Daily Insights

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2015-03-27T09:51:00.000+03:00

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.

Henry David Thoreau - 1817-1862, Author, Poet, and Abolitionist

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2015-03-25T14:43:00.001+03:00

YOU DO NOT NEED PERMISSION

'' Stop waiting to claim the life you truly deserve. The stars will never be perfectly aligned, but that’s OK. This is your journey and the bumps and bruise make it special. They teach you to appreciate what you have.''

It is a NO

2015-02-03T15:08:00.003+03:00

Its very liberating when you are not lost in your choices.Very fulfilling when a no is the right thing to do.Having no and right in one sentence is mixing to extremes.But when it comes to personal choices and having a bit of self love,then declining peoples random demands is the way to go.

I am a woman,and we the species from Venus attach too much emotions to everything.Girlfriends will take offence when I say no to a request to be a committee member in their friends wedding plans.Note,not my friend,I have not even met them,I do not know there is an upcoming wedding,then you present me with an invitation card to plan and contribute,mmmh that happens to be a polite NO, and before you clear with the frown we move on to the next whim that I will say no to.

Saying no should not be about the other person,but about you and what suits and works in your best interest.There are some things you can never have back. Your time, your health, your virtue, your life. Don’t mess around with those things. It’s fine for people to ask . And it’s just as fine for you to say no.

Learn to say no to requests that don’t meet your needs, and once you do that you’ll find how easy it actually is. You’ll get more time for yourself, your work and things that are most important to you.I’m happy I started doing that hope not to lose you along the way.

The Throes of Environment

2015-01-08T12:27:00.000+03:00

The world where life is ,is a magical place.Though rotational and routine ;moving from Monday to Sunday,to restart a cycle again,there is always a new thing to look forward to.

I was off writing or lets just say I got into unfamiliar ground and was finding my landing.Could be am comfortable now,mmmmmmh not really but hey I can now say I am happy to be on this bus(small secret I will note be here for long);but while it lasts the thrill of it is great.

Unfamiliar Territory;

Insights to Inspire: Today I read

2015-01-08T12:18:00.000+03:00

Ø A life is measured in decades. A good life is like the flame of a bonfire. It builds slowly, and because it's slow and warm it caresses the heart instead of destroying it.

Ø A life is measured by what you did TODAY, even this moment.

Ø Focus is not important, but Push is (reinvention). Compound life is much more powerful than compound interest

Ø Give without thinking of what you will receive-It doesn't matter how you give each day. It doesn't even matter how much. But everyone wanted to give and eventually they were given back.

Ø Solving hard problems is more important than overcoming failure. It's how you view the life inside you that creates the life outside of you. Every day.

Ø Art and success and love is about connecting all the dots. - The very personal sadness sitting inside of you. The things you learn. The things you read about. The things you love. Connect the dots. Give it to someone. Now you just gave birth to a legacy that will continue beyond you.

Ø It’s not business, it's personal. - Nobody succeeded with a great idea. Everyone succeeded because they built networks within networks of connections, friends, and colleagues all striving towards their own personal goals, all trusting each other, and working together to help each other succeed.

Ø You can't predict the outcome, you can only do your best.

Ø The same philosophy of life should work for an emperor and a slave. You can't predict pleasure or pain. You can only strive for knowledge and giving and fairness and health each day. Luck is certainly a component, but in chess there's a saying (and this applies to anything) "it's funny how always the best players seem to be lucky."

Ø The only correct path is the path correct for you. - Don't let other people choose your careers. Don't get locked in other people's prisons they've set up just for you. Personal freedom starts from the inside but ultimately turns you into a giant, freeing you from the chains the little people spent years tying around you.

Ø Many moments of small, positive, personal interactions build an extraordinary career. Often people think that you have to fight your way to the top. But for everyone I spoke to, it was small kindnesses over a long period of time that built the ladder to success. I think I'm starting to sound like a cliche on this. But it's only a cliche because it's true.

Ø Taking care of yourself comes first.

Ø The final answer: People do end up loving what they succeed at, or they succeed at what they love.

