6 Days Before Christmas and...

Six days before Christmas and all through the house...LOL. Fooled you -- no poem.  Maybe next time. But a couple of days ago I published a Vitamin K (Daily Dose of Positive )-- and wished everyone a relaxed, stress-free weekend. One of my friends (you know who you are) wrote me back and said, "Relaxed? Stress-free? It's 7 days before Christmas; are you daft?"  Hmmm.  Well, first I had to look that up (sometimes it's the little words that get you).  Definitions were: senseless, stupid, or foolish, insane; crazy, merry; playful; frolicsome." And my answer is YES! All of the above :-), but NOT stressed!  And perhaps not stressed for the first time in my life, at the this time of the year; but for whatever reason, I'm not.  

Perhaps it's the retired status, or perhaps it's just my awareness that I can only do what I can do.  Then again, perhaps it's because this year I'm not so concerned about other people's expectations and more focused on my piece of mine (<-- that was for my friend Mitch. He likes to catch my mistakes. Make that "peace of mind.")

But, we're smack dab in the middle of THE season of peace, tranquility, love, appreciation, gratitude and good will for all mankind. Somehow, "stress" just seems so out of place.  Perhaps I am just fortunate not to be living a stressful life right now, or perhaps... I've just chosen to be stress free. Don't get me wrong... I KNOW there are people in the world who are deluged in stressful, painful situations right now and they can't be totally stress-free life at present, but for most of us... most of the people I know... the stress is optional... but for the "things" we're focusing on, and the meaning we are voluntarily assigning to those things. LOTS of people are giving gifts this season that are attached to so much stress they can hardly see.  But, I'd like to suggest that... no matter what you BUY this Christmas... that the gifts you GIVE are love.. warmth... appreciation... gratitude... and acceptance.  Those will go further than the material thing(s) you attach to them, and I guarantee you'll feel better about you.

Incidentally, you also need to give yourself the gifts of love, gratitude and acceptance; because despite what most marketers and some of your acquaintances might tell you... you're okay. Even precious diamonds have imperfections. Then again, it is we who define imperfect...  And if you're having some challenges with that... perhaps you might enroll in my Daily Dose of Vitamin K. We cover those points often. It was planned  to be on sale now, but it's not yet... so take advantage of it for now and we'll just call it my Christmas gift to you (and anyone you pass that link onto between now and when I finally get the sale page online.) You can check out a few comments here. And who knows, maybe by the time you get there...there will be a few more.

So that's it, my friends. I wish for you a stress-free holiday season; focused on the things that really matter, as you give the gifts of  love, gratitude and acceptance... regardless of what "physical" gifts you attach to them.

Have a beautiful week.  And incidentally... there's an excellent video on Mitch's blog that it would be good for everyone to see, this time of year especially. So if you didn't click it, go ahead and click on his name / link and watch it. Take a stress-free 16 minutes and check it out.


Love and Light to you ;-)
Kelvin

I'm Thankful For It All

It's been a beautiful year so far, not to be confused with a year where everything went as I'd planned. I've been a party to making some people happy, helping some dreams come true, facilitating some folks and helping them see through and beyond life's fog, and have had others do the same for me.  I've experienced some wonderful highs, and some less than wonderful lows, and there's a good chance I've been part of a low for someone else.

You  might think it ludicrous that I am thankful for the lows as well as the highs, but they both are part of the duality of life, so explains my friend Dr. Wayne Dyer (no, we've not met or talked by I call him friend anyway, because I have learned from him.) Because without a low, there is no high; without a back, there is no front.  Each of my experiences this year -- happy and not so happy -- has contained a lesson which has benefited me, and as we know... it takes struggle and resistance to make muscles strong.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I am pleased to say that my life has experienced predominantly ups... for which I am extremely grateful; but even within the disappointments, I can still point to momentous smiles, so I'm thankful for it all.  Among all the things I'm thankful for, I'd like to list a few of the most significant:

1. I am blessed with excellent health and vitality, often in spite of my apparent efforts to the contrary ;-)
2. I am blessed with the gift of speaking and writing that touches people's souls, and further blessed that many have let me know how I've affected them. That knowledge itself... is a gift beyond measure, for me.
3. I'm blessed with having some of the best and most caring friends a person can have; most of them I've met -- but some of them, I have not.
4.  I have been blessed to love -- and be loved -- on many different levels, and though the highs of that have not always lasted, the memory of them has.
5.  I am  blessed to see blue skies and sunshine, even in a storm, and blessed to hear birds singing, even when there is no sound.
6.  I am blessed to wake up each morning with a smile in my heart, if not on my face (but it catches up soon)  and blessed that something happens nearly everyday that leaves me -- at night -- feeling glad that I was part of that day.

