Direction or Speed?

DIRECTION IS MORE important than speed..
The best math you can learn is how to calculate the future cost of current decisions..
Taking precautions in the journey of life is the secret of how to be recruited into the employment of success..

👉 I have a story to gist you this afternoon..

At the interview to fill the vacancy of a field engineer in a multinational oil company, two competent qualified engineers were shortlisted & the company was to decide on who to retain & who to show the red card..

After the two of them have done brilliantly well in both written & oral tests.. they asked them if they could drive & they both answered in the affirmative even though only one of them is so good to that extent in driving..

The head of the human resources spear heading the interview then handed his car keys to them one after the other to prove their driving skills within the company premises..

The over confident applicant jumped forward & collected the car key, opened the car, switched on the ignition, lighted it up, sped off, swirled, swerved & made some stunts on wheels before parking the car to the spot to the seeming rousing applause of those watching the scenario..

The other applicant who was not so good in driving collected the key all the same, opened the car, opened the bonnet, checked the engine oil level, the brake fluid level, the gear oil level & the water in the radiator level..

He then closed the bonnet.. & as he entered the car, he switched on the ignition.. the chief interviewer walked towards him & said:

"Don't bother driving.. You've just been hired"..

You see..
Precaution is more powerful than expertise..!

Don't be brash & over confident..
Remember - Directions is more important than speed.. Exercise caution & take precaution in the journey of life - that's how to be recruited into the employment of success..

Watch Your Relationships

OUR RELATIONSHIPS define us in many ways: we tend to become more stressed when we spend too much of our time with people who drain us, undermine us, or who don't support us in other important ways. Conversely, when we have a supportive social circle to lean on, we enjoy greater resilience toward stress, more happiness, greater levels of wellness, which can be experienced as a higher overall quality of life..
You may already know that
relationships are good for your health, longevity & life expectancy.. In general, that's a true statement, except when a relationship is bad/toxic..

Anyone who's been through a nasty divorce, dealt with difficult parents or children, or had a "crazy" friend will tell you that not all relationships are good for your health.. We all have at least one person in our lives whose only function seems to be creating stress & problems.. that has to have some kind of impact on our well-being, right?

People with toxic relationships are more likely to suffer from depression & loneliness..
These are powerful enough to weaken our immune system..

We can experience toxic relationships in our families, in the workplace & among friend groups.. They can be extremely stressful if the toxicity is not effectively managed..

While they cannot always be avoided, toxic relationships can be managed with healthy boundaries, self-care & above all, awareness..

Here is what you should know about toxic relationships, including what makes a relationship toxic, how to detect if you're in one & the most effective ways to manage the various types..

Toxic relationships can exist in just about any context, from the playground to the boardroom to the bedroom..

A relationship is said to be toxic when your well-being is threatened, whether it is your emotional wellbeing, your psychological well-being, or even your physical wellbeing..

Relationships that involve physical abuse are definitely classified as toxic..

Relationships in which one person is consistently giving more than they are getting may be toxic as well, especially if the person who is giving more feels devalued & depleted because of it..

Likewise, if you are in a relationship where you feel you are consistently not being respected or that your needs aren't being met, you may feel a toll on your self-esteem over time..
Relationships where you feel unsupported, misunderstood, overtly or subtly attacked, or in other ways demeaned can classify as toxic also..

On a basic level, any relationship that makes you feel worse rather than better can be toxic over time..
Only you can tell if the bad outweighs the good in a relationship, but if someone consistently threatens your well-being by what they are doing or by what they are not doing, then, it's time to focus on solutions..

Take note- Not all relationships are toxic because of the other person.. Sometimes it's the way the two of you interact that brings out the worst in both of you..

For example, you may have a competitive friend who pushes you to be your best, & you do the same for them.. If you are both getting enjoyment out of the dynamic, this may be fine..

However, if you are seeking someone who can validate your hard work with some emotional support & your friend is constantly putting you down, then this may not be a healthy dynamic for you..

Regardless of whether your friend's intention is to put you down, this can be especially dangerous if you develop a spite-based competitive streak with this friend that is not enjoyable for you..

Similarly, if you find that you are not your best self around someone- they might bring out the gossipy side of you, or they seem to draw out a mean streak you don't normally have- it could be that the two of you create toxicity together..

Again, not all toxic relationships are mutual..

Some people can sap your energy with constant complaining or by seeing the glass as half-empty & constantly sharing this perspective with you..
Some people feel the need to argue with others constantly, explain why they know better, or point out the flaws of others, which may or may not weigh on your patience..

This person may act this way with everyone, & they are likely not even aware of their effect on others.. They may not know healthier ways to communicate their need.. It is likely that they do not know how to read social cues well enough to know when they are frustrating people or making them feel like they are not being heard..

How to deal with Bad Relationships-

What to Do

🏮Practice Assertive communication-
If you find yourself in a toxic relationship where you bring out the worst in one another (or simply fail to bring out the best), you may want to work on the relationship & change the dynamic, particularly if there are other benefits you are getting from the relationship.. You may want to attempt to talk to the other person about it- be assertive about your needs & feelings while also taking responsibility for your part in the situation..

In these cases, it is often a good idea to discuss what you see as a problem & decide together if you want to change the dynamic & how.. You may be able to change the way you interact so that you both begin to get your needs met in a better way as you bring out the best in one another.. Assertive communication & healthier boundaries may be the key..

How to Deal With Stressful People-

What to Do

🏮Limit your interactions-
You may simply limit your time spent with people who bring frustration or unhappiness into your life.. You may, however, want to talk to them about your issues & see what happens..
With people who lack self-awareness or social skills, it can be an exercise in futility to expect them to change..

However, they can go from being a toxic force in your life to a mere annoyance..
If this person is someone you need to interact with, like a family member or co-worker, you may do better to limit interactions & try to nonconfrontationally stand up for yourself when the situation warrants it..

Some people, particularly narcissists (and their less common cousins- sociopaths ) tend to feed off of other people's attention & admiration..

