IT'S ALL NEW!!!

I watched Eat, Pray, Love again last night. The first time I watched it was Nov. 2010 when I felt like life was ending and I couldn't see that 2011 would even happen at all. I was totally stuck--feeling unhappy with myself and my life. I felt like there was more to experience and create but I couldn't do it from the rut in which I was standing. 

I feel like my life parallelled the journey depicted in E,P,L over the course of 2011. Even though I didn’t leave the country in search of culture, zen or gurus, I did leave my family, my business and the only life I've known as an adult in search of a greater knowing about my self. I needed to discover the deepest desires of my heart and answer the question, "what do I want to do with the rest of my life?". I left to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned so far and to write about my life to this point. I desired to know what it was like to be alone and not be lonely. I needed answers to questions about my worthiness to receive abundance, gain confidence that I am good enough just being me and to know that my ideas and passions have merit on the terms I set. I wanted to rid myself of an ego that easily paid heed to the fearful noise of the world and find the still, small voice in my heart that would be my authentic guide to personal fulfillment.

What I learned is that the questions to which I wanted answered only became questions when my former social conditioning taught me something contrary to the intention for which I was created. There was a stark imbalance between my personal beliefs about myself and reality. I'm not sure when those questions were answered specifically over the past 12 months but I have noticed that I have received more than an understanding of who I am--it's more of an increased "knowing". I noticed that when I stopped trying to fill my life with what was missing and instead set my intentions to create the life I've dreamt of, I began sensing a sure confidence and knowing of what I DO want. Now I KNOW that I am absolutely meant to receive abundance, that I have significance in the eyes of my creator (which is all that matters) and my ideas and passions are gifts unique to me and I am to develop them and use them to improve life within my circle of influence.

It's been one year from the time I really started living. Prior to this I was just waiting around hoping my life would create itself and tolerating poor choices I made years ago when I was too young and inexperienced to understand the consequences down the road. The catalyst for living was risk taking. One basic risk, that comes as no surprise but brings peace, harmony and balance to everything is to LOVE unconditionally. Unconditional love weeds out the unimportant. Loving this way wards off offense whether it was intended or not. Loving without expectation that it will be reciprocated is liberating. Caring so deeply causes me to step out of my comfort zone and draw others in. When I behave as though I have nothing to lose by loving so deeply the heightened energy is very noticeable. It's easy to send gratitude to even the toughest of teachers who have helped me get to this point. It's really cool to know that everyone who comes into my life are my teachers one way or another because we are all connected. When I embrace love, I tap into a higher vibrational energy that brings my vision and purpose to life. 

Back in 2010 I couldn't see what I was supposed to do in 2011 but I felt like 2012 was going to be unbelievably great! This is THE year for creating new traditions, taking new risks and creating a new life! 

NO ONE CLIMBS A MOUNTAIN ALONE

My daughter and I made it home safe and sound driving across the country for the holidays. We had some laughs and some serious talks along the way. One of the things that came up is that it has been difficult for her to understand why I haven't been home doing the homemaker thing I did when she was little. She has tried to be supportive but basically told me that she just doesn't get why I had to move away from our home to start a business now. She said it appeared that I was deliberately abandoning our family. That's a tough one for a mother to swallow. Justifying taking steps to follow my passion can be seen from many angles. We took some time to be silent and think about where to take our conversation -- it had to be in a direction that would be constructive to building a stronger relationship. 

I plugged myself in to a coaching call I received last week. It was just what I needed to hear. The messages: 1) I have to continue breathing without letting go  2) I need to be known as a person of persistence and endurance -- persistence is a habit  3) I have to stick to one thing until I get there  4) deciding to be persistent is a defining factor for the passion that drives me  5) it's important to water and fertilize my dreams and nurture the seeds within me and  6) I WILL be known for completing challenging tasks.

For some reason the ROCKY movies popped into my mind. I guess because Rocky seemed to be a man always following his dreams, nurturing the seed within and known for completing challenging tasks. The underlying theme in EVERY movie was that until he had the full support of his wife, his training was that of an average man -- he trained in the realm of mediocrity. Adrian was sensitive and shy and did not understand why he had to be in the spotlight and fight. Her lack of understanding and her sense of duty to love and support him meant showing opposition toward an event that would put him in danger. She was protecting him. She was also taking counsel from her fears. The turning point of the movie, when the music ramped up and the energy of the plot came alive was ALWAYS after Adrian lent her love, support and belief to the ideals that drove Rocky to test his own limits -- she demonstrated selflessness, courage and respect for the passion that beat in his heart to do what he knew all along he was capable of achieving with her support backing him. 

My daughter and I resumed our conversation. I quizzed her on her recollection of the moral in the Rocky movies. She got the point. Tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "I'm sorry Mom. It's not my dream so it doesn't matter if I understand it. I want you to know that I love you and I want to see you succeed. You deserve my support. I'm sorry I was being selfish." A happy ending for sure! I can't follow my heart and have my family condemn me for it. Their love and support means everything to me!

There's one more principle in addition to the concepts that we not only must be persistent and have the loving support of our families to be all we can be but that we need a team of people backing us in case there is ever a time we need to be carried -- even for just a little while. 

