All you need to get started!!

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Rod's World

I attended a free workshop called Present Your Message by my friend and old choir leader Richard Lawton last night, he is known as the Voice Doctor having been an actor, theatre director, singing coach and presentation coach for over twenty years. He has written a book called Raise Your Voice: Transforming How You Speak, Sing and Present – the book’s website.

When I was in Soulsong, that’s the choir’s name we used to do 17th-century french line dancing as the warmup as well as German drinking songs to the tune of Beethoven’s Ninth.

Richards ability to get you out of your head when speaking in public is remarkable because as we all know, this is a human beings greatest fear.

He asked who likes hearing the sound of our voice being played back, one out of twenty people put their hand up. Then we had an enquiry into why we thought that was the case because if he had asked children the numbers would have been reversed.

Where did we lose the love of our voice, when did we make that decision and what does society have to say about the power of the voice:

1. How many people do you have in your life that this happens with? These are the ones you trust.

2. Don’t let your inner voice be one of your main hecklers, there are plenty of others whose opinions do this for us. Hands on heart and step forward courageously: The Voice.

3. What do you want the Universe to hear, for me, it’s Love and Respect for all: Everybody Included.

4. Possibly the sexiest voice in the world, Tom is a fine example of someone who fully expresses his voice: Kiss.

5. Someone who did not listen to the inner critic, judge and censor that lives within us all, Malala has created a worldwide movement, do you think you can?

6. Laurie Halse Anderson writes children and teenage books that make them think as well as battling censorship and the need for diversity in publishing: Express Yourself.

7. You do the world an injustice when you withhold your truth because you feel they might get upset.

8. Perhaps he would have made a better opera singer than an emperor, in the end, he wasn’t too great at that: Best Day of My Life.

9. When I read his name, I must confess the words to The Year of the Cat entered my head.

10. Echo has five different meanings in the online dictionary, I think what this quote is talking about relates to this one: one who closely imitates or repeats another’s words, ideas, or acts – The Voice Within.

11. I’m sure many of you have seen Wild, Wild, West, the doco on Netflix that belittles Osho and his followers. My take on it, Everybody has Shadow and Light: I relate to the wisdom and freedom that his words and insights provide for humanity.

12. Remember their opinion isn’t about you, It’s always a reflection of the person saying it: Ironic.

13. So when you are about to present to 2,000 people you are imaging all of them to be naked this is the voice to listen to.

14. Or another way of saying it is, you can’t get the moment back. Hand on Heart, stride forward powerfully and say what has to be said: Opportunity.

15. And of course, the last one must be the most serious and profound.

I mentioned the Judge, the Critic and the Censor under one of the quotes. Richard says these are the three characters that take our vocal power away. The Judge will give you a mark out of ten (usually three or less). The Critic will tell you that not only is this rubbish, but it’s the same rubbish you did last time and the time before. The Censor will tell you to keep your head down, keep quiet and wait till it all goes away.

So how do we get past this, my recommendation is BUY THE BOOK.

Music for this blog is one of Australia’s icons, John Farnham, The sexy Tom Jones, the ever eternal Madonna, newbies American Authors, the versatile Christine Aguilera, The woman who played God – Alanis Morrisette and ends with the sultry Sia.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends

There are no Traffic Jams along the Extra Mile!!

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Rod's World

Amongst Stepping Stones for March 29th is the question – How could you increase your personal effectiveness? As we all are at a different level with this our answers will differ wildly.

If we set goals in our lives or we simply go with the flow will affect our relationship to the question. A bit like Tony Robbins Vs. Eckhart Tolle. So, from what angle has the world looked at personal effectiveness, let’s have a look:

1. J.M. is not famous, no Wikipedia entry but an entry in Goodreads for this insightful quote.

2. I have dealt with many customer serivce staff who have got this dramatically the wrong way round: I Know you Care.

3. The book related to these quotes has sold 25 million copies since its first release. Covey added an 8th Habit – Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs later in his career.

4. What is the principle: 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react: Sounds Babies Love.

5. Back to the 1700’s and 1800’s for a quote from Goethe, he was a German writer and statesman. His works include epic and lyric poetry; prose and verse dramas; memoirs; an autobiography; literary and aesthetic criticism; treatises on botany, anatomy, and colour; and four novels. In addition, numerous literary and scientific fragments, more than 10,000 letters, and nearly 3,000 drawings by him exist.

