Its exciting and we become reinvigorated to pursue some kind of resolution. New Years resolutions are symbolic and they allow us to take control for a short period of some out there goal we want to achieve. Not to mention it is a booming business all to itself at health and fitness clubs.
The beauty of the New Year is the rise in energy. We find a new level of commitment, focus and determination to go hard and get after the desired outcome. Then life happens. You know, school goes back in, all the kids activities resume, life returns to normal. Maintaining that renewed energy gets harder and harder by the week.
Here is what can make the difference this year for you, take all your energy and channel it into a resolution UNdone. UNdone by making this venture fun, we take such a serious approach to these resolution goals and it kills the energy. Yeah, this year play more, joke more and find people who have fun doing what your trying to accomplish and live it up with them. Make it a game.
So we are aiming for our resolution goal with fun in mind. Now lets add some GRIT, its the key ingredient. Grit is a determined desire and focus on a long term goal. Grit comes in many forms. Hard work, more hard work, and lots of fun doing hard work. Grit is an attitude that takes over from inside and drives us down the path of success. There isn't much we can't accomplish when we put our Grit outfit on and get dirty.
Grit is the UNdone solution to all that glitters and looks flashy but ends in the trash can of resolutions. Grit is spelled with a smile on our faces, joy in our hearts, and attaining our UNdone resolution.
Happy New Year
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Ignite
Once again we are reminded that there are Wolves in this world who will use religion. political ideology or their philosophy to kill innocent people. We experience it in our own society through domestic violence. People in positions of trust lie, steal and pad their own bank accounts at the expense of the innocent. They come from all walks of life, religions and vocations.
Here are the four types of people living in our world:
1. The Sheep - these are the people who just believe the government will take care of them. They believe in the system so much that they never question it or the individuals responsible for maintaining or running it. These people just blindly follow the pack. They make no waves and hope they never encounter any problems.
2. The Wolves - these people prey on the sheep. They don't care if they hurt innocent people or steal, lie and cheat to meet their end needs. Don't kid yourself, these people are ruthless and without conscience or guilt. If they can gain from hurting people physically, financially, mentally or in any other way, they will.
3. The Sheep Dogs - these are the people who will do whatever they can to protect the Sheep. They are fearless in their pursuit of protecting and ensuring that morals and values are upheld. Sometimes there are good people doing things we don't want to know in order to keep us safe. These people train to help the world live without fear and loss.
4. The Igniter - These are the people who know the status quo doesn't have to remain static. They inspire others to stand up for what is right. The Igniter uses their position, voice, resources and abilities to help the Sheep step up and defend or speak up for themselves. The Igniter is selfless in spending energy and time to make a difference for others. That difference is what makes the Igniter feel alive, it drives their actions, thoughts and beliefs.
It really isn't hard to be an Igniter, the world needs more people like this. It doesn't take money or status to make the impact of an Igniter. Men, women and children can be Igniters in their neighborhood, community or country. To ignite means to arouse the passions of. We need to ignite our passions for freedom, life and the right to live safely without fear. We can do this in a society where different cultures and religions coexist peacefully by understanding and supporting each other.
Let us arouse our passions for peace and a world where the human race live together without war, poverty and hatred. The more we ignite in a community where this belief can be the norm the more likely this way of being can come about.
I work with Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Atheists. To me they are my peers and equals. They are my friends and we take care of each other. That is what we do in Canada, it is our culture. We as a country are an Igniter, let us lead the way and be a light to the rest of the world.
"Live Remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Here are the four types of people living in our world:
1. The Sheep - these are the people who just believe the government will take care of them. They believe in the system so much that they never question it or the individuals responsible for maintaining or running it. These people just blindly follow the pack. They make no waves and hope they never encounter any problems.
2. The Wolves - these people prey on the sheep. They don't care if they hurt innocent people or steal, lie and cheat to meet their end needs. Don't kid yourself, these people are ruthless and without conscience or guilt. If they can gain from hurting people physically, financially, mentally or in any other way, they will.
3. The Sheep Dogs - these are the people who will do whatever they can to protect the Sheep. They are fearless in their pursuit of protecting and ensuring that morals and values are upheld. Sometimes there are good people doing things we don't want to know in order to keep us safe. These people train to help the world live without fear and loss.
4. The Igniter - These are the people who know the status quo doesn't have to remain static. They inspire others to stand up for what is right. The Igniter uses their position, voice, resources and abilities to help the Sheep step up and defend or speak up for themselves. The Igniter is selfless in spending energy and time to make a difference for others. That difference is what makes the Igniter feel alive, it drives their actions, thoughts and beliefs.
It really isn't hard to be an Igniter, the world needs more people like this. It doesn't take money or status to make the impact of an Igniter. Men, women and children can be Igniters in their neighborhood, community or country. To ignite means to arouse the passions of. We need to ignite our passions for freedom, life and the right to live safely without fear. We can do this in a society where different cultures and religions coexist peacefully by understanding and supporting each other.
Let us arouse our passions for peace and a world where the human race live together without war, poverty and hatred. The more we ignite in a community where this belief can be the norm the more likely this way of being can come about.
I work with Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Atheists. To me they are my peers and equals. They are my friends and we take care of each other. That is what we do in Canada, it is our culture. We as a country are an Igniter, let us lead the way and be a light to the rest of the world.
"Live Remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Normal!?
Normal, what does it mean and who defines what it is? I use to think it was about being societal, following the ways of this world. That's what we were taught, and what the leaders of our society modelled. On the surface normal can seem to be optimal, like it should work. But I go back to who defines normal? Life is fluid and ever changing. Normal now is not the same as normal ten years ago. So is it a societal or a cultural idea? Maybe the better question is why do we have to follow any kind of definition of normal that doesn't fit for us as an individual?
