Unwrap Yourself

- Miles Patrick Yohnke

We arrive not totally wired or totally assembled like an electric jigsaw puzzle. And thru life we are just trying to figure out how all our pieces go together.

A boxing match within our own mind. We human beings all beat ourselves up. This is how it feels at times. From jabs of fear to uppercuts of doubt. It's all there. So are the crosses of joy and hope. God placed it all in your mind.

One will go many rounds sparring with oneself. But it is a good fight. Internal ugliness will be knocked down and our beauty will prevail, if one chooses to fight the good fight.

Broken fragments of what we were. One climbs out from their bed of black, found in the city of death. An unknown nobody is how we feel. The burden of our own self can feel like a monster not just a monkey on our back. The madness numbs us in ways we can't imagine and yet yesterday one was loaded with care. Like the choice of choosing to walk on the sunny side or upon the side of shadows. This is the beauty of the mind. The blessings of the living.

Turn your weaknesses into your strengths. Success is failure turned inside out.

Life is sure interesting, isn't it?

Surrender. Surrender. It starts there. By one simply saying I don't have all the answers. I don't know why I do what I do, but I want to know. I'm tired of making the same mistakes over and over. I'm tired of my mind being like this. I'm tired of the same song being sung in my head. I'm tired of doing laps in my pity-pool.

So we start unlearning what we were taught. We start being less of a victim (well-meaning parents, teachers, society - ourselves) and start understanding ourselves.

If one is really living, one is looking to others or into themselves for a challenge. A challenge to be better. To be more. Far more. We may not really know the full impact we can have on each other until much later on in our life (or even after death).

Each of us start out as strangers to each other. We respond and interact and allow each other into our lives and little miracles occur. We learn and teach one another. We challenge each other to be better and be more.

When people accept that they don't have all the answers and start seeking out other sources for their own betterment, they have moved forward. A simple gesture like signing up to a self-help or inspirational website for example demonstrates that "I'm a seeker, I'm looking for help. I don't know all the answers but I'm going to be more than I was yesterday."

To be someone making an impact on this world, you have to surrender to your own limitations first. Learn from them and pass on what you have done to become more to others. Be accountable. Accountable to yourself.

Some time ago I was recording a vocal performance. It was a mid-tempo song. With heartfelt lyrics. A real nice song. Take after take and an afternoon goes by. I replied, "You have written a great song here, but I don't believe you. Your delivery or performance. It's just on the surface. It's not believable."

I told him to go back. Reflect. Take yourself back to the place you were with pen and paper when you wrote it.

The next morning we recorded it and pretty much nailed it in one take (we punched in a few touch-up lines).

He was in tears doing that track. He had been in tears when writing it, he remembered. To be real - you have to surrender.

Then and only then does your work or life take on the right meaning. This includes parenting. Anything. Sadly most of life is just on the surface. This is why McDonald's is so popular. Garbage in. Garbage out. This is why the drink, the drug, the food is so popular. We as people should be far more than this. We must be. It starts by surrendering.

Let's create anew. Let's enrich the minds and souls of all mankind. Let us gift-wrap that. Let us place that under the tree of mankind. Let us witness iPeace. iCare. iLove. iSurrender. These are the real gifts. Festival comes each day if one surrenders.

Brighten your Day

- Bob Stoess

What do you need to do to become happier in life? Do you need a new house? How about a new car or a bigger paycheck? How can you brighten your mood? What will lift your spirits? You could be suffering from a general malaise. Or, maybe, you're just suffering from the summer blues. But, whatever your discomfort, there are many easy things you can do to raise your state of health.

Psychologists tell us that feeling joyful, lighthearted, and excited about life doesn't require major soul searching or a large investment of time or money.

There are dozens of ways to lift your spirits in a scant moment.

Smile at yourself in the mirror each morning. It'll brighten your day. Stand up straight; slouching is harmful to your physical and mental health. Hum or sing your favorite tune. A shift in brain chemicals will reduce stress and lift your spirits.

Give of yourself each day. A donation dropped into a Salvation Army kettle, a coin dropped into an expired parking meter, or a simple greeting to your neighbor will lift your spirits, as you experience a high from doing good.

Dream yourself into happiness. Research reveals that by depriving yourself of at least seven hours of sleep each night could rob you of bliss. Less sleep means that you dream less.

