Mirror Image

Sometimes stories give us a way of realizing what coaching can only skim the surface of being in the Now.

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A Man slowly forces his eyes open and rolls out of bed creaking and groaning more than the mattress itself.

He walks over to the bathroom door he already curses himself realizing he didn't have his wardrobe pressed the night prior. Grumbling he speeds through the shower, soap still dripping from his hair as he throws on whatever clothes deem suitable for the day.

He slams his knee against the doorframe as he rushes through, yelping and almost tempts himself to hit it again in disgust to prove his disgust.

The Man hurriedly buttons up his shirt, ties his tie, and quickly starts brushing his teeth. As he hacksaws the plague and morning-breath build up from the restless sleep he swears gave him no rest, he goes into auto-pilot of motion.

...he suddnely notices his face in the mirror. Not only does he see his face, but the time-infused lines throughout his forehead, eyes, and smile marks. He looks over his figure. He takes in his veins in his forearm tirelessly working at brushing his teeth. He relaxes.

His eyes widen as he looks up on his outfit, how vibrant and stunning the colors are. He feels with his left hand how soft the fabric is, and how cool even the colors feel.

The hushed hues of brown and tan surround him on the walls, inviting feelings of comfort, causing his breath to slow down at a relaxed pace. The space around him is calm, spacious, filled with nothing but also everything all at once.

His view widens more as he looks at himself, the surroundings, colors, sensations around him take on a vibrancy of its own, almost in sync with his focus and non-focus simultaneously.

Sounds of nature outside creep in as crickets, frogs, insects of all kinds give the Morning Chorus, a beautiful fanfare daily given before the sun's arrival. The dawn-kissed clouds outside of the window shimmer on the mirror's edge, distracting the man's relaxed stare to everything inside and around him.

There is Ultimate Peace.

...a glob of toothpaste slowly stretches down and lands on the man's tie, whipping down along his shirt and part of his pants all at the same time.

The man breaks out of the awareness and stares at the scene....and laughs hysterically.

---

We focus so much on how the little details frustrate us that we miss out on the bigger picture.

What do you see in your Mirror Image?

Falling From the Sky

We live in a time where emotions are connected to many things, whether it be a TV program, a politician, a smartphone, or maybe a point of view/opinion.

We involve and intertwine our egos within these things/ideas so much so that when we find ourselves in situations when our emotions run rampant there is a neat trick I like to do; I use it on a daily basis.

I Fall from the Sky... The current situation you are in you remove yourself from the situation and become the one observing yourself. Remove emotions, connections, labels, etc. Picture the situation as it is and imagine yourself just fell from the sky. You have no identifications with people, thoughts, etc - you are simply observing the situation for what it is with no ego attached.

When we get locked into our egos and our processes, we rarely take the time to consider all aspects around us. Because let's face it, when someone isn't fully up to speed on how we operate within our minds we could very well find ourselves perturbed for no apparent reason.

...it's because we are identifying and emotionally charging our egos to be right, in control, all knowing of the situation.

Take a moment and Fall from the Sky today. I even encourage daily Sky Fallings for a healthy perspective on Life.

Ego: the Hold and how to loosen it

Our Egos have a way of surviving within us, creating a sense of identity. Its goal is to never lose. Its opinions, thoughts, beliefs, have a way or sense of a defense mechanism. 

When we have discussions with others that have alternating views on specific topics  (politics, religion, moral values, etc) we may have default feelings of defending our views. Really this is the work of the Ego in action. 

The Ego desperately wants to defend the view, rather the view of the person its in, and dammit will it not let go if its hold if it can help it. Arguments, heated emotions, guilt tripping, fact checking, debating, and other tactics become exchanged between persons  what is right and what is wrong.

We must aquire a sense of awareness that this is occurring because then the Ego loses its hold over us. We ourselves define what is good or bad, right or wrong, in the world around us. Once we define what it is, it becomes our reality.

