Unerring Guidance

Ralph Waldo Emerson stated: “Be yourself; no base imitator of another, but your best self. There is something which you can do better than another. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that. Do the things at which you are great, not what you were never made for.”

In this post we will continue our discussion on finding our life's purpose. As stated in my last post, the 1st step necessary in finding our purpose is to accept responsibility for what is currently occurring in our life. As difficult as it is sometimes, we have to accept the fact that we had something to do with creating the mess in which we find ourselves.

As stated in earlier posts, unfortunate circumstances and situations in our lives do not ask our permission to enter. They just exist! It's our attitude in responding to these circumstances that puts us at cause or effect. Remember, we are at cause when we take charge of our response to life. We are at effect when life manipulates us. It really is as simple as that. You can find out more on this subject in my earlier posts on cause and effect.

Let's spend the rest of this post talking about our “Inner Voice”. In my earlier posts on our three-part nature I stated that we have a spiritual, intellectual and a physical nature. These 3 natures combine to make us the individuals that we are. Our spiritual nature contains our inner Voice. This voice knows us intimately as well as what's best for us. However this voice is easily drowned out or overruled by our intellectual nature, which thinks it knows what’s best.

Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computer, had this to say about our Inner Voice: “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of 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.”

Therefore, the 1st step towards finding our purpose in life is to take responsibility for finding and tuning in to our Inner Voice. It's available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Because it knows us intimately it provides guidance that is always best for us and leads us towards our goals and ultimate life's purpose. 

However, it's not found in the midst of past regrets or future worries. It is only found here in the present where it can provide us with the most benefit. In order to find it all we have to do is ask it to help us with whatever we’re struggling. If we listen to it and follow its advice, we will find peace in the midst of adversity and calm in the eye of any storm.

I really can't wait to share more information with you about this subject in my next post. In the meantime live today and every day passionately and with purpose.

Our Purpose and Success

In this post I'll discuss finding your purpose and living at maximum potential. I'm speaking directly to you, who know there's more to life than what you see and persistently seek it. There's no one here except you and me so let me ask a question? What's holding you back? What's keeping you from living life fully? What obstacles are between you and the life you know you were created to live? Is it your age, race, gender, health, finances, relationships, your spouse, the Republicans or the Democrats? What is it?

You have a purpose in life that only you can fulfill. When you find that purpose and begin living it out, life will become a synchronous series of events that flow effortlessly. There'll be a purposeful interaction between your spiritual, intellectual and physical natures that'll allow you to experience the tough times and problem areas of life in a calm, confident and creative manner which keeps you connected to your purpose.

When your purpose is found you'll be able to help those closest to you find theirs. However you can't help them if you don't know the way yourself. So, do this for them. But, before we start, let's talk a bit about the concept of successful living.

Successful living isn't defined in terms of material wealth or possessions. In my opinion, it's defined as gaining and attaining the desires of your heart. Have you ever known someone who from a young age knew exactly what it was they wanted to do in life? And as they focused on that goal it seemed that everything they needed to reach it magically appeared at the time it was needed. You may have called it luck, but this is what happens when the spirit, intellect and body are properly aligned and interacting correctly.

Conversely, we've both seen or heard of people with an abundance of material wealth and possessions that don't seem to be experiencing a very happy life. Many times the media will report on various addictions and unfortunate circumstances attributed to these individuals. Now, here's something you really need to understand. There's nothing wrong with an abundance of material stuff.

When stuff is acquired in connection with our purpose it simply becomes a means to an end. When it's acquired in a manner not connected to our purpose then it doesn't provide the continued good feeling we thought it would. It becomes the end itself and thus our purpose. Understand that material stuff will never fill a spiritual or intellectual void?

And, if you're blaming age, race, health and all those items mentioned previously for not being successful, then you'll have to change those things before life gets better for you. The key is, it's not about blame, but responsibility. So, the 1st step necessary to finding and living out your life's purpose is to accept responsibility for your life and recognize that everything needed to accomplish your purpose already exists and will appear on your path when needed. In order to start this process, all you really need is the faith to begin.

