VOLUME 1    July, 2016

Aristotle once said, “the unexamined life is not worth living,” I agree!  What’s more, I believe examining one’s life is the very basis of our existence.  I have always been a seeker of truth, drawn to more esoteric teachings such as Kabbalah and Buddhism, and I have now come to the conclusion that whatever gives you peach is worthwhile, whether it Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, psychology, meditation, or skydiving…  Because, this much I know, the path to peace and prosperity differs with each individual…

There are life-lessons everywhere and some recent teachers who have influenced my life include, Gandhi, Carl Jung, Albert Einstein, John Lennon (check out the words to “Imagine”) to mention a few.  Their knowledge and wisdom can illuminate a path for us all to follow.  I am grateful for their insights and teachings that have helped me to grow in compassion and wisdom.

As a seeker of truth, for the longest time I have sought personal growth and self-actualization* ( a term coined by Abraham Maslow).  As I reflect on my life thus far, I believe I can say that at some level, I have been doing just that!  From the words of Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, which I also discovered in my 20’s, to the facinating theories of quantum physics, which I have learned about more recently, it continues to be a facinating journey.

I am confident that I will always be a seeker of truth and of course I realize that suggests that I am still “seeking,” however, recently I must say that I have made a major shift in my perception to that of just knowing!  I have released the need for perfection that I believe has held me back, and I now accept that some to the best attributes a Coach can have are humility and vulnerability.  There is no room in the life of a Coach and a seeker of truth to be an egotist in any way, and I believe the process of facing my own fears and limitations has given me great empathic advantage.  I can say that I know first hand what the path of pain and despair looks like because I have  been down it a few times.  I prize these failures and, disappointments, and disillusionments, which I now “see” more clearly as the steps I have taken for my own evolution…

The past few years have been a very intense, accelerated quest of personal development and inner transformation to find my own true purpose.  Among others I have studied Neuro Lingusitic Programming , Hypnosis, Timeline Therapy–all of which are amazing, trans-formative and easy to use.  As a Personal Development Coach, and Zen some…   I utilize my knowledge, skill-set  and personal experience to effect positive change in my clients.

*Abraham Maslows self-actualization is the intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism or, more accurately, what the organism is.  Therapy of any sort is a means of restoring a person to the path of self-actualization and development along the lines dictated by his or her inner nature.

Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quiety and clearly: and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.  Avoid loud and aggressive persons: they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.  Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in you business affairs, for the world if full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.  Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.  Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the cousel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars; and whether or not it is clear to you no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be.  And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.  Strive to be happy…

Download and print the following file:

• Communication Style Test

WORDS ARE THE MAGIC SPELL

“The word is the most powerful tool that humans possess.  It’s a tool of magic…”   Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements

Language communicates our thoughts, our experiences and our ideas and yet it is only one of the seven internal filters through which we process information.  (See diagram page 12) What’s interesting is that according to studies, the actual words only comprise 7% of our communication; the rest is non-verbal, sight, feelings etc. Even though the actual words are such a small percent, they have the power to keep you spellbound!

This is huge because words and thoughts are like two sides of a coin.  You may have heard the expression “As a man thinketh, so he is…”  Therefore, what you think is what you get!  So why aren’t you getting it, what it is you think, you want?  The answer: programming.  Years and years of constant individual and societal programming has mostly been negative. In computer terminology it’s called GIGO, (garbage in garbage out).  This is a perfect comparison!

It is now time for you to break the spell and finally GET IT! 

Our words and thoughts condition our mind, just as bench-pressing can condition our muscles. You can reprogram the software of your mind and it’s one of the easiest and the most life altering changes you can make AND IT’S FREE!  When you choose your words and thoughts with positive intention and suspend judgment of yourself and others you will see how magical your life becomes.  In harnessing the wind it’s possible to sail around the world.  When you harness the power of your words, the language of the mind, you will change the direction of your life and sail where you want to go. 

It is impossible to overstate the importance of words and how you use them.  That said consider taking a fresh look at affirmations.  An affirmation must first and foremost be believable for you to feel good about it.  If you have any underlying doubts or contradictions, which are negative feelings, your affirmation can potentially backfire.  So here’s an eye opener. It is possible that a positive affirmation carries with it a negative vibration which will create an internal conflict.   For example, let’s say someone who weighs 200lbs would like to become a size 6.  By saying over and over, “I’m a size 6, I’m a size 6, in every way and every day, I’m a size 6. The voices of doubt will likely answer back, “Who are you kidding!”  The doubts will dilute if not cancel out the affirmation.  And as the lack of oxygen will extinguish a flame, doubts will extinguish or dilute an affirmation!  This is going on unconsciously and you are unawareness of it as it is happening.  With your new found awareness, not any more!

With every single thought, every single word, you are sending a message to your internal “guide”, your Geni that will either support or sabotage your health, relationships, finances etc, the life you want to create.  The body/mind connection is very powerful. When you say: “I’m sick and I’m tired” guess what; you will be sick and tired.  When you say, “I’m broke,” guess what you will be broke!  Two of the most powerful words in the English language are I AM.  Be careful what you attach to these innocent little words, the message “I AM” goes directly to the core of your being and remember this is, your internal guidance system your Geni, designed to fulfill your every wish. Avoid saying “I’m sorry” eliminate this phrase from your vocabulary, do you really want to tell yourself that you are a sorry individual? Instead say “I apologize”.  I’m stupid; I’m dumb, I’m clumsy, I’m depressed…  Ouch! STOP that right now…   

Everything is created twice, first as a thought and then as reality.  Your Geni, is constantly eavesdropping and is takes everything you say literally.  Are you in the habit of using expressions, such as “I’m irritated” you may suffer from allergies?  “I’m pissed,” have urinary tract problems?  Develop new expressions!  This process starts with your Awareness and requires constant vigilance. 

The very instant a negative thought enters your head, or a negative word passes your lips, develop the habit of automatically saying, “STOP” “delete” or what ever you need to say and say it out loud. This is more effective because when you “hear it” it brings your language into your conscious Awareness you will begin to realize what you are thinking and saying, to yourself and others.  Next ask yourself, {you can do this part to yourself}, “What do I want instead?” and reprogram your thoughts, I am resourceful, I deserve to be happy and healthy.

This will jump-start the process of creating what you want.  The following Discovery Exercises will show you “how” you can begin to achieve this…

“Positive and negative emotions cannot occupy the
mind at the same time.  One or the other must
dominate.  It is your responsibility to make sure
that positive emotions constitute the dominating
influence of your mind.”  Napoleon Hill,

Think and Grow Rich