Narcissists feel a need to make people feel "less-than" in a quest for feelings of superiority..

They may intentionally put you down in subtle ways, throw little insults at you if you share an accomplishment you are proud of, or they may keep you guessing as to whether they will be nice to you from one day to the next..
It is not always obvious whether they are aware of what they are doing, but if their behavior is consistently making you feel bad about yourself, it may not matter..

The result is the same: Your unhappiness..

Potential Solutions-

With a true narcissist or sociopath, or with anyone draining you of your well-being, the best solution is to put distance between yourself & them.. You are probably not going to change them, & confronting them will only bring out their wrath without resolving anything..

Narcissists, for instance, are notoriously bad at admitting fault because they truly do not believe that they make mistakes; they find it personally threatening to see themselves as less than perfect.. In general, you may have tried & failed to discuss your feelings with the other person in your toxic relationship.. Even if you are able to express yourself, it can feel as though your words fall on deaf ears..

It is often best to distance yourself from this person, or at least accept that you need to be on your guard.. This acceptance won't change them, but it can help minimize the stress of dealing with them..

Remember- When dealing with any type of toxic relationship, the most important thing is your self-care, health & well-being.. If you are dealing with someone who drains you of your energy & happiness, it may be worth it to consider removing this person from your life, or at least limiting your time spent with them..

If you are ever in a situation that presents a threat to you & your emotional or physical well-being, it is crucial to seek help from a professional as needed..

Friends add a wonderful dimension to our lives: they help us celebrate the good times, & they help us make it through the tough times.. Having a strong, supportive social network has been associated with lower levels of stress, increased longevity & greater levels of happiness..

Unfortunately, conflicted relationships can bring significant amounts of stress to our lives, & the stress can be ongoing.. Learning how to minimize that type of stress while maintaining as much closeness as possible can be difficult, but dealing with volatile relationships can be even more difficult..

Therefore, the time spent focusing on how to maximize the positive aspects of your relationships & minimizing the toll of the conflict is really a time well spent.....

Does The Law of Attraction work?

DOES the Law of Attraction Work..?

This was actually a question I was asked by a subscriber to my e-workshop platform..

This question has been asked time & time again by just about everyone that’s ever heard of the Law of Attraction: does it really work..?
As hard as it may be to believe, YES! the Law of Attraction works..! It has always worked & it will always work whether you practice it or not..

Simply put, the Law of Attraction states that like attracts like.. It’s based on the fact that everything in this world emits a certain vibration & those vibrations seek out & interact with other things that have similar vibrations..

We have other sayings for it such as: “When it rains it pours..” That’s the Law of Attraction at work..

Then, If the Law of Attraction is so great, why use negative examples to illustrate its effectiveness..? For some reason, we as a society find it much easier to believe something negative instead of the things that are positive.. When good things happen we just write them off as a one-off lucky break or think that it was just chance..

Is the Law of Attraction About Chance..?

There’s no such thing as chance. thanks. Everything that happens in this world & in your life happens for a reason.. That reason is the Law of Attraction..

Whether you accept it or not, the Law of Attraction works.. To believe that it works means that you have to accept responsibility for where your life is & that makes it hard for many to accept the Law of Attraction..
Most people right now reading this are going to think: “I do accept responsibility..” Do you really..?

Where are your thoughts right now..?
Are you worrying about money or how to pay the bills..?
Are you stressed over the fact that more bills keep coming & the money keeps getting spread thinner & thinner..?

• The more you worry & stress out about bills, the more bills you’ll receive.. The more you worry about not having money, the less money you’ll have in your bank account.. If you simply change the way you think about these things, you’ll be amazed at what will happen..

You will begin to take positive action subconsciously..

Spend the next 14 days not thinking negativity..

• Think about what you have in your life that is good.. Everyone, no matter who they are, has something to be grateful for.. Figure out what you’re grateful for & focus on it..

Some people will argue that it takes more than just “thinking” about things to make them happen or appear, which is true.. Thoughts need to be transformed into actions, that’s why some believers say that, so long as you’re thinking about what you want in life, you will take the necessary actions to make those things happen..
And this is simply another way the Law of Attraction can work..

The Law of Attraction is working right now, all around you.. It’s at work in your life.. It’s time for you to take control & make the Law of Attraction work in your favor..
This means you have to change the way you think.. You have to be grateful for what you have & you have to always focus on the positive.. The Law of Attraction is real, & it is powerful..

Many people today have negative mindset, but you can choose to be different.. You can keep your thoughts positive & ensure that you're working toward the destiny you want to experience..
Avoid negative people who tell you what you cannot achieve.. You can achieve what you set out to accomplish as long as you remain focused & positive about your experiences..

In order to stay positive about reaching your destiny, try to:

• Avoid spending time with or listening to negative people..
• Take time each day to meditate on what you really want to see in your life..
• Plan your time & energy, so it's not wasted on less important things..
• Focus on reaching your goal & visualize it in your mind..
• Spend time with others who share your goals, dreams, & values..

Shaping your destiny using positive energy is easier than most people think.. The key is your refusal to give up.. It may take some time before you begin to see the positive results you're after..
Your destiny is worth the wait.. As long as you have life, you have hope & a future..

Internalize & meditate on this truth every day, the more you hold onto this powerful information, the more likely you'll be to succeed.. This is because you know that you're strong, brave, & capable..
You're capable of far more than you realize..

When you tap into your potential & think positively about that potential, you'll receive strength that'll help you grow & develop as a person..

Look at where you are today.. Embrace it & tell yourself that you're ready to move forward..
Visualize where you'll be in a week, a month, a year, & in five years.. Take the time to see these pictures in your head, so you have a clear image in your mind of what success looks like..

Set big goals, dream big dreams, & visualize about them coming to pass.. When you speak to yourself about these dreams, talk about when you reach your goals.. You really can harness positive energy to manifest the destiny of your dreams, starting today..!

