Thursday, February 28, 2008

Hope in the Mist of Wrong-doing

Recently, local news has broken out about a Detroit City scandal. Some of this news has even reached the national news circuit with ABC World News airing a segment last night.

As I was made aware of this situation, my heart was saddened by the news of the scandal. However, during the unfortunate turn of events that has added to the already ailing Detroit area (e.g. currently also holding one of the highest unemployment rates and foreclosure rates), I heard someone make a comment that shed a light on a sign of hope. Hope for the future of Detroit.The hope I speak of came in the form of a statement by our former Deputy Police Chief, Gary Brown. During a small interview, it was revealed that Mr. Gary Brown was wrongfully fired from his position as Deputy Police Chief. He was investigating allegations of misconduct regarding the Detroit City Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick. As a result of recently released documents, it does in fact appear that Mr. Gary Brown was wrongfully discharged. Prior to this, he held honors in his position including a Purple Heart award.

I began to feel compassion for Mr. Gary Brown and what he had been going through. The manner in which he was fired, the court hearings he participated in, and how he is now in Florida as a result. I expected Mr. Brown to be very angry and spiteful toward the mayor and the city of Detroit. However, what I witnessed was a very confident man who believed in himself and in the city of Detroit, despite the fact of the recent scandalous events. In fact, he told the interviewer that he would like to come back to Detroit and run for Sheriff’s Office.

I found this to be a very inspiring moment as I watched someone who was “wronged” and yet he was still finding “hope” in his future.

Finding a little hope in a situation where someone feels they were either hurt or “wronged” by another can be very empowering. Understandably there may be a time to work through the anger and hurt feelings of being betrayed or disrespected. However, eventually finding some bit of hope, and then focusing most of one’s energy on that hope, can result in optimistic feelings and rewarding results.

Hopeful wishes everyone!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Paradise is in the Eyes of the Beholder

Recently I went on vacation to the tropical island of Jamaica. During this wonderful vacation, I had realized something that I wanted to share with all of you. That is, “paradise is in the eyes of the beholder”.

My vacation began like many other past vacations. I woke up before sunrise, scrambled to finish packing, forgot something I could not remember, and then was dropped off at the airport where I was to catch a wonderful plane that was going to whisk me away to my warm tropical paradise.

During our ride to the resort, we passed by a couple of towns in Jamaica. Just as I was looking at several beaten down shacks, that some natives called home, I heard another passenger mention something to the driver. She said, “Do you know you live in paradise?” The driver then replied, “Yes, that is why I don’t leave here”.

I thought to myself, “Are they looking out the same windows that I am? Aren’t they seeing what I am seeing?” I wasn’t seeing a paradise. All that I could see where very poor conditions; run down shacks and buildings. I began to wonder if the resort we were being taken too was just a type of “mirage in the desert”.

Then, something occurred to me. Who was I to feel sorry for all those natives who lived in those shacks or worked in those run down buildings. In fact, many of the people I saw near and in those shacks appeared to be well dressed and happy. Many had smiles on their faces.

I realized that many of them probably agreed that they do in fact live in paradise. Jamaica is full of so much foliage and beauty. Every shade of green represented in every tree or plant. Many beautiful and exotic birds and animals roamed the wooded hills of the island.

Then I knew, I wasn’t looking at shacks but at homes of others who may very well love their land and enjoy their “homes”.

We all have the ability and choice to see the “paradise” that lies around us in our environment. Whether that is a plethora of trees and wooded areas, a sandy beach partnered with an ocean, a snowy winter wonderland, or a withered and small structure that has been called home to its occupant. Each of us has the ability to truly see and feel the paradise that does exist around us. We just have to choose to see it.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

I Focus, Therefore I Am

First things first, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE! May your inner cupid bring you self-love, and your outer cupid bring you chocolate in a heart-shaped box.

Today, I had a thought occur to me that I wanted to share with everyone. As I was driving this morning in my car, I decided to observe what I was focusing on. What was my goal? Normally my focus (and goal) is on getting to my desitination, in a hurry.

So often, many of us are in a hurry to get where we want to go. We get caught up with the hustle and bustle of life. I realized that whether I am driving, or someone else is driving, most of the time our focus is on how quickly we want to get to where we are going.

As a result of focusing on "getting to a destination in a hurry", I realized that my body physically responds to my focus. Now, I don't know about you, but when I feel as though I am in a hurry, my body tenses up with a sense of urgency. A sense of "hurry hurry up". I physically feel tension in my neck, shoulders, and upper back. Some people may feel tension in different parts of their body, such as in their jaw or stomach. I ask you to pay attention to where you hold your tension the next time you feel a sense of stress or urgency.

This morning, however, as I was listening to more relaxing music, I realized that I had a choice of what my focus would be. Was my focus going to be on "getting to get to my destination in a hurry"? Or, was my focus going to be different. I had decided to focus on something more worthwhile. My new focus was going to be on "arriving to my destination safely and comfortably".

As soon as I realized my new focus, I noticed a sense of calmness overcome my body. Some of the tension began to fade away. So I made a point to focus on my new goal during my driving journey. As a result, I did arrive at my destination much more relaxed, calm, and physically energized.