7. I am blessed with a beautiful family, the shining stars of which are three awesome children who are healthy, self-sufficient, self reliant and all contributing to society in a meaningful way... and oh yeah... I'm pretty sure they all love me, too ;-)  Plus, I laugh almost daily with my 82 year old mom, though less frequently with my brother and sisters.

That's just the tip of my list... which goes very deep.  And, occasionally, I break out the long yellow pad and fill it up, just to keep perspective.

So today, my friends, as you celebrate Thanksgiving (and maybe even if you don't), when you give thanks,  however and to whomever you give thanks, please... do it with some degree of intensity. Make your list, so that when you say "thank you" it has some weight and mental energy behind it.  Someone once said that "love makes the world go round, but it's money that greases the wheels."  Personally, I think it's GRATITUDE that greases the wheels.


Have an absolutely incredible day, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life.

Appreciatively yours,
Kelvin

In Your Heart You KNOW I'm Right

It's hard to believe how much time we -- as a people / country / world -- spend, neck deep in the lives of movie stars, celebrities, public figures, and how much MONEY and wasted time we spend reading, watching, commenting on their lives, and making our judgements -- paying homage to the institutionalized GoSSip industry.

If we spent this same time and effort in our own lives, buying and reading things to improve our own lot, enhance our own minds and better our own situations, I dare say we wouldn't have time to care what happened last week with  Brittany or Paris whoever...

Become ENGAGED in creating, managing, and enhancing your own life... then you won't need to feed on the gossip from someone else's.

Enjoy another awesome day...
Kelvin

This is Why I Write!

Every once in a while we get a vision, a glimpse of the effect -- or maybe affect -- that we have on people.  Goodness knows I enjoy writing my Ramblings and the other things I write and I usually get some warm kudos for them, but every once in a while something comes across -- out of the blue, it seems -- that tells me unequivocally that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. In this case it happened a couple of days ago, via someone who accidentally stumbled onto this blog, and left an incredible comment that made me grateful that I could be there for her to find.  

I'm going to share an excerpt from the last of her post, and this is not by way of bragging, but mostly to say that I take seriously what I write, and I take seriously the responsibility of sharing my perspectives with my readers, and when I get a comment like the following, I am incredibly humbled... and that much more careful because I realize my words can have an affect far greater than the concept of just sharing a few thoughts.  And you know we talked about "realizing" in my first Ramblings audio -- which I think we're going to dub "K-Talk". You can listen to that here: http://ramblings.ringold.net/audio/ramblings1.mp3

 

But this comment from an "accidental" visitor... This is why I write!  (and now speak) and I thank you for reading and finding value in my words, and coming back time after time:

"I want to thank you for using your natural gift of empowering and creating positivity to pass on to me. I feel better right now than I have in weeks, and you're right, I can get there. I have subscribed to your Once-a-day-vitamin-K and can't wait!

Thank you Kelvin, for making me see that today isn't an obstacle but another stepping stone to where I want to be. And that this is reachable..."

You can read the whole thing, if you like, here: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=11513333&postID=1327873966514647269

 

Have an awesome day, folks.  And remember...the best way to predict your future, is to create it.

 

Humbly yours..

 

Kelvin

http://www.kelvinringold.com

Daily Dose of Positive Anyone?

Hello, hello, hello...

Are you one of the people who've asked me, "Kelvin... how much would you charge for a Daily Dose of Positive!? or, "Hey, why don't you give us something daily..."  I received three such requests in the past two of weeks!!

Well... Good news!  Because, beginning on October 16th,2010, we're introducing our "Daily Dose of  Positive!" It might not be called that exactly, but it'll be close.

No heavy reading, just short, positive, motivational thoughts, phrases or ideas -- maybe a picture or poem or link to something awesome. But, whatever it is, it will be PUMU -- positive, upbeat, motivational and uplifting (PUMU)!  Monday through Friday of each week... Your Once-a-Day Vitamin "K" :-), to lift, encourage or brighten your day!