The important thing is this, YOU DEFINE YOUR NORMAL! We all have a responsibility to contribute to our society and our tribe. That is a normal in our societal definition. We don't have to give up our personal nature or our own definition of who we are in order to do it. I'm an introvert and I fought that personal attribute for years. I created an unnatural extroverted persona just to survive in my life. It opened doors, but it was such a lie and made me forget my true nature. In time I found my way as an introvert and defined my normal. It was when I started to live this normal as defined by me that life actually began, I was alive.
You can create ways in your life to assimilate what is normal for you into everyday living. I have found one way to incorporate what I define as normal into my life. I simply communicate to people what it is that works or doesn't work for me. Not in a way that I try to overpower or impose what works for me, that is not cool. I just communicate that I have certain ways of doing things that really work well for me. At home and at work I have found a lot of opportunity to create understanding in others and this then turns into an understanding. If people know what is comfortable for you in your definition of normal they will work with you to accommodate it. If they don't then you know where you stand and maybe that person isn't someone you really want to associate with. Communicate to others your normal.
One final point on this subject. Honor other peoples normal. By listening and understanding what might be normal for someone else we are creating an energy where we can openly communicate and live in harmony. Be your normal, live it and express it in the world.
Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart.
The important thing is this, YOU DEFINE YOUR NORMAL! We all have a responsibility to contribute to our society and our tribe. That is a normal in our societal definition. We don't have to give up our personal nature or our own definition of who we are in order to do it. I'm an introvert and I fought that personal attribute for years. I created an unnatural extroverted persona just to survive in my life. It opened doors, but it was such a lie and made me forget my true nature. In time I found my way as an introvert and defined my normal. It was when I started to live this normal as defined by me that life actually began, I was alive.
You can create ways in your life to assimilate what is normal for you into everyday living. I have found one way to incorporate what I define as normal into my life. I simply communicate to people what it is that works or doesn't work for me. Not in a way that I try to overpower or impose what works for me, that is not cool. I just communicate that I have certain ways of doing things that really work well for me. At home and at work I have found a lot of opportunity to create understanding in others and this then turns into an understanding. If people know what is comfortable for you in your definition of normal they will work with you to accommodate it. If they don't then you know where you stand and maybe that person isn't someone you really want to associate with. Communicate to others your normal.
One final point on this subject. Honor other peoples normal. By listening and understanding what might be normal for someone else we are creating an energy where we can openly communicate and live in harmony. Be your normal, live it and express it in the world.
Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Vote
In Canada we will be going to the poles on October 19, 2015. I am not going to use this as a form to promote my political views. This is about promoting our democratic right to vote.
We are blessed to live in a free and democratic country. Canada is an amazing place that offers an abundance of opportunities and privileges. It is your right to vote and takes little time and effort for most people to go out and do. It is a privilege to be able to research, learn and understand Party platforms and then exercise your right to vote for who you deem worthy of representing you.
Men and women have died for your right to vote. Don't complain about the state of affairs in Canada and then not vote. If you are of legal voting age take pride in your country and make a statement by marking an X on a ballot.
We are blessed to live in a free and democratic country. Canada is an amazing place that offers an abundance of opportunities and privileges. It is your right to vote and takes little time and effort for most people to go out and do. It is a privilege to be able to research, learn and understand Party platforms and then exercise your right to vote for who you deem worthy of representing you.
Men and women have died for your right to vote. Don't complain about the state of affairs in Canada and then not vote. If you are of legal voting age take pride in your country and make a statement by marking an X on a ballot.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Flowing Water
I had a moment of realization sitting by Thompson Creek in the David Thompson area of Alberta today. I love to sit by flowing water watching and listening. Being in the mountains and sitting by a body of flowing water is heaven on earth for me. Watching water flow whether fast, slow, impeded or with amazing power brings me peace and joy. Not to mention many valuable lessons.
I have been doing self work on distraction and trying to overcome the energy drain of distraction. I encountered a lot of frustration trying to create an environment of no distractions and controlling things that distract me. Big problem here, I can't control a lot of them. I can minimize them, but I can't control them.
As I sat by the water it came to me that the only two things I need to control are my attitude and my work ethic. Now at first this was deflating, yup I can only control me. Then as I sat and pondered the truth of this I began to feel free. Those two things can really set me free. So that is what I am going to do, focus on my attitude and my work ethic. The amount of energy left over for me will be immense.
I love how simple but impactful these moments are that come and change my frame of reference. Its not like this is new information to me but the timing was perfect.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
I have been doing self work on distraction and trying to overcome the energy drain of distraction. I encountered a lot of frustration trying to create an environment of no distractions and controlling things that distract me. Big problem here, I can't control a lot of them. I can minimize them, but I can't control them.
As I sat by the water it came to me that the only two things I need to control are my attitude and my work ethic. Now at first this was deflating, yup I can only control me. Then as I sat and pondered the truth of this I began to feel free. Those two things can really set me free. So that is what I am going to do, focus on my attitude and my work ethic. The amount of energy left over for me will be immense.
I love how simple but impactful these moments are that come and change my frame of reference. Its not like this is new information to me but the timing was perfect.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Turn up the Signal
I struggle with distraction. All around me are daily mental, physical and spiritual distractions. The constant noise of the world around me, audible and visual noise that is now a constant in my daily life. Radio and Television commercials, computer pop ups, traffic, billboards, junk mail, sirens, dogs that won't stop barking (train your dogs people) and so much more. I'm my own worst enemy though because I continually allow it all to interfere with the Signals I want to focus on. I find myself struggling to keep that focus. These constant distractions make it difficult to maintain my important goals. What is one to do when confronted with this constant attack of distractions? I learned to increase my success rate by increasing my focus. Focus is like a muscle you can train and build, you need to work at it and remain consistent.
I discovered that the best way to overcome all the distractions and noise is To Turn Up The Signal! The Signal is your goal, your dream, what your passionate about and what makes you tick. The Signal needs to be louder than all that can keep you from achieving it. Passion is the best tool you will use when it comes to turning up the Signal. Becoming passionate about the goals you want to achieve will help to increase your focus which in turn helps drown out the noise.
