It’s winter in Wyoming. The mercury in the thermometer has headed south, not to warmer climes but diving below zero into teeth-chattering cold. The clear mountain creek and bare limbed trees out our dining room window have been changing every day. The recent cold plays with the water as if its Play Dough. Taking advantage of the thaw-freeze-thaw cycle it rearranges the mounds of white on the exposed boulders, twists the ice that flows through and around them, and draws a white sheet over the running water as if it’s dying.

This is where I sit each morning to write, but the beauty outside the window continually lures me away from the computer screen. My artist eye tries to capture what my camera cannot. The scene stuns me with frigid, fragile beauty. The creek whispers a message, muffled by the ice and snow, so I sit for long periods of time just listening. Here’s what it tells me today.

The changing face of the creek shows what we do to ourselves when harsh outside conditions cause us to hide from others. When cruel words, unloving gestures, or tough experiences happen, we harden and close ourselves off to the world. We draw a sheet up over our emotions and cower underneath. We bury deep feelings, careful not to show too much. Our love becomes frozen, impossible to chisel from our hearts.

Then comes a warm touch, a sunny smile, an experience that makes us glow with pleasure. We thaw. Not much. But enough to let our true selves come up for air. Just like the appearance of the ice, we change with the circumstances, letting small patches of our always-flowing, inner being show when we feel safe. But things can change quickly. Harsh conditions can ambush us when we least expect it so we keep our cover ready.

Brave are the ones that disregard what others say or do and stay true to themselves no matter what. Their cover of ice is non-existent even with the toughest human interactions. They set themselves up to get ridiculed and teased. But their spirit is a strong running current, making it impossible for a hard cover of ice to form. They don’t cower or cover up. Their hearts stay open and accessible.

We should all live like this.

The trick is to not let outside conditions have such a profound effect on us. The stronger we get, the stronger our inner flow will become. The stronger our inner spirit becomes the less chance someone or something can change our personal reality. Ice will fail to encase our heart.

Tupelo and I watched a full grown mountain lion use the ice to cross the creek one winter. His tail trailed behind him, leaving a shallow trench in the 6” of freshly fallen snow. His muscles rippled, and then he jumped across a patch of open water to get to the opposite bank. Ice wasn’t a deterrent. He used the ice to his advantage and got to where he wanted to go. Good for him.

This morning, the creek peeks out at me from the encroaching ice in a game of hide and seek. It’s not whispering anymore. It’s laughing because it knows its true strength, its true beauty will never go away. It will always be there, flowing strong and steady. It will never let the white cover of ice smother it completely. It waits with patience for the eventual return of spring.

We can learn a lot from Mother Earth if we just listen to her. Like what she said to me today: keep your inner spirit flowing strong – no matter what.

While traveling recently, our experiences drove this point home …

We pictured an idyllic spot on the beach – a simple bungalow with plenty of privacy and an inspiring view. That was our goal. We had just finished a busy three-month tour of concert dates, and our plan was to go to a relaxing place to recharge our batteries. We chose Thailand. That was our general destination. The next step was to get specific.

We went to the bookstore and bought a “Lonely Planet” travel book on Thailand, and Janey began to study and compare the many choices. To begin our trip, we chose an island in the Gulf of Thailand called Ko Tao.

We didn’t go immediately from point “A” (in this case, the Gulf of Mexico) to point “B” (the Gulf of Thailand). Instead we took many steps along the way, each one bringing us closer to our chosen destination (our goal). We experienced many serendipities that added to our enjoyment of the journey on a moment-to-moment basis.

Some moments were very enjoyable – others were merely “interesting.” A few were challenging . . . (Just like life.) The moments that were less than enjoyable were endured easily enough, because we held a clear picture of where we were going and knew that this was just one step along the way. If any particular step was uncomfortable or unpleasant, we knew it would pass. We kept our focus on the destination while remaining open to whatever new, different and exciting experience could be relished in the moment.

It would have been silly to let any fleeting inconvenience discourage us. We could have just given up when the going got tough, but that never crossed our minds because we recognized it as just a step along the way. This same attitude can be applied to life’s biggest goals and soul’s grandest aspirations.

By keeping the “eye on the prize,” we can recognize any minor setback, delay or inconvenience as just a step along the way. Also, with an open and eager attitude, serendipities are hiding just beyond many apparent stumbling blocks.

Instead of going directly from point “A” to point “B” (from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Thailand), here was the step-by-step route required to reach our destination:

1. On the way to the place where we put our motor home in storage, we had to drop by the airport and rent a car so that . . .

2. We could drive ourselves to the airport at 4:00 A.M.

3. Our first flight was from Austin, TX to Chicago, IL.

4. Next flight: Chicago to Tokyo.

5. Next flight: Tokyo to Bangkok, Thailand . . . arriving 27 hours after leaving Austin.

6. Taxi to hotel.

7. Taxi from hotel to bus station.

8. Overnight bus from Bangkok to Chumphon.

9. Pick-up truck shuttled us to ferry boat office.

10. Bus from ferry office to pier.

11. Catamaran to the island of Ko Tao.

12. Taxi (back of pick-up) to first hotel.

13. Long walk on the beach (Carrying packs and instruments) to 2nd hotel.

14. Ocean kayak rented to explore 3rd hotel around the point. And back again.

15. Another long walk on the beach, with luggage, to water taxi office.

16. Long skiff ride across the waves to Ao Jun Jeua beach.

17. Yet another long walk on the beach schlepping our stuff uphill to our bungalow.

Was it all worth it? Oh yes! From here, we have a fantastic view of the open ocean. Below us, there are huge boulders with excellent snorkeling just beyond. The seaside restaurant visible to our left serves a dizzying array of scrumptious entrees. To the right, more boulders, more beaches, more wide-open spaces. From this incredible spot, we can realize our original objective: rest, relax, recharge, and reignite our creative endeavors.

We finally reached our goal – the one we first envisioned several days ago – because we didn’t give up. We knew that many steps would be involved between point “A” and point “Z” so we did our best to enjoy each moment and each step along the way. With that kind of wide-open attitude and a keen eye for serendipity potentials, here are a few of the life experiences we would have missed if somehow we could have used a Star Trek transporter to go directly from A to Z (gulf to gulf).

1. We had a wonderful (but too brief) visit with our old friends, JoAnn and Monte in Austin. We shared songs, laughs and a great meal. The visit was too short, but excellent.

2. We sat at a sushi bar in Tokyo and marveled at the quick hands and even quicker smiles of the sushi chefs. And the sushi? Shall I say it’s the best we ever had? Yes, the best!

3. The midnight taxi ride in Bangkok was fascinating. They drive on the left side of the road, and it was a wild ride in the middle of the night. It may have been a bit too “adventurous” for us during rush hour!

4. We experienced our first Thai massage. In a word, amazing! Ten minutes into our one-hour massage, we asked if it was okay to go two hours. This was, by far, the best massage either of us have experienced. (And it cost only $10 . . . for two hours!)

5. The hotel restaurant was exceptional, five star dining on a K-mart budget. Every meal was presented beautifully and tasted scrumptious. The difficult part was choosing what to try next since all the menus in Thailand seem to be about 20 pages. This is a great place to practice the feeling of abundance, since you can get anything on the menu for two or three dollars.

6. The overnight bus was a new experience. We tried to book an overnight train but it was full. Oh well, the bus was cheaper, so now we have more money left over to spend on scuba diving.

7. It was fun to meet the driver who took us to the pier, and catch a glimpse of his independent business. He took us for free and sold us our ferry ticket. He earned a commission on the ticket, even though it didn’t cost us any more. Cool.

8. The catamaran was an exhilarating ride – it’s the “fast” boat, although an hour and a half is plenty of time for many to get seasick. I had the opportunity to offer some valuable tips learned many years ago as an Alaskan fisherman. (Keep your eye on the horizon, and breathe deep.) Unfortunately, for many, it was too late to offer the advice of eating canned peaches. (Because it tastes as good coming up as going down.)

9. I enjoyed meeting the Rasta Thai taxi driver and his laid back approach. Many of his competitors were louder and more persistent. This guy just said what he could do for us and stood back and let us make up our minds. He got our business, and the ride in the back of his truck was a fun introduction to the bustling scuba village of Ao Chalok Ban Kao on the island of Ko Tao.

10. The long walk on the beach was fun because we got to appreciate the design of our new packs. They are well-designed and comfortable, small enough to be carry-on luggage, and large enough for our two-month trip. They have solid wheels with sealed bearings for rolling and a sophisticated suspension system for carrying. Were we impressed enough to give ‘em a plug? Sure. Osprey Meridian.

11. We had our second Thai massage. This time, we booked two hours from the beginning. Again, it was phenomenal . . . and thorough. We were on a mat literally ten feet from the gently breaking surf. The ocean breeze kept us cool as the exotic tropical birds sang to us. It was perfect in every way. This massage was more expensive though – $13 . . . for two hours.

12. To rent the ocean kayak, we got to meet Mae, a friendly Thai woman with a charming smile.

13. The ride around the bend on the kayak was great fun. We explored four different clusters of remote bungalows, each time meeting more of the enterprising locals who have carved out a good life for themselves, catering to eco-travelers like us.

14. The paddle back around the point was exciting because we got caught in a tropical rainstorm. With no danger of hypothermia (like in Alaska), we just settled in and enjoyed the ride. As far as we could see in all directions, raindrops splashed into the sea. Each raindrop made a two inch splash. We were drenched and delighted.

15. Yoga on the beach at dawn was magical.

16. The early morning dip in the warm ocean melted away any lingering weariness from the journey.

17. Sitting on our very private balcony with the cool sea breeze and breathtaking view makes all the steps oh-so-worth-it.

The point: There were many steps required to manifest our desire. But every step brought its unforeseen serendipity. (In fact, there were at least as many serendipities as steps required to reach our goal.

Just like life itself, we found the joy, exhilaration and adventure of our journey in the details . . . and they always happen right here and now. Not in the future, or someday when we finally reach our goal, but in this moment.

One other important serendipity: Our final destination was even better than our original goal. We envisioned what we desired to manifest, but allowed the mental picture to morph and evolve as a result of all our experiences.

The trick is to remain present and grateful for whatever the moment brings. Once we realize that, and relax into the moment, it becomes easier to find the unforeseen surprises hidden along every step of the way.

Have a nice trip!     . . . and enjoy the serendipities . . . they’re in the details . . . here and now.

Just One Step Just begin. If you will just get underway, the project itself gains momentum and carries you along to its completion. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor12 Time of Our Lives Time is so fleeting, so elusive, it’s good to remember the importance and power of living right now. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor7 Songs by Tupelo
Goal Setting or Let Go and Let God There are two approaches people use to manifest their desires. Some set goals. Others surrender and presume the universe is conspiring to deliver to them their every desire without strain, in its own way and in its own time. Which way is better? Can these two methods be used together? Articles by Tupelo
Why wait for inspiration to strike? Be proactive, and go get it. Better yet, this newsletter brings it to you. "Inspired on Purpose" newsletter by Tupelo Kenyon contains articles, reviews and resources to supercharge your personal development, inspiration, productivity, abundance and joy. FREE e-book Instant download – when you subscribe. Personal Development Supercharger 101 Tips and Techniques by Tupelo Kenyon It’s FREE. Subscribe now. Enter name and email address below: Name: Email:
Privacy policy: Your email address is secure. I will not sell, rent or trade your information to anyone for any reason. Period. – Tupelo Kenyon

At a personal development retreat, a hundred people put their name in a basket in the hope of asking a spiritual leader a question. It could be spiritual, personal, or physical – there were no limits placed on the kinds of questions one could ask. I wrote my name on a small piece of paper, but hesitated before putting it in. I was surprised to realize that I didn’t have a burning question to ask, and thought by putting my name in the pot, it would add to the odds against someone else who did.

