Foundations is the first class that the Centers for Spiritual Living recommend for understanding Science of Mind. I took the class years ago from Reverend Donald Graves, but I’m auditing it again, with Christine, while she takes it for the first time. Our assignment this week is to write a letter to ourselves describing where we will be at the end of the course. We are to write a letter to ourself, seal it in an envelope, address and stamp it, then bring it to our meeting on Monday. Here is my letter:
Dear Mike,
You have come a long way in knowing your true relationship to God, or to the Divine. You have grown tremendously, yet, a focus on these beliefs over the next 10 weeks will create a laser focus on who I am. That laser focus will help me to take more charge of my life and consciously create the future that I desire. As I read the material and do my homework each week it will give me a renewed focus and that renewed focus will result in more direct results as I ask myself empowering questions.
By the end of the course, instead of waiting for something outside of me to tell me my purpose, I will simply decide on my purpose and be pleasantly surprised at how the universe conspires to make it happen. Here’s the thought that comes to mind:
THE POWER TO SUCCEED
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation)
there is one elementary truth the ignorance of
which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves too.
All sorts of wonderful things occur to help one,
that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manners of unforseen
incidents and meetings and material assistance
which no one could have dreamed would come their way.
Whatever you do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now.
--Goethe
Providence has been waiting for me to commit; look out world; here I come.
Mike
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Memories of Mark
Today I deleted Dr. Mark Welch from my address book!
Here are the thoughts I had when I prepared for my talk at his memorial and wake:
First meeting; his endless energy and business
Trips to YOU events in Washington
We both wore out in Oregon; pulled off the highway and pulled over beside train tracks; beautiful night sky with stars; scary train passing
Turned up the wrong highway and got deep in Washington; had to turn around
Stopped outside of Yakima with leaking oil; delayed for a couple of hours; missed a nasty wreck
Dropped a transmission in Boise; Sky and others pushed the van; got to my parents’ house in shifts; got nice van and made rest of trip
Drove separately; he missed the turn with Jim and a couple others; missed LeRoy’s concert, but helped a stranded lady to safety
Tickets; I was pulled over 3 times without a ticket; he volunteered to get pulled over in Oregon and got a ticket
Food fight at Perkins in Pocatello
Was a good flirt and dancer at the events; tried hard to get me out on the floor with the kids
Was committed to helping the kids have events at home as well as in Washington
His driving; slow down, speed up, in lanes, out of lanes
HOURS OF DISCUSSIONS OF LIFE, VALUES AND HOW WE COULD BETTER SERVE THE KIDS
Haley; no one was more important to Mark than Haley; he went through agony every time they moved. He even left Utah to find work in Hawaii just so that he could be close to her. I’ve never heard more hopeful and agonized sharing than when he talked about his Haley and his hopes for her.
Mark’s spontaneity
YOU was meeting in a kitchen at a middle school and Mark decided one day that we wanted to have an experience of trust. He noticed that there was a counter top so he had us all stand on it and do trust falls!
Jim wanted to go to the IYOU event in Missouri and even though they hadn’t done paperwork Mark decided to take Jim. They got in Mark’s car and started driving. Mark assumed that they wouldn’t be turned away (forgiveness vs permission) and he was right. On the way they had at least two interesting experiences:
Jim, our good looking Marine, was gothic at the time. He was wearing a long, black leather coat. to add excitement to their day they stopped at Columbine for lunch!
Somewhere along the way tension arose with the two of them stuck with each other for the whole trip; one of them got out of the car and was walking down the highway!
He showed up at YOU one day with CDs for us. He had just compiled some of his writings in a CD called Jesus in Blue Jeans
A couple of years ago, Mark showed up in town, out of nowhere. He had been working for the feds in Texas. He got in to his car and started driving and next thing he knew he was in Salt Lake. He actually stayed in his car for a while, but came to Youth of Unity his first Sunday back.
He ended up becoming a dean at Stevens Henager College and was able to get John Daughters a job there, helping young kids (does this sound like a theme) to prepare for life. I didn’t have the credentials to teach, but he got me some cameo presentations and tried to help me make connections, too.
Next thing I knew, he had shifted to online learning and was doing Internet Radio and other avant guard activities to help young people gain knowledge
Our last meeting was at Religious Science; he had told me he had some promotion ideas for me; he told me about his Internet Radio program and wanted to teach me how to do it. He talked about the world needing my message and he could help me build a fan base.
DR. MARK; I LOVE YOU MAN AND MISS YOU. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
Here are the thoughts I had when I prepared for my talk at his memorial and wake:
First meeting; his endless energy and business
Trips to YOU events in Washington
We both wore out in Oregon; pulled off the highway and pulled over beside train tracks; beautiful night sky with stars; scary train passing
Turned up the wrong highway and got deep in Washington; had to turn around
Stopped outside of Yakima with leaking oil; delayed for a couple of hours; missed a nasty wreck
Dropped a transmission in Boise; Sky and others pushed the van; got to my parents’ house in shifts; got nice van and made rest of trip
Drove separately; he missed the turn with Jim and a couple others; missed LeRoy’s concert, but helped a stranded lady to safety
Tickets; I was pulled over 3 times without a ticket; he volunteered to get pulled over in Oregon and got a ticket
Food fight at Perkins in Pocatello
Was a good flirt and dancer at the events; tried hard to get me out on the floor with the kids
Was committed to helping the kids have events at home as well as in Washington
His driving; slow down, speed up, in lanes, out of lanes
HOURS OF DISCUSSIONS OF LIFE, VALUES AND HOW WE COULD BETTER SERVE THE KIDS
Haley; no one was more important to Mark than Haley; he went through agony every time they moved. He even left Utah to find work in Hawaii just so that he could be close to her. I’ve never heard more hopeful and agonized sharing than when he talked about his Haley and his hopes for her.
Mark’s spontaneity
YOU was meeting in a kitchen at a middle school and Mark decided one day that we wanted to have an experience of trust. He noticed that there was a counter top so he had us all stand on it and do trust falls!
Jim wanted to go to the IYOU event in Missouri and even though they hadn’t done paperwork Mark decided to take Jim. They got in Mark’s car and started driving. Mark assumed that they wouldn’t be turned away (forgiveness vs permission) and he was right. On the way they had at least two interesting experiences:
Jim, our good looking Marine, was gothic at the time. He was wearing a long, black leather coat. to add excitement to their day they stopped at Columbine for lunch!
Somewhere along the way tension arose with the two of them stuck with each other for the whole trip; one of them got out of the car and was walking down the highway!
He showed up at YOU one day with CDs for us. He had just compiled some of his writings in a CD called Jesus in Blue Jeans
A couple of years ago, Mark showed up in town, out of nowhere. He had been working for the feds in Texas. He got in to his car and started driving and next thing he knew he was in Salt Lake. He actually stayed in his car for a while, but came to Youth of Unity his first Sunday back.
He ended up becoming a dean at Stevens Henager College and was able to get John Daughters a job there, helping young kids (does this sound like a theme) to prepare for life. I didn’t have the credentials to teach, but he got me some cameo presentations and tried to help me make connections, too.
Next thing I knew, he had shifted to online learning and was doing Internet Radio and other avant guard activities to help young people gain knowledge
Our last meeting was at Religious Science; he had told me he had some promotion ideas for me; he told me about his Internet Radio program and wanted to teach me how to do it. He talked about the world needing my message and he could help me build a fan base.
DR. MARK; I LOVE YOU MAN AND MISS YOU. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Emotional/Intellectual/Personal Development
I spend time every morning re-visiting my dream and making plans toward it’s continued manifestation. It feels satisfying to see my life unfolding according to my dreams. People talk about how ‘lucky’ I am, and I smile and continue to dream and ACT.
I am sought after, first locally, then nationally and internationally, for my ability to help others see themselves as God sees them. As I continue to see myself as God sees me it is natural to see others in the same light. It feels good to live this way. People see a difference in me and enjoy being around me. I am known in many circles, but especially in the LGBT community.
I am sensitive to others feelings. I speak my truth and speak it quickly. My sensitivity to others allows them to hear it with the love and concern that I have for them.
I start my pilot training and progress toward a pilot’s license, while saving money toward my part of a plane.
I am sought after, first locally, then nationally and internationally, for my ability to help others see themselves as God sees them. As I continue to see myself as God sees me it is natural to see others in the same light. It feels good to live this way. People see a difference in me and enjoy being around me. I am known in many circles, but especially in the LGBT community.
