We Make A Life By What We Give!!

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Rod's World

What am I feeling? I am feeling pride in the 200 men I spent a day with at the Island of Men who had gathered to take a stand for we were in it together to become better men for each other, our families and friends, lovers and children. The day consisted of ceremonies and about twenty workshops on a wide range of subjects that could achieve the stated intention. The following poem was written by my mentor Arion about the day, it sums up what happened pretty damn well. Here is a link to his work: Living As Essence.

Men. When you take off your mask.
You break my heart, in every way.
You share wisdom beyond your years
And unbearable trauma under that smile

Men, when you take off the mask
You show me bone-deep loneliness
No longer covered by the effort of living
And you break my heart, again

Men, when your mask falls away
I see tender beauty
And breathtaking kindness
That shatters all I knew, as you

Men, without masks
I love you, I see you
I see the depth of your feeling
And the burden of keeping it down

Men free from masks
I see your tears and tenderness
And your ache to love and be loved
I see your true power stirring

Let celebrate all that is behind that mask
In you, me and all of us
Let’s start a rebellion
Where we wear the masks no more

Let us cry in each other’s arms
Then build a new world, together
A world that bows to tenderness
In every living thing

Let us break our hearts together
In our beauty and our pain
I love you, I love me
Let’s take this love, to the world.

So what has the world said about the power of community, here are a few of my favourites:

1. We attended a magnificent event and are setting up structures so that we can fulfil the third stanza.

2. There will be Shadow and Light moments on our journeys, but as it says when it’s hard, We’re In This Together: Let’s Stick Together.

3. But due to all of us, the vulnerability of men and the power that can create will not be a secret much longer.

4. And Yes, some of this happened: Bette Davis Eyes.

5. And heaps of Bro Love, which I define as being truly seen by another man, of whatever age.

6. I’m guessing this is not the Paul Ryan from the Tea Party in the States, great ethos though: I’m an Individual.

7. Mark Hyman, MD, believes that we all deserve a life of vitality and that we have the potential to create it for ourselves. That’s why he is dedicated to tackling the root causes of chronic disease by harnessing the power of Functional Medicine to transform healthcare. Dr Hyman and his team work every day to empower people, organizations, and communities to heal their bodies and minds, and improve our social and economic resilience.

8. Those African dudes know how to keep our intention simple: How Far I’ll Go.

9. Gentleman, make some noise!!

10. We Wee’d in nature on the island. it really gets you in contact with the power of the wellness offered by communing with the land: Oh, Well.

11. And didn’t they share this so beautifully in the Heartspace process?

12. A philosophical doctrine or approach to life that emphasizes social unity and generosity of spirit: Ubuntu.

13. Even Rumi’s on our side.

14. Here is my favourite movement creator, here are some of his words: I Have A Dream.

15. And for our final lesson, Men of the Island remember the power of the snowflake.

There is so much great stuff happening across the communities of the world to have its heart space be transformed. It was an honour to attend one of them on Sunday.

There is a playlist, it has one of Australia’s greatest silly songs amongst other classics. We begin with Bryan Ferry them move to Kim Carnes. Who remembers Jacko then a musical tune from Moana. One of the great early Fleetwood Mac numbers follows then a world music number from World Edition. We finish with the wisdom of Martin Luther King: We Make A Life By What We Give.

If you really knew me, you would know in my heart there lives the statement: Love and Respect For All, Everybody Included. Until we meet again, my dear friends.

I Decide My Vibe!!

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Rod's World

What am I feeling today, a little bit of fear as to what it will take me to break through my always knowing about how to perform in a relationship and ask my new friend if it can be more than a friendship, we can all relate to the just friends scenario, it has devastated me at different times in my life.

I feel something in my heart that has not been there for a long time, yet I feel almost frozen to do anything about it. It’s a, we work together situation and is it politically correct in these days of #metoo to pursue it further. Fuck, it hurts my heart.

So, what have we, as a community said about moving to the next level in relationships, let’s open our hearts up and find out:

1. So true, being numb and frozen clearly does not work.

2. Which floor do you require? My lift operator in my heart to self: Level Up.

3. The exact advice my friend Phoenix gave me in an Expand The Box exercise we were in last night when I tried to find the answer in my head, not my heart.

4. Focus on what’s in your heart, not your head: Listen to Your Heart.

5. Are you an Id flyer?

6. Oops, this gets in: Same Old Shit.

7. This will help break through the numbness.

8. Shag pile carpet or facing reality, choose: Uncomfortable

9. Is that a goddess picture, maybe?

10. How do you get from point A to point B: More Than Friends.

11. Another way of saying what Phoenix pointed out that I needed to do for it to have any chance.

12. I believe in the starseed theory, that the universe is listening to our spoken and unspoken requests and tries to answer them: Across The Universe.