6. Self Explanatory really: Say Something.

7. Never have enough time in the day, listen to the clock!!

8. Five very costly words, try How can I Help in their place: Poeple help the People.

9. What do you communicate with your words, do they hear what you want them to?

10. It takes 21 days ot reverse a habit, begin today and May will be an inspiring month: Don’t stop me Now.

11. Not telling people what to do!!

12. Not a lot of effective listening goes on in an argumentative situation: Don’t.

13. Is your life on the right trajectory or do you have to aim just that little bit higher?

12. We love stories from our earliest years, not much changes later in life: Ohio.

15. For some people they would call the latter the shadow of a relationship, they don’t work without it.

Effectiveness is the capability of producing a desired result or the ability to produce desired output. When something is deemed effective, it means it has an intended or expected outcome, or produces a deep, vivid impression. So the question to answer for ourselves, is how much of the time do we do this in our lives, It is something I think we will continually work on over our lifetimes.

Music comes from Ellie Goulding, Sounds Babies Love, Christine Aguilera, Birdy, and then grows in Age via Queen, Shania Twain and Neil Young.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.

Put on your Perspectacles!!

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Rod's World

The quote in the empowering book Time for my Life: 365 Stepping Stones by Thea Westra for today is as follows: Goals help you keep in perspective what’s really important so you do not spend all of your time doing what seems important – Nido Qubein. Nido is an American Lebanese University president and philanthropist who has donated over $10 million dollars in his lifetime to education. He has not lost sight of his goal to his seemingly important day to day urgent tasks.

How do you stay in perspective when it comes to your purpose, your goals, your why in life? Another way of asking it is How can you be more effectively making use of your time? And how has society related to it over the years, Here’s a few takes at it:

1. How many people do you have in your life who would give you everything?

This piece of wisdom is from the First Century A.D. Marcus was a Roman emperor who sought the meaning of life and wrote an excellent book called Memoirs about it: Human.

3. I think I have wasted a few years of my 63 years not doing this, worrying about things that I couldn’t at the time change or do anything effective to change my circumstances, nice one Mary.

4. Too simple: Mean.

5. Remember when we were kids and we were going to astronauts or veterinarians, why did we change our perspective and stop looking?

6. They wrote a song about this a long, long time ago: “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” is a popular song composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion. It was written for the 1965 musical Man of La Mancha. It is the main song from the musical and became its most popular hit. The song is sung all the way through once in the musical by Don Quixote as he stands vigil over his armor, in response to Aldonza (Dulcinea)’s question about what he means by “following the quest”. It is reprised partially three more times – the last by prisoners in a dungeon as Miguel de Cervantes and his manservant mount the drawbridge – like prison staircase to face trial by the Spanish Inquisition. It was awarded the Contemporary Classics Award from the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame: The Impossible Dream.

7. Love and Respect for All – Everyone Included.

8. Are we all star seed, energy in different forms. If we vibrate what we want on a daily basis, the universe listens: Across the Universe.

9. This makes me think of his Holiness’s statement about If we really listen, and not just wait to reply we actually might learn something new.

10. Amazing, really: Nowhere Man.

11. We are all unique individuals, love that about yourself.

12. And it’s also one of the great medicinal plants on the planet: Dandelion.

13. I remember The Hour of Power evangelist TV show from the 70’s that Robert Schuller hosted, seems he did it for 50 years until 2010. We all have fears though, I find facing them is the most useful way of lessening their influence over my daily life.

14. How we are training our young folk more and more these days. Self love is the reverse of this: I was Here.

15. Beckett was awarded the 1969 Nobel Prize in Literature “for his writing, which—in new forms for the novel and drama—in the destitution of modern man acquires its elevation”. He was elected the first Saoi of Aosdána in 1984 by The Irish nation, the ultimate accolade a creative artist can receive in that country.

Martin Luther Kings distinction around perceptiveness Somebodiness’ which is a state of self dignity and worthiness, despite what others may think. It is a deep inner resolve that nobody can convince me that I am not somebody sums up how I feel about this subject well. Your perspective is just as valuable as anyone else’s, never forget this.