Ø Anybody, at any age-Success is different for all the successful, their stories different, their ages different but bottom line they are all successful and got lessons we can learn form

Courtesy of James Altucher

Do Your Best

2014-06-13T08:18:00.002+03:00

Doing your best, no matter what you're doing, or where you are, or

who you're with is the key to unlocking so many opportunities.

The more you try to do your best, the more it "ripples".

And people notice those ripples.

They want to see who's causing them, what they're all about.

A waitress who does her best at her job - she causes ripples.

People notice.

A business person may notice and may give that waitress a number

to call about a position in customer service that pays more.

Opportunities come when you do your best.

Keep on creating those ripple effects. (Brian Kim)

Daily Dose of Inspiration

2013-12-11T13:38:00.000+03:00

''Sure I am that this day we are masters of our fate,that the task which has been set before us is not above our strengths; that its pangs and toils are not beyond my endurance.As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable will to win, victory will not be denied us.''
Winston Churchill

Let Go and Let Live

2013-12-10T15:17:00.000+03:00

Let the old cynicism go

Let the negativity go

Let too much aggressiveness go.

Be at peace with your self. Touch a soul

Do not live in the past, a great life lesson

Remember pain is a powerful teacher

Transcend the pain

Experience the pain

Let go and let live.

Ritual of Simplicity (Excerpts from the Book: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari)

2013-12-10T15:07:00.000+03:00

This ritual requires you to live a simple life.One must never live in the thick of thin things. Focus only on your priorities,those activities which are truly meaningful.Your life will be uncluttered, rewarding and exceptionally peaceful.

Living simply means reducing your needs:stop wearing expensive clothes, you do not have to read six news papers a day,stop needing to be available to everyone all the time, eat less, maybe become a vegetarian.Stop picking up the phone every time it rings.Stop wasting time reading junk mail, spend more time with your kids, cut on the club membership,and reduce eating out every now and then, simple things that clutter our lives.

Lifelong happiness does come through striving to realize your dreams. You are at your best when you are moving forward.The key is not to make your happiness contingent on finding that elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow rather enjoying the journey while at it.

Soul Writing

2013-11-13T15:19:00.001+03:00

''Automatic writing or psychograph is writing which the writer claims to be produced from a subconscious, and/or external and/or spiritual source without conscious awareness of the content.''http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_writing

That is a deep definition.I came across this phrase from,http://www.thechangeblog.com/ and it intrigued.I am making an attempt on writing and I would love to tell my story,to inspire,to coach,to mentor and to transform the world.Every time I take my pen to write I realize the stories I tell more spontaneously are more expressive and deep.The articles written from the heart without giving too much thought to writing styles and rules come out more forcefully.

Reading the article How Writing Heals Me, Again And Again,brought clarity to me ,this kind of writing is what they call Soul Writing;telling a story or an experience authentically.passing on the real message from the heart not allowing self criticisms to detour you.This is how I want to tell my stories.It is the way I want to coach and mentor people to be real and authentic which will surely bring change to this world .

Here is an interview by Catherine Anderson in her blog;Listening for the Whisperings:http://catherineandersonstudio.blogspot.com/2010/11/writing-down-your-soul.html.She talks to Janet Conner;Author of the book Writing Down Your Soul.What better way to understand this style of writing.

Writing Down Your Soul

There are certain books you discover that speak to you deeply and change your life. This has happened to me on three occasions. First, about ten years ago when I discovered God is at Eye Level: Photography as a Healing Art by Jan Phillips. Then about seven years ago when I discovered SoulCollage® by Seena Frost. And now it has happened to me in the form of the book Writing Down Your Soul by Janet Conner.

I discovered the Writing Down Your Soul website where I was able to download the first chapter of the book for free and view videos about the deep soul writing process. After reading the first chapter I immediately ordered the book. Reading it felt like quenching a deep thirst. I think the world would change if we all used the deep writing process to connect to our inner wisdom. This combined with my SoulCollage® process makes me feel like I have access to divine guidance. And it is as simple as sitting, writing and listening.

Then I registered for Janet's online teleclass. I loved Janet's authenticity and energy. She shared so many of her personal experiences which brought the process to life. I really wanted to share her deep soul writing process with others as it is a simple way to make a huge difference to your life. This led to me ask Janet if I could interview her on my blog and I am excited to share her responses to my questions. Her answers really helped clarify some questions I had about "doing the process right".

