It sounds simple, doesn’t it?

It is simple.

Life was not created to be complicated, we choose to make it so. You may not (yet) believe that you choose how you feel about every second (but you soon will.) You can start right this second (and feel the change!) No matter how bad you think your life is right now… whether you have money, need more money, lack love, have just lost a loved one, are sick, have lost your job, or whatever is currently happening around you or in your life to distract you from being your True Self… you have the ability to grab ahold of this very second, and love it… Go on, give it a try, what do you have to lose? Surely it can’t be any worse than what you are choosing right now, can it?

“Love this second and never let go of it!”

 Yesterday is gone… the next minute will never come, let alone tomorrow…! Grab this very second – now – and with all of your senses… see now… hear now… touch now… smell now… and taste now… LOVE the total sensation of this very moment… and, as you do, never, ever, ever let it go…

Just like trying to catch a fire-fly, you may need a little practice, but it is an easy thing to practice throughout the day. Stop whatever you’re doing, be still for just a second, and…

“Love this second and never let go of it!”

Enjoy the experience, notice what happens…

Many people completely miss the wonderful sensations of living, because they are caught with needing to know who they are, what is “god”, where did I come from. They reach out to blind religions and groups outside of themselves that profess to ‘know’ the answers.

Let me ask you this, “If you want to know who lives in a house, isn’t it easier to just go up to the front door, knock and then ask?”

If you want to know who you are, seek the answers within. Ask… and then listen for the reply. Many ask, but forget to be still and aware long enough to listen out for and hear the reply. It most likely won’t be a audible voice in your head, it may be a new encounter, an experience, something as simple as an observation of nature and a greater connection to ‘that which is all’. One thing is for certain, when you know, you will know.

Remember that pebble? What happens to it? When the journey – skipping over the water – is over, natural forces take over, it sinks slowly to the bottom, and there it has new experiences. That is what happens to you, you are endless, eternal, and connected to something far, far greater than you can comprehend or understand in this form. Be content to just experience you life right now.

The old characters from the various religions (Jesus, Mohummed, Bhudda, etc.) all well-connected, spiritual people, but they were not god in man’s form – not in the sense of the old books people wrote about them – they had merely realized that we are all part of what we more commonly call ‘god’: a life-force, a power, a vibration.

The search for something beyond yourself is futile and frustrating, rather like arguing whether steam, ice, or water is the purest form of h2o, when in fact it is neither, it is Hydrogen and Oxygen combined. Don’t try to search for something that is not there… remember the tale of the Emperor’s new clothes…?

Seek the master of the house at home, they are always there and always ready to listen and play host to you…

Dreams never die.

I personally enjoy this quotation: “Some people dream… Others stay awake and achieve them!”

Sometimes it takes a lot of personal courage to stick with a dream. There are a lot of naysayers out there that will jealously try to rain on your parade. Following a dream wholeheartedly reconnects us with the simplicity and joy of childlikeness. Children know no boundaries, they are wonderful gifts to our world. They remind us that ANYTHING really is possible. Sadly, many adults cave to the pressures of the naysayers and give up on their dreams.

“A dream will never quit on you!”

I’m writing this today, because a personal dream of mine is taking shape as we speak, and I wanted to share this example with you, to encourage you, to inspire you, to motivate you that it really is NEVER TOO LATE to rekindle the embers of a dream. Yours is still there… waiting for you… just blow gentle… watch for a little spark… blow some more… the flames of your dream will burst up and dance in happiness before you…!

My dream…? ONE of my dreams (I have many, thankfully!) has to do with football (soccer) and a catchy, little song I wrote years ago for a World Cup long since forgotten, “Chant Like an English Fan!” It is based on the tune of the Bangles’ 80s hit “Walk Like an Egyptian” written by Liam Sternberg.

It really didn’t do much when it first came out in 2006, but this year due to patience and persistence, I just found out that on March 14th this year Manchester United will be playing it at half-time at Old Trafford. Can you imagine… THOUSANDS of football/ soccer fans hearing my song? I feel like the ‘Man of the Match’.