Chris Waddell, the most decorated male skier in paralympic history, illustrates this point beautifully. In short, he had a goal to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. He set out on his journey with 8 team members and 61 African porters and guides to accomplish an UNASSISTED 6.5 day climb to the top. Day by day, one revolution of his custom built hand bike at a time moved him closer to the top. There came a point he could not make a full revolution of the pedals to traverse the impossibly rocky terrain. His team had to carry him 100 of the 13,000 feet. He felt defeated. He expressed his disappointment to his teammate, Dave that he could not claim to have made the climb completely unassisted. Dave replied that no one climbs a mountain alone.  Here's his story if you want to read it in detail: http://www.one-revolution.com/theclimb.php.

So it is with us. We don't climb our personal mountains alone. To succeed we need people to believe in us, support us and sometimes carry us. In fact, in 2011 many times my friends, family and colleagues carried me. I needed to ride on their energy, power and persistence. I am grateful to have such incredible, encouraging support until I could get back on the path and continue climbing along side of them. We are in this together!

Live in Harmony With Your Purpose - A Letter To A Dear Friend

Dear Friend, 
You have gifts and talents that deserve full recognition and appreciation. The life you live now is laden with the conditioning you received by your parents and other influential individuals who meant well but who maybe didn't help you fully understand the nature of your own powerful spirit. You can settle for trudging through challenges or you can learn to rise above them and conquer the attitude/social conditioning/false beliefs that hold you hostage. 


You are the master of your destination.  You can decide to change what isn't working for you. A few years back I made a conscious commitment to do a little something each day towards becoming healthier for the sake of living a better life. It doesn't really matter what size you are as much as it matters how you feel about yourself. I wanted to feel better so every hour of every day I made a better choice than the day before. Day after day they added up to transform my goal into a reality. I intentionally DECIDED to better my life and I did. I'm not done. Everyday is another opportunity to be the person I know I can be. Same goes for you.


You have health challenges to be sure but eating clean and exercising in moderation at first will lessen and eventually eliminate a good share of your issues. It's important that you make a decision to be COMMITTED to a healthier lifestyle for yourself rather than just be interested in having what someone else willingly worked for. 'Wishing' won't get you to a place of personal progress. Set small attainable goals. Take action. Accept responsibility for your happiness. Happiness isn't something that happens to lucky people. Happiness is achieved by living a life in harmony with your purpose. Tap into your divine nature which is the creative energy of intention. We possess the power to create positive energy in our lives. The only thing that stops us from having the health we desire, the work we are meant to do or sharing the love we have to give is our thoughts. Don't be your own roadblock. Get out of your way! You have a great work to do. "If you believe it, you can achieve it." 


I'm not trying to tell you it will be easy or will be a short road to the happiness you seek but if you want to experience life more fully and live without regret, it's going to take determination to move yourself forward using the 1% rule. If you make a small change each day, say, drink water instead of pop or go to bed an hour earlier to get more sleep, or choose fresh veggies over frozen dinners, you will become 1% better every day. In a year's time, you will be 365% better than you were the day you DECIDED to start living your life with the same intention under which you were created. 1%, my friend. Start small. Grow daily. See tangible results. You can do this if you decide to do it! No weakling raises a son and daughter under the conditions you have. Your body is just telling you it's time to release it from the burden and effects of relentless medications and mental stresses and return to it's natural state of health. You are strong. Now is your time. You need to be strong for YOU this time.


You have enough knowledge and understanding through your God-given intellect to tap into the area of your life needing your attention to create a happier feeling in your heart. Strive for an understanding of your own purpose. You can do anything you set your mind to. I know you can!


Love, T.

The Premise Behind the 1%

BEHIND the 1%

There's a book that tells the story of the temperature at which water boils. 

Water is just hot at 211 degrees but at 212 degrees, 

water boils and is hot enough to power a locomotive. 

The point is that it only takes 1 degree or 1% to create 
the best version of ourselves we've ever known.
 It takes 1% every day to create the lives we want.
It takes a daily 1% effort to make our dreams become a reality.


But that's not all. 
And that's not as important as the real reason for becoming 1% better. 

The real reason and higher ideal is this:
 If we become 1% better every day, in 30 days 

we'll be 30% better than we were when we started. 

Our children are watching to see how we live our lives.
We are leaders. 
We are impacting lives. 
They are watching us. 

Our friends, co-workers, grandchildren, whoever, need us to live inspired lives.
We are at our best when we live in a pattern of growth.

Each of us has more opportunities to do good and to be good than we ever use. 

People tend to perform at a standard set by their leaders.

And if you have a heart beat, you are a leader. 

Someone is watching the choices you make...

SO.....

Whatever the size of our present circle of influence, 

if we improve our performance even a little bit, 

that circle will be enlarged for a bigger impact; a more POSITIVE impact. 

There are many individuals waiting to be touched and loved 

if we care enough to improve our own performance.

It's not what we say, but what we do.

So here's to getting 1% better every day!

The time is NOW to 
LIVE IN THE WORLD OF 212, BABY!