13. I’m sure my millennial nephews would understand what he is saying, I’m not so sure.

14. Language, it can make you quite sad at times: Computer Games.

15. And for our final lesson, Rod, fucking remember this and get out of your head.

When you are not researching possibility as your source but entering the world of feelings I notice that my blogs have become much shorter. How many words do I have blocked in the frozen parts of my body, we shall see over time.

The Playlist has a classic death metal fuck you track amongst it today. We begin with Ciara, travel back to Roxette. Cross the political correct boundary with Macz, then rock out with Halestorm. Jason Mraz and Meghan Trainor ask each other a relationship question. Rufus Wainwright redefines a Beatles song and we finish with an Oz classic from Mi-Sex: I Decide My Vibe.

Relationships must come from Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included, Peace out to next time, my dear friends.

Be your own self, Love what you Love.

Posted on February 25, 2019 by Rod's World

You are powerful when you believe in yourself – when you know that you are capable of anything you put your mind to. You are beautiful when your strength and determination shines as you follow your own path – when you aren’t dishevelled by the obstacles along the way. You are unstoppable when you let your mistakes educate you, as your confidence builds from experiences – when you know you can fall down, pick yourself up, and move forward.

These inspiring words are from Marc Chernoff, he also provides 11 ways to become this person:

Stop judging, and appreciate the beauty within you.
Treat yourself the way you want others to treat you.
Care less about who you are to others.
Know your worth.
Don’t rush intimate relationships.
Let go of those who aren’t really there.
Forgive yourself and others.
Focus on the Positive.
Believe in the person you are capable of being.
Work on Goals you believe in.
Keep working and looking straight forward.

This chapter is entitled 11 ways to become the person you love, so lets have a look at what society has said about being the person you love:

1. Amazing work! Kaci Diane has found a way to capture her raw emotions in a way that allows the reader to join her on a journey of hopes, dreams, ups and downs. You feel the highs and lows of each poem as Kaci gives you a glimpse into her heart and soul.”

2. Feel that yearning deep in your soul: Yearning for Your Love.

3. I’m sure when we pop out that this is in place.

4. A million dollars worth: Who Says.

5. A classic from the world’s great philosopher, Ms Unknown.

6. Unrecognisable is the word that comes to mind for me: I Gotta Feeling.

7. And your answer is?

8. Lalah hangs out in Mind, body, spirit, and life; wellness, wholeness, empowerment, and transformation, through Vibrational-based living, vibrating higher daily: Change Your Life.

9. They travel everywhere together.

10. The good things at both ends, changes the meaning of the classic burning at both ends analogy doesn’t it: Somewhere over the Rainbow.

11. Seven Billion No one is You’s, amazing. Go and fly.

12. When self-obsession becomes a powerful tool in your armoury: Love Me.

13. Out, damn thought – William Shakespeare, well, nearly.

14. Bravery and Brene Brown, touche: Shame is Lethal.

15. Bette Midler!!

In the end, loving yourself os about enjoying your life, trusting your own feeling. taking chances, losing and finding happiness, cherishing the memories, and learning from the past. Sometimes you have to stop worrying, wondering, and doubting. Have faith that things will work out maybe not exactly how you planned, but just how it’s meant to be.

Today’s playlist is crowded with pop divas and some worldly advice. We begin with ex-members of the Gap Band, Charles Wilson and Tyrese, then our first diva Selena Gomez. The Black Eyed Peas appear before divas Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande and Kate Perry. We finish with the wisdom of Brene Brown: Be your own self, Love what you Love.

Becoming the person you love allows you to love others: Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included, I look forward to seeing you again next time we meet, my dear friends.

You don’t always need a Plan!!

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Rod's World

There are times in our life when we need to be motivated, here are some reminders from Marc Chernoff, author of the great book, Getting Back to Happy with his partner, Angel: Here’s the link.

1. You can press forward long after you can’t. It’s just a matter of wanting it bad enough.

2. Crying doesn’t indicate that you’re weak. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you’re alive and full of potential.

3. Give up worrying what others think of you. What they think isn’t important. What is important is how you feel about yourself.

4. If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today and you pay close attention, you’ll often find you’re right.

5. You never know how strong you really are until being strong is the only choice you have.

6. A problem is a chance for you to learn.

7. You must see things how they are instead of how you hoped, wished or expected them to be.

8. Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Let it Go.

9. Tough times never last, but tough people do.

10. Not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

11. Giving up doesn’t always mean you’re weak, sometimes it means you are strong enough and smart enough to let go.

12. Mistakes teach you important lessons. Every time you make one, you’re one step closer to your goal. The only mistake that can truly hurt you is choosing to do nothing simply because you’re too scared to make a mistake.

13. If it’s out of your control why fret about it? Concentrating on things you can control is how you make good things happen.

14. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.

15. Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.