My friend was one. She had many questions to ask and struggled to find just one should her name be called. But it wasn’t called. That evening, away from the others, we talked about her question: “When you ask for guidance, how do you know if it comes from ego or true insight?”

Good question.

I have had the opportunity many times to speak on the topic of how to recognize our inner voice – how to tap into our well of wellbeing and find guidance from our true source. You could say that it is a pet subject of mine. It’s not because I have the answer, it’s because I’m fascinated by the question.

Simply put, this is how I know the difference when it is my ego shouting to be heard or it is my true self offering a guiding hand: I ask myself these questions.

1) Does the answer serve just myself or is it for the good of the whole? Ego is selfish, having a very limited perspective, trapped inside the mind. Our inner self is not selfish and small-minded because its perspective is from a higher plane of existence – unlimited and vast. Be honest with yourself. Ego hates it when you are.

2) When I think of acting on this guidance, what emotions does it provoke? Am I terrified or elated? Overwhelmed or excited? Resigned or exuberant? Is my heart closed or open? Our emotions are true mileposts of where our actions are taking us. We should notice and listen to them more often. True insight would never ask us to do something against our better good. Ego would.

It’s important to recognize whether it is ego or true insight when we ask for guidance.

But above all, we must remember to keep asking.

If it is meant to be, it will be

At the beginning of the summer, we were invited by our Native American shaman friend to accompany her and another friend to England to stand inside the great ring of Stonehenge at dawn. We were asked to sing a song as the brilliant sun warmed the stones to a deep pink. Now I ask you, who would say no to this once-in-a-lifetime experience?

But there were obstacles to overcome. Our bank account was one. Soaring fuel prices meant soaring flight fares as well – the highest in history. Also, we were scheduled to perform on that night at a retreat outside of Denver. The two experiences had an ocean and seven time zones between them. To date, we have never canceled a gig, and we had promised we would be there in Colorado. To say we were conflicted would be an understatement.

But if it is meant to be, it will be.

The universe began to work overtime on our behalf, allowing serendipities and circumstances to shift into place. We had to shift into that place of allowing as well. No amount of excuses or sabotaging could stop what is meant to be. With the generous heart of a friend with lots of frequent flyer miles, we were thrilled to find ourselves standing on English soil four days before the event.

When the day arrived for Stonehenge, we got there at 6, long before the night gave way to the day. The stars shone pure and perfect in the night sky. The air was cool and crisp as if freshly born. The deep fog settled low into the surrounding valley, making it look like we were on the shores of the Isle of Avalon in King Arthur’s realm. Magical would be the word.

At 6:30, we were escorted by the night guard to the giant stones, standing black against the brightening sky. He left, leaving the four of us, along with two rabbits eating peacefully on the lush grass, to absorb the magnificence.

All these months of planning, dreaming, preparing and traveling funneled down to this moment. This solitary, exquisite, magical moment. I was preparing myself to be amazed.

But then I had to go to the bathroom. I was appalled when the physical tromped in on my spiritual turf, demanding attention, but my morning cup of tea was done with me. There was no fighting it. I ran with heels on fire back to the main compound. But time slowed. I got back in plenty of time because it was meant to be that I would be there.

At 7:10, the sun peeked above the horizon, a cool red with the promise of heat that hadn’t reached us yet. We brought out our instruments and sang the song that Tupelo had written especially for this moment. Our voices blended in harmony, singing to “the quiet that waits forever.” The stones absorbed the vibrations, turning a deep rose, basking in the quiet. The rabbits lingered close by so they must have liked it too.

No words can describe the clear emotions and the quiet peace of being inside the stones on that morning. Four friends came together, reuniting with their past and changing their present.

But the cosmos didn’t crack open as many friends joked would happen. We didn’t get zapped by a stroke of light from the universe. We didn’t get beamed up. The change was subtle. The shift within, soft and pure. The experience, gentle – like rabbits snuggling into the grass.

We were meant to be there on that clear morning, at that moment. Money, circumstances, or conflicting scheduling couldn’t keep us from being there. I didn’t question it. I didn’t doubt it, but I am eternally grateful for all the invisible work behind the scenes done on my behalf.

As if that experience wasn’t perfect enough, we did make our gig outside of Denver that night with ten minutes to spare. I should have been exhausted from the long road back from Stonehenge, but it felt like I had placed my hand in a light socket. I was energized and electrified.

It all worked out with perfect timing and delicate rhyme.

I’m still amazed by is all, and I was reminded once again: If it is meant to be, it will be.

I’m in Greece. I’ve just turned 20, and I’m about to have my fortune read. I didn’t go willingly. I had no interest what-so-ever of knowing my future because I was having a great time traveling the world on a backpack and a prayer, and I didn’t need some gypsy telling me where my path was taking me. I wanted to find out for myself. It’s like Christmas morning – Why would I want to know what was in my gifts and spoil the surprise?

I also innately knew that our momentum into future events can change at any moment because of free will. I was flexing my free will muscles on a daily basis. They were becoming resilient and strong.

But I have to admit, I was a tiny bit intrigued. A fortune teller in Greece … how could I pass up this experience? And like I said, I was up for surprises.

My first surprise came when we didn’t walk down a creepy path to find a secluded hut in the dark hills, but took a bus to a middle class suburb of Athens. No bead curtains. No crystal balls and candles. No scarves and long skirts, heavy make-up or enchantment. She was a housewife. A plainly-dressed, American woman living off-base with her Army husband.

We sat around her Formica table under florescent lights and drank dense Greek coffee in little cups. When we were done, the thick grounds settled to the bottom. She flipped the cups upside down on each of the saucers and then talked about the latest presidential election.

My friend, Laura, a worldly woman from California and who has seen it all at the rip old age of 22, was first. The fortune teller looked at the mass of coffee grounds in her cup and talked in generalities. I don’t remember one thing she said to her. I just remember what she said to me.

She flipped over my cup, looked inside, gasped and turned it back over. She looked to her husband for guidance, her hand over her mouth. I stood up abruptly, my chair falling behind me. I pushed my hands out to her as if to stop an ill wind from forming.

“I don’t want to know!” I said.

Laura reached up and touched my arm.

“Janey,” she said in a soft tone, “This is just bullshit.”

She knew me well. She knew how much I trusted her. I took a deep breath and sat back down.

“I see death,” the woman said softly. “And soon.”

My mind quickly scanned the faces of my family back in the States. My heart clenched. Laura put her hand on my arm again. She squeezed. I got the message, and took another deep breath to calm down. I began to chant silently, this-is-bullshit, this-is-bullshit.

“It’s major, and it’s close.” The woman acted as if her words were rebelling to come out. I didn’t want to know specifics, but she didn’t let on that she knew any. I was relieved when we finally got out of there.

I wish I could say I believed Laura and not the fortune-telling woman, but my mind replayed her words over and over. Until one day, insight hit, and I laughed in the face of death.

This fortune telling episode happened during the first year of traveling when I had escaped the conventions of being a predictable hometown girl to find my own way. I was learning everyday about myself. It was shocking and thrilling and scary. I was exploring my freedom, my emotions, my inner voice. It was a brand new world. The old me had died. This death was major and it was close.

How about that? The old gal was right after all. What a nice surprise.

Occasionally an original thinker comes along, and everyone benefits. Steve Pavlina is such a person and his new book is destined to become a classic. It’s called “Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth.”

What I appreciate most about Steve’s style is that he has a fresh perspective. He’s obviously very intelligent (he earned a Bachelor’s degree in 3 semesters), but beyond his keen intellect is a well-balanced student of expanding consciousness. Yes he has a big brain, but his heart is equally well developed. Most personal growth experts are either brainiacs or love gurus. Steve has pioneered a refreshing blend of head and heart based on common sense and direct experience. This is a rare quality.

“My greatest breakthroughs usually come from personal experimentation…” – Steve Pavlina

His refreshing approach is obvious at the beginning of the book where he outlines how the book was born and how it is organized. (And yes, it is very organized!)

“It took me almost two and a half years, but I eventually found the solution I was looking for. It consists of just three core principles: truth, love and power. Four secondary principles are directly derived from the first three: oneness, authority, courage and intelligence. Oneness is truth plus love. Authority is truth plus power. Courage is love plus power. And intelligence is the total combination of truth, love and power . . . these principles are universal; they cannot be successfully compartmentalized without sacrificing something far more important – our true nature as conscious beings.” – Steve Pavlina

The book is organized around these fundamental principles. Personal anecdotes from Steve’s life illustrate his points and keep the material easy to grasp. The principles are sometimes obvious and sometimes deep. I found myself occasionally thinking, “Why didn’t I think of that?” (Many times, I did think of that, but had never articulated it so succinctly.) I appreciate his honest communication style and his gift of making deep concepts easy to catch.

“Genuine personal growth is honest growth. You can’t take short-cuts through the land of make-believe.” – Steve Pavlina

Truth

I resonated deeply with Steve’s recommendation for the importance of discovering your own truth and then learning how to live it on a moment-to-moment basis. We have all grown up in an era where we are brainwashed by the media. I know that’s a harsh assessment, but my own personal experience convinces me that it’s true. It’s a matter of degrees – some of us are mildly brainwashed and know it, while others are thoroughly brainwashed and clueless. (I explored this idea in depth in previous articles, “The Trouble with TV” and “Trade TV Time for Habits of Personal Development and Success.”)

“The cumulative effect of mass-media exposure is to condition you to adopt a false view of reality – one that upholds pro-advertiser values. The more you expose yourself to mainstream media such as television, the more skewed your mental model of reality becomes . . . this is a path of long-term laziness, apathy, and decay, not intelligent self-actualization.” – Steve Pavlina

Love

Here’s another topic that I have also explored in depth – connecting with other people. Steve explains how his wife, Erin helped him to open up to the fact that deep inside, we are really all one. Once that is experienced, relationships are forever changed. Close relationships become deeper, and new relationships begin to take on new dimensions. (I enjoyed exploring these important ideas in a previous article, “Meaningful Spiritual Relationships – Namaste Matters.” )

“There are few greater joys in life than the experience of conscious communication with another person. No ego games, false fronts, or manipulative tactics are employed. Both individuals simply want to connect with each other for the purpose of learning and growing. Once you’ve experienced such open, loving communication with another human being, it’s hard to settle for anything less.” – Steve Pavlina

Steve explains how Erin is a master of quick connections. She does this easily because she believes, rather she knows in her heart that we are all deeply connected, like individual cells forming one body. It’s not necessary for her to labor over creating new connections with people. Instead she just taps into the underlying connection she knows is already there. I’ve known a few people who can do this – my wife, Janey, for one, and it is a wonder to behold. It feels great, but I must admit, I’m still learning. I believe it, I love the idea of it . . . it’s just that I am still breaking through years of social conditioning and erroneous preconceived notions about our separateness.

“Instead of having to break the ice with someone, assume that there is no ice.” – Steve Pavlina

Power

The idea of exercising your own personal power and deliberately creating your best life is a theme that has run through many of my articles. I have known the value of this for a long time and continually explore new ways to do it better and better. It feels right to take the reins of life firmly in hand and deliberately steer it toward your deepest desires. What could be more important or more satisfying than to manifest the best version of yourself and the best life possible? (See “Your Passion as Your Compass,” and “Integrity Through Self-Reliance” and “Goal Setting or Let Go and Let God.”)

“When you set a goal that improves your present reality, what does it matter how long it takes to achieve the final outcome? Whether it takes one week or five years is irrelevant. The whole path is fun and enjoyable. More important, you feel happy and fulfilled this very moment. This drives you to take action from a state of joy, so you’re productive too. Instead of going after goals you think will make you happy in the distant future, focus on goals that make you happy right now.” – Steve Pavlina

Self-Discipline

Successful people usually have it. Unsuccessful people usually don’t. That’s a good clue about the importance of self-discipline in a successful and fulfilling life. To me, the idea of self-discipline is simply a promise I make to myself based on my current understanding on what’s best. It has to be best for me, as well as the good of the whole, for me to be able to get behind it and push when necessary.

