Warning, You think about 60,000 Thoughts a Day!!

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Rod's World

Have you heard of Dr Martin Seligman? He created the PERMA model of well-being. It is an acronym that stands for Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment. You are more likely to have heard of Dr Seligman than Michelle Mcquaid and Dr Peggy Kern, who recently wrote an excellent book, “Your Wellbeing Blueprint, Feeling Good and Doing Well at Work: Pick It Up Here.

Michelle and Peggy add another letter to the formulae, the letter H, it stands for Health

Your Wellbeing Blueprint distils three decades of research findings from the field of Positive Psychology and reveals practical ways to build your wellbeing through your everyday activities so you can feel good and do well at work. Just like a personal trainer can help you improve your physical fitness, this book will show you how to:

Measure your wellbeing using Professor Martin Seligman’s PERMA framework. Set realistic wellbeing goals that build quick wins to improve your levels of energy, resilience, productivity, health, and happiness. Create a personal wellbeing plan with busy-proof practices that you enjoy doing and make it easier to consistently thrive at work.

With more than 100 positive interventions to choose from, this book gives you everything you need to become an informed, confident, and active steward of your own wellbeing so you can wholeheartedly show up and be fully engaged in life — whatever it throws at you.

Following my formulae to write about what is on the page I first open the book too, on page 36 I discovered the Cultivating Positivity toolkit – Strategies for promoting heartfelt positivity. In the toolkit, there are 7 distinctions:

Dialling up Positivity: Jolts of Joy, Hunt and Gather, Connect with Nature, Measure your Positivity.
Dialling down Negativity: Create Healthy Distractions, Disrupt negative Thoughts, Navigate Negativity Landmines, Limit Media Time.
Practising Kindness: Track your Kindness, Have a Kindness Day, Try Loving Kindness Meditation, Random Acts of Kindness
Cultivating Gratitude: Count Your Blessings, Write a Gratitude letter, Carry a Gratitude Scrap, Thank one Person.
Savouring The Good: Immerse Yourself, Re-Live Peak Moments, Savour your Stories, What went Well.
Getting Comfortably Uncomfortable: Name your Emotions, Slow down your Responses, Control the controllables, Get In Your Body.
Short-Circuiting Stress: Decode Stress Messages, Turn Adversity into a Resource, Set Stretch Goals, Re-frame Stress Moments.

Each of these statements will mean something different to each and every person on the planet, but what has society said about cultivating positivity over the decades, let’s have a look:

1. What the, Yes, a simple four letter word.

2. What was your song when you first fell in Love: The Power of Love.

3. What field of play would you be seen on?

4. Behind every cloud, is your own sunshine: Ain’t no Sunshine.

5. And I couldn’t write on this subject without some Oprah.

6. You’re under my skin, it may be a good or a bad thing: I’ve Got You Under My Skin.

8. We are starseed underneath it all: Starman.

9. Is it working on the inside, or are you one of the greatest showmen/women?

10. When Uchtdorf was about eleven, his father’s political beliefs, incongruent with Soviet rule, earned him the label of “dissenter”, thus putting their lives in danger. They fled East Germany and resettled in U.S.-occupied West Germany. His sisters accomplished this by jumping from a moving train that happened to pass through West Germany, while Dieter and his mother climbed a mountain to avoid Russian guard checkpoints: Imagine.

11. We Rise makes me instantly think of Maya Angelou, put Maya and I rise in Youtube, and you will be blessed.

12. Change is one of those things in life that is guaranteed, just like death and taxes: Changes.

13. And that is why the Lords of War will never win against the good that is the basis of the human race.

14. Playtime!: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

15. As I like to do with the final quote, a request to support the planet’s wellbeing.

Michelle and Peggy write the following under the question “How can I develop more Heartfelt Positivity?”

You can’t create genuine heartfelt positive emotion by just trying to think happy thoughts. Willpower and mental effort alone are not enough to make a difference. Instead, studies suggest that the most reliable and effective way to alter your emotional state is to try and better select or modify your circumstances. For example, if you enjoy having dinner parties with friends, this can be a great way to set the stage for more heartfelt positivity. But, hosting a dinner party can be a lot of work, so as the experience unfolds you . may need to modify the situation in small ways. For instance, you can spend more time interacting with your guests rather than being in the kitchen – see how that impacts what you’re feeling. It’s also important to be realistic about your expectations of positivity. Positive emotions are fleeting. They’re going to arise and they’re going to dissipate, and we need to accept that, rather than try to cling to them.

One of the songs on today’s playlist has had 793,000,000 plays, guess which one. A lot of the royalty of the music scene today: Firstly Jennifer Rush, then Bill Withers. Three dead set legends follow, one of them twice – Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, John Lennon and David again. We finish with Cyndi Lauper who had had 793.000.000 hits: Warning, You Think about 60,000 Thoughts a Day.