I was told once when I was training to be a server that "The customer's Perception is our Reality"

I believe the redefinition is really "The customer's Perception is their Reality". In order for mutual peace to be in order we must take an awareness to our interactions with others that we all define our world, creating and defining our realiy. Become aware and lovingly respect the perceptions/realities of everyone; it is what makes our world interesting and beautiful.

See the peace and love through how the Ego/World fuels fear towards us; Awareness is the Key.

Inspiration: How to Be

Sometimes we find ourselves having an all-star day, nothing can stop us, we are unbreakable....

...then we crack at a place inside of ourselves that seems as if can not be patched...

We halter; stop dead in our tracks. One foot in front of the other seems to be impossible, because the shock is so solidifying to us.

...ever felt that way? I think we all have in various forms along our journey. You can take the path in the road that is well-worn, well-traveled, and has numerous travelers on it currently passing by you. It has the sign "Why Me?" at the entrance and also along the path, the signs of "Why Me?" reminding those individuals that they deserved the pain and you should feel guilty about it.

There is another path: not well walked, kind of rough. Looks treacherous. You don't see alot of people on it, and you get slightly scared just looking at the sign that simply says, "This way to learn the Lesson". Along this path the trail gets easy, but has its pitfalls. Nothing is guaranteed. Along the way though, signs keep reminding you to "Be Grateful", "You can Do This", "One step at a time", etc. You keep walking this path, and the learning suddenly comes from within. You don't look for the signs anymore because there aren't any. The signs dissapear and at first you're frightened, but then a sense of calm washes over and you realize you had the will inside, all along, to get through the path. Even though the trail stays rocky, you become aware of where to step because you stop looking for help. You help yourself and start going faster, faster through the trail.

You arrive at the end of this trail, and one sign stands alone:

"Be Here Now"

---

I look for inspiration all the time, on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, etc, and sometimes I do see it. Othertimes though, I just see the depressing images of fear that the world would like us to focus on.

Sometimes poeple ask me how I do it - stay positive all of the time. Thing is, things happen to me that could be labeled as "Bad", or "Crappy", but I choose not to allow those words and labels to become a part of my vocabulary to the situation at hand.

Situations are merely situations - we label and define them as such. They become a part of our reality and it affects how we act throughout our day. We reflect this emotion on others, and to those that can't sense it it attaches to them as well. Become aware of emotions as temporary things and be aware of right NOW - the beauty of it all.

If you desperately need inspiration, embody the emotion of being inspirational and inspire someone. The reflection of gratitude back to you will fuel you back up again. Let the fuel carry you through the dark days in order to fully celebrate the light ones.

Without the Dark we cannot fully appreciate and celebrate the Light.

Settling for the "Fine" in Life

Do you settle for the "Fine" in Life?

You know those individuals at work, you ask them how they are doing and they simply say, "I'm good. You?" you reply, "Good."

Are we really good? Do we take the time to really listen to someone's day is going?

It seems as if we don't have the time anymore to get to know one another. Our ways of using technology to "catch up" with people are taking away the real, true interaction of meeting someone for coffee and catching up in life.

I actually got the response once when I told someone I'm meeting up with someone to catch up that was "Really? Is that worth it?" It shocked me to realize that some people out there really think it is not a good use of time to catch up, face to face, with friends/loved ones.

We must make the time in order to interact personally with others. If we rely on the perscription of technology to have us "see" others all of the time we will become personality-blind.

Make time today to schedule in some face-to-face time with someone you truly care about. Catch up on the small talk, big talk, no talk. Enjoy a cup of coffee/tea with those that have positively impacted your life, go out for lunch, have no agenda and schedule it out so you can spend 2+ hours with this loved one. You will feel rejuvinated and full of love and vitality; make it your new drug to meet people and connect/re-connect with those that you care for.

Choose to put the smart-phone glasses away and see anew, face to face with those you love. Make the time. Don't just try - when will be the next time you will get to see them again?

...we never know for sure, do we?

What's the Rush?

It seems as if our society is in a adrenaline-rushed outlook, trying to cram as many things as possible to get done in a 24-hour day.