Catherine: Janet, how has your Writing Down Your Soul process changed your life and how might it change mine or the life of someone reading this interview?
Janet: Catherine, the full answer to that question would take up a mile of your blog space! The succinct answer is: COMPLETELY. Deep soul writing has changed my life completely. I don't even feel like I am the person I was before I picked up a pen. Since I started soul writing in 1997, my career has changed dramatically from human resource consultant to published author-teacher-speaker. My spiritual life has completely changed. My relationship with God has changed. My purpose has changed. Pre-deep soul writing I didn't know why I was here; I just got up and went to work because I thought I had to. Now I am crystal clear about my divine purpose and I live it every single day. My prayer life has changed. But the most important thing that has changed is my sense of trust. I trust this life now. I trust that I am safe, guided, loved, and protected. I trust that I am not alone. No, let me amend that. I KNOW that I am not alone. And once you know that and you know that you know that, then life suddenly feels safe and even delicious.

Catherine: I’ve always written in a journal, but felt I had to write neatly and slowly. In Writing Down Your Soul you recommend writing fast. Why is this?

Janet: In deep soul writing, the last thing you want to do is write slowly and neatly. When you do that you’re giving way too much room on the page to all the old judgmental, critical voices you’ve built up in your head over the years—people like parents, old lovers, nasty bosses….anyone who told you life was hard, or you weren’t going to make it, or you weren’t good enough. It turns out that science can demonstrate that those old programs are real. They are actual neural pathways in your brain! (Who knew!) So when you write fast you get out in front of those old “tapes,” and give something new and wise and loving the opportunity to break through—what I call The Voice.

Catherine: Is it good enough for me to just write in a journal whenever I feel the need, or is there a specific process that makes the practice of Writing Down Your Soul more powerful than simply writing in a journal?

Janet: The scientific evidence shows that it takes a minimum of 30 days to build a new habit and the new neural pathway in your brain that supports that habit. So if you want the full benefits of deep soul writing (or any other spiritual practice or new habit in your life) show up every day for thirty days. Now, having said that, for heaven’s sake, don’t beat yourself up if guests come into town, or you have to work around the clock on an all-important contract, or some other time-consuming event pushes soul writing off your schedule for a day or two. Just come back to the practice. But at the outset make a commitment to write everyday. If you simply say, “I’ll get to it when I can,” you won’t. Not because you don’t want to; but because those old neural pathways are doing everything they can to push you away from this life-changing practice.

Catherine: Do I have to write for a specific amount of time for the Writing Down Your Soul process to work?

Janet: There is no magic amount of time. When I first started writing at the soul level, I was in the throes of a terrifying divorce and had LOTS to talk over with, “Dear God,” my divine Voice. So I wrote a lot. I’m sure there were days when I wrote for a couple of hours. Today, I probably write ten or fifteen minutes on average. When I have something big to talk over, I’ll drive ten minutes to my favorite sacred writing spot, St Michael’s Shrine in Tarpon Springs. I get major downloads on new programs and books sitting at St Michael’s. When I’m there, I write for a half hour or more. I think in the end, the individual soul writer knows on some level when to stop writing. It might be a feeling of completion, or a phrase might come through that indicates the writing session is over. For me, I know it’s time to stop when “TYG TYG TYG” comes through. That’s speed writing for “Thank you God, Thank you God, Thank you, God”.

Catherine: And finally, I’ve noticed that your favorite poet is Hafiz as translated by Daniel Ladinsky. Why do you find these poems so powerful and what is your very favorite Hafiz poem?

Janet: A friend gave me a copy of Daniel Ladinsky’s Love Poems from God a few months before I started writing my book. Love Poems from God is a smorgasbord of 12 mystical poets from many centuries and traditions. I fell in love with it. And somehow it seemed that a few lines from a mystic were always the perfect illustration of a point I was trying to make in my book. Meister Eckhart, for example, has the PERFECT welcome to Writing Down Your Soul: “They can be a great help—words. They can become Spirit’s hands and lift and caress you.” THAT is the perfect description of the core truth of my book.

