Gratitude because.....

“We count our miseries carefully,
and accept our blessings without much thought."
~ Chinese Proverb

I have met countless people who can describe in detail why something is unpleasant for them, why something isn’t working or what is going wrong in their life, and yet their gratitude is only a single word or short phrase. Does being able to explain in detail the reason why you have gratitude for something make a difference in the energy behind it? I went on a quest for answers.

Some people I talked with had long laundry lists of gratitude,but they seemed to talk more about their problems and complaints. Others had shorter lists, and shared beautiful stories with me about each items on their list.

I met people who had similar items on their gratitude list and different responses to my question: “you are grateful for this because…..?”

One woman I met with had written “I am thankful for my health” on her gratitude list. When I asked her “You are grateful for your health because…..”, her answer was a sharp: “Well! Because I just am, and I am insulted to be asked why!.” It reminded me of when my parents would tell me do to something and when I asked why I heard: ” because I said so”. This answer didn’t help me to understand.

In contrast, I met with Nancy who also had written on her list “I am thankful for my health”. When I asked “she was grateful because….” what she told me was: “I am thankful I have my health, because that means I can take care of my kids. I brought these beautiful children in the world and they depend on me. When I have my health I can enjoy them and take care of them. And that make me feel such a deep feeling for love and life, that I call that a grateful feeling.” In order to feel the depth of her gratitude Nancy believes that she must be willing to know why she feels gratitude. Anything less, to her, is simply lip service.

I find that every time I do this exercise I find new feelings around each incident I list in Gratitude. Several other people shared with me how doing this exercise made a difference in their feelings of gratitude.

“He who knows others is learned;
He who knows himself is wise.”
~ Lao-tzu, Tao te Ching

For this Thanksgiving season, do this for yourself and see if there is any difference in the depth of your feelings of Gratitude.

Write down a few things on that you are Grateful for.
And then continue the sentence with: because…..|
See what you can discover with your because.

"The important thing is not to stop questioning our reasons
Never lose a holy curiosity.”
~ Albert Einstein

(c) 2009 excerpt from book: Stress Out, show stress who's the boss

Focus on the reasons to complain = stress

Focus on the reasons for gratitude = happy

More happy = less stress

www.StressOut-book.com

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Frustration and "IT"

FRUSTRATION: -noun; the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals ; a feeling of dissatisfaction resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

That dictionary definition makes sense in a world of human emotions. However, what happens when we get frustrated and ANGRY?
Or frustrated and feeling helpless?
Or frustrated and call ourselves names, ie: stupid?

When we get angry or impatient during or after that moment of frustration, it is because we want what is happening right now, to be different than it is right now.

There has been an increase in buzz about the law of attraction since the release of the movie, the Secret.

Many people will proudly declare “law of attraction” or LOA, when they get a parking space, a table without waiting at a restaurant, a green light at an intersection; and in the next breath deny or ignore all personal responsibility, when IT doesn't go the way they wish.

If you observe what you are thinking in your own mind, you will see that when you come face to face with your frustration over what IS happening right now, that your habitual thoughts will first condemn. Then your thoughts begin to compare IT (what is happening right now) with 'what IT should be'; or you search and listen for thoughts to justify IT. And then your next choice of emotions begin.

Anger related to frustration is a form of tantrum throwing. Many people have developed the habit of magical and microwave type thinking that IT must change and IT must change now.

Like the TV show from the 60's, Bewitched, the most effort many people want to have to exercise is to twitch their noses and have IT change instantly. (Eventually we would get angry with having to twitch our noses all the time and we would want IT to change without having to twitch).

Our anger doesn’t want to learn anything new, or do anything different – we just want IT the way we want IT without any further effort on our part. (see small child foot stomping emphasis here)

Many people have developed the habit of accepting feelings of helplessness sometimes just after the anger or accompanying it. The helplessness comes from lumping this one IT into all the other IT's that are (allegedly) going wrong in our life – and our negative emotions escalate. It's difficult to eat an entire buffet at once. It's much easier to focus on one course and one bite at a time. Yet we lump all our life events into one mountainous illusion, and dwarf ourselves in its shadow.