I do understand the topic of efficiency of time, but there comes a point that we must ask ourselves "What's the Rush?"

Do we really need the newest, fastest, most app-filled piece of technology? There will be a newer one in aobut 1-2 years, so the addiction toils on.

Here's some questions I ask of myself to bring myself back into awareness of NOW-ness:

--When was the last time you took the time to respect the simplicity and beauty of what is around you?

--Who is someone you recently helped or were helped by? Have you given them a humble and heartfelt thank you?

--When was the last time you stopped what you were doing altogether and taken a walk amongst nature? Smelled the scent of a part/forest/field?

--Take the next moment you have and do something great and helpful for someone else. Ask them how their day is and listen. Don't just settle for the "fine".

---

In our world we are fed from those that think that if we stuff as much stuff that we can accomplish in our 24-hour day we can make the most efficient quanitity-use of our time.

....then where does the quality-use of our time come from?

We are missing out on the real picture, the NOW-picture. Take this moment and realize "What's the Rush?"

...we create The Rush ourselves.

Enjoy now and make the most quality-use of your time, right now. It's the only chunk of time you have true awareness of and co-creation of. Use it wisely and lovingly.

Carrying the Load: When to Let Go

There is a story that I love to read/tell about two monks walking down the road:

(I tell the story differently but here is the story I found through Google searching):

A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross. The young woman asked if they could help her.

The senior monk carried this woman on his shoulder, forded the river and let her down on the other bank. The junior monk was very upset, but said nothing.

They both were walking and senior monk noticed that his junior was suddenly silent and enquired “Is something the matter, you seem very upset?”

The junior monk replied, “As monks, we are not permitted a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?”

The senior monk replied, “I left the woman a long time ago at the bank, however, you seem to be carrying her still.”

---

I love that this story perfectly embodies our thoughts after humble and compassionate action. We don't need to overthink kind and loving actions, and we have the choice to let go of the reasons why.

I do believe everything happens for a reason, and I humbly let it go as to the reasons why things happen (whether they be in loving or evil outcomes).

Little control do we have over most things that happen in the world; we should not stop in trying to be a loving force, but when things happen to us that we don't understand sometimes the more we push against and try to make meaning out of everything we get really caught up in our ego and get stressed out.

What resist persists; let the load of stress go - you'll feel better for it and have more present loving energy to give to the world.

When I lay me down to sleep...

I know of some people that really have tough times falling asleep, and every once in a while I do too.

When I find myself reminded of the things I need to do the next day, the reminders I have to not forget, and all of the other "check marks" I need to make on my grocery list of to-dos I easily find myself super busy on the brain, unable to feel tired before bed.

Ask yourself, "what is it I need to accomplish tomorrow?"...and write it all down on a piece of paper. Yeah, a digital to-do app could do, but there is something about writing it down on a piece of paper with pen/pencil that makes it really concrete and out of your system. Once you have your things written down, you relax your brain so you don't have to worry about "holding on" to that information.

Also, what time are you getting yourself to bed? We all need from 6-8 hours as an average, but if you need to add some more fuel, get to bed earlier.

We as a society are brain-washed into thinking that we need to accomplish more in our time that is given in that 24-hour chunk. How about enjoying the hours you have, making the best quality rather than quantity of hours to productively make something of worth and value?

I understand we all have those things in our daily to-dos we don't want to do or that we don't look forward to, but if you enjoy the present moment within all you do you can actually find peace in everything you have to accomplish, whether you love doing it or you have to do it.

~De-stress your mind and your body by putting down your thoughts in a journal. They will be there when you wake.

~Plan out your workouts/meals/etc ahead of time so when you have to encounter it you don't have to think and just grab and go

~Go through a relaxation exercise when you are laying down. With every breath relax a new part of the body, beginning from the very bottom of your feet. Incrementally work your way up. Toes, feet, ankle, calves, etc. Go all of the way until the top of your head (I usually don't get to that point because I'm asleep by then!)

