Friday, June 30, 2006
Synchronicity
"There are no coincidence, only synchronicity. There are no strangers, only friends who have not met." ~ Alex Chua
Monday, June 19, 2006
Zaadz Ambassador
I just joined Zaadz as a "Zaadz Ambassadors" early this morning... about 2am :-) They asked 3 interesting questions... my answers are below...
What is your Philosophy in two sentences?
Go Beyond Possibilities to Live the Life We Were Born to Live in the most Fulfilling, Positive & Productive way. It is Our Duty, Do It NOW!
How are we going to change the world together?
By Sharing the Unique Gifts & Talents each of us was born with. The Web of Life is made of Webs of Relationships, weaved though Sharing & Service of our best Self, our SPARKS of Genius.
By anchoring with the Environment in interdependent relationships of Mutual Support, the Spider’s web has the Strength to Support the Spider’s weight.
These strings of webs come from within the Spider & is a part of the Spider’s core Essence. The Support is built by the hardwork of the Spider, Extending & Expressing its Essence with Love, & Engaging the Universe with a Passion for Life.
This Act of Love & Light is a Purposeful one. One that can only be achieved with Presence in each moment & a deep sense of Possibilities.
Be inspired to find your Personal Path Beyond Possibilities! I am only your Clarity Guide… I cannot walk your Path for you… only you can do that… do it NOW!
What do you love most about Zaadz?
The Zaadz community has the Aspiration to change the world & also the Inspiration to do it. It is comforting to know that we are not alone… & it is a Source of Strength to know that we are all connected in a Web of Mutual Support. We can do it & we are already doing it NOW ;-)
You can view my updated profile & testimonials @ http://clarityquest.zaadz.com/
I have also started a Pod for What the Bleep Do We Know!? & The Secret
I invite you to join me on this Journey of Learning! Lets Change the World Together!
What is your Philosophy in two sentences?
Go Beyond Possibilities to Live the Life We Were Born to Live in the most Fulfilling, Positive & Productive way. It is Our Duty, Do It NOW!
How are we going to change the world together?
By Sharing the Unique Gifts & Talents each of us was born with. The Web of Life is made of Webs of Relationships, weaved though Sharing & Service of our best Self, our SPARKS of Genius.
By anchoring with the Environment in interdependent relationships of Mutual Support, the Spider’s web has the Strength to Support the Spider’s weight.
These strings of webs come from within the Spider & is a part of the Spider’s core Essence. The Support is built by the hardwork of the Spider, Extending & Expressing its Essence with Love, & Engaging the Universe with a Passion for Life.
This Act of Love & Light is a Purposeful one. One that can only be achieved with Presence in each moment & a deep sense of Possibilities.
Be inspired to find your Personal Path Beyond Possibilities! I am only your Clarity Guide… I cannot walk your Path for you… only you can do that… do it NOW!
What do you love most about Zaadz?
The Zaadz community has the Aspiration to change the world & also the Inspiration to do it. It is comforting to know that we are not alone… & it is a Source of Strength to know that we are all connected in a Web of Mutual Support. We can do it & we are already doing it NOW ;-)
You can view my updated profile & testimonials @ http://clarityquest.zaadz.com/
I have also started a Pod for What the Bleep Do We Know!? & The Secret
I invite you to join me on this Journey of Learning! Lets Change the World Together!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Shifting Your Labels
"Crazy people who are productive are geniuses. Crazy people who are rich are eccentric. Crazy people who are neither productive nor rich are just plain crazy. Geniuses and crazy people are both out in the middle of a deep ocean; geniuses swim, crazy people drown. Most of us are sitting safely on the shore. Take a chance and get your feet wet."
The following list was published in Handbook of Cognitive Therapy Techniques, by Rian McMullin. Please use it to shift your labels to the RIGHT one if you must label anything at all ;-)
~ Michael J. Gelb
The following list was published in Handbook of Cognitive Therapy Techniques, by Rian McMullin. Please use it to shift your labels to the RIGHT one if you must label anything at all ;-)
| A person who... | Could be called... | Or could be called... |
| changes one's mind a lot | wishy-washy | flexible |
| expresses one's opinion | egotistical | honest, assertive |
| is emotionally sensitive | sick, fragile | alive, caring, open |
| is selective in choosing a mate | afraid to commit | patient, careful, discriminating |
| gets depressed sometimes | neurotic | normal human being |
| isn't good at a game | stupid, inferior | hasn't practiced |
| isn't orderly | sloppy, piggish | spontaneous, carefree |
| pleases others | social phobic | likable |
| believes what others say | gullible | trusting |
| loves another strongly | dependent | loving |
| gets anxious | weak, cowardly | learned to, was taught |
| is nontraditional | malcontent, heretical, immoral | independent, uninhibited, free |
| is helped by another | manipulated | cared for |
| is not working hard on a task | lazy | relaxed |
| is sure of something | conceited | self-confident |
| stands up for personal rights | argumentative | gutsy |
| thinks before making decisions | indecisive | careful |
| takes risks | harebrained | brave |
| sticks to projects | compulsive | determined |
| gets excited | hysterical | exuberant |
~ Rian McMullin
Monday, June 12, 2006
Journaling E-book
Journaling has always been a very powerful experience for me & it is one of the few things that I insist my students do for themselves. The following is the best Journaling tool I have come across so far. Check it out & don't forget to share your success stories with me :-)
Journaling E-book - Offering 40 journal writing topics and tools.
