Archive for the ‘inspiration’ Category
how to get real
Posted on: February 13, 2012
Are you ready to be your real, authentic self? Want the shortest path to being authentic? It comes down to one simple thing:
Stop doing everything you’ve ever learned to do to be successful.
Woah!!! What?? Am I serious?
Pretty much. The dealio is that we’ve learned particular ways to act in the world – basically as survival mechanisms. And we think we must do them or we’ll die. (OK, that’s not totally true: much of the time they’re so deeply embedded that we don’t need to think about it at all. It just happens.)
But our true, authentic selves lay beyond these mechanisms. Which means that we have to de-program ourselves from what-we-think-we-need-to-do-to-survive/manage/cope/win. We have to stop following what everyone else is doing… and even stop rebelling (which has its own limitations).
When we start to let go, and get present, we then can start to find who we really are.
At least, that’s my 2 cents. What’s yours? Comment below!
(And if you haven’t yet, join me on The Authentic Entrepreneur Speaker Series!)
how to open the Door
Posted on: January 20, 2012
There is a door. Large, heavy, even foreboding. Impenetrable. Many have tried to enter; only a few have been able to master the door’s secrets. Yet the solution is simple: those who have passed through have each possessed the key.
The key looks neither unusual nor uncommon. It is simply a key. And opening the door is not complex – but it cannot happen without the key.
When someone desires to open the door, they have a task: they must copy the key. And so they go off to the locksmith, who provides many choices of keys. They vary in shape, size, color… some even have writing on them, “Do Not Duplicate.” In the end, no matter the appearance, they will all be used the same way: to open.
The look of the key doesn’t open the door. It’s the skill of the locksmith who crafts they key. All start out blank, an open possibility.
We cannot blame anyone else when we cannot open the door. Because our hands are the ones that shape our keys. Many paths lay open to us, and while the keys look different, there is only one door.
Generally, it is easier to shape our keys after someone else’s. There is no shame in that; others are quite happy to help. We can choose to do it all by ourselves – but it may take much longer.
We are the key.
And we are the door.
how to stop procrastinating
Posted on: December 22, 2011
Ahhhh, procrastination. It’s so easy to put things off – just…a little… more. Soon. It’ll happen. Right?
But of course there’s a deeper reason why it’s not happening. Very possibly fear. Fear of failure. Of being rejected. Of doing such a bad job that the ground opens up and swallows us whole. Hey, it could happen.
But it probably won’t. In fact, the only true failure is not doing anything at all.
Action: Whatever you need to do – whether it’s a phone call or a new project, or even exercise – do it badly. Just try it. You’ll learn from the experience, and the next time will be better.
how to make a difficult choice
Posted on: December 8, 2011
- In: inspiration | motivation
- 1 Comment
Oh, boy, am I lapsed on my dear blog, which I love so much. And yet I’ve had to make hard choices recently, as my schedule has become loaded with amazing projects, around which I pursue on a daily basis. Yet The Inspiration Blog has daily remained on my mind. So I think I can simply start to share some of what’s going on.
Since it’s been a hard choice to put it aside temporarily, let’s talk about that. How do you go about making a difficult choice? Here’s one possibility:
Do what you love.
If it’s in your heart, it’s calling to you.
But there’s another possibility:
Go where you need to grow.
If something is unfamiliar – if it’s your edge – that’s a good place to start. The comfortable always beckons for us to return there – but won’t take us anywhere new. Your soul needs new experiences to move forward in life. It thirsts for it.
Action: The next time you’re unsure of what to do, choose what’s most unfamiliar, and be patient with yourself.
How can we be both powerful and humble? Where does humility play a role within empowerment?
Some perspective:
If we are in our power, and fully stand in the truth of what we are here to do on this planet and in our own communities, we simply need to do our work. When we try to be powerful, we effort from the ego. That is not true power. Real powerful is effortless.
In the Law of Attraction, it’s essential to know you are deserving of what you visualize – that you are worthy. Don’t confuse worthiness with being humble.
Humility comes more around receiving what we have visualized – and, in my book, the bigger the gift, the more humble we should be. To know that we are truly worthy of something wonderful is to let go of the ego.
And… don’t try so much.
Trying hard to create results means trying to force results. And that’s just not how the world works – or, not without repercussions. If you try to force someone to do something, they may do it, but it’ll fly back in your face sooner or later.
Action: Relax into your power. Be thankful for all you have received, and all that is coming your way… whether or not you can see it.
Next: 3 ways to stay humble.
I more often talk about empowerment, and how we need to step into our power. What goes along with it as its important sidekick is humility.
It’s too easy for power to bring hubris. Many amazing people are so afraid to really be powerful – because so may strong figures in current and past world history have also been dominating and abusive. And many people suffered through difficult childhood experiences – and then have walked in the world as the mild-mannered counterpart of their true self, which is waiting to be powerful and strong.
Yes, we must be powerful – to live our soul’s purpose in the world is to live our full truth.
The secret? Don’t try to be powerful. Just be true to yourself.
Part 2: Don’t try so hard – and keep perspective.
daily inspiration: think bigger
Posted on: June 14, 2011
You have a vision. There’s something beckoning to you. Are you really doing it justice? Are you stepping up to fulfill the highest version of your vision, that’s of service to the most people?
Whether it’s an event, a service you’d like to offer, or even a party you’re throwing for a loved one, let it be the complete expression of love that you hold for your dear ones and for the world. Give – and you’ll get much in return.
Note: this is different then egotistical, grandiose thinking. Simplicity is divine, and don’t seek to unnecessarily complicate things. Be aware, instead, whether you’re holding back due to a sense of lack or fear of being unsupported. This is a sign to dream and expand your thinking. Many are waiting.
Action: Think about what you’re doing these days. Choose one thing that’s especially important. Imagine how far it could go, and what would be of greatest service. Then ask the universe for assistance – as well as real people. Play full out, and make this world what you truly desire it to be.
How daring are you in your life? Most of the time we act fairly conservatively – out of habit, and out of self-protection. The familiar is safe. As is gradual change.
But sometimes we are called upon to create a radical shift. Unfortunately, this often happens negatively – a car crash, losing a job, or a sudden illness – which forces us to reevaluate what we hold dear, and adjust accordingly.
But you don’t have to wait for something awful to happen to make a big change. And maybe, just maybe, you can simply step into that brighter light that wants to be expressed: the next version of you.
Action: Breathe. Close your eyes. Listen… closely. What is waiting to be born? What in you needs to come out?
The essence of purifying our energy comes from releasing what we don’t need and no longer serves us. For those of us who have very busy schedules, we’re constantly inundated with filling other people’s needs.
Taking a personal retreat is a powerful way to reclaim your own space, your own power, and your own energy. Ideally this would be 2-3 days. For example, one of my favorite things in the world is spending a spell at Wilbur Hot Springs – then I get personal space plus incredible, healing waters, hikes in nature… the whole package.
But even designating a few hours – to be utterly, unapologetically self-indulgent – is wonderful. Just to be totally clear, this is something you deserve. Which you should not apologize for, nor justify. Remember: the better you take care of yourself, the more you can authentically be there for others.
Action: This Memorial Day weekend – or any weekend! – carve out time just for you. Give yourself that precious gift, which no one else can provide for you.
