Sunday, August 31, 2008

Washington's Strength

President George Washington went down in history as being a genius military strategist who valiantly lead the Colonists as they defeated the British Army. What is not so well known is how he did it. General Washington had only the bare minimum of supplies and was working with a small (and relatively poorly trained) army. Washington knew this. He was well aware of his weaknesses and knew that any offensive would most likely end in the unnecessary death of his soldiers, the defeat of the Colonists, and a British victory. Instead of attack, Washington demonstrated elegant retreat. Having a realistic assessment of the situation, he realized that the time had not yet come (nor would it come) for an offense based victory; however through perpetual retreat deeper into the countryside Washington knew that eventually the British would simply give up and in this way he would be victorious. This is exactly what happened. Washington won the revolutionary war through the strategy and practice of active retreat while waiting for his enemy to tire and fall. This same strategy was successfully employed by the Russians against Napoleon. In our lives when active striving is not helping us reach our goals we may want to consider a strategy of active and elegant retreat.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Learning from Karl's Pain

Karl Meltzer set out on August 5, 2008 to run the 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail in 47 days. Although do to serious pain in his leg he will not set the record he was hoping to set this time around, he is never the less running and plan's on finishing the trail despite a week of excruciating leg pain. In the blog he posted yesterday, Karl writes, "The pain was so severe that I sat on the side of the trail almost crying, thinking about my next move. After 5 minutes, I started moving again and the pain subsided. And then all of a sudden I could run again..." Karl's words contain several great lessons. Sometimes we are in pain, sometimes the pain is excruciating. At such times about the only thing we are able to do is sit on the side of our proverbial life's trails, plan our next move, cry, and wait out the pain. Plans are wonderful, they keep us moving forward. Tears are wonderful, they clean the soul. Patience is wonderful, it builds character. There are times when the pain seems as if it will never go away and then the next moment its gone...And we can run again. So next time we are in pain and the pain seems to be without end it would be wise of us to remember what Karl did and...Sit...Plan...Cry...Wait...And when the pain goes away start running again.

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Friday, August 22, 2008

Keep on Hiking


As I write this blog the 2008 Summer Olympics are taking place in Beijing. The worlds best athletes compete against one another in displays of fierce concentration, determination, and physical prowess. Meanwhile, in the hills of Vermont there is an super athlete who is competing against himself in a heroic display of determination and perseverance. His name is Karl Meltzer. Starting on August 5, 2008 Karl set out to complete the 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail in 47 days, thereby breaking the record. Unfortunately do to excruciating trench foot Karl was forced to take a few days off the trail. This time around he will not break the record. However, what he is accomplishing is certainly record breaking of other sorts. Karl could have just as easily gone back to his home in Salt Lake City engaged in a five star pity party, but instead Karl is determined to finish the Appalachian Trail regardless of any record. Karl Meltzer is more than an athlete, he is a man of integrity. As I was hiking with my three year old son yesterday he slipped and fell. I helped him back up and said to him, "There's nothing wrong with falling, but there is something wrong with not getting back up after the fall." My son began repeating these words so as to commit them to memory. Karl Meltzer is teaching us that there is nothing wrong with falling but there is something wrong with not getting back up after the fall. For this teaching we owe Karl a debt of gratitude. Keep on hiking Karl!!!

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Sunday, August 17, 2008

Be Your Own Best Friend


“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to work at winning. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to get up, no matter how many times I fall.” (Abraham Lincoln)

He walked the walk.

Age 22 – He failed in business.

Age 23 – He ran for the Legislature and was defeated.

Age 24 – He failed in business - again.

Age 25 – He was finally elected to the Legislature.

But then…

Age 29 – He was defeated for Speaker of the House

Age 34 – He was defeated for Congress.



Age 39 – He lost another bid for Congress.

Age 46 - He was defeated for the Senate.

Age 47 – He was defeated for Vice President.

Age 49 – He was again defeated for the senate.

But then…

Age 51 – He was elected president of the United States.

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Sunday, July 27, 2008

SAVOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS


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Today's Headlines: "Passenger tries to open plane door mid-flight"

Apparently, on a flight between Greece and Manchester several young alcoholic girls in their mid-twenties where drinking too much, angry at the flight attendant who would not serve them any more, hit the flight attendant with a bottle of whiskey and then decided, the whole ordeal being too much for them, that some fresh air was necessary, and attempted to open the door at 32,000 feet. The plane had an emergency landing in Frankfort, the girls were arrested, given a breathalyzer test, sure enough they were drunk, put back on the place, and sent home to England. The story is humorous, nevertheless, we need to examine in what ways we are drunk and trying to open the plane door at 32,000 feet in the flights of our own lives.