If this blog piques your interest, I recommend purchasing it, it has over 100 ways to improve your wellbeing. I have another, treat everyone you meet with Love and Respect, Everyone Included as you go through your day until we meet again, my dear friends.

A few of my Favourite Things!!

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Rod's World

It seems I have reached the limit of Facebook pages I can like, it’s 5,000, the same as Facebook friends you can have, But I have built a collection of my top 10 or 20 over the journey that I offer to the Booker Looker universe because I believe their posts make a difference. Some of them I have no idea how we connected and others were recommendations from friends. So I thought I would list them for you so that you have the opportunity to gain the knowledge they share across the airwaves:

Nicky Hamid: Spiritual dude from New Zealand. His words are full of the most love for the planet and its occupants I have found: Link to Nicky.
Luminita Savic, AKA Purpose Fairy: Her blog on 15 Things You Should Give Up to Be Happy went viral and she now appears on stages all around the world giving her worldly advice, one of the great list makers on the net: Link to Luminita.
Marc and Angel Hack Life – Practical Tips for Productive Living: After losing two very close people at an early age, Marc and Angel Chernoff began to write about the experience in a blog which has turned into their latest book becoming a New York Times bestseller, to me the most useful meme and list makers on the net.: Hack Life.
Brian Johnston at Optimize: made millions in the IT industry then went to Bali to read every book worth reading. Does a six-page PDF and 20 minute audio on the big ideas from each book, For those who are time poor but love new knowledge for $10 a month you get 5 new books, best ten bucks I spend: The Books.
Katherine Woodward Thomas: Katherine writes a daily mini blog on relationships and life. They are incredibly insightful, they are called Love out Loud Daily: Katherine’s link.
Dane Tomas: Creator of a revolutionary clearing method called the Spiral, Dane is my go-to man on all things in regards to sexuality, you may find some of his stuff abrasive but its worth the journey: Dane Live.
Amrit Sandhu: This is actually a blog called Inspired Revolution. You will not meet a man more enthusiastic about life than my friend Amrit. He interviews inspiring people who give you a lift everytime you listen. Here’s Amrit.
Mastin Kipp: My version of Tony Robbins. I first came across Mastin when he had a blog called The Daily Love which used to have the best quotes and guests. He had 700,000 followers but shut it down when he realised that coaching was his true destiny: Live Your Purpose.
Elephant Journal: Numerous pages on Health, humour sustainability. It costs $108 for life but is worth the investment: Elephants Pages.
Ari Amala: Another friend, her poetry is so beautiful and touches my heart every time. I told her she reminds me of Maya Angelou when she reads it: Access Ari and her words of Beauty.
Dannielle LaPorte: I use her daily planner and have for five years. Uber insightful Canadian, lots of free stuff including at the moment her Flagship Book, The Desire Map: My Favourite Canadian
Madysn Taylor: DailyOm, always a great read on a wide variety of subjects: Here’s Madyson.

So that covered Facebook and the net, but what does society say about a few of our favourite things, let’s have a look:

1. What more love can you offer in a gift than actually creating it yourself.

2, My friends who have been there said the uniqueness of its people is one of the reasons New York is their favourite place: New York, New York.

3, Money you can get back, time is gone forever, us it wisely.

4. Don’t know who Terry Gross is, but with 29,000 songs on my Itunes and Spotify, I plead guilty to this: My Favourite Things.

5. And then there is all of life.

6. The good bits and the so-called bad bits, put down the umbrella’s my friends: Satisfy My Soul.

7. All dancing and singing ones do it for me.

8. Reading Oliver’s name I instantly think of his book with the quirky title The Man who Mistook His Wife for a Hat: Toccata and Fugue.

9. Shared.

10. Who knows what may be generated by having a cup of coffee at your favourite cafe: From Little Things, Big Things Grow.

11. Who’s your favourite voice.

12. I love it, Life as a happy accident: Happy Accidents.

13. At 17, Coelho’s introversion and opposition to following a traditional path led to his parents committing him to a mental institution from which he escaped three times before being released at the age of 20. His life story reads like the title of his most popular book, The Alchemist.

14. Education goes both ways, the student and the teacher are changed by each interaction: Teach Your Children Well.

15. And finally, a recipe to start a few of your Favourite Things with.

In her excellent book, Love Out Loud: Contact Nicole., Nicole Gibson recalls a quote from a friend “Stand In Love, Don’t Fall In Love”, I think this sums up the power of a Few of our Favourite Things very well.

On the playlist, we return to a few previous centuries to fill in the mix today. Frank Sinatra, John Coltrane, Bob Marley and Bach lead off. Then a classic from a great OZ band, The Waifs. We finish with two artists new to me, Saint Motel and the duo Suzzy Bogguss & Kathy Mattea: A Few of My Favourite Things.

My Favourite thing is Interculturalism: So remember to show Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included until next time we meet my dear friends.

