It was Emeril Lagasse who said:
"If you don't follow your dream, who will?"
This hypothetical question posses a challenge to the observer of its words. It supposes that there is a "you" with a "dream". What if there is no "you" and this "you" has no "dream"? Then "hypothetically" there is no-thing to follow.
Thus, the observer of the quote must know themselves first in establishing their "you". Which, in turn would lead to the observer's ability to exercise ethereal visioning with future images painted by emotion and desire in broad strokes of a creator's brush of possibilities.
It's all about clarity of purpose in knowing "YOU" and exploring your "WHY". Why are "you" here? "You" must have desires, hopes, longings for something within or outside of "yourself". Do you feel a calling? Are you lead by intuition in "knowing" that "you" should be doing something but are too afraid to embark on the frightful journey? What are your limiting beliefs keeping you from your life's work?
Only "you" can answer these questions and only "you" are able to dream "your" dreams. It is then up to "you" whether "you" choose to fulfill these dreams. After all, "If you don't follow your dream, who will?"
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Time Machine of Now
Do you have something you would like to change in the past? Maybe you would have what you want now if you could only make a different choice back then. Perhaps this is true but what is in the past is in the past. However, you are creating history with each breath right now. Each moment of now is an opportunity to create a new past. In a since you have a time machine to change your past now.
Knowing what you don't want reveals what you do want. The question remains "What do you really want?" If you were like Aladdin and had a genie grant you three wishes what would you ask for? To gain clarity you may ask a friend to repeatedly drill you with the question "What do you want? What do you really want?" as a 20 minute exercise while facing each other in chairs.
Make a conscious choice to allow yourself to feel into these heartfelt wants and desires. Know that this is your true self and ultimate fulfillment of life purpose for you. You have the right and ability to achieve and fulfill these desires. Not everyone wants the same thing. So, these are your wishes to be granted. Just allow yourself to be worthy of having them.
Know that you were who you were back then. The decisions you made were yours and based on what you understood at the time to be true. You are the total sum of all that you have experienced. That which hasn't killed you has made you stronger in character, fostered greater understanding, and allowed you to gain deeper compassion for yourself and others.
We know that perspective is gained by distance and the passing of time. It is also gained by outsiders giving their feedback on what they perceive as their current experienced truth. Realizing that all of us project onto others through our own "filters" we need to take their advice, and at times our own, with a grain of salt. After all there is a little truth in every lie.
Ultimately, take care of your integrity and don't beat yourself up over past choices you would like to change. Instead be clear on what you want and use your time machine of now to change your past. Create a new history for yourself giving yourself permission to achieve your dreams, to want your desires, and to attain your happiness.
Namaste.
Knowing what you don't want reveals what you do want. The question remains "What do you really want?" If you were like Aladdin and had a genie grant you three wishes what would you ask for? To gain clarity you may ask a friend to repeatedly drill you with the question "What do you want? What do you really want?" as a 20 minute exercise while facing each other in chairs.
Make a conscious choice to allow yourself to feel into these heartfelt wants and desires. Know that this is your true self and ultimate fulfillment of life purpose for you. You have the right and ability to achieve and fulfill these desires. Not everyone wants the same thing. So, these are your wishes to be granted. Just allow yourself to be worthy of having them.
Know that you were who you were back then. The decisions you made were yours and based on what you understood at the time to be true. You are the total sum of all that you have experienced. That which hasn't killed you has made you stronger in character, fostered greater understanding, and allowed you to gain deeper compassion for yourself and others.
We know that perspective is gained by distance and the passing of time. It is also gained by outsiders giving their feedback on what they perceive as their current experienced truth. Realizing that all of us project onto others through our own "filters" we need to take their advice, and at times our own, with a grain of salt. After all there is a little truth in every lie.
Ultimately, take care of your integrity and don't beat yourself up over past choices you would like to change. Instead be clear on what you want and use your time machine of now to change your past. Create a new history for yourself giving yourself permission to achieve your dreams, to want your desires, and to attain your happiness.
Namaste.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Take Responsibility for Your Life
It's your life!