Remember - Everything is vibration so if you want Change in life, Change the vibration within to change the channels..
Life is not happening to you, Life is responding to you..

The Power Of Love is The Magnetic Flow Of Harmony & Kindness

THE MAJORITY of sicknesses that becomes prevalent in our world today are the separation of love & unity within ourselves..

The root of who we are is not in who we have become as adults..
Diplomas, degrees & titles, milestone achievements - all but do not really define who we are.. The root of who we are lays in the who, what, when, where & how that embraced & or engulfed the child we were..

Our identity have been harnessed, hindered or fueled by the events of our childhood..
Deep down inside it is the child that learned either by grace or gravity, the child that was loved or discarded, the child that was abused or rewarded that lurks in all our decisions as adults..

This conclusion is not a hypothesis, it is definite, traceable & evident.. This is a fact that should be respected & mindfully present as adults, once we are blessed with the remote or immediate brush with the growth of a child, respect the gift & opportunity it all can be..

Just imagine becoming the way we used to be as a very young child, before we understand the meaning of any word, before opinions took over our minds, the real us is loving, joyful & free - the real us is just like a flower.. just like the wind.. just like the ocean.. & just like the sun..

Remember - the power of love is the magnetic flow of harmony & kindness.. when you become clear with love, you combine the colours that you are.. not as a rainbow but of pure light & a rainbow of fragmentation of all wavelengths into you better integrated..

Without Goals You Won't Score!

YOU'RE NOT GOING to master the rest of your life in one day..
Just relax..
Master the day, then just keep doing that everyday..

Everyone has heard of goals & the power of goals to shape your future.. But most people don’t have a good understanding of how to achieve goals..
Consequently, most never even set goals..

Understanding what it takes to achieve a goal will greatly enhance your odds of success..

👉 Consider these ideas/tips:

Here are my top Goal Achieving recommendations -

☢️ A proper goal..

Most people don’t have goals to begin with.. Those that do have goals often have goals that are ineffective.. You can’t achieve a goal without having a goal that is..

🔀 Meaningful - Avoid setting goals that don’t excite you.. What’s the point..? It’s easier to achieve a goal that you find motivating..

🔀 A clear conclusion - How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal..? Be specific & have a way of measuring your progress..

🔀 A deadline - Goals never seem to be accomplished without a deadline attached.. You can keep waiting for “tomorrow” to get started if you don’t have a deadline to meet.. Then, that “tomorrow” never comes..

☢️ Visualization..

Goals are more likely to be achieved if you regularly visualize yourself being successful.. Imagine what it will be like when you meet your goal.. The inability to picture the achievement of your goal suggests that you don’t believe you can do it..

☢️ Affirmations..

Affirm that you’re the type of person that can achieve your goal.. Think of the attributes you need to have to be successful.. Write several affirmations that support those attributes & use them daily.. Recite them to yourself at least three times each day, preferably aloud..

☢️ The right information..

Imagine you have a goal of playing a difficult piece of music on the piano, but you believe the best way to do that is to do 1,000 push-ups each day.. You might have a great goal & be super motivated, but you don’t have a clue how to achieve your goal.. You need the right knowledge..

☢️ Action..

There’s a great appeal to the idea of making your wishes known to the universe & then just relaxing until some mystical force delivers what you want.. However, action is also necessary to bring about a real change.. Figure out what you need to do & do it..

☢️ The ability to deal with discomfort..

Pursuing any significant goal will create discomfort.. There’s no way around it.. It’s necessary to learn how to minimize that discomfort as much as possible & be able to deal with whatever remains..

🔀 Discomfort can come in many forms.. It might be the fear of failure.. It might be some actual failure.. It could be the discomfort of making cold calls & dealing with rejection.. It might be the discomfort of learning something you’ve never done before..

🔀 Perhaps giving up your favorite distractions so you have time to work on your goal creates discomfort..

● Whatever your reason for discomfort in pursuing your goal, it’s important to discover ways you can overcome it..

☢️ Perseverance..

Goals can take time.. Big goals take more time.. Add in a little failure & a little discomfort, & suddenly quitting can be appealing.. You can’t achieve a goal if you quit before it’s accomplished.. Perseverance is one of the most important traits anyone can possess..

There are many things you can do to make achieving your goals more likely.. All of the items in this list are useful characteristics & tactics for a wide variety of life situations.. Whether you’re trying to follow a diet or make some cash, these tips/ideas are helpful..

Include these seven things & your results will be greatly enhanced & come more quickly..

Remember - The problem of not having a goal is that you might not really score..

Where Am I ?

THE LIMIT of our burning desire is the limit of our progress..
Before you can change anything you need to know where you are, how you got to where you are, & what direction you’re pointing..

Imagine you’re going on an amazing trip.. You have your destination picked out, & you’ve been dreaming about all the things you’ll do when you get there.. You even have a guide book where you’ve highlighted your trips, restaurants, & museums that you'd love to visit..
When you’re ready to book your travel, what’s the first piece of information you’ll need..?

It’s pretty obvious in this example.. Before you focus on where you will be landing, you must know the place you will be departing from..
In other words, the first step of any journey is knowing where you are now..
It’s exactly the same when you are charting your life’s path..

Every successful plan for positive growth begins with an honest assessment of your current situation..

Taking a personal inventory..

I don’t wait till I have a goal in mind to take a look at my current state of being.. At the beginning of each calendar month, I  normally spend several hours alone with my journal..
I consider everything: my physical & emotional health, the state of my relationships, my work/life balance, where I’m spending my time, & what my intuition is telling me..

I write everything that comes to mind down in my journal, letting the words flow without a lot of editing..
This ritual helps me to clearly see where I am, & from there I can decide what changes & actions will get me where I want to go..
Because I’ve been doing this for quite few years, I am able to glance back & notice my progress, & spot patterns - both good and bad - that I might otherwise be unaware of..

Along with my practice of meditation & my daily mindful walks, my personal inventory is one of my “secret weapons” that allows me to continue to lead a joyful & fulfilling life..

