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The images flash across my television screen as I sit there in the comfort of my home.
"It's that time of year again," I thought to myself.
Then realizing how foolish that was to say, I sat up in my chair and watched closer.
The news reporter was telling the story of one of many food banks in our area that were serving those in need of the basics for the holidays.
This particular place had both food and clothing. Food for the body and warm second hand coats for children.
"It's that time of year again," replayed in my mind.
I meant that throughout the holidays we see such reports over and over, unlike the other 11 months when the same people are hungry, in need of clothing, basic services and a little help with life.
Maybe I said it because I was becoming numb to it all, like watching the same commercials a hundred times.
I was about to feel the real impact of it all.
I was sitting at the counter having breakfast at a local diner the next day.
It's a small "quaint" place. Local people, husband and wife cook and serve.
A man walked in and sat next to me. There is little elbow-room as it is and he was a big fellow.
On top of the milk dispenser is a small television placed there for both the customers enjoyment and the owners when things get slow.
It just so happened that the news was on and once again that same report on the food bank.This time it included more information and a few interviews of some of the people who participated.
There was a little girl looking through the coats. The reporter asked her if she found something that fit.
She turned toward the camera and smiled. She flipped her soft brown hair up over the collar as she pulled and tugged at the front to make sure it would zipper properly.
"I like this store. Mommy said I could have any coat I wanted, but I'm getting this one for my friend. Her daddy won't come here. Mommy says he's too proud. Whatever that means. All I know is Mandy needs a coat."
Out of the corner of my eye I could see the man next to me lower his head. Without looking up he fumbled for a napkin and began to wipe his eyes.
"Incredibly sad, isn't it?" I said.
He didn't respond.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yes," he said quietly.
"Hey, don't feel bad, I've shed many tearsthrough the holidays for those who don't have nearly as much as I and I am in no way financially set for life," I told him.
"I'm a writer. I live on my dreams," I added.
He turned toward me. I could still see the dampness of tear filled eyes. He raised his hand to his chest and pointing at himself he said..."I'm Mandy's father. That's the first I've seen that. The little girl goes to school with my daughter."
Oh, my god! My chest tightened, my hands shook and I shared in his tears.
"It must be raining," he joked.
We spoke for a few more minutes about how he felt and what he needed to do. Turns out he's unemployed for more than a year now and doing odd jobs to pay bills.
We said our goodbyes and I approached the register.
I whispered that I wanted his check.
"He only gets coffee," she said.
"Well, here.This is for my meal, his coffee and tell him this is for Mandy. He'll understand."
Many years ago I spoke at my friend's church in Atlanta, The Ark of Salvation. A woman came up to me and said God told her to give me everything she had in her wallet.I was shaken by the thought and began to refuse it.Things were better for me back then. I couldn't justify what she offered.
God spoke to me as I listened to her explain.
"It isn't very much, but Godsaid that it would multiply. Please take it."
I did.I shared the story with Nathaniel Bronner, the pastor of the church and he smiled assuring me I did the right thing.
It was $57. I always carry it with me until this very day.I give it away and replace it. It has indeed multiplied many times.
God is an amazing God Who has never failed to replace that $57 each and every time I use it.
I turned to walk away and another man sitting at the counter grabbed my arm and said..."I overheard your conversation with that man. I'll help him, too."
He then wiped his eyes and said, "He's right. It must be raining."
Bob Perks
Tuesday 21 December 2010
Thursday 9 December 2010
Saakhi: Astaavakar and Raja Janak
Raja Janak - had a dream in which he was incredibly poor. He was being chased by a scary dog. He was exhausted running from this beast but was too poor to even have water and couldn't get water from anywhere. He woke suddenly and saw in front of him all the riches of kingship - stark contrast. He got a yearning to understand what that was all about and whether his poverty in dream was true or if his kingship and riches were true. He set a challenge to all of his kingdom that anyone who could satisfy his desire for this knowledge about the truth would be his Guru. All the rishis and pandits wanted to be his Guru because whoever was his Guru would effectively be able to control the King and therefore the kingdom. All of the rishis, pandits and mahapurakhs of the time turned up for the challenge.
However Raja Janak set a condition that he would put one foot in his horse's stirrup and that the person who wanted to be his Guru had to give him gyaan (satisfy his desire for true knowledge) in the time that it takes for him to put his leg over the horse and put his foot in the other stirrup. Anyone who failed to give him true knowledge in that time would be imprisoned for the rest of their lives.
On hearing this, all but 8 of the rishis, pandits and mahapurakhs withdrew from the challenge.
One by one the 8 remaining rishis took on the challenge but in the time it took Raja Janak to put his leg over the horse and get his foot in the stirrup they had hardly even begun to explain true knowledge and were all imprisoned.
Astaavakar was a boy of 12 yrs old. He had 8 different bends in his body so he walked really strangely and everybody used to laugh at him wherever he went. All his life he had been asking his mother who his father was. His mother had always said when you're older I'll tell you. Eventually at the age of 12 he insisted until his mother finally told him that his father was one of 8 rishis who had taken on the challenge of giving true knowledge to the king Raja Janak. She said his father was now imprisoned for the rest of his life and he would never see him again. Astaavakar said I cannot live while my father rots in jail. I will take on Raja Janaks challenge and have my father released.
His mother said your father was highly educated and knowledgeable and he had written various books of divine knowledge and he could not succceed in the challenge. You've never even been educated, you're only 12 and you've written nothing. Astaavakar said mother my mind is made up. Knowledge does not depend on age. I will get my father released. So he sent a message to the King to say that he would be coming and that the King should make preparations to have his desire for true knowledge met.
The king was very surprised. Nobody had taken on the challenge for a decade since the rishis had been imprisoned. So he made preparations. Word got out that somebody has accepted the challenge again and huge crowds gathered to see for themselves who this person was who would answer the kings question. When Astaavakar came into the darbaar and started walking all funny towards Raja Janak, the crowds started laughing out loud at this 12 year old boy. The boy reached Raja Janak and said that you agreed to bring together the saintly and religious people for this day and instead you have brought only chamiaars (people who love only the body/skin and not the mind). These people don't know my mind. They look only at my twisted body. On hearing the boy speak so confidently and truthfully to the King, the crowds were instantly silenced.