I am sensitive to others feelings. I speak my truth and speak it quickly. My sensitivity to others allows them to hear it with the love and concern that I have for them.
I start my pilot training and progress toward a pilot’s license, while saving money toward my part of a plane.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
My Business/Professional Vision
Playbook by Choice and The Say Yes Foundation are thriving companies where people are introduced to and invited to remember who they are and take conscious action to live their lives according to that knowledge. As the founder and CEO of both organizations, I present powerful concepts in regular monthly workshops. The 15-50 people in attendance experience breakthroughs and are motivated to take action in their lives.
I grow the business by networking with other presenters. We market each other and share in the increased success of both businesses. I also market on a regular basis online. I mentor with Andrew Lock to create an online/web TV presence that introduces me and the companies to an international market. Laura helps me with my personal social networking skills. I interview and introduce a new person every month in my shows. I also introduce a new concept from my trainings in each show.
I am sought out by others to be introduced to their audiences. I am comfortable speaking in any environment and am always appropriate as I trust my inner knowing. I am particularly sought out by the LGBT community, and youth organizations. I help young people to know who they are and feel empowered in their life, right now.
I enjoy receiving pay for my services and money flows easily to me. People experience the value of my workshops and solicit me to present to their companies and organizations. I return a portion of what I receive by offering pro bono or discounted presentations to organizations that serve the underprivileged, especially youth.
Besides being sought for Unity and Religious Science presentations. I am sought to present at mainstream organization like Pride Center, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, etc.
I present from my heart with authenticity. Emotions are displayed appropriately.
My second book, When Love Heals is ready to be published in February. My new agent repackages the first book and the second book and creates a marketing campaign to create awareness. I am the authority on love. I also speak on sexual addiction and abuse, but always with the focus of moving people toward true love.
I work with Angie and Greg to create awareness for the Transformation Center The synergy between us really accelerates the growth of both businesses. Christine is an important part of this and the four of us experience personal transformation and become instruments to facilitate the transformation of hundreds of lives.
I am financially free with $20,000 in the bank by August 1, 2011. I earn $100,000 in 2011 and Christine is able to quit working for the county.
I grow the business by networking with other presenters. We market each other and share in the increased success of both businesses. I also market on a regular basis online. I mentor with Andrew Lock to create an online/web TV presence that introduces me and the companies to an international market. Laura helps me with my personal social networking skills. I interview and introduce a new person every month in my shows. I also introduce a new concept from my trainings in each show.
I am sought out by others to be introduced to their audiences. I am comfortable speaking in any environment and am always appropriate as I trust my inner knowing. I am particularly sought out by the LGBT community, and youth organizations. I help young people to know who they are and feel empowered in their life, right now.
I enjoy receiving pay for my services and money flows easily to me. People experience the value of my workshops and solicit me to present to their companies and organizations. I return a portion of what I receive by offering pro bono or discounted presentations to organizations that serve the underprivileged, especially youth.
Besides being sought for Unity and Religious Science presentations. I am sought to present at mainstream organization like Pride Center, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, etc.
I present from my heart with authenticity. Emotions are displayed appropriately.
My second book, When Love Heals is ready to be published in February. My new agent repackages the first book and the second book and creates a marketing campaign to create awareness. I am the authority on love. I also speak on sexual addiction and abuse, but always with the focus of moving people toward true love.
I work with Angie and Greg to create awareness for the Transformation Center The synergy between us really accelerates the growth of both businesses. Christine is an important part of this and the four of us experience personal transformation and become instruments to facilitate the transformation of hundreds of lives.
I am financially free with $20,000 in the bank by August 1, 2011. I earn $100,000 in 2011 and Christine is able to quit working for the county.
My Relationship Vision
My relationship with myself is incredible. I am authentic and aware and live with consistency in thought and deed. Because of this personal relationship all my other relationships are positive and meaningful. I enjoy other people and realize the value that they bring in to my life. I see us connected and wish them well, just as I wish wellness upon me.
My wife, Christine, and I enjoy spending time together. We read and study separately, as well as together, and enjoyed discussing and sharing our discoveries and rememberings. I look for opportunities to bless her, to compliment her, to praise her, and she responds with satisfaction. I am honest with her and trust that she hears from her heart. I take great pleasure in learning from her and sharing my experiences with her. Our relationship is very much a win-win relationship. She brings as much to the relationship as I do. We both commit 100% to the partnership. We are incredible parents and are enjoying the empty nest period of our relationship, now. We always have things to talk about and look forward to sharing our thoughts with each other. We treat each other with mutual respect and truly want to hear and understand our partner.
I really enjoy being a father and take it serious. I gain tremendous satisfaction out of watching my daughters make their own choices. I learn from them when they make choices different from what I would have chosen. Often that choice is the wiser choice and I expand my knowledge by learning not just the what, but the why of their choice.
Angie is an incredible young lady who has followed parallel path to mine. I am honored to support her in her ventures and to learn from her. I love how she supports me and encourages the best out of me. She was very deliberate in her choice of spouse and make an excellent choice. I love and support she and Greg as they move forward together.
Cyndi taught me that there are other ways to get a college degree. She continues to teach me as she supports her family by working in the nurse pool. I’ve always liked Dave. I am close to both of them and am able to learn from Dave, as well as mentor where he desires. Their children are a huge joy to me. I love spending time with PJ. He is so free and able to be himself. He teaches me much. Kennady still knows who she is. I love hugging her and just watching her playful spirit.
Melissa is an incredible blessing in my life. She was the first of my daughters to get involved in Youth of Unity. She got me involved in church when I had gone away. I throughly enjoy being with her and her friends. She showed great taste when she married Cory. I learn much as I watch them make choices and live their life as a loving couple. Cory is a blessing in our life. Together they are great parents. Kenzie is a care free young momma’s girl. I love being with her and learning from her.
Julie and I were extremely close when she was a teenager. That relationship is strengthened again as I show her how much I support her, and her choice of Douglas as a husband. I see them working together and showing that love can overcome many obstacles. Her decision to let love rule her heart is paying great dividends in their marriage. I enjoy spending time with them, especially now that they live closer.
Amanda and I had great time in YOU. She is an incredible leader and is very well liked by her peers. I’ve watched her learn about relationship and create one with Happy that I admire. I look for opportunities to be close to her as she moves to Arizona for grad school. I help and support Amanda in every way that I can. I am open to a closer relationship with Happy as well. I proactively create opportunities to interact.
Jessi is the last one (little shit) and I love her. I trust that she knows where to get her answers and I support her. Paul is a significant part of her life and they value each other. I am glad that Paul is in her life and enjoy a close relationship with him and her. Jessi and I share some common pain and we share the joy of overcoming.
I am a good friend. I actively listen and support people wherever they are. I do many things for others without sacrificing my own peace of mind. I understand that being my best and truest self is the most important thing I can do in supporting anyone else. The next most important thing I can do is support them in being their best self.
My wife, Christine, and I enjoy spending time together. We read and study separately, as well as together, and enjoyed discussing and sharing our discoveries and rememberings. I look for opportunities to bless her, to compliment her, to praise her, and she responds with satisfaction. I am honest with her and trust that she hears from her heart. I take great pleasure in learning from her and sharing my experiences with her. Our relationship is very much a win-win relationship. She brings as much to the relationship as I do. We both commit 100% to the partnership. We are incredible parents and are enjoying the empty nest period of our relationship, now. We always have things to talk about and look forward to sharing our thoughts with each other. We treat each other with mutual respect and truly want to hear and understand our partner.
I really enjoy being a father and take it serious. I gain tremendous satisfaction out of watching my daughters make their own choices. I learn from them when they make choices different from what I would have chosen. Often that choice is the wiser choice and I expand my knowledge by learning not just the what, but the why of their choice.
Angie is an incredible young lady who has followed parallel path to mine. I am honored to support her in her ventures and to learn from her. I love how she supports me and encourages the best out of me. She was very deliberate in her choice of spouse and make an excellent choice. I love and support she and Greg as they move forward together.
Cyndi taught me that there are other ways to get a college degree. She continues to teach me as she supports her family by working in the nurse pool. I’ve always liked Dave. I am close to both of them and am able to learn from Dave, as well as mentor where he desires. Their children are a huge joy to me. I love spending time with PJ. He is so free and able to be himself. He teaches me much. Kennady still knows who she is. I love hugging her and just watching her playful spirit.
