Welcome to my Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote. See today's daily inspirational quotes below.
May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Sheri Rosenthal: Trust: Can you trust and if so who?

Trust: Can you trust and if so who?
- Sheri Rosenthal

Trust for me is one of the most fascinating human concepts. But before we proceed, it's important to agree on a definition of trust so that we can be on the same wavelength for our discussion together. Here's a common definition for you: To rely upon or place confidence in someone or something. Just to be clear - we created all our concepts including the idea of trust - and just like all concepts, there is no ultimate truth to them. Yet we constantly allow ourselves to be hurt, betrayed and upset because of our trust in concepts. Yes, you read that correctly, I am saying that no one can betray us - we can only feel betrayed and angry because of the agreements we place our trust in. So let's talk a little more about what that means.

Most of us believe that we have been betrayed by someone outside of us – in other words someone has done something to hurt us, been dishonest or broken a promise made: some trust in some concept was broken. Indeed someone may have taken an action that took only their needs into consideration, they may have not followed through on a promise made, and they may have not told you the truth. But their actions have nothing to do with you and have everything to do with them. That’s why no one can do anything TO you. They can take actions that involve you that you may not like - according to your point of view. But you are not a victim, no way, no how.

Here is the bottom line: People can only be trusted to do what either their belief system or their heart compels them to do. Every human either is operating from their heart-integrity or their fear-based ego-mind in any moment. Each of us operates this way until we have absolute awareness of what's driving us every moment of our life. No one is exempt from this fact - all of us can be kind and wonderful in one moment and hurtful in the next. Humanity is on a spiritual path so we can raise our consciousness and be fully responsible for which operating system we choose to be working from. That’s why we need to be forgiven for those moments when we fall asleep and put our lives on auto-pilot, allowing a limited and fearful program to take control of our lives.

If my partner for example, is having a relationship outside our marriage, it's because he believes something that's compelling him to take that action. His behavior has nothing to do with me at all. Yes, it has an impact on my life, but I understand that only my concept of marriage has been betrayed – not me, as I am not a victim. My concept of marriage may say perhaps, that my partner should be monogamous until death. We all have the best intentions when we make a promise – but then our internal dialogue has us taking actions that make us break those promises. So then, if my partner feels neglected or angry at me for some reason – he may justify their choice to have an affair so they feel better about themselves. That is fear speaking, not integrity. These actions tell me about the quality of my partner’s mental state not about their heart. That is why we can trust 100% that they will do whatever their mind commands if that is where they’re operating from.

We all like to think of ourselves as enlightened, kind beings. But until we work through all the fear-based beliefs of our ego-minds it is unlikely that we'll go through life without someone feeling betrayed by us or visa versa. That's because we're constantly expecting others to measure up to the ideals and concepts that we have in our minds – and this is not possible. We can only trust that people will do what they believe – NOT what we believe. Now that we clearly understand how we betray ourselves with concepts – perhaps we'll have more compassion for those we love when they do the same. Ultimately, we cannot place our confidence and trust in ideas and concepts, only in truth and love.

Guest author Sheri Rosenthal leads Spiritual Journeys to exotic locations. I (Jonathan) have journeyed with Sheri to Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Egypt. Each trip has been magical - the logistics were meticulous and Sheri's teaching is inspiring.

ACTION - the sixth Point of Simply An Inspired Life

ACTION - the sixth Point of Simply An Inspired Life

I Act with Bold Courage - Taking inspiration from the powerful vision of my future, I boldly set sail with courage and intent. I hold my course with focused attention and relentless commitment, as I weather the storms of life.

Live a Life of Bold and Courageous Action Inspired by Powerful Dreams. - jlh

Choose with no regret. - mar

Begin Today, and Again Tomorrow

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature.
- Helen Keller

Every day is a day to take action. Whatever your choices, take action on those choices. Taking no action is equally a choice, just not a choice made from awareness. Make conscious choices, and take action on those choices - Today.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Sunday, March 29, 2009

VISION - the fifth Point of Simply An Inspired Life

VISION - the fifth Point of Simply An Inspired Life
I Dream with Powerful Intention - Opening my mind to Spirit, I trust my intuition to deliver powerful visions of my inspired future, and I empower my intent to transform those visions into reality. Vision stands on the shoulders of what is actual to get a better view of what is possible. - mar

Powerful Dreams Inspire Powerful Action - jlh
I am the call. From far beyond this life, I hear the call. From place beyond all place, I feel the call. From time before all time, I know the call. From one before all ones, I am the call. - jlh We are called. We are all called. We are called from beyond all place and time, by a power beyond all power. When you close your eyes, let your shoulders sag, and spread your arms wide, you can feel the call. The call says "You are here for a reason. Your life is important." The caller remains anonymous. We refrain from asking for a name. God? Our Ancestors? Gaia? Random biochemistry? Questions aside, focus on the message "There is a purpose to your life. Find your purpose."

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Lao Tzu: The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.


The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.
- Lao Tzu

Friday, March 27, 2009

CHOICE - the fourth Point of Simply An Inspired Life

CHOICE - the fourth Point of Simply An Inspired Life

I CHOOSE with Open Mind and Open Heart - I renounce all assumptions and expectations, and I declare that I will thoughtfully consider all possibilities. I will CHOOSE with courage, awareness, consciousness, and compassion toward all. Wake up to profound perspective that allows me to celebrate the choices of my moments, of my life. - mar

Say NO to the demands of the world.
Do we ever stop to ask ourselves WHY we "need to do" something? What is the "need," and on whose authority has the need been established? We disrespect ourselves and our free-will whenever we say that we NEED TO DO something. - jlh Everything we do is a choice! In every instant, we are making a choice about what we will do in that instant (as well as a choice about what we will think in that instant). We may choose to turn off and shut down our conscious attention, and allow the autopilot of our habits and instincts to make our choices, but they are still choices. I have no need to conform to the stereotypes others have defined for me. - jlh Your spouse says "You need to go to the grocery store today," and you say "I need to go to the grocery store today," or perhaps you say to yourself "I need to get a divorce." Look at all the "need to's." Who says so? There is no inherent "should," "must," or "need to" here. There are choices and there are consequences. The consequence of not going to the grocery store today may be eating peanut butter sandwiches or sleeping alone tonight, but there is no "need to." 