And in moments of low self esteem, name calling rears its head. This behavior has no positive value and only creates more feelings of helplessness and unworthiness. Your frustration turned into self loathing is telling you that you are operating on an old limiting belief about yourself. This may require additional introspection on the topic of self worthiness.

WHAT IF you were hiking in beautiful nature and enjoying the journey and you came upon a stream of water you needed to cross. Would you sit down and get angry that the stream was interfering with your hike; or you would look for an answer around you for how to get across; or you would call upon your creative mind; or you would give up and retreat? So many choices.

Anger, feelings of helplessness, frustration and name calling close the door to possibilities. It can be painful when we bang our heads against a closed door.

WHAT IF there was a lock on that door that only required a key? Would you start looking for the key, get angry because it wasn’t already in your pocket, or keep banging your head and increasing the pain, or would you give up?

You actually already possess that key, and it is within your reach.

WHAT IF you looked at a frustrating IT as an opportunity? And I’m not talking about that see-saw string of words chimed by so many New Agers ..."Here’s another spiritual opportunity for growth……”

WHAT IF – at the first moment of frustration you took a moment to ask yourself –

"why am I reacting the way I am?”

when I have reacted this way in the past – have those times gotten me closer to or farther away from my desired result?”

“what is my intended result with my behavior, my actions or the activity I am involved in right now?”

"am I willing to I learn something new that will enhance my career or quality of life?"

"am I learning a new way to use my creative mind?"

"Is this an opportunity to let go of an old habit and accept what is right now, so I can learn a new habit?"

"Am I willing to apologize to myself and forgive myself?

WHAT IF – in that moment of reflection you heard from your inner self that this frustrating IT was an answer to something you had previously asked for, or an opportunity to learn something new in your moving forward energy in life or career, or this IT was an opportunity to learn something new to complete something from your past?

How would you respond to that frustrating IT now?

I am suggesting that you decide in the right now, in the IT of frustration how you want the next moment to be. I am suggesting you take responsibility for your reactions and choose the one that moves you closer to your desired result.

Whether you refer to what happens in your life as Law of Attraction, Law of Return, Karma, Synchronicity, Law of Reciprocity, Cause and Effect, The Golden Rule , Energetics, etc - the bottom line is your responsibility. You are responsible for the choices you make and the results that occur because of the choices you make.

“One new perception, one fresh thought, one act of surrender,
one change of heart,
one leap of faith, can change your life forever.”
~ Robert Holden ~

When we present a topic we also like to offer Keys to assist you in finding your solution.

There are several Keys to assist you in moving through Frustration to empowerment.

“ We must also be careful to avoid ingesting toxins in the form of violent TV programs, video games, movies, magazines, and books. When we watch that kind of violence, we water our own negative seeds, or tendencies, and eventually we will think and act out of those seeds. " ~Thich Nhat Hahn

We suggest Movies with Message for positive movie recommendations

The ancient Hawaiian Ho'Oponopono method of problem solving is another excellent key.

This videos is one of the best we have found. Click the arrow in the center of the image to play.

The background is a music track from the album "Ho'oponopono Song" from Aman Ryusuke Seto. The album is available at www.galaxymusic.net.

You can also download a MP3 meditation from Amazon.com and carry it with you:

What does forgiveness mean?

What difference does it make?

These books may also assist you.

Singing for Change "Stand by Me"

It Works with Simple Keys

An updated edition of The Famous Little Red Book That Makes Your Dreams Come True.

Countless people followed the simple message and have seen dramatic changes in their lives.
To get what you desire is no more mysterious or uncertain than the stereo waves all around
you. Tune in correctly and you get a perfect result.

