Slow Down! Get There Fast! Part I
Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:
"Slow Down! Get There Fast! Part I" Podcast
(length 5:07 minutes)
Subscribe to Feed Below:
« January 2009 | Main | March 2009 »
February 27, 2009
February 23, 2009
Slow Down! Get There Fast! Part I
My wife, Jaime, and I were living in New York City some twenty years ago. We were both working in very high pressure jobs in Manhattan. I was in book publishing and she was in insurance.
As well, we had a two hour commute back and forth to work every day. So, by the time we got home we were exhausted from all the stimulation. There was always something to "do" and it always had to be done fast! So, life was a series of unending tasks that seemed to just exponentially explode on us. It wasn't fun to say the least.
So, one day while we were taking stock of all we had to do, my wife, in total frustration, screamed out: "Slow Down! Get There Fast!"
It made us both stop in our tracks and first, laugh, but most importantly, it helped us to realize that we were like hamsters spinning around on a treadmill in a cage. We were going nowhere fast!
So, we asked, "Why are we doing this?" And we realized that we were unconscious. We were just doing more and more just for the sake of doing more and more in the hope that it would make us feel better about ourselves. But it certainly wasn't helping!
So, at that point we recognized that we had to incorporate a conscious, consistent spiritual practice into our lives; that is, we needed to create a time of slowing down. We had been doing numerous spiritual practices for years on a haphazard basis, but it wasn't enough obviously.
So, we then decided to sit and meditate and/or pray for at least thirty minutes an evening. It was so refreshing and relaxing. And most importantly, it helped us reach our goal of feeling good about ourselves very quickly; and we no longer had to run around mindlessly exhausting ourselves to reach our goal!
By slowing down, we got to our goal of feeling good about ourselves very, very fast. The other way of going about it, by running around all over the place, was actually moving us further and further away from our goal.
So, no matter what your goal is: "Slow Down! Get there Fast!" It works wonders!
In my next blog entry of March 2, I will continue this theme and explain how this process of slowing down helped me to find my purpose in life and live my passion.
February 20, 2009
"Think on These Things," Prayer
Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:
""Think on These Things," Prayer?" Podcast
(length 5:52 minutes)
Subscribe to Feed Below:
February 16, 2009
"Think on These Things," Prayer
"...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and then the God of peace shall be with you."
(Philippians 4: 8-9)
Prayer
Be joyful always,
Pray continuously,
Give thanks in all circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5, 16-18
In terms of increasing the quality of my life, I have found that prayer is such an incredibly valuable and precious tool.
When I refer to prayer I do not mean the repetition of rote phrases that no longer have any meaning. Prayer for me is seeing the good in all people, events and circumstances in my life and blessing and appreciating it all.
As you "think" or pray in this way, you are shining light on everything. And it is in this light and because of this light that the hidden beauty and brilliance of whatever you are focusing on is fully revealed.
As well, as you pray, you will continue to see your light grow stronger and stronger. And this light and this strength will be the attracting point and signal that you put out to others and to the universe. And as a result, you will attract even more light and strength to yourself. And in time all the darkness within you will be transformed into the light it always was. In this way you become the beacon on the hill, the lighthouse in the storm.
As you practice this you will be awed by all the good you will find within and without!
Quality is not inherent in an object or a person; it is created one prayer at a time; one kind word at a time; one noble action at a time; one positive thought at a time.
The great Masters still shine so brightly because they knew to constantly strengthen and brighten this flame within themselves with the fuel of prayer, love, service and good thoughts! And because of this, they no longer cast shadows any more! For they had become the Light!
Prayer is not an asking for, it is a becoming.
Yanni Maniates
Think or Meditate on These Things!
February 13, 2009
What is Quality?
Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:
"What is Quality?" Podcast
(length 4:52 minutes)
Subscribe to Feed Below:
February 9, 2009
What is Quality?
Quality is not something inherent in an object, person or experience;
Quality is something we imbue into an object, person or experience.
Yanni Maniates
We create quality. We create a quality life.
We give life its meaning, substance and value by the way we choose to interpret events. All of life is good and working towards the Highest Good. Everything we experience is from the Good and for the Good though we may not know how to "see" it that way sometimes.
Quality can not be measured by the quantity of material things we accumulate, the number or status of the people we know or the types of experiences we have; it can only be determined by the value we give to the experience.
So, to have a quality experience; go out there and give value to all you see and experience; especially give value to yourself. You determine the quality of your experiences by the way you choose to value them. You determine the quality or value of yourself by the way you choose to value yourself.
So, take the time to quiet your mind and go within and listen to that "still, small voice within." And ask it to help you to learn how to "see" yourself and everything and everyone in your life with the eyes and heart of your Soul and then you will see all things "anew."
You will "see" how precious and valuable you are and how precious and valuable every person, place and experience is in your life. They all are steps up your mountain of mastery. Everything and everyone is leading you to your Highest Good.
By listening to that "still, small voice within," you will learn how to live your life in Grace and Trust. You will see the bigger picture and know who you truly are from the depths of your being and how blessed life really is.
So, slow down, quiet your mind and listen so that you can ease into a life of real Quality and Value!
February 6, 2009
Put Your SELF First
Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:
"Put Your SELF First" Podcast
(length 5:46 minutes)
Subscribe to Feed Below:
February 2, 2009
Put Your SELF First
A number of years ago I read a book entitled "The Automatic Millionaire." In the book the author, David Bach, emphasizes how really, really important it is to make payments to yourself first if you wish to accrue financial wealth.
As I continued to read the book, I came to realize that the principle that he was espousing, "Put Your Self First," was a very profound one and one that was applicable in all areas of my life. It got me to start asking myself whether I was putting myself first physically, emotionally and spiritually. And, of course, it was crystal clear that I wasn't.
Then I asked myself, why I wasn't? And it became apparent that it was an issue of unworthiness. Everyone and everything else was more important or worthy than I was!!! I always paid myself last!
So, it became obvious that if I kept listening to my ego self, I would always be last in line. I had to learn to listen to my real Self. I could not keep doing what I really didn't want to do. That was a recipe for disaster.
It finally dawned on me that my Higher Self knew what was best for me and for all those involved with me; and if I would just slow down enough to get in touch with my Higher Self and act on its promptings, I would be much happier and much more fun to be with.
So, one must pay oneself first on all levels; not only financially so that you accrue wealth, but also in terms of the kinds of things you do to take care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. This is where the real "wealth" lies.
You can live more of the life you desire and deserve once you learn to put your Self first. For, as I love to say in my classes: "If you follow any one but your Self, you will surely get lost."
So, it is all good. Learning how to listen to your Self is how you become a Master of your life and it is how you learn to leave behind being the victim!
So, slow down and get there fast. Trust, Relax and Listen to your Self! And remember and say often: "Life is good; I am good. Within me and around me I have all I need to fully feel happy, healthy, joy-filled, abundant, energetic, flexible, balanced, and full of passion in all aspects of my life."
You really do!