Music this blog has three song’s from the 1960’s , two pop diva’s and two people I have never heard of, that’s why I love what YouTube throws up for my requests. Rag ‘n Bone Man., Taylor Swift, Andy Williams, Rufus Wainwright, The Beatles, Tevin Campbell and Beyonce.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.

Focus on only that which is Eternal!!

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Rod's World

A course in Miracle teaches: There is no order of difficulty in miracles. One is not “harder” or “bigger” than another. They are all the same. All expressions of love are maximal.

To me, the effect of a miracle is that it affects you for eternity, you can never forget it and why would you want to, there the title I have chosen for today’s blog. Gabrielle Bernstein , in her latest book : Judgement Detox points to the fact that anytime you shift your perception from fear to love, you have committed a miracle in your life: Link to the book.

How does the world relate to miracles, whilst researching it I got to see there are many perspectives over the times, here’s today’s offerings:

1. At what age did you stop believing in this joyous miracle in our early years?

2. I have recently taken on a 12 month challenge to reduce my weight to 80k, it has been over 6 years that was what showed on the scales and it is 20k away. A practice I have taken on is to walk for at least half and hour everyday. It is amazing what you notice in this time of reflection: When Life was a Miracle.

3. Helen Keller certainly gave her best given the circumstances she was handed in life. The world appreciated her for it.

4. What of we were all able to access the magic of the morning sun as it hailed a new day: Magic.

5. As we age we often forget this!!

6. Amanda Jane Bradley doesn’t jump out at you on google. You get the choice of a bartender, a pro-lifer and eventually the author of Oz at Night, bingo: That’s what friends are For.

7. And this is what Google came up for Himanshu – A person with the biggest ego ever found in this world. Will always try to be better than everyone in sight, even the person who teaches him something. A himanshu cares a lot about his future, in fact, that’s the only thing he cares about! A himanshu displays various sudden acts of movement in the face, like sudden twitches of the eye and nose, and often blames the movements on a “cold” or his glasses. Himanshu is always the best at everything he does. Even if he isn’t, he thinks he is.

8. When you transmute the dark, that is when miracles occur: Royals.

9. Miracles fill the body not the mind, where’s your heart located?

10. Mother Teresa discovered the magic and miracle of service and went on to provide it to thousands of people: Happy.

11. A hand written note these days is a minor miracle but so much more powerful than an SMS.

12. Edwin created the Christian Mens Network, he also played trumpet in a street witnessing band for the homeless. Through these actions he wished to have men see the goodness of life: Expectancy.

13. William Hazlitt was an English writer, drama and literary critic, painter, social commentator, and philosopher. He is now considered one of the greatest critics and essayists in the history of the English language, placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and George Orwell. He is also acknowledged as the finest art critic of his age. Most of his work has been out of print for decades.

14. The miracle of unconditional love: Falling.

15. I know people who are festival junkies, who then complain about the lack of community when they return to normal life. Its time for them to let the celebrations begin on a day to day basis when most of the miracles happen.

So, make it a practice to celebrate your miracles on a day to day basis, even if it might just be surviving the day or as mighty as leaping out of a plane.

The tunes today are from the quirky named Emir Kusturica and the No Smoking Orchestra, The divas Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick and Lorde. A short set by DJ Rickochey, Coldplay and the hour long version of Pharrel Williams Happy.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.

The Heart wants what it Wants!!

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Rod's World

Have you ever heard of Marc and Angel Chernoff? They wrote a magnificent book 1,000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently a few years ago. It is great list upon great list that help you lead an outstanding life. If you would like a copy of it, act fast, Marc and Angel are taking it out of circulation soon to update it, here is the link: Marc and Angels book. Did I mention Angel is a Facebook friend of mine, its an honour for me all the way down here in Melbourne , Australia.

Each list has many pieces of home spun wisdom in it, today I chose to comment on 10 Things to tell Yourself Today and specifically number eight from that list: There is enough time today to do something I love. Here is what they wrote under that heading:

Where did you leave your happiness? With an old Lover? In a city you once lived in? In a story you never finished writing? In a dream you gave up on? In a hope you got to weary to carry? Wherever you left it go back and retrieve it. If you don’t remember where you left it, dedicate a little time today to doing something you love to do, and you will find your happiness somewhere nearby. Such beautiful and simple advice, that is why I love the book, its easy to understand and implement.