TWO cools things:

1.  Everyone who is currently enrolled with me (as of 9/22/2010) through Ramblings (http://www.ramblings.ringold.net/archive)  or through  http://www.IntenselyPositive.com, is considered a Charter Subscriber to Daily Dose of Positive, and will automatically receive them at no charge.  Being a Charter Subscriber will also entitle you to other benefits down the road -- I call them loyalty bonuses -- because YOU are the long time loyal friends who've watched me grow, stumble, fall and BOUNCE! You even suffered through my 3-in-the-morning typos and other g-g-g-oofs, and cheered me on anyhow.  You rock!


2.  I'd really like to have a larger subscriber base, so to help me with that goal, everyone who enrolls with me between now and midnight on October 15th, 2010  via either site, will also receive our Daily Dose of Positive free... forever (***or at least as long as I'm living and producing them).  You'll be PRE_LAUNCH subscribers and your bonus for believing in me early... is a free, lifetime subscription to Daily Dose of Positive -- provided you don't unsubscribe, of course.

So that's it. WE'RE GOING DAILY, and I'm excited !!  Every morning, Monday through Friday, a positive, upbeat, motivating, uplifting thought in your e-mailbox from me...  I bet you're feeling better already !!

So, to confirm, you will receive Daily Dose of Positive FREE... FOREVER*** if:

• If you're already subscribed through our Ramblings newsletter or Intensely Positive pre-launch site as of 9/22/2010... you'll automatically get Daily Dose of Positive.
  
• If you want to get the Ramblings Newsletter and Daily Dose,  and you sign up at http://www.ramblings.ringold.net/archive before midnight October 15th.
  
• If you JUST want Daily Dose of Positive but not regular Ramblings, and you sign up at http://www.IntenselyPositive.com before midnight Octber 15, 2010.

Thank you for your faith and encouragement.  I look forward to serving you.

Have an awesome day!

Kelvin P. Ringold , Sr.
Prince of Positive (Twitter)
Really Nice Guy In Liverpool, NY

Notes from the Universe

I subscribe to "Notes from the Universe" from Tut.Com, owned by Mike Dooley (of The Secret video).  Very good notes, addressed to me by name. I lliked this mornings so I'm sharing it, in large part.  Feel free to substitute your name, for mine, and think about what this is saying.  If you like them, check them out at Tut.Com

"What  if, Kelvin, loneliness was simply a feeling of impatience,  telepathically sent to you by friends you've yet to meet, urging you to  go out more, do more, and get involved, so that life's serendipities  could bring you together... Would you still feel alone?

What if illness was just the signal a healthy body sent to urge  clarification of your thoughts, feelings, and dreams... Would you still,  at times, think of yours as diseased?

What if feelings of uncertainty and confusion were only reminders that  you have options, that there's no hurry, and that everything is as it  should be... Would you still feel disadvantaged?

What if mistakes and failures only ever happened when your life was  about to get better than it's ever been before... Would you still call  them mistakes and failures?

And what if poverty and lack were simply demonstrations of your  manifesting prowess, as "difficult" to acquire as wealth and  abundance... Would they still cause you to feel powerless?"

What if?

Have an awesome day.

Kelvin

 

Did You Hear What You Said?

A few days ago, I overhead a conversation between a young man and someone who would be a fan.  The young man had just completed what he considered to be a substantial project, and wanted to know if his friend wanted to check it out. His friend was very enthusiastic about listening, and she said, "I'd love to; I love your work."

The young man responded with, "Oh, you're very sweet -- delirious, but sweet..." indicating albeit jokingly that his friend's adulation was misplaced, and that his work wasn't worthy of her considerable regard, but he gave it to her anyway.

A little later, I reflected on that conversation and thought it sad, because the man had a product he was obviously proud of, but at the same time felt a need to denigrate it and put himself down, under the guise of a joke. Simultaneously -- if you really look at it -- he also insulted his friend (you're delirious) because if she liked his work she was obviously unaware.

Now, you might think it was just a cute joke and that he didn't really mean it; or perhaps that he was just being humble. But, for me, it was a perfect example of the kind of negative self talk we feed ourselves that reflects some inner fear or insecurity and the joking manner makes it almost unnoticeable. When I coach people, I catch such instances of negative self talk and point it out, and people are generally amazed to realize how they just trashed themselves. I just help develop an awareness of the pattern so they can intercept and break it.