In the simplicity of the original book, some people miss the depth of The Plan. Throughout
this updated edition you will find Keys which are suggestions and exercises to assist you in utilizing
the information you read.

Reading these words alone will not create results, action is required. The Keys assist you in accelerating the results producing process.

If you are really serious about changing your present condition, here is a concise, definite,
result-full plan, with rules, explanations and suggestions.

Others have these things. Why not you?

Excerpts of this book are available on Amazon Search Inside.

Paperback and Kindle editions of this book can be purchased on Amazon.com.E-books are available at: http://www.selfinvestmentpublishing.com/

FREE DVD - You Can Heal Your Life with Louise Hay

LOUISE HAY, the pioneer who taught us the metaphysical causes behind myriad physical ailments and how to apply positive affirmations, is the subject of an important documentary film entitled YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE. This film, which offers an intimate look into Louise Hay's moving and inspirational life story, shares her views on self-esteem, abundance and healing.

In this entertaining film, Wayne Dyer, Esther and Jerry Hicks, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Doreen Virtue, Gregg Braden, Gay Hendricks, and Cheryl Richardson, share their personal stories about the impact Louise Hay has had on their lives.

YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE is the feature film in the Vol. 12, 2008 collection of films from the Spiritual Cinema Circle, the only DVD club specializing in films that inspire love and compassion. Receive YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE plus 3 great short films free (plus nominal shipping fee) by visiting www.spiritualcinemacircle.com before December 12, 2008.

"Louise Hay was the catalyst to my becoming aware of the importance of being good to me. The horribly unkind voice in my head constantly criticized me until I began to understand that I was the power behind my good health and happiness just by the thoughts I think and the words that I speak." Mariel Hemingway, Spiritual Cinema Circle Co-Host

It's a limited time offer to get the free Heal Your Life DVD. You must respond before December 12th. www.spiritualcinemacircle.com

Acting in a certain way

A recent question submitted:
I am currently reading the manuscript "The Science of getting rich" I also read the book "The Secret". I now have a more positive outlook which has changed my life and given me the courage to start my own business. The manuscript I think I will read again because it is a little bit harder to comprehend the first time. "acting in a certain way''. Insight please?


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"Acting in a certain way" means to have your actions congruent with your desires for riches; whether those riches be financial, material, relational or emotional.

Zig Ziglar, one of the trail blazers in motivational speakers would tell stories whereas someone would say they wanted to earn more money in their business. Then they would contradict that statement by not clarifying their goals, not writing a plan, not preparing for meetings, not following up on promises, not taking care of themselves in a healthy way so poor health would prevent them from exhibiting their best, and so on.

When a persons thoughts and actions are synchronous with their goals, they are acting in the way of successful people. When a person stays conscious of what they think and speak and how they act, they soon have the opportunity to see if they are acting in a way that will take them closer to or farther away from their goals and desires.

Numerous books are telling the same message: including "Think & Grow Rich", “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind”, “The Master Key”, “Creating True Prosperity”, “:Science of Mind”, “The Power of Intention” “ A Course in Miracles”, “Synchronicity”, "It Works With Simple Keys", "How To Turn Your Desires and Ideals Into Reality "…and more.

Wishing you awesome and continuous success.

The Right Time to Heal

How long does it take to heal from the perception of an event or the infliction of a wound?

Medical experts have theories on how long our body should take to heal from an illness or physical wound, however, what about those emotional wounds?

Some people seem to float through, others bounce back quickly and still others seem to suffer indefinitely?

Is there a right and a wrong way to heal?

The answer is: your healing is YOUR healing.

The only one to determine if you are healing in the manner that is best for you - is YOU.