Ready to try creating your own personal assessment..?

If you’re taking inventory for the first time, this exercise will allow you to create a quick history so you can look back & identify important habits, trends & behaviors..

Follow these simple steps -
Take a piece of paper/jotter & make four columns..
On the far-left column, list the following items down the side:
Relationships

Career

Health

Education/Learning

Hobbies

Friendships

Happiness

Fun

Fulfillment

Purpose
And, perhaps other important aspects of your personal life..

On the top of the second column, write 2 years ago..

Then on top of the next column, 1 year ago & finally, on top of column 4, write today’s date..

Now, go line by line & rank on a scale of 1-10 how satisfied you are with each area you’ve listed..
For example: relationships are on line #1, so start by rating how happy you were two years ago, one year ago, & today..
Fill in the rest of your chart, & if you’re not sure of an answer, tune into your intuition.. Your body will give you all the clues you need..

When you’re done, you will have an outline of the areas in your life that need love & attention..

Are you focused on minor things & neglecting major aspects..?

Are you focused on work & neglecting your health..?

You know what you have to do.. Set some goals to incorporate healthy eating & exercise into your life..!

It’s crazy how this simple exercise can help you see things clearly.. You’ll be able to spot where you have made improvements, & maybe some area where things have gotten worse..

Something to consider -

There’s a saying- “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got”..

Well, I will say that’s if you’re lucky.. Sometimes staying in the same old patterns can make things deteriorate over time..
Think of your health - if you’re feeling unhealthy & you’re avoid making positive changes about it, things won’t stay the same - they’ll likely get worse..

Positive change starts with awareness.. By doing a little soul searching, creating your own personal inventory, & application of core  competencies in your life -  you‘ll be able to know where you’re starting, where you are & be ready to embark on your own amazing journey to health, happiness & success..!

Remember - The limit of our burning desire is the limit of our progress..
And, it doesn’t really require much strength to do something, it only requires great strength to decide on what to do - Your choice of decision is your true destiny..!

Knowledge is The New Currency

 Knowledge is the new currency..

"NOT ALL Readers are Leaders, but All Leaders are Readers" – Harry Truman

If you study top millionaires & billionaires from Larry Ellison to Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Ted Turner, Ross Perot, & the gamut, you’ll find they are readers..

In fact, Warren Buffet may be the best investor of "all-time"..

He spends most of his day reading.. He says in an 8-hour workday, he spends an hour or two trying to get out to meetings & then the other 6 hours reading..

Bill Gates & Warren Buffett were asked,

"if you could have 1 super-power, 1 magical power, -  what would it be..?"

Guess what they said..

Could you believe they both said it would be the ability to read faster than anyone in the world..!

For you to be able to read faster with more comprehension, it will give you

👉 more knowledge faster, &

👉 a competitive edge over everyone else, right..?

So let’s get to it..

There’s several ways to speed-read.. Some of these include -

🕵️ The Push Method..

🕵️ The Pull Method..

🕵️ Speed Skimming..


But the most effective system we’ve found is called the

🕵️ Gold-Mining System..

The idea is to read through the book 3 times.. Each time you read through it, focus on finding the gold nuggets, hence "gold-mining"..

Since most books only have a few gold nuggets, the publishers typically fill the rest with stories & "fluff".. Your objective is to skip the "fluff" & mine the golden nuggets in there..

👉 Let me give a quick illustration -

💥 Let’s base this example on a 230-page business book..

💦 First pass through the book -  (shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes)..

💦 Read the back cover..

💦 Read the table of contents..

💦 Read the introduction..

💦 Flip through entire book & read maybe a page from each chapter that catches your eye..

💦 Try to use this phase as a very high-level reading to catch main ideas & grasp understanding about what the book is actually about..

💥 Secondly, pass through the book - (shouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes)..

💦 Read a couple pages from each chapter (it doesn’t have to be the first 1-2 pages because sometimes books start with stories or the fluff)..

💦 No rules, just skip around & read a couple pages from each chapter that provide you with the main point of each chapter..

💥 Third & final pass - (should take about 30 minutes)..

💦 Read the first sentence of each paragraph..

💦 It’s okay to skip some paragraphs..

💦 Last secret -  if someone were to quiz you on the book versus someone that read every single last word, it would be near impossible for the quizzer to tell the difference..!

That’s it..
Try it..
It will change your reading habits & speed..!

Remember - You may not need to do it all.. design it all.. or direct it all.. but when it comes to making things you want to happen to happen, you may well have to inspire & drive it all..
Well, things don't turn up in this world until somebody turns them up..

Life Transitions & Certainty of Change to the Unknown

WHENEVER we have a path that we have to follow, that path wants us to realize some things..

Let me share one of my favorite YouTube videos by a friend from Denver, Colorado with  you - A captivating video of Courage, Life transitions & Certainty of Change to the unknown..

She'll be constantly updating & releasing new modules in the Life Transitions and Certainty of Change to the Unknown Platform.. You’ll be able to access all of these resources digitally & remotely..!

You could be consumed by the
wisdom of every single lesson/message from the comfort of your own home...
You can access its sacred contents & write in your e-journal directly from your mobile phone, computer, or tablet..
The process of transforming your life CAN & WILL take place anytime, & anywhere - just as long as you have a connection when you subscribe to the channel.. That level of
accessibility is what really guarantees your success with this new transitions..

Each module comes with its own set of creative, engaging, & results-focused exercises that will help you really get into it..
In fact, inside your soul, you’ll even get to experience what Life transitions feels like..

Check it out here:
👉 https://youtu.be/LZMUsSxalMk

To walk our authentic path is a journey with choice that we take alone.. The neediness & fear will be confronted to reclaim our authentic power & we explore the depth of our shadow selves to clear the way to be reconnected with all that is..

Though, it may feel lonely at times - that is a conditioned Feeling, a pain that we were once taught to be disconnected from the source of love, where our true self resides & believed projected & conditioned fear of another thoughts..

