3 Ways to Change Your World View

“You can learn a lot from people who view the world differently than you do.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo
 

I had a sort of epiphany the other day that came to me from my netbook and Mac computers. I was looking at my page on Twitter using my netbook but soon grew tired of viewing that 8.9 in. screen. I switched to my Mac’s 22 in. screen and the change was ENORMOUS! I could see all sort of content I couldn’t before – well, at least not without scrolling around on the screen.

It was then that I thought about how we look at the world, more specifically, our viewpoint of the world from a “netbook perspective”.   Sometimes we get caught up in how WE see things we forget that other vantage points exist. I’ve come up with three ways we can all improve our worldview; here we go!

1.     Know that your view isn’t the only one – Unless you’ve lived a sheltered life secluded from all of humanity since birth you know that your view of  “what is” is not the only one. Even if you did grow up in those circumstances it doesn’t negate the view of every other being on the planet.

2.     Realize that another person’s view is as important as our own – Does your belief that the color blue is the most beautiful color in the world make it so? Of course not. Just because someone feels, say red, is the most beautiful color should not upset you. You are entitled to your view just as they are entitled to theirs.

3.     Be more accepting of the views of others – This is easier said than done sometimes. Your belief in the almighty awesomeness of the color blue is strong and deep rooted; why would you want to accept that another view exists? Simple. It keeps you open to different possibilities of All The Ways Things Are! The more open you are to other views the more likely you are to understand that it takes ALL views to make the world go round. Who knows, you may eventually decide that red IS a more awesome color than blue – or maybe you both will decide that green is! Be open to the possibilities!

Meditate on this: I challenge myself to be more accepting of the views of others.

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

MIIS

10 Weight Loss Affirmations to use NOW!

I've ALWAYS struggled with my weight but around the time I transitioned from junior high to high school I made a shift in my thinking and how I RELATE to food. With that simple change in thought patterns – combined with a new found love of weight lifting, affirmations and LOTS of visual information – I was able to lose weight and keep it off for several years. Now, as I 'm getting older I've decided to again dedicate myself to getting fit on all levels. Part of that plan is to reinstate my use of affirmations to reinforce my change in eating habits and workout schedule. Below are a list of 10 that worked for me in the past. I hope they are a positive influence on your fitness goals.

1. I choose not to overeat
   
2. My body is getting healthier and stronger every day.
   
3. Eating healthy is effortless for me
   
4. I'm happy in the skin I'm in
   
5. I enjoy a healthy relationship with food
   
6. My metabolism is strong and works well for me
   
7. Every day I make healthy choices about the foods I eat
   
8. I enjoy the process of being and eating healthier
   
9. I treat my body with the respect it deserves
   
10. I do all the healthy things I can to be healthier
    

Remember, in order for affirmations to have a positive effect you not only need to repeat them as often as you can but also allow the phrase to emerge from your heart as you say it. If you don't feel it then it won't work for you. Below is a great website full of other useful affirmations. Enjoy!

http://www.free-daily-affirmation.com/free-affirmations/weight-loss-affirmations.html



Have a PERFECT day!



Michael

MIIS

Make It Happen!

"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen." - Wayne Dyer

This post is for those of us that know our purpose and ignore it. It's for those of us that, deep down inside, have put our true purpose on hold for the sake of meeting the status quo… It's time to do your thing!

For many years I have either denied what I've felt to be my purpose or placed false barriers up, telling myself it can't or shouldn't be done. Fortunately, the strength of your purpose is so profound that, regardless of what we do, it will eventually make its way to the surface. Why? Because it knows it needs to exist. It YEARNS to exist in a way that only our highest selves will be able to relate to.

You will know when you're ready to pursue your purpose. It's like lightning striking you at your very core. Somewhere in your innermost being simply clicks and you know that, "Yes, this is what I'm here to do!".

As Dr. Dyer mentions above, we can all earn a living doing what we love if only we possess the resolve to pursue our purpose with unbridled passion. We must claim our purpose and let no one deter us from it! This blog, the steps I'm taking to pursue my desire to help others through the profession of Coaching and everything in between are my way of affirming I and my purpose are one and I will NOT allow anyone to keep me from it. Will you be courageous enough to do the same? Of course you will! I have faith in you!

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

MIIS

You Have to Give to Get – And in That Order!

"When you pour your pockets into the pockets of others you just wind up richer in the morning that you were the night before." – Agnes Lampion from the Dean Koontz Novel From the Corner of His Eye

There was something that hit a chord within me when I read those words the other day. Like I was being given the answer to a question I've been asking myself lately – Am I on the right path?

In the novel Agnes gave of herself diligently day in and day out to those in need and through the loss of a husband and several friends throughout the book she received so much more than what was sacrificed.

We too must give of ourselves diligently if we are to reap the benefits. Help those that cannot help themselves, offer a kind word to someone who needs it or simple move through the tasks of your day with a smile on your face and see how the Universe thanks you for your effort.