“It’s your fail-safe, your motivational backup system . . . motivation starts the race, but self-discipline ultimately crosses the finish line.” – Steve Pavlina

Besides the satisfaction of completing self-appointed tasks as a result of well-functioning personal self-discipline, it feels good while the task is in progress too. It helps you feel good about yourself when you know you are capable of making an important promise to yourself . . . and then keeping it. (See previous article, “Self-Discipline in 3 Easy Steps.”)

Authority

Socrates said, “Know thyself.” That’s a good first step to being authentic. You can’t be yourself until you know yourself. Social conditioning has a way of turning us into homogenous drones . . . cogs in the wheel of industry and consumerism. There’s more to life that that. Much more. It all begins with our personal authority. Unless you assumne your own authority, don’t expect anyone else to simply grant it to you by default. (See previous article, “Know Thyself – Ignore Comparisons and Be Yourself.”)

“When you live without authority, your default behavior is to squander your time. You may acquire some knowledge, but you won’t apply it well. You may take some action, but your movements will be chaotic and unfocused. You have the potential to live a powerful, self-directed life of your choosing, but until you step into your true authority, this potential remains a fantasy.” – Steve Pavlina

Each of us have the responsibility and the profound privilege to take the raw materials of our life and turn it into the life of our dreams. It’s satisfying beyond measure – easily worth whatever it takes to learn how to do it well. This habit of mental discipline is not done in broad strokes but in the small details of life. It’s the little things over a period of time that add up to making a big difference. What are you doing today that has the potential of making a lasting difference in the quality of your life and your personal satisfaction?

“People of authority focus on what really matters to them. They don’t waste time on trivialities . . . What’s important to you in life? What’s a relative waste of your time? . . . If you can’t honestly predict a positive long-term impact from your actions, admit that you’re wasting your time, and set some goals that really matter to you. There’s no substitute for investing your life in something that has the potential to make a real difference.” – Steve Pavlina

Persistence

It’s easy to give up. Anyone can do that. And most people do. Succesful people, in all areas of life, are simply people who have tried and failed enough times to have gained a good education. They fall down, get up and keep going. They recognize it as part of the journey. The failures are opportunities to learn, so they don’t shrink from them. Instead they embrace the new lesson learned and press on. Persistent people are inspired people, and they are inspiring. (See previous article, “Persistence and Perseverance for Winners – Losers Just Quit“)

“I don’t get inspired by people who have all the external trappings of success like money and fame. I’m moved by those who I can see are destined for greatness, but no one else knows it yet. The telltale sign is always the same – persistence.” – Steve Pavlina

Courage

One of my favorite authors in Carlos Castaneda and the way he described his tutelage by the Yaqui Indian shaman, Don Juan. I’ve read all his books, some of them several times, so I wasn’t surprised when Steve Pavlina quoted Don Juan . . .

“Before you embark on [any path] ask the question: Does this path have a heart? If the answer is no, you will know it, and then you must choose another path . . . When a man finally realizes that he has taken a path without a heart, the path is ready to kill him.” – Carlos Castaneda

Does this idea hold any special meaning to you? The idea of a path with heart is a very personal idea, and only you can recognize the truth of your answer. It reminds me of the lyrics to one of my songs:

“And no one but you can find the answer to your quest
Your answer’s for you and not all the rest
(You know your answer’s the best, it’s not a contest)
The question is easy enough, and any honest answer is good enough
You really gotta know . . . . . what do you love?”
- From the song, “Do What You Love” by Tupelo Kenyon

When you are in alignment with what you love, your path has heart. You find it easy, even joyful, to take action. You’re commited, and you like it that way. It’s not a chore but a thrill to do things when you are on your path with heart. (To honestly explore your personal path with heart, see this previous article, “10 Steps to Discovering Your Life’s Purpose.”)

“It’s a great idea to consciously intent what you want, and I highly recommend you do that, but if you don’t want something badly enough to take direct action, then what does that say about your intention? Doesn’t that suggest you aren’t really commited to it? When you’re really hungry, will you wait patiently for food to arrive, or will you get up and make something to eat? When your intentions are important to you, direct action becomes part of the manifestation process. The best instruments of the Law of Attraction are your own hands and feet.” – Steve Pavlina

Intelligence

There’s something deeply satisfying about reading what an intelligent person has to say about intelligence. That’s one of the reasons why I have enjoyed reading Einstein’s words, who said, “Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.”

Steve is a very imaginative person, plus he has learned how to apply the knowledge he has gained. It takes intelligence to do that. His book allows him to take the next step which is to share what he has learned. He has worked hard on his communication skills because he recognizes the importance of sharing the wealth of his intelligence with others. I love being inspired by articulate, intelligent, big-hearted people . . .

“Intelligence is the highest form of human expression. Our intelligence is what defines us as human beings. It is our greatest strength, our staunchest ally, and our most noble pursuit. Without it, we are nothingness; we are form without substance and existence without purpose. It is only through the deliberate exercise of intelligence that we give our lives meaning, a meaning that is consciously chosen . . . the most intelligent thing you can possibly do with your life is to grow.” – Steve Pavlina

Habits

Personally chosen, deliberately cultivated habits help keep us on track. They are tools that allow us to translate our resolve into our daily lives. They simplify the day-to-day activities that help us get from where we are to where we want to be. Good habits are our friends, and I really appreciated the following jewels of insight Steve offered on the subject of habits . . .

“How do you know if a habit is positive or negative? Use your mind’s predictive powers to imagine what long-term, cumulative effect each one will have if you maintain it for the rest of your life . . .

“Since habits wield power over your results, you must wield power over your habits . . .

“Take a moment to consider the social consequences of your actions. Do your habits help others align themselves with truth, love and power, or does your behavior lead people astray? . . . Which habits put you on a path with a heart? . . . When your habits are aligned with truth, love and power, the guy in the glass is your friend.” – Steve Pavlina

Career

It’s inspiring to learn from someone who has figured out a way to harness his greatest gifts to experience abundance while helping others at the same time. This paradigm is still rarely manifested in our current society, but examples like Steve can inspire us to our own greatest potential of contribution.

“. . . the best way to optimize your income is to find a career medium that allows you to share your most important message. By sharing your message with others, you provide exactly the kind of value that can generate abundant income.” – Steve Pavlina

I appreciate Steve’s take on contribution vs. mooching. Many of us are taught to get as much as we can for as little as possible. That is, maximize the return while minimizing the input. The natural extension of this mindset is a nation (or a world) of people expecting a handout. It’s entitlement mentality run a muck.

Instead, Steve does a fine job of extolling the virtues (personally and globally) of a mindset based on contribution. When you provide value, it is inevitable that you receive value in return. It’s a wonderful idea and a tad sad that such a common sense approach has fallen out of favor in modern society. Imagine what it would be like if everyone dealt with one another with this dedication to contribution, rather than focusing on, “What can I get?”

“To build an authentic career, you need to find the path that keeps you aligned with truth, love and power. This requires paying attention to the following four questions:

1. Body (needs): What must I do?
2. Mind (abilities): What can I do?
3. Heart (desire): What do I want to do?
4. Spirit (contribution): What should I do?

“An authentic career is found in the place where all four of these questions produce the same answer . . . When you have all four areas working synergistically together, the combined effect is truly amazing. Instead of meeting your needs, you experience true abundance. Instead of applying your knowledge to your tasks, you unlock your true genius. Instead of tolerating your daily routine, you work in a state of joy. And instead of just putting in your time, you fill your days with a sense of purpose.” – Steve Pavlina

Money

It’s best to learn from those who know. I once had a college instructor who never once demonstrated what he taught. He taught a swimming class, and he never got wet. It was difficult to believe the teacher was much of an authority on the subject when he shouted his instructions from the sidelines. It would have been easier to learn from him if he would have joined us in the game.

StevePavlina.com is one of the world’s most popular personal development blogs (if not the most popular). With over two million visitors per month, he knows what he is talking about, whether he is speaking about personal development or financial development.

“. . . money is a human invention to facilitate the exchange of value. To shun money as something evil or unnecessary is a huge mistake. When properly aligned with truth, love and power, it becomes a valuable tool of conscious living – one that’s too important to ignore. If you want to live consciously, you must learn to use money intelligently . . . work within the area of overlap between your personal values and social values. This will enable you to do what you love while creating something that others treasure as well. Don’t force yourself to focus between your integrity and your income – demand that both be satisfied.” – Steve Pavlina

The section on money in Steve’s book is thorough and thought-provoking. It will challenge you to rethink your assumptions about money and how to get more of it. I feel confident almost everyone will benefit from this enlightened look at money.

“Do your best to create and share your value with others, and you’ll help create a richer and more abundant world for all of us.” – Steve Pavlina

Health

True to his commitment to personal experimentation, many of Steve’s major health improvements have been a result of his 30-day trial technique. This is how he proved to himself that his body responded best to vegetarianism. More energy, clearer focus, less sleep required, and other benefits convinced him to adopt it as a lifestyle choice after the 30-day trial period was over.

I am also interested in diet, nutrition and health and have devoured many books on the subject. I wrote a thorough review on one of my favorites. (See previous article, “Finally the Truth About Diet – The China Study Review.“)

The ideas in Steve’s section on health and in “The China Study” are not mainstream. In fact, they are controversial, not because they are so outrageous but because we have drifted so far away from common sense in our dietary choices. Yes, we are the product of insidious social conditioning and are trained to eat, not what is good for us, but what is most profitable for the advertisers to sell. Recognizing this fact is the first step to assuming responsibility for our own health and deliberately choosing what we put in our mouth.

“In order to be healthy today, you must exercise your self-discipline to overcome the drag of social conditioning. Summon the maturity to make intelligent choices for yourself, regardless of what throngs of sick people encourage you to do . . . the truth is that if the average person wouldn’t consider your current health practices extreme, you probably aren’t very healthy.” – Steve Pavlina

Diet and nutrition is a science in its infancy. It’s easy to find conflicting advice from different experts. (That’s one reason why I appreciated “The China Study” so much. It’s not based on any fad diet or conjecture or marketing hype. In fact, it’s based in emperical scientific evidence gathered during the largest nutritional study ever done on planet earth!)

Ultimately, each one of us makes the decision of what we eat. That one seemingly simple decision has a major impact on the level of health and vitality we experience throughout our lifetimes.

“You can delegate control, but never responsibility . . . If I give you any particular advice in this area that doesn’t resonate with you, you should reject it and trust your own judgement instead.” – Steve Pavlina

Relationships

We are all in this together and we are all in this alone. It’s an interesting paradox. Our lives are defined and given shape by the other people in our lives. The people we choose to spend time with influence us in many seen and unseen ways. Especially for those of us interested in personal development, we need to pick our companions carefully and deliberately in order to support our chosen direction of personal growth. (These ideas were explored in previous articles, “Choose the Companionship of Positive People Who Inspire You” and “Life Drama as Blockage to Personal Development.”)

“I’ve learned to place a great deal of trust in my feelings when it comes to relationships. When something feels wrong to me, I know the best thing I can do is to go to the other person and explain that something doesn’t seem right so that we can work together to sort it out. When you bring truth to your relationships, you build closeness and trust.” – Steve Pavlina

Some of our most important life lessons and aha moments come as a result of our relationships, so it makes sense to do our best to communicate well and be considerate of others. A little kindness goes a long way . . .