The tip for today is that what we choose to focus on effects how we emotional feel and physical react. I challenge you to realize what you are focusing on in a particular moment. For example, are you focusing on a more stressful goal (e.g. "hurry" to your destination), or are you focsing on a more positive and peaceful goal (e.g. arriving "safe and comfortably"). If you are able to realize you can choose your goals and focus, the results will astound you.

Best wishes to all!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Be Greedy for What Lies Within

I recently came across a quote that just stopped me in my tracks. The quote reads as follows:

“Why do so many….settle for so little? I don’t understand why they are not greedy for what is inside them.” - Jack Gilbert (Poet)

Have you just stopped in your tracks at that quote? Are you greedy for what is inside you? I ask you to please be greedy!

I know that I am very greedy for what is inside of me and I look forward every day to finding something new about myself that allows me to add to my inner-wealth. If I could be granted a wish, it would be for every single one of you to be greedy for what is inside of you. There is a plethora of fantastic qualities that you can tap into within yourself. I truly believe that. All you have to do is believe that they exist deep inside of you and then dig down deep to locate them and express them.

Sometimes those fantastic qualities are covered up, or even blocked, by self-doubt and past pain. However, if everyone realized that beneath the hurt and pain lies beautiful and loving qualities that they can experience and express, then perhaps long overdue healing could finally be dealt with and let go.

Some effective ways to deal with self-doubt and emotional healing include: journaling, meditation, and positive affirmations.

So today I challenge you to become greedy for what’s inside of you, because what lies within you is your most wealthy asset.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

"Super Tuesday" and Values

This past Tuesday was, what most are calling, “Super Tuesday”. It is the day in which the greatest number of states hold primary elections during a presidential election year.

While I was skimming through my selection of television viewing options, a story caught my eye that peaked my interest. A reporter was sharing the results of some of the primary elections, when a list appeared on the screen. It was a list that showed how people were selecting their favorite presidential candidate’s. One standard that popped out at me was, “Values”. Some people were selecting their favorite candidates based on how well their personal values matched another candidate’s values.

As a result, I then began to think of what my values where, and was I living by them. Values are extremely important to define and live by. Most people will work for and fight for a genuine value. Believe it or not, I have met people who haven’t even defined their values, more or less live by them. I have also met people who have defined their values, but do not necessarily live by them. As a result most of these people have felt lost, hopeless, and worst of all, as sense of inner-disconnection.

Actually, I will admit that I had not really consciously defined what my values were until just a few years ago. Sure I lived by some basic values, such as being considerate toward others and being a law abiding citizen. However, I too felt a “disconnect” within myself. That is, until I defined my values as a person. One day I had sat down and listed beliefs and behaviors that I valued. Some of them included; unconditional love, non-judgmental attitude, and honesty. However, I soon realized that defining my values and actually living by them were two totally different things.

I realized one day that while I valued honesty, there were times I was not being totally honest. I was one of those people who would tell “little white lies.” I didn’t think much about this until someone had pointed out to me that any type of lie is considered being dishonest. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks, I was not living by one of my values. From that day on, I committed to truly living by my values, and no longer act in a way that contradicts them.

As a result I can “honestly” say that I do feel much more joy and a sense of inner-connection within myself. I believe that you too can feel more whole if you define your values and then live by them.

Warm wishes to all!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Happiness Decided Poem

Hello,

I realized that I wanted to share a poem that is near and dear to my heart. I wrote it nearly three years ago, in February 2005. I remember that morning well. I woke up to the sun shining in my room and calmness in the air. As I got out of bed and began my day, I felt as if there was some sort of presence that now occupied my soul. It was as if I really woke up for the first time in my life. I had some how come to realize that morning, along with the new presence, that I was in control of my own life and that I could decide on happiness. I didn't have to just hope that I would feel happy, as if by a stroke of luck. As a result, I wrote a poem that came to me that very morning.

I recite this poem nearly every morning, unless I consciously decide to have a sad day, for example if I am grieving a loss. My hope is that you will use this poem as a daily reminder that you too can decide on happiness.

Happiness Decided

I awoke this morning
Pondering my fate
Magically a decision emerged
On this very date

I will finally free myself
From circumstance and chance
For I have felt as a slave
To life's haphazard dance

No longer a passenger
Will I be
With coincidence my fortune
And commander at sea

I will greet each morning
Eagerly with a smile
And engulf tangible energy
To last all the while

A moment of time
I will then capture
Determining to commit
To a day happily ever after

A day filled with significant hopes
And relished small pleasures
Believing all the while
This world has invaluable treasures

And if I stumble upon
A day that is plagued
With unwelcome episodes
Entrapping me with dread

I will take a moment
And smile with glee
For I know in my heart
Someone watches over me

Someone who helps me
Stay focused and true
To the commitment I made
In the early morning dew

Then as the day
Evolves into the night
I will again smile
At the north star so bright

And be forever thankful
For all that I possess
My family and friends
And pursuit for happiness

Misfortune and hopelessness
Will no longer fill my day
For I now know happiness
Is a decision away


Enjoy and happy wishes to all!!