Raja Janak then asked Astaavakar if he was prepared for the challenge and did he understand that he would be imprisoned for life if he failed. Astaavakar accepted the challenge. The Raja was about to put his foot into the stirrup but Astaavakar stopped him and said that for him to give him true knowledge he would have to be his Guru and Raja Janak would be his disciple. Raja Janak accepted that this was correct. Astaavakar said is it not normal for the disciple to mathha tek something to his Guru before asking for his teaching. Raja Janak immediately accepted and said what would you like.
Astaavakar said give me something that is yours. Raja Janak called his servants and said bring lots of gold. Astaavakar stopped them and said Raja, gold is not yours. Before you it belonged to your father and when you die it won't go with you. It will go to the next King. Wealth is not yours. The Raja was surprised and thought a little more carefully. He then said I give you my body. Astaavakar said your body is not yours. It has been dying since the day you were born. Skin is getting wrinkled, hair is turning white. Teeth as falling out. You have no control over when it becomes ill, or when it dies. It's not under your own control. It's not yours to give. So Raja Janak thought even harded and eventually said well what about my mind? Is that mine to give. Astaavakar accepted and said okay I'll accept your mind. Your mind is now mine. Now ask whatever you want to ask.
Raja Janak put his foot into one stirrup ready to take his leg over into the other stirrup as the way of setting the time for Astaavakar to give him true knowledge. Astaavakar stopped him and said who said you can put a foot into the stirrup? Raja Janak said I'm doing what I've always done in thi challenge. Astaavakar asked who is this 'I' that you talk of? Raja Janak thought for a while and said I is my mind. Astaavakar said but you no longer have a mind. You gave that to me when you made me your Guru before the challenge even started. Raja Janak fell at Astaavakars feet and asked for forgiveness. He asked him to give him true knowledge and answer his question. Was that poverty true or is this kingship true. Astaavakar answered saying that the dream was just a dream. That dream only lasted 15 minutes. It was not true. However this kingship and riches that you see are also not true. This is also just a dream. It just happens to be one that lasts longer. But when the time comes and you leave this human body, you will wake up from this dream just as surely as you woke up from the one in which you were poor. (supaney jio sansaar). Raja Janak fell at Astaavakars feet and said finally I have received true knowledge. After that Raja Janak spent his life in Bhagti and became one of the greatest saints of all time.
However Raja Janak set a condition that he would put one foot in his horse's stirrup and that the person who wanted to be his Guru had to give him gyaan (satisfy his desire for true knowledge) in the time that it takes for him to put his leg over the horse and put his foot in the other stirrup. Anyone who failed to give him true knowledge in that time would be imprisoned for the rest of their lives.
On hearing this, all but 8 of the rishis, pandits and mahapurakhs withdrew from the challenge.
One by one the 8 remaining rishis took on the challenge but in the time it took Raja Janak to put his leg over the horse and get his foot in the stirrup they had hardly even begun to explain true knowledge and were all imprisoned.
Astaavakar was a boy of 12 yrs old. He had 8 different bends in his body so he walked really strangely and everybody used to laugh at him wherever he went. All his life he had been asking his mother who his father was. His mother had always said when you're older I'll tell you. Eventually at the age of 12 he insisted until his mother finally told him that his father was one of 8 rishis who had taken on the challenge of giving true knowledge to the king Raja Janak. She said his father was now imprisoned for the rest of his life and he would never see him again. Astaavakar said I cannot live while my father rots in jail. I will take on Raja Janaks challenge and have my father released.
His mother said your father was highly educated and knowledgeable and he had written various books of divine knowledge and he could not succceed in the challenge. You've never even been educated, you're only 12 and you've written nothing. Astaavakar said mother my mind is made up. Knowledge does not depend on age. I will get my father released. So he sent a message to the King to say that he would be coming and that the King should make preparations to have his desire for true knowledge met.
The king was very surprised. Nobody had taken on the challenge for a decade since the rishis had been imprisoned. So he made preparations. Word got out that somebody has accepted the challenge again and huge crowds gathered to see for themselves who this person was who would answer the kings question. When Astaavakar came into the darbaar and started walking all funny towards Raja Janak, the crowds started laughing out loud at this 12 year old boy. The boy reached Raja Janak and said that you agreed to bring together the saintly and religious people for this day and instead you have brought only chamiaars (people who love only the body/skin and not the mind). These people don't know my mind. They look only at my twisted body. On hearing the boy speak so confidently and truthfully to the King, the crowds were instantly silenced.
Raja Janak then asked Astaavakar if he was prepared for the challenge and did he understand that he would be imprisoned for life if he failed. Astaavakar accepted the challenge. The Raja was about to put his foot into the stirrup but Astaavakar stopped him and said that for him to give him true knowledge he would have to be his Guru and Raja Janak would be his disciple. Raja Janak accepted that this was correct. Astaavakar said is it not normal for the disciple to mathha tek something to his Guru before asking for his teaching. Raja Janak immediately accepted and said what would you like.
Astaavakar said give me something that is yours. Raja Janak called his servants and said bring lots of gold. Astaavakar stopped them and said Raja, gold is not yours. Before you it belonged to your father and when you die it won't go with you. It will go to the next King. Wealth is not yours. The Raja was surprised and thought a little more carefully. He then said I give you my body. Astaavakar said your body is not yours. It has been dying since the day you were born. Skin is getting wrinkled, hair is turning white. Teeth as falling out. You have no control over when it becomes ill, or when it dies. It's not under your own control. It's not yours to give. So Raja Janak thought even harded and eventually said well what about my mind? Is that mine to give. Astaavakar accepted and said okay I'll accept your mind. Your mind is now mine. Now ask whatever you want to ask.
Raja Janak put his foot into one stirrup ready to take his leg over into the other stirrup as the way of setting the time for Astaavakar to give him true knowledge. Astaavakar stopped him and said who said you can put a foot into the stirrup? Raja Janak said I'm doing what I've always done in thi challenge. Astaavakar asked who is this 'I' that you talk of? Raja Janak thought for a while and said I is my mind. Astaavakar said but you no longer have a mind. You gave that to me when you made me your Guru before the challenge even started. Raja Janak fell at Astaavakars feet and asked for forgiveness. He asked him to give him true knowledge and answer his question. Was that poverty true or is this kingship true. Astaavakar answered saying that the dream was just a dream. That dream only lasted 15 minutes. It was not true. However this kingship and riches that you see are also not true. This is also just a dream. It just happens to be one that lasts longer. But when the time comes and you leave this human body, you will wake up from this dream just as surely as you woke up from the one in which you were poor. (supaney jio sansaar). Raja Janak fell at Astaavakars feet and said finally I have received true knowledge. After that Raja Janak spent his life in Bhagti and became one of the greatest saints of all time.