Sleep experts tell us that when your brain has fewer hours of sleep, the REM phase of sleep leaves little time to sort through the day's emotions. As a result, you are apt to wake up cranky and feel miserable all day. So, treat yourself to a good night's rest.

Promote laughter and light heartiness. It will establish you as able and in control. Serve yourself by lifting up others. You will find great joy in making others feel good.

Have a strong faith. Be confident in knowing that God will direct you to all that you need in life.

And, most of all, realize that your brightest days are those spent in service to Loved ones and fellow men.

Value Everything

- Uwakina Osemeke 

Value your health. Take good care of yourself because many people pray just to be healthy like you. Health is wealth.

Value your life, don't lose it. Don't even think of suicide because many people wished they had enough time to accomplish their dreams. You still have a chance to do that so why give up?

Value your freedom because so many people are willing to spend all they have to buy their freedom. If you doubt this, go to the prisons.

Value your parents irrespective of their status, whether rich or poor. If you think I'm wrong then go to orphanages and see how the kids wish they had someone they could call mother or father, no matter how bad they are.

Value your friends because they are not easy to come by. Be a good friend too. Be left alone on an island for a year and see if you will not contemplate suicide.

Value the food you eat, no matter how cheap because so many people have enough money to buy it but can't eat it because of their health.

Value your job because so many jobless people out there envy your job and wish to have it.

Value what you have because you might not have a chance to get it again. They say a bird in hand is worth 10,000 in the bush.

Value the little things you are given because they have the tendency to attract bigger ones.

Value yourself, value people and value the things around you, no matter how little. That's the best way to live and enjoy life.

THE COMFORT ZONE

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork where really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside my zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone good-bye and closed and locked the door.

If you're in comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile;
Success is there for you!

Stay hungry, stay foolish

Today's article I dedicate to the inspirational visionary and pioneer of the modern electronic world in Steve Jobs; who passed away yesterday at the age of 56.

I am doing this by taking some excerpts from his Stanford speech which remains to most of us... one of inspirational speeches of recent times...

CONNECTING THE DOTS:

"If I had never dropped out of college, I would have never dropped in on that calligraphy class and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they now do."

It is impossible to connect the dots looking forward, but it was very, very clear looking backwards 10 years later. Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking backwards, so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.

You have to trust in something--your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever--because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well-worn path, and that will make all the difference.

LOVE & LOSS:

"Woz and I started Apple in my parents' garage when I was twenty. We worked hard and in ten years, Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4,000 employees.

As Apple grew, we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so, things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge, and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our board of directors sided with him, and so at thirty, I was out, and very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating. I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down, that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me.

The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I'd been rejected but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

During the next five years I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar. Pixar went on to create the world's first computer-animated feature film, "Toy Story," and is now the most successful animation studio in the world.

In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT and I returned to Apple and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance."

Sometimes life's going to hit you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. Be convinced that the only thing that keep you going is that you love what you do. You've got to find what you love, and that is as true for work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking, and don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it, and like any great relationship it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking. Don't settle.

DEATH:

"If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right."

"About a year ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty that  death is a useful but purely intellectual concept."

No one wants to die, even people who want to go to Heaven don't want to die to get there, and yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It's life's change agent; it clears out the old to make way for the new. right now, the new is you. But someday, not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Concentrate!!!

- Katrina Costa

Concentrate 10% on lack of communication..

And 90% in being PART OF ESTABLISHING IT.

Concentrate 10% on un-professionalism...
And 90% on LEADING BY EXAMPLE.

Concentrate 10% on someone else's weakness...
And 90% on IMPROVING YOUR OWN.

Concentrate 10% on accusations...
And 90% on GETTING THE FACTS.

Concentrate 10% on lack of training...
And 90% on HOW TO OBTAIN IT.

Concentrate 10% on complaining...
And 90% on COMPLIMENTING.

Concentrate 10% on flaws in the system...
And 90% on BEING PART OF IMPROVING THEM.

Concentrate 10% on constructive criticism...
And 90% on LEARNING FROM IT.

Concentrate 10% on others...
And 90% on YOURSELF.

Concentrate 10% on fear of making a mistake...
And 90% on ACHIEVING SUCCESS.

Concentrate 10% on watching the clock...
And 90% on PRODUCTIVITY!

Concentrate 10% on conflict...
And 90% on RESOLUTION.

Concentrate 10% on what you want to be...
And 90% on HOW TO GET THERE!