So what does the world say about doing something you Love, quite a lot actually, here are some of my favourites:

1. A life full of purpose and that flows a lot easier, I’ll have one of those please.

2. When I did the Landmark Forum they used to do a trying simulation that pointed out trying doesn’t get you very far, its actually doing that does:Try a little Tenderness

3. A worthwhile question to ask yourself, when were you last truly amazed in your life?

4. Over the time of writing my over 300 blogs, I have noticed that baseball players have contributed some great quotes to our society, Al is one of them: Love is the Drug.

5. And the classic quote about doing work you love is…..

6. Often called unconditional love: Unconditionally.

7. No Wikipedia for Dylan Laurence so I leave it up to your imagination who he is, great quote though.

8. From little things, big things grow, here is the song that most displays that: From little things, Big things grow.

9. And then movies throw us great moments of doing what we love.

10. Unknown in Australia, Jeff Foxworthy makes a living telling redneck jokes, obviously he found what he loved doing: Try.

11. “So well that people can’t take their eyes off you”, no wonder Maya spoke at a presidential inauguration.

12. Sometimes people forget where children learn their behaviour from, time to step up: When you say nothing at All!!

13. Famous for the novel and film “The perks of being a Wallflower”, Stephen Chbosky points out the importance of self love and how it may limit our ability to let love in.

14. As I take on my 12 month plan in my mentor-ship program Warriors of Love of returning to my 2011 weight of 80K, a mere 20k’s away, I think I’ll write this on my mirror: Good Times.

15. And we leave it up to the Fab Four to make the last comment on doing something you love.

I will finish with the intro that Marc and Angel used for this list:

Count your blessings, not your troubles. Love one day at a time. Let the wrong things go. Give more than you take. Look for the good in people and situations. Make time for those who matter. laugh when you can. Cry when you need to, Focus on your priorities. Make decisions, not excuses. And always stay true to your values.

Yes, today is the perfect day to stand up and say….

The music comes from several genres today. The rock of The Commitments and Missy Higgins, John Butler and Dan Sultan doing one of Australia’s iconic songs, the pop diva’s Kate Perry and Pink, The soul of Grace Jones and Chic, and the mellow country of Allison Krauss.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.

What makes a life worth Living?

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Rod's World

The subtitle of Hugh Mackay’s excellent book, A Good Life, the above question often comes to my mind. is it our relationships, our experiences, our career or all of them combined. There is a lot of talk about striking a balance between our working and personal life – I find this amusing as to me , it is all part of our lives. As it’s all our life, this means that it is difficult to draw a distinction between the way we behave at work and the way we behave in our social and family lives. I am me, wherever I happen to be, whoever I happen to be with, and whatever I happen to be doing. That’s one meaning of integrity: Integrating our values with every aspect of our lives. If you want to know what your values are, you need to see the whole picture.

What words have been written about leading a good life, they are from across the ages:

1. In the Arab world, Khalil Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero.

A member of the New York Pen League, he is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again especially in the 1960s counterculture. He is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao Tzu.

2. I met a woman on the weekend who makes me smile, I’m finding it very difficult to not be a grinning Cheshire cat: You’re never fully dressed without a Smile.

3. You get to declare what has been a good life.

4. In 1968, The New York Times television critic Jack Gould called Rivers “quite possibly the most intuitively funny woman alive”. The first women to host a TV talk show Joan lived her life to the fullest up to her death in 2014: Being Alive.

5. And like everybody is watching, your heart has been broken, as if you are on stage, and as though you have been through hell. We need the shadow and the light.

6. The world’s most famous cigar smoker, Winston was Named the Greatest Briton of all time in a 2002 poll. His life was spent in servitude to the British people: Giving Myself.

7. Remember how great life was when we believed in Santa, you can still do it!!

8. One of the great screen actors, Cary occupied himself for 3 decades on the big screen, He is remembered by critics for his unusually broad appeal, as a handsome, suave actor who did not take himself too seriously: Sing, Sing, Sing.

9. How much time do you spend trying to understand? How much time would you have if you spent it getting everybody else to understand it as well, Live Life!!

10. The number Seven is very prominent in all the worlds major religion, for example in Islam there are Seven heavens and Seven gates to hell. This is a useful list of Seven to lead a good life: Perfect Peace.