Thursday 2 December 2010
I no longer want anything, because it leads to hurt?
Anyone who is in a place of lack -no matter how much action they offer - attracts more lack. In other words, the powerful feeling outweighs any action that they offer. Any action that is offered from a place of lack is always counterproductive. Those who were not feeling need were not in a place of lack, and so their action was productive. Your experience was in absolute harmony with the law of attraction - as is every experience. There is not a shred of evidence anywhere in the universe that is contrary of this that we are speaking of.
The reason that many reach a place where they say that they do not have desire is because they have wanted and wanted, but because they have not understood that every subject is two subjects, they have given more of their attention to the lack of what they have wanted that to what they wanted. And so, they continued to attract the lack of what they want. And then, eventually, they were just worn down by it. As a person begins to ascociate wanting with not having, so much so that to want is an unpleasant experience, then he or she says, "I no longer want, because everytime I want something, I get myself in this place of discomfort, and so it is easier for me not to want in the first place."
- Abraham-Hicks
The reason that many reach a place where they say that they do not have desire is because they have wanted and wanted, but because they have not understood that every subject is two subjects, they have given more of their attention to the lack of what they have wanted that to what they wanted. And so, they continued to attract the lack of what they want. And then, eventually, they were just worn down by it. As a person begins to ascociate wanting with not having, so much so that to want is an unpleasant experience, then he or she says, "I no longer want, because everytime I want something, I get myself in this place of discomfort, and so it is easier for me not to want in the first place."
- Abraham-Hicks
Saturday 27 November 2010
Life of meaning...
To create a life of meaning, fulfillment, and prosperity, you have to be open to questioning everything - especially deep seated beliefs that you feel strongly about. Pay particular attention to things that arouse your emotions. If you get really mad about something - then that is an issue that needs serious reflection on your part. Any mental health professional will tell you that when you react emotionally to an issue, something there threatens you and causes insecurity. We mirror things, and usually something that angers us most about another person is an issue we fear in ourselves.
When you do your self examination and critical thinking, ask yourself this question:
Am I holding on to a certain beliefs because they allow me to validate behaviour that is keeping me from my greatness?
That may be the most important question you ask yourself all year, so treat it with the reverence it deserves. God wants you to tap into all the greatness you have.
You were born to be healthy, happy, and prosperous.
Your health, happiness, relationships, financial situation, and intellegence will all be determined by the thoughts you give precedence to, the ideas you birth in your mind.
Build on your awareness of universal laws and expand your faith in your own innate good as well as the talents you are blessed with. The oppositional stuff will come, and it will come in great abundance. But know that it comes not at your expense, but at your expanse. Your faith in right outcomes is the only belief you need.
I believe that faith is a superhuman power we possess - a mind power with the ability to shape substance. The foundation for every work is an idea. Faith makes the idea real to you and your subconcious mind. It even makes it real to others. When others have faith in the thing you are doing, selling, or creating, they see it as worthy of their support. This creates the power of the mastermind and greatly expands your prosperity power.
God/Universe/Power does not grant your requests. Your prosperity and abundance have been provided for already. You need to claim what is yours.
Your prosperity is not tied to the economy, your job, your education, your boss, or your past. It is here, now, for you to manifest as you choose to. Every person on this planet - you included - deserves to experience abundance. You were born to be rich, healthy, and happy.
Now it is up to you to accept what is yours!
You can fight these premises and deny what is written above. You can find thousands who will support you to do this. From your minister to your newspaper editor, from your elected representatives to your best friend, they are lots if people who will tell you are the special victim of circumstances. They will seek to discredit the thoughts written above and validate the reasons for your lack of success and happiness. They will defend to the death your right to be dumb, sick and broke. And you can feel noble for being so.
Or you can take in the above and question it, along with your core foundational beliefs. You can sort through the issues, uncover the subconcious programming you didn't know was there and replace it with positive programming and empowering beliefs. You can actually develop a purpose in your life, and live by a philosophy which supports it. And choose to be smart healthy and rich.
What's it going to be?
- R. Gage
When you do your self examination and critical thinking, ask yourself this question:
Am I holding on to a certain beliefs because they allow me to validate behaviour that is keeping me from my greatness?
That may be the most important question you ask yourself all year, so treat it with the reverence it deserves. God wants you to tap into all the greatness you have.
You were born to be healthy, happy, and prosperous.
Your health, happiness, relationships, financial situation, and intellegence will all be determined by the thoughts you give precedence to, the ideas you birth in your mind.
Build on your awareness of universal laws and expand your faith in your own innate good as well as the talents you are blessed with. The oppositional stuff will come, and it will come in great abundance. But know that it comes not at your expense, but at your expanse. Your faith in right outcomes is the only belief you need.
I believe that faith is a superhuman power we possess - a mind power with the ability to shape substance. The foundation for every work is an idea. Faith makes the idea real to you and your subconcious mind. It even makes it real to others. When others have faith in the thing you are doing, selling, or creating, they see it as worthy of their support. This creates the power of the mastermind and greatly expands your prosperity power.
God/Universe/Power does not grant your requests. Your prosperity and abundance have been provided for already. You need to claim what is yours.
Your prosperity is not tied to the economy, your job, your education, your boss, or your past. It is here, now, for you to manifest as you choose to. Every person on this planet - you included - deserves to experience abundance. You were born to be rich, healthy, and happy.
Now it is up to you to accept what is yours!
You can fight these premises and deny what is written above. You can find thousands who will support you to do this. From your minister to your newspaper editor, from your elected representatives to your best friend, they are lots if people who will tell you are the special victim of circumstances. They will seek to discredit the thoughts written above and validate the reasons for your lack of success and happiness. They will defend to the death your right to be dumb, sick and broke. And you can feel noble for being so.