Sign a waiver saying that you take responsibility for it.
Set yourself and others free.
LIFE WAIVER
I understand that during the course of my life I will be required to make many decisions, such as where I want to live, whom I want to live with, where I work, how much fun I have, and how I spend my money and time, including how much time I spend waiting for things to get better and people to change, and whom I choose to love.
I understand that many events that occur will be out of my hands and that there are inherent dangers and risks in all decisions I make. Life and people have no obligation whatsoever to live up to my expectations; I have no obligation to live up to the expectations of anybody else. Life is a high-risk, full-contact, sport, and I may become injured along the way.
I agree that all the decisions I make are mine and mine alone, including how I choose to handle the events that are beyond my control. I hereby forfeit my right to recourse as a victim, including my rights to blame, complain, and whine or hold someone else responsible for the path I choose to take. I am responsible for my participation - or lack of it -in life. And I take complete responsibility for the outcomes and consequences of all decisions I make, understanding that ultimately it is my choice whether I become happy, joyous, and free or stay miserable and trapped.
Although people may voluntarily nurture and love me, I and I alone am responsible for taking care of and loving myself.
Signed: __________________________ Dated: ______________
(This is taken from Melody Beattie's book "More Language of Letting Go" page eight.)
Sign a waiver saying that you take responsibility for it.
Set yourself and others free.
LIFE WAIVER
I understand that during the course of my life I will be required to make many decisions, such as where I want to live, whom I want to live with, where I work, how much fun I have, and how I spend my money and time, including how much time I spend waiting for things to get better and people to change, and whom I choose to love.
I understand that many events that occur will be out of my hands and that there are inherent dangers and risks in all decisions I make. Life and people have no obligation whatsoever to live up to my expectations; I have no obligation to live up to the expectations of anybody else. Life is a high-risk, full-contact, sport, and I may become injured along the way.
I agree that all the decisions I make are mine and mine alone, including how I choose to handle the events that are beyond my control. I hereby forfeit my right to recourse as a victim, including my rights to blame, complain, and whine or hold someone else responsible for the path I choose to take. I am responsible for my participation - or lack of it -in life. And I take complete responsibility for the outcomes and consequences of all decisions I make, understanding that ultimately it is my choice whether I become happy, joyous, and free or stay miserable and trapped.
Although people may voluntarily nurture and love me, I and I alone am responsible for taking care of and loving myself.
Signed: __________________________ Dated: ______________
(This is taken from Melody Beattie's book "More Language of Letting Go" page eight.)
Friday, January 05, 2007
If Not Now, When?
Have you ever chosen behavior that is self defeating in nature? Who hasn't? However, why haven't you stopped? If not now, when will you stop?
Popular self defeating activities include the usual cigarettes, junk food/TV, alcohol/pot, swearing, etc . . . . Knowing that something is "bad" or "self-defeating" is not enough for us to stop the behavior. It's because we haven't associated enough pain with the activity.
What's the payoff we are getting for that continued behavior. For many it is "comfort food" giving that immediate sensation of fulfillment physically when what we are really looking for is emotional fulfillment. For others it may be meditation through medication as they look at changing their physical state of consciousness through chemicals like alcohol or pot. Perhaps we are all looking for peace and happiness. However, it's the pain/pleasure principle exploiting our human nature that is the driving force behind the continued behavior.
Each moment is a choice of will. This creation point of "Now" manifests our destiny. If we are to "be" something know that we are "it" in a given moment. "Be, Do, Have" are three words explaining this creation process. We are to "Be" more of what we want in a given moment, do it, and then have it.
The question on the table is: What do you want out of life? The answer is to then "be" more of that thing you want. Drop the limiting behaviors by making a conscious choice each moment. It isn't a one time choice. You will have to continue to be steadfast in your resolve in adhering to your commitment to these guiding values and yourself. Your continued path of being less than you are continues with just one drink, puff, or bite.
Remember, we are not rational beings but rationalizing beings. Don't fool yourself! No one said having self discipline is easy. If it were everyone would be in great shape physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. They would have the happiness and peace they always desired. What do you want to experience in this life for yourself right now?