Concentrate 10% on obstacles...
And 90% on PERSEVERANCE AND VICTORY!

Believe

Behind all success stories there is only one simple secret, that is "Belief". It generates extra energies to accomplish hard tasks and to get rare distinction.

Belief is hidden strength and one's own power. Without firm belief in you, all your intellectual capabilities will be futile. Your belief can raise you above discouraging circumstance, disappointing and ridicule. Unfortunately, many youngsters lack this and hence their performance is miserable in various situations.

The simple word 'Belief" creates wonders and see its greatness in you.

A few years ago a college student, who was struggling to build his career, appeared for his professional examination. He attempted his first paper excellently but he imagined that he performed badly.

Keeping this in mind, he lost concentration for the rest of the subjects and in turn, didn't write the other subjects well. Later on, the results came out that the paper he thought was poorly written had secured top marks in the college but in the other subjects, he failed. Why did this happen? The reason is simple: lack of belief in himself.

To become successful, your task is to fuel your mind with positive thoughts only. Under no circumstances should you deposit negative thoughts in your mind bank.

Negative emotions are the real enemies which ruin your career. They are the obstacle for your progress. So, don't underestimate your talents and try to overcome all weaknesses. Once a negative thought grips you, it has a tendency to breed itself and produces an endless chain of similar weak thoughts. In such a situation your self confidence is under great pressure.

You have to believe that your worth is great and tell yourself you can do everything. So, your foremost duty is "like yourself and know your power".

Undesirable criticism can be most demoralizing and it induces in a person a poor estimate of his own powers and inhibits his efforts. Remember, don't allow people's negative criticism to take hold of you and make you its victim. But most of us think small and become small. To like yourself means to like your body, your brain and your situation without any grumbling and comparisons with others.

A confident person is sure of his capabilities and doesn't need to trot them out. Most students postpone their work due to lack of belief in them. This will seriously affect their future career. A combination of belief and self confidence makes impossible things possible.

So, believe in your hidden strengths and talents. It is a very great achievement indeed!

Recognize Negative Attitude

 

How you feel and how you react is in direct relation to how you think. Some people let random circumstances predict their day.

For example, they go to make coffee and find there is none left. They start the day by sarcastically thinking, "Oh great, this going to be a good day". Then, for the remainder of the day, they allow minor inconveniences, unexplained challenges, or other less than ideal events to reinforce their original negative thought.

You can recognize their negative attitude just by listening to how they talk. If you allow your mind to dwell on unhappy situations, you can expect your day to unfold in the same manner.

Look forward to your day and don't let negative thoughts control it. Change how you interpret or react to life's events, and you actually change your attitude from a negative one to a positive one.

If you run out of coffee, change your thought to: "if this is the worse thing that could happen to me today the rest of my day will be great."

If you continually think negative thoughts then you are setting yourself up to allow only negative events to be your companion for the rest of the day. When something good does occur, you won't even recognize it.

Build The Dream

Attempting to live our life by our own design… is certainly no small feat. Often it means doing without… in the short term. It can mean going against the grain. Even meeting with some pretty serious opposition from folks that say that it just can't be done...

With all that said, it is still one of the most rewarding things that a person can ever achieve. You see, once we start to make little gains in our own lives we begin to believe in ourselves more. Suddenly, what we may have viewed as undo-able now doesn't appear so far out of our realm of possibility. There's a famous quote that says "A man's mind once stretched can never return to its original form". The quote does a brilliant job of illustrating the importance of going for our dreams.

While it's true that we're never guaranteed success in our efforts, we can certainly take comfort in knowing that even if we fall flat on our face we'll still gain *incredible* life experiences and increase our knowledge (thus getting us closer to our eventual goals)! When I look at it in that light it almost makes me want to fail as many times as I can... knowing that each time I'll get a bit closer in my efforts :-)

The next time you're faced with the question, "What if I fail", turn that question around and ask yourself, "But what if I succeed?"

The simple truth is that we have very little to lose with regards to our potential rewards.

Pride of Performance

- by Shiv Khera

 

Pride of Performance does not represent ego. It represents pleasure with humility. "The quality of the work and the quality of the worker are inseparable."Half-hearted effort does not produce half results; it produces no results.

Three people were laying bricks. A passerby asked them what they were doing.

The first one replied, "Don't you see I am making a living?"

The second one said, "Don't you see I am laying bricks?"