Taking small steps daily toward those passions helps you bring the goals more into focus. If the goal is large than take the time to break it out into smaller, achievable steps. When the goal is off in the distance and looks large it is harder to keep your focus on it. When you have that goal broken down into smaller daily goals to achieve the map is much easier to focus on. Creating a stronger Signal is spending time on yourself and the quality things in life that have deep meaning to you. In that quality time you are building your ability to focus which creates the ability to eliminate the noise.
It takes some time to learn to focus if you have not done it frequently or with a lot of success. Be kind to yourself and keep that Signal turned up. Disappointment is another form of noise that we can learn to turn down by turning up that Signal. If you create small windows where you can focus and accomplish something towards a goal then celebrate that. Remember focus is like a muscle you can train. That small window you created will eventually turn into bigger and bigger time frames and soon your Signal will take over from the daily noise and distractions you face.
I discovered that the best way to overcome all the distractions and noise is To Turn Up The Signal! The Signal is your goal, your dream, what your passionate about and what makes you tick. The Signal needs to be louder than all that can keep you from achieving it. Passion is the best tool you will use when it comes to turning up the Signal. Becoming passionate about the goals you want to achieve will help to increase your focus which in turn helps drown out the noise.
Taking small steps daily toward those passions helps you bring the goals more into focus. If the goal is large than take the time to break it out into smaller, achievable steps. When the goal is off in the distance and looks large it is harder to keep your focus on it. When you have that goal broken down into smaller daily goals to achieve the map is much easier to focus on. Creating a stronger Signal is spending time on yourself and the quality things in life that have deep meaning to you. In that quality time you are building your ability to focus which creates the ability to eliminate the noise.
It takes some time to learn to focus if you have not done it frequently or with a lot of success. Be kind to yourself and keep that Signal turned up. Disappointment is another form of noise that we can learn to turn down by turning up that Signal. If you create small windows where you can focus and accomplish something towards a goal then celebrate that. Remember focus is like a muscle you can train. That small window you created will eventually turn into bigger and bigger time frames and soon your Signal will take over from the daily noise and distractions you face.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Le Tour of Hope 2015
I just spent eight days together with a group of Cyclists riding 800 kilometers to raise money for the Kids With Cancer Society. It was not only an amazing and emotional journey, it was a journey of HOPE.
I rode my bike through parts of British Columbia and Alberta. I saw some amazing scenery, rode up some big hills, and had a lot of fun along the way. I'm a cyclists so it is what I love to do. I choose to this ride and raise money to ride the Tour of Hope. All that money went to the Kids With Cancer Society. Kids With Cancer puts on programs and provides support to children who have been diagnosed with cancer and to their families.
This past week I met:
I heard the word HOPE a lot this week. I believe we all like to have hope in our lives. Hope in God, hope that we will be healthy. Anyone who has ever had children hopes they will be healthy and happy. Hearing the words "Your child has cancer must be devastating." I know that with my experience this week I saw an organization that specializes in HOPE for those people facing that challenge.
Thank you Kids With Cancer and my fellow Tour of Hope riders for a remarkable time and experience.
Here is a link to the Kids With Cancer Society, check out what they are all about and if you can find it in your heart to donate a little or a lot it would be appreciated.
www.kidswithcancer.ca
I rode my bike through parts of British Columbia and Alberta. I saw some amazing scenery, rode up some big hills, and had a lot of fun along the way. I'm a cyclists so it is what I love to do. I choose to this ride and raise money to ride the Tour of Hope. All that money went to the Kids With Cancer Society. Kids With Cancer puts on programs and provides support to children who have been diagnosed with cancer and to their families.
This past week I met:
- A man riding for is eight year old daughter who at three weeks was diagnosed with cancer. She was not given long to live but her dad says she has never done what other people expect...awesome.
- I met a man riding for his now sixteen year old son who two years ago was diagnosed with cancer. Today he is cancer free.
- I met cancer survivors who were riding because they had compassion for children who become sick with cancer and their families.
- I met a young girl who did her grades 7 and 8 in a six month span because when she was diagnosed with cancer she had to do so many treatments school was too hard.
- I met Maria, a beautiful fifteen year old girl who came to speak with out Tour team about her journey. Diagnosed at thirteen with cancer she told us what she had experienced and what it was like. It was very emotional and she was so brave.
I heard the word HOPE a lot this week. I believe we all like to have hope in our lives. Hope in God, hope that we will be healthy. Anyone who has ever had children hopes they will be healthy and happy. Hearing the words "Your child has cancer must be devastating." I know that with my experience this week I saw an organization that specializes in HOPE for those people facing that challenge.
Thank you Kids With Cancer and my fellow Tour of Hope riders for a remarkable time and experience.
Here is a link to the Kids With Cancer Society, check out what they are all about and if you can find it in your heart to donate a little or a lot it would be appreciated.
www.kidswithcancer.ca
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Poverty of Meaning
Life is a gift and there are so many amazing things to pursue. Sometimes it can be a struggle and we feel lost or unsure. More often than not these struggles or times of uncertainty pass and we find ourselves in pursuit of new goals or new energy comes into our lives. We can't always be fully engaged or highly motivated in every phase of life.
Poverty of Meaning is something that is altogether different. It is the state of never having any meaningful goals, pursuits or wanting to be engaged in life. In this state life is simply a chore to be survived. Quality of life becomes unimportant and remaining in this way often feels better than trying to move out of its gravitational pull. The societal definition of quality of life can also create a complete barrier for people to find meaning.
The dream of life has been replaced by the dream of comfort and entitlement. Opportunity isn't the prize any more that people want, the prize is the personal comfort zone. Our human condition has been minimized to the comfort of technology. Life isn't something to be done, it is an incredible gift and opportunity to reach the highest expression of who we are and what we can become. We are all more capable of finding meaning than we are capable of living a life of Poverty of Meaning.