The Garden of The World has no Limits

Posted on January 3, 2019 by Rod's World

Today is my self declared Rumi day, all the quotes will be from one person, he is Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, Mevlânâ/Mawlānā and Mevlevî/Mawlawī, but in the western world simply known as Rumi.

Rumi’s poetry has been captured in a number of different collections. In all, one is exposed to the manner in which Rumi demonstrates the unbridled joy that comes from living life fully while urging us always to put aside our fears and take the risk required to do so.

Rumi believed passionately in the use of music, poetry and dance as a path for reaching God. For Rumi, music helped devotees to focus their whole being on the divine and to do this so intensely that the soul was both destroyed and resurrected. It was from these ideas that the practice of whirling Dervishes developed into a ritual form. His teachings became the base for the order of the Mevlevi, which his son Sultan Walad organised. Rumi encouraged Sama, listening to music and turning or doing the sacred dance. In the Mevlevi tradition, samāʿ represents a mystical journey of spiritual ascent through mind and love to the Perfect One. In this journey, the seeker symbolically turns towards the truth, grows through love, abandons the ego, finds the truth and arrives at the Perfect. The seeker then returns from this spiritual journey, with greater maturity, to love and to be of service to the whole of creation without discrimination with regard to beliefs, races, classes and nations. And as well as this he wrote possibly the most beautiful poetry ever written on this planet from which short vignettes are taken and turned into quotes, here are my favourites:

1. I must be in Love, I have felt like my body is disintegrating into the energy of the universe lately.

2. Can you even think this: Ocean of Love.

3. From the day I was born.

4. Time to turn the searchlight on: Find Yourself.

5. Quiet please, ah, there it is.

6. Find the others, but be responsible for your steps in life: A Road Song.

7. It’s just a perfect day, I’m so glad I spent it with you.

8. Only one song for this: Because the Night.

9. Remember those nights sitting watching the ocean reflect the stars and moon stoned out of your mind, I do.

10. I call him/her Gaia, what’s your name: Sacred Chant.

11. One of his best known.

12. Today we call it Social Media: The Sounds of Silence.

13. Starseed Y’all.

14. Remember to breath next time we meet, my beloved: Ring of Fire.

15. And finally from the great man, a simple request.

No mirror ever became iron again; No bread ever became wheat; No ripened grape ever became sour fruit. Mature yourself and be secure from a change for the worse. Become the light.” What a beautiful way to help us remember to appreciate each step we take in the self-actualizing process. Remember that once you‘ve evolved to a new stage of development, you simply cannot go back to the levels you were previously at! Rejoice in that fact and appreciate your growth. Become the light.

Today’s playlist sounds like it came out of the American mid-west and or sitting next to a river. We begin with Miten and Deva, Then to Brad Paisley and the Fountains of Wayne. Possibly the best song of 1976 by Patti Smith then to the river’s edge with Mama Gaia. Two gruff voices finish it off with Tempest and Johny Cash: The Garden of the World has no Limits.

As you bliss out on Rumi and the accompanying songs, remember to share Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included until next time we meet, my dear friends.

Don’t Cut the Person to Fit the Cloth

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Rod's World

I was in my local library returning my slightly overdue items when I saw it: The Book titled f**k it – DO WHAT YOU LOVE: Get it here, free shipping.

In this highly entertaining and motivational book, John sets out to prove that when we do what we love, we’re actually more likely to be happier, healthier, wealthier, and more successful. He addresses the significant blocks that people experience when they consider doing what they love, including: “Doing what you love is for time off, not work”, “Doing what I love would be selfish”, “I just don’t know what I love” and “I could never make a living from doing what I love”. Through no-nonsense ideas, fascinating facts and motivating calls to action, John brings us from pessimism to inspiration, so that our thoughts become powered by “F**k it, I can’t waste any more of my life”, “F**k it, I will find a way to make this work”, “F**k it, I will do what I love”.

So what is your Yes, But? here are the ones John collected from his research:

Yes, but I’m afraid I’ll fail.
Yes, but I don’t want to give up this lifestyle.
Yes, but what about my responsibilities – my family, etc.
Yes, but I’m scared I’ll embarrass myself.
Yes, but no one can just do what they love – grow up.
Yes, but I have no idea what I love.
Yes, but what about money? My passion is acting.
Yes, but I have to think about everyone else in my life.
Yes, but what if doing what I love makes me sick.
Yes, but what if no one wants the thing I love doing.
Yes, but what if I do it and it doesn’t work out. I’ll have nothing left to dream of.
Yes, but my parents won’t approve.
Yes, but it’s hard to take a commercial or business approach to doing what I love.
Yes, but I’m too old now.
Yes, but I don’t deserve to do what I love.
Yes, but what if I don’t make it work after giving up my safe, permanent job.
Yes, but the idea of what I love changes and morphs all the time – like life.
Yes, but what if I realize I don’t love it after all.
Yes, but the people around me won’t like it.
Yes, but I love lots of things, not just one.
Yes, but I don’t want to do what I love for eight hours a day, because then I won’t love it anymore.
Yes, but it’s selfish to do what you love.
Yes, but I might find out that I’m not good at doing what I love.
Yes, but work is meant to feel difficult; it’s not meant to feel like play.
Yes, but I’d never want to work for myself.