When my manuscript was complete, I asked for permission to quote from Daniel’s book. When he learned what Writing Down Your Soul was about, he not only gave me permission, he said I had to become best friends with Hafiz. And he sent me three books of Hafiz poetry: I Heard God Laughing, The Subject Tonight is Love, and The Gift. Oh boy, was Daniel ever right! From the moment I opened those books, Hafiz moved in! He’s now my best friend. I turn to him every time I teach, opening and closing my classes with words from Hafiz.

But a favorite???!! Oh, that’s SO hard. I love so many. But here’s one I read to everyone in my workshops just as they’re picking up a pen for the first time. I say, imagine the Voice sitting in front of you, smiling, and saying:

As soon as you opened your mouth

And I heard your soft

Sounds,

I knew we would be

Friends.

The first time, dear pilgrim, I heard

You laugh,

I knew it would not take me long

To turn you back into

God.

That takes your breath away, doesn’t it! It sounds so big, so amazing, but actually that’s exactly what deep soul writing and all profound spiritual practices do—they connect us with the truth of who we really are, divine beings.

Catherine: Janet, thank you so much for sharing so much of this amazing process. I think deep soul writing will be something that I will always do as it feels like a very magical process of self-discovery and a deep way to access your inner wisdom.

Written and published by Catherine Anderson (http://www.blogger.com/profile/08522677325866101238)

The Ritual of a Congruent Character(The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari)

2013-11-12T13:35:00.001+03:00

This is a tough one. It is about your character and the values you want to live and be defined by. I have been very low on motivation,a lot of distractions and bad decisions along the way and I realized that reading keeps me on check, so am at it again and I got to learn all the wisdom from Robin S.Sharma on living a magnificent life before I embark on the next read:As this ritual illustrates we got to build a character that leads us to our destiny.See the excerpts below, take the challenge,the insights and be inspired,it can be done!

This is a ritual requires you to take daily, incremental action to build your character. Strengthening your character affects the way you see yourself and the actions you take. The actions you take come together to form your habits and, this is important, your habits lead you to your destiny. Remember you sow a thought, you reap an action. Reap an action, you sow a habit. Sow a habit, you reap a character. Sow a character, you reap your destiny.'

You got to live by virtuous principles some of which include: industry, compassion, humility,patience,honesty and courage.When all your actions are congruent and aligned with these principles, you will feel a deep sense of inner harmony and peace.Living this way will inevitably lead you to spiritual success.This is because you will be doing what is right.You will be acting in a way that is in accordance with the laws of nature and the laws of the universe.This is when you will start to tap into the energy of another dimension, call it a higher power if you will. This is also when your life will move from the ordinary into the realm of the extraordinary and you begin to sense the sacredness of your being.It is the first step to life long enlightenment.When you do the right things, act in a way that is congruent with your character, act with integrity, be guided by your heart, then the rest will take care of itself.

To have a congruent character;you must do little things every day to build your character. "Character is higher than intellect.A great soul will be strong to live as well as think." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.Your character is built when you act in a way that corresponds with the virtuous principles which leads to true happiness

Daily Dose of Inspiration

2013-11-09T12:23:00.000+03:00

Daily Dose of Inspiration

2013-11-08T11:21:00.001+03:00

'' Achieving greatness is like building a wall.

Each day you have the opportunity to lay one brick on your wall. You WILL build that wall if you are fully committed to do it. The only thing you can control is how FAST you build that wall.''

Sebastian

The Art of Setting Expectations

2013-11-05T14:06:00.000+03:00

‘’ Be fearless, get out of your comfort zone, value yourself no matter what and don’t quit’’ Dragos Roua

To me this means having the end in mind. Having expectations in itself freaks me out especially when it comes to friendships and relationships. I guess I have failed severally here and paranoia took over.Our goals will not bear fruits if we do not have expectations,that picture we visualize of the business we want to set up,that home we want to build,that car we want to buy;those right there are expectations.I realize the reason many goals and dreams die underachieved is having our expectations upside down.