I met a man last week, Steven, and his Grandfather, Charles, of whom he was quite proud. Steven's Grandparents had been married for over 40 years, until the his Grandmother passed away. A number of months after the death of his wife, Charles started dating again. When he did this, he received criticism from friends and family. Some were voicing their opinion as to whether he had loved his wife, to be moving on so quickly. They saw his behavior as uncaring and selfish, and took every opportunity to tell him. They believed in a societal time frame on healing after the death of a "loved" one, and he was violating that social time limit in their eyes. almost daily someone would say to him, "If you loved your wife, then how could you betray her this way after death". He felt attacked. He felt he was the one being treated unloving. He stayed true to what he knew was his healing journey, what was right for him.

When he announced his plans to marry his new girlfriend less than 18 months after his first wives death, many of Charles' "friends" refused to attend the ceremony.

As you heal a wound or a loss in your life, are you following a healing time requirement that was set outside of yourself, or are you listening to inspired guidance and following inspired action on your journey?What is your reaction to another persons' healing process?

Did you have a reaction to Charles' story?

Did it empower you or show you a pre-mature cognitive commitment that you have embodied?Mindfulness is a powerful Key. Be mindful of your reasons for your opinions and judgments, Create the most loving healing space for yourself by embracing your healing journey and healing on your terms. This is a powerful key to loving yourself.


##

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

What would you do if:

You didn’t need to workYou didn’t need to report to anyone.

You have all the money you believe you need,

You have all the support you believe you need.

Your health is perfect.

You have all the energy you believe is required.

Everyone agrees with you and everyone is on your side in your decisions.

Everything is working in your favor
You cannot fai.

What would you be doing?

On Oprah yesterday

On Oprah yesterday – James Carey said: “Keep in your mind what you want and not what you don’t want.

and he went on, and although he was referring to finding a mate, this applies to anything in your life:

If you go around saying it’s impossible, no one will ever love me, a good man is hard to find, then you are saying to the Universe that you don’t believe in abundance. And this Universe that created the starts, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and the duck billed platypus, is quite capable of finding someone to love you, no matter what your situation is.

So convince yourself that you deserve to be loved first of all”

Zero Limits

Responsibility of choice

There has been an increase in chatter about the law of attraction since the release of the movie, the Secret.

Many people will proudly state “law of attraction” or LOA, when they get a parking space, a table without waiting at a restaurant, a green light at an intersection; and in the next breath deny or ignore that the unpleasant event is also a result of their same energy.

Whether you refer to what happens in your life as Law of Attraction, Law of Return, Karma, Synchronicity, Law of Reciprocity, Cause and Effect, The Golden Rule , Energetics, Ho'oponopono, etc - the bottom line is your responsibility. You are responsible for the choices you make and the results that occur because of the choices you make.

Whether you label the result as good or bad, whether you choose to enjoy the results or complain about the results – the results are based on the choices or lack of choices you make. If you are on your way to an event and you are running late, you are responsible for your choice of activities and behaviors that placed you enroute at that (late) time. If you then end up in traffic and an accident of someone else on the road has then slowed down traffic, and you are caused a longer delay in your travel, you are still responsible for being at that place, at that time. You are responsible for your reaction to the situation at that time. You are responsible for your choice of your next emotion, thought and action at that time. So at whatever time you finally arrive at your destination, it is not the fault of the traffic. It is all because of the choices you made.

This is where so many new followers to Law of Attraction let go. This is where many people go from taking responsibility for their thoughts, and choices of actions to blaming outside of themselves - the traffic, the other drivers, the weather, etc.

Remember – lets go back to the beginning. YOU made the choices of the behaviors that put you in traffic at that time. YOU were functioning either consciously or unconsciously.

If you are getting the results you enjoy in life, then continue doing the same things you are currently doing. If it pleases you to blame traffic for your choice of behavior, then continue to do so. Your choice.

“The definition of Insanity is doing the same things
and expecting different results.”
~ Albert Einstein ~

In order to consciously gain the results you desire in life, you must first be conscious of your own thoughts and behaviors. These are YOUR thoughts and chosen behaviors. You be willing to be conscious.

