Chasing Fame and Wealth

In Eastern teaching, there are several mistresses. One being Fame and Wealth, another Wisdom and Knowledge.

Fame and wealth are troublesome, temperamental, and changeable. Like a fluttering butterfly, fame and wealth don't stop any one place for long. And when we chase fame and wealth it repels or disturbs her.

But to develop knowledge and wisdom, builds a strong foundation for fame and wealth to feel safe and protected enough to land.

So, in our steps toward success, it becomes a bigger and more powerful part of the puzzle to design time and efforts building knowledge and wisdom. That allows us to become of the world but not a victim to the world and its ever changing environment.

"The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself."

Mark Caine
Author

2011 and tax time

Well, it's March 15th. Been a long time since I've written here.

Lots has happened.

New job with California Dollars For Scholars, Hop releases in April, our taxes are done, good rebate coming, got a new washer and dryer, got it installed.

It's going well. However, I'm being tested beyond my current abilities.

We have a conference March 26th and I fear low attendance. That was my job.
Like the fox in this picture my goals seem out of reach.
The grapes are out of reach. My tendency is to call them sour and give up.

I do that way too much. Give up, stop, let go.

I 'know' I need to trust powers greater than mine to produce results, but my human brain can't seem to keep from getting cynical and pessimistic and giving up.

Crazy huh? We live in greater opportunities than all times and we find a way to see the dark side. We live lives of comfort and creation, and yet, we complain.

Wow.

This I need to look at more carefully. What is the nature of complaints? Why the need to complain? Why do we trust people more who are negative?

Is it a fear of being 'taken', considered a dupe? naive?

Education and Bamboo

Education is a lot like a certain Chinese bamboo.

Most bamboo is considered the fastest growing plants in the world. However, there is one type of bamboo that grows in China, it grows only 2 inches the first year, then only 2 inches the next, and the next. for five years it only grows 2 inches each years, until at the end of the fifth year it will grow 90 feet.

90 feet in less than one year. Wow.

Education is a lot like that. You work hard and study for years and sometimes don't see any pay off to your dedication, until...you get that job that requires the degree you got. Or because you have a degree you get a chance at an interview.

Education is a funny thing, once you have it it can never be taken away from you. Ever.

It takes dedication, perseverance, focus. But the payoff is worth it.

The Light and Dark Side of Dissatifaction

We have a way of being slightly dissatisfied. I'm not talking about being negative, that's easy to hear and see.

I'm actually talking about a kind of whining when something ends, or we long for happiness, or love, or to be loved completely, or why isn't our body better, or our face prettier. You get the picture.

There is an ocean of dissatisfaction we live in. Some of the dissatisfaction is good, however.

Most of us do not know how to distinguish the light and the dark side of dissatisfaction. Sometimes it looks all the same.

Or we make the mistake of thinking we 'should' be satisfied with what we've got.

Well, yes, we want to feel accomplished with what we have, and strive for whats better, or whats next.

Don't miss the experience of feeling accomplished with the progress you've made, just don't get caught thinking that is the end.

And don't forget to give yourself the feeling of accomplishment, or achievement, no matter how small. That will spur you on to the next opening for your progression.

Liking What You See in the Mirror

Liking yourself. Another way to say that is being at peace with your faults, weaknesses, strengths, ego, arrogance, humor, energy, family, spouse, and, well you get the picture. Be at peace.

When you look in the mirror, be friends with who is there. Most of us judge and evaluate ourselves viciously. "Oh, look at my belly, my hair, my wrinkles, my flab!" We say. Try having a good day after that conversation at the mirror.

What about, "Oh, look at the sparkle in my eyes, the nice curve of my cheeks, the smooth sounds of my voice."

Begin a love affair with the person in the mirror, not one based on ego, but based on honoring the spirit within. The essence of life that beats our heart, brings air into our lungs and many many under thanked jobs our life force does for us to allow us to live.

So be at peace, and find ways to bring your perfection to the surface. Bring the best out of that person in the mirror.

Calm Down vs Slow Down

The world is moving fast these days. We are going through changes in 5-10 years that most generations didn't see for 100 years. I'm not talking about just changing stocks, or sox. I mean deep changes in the fabric of our world.

It's important to notice what we do in the face of significant change? Mostly we want to hold on to what we think is true. Or return to old patterns, or habits in an effort to remain 'in control'. We try to slow down. We try, in our narrow view to control events, ourselves, our family or environment. We all do it to some extent.

That is where we make mistakes. Mistakes that don't register until it is way too late as we watch opportunities whiz by.

So, what is there to do? For lack of a better term, we need to calm down. Calm down and remain focused.

Here are some basic dos and dont's"

Do: breathe, keep your eyes on what you want, your goals, meditate or pray or sit silently for 10 minutes each day, drink water, do yoga or exercise daily, honor yourself as you honor others (or honor others as you honor yourself which ever works for you)

Don't: lose your temper, waste time in emotional dramas, family feuds, over indulge in alcohol, drugs, food or sugars (they only ramp you up to let you down).

Learn to listen. Listen to your intuition. The part of you that knows. That will keep you calm and focused.

Develop Your Core Courgae

It was Albert Camus who once said, "In the midst of the darkest winter I found within myself an invincible summer."

It seems that in times of real challenge, I find a kind of tenacity, courage, and strength that surprises me.

I think we are all capable of marvelous courage. Most of us have never given ourselves the chance to be challenged. We shrink from challenges as if they were the plague. And yet we think of ourselves a great unsung heroes.

Hum, something is amiss here.

The way to develop your core courage is for it to be challenged. So, take that leadership role at work, or in your family, or community. Take it on and allow yourself to grow and develop core courage.