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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Today's Headlines: "Chaotic Debate on Major Vote in India"

Chaos by its very nature is haphazard, mixed up, unclear, and confused. Matters that are debated and decisions that are made in an atmosphere of chaos will have chaotic outcomes. When debating important issues and making big decisions we should do so with clear level heads. We should not be afraid we remove ourselves from chaos when making important decisions.

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Monday, July 21, 2008

Today's Headlines: "Obama Arrives In Iraqi City of Basra"

I don't know what exactly Senator Barack Obama was doing in the Iraqi city of Basra, but one thing is for certain, it was in order to put him in good standing towards being elected as President of the United States. One thing we can learn from this is that if their is something that you really want and you have made up your mind to achieve it, you will do whatever it takes and go where ever you need to in order to accomplish your goal. There is no getting in the way of firm convictions. The Rabbi of Lubavitch encouraged some one with the words, "if you seek you will find." Indeed, that seeker did find.

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Sunday, July 20, 2008

Today's Headlines: "Government trying to figure out why massive crane fell"

A tragedy happened. A massive crane fell and people where hurt. We grope for answers, after all, that is human nature. There exists a level of maturity in which we do not need to search for answers. One who arrives at this level of maturity is able to accept that not every question needs an answer and not every problem needs to be solved. This level of maturity embraces silence and accepts that there are times when the best solution is to give a heartfelt sigh from deep within. It would be wise of us to acknowledge this level of maturity and set it as a goal for ourselves.

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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Power Tools: Powerful Thought and Questions for Person Excellence (unabridged) Audio Book

Check out the Power Tools audio book free download.

Here's the link:

http://www.archive.org/details/PowerToolsPowerfulThoughtsAndQuestionsForPersonalExcellence

Enjoy.

Don't forget, soon, Power Tools will be available at fine www.Amazon.com retailers near you.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Check out the book trailer

At long last. Here it is. Power Tools--the book trailer.

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Power Tools: Powerful Thoughts and Questions for Personal Excellence


I am pleased to announce my upcoming book Power Tools: Powerful Thoughts and Questions for Personal Excellence. Stay tuned to receive a free Podcast of the unabridged audiobook as well as the book trailer.

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Today's Headlines: "World's most expensive house sold in French Riviera"

Today somebody bought a beautiful home on the French Riviera for 500 million dollars. That's allot of dollars. I live in a beautiful home for a fraction of the cost (much less than a million). I have a beautiful view. My home is perched on a mountainside. The air is fresh. It would seem to me that rather than spending 500 million on a home, we would be wise to live someplace that is worth 500 million dollars to us, even if the real estate assessors say differently. As far as I'm concerned, the view from my porch is worth 500 million.

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Sunday, July 13, 2008

Today's Headlines: "Pope to apologize for abuse by priests in Australia

This just goes to show (and to remind us) that know matter how successful, powerful, or prestigious a person is, we are never beyond making amends and saying that two word spiritual formula: "I'm sorry."

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Friday, July 11, 2008

Today's Headline's: Barak Obama forgets one detail for Hillary Rodham Clinton

After delivering a speak, asking people to help cover the cost of Hillary Clinton's campaign, Obama forgot to make the request that money be given. Upon remembering, he walked back on stage and sheepishly made the request. It was serve us well to learn from Obama that friendship and camaraderie is possible and doable even amongst former antagonists (or running mates). Let us take a moment to identify people in our lives who where former adversaries to whom we can now lend a helping hand--doing so is a spiritual step.

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Beyond Insight

The following was sent to me by Jack at The Lazarus House. I think my readers will enjoy.

