“All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson 

A few years ago, I was going through a situation, which brought about a great deal of fear surrounding my future.   Not really one specific event, rather several small points where I would get lost in the fear of what was around the next bend.  I was sharing many of these small yet encompassing fears with a friend, when he realized that I was very present and full of joy. Although, nothing in my circumstances had changed he posed a question that I have shared several times since; “is this the future that you were so worried about?” At that time I made the shift, it became very clear that when I was dealing with this moment, those worries of the past and fears of the future no longer exist.

I am now in a space that many people would fully justify me to feel worry or fear based on the outside circumstances in my life.  I have a new beginning at a job, I am living in a new place, I am reconnecting with old friends and building new relationships and I am financially in a lower place than I have been in a very long time.  Through all of this though I am full and confident in a future that I cannot fully see yet, the result is a keen ability to live the best I can in the present.  This trust comes from what Emerson eludes to in our quote, All I have seen, my past experiences have proven to me time and time again that everything will be exactly the way it is intended to be, so my job is simply to not worry and keep moving forward. 

I cannot bring to mind a feeling or thought that has been more detrimental to my growth than worry.  Worry is like a disease that feeds on itself to steal time, love, joy and wonder from the world around us.  I choose today to further let go of worry while dedicated myself to taking as much actions as is necessary to cure that disease.   “Is this the future that you were so worried about?”

Affirmation: Today I trust that everything is exactly the way it is supposed to be.

Call to Action: This week, watch out for how controlled your life is by worry and fear.  When you are struck with it be prepared to affirm that in that moment you are exactly where you are supposed to be.  Recall those times in your past where it seemed all was lost to build this belief that moving forward everything will be the way it is supposed to be.  Take the action to separate worry from your world…starting, NOW!!! We never said change was easy, trust us, it is good.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“One day at a time” – Them people

Usually around this time of year I take on too many projects. I find myself in over my head and stressed out. This is not how life should be lived. This year was different, I knew it was coming, told everyone my calendar is full until November, and it still happened. I found myself in over my head yet again.

Years ago a friend in a high stress field shared his insight. He mentioned when he was in school the stress was almost unbearable. He used the phrase, “One day at a time”. Then he broke it down further: one task at a time, one hour, and even one minute at a time. I was thinking of this when I was getting ready this morning. I realized that for me one task at a time seemed like an appropriate increment. My day went great today. I accomplished all that I set out to and even some more.

At the end of my day just as I was leaving my night class a project due date got moved up to next week. Instead of worrying, complaining, or stressing out about it, I just plugged it into my weekend schedule. My new attitude towards the “things I have to do” was acceptance, and I realized what this weeks post needed to be about.

Affirmation: This moment is the only moment that I need to be in at this moment. It feels so good to live right here, right now.

Call to action: Break up your day into tasks that you need to do. If you don’t have a high stress life or to many things to do, think about that project you have been wanting to start but didn’t have the time. Make the time and get started, one piece at a time. Until you figure out how to put a puzzle together in one motion continue to practice this art of present purpose. Share a bit about how this has applied.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee

Last week’s call to action asked us to make a list of desires and determine if we were willing to put in the effort to achieve these things. Throughout the week I pondered on and really had to ask myself at a gut level if I was willing to put in the effort to achieve these goals.

It dawned on me that during my short time on this planet I have had tons of goals, dreams, and things that I wanted to accomplish. The only ones that I have completed are due to focused effort. Monday night I turned on my computer to “do a couple things” with no real focus or intention. Next thing I knew it was 2 AM, I had wasted 4 hours, and accomplished none of the tasks I had set out to do. Is that how I want to spend my life?

Today I want to be successful in all my endeavors. I believe that I am an average man, so how do I create greatness? If I take my list of things I am willing to put effort towards and couple that with Mister Lee’s advice to bring forth a laser-like focus I truly know that anything is possible.

Today when I want to change my life I change my focus, and make my new focus so compelling to my inner being that to go back to my old way of life is out of the question.

Affirmation: I focus my thoughts, words, and actions in such a way that I know anything is possible.

Call to Action: Determine one thing you want to achieve by midnight tonight. Focus every thought, word, and movement towards that thing, and challenge yourself to not go to sleep until you have accomplished your goal.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential. “ -Winston Churchill

As a younger man, I was always haunted by the word potential. I would constantly hear from teachers, disciplinarians, friends and parents, including my own; you have so much potential. In truth, I doubt I had any more potential than the next person, what I did have was a complete lack of focus, direction and effort to become a better me.  I believe what they were referring to was some form of disappointment revolving around my life choices at the time. Today I feel that we all have the potential to be perfect expressions of life on a daily basis, all that is required is continuous effort in that direction.

Looking back over my life it is easy to see when things began to change in a positive direction.  I can pinpoint events and circumstances when I choose to put in work and let go of expected outcomes.  The results have spoken for themselves; I feel my life today is an example of that potential people spoke of when I was younger.

