Quote of the day:
“Everyone who got where he is, had to begin where he was.” — Robert Louis Stevenson Reflection: Like I mentioned in the last post, it may seem a little early to be thinking about the New Year, but I wanted you to have enough time to be prepared if you do want to do this as you welcome in the New Year. What are your goals and wishes for 2016? This can include practical goals as well as wild dreams type things that you have no idea how to make happen. Write these all down on one long list. This little practice can be a very powerful tool for reinforcing what we want. You could do this on New Year's Eve or any other day you prefer. Write your wish list for 2016 on a piece of paper. Then light a candle. Review your list of accomplishments, gratitude and overcoming. (See last post.) Bask in the sense of acknowledgment and gratitude. Now read aloud your wish list for 2016 and blow out your candle. You can do this alone or with a friend or two, or partner and take turns. It is a very powerful exercise to get you started in the right direction for the coming year. If you don't care to play out this little ceremony of sorts, that is not a problem, simply write out your wish list as that works too!
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Quote of the day:
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” — Abraham Lincoln Reflection: Sometimes we think we don’t have time to prepare for a project. When actually if we took a little time to plan and prepare our tools we would save time as the following story illustrates. Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked a timber merchant for a job, and he got it. The pay was good and so were the work conditions. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought in 18 trees. “Congratulations,” the boss said. “Keep it up!” Motivated by the boss’ words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring in 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring in 10 trees. Day after day, he was bringing in fewer and fewer trees. “I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on. “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked. “Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I’ve been busy trying to cut trees.” Now would be a good time to sharpen your axe and get ready for the next year. If you haven’t done so already, set some time aside to prepare for the new year. (The next two Motivational Minutes that I will send out on Dec 1st and Dec 3rd have ideas and tips on how to do this.) This book is a powerful parable of loss, love, and redemption. It is the triumphant tale of personal growth and change that will inspire anyone who has ever wished for a second chance. The introduction tells of a real-life car accident that Brendon had a decade ago that served as a wake-up call and precipitated this fictional message.
Brendon narrates a fantasy trip through a ghostly mountain amusement park that offers visitors a "golden ticket," or second chance at transforming their lives. The price of admission to the closed-down park, the narrator discovers, is to be open to possibility, face the truth and give up believing that change equals pain. He also must stick closely to his host, Henry, who serves as a wise counselor. During the narrator's trip, he samples various amusement park rides (all with allegorical meaning) and revisits his past. Each carnie he meets is a motivational guide with spiritual wisdom to impart. The themes are: risk change; forgiveness; take responsibility; be bold; contribute; look at the other person's point of view. And the final lesson and one Brendon advocates is: live fully, love openly and make a difference. Readers dissatisfied with their lives but not wild about nonfictional self-help books may find inspiration for change here. If you are interested in reading this inspiring story click on the book store page and find it under Inspirational on the drop down menu. Reinventing Yourself: How To Become The Person You've Always Wanted To Be By Steve Chandler2/18/2014 Review by Dana Bosley
The great challenge in life is to believe that you can change. “There's not necessarily something wrong with you, but you do it for the sheer joy of it”, Chandler says. There are two kinds of people, victims and owners. Transforming oneself from the victim mindset to the owner mindset is the purpose of this book. Throughout the book, the "owner" and "victim" are compared. Victims think power is beyond their control. Their core belief is that life is unfair. Owners are happy, not easily discouraged. Victims allow things to happen to them; owners make things happen. Language is a powerful weapon: victims use "should" and "ought," owners use "can" and "will." The victim is "swamped" by all the things he/she has to do; the owner is "focused" on the tasks before him/her. Owners address problems rather than avoiding them. Practice is a powerful weapon against the mediocre life. Losing is not defeat. Happiness can be mastered. I very much liked this book and concur with what Mr. Chandler says about victims and owners. If you are familiar with my Motivational Minutes, you know that I have written on “victims” as well as positive thinking, yet I too continue to find the need to actively battle negative self chatter and promote positive thinking and taking action. I highly recommend this book. Reinventing Yourself is a great book to help you see if you have a victim or owner mentality. Chandler helps you convert what could have been into what will be. He is not strong on the how-tos or techniques for breaking down negative barriers and letting go of pessimistic thoughts that prevent you from fulfilling, or even allowing yourself to conceive of your goals and dreams, however, by the end of the book you will realize which person (the victim or owner) lives within you, and acknowledging that is half the battle. Although I have found other books like Ask and It is Given by Ester and Jerry Hicks to have more helpful techniques, Steve’s book has some unique ideas such as the chapter on the 'ladder of selves' which I found quite interesting and I put this to use with very good results. I've found it's helped me to have a more balanced perspective. So while reading, grab a pen and paper and jot down ideas which will change your life and help you literally reinvent yourself. Steve's method is to help us learn the words to say to ourselves. He believes victims are victims of their own defeated thinking. What they watch, read