Even if you think you’re standing still, you’re not really.

• The wonderful Planet you are standing on is spinning,
• The incredible Solar System in which the Earth resides is rotating,
• The vast Galaxy in which our Solar System and countless other Solar Systems reside is also rotating,
• Our magnificent Galaxy, one of many Galaxies, is also in a state of motion.

So as you read this, you’re not actually sitting still in a chair at all. You are hurtling through space! You just appear to be sitting still relative to the things around you, but they are also hurtling through space.

Even if we put the Cosmic aspect aside, you’re still moving. The atomic structure of your body is in a constant state of motion. Nothing about you is still. Every aspect of your physical structure is constantly moving, constantly changing.

We are all vibrating with life!

We are all in the midst of an incredibly exhilarating experience!

If only we would but stop for a moment and realise this.

In this sense we are all insignificant.

The Planet you live on is but one planet is a Solar System.

The Solar System is but one Solar System in a Galaxy of countless Solar Systems.

And the Galaxy is but one of countless Galaxies.

In this sense we are all VERY insignificant.

Think of all the grains of sand on a beach. How significant is one single grain of sand? Not very. In the grand scheme of things our whole Planet is even less than that in comparison to the Universe.

Yet despite all of this our problems, as insignificant as they are in the grand scheme of things, never the less appear significant to us.

That’s cool, we all have shit to deal with.

Just keep it in perspective.

He has run over 300 miles in one hit. Take a moment to fully appreciate that – 300 miles in one go. It took several days without sleep. Think about the last time you went for a run, it was probably less than an hour. He ran for 24 hours a day!

It’s not because he has bigger lungs or stronger legs. It’s all the in the mind. They say that you can only run so far with your body. To run a really long way like this comes from your mind. It’s not a physical thing.

You too can do incredible feats like this if you choose to.

It’s easy to say that people like Dean Karnazes are some kind of freak and that’s why they are able to do the incredible things they do. But isn’t that just an excuse? Doesn’t that give us justification to not attempt the same things? We can sit back in our comfortable chair and say “well if I was Blessed with lungs like his then I would do the same, but I’m not, so I won’t”.

But we’re just kidding ourselves when we do this aren’t we?

Why?

Because Dean Karnazes isn’t a freak. He is a normal guy who has chosen to do some incredible things. He was nobody before he decided to do this. In fact, there are people with bodies far more suited to endurance running than his who haven’t done anything.

The fact is – anyone can choose to do something incredible.

And ‘anyone’ includes YOU!

Sometimes your life is going really well. You’ve got a great set of friends and a great job. The place you’re living at is great.

Then things start to change.

You fall out with someone at work. Suddenly it’s not quite so enjoyable. Then your landlord decides to sell your house so you have to find a new place to live. Then one of your good friends decides to move to Australia.

Suddenly your life isn’t what it was. And maybe you’re sad.

Things will change. Sometimes we’ll welcome this change and sometimes we’ll greet it with as much enthusiasm as we’d greet a brick through our window.

But change happens.

It always has, and it always will.

Do you know that even as you read this you are changing in many ways? At the atomic level your body is in a constant state of motion. Every aspect of your being is continually in a state of change. It’s the same for all of us. Moment to moment – we’re always becoming something new. But because of the bluntness of our senses we can’t detect these subtle changes and so we think things remain the same.

They don’t, they never have, and they never will.

As painful and unpleasant as change can be sometimes, we just have to accept it.

Change happens. So let’s enjoy it, love it, savour it!

Even the simplest of tasks is a struggle. It’s like you’re walking through thick mud. Sometimes it seems as if everything is against you. As if even ordinary things are out to get you. Bad things seem to happen to you for no reason. You almost feel like you’re a magnet for negativity. As though these experiences are being setup especially so you can experience them.

But never fear because – THE GOOD TIMES WILL RETURN.

They will.

Don’t try to doubt it.

They will!

Everything in life is cyclical and just as good things must come to and end sometime – so too must the bad times. It may take a while for them to end but they WILL end.

They will.

Life is like that. It serves you up some difficult experiences which, although painful at the time, you end up learning from to become a better and stronger person as a result.

Despite what is often said – life IS fair. It will only deal you up what you are capable of handling. Sometimes the challenges you face may make you doubt this, but there is always a way through, even if it’s not obvious at the time.

Because life is fair it will only deal you up difficult experiences for as long as you need them. Then the time will come – the time MUST come – when you will be dealt up good experiences.

This is just how it works.

Remember that statement that is true at all times?

This too shall pass.

Unfortunately it’s true in regard to good times. But thankfully it’s also true in regard to bad times!

So how to live with this?

Try not to get to attached to the bad times, but ALSO the good times. Experience both equally and know that they won’t be around forever. Savour the good times while you have them, and know that the bad times won’t be around forever – the good times will return.