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting battles too,
Cruel wars within themselves, just like it is with you.
Be kind, because you’ll never know just how much good you’ll do,
A heartfelt word or two can soothe a hidden wound.

“Sometimes the ripples from our deed’s a gentle touch, doesn’t seem to matter much,
It’s like dropping flowers in the Grand Canyon.
And though we’ll never know just what becomes of them, it’s all the same to them,
So drop them anyway, because you can.”
- from the song, “Be Kind” by Tupelo Kenyon

One of the things I appreciate most about Steve’s book is the way he threads the themes of truth, love and power through all the aspects of personal development, including his very insightful look at relationships.

“Exchanges that are lacking in truth, love, or power eventually grow stale, but when all three elements are present, the blocks to deeper levels of connection and closeness are removed . . . What mix of truth, love, and power do you use to connect with others? Realize that your weakest channel will be the source of many of your communication problems . . . When you know your dominant connection strategy, you can use it deliberately to regain your closeness whenever you start feeling a little distant from one another.” – Steve Pavlina

Building close relationships involves an element of risk, but a little courage can make a big difference in the quality of your life. You can’t always expect other people to initiate the contact. Sometimes it’s up to you to extend your hand (and your heart) and invite people in. Imagine what you could miss out on, if you don’t.

“The biggest risks are missing out on laughs you never shared, people you never helped, and the potential partner you sentenced to solitude . . .

“Since all human relationships are impermanent, live with the awareness that every one of your current connections will eventually end. Take the time to appreciate them while they last, and don’t take them for granted. Even when a relationship ends in death, it can still continue in your thoughts. The memories of loving relationships can become your most sacred treasures.” – Steve Pavlina

One of our most popular songs explores this idea. Like love itself, it’s a timeless idea. Those we love go right on living in our hearts, long after they’ve left this world.

“And even though you’re hurting now, the hurting will not last,
The strength you gain from such a pain remains when it’s all past.
And even this will pass away, like this life itself someday,
And all that we take with us is the love we gave away.”
- from the song, “All That We Take with Us” by Tupelo Kenyon

Spirituality

In this section of the book, Steve challenges us to look at our idea of spirituality through the lenses of truth, love and power, rather than the conditioned habits of custom, peer pressure, and heredity. It’s an enlightened approach to spirituality, stripped clean of outdated dogma and exclusive ideas designed to keep us loyal to one particular brand. What passes for spirituality has a history of tearing us apart rather than bringing us together.

I love the way Steve encourages us to consider all things spiritual and take the best of what each has to offer. It assumes the ancient words of Shakespeare were actually true and that we actually care enough to keep an open mind rather than blindly clinging to any one viewpoint . . .”There are more things in heaven and earth than ever dreamed of by your philosophies.”

“Just as your physical senses act as a lens through which you perceive different subsets of reality, your spiritual senses also act as cognitive filtering mechanisms. These filters allow you to focus on bits and pieces of preprocessed information which may or may not be useful to you. The more spiritual sensory data you can access and comprehend, the richer your spiritual life will be, and the more accurately it will model truth . . .

“When we confront the key spiritual question of our lives, such as Who am I? And What is my purpose in life? . . . we can limit our input to a small subset of these channels. In general, when we limit our input too severely, we end up making things harder than necessary, much like trying to prepare a meal while wearing a blindfold and earplugs. This is what happens when we say, ‘I’m only going to consider this single spiritual point of view because it’s the one and only truth’ . . .

“Even though each channel of input has limited expressiveness, if you can access a diverse enough set of channels, each one compressed and filtered in different ways, you can develop a more accurate and complete picture of reality. Each belief system you consider provides another way of viewing the same underlying data, thus helping you develop a better understanding of the whole . . .

“By examining your problems from different philosophical viewpoints, you empower yourself. Holistic solutions finally start to emerge. You gain the ability to solve problems you were previously unable to solve . . . most of us are socially conditioned to overlook the simplicity of across-the-board, high-level solutions because we cling to fixed belief systems that prevent us from seeing the big picture.” – Steve Pavlina

These ideas are close to my heart as I look around the planet and see the result of so many people stubornly clinging to some particular brand of spirituality and refusing to see any merit in any other viewpoint. That’s got to be the manifestation of ultimate insecurity to not even be able to consider the validity of a different idea. (I explored this idea in previous articles, “Beyond the Brands of Truth” and “Beyond Science, Philosophy and Religion.”)

Clear thinking and honest exploration of truth is a refreshing approach to spirituality, and that’s why I appreciate Steve’s style of saying what he thinks and feels, even though it’s not the mainstream viewpoint. Far from it. But, I recognize that the tide is turning as more and more people worldwide are beginning to take responsibility for their own spirituality and making their own choices, rather than settling for being spoon fed by tradition.

“A multispectral philosophy of life – that is, one that combines input from multiple perspectives – aligns closely with what’s considered common sense . . .

“The point of spiritual exploration is to help you make conscious, empowering choices . . .

“Many serious conflicts in the world result from the decision to pass on beliefs that label other human beings as unworthy, damaged, or evil . . .

“Your beliefs are not merely observations of reality; they also shape and define your experience of reality. Many of the thoughts you hold most sacred may reveal hidden falsehoods once you take the opportunity to consider the alternatives.” –Steve Pavlina

Celebrating an Expansive Viewpoint

This empowering book, like all great books, performs magic. It allows us to take a peek inside one of the great minds of our time. As a result, it makes the inside of my head (and heart) feel bigger. What more could you ask for in a book?

These last Steve Pavlina quotes do a fine job of tying it all together . . .

“The ultimate goal of any sound spiritual path is to be infinitely truthful, infinitely loving, and infinitely powerful. By extension, this also requires infinite oneness, infinite authority, and infinite courage . . .

“If it were somehow possible for everyone on earth to come together and agree on a single spiritual philosophy, it would be one that incorporates the universal principles of truth, love, and power. These are the ideals that guide us not only as human beings, but also as spiritual beings . . .

“Invest in creative self-expression, service and contribution, and you will suffer no scarcity. Your greatest gift to the world is to share who you really are . . . No one is served by your refusal to shine.” – Steve Pavlina

Personal Appreciation

Although I don’t personally know Steve and his wife, Erin, they both feel like old friends that Janey and I haven’t yet met. Steve’s writings have been a source of inspiration and encouragement to me for a couple of years. I first went to his website as a result of a link in an email from Derek Sivers, founder of CDbaby.com. Derek was impressed that anyone could graduate from college after only three (very busy) semesters, and recommended an article Steve wrote on how he accomplished that.

I began exploring his other articles and it soon became clear I had found a kindred spirit. His example inspired me to begin writing again, and TupeloKenyon.com was born shortly thereafter. The blog spawned the “Inspired on Purpose” newsletter which provides satisfaction and inspiration for myself as well as others. I have Steve Pavlina to thank for all this.

Thanks Steve, for all you do . . . and all you are.

Sincerely,
Tupelo Kenyon

P.S. Get this book, while it’s in first edition. It’s a classic, and I could only hint at it’s empowering breadth and depth in this (rather long) gushing review.

While reading, did you choose to hear the relaxing instrumental music linked at the beginning of this article? To learn more about it, click here.

Listen FREE to the songs below . . . chosen to enhance the ideas in this article.

Do What You Love Discovering what we have a true passion for, and then figuring out a way to build a life around that passion is one of life’s greatest feelings of accomplishment. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor10 Be Kind Your example and the kindness shown to others can have a rippling affect that goes on and on. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor9 All That We Take With Us Even sorrow brings us gifts of deeper understanding and a clearer perspective of what is really important. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor3 Endless Journey Traveling has so many gifts to give! Spectacular scenery, interesting cultural differences, and the inspiring people you’ll meet. What a well-rounded education is provided by getting away and looking around . . . and, it’s an inspiring education that never has to end. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor8 Songs by Tupelo
The Trouble with TV Does TV enhance our life experience or get in the way of living our lives? Celebrate life with this refreshing perspective on the boob tube. Trade TV Time for Habits of Personal Development You” be glad you did, and once you go through the withdrawal stage, you’ll never look back. Your Passion as Your Compass Allow your passions to stretch their wings and the direction of your life could surprise you – in a good way. Celebrate life with passion! Integrity Through Self-Reliance When you live your life as if the whisperings from your soul really matter, you are living life in your own way, on your own terms, based on your own realizations on what is right . . . what is good . . . and what is true for you. You are tuned into your own station. The signal you are receiving and the message you are broadcasting with the story of your life are both on the same frequency. You are joyfully and gratefully choosing your favorites from the buffet of life. Goal Setting or Let Go and Let God There are two approaches people use to manifest their desires. Some set goals. Others surrender and presume the universe is conspiring to deliver to them their every desire without strain, in its own way and in its own time. Which way is better? Can these two methods be used together? Self-Discipline in 3 Easy Steps Why is it so difficult to follow through and accomplish what you set out to do? Usually, there is one important missing ingredient: personal discipline. For most of us, the idea of discipline is an external force – it’s something that comes from the outside. For instance, we discipline our children. Most of us are familiar with discipline as a verb (something we do to someone else), but we’re not so familiar with the concept as a noun – something we cultivate from within and apply to ourselves. Know Thyself – Ignore Comparisons and Be Yourself The average person is content to base self-knowledge on comparisons to other people. If this is the measure of self-knowledge, it is based on someone else’s standards. This practice misses the point of “Know Thyself.” Instead, it’s all about how to fit in. We are all unique individuals with our own strengths, talents and nudges leading us to embrace our own best life. True knowledge of self is attained from personal insights of looking inwardly rather than outwardly towards others. Persistence and Perseverance for Winners – Losers Just Quit Giving up is easy. Most people make a habit of giving up. In fact, they make a life of it Persistence through a solution-oriented attitude is for visionaries, dreamers and other winners who refuse to take “no” for a final answer. 10 Steps to Discovering Your Life’s Purpose Of all the self-help ideas I’ve come across through the years, this one has been the most helpful. For me, it’s been the Rosetta Stone of personal development techniques. After getting a handle on the idea of “purpose”, other areas of my life fell into place more easily. Finally the Truth About Diet – The China Study Review Finally, here’s an authoritative diet and nutrition book based on hard science and exhaustive research. This revealing book is written by one of the world’s most respected authorities in the field of nutrition. In his own words, he has been “in the system for almost fifty years, at the very highest levels, designing and directing large research projects, deciding which research gets funded and translating massive amounts of scientific data into national expert panel reports.” There is so much useful information in this book, I consider it one of the most important books I have ever read and give it my highest recommendation. Change your diet and change the quality of your life. Choose the Companionship of Positive People Who Inspire You If the people you spend the most time with are inspiring, supportive, encouraging, and they demonstrate qualities you want to emulate – great, you are on the right track. If not, it’s up to you to do something about it. Life is too short to put up with other people’s pity parties, bitch-and-moan marathons, and oh-woe-is-me clubs. Life Drama as Blockage to Personal Development Some people seem to relish drama in their lives. They go from one catastrophe to another. They thrive on it as if drama is what makes them feel alive. You may be able to see that they are attracting these experiences by their daily thoughts and feelings. But, they don’t recognize it from within the narrow confines of their personal drama. To someone immersed in drama, the idea that they are creating it is completely foreign. With intent, practice and mindfulness, what was once considered drama that snowballed out of control becomes simply examples of the contrasts of life to help you sharpen your preferences and shape your desires. Beyond the Brands of Truth Truth depends upon your belief. If you believe something is true, that makes it true . . . true for you. Of course, if you don’t believe that statement, never mind, because your belief defines your truth in another direction. But, we can commit to finding our own personal truth. We can hope our example will inspire others to look inside for their own truth rather than looking outside at the tumultuous world of competing brands of “truth.” Beyond Science, Philosophy and Religion Is truth absolute or relative? Is there anything beyond science, philosophy and religion? Many of the world’s top quantum physicists think there is. Celebrate life by stretching you imagination. Articles by Tupelo

I need to know how . . . at least I think I do. It must be programming – long established, deeply anchored patterns of thought in my brain’s left hemisphere. The logical, systematic part of me insists upon knowing the step-by-step details of exactly how a thing is to be done.