What has the world said over time to motivate itself, here are a few of my favourites:

1. The old imagine they are naked public speaking trick reversed because this time you are.

2. You come to that twin fork in the road, take the road less travelled: Hit the road, Jack.

3. If you are going to the gym to find it, turn around, it’s inside you, not in the weight room.

4. The comfort zone is the home of the lounge lizard, not Nobel prize winners: Out of Tower Song.

5. What did you discover after your worst fall?

6. Treat people how you wish them to treat you: Treat me like Somebody.

7. Live out your dreams, they are worth it.

8. One foot in front of each other still means you are on the path of fulfilling your dreams: One Foot.

9. Plan it, then allow for the time it will take.

10. John Michael Green is an American author, vlogger, producer, and educator. He won the 2006 Printz Award for his debut novel, Looking for Alaska, and his fourth solo novel, The Fault in Our Stars, debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list in January 2012. The 2014 film adaptation opened at number one at the box office. In 2014, Green was included in Time magazine’s list of The 100 Most Influential People in the World. Another film based on a Green novel, Paper Towns, was released on July 24, 2015: It Hurts.

11. Jim Rohn points out sometimes we may have simply chosen the wrong path.

12. Just, because: Black Coffee.

13. Motivation 101.

14. Makes me think of William Wallace and his wee band of men: Freedom Speech.

15. You can make an excuse and not do what it will take or you can travel forward towards what your dreams in life are.

So a few questions: What stands between you and happiness, Are you holding on to something you need to let go, What is the biggest challenge you face right now and finally, If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently.

The playlist today begins with Ray Charles as we hit the road, then we continue to the musical Tangled. Three newbies to me follow: Tink, Walk the Moon and Emeli Sande. Then the sultry Peggy Lee and we end with Mel Gibson aka William Wallace: You don’t always need a Plan.

To live my life from Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included does not always need a plan, just a way of being. Until we meet again my dear friends, let’s live a motivated life.

Work While They Sleep, Learn While They Party!!

Posted on February 19, 2019 by Rod's World

This blog may be a bit long, it is based on a list by Robin Sharma, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari called Top 200 Secrets of Success In Life, Here they are:

Sleep less.
Set aside one hour every morning for personal development matters.
Do not allow things that matter suffer because of things that don’t.
Use the Rubber Band method to condition your mind to focus.
Always answer the phone with enthusiasm.
Keep a set of blank cards so you can jot down your inspirational ideas.
Set aside every Sunday evening for yourself.
The quality of your life is the quality of your communication.
Stay on purpose, not on outcome.
Laugh for five minutes in the mirror each morning.
Light a candle in the evening when you are reading.
Count your steps when you walk.
Learn to meditate effectively.
Learn to be still.
Enhance your will-power.
Be humorous throughout the day.
Become a highly disciplined time manager.
Associate with positive people.
Become devoted to having only a wonderful experience.
You must have a mission statement in life.
No one can hurt you without your permission.
Take a speed reading course.
Remember people’s names.
Be soft as a flower when it comes to kindness.
Only discuss your health and wealth with your family.
Be truthful, modest and generous.
Soak in a warm bath at the end of the day.
Learn the power of breathing.
Recognise the power of autosuggestion.
Maintain a diary.
Stress is merely a response which you create.
Read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
Become a committed audio-tape listener.
Fast one day every two weeks.
Listen to soft, soothing music throughout the day.
Read As a Man Thinketh by James Allen.
Remember that forgiveness is a virtue few develop.
Empty your Cup.
Practice The Two Minute Mind meditation.
Drink a cup of warm water before making a speech.
Stand firm and steadfast.
Act Tough, and you will be Tough.
Ask now what the world can do for you, but what can you do for the world.
Once a week, arise at dawn.
Remain slightly aloof.
Master the art of Public Speaking.
Seek out motivational speakers and listen to them.
Read Discovering Happiness by Denis Wholey.
Read a passage in a book, then try to recite it verbatim
Enter a 5km run then a 10km race.
Burn Orange and Clove essential oils in your burner.
Walk for half an hour after your evening meal.
Start lifting weights.
Never argue with the person you work for.
Dark Suits reflect power, wear them.
Send handwritten notes to your relationships, work and family.
Balance and moderation.
Drink Jasmine Tea.
Effective time management makes you more flexible.
Do not take personal development books as gospel.
Become an adventurer.
Spend Time with Nature.
Mens Sana in corpore Sano – In a sound body rests a sound mind.
Be so strong nothing interferes with your peace of mind.
Do not eat three hours before you sleep.
Be careful about your reputation.
Find mentors to learn and model on.
Make a list of all your weaknesses.
Never complain.
Overlook the weaknesses of your friends.
Be kind, considerate and courteous.
Create your image as a highly competent individual.
Do not reveal everything, familiarity breeds contempt is an excellent rule.
Learn to organise your time.
Keep well informed.
Choosing your life partner is the most critical decision you will make.
Never discuss your personal development activities with anyone, they are yours.
Schedule relaxation time in your week.
To truly concentrate, close your eyes.
Be the master of your will but a servant of your conscience.
Develop the habit of a daily swim.
Do good every day.
Do what you planned to do when you intended to do it.
Use the Bruce Lee worry visualisation exercise to dissipate worry.
Compartmentalise your worries.
Be physically relaxed and mentally engaged.
Yoga.
Prepare a detailed 5-year financial plan and follow it.
Readers are Leaders.
Read something positive before you go to bed.
Develop a dynamic, charismatic personality.
Seek out the wise and learn from them.
Gentleness, Frugality, Humility – Lao Tzu.
When you cannot make up your mind – choose the bolder.
Be your spouse’s number one supporter.
Meet with three wise people in the next two weeks, take their counsel.
Make each day a true masterpiece.
Discipline your mind or lose your energy.
You sow an action, you reap a habit.
Positive overcomes the negative.
A contented mind is a continual feast.
Make a new friend or acquaintance every day.
If you conquer your mind, you capture the world.
Stay happy not build possessions.
Contrary to popular belief, stress is not a bad thing.
Take mental vacations during the day.
A change is useful as a rest.
Study the ten fundamental of Happiness.
Strive to be humble and live a simple life.
Read A History of Knowledge by Charles Van Doren.
Read The Art of The Leader by William A. Cohen.
Develop that elusive quality known as charisma.
In work, love and life, play hard and play fair.
Do not talk when you are listening.
Be angry for a purpose, not just angry for anger’s sake.
Knowledge is Power.
All the answers to any questions are in print, Google It.
Get in the habit of breakfast meetings.
Have a swimming pool near your residence, it will not matter how busy you are.
Excellence is an art won by training and habituation.
Today is yesterday’s pupil.
If you have a choice of two paths, take the most daring.
Every day, get away from the noise.
Focus on goals that are important.
Memorise beautiful poetry.
Keep your words soft and arguments hard.
This will soon pass.
Go the extra mile.
Become a committed and sincere networker.
When you look for something, you will find it.
Develop a sense of wonder about the world.
Do more than writing happy birthday on Facebook for your beloveds.
Remember to use people’s names when you talk to them.
Go outdoors and look up for half an hour.
Once every few weeks leave your phone and watch at home.
Laugh at work.
Master your life, and you master your destiny.
Recognise the tremendous power of opposition thinking.
Get deep in the habit of personal introspection.
The most effective alarm clock resides in your mind.
They say “Why”. I dream and say “Why Not”.
Practice meditation at the same time each day.
Forge and foster great friendships.
Purchase Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue CD.
Drink ten glasses of water a day.
Be punctual.
If you are busy, do not answer the phone.
Start your day off well.
Confide in your partner.
Push yourself a little harder and further every day.
Optimism.
Write down the seven best qualities of people you admire, tape to your bed.
Have your character be healthy and vigorous.
Consider yourself as an orange.
Give and Serve to Others.
Be an innovator at your workplace.
Learn to Laugh at Yourself.
Keep open the windows of your mind.
Go through one full day without saying I.
Spend one hour a day awake in full silence.
Each day, do two things you do not like doing.
Achieve your Goals for true happiness.
Remember the names of the people you meet, ask them to repeat it.
Indominability. Courtesy, Integrity.
Perform the Mental Innterupt device exercise when a negative thought arises.
Take time to focus on personal growth activities.
Read more, learn more, laugh more, and love more.
Improve five relationships in the next six months.
Remember the power of prayer.
Listen to The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.
Utilise your phones daily organiser.
Browse second-hand stores for treasures.
Read The Magic of Believing by Claude M. Bristol.
Be known as someone with a cool head.
Every week, spend some hours in service of others.
Fill your home with bright, fresh flowers.
Get to know and enjoy your neighbours.
Recognise the power of mantras.
When the breath is still and steady, so is the mind.
Use the one day to live visualisation.
Study evidence of high character.
Youth is not a time of life, it is a state of mind.
Chinese herbal medicine.
Organise your time around your real priorities.
Slow down your pace of life.
Eat only fruit and drink milk for a day.
Value your spouse’s laugh and keep their picture close by.
If married, have your partners initials carved on your ring.
What you put in is what you get out. Positive, not negative.
Do a hundred sit-ups a day.
Be the most honest person you know.
Curb your worldly desires, and you will strengthen your will.
If you have not laughed today, you have not lived today.
Read The Charisma Factor by Robert J. Richardson and S, Katharine Thayer.
Travel Often.
Each month set a physical goal for yourself.
Things are created twice, the mental creation and physical creation.
Walk to work and notice the beauty of nature.
Sleep less, spend less, do more. Live longer and be more magnificent.
Read this book over and share it with others.