I'll talk more about this in future posts. In the meantime live today and every day passionately and on purpose.

Leadership, Belief and Consistent Actions

It’s important that leaders be consistent in their actions. In this post I’ll explain the connection between our belief system, our intellectual nature (or mind) and how we physically interact with the world around us. You’ll see that our beliefs influence our mind, which provides the faith we need to perform in this material world.

My earlier posts identified the effects of positive and negative core beliefs. These beliefs influence our responses to life and either help or hinder us as we experience life’s impartial events on a daily basis. Notice that the concepts of belief and faith relate to our immaterial nature. That is, we can't see, feel or hear them; but they’re recognizable just the same. Our beliefs are interconnected to our faith and our faith, being part of our intellectual nature, directs our physical body and its interactions with the world and people around us. Let me explain.

Our physical body is a complex, finite organism. It’s completely neutral and is easily influenced by our intellectual nature (henceforth called the mind), which consists of our conscious and subconscious mind, our will, desires and emotions.  Many call this our “Life Force.”  

Our brain (functioning as the CPU of our body) processes information from either our five senses or our mind. Based upon the input received our brain initiates electrical signals that, by way of our central nervous system, cause physical responses in our bodies. It’s important to note that our brain cannot differentiate between real or imagined input.

For example, take a minute, close your eyes and imagine biting into a sour lemon or taking a bite of your favorite food. In a few seconds your body will respond as if the imagined food were actually present. This mind/body connection exists and is real? Our mind can make us sick or help keep us well.  However, as we all know, everything in this physical universe rusts, grows old, and fades away. Our physical bodies are no exception.  

The point is that our body, being neutral, serves our purpose for a finite time. Our purpose during this timeframe is whatever our mind tells us it is. If we believe that our purpose is to be a doctor then our mind will create images to which our body will respond. If we believe our purpose is to become a body builder then again our mind will create images to which our body will seek to adhere. The cool thing is we can change our mind and purpose at any time. However, changing our purpose too often is not helpful and oftentimes leads to stress and confusion.

If you are consistently struggling with your response to life then l suggest that your mind and belief system may not be properly aligned. An aligned mind and belief system allows you to respond to life in a synchronous and coherent manner, which helps you to “Walk Your Talk”.

In summary, leaders are being watched/evaluated all the time. Effective leaders should lead in a purposeful, consistent and coherent manner because their followers must be able to trust them and their responses to life.

If you as an individual or group need help in creating this leadership style then feel free to contact me and let’s see what we can work out. Thank you and God Bless! 

Tough Times Part 4, Are You at Cause or Effect?

In my last post I introduced the concept of “The Law of Cause and Effect” which simply states: “We choose how we experience life.” Nothing more, nothing less! We can either choose to be at cause in life by taking charge of how we respond to those “not so nice” circumstances that enter into our lives or, we can choose to be at the effect of life by allowing these same circumstances to manipulate us and dictate our responses to them.

I don't suggest that we go around seeking these “not so nice” circumstances. Quite the contrary, I suggest we concentrate on bringing our best efforts to life at all times. But when these unwanted circumstances appear (and they will), I strongly urge that we embrace them fully. Let me provide you with an example.

Growing up in Chicago, I had very little reason to learn how to swim or go near any body of water larger than a bathtub. However, immediately after I began training to become a Naval Aviator I learned that I had to pass a very rigorous swim test. Had I known this earlier, I never would’ve applied for this program. As far as I was concerned, water was for drinking, bathing and cleaning stuff.

The problem was that I really, really wanted to become an aviator and couldn’t avoid this test that stood squarely in the way of accomplishing this goal. Then what I will call “The Miracle” took place. My mind suddenly switched from being fearful of this test and seeking ways to avoid it to embracing it and seeking ways to pass it. Rather than having “tunnel vision” and focusing solely on avoidance I relaxed and began to see a number of ways to successfully deal with my problem and pass the test.