The third one said, "I am building a beautiful monument."

Here were three people doing the same thing who had totally different perspective on what they were doing. They had three very different attitudes about their work. And would their attitude affect their performance? The answer is clearly yes.

Excellence comes when the performer takes pride in doing his best. Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it, regardless of what the job is, whether washing cars, sweeping the floor or painting a house.

Do it right the first time, every time. The best insurance for tomorrow is a job well done today.

Michelangelo had been working on a statue for many days. He was taking a long time to retouch every small detail. A bystander thought these improvements were insignificant and asked Michelangelo why he bothered with them. Michelangelo replied, "Trifles make perfection and perfection is no trifle."

Most people forget how fast you did a job, but they remember how well it was done.

The Best Employee

Every company has a performance appraisal system in place to measure the effectiveness of its employees.

Employees are normally rated in most of the companies in the above categories. Apart from the above non performance category is also there, which is not depicted here. Needless to say everyone wants to be rated Outstanding.

What is the yard stick and how do you measure these aspects?

Employee "A" in a company walked up to his manager and asked what my job is for the day?

The manager took "A" to the bank of a river and asked him to cross the river and reach the other side of the bank.

"A" completed this task successfully and reported back to the manager about the completion of the task assigned. The manager smiled and said "GOOD JOB"

Next day Employee "B" reported to the same manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager assigned the same task as above to this person also.

The Employee "B' before starting the task saw Employee "C" struggling in the river to reach the other side of the bank. He realized "C" has the same task.

Now "B" not only crossed the river but also helped "C" to cross the river.

"B" reported back to the manager and the manager smiled and said "VERY GOOD JOB"

The following day Employee "Q" reported to the same manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager assigned the same task again.

Employee "Q" before starting the work did some home work and realized "A", "B" & "C" all has done this task before. He met them and understood how they performed.

 

He realized that there is a need for a guide and training for doing this task.

He sat first and wrote down the procedure for crossing the river, he documented the common mistakes people made, and tricks to do the task efficiently and effortlessly.

Using the methodology he had written down he crossed the river and reported back to the manager along with documented procedure and training material.

The manger said "Q" you have done an "EXCELLENT JOB".

The following day Employee "O' reported to the manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager assigned the same task again.

"O" studied the procedure written down by "Q" and sat and thought about the whole task.

He realized company is spending lot of money in getting this task completed. He decided not to cross the river, but sat and designed and implemented a bridge across the river and went back to his manager and said, "You no longer need to assign this task to any one".

The manager smiled and said "Outstanding job 'O'. I am very proud of you."

What is the difference between A, B, Q & O????????

Many a times in life we get tasks to be done at home, at office, at play….,

Most of us end up doing what is expected out of us. Do we feel happy? Most probably yes. We would be often disappointed when the recognition is not meeting our expectation.

Let us compare ourselves with "B". Helping some one else the problem often improves our own skills. There is an old proverb (I do not know the author) "learn to teach and teach to learn". From a company point of view "B" has demonstrated much better skills than "A" since one more task for the company is completed.

"Q" created knowledge base for the team. More often than not, we do the task assigned to us without checking history. Learning from other's mistake is the best way to improve efficiency. This knowledge creation for the team is of immense help. Re-usability reduces cost there by increases productivity of the team. "Q" demonstrated good "team-player" skills,

Now to the outstanding person, "O" made the task irrelevant; he created a Permanent Asset to the team.

If you notice B, Q and O all have demonstrated "team performance" over an above individual performance; also they have demonstrated a very invaluable characteristic known as "INITIATIVE".

Initiative pays off every where whether at work or at personal life. If you put initiative you will succeed. Initiative is a continual process and it never ends. This is because this year's achievement is next year's task. You cannot use the same success story every year.

The story provides an instance of performance, where as measurement needs to be spread across at least 6-12 months. Consequently performance should be consistent and evenly spread.

Out-of-Box thinkers are always premium and that is what every one constantly looks out for. Initiative, Out-of-Box thinking and commitment are the stepping stone to success.

Initiative should be life long. Think of out of the box.

…let us do our best…

The person hindering your growth

The Funeral of the Person Hindering your Growth

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big advice on the door on which it was written:

"Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away.We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym".

In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.

The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up. Everyone thought: "Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died!".

One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: "There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU. You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself. Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes.Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

"The most important relationship you can have, is the one you have with yourself"

Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses: be a winner, build yourself and your reality.