Or you can take in the above and question it, along with your core foundational beliefs. You can sort through the issues, uncover the subconcious programming you didn't know was there and replace it with positive programming and empowering beliefs. You can actually develop a purpose in your life, and live by a philosophy which supports it. And choose to be smart healthy and rich.
What's it going to be?
- R. Gage
Sunday 24 October 2010
The Final Analysis...
Found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Achieving your Goals without the struggle, struggle, struggle....
Most people give the majority of their attention to whatever is happening in their experience right now - which means if the results please them, they feel good, but if the results do not please them, they feel bad. But that is really going about life the hard way. If you only have the ability to see what-is, then things cannot improve. You must find a way to look optimistically forward in order to achieve any improvement in your experience.
When you learn how to be deliberately focus your thoughts toward good-feeling things, it is not difficult to find happiness and maintain it even before your goal has been accomplished. The feeling of struggle happens because of the continual comparison of where you are right now in relationship to the goal you are reaching for. When you constantly take score, noticing the distance that still needs to be traveled, you amplify the distance, the task, and the effort; and that is why it feels like such an uphill struggle.
When you care about how you feel, and so choose thoughts on the basis of how they feel, you then develop patterns of thought that are more forward looking. And as the law of attraction then responds to those better feeling thoughts, you get more pleasing results. Struggle, struggle, struggle never leads to a happy ending. It defies LAW. "When I get there, then I'll be happy" is not a productive mind-set because unless you are happy, you cannot get there. When you decide to first be happy - THEN you will get there.
- Teachings of Abraham, Jerry & Esther Hicks
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
When you learn how to be deliberately focus your thoughts toward good-feeling things, it is not difficult to find happiness and maintain it even before your goal has been accomplished. The feeling of struggle happens because of the continual comparison of where you are right now in relationship to the goal you are reaching for. When you constantly take score, noticing the distance that still needs to be traveled, you amplify the distance, the task, and the effort; and that is why it feels like such an uphill struggle.
When you care about how you feel, and so choose thoughts on the basis of how they feel, you then develop patterns of thought that are more forward looking. And as the law of attraction then responds to those better feeling thoughts, you get more pleasing results. Struggle, struggle, struggle never leads to a happy ending. It defies LAW. "When I get there, then I'll be happy" is not a productive mind-set because unless you are happy, you cannot get there. When you decide to first be happy - THEN you will get there.
- Teachings of Abraham, Jerry & Esther Hicks
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday 16 May 2010
The Big Deal - That Shouldn't Have Been
The "big deal" in this case has nothing to do with Goldman Sachs, Wall Street, health care, or government bailouts. It did involve money, though, and that is part of the reason it made headlines. A couple of weeks ago, Brian Davis told the truth, acted with integrity, and forfeited $411,000 in the process.
You likely know the story. It happened during the Verizon Heritage golf tournament. Brian Davis and Jim Furyk were on the first hole of a playoff, after finishing the day with identical scores. Davis had holed a clutch 18-foot putt for birdie on the final hole to force the playoff. But he ran into trouble quickly.
Davis was in a hazard that had clusters of reeds all around. He took his time and pondered his options. Playing a 14-time PGA Tour winner such as Furyk, Davis - who has yet to win a PGA event - needed to make a spectacular shot. He and his caddie looked it over carefully. He struck the ball. Then he immediately called a PGA official named Slugger White to come over. He told him that he might have grazed one of the reeds on his backswing.
Nobody had called it. The officials standing nearby had not seen anything amiss. Jim Furyk had not protested. But Davis, although he hadn't felt it through the shaft of his club, believed he had seen it out of the corner of his eye.
White went to the TV monitor. The touch between club and reed was so slight that it took slow-motion replay to spot it. But there it was! And PGA Rule 13.4 - which prohibits moving any "impediment" with the start of a player's backswing - says that a player is to be assessed a two-stroke penalty for such an infraction. And that was the end of Davis' chance to win his first PGA event.
The honesty of Brian Davis became a "big deal" immediately. In some ways, it overshadowed the tournament outcome. E-mails and phone calls flooded in to Davis. Members of the PGA's senior tour phoned to thank him for restoring some sense of integrity to their sport. Teachers had students write essays. "He's class," said Slugger White of the man he had to penalize, "first class!"
As Davis himself admitted in the aftermath of his action, though, it should not have been a big deal at all. That's what Rule 13.4 says, and golf is played by rules. Shortcuts, cheating, taking advantage of one's opponent, winning by doing whatever you must - they are all part of the lore of life these days. But they have no place in a person of character. Davis wants to win, but fair and square.
That there was such a fuss over a golfer doing what he was supposed to do may be a commentary on the low expectations we have of one another.
"Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold" (Proverbs 22:1 NLT).
Rubel Shelly
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
You likely know the story. It happened during the Verizon Heritage golf tournament. Brian Davis and Jim Furyk were on the first hole of a playoff, after finishing the day with identical scores. Davis had holed a clutch 18-foot putt for birdie on the final hole to force the playoff. But he ran into trouble quickly.
Davis was in a hazard that had clusters of reeds all around. He took his time and pondered his options. Playing a 14-time PGA Tour winner such as Furyk, Davis - who has yet to win a PGA event - needed to make a spectacular shot. He and his caddie looked it over carefully. He struck the ball. Then he immediately called a PGA official named Slugger White to come over. He told him that he might have grazed one of the reeds on his backswing.
Nobody had called it. The officials standing nearby had not seen anything amiss. Jim Furyk had not protested. But Davis, although he hadn't felt it through the shaft of his club, believed he had seen it out of the corner of his eye.
White went to the TV monitor. The touch between club and reed was so slight that it took slow-motion replay to spot it. But there it was! And PGA Rule 13.4 - which prohibits moving any "impediment" with the start of a player's backswing - says that a player is to be assessed a two-stroke penalty for such an infraction. And that was the end of Davis' chance to win his first PGA event.
The honesty of Brian Davis became a "big deal" immediately. In some ways, it overshadowed the tournament outcome. E-mails and phone calls flooded in to Davis. Members of the PGA's senior tour phoned to thank him for restoring some sense of integrity to their sport. Teachers had students write essays. "He's class," said Slugger White of the man he had to penalize, "first class!"