We revel in what we believe and what we believe we know. Stepping outside of ego and self is a challenge because it may mean giving up control. We want to see it before we believe it or scientific evidence is required, faith has no place in the human condition any more. A life lived in pursuit of the Spirit will never leave you with Poverty of Meaning. The wisdom and knowledge that is available through a relationship with God will create more meaning with each passing day. It doesn't mean you won't have struggles or difficulty in life, however meaning will always be your partner in life.
We have a primal desire to connect and have meaning. It doesn't come from technology or a materialistic comfort zone. I know a lot of people who are very comfortable in their material selves but have big struggles with living a meaningful life. I know many people who have given up a lot of material comfort and they are filled with immense and powerful meaning. Then factor in that they are actively pursuing that meaning and bringing it to fruition in their lives.
Life is an opportunity and a gift. Hold your morals and values to the flame and allow that sense of meaning we each have to flow out into the world. One person filled with meaning can change the world.
Poverty of Meaning is something that is altogether different. It is the state of never having any meaningful goals, pursuits or wanting to be engaged in life. In this state life is simply a chore to be survived. Quality of life becomes unimportant and remaining in this way often feels better than trying to move out of its gravitational pull. The societal definition of quality of life can also create a complete barrier for people to find meaning.
The dream of life has been replaced by the dream of comfort and entitlement. Opportunity isn't the prize any more that people want, the prize is the personal comfort zone. Our human condition has been minimized to the comfort of technology. Life isn't something to be done, it is an incredible gift and opportunity to reach the highest expression of who we are and what we can become. We are all more capable of finding meaning than we are capable of living a life of Poverty of Meaning.
We revel in what we believe and what we believe we know. Stepping outside of ego and self is a challenge because it may mean giving up control. We want to see it before we believe it or scientific evidence is required, faith has no place in the human condition any more. A life lived in pursuit of the Spirit will never leave you with Poverty of Meaning. The wisdom and knowledge that is available through a relationship with God will create more meaning with each passing day. It doesn't mean you won't have struggles or difficulty in life, however meaning will always be your partner in life.
We have a primal desire to connect and have meaning. It doesn't come from technology or a materialistic comfort zone. I know a lot of people who are very comfortable in their material selves but have big struggles with living a meaningful life. I know many people who have given up a lot of material comfort and they are filled with immense and powerful meaning. Then factor in that they are actively pursuing that meaning and bringing it to fruition in their lives.
Life is an opportunity and a gift. Hold your morals and values to the flame and allow that sense of meaning we each have to flow out into the world. One person filled with meaning can change the world.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Energy
Energy, its about being self-aware. Quality of life can revolve around your energy, what you focus on, act on and choose to live like. We are disconnected in Western Society from our energy and that energies connection to the world around us. Society can tie us up by directing our energy in ways that are often not in our best interests. I often here complaints about how little energy people have.
Learning to be mindful of our energy is the first step in gaining back control. How do I want to live? That is a good question to ask oneself. We want to have the power of our energy working for us, not against us. This is a challenge in a negative society. That negativity is celebrated in the media because unfortunately it has become what sells. It is difficult not to absorb and feel that constant negative vibe all around us. Knowing what you want out of live and the quality of life you want helps you direct your energy.
One of the best tools I've discovered for taking back control of personal energy is the "Garbage in, Garbage out" philosophy. If I subject myself to television, media, movies, and other people who create negative energy for me then I will be negative. I can control and filter what comes into my environment. Its the most powerful form of control we have to protect and nurture our energy. I also like the "Change the Channel" method. If I don't like what I am seeing or hearing I can change the channel and tune into something that makes me happier or feel positive. There is always the ability to chose if you really want to absorb what is happening or that you are being subjected to. Take control of your environment, create a culture that will foster your desired energy not destroy it.
The mind is a tool we can use in life, we need not be slaves to the mind. Our heart is where the Spirit resides. If you want sound advice and direction this is where you need to be tuned into. Our heart is the quality control mechanism for the energy we experience and then how we can direct our personal energy. The heart understands the true nature we were born with and it will guide us towards what will bring us joy, peace and happiness. The mind is necessary for logic and reason, the heart is the engine that drives the power and passion of energy.
Energy and how we live through our energy is a choice. Take hold of it daily and direct it towards those things in life that bring you joy. There is abundant good, positive and wonderful energy out there waiting for you to tap into it and benefit from. Chose quality over quantity. Chose to align with what works for you not what works because society tells you it is good for you.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Learning to be mindful of our energy is the first step in gaining back control. How do I want to live? That is a good question to ask oneself. We want to have the power of our energy working for us, not against us. This is a challenge in a negative society. That negativity is celebrated in the media because unfortunately it has become what sells. It is difficult not to absorb and feel that constant negative vibe all around us. Knowing what you want out of live and the quality of life you want helps you direct your energy.
One of the best tools I've discovered for taking back control of personal energy is the "Garbage in, Garbage out" philosophy. If I subject myself to television, media, movies, and other people who create negative energy for me then I will be negative. I can control and filter what comes into my environment. Its the most powerful form of control we have to protect and nurture our energy. I also like the "Change the Channel" method. If I don't like what I am seeing or hearing I can change the channel and tune into something that makes me happier or feel positive. There is always the ability to chose if you really want to absorb what is happening or that you are being subjected to. Take control of your environment, create a culture that will foster your desired energy not destroy it.
The mind is a tool we can use in life, we need not be slaves to the mind. Our heart is where the Spirit resides. If you want sound advice and direction this is where you need to be tuned into. Our heart is the quality control mechanism for the energy we experience and then how we can direct our personal energy. The heart understands the true nature we were born with and it will guide us towards what will bring us joy, peace and happiness. The mind is necessary for logic and reason, the heart is the engine that drives the power and passion of energy.