The world is like a mirror: it gives back to anyone the reflection of the thoughts in which one has strongly believed. The world and your reality are like mirrors laying in a coffin, which show to any individual the death of his divine capability to imagine and create his happiness and his success.

Avoiding Procrastination

- Robert Gerrish

I've borrowed Nike's slogan as the title to this piece because the topic itself - procrastination and how to avoid it - sounds far too uninspiring and when we're in the procrastination pit, we need all the help we can get!

Procrastination can be a problem for anyone, and, in business as well as life, the frustration it causes can be crippling. Somewhere, there is probably a reason you are postponing things. While you're thinking about the cause, there are some simple steps you can take to help ease the symptom.

To get your project moving past inaction, it can be helpful to define clear goals and actions for yourself. First, draft a general plan. Determine the desired outcome. What actions are necessary to make it happen? Work out how much time you will need and set a realistic deadline.

Next, refine the plan by getting rid of distractions. Prioritise all actions - placing distractions at the bottom of the list and setting achievable deadlines for each activity. Then break up larger tasks into smaller, more manageable actions. Only undertake one task at a time and complete it fully before moving on. If you need to, delegate tasks to others. Don't struggle to do it all on your own if you don't have to.

The most important thing is to start somewhere. Once you've made a start, the whole undertaking will seem less daunting. Starting small is a good way to get going. Write down two or three tiny tasks that can be completed in five minutes. Do one immediately! Cross it off your action list, which has now begun to shrink. Doesn't that feel good?

Some people are prompted to action by having visible reminders around them. Put lists and notes where you can see them. It also helps to be aware of your most productive time during the day.Use the time when you have the most energy for your most important tasks. If you feel an impulse to take action, do it immediately! When you've had enough, stop.

Being accountable can really help get you out of the procrastination pit. Make a commitment to the deadlines you've set for each action. Tell someone - your partner, friend or coach - when the deadlines are and ask them to hold you accountable.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Let yourself enjoy a sense of achievement each time you complete a task and give yourself rewards. This will help keep you motivated and enjoying what you're doing - a sure fire way to get things done!

All The Best!!!

I vs YOU

 

From Shabbar Suterwala's Leaders Workshop, Mumbai

We all have been a witness to this situation day in - day out, at home, at office, in the society at large this scenario of "I v/s You".

Some common day to day examples of such "I v/s You" are:

AT HOME:
· Husband v/s Wife
· Son v/s Father
· Brother v/s Brother
· Daughter-in- Law v/s Mother-in-Law
· Elder Daughter-in- Law v/s Younger Daughter-in- Law

AT WORK:
· Boss v/s Subordinate
· Subordinate v/s Colleagues
· Manager v/s Executive
· Workers v/s Managers
· Accounts v/s Logistics
· Operations v/s Marketing

IN THE SOCIETY:
· My Language v/s Your Language
· My Place v/s Your Place
· My Culture v/s Your Culture
· My Status v/s Your Status

If you think deep and introspect of all the above relationships, you will get an insight that the result of this situation of I v/s You is non other than WIN / LOSE. Even if one out of the two wins the other loses and the competition continues like a vicious circle of Win – Lose.

And may I ask - Winning at what cost?

Losing the relationship at home, having bitterness with the immediate loved one?

Losing the good person at work or arousing resentment and demotivation?

Or shying away a noble person from the society or giving rise to a feeling of indifference,making the other develop an attitude of I don't care?

Is this really Winning? Is it necessary to have such victory where the other lose?

This is a question which many people ask me during the workshops and training programs, Shabbar "tell me what do I do", "Shall I start losing then" .. 'Should I give up"..
or "why must I always lose".. and as usual I love to say develop an attitude of "Win – Win'.

If your are in a relationship you cannot WIN at the cost of other Losing. This is not a game which you are playing where Winning is important. Yes, it's a game where Win – Win is important like a true sportsman where you love and respect the other party.

I love to share this another beautiful example of your own body. Which is your strong hand? Which hand does more work? Which hand you use more often then the other? The answer is, for all the Right hander it's the right hand and the left hander it's the left hand.

Now lets take the case of the Right Handed person.. Imagine this Right hand start playing I v/s You game, and says, "I am I what are you?" "I do all the work what do you do?" Right hand goes further and says "I will always be in the front of this body and you the left hand – the inferior, you will always remain back."