Friday, June 09, 2006
A Fishy Coaching Story About Happiness: The Mexican Fisherman
An American businessman was at a pier in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow-fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied only a little while.
The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked the Mexican how he spent the rest of his time.
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution.
“You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”
“But what then, senor?” asked the Mexican.
The American laughed, and said, “That’s the best part! When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public. You’ll become very rich, you
would make millions!”
“Millions, senor?” replied the Mexican. “Then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
The Mexican replied only a little while.
The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked the Mexican how he spent the rest of his time.
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution.
“You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”
“But what then, senor?” asked the Mexican.
The American laughed, and said, “That’s the best part! When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public. You’ll become very rich, you
would make millions!”
“Millions, senor?” replied the Mexican. “Then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Balance
Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air.
You name them – work, family, health, friends and spirit and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.
But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered.
They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.
You name them – work, family, health, friends and spirit and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.
But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered.
They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.
~ Brian Dyson
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
True Lasting Happiness - A Sufi Parable
Are you like a dog chewing a dry bone?
A Sufi Master once saw a dog chewing the dry bone of a buffalo. The bone has jagged edges and sharply cut the tongue, gums and mouth of the dog. Blood flowed and the dog licked and chewed even harder. The blood and flesh it was tasting were its own but the dog believed they were from the bone. The dog did not ever bother to question whether or not this was true.
The dog vigorously continued to chew this bone with its sharp canine holding it with its hefty forelegs, even though it hurts itself more the longer it does so. The bone was dry. The marrow had gone. There was no flesh around. The bone possessed nothing but a rotten smell. But its impact on the dog was tempting. It was not ready to leave the bone and was clinging on to it hard.
Pondered our world and its mendacity, its temporality, its tribulation, and its temptations. Is the world not like a bone to the dog?
Man bears and nurtures first. Then he snatches, tears, levels, and captures. He thinks of getting luxuries, comforts, and enjoyment. A dry bone to a dog!
And what do you think would happen if another dog entered the story and demanded the bone from the first dog? Would it give the bone knowing that it was bare and dry or would it fight for it?
The peace, joy and happiness we seek are already inside us all this while. We were born into this world with them. but we keep hunting for them outside...
The worldly things we pine for so desperately and accumulate so avariciously wound us in the same manner the bone cuts the dog, but we believe the pleasure we derive is from those material objects and cling to them more ferociously, fighting with whoever crosses our path.
Blood drip from our wounds and stain our path of life. Still we continue with apparent relish, striving for more money and the next toy to buy.
The happiness we seek is already here, within us. We only need to recognise, experience and appreciate it, instead of trying to substitute the feeling of true happiness with that which we derive from our incessant acquisition as fueled by the media and our current culture of excessive consumption!
True lasting happiness comes with letting go of our desires and wants, appreciating whatever is already here within us.
A Sufi Master once saw a dog chewing the dry bone of a buffalo. The bone has jagged edges and sharply cut the tongue, gums and mouth of the dog. Blood flowed and the dog licked and chewed even harder. The blood and flesh it was tasting were its own but the dog believed they were from the bone. The dog did not ever bother to question whether or not this was true.
The dog vigorously continued to chew this bone with its sharp canine holding it with its hefty forelegs, even though it hurts itself more the longer it does so. The bone was dry. The marrow had gone. There was no flesh around. The bone possessed nothing but a rotten smell. But its impact on the dog was tempting. It was not ready to leave the bone and was clinging on to it hard.
Pondered our world and its mendacity, its temporality, its tribulation, and its temptations. Is the world not like a bone to the dog?
Man bears and nurtures first. Then he snatches, tears, levels, and captures. He thinks of getting luxuries, comforts, and enjoyment. A dry bone to a dog!
And what do you think would happen if another dog entered the story and demanded the bone from the first dog? Would it give the bone knowing that it was bare and dry or would it fight for it?
The peace, joy and happiness we seek are already inside us all this while. We were born into this world with them. but we keep hunting for them outside...
The worldly things we pine for so desperately and accumulate so avariciously wound us in the same manner the bone cuts the dog, but we believe the pleasure we derive is from those material objects and cling to them more ferociously, fighting with whoever crosses our path.