Melissa is an incredible blessing in my life. She was the first of my daughters to get involved in Youth of Unity. She got me involved in church when I had gone away. I throughly enjoy being with her and her friends. She showed great taste when she married Cory. I learn much as I watch them make choices and live their life as a loving couple. Cory is a blessing in our life. Together they are great parents. Kenzie is a care free young momma’s girl. I love being with her and learning from her.
Julie and I were extremely close when she was a teenager. That relationship is strengthened again as I show her how much I support her, and her choice of Douglas as a husband. I see them working together and showing that love can overcome many obstacles. Her decision to let love rule her heart is paying great dividends in their marriage. I enjoy spending time with them, especially now that they live closer.
Amanda and I had great time in YOU. She is an incredible leader and is very well liked by her peers. I’ve watched her learn about relationship and create one with Happy that I admire. I look for opportunities to be close to her as she moves to Arizona for grad school. I help and support Amanda in every way that I can. I am open to a closer relationship with Happy as well. I proactively create opportunities to interact.
Jessi is the last one (little shit) and I love her. I trust that she knows where to get her answers and I support her. Paul is a significant part of her life and they value each other. I am glad that Paul is in her life and enjoy a close relationship with him and her. Jessi and I share some common pain and we share the joy of overcoming.
I am a good friend. I actively listen and support people wherever they are. I do many things for others without sacrificing my own peace of mind. I understand that being my best and truest self is the most important thing I can do in supporting anyone else. The next most important thing I can do is support them in being their best self.
My Physical Vision
I am a lean, kind, lovin machine. I eat food that nourishes my body. I enjoy eating and burning calories. I enjoy working my body everyday and knowing that it responds to my every need. I am attractive and an example to others. I dress successfully in comfortable clothes that show off my prowess. I enjoy the attention that comes from other people.
I eat regular meals. I start each meal with conscious gratitude for what I am eating. I take my time eating and enjoy the flavor, texture and taste of everything that I put in my mouth. When I shop for food I make nutritious choices and pick food that is both pleasing and nutritious. I enjoy creating meals with vegetables and lean protein. I use lots of spice and creativity so that I enjoy what I prepare. I enjoy healthy snacks between meals so that I keep my body stoked and ready to respond to anything. My snacks consist of raw, whole foods such as nuts and raw vegetables. I drink fresh water throughout the day and enjoy the refreshment it offers. I drink at least 1 gallon of water a day and celebrate the release of toxins that it provides. As the toxins are released from my body, I also release excess weight that is no longer needed. The excess weight drops off effortlessly and I enjoy the new body image.
By March of 2011 I weigh 230 lbs and have a 36“ waist. I enjoy getting up and being active throughout the day. I can sit when it is important, but I prefer to be active and moving. I climb the perch and am able to navigate onto the top and jump for the ring. The satisfaction is incredible. I now have the breakthrough experiences physically that I have been experiencing spiritually for decades. It feel sooooooo empowering to be in balance! I love that my physical body is in as good a shape as it was on my mission.
I enjoy regular exercise. When I come home at night I invite my daughter and wife to join me on a walk in the neighborhood. With or without them, I enjoy walking at least 3 times a week, and feeling my body respond to me. As I pick up the pace my hearts works harder and provides the nutrition that my cells need. As the blood courses through my body I feel invigorated and enlivened. By the time I return home I have worked up a good sweat and am ready for a productive night. By March of 2011 I have located a men’s over 50 Softball team and have signed on. I play at least once a week and enjoy the physical activity and the comrade with other men.
I focus on my eyes and heal the damaged nerve on the third muscle of my left eye. As I continue to send it light and love, I am able to see clearly. I even enhance the ability of my eyes to see close up and at night. I have the eyes of a 20 year old, with acuteness and accuracy.
I enjoy my health and value the body that is a gift to me. I treasure and take care of both and they respond incredibly to me!
I eat regular meals. I start each meal with conscious gratitude for what I am eating. I take my time eating and enjoy the flavor, texture and taste of everything that I put in my mouth. When I shop for food I make nutritious choices and pick food that is both pleasing and nutritious. I enjoy creating meals with vegetables and lean protein. I use lots of spice and creativity so that I enjoy what I prepare. I enjoy healthy snacks between meals so that I keep my body stoked and ready to respond to anything. My snacks consist of raw, whole foods such as nuts and raw vegetables. I drink fresh water throughout the day and enjoy the refreshment it offers. I drink at least 1 gallon of water a day and celebrate the release of toxins that it provides. As the toxins are released from my body, I also release excess weight that is no longer needed. The excess weight drops off effortlessly and I enjoy the new body image.
By March of 2011 I weigh 230 lbs and have a 36“ waist. I enjoy getting up and being active throughout the day. I can sit when it is important, but I prefer to be active and moving. I climb the perch and am able to navigate onto the top and jump for the ring. The satisfaction is incredible. I now have the breakthrough experiences physically that I have been experiencing spiritually for decades. It feel sooooooo empowering to be in balance! I love that my physical body is in as good a shape as it was on my mission.
I enjoy regular exercise. When I come home at night I invite my daughter and wife to join me on a walk in the neighborhood. With or without them, I enjoy walking at least 3 times a week, and feeling my body respond to me. As I pick up the pace my hearts works harder and provides the nutrition that my cells need. As the blood courses through my body I feel invigorated and enlivened. By the time I return home I have worked up a good sweat and am ready for a productive night. By March of 2011 I have located a men’s over 50 Softball team and have signed on. I play at least once a week and enjoy the physical activity and the comrade with other men.
I focus on my eyes and heal the damaged nerve on the third muscle of my left eye. As I continue to send it light and love, I am able to see clearly. I even enhance the ability of my eyes to see close up and at night. I have the eyes of a 20 year old, with acuteness and accuracy.
I enjoy my health and value the body that is a gift to me. I treasure and take care of both and they respond incredibly to me!
My Spiritual Vision
I am a beacon of light in an ever increasingly friendly world of love and support. I also recognize other beacons of light and enjoy being around them and feeling the warmth and direction that comes from them. I enjoy interacting with everyone that comes in to my space and expect to expand and learn from each person and each situation. I speak my truth quickly, knowing that it is simply my truth. I know that the light and direction within is divine and is implicitly trustworthy. My words and my actions are always in harmony with each other. I do what brings me joy in each moment, knowing that life is about joy and love. I love myself and others, and actively forgive and see the best in all of us. Namaste is a way of being for me and I actively act from, and seek out that spot in each of us, from which we know who we are.
I speak my truth as it occurs. I speak with love and compassion (both for myself and others), knowing that the consequences will be perfect. I speak directly to those that are involved and listen intently to them. I feel the great satisfaction of knowing the integrity of my communication and my true thoughts. Other people admire me for speaking my mind, even when it doesn’t agree with their feelings. People enjoy being around me and know that whatever I say to them I will also say behind their back. People trust me implicitly.
I constantly find ways to support myself, my wife, and my daughters in living more closely to our vision of who we are. I support each of us in our own vision of who we are. I acknowledge the power of individual direction and ask question rather than giving answers. I know that each of us have our own answers within and the greatest support I can be is to ask empowering questions and assist them in finding their answers. My personal answers come quickly and effortlessly as I love and accept myself, and listen inside.
I fine tune my intuition. I trust my intuition. I act, speak, and play on my intuition and inner direction. I know that in the future I will see the wisdom of the taken action. It feels good to be at peace with myself and know that no matter what anyone else thinks, I am in integrity and am authentically who I know myself to be. WOW!
I enjoy my morning and evening routines and experience great peace and satisfaction from them. I take time in the morning for me. I spend at least 5 minutes in one of my joyfully forms of meditation. I feel centered and ready to face whatever opportunities will come my way today. At night, before going to bed I look in to my caring blue eyes and express gratitude and satisfaction with the day. It feels good to be ending the day honoring myself, others and all that has gone on.
I write in my journal at least twice a week and share most of those posts in my blog. I know that all of what I write will be of benefit to someone. All of my writings help me to think clearer and tap in to that universal truth. My willingness to be vulnerable and express my feelings serves others as well. Many people have had similar experiences and benefit from me speaking them. They also value the solutions I find. I become a beacon of hope for others. I like that I am able to help others. That being said, I’m also clear that my job is to help them ‘remember who they are’ and help them find their own answers. I derive incredible joy from seeing others find their answers, whether they look like my answers or not.