Quite a comprehensive list as to why up to 70% of people answer they do not love their work. Sometimes to Do What You Love, you have to say ‘no’ to lots of things that you’d quite like to do.

So how has society spoken about Yes, But over the years? This is what I found that to be:

1. She’s listening, all the time. Be careful what you say and think.

One of the worlds most noted Science Fiction and Fantasy writers, a 2009 profile in The New York Times Magazine described Vance as “one of American literature’s most distinctive and undervalued voices”. He died at his home in Oakland, California on May 26, 2013, aged 96: Cliff Jumping.

3. Another bride, Another June, Another sunny honeymoon, Another season, another reason, For makin’ Whoopee.

4. The ultimate Yes, But: Scared to Death.

5. Sort it out after, to live you must make mistakes.

6. When But can be a great thing: Discovery Channel Song.

7. Beautiful things the But means you do not experience.

8. Imagine if the jazz greats had listened to their Buts: Red Clay.

9. No Buts, Thankyou.

10. Two Words, Barack Obama: Yes We Can.

11. Time for some Fun.

12. Named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the Top 10 Twitter Accounts Every Entrepreneur Should Be Following, Ali is an expert at taking away the buts: Vision of Love.

13. Great trumps good every time.

14. Is Maybe So the same as but?: Call Me Maybe.

15, What’s your answer to this final quote?

John says that real prioritizing needs to be laced with frequent ‘F**K Its’, so here we go: F**K It, F**K It, F**K It, F**K It, F**K It, F**K It, F**K It, F**K It, F**K It, F**K It etc, etc.

Today’s playlist includes a POTUS. We begin with the alphabetized YT Vines and KZ Tandingan. Then an ad, The Discovery Channel Song, them some of my favourite style of music from Freddy Hubbard. The POTUS follows, then Mariah Carey and Carly Rae Jepsen finish off with some classic pop: Don’t Cut the Person to Fit the Cloth.

Remember on this glorious NYE, to express Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included as you walk into 2019:

When It Hurts, Observe!!

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Rod's World

Have you thought about what areas you have personally developed yourself in in 2018? For me, it has been in the areas of Expanding the Box of my Consciousness and Sexuality. Here are some statements about what may stop you from Personal Development by Marc Chernoff:

The acquisition of knowledge doesn’t mean you’re growing.
Growing happens when what you know changes how you live.
It’s not so much about finding opportunities as it is about creating them.
No matter How Smart You Are, You Will make Mistakes.
A good idea without action is nothing at all.
What we don’t start Today, Won’t be finished Tomorrow.
If you keep doing what you’re doing, You’ll keep getting what you’re getting.
There is a lesson in everything you do, and learning the lesson is how you move forward.
The Harder you work, The luckier you will Become.
Nobody succeeds all by themselves.
Being busy and being productive are two different things.
Being successful is a journey, not a destination.
Tough Times don’t last, but Tough People do.
Having a plan, Even a flawed one at first is better than no plan at all.
It’s uncomfortable to challenge the Status Quo, But it’s worth it.
Lots of successful people have failed as many times as they have succeeded.

I like the saying by Mae West: You Only Live Once, But If You Do It Right, Once Is Enough. Apologies to the Reincarnationists amongst my readers. Let’s have a look at how society views Personal Development:

1. Open that heart up the whole way.

2. Remember you grow the longer you are on the journey: Don’t Look Back In Anger.

3. But remember to find others to play with.

4. Another way of saying it is get rid of these toxic people out of your life as soon as possible: One Day.

5. And they say it in every language across the planet.

6. And what would a blog on Personal Development be without a little Brene Brown: I’m Not The Only One.

7. And from the man in the cardigan, comes the theory of madness.

8. And to do this we need to keep our eyes, mind and heart wide open at all times: Boo’d Up.

9. And of course, we need some Steve Covey.

10. Time to put down that book you know so well, and start your brand new life: Feeling Good.

11. Smile for the camera, it can even be a selfie.

12. Hermann Karl Hesse was a German-born poet, novelist, and painter. His best-known works include Demian, Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game, each of which explores an individual’s search for authenticity, self-knowledge and spirituality. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature.: Be Yourself.