Understandable, I guess. After all, that’s what school was all about – methodology and left-brain thinking. The attributes and benefits offered by the right-brain were mostly ignored. This was probably due to a large-scale lack of understanding.

The intuitive, touchy-feely right-brain approach to life is a new realization. As more people (and more educators) grow to understand it, I’m hoping our kids will eventually receive a more balanced, holistic education. (For a fascinating and inspiring look at how all this right-brain / left-brain stuff works, check out a previous article and the linked video: “Inspiration from a Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor.”)

According to my current understanding, the right brain interfaces with the world through inner guidance, hunches and feelings, with the help of coincidences and serendipities. All that sounds like an adventurous approach to life, but I must admit it’s not exactly the scientific world view pounded into my head by the educational system.

“Coincidences are a true paradox… on the one hand they seem to be the source of our greatest irrationalities–seeing causal connections when science tells us they aren’t there. On the other hand, some of our greatest feats of scientific discovery depend on coincidences.” – Josh Tenenbaum

The current educational system was designed and implemented by wealthy industrialists whose motivation was to train their labor force to keep the wheels of industry (and their profits) healthy. We were trained to be effective employees – well-greased cogs in the wheel. As a result, much was omitted from our education.

An example of a significant piece of the puzzle glossed over in school is the Law of Attraction. When I think back over my life, I realize how much I’ve benefited from learning about the Law of Attraction. I look around and see the results of my partial grasp of this powerful principle. (For details, see previous article: “The Law of Attraction.)

In a nutshell, the Law of Attraction says to focus clearly on WHAT we want to manifest into our lives and trust the infinite wisdom and inexhaustible resourses of the universe to work out HOW. Even after a few decades of being aware of this powerful principle, my WHAT is still accompanied by thoughts of HOW. They still come as a seemingly inseparable pair . . .

Peanut Butter and . . . . . . Jelly.
Abbott and . . . . . . Costello.
Pride and . . . . . . Prejudice.
What and . . . How.

I’d like to believe I’m getting better at it, even though I recognize I’ve got a ways to go. Hopefully, the realization that I could do it better is the first step to making it so.

In the past, when I was freshly brainwashed by the system, my thinking went something like this: “I want that . . . but since I can’t see any possible way to get it, it would be easier to just give up and pretend I don’t really want it. So, never mind about that thing I thought I wanted. I’ll try to only want things that I can understand the HOW.”

These days, I endeavor to approach it a little differently. Whenever I think, “I want that” . . . I’ll honestly admit that I don’t presently understand HOW it could be possible, but I choose to suspend disbelief.

Deliberately Suspend Disbelief

That seems to be a key point to this whole Law of Attraction approach to making dreams come true. Instead of pretending you really don’t want something when you know you do, allow the desire to remain. Don’t judge it. Don’t label it grandiose or improbable or impossible. Just acknowledge it and let it be. Declare a peaceful co-existence with it.

It’s not necessary for you to immediately know anything whatsoever about the HOW every time you desire a new WHAT.

You don’t even have to work at convincing yourself that you believe in all this right-brained, new-age woo-woo.

All you have to do is refrain from disbelief.

Be Neutral.

Your commitment to neutrality gives the Law of Attraction the benefit of the doubt. You honestly acknowledge what you want (instead of pretending you don’t) and you gently let it be. This approach gives YOU the benefit of the doubt too, because you’re not working against yourself.

Because of our predominant left-brained training, most of us try to manifest our desires in a very awkward manner. We typically work against ourselves in two important ways . . .

1) Whenever a new desire surfaces, if we don’t immediately see the HOW, we turn our back on the desire and pretend we really don’t want it. That’s bullshit and our inner self knows it.

2) If the HOW is not apparent, we believe the desire is simply not possible. This quick-to-adopt “belief” is not based on fact – it’s simply an uninformed opinion. It springs from a narrow, suffocating, self-defeating attitude.

This premature “belief” that something is impossible makes it so. Once again, if you are absorbed in the left-brain approach, you’re working against yourself. If you can’t count on yourself to be in your own corner, then who can you count on? Why would you do that to yourself?

Fortunately, quality resources are becoming available where we can learn how to approach our desires (and our lives) with a more balanced, holistic style. We can still benefit from the important left-brain mechanics we learned in school, but we can add the powerful right-brain skills now being taught as the The Law of Attraction and The Secret. (In fact, Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield and Michael Beckwith of “The Secret” fame have joined forces to teach these powerful skills. See their SGR website. Impressive!)

Realizing our education was rather one-sided is only half the battle. Next, we’ve got to do something about it. It’s important to be proactive and learn these life-enhancing skills deliberately. A recent experience brought this point home . . .

A couple of good friends recently told us they were going to England for a whirlwind tour of some of the sacred sites including GlastonburyTor and Stonehenge. Their friend is going too and she just happens to be a retired professor of language, archaeology, anthropology and. . . quote . . . “the world’s foremost expert on ancient mystery schools.” Our friend also mentioned (in so many words) that her intuition tells her we are to accompany them and provide an important song.

This friend has always been very inspiring. She never worries about HOW. She just listens to her intuition (closely) and lives her life accordingly. It’s a rare skill and one worthy of emulating.

In the old days, I would have said, “Yeah right . . . $3000 for the plane tickets, another grand for hotels and ground transportation, and blah, blah, blah . . .” My knee-jerk, left-brain response would have choked off the potential before it ever had a chance to bloom.

Fortunately, this time I remembered to approach it like this . . . “Hell yeah, of course we’d like to go. I have no idea HOW, but this sounds like a trip of a lifetime.”

I chose NOT to believe it was an impossible fantasy. I chose to shift into neutral and hang out with the desire and enjoy how good it feels to think about it.

A few days later, a new song was born called, “The Quiet Waits Forever.” Immediately I knew this is the song our friend alluded to. When she heard it, shed knew it too. It came easy and quick, so it seemed only natural to keep an open mind and be on high alert for coincidences.

“Coincidences are spiritual puns.” – G.K. Chesterton

Long story short – the trip was made possible in a way that we never would have anticipated. A new friend heard us talking about the unusual circumstances, and was moved to offer an amazing gift. She offered her frequent flier miles to cover our plane fare because she has “lots and lots and lots.” (Thank you Francie!)

Coincidence? Serendipity? Law of Attraction? Dumb Luck? I don’t know what to call it, but I do recognize that it would never have happened with my old left-brain approach. It’s easy to guess what would have happened if I would have immediately written it off as an impossible pipe-dream because the HOW was not apparent with the WHAT. With that attitude, nothing could happen – no coincidence, no serendipity . . . nothing. That closed-minded approach is self-defeating. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“We could call it a coincidence, if that would be better for you,
But the way that it all fell into place was more than I could do.

Is that a glimmer of recognition, fleeting in our eyes,
A random act of happenstance, or a miracle in disguise.

I’m counting on a miracle, expecting a surprise,
Insight right between the eyes, or a miracle in disguise”
- from the song, “Miracle in Disguise” by Tupelo Kenyon

Instead, we just savored the idea of a wonderful journey, and lo and behold, the universe worked out the details and handed it to us. We didn’t even have to profess a belief in the woo-woo. All we did was chose not to dis-believe.

Little by little, I’m learning. Try it, and see what magic shows up in your life . . .

* Recognize what you want.

* Don’t deny you want it just because you don’t see HOW.

* Release disbelief in the possibility.

* Imagine what it feels like to manifest the desire (now, in present tense).

* Enjoy the process, and quit pretending you know more about the details of HOW than the entire universe. (For all you know, the universe may be conspiring on your behalf behind the scenes to bring you everything you desire and allow.)

Another important realization:

Even if all this new-age, right-brain woo-woo turns out to be poppycock, so what?

It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what others think. Your thoughts and your feelings matter. What matters is living a satisfying, adventurous, love-filled life.

Your life. Your way.

Whatever it takes and whatever you call it, regardless of the belief system you adopt, your quality of life is the bottom line.

So allow your desires to see the light of day. Work with them and not against them. (See previous article: “The Dilemma of Desire.”)

Celebrate life with a sense of awe and wonder. It’s good to be alive. What a grand adventure!

While reading, did you choose to hear the relaxing instrumental music linked at the beginning of this article? To learn more about it, click here.

Listen FREE to the songs below . . . chosen to enhance the ideas in this article.

Miracle in Disguise Synchronicity is such a positive and hopeful idea, it begs the question, "Why not actively look for it and even expect it, as long as it feels good?" http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor11 Don’t Tell Me No Just don’t do it. It’s better that way . . . for both of us! http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor3 Time of Our Lives Time is so fleeting, so elusive, it’s good to remember the importance and power of living right now. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor7 Take the Plunge Their advice is "for your own good", but the last thing you need to hear is their worst-case scenario. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor11 No, Yes! Examines the folly of continually holding conflicting thoughts at the same time. Yes I can. No I can’t. I want that. But do I really deserve it? Around and around it goes. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor10 Traveler Hearing about another’s experiences can be inspiring, but to really know for sure what it’s like, there’s nothing like personal experience. "Go, so you will know." http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor4 Just One Step Just begin. If you will just get underway, the project itself gains momentum and carries you along to its completion. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor12 Celebrate Life Create your own personal celebration of life by your choices, rather than allowing life to be something that merely happens to you, or around you. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor2 Songs by Tupelo
	Manifestation Fill-In-the-Blank Formula Here’s a simple technique you can adapt to your own style. First, I’ll give you the formula as I currently use it. Next, I’ll discuss each word so you’ll see how it has evolved into its present state. Then, I’ll add some supporting information to provide you with a ready-to-go affirmation for your own experimentation. This manifestation technique is built around one simple sentence . . . The Law of Attraction With anything as important as the law of attraction, it’s a good idea to hear it described many times from many different angles. This article looks at it from several viewpoints as well as revealing how to get the understanding of the law of attraction from the prime source. Many links are provided including links to streaming mp3 songs that incorporate the principles of attraction in the lyrics. Celebrate life with an ever-clearer grasp of how the law of attraction determines your life experience. The Dilemma of Desire What is desire? Where does it come from? Why do we have it? Does it serve us in a positive way, or does it distract us and keep us perpetually in discontent? This article sheds some light on these important questions so that each of us can find our own answers. Goal Setting or Let Go and Let God There are two approaches people use to manifest their desires. Some set goals. Others surrender and presume the universe is conspiring to deliver to them their every desire without strain, in its own way and in its own time. Which way is better? Can these two methods be used together? Balancing Desire with Contentment It’s a fine line we walk between wanting more and feeling satisfied with what we have. Desire is unavoidable – it comes with the territory. So, the trick is to find the balance. There’s a middle ground to be found where deep feelings of contentment and satisfaction are spiced with the delicious excitement of something more on the horizon. How to Live the Life of Your Dreams Through Intuition Intuition feels good. That should be enough of a clue it’s something that can be trusted. But, our culture has done a thorough job of instilling doubt about the wisdom of following our instincts. Instead, we are taught to think things through and be logical. These mental tools are important, but they were never intended to be used instead of intuition. They work better when used in conjunction with intuition. If we are open to it, we get nudges and insights to move us in the direction of our greatest joys, our most valuable contributions, and our most satisfying life. Those quiet whispers and gentle taps on the shoulder are examples of inner guidance in action – intuition. How to Accelerate Manifestation Whenever a new desire or grand plan is born within us, the tendency is to share it with others. Every time we talk about it, the energy of the dream seems to deflate a little more, until it becomes merely a topic of idle chatter. Why is that? How can we add to the excitement and urgency of our dreams instead, and speed up their manifestation? Inspiration from a Stroke of Insight from Jill Bolte Taylor You’ve heard about the "right brain" and the "left brain," right? The left brain is all about logic and sequential thinking and the right brain is all about the abstract flow of consciousness and how it relates to "the big picture." Have you ever heard a description about watching from a peaceful, detached viewpoint as the cognitive brain functions slowly quit functioning? Have you ever heard anyone talk about what it feels like when the inner chatter finally quits and all that’s left is awareness? On this video, you will. Articles by Tupelo

Intuition can provide you with some amazing viewpoints, helpful solutions and unexpected answers. As you develop the habit of becoming still and looking within for clues, it gets easier to hear that still, small voice within.