Only from that a place of consciousness can you then see which thoughts, behaviors and habits you choose actually support you in moving towards your desired result. From consciousness, you can now take actions to keep those that you want to keep and change those behaviors that you want to change, in order to get a different result. When you choose consciously, you will see more results that move you in the direction of your desired results.

Frustration and IT

FRUSTRATION: -noun; the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals ; a feeling of dissatisfaction resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

That dictionary definition makes sense in a world of human emotions. However, what happens when we get frustrated and ANGRY?
Or frustrated and feeling helpless?
Or frustrated and call ourselves names, ie: stupid?

When we get angry or impatient during or after that moment of frustration, it is because we want what is happening right now, to be different than it is right now.

There has been an increase in buzz about the law of attraction since the release of the movie, the Secret.

Many people will proudly declare “law of attraction” or LOA, when they get a parking space, a table without waiting at a restaurant, a green light at an intersection; and in the next breath deny or ignore all personal responsibility, when IT doesn't go the way they wish.

If you observe what you are thinking in your own mind, you will see that when you come face to face with your frustration over what IS happening right now, that your habitual thoughts will first condemn. Then your thoughts begin to compare IT (what is happening right now) with 'what IT should be'; or you search and listen for thoughts to justify IT. And then your next choice of emotions begin.

Anger related to frustration is a form of tantrum throwing. Many people have developed the habit of magical and microwave type thinking that IT must change and IT must change now.

Like the old movie Bewitched, the most effort many people want to have to exercise is to twitch their noses and have IT change instantly. (Eventually we would get angry with having to twitch our noses all the time and we would want IT to change without having to twitch).

Our anger doesn’t want to learn anything new, or do anything different – we just want IT the way we want IT without any further effort on our part. (see small child foot stomping emphasis here)

Many people have developed the habit of accepting feelings of helplessness sometimes just after the anger or accompanying it. The helplessness comes from lumping this one IT into all the other IT's that are (allegedly) going wrong in our life – and our negative emotions escalate. It's difficult to eat an entire buffet at once. It's much easier to focus on one course and one bite at a time. Yet we lump all our life events into one mountainous illusion, and dwarf ourselves in its shadow.

And in moments of low self esteem, name calling rears its head. This behavior has no positive value and only creates more feelings of helplessness and unworthiness. Your frustration turned into self loathing is telling you that you are operating on an old limiting belief about yourself. This may require additional introspection on the topic of self worthiness.

WHAT IF you were hiking in beautiful nature and enjoying the journey and you came upon a stream of water you needed to cross. Would you sit down and get angry that the stream was interfering with your hike; or you would look for an answer around you for how to get across; or you would call upon your creative mind; or you would give up and retreat? So many choices.

Anger, feelings of helplessness, frustration and name calling close the door to possibilities. It can be painful when we bang our heads against a closed door. WHAT IF there was a lock that door that only required a key? Would you start looking for the key, get angry because it wasn’t already in your pocket, or keep banging your head and increasing the pain, or would you give up?

You actually already possess that key, and it is within your reach.

WHAT IF you looked at a frustrating IT as an opportunity? And I’m not talking about that see-saw string of words chimed by so many New Agers ..."Here’s another spiritual opportunity for growth……”

WHAT IF – at the first moment of frustration you took a moment to ask yourself –
"why am I reacting the way I am?”
when I have reacted this way in the past – have those times gotten me closer to or farther away from my desired result?”
“what is my intended result with my behavior, my actions or the activity I am involved in right now?”
"am I willing to I learn something new that will enhance my career or quality of life?"
"am I learning a new way to use my creative mind?"
"Is this an opportunity to let go of an old habit and accept what is right now, so I can learn a new habit?"
"Am I willing to apologize to myself and forgive myself?