As Davis himself admitted in the aftermath of his action, though, it should not have been a big deal at all. That's what Rule 13.4 says, and golf is played by rules. Shortcuts, cheating, taking advantage of one's opponent, winning by doing whatever you must - they are all part of the lore of life these days. But they have no place in a person of character. Davis wants to win, but fair and square.
That there was such a fuss over a golfer doing what he was supposed to do may be a commentary on the low expectations we have of one another.
"Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold" (Proverbs 22:1 NLT).
Rubel Shelly
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday 16 April 2010
Refuse To Be Afraid
Tim Wrightman, a former All-American UCLA football player, tells a story about how, as a rookie lineman in the National Football League, he was up against the legendary pass rusher Lawrence Taylor. Taylor was not only physically powerful and uncommonly quick but a master at verbal intimidation.
Looking young Tim in the eye, he said, "Sonny, get ready. I'm going to the left and there's nothing you can do about it."
Wrightman coolly responded, "Sir, is that your left or mine?"
The question froze Taylor long enough to allow Wrightman to throw a perfect block on him.
It's amazing what we can accomplish if we refuse to be afraid. Fear - whether it's of pain, failure, or rejection - is a toxic emotion that creates monsters in our mind that consume self-confidence and intimidate us from doing our best or sometimes even trying at all.
As a law professor, I saw scores of capable students fail the bar exam, not because they didn't know enough but because their anxiety hindered their ability to remember or coherently express what they did know.
For most law graduates, passing the bar exam should be no more difficult than walking across a board 20 feet long and two feet wide. The trouble is, they don't walk normally because they're intimidated by the illusion that the board is suspended 100 feet in the air and that getting across is a life-or-death matter. What's the worst thing that could happen? Embarrassment, inconvenience, and expense - but none of these is fatal.
Perspective is an antidote to fear. Most things you fear will never happen, and even if they do, you can handle it.
Michael Josephson
www.charactercounts.org
-- Post From My iPhone
Looking young Tim in the eye, he said, "Sonny, get ready. I'm going to the left and there's nothing you can do about it."
Wrightman coolly responded, "Sir, is that your left or mine?"
The question froze Taylor long enough to allow Wrightman to throw a perfect block on him.
It's amazing what we can accomplish if we refuse to be afraid. Fear - whether it's of pain, failure, or rejection - is a toxic emotion that creates monsters in our mind that consume self-confidence and intimidate us from doing our best or sometimes even trying at all.
As a law professor, I saw scores of capable students fail the bar exam, not because they didn't know enough but because their anxiety hindered their ability to remember or coherently express what they did know.
For most law graduates, passing the bar exam should be no more difficult than walking across a board 20 feet long and two feet wide. The trouble is, they don't walk normally because they're intimidated by the illusion that the board is suspended 100 feet in the air and that getting across is a life-or-death matter. What's the worst thing that could happen? Embarrassment, inconvenience, and expense - but none of these is fatal.
Perspective is an antidote to fear. Most things you fear will never happen, and even if they do, you can handle it.
Michael Josephson
www.charactercounts.org
-- Post From My iPhone
Sunday 7 February 2010
The Woman Behind the Counter
The other day I was in the Phoenix Airport on my way to a meeting in Denver. Unsure of how long it would take to get the car parked, get the luggage checked, get through the security line, and get to our gate, we (my husband Michael and I) ended up at the airport early. Once we parked our belongings at the gate, I did what I always do when I'm early to the airport; I headed toward the News Stand for the sole purpose of staring at the tabloid magazine covers. Yes, I know, it's a nasty habit, but before you cast your stones, I should tell you I only allow myself to read the COVERS of the magazines. JUST the covers. And even in those few moments I can feel my brain cells rotting and my dislike for humanity mounting.
However, on this particular trip to the News Stand I witnessed something much more fascinating, and disturbing, than any tabloid could offer.
In this particular News Stand there was a friendly looking gentleman. He had a pleasant face that was graced with a cheerful smile. He and I were hovering in the same area; I was looking at the magazines, he was looking at the Snickers bars. Though, "looking" wouldn't be the right word -- "agonizing over" would be a better way of putting it. You see, this friendly-seeming man was about 200 pounds from healthy. As we stood silently by each other, I could hear him as he struggled to breathe, and watch him shift uncomfortably from foot to foot as he worked his way down the candy display.
I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he picked up a regular sized Snickers with his right hand and a KING sized Snickers with his left. He looked at his two options, back and forth, back and forth. He rolled them around in his hands, crinkled their wrappers, contemplating his decision. After at least a minute, he reached to put the regular sized one back ... a shame, I thought. He was so close.
But then, like a flash of lightening from above, at the very last moment, he THREW the KING sized Snickers back. It landed atop the gum with a deafening THUD. The man turned and looked at me with regular Snickers in his hand. Gripped it tightly, shrugged, and smiled.
For a moment, I saw a glimpse of pride on his face; the kind of pride that comes from taking control of your life. Granted, it wasn't the BEST decision, but it WAS a step in the right direction and it was clear he was pleased with himself. I smiled back and nodded; a silent congratulations for a job well done.
He took his regular sized Snickers strutted to the register where a 50ish woman waited. She was friendly in an abrasive sort of way, and as I moved to look at the cover of Men's Health I heard her say to the man (who was still in the glow of his recent victory):
"Sure you don't want the KING sized Snickers? Looks awful good..."
The man who had just made a good decision, froze. He stared at the woman behind the counter. In that moment, it was as if the Phoenix Airport stopped.... As he stared at the abrasive woman behind the counter, I stared at him. The woman reached for the KING sized and waved it in front of his face. "Don't do it. Don't do it," I willed him. But in the next moment, he nodded, took the KING sized Snickers, paid, and slowly walked away.
I wanted to say something, but it wasn't my place. As he walked past, he didn't look my way, instead he looked to the ground and to the KING sized decision he held in his hand.
Now, it would be easy to blame the woman behind the counter for the demise of our Snicker loving friend. She didn't HAVE to offer him the KING size when he seemed to be perfectly content. However, it is not her fault; she was only doing her job (I swear they get paid on commission -- every time I try to buy a magazi... I mean, a pack of gum... they always ask if I would like water or a snack. It can't JUST be because they're really concerned for my hydration or hunger). No, the responsibility lies solely in the man who ultimately made the choice.