We tend to think of self talk as the inaudible conversations have inside our heads, but often self talk isn't silent at all, and the audible words are even more damaging than the silent ones; and left unchecked, will continue to work against us and help sabotage our efforts. Many times -- in that way -- we are absolutely our own worst enemy... and we don't even notice it.

In this case, the gentleman... was me, and I dare say that even the strongest among us has an occasional slip of the tongue and "innocently" bash ourselves.  However, it's not innocent and with careful attention to our audible and inaudible self talk, we can detect it and break these patterns.

In this case, when I realized what I'd done, I sent an immediate email to my friend apologizing for my inadvertent disrespect, and told her that I did indeed value my work -- and her appreciation appreciate of my work -- and thanked her for taking an interest. She thought the apology was unnecessary, and she wasn't offended -- at least not for long. But I felt much better having noticed and made amends -- to her AND myself -- and in the process made THAT negative habit a bit weaker.


Habits -- the ties that bind.  Listen to your self talk -- all of it. Make an intent to notice what you say to yourself, or about yourself to others, and if you notice yourself saying something negative, reverse immediately, audibly, and break that habit. Yes... it really is important.

Have a awesome day.

Kelvin

The Trouble Tree

Here's a nice little story that was passed to me.  I do not know who the original author is, but I like what it has to say. Enjoy it.
==================================================

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse. After he finished a rough first day on the job, a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches
with both hands.  When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

'Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.' 'Funny thing is,' he smiled,' when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before'.
==================================================

We should all have our own Trouble Tree. Sometimes, just laying our troubles down to tend to themselves for a while, or just putting some distance and breathing room between us and them, they'll seem lighter when we  go pick the up next time. Sometimes our perspective changes, sometimes -- after a good night's sleep -- we just start to realize that mountain wasn't as high as we thought it was.

However you practice it... every now and then... just hang your troubles up and forget them. Pick them back up in the morning.

Have an awesome day.

Kelvin

Decisions are Made by Those Who Show Up!

A powerful statement.  It jumped out at me while I was looking over a friend's Facebook page.  I count it as one of my great "ah hah!" moments. No matter how strong your idea, or argument, or passion, it has virtually no power if you don't show up to present it, speak it, defend or promote it.

But that's a big concept that can also be applied even more powerfully in our micro worlds. But in that case, the question becomes, "are YOU showing up..." to manage your life?

Are you showing up and making decisions, or just accepting the default decisions made for you by circumstances or other people? Does the morning news or the driver who cut you off on your way to work determine how the rest of your day will go? or do you show up and take control of your day and your destiny?  Are you accepting the default decisions levied by your own procrastination? or are you showing up... and deciding to actively manage your activities and your life?

I asked myself these questions... and wasn't so impressed with some of the answers.  It's so easy -- EASY -- to throw our hands up and say "I can't control that; the decision is made for me..." but if you're reading this, you know better.  And maybe that restless, discontented feeling you've been battling lately is because you haven't made the decision ... to make a decision, and you've been waiting for someone else -- some circumstance -- to make it for you and take it out of your hands.

If that sounds like you (like it did for me) then, you know what you have to do, right?  Show up! Make a decision. It does a body good!  Even if it's not the best decision, that's okay. You can always show up later, and make another decision.

Decisions are made by those who show up!  I'm back.  Are you with me?

Have an awesome day.

Kelvin

Who's in Your Front Row?

Disclaimer! This is a repeat, and it's not mine! I didn't write it; but I love it. Unfortunately, I can't give credit to who wrote it, because .. I don't know. BUT... it's good stuff, and it's something we all need to think about, so... enjoy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Life is a Theater...

Invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a Distance. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not going anywhere relationships or friendships.

Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention. Which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?

When you leave certain people do you feel better or do you feel worse? Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know or appreciate you? The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you....the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

Remember that the people we hang with will have an impact on both our lives and our income. And so we must be careful to choose the people we hang out with, as well as the information with which we feed our minds. We should not share our dreams with negative people, nor allow them to feed us with negative thoughts.

Who's in your front row?

Memorial Day - A Personal Perspective

I joined the Air Force in 1971 -- graduated from high school in May, and entered basic training on September 13th. It would be a few years before Vietnam wound down.  They taught us how to run and climb, how to shoot, how wear gas masks. We knew that we were in the military and might have to fight, but the overwhelming feeling was that odds are we wouldn't -- especially in my career field -- so we could concentrate on getting our education, racking up some GI bill and having a life. But we drilled, we served, we prepared, we supported, all through my 20 years.  Less than a year before I retired, the first Gulf War broke out. Certain career fields were held up; retirements / leaves were cancelled. Depending on the career field, some people were even pulled back into service after discharge.  I retired on schedule.