Never, never, never totally give up on YOUR dreams! Don’t let the jealous naysayers steal your dreams! Get excited… get passionate… have faith in your dream… it was given to you for a reason…

I hope these few words have given you enough breath to blow gently at the embers of your dreams… what exciting dream-fires we can create together!

Forgiveness. It’s as simple as smiling, really. When you forgive somebody, usually it makes you feel better within yourself. Not always, but more often than not, especially if you have had to dig deep within yourself to seek the power to forgive, it will feel like a large burden has been liften.

A while back, I was told to “forgive your enemies”. It sounded like an odd request, and thankfully I really don’t have ‘enemies’. I was asked to make it a nightly ritual to think of all the people I felt had harmed me (both living and dead) and forgive them for what they had done – or what I THOUGHT they had done – and picture their happiness. I was asked to do that every night for at least three weeks. It sounded so odd, I had to try it!

By golly, if it didn’t work. Firstly, I felt so much better for the exercise. Baggage I had been carrying along with me fell away. Great things started to happen in my life. Most surprising, some of the ‘enemies’ approached me for forgiveness too.

Not seeking and giving forgiveness on a daily basis is like offering to push somebody else’s car around for them. It’s much harder than just driving peacefully with them.

Some people are incapable of forgiveness right now. I have a few people like that. The important thing is that I have forgiven them, and I have asked their forgiveness. Now that I can look with clarity at those situations, I’m impartial, and I see that their real issues lie much deeper in their past experienced, they just chose to direct their anger and blame at everybody else.

“In forgiving others, we forgive ourselves…”

Similar to being able to love ourselves, how can we seek forgiveness, if we are not willing to forgive those around us first? This weekend, take some quality, quiet time and just forgive as many people as you can. Observe what happens… enjoy!

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace,

that where there is hatred, I may bring love;

that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;

that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;

that where there is error, I may bring truth;

that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;

that where there is dispair, I may bring hope;

that where there are shadows, I may bring light;

that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.

Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort, than to be comforted;

to understand, than to be understood;

to love, than to be loved.

For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.

It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.

It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.

Read and ponder these words this weekend, enjoy the experience…

* * *

Have you every heard anybody say, “The world’s out to get me!” or “They are all conspiring against me!” ? I think at one time or another we’ve all had that feeling that we are alone in our endeavor, battle, plight, or whatever. Sometimes it really can feel like we are taking on The World. Today’s piece hopefully will put a different slant on these feelings…

I don’t wish to get into a theological debate about what you and I believe, but my personal thoughts and feelings about my higher power and all of us in the world, is that at a core, central and higher level are all one: we are all mirrors and extentions of one another. Certainly for me, this helps me keep perspective and balance in my daily interactions with other people and the world at large.

That there is a higher power at work in the universe is indisputable – even the Big Bang theory must have had something light the fuse! Whatever you believe, that entity or ‘being’ is always with you: we are never alone.

Often times when in a confrontation, I like to imagine a sounding-board mirror in front of the other person, and likewise one in front of me. Listen more intently to what is being said by yourself and the other(s)… step back a little and observe what is really going on. “If you could only see things through my eyes…” how often do you try that…? You’ll be quite surprised at what you observe and experience.

If you are everybody else as well as yourself, does it really matter who’s right and who’s wrong, who wins and who loses…? Ultimately we are all participants and are all things, all ways.

Short and sweet this weekend… again, sorry, pressed for time, but if you wanted more, delve deeper into the substance of this post and experience for all of us… notice the difference… Enjoy!

If you seek to lose weight, rather than bemoan how overweight you are, accept who you are and how you are and be happy. It is a hard habit to break, but if you cannot become happy with how you are right now, there is little or no positive foundation upon which to build a happier, slimmer you.

The same is true, if you wish a better job. Acknowledge and be happy with the job you currently have. Enjoy the fact that you HAVE a job and focus daily on action to bring you closer to the job you want. If you want more money, be thankful for the money you have, the things you have, even the things you have possessed in the past. Allow yourself to be open to receive more based on having received in the past.