What would you add to Robin’s list, what are your self-care practices for success and what does society say about success, let’s have a look at what it has to say:

1. Being focused and in action gets it done according to Trudy.

2. Remember to smell the roses along the path: Stop and Smell the Roses.

3. Nothing and Everything, both extremes can be successful.

4. Be successful in the every day and quantum success can be built in it: From Little Things, Big Things Grow.

5. Walk your unique path, you are not meant to wear another’s shoes.

6. Don’t be a usual suspect: I Bet My Life.

7. From the most famous philosopher, Ms Unknown comes this uncommon quote.

8. Don’t be fascinated by it and it will seek you out: Go Your Own Way.

9. Mistakes, make them. Call out for Help.

10. Blogger turned New York Times best-selling author and speaker Mandy Hale is the creator of the social media movement, “The Single Woman.” With a heart to inspire single women to live their best lives and to never, ever settle, Mandy cuts to the heart of the matter with her inspirational, straight-talking, witty, and often wildly humorous take on life and love: Breathe Me.

11. Seek what you love, and you will never work another day in your life.

12. Do you want it enough to do what you need to make it happen: Whenever, Wherever.

13. Turn the mind way down.

14. On and On and On and On: Life Goes On.

15. Are you for hire, how much do you charge?

For some success is dollars, for some the ideal relationship, for others having children, there is not one situation that fulfils success, find yours and seek it out with all you have to give.

Today’s playlist begins with Mac Davis, then the classic Oz duo Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody. Imagine Dragons are next, then we rock it out with Fleetwood Mac. Two pop divas follow, Sia and Shikhara. We finish with the rapper Tupac: Work While They Sleep, Learn While They Party.

I see success for humanity as being via Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included. Let’s move towards that until next time we meet, my dear friends.

The Pain of the Process is only Temporary.

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Rod's World

Wish you had more wellbeing? Are you longing for an evidence-based approach to consistently feel good and function more effectively at work? Do you need busy-proof practices to help you more confidently navigate the lows and highs we all experience?

What if you had a toolkit to unleash accomplishment. If you purchase Your Wellbeing Blueprint: Feeling Good and Doing Well at Work by Michelle Mcquaid and Dr Peggy Kern you get one: Get It Here.

There are seven levels to the tool kit, here they are:

Setting Goals That Work – Know what you Want, Audit your Time, Stretch Yourself, Set Weekly Goals.
Being Hopeful – Map Your Hopes, Start a Passion Project, Find Hopeful Friends.
Practising Growth Mindset – Set Learning Goals, Get comfortable with Failure, Name your fixed Mindset, Growth Mindset Reflection.
Developing Grit – Draw a Grit Map, Ask for Help, Invest in Deliberate Practice.
Boosting Your Confidence – Strike a Power Pose, Take One Small Step, Acknowledge “Not Yet”.
Being Self-Compassionate – Create a Mantra, Write a Letter, Soothe Your Pain, Remember to be Kind.
Improving Your Resilience – Challenge Your Beliefs, Lean into the Suck, Ban “Always”, Flex Your Stress Mindset.

Shakespeare said, “Joy’s soul lies in the doing.” How has society written about this journey, Let’s take a look:

1. Do what you love for work, and you will never work another day in your life.

2. Burn, Baby, Burn: Burning Down the House.

3. Charles Franklin Kettering sometimes known as Charles “Boss” Kettering was an American inventor, engineer, businessman, and the holder of 186 patents. He was a founder of Delco and was head of research at General Motors from 1920 to 1947. Among his most widely used automotive developments were the electrical starting motor and leaded gasoline.

4. When you pass they will remember you for who you were, not what you owned: When I’m Gone.

5. The dreams, they’re on the other side.

6. Kids say such amazing things until we train it out of them: Lot To Learn.

7. Eric Thomas, PhD is a critically acclaimed author, World-renowned speaker, educator, pastor and audible.com Audie Awards Finalist. ET, as he is better known, has taken the world by storm, with his creative style and high-energy messages. His words continue to impact tens of millions of people in several hundred countries across the planet! Through a significant social media presence and his recent domestic and international tours, “ET, The Hip Hop Preacher” has become a global phenomenon!

8. Boom: Tomorrow.

9. You, Yourself, I.

10. I learnt an expression at Landmark Education I will never forget, what you don’t know you didn’t know: Heaven.

11. Katie Byron calls it the Work, you need to do it.

12. of course, it’s Judy and Somewhere over the rainbow…: Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

13. Two very similar statements with totally different meanings.

14. I believe in miracles and unicorns, do you?: You Sexy Thing.

15. And the final lesson, Yes, You are that person.
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.

I really like today’s eclectic playlist. It begins with Talking Heads, moves over to Eminem, then another rapper in Luke Christopher. To the world of the musical with a track from Annie. The beautiful voice of Kane Brown is next, then the legend who is Judy Garland finishing with the sexy tones of Hot Chocolate: The Pain of the Process is Only Temporary.

So one of my accomplishments is to have Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included is part of common day language. Join me in spreading it until we meet again, my dear friends.