13. Herman was quite prolific on the subject.

14. Don’t try and logically make your development fit in, after all, it is your unique offering: The Eyes of Truth.

15. And here is an opportunity to take your own marriage vows.

If we can find the patience to see the world for what it is – dynamic, flexible and loaded with untapped potential – and if we can accept the fact that change is an inevitable and brilliant part of life, then we can partake in the thrill of progression, and help shape a world in which the impossible becomes possible.

Two oldies and quite a few people I have not heard of inhabit the Playlist today, we begin with Oasis, then Matisyahu. The crooner Sam Smith follows, then three new to me: Ella Mai, Avicii and Peruquios, finishing up with Enigma: When It Hurts, Observe!!

Spread Love and Respect For All, Everyone included with those you interact in this holiday time:

Just In Case You Need Reminding!!

Posted on December 25, 2018 by Rod's World

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure,” says Marianne Williamson in a Return to Love. “It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so people won’t feel insecure around you. You were born to manifest the glory of God that is within you. It’s not just within some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’

We live in a new age. It’s a time of opening up and of healing and growth. It’s not passive but it requires surrender – the surrender of our old egos and patterns. As Charles Dubois once said, “The important thing is to be able at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what you could become.”

Debbie Ford says in order to authentically love ourselves we have to embrace all of who we are, not just the dark but the light as well. And learning to recognize our own talents allows us to appreciate and love everyone else’s unique gifts.”

So here is Debbie’s remarkable exercise on this festive day:

‘Take a moment to quiet your mind. Take several, slow, deep breaths and slowly read through the list below. After looking at every word, say to yourself, ” I am _______,” for everyone. For example, I am healthy; I am beautiful; I am brilliant; I am talented; I am rich. Write down any word that you’re uncomfortable with, on a sheet of paper. Include words that represent things that you admire in someone else but don’t embrace in yourself.

Satisfied, secure, loved, inspiring, sensual, radiant, delicious, passionate, cheerful, joyful, sexy, forgiving, alive, fulfilled, energetic, confident, flexible, accepting, whole, healthy, talented, capable, wise, honoured, holy, empowering, embracing, divine, powerful, free, funny, knowledgeable, affluent, enlightened, realized, balanced, brilliant, successful, worthy, open, compassionate, strong , creative, peaceful, fair, famous, disciplined, responsible, happy, pretty, desirable, blissful, enthusiastic, courageous, precious, fortunate, mature, artistic, vulnerable, radiant, conscious, faithful, magnificent, cosmic, attractive, complete, centred, cherished, romantic, warm-hearted, lucky, assertive, thankful, gentle, quiet, full, soft, wanted, extravagant, decisive, juicy, tender, willing, timely, irresistible. generous, beautiful, calm, carefree, easy going, patient, non-judgemental, cool, thoughtful, spiritual, loyal, connected, articulate, spontaneous, organized, reasonable, humorous, acknowledged, content, adored, playful, clean, fruitful, punctual, fun, understanding, self-assured, dedicated, optimistic, forward, intelligent, credible, active, glamorous, fearless, vivacious, warm, focused, innovative, nurturing, superstar, wonderful, leader, solid, champion, rich, choice-maker, simple, genuine, giving, assertive, adorned, prolific, productive, bold, sensitive.

Debbie says we all possess all of these qualities. All you have to do to manifest them is unconceal, own and embrace each one. So how does the world relate to being magnificent, let’s have a look:

1. Steve Maraboli has created, contributed to, and impacted Humanitarian, Education, and Empowerment programs in 40 countries. Steve is a recipient of the prestigious United Nations Award for Philanthropy and continues to serve in support of Global Literacy and Education.

2. Find the others who can see it: You are so Beautiful to Me.

3. Time to walk tall.

4. You, Yes, You: Magnificence.

5. Mini practice, I am _______.

6. Shadow and Light, they travel together: All of Me.

7. I honour your uniqueness.

8. Double it, there you go: Brave.

9. Self Explanatory.

10. As an artist, Rudy Francisco is an amalgamation of social critique, introspection, honesty and humour. He uses personal narratives to discuss the politics of race, class, gender and religion while simultaneously pinpointing and reinforcing the interconnected nature of human existence: Love Poem.

11. From the worlds most famous quoter, Ms. Unknown, what you give and get by receiving from others.

12. I’m thinking of a very daggy song: Born to be Alive.

13. Not by Helen Keller, but it could be.

14. I saw my friend Leela yesterday, who has the prettiest smile in our community yesterday, it always makes my heart sing: Make me Smile.

15, And to finish, this beautiful ode to you.

We are taught not to acknowledge our greatness. Most of us believe we possess some positive traits but not others. But we are all things: those that make us laugh as well as those that make us cry. We are every beautiful and ugly trait rolled into one. It is time to manifest all of your qualities. When you can own your entire list you will truly be in the presence of your version of God.

I think I have kept the best playlist for this festive day. We begin with Joe Cocker, then Miten and Deva, John Legend and I snuck in one Pop diva, Sara Bareilles. Then a beautiful spoken word ode from Rudy Francisco. We go back in time to finish with Patrick Hernandez and Steve Harley, enjoy: Just In Case You Need Reminding!!