Energy and how we live through our energy is a choice. Take hold of it daily and direct it towards those things in life that bring you joy. There is abundant good, positive and wonderful energy out there waiting for you to tap into it and benefit from. Chose quality over quantity. Chose to align with what works for you not what works because society tells you it is good for you.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Terry Fox, what he did was EPIC.
April 12, 2015 will mark the 35th anniversary of Terry Fox starting his Marathon of Hope. There was little fanfare when Fox dipped his prosthetic into the Atlantic Ocean in St. John’s Newfoundland on April 12, 1980. 143 days later when Fox had to cut short his run due to the return of Cancer he had become a household name in Canada.
Terry Fox has become a hero in Canada and the annual Terry Fox run is
conducted around the world. The power of this young man’s spirit moves
Canadians daily because he had a vision. Fox followed through on that vision
and left a legacy that will remain a part of Canadian History for eternity. Fox
didn’t run and talk about how EPIC his Marathon was or how EXTREME the thing he
was doing truly was. If anyone had the right to do so it was Terry Fox. Fox just ran, day after day.
I challenge you to honor the memory of Terry Fox starting
April 12, 2015 by setting an intention to do something healthy for 143 straight
days. I have chosen my own personal physical challenge I will perform for those 143
days and will do it in memory of Terry Fox. I am personally moved every year by
Fox’s story when the Terry Fox run takes place. This year for 143 days I am going to take the time daily in my life to honor a
Canadian hero and someone who actually did something EPIC!
Please take the time to continue the work Terry Fox began and donate to his foundation, the link is attached below.
Please take the time to continue the work Terry Fox began and donate to his foundation, the link is attached below.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
OUT in the CornerS
I am an outside of the box thinker. I don't like conformity. I am even less inclined to limit my boundaries because of societal views and conditioning. It has been a struggle at times to find a balance in life. Lot's of people and institutions don't like people thinking for themselves. It creates fear and a problem for the status quo mindset. It's hard to control a free thinker.
In the industry I work in the status quo rules and outside the box thinking doesn't happen and is even less encouraged. This isn't just in the management circle, it is prevalent in the employees and it rules in the union mentality. There are a lot of people I speak with in my wanderings who tell me their work places are the same. I have found a way with in my work life to push the limits and create an edge for myself that helps me not get wrapped up in the conformist mindset.
Take a pencil, ruler and piece of paper, draw a square in the center of the paper and put a dot in the center of the square. The dot represents the status quo and conformity thinking. Most organizations and people don't stray to far from that dot in their thinking. Now I want you to look at all the empty space surrounding the dot. That space is where so much potential goes untapped and the dot is where creativity and change die.
If you want to grow and expand your possibilities start thinking out into the corners of your box. We all have the capacity and are capable. The human mind is boundless. We can create new ways of thinking and they help us to release out true nature. That is the key to freeing ourselves from limited, unsatisfying daily mind numbing work and living. I'm not talking about being a disruptive force in your work place or life. The purpose of trying to expand your thinking in this way is to improve upon the status quo.
Safety and security are natural, however so is improving upon process and life enjoyment. Thinking is a form of creativity and you are the master of your thoughts. At work take a different approach to the way things are done and lead by example. Go with new ideas to prove that there is a different way to get the work done. Allow the results to speak for themselves. Don't allow the prevalent mindset to override your creative thought processes.
Creativity and change take less energy than staying mired in the status quo. Out in the corners of your mind (box) lie immense ideas waiting to be tried. The space away from the dot is fertile and endless. Jump out there and allow those ideas to flow into your life. Enjoy the process of letting your mind be free from societal conditioning. You were designed to use the mind in ways you feel in your heart. Don't be afraid to let that powerful energy flow out into the world around you. You are not the dot.
In the industry I work in the status quo rules and outside the box thinking doesn't happen and is even less encouraged. This isn't just in the management circle, it is prevalent in the employees and it rules in the union mentality. There are a lot of people I speak with in my wanderings who tell me their work places are the same. I have found a way with in my work life to push the limits and create an edge for myself that helps me not get wrapped up in the conformist mindset.
Take a pencil, ruler and piece of paper, draw a square in the center of the paper and put a dot in the center of the square. The dot represents the status quo and conformity thinking. Most organizations and people don't stray to far from that dot in their thinking. Now I want you to look at all the empty space surrounding the dot. That space is where so much potential goes untapped and the dot is where creativity and change die.
If you want to grow and expand your possibilities start thinking out into the corners of your box. We all have the capacity and are capable. The human mind is boundless. We can create new ways of thinking and they help us to release out true nature. That is the key to freeing ourselves from limited, unsatisfying daily mind numbing work and living. I'm not talking about being a disruptive force in your work place or life. The purpose of trying to expand your thinking in this way is to improve upon the status quo.
Safety and security are natural, however so is improving upon process and life enjoyment. Thinking is a form of creativity and you are the master of your thoughts. At work take a different approach to the way things are done and lead by example. Go with new ideas to prove that there is a different way to get the work done. Allow the results to speak for themselves. Don't allow the prevalent mindset to override your creative thought processes.
Creativity and change take less energy than staying mired in the status quo. Out in the corners of your mind (box) lie immense ideas waiting to be tried. The space away from the dot is fertile and endless. Jump out there and allow those ideas to flow into your life. Enjoy the process of letting your mind be free from societal conditioning. You were designed to use the mind in ways you feel in your heart. Don't be afraid to let that powerful energy flow out into the world around you. You are not the dot.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Being Motivated
There is a lot of confusion and over thinking about motivation. It is simply an internal system of energy where a person intentionally directs that energy. We all have things that motivate us daily that we don't even focus on. We do them to survive. Survival is natural and good, just existing is being mediocre in a world full of possibility. This is allowing the world to dictate our motivation.