You Never Realise How Strong You Are!!

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Rod's World

There are ways to embrace growth and ways to stay stuck. When you stop chasing the wrong things, you give the right things a chance to catch you. Here are a few things that you can give up:

Give up trying to be perfect.
Give up comparing yourself to others.
Give up dwelling on the past or worrying too much about the future.
Give up Complaining.
Give up holding grudges.
Give up waiting.
Give up lying.
Give up trying to avoid mistakes.
Give up saying, “I can’t”.
Give up trying to be everything to everyone.
Give up thinking you’re not ready.
Give up setting small goals for yourself.
Give up trying to do everything by yourself.
Give up buying things you don’t need.
Give up blaming others for your troubles.
Give up making mountains out of molehills.
Give up trying to live out of the expectations of others.
Give up the ‘Easy Street’ mentality.
Give up making promises you can’t keep.
Give up letting your thoughts and feelings bottle up inside.
Give up beating around the bush.
Give up avoiding change.
Give up your sense of entitlement.
Give up waiting until the last minute.
Give up being dramatic.
Give up being anti-athletic.
Give up Junk Food.
Give up eating as a means of entertainment.
Give up foolish habits you know are foolish.
Give up relationships with people who bring you down.
Give up being shy.
Give up worrying about what others think about you.
Give up trying to control everything.
Give up doing the same thing over and over again.
Give up following the least path of resistance.
Give up persistent multi-tasking.
Give up thinking others are luckier than you.
Give up filling every waking moment with commitments and activities.
Give up making emotional decisions.
Give up doing the wrong things just because you can get away with it.
Give up focusing on what you don’t want to happen.
Give up taking yourself so seriously.
Give up spending your life working in a career you aren’t passionate about.
Give up thinking about the things you don’t have.
Give up doubting others.
Give up with fussing with every beauty product on the market.
Give up trying to fit in.
Give up trying to be different just for the sake of being different.
Give up trying to avoid risk.
Give up putting your own needs on the back burner.

Quite a list to work on, how much greater would your life look if you just implemented a few of these a month. What has the world said about living a great life over time, here are a few of my favourites:

1. That moment when you release the pressure and you accelerate towards your dreams is truly magic.

2. The challenge of life, never forget you are still here kicking ass: We Shall Overcome.

3. Both are meant to be a daily practice.

4. We are sent here to give the universe our unique gifts: Unique.

5. What a great superpower, seeing the invisible.

6. Each day we choose where we are on the ladder of life: Shine Your Light.

7. What would you walk through your fear for, what would you die for?

8. A worthy daily to-do list: Lose Yourself.

9. It’s up to us, Because We Can, it’s our time.

10. Jillian Barberie Michaels is an American personal trainer, businesswoman, author and television personality from Los Angeles, California. Michaels is best known for her appearances on NBC, particularly The Biggest Loser. She has also made an appearance on the talk show The Doctors. In fall 2015, she hosted and co-judged a series on Spike titled Sweat, INC. In January 2016, her reality television series Just Jillian premiered on E!.: Feel.

11. Greatness needs both the shadow and the light.

12. One foot in front of another: From Little Things, Big Things Grow.

13. Love or Judgement, which one will heal the earth?

14. What it takes to produce a great shot at life: Photograph.

15. Isn’t it amazing that you never know when love comes to town?

And remember, mistakes make us human, failures help us grow, hope keeps us going and love is the reason we are alive. So keep learning, loving and living. Never give up on yourself.

Today’s playlist begins with some Martin Luther King wisdom, then the pop diva Lenka followed by one of rocks icons Robbie Robertson. Eminem is up next, then a Mediterranean pop diva Mahmut Orhan. Aussie legends Paul Kelly and Missy Higgins are the penultimate offerings and we finish with an Ed Sheeran cover by Boyce Avenue: You Never Realise How Strong You Are.

Greatness is showing Love and Respect For All, Everyone Included, a task for you until next time we meet, my dear friends.

Make Your Life Simple But Significant!!

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Rod's World

Someday life seems so complicated, yet other days we are in total flow: What is the difference? My friend Marc Chernoff suggests that there are things we should cease doing so we have more days of the latter. Here are Marc’s ideas:

Stop berating yourself for being a work in progress.
Stop doing immoral things just because you can.
Stop meaning what you don’t say.
Stop wasting time and money trying to acquire more of everything.
Stop spending time with negative people.
Stop trying to change people.
Stop being lazy and cutting corners.
Stop procrastinating,
Stop worrying and complaining.
Stop being dramatic.
Stop trying to be everything to everyone.
Stop making promises you can’t keep.
Stop blaming others.
Stop reacting without a plan.
Stop confusing being busy with being productive.
Stop over-committing and trying to do too much at once.
Stop being inefficient simply because you’ve always done it that way.
Stop cluttering your space.
Stop overloading your mind by consuming useless information.
Stop obsessing over the past and the future.
Stop waiting for things to be perfect.
Stop focussing so much energy on trying to avoid mistakes.
Stop making emotional decisions.
Stop being unhealthy.
Stop holding onto intimate relationships that make you unhappy.
Stop holding onto hate.
Stop pretending like you know everything.
Stop giving what you don’t want to receive.