Enjoy your day, make every moment of it, and let it go at the end of it when resting ~ your body will thank you for it with great sleep and a renewed vigor the next day.

Co-Creation in Life

I hear from people time to time how frustrated they are that they aren't getting the promotion they want, the life they want, etc.

Little do they know they themselves are getting in their own way, but they don't accept or choose to realize this.

What we say/think/do on a moment-to-moment basis literally defines our parameters in which our world exists. If you think that it's going to be a bad day, well, you've successfully said to the world around you, "Hey! Listen up! I want all of the terrible things to happen to me today - bring it all!"

Choose positive, affirming, motivational things everyday and great things will occur.

...Now I'm not saying all you do is think happy thoughts and great things will automatically plop in your lap, you have to get up and get going with the things you really want.

Our Creator does have the master plan, and sadly we can only have a slight say in what we do, but that doesn't me we just curl up in a ball and not do anything; begin co-creating what you want in life and go after it. If it resonates with you in a way you are doing great things for yourself and your world and all is well, I think the master plan is being followed (if not slightly you get a slight glimpse at the master plan of your life)

Steady action within your positive fuel: you will achieve great things.

When you should Grow Up

When people accept and enter into my coaching practice, they must agree to the following:

--I cannot stop physically growing up, but I have control in keeping mentally young--

We seem as humans to have this feeling of "Well, it's time to grow up". I wonder why. Isn't there a way of keeping your childhood mentality with adult-like responsibility?

The only factor in determining if that is possible is if you decide it to be true. Once you believe it to be, it is.

So sure, grow up...but it's your level of how much you are going to physically and more so importantly mentally grow up as well.

Stay young in your ever-evolving physical self - keep the world filled with love rather than fear.

The "Oooh Shiny" Factors

A good friend of mine is very "oooh shiny" she likes to call it, so I tip my metaphorical hat in respect for her in the title :).

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There are so many things in this world today that try to detract your attention from what you want to get done. Whether it's a simple task of doing the dishes/laundry or more complex like figuring out a budget, planning events, house construction, etc.

Where the distraction comes from is everywhere; TV, Internet Radio Ads, Phone interruption and most importantly our own dialogue in our heads. Dramaa runs rampant in the ego's focus, and when our ego wins our attention it's always going to be drama/unhealhily self-centered in nature. We tell ourselves it's too hard, more planning must be done, certifications must be attained in order to be a master at it, why try, blah, blah, blah...

We must stay vigilant in the present moment, for the present moment is the one thing that keeps the ego in check. The ego can't deal with the present moment because it lives in the depression of the past and the anxiety of the future.

Planning is essential to many things, but we get lost and absorbed in it. We let past events (good or bad) affect now-based decisions, and thinking of the multiple outcomes gives us migraines/anxiety.

Let the ego go through a breath in the NOW. Enjoy the area around you and realize that right now, this very moment, is all you'll ever have. Instead of fear ruling the realization, invite love into focus and you'll see your current situation anew; brighter and with more clarity than you've ever thought about.

Life never waits for you - it is all going right NOW.

Forced Learning: Two Approaches

Forced Learning has a dynamic way of brining out in people how they learn.

Usually when new learning comes into our journey (whether chosen or forced) our reactions to the new learning can either be in Pushing or Acceptance.

Pushing has a way of keeping us within our ego, phrases such as "I've already learned enough, why do something new?", "...and how is this going to help me? I don't need to add more onto my plate".

I understand keeping your plate at a manageable level.

Accepting has a way of keeping us in the present moment, focuse on right NOW, and how we can better ourselves within each moment thereafer. The new learning might be a way of taking off the "old" on your place and replacing it with the "new".

Pushing or Accepting: Two paths to take with new learning (aka change) is happening. The thing is change will always occur; we can't really stop it from happening. The thing we are in control of is our reaction to the constant change. Will you Push or Accept?

...sweet thing is that the choice is up to you.

Inner Voice Argument

Recently I got back from a vacation from Estes Park & Fort Collins Colorado.