JULY 7 – BUILDING BLOCK 19 – SELF-KNOWLEDGE RELAPSE PREVENTION SERIES IS SELF-KNOWLEDGE THE ANSWER TO ADDICTION? “A certain American business man had ability, good sense, and high character . For years he had floundered from one sanitarium to another. (They didn’t have treatment centers in those days.) He had consulted the best know American psychiatrists; yet could not stop drinking. Then he had gone to Europe, placing himself in the care to the celebrated physician (the psychiatrist Dr. Carl Jung.) He finished his experience with unusual confidence. His physical and mental condition were unusually good. Above all, he believed he had acquired such a profound knowledge of the inner working of his mind and its hidden springs that relapse was unthinkable. Nevertheless, he was drunk in a short time. More baffling still, he could give himself no satisfactory explanation for his fall.” (A.A. Page 26)
“Those of us who suffer from addiction, with hardly an exception, will be absolutely unable to stop drinking or using drugs on the basis of self-knowledge. This is a point we wish to EMPHAIZE and RE-EMPHASIZE, to smash home upon the person reading this information, as it has been revealed to us out of bitter experience.” (A.A. Page 39)
JULY 10– BUILDING BLOCK 22 – THE SOLUTION.RELAPSE PREVENTION SERIES. (Attachment may be easier to read.)What “wisdom” did the original members of A.A. pass on to us regarding this matter? “There was nothing else for us to do but to “pick up” the simple kit of “spiritual tools” laid at our feet.” (A.A. Page 25)Some alcoholics and drugs addicts may think they can do without spiritual help. Let us tell you about a conversation one of our members had with his renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Jung. He had spent six months under Dr. Jung’s care and believed the “self-knowledge” he acquired was the answer to his problem; that he would never pick up a drink again, but he relapsed. Upon meeting with Dr. Jung, the doctor said: "You have the mind of a chronic alcoholic. I have never seen one single case recover, where that state of mind existed to the extent that it does in you." Our friend felt as though the gates of hell had closed on him with a clang. He said to the doctor, "Is there no exception?" "Yes," replied the doctor, "there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics and drug addicts have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. To me these occurrences are phenomena. They appear to be in the nature of:1. Huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. (Fear to courage, resentments to forgiveness.)2. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men and women are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begins to dominate them. In fact, I have been trying to produce some such emotional rearrangements within you. With many individuals the methods which I employ are successful, but I have never been successful with an alcoholic of your description." Upon hearing this, our friend was somewhat relieved, for he reflected that, after all, he was a good church member. This hope, however, was destroyed by the doctor's telling him that while his religious convictions were very good, in his case they did not spell the necessary vital spiritual experience. Here was the terrible dilemma in which our friend found himself when he had the extraordinary spiritual experience, which as we have already told you, made him a free man. We, in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, "a design for living" that really works. The distinguished American psychologist, William James, in his book ‘Varieties of Religious Experience,’ indicates a multitude of ways in which men and women have discovered God. We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired. If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try. (A.A. Page 27-8)“Every few days, Dr. Silkworth “suggests” our approach to one of his patients. Understanding our work, he can do this with an eye to selecting those who are willing and able to recover – on a spiritual basis.” (A.A. Page 162)Are we “suggesting” the same solution today, or have “meetings” become the “God” who keeps us clean and sober? Meeting makers make it. Has the “message” “We decided to go to any lengths to FIND a spiritual experience been replaced with “We decided to go to any lengths to AVOID picking up a drink or drug.” What do you think? Namaste, (The light in me honors the light in you.)Jack

Thanks Jack

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Matisyahu is Some Good Reggae

If you enjoy reggae, check out this free download from www.archive.org: http://www.archive.org/details/matisyahu2007-12-02.483.flac16

Cool Meditation Website

This website features information about "Listening Therapy." It features a free sample download that is worthwhile listening.

http://www.thelifeprogram.com/index.html

Today's Headlines: "Paradise regained? Fire crews gaining on California blaze

Although when hit with difficult times, we may not be able to restore our assets to what they might have been before "fire," that does not exempt us from fighting those flames. Our assets may increase after the "disaster" or the paradise after the disaster might simply be a different kind of paradise after the disaster. An example of this is Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. The active volcanoes are constantly changing the scenic beauty of the park so that todays beauty is always different from yesterday's beauty. Nevertheless, we must actively fight those fires as they crop up in our lives. How do we do that? The answer: Self-empowerment.

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Sunday, July 6, 2008

Today's Headlines: "Secret U.S. mission hauls uranium from Iraq: Last major stockpile from Saddam's nuclear efforts arrives in Canada

From this headline we learn a lesson of great importance in each of our lives: regardless of how overwhelming the odds might be stacked against us, if we search hard enough we will find.

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Thursday, July 3, 2008

In Today's Headlines: "McCain orders campaign shape-up"

Just as McCain called for a campaign "shake-up" when things weren't looking to promising for him, so too in our own personal life campaigns, the campaigns each of us live on a daily basis, when things aren't going the way would like them to we need to call for a "campaign shake-up." We can do this by having a telephone conversation with a life coach, going for a walk, getting some exercise, writing a book, or simply doing something extraordinary.

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Today's Headlines: "3 rescued U.S. hostages arrive safely in Texas

Miracles happen. We see this time and time again. When all appears hopeless that is when the miracle will happen. In addiction recovery this concept is referred to as "rock bottom." So long as we remain open to possibility, possibility will remain open to us.

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Monday, April 28, 2008

Sample Chapter of: Coaching Steps (All Twelve of Them)

  Step 1 – We admitted that we were powerless…that our lives had become unmanageable.