But, it is at those crucial moments where loneliness & uncertainty & where we must breathe through that feeling & trust the path we walk even when we can't see the stairs up..

Weaving the tapestry of life will help you see all the strengths you possess..

It's important to know your strengths so that you can lean on your truth, work with your struggles, & eventually become someone who sponsors him/her self..

When you weave your life together, you'll see how each stage has contributed to making the very unique person you have become..
Besides, we owe it to ourselves to always create something out of nothing..

This is an amazing exercise to find your true self.. Part of 'being' is cutting through a lot of the tape on ourselves & getting back to our true self removing things like worry, fear & greed..
And, remembering who it is that we really are.. When you take a day like this & just let go & see where you take yourself, you might find you are amazed at what you find..

TRUE EDUCATION is what remains probably after you have forgotten what you were taught in the four corners of the school..

In school, you are giving a lesson before test but in real life.. there is no resemblance..! In life, you are given a test that will teach you a lesson..

Learning is the root of true education.. without it, we are lost..

In a dismal sea of marginality, education needs a complete reset of its unhealthy default button..
The old-paradigm system of learning is comprised of many great teachers (tutors) that wanted Change, & are now moving away from dysfunctional ways of teaching..

Well, they are not alone..

As more & more folks are consciously awakening, the need for a major shift in education (at all level) is happening- that is so good to hear..!

My opening statement bears repeating, as it's vital- Learning is the root of true education & true education is what remains after you have probably forgotten what you were taught in school..
Generally, the roots of modern education (the last few years or so) have been starved for nourishments- the soil is parched..

But there are new pathways starting to flourish, new roots growing in awakening, sprouting centres for planetary unification.. these online & on-site learning spaces are stewarded by devoted change- makers teaching & researching new ways of being for the benefit of all..

So, there is light at the end of tunnel where the trees grow to magnificent souls to pure-truth..

We've realized that most of what we learned in school is a lie & the overall framework of education was to dumb us down into a subservient lifestyle following a farcical plan that the government said (& still says) is good for us.. that has produced sub-par education during the past decades..

Your school or colleges or universities may have done away with winners & losers, but life has not.. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades..
And, they will give you as many times as you want to get the right answers- this doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to anything in real life..

Remember- true education means more than pursuing a certain course of study at the four walls.. It has to do with the whole person, & with the whole period of existence possible to human beings.. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, & the spiritual powers..
And, there's one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving & that's your own self..

African Community - God Our Strength......

The boiled seeds

AN EMPEROR in the Far East was growing old & he knew it was time to choose his successor.. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided something different..

He called young people in the kingdom together one day.. He said, “It is time for me to step down & choose the next emperor.. I have decided to choose one of you”..

Those young people were shocked..!

But the emperor continued.. “I am going to give each one of you a seed today.. One very special seed.. I want you to plant the seed, water it & come back here after one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed.. I will then judge the plants that you bring, & the one I choose will be the next emperor..!”

One youth named Krish was there that day & he, like the others, received a seed.. He went home & excitedly told his mother the story.. She helped him get a pot & planting soil, & he planted the seed & watered it carefully..

Everyday he would water it & watch to see if it had grown.. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds & the plants that were beginning to grow..

Krish kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew..

3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks went by.. Still nothing..
By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, & he felt like a failure.. Six months went by, still nothing in Ling’s pot.. He just knew he had killed his seed..

Everyone else had trees & tall plants, but he had nothing.. Krish didn’t say anything to his friends.. However, he just kept waiting for his seed to grow..

A year finally went by & all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection.. Krish told his mother that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot..
But his mother insisted..
Krish felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right.. He took his empty pot to the palace.. When Krish arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths.. They were beautiful in all shapes & sizes.. Krish put his empty pot on the floor & many of the other laughed at him..

A few felt sorry for him & just said, “Hey nice try”..

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room & greeted the young people.. Krish just tried to hide at the back..

“What great plants, trees &  flowers you have grown,” said the emperor.. “Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor..!” All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Krish at the back of the room with his empty pot.. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front..

Krish was terrified & scared.. He said to himself - “the emperor knows I’m a failure..! Maybe he will have me killed..!”

When Krish got to the front, the Emperor asked his name..

“My name is Krish,” he replied in a shaking voice..
All the youths were laughing & making fun of him.. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down.. He looked at Krish, & then announced to the crowd,
“Behold your new emperor..! His name is Krish..!”

Krish couldn’t believe it..
Krish couldn’t even grow his seed..
How could he be the new emperor..? The other youths kept murmuring..

Then the emperor said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed.. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, & bring it back to me today..

But I gave you all boiled seeds, which would not grow.. All of you, except Krish, have brought me trees & plants & flowers.. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you.. Krish was the only one with the courage & honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it.. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor..!”

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust..

If you plant goodness, you will reap friends..

If you plant humility, you will reap greatness..

If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory..

If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony..

If you plant hardwork, you will reap success..

If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation..

If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy..

If you plant patience, you will reap improvements..

If you plant faith, you will reap miracles..

But..

If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust..

If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness..

If you plant pride, you will reap destruction..

If you plant envy, you will reap trouble..

If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation..

If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation..

If you plant greed, you will reap loss..

If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies..

If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles..

If you plant sin, you will reap guilt..

So be careful what you plant now..

Remember - what you plant will determine what you will reap tomorrow, the seeds you now scatter, will make life worse or better, your life or the ones who will come after..
Yes, someday, you will enjoy the fruits, or you will pay for the choices you plant today..

Get Bessern.......

Philosophy - an ecstasy form of play

NOTHING CAN CURE the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul..

Philosophy isn't just for professors.. Embracing a philosophical attitude can make you healthier, happier, & (of course) wiser..

List the  top three things you’re interested in - that’s a request I made of 10 different people..

Their responses included world travel, family, health, nature photography, music, & adventure..

No one included philosophy..

