Aha Moment #15 Live a Life of Purpose

Today is the day to begin to live a life of purpose (if you haven’t so far). Decide what you want your legacy to be.

Positive Energy

We all have things that bring us down from time to time. Sometimes they are real concerns, ie. children, finances, health, employment to name a few. In today's world there is certainly enough bad news to latch on to. Sometimes the worries can be vague, and sometimes they can be concrete. These issues can really sap the energy from our psyche and slow down our momentum.

What's the answer? One answer for sure is to have a positive friend to turn to. A friend who views you and the world in a bright, positive light, one who reminds you that these circumstances are just that, circumstances. They are not the essence of your life, they are not the essence of who you really are. It's great to have a person to lift you up, to help get you back on track. It's a blessing to have a friend who can spark your energy and light your fire again.

One final thought... As great as it is to have a friend you can turn to in time of low energy...it's just as great to BE that kind of friend.

Aha Moment #14 Love Your Grown Children

If you have grown children your main job is to love them. The circle of life continues to go around. New generations are born. Roles change. Tell your kids how proud you are of them. Love them more then ever and leave it at that.

I'm Here and I'm Ready

I just listened to an audio cassette that I bought on www.Amazon.com, entitled I'm Here and I'm Ready by Dr. John Pelizza. It was really good. I knew everything he was talking about, but hearing it from a different perspective, in a different style, is valuable. As I listened I thought to myself how effective he was with his live audience. Then I realized that I can't be him. I have to be myself to be authentic. I can take some of his perspectives and add them to my message, but the delivery and style has to be mine, so my message comes across as honest and real. Keep searching. Keep learning. Keep striving to get Better at whatever it is that you do.

Aha Moment #13 Low Moods

Notice when you are in a low mood, everything gets serious. This is not the time to get to the bottom of things. It’s time to be still. Your low mood will pass and all will be well.

The Shack, a Best Seller

I finished a book yesterday called The Shack, written by William Young. It's currently a best seller. I recommend it highly. It took me a while to get really interested in it, but as I read on I began to really appreciate the message. It explores our relationship with God and gives a fresh look at religion. It does so in a different way which gives an interesting perspective and answers many profound questions.
The two things I more clearly understand now are God's presence with us and the absolute power of love and forgiveness. It's a powerful book. I'm aware of and experiencing God's love and His presence right now.
If you can begin to experience God's love and presence in yourself you'll begin to see His love and presence in others.

Aha Moment #12 Being Prepared is Half the Battle

Plan for bumps in the road... Don’t be surprised when yesterday’s unsolved issue re-appears. Plan a response that will make you feel a little bit better then you did last time. Being prepared is half the battle

Aha Moment #11 Are you a Human Doing or a Human Being?

Are you a human doing or a human being? Slow down, pay attention. Spend some time “being” instead of constantly doing. The consciousness arrived at by being, will enhance all your experiences.

I Hope You Dance

The Hauppague Industrial Association--a grass-roots, pro-active 30- year old business organization that focuses on the economic health and well-being of its member companies and that of the entire Long Island business community--held a talent content last month.

As a member of the association and a "ham" when it comes to getting in front of an audience, you might have already guessed that I happily participated. It was hosted by David Weiss of WLNY-TV 55 at the Sheraton LI Hotel. The distinguished panel of Judges included HIA co-founder and Chairman Jack Kulka and board members Tony Leteri of Leteri Waste Management and Rita DiStefano of Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associates.

As indicated in the HIA Reporter, their monthly newsletter, my performance "delivered a skillful rendition of the Eagles’ 1973 classic 'Peaceful Easy Feeling'." One of six competitors, I was pleased to walk away in second place with a score of 10, 10 and 9, a very large trophy and my own peaceful, easy feeling!

When life comes at you with opportunities that may intimidate you, feel the fear and then do it anyway. You are likely to be pleasantly surprised with a memorable experience.

I share with you words of wisdom from a song by Lee Ann Womack that I sing at many of my motivational talks -- "And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance... I hope you dance!"

Jim

The Science of Getting Rich

A dear friend gave me a book a couple of years ago, "The Science of Getting Rich", by Wallace Wattles. It was written in 1910 and is the basis for the movie and book, "The Secret". It is a short, easy to read book. I read it while on vacation in PA. The book had little effect on me.

Last week a woman whom I coach and who has been having some difficulty with visualization emailed me and asked if we could discuss this book at our next session. I had forgotten that I had the book sitting in my bookcase. Once I realized I had it I picked it up and devoured it immediately. The effect it had on me was totally different this reading. I began to really understand the point of how our thoughts create our lives. I began to understand what a dominant thought is. I now understand why it's so important to be rich. I'm glad I read this book so early in 2009. It will be the basis for my getting truly rich. It's all about the Law of Attraction. I am a different person today than I was two years ago when I first read this book. I was ready this time to receive the book's message.

Read it and read it again - The Science of Getting Rich.

Aha Moment #10 Jump Aboard, Start Living Life

If you feel that life is passing you by, then it possibly is. You can fret about lost opportunities chastising yourself for living a life of little consequence. You can live each day going through the motions in a joyless fashion, thinking up excuses for why your life has turned out the way it has, or you can listen to the wake up call! Make choices that move you in the direction of a more fulfilling life. Jump aboard “the passing life” and start living it.

Aha Moment #9 The Golden Years

The golden years can truly be golden. Seek out opportunities to brighten the lives of others, even as your own light fades. Rise above the challenges of aging; deflect your conversation away from complaints. Shine the light on others as you age, and you will see the joy of living a long life.

Aha Moment #8 Practice Compassion

Practice compassion. Let others be who they want to be without giving into the need to judge them

REFLECTIONS TAKING US FORWARD

As 2008 comes to a close, what a wonderful opportunity to take time in reflection of your successes of this past year.

Write down five or more things that you feel good about accomplishing. You have probably done more than you had originally thought. Go through the year, month by month, and give yourself credit. So often we beat ourselves up over what we have messed up. Now is the time to focus on the plus side.

Let's make 2009 our best year ever! Let's make it a year of personal growth. Let's make it a year in which we come closer to understand who we really are – children of God. We are not just lowly humans destined to struggle every day. We are divine beings meant to live lives filled with Joy and Abundance!

If that's not the life you're living, wouldn't NOW be a good time to start?

Happy New Year to all!