Thursday, March 26, 2009

John F. Kennedy: When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.


When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.
- John F. Kennedy

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Why I Choose to Believe that Others are Never the Cause of My Unhappiness

I received a question about the message "FORGIVENESS - the second Point of Simply An Inspired Life." The simplified version of the question is, "I don't understand how you can believe that other people don't make you happy or unhappy."

Most everything in life is about our point-of-view rather than any absolute. If I say, "Judy makes me unhappy," that's neither true nor false. If I say that my happiness has nothing to do with Judy, that is also neither absolutely true nor false. If I say that I feel unhappy when I'm around Judy, that's a little more objective, but it doesn't address the question of cause.

So why is it important whether we blame other people for our unhappiness (or for our happiness)? It isn't because of philosophy or a need to ponder the meaning of life. It's purely practical. If I choose to believe that the behavior of others determines my happiness, I become a helpless tumbleweed, blown about by circumstances, with no apparent ability to direct my own life. However, if I choose to believe that I am in control of my life, then annoying people, like all other obstacles in life, become just stones in my path - a nuisance, but not a road block.

Whenever I choose to carry resentment and hatred, I am shouldering an immense burden that damages my happiness, and often my health. So what if my resentment and hatred are "justified," they only hurt me, not the person I resent.

The key point is that we do have a choice of how we view the various nuisances on our life path. One choice makes us slaves to circumstances, while the other empowers us and motivates us to follow our dreams - and our happiness.

GRATITUDE - the third Point of Simply An Inspired Life

GRATITUDE - the third Point of Simply An Inspired Life

I Receive ALL of Life with Thanksgiving - I have gratitude for EVERYTHING that has ever occurred to bring me to this moment. I give thanks for the joys and the sufferings, the moments of peace and the flashes of anger, the compassion and the indifference, the roar of my courage and the cold sweat of my fear. I accept gratefully the entirety of my past and my present life. Yes. As the evening beckons with the promise of tomorrow... may your gratitude rise up and with strength answer, "yes." - mar

Gratitude for Rainbows & Butterflies
Our "Rainbows & Butterflies" are the small miracles of our life - the little things that are so easy to overlook, yet so awe inspiring when we take a moment to notice and to pay attention. Give thanks for the rainbows, for the butterflies, for all God's creatures - large and small, for the bright blue sky and the soft fog and the gentle rain, for the tree veiled in the season's first frost, for the baby's laugh, for the touch of a hand and the whispered "I love you."

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Perspectives on the Nature of God - Which of these Five Views Matches Yours?

Each of us holds a different image of God. There are as many perspectives on the nature of God as there are people, but these views tend to cluster into several groupings which are instructive to examine. However much any of us may choose to argue, or to fight and kill, for our point of view, the nature of God is an unanswerable question. Perhaps there is a specific answer, that we will never learn - in this lifetime. Perhaps the nature of God is so complex and multifaceted that each view of God describes an aspect of the complex whole. Or perhaps the nature of God is actually defined by our beliefs.

Which of these five views matches yours?

1. God the Wrathful: This is a God in whom the human characteristics vengeance, anger, and pride are magnified to superhuman proportions. God the Wrathful is a thinking feeling being who is almost always depicted as male. God the Wrathful holds humans in contempt. This relationship of God and human is demonstrated in the passages, "All men are sinners," "He will suffer vengeance seven times over," and "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

2. God the Judgmental: This view of God is dominated by the existence and supreme importance of absolute right and wrong. God the Judgmental is a being, usually male, who is lawmaker, judge, and jury to humanity. Have you been naughty or have you been nice? If you have been good, you get magnificent gifts after you have died - if not before. But if you don't follow the rules of God the Judgmental, you get a lump of coal in your stocking, you suffer the torments of everlasting Hell. God the Judgmental is characterized by the passages, "May the Lord look upon you and judge you," "Allah has cursed them on account of their unbelief," and "The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness."

3. God Who? This perspective on the nature of God discounts the existence of anything that cannot be seen or touched. In this view, God is either known not to exist, or is doubted to exist. We live in a world of physical reality where the dreams and conscious actions of humans compete with the random happenings of an indifferent natural world. This view of God is shown in the anonymous quote, "Religions are all alike - founded upon fables and mythologies," and the Ernest Hemingway quote, "All thinking men are atheists."

4. God the Compassionate: This God is a kindly superhuman, either male or female, who is benevolent as well as being omnipotent - a God who loves humans, who offers many gifts and few, if any, lumps of coal. Those who believe in God the compassionate are often troubled by the apparent contradiction between the existence of an omnipotent and benevolent God and the prevalence of violence and suffering in this world. The possibility of a compassionate afterlife is, to some, a possible escape from this dilemma. God the Compassionate is characterized by the passages, "God, who gives generously to all without finding fault," and "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

5. God the Universal Spirit: This God is of a completely different character than any of the preceding. God the Universal Spirit is not a being, and is neither male nor female. This is a God beyond any human or superhuman qualities, a God without form, substance, personality, emotions, or demands. God the Universal Spirit does not anger, lose patience, or seek revenge. It does not reward some human behaviors and punish others. God the Universal Spirit does not have an independent existence - it resides in every person, in every grain of sand. Each of us is filled with the God Spirit, and simultaneously each of us is a tiny part of the God Spirit itself. The nature of God the Universal Spirit can be glimpsed in the Ernest Holmes quote, "The manifest universe is the body of God ... all people are incarnations of the One Spirit." and the Mohandas Gandhi quote, "God has no religion."

You have probably rejected four of these five views of God as being absolutely wrong, and even been uncomfortable with the wording of the view with which you most closely align. In doing so, you have rejected the sincere beliefs of the vast majority of humanity. Is promoting your preferred characterization of God more important than compassion and acceptance of diversity? Apparently most people think it is. Charles M. Schulz had his Peanuts character Linus (the little kid who always carries a blanket) say, "All right, so you believe in Santa Claus and I'll believe in the Great Pumpkin. The way I see it, it doesn't matter what you believe, just so you're sincere." Perhaps great wisdom comes from little mouths.