Today when people join the military -- especially the Army and Marine Corps -- I don't believe there's that kind of delusion because these two services are first line of defense. If there's "stuff" going on... when they join,  they pretty much know they're going to see some combat time.  Such is the case with my oldest son, Kelvin.  He joined the Army in January of 2002 -- less than 4 months after 9/11. Since then he's done two tours in Iraq, and is now serving in Afghanistan. I said initially that he didn't know what he was getting himself into, but he's re-enlisted twice so far, and clearly there was no doubt what the score was when he re-enlisted each time, and he still made that choice.  I don't tell him often enough, but I have immense pride and respect for him. I love you, son, and I'm proud of you.

My baby boy, Michael, joined the Navy in May of 2004. For sure, he had a whole different mind set than Kelvin, Jr.  Michael went in the Navy to grow up... and he's done a lot of that. I'm pretty sure that war zones weren't on his mind at the time, especially since his initial assignment was two years on land in Italy. But he re-enlisted, too. And now he's assigned to one of the Navy's most advanced warships -- a guided missile destroyer. He was on the crew that took it from Bath, ME to commissioning and now officially operational and preparing for it's true mission. So in a couple of months, he'll probably be in one of those zones. It's been interesting watching him grow from the pig-headed teenager into the military man he is today. He complains a bit more than Kelvin Jr, but when it's time to get the job done... he's all Navy. I don't tell him often enough, but I have immense pride and respect for him. I love you, son, and I'm proud of you.

We all need to have tremendous pride and respect  for anyone who joins any branch of the military today. There's no draft, so everyone who goes in, goes in on purpose.  And everyone who stays in, stays in on purpose. There are many among us who would not take up the challenge and the risk of being a military member, but we all benefit from the dedication and sacrifice of the ones who do.

When you see a military person, say "thank you" like you mean it -- he or she is a VOLUNTEER.  They don't have to be there; they don't have to stay, but they do. They know what the score is, and they do it anyway. And regardless of what you think of the war, you should have pride, and respect and gratitude... for the military man and woman who was -- and is -- willing to voluntarily fight it.

When you make out your gratitude list tonight... be sure to include them on it.

Have an awesome day.

Kelvin P. Ringold, Sr, MSgt, USAF, Retired
Proud & Grateful Parent of TWO Military Men

It's What's Inside!

Recently, I spent over 13 hours with Dr. Wayne Dyer -- not in person, but it may as well have been. Mother's Day weekend, I drove the 13+ hours round trip to visit my mom in Maryland, and stayed to celebrate my oldest sister's birthday on Monday, and my mom's 82nd birthday on Tuesday. On the drive I listened to Dr. Dyer's The Secrets to Manifesting Your Destiny CD set.

A lot of things caught my attention, but one of the 9 steps he spoke of was developing unconditional love, and after listening to him, I conclude that very few people on the planet are really acquainted with unconditional love -- on either the giving or receiving end. I consider myself to be a very loving person... but I discovered I've got some distance to travel.

He used the metaphor of a simple orange: "When you squeeze an orange, what happens?" You get orange juice.  If you squeeze it hard or soft or with various instruments or devices, does it change?" No; you still get orange juice.  "How about if it's hot or if it's cold when you squeeze it?" No difference... it's always orange juice. "Okay, but I squeeze if versus YOU squeezing it, what then?"  You still get orange juice, because that's what's inside.

So it is, he explained, with unconditional love. Unconditional love exists without condition, or return, and is independent of life's circumstances. If you're the orange and someone squeezes you in a negative way, what comes out of you? If someone we're dealing with is kind to us it's easy to love, but when they're not... does our orange juice turn sour?

When life squeezes us, what comes out? Hate, anger, distrust?  Doubt, fear, uncertainty? Whatever is inside of us at the core -- at least me -- is what comes out when we get squeezed and as nice as I (think I) am, some days I'm much better than others. If we need some role models, Dr. Dyer presented some powerful examples of people who -- when squeezed hardest -- their unconditional love came out: Jesus, Ghandi, Buddha, Mother Teresa... and more.