Blood drip from our wounds and stain our path of life. Still we continue with apparent relish, striving for more money and the next toy to buy.
The happiness we seek is already here, within us. We only need to recognise, experience and appreciate it, instead of trying to substitute the feeling of true happiness with that which we derive from our incessant acquisition as fueled by the media and our current culture of excessive consumption!
True lasting happiness comes with letting go of our desires and wants, appreciating whatever is already here within us.
~ A Sufi Parable
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
The Secret of Happiness: A Reflective Exercise by Anthony DeMello
Recall the kind of feeling you have when someone praises you, when you are approved, accepted, applauded. And contrast that with the kind of feeling that arises within you when you look at the sunset or a sunrise, or Nature in general or when you read a book or watch a movie that you thoroughly enjoy. Get a taste of this feeling and contrast it with the first, namely, the one that was generated within you when you were praised.
Understand that the first type of feeling comes from self-glorification, self-promotion. It is a worldly feeling. The second comes from self-fulfillment. It is a soul feeling. Here is another contrast: Recall the kind of feeling you have when you succeed, when you have made it, when you get to the top, when you win a game or bet or argument. And contrast it with the kind of feeling you get when you really enjoy the job you are doing, you are absorbed in, the action you are currently engaged in. And once again notice the qualitative difference between the worldly feeling and the soul feeling.
Yet another contrast: Remember what you felt like when you had power, you were the boss, people looked up to you, took orders from you; or when you were popular. And contrast that worldly feeling with the feeling of intimacy, companionship - the times you thoroughly enjoyed yourself in the company of a friend or with a group in which there was fun and laughter. Having done this, attempt to understand the true nature of worldly feelings, namely, the feelings of self-promotion, self-glorification. They are not natural, they were invented by your society to make you productive and to make you controllable. These feelings do not produce the nourishment and happiness that is produced when one contemplates Nature or enjoys the company of one's friends or one's work. They were meant to produce thrills, excitement and emptiness.
Then observe yourself over the course of a day or a week and think how many actions of yours are performed, how many activities engaged in that are uncontaminated by the desires for these thrills, these excitements that only produce emptiness, the desire for attention, approval, fame, popularity, success or power. And take a look at the people around you. Is there a single one of them who has not become addicted to these worldly feelings? A single one who is not controlled by them, hungers for them, spends every minute of his/her waking life consciously or unconsciously seeking them? When you see this you will understand how people attempt to gain the world and, in the process, lose their soul.
And here is a parable of life for you to ponder on: A group of tourists sit in a bus that is passing through gorgeously beautiful country; lakes and mountains and green fields and rivers. But the shades of the bus are pulled down. They do not have the slightest idea of what lies beyond the windows of the bus. And all the time of their journey is spent in squabbling over who will have the seat of honor in the bus, who will be applauded, who will be well considered. And so they remain till the journey's end.
Understand that the first type of feeling comes from self-glorification, self-promotion. It is a worldly feeling. The second comes from self-fulfillment. It is a soul feeling. Here is another contrast: Recall the kind of feeling you have when you succeed, when you have made it, when you get to the top, when you win a game or bet or argument. And contrast it with the kind of feeling you get when you really enjoy the job you are doing, you are absorbed in, the action you are currently engaged in. And once again notice the qualitative difference between the worldly feeling and the soul feeling.
Yet another contrast: Remember what you felt like when you had power, you were the boss, people looked up to you, took orders from you; or when you were popular. And contrast that worldly feeling with the feeling of intimacy, companionship - the times you thoroughly enjoyed yourself in the company of a friend or with a group in which there was fun and laughter. Having done this, attempt to understand the true nature of worldly feelings, namely, the feelings of self-promotion, self-glorification. They are not natural, they were invented by your society to make you productive and to make you controllable. These feelings do not produce the nourishment and happiness that is produced when one contemplates Nature or enjoys the company of one's friends or one's work. They were meant to produce thrills, excitement and emptiness.
Then observe yourself over the course of a day or a week and think how many actions of yours are performed, how many activities engaged in that are uncontaminated by the desires for these thrills, these excitements that only produce emptiness, the desire for attention, approval, fame, popularity, success or power. And take a look at the people around you. Is there a single one of them who has not become addicted to these worldly feelings? A single one who is not controlled by them, hungers for them, spends every minute of his/her waking life consciously or unconsciously seeking them? When you see this you will understand how people attempt to gain the world and, in the process, lose their soul.
And here is a parable of life for you to ponder on: A group of tourists sit in a bus that is passing through gorgeously beautiful country; lakes and mountains and green fields and rivers. But the shades of the bus are pulled down. They do not have the slightest idea of what lies beyond the windows of the bus. And all the time of their journey is spent in squabbling over who will have the seat of honor in the bus, who will be applauded, who will be well considered. And so they remain till the journey's end.
~ Anthony DeMello
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