Remember to spread Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included with those you relate with today:

Every Moment is an Opportunity!!

Posted on December 22, 2018 by Rod's World

My new friend Rick is a big fan of Dan Millman. I must admit I have not read much of his work since Way of the Peaceful Warrior so I decided to check out what he had done since then. I took a fancy to Everyday Enlightenment – The Twelve Gateways to Personal Growth. The Gateways are as follows:

Discover Your Worth.
Reclaim Your Will.
Energize Your Body.
Manage Your Money.
Tame Your Mind.
Trust Your Intuition.
Accept Your Emotions.
Face Your Fears.
Illuminate Your Shadows.
Embrace Your Sexuality.
Awaken Your Heart.
Serve Your World.

A great list to live a worthwhile life from. Dan speak about enlightenment as follows:

“When people ask me abstract questions about time, or space, or reincarnation, I may respond by asking whether they exercise regularly, eat a wholesome diet, get enough sleep, show kindness to others, and remember to take a slow, deep breath on occasion—because it seems important to bring our spiritual quest down to earth. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with philosophical speculation. But let’s not mistake conceptual thought for the spiritual practice of everyday life. After all, what does it serve to know whether angels wear earrings if we can’t hold a regular job or maintain a long-term relationship? What good does it do to pray like a saint or meditate like a yogi if we are unchanged when we open our eyes? What good to attend a place of worship on Saturday or Sunday if we lack compassion on Monday?”

So how do you how enlightenment, do you think you will ever get there? So very wise people have the following to say about it:

1. Mr Nature, David Suzuki says you can pick them because they walk above the ground, would certainly save on footwear.

2. I also love Pema’s stuff on compassion: Explaining Maitri.

3. I have had this quote in my altar for over 10 years.

4. Love this take on the Noble Eightfold Path, the crux of Buddhism: Alan Watts take at It.

5. Lao Tzu places it right at the feet of Self Love.

6. And here are my two favourite symptoms of Enlightenment from Deepak Chopra: Miracles.

7. Thích Nhất Hạnh born as Nguyễn Xuân Bảo on October 11, 1926, is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist, founder of the Plum Village Tradition. He is known for his universal stand for world peace.

8. Each day we get a new opportunity at it: A New Day Has Come.

9. As that famous quote says, Before Enlightenment – Chop Wood, Stack Wood. After Enlightenment – Chop Wood, Stack Wood.

10. A gentle reminder that you cannot get Enlightenment from others, it is a personal journey: Happy.

11. More wisdom from Thich.

12. Permanent and Unbreakable, real and present, still working on it: A Thousand Years.

13. Well, Are You?

14. Think Gandhi, MLK, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, even the author of this quote: One Tribe.

15. And from the man who sat under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha, a reminder what can make the journey so difficult.

I love what Dan says about Self-worth: Self-worth is not a thing; it is a perception. Just as a gymnast begins a routine with ten points and receives deductions for each mistake, so you began life with a natural, complete sense of worth. (Have you ever met an infant with self-worth issues?) But as you grow, you serve as your own judge, deducting points when you misunderstand the nature of living and learning—when you forget you are a human-in-training and that making mistakes and having slips of integrity and mediocre moments are a part of life, not unforgivable sins.”

If we agreed to give this up, our journey to enlightenment would be a much less perilous journey.

Today’s playlist begins with some wisdom and then tunes. Pema Chodron, Alan Watts and Deepak Chopra lead off with some wise words. Celine Dion, Pharrell Williams and Christina Perri follow with some beautiful tunes of possibility and we finish with Black Eyed Peas anthem to humanity, Enjoy: Every Moment is an Opportunity.

Remember to show Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included to your beloveds over the festive season until we meet again:

Don’t Let Anyone Else Hold The Pen!!

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Rod's World

Back to Marc and Angel Chernoff for today’s blog, I stubbed my toe on their book 1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently: Hit them Up… As is my practice when writing about a possibility I open the book to any page and voila, that is the subject for today. On page 139 is the heading “10 Ways to WRITE a Life Story Worth Living” appeared.

The chapter begins with the following words from Marc:

‘When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen. Make conscious choices every day that align your actions with your values and your dreams. because the way you live each day is a sentence in the story of your life. Each day you make a choice as to whether the sentence ends in a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point.”

He then offers 10 ideas for writing a life story worth living:

Find a Passion that makes you come alive.
Work hard on that Passion.
Live happily in your own way.
Change your path when you must, but keep moving forward.
When the going gets rough, keep fighting.
Let go of the past and live consciously in the future.
Embrace new ideas, lessons, and challenges.
Appreciate the little things in life that mean a lot.
Live honourably through kindness.
Spend quality time with people you love.