Socrates: He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.


He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.
- Socrates

Monday, March 23, 2009

FORGIVENESS - the second Point of Simply An Inspired Life


FORGIVENESS - the second Point of Simply An Inspired Life

I Forgive Myself with Compassion - I forgive everyone, especially myself, for all actions and all inactions throughout my entire life. I accept that no one else has ever been to blame for either my joy or my suffering. The entire cause of all my joys and all my sufferings is my own emotional response to the events of my life, and I am committed to consistently distinguishing between my feelings about events and the physical occurrence of those events. I declare that everyone who has ever played any role in any of the events of my life is entirely without fault.

Why Forgive? I'm angry. They wronged me, why should I forgive them? They lied, they cheated, why should I forgive them?

Forgiveness is not a reprieve or a gift that we give to someone else. Forgiveness for another's act or omission is a reprieve and gift that we give ourself. We are the one who suffers the upset and the anger when we feel that we have been wronged. It is our own blood pressure that rises when we hold on to resentment.

Give yourself the gift of forgiving others, not because "they" deserve it, but because you deserve the serenity and joy that comes from releasing resentment and anger, and from embracing universal forgiveness.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. - Matthew


Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.
- Matthew 5:44

Saturday, March 21, 2009

HONOR - the first Point of Simply An Inspired Life


HONOR - the first Point of Simply An Inspired Life

I Honor My True Self - I grant myself the Honor of being ME. I am unique in all time and space. I am beyond perceived scarcity, obligation, and the need for approval. I am Honored that Spirit has chosen to create ME.

I honor myself by respecting myself
, so self-respect, self-worth, and self-confidence are closely aligned to honor. The nature of honor is well expressed in William Shakespeare's words:

This above all, to thine own self be true.

Self-honor - self-respect, is in no way selfish. Before I can give to others, I must have something to give. Only by first creating my own self-esteem and happiness, do I possess the resources to contribute anything meaningful to others.


Friday, March 20, 2009

Inspirational Quotes and Life Sayings - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Inspirational Quotes and Life Sayings
- Blessings, Aphorisms, and Affirmations...

Life is a Book of Riddles, with the Real Lessons Writ Small in its Margins.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Today, I Dance Lightly With Life.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Today is your day to dance lightly with life. It really is.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Life is NOT "Supposed to be Fair." Know that there is no single way that life is "supposed" to be. Demanding that life meet our expectations is a sure fire recipe for a miserable existence. Life is a game with no rules. Life just happens to us regardless of our best intentions. Our only path to happiness lies in being open to receiving whatever life throws at us - with Gratitude. Have NO Expectations of life.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Powerful Dreams Inspire Powerful Action.
When you can taste, smell, and touch your dream, you can enroll the world.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Regrets are the tears of choices not made
Regrets are the tears of good deeds left undone
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Play with life, laugh with life, dance lightly with life, and smile at the riddles of life, knowing that life’s only true lessons are writ small in the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

You don’t have the power to make life “fair,” but you do have the power to make life joyful.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Say NO to the demands of the world.
Say YES to the longings of your own heart.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Choose the World You See, and See the World You Choose.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Beware the Rattlesnake of the Mind.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

A flower is a weed seen through joyful eyes.
Call a plant beautiful, and it becomes a flower.
Call it ugly, and it becomes a weed.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Honor your being,
Release each and every struggle,
Gather strength from life’s storms,
Relax into the arms of spirit.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I forgive everyone for every “wrong” that I believe they have ever inflicted upon me. I forgive them for my own sake, that I may release the venom – the anger and resentment within myself - and regain my joy and serenity. I have compassion for everyone who has ever been a player upon the stage of my life.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Where there is no accusation of “fault," there can be no anger.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Lord, grant comfort, joy and health to those I call friend, to those I call enemy, and to those I have cursed by my indifference.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Our Joy comes from living our own lives simply and gratefully - never from making any demands whatsoever upon others.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Be a passionate Observer of Life. See the events, feel the emotions, and recognize the difference.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Joy increases and suffering decreases as one masters the distinction between events and one’s feelings about those events.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Having a personal opinion is great. Believing that one’s personal opinion is absolute truth leads to most of the world’s troubles.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

A reflection of life is not life
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Life is lived in the waiting
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Life is lived between the lines
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

An ounce of conscious choice is worth a pound of good fortune
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Resources and Recommendations - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

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The Buddha: Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.


Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
– The Buddha

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Regrets are the tears of choices not made - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Regrets are the tears of choices not made
Regrets are the tears of good deeds left undone
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

short quotes - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

A reflection of life is not life
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Life is lived in the waiting
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Life is lived between the lines
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

An ounce of conscious choice is worth a pound of good fortune - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The Eight Points of Simply An Inspired Life

Last Fall, we featured a sequence of messages on the Eight Points of Simply An Inspired Life. Since then, our subscriber list has grown vastly to more than 3100 daily subscribers, so it seems appropriate to re-introduce this material. For those of you who have seen this before, consider it a review. The Eight Points of Simply An Inspired Life are the core values that form the basis of our book Simply An Inspired Life - Consciously Choosing Unbounded Happiness in Good Times and Bad by Jonathan Lockwood Huie and Mary Anne Radmacher.

We will look at these values one by one every other day over the coming days. Here, we just introduce the eight points, and their affirmations.

The EIGHT POINTS of SIMPLY AN INSPIRED LIFE

· HONOR for true self.
· FORGIVENESS for self and all.
· GRATITUDE in everything.
· CHOICE with open mind and heart.
· VISION with powerful intention.
· ACTION with bold courage.
· CELEBRATION with joy.
· UNITY with all creation.

Affirmations of Simply An Inspired Life

· HONOR - I Honor My True Self

· FORGIVENESS - I Forgive Myself and All Others with Compassion

· GRATITUDE - I Receive ALL of Life with Thanksgiving

· CHOICE - I CHOOSE with Open Mind and Open Heart

· VISION - I Dream with Powerful Vision

· ACTION - I Act with Bold Courage

· CELEBRATION - I Dance with a Light Heart

· UNITY - I Am One With Spirit and All Creation

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Mary Anne Radmacher: Listen to a recording of my one-hour teleseminar with Kathleen Gage

What an absolutely amazing call with Mary Anne and Linda. So much was shared in one short hour.