After embracing the idea of learning to swim, I began looking forward to being in the water. It wasn’t easy but for some reason I didn’t mind the hard work. I finally passed the test on my second attempt and went on to earn my “Wings of Gold”. It was a sobering experience that provided me a lifetime lesson.

I successfully dealt with life’s “curve ball” by choosing my response to it. The alternative was to blame the system, curse the darkness and walk around with a sense of impending doom. Since then I’ve learned to do my best at all times, accept life on life’s terms and totally embrace any circumstance or situation in which I find myself.

What’s going on in your life? Do you ever find yourself in unpleasant circumstances or situations not of your choosing? If so, I urge that you stop resisting and totally embrace them by becoming one with them. This is done by learning as much as you can about your situation, spending time in prayer, meditation or deep contemplation (whichever works for you), and then following the advice of your “Inner Voice”. The circumstances in which we find ourselves truly don’t matter. It’s how we deal with them that count.

When we change our way of looking at a problem we take power (become empowered) over the problem. It’s important to understand that “We are far greater than anything we have ever believed ourselves to be”. We don’t ask too much of ourselves, we ask far too little. Stretch your wings and fly. Take back your life! Are you at cause or effect?

Tough Times Part 3 - Cause and Effect

In this post I will introduce “The Law of Cause and Effect”. However, prior to doing so I’d like to clarify how those impartial forces, factors and issues (or stuff, if you like, that I discussed in my last post) directly affect our health.

If you remember I said this stuff exists in our lives whether we like it or not. It doesn’t ask our permission to be here. It just is! I also stated that this stuff could control us and our response to life so much so that we feel victimized by life. Or, we can become empowered as we exert dominion over this same stuff by responding to it in a thoughtful and organized manner.

Now don't get me wrong, I’m not advocating that we go around looking for tough times & problem areas in order to feel empowered. There’s enough stress to go around for everyone and to purposely seek more would be foolish! What I’m saying is that when tough times occur we should trust in our innate ability to take charge and deal with them in a forthright manner.

While on the subject of stress let me share some important information. Stress is not necessarily a bad thing. Cases of acute stress lead to the “fight or flight” response, which, in most cases, saves our life. However this type of stress normally occurs over a short period of time and subsides once the perceived danger disappears. When stress occurs adrenaline is secreted into our body by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline increases our heart rate, constricts our blood vessels and dilates our air passages. This provides the extra energy needed to activate the “fight or flight” response and deal with the immediate danger.

Let me provide you with an example. I’m a former Marine Officer and Naval Aviator. I flew from the decks of 4 different aircraft carriers. My most stressful times occurred during our approach and landing back aboard the ship. Night landings were tough and night landings during bad weather were extremely stressful. However after the landing (or trap) my stress level was greatly reduced and my body had time to recover.

Nowadays, in modern society, we are faced with continual stress and the continuous release of adrenaline into our bodies. This isn’t a good thing.  Many organizations have concluded that stress is the number 1 cause of sickness and disease. It has been reported that up to 90% of doctor visits are directly related to the effects of stress.

Much of this stress is unnecessary and caused by our response to the stuff discussed earlier. Examples of this stuff are: broken relationships, financial hardships, sickness, disease, death, natural disasters, uncaring people, etc. We can avoid much of this stress by choosing our response to the circumstances that life presents.

The Law of Cause and Effect simply says: “We Choose How We Experience Life.” We can either allow the circumstances in life to control us (be at the effect of life) where we experience life by continually looking over our shoulders with a sense of impending doom. Or, we can respond to these same circumstances in a manner that keeps us calm, confident, creative and connected to our Inner Voice which continually directs us towards our goals and ultimate life’s purpose (be at cause of life). The choice is ours!

In closing let me share with you a quotation from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Shallow men believe in luck,

believe in circumstances.

Strong men believe in cause and effect.”

Stay strong my friends!