Admitting powerlessness can be one of the most daunting, yet ironically, empowering achievements. When we are stuck in the rut of (falsely) thinking that we have power to control events and attitudes, we are doomed to be let down. This inevitable let down in the people, places, things we put our trust in causes life to become frustrating and unmanageable. Once we let go of the need to have power and to be powerful, life becomes simple, manageable, and much more livable.

I went with several friends to do some surfing in the Mediterranean. The sky was clear, the water was warm, and the waves were just the right size. It couldn’t have been a better day for surfing. Not far from our surfing spot was an old shipwreck. The ship must have sunk at least 30 years previously and was a rusty, jagged mess. Having surfed that spot several times previously we knew to stay as far away as possible from that disaster waiting to happen. However, there was a friend of ours who had joined us for the first time and was unaware of the shipwreck. We began to hear screaming. It was our friend yelling to us for help. He was about fifteen feet from the wreck and the next wave, which was fast approaching, was about to throw him against the sharp rust edges of the wreck. The strongest swimmer in our group yelled at him to swim as hard as he could right towards the wreck. Logic would have dictated that he should have swum away from the wreck to save his life. Our friend listened to the advice given to him and swam as hard as he could directly towards the shipwreck. The wave came and carried him several feet beyond the rusty crags. If he had swum against the current, the wave would have carried him to a bitter fate. Having admitted powerlessness of his situation, this friend of mine was able to accept the advice of others—advice that saved his life.

When I began my private life coaching practice the first thing I did after getting my first client was to hire a supervisor. My supervisors name is David and he lives in California on the Pacific Coast. You might ask your self, if I am worth my salt as a life coach then what do I need a supervisor for. The answer is this, I am human and I make mistakes just like the rest of us. There are times when my best judgment is compromised by my own agenda, hopes, and aspirations for my clients, during those times, I am powerless and my coaching practice becomes unmanageable. It is for this reason that I hired a supervisor. Why is it that when lost, us men will drive around in circles, waste gas, and be late for our appointments rather than pull into a gas station and ask for directions? If it is because we have too much pride to admit being powerless, that is foolishness. Such pride hampers our efficiency and wastes our precious time, money, and peace of mind, and renders our lives unmanageable. I once heard of a mother who instead of asking her son what he had learned that day in school, would ask him what questions he asked the teacher that day. Learning requires being inquisitive, asking questions, and being open and receptive to answers. Recovery coaching requires being inquisitive, asking questions, and being open and receptive to answers. If we are too embarrassed to ask for help then we are too embarrassed for recovery. Next time we are in a situation, which is difficult or unclear to us, we should be sensible enough to put our embarrassment on hold and ask for help!!!

Every now-and-then each of us has the experience of being under the weather, fluish, feverish, and stuck in bed for a few days. When that happens we are reminded of how vulnerable we are; of how unmanageable our lives are; yet I can’t think of anybody who refuses to acknowledge the reality of lying in bed feeling powerless. It is the very feeling of disempowerment when sick in bed that motivates people to take the action of taking Aspirin or visiting the doctor for a throat culture. When somebody has gangrene, if the condition is not treated immediately, the condition can spread to the rest of the body, putting the person’s life in jeopardy. If not caught in time the foot needs to be amputated. An admission of being powerless to control the condition as is, motivates the person to seek help. Although a person may loose his leg, he will most likely not loose his life. Admission of being powerless and unable to self-manage our lives humbles us, bringing us to accept outside help to manage our lives.

There were two Air force Pilots flying over the sea; one of the jets flipped over (at extremely high speeds fighter jets sometimes flip over). In this case, the pilot whose plane flipped over was unable to distinguish the blue water from the blue sky. His instruments showed that he was right side up and very close to the water (what was down appeared up and what was up appeared down). His partner, in the neighboring plane, corrected him and implored him to pull his plane down hard. The pilot found it difficult to disregard not only his own view, but also the readings of his instruments. Air traffic control confirmed that he was upside down and about to crash into the sea, and pleaded with him to pull his plane “down.” The pilot, admitting that he his own view of reality was rendering him powerless on his own, and that his life had become unmanageable on his own, took a deep breath and pulled the plane steeply “down.” If the pilot had held onto his own view of reality he would have died in an unnecessary plane crash.

Although on our own, we are certainly powerless; and on our own, our lives are unmanageable, we do have the power to admit our powerlessness and the unmanageability of our life circumstances. We are then able to seek guidance and support, then and only then are we able to align ourselves with true power—the power of a support network and the power of our Highest Power.

In what ways are you powerless? In what ways has your life become unmanageable? What is the process you must go through in order to admit that you are powerless…that your life has become unmanageable? How do you feel now that you have humbled yourself by making the admission of powerlessness and unmanageability? What will you do to honor yourself for having completed you First Step?