If you missed the call (or want to listen again) go to http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=6453876

Find out what you can do to live your live more passionately, boldly and with deeper meaning.

Blessings
Kathleen Gage
KathleenGage.com

Favorite Articles by Jonathan Lockwood Huie

This Above All, To Thine Own Self Be True - 5 Ways to Apply William Shakespeare's Advice Today



This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
- William Shakespeare
If Bill were around today, I think he would appreciate hearing the flight attendant say, "Put on your own oxygen mask first." Before any of us can be of service to others, or provide valuable council, we must empower our own lives. Only as happy, fully self-expressed individuals who set an example of living a great life, can we presume to suggest to others how they might improve the quality of their own lives. We are most powerful when we set an example.

Consider a parent who says, "Look at the sacrifices I'm making so you can have a better life." Contrast that with another parent who joyfully demonstrates living a great life every day. Parenthood requires many trade-offs, but parenthood should not be a time of suffering. Living a great life and sharing that life with others is the noble way to live.

Here are 5 ways to make a difference in the world by being true to yourself:

1. Set an example for your children and others. Live a life you hope your children will emulate.

2. Aspire to a successful career. You can't contribute money or material goods to any worthwhile cause if you don't have any. You best set an example by being successful AND generous.

3. Generate your own happiness and radiate that happiness into the world. People enjoy being around happy people, and they become happy themselves as a result.

4. Set boundaries. When you reach the limit of what you can contribute while still maintaining your inner peace and serenity, say NO to additional requests for your time and energy. Whenever you let urgency compromise your happiness, you lose your ability to set an example by leading a great life - as well as losing your own happiness.

5. Think for yourself - don't blindly follow tradition or the conventions of your family, community, or religion. Making your own choices gives you the opportunity to live a life you love, and to set an example of open-minded thinking and compassion.

St. Francis of Assisi: Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.


Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.
- St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites

From Moses and the Buddha to the present day, the Wisdom of the Ages remains unchanged. What varies is how that wisdom is expressed. don Miguel Ruiz has reduced the essence of living a joyful and purposeful life to four short phrases. How well has he succeeded?

don Miguel Ruiz' Four Agreements are:

1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don't take anything personally. 3. Don't make assumptions 4. Always do your best.

1. Be impeccable with your word: "Impeccable" means "held to the highest standard." Ruiz first Agreement is not only about never lying, gossiping, or speaking ill of anyone, it is also a statement of the power of your Intent. You call into existence what you intend.

Call a plant beautiful, and it becomes a flower. Call it ugly, and it becomes a weed. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

2. Don't take anything personally: That driver who just swerved into your lane isn't attacking you. He or she is just preoccupied - as most of us are, most of the time. Practice forgiveness if you do get riled, but better yet, wear an emotional raincoat to deflect any upset attached to the perceived offense.

3. Don't make assumptions: Much unnecessary suffering is caused by imagining that others intend us harm. You truly have no idea what anyone else is thinking. Training yourself to live in the present - without regretting the past or fearing the future - is a recipe for a happy life.

4. Always do your best: Like the first Agreement, the fourth has a double meaning. Not only is it important to your self-respect never to do less than your best, it is equally important to be fully satisfied having done your best - without suffering regrets over not having done even better.

Ruiz' The Four Agreements has entertaining and pointed stories to illustrate each of the Agreements, as well as a section integrating all four into a path for living well.

The Four Agreements deserves an honored place in your library.

Training and Coaching

Classes

Mary Anne Radmacher teaches a variety of hands on creative experiences involving both writing and artistic exploration.

From a two week writing intensive, to the monthly focus phrase process to a life changing trimester called LEAN FORWARD INTO YOUR LIFE, mary anne guides participants in a variety of writing experiences, on line.

Click HERE to learn more about mary anne's classes.

Coaching

mary anne radmacher,
author, artist and inspirator...

has taught personal writing processes for over twenty five years. Through the immediacy of the internet she offers writing based interactions called...

ON(e)LINE ....

ONE LINE between mary anne and the participant - an exchange which occurs ON LINE. Each opportunity comes with more complete instructions upon registration. Click HERE to learn more about ON(e)LINE.
You may Contact Mary Anne at mar@sail7.com or 503-999-1501

Our Book - Jonathan and Mary Anne


Simply An Inspired Life:
Consciously Choosing Unbounded Happiness in Good Times and Bad
by Jonathan Lockwood Huie and Mary Anne Radmacher. 
Does your life appear overwhelming? Is stress dominating your days. Does worry disturb your sleep?
It is possible to enjoy a happy life, even in the face of life's most challenging circumstances. Let Simply An Inspired Life be your guide to a joyful life - your beacon of hope in a troubled and confusing world.
By examining the Eight Points of An Inspired Life that enable "Taking the Helm on Your Life Voyage," Simply An Inspired Life provides compass and chart for discovering release from emotional pain through stories of self-inflicted suffering, stories of joy, and insights into what makes the difference.
Honor your past, and all the consequences of that past. Receive insight into relieving the pain caused by past experiences and current attitudes toward life. Observe life as it currently appears, and then train yourself to observe life from other perspectives that support a higher quality of living. Reconsider your priorities. Chart your Course. Set Sail with Courage.

Albert Einstein: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
- Albert Einstein

There is a fine line between perseverance and insanity. At what point have you tried your best, and it's time to do something different? It's a balance - a paradox. If you get in the habit of giving up as soon as something gets difficult, your life won't work, but if you keep tilting at windmills - madly trying the same thing again and again, your life also won't work.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Dmitri Bilgere: The "Magic Question" to instantly triple (probably) your organizing effectiveness

The "Magic Question" to instantly triple (probably) your organizing effectiveness
- Dmitri Bilgere

Most people do NOT clean and organize in the most effective way that they could.

But I've discovered a simple question that, if you ask it to yourself, will make your cleaning and organizing MUCH more effective.

In fact, I'd say it's at least TRIPLED the results I get, and I think it will for you, too.

But before I share that question with you, let's take a quick look at how most people organize now, and WHY it doesn't really work.


HOW MOST PEOPLE CLEAN AND ORGANIZE

The problem is this...

If you tend to be messy, you probably occasionally decide that you need to "work at" being less messy.

You'll get your energy up, then dive into some problem area of your space, and work for hours on a little corner of a room (or wherever). You'll make it perfect...

... then watch in horror as that little corner of perfection is almost instantly swept away by the rest of the disorder.

Then you lose your enthusiasm for cleaning and organizing, and it's even harder to get started again next time.

This exact thing happens OFTEN to a friend of mine whose room is a total mess. She organizes for an hour or so, gets through part of one box, and discovers that her room looks almost exactly as bad as it did before she started. It's depressing.

THE SIMPLE QUESTION THAT GIVES YOU THE BEST RESULTS

I've discovered that It's not enough to "make effort" in cleaning or organizing a space.

You have to "stage" your effort in such a way that, each step of the way, the results are INSPIRING.

Every bit of effort needs to create inspiring results that will propel you to keep going. You DON'T want your effort to lead to you getting discouraged when your results get washed away by the rest of the mess.

The best way I've found to stay inspired about organizing my space (and keeping it that way!) is by continually asking myself the question,

===>>> "What is the next action I can take that will create the biggest VISIBLE change in the shortest amount of time?" <====

This is the question that has tripled my effectiveness in cleaning and organizing my space.

Let me give you an example...

After a recent dinner party I noticed that a day had gone by and I hadn't cleaned up. In fact, the whole house was looking kind of horrible.

My first impulse was to "jump in" and start washing dishes.

And, if past experience is any guide, I would have done that for a while, gotten tired of it, and wandered off to do something else, leaving the cleaning to some unspecified future date.

But this time I asked myself, "What is the next action that will create the biggest VISIBLE change?"

I realized it wasn't washing dishes... It was getting them all in one place, next to the sink.

Simple enough! So I did that... And the house instantly looked much better.

This was cool!

So I asked myself again: What's the next action that will create the biggest VISIBLE change?"

Turns out that it was to wipe down the table and all the counters. So I did that. And once again, things looked surprisingly better.

I was starting to get inspired.

I was really surprised by the next one: The next action to create the biggest change was to vacuum the carpets and sweep the kitchen.

And it really made the house look great.

At this point I was running out of time and had to go to an appointment. But it was okay, because the house looked great-- Even though I hadn't washed a single dish.

When I got home I was inspired to see the house looking so good... And the next most VISIBLE action was to wash the dishes.

Asking yourself what next action will create the biggest VISIBLE change focuses you on creating VISIBLE success... Which is exactly what you need if you want to have the inspiration to need to see the project through.

It's a really powerful question for any cleaning or organizing task.

It's also worth noting that the action that creates the biggest visible change will often be something that you did NOT expect.

For instance...

I always consider vacuuming carpets and cleaning the floor to be the LAST thing I do (if I do it at all). But when I ask myself the question, I constantly discover that one of the biggest results-producing things I can do is to vacuum... And the improvement that creates in my space inspires me to keep taking action.

The one caveat is this...

When you take the next action, it should be something that puts things where they need to be for the next step, NOT an action that simply hides things.

For instance, when I cleaned up, I put the dishes next to the sink... not in the stove.

Things would have LOOKED BETTER if I'd put the dishes in the stove... but that would not have put them where they need to be for washing, which is the next step.

Similarly, if you are cleaning your office, stack papers neatly near your desk... NOT in the basement closet, where they will never be seen again.

If you put things where they need to be for the next step, you can get inspiring results AND keep moving toward true organization.

You can also use a time-boundary to make the question even more effective. For instance, If you only have five minutes, ask yourself:

"What is the next action I can take that will have the biggest visible effect in the next FIVE MINUTES?"

This will help you have the most inspiring results you can get in the limited amount of time.

So next time you are cleaning and organizing-- or if there's some area of your home or office you've been putting off getting organized-- I suggest you try asking yourself, "What is the next action that will create the biggest VISIBLE change?"

Then try doing that action... And notice any inspiration that shows up.

-----
Since 1988, guest author Dmitri Bilgere has led personal development seminars all over the US, in Canada, England, and South Africa. He is also does individual "healing coaching" over the telephone. To get his email newsletters (and a free facilitation mini-course) go to http://dbweb.org/free

Lao Tzu: Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained.


Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.
- Lao Tzu

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Dont Stay in a Broken Marriage "For the Children"

If you are clear that you are miserable in your relationship, don't procrastinate on getting a divorce "for the sake of the children." While some experts would argue that having one parent move out of the home increases the stress on young children, consider the likelihood that the benefit of no longer seeing Mommy and Daddy fighting far outweighs any negative effects.

The premise for the remainder of this article is that you have already explored all avenues for rebuilding an empowering relationship with your spouse - you have talked, you have had counseling, you have contemplated your future.

Having determined that a happy relationship is no longer possible, you are considering remaining in your unhappy marriage "for the sake of the children." Don't do it. Here's why:

1. While growing up with two happy parents who love each other is probably the ideal nurturing environment for children, living with one happy parent is far better than living with two people who are unhappy and hate each other.

2. However noble your intentions, you are not going to be able to fake happiness for long. Your children will recognize your unhappiness almost at once, and that will cause them great suffering.

3. While you and your spouse may make an agreement never to argue or treat each other badly in front of the children, you will not be able to keep such an agreement. You will exchange icy stares, unkind words, and sarcasm - if not worse - in spite of your resolve and idealism.

4. Your own well-being does matter, don't discount the importance of your own happiness. Martyrdom is highly over-rated. There is no special place in heaven for those who suffer for no good reason. Don't let guilt - which is also highly over-rated - cause you to make a decision that will certainly cause misery for both yourself and your children.

5. It is your decision - and you are responsible only to yourself in making this decision. Don't be bullied by your partner, parents, relatives, friends, or church. They may have some so-called "moral" position, but the only important factors to consider in making this decision are your children's well-being and your own.

Try Daily Journaling - 7 Hints for Beginning a Rewarding Journaling Practice

If you have never experienced the practice of daily journaling, give it a try. I highly recommend it. When I say "journaling," I am not referring to a diary in which to record the events of your life, I am talking about a place to record your feelings - a friend with whom to share your troubles, fears, hopes, and dreams.