and listen to can make them happy or sad. You literally have to reprogram your mind. Once you have done this and come to see the human spirit as a fire that needs to be lit daily, you can finally learn how to invite happiness into your life on a daily basis, no matter what the circumstances. Overall, this book is really about taking the old you, or parts of the old you, that you don't like and changing into the new you that you want to become. Good questions to ask yourself are: Is my current behavior getting in the way of me enjoying certain aspects of my life? Am I dragging other people down with me, including my loved ones? If so, do I want to change, or keep living half of the life I could be living? The real question though is: Are you brave enough to admit there's something about you that you wish to change/reinvent? And if so, are you willing to take it further—to walk along the path to make that change in yourself? Chandler shows us where to start and where we want to go from here. His statement, “You are the problem”, is one of his most valuable teachings. Because I own the problem, I become the solution. This simple idea seems harmless, but it is the most efficient tool to transform yourself. And the best thing about Chandler's method is that you can start anywhere, any time in your life. I highly recommend this book. If you are interested in acquiring a copy for yourself, or for a loved one, it is posted in the book store under self-improvement. Review by Coach Dana
This book is a story about a healthy, together, on top of everything guy who loses his sight in a mountain climbing accident and his journey back to life. Together, is a beautifully written book that allows the reader to journey into emotions and places one does not normally dare to go. It takes a look into the heart of a man who has never had to totally trust others and reveals how he discovered that in trusting others he could totally trust himself. Although this book is a novel it shares many wonderful lessons and deep truths. I enjoyed this book on many levels. It’s a great read if you love animals. It has lessons on mountain climbing, on over coming, having a positive attitude, relationships and more. The story does an excellent service in giving those who have not had experience with disability or service animals exposure to the fantastic love, intelligence, and unlimited promise, of these "best friends". For those learning to adapt to a disability, it also offers not just sentimental "hope", but a very real introduction to how the world will change, NOT end, for those who must adapt. But more than an encouragement to anyone with a disability it shows those who have no disabilities how dysfunctional and disabled we are in living life to the full. The thing I like about this book the most is the lessons on relationships and how having freedom and independence are important, yet trust and inter-dependence are the real keys to deep and meaningful relationships. As Barnes, Brenden’s counselor said “I told you that there was independence, dependence, and interdependence, and that life would start to take shape when you understood that idea.” … "Interdependence carries with it the concept of sacrifice: One person giving to the other without reservation or hesitation and doing it out of love. People can seem to be in love, giving all the right impressions, but still be selfish. To love selflessly is a constant, quiet kind of thing. It's our greatest gift. In the end it's what brings us the most satisfaction in life.” Later in the book Brenden explains the oneness he feels with his ski instructor who later becomes his wife. And when climbing the mountain again with his best friend he says, "This whole thing is about interdependence, like Smitty always said. We need to be able to rely on each other. Actually, I think that's the way all of life's supposed to work." This book is a lovely gift of the sharing of souls. If you are interested in acquiring this book please go to the book store under Inspirational dropdown menu. P.S. I read another book by Tom Sullivan--You Are Special. Another excellent book, about self-worth. Sorry to say, it seems like it is out of print now. However, if you ever see it I also recommend it. Review by Dana Bosley
This book is a course in re-discovering your creative self. You don’t have to be an artist, dancer, singer, writer or any other kind of person you associate with art. The thing I found helpful with this book is that it set me free to create a beautiful life. My life is my very own master piece and all the exercises and commentary she discusses in her book I was able to apply to my personal master piece, and you can too. The entire course is based upon the principle that the artist must have faith to be creative. It is the author's conviction that the Creator encourages creativity in all people. With the basic principle that creative expression is the natural direction of life, Julia Cameron and Mark Bryan lead you through a comprehensive twelve week program to discover your creativity from a variety of blocks, including limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, jealousy, guilt, addictions, and other inhibiting forces, and replacing them with confidence and productivity. Julia recommends two ongoing activities that will conquer blocks of self-destructive tendencies: Morning Pages and Artist's Dates. Morning Pages are three pages of writing, performed daily, about anything at all. This exercise overcomes the writer's internal censor or as I call it, negative self-chatter. The Artist's Date is a weekly block of time of two hours spent observing, experiencing, and sensing. The book is broken down into twelve weekly lessons. There are several miscellaneous sections. Each weekly lesson has tasks and exercises to be completed. Sidebars provide quotes and tidbits of information to uplift the soul. The divisions of the manual are as follow: · Introduction: The author explains how she began teaching and eventually developed her seminars and lectures into a book. · Spiritual Electricity: The Basic Principles defines the ten spiritual principles, gives directions for using this course, and tells the reader what to expect from the course. · The Basic Tools: Introduces the two primary tools of the course: The Morning Pages and the Artist Date. · Week 1: Recovering a Sense of Safety deals with realizing what negative beliefs and hurts from the past are blocking or restricting your creativity and replacing