If you are fortunate to have already enjoyed what you seek in the past, you have an easier job than most, as you know what you once have had you can have again. We were all slim and healthy once, so we can be again with a little conscientious work and effort. Remember, weight was not put on instantly and it will not be lost instantly. Wealth is generated (for most of us) slowly and cautiously over a period of time.

If we all put our minds to it, we are all (those reading this now) much wealthier – in financial and non-financial terms – that the vast majority of the people in this world. Be thankful and acknowledge how much you truly do have. If you think about what is essential in life, there are not many in the western world that do not have everything they truly need… everything else is just a luxury that makes our lives even more comfortable.

Acknowledging what we have makes us more truthful people. Realize all that you have and make it a strong, positive platform upon which to build more. Acknowledge and truly appreciate all that you already have 1% more today… observe the experience… enjoy!

I like to think of it as putting others before yourself. Yes, certainly, we have to have a personal sense of importance (we don’t want to put others before us in such a way that we are “walked all over”) it’s healthy to have a well-adjusted self-value, but I’m talking about valuing your role with others.

Many of us ask, “Why am I here?” It is usually a personal, somewhat selfish look at ,”what’s in this life for me?” Perhaps, if we all stepped back a pace or two and asked another question first, it might help put everything into perspective: “How am I here to serve others?”

I am grateful for everything I have and everything I have ever had. I am thankful every day and say so each morning. Humbling oneself is to be less ego-driven, to have the simple ability to admit when we are wrong quickly, to interact with our fellows in a more human manner. Being humble doesn’t necessarily mean going around saying you’re sorry to everyone! I think it is actually a sign that you are living a more conscious life, because you are thinking and participating in your interactions.

Do you have to be right all the time in order to be happy? Does life have to always go your way for you to be successful? Listen to your inner voice more and you will know exactly when to practice humility. With time and practice it will be an unconscious action.

Allow humility into your life just 1% more and witness what happens. Enjoy…

This isn’t just for kids. Try it yourself. Very often Life conditions us to respond automatically – to be almost robotic – in many situations. By pausing first and asking, “How would I feel, if this was being said or done to me?” You can probably think back to a few hasty words or deeds you’ve since regretted, can’t you?

Just imagine a world where more people actually take the time to think of others first. I’m sure also that you’ve been on the receiving end of some ill-thought out actions or loose words, too, right?

By making it a daily practice to pause before acting or speaking can make this world a much more positive place to live in. Give it a try, what have you got to lose…? Notice the remarkable things that chance in your life, by changing just one thing 1%…

I would say the most critical factor in remembering somebody’s name is making it important. Think about how YOU feel when somebody you’ve only met once or twice comes up to you and says YOUR name. Well, the same is true when you have made an effort and get somebody else’s name right. If it’s of importance to you to really remember their name, the likelihood of you doing so is much higher.

Don’t be in a hurry. When you first meet somebody new, don’t rush the introduction. As you shake their hand, observe their face and repeat their name back to them in your greeting, “Hi John, it’s nice to meet you.” As you look at their face, is there anything striking or particular about their appearance that can help you remember their name? Do they look like another John you know? If other friends are around you, introduce your new friend – repitition is a great tool to memory – “John, I’d like you to meet my friends. John, this is Mandy… Mandy, this is John…” and so forth.

Building upon repitition, if you are at an event with others, test your memory. Ask your friends questions, “Isn’t that John over there by the buffet?” The more you make a practice to remember, the better you will get.

If it’s a business event where you exchange cards, write some notes on the back: Tall, dark hair, big nose, has a Great Dane. In this case, I’d actually categorise this person as “Great Dane John” and picture him with his dog. The more images you can create in your mind associated with the person, the stronger the memory.

Try this simple exercise the next time you wish to remember names and faces. You’ll be surprised with just a little practice how much you’ll improve, AND how much it improves your memory as a whole.

This is a great added bonus to self-improvement, it is almost impossible to improve one area of your life without it improving other areas too! See how quickly all these little 1% improvements can add up to a whole new you very quickly indeed.

Have fun with this exercise and notice the change…