, your circle expands; and your choices expand in all directions.

Perhaps it comes in the form of more education... or better associations with people living the life you wish for... or a better paying job... whatever it is, go for it. Go for something bigger than your circumstances.

That is... if you want to have more choices.

If you prefer to think you have no choice; well, that's your choice.

Just choose wisely.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

Shhh...

Sometimes what youdon't say is more important.

Those who know, know.. y'know?

There's a saying, "never explain, your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe it anyway" yet all too often we get distracted by someone else's opinion that is less than favorable.

That happens because we have this desire to be loved and accepted by all, and it can be shocking to find out that other people simply don't see the world the way we do. Or even tougher to deal with, another person has gone on a very direct attack on our beliefs or our character.

It can be so jarrng as to knock you out of the game.

If you let it.

So don't.

Everyone has an opinion
First take a look at what they're saying. Is it simply a difference of perspective? They may not be attacking youl they may simply be stating their view in a very strong way. You can look at that with curiosity, instead of defensiveness and see if you may sway in yoru opinion or reconfirm your own perspective.

Consider the source
Is this someone who genuinely loves and cares about you and what they are saying is in your best interest? Is it well-intended? Or is this someone who feels the need to put you down in order for them to feel better about themselves? Some people are disruptive because it's the only way they know how to stay in control. Instead of reacting to them in a confrontation, you have other choices. You can question them to see how strong they can withstand scrutiny, or you can choose to ignore them, if their argument does nto warrent further discussion.

Seek good company
Confronting others can leave you frazzled. Seek out the company of people who love and support you. It will be a welcome relief and give you a 'safe' place to recuperate.

Get to the core
Reflect upon the very core of the issue. Learn, if there are lessons. Reconnect, if there are commitments. It never hurts to reconnect to your core values; in fact, it can be invigorating.

Get back on course
Get back to taking actions that are true to yourself and your beliefs. Just because the wind blows doesn't mean you ahve to go off-course. You can just adjust your sails.

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

PS In the Next Top Spiritual Author contest, you can now leave comments when you vote. Isn't that awesome! Talk abotu a place to be supportive... check it out. http://YESonSTU.com/

Just a Li'l

We spend a lot of time thinking we need to do a lot of stuff; only to end up doing nothing and losing what time we have. We make it a big all-or-nothing deal, when really all we need is just a lil something to make it all happen.

I used to write "BTN" on the board whenever I was working on a project. People used to think it stood for "button" and wondered "why would he put a button up in that corner?" It actuality, it stood for "Better Than Nothing" and it was to be a simple solution for an immediate need. Many of them grew to become quite something.

It just goes to show you what can happen when you throw in just a lil bit of magic.

Learn a Li'l
It's time to think of one thing that we don't know; doesn't matter what it is... just something we'd like to know that we don't know now. Look it up on the web, go to the library, ask a friend... but take the first step to learning it. The answers are out there, we just need to find them.

Learning just one lil thing adds to the toolbox from which we'll work.

Do a Li'l
Then there's all that stuff that we know we need to do, but have been putting off... fixing the faucet, cleaning out the garage, returning that phone call. Rather than put it off, which really only keeps it hovering over our lives, why not just 'bite the bullet' and get it out of the way.

Doing a lil something that we don't want to do can bring great relief once it's done.

Do a Li'l More
The stuff we do well, we often take for granted. We think since we do it right, we don't need to do it better. Challenge that. Ask, "can I do a lil something to make this good thing great?" You'll be surprised when you realize you can.

We come into this world taking lil steps. It worked then. It'll work now.

WRONG= Whatever Redirects Our Natural Grace

First off, 'wrong' is a judgmental label, and it's really not my place to discuss that. However, the thoughts we think and the actions that we take do result in experiences that we either like or don't like. So in that case, 'wrong' is any direction that's bumpier than you want it to be.

That's why I broke it down to be "Whatever Redirects Our Natural Grace".

At first I was tempted to say "Natural Growth" but that would have been "wrong" because oftentimes it's the bumpiest, most painful experiences that help us grow the most.

Instead I chose to focus on that inner state of being that we all have; the one that's sheltered from the storm of the physical world; that knows divinity outside the daily world.

Grace is the peaceful state of our spirit; the one we can 'hear' when we're silent... and it's the most natural state of being. when we let it flow to the surface, peace permeates every pore of our lives. When we push our daily worries down inside us, our grace gets clogged and unable to do what it does best.