I kept telling close friends beforehand that I had a feeling something big was going to happen, and to ensure this I meditated every day and night, kept my physical and spiritual eyes open, looking for lessons and whispers of how I am supposed to continue on my journey.

...here is one of the lessons I learned.

---

To preface this story, I must say part of my coaching work I help people become aware of Body Hints and how to read them. Our bodies speak to us in various degrees of health and if we are aware at what our body is letting us know (not agreeing with certain foods, body pain and what it is symbolizing, etc)

---

The first day in Estes Park we enjoyed the pool/hot tub that was there - it was a blast! I obviously am the type to jump on in without pause (compared to the toe-in-water-to-test-temperature-type). When underwater I swam around a bit and when I came back up I was met with extreme swimmer's ear. It was annoying, as it usuallly is, and thought nothing of it at the time. I've had swimmer's ear before and it's typically goes away after a while.

Well, it didn't. It kept blocking my hearing throughout Estes Park, and into Fort Collins. I was ticked.

I kept wondering why my ears didn't pop already: I used Q-tips, my finger (which I know is not the best method), and vigorously shaking my head.

A few days left in Fort Collins I decided to focus my meditation on my ears and why they still weren't opening me so I could hear better. I began asking questions to myself such as: "What is it I'm not listening to?" "Do I not listen enough to myself?" "Is my inner voice needing me to block out outer sounds in order for me to hear what it's saying?"

...suddenly I had a huge realization, and thanked my body for letting it manifest in the form of swimmer's ear. The lesson I learned was to really listen in to the inner voice and what it was saying. (Yes, I know I'm not saying it outloud, but I did get the lesson I needed for myself - please feel free to message me and I can further clarify what was heard)

Once I gave thanks to the lesson I received and began to follow my inner voice more clearly my left ear began opening up, later that night through a different method of cleaning out the ear did the right ear open as well. The following morning both ears became clear and I haven't had an issue with it since.

---

Our bodies are amazing things. They can regulate temperature, fight off sicknesses, and heal. Our senses, organs, nerves and processes are things only that can be explained by the Divine Love (whether you call it God, Buddha, etc is your definition). Our bodies have a way of letting us know if something is going on within Metaphysically. Our biographical actions can determine/manifest biological outcomes. We must be vigilant and peacefully aware that these symptoms are really our bodies telling us what we need to do in order to achieve balance again. Most imbalances occur from some expression of non-love toward ourselves.

Tune in - listen up. Only through loving thouhts, actions and words can true healing occur in all of us.

Eyes on the Trail

Amy and I got back recently from our 5 year anniversary trip from Estes Park/Fort Collins, Colorado and it was a blast!

I kept telling close friends that I had a feeling something big was going to happen, and to ensure this I meditated every day and night, kept my physical and spiritual eyes open, looking for lessons and whispers of how I am supposed to continue on my journey.

I'm glad to say I got quite a few messages back :)

---

We hiked one day starting out at 5AM...yup. That early. I was extremely tired getting going even though at heart I'm an early bird. We got to the beginning of the Emerald Lake hike around 5:30/5:45 and it was still quite sun-less at the time. Thoroughout the hike I kept my eyes to the trail to make sure I was stepping in the right direction, but I really wanted to stop and look around at the majestic mountains around. I felt pushed by the trail pack to keep going, don't stop, keep walking, etc.

It was great along this hike because this early everyone is still quite tired and within their own thoughts - I sure was.

I thought to myself, "Why am I not stopping and seeing the beauty around me? Who is really making myself push forward and keep with the pack?" ...me.

I began veering away from the pack and making stops along the way, taking pictures with my phone but also with my eyes. Eye-pictures are the best. If you don't know what I mean watch The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; you'll know what I mean after watching that flick.

In the moments we took to stop and look the initial reaction out of most of us was silence--it was great. To take in that much natural beauty I stop in revered silence and respect out of how gorgeous it was.

---

We in life need to keep on the path, on the journey of what we are deciding to do. Taking the right steps, making the right connections, moving the right way for us, eating the right way, speaking lovingly to ourselves and others, etc.

