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NBA Coach's Good Deed

I love this video of Moe Cheeks, NBA head coach, helping a scared young girl get through the national anthem after she freezes in the middle of the song. It's such a wonderful act of kindness and humility. He certainly could've remained a bystander but something in him took action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4880PJnO2E

Thoreau Knows

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. - Henry David Thoreau

Ever find a quote that absolutely fits where you're at in this moment??

Centering for Battle

For the Samurai, the application of Zen was used as a calming influence to center himself before battle, therefore allowing the perfection of the mechanics of aggression.
(from "Zen & the Art of Playing Poker" by Larry Philips

Attention to Detail

I find the Navy Seals to be very inspirational. One documentary showed their training and the instructors were absolutely irate when they found a piece of lettuce the size of a pea on the beach left by one of the trainees after lunch. The instructor explained that this piece of food would be enough to give up their position to an enemy. The staff harped on the dire importance of attention to detail in everything the Seals did.

What results could you get if you increased your attention to detail?

Celebrity

The other day, I saw Martha Stewart on Oprah. They had a fan who wanted more than anything to meet Martha. The fan's story was that she lost a teenaged son to cancer after a torturous battle. The woman was brought out on stage and said to Martha, 'You are an inspiration because of the way you got through your difficult times' - to which Martha replied: "My challenge was nothing compared to yours." I thought that was the perfect thing to say! It would've been very easy for Martha just to say - 'Thanks.'

Who is one of your role models? Why?

So Much Beauty

One of my favorite movies is "American Beauty." The film ends with this breath-taking monologue by Kevin Spacey:

I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all, it stretches forever, like an ocean of time....for me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout Camp, watching falling stars...and yellow leaves, from the maple trees that lined our street...Or my grandmother's hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper...and the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand new Firebird. And Janie...and Janie. And... Carolyn. I guess I could be really pissed off about what happened to me...but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst...and then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain. And I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life...(amused) You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry...(cut to black) You will someday.

What is one way you can experience a higher level of awareness on a day-to-day basis?

My kids are the cutest - sorry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTEj92aJFw8

Tapping Into the Richness of Tradition

I recall watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first competition in 1993. Martial arts experts from many disciplines entered the contest. Judo, grappling, striking, boxing, sumo, karate, kick boxing, tae kwon do, and kung fu were all there. The fighter who prevailed though this immense array of accomplished fighters was Royce Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master. He weighed 180 lbs and looked the least dangerous of all the fighters but was able to submit three opponents in relatively easy matches. Gracie is a lifelong practitioner of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, developed by his father Helio. For over 90 years, the Gracie name has stood for one of the most effective defensive martial arts in the world. When Royce entered the octagon, he was escorted by about a dozen family members. The use of leverage against the opponent and removing the opponent's strengths are key concepts to the style of fighting. Royce seems to be intensely proud of his heritage and takes the responsibility of fighting for his discipline very seriously. In fact, I saw one of his recent matches and Royce was very close to getting his arm broken but he simply refused to submit. His father and brother threw in the towel for him knowing Royce would rather have his arm broken than submit.

What is a source of rich history and tradition that you can tap into?

http://www.gracieacademy.com/

Show, don't tell

If you want to reap the full benefits of journal writing, focus on the details. Remember the writing adage: show, don’t tell. Your writing needs to appeal to the five senses: touch, smell, taste, hearing, and vision. Put yourself back into the experience until you are actually re-experiencing the event and then write!

Compare the following versions of the same event:

August 4, 2009 - Deep Sea Fishing Trip (boring “tell” version)

We went deep sea fishing today. It was a lot of fun. The boat was rocky going out to sea but not so bad once we anchored. I caught two keepers and had to throw back the rest. Lunch was good. Grandpa came too.

  

August 4, 2009 - Deep Sea Fishing Trip (exciting “show” version)

We went deep sea fishing out of Gloucester with Grandpa. I picked him up at 3:30am and we drove in the pitch dark to the dock. We boarded the ship and the captain fired up the engine. I could feel the massive diesel engine’s vibrations through my feet and legs. The passengers seemed excited as the ship pulled out of its dock but forty minutes later the waves were five feet high and many people were hanging over the back of the boat getting sick. Once the ship was anchored and the waves calmed, we began fishing. Grandpa caught some decent cod and haddock using his trusty jigs and lures. I caught a monkfish, a jagged-toothed monstrosity that looked as if it was from the prehistoric days. The ship had a galley with soda, chips, and grill. They had the freshest seafood stew you could ever imagine; some of the fish in the stew was caught that morning! It was simmering in a large worn pot. On the ride back to port, Grandpa and I shared a few cold beers and reviewed some of the battles we waged with today’s fish.  

As you probably noticed, the second excerpt contains plenty of juicy details that made the entry come to life. One of the wonderful things about keeping a journal is that you can re-experience important moments in your life whenever you want. You don’t have to write a lot; a few sentences can capture the essence of a day if you include details that elicit emotions. Start writing a daily journal today and be on the lookout for the everyday magic in your life.

“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” 

- Anton Chekhov

Music to Help You Get In the Zone

I'm a confirmed music nut and have specific artists and recordings I listen to that help me get my head on straight.