It is consistent adherence to a set of guiding principles that allows us to have a goal. It also reminds us of who we are or want to be. Find ways to set yourself up for success.
See yourself, having that perfect body, career, bank account, relationship, and life. It is your choice and it always has been. Be more of what you want now.
Because, if not now, when?
Popular self defeating activities include the usual cigarettes, junk food/TV, alcohol/pot, swearing, etc . . . . Knowing that something is "bad" or "self-defeating" is not enough for us to stop the behavior. It's because we haven't associated enough pain with the activity.
What's the payoff we are getting for that continued behavior. For many it is "comfort food" giving that immediate sensation of fulfillment physically when what we are really looking for is emotional fulfillment. For others it may be meditation through medication as they look at changing their physical state of consciousness through chemicals like alcohol or pot. Perhaps we are all looking for peace and happiness. However, it's the pain/pleasure principle exploiting our human nature that is the driving force behind the continued behavior.
Each moment is a choice of will. This creation point of "Now" manifests our destiny. If we are to "be" something know that we are "it" in a given moment. "Be, Do, Have" are three words explaining this creation process. We are to "Be" more of what we want in a given moment, do it, and then have it.
The question on the table is: What do you want out of life? The answer is to then "be" more of that thing you want. Drop the limiting behaviors by making a conscious choice each moment. It isn't a one time choice. You will have to continue to be steadfast in your resolve in adhering to your commitment to these guiding values and yourself. Your continued path of being less than you are continues with just one drink, puff, or bite.
Remember, we are not rational beings but rationalizing beings. Don't fool yourself! No one said having self discipline is easy. If it were everyone would be in great shape physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. They would have the happiness and peace they always desired. What do you want to experience in this life for yourself right now?
It is consistent adherence to a set of guiding principles that allows us to have a goal. It also reminds us of who we are or want to be. Find ways to set yourself up for success.
See yourself, having that perfect body, career, bank account, relationship, and life. It is your choice and it always has been. Be more of what you want now.
Because, if not now, when?
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Disipline and Dreams
What do they have that I want in my own life? I find that I compare at times myself to those who I feel have great bodies, great lives, great relationships, or whatever. I then realized that anything I want, and can think of, is within my grasp.
It may take finding a mentor, self discipline, and time, yet it is something that I could attain. There are many who wish for something but few who take appropriate and consistent action towards fulfilling their dreams.
Much of it hinges on clarity of your desired outcome. How specific can you be in your visualizing what you want? Are you able to breathe into the feelings of having that great body, spouse, life, or whatever? Are you able to consistently get up each morning and work out regardless of the multiple reasons that creep into your head called rationalizations?
It takes the ability to "dare to dream" with clarity while taking consistent and appropriate action called discipline. I guess it really depends on the level of life you want to manifest for yourself. Where do you see yourself? How do you see yourself? It is all up to you.
It may take finding a mentor, self discipline, and time, yet it is something that I could attain. There are many who wish for something but few who take appropriate and consistent action towards fulfilling their dreams.
Much of it hinges on clarity of your desired outcome. How specific can you be in your visualizing what you want? Are you able to breathe into the feelings of having that great body, spouse, life, or whatever? Are you able to consistently get up each morning and work out regardless of the multiple reasons that creep into your head called rationalizations?
It takes the ability to "dare to dream" with clarity while taking consistent and appropriate action called discipline. I guess it really depends on the level of life you want to manifest for yourself. Where do you see yourself? How do you see yourself? It is all up to you.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Zen and Now
Do you find your mind rehashing negative past events? Obsessing on the past through thoughts is often referred to in Zen teachings as a chattering mind. Realize that you have a beautiful mind and not to judge it. Understand that it is designed to latch onto thoughts and problems in an attempt to analyze and solve these puzzles of life.
Have compassion for your mind as it is like a dog gnawing a bone with, at times, bitter ferociousness. Have you ever tried taking a meaty bone away from a normally docile animal only to be snapped at? Your mind is similar as it wants to hold onto that meaty and juicy thought.
