Making Choices…

Do you ever wish you could turn back the hands of time?  Even for a few hours?  I do. 

It’s not easy dealing with everyday challenges.    But I’ve been learning from a pro in positive thinking.  His name is revered in the industry of public speaking – Zig Ziglar. As Zig says, “You cannot tailor-make the situations in life, but you can tailor-make the attitudes to fit those situations.”  And he repeats, “You can have everything in life you want, if you help enough people get what they want.” Zig’s lifelong track record of speaking and writing about having a positive attitude has touched countless lives across the world.  I heard him speak many years ago at a convention, and was amazed by his energy, enthusiasm and wisdom.  In late March 2007, his life instantly changed.  He fell down a long flight of stairs in his home, seriously injured his head, and was unable to do the simplest things.  Suddenly, Zig was forced to “walk his talk.”  It must have been traumatic for everyone around him.  But all of Zig’s inner positive programming and his many friends kept his spirit strong. 

He just wrote a book, “Embrace The Struggle,” about his story.   The summary states, “Amazingly, Zig’s injury actually helped reenergize him as he continues speaking, writing and teaching others about the benefit of living with a positive attitude.” I happened to see Zig on stage this past year at a motivational seminar.  He walked up a short flight of stairs, holding onto the rail, with his son by his side.  They both sat down on chairs, while the son explained the new type of presentation.  “Even though dad sustained a serious head injury,” said his son, “he still wants to keep speaking.  My dad says it’s not over till it’s over.”  The son continued by explaining that Zig’s presentation would be different than the way he spoke before the accident.   

“We’re going to do this as an interview,” said his son, “because my dad has some memory loss.”  Afterwards, they would show video clips, a montage of Zig’s past talks. Even with hundreds of people in the audience, the room was perfectly still.  Everyone listened raptly.  Zig was still Zig… even though he wasn’t pacing across the stage.  The wisdom, humor and caring shone through. 

Zig still credited his wife as the “cute redhead” who had been his motivation through his life.  And when he reflected over each question, you could tell that the answers were deeply imbedded into his soul. His gift for sharing his positive attitude would stay with him forever.   

“Make your car into a university,” he urged the crowd.  “Spend the time in your car listening to tapes and learning,” said this teacher who was always learning himself.

Afterwards, we gave him a standing ovation.  We were clapping for Zig’s spirit.  His unstoppable attitude.  His faith and determination.   I admit that I sometimes want to turn back the clock.  I feel concerned about the obstacles.  But Zig shows us what’s possible.  I can choose to be positive and move forward.   Yes, Zig.  I can do it. 

Over the weekend, I just watched two wonderful, old-fashioned movies.  It was so delightful to slip into another world for a few hours.

The first movie – “Mrs. Pettigrew Lives For A Day” whisked me into London, on the verge of World War II, where a down and out governess slyly got a position as a “social secretary” for an aspiring actress.  

The other movie, “Becoming Jane” revealed the little-known story behind Jane Austen’s loving relationship during her youth with an up-and-coming future lawyer.  Unfortunately, this man’s future wife was already chosen by an uncle, so Jane didn’t have a chance to marry him… unless they eloped.  Besides, Jane’s bold, unladylike desire to have a writing career was not considered acceptable. 

In the past, women didn’t have many choices if they wanted to live well.  The only choice was – marry well.

So – why do I bring this topic up?  Because I’m mulling over how easy it is to slip into our predetermined limitations.   In “Mrs. Pettigrew,” no one of the elite upper class would

want to mingle with a lower class lady.  Mrs. Pettigrew has to keep her past secret, even though there are those who threaten her one day of incredible fun and glamour.  And dear Jane Austen must weigh society’s judgment against her vs. her own convictions to live life on her terms.

So – even though these historical films allow us to drift into another world, how do we choose to live differently today?

Fortunately, we are now blessed with choices… many choices.  But do we allow ourselves to take advantage of all that we can be?  Do we dare to move outside our prescribed “box” of limitations?  Can we push ourselves to risk becoming who we need to be? 

As one of my new mentors, Loral Langemeier advises, “First you act… then think and plan… “  Loral comments that most people think and plan so much that they never actually move themselves forward into action.  To simply leap into action can be daunting.  But how long can we straddle the fence between supposed “security” vs. a new adventure? 

As I keep learning, I realize more and more the importance of kind, encouraging friends and business coaches… people who cheer you on vs. those who prefer to negate your dreams.  As the saying goes, “We are the company we keep.” 

So – let us move forward through reading positive books, listening to inspiring tapes and seminars, and contemplating on our vision.  Let us attract what we want… instead of focusing on what we don’t want. 

  It’s all a choice.  And we’re lucky in today’s day and age that we have choices.  We can choose to live out loud… and follow our passion.  If we dare…     

Let’s focus on Y.O.U…. Who is inside that wonderful
frame?  How much are you capable of becoming?  What do you really want out of life?  Are you willing to go for it?

My good friend, Karim Ismail wrote a wonderful book,
“Keep Any Promise,” with worksheets and thought-provoking material based on the premise that we all
make promises to ourselves.  Do we keep them?

(Visit www.keepanypromise.com, and take the free life quiz to find out more.)  I have been “reading” the book, and now plan to work on the exercises.

I think most of us tend to think within our preconceived
“box” of limitations.  Call it the comfort zone. 
We believe we can do only what we’ve done before. 
But – who SAYS? 