I am enough. I am grateful for all in my life. I forgive myself for erroneous thinking and playing small. I embrace who I am and play 100%. I am a unique part of the universe. I accept my gift and freely share it with the world. I love and accept myself as I see myself right now. I love and accept others as I see them right now. I AM LOVE!
I speak my truth as it occurs. I speak with love and compassion (both for myself and others), knowing that the consequences will be perfect. I speak directly to those that are involved and listen intently to them. I feel the great satisfaction of knowing the integrity of my communication and my true thoughts. Other people admire me for speaking my mind, even when it doesn’t agree with their feelings. People enjoy being around me and know that whatever I say to them I will also say behind their back. People trust me implicitly.
I constantly find ways to support myself, my wife, and my daughters in living more closely to our vision of who we are. I support each of us in our own vision of who we are. I acknowledge the power of individual direction and ask question rather than giving answers. I know that each of us have our own answers within and the greatest support I can be is to ask empowering questions and assist them in finding their answers. My personal answers come quickly and effortlessly as I love and accept myself, and listen inside.
I fine tune my intuition. I trust my intuition. I act, speak, and play on my intuition and inner direction. I know that in the future I will see the wisdom of the taken action. It feels good to be at peace with myself and know that no matter what anyone else thinks, I am in integrity and am authentically who I know myself to be. WOW!
I enjoy my morning and evening routines and experience great peace and satisfaction from them. I take time in the morning for me. I spend at least 5 minutes in one of my joyfully forms of meditation. I feel centered and ready to face whatever opportunities will come my way today. At night, before going to bed I look in to my caring blue eyes and express gratitude and satisfaction with the day. It feels good to be ending the day honoring myself, others and all that has gone on.
I write in my journal at least twice a week and share most of those posts in my blog. I know that all of what I write will be of benefit to someone. All of my writings help me to think clearer and tap in to that universal truth. My willingness to be vulnerable and express my feelings serves others as well. Many people have had similar experiences and benefit from me speaking them. They also value the solutions I find. I become a beacon of hope for others. I like that I am able to help others. That being said, I’m also clear that my job is to help them ‘remember who they are’ and help them find their own answers. I derive incredible joy from seeing others find their answers, whether they look like my answers or not.
I am enough. I am grateful for all in my life. I forgive myself for erroneous thinking and playing small. I embrace who I am and play 100%. I am a unique part of the universe. I accept my gift and freely share it with the world. I love and accept myself as I see myself right now. I love and accept others as I see them right now. I AM LOVE!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Hypocrisy; Alive and Well in Utah
Well, I’ve sat with this for several days, not wanting to be reactionary. I remain dumbfounded by the recent events in Salt Lake and the surveys around them.
We all know that the illegal alien issue is a serious one. Most of us also know that it is complex and multi-faceted; not black and white. Having said that, the main criticism seems to be that we have laws against people entering our country ILLEGALLY and taking jobs, receiving benefits, etc. Just to keep this simple, I won’t mention that employers hire them, we insist on low prices, those who get regular paychecks have deductions which stay with the govt when they don’t file taxes, etc. The primary issue is a frustration that we have laws that aren’t being enforced.
Now comes the news that some employees of Workforce Services have ILLEGALLY gathered information and provided a list (accuracy be damned) of illegal aliens to the press, govt agencies and others. This list includes names, addresses, social security numbers, etc. These state employees have contracts that forbid the compilation and disclosure of this information. We have state and federal laws in place that make what they did illegal. I saw the open hypocrisy of these lists immediately, and just assumed that the people who created the lists would be held accountable for their violations of the laws, and the Attorney General’s office is investigating with action to follow.
What blows my mind is a KUTV, Channel 2 survey asking how the people of Salt Lake feel about the list and the perpetrators of it. With thousands responding, over 56% feel that the perpetrators should not be punished!! Many people interviewed, including some politicians, call the perpetrators heros and patriots! How, on God’s green earth can they decry illegal aliens and then give sainthood to state workers who knowingly violated several state and federal laws. The hypocrisy blows me away!
I shouldn’t be surprised, given the recent behaviors in Utah (including lies and deceit from the state’s biggest institute). Still, I keep hoping that, even in Utah (no especially in Utah, where we know what it is like to be persecuted and hated without cause) that we will show a little more humanity. I guess I’ll have to wait a little while longer!
We all know that the illegal alien issue is a serious one. Most of us also know that it is complex and multi-faceted; not black and white. Having said that, the main criticism seems to be that we have laws against people entering our country ILLEGALLY and taking jobs, receiving benefits, etc. Just to keep this simple, I won’t mention that employers hire them, we insist on low prices, those who get regular paychecks have deductions which stay with the govt when they don’t file taxes, etc. The primary issue is a frustration that we have laws that aren’t being enforced.
Now comes the news that some employees of Workforce Services have ILLEGALLY gathered information and provided a list (accuracy be damned) of illegal aliens to the press, govt agencies and others. This list includes names, addresses, social security numbers, etc. These state employees have contracts that forbid the compilation and disclosure of this information. We have state and federal laws in place that make what they did illegal. I saw the open hypocrisy of these lists immediately, and just assumed that the people who created the lists would be held accountable for their violations of the laws, and the Attorney General’s office is investigating with action to follow.
What blows my mind is a KUTV, Channel 2 survey asking how the people of Salt Lake feel about the list and the perpetrators of it. With thousands responding, over 56% feel that the perpetrators should not be punished!! Many people interviewed, including some politicians, call the perpetrators heros and patriots! How, on God’s green earth can they decry illegal aliens and then give sainthood to state workers who knowingly violated several state and federal laws. The hypocrisy blows me away!
I shouldn’t be surprised, given the recent behaviors in Utah (including lies and deceit from the state’s biggest institute). Still, I keep hoping that, even in Utah (no especially in Utah, where we know what it is like to be persecuted and hated without cause) that we will show a little more humanity. I guess I’ll have to wait a little while longer!
Friday, July 09, 2010
My Affirmations for the next 30 Days
So, here is the deal that Christine, I, and 3 other individuals made with Tiffany. We all agreed to look ourselves in the eye every night for 30 days and repeat affirmations about our value and worth. In addition each of us have a couple of things to do during the day. For example, I will post something about my presentations and my beliefs everyday. In 30 days we are going to meet with Tiffany again at the Transformation Station and report in. Any that DID NOT make their commitment will write a check to Tiffany for $500! She could be $2,500.00 richer, but she hopes that no one will write her a check and I know at least one person that won’t!!
The night before we talked with Ann about how a Life Vision is so much more powerful than affirmations. Having said that I’m okay with this challenge for a couple of reasons.
First, I’m already getting more and more excited about creating my Life Vision at the workshop, so I see this as preparatory to that.
Second, as part of my move in to the New Age Community I discovered the difference between my ‘fake it until you make it’ affirmations of the 80s and my current belief about, and the form of my affirmations. In the 80s I knew what I wanted to be and was truly focused on ‘faking’ it. The goal was appearance regardless of internal belief. What has changed in my affirmations today is that I am not trying to ‘fake it.’ I’m simply aligning my affirmations with God’s view of me and acknowledging that I don’t always see me as I truly am. My affirmations today are a reflection of what I believe that God believes about me.
With that in mind, I sat down last night and asked my GURU what I should affirm for the next 30 days. The way I let my GURU talk is to pick up my pen with my left (non-dominant) hand and write. I find that the logical mind is blocked from judging and interfering.
I wrote some neat affirmations which I affirmed in the mirror several times last night. I didn’t post them last night because I wanted time to ‘be with them.’ I am now ready to declare to the world the truths that I believe about me and who I am at core:
I am enough
I am grateful for all in my life
I forgive myself for my erroneous thinking and for playing smaill
I claim all that I am, and play 100%
I am a unique gift to the planet
I own that and willingly share my gift
I love and accept myself, as I see myself right now
I love and accept others, as I see them right now.
I AM LOVE
The night before we talked with Ann about how a Life Vision is so much more powerful than affirmations. Having said that I’m okay with this challenge for a couple of reasons.
First, I’m already getting more and more excited about creating my Life Vision at the workshop, so I see this as preparatory to that.