That’s probably not surprising.. But with another round of questions about what really interests us or what matters to us - we may find many people adding ideas relating to having a purpose or finding a meaning in life..

While the word “philosophy” might not appear on anyone’s list, many of us have at least some interest in what we experience as a yearning for meaning in our lives.. This yearning seems to be universal.. People from different cultures & different historical times have grappled with questions about meaning & purpose..

These are philosophical questions.. 

The fact that people yearn for meaning & purpose leads me to believe that philosophy is an essential part of the good life..

Philosophy can be defined in different ways, but in simple terms, philosophy means the search for wisdom, truth, & meaning.. At times, facing the truth can be painful or inconvenient.. We may, thus, shy away from philosophical thinking.. We may prefer buying into the idiom that “what you don't know won't hurt you..” That, of course, is unwise & in some situations may be unethical..

Remaining uninformed about an unpleasant, unjust, or harsh situation may allow us to avoid facing a responsibility or give us the freedom to not worry or think about it..

But philosophical thinking isn’t just about the heavy stuff.. For me, It can be a form of play engaging our sense of wonder & imagination.. I like to think of philosophical thinking as a form of deep play, which Diane Ackerman describes as an “ecstatic form of play..”

In her book Deep Play, Ackerman explains how deep play “involves the sacred & holy” & how it’s “sometimes hidden in the most unlikely or humble places.".” 

I normally experience deep play mostly while traveling (either by land or by air).. Somehow, just tuning in to the air around me, the light in the trees, the rocks along the way, & occasional glimpses of wildlife brought me to a place of awe & mystery.. My philosophical thinking most of the time had little to do with analytical or scientific thinking.. It was more about being open to the meaning, purpose, & connectedness of everything around me..  

While philosophical thinking can be experienced as deep play with no special goal in mind, it can also be a transformative force in your life.. It can help you deal with tough times & challenging situations..

Lou Marinoff, a professor of philosophy at The City College of New York, explains how philosophy can be used to solve everyday problems.. Marinoff debunks the idea that philosophy belongs to the domain of a few.. It’s time, he says, to reclaim philosophy from the hands of the elite & return it to ordinary people.. His work focuses on the use of philosophy as a self-healing tool & as a resource for counselors working in therapeutic settings..

Marinoff believes that we all have an “inner philosopher” that we can tap into for understanding & courage..
Because philosophy is on my list of interests, I’ve been gathering philosophical gems from multiple sources.. I find them in many different places - books, movies, conversations, observations of the natural world, & daily-life events..

I find that just looking for philosophical gems & layering philosophical thinking over the ordinary events of my life expands & enriches my experience of  being alive..

The poet, T.S. Eliot, once said,

“We had the experience but missed the meaning..” I don’t want this to be the story of my life..

We might not need philosophy in the same way we need food & shelter though.. Yet, I believe we need philosophical thinking to nurture our spirts & enrich our minds.. If this is true, we might look for ways to make philosophical thinking a part of our daily lives..

Get Bessern..

🕵️ Here are a few suggestions -

🚵 Read and write poetry -

👉 Poetry often focuses on the deeper meanings of life.. As I read poems by Mary Oliver, for example, I’m drawn into her wonderings about the meaning of death, eternity, loss, happiness, & holiness..
In one poem, Oliver invites us to ponder such philosophical questions as "Is the soul solid, like iron..? or is it tender & breakable, like the wings of a moth in the beak of the owl..?” Just pondering such questions can add interest & enjoyment to your life.. 

🚵 Engage in philosophical dialogue with yourself -

👉 Unlock your inner philosopher by taking the time to reflect on the meaning of what’s happening in your personal life & in the world around you.. Let your ponderings move beyond the “what” of your experiences to the “why” & “how”..

Why am I drawn to certain places or practices..? How does this moment relate to my larger purpose in life..? Keeping a journal to record & stimulate a philosophical dialogue with yourself can be helpful.. 

🚵 Engage in philosophical dialogue with others -

👉 Don’t be afraid to tackle “big questions” in your conversations with friends & family.. Many people find that talking about issues that really matter deepens their relationships as well as their ideas.. 

🚵 Look to children as philosophical partners & guides -

👉 In Little Big Minds, Marietta McCarty  refers to kids as “natural philosophers”.. She notes “how they approach philosophical topics with great big minds that are uncluttered by the baggage that can accumulate as one gets older”.. If you spend much time with children, you know they can be relentless in their inquiries, typically asking 70-100 questions a day..

Some of their questions are quite philosophical & invite us to explore the unknown - Why do people die..? Do trees have feelings..? Why do we have wars..? Hang out with a child & enjoy the philosophical ride..

🚵 Look to nature for inspiration -

👉 There you’ll find an inexhaustible source of truth & wisdom.. We hear from many thinkers & writers that nature holds the secrets of our being..

Well that's not false..

Herman Hesse in Siddhartha asks, “Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time..?"
Rachel Carson in The Sense of Wonder tells us that “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts”..
And Mary Oliver reminds us that “the world offers itself to your imagination”.. We would do well to tap into this rich source of inspiration..

🚵 Cultivate mindfulness -

👉 Mindfulness is about paying attention & taking notice & that’s really what philosophical thinking is all about.. Mindfulness helps us live deliberately.. It draws us to questions about meaning & purpose, about our role & place in the larger scheme of things.. If mindfulness is already a part of your practice, note how it often engages you in philosophical thinking..  

If I had to sum up what philosophical  thinking is all about, I would say it’s a form of deep play for the hungry soul.. I also think of philosophical thinking as a form of prayer, as it can transport us to a place of mystery & contemplation..

Philosophical thinking connects us to the sacred depths of existence.. I can think of no better place in which to dwell..

Remember - Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul & every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.......

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Chance Vs Change

THERE'S ONE CORNER of the universe you can be certain of improving & that's your own self..
Today, I want to share one of my life stories with you..! 🤹

 😎

Just as you rely on your GPS when you're driving to help you get where you are going, we all need help navigating our paths..