Motivation is linked heavily with inspiration. This is about the old adage, "Garbage in, garbage out." What we watch, read and subject ourselves to daily plays an important role in how you direct that energy, how you motivate yourself. It comes down to choice and how you want to focus energy. There are plenty of distractions that can be called important. That's a choice to put things like entertainment, procrastination, excuses, and fear ahead of your goals. I hang around with people who are high energy and motivated because that pushes me to live the same.
Creating motivation is not this hugely complicated formula that we need to discover or learn. You have the ability right now to set a goal, takes steps and do what is required to achieve that goal. That is called drive. Drive is what you have when you want to be motivated, personal choice. Habit is the enemy of change and we give too much power to these things we have the power to control. Small daily change is taking your energy and turning power in your favor.
Your alive and that's a darn good reason to be motivated. You are alive and have the ability to create the life you want and that is a great reason to be motivated. You have a mind of your own and that is a amazing tool you can use to drive the energy of motivation and not be at the mercy of societal conditioning.
Wake up each day with and idea in mind and chase it. Chase it with discipline and a passion that makes your heart leap with joy. Make the idea so powerful it just moves you along because your energy is flowing through and around you building your dream. That's being motivated.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Motivation is linked heavily with inspiration. This is about the old adage, "Garbage in, garbage out." What we watch, read and subject ourselves to daily plays an important role in how you direct that energy, how you motivate yourself. It comes down to choice and how you want to focus energy. There are plenty of distractions that can be called important. That's a choice to put things like entertainment, procrastination, excuses, and fear ahead of your goals. I hang around with people who are high energy and motivated because that pushes me to live the same.
Creating motivation is not this hugely complicated formula that we need to discover or learn. You have the ability right now to set a goal, takes steps and do what is required to achieve that goal. That is called drive. Drive is what you have when you want to be motivated, personal choice. Habit is the enemy of change and we give too much power to these things we have the power to control. Small daily change is taking your energy and turning power in your favor.
Your alive and that's a darn good reason to be motivated. You are alive and have the ability to create the life you want and that is a great reason to be motivated. You have a mind of your own and that is a amazing tool you can use to drive the energy of motivation and not be at the mercy of societal conditioning.
Wake up each day with and idea in mind and chase it. Chase it with discipline and a passion that makes your heart leap with joy. Make the idea so powerful it just moves you along because your energy is flowing through and around you building your dream. That's being motivated.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Monday, February 9, 2015
Goodbye Friend
Last week was a tough week for my family. Our seven year old Pure Bred Husky Karma started showing signs of breathing poorly, so it was off to the Vet. I thought I was going to be taking her in for a quick visit and some antibiotics and back home we would go. Unfortunately that was not the case. Karma had five liters of fluid in her chest cavity and was in dire straits. Within two hours I was making a difficult decision that I had no idea I was going to be looking at making that day.
Karma was not just a dog, she was a family member, a friend. For my daughters she was a companion who was with them through difficult times in their lives. They knew no matter how bad their day, Karma would always be there to greet them with her same happy attitude and love. Karma was an Uncommon Spirit in a common world. There are little things she contributed that words can never describe. Karma had a quality that I think a lot of us humans need to understand and cultivate, she loved unconditionally.
A great friend like Karma can't be replaced. There were so many little things she did that I took for granted. Now that she isn't here I find myself missing those little things deeply. I have suffered many personal losses in my life, loved ones and friends. I have learned to look at each one in a different context. Karma taught me many wonderful life lessons and I have many wonderful memories that I can focus on. The Spirit of one lost can never be taken from us. That Spirit lives on in our memories and thoughts. Karma wrote a special chapter on my heart that I am beyond grateful for.
Goodbye friend, I love you, thank you for every minute and memory.
Karma was not just a dog, she was a family member, a friend. For my daughters she was a companion who was with them through difficult times in their lives. They knew no matter how bad their day, Karma would always be there to greet them with her same happy attitude and love. Karma was an Uncommon Spirit in a common world. There are little things she contributed that words can never describe. Karma had a quality that I think a lot of us humans need to understand and cultivate, she loved unconditionally.
A great friend like Karma can't be replaced. There were so many little things she did that I took for granted. Now that she isn't here I find myself missing those little things deeply. I have suffered many personal losses in my life, loved ones and friends. I have learned to look at each one in a different context. Karma taught me many wonderful life lessons and I have many wonderful memories that I can focus on. The Spirit of one lost can never be taken from us. That Spirit lives on in our memories and thoughts. Karma wrote a special chapter on my heart that I am beyond grateful for.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
The Path, Part 3 - True Nature
This is the final edition in my 3 part series on the Path to Excellence. I will be honest with you, this is the toughest component of your journey along this path. Through societal pressure and conditioning we lose our true nature. You have chosen to walk the Path of Excellence and decided what you stand for; now your mission is to return to your true nature. Deep inside of your heart the truth of who you are and how you were designed to walk this Path are written. Make no mistake, you are not a random mutation, you were designed for a specific purpose. This is your WHY in life. I offer this advice, be patient and have compassion for yourself as you journey. Be diligent and never give up on who you are, its there written on your heart.
Conditioning and societal pressure can push us in the direction of someone elses excellence. Maybe the view you have of excellence comes form the over hyped societal media driven perspective. Weeding through all of the stuff we are inundated with daily can be a task. Conformity has a price and it can be high when it comes to our true nature. Your true nature may not align with how society believes everything should look. Its alright not to have the same view and passion for everything that the so called NORM dictates.
In Nobody Can Take It Away From You I write the following. "Maybe the question we need to ask ourselves is, what do I want my life to look like." I'm not talking about the societal meaning of this question. You know, what career, how much do I make, how big is my house, yada, yada, yada. This question about what your life looks like comes from the inside out. Touching the Spirit that lies within is where it all really gets interesting and worthwhile. Dig around in there and you will find the truth of your design.