Meditate on This: I freely give of myself knowing that by doing so I will receive Divine blessings for my work.

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

MIIS

Nothing is Forever – Learning from Impermanence

"…We do not know where death awaits us: so let us wait for it everywhere. To practice death is to practice freedom. A man who has unlearned how to be a slave." – Montaigne

Death has been on my mind more often than it usually is these past several months. Perhaps this sudden increase of contemplation can be attributed to all of the recent passing of great actors and entertainers like Michael Jackson and Patrick Swayze. Regardless of the trigger I have been thinking more and more about death and lesson that lies within the truth of impermanence.

Such phrases as "enjoy it while you still can" or "you can't take it with you" speak of the importance to understand that we are not what we accumulate. We are so much MORE than the house, car, boat, money or status we work so diligently to acquire yet most of us move through live with not so much as a fleeting thought about what comes after we are gone.

As the title of this blog states, nothing is forever. We must learn the lesson of impermanence – the sooner the better. We must accustom ourselves with death so that in our final moments we are prepared to take the step forward into our next journey to begin a new one. We must be at peace with death, not fear it.

As we embrace our mortality, knowing that death may come for us at any moment, we develop something quite wonderful – a zest for living! We begin to see all the breathtaking beauty inherent in all things. We no longer squabble over meaningless things like status and money because life is too short to care about such trivial matters. Instead we focus on our purpose, or on finding and then focusing on it, and invest all our days to its realization.

I'd like to think I am like the Samurai developing a disciplined mind, ready for death at every turn. Not because I want to throw my life away aimlessly but because I know the value of life. In order to truly live you must have an acceptance of death, not a fear of it.

As the saying goes: "Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth." Live well and die with no regrets.

Michael

MIIS

Faithfulness to Weather the Storm

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." - Gail Devers

I was doing some research on athletes to use in a future Wellness Wednesday post when I was re-familiarized with the story of Gail Devers. What a phenomenal woman! Despite the odds, regardless of what family and friends undoubtedly saw as the end of her blossoming career, Gail flat out refused to succumb to her diagnosis of Grave's Disease. Instead she held firmly to her faith and in just 17 months, despite doctors' saying her feet should be amputated, Gail attended the Olympics in Athens AND won her first gold medal!

The faith that Gail speaks of is not something that can easily shaken. It's as strong as steel yet as flexible as a reed in the wind. It's more powerful than any comic book super hero and as soothing as a mother's touch. With faith we can weather any storm because we know that beyond the thunder claps, lightning and torrential rain we will, eventually, come through the storm. If you find yourself being swept away by the challenges of daily life remember that you possess the Divine spark of creation within you and know that "this too shall pass".

Meditate on This:
I hold fast to my faithfulness and know I can weather ANY storm life sends my way!

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

MIIS

Image: Sporting Heroes.net

Meaningful Meditation for Rest and Relaxation

Image: MRO.org

I've been a serious practitioner of Buddhism for about three years now and a fundamental part of practice is meditation. Meditation can be defined as focusing the mind for the purpose of attaining higher spiritual awareness. This does not mean that you "space out" but requires sincere attention on the object of meditation (the breath, a sound our repetition of a word or phrase called a mantra are typical objects of concentration).

More than just a way of connecting with higher levels of the self, meditation is an effective tool for promoting a sense of relaxation for the body; it can be used to "recharge" after a long day of work for example.

ON SITTING:

The most important aspect of meditation – besides the technique itself – is posture. Below is a link to several recommended positions to use during your practice. If any of the positions prove to be too uncomfortable use the chair position.

http://www.mro.org/zmm/teachings/meditation.php

You can also download a PDF version here: http://www.mro.org/zmm/teachings/zazeninst.pdf

ON PRACTICING:

For most meditation practices you will want to find a quiet place free of external distractions. Select one of the seated positions mentioned in the link above ensuring that your posture is as erect as possible (if you find it difficult to do even the seated position you may lay on the floor – it's suggested that you do not practice while lying in bed).

The easiest way to relax is to concentrate on the breath. Breathe in deeply through your nose and into your lower abdomen extending it like a bellows. As you do this, mentally say the word Peace. Exhale fully allowing all the air to leave your abdomen out through your nose; again, mentally say the word Peace as you exhale. Doing this for about 5 – 10 minutes will allow you to begin feeling more relaxed and able to handle stressful situations more calmly. Another "byproduct" of meditation is increased energy. The energy that was once used to maintain your level of stress will be repurposed to other areas of your body including your overall energy level!

With continued practice you will begin noticing all sorts of additional perks while meditating. For more on the subject I recommend reading Moon Over Water by Jessica MacBeth. It's an excellent book with many examples of simple to use meditation techniques. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER:

The meditation information in this article is offered primarily for reference and personal enrichment. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for the advice of a licensed health-care practitioner. Since the actual use of meditative techniques is beyond the author's control, NO expressed or implied guarantee as to their effects can be given, nor liability taken.

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

MIIS