How can this inner communication become a trusted resource? How can it be leveraged to consistently increase the quality of life?

The answer my intuition provides for that question seems disarmingly simple – implement what you learn.

Actions

Ideas are cheap. Answers are easy. Solutions are more plentiful than problems because there are usually several ways to solve any particular problem. Intuition is happy to provide these insights and delighted when we notice help is being given. But these whisperings from the subtle side are all useless unless we actually do something with what we learn.

“For whereas the mind works in possibilities, the intuitions work in actualities, and what you intuitively desire, that is possible to you. Whereas what you mentally or ‘consciously’ desire is nine times out of ten impossible; hitch your wagon to a star, or you will just stay where you are.” – D. H. Lawrence (1885 – 1930)

Did you ever wake up in the middle of the night with a great idea? Here’s an example of one way intuition is providing answers to your questions . . . spoken and unspoken.

Have you ever told yourself you’d remember the idea in the morning and gone back to sleep? Was the idea there in the morning?

Usually ideas like that are long gone by morning. Occasionally they can be resurrected. Maybe these words can serve as a catalyst to help you remember something important that you had forgotten until this moment. Pause to reflect on it, and allow your mind to recapture the idea and let it expand

Write it Down

All too often, ideas and answers delivered by our intuition are gone forever. Why? Because we never took action. In fact, sometimes we don’t even bother to write it down. Instead we fall for that old trick, “Oh, I’ll remember THAT!”

But do you? Have you remembered it in the past? Always? What’s the point of encouraging and developing intuition, only to ignore it when it offers help?

“As soon as you think it, ink it.” – Mark Victor Hansen

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost a song idea by not writing it down immediately when inspiration struck. I told myself, “Surely I’ll remember it!” Yeah, right. Occasionally. Usually not.

It’s a shame to lose a potentially good song, but that’s nothing compared to the “big questions” intuition can help us shed light upon. These are clues we don’t want to lose. That’s why it’s so important to get in the habit of capturing insight now, in the moment, while it’s fresh.

Later is an Illusion – Capture it Now

I read about neuroscience research findings concerning intuitive insights. Any new idea not captured within 37 seconds will likely be forgotten. After seven minutes, it’s almost certain to be gone forever.

So how do you compensate for such a rapid evaporation rate? You simply develop the habit of capturing intuition whenever possible. Too much trouble? Take a moment to review what’s at stake, and see if that will help you generate the internally driven inspiration needed to actually get it done.

“Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. – Steve Jobs (b. 1955

It’s an Easy Habit to Be Ready for Inspiration

Here’s how I do it. I prefer to wear shirts with a pocket. I almost always keep a small spiral notepad and a pen there. Through the years, I’ve been able to capture some helpful nuggets, just by my willingness to be prepared.

We travel quite often. Janey keeps a small notebook within easy reach while we’re rolling down the road. Frequently, she grabs her pen and writes for a couple of minutes, grabbing an idea while it’s fresh.

I also have a miniature recorder that I keep by the bed. It’s funny when Janey wakes up abruptly saying, “Huh?” When she realizes I’m whispering into my recorder again, she rolls over and goes back to sleep. She’s used to me writing in the dark or talking to the recorder in the middle of the night.

Use It

Receiving, recognizing and capturing intuition is a good start, but it’s a job half done. Without implementation, it’s all for nothing. Whenever possible, I try to take action on my inner impulses as soon as possible. Whenever I do, I find that related impulses come right on the heels of my action.

When I take action on that, more intuition arrives. As the time gap continues to shorten between the nudge and the action, it begins to feel easy, effortless, even magical.

Let’s examine the opposite. If you get a nudge and don’t write it down and don’t take action on it, that’s another way of saying you’re ignoring it. That sends a message to your intuitive nature that goes something like this, “Yeah, I heard you, but I’m too busy. Not interested. Thanks but no thanks.”

With this attitude, it’s natural for intuition to dry up. Use it or lose it. In my own experience, if I go through a spell where I “put off” song idea impulses, before long they quit coming. Ouch.

“Trusting your intuition means tuning in as deeply as you can to the energy you feel, following that energy moment to moment, trusting that it will lead you where you want to go and bring you everything you desire.” – Shakti Gawain (b. 1948)

It’s all about trust. It’s about a way of life beyond the narrow confines of the logical mind. Logical, predictable, left-brained thinking definitely has its place, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

“Intuition isn’t the enemy, but the ally, of reason.” – John Kord Lagemann

“Brain researchers estimate that your unconscious data base outweighs the conscious on an order exceeding ten million to one. This data base is the source of your hidden, natural genius. In other words, a part of you is much smarter than you are. The wise people regularly consult the smarter part.” – Michael J. Gelb, author of “How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci”

“Intuition comes very close to clairvoyance; it appears to be the extrasensory perception of reality. All great men are gifted with intuition. They know without reasoning or analysis, what they need to know.” – Alexis Carrel (1873 – 1944)

Many of the most brilliant people who have ever lived tapped into their intuition and used it daily. When it becomes a habit, it becomes expected and natural. It’s an effortless way of life – a no-brainer. To others, not privy to the process, it looks like living in the flow, like magic.

“The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery. There comes a leap in consciousness, call it intuition or what you will, and the solution comes to you, and you don’t know how or why.” – Albert Einstein

“Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next.” – Dr. Jonas Salk (b. 1914), doctor, discoverer of polio vaccine.

“During [these] periods of relaxation after concentrated intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and can produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight.” – Fritjof Capra, physicist

Watch for clues. They come in many ways . . . goose bumps, (a.k.a. thrill bumps), a sudden chill, butterflies in the pit of your stomach, a constricted feeling in your chest, a sudden, expansive feeling of relief, sudden nausea. These are examples of how effective your body can be at communicating with you directly, without the need for words. If you are pondering a particular question and your body gives you one of these sensations, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to translate the message . . . “Yes” feels good. “No” feels bad.

“The mind can assert anything and pretend it has proved it. My beliefs I test on my body, on my intuitional consciousness, and when I get a response there, then I accept.” – D. H. Lawrence (1885 – 1930)

Other times, you may see words form on the inner screen of your mind. Or you may hear words in your imagination. How do you know if these “messages” are real?

“Trust your feelings, Luke.” – Obee One Kenobee, “Star Wars”

True messages often come with a feeling of lightness, euphoria or joy. Questionable ones are often accompanied with a sense of foreboding, doubt or fear. If a new idea shows up and it gives you energy and hope, that’s a good vote of confidence that you can trust it.

If you feel drained of energy, that’s a good clue your intuition is warning you to go the other way. Intuition has its own language, and like any other language, it becomes easier with deliberate resolve, attention and practice.

“Intuition isn’t mystical.” – Dr. James Watson – Nobel laureate and co-discoverer of DNA

When we’re in the flow, it’s effortless and it feels good. Very good. We expect intuitive help, and our expectation expedites its manifestation. We expect it to be helpful and so it is. We expect it to enhance the quality of life, and so it does.

We expect to be in the zone . . . enjoying the benefits of a life inspired on purpose by inspiration. And so we are. And so it is.

While reading, did you choose to hear the relaxing instrumental music linked at the beginning of this article? To learn more about it, click here.

Listen FREE to the songs below . . . chosen to enhance the ideas in this article.

Miracle in Disguise Synchronicity is such a positive and hopeful idea, it begs the question, "Why not actively look for it and even expect it, as long as it feels good?" http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor11 Angels Around Us Is it your higher self, or your guardian angel, or perhaps an over-active imagination? http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor3 Blue Water Water and the sea are such perfect metaphors for the larger reality we are all immersed in. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor6 What Would Love Do Now It’s tough to remember to ask yourself this question in the heat of the moment, but it can pay big dividends. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor10 Take the Plunge Their advice is "for your own good", but the last thing you need to hear is their worst-case scenario. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor11 Here A love song to the beloved and/or to the larger part of ourselves. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor16 Ten Purdy Word Song The style and mood of the song matches the flow of the words themselves, painting a colorful word picture that is easy on the ears. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor14 Songs by Tupelo
Inspiration from a Stroke of Insight from Jill Bolte Taylor You’ve heard about the "right brain" and the "left brain," right? The left brain is all about logic and sequential thinking and the right brain is all about the abstract flow of consciousness and how it relates to "the big picture." Have you ever heard a description about watching from a peaceful, detached viewpoint as the cognitive brain functions slowly quit functioning? Have you ever heard anyone talk about what it feels like when the inner chatter finally quits and all that’s left is awareness? On this video, you will. Prepare to be amazed, moved, inspired and thrilled with this intelligent look at something that is rarely seen . . . and the fact that you’re hearing about all this from a brain scientist makes it even more fascinating. Get a Broader Perspective – Do It Different and Work Smarter When I think of the view from our broader perspective, to me, it means the viewpoint of our inner self . . . who we really are. Without the filters of our ego, the world looks quite different. The problem is . . . this lofty viewpoint seems illusive. People occasionally identify with broader perspective with no apparent effort or intent, but it’s rare to arrive at such a viewpoint accidentally. More commonly, brief glimpses are caught deliberately by intent, and repeated by personal discipline and the use of clever techniques. Transform Your Inner Critic into Your Inner Coach Whatever is the predominant thought and attitude about any given subject is what we create in our experience. So if we allow our inner critic to run amuck with the usual garbage dished out by the modern media conglomerates and cultural conditioning, we lock ourselves into a self-perpetuating cycle of negativity, lack and disempowerment. If you look beneath the surface, these prolific comments from our inner critic contain concealed, valuable and powerful gifts. To receive the gifts, it’s necessary to shift your attitude about the nature of the inner critic self-talk. Quit considering it as a negative hindrance and out-of-control annoyance bent on your self-destruction. Instead, see it as an attempt at communication from your higher self, urging you to make improvements in order to live up to your potential. How to Live the Life of Your Dreams Through Intuition Intuition feels good. That should be enough of a clue it’s something that can be trusted. But, our culture has done a thorough job of instilling doubt about the wisdom of following our instincts. Instead, we are taught to think things through and be logical. These mental tools are important, but they were never intended to be used instead of intuition. They work better when used in conjunction with intuition. If we are open to it, we get nudges and insights to move us in the direction of our greatest joys, our most valuable contributions, and our most satisfying life. Those quiet whispers and gentle taps on the shoulder are examples of inner guidance in action – intuition. Inspire Yourself on Purpose – Inspiration from Inside Out Here are twelve common sense reminders on how to inspire yourself. The word “inspire” derives from root words that mean “in spirit” or “spirit within.” Although there’s always another step to take, these points are a natural result of recognizing and identifying with this realization of who we really are. How Do You Feel – About Inner Guidance? Is it a hunch? Is it a voice in your head? Is it something you feel? Don’t confuse what you feel with who you are. Once you are able to access this awareness of pure being and identify yourself with it, you won’t get carried away by whatever emotional cloud happens to be passing by. Celebrate life through one of the more subtle forms of communication available to us – inner guidance. Articles by Tupelo

Truth is one. Opinions are many. Or does the following sound more like the truth?