Remember this statement during the bad times, during the really difficult, awful, horrible times. During the dark, depressing, excrutiating times…

This too shall pass.

It will get better. You will smile again.

:)

Don’t forget this.

May God Bless you in your journey through these experiences.

Anyone and everyone can, and should, be a leader. There are so many people out there waiting to be inspired. Desperate to be motivated. Eager to be encouraged to rise up and do something meaningful. They’re waiting for a leader to rally them, to bring them together, to unite them. To focus them, encourage them and engage them.

Are you that person?

Maybe you think that a leader has to have a public office. Or a title. Or experience. Or a plaque on the wall. Or official recognition.

They don’t.

A leader is someone who inspires others. A leader is someone who engages with others in such a way that STUFF HAPPENS.

You can do this.

A leader can be someone you least expect. A leader can be the person at the bottom of the hierarchy (and often the person at the top started at the bottom).

Most often a leader doesn’t start out as one. They start out as nobody in particular doing nothing of any real importance. Slowly their influence expands. They make stuff happen and get noticed. It might happen quickly, or it might take a while. But it happens.

All leaders are motivated by something.

For some it is simply the desire to succeed. For others it is the desire to avoid failure.

For some it is the promise of reward. For some it is the satisfaction of achievement.

For some it is the potential to make a difference in the world. Some want to change the lives of people for the better.

What are you motivated by?

What makes you want to lead?

Everyone has something in them somewhere.

Everyone has that potential to lead.

At the end of the day, a leader is a person.

Just like you.

People killing, people dying, children hurting, you hear them crying…

- The Black Eyed Peas

Where is the love y’all?

This song always leaves me thinking. Have a listen below and focus on the lyrics. For a pop song it actually raises a very good point.

Where is the love these days?

Let’s stop fighting. Let’s stop killing each other. Let’s stop trying to squeeze every last dollar out of each other.

Let’s look after those who are suffering. Let’s try to get along. Let’s focus on our common ground instead of fighting about our differences.

Let’s love each other!

Where is the love y’all? Where is the love!

Here is a species of people that seem pretty much intent on self destruction. They kill each other for no real reason. They steal from each other. They are in a constant state of conflict with one another – for oil, money, power, sex. They seem to thrive on violence – when there isn’t enough of it around they create it.

It’s bizarre!

There is more than enough food for all on this earth, yet they have somehow organised themselves so that some have too much and some have too little.

There is more than enough land on earth for them all to have plenty of space to live, yet they are constantly fighting over small spots here and there.

There is more than enough love to go around, yet they are very particular about who they give their love to. Only choosing a select group they call ‘close friends and family’.

There are countless people suffering on this planet, yet the ones living in comfort ignore the suffering ones.

It is a very bizarre situation indeed.

Are you getting the best out of you?

If not, why not?

Why live a half arsed life when you could live life with absolutely everything you’ve got?

You could lay it all on the line. Go all out. You could live your life as if you had it all to lose, as if it wouldn’t last forever, as if it could all be taken away in the blink of an eye. You could live life by putting everything you have into it, knowing that you get out what you put in.

Because that’s really how it is.

You could live as if you really appreciated everything you had. As if you were extremely fortunate to have the experiences that you have. As if you were unimaginably Blessed just to be where you are at the moment, doing what you’re doing at the moment, regardless of what it is. You could be grateful just for the roof over your head and the food on your table. You could forget the petty things that you usually complain about. You could rise above your weaknesses. You could make the most of the incredible opportunity you have.

You could do all of this and more.

We all should be getting the best out of you, and most of all – you should too.

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.

- John F. Kennedy

If you want a healthy mind then it helps to keep a healthy body. Common sense? Not that common unfortunately. But how can your mind work at it’s best when you let your body fall into a state of disrepair? The health and wellbeing of our mind and body are interconnected, whether we like it or not!

Exercise properly, don’t kid yourself

Walking to the shops to buy your lunch doesn’t count. Exercise at a decent level of intensity. Really making yourself sweat has a great effect on the human body and mind. There are lots of different activities that are good for you, but to get the best health benefits you need to work your heart and lungs. That means if it doesn’t make you puff, you’re kidding yourself.

Challenge yourself

It’s easy to get comfortable in an exercise regime, and there’s nothing wrong with that if it’s working for you, but challenging yourself with new things can be good for you mentally as well as physically.

Have some variety

The best approach is a varied one. For me, running is the core component. But I get out for a mountain bike ride and hit the gym as well. I find that I get different things from each activity. Mountain biking, and especially the gym, give me a more whole body workout. Whereas running is mostly just about cardiovascular fitness.

Find like-minded individuals to share it with

Talking about your exercise with people who understand what you’re on about is a great way to stay motivated. They can understand the challenges you face, and will be just as excited as you are about the features on your new running shoes.