Deep down in our hearts, we know these things would be good for us if we took them on. I wouldn’t recommend taking more than a few at a time, there is that adage new habits take 21 days to cement in place.

How far back does the advice on living life with ease go? Let’s have a look:

1. Apparently, a long way: here is some wisdom on the subject from Confucius, who lived in China in the Fifth Century B.C.

2. Time in nature is such a decluttering of the mind: Medicine.

3. Some people prefer to complicate their life and even die before they make the changes that will benefit them.

4. Physically steps are always forward, metaphorically, I am not so sure: Neon Blue.

5. And then there is always an act of service.

6. Are Kiss really a rock group on an acronym for a life less complicated: I was made for Loving You.

7. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.

8. Self-explanatory really, each sunrise brings a new beginning if we are willing: A New Day Has Come.

9. Start learning from your mistakes. Smile, then move on.

10, Nike!!: Beat It.

11. Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included.

12. To turn left or right at the intersection, either way, It could profoundly change your life: Thinking Out Loud.

13, Mini de complication list.

14, Less complicated does not mean easy to do, they are entirely different things: It’s Not Easy,

15, Finally, a reminder to surround yourself with people who reflect the person you want to be:, they are totally on your side.

What could you do to make your days less complicated, I’m sure there is something in this list that could empower you to live a less cluttered life, physically and mentally, go forward and try some on.

Today’s playlist contains some of the music industry heavies. We begin with the newbies, Queen Naija and Steps. Then four monoliths – Kiss, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson and Ed Sheeran. We finish with a visit to the African continent with Lucky Dube: Make Your Life Simple But Significant.

A way I find to not complicate my life is to show Love and Respect to All, Everyone Included. Best wishes until next time we meet, my dear friends.

It Doesn’t Matter What Others Do!!

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Rod's World

I belong to a group of world travellers called The Warriors of Love. We look at how to live from Essence, your lifeforce on a day to day basis. You incorporate daily actions and to do lists still but they are not the major focus. Wayne Dyer has some interesting words on this way of life:

“When you go beyond outcome in life you find yourself unconcerned about what is in it for you. Thoughts, feelings and behaviour focus more and more on the fulfilment of your purpose. You go beyond success, achievement and performance as indications of your life’s mission. Instead, every moment is lived fully and lovingly. Material possessions cease to dominate your thoughts, which is not to say that they disappear. They simply cease to be the focus of life. Instead, your purpose takes hold, and you gain a sense of joy and inner harmony knowing that you are divinely fulfilling your reason for being here. As Michel de Montaigne put it so succinctly: “The great and glorious masterpiece of man is how to live with purpose.”

SEVEN BELIEFS FOR MANIFESTING REAL MAGIC: Wayne LOVES lists. Here’s one on the “Seven Beliefs for Manifesting Real Magic”:

1. “There is an invisible but knowable life force within you.

2. Your thoughts are something that you control and they originate within you.

3. There are no limits. (Might want to re-read that and take it literally. 🙂

4. Your life has a purpose.

5. You overcome weaknesses by leaving them behind.

6. When you examine what you believe to be impossible, you can then change your beliefs.

7. You can go beyond logic.”

What have people said about this lifestyle over the centuries, here are a few of . my favourites:

1. This says to me that you cannot pour things into a beaker and come up with your unique lifeforce essence, it is not work for the perfume industry.

2. Gives you a wide panorama to work with during your well-lived life: Live Your Life.

3. From India, Agnivesh calls on us to live life as a celebration.

4. Martí is considered one of the great turn-of-the-century Latin American intellectuals. His written works include a series of poems, essays, letters, lectures, novel, and a children’s magazine. He wrote for numerous Latin American and American newspapers; he also founded a number of newspapers. His newspaper Patria was an important instrument in his campaign for Cuban independence. After his death, one of his poems from the book, “Versos Sencillos” (Simple Verses) was adapted to the song “Guantanamera”, which has become the definitive patriotic song of Cuba: Guantanamera.