Only after compassion and understanding for yourself are you able to realize that you are NOT your thoughts and mind. Your true Christ or Buddha Nature is found not in the thoughts of the mind but between its thoughts in silence. It is found in the peace and quiet of the non-chattering mind.
Be the observer and watch your mind. Breath into the moment and work at being conscious in that moment as you proceed through the activities of your day. It is the Now that becomes the Then. So be more now of what you want then. It's all about the "Zen and Now" as you create your future and past by controlling the focus of your mind now. Use your mind in a more constructive way by focusing on what you want and not on what you don't want. Leave past events in the past.
Namaste.
Have compassion for your mind as it is like a dog gnawing a bone with, at times, bitter ferociousness. Have you ever tried taking a meaty bone away from a normally docile animal only to be snapped at? Your mind is similar as it wants to hold onto that meaty and juicy thought.
Only after compassion and understanding for yourself are you able to realize that you are NOT your thoughts and mind. Your true Christ or Buddha Nature is found not in the thoughts of the mind but between its thoughts in silence. It is found in the peace and quiet of the non-chattering mind.
Be the observer and watch your mind. Breath into the moment and work at being conscious in that moment as you proceed through the activities of your day. It is the Now that becomes the Then. So be more now of what you want then. It's all about the "Zen and Now" as you create your future and past by controlling the focus of your mind now. Use your mind in a more constructive way by focusing on what you want and not on what you don't want. Leave past events in the past.
Two traveling monks reached a river where they met a young woman. Wary of the current, she asked if they could carry her across. One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulders, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other bank. She thanked him and departed.Be at peace.
As the monks continued on their way, the one was brooding and preoccupied. Unable to hold his silence, he spoke out. "Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women, but you picked that one up on your shoulders and carried her!"
"Brother," the second monk replied, "I set her down on the other side, while you are still carrying her."
Namaste.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
My Part - Trust and Acceptance
As we co-create our reality I am reminded about "my part".
M anifest Y our P ower A ccept R elax T rust
Tensing up and obsessing until what we want takes place is at best tiring if not living in fear with anxiety. The path to success would be to trust that all is unfolding as it should in the right time.
At times you may feel like you are forcing a square peg through a round hole. Know that at those times we only see a limited path between point A and B. What if the universe has another path that you have not anticipated, see, or understand?
Release and let go of your limiting perceptions and allow the limitless universe to provide the path often of least resistance. Accept. Relax. Breathe. Let go.
M anifest Y our P ower A ccept R elax T rust
Tensing up and obsessing until what we want takes place is at best tiring if not living in fear with anxiety. The path to success would be to trust that all is unfolding as it should in the right time.
At times you may feel like you are forcing a square peg through a round hole. Know that at those times we only see a limited path between point A and B. What if the universe has another path that you have not anticipated, see, or understand?
Release and let go of your limiting perceptions and allow the limitless universe to provide the path often of least resistance. Accept. Relax. Breathe. Let go.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Love and Be Loved
The tag line from the romantic movie musical, Moulin Rouge, is: "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is to love and be loved in return". This was borrowed from a song made famous by Nat King Cole called "Nature Boy".
The songwriter of Nature Boy was eden ahbez. eden insisted that no capital letters be used in his name as only God and Infinity should be capitalized. He felt that the tag line: "To be loved in return, is too much of a deal, and that has nothing to do with love."
eden ahbez would have liked to modify the tag line reading: "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved, just to love and be loved". I can identify with this man's concept of love instead of control. In his simpleton life he chose God and Nature first which allowed him the clarity to see miles and miles, over and through, our world of materialism and its entrapping nature.
I can also identify with loving a woman so much to where she becomes all your hopes, dreams, and future. Once loss of this special someone is experienced a realization occurs to where you are left with you. The problem is that there is no more you since you gave that up long before the end of the relationship.
There is hope in that those bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom and love are within your reach again. This is because the magic of love we all long for was the energy created between the two individuals. It's the electricity or chemistry that is talked about when describing relationships.
It truly is the creation factor between the two individuals. Each of us shows up differently through different people as we co-create our reality. Each is an observer, and through mutual expectations, the two create as one their experience of love together.