Inspired-impact.com (http://inspired-impact.com/node/6) says that expectations are often the launch pad to the level of achievement we obtain in our lives. Expectations that are set too high can leave us burdened with a sense of failure, frustration and under achievement.Expectations that are set too low can hold us back from realizing our full potential and positively impacting the lives of those closest to us as well as others.Great expectations are those that draw on a number of factors that positively influence us various ways. Our circumstances,our abilities, our beliefs and values all contribute one way or another to the expectations we set for ourselves as do our past experiences and attitude to life.

So the next time you evaluate your life and the goals you have set for yourself or you got a project you have to fore see,here are steps you can follow to manage and set your expectations.

Define the roles: To achieve something several things need to be done. Hence define what you need to do at any particular time. Have clear guidelines on who should do what with laid down time frames.

Articulate the Anticipated Outcomes: Brainstorm on the various possibilities, understand the expected end results.

Discuss possible roadblocks:Have an understanding of the challenges expected in achieving desired results. It’s normally dangerous to start a project expecting a smooth sail only to meet a storm after the first mile, some people actually give up.

Clarify the jargon:Professional words and ideologies if not clarified could mean different things to different people. Remember that word banker’s use when selling loans, for example grace period for loan repayment may be interpreted differently by individuals, hence remember to demystify the terms used to make sure you as an individual understands what you are dealing with or if in a team then all members speak the same language.

Appreciate the baby steps: They say the journey of a 1000 miles stand with one step.Gradual progress through life or a project takes us to the desired place. Small achievements make up the success of a project.

Remember to achieve anything you got to go one step at time,do not be held back by the fear of failure,you got to leave your comfort zone,go beyond your self esteem,and embrace self discipline.

Daily Dose of Inspiration

2013-11-05T08:27:00.000+03:00

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover. –Mark Twain

Daily Dose of Inspiration

2013-11-01T12:49:00.001+03:00

“The sky has never been the limit. We are our own limits. It’s then about breaking our personal limits and outgrowing ourselves to live our best lives.”

Anonymous

Daily Dose of Inspiration

2013-10-31T09:27:00.000+03:00

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love – for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment is it perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you from misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”

― Max Ehrmann, Desiderata: A Poem for a Way of Life

Daily Dose of Inspiration

2013-10-30T08:40:00.001+03:00

''Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you greater than any obstacle.''

-Christian D. Larson

The Ritual of the Spoken Word(An excerpt from the book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari)

2013-10-28T17:01:00.001+03:00

This is a ritual about self affirming mantras. A mantra is nothing more than a collection of words strung together to create a positive effect. They could be said aloud or written. Repeating a mantra aloud has a wonderful effect on the spirit. When you need to feel motivated, repeat those self reassuring words. For example ‘I am inspired, disciplined and energized' out loud several times. To maintain the supreme sense of self-confidence you can cultivate, to repeat, 'I am strong, able and Calm.’ Whatever positive feeling you want to derive, create a mantra for it and say it aloud.

The ritual reminds us that we are what we think about all day long. We are also what we say to ourselves all day long. If you say that you are old and tired, this mantra will be manifested in your external reality. If you say you are weak and lack enthusiasm, this too will be the nature of your world. But if you say that you are healthy, dynamic and fully alive, your life will be transformed.

You see the words you say to yourself affect your self-image and your self-image determines what actions you take. For example, if your self-image is one of a person who lacks the confidence to do anything of value, you will only be able to take actions which are aligned with this trait. On the other hand, if your self-image is one of a radiant individual who is fearless, again, all your actions will correspond to this quality. Your self-image is a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts.

Hence create those positive mantras around your life to realize great transformation.

Money Management 101 For 20 Year Olds

2013-10-26T09:34:00.001+03:00

Money Management 101 For 20 Year Olds

The Heroes in Our Lives

2013-10-24T16:22:00.002+03:00

This is a tribute to my paternal grandmother. An 87year old woman who has survived all the heartaches life can possibly give to one soul. When people talk of icons, then she is one in my life and the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grand children. Born after World War 1, she has seen it all.She was a wife,a mother,a freedom fighter and has been the family pillar.

She is a survivor, a hero, a legend

She survived the 1^st and 2^ndworld wars

She survived the African Kikuyu tradition (remember she is a woman)

She survived jail term as a freedom fighter

She has been a widow since I was born

She has survived the loss of her children

Survived many illnesses, hunger and poverty

Indeed she is a survivor, a fighter and a hero.