...but if we don't take the time to stop and look at the progress we've done, how beautiful life is around us, we miss the big picture. We miss what is really important and right in front of us because we are so focused on the "path" we need to follow, the "trail" we need to keep on.

So stop and look around; you'll be amazed if you really take the time and breathe in the beauty around you.

Pure Actions vs. Egoic Reactions

I used to be an individual that really stressed and worried about my beliefs. I would take into consideration how people would react, what would they say, talk about afterwards, etc. It was an endless maddening rollercoaster ride I hated to go on but always seemed to get back in line for.

I refer to the Ego in many situations when it comes to emotion, hightened stress, etc. When we are lost in emotion (good or bad), our Ego likes to take control and make us do things we normally wounldn't do. Think of the last time you lost your cool on someone and "ripped them a new one". After the fact, when calmed down, you might have thought/said things like, "Wow, I don't know what came over me", or "That wasn't me! I'm so sorry!", etc.

Our Ego is our emotional self that always wants to be right. It's all about me, it's about my gain, my success, etc. It doesn't want to face the fact that it will not be right all the time and that drives the Ego bonkers.

When worried about beliefs and we go into these oratorios of how we will say and do the right thing, thinking about how people will react and if they react incorrectly (by our standards) how we will counter, etc, etc, etc,....

Ugh - it makes me tired just thinking about it!

Take a moment, relax. Take a breath.

If you have beliefs and they feel true and loving to you and others, keep them. They make you feel innately and spiritually good, so keep them for yourself so you can make sense of this world and how you move through it. We tkae it upon ourselves to prepare our responses to "So, what do you do?" so we can have a list of labels, beliefs, etc to move the conversation along.

Now, I could care less if people disagree with me and my beliefs about myself and the world. I actually enjoy debating and discussing issues on uncommon ground; I learn something new. A new perspective, look, angle, way to view what I commonly look at.

Take it upon yourself today to let go of labels, let go of how others will react to you and what you believe is true to you, and enjoy today. Enjoy this very moment; take a breath and breathe in the life that has been given to you to enjoy.

....or endlessly worry about things that will never come to pass, stresses that sap your energy, get bogged down by that one person who always "rubs you the wrong way", etc.

Funny thing is that either option is your choice :) Choose well.

~Brandon~

Lesson of the Coin

In order for coaching and consulting to really take effect, both sides of the coin need to happen.

On one side, the teacher/coach/provider must be all in; the present moment. Full of love and life, the leader must be there for the participant and see them as a willing individual to learn and grow.

...the other side of the coin must come to the lesson prepared and present to learn, to grow, to listen, and above all love themselves fully in order to move through the fear that is telling them they can't do this.

Without both sides being complete, the teacher cannot give and the participant cannot learn/grow. The coin/lesson will have no value.

What side of the coin are you? Is is time to give or time to listen, learn, and lovingly grow?

~Brandon~

Moment-by-Moment Appreciation

Do we really take the time to appreciate the here and now?

I feel that sometimes we get wrapped up into what we assume is truly "important" in this world; the materialistic things, the things that will eventually fade away, decay, fall apart, go away, etc.

Keeping aware of the present moment, right now, as it is, is truly important to me. It's the only thing I believe we can really take advantage of/have co-control of.

We can't fully be in control of our path, but knowing that we can be aware and live in a co-creation kind of world where our passions can become our professions is an exciting time.

The only enemy is Fear...truly ourselves stopping us to move forward towards what we really want during our life.

~Brandon~

Time to go Streaking

Yup, thought I would get your attention with that title...

I always thought I would be a therapist or psychiatrist, being very interested in the goings on in the mind. I'm very blessed to have chosen the path I'm on now because it has given me a sense of clarity and focus I can only dream about defining fully to others.