The beauty of this concept is that as much as I feel I have incorporated it in my life I can always find spots where more effort and commitment will help me achieve the next goal I have set for myself.  I recently found myself in a space where I was wanting something to happen for me, this made me feel pretty uncomfortable because after some introspection I found that I was not willing to put in the work.  Today I get to look at my wants and desires from yet a new perspective, do I want something bad enough to put forth the effort or do I just expect things to happen for me?

Affirmation: Today is the perfect day to go get what it is I want and release the things I am not willing to work for.

Call to action: Make a list of the things you want in your life today.  Do not be shy to put everything down from the material to the ethereal.  Now write out how you can get those things.  Finally ask yourself if you are willing to put in the effort for them. If the answer is no, it may be a good time to release that space in your core for the things you are willing to work for.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” –Walt Disney

I am so very grateful that at this point in my life I have a true hunger for knowledge and the passion to learn.  This was not always the case but today I feel drawn to look deeper and seek further than I ever had before.

I have a couple of colleagues that I look up to in my area of interest who are younger than I am. They have been practicing our craft longer than I have.  They have excelled and I find myself asking them questions, looking to them for guidance, and seeking out their experience to perfect my craft.  I always speak up when I do not understand what is going on, because no one ever looked down on me for asking questions.

I was excited when a friend gave me a suggested list of reading to continue my quest, and I ordered every book. Reflecting on other aspects of my life where I have been most knowledgeable and people ask me for advice, it occurred to me that I have done a great deal of reading, studying, and putting it all to practice. I realize that it is my curiosity that has been my benefit in all these areas.

Affirmation: My curiosity in life leads me to the Universal answer. Every question in my mind today is a clue to my next adventure. I love me some curiosity.

Call to Action: Think about what you may want to learn or perhaps areas of your life that you are lacking; now think about the areas in your life that you have the greatest knowledge or skills.  This week impart how you aquired the knowledge you have and apply that same effort to the areas you want to grow in. Share with the CYLFriday community what simple step you are going to take today to advance towards future knowledge.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“This too shall pass” – Proverb

In this moment I feel like a king sitting on top of the world. The previous three days I have felt quite the opposite. It seems I have found myself on an emotional roller coaster, and I do not really know why.

A few months back I went to a meditation retreat and one of the statements the man leading the meditation would say over and over was “Ah-KNEE-CHAaaaa” or anicca. It was a reminder that whatever we were feeling during our meditation, at that moment, would certainly change. It was true time and time again much like it is in life.

During the past three days of discomfort, discontent, frustration, and unhappiness I was able to remind myself of the impermanence of life. One of the ways I did that was by remembering that this too shall pass.

Driving home from a friend’s house tonight I was listening to a song and the lyrics danced into my ears “I’m still a little more lost than I am found, but I’m comin’ around, but I’m comin’ around.” The waterworks came on and there I was driving my Jeep, blaring a song with therapeutic tears rolling down my cheeks and it felt good.

Affirmation: This too shall pass, Thank You Life!

Call to Action: In life there are so many great windfalls and failings that in their moment seem to have all the control over us. Eventually just as the proverb goes, those things pass. Take some time using this as a reminder that time will do it’s work and our current circumstances although sometimes unbelievably will indeed pass. Make the choice if you have the guts to push them through right now in this moment or make the choice to continue letting them control your circumstances. I am going to let go of some fear, Right Now and affirm the good in my life…care to join me?

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” -Lao Tzu

Let go…Let Go…LET GO!!!

It is so easy to forget how little we are in the river of life; to get wrapped up in how we would like to change and shift the world so that it better suits our perceived wants and needs. When I step back just a little I can see this in my life, in the grand scheme of things I am just a small piece of the whole that makes up my experience.   It is noted in the quote above, that to resist the flow only brings sorrow. Yet moment to moment I am trying to jockey the universe to play by my rules, trying to redirect the flow of the cosmos instead of truly taking the easy road and going with the flow.

As I look back on my experience I can detail many times when I tried to fit the world to my likings and what resulted was great pain and disruption. Conversely, in my life when I just let go of the outcomes and did my best, to be my best, what resulted were better outcomes than I ever could imagine.

Yesterday was a perfect example of this materializing in my life. I had some very broad stroke plans in place to spend time with my brother and enjoy a day outside.  As the day went on more and more opportunities showed up for us to share the time and enjoy each other’s company. If we had planned our day to the minute and not allowed for the universe to surprise us, our day would never have been so full. I choose to trust in the flow of the universe and to fit myself to it. It is much easier to swim with the current, if you don’t believe me, give it a try.

Affirmation:  I am part of the stream of life and today I will go with the flow.