11. Great question, would it?

12. We almost, always never know a persons whole story, think that what they offer us is the best they can do at that very moment: All of Me.

13. Have I found them, Maybe!!

14. Step onto your path – Follow your heart. Be true to yourself, and ask yourself often what it is you want to be doing, as opposed to what it is you should be doing: Live your Dreams.

15. Now this sounds like a good life to lead!!

Our commitment to the good life is tested by our response to circumstances in which it is hard for us to live up to the Golden Rule – Do to others what you want them to do to you – one of Jesus of Nazareth’s great teachings.

Music goes from cabaret to pop divas to inspirational: Sia, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Hudson, Cary Grant, Laura Story, John Legend and George Domanian.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.

What sets your soul on Fire!!

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Rod's World

When people find their passion, they not only love what they do but they lead a life that other people only dream about. In his book Living Your Passion Keith Abraham has a quiz in which he asks the following questions:

What does having a passion mean to you?
What was one thing either in the past or present that you were passionate about, really focused on or just loved to do?
If you won 10 million dollars in Lotto tomorrow, what would you love to do with your time and energy?
Of all the things you have ever done, what were you doing when you were the happiest?
What are the five things you value the most in your life?
In 30 seconds, write down the three most important goals in your life right now.
What have you always wanted to do but been afraid to attempt?
What type of activities or circumstances gives you the greatest feeling of importance?
What is the one thing which you would dare to dream if you knew you could not fail?

They say that 3% of people have written goals, I must know a rare breed of people because at least 50% of my friends do. So what does the world say about having and knowing your passion, Let’s have a sneak peek:

1. Want a boost of energy, follow your passion and with it comes the energy to excel.

2.The 3 P’s that fulfil my life: On Purpose.

3. You’ll know when you find it, Steve definitely found his.

4. It is said you are both a student and a teacher in your life when it comes to your passion it’s up to you: Teach Your Children.

5. How beautiful, Live it, Breathe It, Beam It. Yowzaa.

6. America’s greatest gonzo journalist often got people’s blood racing if you have ever seen the interpretation of his life in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: The hotel on Acid.

7. When your passion enters your soul, it also enters your heart and mind.

8. Passion fills you with the roar of the ocean, Its like people can hear it as you enter the room: Oceans Roar.

9. That’s why it doesn’t go away, the rest of life may be random, but your passions are not.

10. It’s Oprah time. always good advice: Born to be Somebody.

11. Converting a nation with her passion, Julia Child definitely did this. Julia Carolyn Child was an American chef, author and television personality. She is recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which premiered in 1963.

12. having written over 300 blogs, I have definitely found mine: My, My, My.

13. Make me think of Jim Carrey’s Fear or Love Speech, here it is: Fear vs. Love.

14. They’re your dreams, no one elses: Live Your Life.

15. And at the end, a wall chart for you to print out.

Don’t just get up, go to work, go to bed on a daily basis: do things that make your heart shudder.

Music is from Sabrina Carpenter, CSNY, Johny Depp, Dinah Smith, Justin Beiber, Troye Sivan, Jim Carrey and T.I. Enjoy their focus on passion and purpose.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.

I will be better Tomorrow!!

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Rod's World

When you read the title of this blog does it make you think you are having a bad day or having a great day and tomorrow will even be greater? Danielle writes that conscious optimism is the soul of service. On page 123 of her magnificent book, White Hot Truth there is an awesome poem titled Nothing Changes Without Me:

Sometimes, my heart is so open

I can’t tell if it is a gaping wound

or a portal for everything that ever was and ever will be.

I’ve learned to Love the beautiful terror of eternity,

and scenario planning for how shattered I could be

if the dark things got tall

and if I fell backwards in my forgetting of the Light.

But you can’t fall backwards in Space,

You can only only only ever unfurl.

More than anything,

I’ve wed the certainty that nothing changes without me –

not coal becoming diamonds

not fertilizing eggs

or migration patterns

or medicine dreams.

And what I had thought was a net cast to me from a higher God

is actually strands of Truth and filaments of desire

that I have tied together with my own two hands.

And in precious encounters, I tie what I know and want to you,

so we can ride the winds of wonder.

Here is the link to obtain the book: White Hot Truth.