We relate to this man. Whether you struggle with your weight, or you struggle to make good financial decisions. Maybe you make poor decisions, of any size, in your personal relationships. Whatever your vice may be (and there may be many), we have all been here before; on the brink of a breakthrough, only to fall short with no one to blame but ourselves. Whether you've been there once or been there 100 times, there is an important lesson to learn here; one that may not be the most obvious.
Who you are now does not determine who you will be.
I'll say it again. Who you are now does not determine who you will be.
Sounds nice, right? Easy lesson, nice lesson, hopeful lesson. The catch is this: you have to MAKE it so. The difference between who you are NOW and who you will BE happens because of choice. It doesn't have to be a heroic choice, it can be small/consistent choices made everyday in the right direction, that make the difference. But they MUST be made and can only be made by you.
How do you do this?
First: start seeing yourself NOW as the person you will BE. If you're broke, start seeing yourself as un-broke. If you're alone, see yourself wrapped in the warmth of a healthy relationship. If you're heavier than you would like to be, see yourself thin.
Second: It is not enough to just SEE yourself there, you must start behaving in a way that mirrors the behaviors of the kind of person you will become. Un-broke people make sound decisions when it comes to finances -- do that now. Healthy people find joy in salads and low-fat dressing -- you should too.
Third: Stay focused. There is a good chance that others will continue to see you as you are now, and that's ok. It's not their fault. They may not be aware that you have made a decision to change; not aware that you are making small consistent decisions toward the person you want to become. They may not SEE those small decisions or REALIZE what they are adding up to. Stay focused on YOU. On YOUR vision for yourself. And don't be afraid to verbalize your desires to those around you so they can aid in your transformation.
This is where I believe our friend at the candy counter went astray:
Perhaps he was seeing himself not as who he IS, but who he could BE -- well, healthy, happy...
I KNOW he was making a small decision in the right direction...
But when he got to the counter, the abrasive woman saw him as he WAS: a man who "must" love KING sizes. And instead of staying focused, instead of standing as a warrior for his future-self, he crumbled with the words "I will always be this" ringing in his defeated ears.
We all relate to this story. We have all been there. I just urge you to not go there again. Fight for you future self, and beware the woman behind the counter.
When all was said and done, I walked out of the News Stand empty-handed and heavy hearted. I took my seat at Gate C27 and waited for our plane to arrive.
(Post Note: Michael ended up sitting next to this man on the plane. When I told Michael this story, looong after the flight, he said, "That makes it worse ... he was such a nice guy.")
Kindra Hall
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
However, on this particular trip to the News Stand I witnessed something much more fascinating, and disturbing, than any tabloid could offer.
In this particular News Stand there was a friendly looking gentleman. He had a pleasant face that was graced with a cheerful smile. He and I were hovering in the same area; I was looking at the magazines, he was looking at the Snickers bars. Though, "looking" wouldn't be the right word -- "agonizing over" would be a better way of putting it. You see, this friendly-seeming man was about 200 pounds from healthy. As we stood silently by each other, I could hear him as he struggled to breathe, and watch him shift uncomfortably from foot to foot as he worked his way down the candy display.
I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he picked up a regular sized Snickers with his right hand and a KING sized Snickers with his left. He looked at his two options, back and forth, back and forth. He rolled them around in his hands, crinkled their wrappers, contemplating his decision. After at least a minute, he reached to put the regular sized one back ... a shame, I thought. He was so close.
But then, like a flash of lightening from above, at the very last moment, he THREW the KING sized Snickers back. It landed atop the gum with a deafening THUD. The man turned and looked at me with regular Snickers in his hand. Gripped it tightly, shrugged, and smiled.
For a moment, I saw a glimpse of pride on his face; the kind of pride that comes from taking control of your life. Granted, it wasn't the BEST decision, but it WAS a step in the right direction and it was clear he was pleased with himself. I smiled back and nodded; a silent congratulations for a job well done.
He took his regular sized Snickers strutted to the register where a 50ish woman waited. She was friendly in an abrasive sort of way, and as I moved to look at the cover of Men's Health I heard her say to the man (who was still in the glow of his recent victory):
"Sure you don't want the KING sized Snickers? Looks awful good..."
The man who had just made a good decision, froze. He stared at the woman behind the counter. In that moment, it was as if the Phoenix Airport stopped.... As he stared at the abrasive woman behind the counter, I stared at him. The woman reached for the KING sized and waved it in front of his face. "Don't do it. Don't do it," I willed him. But in the next moment, he nodded, took the KING sized Snickers, paid, and slowly walked away.
I wanted to say something, but it wasn't my place. As he walked past, he didn't look my way, instead he looked to the ground and to the KING sized decision he held in his hand.
Now, it would be easy to blame the woman behind the counter for the demise of our Snicker loving friend. She didn't HAVE to offer him the KING size when he seemed to be perfectly content. However, it is not her fault; she was only doing her job (I swear they get paid on commission -- every time I try to buy a magazi... I mean, a pack of gum... they always ask if I would like water or a snack. It can't JUST be because they're really concerned for my hydration or hunger). No, the responsibility lies solely in the man who ultimately made the choice.
We relate to this man. Whether you struggle with your weight, or you struggle to make good financial decisions. Maybe you make poor decisions, of any size, in your personal relationships. Whatever your vice may be (and there may be many), we have all been here before; on the brink of a breakthrough, only to fall short with no one to blame but ourselves. Whether you've been there once or been there 100 times, there is an important lesson to learn here; one that may not be the most obvious.
Who you are now does not determine who you will be.
I'll say it again. Who you are now does not determine who you will be.
Sounds nice, right? Easy lesson, nice lesson, hopeful lesson. The catch is this: you have to MAKE it so. The difference between who you are NOW and who you will BE happens because of choice. It doesn't have to be a heroic choice, it can be small/consistent choices made everyday in the right direction, that make the difference. But they MUST be made and can only be made by you.
How do you do this?
First: start seeing yourself NOW as the person you will BE. If you're broke, start seeing yourself as un-broke. If you're alone, see yourself wrapped in the warmth of a healthy relationship. If you're heavier than you would like to be, see yourself thin.
Second: It is not enough to just SEE yourself there, you must start behaving in a way that mirrors the behaviors of the kind of person you will become. Un-broke people make sound decisions when it comes to finances -- do that now. Healthy people find joy in salads and low-fat dressing -- you should too.
