Think You Know It All...Think Again

Photo Credit: Steve Carver

There's always another step, another level, another perspective...truth appears to be a subjective, continuous, spherical, eternal staircase, that builds and grows within us. (What is truth for me, may not be truth for you, and that's okay. Practicing tolerance is encouraged in all of life, including business and, if it isn't, than perhaps it would be wise to consider it.)

The fastest way to stop another level of understanding?  Thinking you have all the answers.  It doesn't leave room for anything else.  It's virtually a graveyard for the mind and Soul.

How do we generate more ideas? Here's a few suggestions: feeding your mind with books (preferably ones that make you think or stretch you a bit over easy reading - save those for the beach or when you need a short break from "reality"), learning a new language, writing, meeting with other like-minded people, visiting art museums, yoga, contemplation, spending quality time with your family, eating well, tapping into your creative side by drawing/painting or any other art that speaks to you, even if you think you don't do it well. (There's always paint by numbers!  Hey!  Don't knock it!  You may actually get hooked.) It's all connected, and I assure you if you take care of ALL of you then all of you will take care of you.

Philadelphia Art Museum, 2010 

The mistake we seem to make is when we get so lost in one aspect of our life, so much so that we forget all else. When any one part of us is being sacrificed for too long then we can expect diseases or illnesses of the mind, body or emotions to ensue.  It's a cry for balance, to let us know there is a part of us that is out of whack and needs attention. Don't wait that long!  It could be too late.  (Of course, it's not a guarantee that you won't ever get sick but it sure will decrease your chances; it will also increase your ability to heal if your health does lapse.)

Think you don't have the time?  It's your choice but it seems to me to be a pay now or later kind of system.  Do the right thing(s) now or pay later.  Have fun with it!  Experiment. Add a little here and a little there and see where it takes you.  Let it expand you and the rich rewards of that expansion will effect all areas of your life, bringing more joy than you ever imagined possible.

Arms and Heart Wide Open

Worthiness is a key element to receiving.  Positive affirmations and all the positive thinking in the world cannot bring you what you don't truly believe you are worthy of receiving.  A lack of self-worthiness has the potential to block the acceptance of gifts from the universe and will undermine all else.  This is how powerful belief and emotion are.

There is a great book called:

Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath.

http://books.google.com/books/about/Switch.html?id=XmzbeoN-KZ0C

No, I am not getting anything to promote it.

If you don't read another book, read this one!  It's so easy a child can understand it, and it shows how one person CAN make a difference in business, at home, and in the world.  It shows example after example of how the power is within you to make small changes with tremendous impact.  (I have read it twice already and I'm thinking about a third time.) Enough said!

From my own little side of the mountain at this moment, I will tell you that abundance is our divine inheritance, but like most anything else, it is an inside job.  If the world you see reflected on the outer is not in keeping with what you would like then it is within you to change it.  It may not be in the way you think, though.

Most people assume they will triumph if they toil a little harder or if, instead of working 10 hours, they work 14 hours a day.  They push and push and push.  It may produce eventually but is there a better way?

Could success be attained more smoothly by contemplating each major move?  Would it be achieved more easily by relaxing, listening, and paying attention more to that inner voice within you?  YES!  The truth is, at least as I see it so far from my own experiences thus far, is that the sweet victory of accomplishment in any area of your life requires a healthy balance of inner and outer work.  Not too far to one side or the other, and a view of detachment, meaning doing the work but not being attached to the result of that work.  It is to allow for other outcomes that may be better for us in the bigger picture so be flexible!

In summary, all I can say is, we've got this!  We are learning and growing every day; opening ourselves up to all that we deserve and more.  We will assist others along the way, too, because in giving we naturally receive.  By helping each other, we climb the ladder quicker and we become successful together.  You cannot help another without helping yourself, too! Competition is pointless.

Slow and steady wins the race at any leg of the journey.  It is wise to strive only to be better than we were the yesterday and not compare ourselves to others.

What race?  Just having fun!

Next stop....Criteria for Defining Success.