So let’s have a look at how optimism lessens the suffering of others:

1. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

2. Cute take on words: Everybody.

3. A great quote from the 33rd POTUS. Scholars, starting in 1962, ranked Truman’s presidency as “near great”; since then he has been ranked between 5th and 9th in historical rankings of U.S. Presidents.

4. My neighbours upstairs gt their lemons from a tree up the road that overhangs someone’s fence. Hey, free lemons: Mrs Robinson.

5. The perfect 10 gymnast from the L.A. Olympics

Mary Lou has kept providing the soul of service for her now 49 years.

6. When you fall down, you can do the former or the latter. The optimist is a latter type of person, also there are other to help you get up: One More Time.

7. An optimum list that will get you through your day when it feels tough.

8. Born deaf and blind Helen Keller certainly lived a faithful life. The first deaf-blind person to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in the United States, very little stopped this amazingly optimistic soul.: Stronger.

9. From the worlds favourite philosopher, Ms Unknown comes an analogy between pessimism and optimism.

10. His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso, The Dalai Lama, whatever you want to call him, without his optimism the world would be a much sadder place: Be Optimistic.

11. Robert Michael Hensel was born with the birth defect known as Spina bifida. He is also a Guinness World Records holder for the longest non-stop wheelie in a wheelchair, covering a total distance of 6.178 miles. Now that’s optimism multiplied tenfold.

12. If you haven’t taken it on because of….., begin it now but don’t do it the way that has stopped you before: Solving Problems.

13. Helen Keller again, she was an inspiration to the world in the way she gave from her fullness, even though we would consider some of them disabilities.

14. Because everyone loves cat and dog drawings: We love Cats.

15. Definitely, time to delete that file.

I love Danielle’s definition of “Waking Up” –

We all need to wake up

so we can do the work

that needs to be done

to live in a world

that we espouse to want to live in.

The music this time comes from Ingrid Michaelson, The Lemonheads, Daft Punk, Kelly Clarkson, The Dalai Lama, Brent Cobb and Bemular. Different styles, but all enjoyable.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.

The most Precious Treasure of Mine!!

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Rod's World

In terms of your stuff (material possessions) and your lifestyle (adventure, education, time, interests) what do you hold most precious?

Scan your home, all that you own etc.. Then, review your schedule, your hobbies, your career, your favourite activities and the perks of your life and identify your most precious things. (i.e. your phone, car, heirlooms, favourite shoes, most expensive jumper, artwork, your house, your vacations, all of your Air Mile points, your stellar reputation, your free time, your network of amazing professionals, your summer, your money in your rainy day account, your highly curated music collection, your make-up, your purse or wallet, your best winter coat, your bed or couch, your website…)

What would give you acute panic to part with? What are you loath to let go of? What do you think you could not live without?

This is Step 1 in part 2 of Danielle LaPorte’s awesome review of the year called Free and Clear, It’s called your most precious things: All Danielle’s good stuff.

Her final question in this part of the review is – Without all the stuff, and the perks, and the things you’ve worked for…What’s your most precious thing? (Hint: You and what only you can give to the world.)

So what does the world say about preciousness, is it dark like Gollum’s precious in Lord of the Rings or light like the sound of your children laughing with each other, let’s have a look.

1. What would life be like if every day was exactly the same, they made a movie about it called Groundhog Day, I like it a lot.

2. Now here is a person I didn’t dream of that I would be using in regard to preciousness, but it points to the power of the love of our children: When I’m Gone.

3. And also remember to include yourself in this.

4. A beautiful quote from Robert Ludlum an American author of 27 thriller novels, best known as the creator of Jason Bourne from the original The Bourne Trilogy series. The number of copies of his books in print is estimated between 290 million and 500 million. They have been published in 33 languages and 40 countries: Human.

5. You can always make more money, but you can never get the time and attention back, it is infinitely precious, do not stop giving it if you can.

6. Family, friends, life experiences, this is what you remember, and what do they all have in common? Yes. that’s right, time: If today was the last day in my life!!

7. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered around the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. This is a beautiful piece of his preciousness.

8. We often forget this and give in to the judgments our mind throws at us, precious love doesn’t work that way: A Woman’s Heart.

9. What a great picture of those times in our lives when preciousness of friendship is about how much we can play together.

