Meditation for Tuesday – August 3, 2010

Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

Refer back to your list of “Things I Don’t Have That I Want” that you were to create over the last 2 days.

If you haven’t already created such a list, don’t worry.  Simply take 10 minutes and write out a list of “Things I Don’t Have That I Want.”

Next to each item on the list, write how long you estimate it would take to obtain, achieve or accomplish this goal.  Once done, you will be ready to move on.

We will now create a list labeled, “Short-Term Goals”.  These are goals that can be obtained, achieved or accomplished in the next year.

The next list is labeled “Medium-Term Goals”, and is for medium-term goals that can be accomplished in the next three years.

The third list is labeled “Long-Term Goals”. It is for  long-term goals that will take more than three years to obtain, achieve or accomplish.

Take a few minutes to place the items from your “do not have” list into the appropriate list of the 3 discussed above.

We will begin working with these lists in my next post.

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are my short-term goals?
• What are my medium-term goals?
• What are my long-term goals?

Meditation for Monday – August 2, 2010

Acceptance Is The Key To Appreciation.

Yesterday we discussed appreciation.  Today we will discuss the key to appreciation – acceptance of all which we have.

Yesterday when I asked, “Do you have a loving family?”, I did not ask if your family was perfect.

When I asked “Do you have wonderful friends?”, I did not ask if they were perfect.

When I asked “Are you financially secure?”, I did not ask if you had everything you could possibly want.

When I asked “Are you happy?”, I did not ask if you could be happier.

I simply asked if you had good things in your life.

In order to appreciate that which we have, we must learn to accept that which we have.  We must be able to accept the things we currently have and to appreciate them.

However, bear in mind that just because you accept and appreciate something in its current state does not mean you cannot or should not work toward making it better. It is always a good thing to work toward making our lives better, but it is much easier to do so if we first accept and appreciate things as they are before attempting to improve upon them.

Every morning when you awaken, sit back, reflect and take time to appreciate everything you do have. Doing so will affect your attitude, and will always make your day much better.

My next post talks about setting goals.”

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• What do I have in my life?
• What can I do to accept what I have in my life?
• What can I do to appreciate what I have in my life?

Meditation for Sunday – August 1, 2010

To Be Upset Over What You Don’t Have
Is To Waste What You Do Have.
(Ken Keyes, Jr.)

Take a few minutes to write a list of things you have.

Next, take a few more minutes and write a list of things you don’t have that you want.

If you are like most people, it was easier to fill out the list of “Things I Don’t Have That I Want” than the list of  “Things I Have”.

This reflects an unfortunate tendency many have to spend more time desiring things we don’t have, rather than appreciating things we do have.

Don’t feel bad if your experience reflects this tendency. You are definitely not the only one. Sadly, this tendency is a  fundamental part of our human nature.

Keep the list of “Things I Don’t Have That I Want”, as we will use it in the near future when we discuss goal setting.

Now focus on what you do have. Take a few minutes and think about what you have.

Do you have a loving family?

Do you have wonderful friends?

Do you have a good career?

Are you financially secure?

Are you happy?
If you answered yes to even one of these questions, you are a very fortunate person. If you answered yes to all of them, you are truly blessed.

Family, friends, security and happiness are key ingredients in an ideal environment that will provide you with the inner peace necessary to move beyond life’s daily struggles and closer towards finding your purpose in life and achieving it.

My next post talks about acceptance of all that which you have.”

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have a loving family?
• Do you have wonderful friends?
• Do you have a good career?
• Are you financially secure?
• Are you happy?

Meditation for Saturday – July 31, 2010

I Want To Be An Astronaut When I Grow Up.

Now that you have thought about who you are and who you are not, you will be able to realize and accept who you are at your core.

Then and only then can you examine your core essence to see if there is anything you might wish to change, add or remove as you continue toward finding and accomplishing your purpose in life.

At that point you will be ready to take that next step and ask yourself the question, “who do I want to be?”

Unfortunately, there is no easy, immediate way to figure out who you are, who you are not, and who you want to be.

You must look deep inside yourself to find the answer to these questions.