5. To the perfectionists out there, if you have never made a mistake, it is said you have never lived.

6. Who knew Julius Caesar was an entrepreneur way back before the technological revolution: It’s My Life.

7. Love, Love, Love – All the way, from the beginning to the end, baby to an elder.

8. Rumi talks about the essence of opening your heart better than anybody else I know: Open Your Heart.

9. When we are clinging on for our very existence, Love is there with us waiting to be seen and heard.

10. I know there were years in my shadow life that I did not do this very successfully: The Air That I Breathe.

11. Romances rarely turn out like Mills and Boon novelettes.

12. De vita sua vivet tuum: non-morieris enim tu tuum mortem: High Hopes.

13. How many days? time to give that lie up!!

14. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy had that curiosity: When the Soviets beat America into space he understood the need to restore America’s confidence and intended not merely to match the Soviets, but surpass them. On May 25, 1961, he stood before Congress to deliver a special message on “urgent national needs.” He asked for an additional $7 billion to $9 billion over the next five years for the space program, proclaiming that “this nation should commit itself to achieve the goal, before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.” President Kennedy settled upon this dramatic goal as a means of focusing and mobilizing the nation’s lagging space efforts.

Sceptics questioned the ability of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to meet the president’s timetable. Within a year, however, Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom became the first two Americans to travel into space and in 1969 man walked on the moon: Walking on the Moon.

15. And your Essence buddies will always find a way to be there for you.

What could make up your essence? All of the things that you have become convinced are limits are products of the way in which you have learned to think… Before the invention of the microscope, most people did not believe in the existence of microscopic life. People who believe only what they can see or prove scientifically are limited by the current level of sophistication of our measuring devices.”

Lots of the ’80s and the 90’s tunes in today’s playlist. We begin with T.I. and Rhianna followed by Wyclef Jean and the Refugee All-stars. Moving back into the last century we begin with Bon Jovi, then one of the bop girls in Madonna. Simply Red cover a 60’s classic then two P groups to finish off, Panic In The Disco and the Police: It Doesn’t Matter What Other People Do.

“Rejoice in the prosperity of others. When you feel contemptuous, or even a twinge of jealousy, toward the accomplishments or lifestyles of others, you are harbouring negativity, where love must reside… You cannot attract prosperity to yourself if you are filled with rancour, judgment, anger, jealousy, hatred, fear, tension or the like. This kind of negative inner mindset keeps you from being on purpose. You cannot be fulfilled and envious at the same time.” So remember to show Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included to each other until we meet again, my dear friends.

A Rock Musicians Career is Shortlived!!

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Rod's World

There are a lot of lists out there that are based on what to stop doing to yourself to lead a better life, but not so many lists that advise you what to start doing. So here is one of my top ten’s go at it. From Marc Chernoff comes these 30 suggestions:

Start spending time with the right people.
Start facing your problems head-on.
Start being honest with yourself about everything.
Start making your own happiness a priority.
Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly.
Start noticing and living in the present.
Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you.
Start being more polite to yourself.
Start enjoying the things you already have.
Start creating your own happiness.
Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance.
Start believing that you’re ready for the next step.
Start entering new relationships for the right reasons.
Start giving new people you meet a chance.
Start competing against an earlier version of yourself.
Start cheering for other people’s victories.
Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations.
Start forgiving yourself and others.
Start helping those around you.
Start listening to your own inner voice.
Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks.
Start noticing the beauty of small moments.
Start accepting things when they are less than perfect.
Start working toward your goals every day.
Start being more open about how you feel.
Start taking full accountability for your own life.
Start actively nurturing your most important relationships.
Start concentrating on the things you can control.
Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes.
Start noticing how wealthy you are right now.

So what has the world said about doing things that empower you, here is my selection of several thousand options:

1. Perfection, the booby prize that holds people back from beginning so many adventures and creative outlets.

2. Blogger turned New York Times best-selling author and speaker Mandy Hale is the creator of the social media movement, “The Single Woman.” With a heart to inspire single women to live their best lives and to never, ever settle, Mandy cuts to the heart of the matter with her inspirational, straight-talking, witty, and often wildly humorous take on life and love. Mandy’s message reaches literally millions of women across the world every day through her blog, books, and social media platforms: Happy.

3. Wishing that the world be a better place does not make the world a better place, action does.

4. Mini list: Express Yourself.

5. Self Love 101.

6. Is the second line the new name for Social media: Medicine.

7. Join a pride march today.

8. All the things that make you happy, not the other stuff should be your focus: Yeh Hum Aa Gaye Hain Kahaan.

9. Thrilling and voluptuous, Yes Please!!

10. They all build on each other: Dressed for Success.

11. What do you do for yourself to build your positive to do list?

12. Doing these things is what has your ideas and dreams happen: Lose Yourself.

13. And from the world’s greatest investor – humour, or is it?

14. You have to be part of your A team, or it just won’t work: The A team.

15. I love Alex’s ethos – Self Care: Everything!!

Remember today, for it is the beginning. Today marks the start of a brave new future.

A scene from Bollywood features in today’s tracks, hard to believe how little we know about the world’s largest film industry. We begin with Pharrell, follow with retro Madonna, then someone new to me but not 1.7 million viewers, Queen Naija. Off to Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta, then Roxette and Eminem and we finish with Ed Sheeran quite an eclectic mix: A Rock Musicians Career is Short-lived!!

So as always I will recommend the practice of Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included till we meet again my dear friends: