Simple Pleasures

Independance Day 2008 - Fireworks going off, streets deserted for the most part, stores closed, the feeling of a deserted ghost town.
Kissed my pony's nose and gave her a carrot. Then took a walk out by the water. The sky was amazing, laced with silver grey clouds of every shade, thick sultry air with a warm breeze and puffy white clouds smattered across the sky with bright blue peeking out inbetween. The birds were twittering a happy summer song, the tide all the way out which added yet another color of grey to the already stunning landscape. Miss Morracca and I ventured a couple of miles out and back. Then we went home for an enjoyable sit on our front stoop. Actually, I sat while she knawed on a bone bigger than her head. Made me chuckle to listen to her making all of her funny, happy gurgling eating sounds as the bone all but disappeared.
Here I sit writing, being thankful for the day and all its simple pleasures.

Procrastination…that which stands in the way of our own greatness!

As I travel and facilitate human learning, I am continually faced with wildly talented people who allow procrastination to stand in the way of achieving their dreams and goals. They each have the innate ability to form those dreams in thought, image and feeling, yet when it comes to putting one foot in front of the other to achieve what they image they are coming up short. Many create a flourish of distractions to “keep” themselves from having the time to even step forward toward those heart felt dreams and desires.

If each person took the amount of effort it took each day to procrastinate about anything they aspired to achieve, and put it in a bottle, put the bottle on a scale, they would find that the amount of energy spent in this wasteful way would fuel many goals to a successful end with the greatest of ease and satisfaction.

If we only realized that the image of success we see in our minds was only an accumulation of tiny steps, instead of one monumental, gigantic leap, then more of us would take those tiny steps and realize they are not so scary. What is worse than not stepping forward with purpose in our lives is getting to the end of our lives and looking back wishing we had actually stepped toward those dreams and fulfilled them as best we could. Best to give a valiant effort for what we believe, desire and dream of, rather than in not even attempting we instantly are fulfilling the “image” of the possible failure we fear

More Perspectives

These are the keys to changing what surrounds us in any given situation.
Thoughts or internal dialogue, the imagery that is formed from the first mentioned, and finally the emotions that we attach to them. When we quantify how our beliefs and self image are created, they are a complilation of these three things. What we focus on is brought into our lives by these things.

Mother Teresa knew of just this when she said, "I will not participate in a march against war, but if you have a march for peace I will come."

Align yourself, your thoughts/self-talk, imagery and emotions in a fight FOR what you want, not against what you do not want!

Refocus

What is it within us that cause us to see only what we are looking for? It amazes me that we, human beings, have not for the most part learned the fascinating power of "refocus" and what that allows us to do for ourselves in any given moment!
When we have ordained that things happen a certain way, when we have a strangle hold on what we believe should happen in our lives and we are leaning our whole being into making that happen...things begin to do what we call "fall apart." Isn't this only a perception of one possibility of what is happening? If we have not trained ourselves to refocus and see that there are a million possibilities that lie beyond the one we have our sights on, we then begin to fall apart ourselves. We lock our thoughts and focus on "falling apart" instead of breaking this strange vortex of energy, refocusing on the "other" multitude of possibilities at hand.
I ask you, next time this begins to happen to you, catch yourself. Refocus. Ask yourself why these seem stumbling blocks cannot be fashioned into a path that is leading you to a better place, a grander outcome. Just because it is different from the concrete image in your mind and is not unfolding just as you decided it should, can it not be better. If you can train yourself to let go of your control on the situation, you will see that these blocks are actually arranging themselves into a path that is far beyond what you expected...and it changes the tide of destiny in an instant. The instant that you allow yourself to have more than one view of the situation!

What we have

As I am blessed to work with wonderful people that cross my path, on a daily basis, the very visual understanding of human nature that I receive so many times causes me pause.
I am uplifted to act as a guide to these amazing beings in their journey closer to themselves. It is a gift to watch the unfolding of another's magnificence. The realization of what they are capable of in their lives. This is not what causes me pause. What does, is no matter what status or career skills they may have aquired, or even mastered, what objects they have gathered around them, there is one thing they all need and seem to lack in their lives, love and appreciation. To hear that someone actually "sees" them for the brilliant beings they truly are moves mountains! Have we become so caught up in our lives that we have neglected the power in a word spoken with compassion that lifts another up? Two glasses are filled when you do this, yours and theirs.
Make it a focus to share your compassion on a daily basis and you will be gifted with an amazing abundance of love.

Breakthroughs in thinking

Read an amazing story about a man on a cruise. Sick for four days. Every time he ventured from his stateroom, within minutes was hanging over the rail gasping for air. What a way to spend a 7 day cruise. Luckily on the fourth day after trying every remedy, meditation, and eating method, he again ventures topside. Again to find himself hanging over the rail. Only this time to his surprise the captain appears next to him, seemingly out of nowhere. "Not feeling so well," he says. The man thinks one thing and then says, "no, not really." The captain offers a rememdy and asks him to do a small test. The man agrees reluctantly, as he has tried everything he knows of, but is willing to try anything that may relieve him of this sickness. The captain deftly takes the man's sunglasses off and asks him to look at him and breathe. To the man amazement he begins to feel better in only moments. His head is clear and he actually feels well in only a minute or two. He asks the captain what he did. The captain smiles and says he has seen this sort of thing many times...the glasses he was wearing had a green tint to them that cast on everyone he looked at. Without the man knowing his subconscious interpreted as everyone being sick...so he should join them. Strange how we view our lives through "colored glasses" and are unaware many times of the hue it casts and what our inner mechanisms interpret them as, even though when examined from a clear perspective we find the information we based our decions on was not factual at all...only a perspective we had in a moment.
I challenge myself daily to become aware of these sorts of "views" in my life. Only through the learning of what "breakthrough thinking" is do I begin to grasp on deeper levels what changes these. Breakthrough thinking asks us to consider a situation we want to change and first raise our expectations to higher than we have previously believe is possible. It is only then that the creative subconscious will engage to find a way to solve this new challenge...and solve it it will!

A Latte

As my life grows and expands to include more information from around the world, due to my goals, I have been made more aware of the poverty that claims the lives of so many millions thoroughout our world. The effects of this extreme poverty are more vast than we here in the US even can comprehend. Our lives are insulated from this information unless we are looking for it! Agencies such as the World Food Programme, operated by the United Nations puts forth a monumental effort to deliver only grains to the third world countries in need. The efforts that are taken to assist these people have become extremely difficult facing the food shortage and the inflated cost of fuel, which is causing the need for an extra $700 million dollars more funding this year than last to deliver the same amount of food. The families this organization focuses on feed their whole familiy on less than $2.00 per day.
As we sit in our favorite coffee house sipping our pipping hot latte or fancy coffee concoction our thoughts would rarely venture down the path spoken about above. With the publication of my new book "Seed for Change" just a couple of weeks away, my mind has ventured to this place many times. I wonder if a tiny book with a lot of heart can make a difference in some way in our vast world. I know it can with the help of all of you. I have committed to donating 2% of the proceeds to The World Hunger Project. www.thp.org an amazing organization that "empowers women and men to end their own hunger." This book will be available on my website for pre-purchase June 1st. Together we always can make a difference!

What They Think...

Have you ever considered how much time you spend thinking about what someone else will think of something you think, do, or say, what you wear, look like, or what you have or do not have? From my experience we spend a considerable amount of time on this subject. Strangely enough if you ask someone what they are thinking about on any given moment, they would more than likely tell you something about themselves not someone else.
Take that time and focus it on something that makes you feel good about yourself and your life...more beneficial investment.

Hi Ho Hi Ho

Today thinking about the funny saying brought to us by cute little elfin men...the seven dwarves - "Hi ho hi ho it's off to work I go. Experience tells me that it needed an added statement with some focus...something to the effect of "see yourself as you WANT to be, feel as you already are there, act and speak as it has already happened," and cowabunga it just is and work becomes a game!

I think we all were salmon in a past life as we tend to swim up stream a lot fighting the natural flow of things instead of using the other 97% of our consciousness. Funny to me as I observe myself follow the perscription above, with amazement and wonder, it works! Then strangly that wonder and amazement fades...I catch myself once again swimming up stream with all the other salmon, wondering why I so quickly forgot that magic formula that I KNOW?

Humanness facinates me as I observe myself in the seasons and years of my life, reflecting on what I believe I know, yet watching some of my patterns repeat, some change for a time and when I really put my heart into it some change into something that really serves me. It is not easy, but well worth the effort!

So the saying "hi ho hi ho it's off to focusing I go." Have a wonderful day.

May 6th 2001 - a moment in a day that changed my life

May day, celebration of life and love.

Cinco de Mayo, one of my favorite peoples' birthday.

As the sun rises and crowns the tops of the mountains in this beautiful valley I'm a guest in and the 6th of May approaches I ponder and reflect. I do this each year at this time, considering the meaning and tenousness of life - what our purpose is here. Seven years ago an instant happened that changed my life considerably.

I often think of how wondrous life truly is, how gifted we are to be here. To be able to experience all that we do is simply amazing. There are so many things that we take for granted each and every day. We each have abilities that we never give a moments thought to and that seems normal. I would offer for each of you to consider some of the things that you find amazing and offer gratitude for each of them, gratitude for your life and the loved ones around you, for each moment you have the ability to 'experience' life, for these are ever so precious gifts and could change in an instant.

Consider this...

Just a couple of thoughts to consider...

Your spirit does not reside where you are physically...it is so much more expansive than that.

If your heart is 'in' what you do in a passionate way there isn't anything you cannot achieve!

Step out of the 'systems' in your life that do not serve you. Create new ones that do.

Sentient

Read an amazing story about elephants. There have been similar accounts of dolphins, whales, gorillas, apes and many others I'm sure.

8 elephants used for tourist 'rides' in the resort area of Phuket, Thailand. 4 had been out giving a ride and the handlers had been having difficulty keeping them calm that morning. Once the people had dismounted, the elephants broke loose from the handlers and ran to assist the other 4 elephants in tearing the posts that held them from the ground. Then running to the top of a hillside they trumpeted in unison. They had sent out a warning the people unfortunately did not understand until it was too late. The tsunami hit the shore line. When the worst was over the elephants descended the hilltop and began rescuing human children with their trunks. Only when all the children were safely at the top of the hill did they return and carry the adults to safety. This was all done without direction from any human being.

There are many animals that will do our bidding, but how much of their understanding are we really affecting and how much more is there untouched? I know when we expand our minds and use more than 3% of it we will then have the understanding to truly communicate on a different level with our four legged brethern and each other for that matter, in a way I believe is innately within us that we don't use enough...peacefully and with true compassion.

your inspiration

I am asked where my inspiration comes from? What picks me up when I feel out of sorts? Who is that magical person I turn to who lifts me higher? Maybe a part of it comes from within...but the greater part is YOU!
Each person that reaches out seeking a better, healthier, more connected way of living. Those who seek a greater knowing of themselves and the world around them. The ones willing to share what is on their heart in a real way. All willing to take a chance that someone will not only listen and support, but applaude the work you do to become more of the person you see yourself to be!
I am blessed each and every day by your amazing gifts of trust. I love each of you for who you are and who you are growing to become more of. Thank you for sharing your lives with me.
Namaste.

Life as it is

Good morning! I can not believe that I haven't been here in weeks. My life swept me away to parts unknown, but I'm back.
Some very exciting news...over a year ago I wrote a goal for myself, not realizing that 'writing' it and 'setting' it were two completely different things. The goal has been 'set' and miraculously it is manifesting right before my eyes. Now don't get me wrong I am working at it, but not slaving. The inspirational book I co-created with a dear friend was printed as a test, went to an extremely talented graphic designer, and is now in it's completion stages with only the cover to be completed and to Tara's credit it is a statement now! It will then be off to be printed. It should be home for sale before July. It will be on my website so keep an eye out for it.
Along with the book we are currently working on products that accompany the book. Products that teachers, facilitators, instructors, any one wanting additional inspirational tools for their clientele or beautiful statements of appreciation to give away, can personalize for their own use. It's all very exciting and fun.
Well, off to horsin around for the day.
love to all,
Bo