Call to Action:  This is a call to be mindful. The only way to properly do this is to set reminders throughout the day to check your motives and choices. Watch out for times throughout today that you try to shift or control the world around you.  Do your best not to change the cosmos but to see how you can change to better fit in the flow that will carry-on with or without you. I think this may really be the easy way.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” – Alexander Pope

Since mankind has considered making efforts to change life for the better, the concept of forgiveness has been at the top of the list. A few years back, I had the chance to put some physical force behind the weight that we carry when we hold on to too much anger or hate. The instruction was to make a list of all the things that set us off, the things we resented, and the people we held grudges against; then for every one of those we picked up a rock and placed that rock in a back pack. The next step was to carry that bag of hate on a hike up a hill. Needless to say, before we were halfway done we all wanted to empty our bags so we could enjoy the hike. When we finally stopped we were asked to remove the stones one by one and consciously let them go back into the world, so they no longer had the weight to carry us down.

I am so grateful today I do not carry many things in my bag of resentment and as a result I have been able to release some of the biggest stones that were directed at myself. Self-forgiveness has been one of the greatest lessons I have had the chance to be taught. It seems the only way to learn either of these lessons was to practice them on a daily basis, when that is done, it is incredible how quickly my burdens slip away so that I can enjoy what is here and now.

I have found over the last several years of listening to inspirational speakers and reading stories on drastic change, one thing above all that always reminds me of the power of the human spirit, is when I hear incredible stories of forgiveness. I have seen people who have lost their closest loved ones have the courage to forgive those who were most responsible. If they can forgive, maybe I can forgive the world too. 

Affirmation:  I am inspired by my choice to forgive everything and everyone. I am especially excited to forgive myself.

Call to Action:  As you read this today, perhaps a name or image of one or more people, places or things, popped into your consciousness. These people or things no longer serve us, why should we give them power? Take some time to actively release the bonds of your past.  Try writing a letter of forgiveness that you may not need to send. Find some words that you can repeat to build a mental bridge. Ask the universe to take it away. What ever the vehicle, take the action, so the next time you see the word forgive you do not have to lug your whole past up to cloud your present.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“Find me one person who is for something and against nothing…” – Ernest Holmes

The exact date and time of when this quote entered my life is difficult to recall, however; over the last couple of months I have spent considerable time in meditation about this very subject. As I observe the world as a whole and my local community, I frequently notice people standing for something just by opposing the opposite stance. My contemplation of this topic leads me to one idea over and over, unconditional love. If I stand for unconditional love of everything, how can I be against anything?

Unconditional love, love without conditions. Is this just an ideal or a concept that can be practiced and put into action. Today, I choose to believe, that putting the practice of unconditional love into my life, will cultivate more love in all of the relationships in my life. I am not just talking about romantic ones, every single relationship I have in my life is crucial and an opportunity to strengthen and practice an unconditionally loving life.

I am able to pose questions to myself throughout the day. Can I love you? Can I love each and every person? An amazing woman shared this C.S. Lewis quote with me a couple days ago “Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did.” Act as if; I use this little saying many times a week, but do I practice it?

I fall terribly short of this way of life everyday, but I am graced with a teacher that embodies it like no other being I have ever known. Fleetwood, my miniature dachshund, is almost two years old. He is always ecstatic to see me, ready to show me love without condition. No matter how long it has been since I saw him last, no matter if I did a good job at work, no matter if I told him I loved him before I left, no matter anything he is excited to see me.  In him I see a way of living that would surely remove any hate or contention in my own experience, if I could live my life as he lives his. Today, I plan to embody this characteristic of Fleetwood and attempt to love everyone I come in contact with.

Affirmation: There is only one Love and that is the Love the Universe has shown me this very day. I take this Love into every interaction to make it brighter. I take this Love into every relationship to make it stronger. Unconditional Love is what allows me to truly be for something life changing.

Call to Action: Here is a challenge for the ages. During every interaction you have with another being contemplate the idea of unconditional love. As your thoughts allow you to lead with your heart please share what experiences you had or what insights you gained.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst” – William Penn

Earlier this week I went to a social event with a few of my family members and was reminded of a very precious commodity. This item can not be bought and sold like gold or silver, and we have no idea how much we will be allotted in a lifetime. I am referring to time of course.

The event ended a bit earlier than I would have liked, and we all went our separate ways. On one hand I was frustrated because it seems that the time we spend together is less and less but on the other I was granted a chance to look a bit closer at how I choose to use my time.

There have been points in my recent past where I have knowingly chosen to waste time and others where I have prayed for time to stand still in order to continue enjoying an experience. Time can be very tricky but it touches all our lives so I choose to focus on the good when it comes to this fact of life.

I think about the gift of time and how I share it with the world. When I donate to a great cause, the satisfaction is far less compared to showing up in person and donating an hour or two of my life. When I catch up with an old friend over a meal, just for the sake of catching up, it puts a smile on my face. Time spent with family means so much more today than it did last year or even last week. My appreciation for life and who I spend it with continues to grow each day. How are you spending your time in order to get the most fulfillment? If you are not sure, perhaps take a moment right now to reflect.

Affirmation: Today I will give my gift of time to the world in the most positive and fulfilling way that I can.

Call to Action: Think about how you spend your time and which activities give you the most fulfillment.  Can you redirect more time to those areas and separate out some of the time spent doing the things that are superfluous.

_{Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.}