If we keep thinking that way, we’ll never grow
beyond our perceptions.  And who knows what’s waiting
for us – if we’re only willing to dare?  It’s necessary
to mentally stretch outside our perceptions,
in order to become who we need to be.

So – how do we grow within? 
Everywhere we look, we can choose to get information. 
Sometimes, it’s too much… “information overload.” 
So much calls for our attention.  Where do we turn?

Perhaps, to begin properly, we need solitude.
We don’t have to climb a mountain in one day. 
Let’s take small steps together…

We begin by s-l-o-w-i-n-g down.  The early morning
offers a perfect time to do that.  You can use the
morning to learn something new, meditate or contemplate…  
Soak in the benefits of quiet.  Afterwards, that
calm feeling typically stays for most of the day.
 
Give yourself the treat of solitude.  The phone,
computer and emails can wait.  That time for you
is most important in feeding your soul.

To Your Success,
Lynn

Park Avenue Productions
www.parkaveproductions.com
“Multimedia That Makes A Difference”

P.S.  “Thoughts become things… choose the good ones.”
From Tut (Totally Unique Thoughts – visit www.tut.com)

Thoughts are so powerful.  When we realize we have so much power within us, it’s even more important to focus on how we can extend our loving influence to others.  After all, how can we make the most of our time on earth?

As Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said, “It’s only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth — and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up — that we will begin to live each day to its fullest, as if it was the only one we had.”

I’m grateful to have learned from wonderful spirtually based teachers — both from books and from personal meetings and seminars.  Ultimately, it comes down to conscious living… where we recognize the oneness that we all share.

One such evolved person is Colin Tipping, author of Radical Forgiveness, whose goal is to achieve world peace by the year 2012.  (See:  www.radicalforgiveness.com)

Tipping says, “As you release the pain and self-destructive patterns that have kept you out of joy, stolen your life and blocked your abundance up to now, you will feel a profound feeling of inner peace and freedom.”  At his website, you can sign up for free teleseminars and learn more.

Another wonderfully aware human being is my friend, Bob Burg, bestselling author of “The Go Giver” and speaker.  (www.burg.com/blog)  In a recent blog, Burg talks about cultivating a habit of happiness.  Happiness doesn’t have to “happen” to you… it’s not external.  The emotional foundation to having happiness is by focusing on the attitude of gratitude. 

Burg says, “Your level of gratitude determines your level of happiness, as well as your potential for success.”

So… how can we get to a high level of gratitude?  I feel the answer lies in giving.  When we give, we receive. 

On Friday, July 3rd, I had the supreme privilege of getting a hug an Indian saint, Amma… known throughout the world as “Mother.”  Amma has given over 26 MILLION hugs, and her charitable work in raising millions or dollars has helped countless people across India.  To be in her presence…. to receive her hug… is to feel the utmost unconditional love.  (www.amma.org)

For this week, let us contemplate how we can turn our mind towards gratitude and love…  I find it helpful to spend some morning time in meditation and contemplation… like giving one’s mind a bath before plunging into the daily ups and downs of life.

What’s important to you?

Everyday we’re faced with choices. 

Besides working to fulfill our basic needs, we also choose our attitude.  How will we handle the ups and downs that will inevitably happen?  Are we prepared?  What perspective do we choose?

Our attitude is ultimately up to us.  I find when I make time in the morning to repeat positive affirmations, the day seems to flow more smoothly.  I like this one from T. Harv Eker, “I deserve to be rich because I add value to other people’s lives.”

Do most people recognize their own value?  I still struggle with that issue myself.  Sometimes, the idea of filling this blank space with the “exact right words” can be paralyzing.  What is good “enough?”  After a publisher’s polite rejection of a manuscript, the emotional tendency is to recoil with doubt. 

What can one do to ride on the wave of positive thinking?   How do we continue focusing on a positive attitude, when we begin sliding down into critical thinking?   Any ideas?

My friend, Randy Sandknop, has a coaching business that helps people “practice happiness.”  You’d never imagine the power behind practicing happiness, but it really can make a difference in your life.  Check out:  www.practicehappiness.com.   

A little positive affirmation can go a loooong way….

For years and years, I’ve read books about the power of positive thinking. 

From Napolean Hill’s book, “Think and Grow Rich,” to “The Science of Getting Rich” by Wattles, to T. Harv Eker’s bestseller, “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, I’ve come to realize that inner principles of success DO exist to lead us to a world of wealth. 

So — why aren’t more people instantly rich after reading any of the gems of positive thinking out in the universe?  Why?  Because there is a difference between awareness and actually putting a principle into practice.  It takes work….  INNER work…. just as we go about our daily physical tasks each day, it’s equally important to do inner work on a consistent basis. 

 There is a difference between just realizing a truth and actually practicing that awareness on a daily basis.  For instance, how many times do you find yourself saying something negative to yourself?  It’s so easy to lapse into negative thought.  (Especially when surrounded by negative thought throughout the media.)

 How about putting ourselves on a diet of positive thought?   To start, we could make ten minutes to meditate, contemplate positive thoughts and aspirations, and repeat positive affirmations.  When (or if) negative thoughts creep up during the day, we can watch these mind games and replace them with positive words. 

The inner game of success means mastering the ongoing chatter within our mind.  When that chatter becomes more and more positive, our outer world is bound to reflect those inner thoughts.

I’d be interested in your thoughts about this…