Third: Stay focused. There is a good chance that others will continue to see you as you are now, and that's ok. It's not their fault. They may not be aware that you have made a decision to change; not aware that you are making small consistent decisions toward the person you want to become. They may not SEE those small decisions or REALIZE what they are adding up to. Stay focused on YOU. On YOUR vision for yourself. And don't be afraid to verbalize your desires to those around you so they can aid in your transformation.
This is where I believe our friend at the candy counter went astray:
Perhaps he was seeing himself not as who he IS, but who he could BE -- well, healthy, happy...
I KNOW he was making a small decision in the right direction...
But when he got to the counter, the abrasive woman saw him as he WAS: a man who "must" love KING sizes. And instead of staying focused, instead of standing as a warrior for his future-self, he crumbled with the words "I will always be this" ringing in his defeated ears.
We all relate to this story. We have all been there. I just urge you to not go there again. Fight for you future self, and beware the woman behind the counter.
When all was said and done, I walked out of the News Stand empty-handed and heavy hearted. I took my seat at Gate C27 and waited for our plane to arrive.
(Post Note: Michael ended up sitting next to this man on the plane. When I told Michael this story, looong after the flight, he said, "That makes it worse ... he was such a nice guy.")
Kindra Hall
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday 30 January 2010
The Parable of Brother Leo
A legend tells of a French monastery known throughout Europe for the extraordinary leadership of a man known only as Brother Leo. Several monks began a pilgrimage to visit Brother Leo to learn from him. Almost immediately, they began to bicker about who should do various chores.
On the third day they met another monk going to the monastery, and he joined them. This monk never complained or shirked a duty, and whenever the others would fight over a chore, he would gracefully volunteer and do it himself. By the last day, the others were following his example, and from then on they worked together smoothly.
When they reached the monastery and asked to see Brother Leo, the man who greeted them laughed. "But our brother is among you!" And he pointed to the fellow who had joined them.
Today, many people seek leadership positions, not so much for what they can do for others but for what the position can do for them: status, connections, perks, advantages. They do service as an investment, a way to build an impressive resume.
The parable about Brother Leo teaches another model of leadership, where leaders are preoccupied with serving rather than being followed, with giving rather than getting, with doing rather than demanding. Leadership based on example, not command. This is called servant leadership.
Can you imagine how much better things would be if more politicians, educators, and business executives saw themselves as servant leaders?
Michael Josephson
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
On the third day they met another monk going to the monastery, and he joined them. This monk never complained or shirked a duty, and whenever the others would fight over a chore, he would gracefully volunteer and do it himself. By the last day, the others were following his example, and from then on they worked together smoothly.
When they reached the monastery and asked to see Brother Leo, the man who greeted them laughed. "But our brother is among you!" And he pointed to the fellow who had joined them.
Today, many people seek leadership positions, not so much for what they can do for others but for what the position can do for them: status, connections, perks, advantages. They do service as an investment, a way to build an impressive resume.
The parable about Brother Leo teaches another model of leadership, where leaders are preoccupied with serving rather than being followed, with giving rather than getting, with doing rather than demanding. Leadership based on example, not command. This is called servant leadership.
Can you imagine how much better things would be if more politicians, educators, and business executives saw themselves as servant leaders?
Michael Josephson
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday 28 January 2010
Be bold, be strong and soar like an eagle
Eagles are the most long-lived bird in the world.
By the time they reach 40 years old, their claws will start to age, losing their effectiveness and making it hard for them to catch preys.
The lifespan of an eagle is up to 70 years old.
But in order to live this long, it must make the toughest decision at 40.
At 40, its beak is too long and curvy that it reaches its chest.
Its wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for easy flying.
The eagle is left with 2 choices - do nothing and await its death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.
For 150 days, it first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains, build and live in its nest and cease all flying activities.
It then begins to knock its beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed.
When a new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown.
When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all its feathers,one by one.
Five months later, when its new feathers are fully grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and is able to live for the next 30 years.
In life, as an individual, in a ministry, even in an organization,sometimes, we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes.
Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again is to let go old ways, old habits, old lives.
For as long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage - past glory or shame, past success or failure - be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potential and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.
Finally, be bold, be strong and soar like an eagle - you can do it!!!!
By the time they reach 40 years old, their claws will start to age, losing their effectiveness and making it hard for them to catch preys.
The lifespan of an eagle is up to 70 years old.
But in order to live this long, it must make the toughest decision at 40.
At 40, its beak is too long and curvy that it reaches its chest.
Its wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for easy flying.
The eagle is left with 2 choices - do nothing and await its death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.
For 150 days, it first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains, build and live in its nest and cease all flying activities.
It then begins to knock its beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed.
When a new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown.
When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all its feathers,one by one.
Five months later, when its new feathers are fully grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and is able to live for the next 30 years.
In life, as an individual, in a ministry, even in an organization,sometimes, we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes.
Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again is to let go old ways, old habits, old lives.
For as long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage - past glory or shame, past success or failure - be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potential and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.
Finally, be bold, be strong and soar like an eagle - you can do it!!!!
Thursday 7 January 2010
Our greatest fear...
Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
~Nelson Mandela
but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
~Nelson Mandela
Saturday 2 January 2010
Relax Your Way to Results
Relax Your Way to Results
Earlier this year my husband Denis and I went out for a lovely dinner at a nearby restaurant. While we were dining, an inspired idea popped into my head. I tend to pay attention to inspired ideas as they come up and I decided to share this one with Denis.
I said "Honey, I'm thinking of selling the house I bought in Florida, what do you think?"
Well, knowing the real estate market was declining and sales were infrequent, he thought I had temporarily lost my mind. I continued to share with him some reasoning behind the inspired idea.
The house in Florida was one that we rarely used. The insurance company wouldn't insure the contents because we did not reside in the home. It can be a challenge taking care of a place when we live 1,600 miles away.
Denis agreed with all of those points. Plus, even though I bought the house and owned it outright, the monthly expenses were an unnecessary expense. We were not using the house as a rental property, nor did I want to. We simply had the home available in the event we decided to take a trip to a warmer climate.
Initially when I bought the house I thought we would be using the house more, but with my busy travel schedule, speaking engagements, conferences, etc. we rarely stayed in the home.
