The Universe and God

Recently I was asked my views on ‘God’.
To me the word God is just a tag that has been associated with something beyond our understanding.
Throughout history humankind has need something external that they believed didn’t possess the faults, limitations or weakness of man. Whether that be indeginous tribes or modern man.
My Universe is within me.
The more I free myself of doubt, guilt and limiting beliefs the greater my Universe. We have unlimited potential when we take responsibilty for our destiny. My life is like a flowing river that has its’ course altered by unexpected obstacles or an increase in flow (energy).
My general direction is clear but never in a straight line. Life will give us so much if we allow our course to be altered without fear of going in the wrong direction.
There are many ‘techniques’ for going inward but to me the most effective method is being honest with yourself. Stand in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eyes and talk about your fears, strengths, weakness and dreams.
Your Universe will deliver answers. Some you may not like.
There is no ‘Secret’. Sitting cross-legged trying to manifest abundance, is in my opinion, an exercise in delusion.
Embracing Life is what our brief stint on this sphere is all about.
Let Life touch you. It may well result in bruises or worse but how can we grow and develop our potential?
Walking through Life with a strong self belief and open heart will deliver wonderful opportunities and experiences.
It is old advice but sit with a four year old and they will show you how big and wonderful the Universe is. They don’t need any ‘techniques’, they just are!
Remember, when you are looking in the mirror, smile at the person looking back.

Your Destiny

Watch your thoughts;
they become words.
Watch your words;
They become actions.
Watch your actions;
They become habits.
Watch your habits;
They become character.
Watch your character;
It becomes your destiny.

Common Sense

An Obituary printed in the London Times – Interesting and sadly rather true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn’t always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Life Skills

Develop Life skills.

Accept the disappointments along with the joys.
There will be an abundance of both in your life.
It is how you react to an event which matters the most.
Don’t be crushed by adversity or sorrow.
Take them on board as Life lessons and move on.
Grow.
We must continually soak up Life’s lessons.
Both the good and the bad.
We will not learn or grow from staying safe, not interacting, not questioning or taking risks.
Life gives us the opportunity to grow or stagnate.
It offers the same deal to everyone.
The sun shines on the pauper as well as the millionaire.
It rains equally on the intellectual and the dunce.
How we take on Life and its lessons determines whether we evolve as a person or not.
Remember, you can’t appreciate the joys of Spring if you have never experienced Winter.
Feed the mind and soul with the images of Life.
Whether they be the wonders of nature, the smile of another person, the unconditional love of a pet, the touch of a loved one, the inner glow from achievement or just the wonder of being alive.
When you feed yourself, you will feed many others time and time again.

We can’t take on Life’s lessons to grow if we have inner turmoil.
Find peace.
Peace within yourself.
Create space in your mind and soul.
You must forgive yourself for all your past mistakes – don’t ignore the lessons they offer but release yourself from their debt.
Forgive others.
Any emotional baggage attached to other’s misdeeds will only weigh you down on the journey forward.
Find the solitude in your daily activity.
Pause.
Clear the mind. For a brief moment each day become an island within the sea of turmoil around you.
Fight the intrusion of the negative thoughts, no matter what form they take.
They will invade you constantly. The mind will greet them as long lost friends -
For they are easy to hold and cultivate.
Love yourself.
You are one of a kind. So love and cherish the wondrous being that is you.
Don’t let your love diminish or become jaded. Constantly feed and reinforce your positive self-image.
See yourself as the centre of the Universe. Not in a big- headed way but in a way that allows you to understand that everything in your life is a consequence of your actions and reactions.
You can generate either positive or negative energy, which affects those within the influence of your Universe.

Be the light for others to be guided by.

Love Yourself

We can’t take on Life’s lessons to grow if we have inner turmoil.
Find peace.
Peace within yourself.
Create space in your mind and soul.
You must forgive yourself for all your past mistakes – don’t ignore the lessons they offer but release yourself from their debt.
Forgive others.
Any emotional baggage attached to other’s misdeeds will only weigh you down on the journey forward.
Find the solitude in your daily activity.
Pause.
Clear the mind. For a brief moment each day become an island within the sea of turmoil around you.
Fight the intrusion of the negative thoughts, no matter what form they take.
They will invade you constantly. The mind will greet them as long lost friends -
For they are easy to hold and cultivate.
Love yourself.
You are one of a kind. So love and cherish the wondrous being that is you.
Don’t let your love diminish or become jaded. Constantly feed and reinforce your positive self-image.
See yourself as the centre of the Universe. Not in a big- headed way but in a way that allows you to understand that everything in your life is a consequence of your actions and reactions.
You can generate either positive or negative energy, which affects those within the influence of your Universe.
Be the light for others to be guided by.

You will always have to live with yourself and it is in your best interest to see that you have good company – a clean, pure, straight, honest, upright, generous, magnanimous companion.

Orison Marden.

Setting Goals for 2010

It is approaching the time to get busy setting goals for 2010.