And just as every journey begins with a step, my journey began when I asked God for a sign & I received one -  a light lightning strike up in the sky at just that moment I asked for a sign..
And then, when I asked for confirmation, another one striked again..

But what if I hadn’t recognized my sign..?

One thing that helped was that when I saw the lightning in answer to my question, I was alone.. This was in the years before everyone had a cell phone to consume their attention..
I wasn’t distracted by anyone else’s presence, opinion, or tweet, & so I was able to relax & listen to my own inner voice ( I still make enough time for solitude & to listen to my intuition up till date)..

Solitude gives us the quiet space we need to find ourselves, away from outside influences..

Once you create that space for yourself, the next step is to ask for the help you need..
Ask for guidance..
Ask for solutions..

And then listen for a reply.. Really listen..
Let yourself be wide open to your experience & know that the voice is going to be your voice - not your dead ancestors or angels or spirits.. It’s your own authentic voice..

In order to hear, you have to be able to receive, to accept that you’re deserving, you’re worth it.. This is where most of us get in our own way.. When you ask a question & hear the answer, trust it instead of talking yourself out of it..

It isn’t easy to ask for help.. There are many reasons for this.. We may feel that asking for help means we are weak.. We think we should be smart enough & strong enough & decisive enough to solve our own problems or not have problems at all..

But sometimes intelligence & strength & willpower aren’t what we need.. We all have our blind spots, & we can benefit from a different perspective.. We can’t do it alone..

Once you’ve made the decision to ask for help, how do you go about finding it..? There’s no right answer, but I’ll share some of the things I’ve tried; maybe they will work for you, too -

♣️ First, ask trusted friends & family members.. These are people you love & they genuinely reciprocate the love.. They’re more likely to tell it the way it is..

♣️ Be open-minded.. Don’t assume that there is only one path for getting where you want to go.. The guidance you need may come from a therapist, a cab driver, a song on the radio, a mentor, a child, a book, or a website post/blog.. You just need to find the voice that is right for you to put you on the path..

Get Bessern..

I can pretty much guarantee you that if it’s the right answer for you, it will come from more than one place - but every little voice counts..

♣️ Don’t anticipate what it’s going to be & how it’s going to show up, because sometimes our answers come in ways we’d never expect..

But what if you aren’t sure..? What if you can’t decide whether the advice you’re getting is good or bad..?

In a situation like this, I suggest giving yourself a little time to think things over before you make any decision.. Step back & look at the problem as objectively as possible.. For me, this where meditation comes into place..

We live in a time when we tend to look so far ahead into the future that we may lose sight of what’s going on in our lives at the moment.. I know I used to find myself running so far & so fast that I missed an entire year here & there..

All that changed when I began meditating..

Meditation stills the mind from its daily chatter & teaches us how to be in the moment.. It allows us opportunities to breathe & to see our lives with our eyes open, in a calm, peaceful way..
And when we are in that calm, peaceful state, we interact & communicate with others more authentically & precisely..

Research has shown the amazing benefits of meditation on mind & body.. There are lots of different ways to meditate, so if you haven’t found one that feels right for you, keep looking..!

Some of the more commonly known methods include transcendental meditation, prayer, Zen meditation, Taoist, mindfulness, walking meditation etc..
Several of these require your body to remain still, while others allow free movement..

Then there’s my favorite -  meditating to music or energy frequencies.. It transports me into the sweet zone of alpha theta - the portal of infinite possibilities, the state in which I’m able to download the messages available for me..

I had dabbled in it, but I began my deeper journey with meditation when I attended a three-day webinar lecture by the Dalai Lama.. He explained that meditation is something within us; it’s a state of being that we learn.. Eventually we can learn it so well that we become it 24 hours a day..

We want to condition our minds to live in the present moment, not in the past or the future.. He made me understand that meditation doesn’t need to be a strict practice, either - you don’t have to have an altar filled with gifts; you don’t have to sit erect on the floor or in a chair; if you have an itch, by all means scratch it..! Our culture wasn’t meant to practice the way monks do, nor does meditation need to have a religious connotation..

Listening to the Dalai Lama, it was as if a cloud of expectation had been lifted.. I knew that any way I conducted my practice would be acceptable.. It sounded so logical, forgiving, & workable.. This was for me..

I have been calmed & changed by my meditation practice, & it has deepened & given me greater benefits over the years.. Permit me to share with you some of the techniques I’ve learned along the way -

🎿 Give yourself permission to let go of expectation, & understand that meditation doesn’t have to take more than five minutes of your day.. If you can manage one minute, that’s an accomplishment..!

Start by closing your eyes & taking four deep, long breaths, on both the inhale & exhale..

Before you begin your day, sit & plan how you want it to turn out..

At the end of your workday or before you go to bed, reflect on how your day went.. Assess whether it was positive or negative, then ask yourself whether there’s anything you would like to do differently the next day..

As someone who has been meditating for some years now, I can feel every day the way it has changed my life & my sense of well-being.. Meditation for me means allowing myself permission not to think, to be in a quiet space of freedom, to close my eyes for a moment..
And when I reopen them, I’ve recalibrated: I’m different, calmer; my thoughts are clearer than they were before..

Probably we’re all going to feel stress every day.. It’s how we choose to deal with the stress that makes the difference.. Those of us who have embraced meditation have a built-in way of deflecting life’s stresses, leaving us more open to the good stuff..
The key is to give yourself space to notice the world around you.. You'll start to notice things - about yourself, about other people, about your work, about the world, & about where you want to be in it.

I promise you - amazing things can happen when you do..

Remember - Life is about trusting your feelings.. taking chances.. finding happiness.. learning from the past, & realizing that everything changes..!
And our life doesn't not get better by chance, it gets better by change .......

#sevenalive
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No Goals, No Scores..!

A MAN was traveling & stopped at an intersection.. He asked an elderly man, "Where does this road take me..? " The elderly person asked, "Where do you want to go..?"