To get the most out of journaling, consider these suggestions:

1. Begin today. Like most everything that is life-enhancing, but optional, the practice of journaling is easy to put off. If you don't start today, you are less likely to begin tomorrow, and by the next day, you will have lost the inspiration forever.

2. Journal every day, preferably at the same time. Habits, whether healthy repetitions or unhealthy addictions, are the backbone of our lives. Support your journaling habit by reenforcing it daily.

3. Write longhand. There is nothing friendly about a computer keyboard. Let the movements of your pen be an extension of your being.

4. Honor yourself with a bound journal book and a smooth-writing pen. Neither has to be expensive, but they should feel good to your touch and inspire you to feel good about yourself and your connection with your words.

5. Just let the words flow. Don't pause, don't edit your thoughts, don't mind your spelling or your grammar, don't re-read what you have written. This is a time to release emotions. While there is value in reading your journal at a later time, the greatest value of journaling is in the writing. I am not recommending that you burn your journal book, but if you did, you would still receive vast benefit from the practice.

6. Fully express your emotions. Everywhere else in life, we censor our feelings. It becomes a habit to pretend that we are not really angry, not really regretful, not really hurt, not really afraid. Your journal is the one friend with whom you can truly share the depth of your emotion. Go ahead and say, "I'm afraid." Go ahead and tell your journal, "I'm panicked," or even "I'm terrified," if that is your feeling at this moment.

7. Write until you are drained. At first, it will seem that you have an endless stream of complaints, but you will be surprised to suddenly reach a moment when you find that you have named every trouble, and you feel drained. That is the moment when an unfamiliar peace descends, and the world appears as an empty canvas rather than as a hostile bully.

Consider a new beginning with your family - choose to take them less seriously

Consider a new beginning with your extended family - choose to take them less seriously. Take whatever they say as merely their opinion, which, of course, it is. Suppose Aunt Judy holds the opinion that you aren't doing the best with your life - or that your shirt is the wrong color - or your house isn't clean enough - so what? It's much easier to be gracious once you accept that her opinion is only her opinion - it's neither right nor wrong - it's just her opinion - and her opinion has nothing to do with you. As a new beginning, consider choosing to enjoy Aunt Judy for those ways in which she is pleasant to be around, and ignoring whatever she says that is not enjoyable or constructive. Your relationship (interaction) with each other human has both pleasant and unpleasant aspects. Enjoy the pleasant and don't become upset by the less pleasant.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Do You Own Your Money and Stuff Or Do They Own You? - Take This Quiz to Find Out

Most people think they own a home, furniture, computers and other electronics, sports equipment, clothes, cosmetics, a bank account, and perhaps stocks, mutual funds, or a 401K plan. But perhaps they are owned by their possessions instead. Take the following quiz to see whether you are gaining happiness from your belongings, or whether you could find more happiness in a simpler lifestyle.

1. Write down the number of hours each week that you are conscious of enjoying your home. Subtract the number of hours you spend maintaining your home. Subtract the number of hours you work to have others maintain your home, to pay taxes, and to pay the mortgage. Now, subtract the number of hours you are conscious of worrying about paying for your home or about maintaining it.

2. Do you own a golf club membership, vacation home, boat, RV, sports or luxury car? Make the same computation as for your home - hours of enjoyment versus hours of work or worry.

3. Consider vacations, restaurant meals, expensive clothes and beauty treatments. Again compare hours of enjoyment to hours you spend working to pay for the luxury or worrying about its cost.

4. Do you live in fear of losing your job? Write down the worst things that would happen if you lost your job or source of income tomorrow.

Anything that costs you more hours of effort or worry than it brings you hours of enjoyment is a candidate for downsizing. The average American house size has more than doubled in the last 50 years. Has the average enjoyment of that home also doubled? How about the average worry? This article is not a plea for simplicity, but rather, a call for conscious decision making and joyful acceptance - especially in financial matters.

Living in fear of anything is a terrible waste of what could be a great life. If you live in fear of losing your job, either you fear the embarrassment of being jobless, or you fear the loss of material goods - house, car, and such. If you live in fear of losing your stuff and money, it is clear that they own you.

If you discover that your money and stuff do own you, you can regain your happiness either by downsizing, or by mentally accepting that downsizing would not be a terrible thing. It does not matter whether you own three homes, six cars, and a yacht, or whether you rent a room. Just the acceptance that a simpler lifestyle could be joyful is enough. The only meaningful value in life is happiness, and happiness is dependent neither upon owning things nor upon renouncing material wealth, but rather upon consciously adopting an acceptance of whatever circumstances life throws your way.

Marie Curie: Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.


Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
- Marie Curie (scientist 1867-1934)

Friday, March 13, 2009

Failure? Never

Sometimes life doesn't go the way you want. Your great life-work may sink and sway. "Failure" is an ugly word. Think of those projects that did not turn out as you intended as lessons. Most important, never, even for a moment, consider insulting yourself or any other person with the "F" word.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Take Charge of Your Life - 9 Secrets for Getting Un-Stuck - Jonthan Lockwood Huie

Take Charge of Your Life - 9 Secrets for Getting Un-Stuck
- Jonthan Lockwood Huie

From the way most people live, one would never guess that humans are beings of free will. Repetition can be a choice, but often it isn't. The athlete or pianist who practices the same routine day after day, year after year, has their eye on a goal. The unending repetition is a conscious choice in the pursuit of a life dream. But what about the sameness of most lives? Observe the morning commute, the after-work drink, the Sunday football game or religious service - how many of those people are consciously following their dream, training their mind, body, and spirit through that daily repetition? And how many are mindlessly slogging through each day out of habit and boredom?

You can take charge of your own life - today. Here are 9 secrets to get you started:

1. Believe in yourself. A daily affirmation may seem to be a silly idea, but give it a try anyway. Write your own affirmation about your abilities, and repeat it each day before you leave your home. Start with the following, and modify it until it fully expresses your commitments, beliefs, and intents.

I am unlimited.
I take responsibility for my life.
My every action is a conscious choice.
I can accomplish anything good that I truly set my mind on.
I keep focus, and persevere.