Call it what you like, your mission or your purpose. This is where the energy you are really created from will rise up and move you to the Path of your Excellence. It is an amazing thing to feel the power of this energy move you in the direction your true nature has called you to. Life starts to look different. The true dimensions of your Spirit will start to make the mundane seem exceptional. The colours of your world will change and the tapestry you are painting will come alive in ways that make you just marvel at this world. Energy is a force that can block you or it can move you, and you have a choice in how that energy manifests in your life.
Every moment that you live your life in alignment with your true nature has potential. And the beautiful thing about that potential is it is you who chooses it. You walk it and you talk it the way you were designed to. The energy that you create then in turn creates the way of excellence you are meant to live. Your life will be altered when you pursue it by living from your true nature.
Be gentle with yourself as you start this journey. Listen to the truth written on your heart. It has a voice and it will guide you. The power of this desire to walk the Path of Excellence creates a perspective shift. As you begin to perceive life from this level the world of societal conditioning fades away to the truth of the created world. You were created for a specific reason, no other person who walked or will walk the Path of Excellence is at all like you. Your true nature is the source of all things you need to live. Take the time to get to know who you really are, who you really are meant to be. Enjoy the journey, this Path of Excellence is a truly wonderful experience.
I hope that you have enjoyed this series. I hope that if you are already on the path or just starting that you will find the blessings of God as you journey.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Conditioning and societal pressure can push us in the direction of someone elses excellence. Maybe the view you have of excellence comes form the over hyped societal media driven perspective. Weeding through all of the stuff we are inundated with daily can be a task. Conformity has a price and it can be high when it comes to our true nature. Your true nature may not align with how society believes everything should look. Its alright not to have the same view and passion for everything that the so called NORM dictates.
In Nobody Can Take It Away From You I write the following. "Maybe the question we need to ask ourselves is, what do I want my life to look like." I'm not talking about the societal meaning of this question. You know, what career, how much do I make, how big is my house, yada, yada, yada. This question about what your life looks like comes from the inside out. Touching the Spirit that lies within is where it all really gets interesting and worthwhile. Dig around in there and you will find the truth of your design.
Call it what you like, your mission or your purpose. This is where the energy you are really created from will rise up and move you to the Path of your Excellence. It is an amazing thing to feel the power of this energy move you in the direction your true nature has called you to. Life starts to look different. The true dimensions of your Spirit will start to make the mundane seem exceptional. The colours of your world will change and the tapestry you are painting will come alive in ways that make you just marvel at this world. Energy is a force that can block you or it can move you, and you have a choice in how that energy manifests in your life.
Every moment that you live your life in alignment with your true nature has potential. And the beautiful thing about that potential is it is you who chooses it. You walk it and you talk it the way you were designed to. The energy that you create then in turn creates the way of excellence you are meant to live. Your life will be altered when you pursue it by living from your true nature.
Be gentle with yourself as you start this journey. Listen to the truth written on your heart. It has a voice and it will guide you. The power of this desire to walk the Path of Excellence creates a perspective shift. As you begin to perceive life from this level the world of societal conditioning fades away to the truth of the created world. You were created for a specific reason, no other person who walked or will walk the Path of Excellence is at all like you. Your true nature is the source of all things you need to live. Take the time to get to know who you really are, who you really are meant to be. Enjoy the journey, this Path of Excellence is a truly wonderful experience.
I hope that you have enjoyed this series. I hope that if you are already on the path or just starting that you will find the blessings of God as you journey.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Friday, January 23, 2015
The Path, Part 2 – Your Stand
In my book “Nobody Can
Take It Away From You” I talk about personal energy and how we need to
cultivate, use and protect it. This is the second part of my three part series
on The Path to excellence. Giving time and thought to this tool will help you
with your personal energy in many ways.
You’ve decided to start and have chosen the path that leads
to excellence; it’s an exciting energy moving you forward. After making that
decision and feeling excited what’s the next tool you require to keep pursuing
excellence? How do you stay on this path, especially when things are difficult?
I call that next tool your Stand. You decide what you Stand for.
What do you Stand for? This is an important question. Your
Stand is the set of core beliefs you live by and follow. It is the line in the
sand you won’t step across or be forced over. What you Stand for is a glimpse
into your character; it defines you as an individual. And knowing what you
Stand for helps you to define what your path of excellence looks like and the
reason you’re on it. That is a key part of this entire journey of life. You are
the person who needs to define what excellence means to you. Excellence for you
may be different than the status quo or the societal norm. There is nothing
wrong with that, as long as it is within the legal and moral limits of society.
Many people don’t take the time to define their personal
ethos let alone truly focus on and live them. If you take the time to ingrain
and write out what you Stand for and then you are able to articulate that; this
Stand generates and creates a lot of energy in your life. Once you really nail
down your Stand it becomes a powerful and guiding force. Your day to day
decisions become easier because you are guided by the principles of what you
Stand for. This is incredibly beneficial when one is faced with life’s difficult
or darker decisions.
Having a well-defined Stand is optimal for protecting your
energy and saving it for what really matters in your life. When I wrote my New
Year’s blog about To Don’ts Lists versus resolutions I included one of my Stand
principles.
I won’t allow the
things that matter the most in my life to be at the expense of those that
matter the least.
This one simple principle guides me in my time management
and where I will direct my energy. I won’t Stand for wasting my time on things
that matter the least in my life. I won’t allow other people to dictate what I
will or will not spend my energy on. Getting in touch with what you Stand for
and then making those things part of your personal everyday way helps you to
live from your true nature.
With your Stand as a tool you are more capable of leveraging
your time, energy and focus. If you have a hard time saying no and then end up
doing a lot of things you don’t really want to; understanding your own Stand
will give you permission to say no. If you feel something at work is ethically
or morally out of alignment with what you stand for then you can voice your
opinion and know that you stood for what really matters in your life. What
people do with what you have expressed is up to them, but you have taken your
Stand.