Second, as part of my move in to the New Age Community I discovered the difference between my ‘fake it until you make it’ affirmations of the 80s and my current belief about, and the form of my affirmations. In the 80s I knew what I wanted to be and was truly focused on ‘faking’ it. The goal was appearance regardless of internal belief. What has changed in my affirmations today is that I am not trying to ‘fake it.’ I’m simply aligning my affirmations with God’s view of me and acknowledging that I don’t always see me as I truly am. My affirmations today are a reflection of what I believe that God believes about me.
With that in mind, I sat down last night and asked my GURU what I should affirm for the next 30 days. The way I let my GURU talk is to pick up my pen with my left (non-dominant) hand and write. I find that the logical mind is blocked from judging and interfering.
I wrote some neat affirmations which I affirmed in the mirror several times last night. I didn’t post them last night because I wanted time to ‘be with them.’ I am now ready to declare to the world the truths that I believe about me and who I am at core:
I am enough
I am grateful for all in my life
I forgive myself for my erroneous thinking and for playing smaill
I claim all that I am, and play 100%
I am a unique gift to the planet
I own that and willingly share my gift
I love and accept myself, as I see myself right now
I love and accept others, as I see them right now.
I AM LOVE
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Transformation Station; Day 2; Tiffany Walke Peterson
Wow!! Just got home from Tiffany’s presentation. Again, there weren’t a lot of us, but those of us that were there sure were rewarded. Tiffany’s presentation was called, “Success is an Inside Job!” Because of our numbers Tiffany was able to customize her presentation to us, individually and collectively! What a LASER focus she has! At one point or another, she looked at each of us and drilled in to the heart, dialoguing with us in a way that was specific to each of us, but applied to all of us.
She and Ann Webb are doing a 2 day seminar on August 6th and 7th. Tiffany will focus on facing and clearing the emotional stuff and other ‘apparent’ obstacles, then Ann will work with us on day 2 to create our Ideal Life Vision. What a 1-2 punch team! I can’t wait to be there with them.
Those of us that were there tonite committed to a kewl exercise in front of the mirror every nite for 30 days. On August 8th, we will all meet with Tiffany and report in. If we were to chose not to complete the ‘love assignment’ we will get to write Tiffany a check for $500! She could walk away $2,500 richer, however she hopes to leave with hugs instead, and I have no intention of giving her $500 when I can gain so much more than that.
I’m committing to play ‘big’ and give 100%, being true to my dreams. I realize that by living my dream I will have a positive affect on the world in which I live, and they, and I, deserve my contribution. I have experienced the joy of love, non-judgment and forgiveness. My life is a reflection of these values and I intend to share my knowing where ever and when ever the opportunity presents.
She and Ann Webb are doing a 2 day seminar on August 6th and 7th. Tiffany will focus on facing and clearing the emotional stuff and other ‘apparent’ obstacles, then Ann will work with us on day 2 to create our Ideal Life Vision. What a 1-2 punch team! I can’t wait to be there with them.
Those of us that were there tonite committed to a kewl exercise in front of the mirror every nite for 30 days. On August 8th, we will all meet with Tiffany and report in. If we were to chose not to complete the ‘love assignment’ we will get to write Tiffany a check for $500! She could walk away $2,500 richer, however she hopes to leave with hugs instead, and I have no intention of giving her $500 when I can gain so much more than that.
I’m committing to play ‘big’ and give 100%, being true to my dreams. I realize that by living my dream I will have a positive affect on the world in which I live, and they, and I, deserve my contribution. I have experienced the joy of love, non-judgment and forgiveness. My life is a reflection of these values and I intend to share my knowing where ever and when ever the opportunity presents.
Transformation Station; Day 1; Ann Webb
Angie & Greg have started their 30 day introduction of their new Transformation Station. Yesterday, Ann Webb, did the first presentation. She exposed us to her Ideal Life Vision Concept. Their were only a few of us there, but we all benefited greatly from the presentation. She shared a little bit of her own experience with us and then invited us to her next workshop so that she can support us in creating our own Ideal Life Vision. I’m excited about adding the most detailed, exciting, and incredible Life Vision I have ever had to my own process. Thank you Ann.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Upcoming Presentation
I’m speaking at Inner Light Center on February 21st during their morning service. I’ll present my ideas on the Living in the Cave vs Living in the Light. I will then invite them to my workshop, also at the Inner Light Center, on Thursday from 7 to 9:30 pm. Here is the flyer:
http://web.me.com/thebigwiz/Playbook_by_Choice/Seminars.html
I’d love to see you there.
http://web.me.com/thebigwiz/Playbook_by_Choice/Seminars.html
I’d love to see you there.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
My Positive Review for the last 90 days of Coaching
This is what I wrote about me now:
Each of us took our turn in the chair reading what we had written about ourselves and then listening to what others had to say about us. It was easy to find kewl things to say about everyone of my peers. It has been a life-changing experience for me to spend the last 90 days with Mat & Pam Gover, Robbie & Sylvia Rainaldi, Diana Gourley, and of course, my wife Christine. My life is forever changed, as are theirs, and we got to share that experience with each other. Of course, the main catalyst for our change was from our two coaches, Jamie Utley and Douglas Phillips, and our two coaches.
To Jamie and Douglas, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for encouraging me to dream again. To my peers in the class, I feel sooo honored to have been through that with you and to experience you, too, changing. To my support team; Dan, Wally Myrna, Mary Ellen, and Angie; I thank you for taking this journey with me and sharing your insites.
I AM IN HIGH DEMAND AS I PASSIONATELY PRESENT THE PLAYBOOK SERIES WITH AUTHENTICITY FROM MY HEART!!
- I’ve started writing again; AND it’s GOOD!!
- I’m paying bills and moving toward being a paid facilitator.
- I’ve re-connected with several old friends
- I SING!!
- I’m doing great presentations with authenticity from my heart.
- I’m asking for help.
- I’m being less self-reliant.
- I’m stepping up quicker and more often with less hesitation.
- I judge less and love and accept more.
- I trust myself.
- I listen inside more (GURU)
- I’m more committed to me and to life and to my dream.
- I’m living my dream!
- I believe in me and my ability to do.
- I’m doing what I’ve been teaching and supporting the youth in doing (living my dream).
- Good writing-Impressive
- You Shine/Radiate
- You support Christine
- You gave 100% at ROPES
- You are a giving person
- You are more serious-not joking to avoid feelings
- You connect with your heart even more
- You are even more willing to be vulnerable
- You are willing to ask for help
- You have a great story-an amazing book (When Love Hurts)
- You are more confidant and know what you want
- You were willing to go door to door selling water to meet our objective
- You are genuinely caring and concerned; a big Teddy Bear
- You trust your team more
- You are willing to let go of appearances
- You are committed to yourself and your goal
- You always got 100% on Momentums and weekly activity
- You sing more and are on pitch.
Each of us took our turn in the chair reading what we had written about ourselves and then listening to what others had to say about us. It was easy to find kewl things to say about everyone of my peers. It has been a life-changing experience for me to spend the last 90 days with Mat & Pam Gover, Robbie & Sylvia Rainaldi, Diana Gourley, and of course, my wife Christine. My life is forever changed, as are theirs, and we got to share that experience with each other. Of course, the main catalyst for our change was from our two coaches, Jamie Utley and Douglas Phillips, and our two coaches.
To Jamie and Douglas, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for encouraging me to dream again. To my peers in the class, I feel sooo honored to have been through that with you and to experience you, too, changing. To my support team; Dan, Wally Myrna, Mary Ellen, and Angie; I thank you for taking this journey with me and sharing your insites.
I AM IN HIGH DEMAND AS I PASSIONATELY PRESENT THE PLAYBOOK SERIES WITH AUTHENTICITY FROM MY HEART!!
Week 12 Mind the GAP
This is the final week of coaching! Our celebration and graduation are scheduled for next Tuesday from 6-9. This week we talked about not focusing on the GAP between our ideal self and how we currently see ourselves. In Europe they have signs that say, “Mind the Gap” posted in subways, reminding people to beware of the open space between the rail car and the platform that you stand on, waiting to enter the train. When we focus on the perceived gap between how we see ourselves now and our ideal us, it can lead to a lot of shoulds, guilt, comparisons and other things that take our focus off of where we are going. My momentums this week on based on staying out of the gap and helping others, as well as ourselves, to see the end game, including looking back at all that has been accomplished.
My affirmation:
I am in High demand as I Passionately present the Playbook Series with authenticity from my heart.