Can you imagine how will your body look when you walk with your right hand always is in the front and left hand always back.. you will appear like a robot.. or it will appear weird.

Trust you will appreciate that the creator god has not made any distinction in our body between two similar parts, although one performs more and the other performs less or at times it appears so. How can you and me ordinary human beings practice I v/s You.

So friends, today, think about all your relationship and make a checklist where you are playing this game of I v/s You and practice the 5 A's.
· Acknowledge
· Appreciate
· Apologize (it requires a lot of courage to do so)
· Ask for forgiveness
· Attitude of Gratitude

When you have practiced the 5A's you will feel the transformation from I v/s You and you will feel the WE. This WE will be the power of Synergy to actually play the game against THEM where we need to win. A check list of "THEM"
· Ego
· Pride
· Hatred
· Disharmony
· Jealousy
· Guilt
· Fear
· Scarcity
· Limiting Belief
· Weakness
· Negative
· Our Competitors

Let us 'WE" get together and WIN against THEM.

Trust you enjoyed reading the above. Request you to share your feedback on the same.

Freedom Of The Mind

--- Marlene Buffa

"Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." Viktor Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning

As our nation moves into its 65th year of independence, we find ourselves, in many ways, more enslaved than ever before. Exterior forces such as government regulation and requirements, an adherence to a world standard which, by its own accord negates our Declaration of Independence, and most importantly the abdication of our own inner personal freedoms carve a path of confinement rather than liberty.

More and more we self-impose limitations on our worth, our value, and our integrity. We believe what we see around us and assume the illusion is real. We do daily battle with the very spirit inside us and shackle our potential in chains of obligation and expectations. Worst of all, we imprison our creativity by denying ourselves freedom of possibility and fantastic possibility. As we notice these precious freedoms falling prey to our thoughts and fears, we understand the importance of the freedom of our minds.

Freedom of Attitude
As Frankl pointed out in his masterpiece, Man's Search for Meaning, the one true freedom remains the ability to choose one's attitude in any given situation.

Many present-day spiritual leaders remind us of our choice of perspective and stress the importance our outlook holds over the outcome of many day-to-day decisions and behaviors. Mother Theresa taught us to "see God" in every person we meet.

When we shift our attitudes, and hence our automatic observations, from seeing problems to finding the good and God in everyone and everything we encounter, we reach levels of happiness and positive energy which bring us peace of mind.

Freedom of Potential
As a young girl, my parents blessed me with their encouragement and matter-of-fact approach to my achievements. Never doubtful of my capabilities, they sought out new things for me to try, new books to read and new ideas to consider.

While taking Cello lessons didn't result in anything more than an exploration in string instruments, my parents allowed me to express my potential. As we grow older we rely on ourselves to break free from the limitations of self-doubt and entertain the full symphony of our own potential.

No one can express your potential but you! Your vision, your drive, your confidence work in concert with your spirit to express the crescendo of your abilities in harmonious orchestration by living a life worthy of all your talents. You are the conductor holding the baton of purpose and directing your life.

Freedom to Grow
An adolescent told me once that his pet alligator would never outgrow the fish tank he called home. He said that alligators only grow to the size of their container. While I don't know if this holds true or not, it presents an interesting spiritual consideration.

When you examine the expanse of the container of your spirit, you gauge your ability to change and grow from the allowance of space permitted yourself. If you limit your spiritual environment to a small community of like minded individuals, this may feed your soul, but leave you hungry for the nutrients only bountiful gardens can provide.

When you sow the seeds of possibility and hunger for more knowledge, information and wisdom, you expand the harvest of your life to include a wide variety of endeavors and experiences.

Freedom to Love
So often, we consider ourselves unworthy of love. In humble self-deprecation, we hear ourselves deny our lovability, or become embarrassed when someone acknowledges how much we mean to them. As Gerald Jampolsky pointed out, "Love is the total absence of fear."

When we live in fear, we live not only outside of love, but inside the confines of stagnation. In giving ourselves the freedom to love - to give, to receive, and truly accept love - we fill our lives with the warmth that only sincere expressions of emotion bring.

Louise Hay teaches us that we are the only thinker in our minds. You alone are responsible for your thoughts - whether they empower you or destroy your spirit.

The freedom of your mind knows no boundary but what you draw around you. When we use the power of attitude to view life in a more positive way, we find we free ourselves from the doubt of our potential; we allow ourselves to continue to learn and grown in magnificent ways and to experience love to our fullest and best imagination!