WHAT IF – in that moment of reflection you heard from your inner self that this frustrating IT was an answer to something you had previously asked for, or an opportunity to learn something new in your moving forward energy in life or career, or this IT was an opportunity to learn something new to complete something from your past?

How would you respond to that frustrating IT now?

I am suggesting that you decide in the right now, in the IT of frustration how you want the next moment to be. I am suggesting you take responsibility for your reactions and choose the one that moves you closer to your desired result.

Whether you refer to what happens in your life as Law of Attraction, Law of Return, Karma, Synchronicity, Law of Reciprocity, Cause and Effect, The Golden Rule , Energetics, etc - the bottom line is your responsibility. You are responsible for the choices you make and the results that occur because of the choices you make.

“One new perception, one fresh thought, one act of surrender,
one change of heart,
one leap of faith, can change your life forever.”
~ Robert Holden ~

When we present a topic we also like to offer Keys to assist you in finding your solution.
There are several Keys to assist you in moving through Frustration to empowerment.

“ We must also be careful to avoid ingesting toxins in the form of violent TV programs, video games, movies, magazines, and books. When we watch that kind of violence, we water our own negative seeds, or tendencies, and eventually we will think and act out of those seeds. " ~Thich Nhat Hahn

We suggest Movies with Message for positive movie recommendations

The ancient Hawaiian Ho'Oponopono method of problem solving is another excellent key.

This video is one of the best we have found.

Fitting in or having the life you desire?”

In a conversation with a friend one day, when asked how I was as I moving through a problem that came into my life, I replied that I was focusing on solutions. She responded that she would do the same but since everyone else was complaining about everything, she felt she wouldn’t fit unless she did the same.

You need to ask yourself “Which is more important – fitting in or having the life you desire?”

“The definition of Insanity is doing the same things
and expecting different results.”
~ Albert Einstein ~

When you start focusing on your DESIRES, and you start to have them and accomplish them, you will not longer “fit in” with the people who choose to focus on the problems and the excuses. Only you can decide if you want to fit in with the people who criticize and complain, or fit in with the group of people who are having and accomplishing their deepest DESIRES.

As you write your LIST of DESIRES, answer these two questions with each one:

How will I change?How will this change my life?

Be deeply honest with yourself. Will you feel more freedom? Will you feel happier? Will you be more generous? Will you be afraid of what others will think and say? Will you be nice or mean?

Some people stop themselves because they are afraid of actually having what they really DESIRE; others are afraid of becoming “like those mean or dishonest people”; others are afraid people may not like them.

Make an agreement with yourself how you will grow in a positive way.

When you write how you will change next to your DESIRES, you will be reinforcing your positive change every time you read your LIST.

”When you rise above the masses you will always become a target.
Just as a flower grows taller than the surrounding grass,
and becomes a target for the nourishing sunshine,
it also becomes a target to be cut down.”
~ Sumner Davenport ~

Willingness & Willpower

Your Willingness opens your mind to new creative ideas and inspired thoughts and your eyes will see new opportunities. Being willing is being receptive.

Willingness means to nourish your intention. Intention is “tending” to your desire from “WITHIN”.

Willingness is following inspired and positive action instead of attempting to force results.

Willpower, on the other hand is hard work, forcing you to do something. If you attempt to FORCE a result, it’s similar to forcing a square peg into a round hole. It may go in there, however, there are gaps and broken edges. The final result doesn’t appear to fit the desire, does it?

“You are what your deep, driving desire is.
As your desire is, so is your will.
As you will is, so is your deed.
As your deed is, so is your destiny.”
~ The Upanishads ~
As Translated by Eknath Easwaran

You will change

When you start to focus on what you desire – YOU WILL CHANGE!

“Things do not change; we change.“~ Henry David Thoreau ~

As you start to focus on what you desire – your behaviors will begin to change. And as you begin to reach your goals and receive your desires – you will change.