Truth is relative, depending upon the opinion of the beholder. Or how about this . . .

Truth depends upon your belief. If you believe something is true, that makes it true . . . true for you. Of course, if you don’t believe that statement, never mind, because your belief defines your truth in another direction.

Truth is Many

Obviously, there are many versions of truth . . . or at least, perceived truth. A quick glance around the planet reveals a dizzying array of diverse “truths.”

These truths are a reflection of the culture and century they are born into. Only a thousand years ago, the truths of the day included such gems as these:

• Bathing is hazardous to health.

• Women interested in learning about herbs and potions are witches and should be burned alive.

• The earth is flat and is the center of the universe.

• God demands that everyone subscribes to only one version of truth. All others are heretics and should be killed. (In the name of God, of course . . . yes, that’s the same God who decreed “Thou shalt not kill,” but this is an exception to that rule – a divine loophole in this particular brand of “truth.”)

“The belief that there is only one truth and that oneself is in possession of it seems to me the deepest root of all evil that is in the world.” – Max Born (1882-1970) – German physicist

The Birth of a Brand of Truth

When temporal truths become sanctioned policies of some official organization, they become brands. This is the truth about truth, and it has been this way for millenia. For many, the idea of truth is merely a brand that has been effectively marketed until it becomes a belief. A belief is simply a thought that is repeated over and over again. It is repeated because it’s in the interest of some brand of truth to have as many people as possible supporting their particular “take” on truth.

What’s Behind the Smoke and Mirrors?

An objective look at this phenomenon reveals that the various brands of truth have an agenda. Usually, the agenda is obvious – they want their brand to grow and prosper in order to increase the power base and affluence of those who are founders or stewards for each particular brand of truth.

Sometimes the agenda for a particular brand of truth is not so apparent. How do you get to the bottom of their motivation for spreading their particular brand? There’s one reliable method, proven effective through the millennia: Follow the money trail.

Lighthouses Through the Ages

Sure, there are altruistic individuals in every discipline, sincere and passionate about their personal insights and eager to share what they’ve learned. There have always been inspiring stories of discovery and wisdom in every culture, and people with a message worthy of being heard. This caliber of sincerity burns brightly through the centuries and helps to inspire us all to greater understanding.

Fortunately, every age has highly functioning individuals who serve as shining beacons, able to inspire others from within the culture of the times. They are able to use the language and thought forms of the day to help people take the next step toward new ideas, expanded beliefs and new truths.

“I call that mind free which jealously guards its intellectual rights and powers, which calls no man master, which does not content itself with a passive or hereditary faith, [and] receives new truth as an angel from Heaven.” – Woody Allen (b. 1935)

Dear God, Please Save Me from Your Followers

Historically, the problems begin whenever someone’s personal understanding of truth begins to congeal into a brand. The visionary may have no interest in creating anything resembling a brand, but life-enhancing ideas have a way of taking on a life of their own. Friends and associates become interested, then converted, then fervent, then passionate. They become disciples, then missionaries, then soldiers for “truth.”

They take it upon themselves to spread their particular adopted brand of truth far and wide, regardless of the intent of the founder. They make it their personal life mission to assure everyone knows about their brand. If they meet resistance, it must be overcome, because their crusade is true and just, and their brand must be spread, at all costs, even if deadly force is required. Whenever someone claims to have a monopoly on truth, history reminds us of the wisdom of walking (no, running!) in the opposite direction.

Adopted Truth

Some of these endorsees of “truth” are sincere and honestly believe they are devoting their lives to the mightiest of missions. Others are swept up in the frenzy of someone else’s truth, someone else’s belief, someone else’s habit of thought. They readily adopt someone else’s brand of truth because they don’t have one of their own

“Don’t let your special character and values, the secret that you know and no one else does, the truth — don’t let that get swallowed up by the great chewing complacency.” – Aesop (620-560 BC)

Is Truth Too Difficult?

Why are some so eager to adopt the truth of another? Perhaps they never realized the possibility of discovering their own personal truths. Maybe they are gullible and easily influenced by those who talk a good game. Maybe they are simply lazy and found it too much trouble to discover their own truth. They’d rather fit in, and go along with the crowd. It’s much easier to subscribe to some pre-packaged, ready-to-consume, bite-sized brand of truth – custom marketed to fit nicely into their busy lifestyle.

“It is proof of a base and low mind for one to wish to think with the masses or majority, merely because the majority is the majority. Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.” – Giordano Bruno

“The high minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think.” – Aristotle (384-322 BC)

Truth Through the Ages

We can learn much from history and our race’s relationship with truth. By looking back with objectivity, we can look forward with more intelligence, keener insight and a sharper discernment for identifying personally appropriate truths.

“A lively, disinterested, persistent looking for truth is extraordinarily rare. Action and faith enslave thought, both of them in order not to be troubled or inconvenienced by reflection, criticism or doubt.” – Henri-Frédéric Amiel (1821-81)

We are living in a different world than the world of our ancestors. Our world is round, and like any other circle, there are no beginning or end points. We can thrive in an endless sea of ideas, and find our own place in the continuum of truths. We can pick and choose what fits best from this buffet of truth and marvel at our own potential of reaching for understandings we have yet to imagine.

Can You Imagine Truth a Thousand Years from Now

Just as our ancestors of a thousand years ago could never have imagined today’s recognized truths of stellar nurseries, black holes in the center of countless galaxies, and the vast space and unfathomable energy inside tiny atoms, there are truths still unknown to us that will continue to redefine who we are and how we fit into this mysterious universe we call home. There are many ways to understand bits and pieces of it and other ways to appreciate the mysteries, and they are all valid.

“No human being is constituted to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and even the best of men must be content with fragment, with partial glimpses, never the full fruition.” – Alan Marshall Beck (b, 1942)

All Things Change – Even Truth

Truth is a moving target. Our idea of truth grows as our capacity to understand unfolds. We do a serious disservice to ourselves and our fellow man and the entire universe whenever we get stuck on any one particular brand of truth . . . any one particular habit of thought.

“If what you seek is Truth, there is one thing you must have above all else…an unremitting readiness to admit you may be wrong.” – Anthony de Mello

We have an amazing brain, so powerful, we are just beginning to fathom its awesome potential. It’s a built-in tool to help us compare and analyze “truth.”

We have a heart to help us feel what is in alignment with who we really are.

And, we are soul with the capacity to know from direct personal experience what is truth for us, right here and right now.

“To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul. To do this, you need to experience solitude, which most people are afraid of, because in the silence you hear the truth and know the solutions.” – Deepak K. Chopra (b. 1946)

If our personal truth morphs over time, that’s okay. Everything else in nature changes, so why should we be surprised when our understanding of truth grows? It is only natural for our personal truth to grow wider and deeper as our consciousness expands.

The New Age of Truth

The idea of warring brands of truth is part of our ancestor’s world and has no place in the reality of those of us interested in personal development and ongoing inspiration. We recognize the greatest gift is the gift of freedom – freedom to choose, explore and try out different brands of truth until the dawning of our own personal truth. This is our birthright and we demonstrate divine understanding best when we offer the same to our fellow man. Many paths can lead to the same destination.

“The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. The opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.” – Niels Henrik David Bohr (1885-1962) – Danish physicist, chemist

As a race, we no longer need an intermediary to tell us what we are allowed to believe, how to feel, how to think, and what to embrace as truth. We have everything we need to find our own truth . . . truth for us . . . in this present moment.

“What has not been examined impartially has not been well examined. Skepticism is therefore the first step toward truth.” – Denis Diderot (1713-84)

This understanding of personal truth has the power of transforming our world. Look at history for examples of all the wars waged and people killed because someone felt the need for their particular brand of truth to be validated. This idea is barbaric. We are better than that, and it’s time we start acting like it!

Let it Be

We can’t change those who are stuck pushing someone else’s brand of truth. They will continue to indulge in their drama and eventually die off (or be killed by someone flying the flag of some other brand). We can offer them kindness, tolerance and grant them the freedom to discover their own truth in their own way and in their own time.

“Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.” – Robert Brault

Meanwhile, we can commit to finding our own personal truth. We can hope our example will inspire others to look inside for their own truth rather than looking outside at the tumultuous world of competing brands of “truth.”

While reading, did you choose to hear the relaxing instrumental music linked at the beginning of this article? To learn more about it, click here.
Listen FREE to the songs below . . . chosen to enhance the ideas in this article.

	Way of the World Life is so huge . . . so diverse . . . the possibilities are literally infinite. What’s the best way to sort it all out and carve out a little niche of our own? http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor1 Trash Our Treasures People seem to have a history of awarding seemingly insignificant details with places of prominence in our lives, while ignoring or even destroying the most important aspects. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor2 Soul in the Stars It feels good to try to see the bigger picture once in awhile,and to focus on gratitude for what we have, rather than the frustration of what we are lacking. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor4 Within Without An atom and a solar system is virtually the same thing – mostly empty space! Even quantum physics is still wondering, "Is the universe a great big thing, or a great big thought?" http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor6 Same Olde Time Time – it’s so relative. "What if distant starlight shining in the endless sky is just the same, by a different name, as the twinkle in your eye?" http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor7 Be Kind Your example and the kindness shown to others can have a rippling affect that goes on and on. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor9 Just One Step Just begin. If you will just get underway, the project itself gains momentum and carries you along to its completion. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor12 Hell or a Whole Lotta Fun Nothing to do? How about too much to do? Our attitude seems to make the difference. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor16 You Gotta Have Fun Our moments are fleeting . . . and finite. Too few to squander on "bad news". We must steer our attention deliberately in order to attract the kind of life we were born to live. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor20 Songs by Tupelo
Know Thyself – Ignore Comparisons and Be Yourself The average person is content to base self-knowledge on comparisons to other people. If this is the measure of self-knowledge, it is based on someone else’s standards. This practice misses the point of “Know Thyself.” Instead, it’s all about how to fit in. We are all unique individuals with our own strengths, talents and nudges leading us to embrace our own best life. True knowledge of self is attained from personal insights of looking inwardly rather than outwardly towards others. Six Killers of Individuality and Personal Independence Is the course of your life determined by your own internal road map or by a map made by someone else? Each of us can choose our direction deliberately and live a life custom sculpted. Each life can be as individually unique as the person living it. If you pattern your life after someone else, exactly what is it you have to offer? Life Drama as Blockage to Personal Development Some people seem to relish drama in their lives. They go from one catastrophe to another. They thrive on it as if drama is what makes them feel alive. You may be able to see that they are attracting these experiences by their daily thoughts and feelings. But, they don’t recognize it from within the narrow confines of their personal drama. To someone immersed in drama, the idea that they are creating it is completely foreign. With intent, practice and mindfulness, what was once considered drama that snowballed out of control becomes simply examples of the contrasts of life to help you sharpen your preferences and shape your desires. How to Live the Life of Your Dreams Through Intuition Intuition feels good. That should be enough of a clue it’s something that can be trusted. But, our culture has done a thorough job of instilling doubt about the wisdom of following our instincts. Instead, we are taught to think things through and be logical. These mental tools are important, but they were never intended to be used instead of intuition. They work better when used in conjunction with intuition. If we are open to it, we get nudges and insights to move us in the direction of our greatest joys, our most valuable contributions, and our most satisfying life. Those quiet whispers and gentle taps on the shoulder are examples of inner guidance in action – intuition. Inspire Yourself on Purpose – Inspiration from Inside Out Here are twelve common sense reminders on how to inspire yourself. The word “inspire” derives from root words that mean “in spirit” or “spirit within.” Although there’s always another step to take, these points are a natural result of recognizing and identifying with this realization of who we really are. Methods as Temporary Tools Instead of Lifetime Crutches We are obsessed with our methods. We become attached to our particular way of doing things. The trouble comes when we cling to an old method that we have outgrown. We feel bogged down and then stuck when our personal development potential is being limited by an outdated method. If your method feels more like a crutch than a tool, it’s time to take an objective look at it. Is the method in question bringing you peace and joy? Is it helping your personal growth, or is it just a familiar and comfortable habit of thought? Integrity Through Self-Reliance When you live your life as if the whisperings from your soul really matter, you are living life in your own way, on your own terms, based on your own realizations on what is right . . . what is good . . . and what is true for you. You are tuned into your own station. The signal you are receiving and the message you are broadcasting with the story of your life are both on the same frequency. You are joyfully and gratefully choosing your favorites from the buffet of life. Belief Systems vs. Knowing How do you discern between something known and a habitual thought – a belief? The first step is to recognize that the vast majority of our beliefs are based not upon our own personal experiences and revelations but upon anecdotal evidence and the recommendations of other people, past and present. How Do You Feel – About Inner Guidance? Is it a hunch? Is it a voice in your head? Is it something you feel? Don’t confuse what you feel with who you are. Once you are able to access this awareness of pure being and identify yourself with it, you won’t get carried away by whatever emotional cloud happens to be passing by. Celebrate life through one of the more subtle forms of communication available to us – inner guidance. Beyond Science, Philosophy and Religion Is truth absolute or relative? Is there anything beyond science, philosophy and religion? Many of the world’s top quantum physicists think there is. Celebrate life by stretching you imagination. Articles by Tupelo