Momentums:
My affirmation:
I am in High demand as I Passionately present the Playbook Series with authenticity from my heart.
Momentums:
- Post my ‘out of GAP’ affirmations.
- Post the feedback that I received from my peers in the coaching class.
- Share my experience/accomplishments with at least 2 new someones this week.
- Look for opportunities to help others see who they really are.
- Follow up within two days on each response I get and accept that they value what I am offering.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Week 11- The Eleventh Hour; or the Red Phone
Here are my Affirmation and Momentums for this week:
Affirmation: I am in High demand as I Passionately present the Playbook Series with authenticity from my heart.
Momentums:
I thought about my super power and came up with Jonathon Livingston Seagull. I love the way he went about exploring and seeking his truth regardless of what his ‘peeps’ were doing and regardless of what they thought. He wanted their friendship, but exploring and finding his truth was even more important. He talked about eating to live, not living to eat.
The story of him out over the ocean practicing his dives drives me! He was practicing flying fast like a falcon and making progress, but had a hard time controlling his wings in their tucked state. He worked at it and had some success, then on his final dive he lost control and plummeted into the water causing some damage. He decided to give up because what he was doing wasn’t natural and who was he to think he could do what the others weren’t doing. He started to fly back to his tribe, using the laborious wing flap that was his ‘nature’ agreeing to just be one of the flock. Early in to his flight it dawned on him that he was flying at night, and Seagulls don’t fly at night!
Jonathon looked at that and that inner light came through and he re-affirmed that there was more to his life than the flock recognized. He flew back up in to the sky and started diving again, and had his greatest success to that point, as he was able to hold his wings and scoop through the air like no Seagull before him!
My Super Hero combines those traits of Jonathon with my desire to remain a kid and have fun with this whole process. I am Boundless Truth Living DUDE! The boundless refers to the lack of a box to live in, or my willingness to step outside the box when I run up against one. Truth Living refers to that Jonathon-like ability to seek and live my truth, no matter what. I still don’t espouse many universal truths and don’t impose my truths on others, but I’ll be damned if anyone or anything is going to impose their truth on me, either! Finally, the DUDE part is to remind me to enjoy the ride and remain childlike, curious, willing to explore, to not know, to discover! I am Boundless Truth Living Dude and I will continue to rock my world!
When asked what I wanted to achieve in these last few weeks, I wrote, “To be what I teach. To have my own personal Playbook by Choice. Lastly, to have my materials finished and presentable, all twelve modules.”
What I found interesting is that, although I really want to do the workshops, and will, I’m recognizing that me living these truths is even more important and a cornerstone to a successful workshop career. I know that I will teach far more by who I am that by what I say, and truthfully, I want to be what I am presenting. Having recognized this, I also recognize that the next step is to market myself and the series, so my Red Phone activity for this week is to contact all of the Unity and Religious Science Centers here in the Northwest and using my Super Hero shamelessly promote myself and provide them with the opportunity to experience Mike Gifford and his message of empowerment.
I shared this momentum with Christine and we set up a reward, from her to me, that is so awesome only a fool would let fear or doubt stand in the way. Lets see how much of a fool I am NOT! Let’s see if I can fly like a Falcon even though I am in a Seagull suit. Here’s to a great and powerful week, no matter what happens around me!
Affirmation: I am in High demand as I Passionately present the Playbook Series with authenticity from my heart.
Momentums:
- Red Phone-I am contacting all the Unity and Religious Science Centers in the Northwest this week, first by eMail, then a follow-up phone call, to introduce myself and offer to present an intro to the Playbook Series.
- Reconnect with all of my support people at a deeper level, going over my goal and accepting their support and help.
- Find a collaborator for web and design.
- Commit to ‘being’ what I teach at an even higher level. Add at least 5 new plays to my personal Playbook by Choice.
- Be willing to stay in the struggle to experience the balance between me ‘making’ this happen vs trusting the universe and ‘allowing’ it to happen. Listen and write what I re-discover.
I thought about my super power and came up with Jonathon Livingston Seagull. I love the way he went about exploring and seeking his truth regardless of what his ‘peeps’ were doing and regardless of what they thought. He wanted their friendship, but exploring and finding his truth was even more important. He talked about eating to live, not living to eat.
The story of him out over the ocean practicing his dives drives me! He was practicing flying fast like a falcon and making progress, but had a hard time controlling his wings in their tucked state. He worked at it and had some success, then on his final dive he lost control and plummeted into the water causing some damage. He decided to give up because what he was doing wasn’t natural and who was he to think he could do what the others weren’t doing. He started to fly back to his tribe, using the laborious wing flap that was his ‘nature’ agreeing to just be one of the flock. Early in to his flight it dawned on him that he was flying at night, and Seagulls don’t fly at night!
Jonathon looked at that and that inner light came through and he re-affirmed that there was more to his life than the flock recognized. He flew back up in to the sky and started diving again, and had his greatest success to that point, as he was able to hold his wings and scoop through the air like no Seagull before him!
My Super Hero combines those traits of Jonathon with my desire to remain a kid and have fun with this whole process. I am Boundless Truth Living DUDE! The boundless refers to the lack of a box to live in, or my willingness to step outside the box when I run up against one. Truth Living refers to that Jonathon-like ability to seek and live my truth, no matter what. I still don’t espouse many universal truths and don’t impose my truths on others, but I’ll be damned if anyone or anything is going to impose their truth on me, either! Finally, the DUDE part is to remind me to enjoy the ride and remain childlike, curious, willing to explore, to not know, to discover! I am Boundless Truth Living Dude and I will continue to rock my world!
When asked what I wanted to achieve in these last few weeks, I wrote, “To be what I teach. To have my own personal Playbook by Choice. Lastly, to have my materials finished and presentable, all twelve modules.”
What I found interesting is that, although I really want to do the workshops, and will, I’m recognizing that me living these truths is even more important and a cornerstone to a successful workshop career. I know that I will teach far more by who I am that by what I say, and truthfully, I want to be what I am presenting. Having recognized this, I also recognize that the next step is to market myself and the series, so my Red Phone activity for this week is to contact all of the Unity and Religious Science Centers here in the Northwest and using my Super Hero shamelessly promote myself and provide them with the opportunity to experience Mike Gifford and his message of empowerment.
I shared this momentum with Christine and we set up a reward, from her to me, that is so awesome only a fool would let fear or doubt stand in the way. Lets see how much of a fool I am NOT! Let’s see if I can fly like a Falcon even though I am in a Seagull suit. Here’s to a great and powerful week, no matter what happens around me!
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Another Example of the Universe Blessing me through Others
My dear friend and Pit Crew Member, Wally Vlasik, has been talking with me every week after our Tuesday meeting. He always has incredible insights for me, as do my other Pit Crew Members. A couple of weeks ago he talked about a lady who had had an NDE (Near Death Experience) and had written a book, Backwards.
This week I received a DVD of a series of interviews with Nancy Danison, describing her NDE experience and explaining her life view and beliefs. As I watched the interview and listened to her words, I was blown away by how common our beliefs seemed to be!
Many of the concepts that are in my Playbook Series could have been taken straight from her talks. It confirmed for me that there is a universal source and that when we tap in to it the results seem to be the same.
I was so impressed with her and her desire to spread the message that I sent off an eMail to her and asked if she had any interest in collaborating and/or combining effort. I haven’t heard anything back yet, but am confident that we both have something of value to share with humankind. Wow, it doesn’t surprise me to hear me talking like that about her, but 4 months ago it would have been totally out of character for me to affirm my own value like this. I like how I am playing these days!
This week I received a DVD of a series of interviews with Nancy Danison, describing her NDE experience and explaining her life view and beliefs. As I watched the interview and listened to her words, I was blown away by how common our beliefs seemed to be!
Many of the concepts that are in my Playbook Series could have been taken straight from her talks. It confirmed for me that there is a universal source and that when we tap in to it the results seem to be the same.
I was so impressed with her and her desire to spread the message that I sent off an eMail to her and asked if she had any interest in collaborating and/or combining effort. I haven’t heard anything back yet, but am confident that we both have something of value to share with humankind. Wow, it doesn’t surprise me to hear me talking like that about her, but 4 months ago it would have been totally out of character for me to affirm my own value like this. I like how I am playing these days!
Week 10 RE-Create
One of my favorite authors, Neal Donald Walsh says:
“The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation. You are not discovering yourself, but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore, not to find out who you are, seek to determine who you want to be.”