If your desire is to have more money, and you focus on having that, you will change – you will find yourself behaving with more ease of spending as your money increases. You will begin to think and act with more confidence that you will continue to receive the money you desire and deserve. You will begin to focus on having even more money, and watching for the opportunities that will bring it to you.

If your desire is to have a healthier or slimmer body, and you focus on having that, you will change. Your behavior will change. You will relinquish excuses and watch for ways to support yourself in having the body you have always dreamed about. You will find your self-image will change as your body changes. You will find your body changing as your self image changes.

If your desire is to have more “things” and you focus on having them, you will change. You will find yourself enjoying the things you already have, the new things you get, and you will feel confident each time you add a new thing to your list of desires.

When you start to receive those things that you are placing you new focus on, you will begin to raise the level of your desires. Your faith and self confidence will increase. You will complain less and watch your words more carefully.

People will notice.

Some will admire you, some will criticize.

”When you rise above the masses you will always become a target.
Just as a flower grows taller than the surrounding grass,
and becomes a target for the nourishing sunshine,
it also becomes a target to be cut down.”
~ Sumner Davenport ~

Enjoy your transformation. Start by admiring yourself. Lead the way.

Being a Mentor

It was brought to our attention recently that someone was teaching Simple Keys tools without giving credit for where she obtained these tools.

We sat in on one of her classes. She had a cover over my book and read from it several times, always without acknowledging the book title or the class where she learned the keys.

After she finished the class, we approached her to introduce myself and to chat about her teaching process. She complained that when she took the Simple Keys class, that the tools worked for her so she wanted to use them with her students. We asked her why she was hiding the book from her students.

After discussion, she admitted a few things:
(1) She wanted to get the praise and admiration of being the teacher.
(2) She was afraid that if she told her students where she really got the tools that they wouldn't want to learn from her and instead they would want to go directly to the Simple Keys course or to the books themselves.
(3) Her students were having difficulty understanding the keys so it took more effort on her part to assist them in getting the same positive results she had seen happen from students in my classes.

However, what she began to understand during our conversation was that by her hiding from her students that she herself has a mentor she was stopping the flow of them seeing her as a mentor. And by taking the credit for what was written by someone else, was a form of stealing; and she admitted that some of her students were not paying as agreed and her class sizes were not growing.

We suggested that she do an experiment at her next class where she intended to use one of the Simple Keys tools. This time, she was to tell her students that this was a tool she learned from her mentor and that this was a Simple Keys tool. She was to explain why and when she used this tool and the personal results she got when she used the tool.

She called a few days later, almost in tears. She had received feedback from her students that it was the best class ever. They went on to tell her that it was easier to grasp what she was teaching them when she gave personal examples because it then felt that then they could see how it would work in their lives.

Following up with her again a few weeks later, she was excited to share that her class size was growing, and one student paid her the best compliment– “You are my mentor because you are real.”

We believe we are all here to learn from each other, and there are many messengers. The message we deliver is not new, it is only our interpretation of the message. The difference is when we take responsibility for our interpretation or our sharing of another’s interpretation.

www.selfinvestment.com/same-message.htm

http://www.simplekeys.org/

The purpose of life

"The purpose of life is to be happy. Ones own mental attitude is the most influential factor in working towards that goal. In order to change conditions outside ourselves, whether they concern the environment or relations with others, we must first change within ourselves.

Inner peace is the key. In that state of mind you can face difficulties with calm and reason, while keeping your inner happiness."

~ Dalai Lama ~

It Works

It's unknown whether Michael Phelps read It Works with Simple Keys, however, he followed the timeless message presented in the book, and we are all aware of his results. (unless you have been under a rock during the Olympics)

Step 1 - Write down your goals and intentions

This year Michael Phelps revealed how he had a piece of paper, his intention list in his bedroom and after his remarkable wins at the Olympics in an interview with Bob Costas: “What was on that much talked about piece of paper? You wish lost or your intention list?”