2. Make peace with your past. In the words of William Shakespeare, "What's done is done." You can't change the past. You can't undo any actions you took or failed to take. Your only choice today is either to waste energy and emotion on regrets and resentments, or to treat your own past like a history book - an interesting, but emotionally neutral, recitation of ancient times.

3. See each day as a new beginning. Don't project your past onto your future. Suppose you won the lottery yesterday, would that mean you will win the lottery again tomorrow? Usually, we are fairly realistic about not expecting a run of good fortune to continue, but when we hit a streak of bad luck, we tend to project that failure into our future and think times will never get better. So you stepped on a banana peel and slipped yesterday, does that mean it will happen again tomorrow? If you got fired or your lover left, it's unfortunate, but there's always tomorrow - a tomorrow that can shine so long as you don't project yesterday's shadow upon it.

4. Look for the best in people. Everyone has good points and bad. Everyone will please you at times and annoy you at others. While there is power in choosing to associate mostly with positive people, there is even more power in seeing the best in everyone. Everyone has a lesson to teach us. Let the impact of an unkind or thoughtless word last only a moment, but bask for a whole day in gentle words and insightful thoughts. The happiest among us have no enemies.

5. Make a gratitude list, and review it often.
Not everything has gone well in your life, but much has. Too often we focus on the negative and forget our great blessings - health, friends, family, beauty, nature, our body, our mind, Spirit, life itself. Perhaps you have arthritis or your spouse just moved out. Yes, those are big negatives, but your list, anyone's list, of blessings is vastly larger than any list of problems.

6. Design your future. Visualize being in the future you desire. Make that vision so real you can taste and smell it - a three-dimensional full-color motion picture with surround-sound. That is your goal - your destination. Never forget it - never lose track of it. Let what you do every day be done with that vision in mind. Be the aspiring athlete or musician whose every day moves them one inch closer to that three-minute mile or perfect concerto.

7. Either learn how to enjoy your work, or get a new career. Make a list of what you like and what you dislike about your job. Perhaps you enjoy your customers and co-workers, but find your boss annoying. Limit your awareness of the annoying times to the moment in which they occur, but let thoughts of the service and camaraderie permeate your day. If you find that the frustrations of your job outweigh the enjoyment, get a new career. Whatever your interests, there is a way to do something you enjoy, make a difference in the world, and get well paid at the same time. Make a list of all your interests and abilities, and think big. Don't let anyone else's small and limited thinking deter you from your goal.

8. Enjoy everything you do, or don't do it.
Yes, you have to file your taxes and stop at stop signs whether you like it or not. This secret refers to those things you do merely out of habit or to avoid embarrassment. Enjoy that party, or don't accept the invitation. Feel fulfilled by that volunteer committee, or don't join. Believe in that particular charitable cause, or don't contribute. Everything in life is a choice - make wise choices that maximize your happiness.

9. Feel Unity with Spirit and all creation. You are never alone. Your Higher Power, whatever that means to you, is a constant support - never hesitate to ask for guidance and blessing. Remember that Spirit knows better than you what is best for you, so ask for comfort and affluence rather than the affections of a particular person or a higher paying job. Whatever your circumstances, and however often you may have felt rejected, there are many people in this world who live in the tradition of the "Good Samaritan." When troubles weigh upon you, do not hesitate to find and rely upon these people - they are far more numerous than you think.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. - Matthew 7:7


Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
- Matthew 7:7

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Where does your path lead?

Where are you going? Where does your path lead? You can never know the future, yet wandering aimlessly is unlikely to be the source of a fulfilling life.

Visualize being lost in the woods. You don't know where the path leads, you don't know what rivers, pitfalls, or wild animals lie ahead, but you can see the sun and stars, you can see the mountains sparkling in the distance. Life is like that, keep one eye on those shining mountains, and one on the path you follow.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Monday, March 9, 2009

Serenity - make a conscious choice to live a stress-free life

Serenity - make a conscious choice to live a stress-free life. Stress is always waiting just outside your door like a vicious wild-dog, but a double-barreled defense can keep stress at bay.

The first weapon is choosing to see the lesson and the joy in each occurrence in your life.

The second is taking the time to find your moments of serenity and calm. Yes, that means making the choice of not doing something else, but do it anyway. Choose serenity.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Suggestions for Reading Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote

There will be days when you say, "That's obvious, everybody knows that." Let those days be a gentle reminder.

There will be days when the picture and the quote make you feel good, and you say, "Ah." Let those days be tranquil and comforting.

There will be days when you say, "Huh, what does that quote mean?" Let those be days of inquiry and questioning.

There will be days when you say, "NO WAY! That doesn't agree with my view of how things should be." Let those be days for accepting diversity. Ask, question, then listen to your own heart and mind. Only you can choose your beliefs.

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
– The Buddha

Siddhattha Gotama, known as the Buddha, lived in India about 500 BC - at the time the second temple was being constructed in Jerusalem. He was a wise teacher, and is revered, but never worshiped, by those of the Buddhist philosophy.

Rumi: Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened.


Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened. Don't open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
- Rumi (Persian poet 1207-1273)

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Vision - Creation - Art?

Vision - Creation - Art? Each of us is an artist, but many are repressed artists. There is something of ourselves that cannot be expressed in words. Perhaps that something can be expressed in form or color, dance or music. If only with crayons or a tin drum, let that something that cannot be said move your hands or your body today.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Affirmations of an Inspired Life - Young-Adult Version

For the young adults in your life, this is a plain-spoken version of Eight Points of An Inspired Life - Keys to Happiness

1. I'm OK
2. I've Always Been OK
3. I Like Myself
4. I Think For Myself
5. I Have a Great Future
6. I Can Do Anything - Starting Right Now
7. This is Fun
8. Thank God

1. I'm OK - I'm alive and I have myself. My happiness does not depend on owning things, having money, or pleasing other people.

2. I've Always Been OK - Whenever I have been unhappy, it was because I blamed someone else, or myself, for something that happened. As soon as I stop blaming, and start forgiving everyone - others and myself - for everything, I begin to feel better about my past.