10 Pick your favourite, beautiful list: Love Song.

11. My mother has not eaten for three months, she has decided to leave us. At the final session of the course, I was doing last night we were asked to share what was the most remarkable thing of essence that had occurred in the six week period. I got up and shared it was the fact my three siblings and I had communicated for every single day of that period, love you guys.

12. Please don’t wait for the above situation before you realise the importance of the people who chose to live this time in with you: Family Times.

13. I think this has happened to me, I must remember to inhale when I am in her presence.

14. There are only 24 hours in a day, remember to use it wisely. It’s the same amount as Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Malala had and have: Whiskey Lullaby.

15. And this is the most precious moment of our lives.

So step 2 asks you Imagine giving away hundred’s of your most precious things. They would have it and you wouldn’t. Imagine giving it away freely. With a smile to anyone and everyone.

How does that feel? Terrifying? heavy with Guilt? Panicky? Pissed right off? Energising? Releived. My answer to the most Precious Thing is having Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included becoming the world paradigm.

Music includes the partnership of Hitler and Enimem, a Steve Jobs vignette, Celtic Women and Allison Krause with Brad Paisley

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.

We would astound Ourselves!!

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Rod's World

Are you doing what you are uniquely capable of, What you Feel you were placed Here on Earth to Do? Can you be replaced?

People often think its about the money, If I do that I will answer my abundance prayer. But a great place to look is, are you interchangeable, are you using your unique abilities that make you the special one. Tim Ferriss uses a philosophy of ,Am I saying Hell Yeah about something: If not he says no. In the Konmari decluttering method the only things that survive are those that bring you joy, so what is your unique gift to the world:

1. So, So, So, So, So, So…..Got the message?

2. Across the world, each culture has its own definition of beautiful, you fir in somewhere: Perfect.

3. In an interview with comedian Paul Mecurio, Tyson offered his definition of spirituality: “For me, when I say spiritual, I’m referring to a feeling you would have that connects you to the universe in a way that it may defy simple vocabulary. We think about the universe as an intellectual playground, which it surely is, but the moment you learn something that touches an emotion rather than just something intellectual, I would call that a spiritual encounter with the universe.” Tyson has argued that many great historical scientists’ belief in intelligent design limited their scientific inquiries, to the detriment of the advance of scientific knowledge.

4. I was watching the TV doco series the 1990’s about technology when browsers where first developed for the internet, before that it has been the playground of scientific nerds, that is less that 30 years ago. People did not usedto wake up and check their Iphones, amazing: Never Be Like You.

5. All their fantasies, talk to them like they are real, why can’t they be Ed Sheeran or Adele.

6. Remember, they chose you because they knew you were the right ones to prepare them for their unique bright future: Everyone is Different!!

7. To learn what you’re best at, or what you’re most passionate about, you have to throw a lot against the wall.

8. That which is not, can you imagine that?,or what they are singing about in this song: Being Kind.

9. The more we walk towards community, the more powerful our uniqueness becomes as we play our unique role in creatig it, without the I.

10. One of the more stranger things I have read of HHDL: Problem.

11. What is the definition of Unique, anyway:

u·nique

/yo͞oˈnēk/

noun

1. a unique person or thing.

adjective

1. being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else: “the situation was unique in modern politics” synonyms: distinctive, distinct, individual, special, idiosyncratic, single, sole, lone, unrepeated, unrepeatable, solitary, exclusive, rare, uncommon, unusual, sui generis, one-off, one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime, one-shot

12. This would make a great mantra to repeat everyday: Whole Lotta Love.

13. Turn the tap off!!

14. This is why I have such respect for true teachers, their ability to send each student home with their sense of uniqueness intact is amazing: Believing In Me.

15. I came across that quote the other day about having the same 24 hours as HHDL, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Malala. It lies on the other side of fear.

So in seeking your uniqueness what blessings have becomes excesses. In excess, most thingstake on the characteristic of their opposite. Pacifists become miltants, freedom fighters become tyrants, Blessings become curses, Help becomes hndrances. More becomes Less. In the midst of overwhelm, is life not showing me exactly what I should subtact, Am I having a breakdown or a breakthrough. Being unique takes work and it is easy to become complacent.

The music today is two kids songs, a 70’s classic from Led Zep and a tribute to my dad and sister Ruth.

Namste until next time my dear friends.