Phelps:” I think you saw it. It was all there, I think the only difference was the 200 fly, but other than that everything was pretty close to, pretty close to identical to what was written on the piece of paper.”

Step 2 - Read your written goals and intentions daily – envision them

Phelps talks about using his imagination to fuel his goals:” The biggest thing that I've been thankful for is that I have been able to use my imagination. When some people said it's not possible and it can't be done, I think that's when my imagination came into play.“

"I think it really shows that no matter what you set your imagination to, anything can happen. If you dream as big as you can dream, anything is possible. I saw so many quotes saying it's impossible to duplicate it, it won't happen. It just shows you that anything can happen.

Step 3 - Take action

Phelps:“ I’ve been able to have a lot of hard work and Bob (his coach) and I have gone through a lot together. It's all paid off."

Another important Key -

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that, but the really great people
make you feel that you too can become great.”
~ Mark Twain ~

Another behavior Phelps adopted was to only share his goals with the one person he trusted to maintain that vision (His coach). Doing this he could prevent naysayers from attempting to tell him why it couldn’t be accomplished and perhaps this also helped him to replace the message a middle-school English teacher once told him that he would never be successful with the positive vision and support form his coach.

Accomplish your dreams

Write It Down

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” ~ Helen Keller ~

Write down on paper in order of their importance, the things and conditions you really desire. Do not be afraid of desiring too much. Go the limit in writing down your desires.

What Do You Really Desire? Although this is the starting point, it is where many people stop.

For years countless have been telling themselves, “they can’t have”, “can’t afford”, “can’t be” and “shouldn’t do”. They have adopted the belief that other people can, and they can’t. Their daily conversation is filled with more frustration of what they don’t have, than talk of their dreams and desires

Now is the time you can choose to keep your old thoughts, beliefs and excuses or accept that you CAN have what you really desire when you are ready to (1) identify what you desire, (2) write them on a list and (3) take the action required.

Ask yourself - what do you really desire? Just for now, for the sake of this exercise, ignore all those old thoughts of "can't have" for a minute and just write your list.

Then choose 3 items on this list of your desires that are the most important to you right now, and write specifically how much, what kind, where...anything that specifically defines each desire.

The clarity is important. If it's money you desire - How much money do you desire? If it's a new body weight or look - What exact body weight and measurements do you desire? If it's a new home you desire - What size and style of home do you desire? In what city or neighborhood do you desire to live? If you desire a new car - What kind of car do you desire? If you desire a vacation - Where do you desire to take your vacation?

On a clean sheet of paper, write only your top three specific desires. Attach a photograph or a clipping from a magazine that depicts your desire to this page. Carry this page with you every day. Look at it first thing in the morning, again at lunch and again at dinner.

Do not concern yourself at this point how any of this is going to be manifest or delivered to you. This step is to clarify for yourself what you DESIRE.

“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”~ Martin Luther King, Jr ~

Mindfulness and Simple Keys

mindfulness, noun , dictionary.com
1. the trait of staying aware; paying close attention
2. Attentive; heedful

Mindfulness is being fully present, in each moment of your life, and being aware in all your experiences.

Mindfulness is listening to your inner voice, your body signals and using this information to gain a more clear understanding of your choices.

Mindfulness is being aware of "why" you are doing the things you do and choosing to continue to do the same or make conscious changes. Mindfulness is being aware of the results you created from your choices. Mindfulness is taking responsibility for ALL your actions and the results created from these actions.

Mindfulness is listening and paying attention to the answers, when you ask "How" can I have things different in my life.

Mindfulness is being willing to stop, think and question the premature cognitive commitments you made early in life and your habits.

Many people choose to follow the crowd, because they feel safe. Mindfulness is the opportunity to visit your fears, look at why you adopted them and choosing to keep them - or let go. Letting go for some people is a simple and easy task, whereas other people may need the assistance of a therapist or coach. Both ways are RIGHT!