Why Not Now?

--- Bob Stoess

The time on earth you are blessed with is limited. As you grow older, time will seem to go even faster.Know that your time is quickly being used up. How you utilize that time, therefore, is one of the most important decisions you make in life. Yet, it is so easy to "put off until tomorrow" your dreams of today.

The hectic pace of today's living gives all of us an easy way out. We can put off our aspirations in order to cope with our everyday tasks. It's easy to tell ourselves that we will find time to pursue our dreams,after we have accomplished our lesser goals. Usually, it's our fears that keep us from plunging into any greater works, as we view failure as a real possibility.

Why can't we realize that we can gain knowledge, fortitude, and determination in times of failure? It's these experiences that should spur us on in furthering our goals.

"Why not now?" can drain you of your power to attain those ambitious goals. Don't be concerned with the idea that you are inadequate, unworthy, or undeserving. When you affirm yourself by saying, "Why not now, indeed!" you will be empowered to reach out and decisively change that questioning of "where will I find the time?" A positive attitude will enable you to overcome your deficiencies or lack of self-belief, worthiness, and self-confidence. The real truth of the matter is that there's no time like the present.

Whatever you aim to accomplish in life, you will achieve it more quickly, when you seize the day. All of life's joy, passion, and contentment can be yours. You need to remind yourself that there is nothing standing between you and attainment.

Now is the time. It's up to you. Know that God is on your side. You are here for a purpose. Fulfill your purpose by letting God mould you into the very best you can be.

Why not you? Why not now?

FIRST STEP

No matter if your goal is big or small, personal or professional, tangible or conceptual; you come closer to it by taking the FIRST STEP.

Have you ever read those motivational one-liners, inspirational stories or self-help books, found them wonderful, felt good about them – and then nothing changed? Have you sifted through web pages and "how to" magazine articles, and still found yourself exactly where you were? What happened? How can we so full-heartedly agree with what those articles tell us, and then still end up not following through? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a magic wand, whoosh, and our dreams and goals would be reality?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to work that way. Achieving our goals takes "effort" we hear, it takes "commitment", it takes "persistence", we have to "endure" and keep "working at it." Well, if you are like me,those concepts don’t sound the least bit appealing. There seems to be this huge mountain that I need to climb to get to the top, and frankly, I feel already tired and worn out just by looking at the heights I’ll have to conquer. Result: I choose to wander around at the foot of the mountain, looking wistfully at the top, imagining what it must be like up there, but never taking a step to get closer to it.

There may not be a magic wand to catapult us to the top, but the journey up there definitely does NOT have to be hard work, tough and without joy. If I could only find a way to make the road a pleasant one, one that doesn’t feel like I have to grit my teeth to get on.

This is an invitation for you to find out if you can take the first step without drudgery. And then the next. See how far you get without it becoming a begrudged "have to." Try this out. You can stop the moment you feel uncomfortable.

What inspires me to take steps and do things I have postponed or avoided so far? A sense of adventure? The knowledge I have the freedom to turn around any moment? The curiosity of what it would be like to actually begin the journey I’ve been dreaming about for so long?

The answer is: results. Now. Not at the end of the journey. Now. Give me something right now. So let’s try this:

Make a commitment to yourself to follow the goal described below for one hour. When it is achieved,congratulate yourself and extend the goal for another hour. Keep going until you’ve done it for one day.After that, you may rest and suspend the goal for a while if you wish. Or you may feel so encouraged that you don’t want to stop. You may find it irresistible to keep going. And this is the goal:

Keep your word. If you promise your boss, "I’ll do it right away" do it right away. If your friend calls you and you say "I’ll call you back", call them back. If you remember that you wanted to pay your bills last night and didn’t, recommit to a new deadline and KEEP THE DEADLINE. Make a list of things you want to get done TODAY and then make sure you do them before the clock strikes midnight.

Feel free to take on as little or as much as you want for one day. But KEEP YOUR WORD under all circumstances. No excuses. Do not allow anything or anyone to come between and your word. For one day. And see what happens. See how you suddenly feel different about yourself. See how you feel more powerful, more in control, more optimistic – just by keeping your word. Live your word like it is the only thing that you have. One day. At a time.

ALL THE BEST!!!

How do you want your day to be?

