How many people are you willing to help to get what YOU want?

I was at dinner the other night with a friend who is struggling in having her dreams realized. In her words… at her bottom.

Our food had arrived and I took notice of the beauty in which the chef articulated his vision. The scent  aroused my senses and I realized the distance my ‘little fishy’ traveled to get to its destination.

I asked my friend, how many people do you think were served in this process? Keeping it light and game like… little fishy was just hanging out , doing his usual day and then Mr. Fisherman snatched him up and the process began. We ran through a plethora of steps and discovered how many folks it took to have this beautiful dish in front of me. Some just a job, others their dream… and don’t forget to include the spices, oils, ovens, trucks , etc., and 100s who made this meal realized. It was amazing and FUN!

When defining a goal or a dream, have you considered who you need to include and how it makes the “world go round”?

Is your strategy all inclusive?

Bon Appetite

Ritual

I was invited last evening by my girlfriend to attend KIRTAN WITH PREMA HARA AT UNITY SANTA FE. Although the cynical Woody Allen wanted to emerge, I gave myself the permission to fully engage in the experience. Having an interest in the sustainability of centuries of ritual, I took notice of what keeps traditions alive.

First, a belief in something AND ultimately an agreement with others. The group that attended had a vested interest in connecting with a power greater than themselves. The vehicle would be singing, the playing of instruments, and chants written centuries ago.

For me, I did not understand the language nor did it matter. Sit, stills means sit to a dog in Japanese. What mattered is that I could remain free of judgement, intellect, and open to an experience. It has been my experience that chants (mantras), and trance could transport you from the daily experience of life to an elevated realm. Does believing really matter? Maybe not… but a willingness to vibrate and change energy collectively does simply make us feel different. Isn’t that what we are looking for?

Are we under the influence of God?

What was important to me was to allow the possibility.

p.s. they did have tee shirts and cd’s for sale… back in the day, did they have flat bread and sandals for purchase?    :)

Are we really who we think we are?

I’m often amazed how we take ownership of our thoughts and words and that what we say and choose is truly ours. When I used to live in New York, I would take my usual stop at my local Korean store for some groceries and walk out singing some weird tune by John Denver. How did that get into my repertoire? Well, how does anything get there?

Our taste in music, art, fashion is all a product of our culture and environment and to think that we have an original idea or thought is a bit naive.

I was watching “Mad Men” the other evening and caught the phrase “see you later, alligator” and my response was “after a while, crocodile”. So much can enter our minds uninvited and often prove to be a detriment to our ability to find ourselves and be truly authentic.

Our parents have had a powerful influence on who we have become. Its 24 / 7 of constant input. We often mirror the good, bad and ugly of our childhoods. So how do we manage the material?

Although we have our own thumbprints, we get to understand and choose behaviors that serve us and others. We get to release the negative and produce the positive if we become conscious and willing.

Are you ready to let go, heal and be the loving being that you are meant to be?

Drifting Into The Abyss

As I was exiting from Sam’s Club the other day, I noticed an older women. She had died her hair and was in her early seventies. As I rolled my cart of sparkling Italian water to my car and proceeded to open the trunk, she once again caught my attention. It was clear that she was lost, so I ran over to help her find her car… not an easy task for anyone.

“So what kind of car do you have”? Color?

I observed her drifting backwards into a lifetime of memory to retrieve a simple answer… or was it? Her outside awareness left and she was in the abyss of her universe. “My husband, where is my husband? He has the car.” She was beginning to panic. I reassured her that there was ‘no way’ that we would not find her car. She took my arm and I grabbed her shopping cart and we rolled onward. In the distance, her husband was waving his arms to attract our gaze.

GLORY BE, we found our ship.

As we walked on , a sort of celebration began as I loaded their SUV. When the trunk snapped closed… a pause.

The women and I locked eyes and she began to cry and thank me profusely. POW, my heart sunk and the flood gates opened. We embraced and we were kissing each other on the face.

She said, “I had a stroke.”

We had a hugh group hug and off they went.

So why did I notice this while others sped by? Our trio was in another time and space zone. All external sounds stopped. The world disappeared with only the three of us standing.

Is life so linear and horizontal… with the graph going up and down… good times, bad times?

In her eyes, I saw my life cycle and felt at peace with the return to forever.

My thoughts… I’m falling in love with an extraordinary women and my heart is open to giving and receiving the ultimate expression.

Moving Through Life… with a jazz feel

In the beginning…

Finally I can take my own poop

Everyone loves that I’m so sweet

Everyone hates that I learned NO

Sex is power

Hotter sex is even more power

Have to choose a direction

Love / Hate my job

The marriage ceremony

I need something that looks like me… how about kids?

I need to control my legacy through my kids

Kids have gone, now what?

Where are my feet? Oh they’re under my big stomach

Prescription drugs… what side effects?

What does this all mean?

Is this it?

Is Something Better than Nothing?

I wonder…

There is a good argument for both. On one hand, its a start, a beginning, an entry onto the path. It may stimulate a passion or desire… it may grow if watered.

On the other, it may defuse a commitment by creating the illusion that you are “doing something about IT”. Does your strategy for ANY need actually meet that need or are you in a state of denial? I’m working, so that means I’m making enough money… I’m exercising, so that implies that I’m losing weight and getting stronger , etc.

Do you have the evidence that suggests that it IS working?

I’m observing that many people are doing a little something and getting a little nothing.

My suggestion is to examine how you are playing your game and re-calibrate to WIN every time… for sure.