3. I Like Myself - I always do my best. Sometimes my best doesn't seem to be good enough, and I feel angry or afraid, or seem to have failed at what I tried. That's OK. My best is always good enough. I'm proud of myself and I like myself.

4. I Think For Myself - I CHOOSE to lead a happier life by gathering all the facts and making my own decisions. I choose NOT to "follow the crowd," and I choose NOT to just do what my friends do without thinking for myself.

5. I Have a Great Future - I welcome God into my mind and into my dreams. Whatever future I believe in, I can have, with God on my side.

6. I Can Do Anything - Starting Right Now. I have my dream, I have God, and I choose to move in the direction of my goal, even when I am afraid or unsure. Whenever I fall, I stand up, brush myself off, and keep moving toward my goal.

7. This is Fun - Life is like a party game. The rules of the game of life have never been clear, and they keep changing during the game. Forget winning or losing, and just have fun.

8. Thank God - I thank God for everything, and I trust God with my life.

Edward R. Murrow: Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences


Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them.
- Edward R. Murrow

Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965) was a TV and Radio Journalist. Murrow had a long and illustrious career of bold and impartial investigative news reporting. His single most important contribution was a series of TV news reports that helped lead to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy, and the end of “McCarthyism” - the greatest assault on the Bill of Rights (and the fifth amendment in particular) that America has ever endured.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Cloud Animals - Be a Child Again

Cloud Animals - Be a Child Again. I remember warm summer afternoons, laying in the shade of a maple tree in the back yard of my Connecticut home watching the clouds for hours. As those clouds formed dragons and foxes, clowns and angels, I traveled across space and time.

When was the last time you let your imagination run completely unchecked? Unfetter your inner child and let her or him run wild today.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Buddha: All that we are is the result of what we have thought

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
– The Buddha

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Perspective - do you always look at life from the same point-of-view?

Perspective - do you always look at life from the same point-of-view? Consider viewing a situation as another might view it. Look from behind, underneath, from the distant heavens. View the situation as someone of a different religion, race, or nationality might view it. Pretend you are an alien from a distant galaxy - that should be good for a laugh. Troubles only appear troubling to those close to them.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Simply An Inspired Life - Jonathan Lockwood Huie and Mary Anne Radmacher

The Eight Points of Simply An Inspired Life are the core values that form the basis of our book Simply An Inspired Life - Consciously Choosing Unbounded Happiness in Good Times and Bad by Jonathan Lockwood Huie and Mary Anne Radmacher

Eight Points of An Inspired Life - Keys to Happiness

HONOR for true self. • FORGIVENESS for self and all. • GRATITUDE in everything. • CHOICE with open mind and heart. • VISION with powerful intention. • ACTION with bold courage; • CELEBRATION with joy; • UNITY with all creation.

The Eight Points of An Inspired Life work together to enable us to take charge of our life and make intentional choices for joyful living.

Consider making these Affirmations of an Inspired Life a part of your daily expression of intent:

• HONOR - I Honor My True Self • FORGIVENESS - I Forgive Myself and All Others with Compassion • GRATITUDE - I Receive ALL of Life with Thanksgiving • CHOICE - I CHOOSE with Open Mind and Open Heart • VISION - I Dream with Powerful Intention • ACTION - I Act with Bold Courage • CELEBRATION - I Dance with a Light Heart • UNITY - I Am One With Spirit and All Creation

Here are extended versions of these affirmations.

HONOR: I Honor My True Self - I grant myself the Honor of being ME. I am unique in all time and space. I am beyond perceived scarcity, obligation, and the need for approval. I am Honored that Spirit has chosen to create ME.

FORGIVENESS: I Forgive Myself and All Others with Compassion - I forgive everyone, especially myself, for all actions and all inactions throughout my entire life. I accept that no one else has ever been to blame for either my joy or my suffering. The entire cause of all my joys and all my sufferings is my own emotional response to the events of my life, and I am committed to consistently distinguishing between my feelings about events and the physical occurrence of those events. I declare that everyone who has ever played any role in any of the events of my life is entirely without fault.

GRATITUDE: I Receive ALL of Life with Thanksgiving - I have gratitude for EVERYTHING that has ever occurred to bring me to this moment. I give thanks for the joys and the sufferings, the moments of peace and the flashes of anger, the compassion and the indifference, the roar of my courage and the cold sweat of my fear. I accept gratefully the entirety of my past and my present life.

CHOICE: I CHOOSE with Open Mind and Open Heart - I renounce all assumptions and expectations, and I declare that I will thoughtfully consider all possibilities. I will CHOOSE with courage, awareness, consciousness, and compassion toward all.

VISON: I Dream with Powerful Intention - Opening my mind to Spirit, I trust my intuition to deliver powerful visions of my inspired future, and I empower my intent to transform those visions into reality.

ACTION: I Act with Bold Courage - Taking inspiration from the powerful vision of my future, I boldly set sail with courage and intent. I hold my course with focused attention and relentless commitment, as I weather the storms of life.

CELEBRATION: I Dance with a Light Heart - I play with life, laugh with life, dance lightly with life, and smile at the riddles of life, knowing that life’s only true lessons are writ small in the margin.

UNITY: I Am One With Spirit and All Creation - I give thanks for the unity of all creation and for EVERYTHING that has brought me to this moment. I release my entire being to the gentle nurture of Spirit.


What or who do you trust, or depend upon?

What or who do you trust, or depend upon? In this photo, my wife Suze is trusting a thin strand of wire and its connection to a couple of tropical trees to keep her from crashing to the ground. Most of the time it is not as obvious where we are placing our trust. Every time you drive down the highway, you are trusting thousands of people to stay in their own lane, stop at red lights, keep to the right of oncoming traffic (in the United States), and follow a myriad of other conventions.

Perhaps you trust your doctor, your lawyer, your boss - perhaps not. Perhaps you trust in a "Higher Power" - perhaps you don't. Trust is something that we become aware of in unusual situations, such as a once-in-a-lifetime ride on a zip-line, but most of the time, we become oblivious to the trust we have, or don't have.

Take time today, and often, to consciously examine what and who you trust. Especially focus on WHY you do or do not trust something or someone. Blind trust is a bad habit - conscious trust is one of the underpinnings of a great life.
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