The man replied, "I don't know.." The elderly person said, "Then take any road.. What difference does it make..?"

How true.. When we don't know where we are going, any road will take us there..

Suppose you have all the football eleven players, enthusiastically ready to play the game, all charged up, & then someone took the goal post away.. What would happen to the game..? There is nothing left.. How do you keep score..? How do you know you have arrived..?

Enthusiasm without direction is like wildfire & leads to frustration.. Goals actually give a sense of direction.. Would you sit in a train or a plane without knowing where it was going..? The obvious answer is no..

Then why do people go through life without having any goals..?

And, If you ask most people what is their one major objective in life, they would probably give you a vague answer, such as, "I want to be successful, be happy, make a good living," & that is it.. They are all wishes & none of them are clear goals..

Remember - Goals must be SMART -

⛷️ S--specific -
For example, "I want to lose weight.." This is wishful thinking.. It becomes a goal when I pin myself down to "I will lose 10 pounds in 90 days.."

⛷️ M--must be measurable -
If we cannot measure it, we cannot accomplish it.. Measurement is a way of monitoring our progress..

⛷️ A--must be achievable -  Achievable means that it should be out of reach enough to be challenging but it should not be out of sight, otherwise it becomes disheartening..

⛷️ R--realistic -
A person who wants to lose 50 pounds in 30 days is being unrealistic..

⛷️ T--time-bound -
There should be a starting date and a finishing date..

Remember - the problem of not having a goal is that you might not score.......

#sevenalive
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#Getbessern
#FromTheLittleBigThings
#Influence

Embrace Your Special Nature

AIM AT NOTHING & you'll surely hit at nothing.. Aim at a specific goal & chances are there that you'll be a lot farther along than if you'd never aim atall..

 Once you decide what you want in life, making your vision a reality comes down to making changes that will lead you closer to your goal. Sometimes it only takes a small shift in behavior to get you on the right path.
But what if you know what you want, but don’t have the confidence to take that first step?
Maybe you haven’t given yourself permission to put your needs first..You can create the life you want.
You just have to understand how to make changes in a way that works for you.. Once you’ve done that, rather than creating a barrier, your sensitivity will become the key to unlocking the life you dream of.

A professor in a tertiary institution once told me that you can make a plan to change anything by deciding what to do more of, what to do less of, & what to do differently.. That information seems simplistic, but it stuck with me because it holds true for just about anything..

So my sensitive readers, I encourage you to try to make some of these subtle changes in your life by deciding-
What to do more of..

What to do less of.. &

What to do differently..

I guarantee that they’ll help you to be happy, successful & thrive..!

If you need some more ideas/tips & encouragement- you’re in luck..!
My three-part video series starts today- check out my first video soonest - "Tips For Positive Change For  The Highly Sensitive Person"..!

Remember- The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own, you don't blame it on your mother, the ecology, the heredity or anyone.. You realize that you control your destiny..

And remember to embrace your special nature.. You have your style & your own important contribution to make your life better & your life doesn't get better by chance..it gets better by positive change.......

#sevenalive
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Syntactical Power of Words

HERE are few of my personal Affirmations -

📍"I am aligned with my higher purpose.."

📍"Spirit is always with me, guiding me.."

📍 "I respectfully ask for Divine guidance in all areas of my life.."

📍 "Divine Spirit is around me, always.."

📍 "Faith makes me feel whole in spirit, soul & body.."

Yeah, we were all told to be repeating positive affirmations to get & manifest positive results..

Yes, positive affirmations is a really amazing life transforming tool.. The concept of repeating positive & good language can help focus on what you want rather than what you don’t want, which in turn affects the results in your life to getting what you want..!
However if used incorrectly, they can cause more damage..

Studies have shown that when you do repeat a statement over & over again, you will start to believe it & in turn developing old negative beliefs into new ones.. But when it comes to affirming something about your life on a daily basis that you may really internally not believe, it can cause worse damage..

Examples -
If you are waking up & you are really not looking forward to the day & so something you really don’t feel motivated for.. If you say -
“I am so confident to do this today” but you feel > I’m so scared to do this today, I am not ready at all & I don’t feel good.

“I am so excited for today” but you feel > I hate this job I want to quit..

“I am loved” but you feel > I feel so empty & lonely..

“I’m so happy” but you feel > I’m so upset about this situation I really don’t know what to do with it..

💢 Why It’s Dangerous..?

After years of using positive affirmations myself & studying of how our words & language can affect our lives, it wasn’t until recently when undergoing NLP Practitioner Training that I realized my Positive Affirmations were not motivating me at all & were actually causing me conflicting doubt.. Making a statement over an underlying issue can cause more damage, & anxiety..

IF you are already confident & believe you are, to use a statement like “I’m confident today!” & you feel so good & believe it when you say it, this is an amazing boost..
But if you really don’t feel confident, to say, that can cause even more doubt..

👉 This is how to actually create affirming statements -

To create powerful affirmations that empower you to feel good & move you forward, the first step is to use affirmations in MOTION..

5 Powerful Examples -
“I am in the process of becoming the best version of myself..”

“Today I will do my best, but I will not stress over things I can’t control..”

“I am moving towards more love & expressing more love..”

“I am developing my strength & ability to accomplish all my goals & dreams..”

“I am moving towards accepting myself more & more & becoming more confident..”

Using affirmations in motions & verbs to describe that you are moving towards creates nothing but empowerment & hope..!

👉 Step by Step to Creating Your Own Reality -

💢 Write down what you want to happen, whether you want more confidence, your dream career, to know your purpose..

💢 Write them in active motion “Each day I am discovering more & more about myself & what career path I want, I am becoming so much more excited for each day..”

💢 Say them to yourself every day, looking in the mirror & spending a couple of minutes writing them down..

Remember - the syntactical nature of reality, the real secret of magic, is that the world is made up words.. & if you know the words that the world is made of, you can make of it whatever you wish..

Get Bessern.......

#sevenalive
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