What a beautiful, inspiring list, I’m willing to take it on. Now lets have a look at what the world has said about writing your own story, let’s take that journey:

1. This beautiful image could be included on your vision board.

2. Not all testimony is in the negative: when you have the feeling your words can make a difference, speak them: Song for Someone.

3. Yes, You, the unique human being you are. Go on, you can do it.

4. Mine says I am an Interculturalist: Love and Respect for All, Everyone included. Over to You: Live your Story.

5. As Helen says, It will not always be easy. As Marc’s point 5 says, keep fighting during these time. Each little step makes a difference.

6. To my new friend Josie, you are editing at the moment, your writing is magnificent: Write your Story.

7. Excitement to me is covered in the expression Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs.

8. Ready, Set Write!!!: So Much Magnificence.

9. Even the stars don’t necessarily have great stories. Greta was one of Hollywood’s shining lights in her time.

10. And how could we leave out Deepak when writing about our lives: Change Your Life.

11. Or Brene!!!

12. 我是, Wer bin Ich, qui suis-je, ko wai Ahau, kas aš esu, هستم: Who I am.

13. We all have friends we can do this with: don’t be stingy.

14. To each of our glorious adventures: Yay!!!: This Is Me.

15. And finally, some blank pages for you.

I will finish with some more words from Marc and Angel:

‘If you live honourably, no matter how old you get, you’ll never lose your beauty; it will gradually shift from your face to your heart. And remember, there is no better exercise for the heart than reaching out and holding the hand of someone in need.’

Today’s playlist even contains both types of music, County and Western. We begin with U2. Then to the European continent for Auli’i Cravalho and Francesca Battistelli. I just had to put in Miten and Deva Premal’s song about magnificence. Who would have thought I would ever include a Little Mix song, but here one is. Jessica Andrews is next and we complete with the cast of the Greatest Showman: Remember, Don’t Let Anyone Else Hold The Pen.

So remember to show Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included until next time we meet, my dear friends:

Now a Soft Kiss.

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Rod's World

I am attending a retreat next weekend organised by my friend and Anam Cara Emeli Paulo via her self-development company Collective Potential: Check them out here. One of her heroes is Joseph Campbell so I thought to revisit one of his books Pathways to Bliss: Get It Here.

Joseph Campbell famously defined myth as “other people’s religion.” But he also said that one of the basic functions of myth is to help each individual through the journey of life, providing a sort of travel guide or map to reach fulfilment — or, as he called it, bliss. For Campbell, many of the world’s most powerful myths support the individual’s heroic path toward bliss. In Pathways to Bliss, Campbell examines this personal, psychological side of myth.

In this highly enjoyable book, Campbell says: “There are something like 18 billion cells in the brain alone. There are no two brains alike; there are no two hands alike; there are no two human beings alike. You can take your instructions and your guidance from others, but you must find your own path.” Defining it as BLISS = THE TRANSCENDENT WISDOM WITHIN YOU – “Your bliss can guide you to that transcendent mystery because bliss is the welling up of the energy of the transcendent wisdom within you. So when the bliss cuts off, you know that you’ve cut off the welling up; try to find it again.”

So how does the world look at Bliss, lets take that journey:

1. Lisa starts her webpage as follows, Dear Highly Sensitive Soul, Everything happens for a reason, I am so glad you have found yourself here! Let me remind you how special and unique you are AND that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you! I know that being a Highly Sensitive Soul can sometimes feel like a curse, but in reality, it’s a blessing. You just need to know how to navigate your way through a world that doesn’t always understand what it means to feel things so deeply.

2. Make sure your daily reality is not too far from your bliss: From Little Things.

3. Probably Josephs most famous quote.

4. the ultimate form of bliss, to know self-love and love for another: All of You.

5. Not what I hold bliss to be, at all.

6. the opposite of bliss: Ignorance.

7. Thomas Gray was an English poet, letter-writer, classical scholar, and professor at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He is widely known for his Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, published in 1751.

Gray was an extremely self-critical writer who published only 13 poems in his lifetime, despite being extremely popular. He was even offered the position of Poet Laureate in 1757, though he declined.

8. If you are looking out there for it, go back, wrong way: Baby It’s You.

9. Shadow and Light, they travel together.

10. Think I found this opportunity this weekend: Soul Kind of Feeling.

11. Appears to be getting harder and harder to do in these Tinder driven times.

12. All three spiritual fields please: Mind, Body and Soul.

13. The definition of Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs.

14. 4 great blissful quotes: Safety Dance.