]]> http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2008/06/27/beyond-the-brands-of-truth/feed/ 0 http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2008/05/09/refocus-on-your-true-passions/ http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2008/05/09/refocus-on-your-true-passions/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 12:00:34 +0000 Tupelo http://www.tupelokenyon.com/?p=112 For instrumental music while reading, choose: hi-fi (broadband) or low-fi.

It’s easy to get sidetracked. Our busy lives pull us in a thousand different directions. How can we stay on track?

Can we balance all the things that must be done, and should be done, with the things that mean the most to us?

Is there a way to make sure our true passions are not forever relegated to the bottom of our “to do” list?

Be with Your Passions

Passions have a way of shriveling up and blowing away when ignored. It’s the principle of “out of mind and out of sight.” This is what happens when your passions are put on the back burner, day after day and year after year.

“Absence abates a moderate passion and intensifies a great one- as the wind blows out a candle but fans fire into flame.” – François Duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-80)

When the trivial details of daily life are consistently given preferential treatment, that becomes the primary focus of your life – a life built around trivial details. Do you get them all done? Maybe. Do you feel satisfied and inspired by prioritizing them? Probably not.

“‘Know thyself,’ said the old philosopher, ‘improve thyself,’ saith the new. Our great object in time is not to waste our passions and gifts on the things external that we must leave behind, but that we cultivate within us all that we can carry into the eternal progress beyond.” – Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803 – 1873)

It’s possible to attend to the details of life, and still make room for your passions. It’s a matter of attention. Allow room in your consciousness for the things stirring deep within you – your passions.

In your quiet moments, dwell upon them. Be with them mentally and emotionally. When they are deliberately included in the fabric of your life, opportunities present themselves that allow you to integrate your passions into your daily life. With practice, you will recognize these opportunities and serendipities because of your habit of regularly including your passions in your deep mental and emotional reality.

On the other hand, if your habit is to think about your passions only occasionally and briefly, before putting them back in your mental “later” file, the same opportunities and serendipities can easily go unnoticed.

Before your outer life can be a reflection of your true passions, your inner life has to be in alignment with them. If you ignore the true calling of soul, reflected by your passions, your life can turn out to be an exercise in “if only” and “what if.” The way to avoid a life of regret is to first recognize whether or not you have developed the habit of ignoring your true passions. If you have, this usually leads to an unfulfilled life.

So pay attention to your passions now, and continually incorporate them into your day-to-day life by energizing them with your attention, thoughts and emotions.

“As life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should share the passion and action of his time, at peril of being judged not to have lived.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935)

Go Deeper

What if you go through this process of externalizing a passion and integrating it into your life, only to discover that it does not satisfy you? Your interaction may leave you feeling flat and unfulfilled. How can that be?

The problem may be you need to dig a little deeper.

What you had identified as a passion may not be a true passion bubbling up from the depths of your being. It could be any number of things, but most likely, it’s born of ego, and may be ego driven. It could be the product of the “little me” in your head, rather than the irresistible impulse of the universe itself seeking expression through the unique combination of skills, talents and interests you bring to the recipe of co-creation.

“It’s the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.” – Rebecca West (1892 – 1983)

Embracing Change

When drive is mistaken for passion and situations change, it’s easy to throw up your hands in resignation and give up. When you are inspired from the inside out by true passions, your outer activities bend gracefully with the winds of change. The outer manifestations of your true passions morph, as needed, to best reflect the inevitable changing circumstances. New circumstances require new approaches, and when you are in alignment with your passions, it will become apparent how to best maximize the potential of each new circumstance.

Your Passions Make You Unique

Fundamental passions come from the core of your being. As you become accustomed to living your life in alignment with them, you become less and less like everyone else and more and more who you really are. As your outer life becomes in closer alignment with your true passions, you grow into the unique individual that you are.

“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” – Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900)

The Ego-Driven Give Up Fast
Passion-Driven People Last

A passion-driven life does not come to an abrupt halt by a roadblock. Instead, from the inner place of stillness where you have invited passion to reside, an idea for the perfect detour springs forth. The detour itself could very well turn out to be a serendipity, bearing gifts and benefits that would otherwise never have manifested. It’s all a matter of attitude. The determined, yet gentle resolve that comes when you’re committed to living in alignment with true purpose, is fueled by your deepest passions.

“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919)

Let Go of Resistance

Situations change. Perhaps the only constant in the universe is change. Change happens. It makes no sense to resist it. It does make sense to learn to roll with it gracefully and delight in new experiences and opportunities made possible by our ever-changing circumstances.

When situations change, we have a choice. We can become upset and resist the change. This approach wastes precious energy in complaining and blaming. Or, we can accept it as it is, settle our attention deeply inside, and become receptive to the next appropriate action based upon the new situation.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” – Unknown

When we focus our attention on this present moment and allow our true passions to be on-going companions, outer changes are not the enemy. Whatever happens, regardless of the mental labels of “good” or “bad” we give it . . . this too shall pass.

From the depth of stillness will come the impulse for the appropriate course of action now. This new urge for a specific action takes into consideration the most recent outer changes and your commitment to the deepest nudges from your inner reality. These nudges, rooted in true passions, represent your north star . . . you can trust them, and you can steer your life by them. (To help clearly define exactly what your passions are, see previous articles, “Your Passion as Your Compass” and “10 Steps to Discovering Your Life’s Purpose.”)

When your outer activities are in the flow and inspired by your passions, your life becomes a work of art – an original expression of the teamwork between you and the universe itself.

“Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.” – Georg Wilhelm

“The worst sin – perhaps the only sin – passion can commit, is to be joyless.” – Dorothy L. Sayers (1893 – 1957)

“The more passions and desires one has, the more ways one has of being happy.” – Charlotte-Catherine

The Grandest You and Your Deepest Passions

In the stillness of your personal quiet times, re-connect with your passions. Revisit the stirrings of soul and refocus on what is genuinely important to you . . . not the “little you” – the ego, but the grand, bright and shining YOU – the one-of-a-kind embodiment of all-that-is, born into this world with a unique set of talents and tools to enable you to do what nobody else can in the entire world.

What is that? That is your true passion.

While reading, did you choose to hear the relaxing instrumental music linked at the beginning of this article? To learn more about it, click here.

Listen FREE to the songs below . . . chosen to enhance the ideas in this article.

	Miracle in Disguise Synchronicity is such a positive and hopeful idea, it begs the question, "Why not actively look for it and even expect it, as long as it feels good?" http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor11 Time of Our Lives Time is so fleeting, so elusive, it’s good to remember the importance and power of living right now. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor7 Take the Plunge Their advice is "for your own good", but the last thing you need to hear is their worst-case scenario. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor11 Celebrate Life Create your own personal celebration of life by your choices, rather than allowing life to be something that merely happens to you, or around you. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor2 Do What You Love Discovering what we have a true passion for, and then figuring out a way to build a life around that passion is one of life’s greatest feelings of accomplishment. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor10 Live From Your Heart We all come from a long, long, long line of love. And our lives are enhanced exponentially when we interact with one another as if that mattered. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor13 You Gotta Have Fun Our moments are fleeting . . . and finite. Too few to squander on "bad news". We must steer our attention deliberately in order to attract the kind of life we were born to live. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor20 Songs by Tupelo
Your Passion as Your Compass Allow your passions to stretch their wings and the direction of your life could surprise you – in a good way. Celebrate life with passion! 10 Steps to Discovering Your Life’s Purpose Of all the self-help ideas I’ve come across through the years, this one has been the most helpful. For me, it’s been the Rosetta Stone of personal development techniques. After getting a handle on the idea of “purpose”, other areas of my life fell into place more easily. How Do You Feel – About Inner Guidance? Is it a hunch? Is it a voice in your head? Is it something you feel? Don’t confuse what you feel with who you are. Once you are able to access this awareness of pure being and identify yourself with it, you won’t get carried away by whatever emotional cloud happens to be passing by. Celebrate life through one of the more subtle forms of communication available to us – inner guidance. Persistence and Perseverance for Winners – Losers Just Quit Giving up is easy. Most people make a habit of giving up. In fact, they make a life of it Persistence through a solution-oriented attitude is for visionaries, dreamers and other winners who refuse to take “no” for a final answer. Inspire Yourself on Purpose – Inspiration from Inside Out Here are twelve common sense reminders on how to inspire yourself. The word “inspire” derives from root words that mean “in spirit” or “spirit within.” Although there’s always another step to take, these points are a natural result of recognizing and identifying with this realization of who we really are. Ego or Soul? Who’s Driving Even though I identify my sense of self with soul, there seems to be another “something” inside forever jockeying for position and making its presence known. This is the ego. What’s the difference? How can you know which one is in charge? What are their characteristics? Since I prefer peace to mayhem and contentment to perpetual, blind striving, my goal is to keep soul in the driver’s seat as often as possible. Instead of an either/or situation, I like the idea of soul and ego peacefully coexisting in a manner that best serves the greater good. Enhance Your Self-Image on Purpose Here are twelve common sense reminders on how to inspire yourself. The word “inspire” derives from root words that mean “in spirit” or “spirit within.” Although there’s always another step to take, these points are a natural result of recognizing and identifying with this realization of who we really are. How to Live the Life of Your Dreams Through Intuition Intuition feels good. That should be enough of a clue it’s something that can be trusted. But, our culture has done a thorough job of instilling doubt about the wisdom of following our instincts. Instead, we are taught to think things through and be logical. These mental tools are important, but they were never intended to be used instead of intuition. They work better when used in conjunction with intuition. If we are open to it, we get nudges and insights to move us in the direction of our greatest joys, our most valuable contributions, and our most satisfying life. Those quiet whispers and gentle taps on the shoulder are examples of inner guidance in action – intuition. Know Thyself – Ignore Comparisons and Be Yourself The average person is content to base self-knowledge on comparisons to other people. If this is the measure of self-knowledge, it is based on someone else’s standards. This practice misses the point of “Know Thyself.” Instead, it’s all about how to fit in. We are all unique individuals with our own strengths, talents and nudges leading us to embrace our own best life. True knowledge of self is attained from personal insights of looking inwardly rather than outwardly towards others. Articles by Tupelo

]]> http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2008/05/09/refocus-on-your-true-passions/feed/ 0