Finally and I think the most important point is this. When
you have a well-defined Stand that you walk and talk, it will define your path
of excellence. After you choose that you want to pursue excellence as an art,
this tool will help you create it in all areas of your life. And I know from
experience how much of a dynamic shift this will bring to your walk and talk.
Friday, January 16, 2015
The Path Part 1 - Starting
This is a three part series I'm writing on small steps you can use to get you onto the path of excellence and off of the path of mediocrity. These are the things I have found people who are living their dreams do. The people who are changing the world started here and kept moving along the path. It doesn't have to be a complete upheaval of you life, just some easy perspective shifts to start you rolling.
Broken down life has two path options you can take; the first is mediocrity and the second is excellence. (Now don't confuse excellence with perfection as they are not the same thing.) Choosing to be mediocre is the easy path and it has become the societal norm, the status quo. Everyone gets a participation ribbon or a trophy, don't want to make anyone feel alienated. Its not politically correct to actually tell the truth about someone's performance or lack of it. Being mediocre doesn't take a lot of energy or sacrifice, just enough to get by is alright, and accepted. Excellence takes courage, character, a different ethos than culturally accepted and a whole lot of work.
Back to that path. What's the key to this path anyway? Is it planning? Is it time management? How about focus and the dirtiest word in the English language, discipline? I would say yes to all of them even that dirty word discipline. However, the key ingredient and the most important step to choosing the path of excellence is to start. You start by making a choice to be excellent. Ask yourself the question, am I happy with myself just doing enough? Just enough to get by or to keep my job! Am I happy doing just enough to get through life? Mediocre is doing just enough to get through life, not really living. If you're happy with that, stop reading right now.
Wait! Please read this one thought and then you can stop reading alright. You're not designed to just get through life and be mediocre, your designed to achieve excellence and change the world. You're the missing piece of the puzzle, a key part I might add. Alright, now you can quit reading if you just want to be mediocre.
Starting can be scary and intimidating. Society and people may not like you if you start, it can be off putting to some of them. Don't worry about them, that's their energy to deal with not yours. The simple act of starting is an act of excellence in your life. You can plan the greatest plan ever conceived. You can end up waiting forever for the perfect timing or circumstances to appear. Logic and reason will tell you, they will show you and warn you about the consequences. (That's fear speaking out.) Deciding to start is a choice to use your God given gifts and talents, its letting them shine in the world. That path is there ahead of you and it is highly unlikely you can see where it ends let alone plan every step you will need to get there, All of that thinking can keep you stuck right there in mediocrity. When I started to write the book "Nobody Can Take It Away From You" I had no clue what I was doing. I just knew I wanted to write the book so I started. Ten years later it was finally published.
Start to move in the direction of your dreams and goals, feel the excitement and that mixture of fear in the pit of your stomach. That is the paradox of starting, feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Be wise not foolish. Don't risk everything at the expense of your family and well being. Make good decisions based on intuition and sprinkled with reasonable logic. You can start with a small step that will grow in time. The key is to start. Not starting because you think that your decisions will go against the societal view of the path is exactly what keeps people in mediocrity.
In Part 2 I will discuss your Stand, or you Back Against the Wall strategy.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Broken down life has two path options you can take; the first is mediocrity and the second is excellence. (Now don't confuse excellence with perfection as they are not the same thing.) Choosing to be mediocre is the easy path and it has become the societal norm, the status quo. Everyone gets a participation ribbon or a trophy, don't want to make anyone feel alienated. Its not politically correct to actually tell the truth about someone's performance or lack of it. Being mediocre doesn't take a lot of energy or sacrifice, just enough to get by is alright, and accepted. Excellence takes courage, character, a different ethos than culturally accepted and a whole lot of work.
Back to that path. What's the key to this path anyway? Is it planning? Is it time management? How about focus and the dirtiest word in the English language, discipline? I would say yes to all of them even that dirty word discipline. However, the key ingredient and the most important step to choosing the path of excellence is to start. You start by making a choice to be excellent. Ask yourself the question, am I happy with myself just doing enough? Just enough to get by or to keep my job! Am I happy doing just enough to get through life? Mediocre is doing just enough to get through life, not really living. If you're happy with that, stop reading right now.
Wait! Please read this one thought and then you can stop reading alright. You're not designed to just get through life and be mediocre, your designed to achieve excellence and change the world. You're the missing piece of the puzzle, a key part I might add. Alright, now you can quit reading if you just want to be mediocre.
Starting can be scary and intimidating. Society and people may not like you if you start, it can be off putting to some of them. Don't worry about them, that's their energy to deal with not yours. The simple act of starting is an act of excellence in your life. You can plan the greatest plan ever conceived. You can end up waiting forever for the perfect timing or circumstances to appear. Logic and reason will tell you, they will show you and warn you about the consequences. (That's fear speaking out.) Deciding to start is a choice to use your God given gifts and talents, its letting them shine in the world. That path is there ahead of you and it is highly unlikely you can see where it ends let alone plan every step you will need to get there, All of that thinking can keep you stuck right there in mediocrity. When I started to write the book "Nobody Can Take It Away From You" I had no clue what I was doing. I just knew I wanted to write the book so I started. Ten years later it was finally published.
Start to move in the direction of your dreams and goals, feel the excitement and that mixture of fear in the pit of your stomach. That is the paradox of starting, feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Be wise not foolish. Don't risk everything at the expense of your family and well being. Make good decisions based on intuition and sprinkled with reasonable logic. You can start with a small step that will grow in time. The key is to start. Not starting because you think that your decisions will go against the societal view of the path is exactly what keeps people in mediocrity.
In Part 2 I will discuss your Stand, or you Back Against the Wall strategy.
"Live remarkable and follow the Spirit in your heart."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)