Spiritual love may be given freely without stings attached. I have experienced it as more of a compassion like when Jesus said "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". Yet, romantic partnership love may actually have agreements or implicit unspoken responsibilities that each party needs to clarify.
We all know that the keystone and fundamental foundation to any fulfilling relationship worth having occurs first with a clear ability to know and love yourself. I believe that the second most valuable characteristic is the ability to trust the other enough to communicate openly, freely, and with mutual respect.
So, it is important to review your romantic relationship's fine print and verify each other's alignment to that fine print. Most romantic/partnership relationships comprise of monogamy, commitment, responsibilities, trust, respect and ability to put the other's needs before your own.
If each is respectful of the other's needs and maintains their since of self it will allow the unfolding of an interdependent and fulfilling relationship. It is each individuals responsibility to be secure in themselves through self love, self nurturing, self respect, self worth and self esteem. The inner strength of self will allow that individual to be independent which then fosters a relationship of interdependence. This of course is in direct contrast to an unhealthy, controlling, manipulative, and damaging relationship of the dark side of co-dependence.
I now have a greater appreciation for eden's desire to revise his lyrical line of poetry to emphasize that there is "no deal" in love. However, I have to remind myself of which love we are speaking as there is a difference between compassionate love that Gandhi practiced and companion love comprising of romance, financial necessity, and societal convention.
Thus, this first day of 2007, I will commit to self love, compassion love, and know that romantic "companion love" is still within the realm of possibilities.
Thanks eden (nature boy).
The songwriter of Nature Boy was eden ahbez. eden insisted that no capital letters be used in his name as only God and Infinity should be capitalized. He felt that the tag line: "To be loved in return, is too much of a deal, and that has nothing to do with love."
eden ahbez would have liked to modify the tag line reading: "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved, just to love and be loved". I can identify with this man's concept of love instead of control. In his simpleton life he chose God and Nature first which allowed him the clarity to see miles and miles, over and through, our world of materialism and its entrapping nature.
I can also identify with loving a woman so much to where she becomes all your hopes, dreams, and future. Once loss of this special someone is experienced a realization occurs to where you are left with you. The problem is that there is no more you since you gave that up long before the end of the relationship.
There is hope in that those bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom and love are within your reach again. This is because the magic of love we all long for was the energy created between the two individuals. It's the electricity or chemistry that is talked about when describing relationships.
It truly is the creation factor between the two individuals. Each of us shows up differently through different people as we co-create our reality. Each is an observer, and through mutual expectations, the two create as one their experience of love together.
Spiritual love may be given freely without stings attached. I have experienced it as more of a compassion like when Jesus said "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". Yet, romantic partnership love may actually have agreements or implicit unspoken responsibilities that each party needs to clarify.
We all know that the keystone and fundamental foundation to any fulfilling relationship worth having occurs first with a clear ability to know and love yourself. I believe that the second most valuable characteristic is the ability to trust the other enough to communicate openly, freely, and with mutual respect.
So, it is important to review your romantic relationship's fine print and verify each other's alignment to that fine print. Most romantic/partnership relationships comprise of monogamy, commitment, responsibilities, trust, respect and ability to put the other's needs before your own.
If each is respectful of the other's needs and maintains their since of self it will allow the unfolding of an interdependent and fulfilling relationship. It is each individuals responsibility to be secure in themselves through self love, self nurturing, self respect, self worth and self esteem. The inner strength of self will allow that individual to be independent which then fosters a relationship of interdependence. This of course is in direct contrast to an unhealthy, controlling, manipulative, and damaging relationship of the dark side of co-dependence.
I now have a greater appreciation for eden's desire to revise his lyrical line of poetry to emphasize that there is "no deal" in love. However, I have to remind myself of which love we are speaking as there is a difference between compassionate love that Gandhi practiced and companion love comprising of romance, financial necessity, and societal convention.
Thus, this first day of 2007, I will commit to self love, compassion love, and know that romantic "companion love" is still within the realm of possibilities.
Thanks eden (nature boy).
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