Later that evening, after returning home from the restaurant I called a Real Estate Agent in Florida. I asked, "Steve, how is the real estate market down there?"
He replied "Don't you get the news up there Peggy? It's terrible!"
"Well Steve, I'd like to sell my house. Are you interested in listing it for me?"
He responded: "How much are you thinking of selling it for?"
I gave Steve the price I had in mind and he said the house would be the most expensive house on the street. I wasn't really concerned with having a premium-listing price because the house was a unique home and it was beautifully decorated.
Steve was willing to list the house. He drafted up the appropriate papers and sent them to me via email. I signed the papers, sent them back, and a "For Sale" sign went on the lawn.
Because I teach and practice the law of attraction and believe it is far more effective to relax our way to wealth or relax our way to anything that we desire, I relaxed and gave thanks for the quick sale of my home.
In my gratitude journal I expressed my elation with the quick sale of the home and for a closing price that was very close to my listing price. I was also grateful for the quick closing that the new owner requested.
Every day I wrote in my gratitude journal expressing my gratitude for the sale. I also listened to my own relaxation audio meditation every evening, which allowed me to stay connected to the powerful emotions of gratitude, joy and faith.
Two weeks later my Real Estate Agent called me with the news that we had an interested buyer. He said: "There is only one problem Peggy - she wants a fast close - she wants to take possession in three weeks, are you okay with that?"
Well, of course I was fine with a quick close. A quick close date was precisely what I gave thanks for. Additionally, she paid close to the listing price for the house, and within three weeks, my husband and I were on a flight to pick up a check for the sale of the house.
As much as we hear about the powerful laws of attraction, not everyone practices them. One of the challenges is that we are conditioned emotional beings. If our previous conditioning is to stress over things, we will literally push away the very things we desire by being stressed. Switching to a state of relaxation opens up our creativity, engages the law of attraction and draws to us that which you desire (ideas, people, events, experiences).
It may seem like a backward way of thinking to relax when you deeply want something, but relaxing our way to wealth is a powerful concept.
After I took action and listed the home, I gave thanks every day for the sale of the home and stayed connected to positive emotions. I relaxed and every morning and evening used my own relaxation guided meditation. It is an absolute truth that positive emotions will produce positive results.
Deepak Chopra said: "Relaxation is the prerequisite for that inner expansion that allows a person to express the source of inspiration and joy within."
If there is something you desire, follow these 3 simple steps. #1. Decide what you want. #2. Decide what it will "feel" like when you have it (which involves the emotions of faith and relaxation); and #3. Go straight to feeling those emotions - and practice them on a consistent basis. And, when you do, you'll be amazed at the power of your own creative ability.
Peggy McColl
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Earlier this year my husband Denis and I went out for a lovely dinner at a nearby restaurant. While we were dining, an inspired idea popped into my head. I tend to pay attention to inspired ideas as they come up and I decided to share this one with Denis.
I said "Honey, I'm thinking of selling the house I bought in Florida, what do you think?"
Well, knowing the real estate market was declining and sales were infrequent, he thought I had temporarily lost my mind. I continued to share with him some reasoning behind the inspired idea.
The house in Florida was one that we rarely used. The insurance company wouldn't insure the contents because we did not reside in the home. It can be a challenge taking care of a place when we live 1,600 miles away.
Denis agreed with all of those points. Plus, even though I bought the house and owned it outright, the monthly expenses were an unnecessary expense. We were not using the house as a rental property, nor did I want to. We simply had the home available in the event we decided to take a trip to a warmer climate.
Initially when I bought the house I thought we would be using the house more, but with my busy travel schedule, speaking engagements, conferences, etc. we rarely stayed in the home.
Later that evening, after returning home from the restaurant I called a Real Estate Agent in Florida. I asked, "Steve, how is the real estate market down there?"
He replied "Don't you get the news up there Peggy? It's terrible!"
"Well Steve, I'd like to sell my house. Are you interested in listing it for me?"
He responded: "How much are you thinking of selling it for?"
I gave Steve the price I had in mind and he said the house would be the most expensive house on the street. I wasn't really concerned with having a premium-listing price because the house was a unique home and it was beautifully decorated.
Steve was willing to list the house. He drafted up the appropriate papers and sent them to me via email. I signed the papers, sent them back, and a "For Sale" sign went on the lawn.
Because I teach and practice the law of attraction and believe it is far more effective to relax our way to wealth or relax our way to anything that we desire, I relaxed and gave thanks for the quick sale of my home.
In my gratitude journal I expressed my elation with the quick sale of the home and for a closing price that was very close to my listing price. I was also grateful for the quick closing that the new owner requested.
Every day I wrote in my gratitude journal expressing my gratitude for the sale. I also listened to my own relaxation audio meditation every evening, which allowed me to stay connected to the powerful emotions of gratitude, joy and faith.
Two weeks later my Real Estate Agent called me with the news that we had an interested buyer. He said: "There is only one problem Peggy - she wants a fast close - she wants to take possession in three weeks, are you okay with that?"
Well, of course I was fine with a quick close. A quick close date was precisely what I gave thanks for. Additionally, she paid close to the listing price for the house, and within three weeks, my husband and I were on a flight to pick up a check for the sale of the house.
As much as we hear about the powerful laws of attraction, not everyone practices them. One of the challenges is that we are conditioned emotional beings. If our previous conditioning is to stress over things, we will literally push away the very things we desire by being stressed. Switching to a state of relaxation opens up our creativity, engages the law of attraction and draws to us that which you desire (ideas, people, events, experiences).
It may seem like a backward way of thinking to relax when you deeply want something, but relaxing our way to wealth is a powerful concept.
After I took action and listed the home, I gave thanks every day for the sale of the home and stayed connected to positive emotions. I relaxed and every morning and evening used my own relaxation guided meditation. It is an absolute truth that positive emotions will produce positive results.
Deepak Chopra said: "Relaxation is the prerequisite for that inner expansion that allows a person to express the source of inspiration and joy within."
If there is something you desire, follow these 3 simple steps. #1. Decide what you want. #2. Decide what it will "feel" like when you have it (which involves the emotions of faith and relaxation); and #3. Go straight to feeling those emotions - and practice them on a consistent basis. And, when you do, you'll be amazed at the power of your own creative ability.
Peggy McColl
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Quayside,Birmingham,United Kingdom
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