It will take time and introspective thought before you can begin to answer this questions, but that’s why we’re here – to help you take the time to think, as you shape your future.

Knowing who you are, who you are not and who you want to be, will bring you a sense of inner peace that is essential for the remainder of our journey together.

My next post talks about acceptance of all that which you have.”

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• Ask yourself, who am I?
• Ask yourself, who am I not?
• Ask yourself, who do I want to be?

Meditation for Friday – July 30, 2010

You Are Not Who You Are Not And That’s Who You Are Not.

Today’s Meditation

Your core essence is the foundation upon which you are going to build everything else in your life.

After you have figured out who you are, you should ask yourself the opposite question: Who am I not?

Think about the characteristics and traits that do not describe you.

After thinking about who you are and who you are not, you will be able to realize and accept who you are at your core.

Then and only then can you examine your core essence to see if there is anything you might wish to change, add or remove as you continue toward finding and accomplishing your purpose in life.

At that point you will be ready to take that next step and ask yourself the question, “who do I want to be?”

My next post asks the follow-up question “who do I want to be?”

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• Ask yourself: Who am I not?
• Ask yourself: What characteristics and traits are NOT part of me?
• How am I different than others?

Meditation for Thursday – July 29, 2010

You Are Who You Are And That’s Who You Are.

Today’s Meditation

One Navajo Native American saying is: Walk in harmony in the universe by being aware of who you are.

This saying is not only incredibly beautiful, but also extremely important. It implies that you must first figure out who you are and then you must accept who you are, in order to live in peace and harmony with the universe.
How do you go about defining who you are? In my experience, many people define themselves in terms of who they are not, rather than in terms of who they are. They focus on their weaknesses and the things they don’t have or haven’t accomplished, rather than on their strengths and the things they do have or have accomplished. You would be much better served if you would define yourself in terms of who you are, instead of who you are not. If you spend all your energy focusing on who you are not, then you will beat yourself down and have little energy or enthusiasm left over to focus on achieving your goals.
Who you are is your core essence. When all else is stripped away, what is left over? Think for a few minutes and then write about the best way to define yourself.

Your core essence is the foundation upon which you are going to build everything else in your life.

My next post asks the flip-side of yesterday’s question “who are you not?”

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• Ask yourself:  Who am I?
• Ask yourself:  What makes me unique?

Meditation for Wednesday – July 28, 2010

It Is Often Necessary To Take Risks If You Want Rewards.

Today’s Meditation

Thinking outside the box increases the risk of failure along the way toward achieving our goals. You cannot fear failure if you want to succeed. History is full of those who did not fear failure. By not being afraid of failure, Edison was able to create his light bulb.
The same concept holds true in your life. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can remain inside the box and think along conventional lines. However, if you are willing to think along unconventional lines, and are not afraid of possible failures along the way, you increase the likelihood that you will achieve more.
Many of us have thought of a unique idea or invention, and then months or years later witnessed it appear on the market. What one person can imagine, another can (and will) make real. Consider becoming the person who makes it real. You may fail along the way, but that’s the risk you must take if you seek to achieve more.

My next post asks the all-important question “who are you?”

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• What fears do you have that might stand in the way of your success?
• What can you do to overcome these fears?
• How might you benefit if you overcame these fears?

Meditation for Tuesday – July 27, 2010

Anything One Man Can Imagine, Other Men Can Make Real.
(Jules Verne)

Today’s Meditation

Previously, we have discussed the question “What is reality?”.

The concept of “reality” can be a limiting thought that we place on our beliefs to prevent future disappointments. By limiting our expectations to the bounds of what we call “realistic”, it lessens the likelihood we can be disappointed by failing to achieve our dreams.

Different people have different versions of what is realistic.

The real world is  what I see and the real world is what you see. Strangely, they are never the same real worlds.

Some type of middle ground needs to be reached when setting our goals and expectations. For example, it is possible I could become a millionaire by 9:00 AM tomorrow morning, but it would be much more realistic to believe that I can, and will, become a millionaire within a given time period, such as two or three years.