15. The right ones will open.

LIFE IS CALLING but “When the call isn’t answered, you experience a kind of drying up and a sense of life lost.” Life is calling. Are you answering? If not, beware. No matter how much you try to numb yourself, the pain’s not going away. Not till you step up and answer the call. Then? Well, then God’s on the line and flowing through you. Enter: Bliss, Enthusiasm, all the things you want but are afraid you may not get so you keep on doing the same ‘ol, same ‘ol. 🙂 * ring ring * * ring ring * PICK UP, already! 🙂

Some great tracks today. We begin with Missy Higgins and Paul Kelly, followed by a John Legend classic. Then a Paramore super hit, then Beyonce. Over to our more obscure numbers, a great Aussie band The Dynamic Hepnotics, then a re-released obscurity by The Flaming Ember. We finish off with Men Without Hats with their dance ditty: Now a Soft Kiss.

Remember to spread Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included until next time we meet, my dear friends.

There is no Elevator to Success!!!

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Rod's World

I was having a deep and meaningful conversation with a friend into what prevents us from meeting our goals which made me think of Angela Lee Duckworth’s great book Grit: Why Passion and Resilience are the Secrets to Success: Get It Here.

Here are some great lines from the book:

“What I mean by a passion is not just that you have something you care about. What I mean is that you care about the same ultimate goal in an abiding, loyal, steady way. You are not capricious. Each day, you wake up thinking of the questions you fell asleep thinking about. You are, in a sense, pointing in the same direction, ever eager to take even the smallest step forward than to take a step to the side, toward some other destination. At the extreme, one might call your focus obsessive. Most of your actions derive their significance from their allegiance to your ultimate concern, your life philosophy. You have your priorities in order.”

“Why were the highly accomplished so dogged in their pursuits? For most, there was no realistic expectation of ever catching up to their ambitions. In their own eyes, they were never good enough. They were the opposite of complacent. And yet, in a very real sense, they were satisfied with being unsatisfied. Each was chasing something of unparalleled interest and importance, and it was the chase— as much as the capture—that was gratifying. Even if some of the things they had to do were boring, or frustrating, or even painful, they wouldn’t dream of giving up. Their passion was enduring.

In sum, no matter the domain, the highly successful had a kind of ferocious determination that played out in two ways. First, these exemplars were unusually resilient and hardworking. Second, they knew in a very, very deep way what it was they wanted. They not only had determination, but they also had direction.

It was this combination of passion and perseverance that made high achievers special. In a word, they had grit.”

How does the world navigate this thing called Grit: Lets take that journey:

1. John Ortberg is an evangelical Christian author, speaker, and senior pastor of Menlo Church in Menlo Park, California. One of his publications, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, has sold more than 500,000 copies.

2. Grit is a lifetime hobby: Work It.

3. John says give peace a chance, Wayne not Lennon.

4. You can have it all – that’s what we think as kids, unfortunately, this is taken away from us in our school years: You can Have It All.

5. I am ……………

6. Come across to the other side, its fun over here: On the Dark Side.

7. Passion and Perseverance – Fuck Yeah!!!

8. Minna Thomas Antrim was an American writer. She is famous for the quote “Experience is a great teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.” She was also well known for her collection of toasts: Say Something.

9. Way back to the 18th Century and Ralph Waldo Emerson for part of the recipe of Grit.

10. Thrusting, now that takes Grit: Call on Me.

11. I agree with Brene, possibly the bravest thing we will ever do.

12. Never give Up in search of your dreams: Tough Lover.

13. Ovid, way back in the times of the Roman Emperor was known as a poet of Love.

14. Jon Gordon, known for his earth-shattering book, The Energy Bus, which is said about: “If you want to fuel your family, your career, your team, and your organization with spirit read this book. Jon’s energy and advice will leap off the page and help you cultivate positive energy in everything you do—and you will make the world a better place for your having been here: We Shall Overcome.

15. How often are you unyielding, what does it take?

“In fact, when people drop out of things, they do so for a reason. Actually, they do so for different reasons. Any of the following four thoughts might go through your head right before you quit what you’re doing:

‘I’m bored.’
‘The effort isn’t worth it.’
‘This isn’t important to me.’
‘I can’t do this, so I might as well give up.’

There’s nothing wrong—morally or otherwise—with thoughts like these. As I tried to show in this chapter, paragons of grit quit goals, too. But the higher the level of the goal in question, the more stubborn they are about seeing it through. Most important, paragons of grit don’t swap compasses: when it comes to the one, the singularly important aim that guides almost everything else they do, the very gritty tend not to utter the statements above. …

Together, the research reveals the psychological assets that mature paragons of grit have in common. There are four. They counter each of the buzz-killers listed above, and they tend to develop, over the years, in a particular order.” They are Interest + Practice + Purpose + Hope.

The playlist today contains quite a few Pop divas: We begin with Rihanna and Drake, Then some rock and roll from Yo Lo Tengo and Eddie and the Cruisers. Two Christina Aguilera tracks are intersected by Eric Prydz and we complete with some wise words from Martin Luther King: There is No Elevator to Success.

Remember to provide Love and Respect for All, Everbody Included until we next meet, my dear friends.

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