Kindness

One never knows the power of their words...
How many walls can you break through with one kind word?
How many hearts will that one word touch in just a day?
What difference will that one spoken expression make?
We don't wear our emotions of fear, sadness, and confusion on our sleeves because we've been taught that showing these things shows weakness. I'd like to know, 'a weakness to what?' I believe that in being able to truly feel all of our feelings, accept support to walk through them, only then are we free of the control we might allow them to exhibit over us. Show, feel, speak, and accept support of those around you. Move through to the next joyous moments that await the other side of this experience. No matter how large it may seem now there is light on the other side.
Share a kind word today from your heart. In doing so raise the feeling of the whole planet.

Paradigms

To help ourselves and others to have paradigm shifts in our beliefs, actions, and language, we must take unusual, unexpected paths. Otherwise, our patterns are so engrained that we tend to solve our problems in the ways that fit our current perspective of the problem.

Measure Your Intentions

A valuable "measuring stick" for your intentions:

1) Does my intention ignite passion in my whole being?

2) Will I strive to achieve this intention even when it stretches my current understanding, belief in myself, and causes me to grow in ways I didn't imagine?

2) Does the visualization of this intention scare me and excite me at the same time?

3) Will I need to become a bigger person to accomplish it?

4) Does the achieving of this intention impact the greater good of all?

5) When I achieve this will I be able to give more?

6) Will I need help from my Higher Source to accomplish this intention?

Things to consider:

1) Are you committed to the accomplishment of this intention or just interested?
You will need to be committed 100% for success! This means every day in every way!

2) Growth is the only real intention so be alive in ALL that you do!

3) Build your creativity and faith by making your intention a "Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal" that you aren't quiet sure of all the HOW's to achieve it.

Be miraculous! Shine Brightly! Believe in yourself!

Persistence

Persistence in creating what we want seems to be the one attribute that sets those who actually accomplish what they set out to do from those who miss the mark. Along with that persistence a written plan is direly important or how will you know where you are going or what you are being persistent about!
Remember that within each adversity you face, within each attempt that fails, even within each heartache there lies a seed of an equivalent or greater BENEFIT! Seek the benefits! Find them! Remember them! MOVE ON with persistence for the summit you seek is just another step from where you stand now.

Questions

There are two kinds of questions, ones that need a direct answer – matters of safety and others that if we ask a question or series of questions in return, the other person will develop their own answer or answers, and be self empowered. We innately hold within us the ability to answer our own questions, heal our own lives and create whatever we wish to create. It is curious then why when someone asks a question we are not able to, pause and determine whether the situation warrants a direct answer or a question. We would like to give someone the answer to their question, not for the other persons benefit, but at a deeper level to prove to ourselves what we think we know. When in reality our answers to someone else’s questions are only our opinions, with our perspectives and our experiences attached to them.
I propose a challenge to each of you to go through an hour, then a day, then a week, then 3 weeks if you really want to make a lasting change:
1) Develop your skill of listening to what someone else is saying, not to respond, but to hear what they are really saying. Wait until they are finished speaking to develop your answer, or question as the case may present itself. Offering a question develops you’re listening skill and applies your ability to suspend judgment.
2) Through this listening skill you are opening your heart as well as the other person’s because they will feel your desire to hear what they are really saying, causing a rapport to engage that wouldn’t have otherwise been there.
3) By opening your heart to another you are also developing your ability to surrender in the moment. You release the need to defend or convince another of your point of view. In this non-defensive action you create no resistance and amazing things will transpire.

Happy New Year!

One week into 2008... I hope for each of you this numeralogical 'one' year, a year of new beginnings, is scrumptious in every way. May you exercise your ability to intention an amazing year filled with wonderful experiences. I hope you catch yourself in the act of being creative at every turn, that the smile on your face is passed along to another, and that you 'twinkle' as many people as possible with uplifting and outreaching thoughts and ideas.
Go forth and do amazing things!