It is okay to have wild, almost unlimited goals and expectations, as long as we either shield ourselves from unnecessary disappointment by structuring our goals and expectations within “realistic” boundaries, or are willing to accept the risk of failing to achieve our goals.

Notwithstanding, it is okay to dream wild, crazy dreams. It is a good thing to “think outside the box”. Thinking outside the box means to not let one’s self be limited by the general beliefs of the time and situation.

Based upon the common beliefs of his time, Thomas Edison was probably unrealistic for thinking he could invent a light bulb.  Notwithstanding, he imagined the concept and then proceeded, after many failures, to create a working light bulb.

Stop for a minute and think about how much our society has changed as a result of his thinking outside the box and creating the light bulb. I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly glad he did.

My next post will talk about how “thinking outside the box” can lead to lots of failures (and lots of successes) . . .

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you a “realistic” thinking or a dreamer?
• How has “realistic” thinking protected you, in the past, from the disappointments associated with failure?
• How has “realistic” thinking limited you, in the past, from the joys of success?
• Are you willing to risk failure, if it increases the possibility of success?

Meditation for Monday – July 26, 2010

Limited Thinkers Are Limited Achievers.

Today’s Meditation

Limited – Confined within a boundary.  Characterized by an inability to think imaginatively or independently.

Think- To employ one’s mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation.

Achieve – To get or attain by effort; gain; obtain.  Carry through.  Accomplish.

Do you find yourself using limiting thoughts such as: “That was a stupid thing I did”, “I’m so dumb”, or “I could never be smart enough or dedicated enough to do that”?

If you have a tendency to have these types of limiting thoughts, you are unconsciously limiting your expectations and thus your ultimate outcomes.

If you lay out positive, non-limiting expectations, you will be working toward and ultimately achieving positive, nonlimiting outcomes.

I want you to write down 5 examples of “limiting” thoughts you have had, or that you have from time to time.  Think of  personal “failures” which you believe have resulted from those “limiting” thoughts.

Lastly, write down 5 positive thoughts you have from time to time.  Think of personal accomplishments you that have resulted from those positive thoughts.

Can you see the difference?

If you want to achieve, you need to learn to accentuate your positive expectations and eliminate the negative ones.

My next post will talk about being “realistic”  . . .

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• How has limited thinking hurt you in the past?
• How might positive, unlimited thinking help you in the future?

Meditation for Sunday – July 25, 2010

Expectancy Determines Outcome.
(Deepak Chopra)

Today’s Meditation

What do you expect to achieve in your life?

I ask because defining your expectations is a key ingredient in achieving your desired outcomes.

If you expect grand outcomes, you are much more likely to achieve grand outcomes. If you expect little or nothing, that is exactly what you are most likely to achieve; little or nothing.

You would never think of driving in unfamiliar territory without a road map, so why shouldn’t you lay out a desirable road map to help you reach your desired outcomes?

Often our expectations in life are shaped during our early formative years. Many parents tell their young children they are capable of accomplishing anything they desire. I was fortunate to have such parents. Other parents fill their children with limiting beliefs that only serve to limit the expectations of their children.

One key example of this has always stuck out in my mind. Several years ago, I was visiting a friend at his workplace on a Saturday. One of my friend’s fellow workers brought his ten-year-old son with him to work.

When I was introduced to my friend’s co-worker, the coworker then introduced his son as his “little idiot”. I was extremely upset when I heard this. I did not say anything to the worker as I did not feel it was any of my business, but I felt like saying something such as, “I’m sure you don’t really mean that, as your son appears to be very smart to me.”

When I talked with my friend about this later, he indicated his co-worker was an extremely nice guy and was a very good family man who loved his son very much.

Notwithstanding, in my opinion, he was unintentionally inhibiting his son’s future development. Children as well as adults, have a tendency to believe what they hear. If you tell them they’re smart, they will believe they’re smart. If you tell them they’re an idiot, even in jest, they will believe they’re an idiot

My next post will talk about limiting thoughts and limited expectations  . . .

Analysis

As you meditate upon this thought, ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you expect to accomplish in your life?
• What do you tell your children and others around you to expect?