To think, breathe, or chill out:
kd lang - Ingenue

To expand my focus:
Haydn or Mozart symphonies

To get intense and make the blood pumping:
Metallica - Metallica
Metallica - And Justice For All

To feel connection:
Ani Difranco

To happily do paperwork:
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon, Animals
Vangelis - Blade Runner Soundtrack
Devil's Rejects Soundtrack
Chick Corea Electric Band - Eye of the Beholder

If I want to listen:
Frank Zappa
Wynton Marsalis

To fall asleep:
Enya - Watermark
Edward Scissorhands Soundtrack

To smile:
Neil Young - Prairie Wind

To rock:
Alice in Chains - Dirt
Korn - Issues
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Ozzy - Live at Budokan
any Black Label Society

To allow thoughts to come:
Brahms Requiem

To smile:
Harry & the Potters

To shower & shave:
80's channel on Sirius Satellite (ceiling speakers in bathroom a necessity!)

To do housework:
Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack

What do you listen to in order to change your state?

Start a Daily Journal!

“In a tough economy, one job posting can receive as many as 700 applications,’’ said Freedman. “People vastly underestimate how long a job search can take, especially with other responsibilities. Getting a job is a full-time job. You need to water the plant every day, versus dumping a bucket of water on it once a week.’’
- Elizabeth Freedman, a career and workplace consultant who is also the author of “Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace without Hanging Yourself."

I was drawn to Ms. Freedman's comment about watering the plant everyday, as opposed to, dumping a bucket of water on something you are cultivating. Watering a plant is directed, specific, careful, and done with attention and mindfulness. Dumping a bucket on something is haphazard and quick; devoid of intention. 

Start keeping a journal and you will begin watering that flower regularly. Write at least a few sentences every day. As your go through your day, take mental snapshots of unique moments and thoughts: being aware of a hot shower, a song on the radio that speaks to you, or a funny quote from a child or just something that's humorous in your day. Maybe you picked up a book on Indian cooking and now you're planning to pick up a neat new spice to incorporate into your cooking. Write about it!

Here are some possible questions to get you thinking:
What is something that was ridiculous about today?
What is something I thought about today that I haven't thought of for years?
What annoyed me?
What made me smile?

Breathe Deeply

I meditated the other day and the biggest awareness I had was that my breathing was very shallow. As I focused more on utilizing my diaphragm for deeper breathing, I felt the difference immediately; I felt more energized. Over the past few days, I've made a conscious effort to remind myself to breathe more deeply no matter where I am or what I'm doing. Deep breathing oxygenates all of the cells throughout your body. If you increase your awareness of your breathing without altering it - you'll notice shallow, crappy breathing occurs when you're unhappy or stressed. We breathe 20,000 times per day!

Commit to reminding yourself three random times per day to breathe much more fully during both inhales and exhales.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/alternative/deep-breathing.htm

Forgiveness

"Your ability to forgive is going to determine the course of your life more than anything else." (Not bad for a horror movie)

from the film "Devil" (written by M. Night Shyamalan)

Funny

One of the young kids in my family was having a great time with his Grandfather and said, "Grandpa - you're my favorite old man."

Holly Wanna Crackya

I recently saw "Whip It" - the new movie that Drew Barrymore directed. It's the story of a timid young woman from a small town who sees a roller derby match and decides she wants to make the team. The main character, Bliss, feels more and more drawn to her alter ego - a much bolder and more exciting woman. Her mother is very conservative and demands the same from her daughter. Drew plays the lovable Smashley Simpson. I love the skater's nicknames like Eva Destruction and Babe Ruthless.

Today's Boston Globe had a small write-up about the Women's Flat Track Derby Association.  One of the skaters shared how she loves working a regular job and having all her co-workers cheer her on at the matches.

Holly Wanna Crackya of the Carolina Rollergirls :

What makes you feel STRONG? What is something you wish to be in the privacy of your thoughts? How about starting to make it true?

Creative Spark from an Obituary?

 Challenge yourself to uncover at least one idea in today's newspaper that brings something new and positive to your life.

Here's an example from mathematician Vladimir Arnold's obituary:

“Singularity theory predicts that under certain circumstances slow, smooth changes in a system can lead to an abrupt major change, in the way that the slipping of a few small rocks can set off an avalanche. The theory has applications in physics, chemistry, and biology” - and self-development?

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2010/06/12/vladimir_i_arnold_at_72_russian_mathematician/

I love the idea of placing great value on seemingly tiny bits of progress. 

What are some simple actions you can begin taking that could create substantial change in the quality of your life?

I've Got a Golden Ticket

When I was in the process of brainstorming the launch of my self-development business, an image that stood out to me was the Wonka Bar with its golden ticket in the classic film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." The Wonka Bar symbolized Wonka's fictional business and all the positive things about it. Wonka's business seemed completely congruent from the inside out. His candy was very much in demand all over the world and he didn't seem to have any competition. He was his own industry in a way because his products were so good they had a magical element to them. I was striving for a business that was congruent from the bottom up too. I wanted everything about my new business to contain the organic excitement that grew from its original spark of inspiration: logo, stationary, web site, fonts, workbooks, future employees, videos...all should be connected to the original inspiration.

I printed and framed a picture of a Wonka Bar and hung it in my office for regular doses of inspiration and positive energy. It reminds me that although challenges appear regularly, I can always start from a place of perfect inspiration. When I think of Willy Wonka's factory, I think of boundless creativity, joy, excitement, vibrant colors, and fun!

What is a symbol or image that inspires you and resets your inspiration and creativity?