There are a few key issues to take note of:

1. How have you packed for your journey?

Look yourself in the mirror and ask the question; “Am I carrying too much baggage?” All too often we get excited about the prospect of achieving goals that have been in our heart and mind but we start the journey with a bag full of past doubts, failures and frustrations. Spend time to look closely at yourself and make sure there are no self-destruction bombs lurking in your psyche. Forgive all past misdeeds and embrace others with a clear heart and mind before you start writing the ‘to do’ list. For often it is the past, not the present that prevents us achieving our goals. If you don’t feel worthy of success then no matter how many goals that are set, success won’t come your way. Carrying the guilt of previous relationship failures is not a recipe for a new healthy partnership.

2. What are your real goals?

Don’t fall for the trap of writing a wish list that really doesn’t resonate with your core beliefs. If you can’t attach real passion and emotion to the vision of a successful outcome, the chances are the first time an obstacle appears you will waver in your commitment to the goal. It is a great idea to create a ‘wish list’ as a creative exercise (I have a long list of all the things I want to do before I die) as a starting point. Use that list to identify what you really want and believe you can achieve. Include little goals to get into the habit of succeeding and make sure you reward yourself with every victory. I like to write a vision of how my future will be and then let the pathways appear. Life will throw roadblocks up but if you maintain the vision and believe in it then you will find a way to achieve it.

3. Will you be a player or a spectator?

Are you going to get your hands dirty or are you writing goals, tasks and to-do’s that will never be tackled? To achieve what you want, get out of the stands onto the playing field. No matter how much you prepare, no goals will be scored from the outer. Sometimes you will get a little bloodied and bruised but a least you are part of the action which may well bring about the dreams and desires you harbor.

Remember, if you want things you have never had, you will have to do things you have never done.

This year make your major goal to be a better YOU!

Belief

Wake Up Call

Have you had a wake-up call? I don’t mean the alarm going off in the morning but a dramatic event that shatters your life creating moments of soul searching and the reassessing of priorities. Recently my son was involved in a car accident where his vehicle was totally wrecked but thankfully he escaped with minor injuries. A routine drive was transformed, in the blink of an eye, into a life threatening event. Days later reflecting on the accident he made the comment, “This was a wake-up call. I need to get my act together and start setting some meaningful goals. Quit smoking, cut down on the drinking and start a savings plan.” At the age of 31 and being single he really was coasting through life. Every attempt and focusing on the future was sidetracked by the need to party, collect ‘toys’ and live life with little thought to consequences. Whilst he expressed his goal to change his habits and lifestyle, his language and thinking didn’t change. The phone call to join his mates in a night of drinking wasn’t met with any new found caution but the habitual response. “I’ll be there and let’s get smashed.” Smoking would stop when he got past the party season as it made no sense to quit now! He had his wake-up call but the sound of the alarm faded as he habitual lifestyle took hold. How many times have you decided on a course of action but fell at the first hurdle because it was easier to stay in the comfort zone of your current mode of living? Sometimes for us to be able to move forward we need to take a sledge hammer to the barriers that surround us. It may mean leaving ‘friends’ behind if they can’s support you on your journey. A lifetime of bad habits have to be examined to be replaced my more positive ones. What we need to do is take a stock take. Where I am now and what do I need to do to achieve the outcomes needed to change my life. Above all we need to be honest with ourselves. Negatives need to be objectively identified and laid bare to enable realistic goals to be set and pursued. Without an honest assessment of who you are and what are your values and motives, any effort to change no matter to what degree is just smoke that will drift away with time. Make sure your ‘wake-up’ call isn’t wasted! If you want things you have never had, you will have to do things you have never done.

Positive Mental Attitude

I have just finished reading Napoleon Hill’s book, You can work your own Miracles.  Written in 1971, this book is the foundation for many of the modern personal development practitioners thinking. Not as well known as his best seller, Think and Grow Rich, nonetheless it has great messages within.
His philosophy on PMA is built around the following factors;
1. Have a burning desire for the attainment of a definite purpose.
2. Condition the mind to automatically choose to carry out definite positive objectives.
3. Having close association with people who inspire and actively engage in positive goals.
4. By constant auto-suggestion (affirmations) that reinforce positive directives.
5. By recognising our ability to control our thoughts.

He highlights figures from the past who overcame major obstacles to achieve their goals and dreams.  People such as;
Thomas Edison who had over 1000 failures before perfecting the electric light.
Ghandi who with passive resistance freed a nation from Colonial rule.
Helen Keller who overcame being blind & deaf to teach herself to communicate.

All these and many others have one thing in common. Belief.
For it is belief in ourselves, our dreams and our future that builds the roadway to success in whatever endeavour we undertake.

First and foremost is belief in ourselves.
How can we have happy relationships if we don’t believe we are worthy of happiness?
How can we gain great wealth if we don’t believe we deserve financial independence?
How can we contribute to our community if we don’t believe we are of value to others?
How can we attain any goal if we don’t believe we can?

Take a look at your current circumstances and determine if anything is lacking.  Do you believe it can change for the better.  That you can change the way things are.
If you don’t believe your circumstances can change then they wont.

I have a sign above my office do that has one word on it; BELIEF
I know nothing will change in my world unless I have unconditional belief in my ability to achieve my goals and dreams.

B Better
E Enthusiastic
L Loving
I Inspired
E Energetic
F Focused