When she tells her story,it brings out her resilient spirit that I believe keeps her alive to date. She is a very entrepreneurial woman, despite her old age she always has something to sell: bananas, pumpkins, milk, coffee, firewood, goats; she never sits to wait for help.She has been a leader in the community, the church,the family,women groups;none of us matches her energy and strong will.

We celebrated Heroes’ day (Mashujaa day) recently and indeed we had a real one in her as a family. This woman works magic, in her wisdom she actually managed to gather all of us her descendents together for a meal she prepared for us. Imagine the nostalgia of seeing family you have not seen in the last ten years, seeing new members born in the recent years, we actually had to introduce ourselves to each other.

This woman had a gift for all of us;Cash awards to us her children;imagine having a grandmother whose generosity is beyond measure, you would expect us to be the ones given her gifts and money! Before I digress, for being a freedom fighter (Mau Mau),the British government recently compensated them and she received a cash award.This is the money she actually went out of her heart to share with us.She is not only a real hero but a generous soul to the core.Above all she holds family values highly and I hope we,her descendants will live her legacy.

I celebrate this woman,ooh I am actually her namesake and I pray that she is here longer so that we can learn much more from her.

''I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.’’ Christopher Reeve

Rituals of Radiant Living:The Ritual of Music. (Excerpts from the book The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari)

2013-10-19T11:52:00.003+03:00

This was a surprise for me, radiant living through music! Come to think of it I love my music. I happen to sit in an office alone and trust you me my radio is always on, I work listening to music. Music soothes my soul, keeps my concentration on and calms my nerves.

The ritual calls us to never forget the power of music. To spend a little time with it every day, even if it is listening to a soft piece on a cassette while you drive to work. When you feel down or weary, play some music. It is one of the finest motivators known. Music will give you spiritual boost; it will make you laugh, and dance, medicine for the soul and heart.

Vent,Let Go,Heal

2013-10-17T18:02:00.000+03:00

I wanted to write about disappointment, I wanted to vent, this one gal who for now I got to see every day makes me feel like crying. Because I have looked for explanations as to why she ignores me I found none. This was the most serious, genuine, real, true friendship I have formed in the recent past. I am that introvert who makes few friends; a friendship means a lot to me ,when it ends it’s normally very devastating.

Looking for a way to get over it. I realized I needed first to vent, let it out and then let go and heal, and what better way than these quotes:

“Nobody likes being alone that much. I don't go out of my way to make friends, that's all. It just leads to disappointment. ” Haruki_Murakami

“It was one of those times you feel a sense of loss, even though you didn't have something in the first place. I guess that's what disappointment is- a sense of loss for something you never had.”

Deb Caletti, The Nature of Jade

“If you're betrayed, release disappointment at once. By that way, the bitterness has no time to take root.” Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut

“Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy - the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in hope and expectation.” Eric Hoffer

“Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment help us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments — but all of this is transitory it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.”

Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

“There are still many more days of failure ahead, whole seasons of failure, things will go terribly wrong, you will have huge disappointments, but you have to prepare for that, you have to expect it and be resolute and follow your own path.” Anton Chekhov

“Let me tell you this: if you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it's not because they enjoy solitude. It's because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.”

Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper

“But there were worse things than disappointment, and I'd lived through several of them already.”

R.J. Anderson, Ultraviolet

“Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.” Eliza Tabor Stephenson

“We heal up through being loved, and through loving others. We don't heal by forming a secret society of one - by assessing about the only other 'one' we might admit, and being doomed to disappointment.”
― Jeanette Winterson, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

“I think people would be happier if they admitted things more often. In a sense we are all prisoners of some memory, or fear, or disappointment - we are all defined by something we can’t change.”
― Simon Van Booy, The Illusion of Separateness

The Ritual of Early Awakening :( Excerpts from the book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari)

2013-10-15T14:15:00.001+03:00

This is another excellent teaching under Radiant Living as explained by Robin S. Sharma.It gives importance to rising at sunrise and starting ones day well. The teachings note that most of us sleep more than we need to while all we need is six good hour sleep to be healthy and alert.Sleep is a habit hence we have the ability to train ourselves to sleep less. While we might look at less sleep as a deprivation this ritual notes that pain is often the precursor to personal growth, thus we should not dread it rather embrace it.