I attended a meeting at Omaha Metaphysical Network (OMN) led by Psychic Andy Meyers, and the topics of current events were being discussed. The inidividuals around me were talking about the news, what was going on, and the discussion took the feeling of angst and uncertainty within world topics/news/etc. Along the conversational-way a sudden switch occurred. Suddenly an odd topic bubbled up talking about streakers during sports/public events. Our discussion went from topics of unrest to talk of people streaking during events, fun/crazy days we spent having fun, etc. I was very attentive during the discussion but when the "streaking" topic jumped in it made me think about society today and how we are such "in need" of high and fast amounts of stimulation. ~~I really enjoyed the OMN (Omaha Metaphysical Network) meeting and have been to classes/readings of my own; I highly suggest if you want to mee with very approachable individuals in a comfortable setting contact the people at the Center for Intuitive Advancement (http://intuitiveomaha.com) and inquire; feel free to use my name in how you found out about the opportunity~~

Our world used to be (in 2000) a 12 second attention span kind of world. In only 15 years we are now at 8.25 seconds (http://www.statisticbrain.com/attention-span-statistics/). It has always interested me in how and why we are becoming so flighty in our focus (even though I do know why).

With the negativity running rampant on the news, doomsday is just around the corner, dreams can't ever become true nowadays, we need to do some streaking within our lives. Break up the pattern of normalcy and complacency within your journey in order to make a fresh path. Shake it up, change it up, do something different, meet new people, try new things, go different routes, etc.

We make each decision, every moment, in love or fear. We seem to be comfortable with the norm, not wanting to venture out in the unknown: it scares us. The circle we create is safe, but only in a sense surviving. In order for growth, for change, we must go out into the scary unknown with love as our guide. Take a new step towards your goals, make new ways of looking and understanding your world, and spiritually push the envelope (or heck, lick it too, it's fun).

Take today, or this very moment, to try something new. Change it up. Go Spiritually Streak in a new conversation/adventure. Why not change it up? You will never know how things can be better unless you try.

~Brandon~

Your "title" in Life...does it matter?

I love when people have that puppy-dog head tilt when I give my "title" of what I love to do.

It makes me think in that brief moment about how people introduce themselves or others to new people, and the initial response (or shortly thereafter) the line of questions begin: "So, Bob, what do you do for a living?" "Bob, tell me what you do" "Bob, tell me about yourself"

The question immediately goes to a title or role, because I believe we as humans need that identification with form. Teacher, Nurse, Social Worker, Police Officer, Therapist, Coach, these "roles in form" what I like to call gives people understanding of labeling others to remember them by. It's a natural reaction; I ask it of poeple all the time.

We need to stop doing that to ourselves and others.

Instead of asking a new person "So, what do you do?" twist the conversational ice-breaker in a new light: "Bob, what do you like to do for fun?", "What are your interests?" "What do you think of (insert current topic)".

Why not change it up with a new person and really get to know them, rather than playing it "safe" with a role that we really don't have a clear definition for?

So, ask me what I do...my answer will be this: "I help others realize that Fear is a self-created/fueled illusion."

...yeah, I could simply say Holistic Mind/Body/Voice Coach, but if you answer with the positive action you instill in others, that response will reap greater conversational benefit than simply a "title".

Don't give the title that you think you do; respond with the positive action and influence you truly give the world. It's a gift only you can give and it's so important.

~Brandon~

When is it time to begin?

When is the time to begin? We all say, "Well, I'm trying to..." "When I have time to..." "Let's plan that..."

Recently I had a small awakening within, because I myself like to plan. I like to plan events, plan workouts, plan things but never really get around to it.

Do you ever plan for something and it rarely goes according "to plan"? Do you get frustrated because of what you set up really didn't go the way you wanted?

We have to let to of the notion that we are in complete control - we can fight it, sure, but that only leads to stress and pent up energy spent in the wrong time. We can't bring back the past, nor can we truly plan according to what we call our "future". The only time we can have the full attention to appreciate is right NOW.

So, according to my "plans", I must let go of complete control, live by the Divine Love gifted to me, and instead of going and creating a plan, how about just go and create?

...sounds more fun when you ponder it, huh? :)