And insofar as our destiny is concerned... the point he was made was that these negative emotions and feelings -- this orange juice -- sets up a vibration that blocks the abundance and good fortune we seek in our lives, and as the law of attraction goes, we attract what we focus on and have the most energy / emotion for.

What is coming into your life right now? Whatever it is, is being brought to you by your thoughts and your emotions and by what's inside.  If you're happy with that, you're in good shape. If you're not... maybe some introspection is in order.

The quality of my orange juice isn't as consistent as I'd like it to be, so I'll be working on me even more. I'm a work in progress -- so, don't squeeze me too hard just yet.

Have an awesome day.

Kelvin

In this groundbreaking audio program there’s an amazing, ancient 20-minute technique that will enable you to create anything you want in life, whether it’s love, money, improved health, a better job, or anything else you want or need.

Develop an Appreciation

Develop an appreciation for all facets in your life -- even the stuff you now consider as crap / garbage / hassle. It is all there to teach you something.  To the extent you absorb the lessons, your life will be enhanced.  Accept your lessons with gratitude, and you will master your life.

Have an awesome day.

Kelvin

Handbook for 2010

I received this in an email.  I like it, so I'm passing it on. Don't know if I'll make 100%, but I'll be darned close ;-)  Enjoy.

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants . . .

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily.  And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.  Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo.  Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past.  Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past.  That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
37. The best is yet to come . . .
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy.  So, be happy.

A Gift for You for 2010

This morning, I woke up at about 7:30.  Typically, I roll over, look at the clock, take a deep breath, then get up and start doing something -- coffee, turn on the laptop, walk around the house and find my planner so I can plot my day, kick the cat (just kidding; I don't have any animals -- not even a mouse; yay!).... just something besides waste time laying in bed. This morning was different.

This morning, I looked at the clock, took a deep, leisurely breath, turned back over, laid there, quiet, cozy and relaxed. As I did, I noticed the warmth of my bed (I'm probably the last remaining human on the planet with a heated waterbed) while I listened to the quiet of my house. Sometimes "quiet" has character.  I noticed that I was breathing slowly and deeply; and I felt my heart beating, strong but quiet. Then I noticed that I wiggled my toes, and I tuned into that feeling; and felt the blood moving through my system. I felt the texture of the covers on my skin and listened to the soft, rustling sound they made when I moved under them.

I opened my eyes and looked around my room and became aware that I could see things. [Normally we just "see" things, but we really don't take an active appreciation of the process.] The light through my bedroom windows had "life" and substance, and weight, and I contemplated the wonder of eyesight and how that all worked, and considered what magic really happens in my mind and body that allows me to feel the textures of those covers over me.

Minutes later, the quiet, muffled sounds of street activity seeped through the walls and floated into my consciousness as I heard -- actually felt -- the low vibrations of the distant vehicles driving down my street. Still noticing my breathing, and the textures on my skin, and my skin itself, I enjoyed the awareness that I was alive -- smiling with each new revelation. Was this meditation? or just relaxation? or what ?

Altogether, I laid there for about 10 minutes -- maybe fifteen -- then got up, and headed for the kitchen to make coffee. I made an aromatic pot of freshly ground "Vermont Maple Nut Crunch". I realized tonight -- as I was cleaning up my kitchen -- that the pot was still FULL. After all that, I didn't pour a single cup. That's how relaxed I was when I got up. I forgot I wanted coffee!!

I know what you're thinking... but there was no alcohol or foreign substance of any kind :) involved -- I just turned my attention inward and focused on "me" with new awareness.  Marcel Proust said, "The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes but in seeing with new eyes."

We are often taught, in our society, that it is improper to turn our attention to ourselves. We are taught that turning attention to ourselves is SELFISH. I submit that that concept is in error. I submit that we NEED to turn some of our attention -- and sometimes ALL of our attention -- inward, to ourselves, in the manner I've described here, so that we can realize what truly magnificent creatures we are -- YOU are.  Even the most "messed up" of us.  If we spend more time tuning in to the miracle of us, many of our self-image issues will disappear; and this year, I PLAN to spend some time pointing out the miracle of you and helping that happen.  But not now -- this post is already longer than I intended, so we'll have to wait until I write more, to hear more.

In the meantime, here is a gift you can give to yourself for 2010: WAKE UP, Slow Down, and TUNE In... to the miracle you are, and see yourself with new eyes.

That's it for now.  Have an awesome day.

Kelvin