them with positive affirmations. · Week 2: Recovering a Sense of Identity begins with a section called "Going Sane." It deals with the people you surround yourself with in life and how they exert negative influence over your creativity. · Week 3: Recovering a Sense of Power leaps right into anger management, shame, and dealing with criticism. · Week 4: Recovering a Sense of Integrity, the essays, tasks, and exercises are designed to catapult you into productive introspection and integration of new self-awareness. · Week 5: Recovering a Sense of Possibility explores how you curtail your own possibilities by placing limits on the good you can receive and examines the cost of settling for appearing good instead of being authentic. · Week 6: Recovering a Sense of Abundance tackles a major creative block—money. · Week 7: Recovering a Sense of Connection aims at excavating areas of creative interest as you connect with your personal dreams. · Week 8: Recovering a Sense of Strength tackles another major creative block—time. · Week 9: Recovering a Sense of Compassion explores and acknowledges the emotional difficulties that beset us in the past and undertakes healing the shame of past failures. · Week 10: Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection explores the perils that can ambush us on our path. · Week 11: Recovering a Sense of Autonomy examines the ongoing ways in which we must nurture and accept ourselves, explores the behaviors that can strengthen our spiritual base and, therefore, our creative power. This week takes a special look at the ways in which success must be handled in order that we not sabotage our freedom. · Week 12: Recovering a Sense of Faith acknowledges the inherently mysterious spiritual heart of creativity. It addresses the fact that creativity requires receptivity and profound trust—capacities that have been developed through the work in this course and takes a special look at last-minute sabotages. If you are in doubt and you need just that little bit of encouragement, if you know deep down inside that there is an artist in you that feels neglected, or that you haven't yet discovered, take the plunge and start a wonderful journey! If you are a lawyer, accountant or a mother taking care of your family at home, or any other profession, don't be discouraged or misled by the book's title—this book is for you! Let it help you create a beautiful life like it did for me. If you are interested in this book you can go to the Book Store page and find it in the drop down menu called self-improvement. Review by Dana Bosley
Personal Development Coach This is an extremely positive, uplifting, empowering book. The basic message is that life is supposed to be fun, and you can create your life in any way you desire, by changing your emotions and thoughts. The book is divided into two parts—the first half focuses on the 'theory', and is very motivational, in addition to clearly explaining the concepts. The second half is a large and wonderful collection of techniques for putting it all into practice, and creating measurable results in your own life. Although Jerry and Esther are listed as the authors, Ask and It Is Given is actually a collection of channeled messages from "Abraham"—a collective name for the spiritual entities that are channeled through Esther. As you read, you'll come to understand how your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more are influenced by the Universal laws that govern us—and you'll discover powerful processes that will help you go with the positive flow of life. The Hicks, along with Abraham, put it all together in this book. Most self-help books give you ideas and inspiration, but are not easy to figure out how to implement. In other words, many ”How-To” books don't truly show you “How-To” but this one does. This book gives you immediately usable and useful instructions. The last part of the book lists 22 processes that you can use to attract what you want, explaining exactly when to use them, and how. The exercises are both fun and practical. This book is not to be devoured in one sitting. Rather, this is a book to be read in passages, with time to think and do the exercises in between. It includes much advice on working with energy and emotions as well as specific chapters on increasing prosperity, reclaiming health, working with meditation, and clearing clutter for clarity as well as matching the vibrational energy of one’s desires—taking the power of positive thinking to a whole new level. You are always in charge of your circumstances, and this book is the perfect tool to help you keep focused on how. This book is easy to understand and apply, and will surely bring you wonderful results. If you are interested in buying and reading the book, Ask and it is Given, you can find it in the book store under the drop down menu personal improvement. Review by Dana Bosley
Personal Development Coach I’m a great fan of Julia Cameron and her writings. One of my favorite books that she wrote is called The Artist Way. A review on that book is coming soon. In The Prosperous Heart, Julia Cameron presents a 12-week program for using practical financial tools—in partnership with your creative heart and soul—to guide you to prosperity in all areas of your life. According to Cameron, true prosperity has very little to do with the amount of money we have in the bank. Rather, it is about possessing a generous heart and the ability that affords us to see clearly, and appreciate, the aspects of our lives that are truly valuable. With inspiring daily tools, exercises, and strategies, this book guides readers in developing a life that is full, satisfying, and secure—both fiscally and spiritually. The book is chock-full of other down-to-earth material such as myths about money, trusting that we live in a benevolent universe and that things will turn out okay, clearing clutter from our lives, finding community, and taking to heart the spiritual virtues and practices of forgiveness, kindness, generosity, and perseverance. However, most of all the book is about having a prosperous heart—having a meaningful life, having enough, being happy and content and rejoicing in your blessings. I very much enjoyed reading it as it goes right along with all the things I value. At times I even found myself thinking that I wish I had written the book as I have lived by faith for over 40 years and I have found the things she teaches to be true and trust worthy. Readers will find tools, such as Morning