“Every decision you make - every decision - is not a decision about what to do. It's a decision about Who You Are. When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. You begin to see life in a new way. All events, occurrences, and situations turn into opportunities to do what you came here to do."
In my opinion, this is a big part of this week’s session. Add to the above, the playfulness of children and you have our adventure at Re-Creating. Our momentums for this week our about remembering who we are and who we want to be, and being childlike and having fun doing things like we used to do as a kid.
I’m going to list my affirmation and momentums here and then I’m going to share a very personal example of both that I got to experience this week with some of my Samoan friends.
Affirmation:
I am in High demand, as I Passionately present the Playbook Series with Authenticity from my Heart.
Momentums:
I lived in Samoa from early 1966 to mid 1969. My dad taught at the Mormon school there and I got to attend school with Samoans and be a kid (11-14). I came home from school every day and got to decide, ”Do I want to go swimming in fresh water or salt water, or do I want to go play in the plantations of elephant grass and climb the trees.“ Did I mention that we had the best Mango tree on the island in our back yard? Oh, and that I could cut Sugar Cane, or pull a Cocoa Pod as we walked along and enjoy incredible food too?
As cool as that was, I also was surrounded by Samoans that showed me unconditional love, respect and admiration. While some of my American friends who lived in the village with us would sometimes tease or make fun of me, the Samoan kids never did. We always had fun together and they supported a healthy belief in who I was.
During this same time I was going through some internal struggles that were building the foundation for the addiction that was to come. Yet when I finally faced my addiction and came forward with the truth about me, it was my experience with my Samoan peers that gave me the courage to try to do recovery. In case it doesn’t show, I have a very special place in my heart for Samoans and Samoa!
Anyway, I’m attempting to paint a picture of a people who don’t put a lot of stock in the clothes you wear, the money you have, or any other external ‘things.’ Instead, they look for your heart and judge by your willingness to be true to it. The also tend to do a very good job of living in the now. We had a hurricane while we were there and it devastated much land and many of there homes. I remember driving from our home to Apia shortly after the hurricane and seeing grown adult men out ‘playing’ in the several feet of water on their property. I was somewhat surprised that they didn’t seem depressed or upset, until someone explained to me that the water would soon recede, so they wanted to enjoy it while it was there!
All of this leads to my experience of last Wednesday and Friday nights. Many of these Samoan friends were in town in conjunction with the LDS Conference so they had a reunion at Sundance. Christine and I joined them on Wednesday night. We ate a great meal, which was a combination of an American Thanksgiving Dinner and a Samoan Luau. The Thanksgiving meal was okay, but the Samoan food was even better for me.
After the meal, they went through a series of questions, about people married the most years, most kids, etc, etc. There was lots of competition, as they were giving away prizes, but there was absolutely no meanness and tons of laughter. One contest was to see if any of us had a bigger gut than Hans, the host. In a normal American setting, I would have shrunk and hoped that no one noticed me. Instead, I went out in the middle of the room with my friend Vaitu’u and promptly won a wind breaker! There was laughter and support, but no shame or judgment for my size. I even forgot to judge myself while I was up there with my friends!
At the end of the drawings they took the last several gifts and walked around the group making sure that every one had something! No one was to go home empty-handed. The first Samoan potluck that Christine went to with me was at my friend Selena’s house. Christine brought a casserole dish. As we were leaving Christine noticed that they were scooping our food out of the dish. She was a little surprised until she noticed that they were placing some of all the other food in her casserole dish, and then she was really surprised. Again, they wanted to make sure that everyone got some of everything!
After the drawings, we had a group prayer and they started a Siva (dance). Everyone got up and danced. I’m generally very nervous about dancing because I just know that when I step on the floor everyone is going to stop dancing and look at and laugh at me! That thought has never entered the mind of any Samoan! They are born to dance and sing and just assume that everyone is. As a result most of them have great voices and great rhythm! Everyone, including Christine and I, got up and danced. It didn’t even matter if you had a partner. If you were there, you were dancing!
After a couple of minutes dancing someone pulled out a camera and instead of running away from it everyone ran to it. They were laughing and totally present. These were adults my age (in their fifties), but no one told them that. They laughed and had joy and jumped in and out of pictures with abandon.
As Christine and I left the reunion, I turned to her and said, ”For our American friends to have that kind of fun and be that in the now, they would have to be drunk!“ These Samoan friends of mine had had nothing stronger than water and a little Coco Samoa to drink. They don’t need to loosen up. They take life serious, but they don’t take themselves too serious. They live in the now and are incredibly childlike.
I truly believe that one of the gifts God gave me to help through the rough years and through my addiction was three and a half years living among some of the most God-like people I have ever met. I have spent much of my adult life emulating what I have learned from them. I am truly grateful for the lessons that I’ve learned from my Samoan brothers and sisters. I will be using those lessons this week as I commit to Re-Create and Recreate. Things to my experience with Samoans there is hope that Michael Gifford will succeed this week!
“The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation. You are not discovering yourself, but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore, not to find out who you are, seek to determine who you want to be.”
“Every decision you make - every decision - is not a decision about what to do. It's a decision about Who You Are. When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. You begin to see life in a new way. All events, occurrences, and situations turn into opportunities to do what you came here to do."
In my opinion, this is a big part of this week’s session. Add to the above, the playfulness of children and you have our adventure at Re-Creating. Our momentums for this week our about remembering who we are and who we want to be, and being childlike and having fun doing things like we used to do as a kid.
I’m going to list my affirmation and momentums here and then I’m going to share a very personal example of both that I got to experience this week with some of my Samoan friends.
Affirmation:
I am in High demand, as I Passionately present the Playbook Series with Authenticity from my Heart.
Momentums:
- Go walking by myself on Wednesday, Friday and Monday, next week. I will walk at least an hour and will enjoy pushing while listening to my iPod and smelling the roses.
- Christine and I have declared this Sunday to be Me day. From midnight Sunday morning until midnight Monday morning we will leave our phones home and spend time together and separately feeding our souls.
- During the feeding our souls day we will be staying at one of the Marriott properties and I will take Christine to dinner and she will pick a movie for us to attend (maybe even at full price, although that is pushing a little) and we will share popcorn.
- I will make a serious dent in my Success Book and be prepared to share it with the group on Tuesday so that they know what an incredible family I have and what an incredible life I have had.
- I will create my Passion Board, with pictures representing my purpose in life, my ideal results and my passion. I will also have it ready to share at our next meeting.
I lived in Samoa from early 1966 to mid 1969. My dad taught at the Mormon school there and I got to attend school with Samoans and be a kid (11-14). I came home from school every day and got to decide, ”Do I want to go swimming in fresh water or salt water, or do I want to go play in the plantations of elephant grass and climb the trees.“ Did I mention that we had the best Mango tree on the island in our back yard? Oh, and that I could cut Sugar Cane, or pull a Cocoa Pod as we walked along and enjoy incredible food too?
As cool as that was, I also was surrounded by Samoans that showed me unconditional love, respect and admiration. While some of my American friends who lived in the village with us would sometimes tease or make fun of me, the Samoan kids never did. We always had fun together and they supported a healthy belief in who I was.
During this same time I was going through some internal struggles that were building the foundation for the addiction that was to come. Yet when I finally faced my addiction and came forward with the truth about me, it was my experience with my Samoan peers that gave me the courage to try to do recovery. In case it doesn’t show, I have a very special place in my heart for Samoans and Samoa!
Anyway, I’m attempting to paint a picture of a people who don’t put a lot of stock in the clothes you wear, the money you have, or any other external ‘things.’ Instead, they look for your heart and judge by your willingness to be true to it. The also tend to do a very good job of living in the now. We had a hurricane while we were there and it devastated much land and many of there homes. I remember driving from our home to Apia shortly after the hurricane and seeing grown adult men out ‘playing’ in the several feet of water on their property. I was somewhat surprised that they didn’t seem depressed or upset, until someone explained to me that the water would soon recede, so they wanted to enjoy it while it was there!
All of this leads to my experience of last Wednesday and Friday nights. Many of these Samoan friends were in town in conjunction with the LDS Conference so they had a reunion at Sundance. Christine and I joined them on Wednesday night. We ate a great meal, which was a combination of an American Thanksgiving Dinner and a Samoan Luau. The Thanksgiving meal was okay, but the Samoan food was even better for me.