What is important is the quality of sleep not the quantity. It is better to have six hours of uninterrupted deep sleep than even ten hours of disturbed sleep. The whole idea is to provide your body with rest so that its natural processes can repair and restore your physical dimension to its natural state of health, a state that is diminished through the stresses and struggles of daily use.

The teachings go father to explain that the ten-minute period before you sleep and the ten-minute period after you wake up are profoundly influential on your subconscious mind. Only the most inspiring and serene thoughts should be programmed into your mind at those times.Before going to bed avoid watching news or getting into an argument or even going through the day that was,rather relax,drink a cup of herbal tea, if you like,listen to some soft classical music and prepare yourself to drift off into a rich, renewing slumber

When awaking, the fundamental principle to keep in mind is the importance of starting your day off well. Think positive thoughts.Give a prayer of thanks for all you have.Work on your gratitude list.Listen to some great music.Watch the sun come up, or perhaps go for a quick walk in natural surroundings if you feel up to it. A positive way to start a day .William James said, 'We don't laugh because we are happy.We are happy because we laugh.' So start your day on a delightful footing. Laugh, play and give thanks for all you have. Every day will be an exquisitely rewarding one Remember when you live every day as if it was your last, your life will take on a magical quality.

I love the way the Rituals of Radiant Living are encompassed on forming habits.Humans are creatures of habit and what meaningful living if the habits we form in our lives are about radiant living.

Do Something about It

2013-10-14T17:31:00.000+03:00

Taking action in our lives around the things that shape our being is very satisfying. The simple fact that you are doing something about the things that matter to you brings joy, it’s that first step to living a happier life, the first step to achieving those goals and dreams we set for ourselves.
Health: when you step on the weighing scale and it shocks you! You visit the doctor for a check up and he says you gotta stop eating! Talking from a personal experience here, recently I visited the doctor and my concern being consistent weight gain and since am on meds I was seeking advice on what I should drop or what to do about the weight. The doctor left me no choice, these meds are my life line all he said was, Mary stop eating! Not in the literal here but he told me I had to loose weight by managing my meds and my eating habits. I am happy now, not that I have achieved my target to loose 16kilos but because I am actually doing something about it, being on a healthy diet and walking regularly and its paying dividends.

Career: A career is a chosen pursuit, what we wake up every day looking forward to, and I am not talking about that job you are stuck in because you got to pay your bills, that other thing you do that is your purpose here. I am currently on career transition, I got a day job but that is not my career. I am happy that I have engaged a career coach towards my next level, I want to inspire lives through my daily life, I want to be a life and career coach, I want to be a recruiter because I believe we are all good and meant to do something we just need to find it and we will be home.

Family: I got a family, me and my daughter and my siblings. Imagine how blessed I am, I have the joy of living with my two sisters and a nephew I have brought up since the day he was born. Recently I had been holding a grudge towards my father; he refused to take an offer we his kids offered him. But I realized that this was drawing me far way from him and I came to a decision that I will call him regularly not for a specific thing, not to nag him any more but to keep in touch in a bid to rebuild that strained relationship. Remember in life we do not have these people around us forever, you’ll never know how much they mean to you until the day they are no longer beside you

Relationships: My focus here is those relationships other than our families. Recently I got acquainted to a man I have admired for at least three years.We are together now, persistence paid off, when I wanted to give up I would write that last message and Alas he was also thinking about it and we are on.

Finances: We all are want financial independence. If you Google this term there will be as many solutions and strategies as there are successes and failures in this area. What I have learnt is to have a personal strategy and implement it peace meal and as time and years go by you will realize how much portfolio you will have build along the way. There is never enough money to save, not enough for that big investment but it can be done when we look at the big picture and make personal small sacrifices.

At the end of the day the adage when you do not plan you plan to fail stands. Do something however little about those things that model your life. That step/action taken everyday gives us the motivation to pursue the big dream.

“When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people.” Chinese Proverb