Be wary of the plateau

The plateau is what you reach after you’ve been exercising for a few months. You’ve made some gains but things have settled down. The novelty has worn off. This is when people give up. If you know it’s coming you are ready for it and can adapt by changing your routine, entering a competition etc.

Having trouble getting motivated? Here are some tips to get you motivated. But don’t just read about it, start today!

Image credit: Mike Baird

You have awesome potential. Unlimited – literally.

The things you could do are incredible, unbelievable, stunning.

You could be an unlimited source of inspiration to others.

You could be a light to lead the way.

Your influence could be profound.

Your legacy could be legendary.

You could change the world – for the better.

You could solve problems, ease tensions, inspire greatness.

You could bring people together, unite them.

You could spread the love.

You could bring down the house.

You could own it.

You could get around/over/under/through any obstacles that stand in your way.

You could realise your potential.

If you choose to.

That’s all it really comes down to at the end of the day.

Choosing to.

The same goes throughout our lives. Looking back on things we can see where fear held us back, and we can see how pointless that fear was in hindsight.

At some point in time you will look back on how you are today, right now, and see how you could have done things differently.

You’ll see that there was fear holding you back from doing some things.

You’ll see that you weren’t making the most of all the opportunities you had before you.

You’ll see that there were things you could have done but didn’t, things that would have improved your life and the lives of others.

You could wait until a long time in the future to think about this. If you enjoy the feeling of regret, this is the best option. But if you want to make the most of your life, why wait until then to look back in hindsight?

Why not do it now?

Don’t wait till that moment in the far of future to realise this. Open your eyes and see it now. Look at yourself and what you’re doing. Where is fear holding you back? What opportunities are you missing RIGHT NOW?!

Original image by Spirit-Fire

If we give $100 to the Red Cross, what difference will that make? They’re talking billions of dollars needed for recovery in Japan so is there even any point us giving $100?

Your money will help of course, but there are so many desperate problems out there in the world, and our financial resources are not bottomless.

What else can we do?

Often, in a genuine heartfelt gesture, we update our Facebook with some words of support for the people suffering. I did this myself. This is a nice gesture. But the reality is that it won’t save a life.

It will make you feel a little better, especially if some of your friends ‘like’ it. It may improve your image amongst your friends; they may see you as a caring person really trying to make a difference in the world. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, quite the opposite, it’s positive – but what difference have you actually made to the lives of those suffering?

Let’s be honest – nil.

The person trapped under rubble, desperately waiting and hoping to be found by rescue workers – your Facebook status won’t help them.

The doctors and nurses in a hospital desperately trying to save the lives of the huge numbers of injured in the aftermath of a disaster – your Facebook status won’t help them.

The people running a shelter for refuges desperately trying to source food to feed the thousands of people who are turning up at their shelter every day – your Facebook status won’t help them.

What will help them? Your prayers might.

Your prayers might give that person trapped under rubble a little more strength to hold on a little longer. They might inspire the rescue workers to have one more look in that building the person is trapped in.

Your prayers might give hospital staff a little more strength to work a little harder and longer so that they can save more lives in the aftermath of a disaster.

Your prayers might inspire people around the world to give their money and resources to the victims of a disaster.

Your prayers might just do these things. You’ll never know the power of your prayers. You’ll never know exactly what they do, but they WILL do something. As Mahatma Gandhi said:

Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.

I’ll repeat that in case you missed it:

Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the MOST POTENT INSTRUMENT OF ACTION.

Go and pray now.

(If you feel so inclined you might also like to donate to support the work of the Red Cross in helping the people of Japan, or whichever other humanitarian disaster you feel inspired to support, by finding your local Red Cross on this list of international Red Cross websites.)

Wow that lady at the coffee shop must have been really rude. What did she do, was she foul mouthed? Did she rip them off? Nope, the story wasn’t interesting at all. She was just a little rude, not even much at all, she probably hadn’t had her morning coffee herself.

This isn’t interesting in itself, but the interesting thing is this – how many other letters has this person written this year? Probably none. So the single most motivating factor in the world for them, the one thing that makes them want to write a letter and take action is a rude lady in a coffee shop.

• Not war, violence and bloodshed,
• Not the irresponsible use of nuclear power,
• Not corrupt politics,
• Not starving children.

Just a rude lady in a coffee shop.

This is why the world is the way it is! We’re caring about the wrong things!

Forget rude ladies in coffee shops. Forget bus drivers that drive past your stop. Forget meaningless celebrity scandals. Forget these and all the rest of the meaningless clatter of our everyday lives. Let’s concentrate on the real issues in the world today. Let’s take action on the important things.

Let’s write letters about things that actually matter!

(If you want to write letters that actually matter visit Avaaz.org)

If you’ve always said that you would get a round Tuit one day then that day has come because here’s one for you to print out for yourself. So what are you waiting for?