After the meal, they went through a series of questions, about people married the most years, most kids, etc, etc. There was lots of competition, as they were giving away prizes, but there was absolutely no meanness and tons of laughter. One contest was to see if any of us had a bigger gut than Hans, the host. In a normal American setting, I would have shrunk and hoped that no one noticed me. Instead, I went out in the middle of the room with my friend Vaitu’u and promptly won a wind breaker! There was laughter and support, but no shame or judgment for my size. I even forgot to judge myself while I was up there with my friends!
At the end of the drawings they took the last several gifts and walked around the group making sure that every one had something! No one was to go home empty-handed. The first Samoan potluck that Christine went to with me was at my friend Selena’s house. Christine brought a casserole dish. As we were leaving Christine noticed that they were scooping our food out of the dish. She was a little surprised until she noticed that they were placing some of all the other food in her casserole dish, and then she was really surprised. Again, they wanted to make sure that everyone got some of everything!
After the drawings, we had a group prayer and they started a Siva (dance). Everyone got up and danced. I’m generally very nervous about dancing because I just know that when I step on the floor everyone is going to stop dancing and look at and laugh at me! That thought has never entered the mind of any Samoan! They are born to dance and sing and just assume that everyone is. As a result most of them have great voices and great rhythm! Everyone, including Christine and I, got up and danced. It didn’t even matter if you had a partner. If you were there, you were dancing!
After a couple of minutes dancing someone pulled out a camera and instead of running away from it everyone ran to it. They were laughing and totally present. These were adults my age (in their fifties), but no one told them that. They laughed and had joy and jumped in and out of pictures with abandon.
As Christine and I left the reunion, I turned to her and said, ”For our American friends to have that kind of fun and be that in the now, they would have to be drunk!“ These Samoan friends of mine had had nothing stronger than water and a little Coco Samoa to drink. They don’t need to loosen up. They take life serious, but they don’t take themselves too serious. They live in the now and are incredibly childlike.
I truly believe that one of the gifts God gave me to help through the rough years and through my addiction was three and a half years living among some of the most God-like people I have ever met. I have spent much of my adult life emulating what I have learned from them. I am truly grateful for the lessons that I’ve learned from my Samoan brothers and sisters. I will be using those lessons this week as I commit to Re-Create and Recreate. Things to my experience with Samoans there is hope that Michael Gifford will succeed this week!
How Peace and War fits with My Playbook Series
So, in my Playbook Series we talk about beliefs that are acquired from life and may not be conscious choice. Our premise is that it may serve us to challenge those beliefs and try on alternative beliefs. I also give several examples in the first (What We Know Can Hurt Us) Workshop. I lead the group down a certain path and ask them to seek an answer that lies outside the ‘box’ or path down which we have gone. Invariably, it is difficult for most people to step out of a path we start down together.
For example, Myrna gave me this one:
Do you understand Roman Numerals?
How do you create the number 10?
Answer: X
How can I add a single line and make it the number 9?
Answer: IX
Now, can you to add one more line and turn the number 9 in to the number 6.
This becomes extremely difficult for most of us because I have us going down two paths that don’t contain the answer. The first one is that we are thinking Roman Numerals. The second is that the line they added to 10 to make it a 9 was a straight line (I).
It takes someone really willing to step outside of the group think to come up with the right answer. The line that we add to 9 to create 6 is:
‘S’ ---------> SIX!
Hopefully, you understand the concept of Confirmation Bias (we only allow in to our senses those things that confirm our current beliefs). So, we played a game, which I won’t share with it, but to say that it started with this same mindset of thinking we knew what was said and acting upon it. We had a period of time to make a series of decisions in the two groups that we were put in to and achieve an ultimate goal.
Most of us made assumptions about being ‘us and them’ and acted accordingly. We started out the game trying to win at others expense. We all got in to auto pilot and did competition very well. There was also some victim stuff, some blaming and justification, etc.
Part way through the game Christine led her group to re-evaluate the direction they were going and have a Pow Wow with our group. It had never dawned on the rest of us to talk like that. We had the rules re-read to us and became clearing aware that we were not optimizing our efforts; that the rules never divided us in to an us and them for creating points.
After talking, we decided to trust each other and agree to work co-operative through the rest of the game. It was neat, and a sign of the quality of our coaching class that when we recognized where we had gone versus where we could have gone, we simply forgot the past, committed to the future and finished out the game with the maximum number of points that we could have earned from there out.
We were all sad and disappointed at our reactions and choices in the first part, but celebrated the second half when we recognized where we were and chose another path. Having said that, it was still a little shocking, to most of us, how quickly we went to war based on what we believed we were to do. There was even a little resistance to the suggestion that how we played the game was how we played life, but it quickly melted and we were able to apply the lesson to our lives and take away some pretty incredible insights.
Especially, given what I have been teaching, I was surprised at how quickly I went down the road I was led down, but was also proud of how quickly I recognized the path and sought another (the solution that I teach for confirmation bias). Neat way to play at an incredibly important message and get it in to my soul.
For example, Myrna gave me this one:
Do you understand Roman Numerals?
How do you create the number 10?
Answer: X
How can I add a single line and make it the number 9?
Answer: IX
Now, can you to add one more line and turn the number 9 in to the number 6.
This becomes extremely difficult for most of us because I have us going down two paths that don’t contain the answer. The first one is that we are thinking Roman Numerals. The second is that the line they added to 10 to make it a 9 was a straight line (I).
It takes someone really willing to step outside of the group think to come up with the right answer. The line that we add to 9 to create 6 is:
‘S’ ---------> SIX!
Hopefully, you understand the concept of Confirmation Bias (we only allow in to our senses those things that confirm our current beliefs). So, we played a game, which I won’t share with it, but to say that it started with this same mindset of thinking we knew what was said and acting upon it. We had a period of time to make a series of decisions in the two groups that we were put in to and achieve an ultimate goal.
Most of us made assumptions about being ‘us and them’ and acted accordingly. We started out the game trying to win at others expense. We all got in to auto pilot and did competition very well. There was also some victim stuff, some blaming and justification, etc.
Part way through the game Christine led her group to re-evaluate the direction they were going and have a Pow Wow with our group. It had never dawned on the rest of us to talk like that. We had the rules re-read to us and became clearing aware that we were not optimizing our efforts; that the rules never divided us in to an us and them for creating points.
After talking, we decided to trust each other and agree to work co-operative through the rest of the game. It was neat, and a sign of the quality of our coaching class that when we recognized where we had gone versus where we could have gone, we simply forgot the past, committed to the future and finished out the game with the maximum number of points that we could have earned from there out.
We were all sad and disappointed at our reactions and choices in the first part, but celebrated the second half when we recognized where we were and chose another path. Having said that, it was still a little shocking, to most of us, how quickly we went to war based on what we believed we were to do. There was even a little resistance to the suggestion that how we played the game was how we played life, but it quickly melted and we were able to apply the lesson to our lives and take away some pretty incredible insights.
Especially, given what I have been teaching, I was surprised at how quickly I went down the road I was led down, but was also proud of how quickly I recognized the path and sought another (the solution that I teach for confirmation bias). Neat way to play at an incredibly important message and get it in to my soul.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Week 9 Peace and War or Relationships
Affirmation:
I am in High demand as I Passionately present the Playbook Series with authenticity from my heart.
Momentums:
1 When I feel the threat of war communicate my honest feelings and be vulnerable instead of putting up walls or attacking back.
2 Stay in Peace internally regardless of what is going on around me.
3 Identify something I like about 2 new people every day.
4 Find 3 people that I play war with and find a way to serve them.
5 Create at least one new win/win relationship that will help me move toward my 90 day goal.
I will write more about Peace and War, but let me just say this was another incredible session and will be an incredible week as I identify myself playing war and make a commitment to change it.
I am in High demand as I Passionately present the Playbook Series with authenticity from my heart.
Momentums:
1 When I feel the threat of war communicate my honest feelings and be vulnerable instead of putting up walls or attacking back.
2 Stay in Peace internally regardless of what is going on around me.
3 Identify something I like about 2 new people every day.
4 Find 3 people that I play war with and find a way to serve them.
5 Create at least one new win/win relationship that will help me move toward my 90 day goal.
I will write more about Peace and War, but let me just say this was another incredible session and will be an incredible week as I identify myself playing war and make a commitment to change it.
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