Pages (three hand-written stream-of-consciousness journal pages written first thing in the morning), and a 20-minute daily walk. New tools for financial recovery include Counting, keeping a small journal of every penny earned and spent over the course of the 12-week program, and Abstinence, a complete abstaining from any further incurrence of debt. I can assure you that if you follow her advice it will work. I found the quotes on the side bar to be wonderful, many of them I have used in my own writing. I did an exercise of my own and wrote down the things that a prosperous heart is which gave me a wonderful way to review the book. There are parts of the book you may or may not enjoy. She shares a lot of her personal life and day to day activities. I quite enjoyed it, but I can see how some may question, “What does this have to do with prosperity?” I think the point she is trying to make is that prosperity does not only consist of money, but much more. She is generously sharing her journey with you. If you are one of those who question in this way, don’t get bogged down by that distraction but try to discover the principles she is trying to illustrate and put them into practice in your own life. If you need help with your financial as well as your spiritual life, this book is for you. You can obtain the book by going to the book store under the drop down menu click self-improvement. Review by Dana Bosley
I found this book very helpful, relatable and healing. As you know if you have read my writings, I’m big on combating negative self-chatter and building up self-worth. Our so called “inadequacies” and the shame, guilt and fear that come along with it can be debilitating. Instead of living our lives in a meaningful, joyous and helpful way those obstacles can stunt our growth. I was pleased to find that Brown’s research as a leading expert on shame, authenticity, and belonging, confirms and validates my own research and my own theory of the seven principles of meaningful living. You can find that article that I base my life coaching practice and writings of the Motivational Minutes on, in the archives of my blog under meaningful living in the category list. Brown has made a career out of studying difficult emotions such as fear and shame. She is a brave woman to address these uncomfortable feelings that many people care not to address. She courageously tackles the dark emotions that get in our way of leading a fuller life. I highly recommend this book as I found in reading it that some of that courage rubbed off on me. In this book she shares ten guideposts on the power of what she calls “wholehearted living”. Each guidepost is the focus of a chapter that contains illustrative stories, primarily from her own life; definitions, including the difference between shame and guilt; great quotes; and brief suggestions of activities or exercises to help you take action on her commentary. She emphasizes that above all other ingredients of living an emotionally healthy life is the importance of loving ourselves. I find this is really true but is often hard to grasp especially for those who have sacrificial and giving natures. However, I have found that you cannot give out of an empty vessel and it makes helping and loving others more effective if you love and respect yourself. The thing I like about this book is how she explains shame and fear and explains ways of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness. She intersperses her own personal journey with research and clinical observations of others of the work of living a “wholehearted” life, or “engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness.” The point is to embrace life and oneself with all the imperfections, releasing the stress of overdoing and overworking. I found the exercises for readers useful to continue my own development of growth and to be able to stand up to unrealistic expectations of others and myself as well as overcoming shame and inadequacies. Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we'd no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while wanting in our deepest hearts to be accepted for what we are and to stop having to prove ourselves. In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, "No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough," and to go to bed at night thinking, "Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn't change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging." If you are interested in acquiring this book you can find it in the book store section of this site under the drop down menu self-improvement. Review by Coach Dana Bosley (Personal Development Coach)
This book is not your average self-help book. Larry's no-nonsense, humorous style, has earned him the titles "Pit-bull of Personal Development" and "World's Only Irritational Speaker." One of the fundamental principles of change is that you have to take action to achieve change. You have to accept responsibility for your life. Larry motivates you to take action on his simple formula: Your life is your own fault, if you shut up, stop whining, and take action, your life will get better. His "get off your butt and go to work" approach to self-improvement, includes tangible advice and has worked for millions, including myself. He offers some great affirmations, some of the best I have ever used, and the brash approach really helped me learn the keys to turning my life, money and business around by following Larry’s advice: Stop making excuses, stop blaming others and take responsibility for your life and see results. This book is not a warm and fuzzy book. If you are hoping to change your life without action, then this book isn’t for you. However, if you’re ready to stop your whining, get to work, and take action to really change your life, than Larry is effective with his brutal, honest straight talk and tough-love approach. Larry wants to see you succeed and is not afraid to rub some reality in your face to help you do it. I highly recommend this book. If you would like to buy this book you can click here. |
AuthorThe goal of the blog is to provide interesting, motivational, soul feeding material. All to help remind us that God loves us all and wants a personal relationship with each of us and will take care of us in times of trouble. I aspire to be a force for good by providing you with positive input. I encourage you to share the blog with others. Archives
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