HOW TO HAVE A BAD DAY:
- Wake up late, in a panic
- Rush to get ready
- Dress hurriedly
- Don't eat
- Drink lots of coffee
- No spiritual reflection
- No exercise
- Don't plan your day
- Focus on your failures
- Never smile
- Be selfish and unfriendly
- Criticize, blame, complain
- Think negative thoughts
- Dictate, direct, command
- Don't forget to nag
- Don't overlook mistakes
- Grumble
- No time for lunch
- Harbor resentment
- Keep rushing
- Don't communicate
- Keep it all to yourself
- Worry about tomorrow
- Be rigid and cranky
- Retire with bad thoughts and a full stomach

HOW TO HAVE A GOOD DAY!
- Wake up early - don't rush
- Breath slowly and deeply
- Exercise
- Take 5 minutes to reflect
- Greet everyone
- Smile a lot
- Compliment often
- Communicate
- Listen more - talk less
- Beware of giving advice
- View your work as a privilege
- Express appreciation
- Do your best
- Welcome change
- Relax your neck muscles
- Plan time for relaxation
- Throw away negative feelings
- Let go of anger and guilt
- Leave work at work
- Review your accomplishments
- Plan pleasurable events
- Eat well at night
- Recognize your blessings
- Lots of love

Goodbye Stress!

By Rene Godefroy

7 Ways To Deal With Problems And Stress

1) Don’t Just Sit There. Move! According to many psychologists, motion creates emotion. You might notice that when you are idle, it’s easier to become depressed. Your heart rate slows down, less oxygen travels to your brain, and you are slumped somewhere in a chair blocking air from reaching your lungs.

I challenge you right now, regardless of how you are feeling, to get up and walk around at a fast tempo. Maybe you might want to go to an empty room and jump up and down a little bit. It may sound silly but the results speak for themselves. Try it now for a few minutes. By now you should begin to feel more energetic and in a better mood. It works like magic.

2) Smell The Roses. Like my friend Jan Toles says, “Stop and smell the roses.” How do you smell the roses? How about investing some money to go on that one trip you’ve been dreaming about? Would Paris do? There you will find lots of exotic places to jolt your imagination and spur your creativity. You can also visit the Caribbean and learn how to scuba dive. Can you imagine swimming deep under the beautiful blue water alongside some of the most beautiful creatures you have ever seen? When my friend Lumenise Gilot described that experience to me, I thought to myself, “What an exceptional way to smell the roses!”

3) Get Some Company. If you’re like me, you have many acquaintances, but you only have a few true friends. This isn’t because I’m introverted. It is because I’m very selective about who I let enter my territory. I have worked too hard to build my house—my dream—and I won’t let anyone destroy it for me in the blink of an eye. When you’re feeling down, call your true friends and share what it is that you’re going through. Ask for their advice or input. While their advice or suggestions may be helpful, often you’ll find that simply verbalizing your problems will help you feel better.

4) Help Others Cope With Their Problems. It is very therapeutic when you engross yourself in helping others.You will be surprised how many people’s problems are worse than those you may be facing. You can offer others assistance in countless ways. Don’t curl up in your bed and let depression and stress take hold of you.Get out and help somebody. There are many charitable organizations that can use your help right now. My dear cousin Barbara reads to the blind. What about that? Call the National Federation of the Blind so that they can tell you how to get involved.

5) Laugh A Little. By now you’ve heard that laughter is a good internal medicine. It relieves tension and loosens the muscles. It causes blood to flow to the heart and brain. More importantly, laughter releases a chemical that rids the body of pains. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Every day, researchers discover new benefits of laughter. Let me ask you this question: “Can you use a good dose of belly-shaking laughter every now and then?” Of course you can.

6) Visit other poorer Countries. Nothing is more humbling than to visit a poor country and see firsthand what other human beings go through just to survive. Most people who have taken such trips come back with a deep and profound sense of gratitude and appreciation. They realize how much they’ve taken for granted without ever realizing it. I encourage you to travel whenever you can afford to do so. You’re not too busy. Do it for you. Your life will never be the same.

7) Wear Your Knees Out. If there were one sustainable remedy I could offer you when the going gets tough,it would be prayer. Many people, depending on their faith, might call it meditation. It doesn’t matter to me what you call it, as long as you have a place to run to. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Religions are crossroads converging upon the point.” Well, I don’t often discuss religion, and I do not know what works for you. My whole point is that when everything else fails, prayer works!