So it's easy to tell if something is 'wrong'. Just ask yourself, "is there Grace here?" If you can feel the peace and purpose and love and light, then you're on the 'right' track.

Whatever Redirects Our Natural Grace is 'WRONG'

So ask yourself, "Really, Is Grace Here Today?"

RIGHT!

Keep the light on!

GuruStu

XOXO

Love helps us re-remember

If it was 'easier done than said' would you do it?

In my inspirational talks to people, I love showing people just how far they really can go. This is typically met with that oft-said resister, "That's easier said than done."

Well, duh!

Why do you think I SAID it?

My 'typical' response back to them includes things like:

"I never said it was easy..."

"Most things are..."

and...

"It's easier done than not done."

All too often, people say "it's easier said than done" not as a recognition of saying vs doing. It's said as an excuse for not doing it.

No matter how much the person may claim they want something, "ESTD" means "It's 'too much work' and I'm not gonna do it."

Fine. No, really, that's fine... don't do it.

Just don't want it anymore...

Just don't sit there depressed or angry with the way things are, and drown yourself in your sorrows and reality series, dreaming you lost all the weight or won the million dollars.

Yes, it IS easier said than done.

But do you WANT it?

If you DO, then you need to DO it.

In the end, it won't have been easier done than said, but it will be so much sweeter a reward DONE, than said and NOT DONE.



PS Have you seen my latest video for the Next Top Spiritual Author Contest. It's so CUTE!!! I'm going to use it after the contest to promote the new book, plus show it to all my friends. Pass it along, will you?

YESonSTU.com

PPS Pass it to 10 or more of your friends, and send me an email at Stu(at)GuruStu.com and you'll be entered to win one of three 3-hour private coaching sessions. Whoot Whoot!

Everyone who has ever failed can tell you how hard it is. So can everyone who succeeded.

Life has its ups and downs, its good moments and bad; times when it seems like it's working for you, and other times when it's working against you... but guess what? It isn't.

It does what it does, because it is what it is.

It only SEEMS like it's doing something because of what YOU are doing at the time.

It's like the wind. It's just blowing. It's 'easy' when you're going in its direction, 'difficult' when you're not.

The more you learn to work WITH the wind, the easier it will become. If you're like a kite, the wind against you will take you higher... and it will do so 'easily'.

The same goes for people in their pursuit of happiness and success. Some people seem to 'have it all' while others struggle with the simplest of things. It's usually just jealousy rearing its ugly head when you look at someone else and think they've "got it easy".

People see the boss in the fancy car in the fancy driveway and think it just magically came to them. Yet they never saw the years of long hours, battling poverty and doubt, only to persevere while others gave up.

That's the secret... perseverance... and faith. Belief in what you're doing, enough to keep going while the wind is against you.

"Hard times" are pretty much the same for everyone, even though they differ in their details. The biggest difference between success and failure is:

What are you going to do about it?

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

PS Are you living your BEST life? Do you DARE to be more? Come check out http://YesOnStu.com.

...

Some things say more the less they get said.

Commmit, Don't Conflict

Making our dreams a reality takes commitment, determination. Each of our actions must be sincere, full of integrity and in line with the intended outcome. However, all too often, something else comes up, with seemingly good intentions, that require the same type of commitment. Then, like two horses pulling in opposite directions, we get nowhere.

If it doesn't fit, it shouldn't conflict...

Know the outcome
It's important to focus on the end goal; not only to know what it is, but embrace it. See it, feel it, be it. If there's more than one, then serious choices have to be made. If they live in harmony, and enhance one another, great. Perhaps they can even be combined into a single vision. If however they contradict one another, then every action we take will be away from one or the other.

"What do I want?"

Measure everything
In every moment, we are met up with events. They may be good; they may be bad; they may go unnoticed... but to every moment there is an action, or a reaction. Something is happening... and that something is either helping to move us forward or it's not. Whenever a new event enters our life, it's important to check it up against our outcomes.

"Will this get me there?"

Don't commit
... to anything, or everything... at least until it's been measured. Nothing kills a dream quicker than a commitment to something else.

"Does it fit?"

Recommit
Speaking of commitment, this is the right time to recommit to current goals. It's time to look around and see how it's been going, to determine what still needs to get done.

"Do I still want it?"

Follow throughThen all that's left is the doing. "Doing" is the only way to get things done.

"When am I going to make it happen?"

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