The simple things in life.....

A great way to illicit and change in your mood for the positive is to get a hair cut. A simple thing like having a trim can make cause a dramatic shift in your feelings. Not only will you look better (hopefully), which will raise your self-esteem, but also you will feel better because you have devoted some time and effort to 'yourself'. There's nothing wrong with a bit of pampering once in a while.

Of course there is a hidden meaning in all this; make a conscious effort to sort out what needs to be sorted and the results can only be for the good. Start with the simple things in life and then move on to the less simple. Lots of small little changes for the better soon add up to greater peace and well being.

Help please!

I need some help. If there is anyone out there who can design a great 'cougarsamurai' logo that I can use, that would be awesome. I have tried but my computer/art skills are poor. Lol
I was thinking of a meditating samurai seated cross legged next to a cougar - maybe. Any help would really be appreciated. :)

Moments

A little something to ponder:
If I could live again my life,
In the next one – I’d try to make more mistakes,
I wouldn’t try to be so perfect, I’d be more relaxed,
I’d be sillier than I’ve been,
In fact, I’d take things much less seriously.
I’d be less hygenic.
I’d run more risks,
take more trips,
watch more sunsets.
I’d climb more mountains, swim more rivers,
I’d go to many more places where I’ve never been,
I’d eat more ice cream and fewer peas,
I’d have more real problems and fewer imaginary ones.

I was one of those people who lived
prudently and fully every minute of his life;
of course I had moments of joy.
But if I could go back I’d try
to have only good moments.

Because if you don’t know, thats what life is made of,
only moments; don’t lose the now.

I was the type who never went anywhere
without a thermometer,
a hot-water bottle,
an umbrella and a parachute,
If I could live again, I’d travel lighter.

If I could live again, I’d go barefoot
from the beginning of spring
and stay barefoot until the end of autumn.

I’d ride in more carts,
I’d watch more sunrises,
and play with more children,
If I had another life ahead of me.

But now I am 85…
and I know that I am dying.

(Jorge Luis Borges)

Inspirational.

Why not make your own website?

For years I thought how cool it would be to have my own website. I was always confused and unsure as to where to start. You may be feeling this way too. I found a great tool to make the job of putting yourself 'out-there' in:    SITE BUILD IT

The great thing with this product is that your online experience can also generate an income. Why not follow the link and have a look around? I have found developing my own website extremely enjoyable and satisfying, you might too.

Self trust.

I remember when I first started teaching how anxious I was until I realised that I was not alone. If I had a situation that I found challenging, I could always consult older and wiser heads. It gave me great peace of mind to know that I had 'back-up'. As my own experience grew I found I was able to offer similar comfort to teachers new to the profession and especially to those I was training to become teachers.
I apply a similar thought pattern when I approach difficulties in everyday life. Firstly I ask myself is there anyone I can trust to help me with the problem. Secondly I ask myself if I already trust myself enough to handle things on my own. More often than not the answer is a resounding 'yes'.
Try this approach yourself, you may find it useful.

Peaceful Warrior new book!

Dan Millman (my mentor for over 20 years)author of the Peaceful Warrior Series, has just released a new book. I thought you might like to take a look:

 The Four Purposes of Life: Finding Meaning and Direction in a Changing World


I have it on order and will let you know what I think soon.

Just take 10 minutes

So many of us go through our lives with problems and issues. We often become so familiar with these that we treat them as a part of us and do nothing about them. Here's an idea. Take just 10 minutes today to sit and write down all the problems you have in your life (count yourself luck if you only have 10 minutes worth :)). Give each one a number - no particular order- and resolve to attempt to sort out one of these issues in the next 7 days. For example; you might have had mild toothache for years and just learned to put up with it. Resolve not to put up with it and at least book a dentist appointment.
After this issue is resolved to the best of your ability, return to the list and have a go at the next one. It could be related to finances or relationships. Whatever the issue/problem is, it won't solve itself, but often we put up with things in our busy lives that either we don't want to address or feel we don't know how to. Take small steps and even ask for help; you don't have to handle things on your own - unless you are a very clever dentist. :)

Animal Magic

When I was a child there was a great programme on the television called Animal Magic. In this wonderful show the presenter acted a zoo keeper and spoke to the animals who would talk back to him (of course the presenter was doing the voice). The beauty of this show was the natural way in which both the animals and presenter interacted. As a child I was mesmerized.
Now as an adult I still observe animals with the same awe and wonderment, only they don’t talk to me in any language I can understand. The neighbours have a beautiful white cat that is always around our house purring and looking cute. Of course me being a soft touch I often share food with it and let it sit on my lap for a stroke and a sleep. It never fails to amaze me how little Ronnie lives in the moment and fully immerses himself into whatever is happening.
The next chance you get try and observe an animal, be it on television or for real. See the way that interact with their surroundings and live in the moment. Perhaps we all have something to learn from the creatures that we share the planet with.

What will be will be

I’m not sure who said this originally (probably good old Shakespeare again (if in doubt blame the Bard)), but it holds true that sometimes things happen that are out of our control. Learning to accept what happens rather than become agitated and upset is a great way to prevent stress. I could site examples from my own experience, but I am sure that you could cite plenty of events that have happened in your own life that you would rather had not. Think of one particular event that you did not want to happen. Try and reflect on how you handle this and the approach you took to it. Would it have been easier to handle if you had been more accepting of events and circumstances.
If things are out of your control do not waste time and energy worrying about them. To quote a line form one of Ian Flemings James Bond books: worry is a dividend paid to disaster before it is due.

Do unto others:

I have always maintained that if you treat others as you would like to be treated; your interactions with people you meet will go much smoother. I was told this by my Judo Sensei (My father) over 30 years ago and it has held me in good stead ever since.
Why not experiment today by approaching different people in different ways, making sure never to upset or offend anyone. Perhaps be overly friendly with one person and especially kind with another. People often mirror each other.
Often when met with an agitated and emotional staff member in school, I would approach them in exactly the same manner. Very quickly into the interaction I would completely change my attitude to one of serenity and calm. It is amazing how this hardly ever failed to illicit the exact same mood change in the person I was talking with.

Do unto others as you would like done unto you (sounds like Shakespeare or someone).

Stop procrastinating

Have you got jobs that really need doing, but that you have put off? Stop distracting yourself and get them done. I often find that the relief that comes from completing a job that I did not want to do, always leaves me questioning why I did not just do the job earlier rather than have it bugging me for ages. So my advice is; stop procrastinating and get it done. This gives you time to do the things you really enjoy.

Get back in touch with nature.

I play Golf. Sometimes I play a whole round and realise that not once did I take the time to look up and smell the roses. Not that there are any roses on my golf course, but what I mean is that I often forget to take in my beautiful surroundings because I am so focused on my game. This is often true in life. We are often so busy in our lives that we forget to notice the beauty that exist all around us. Even if you live in a city you can find some part of nature to come into contact with; a tree, a patch of grass or even a potted plant. Actually touching and smelling nature can help ground us and allow us to re-connect with the earth, to which we are all linked.
If you can try and re-connect with nature, if only for five minutes a day. It will help centre you and allow you to get more out of your day.
Thanks to my good mate Aaron for the image (Sleepy Bay - Tasmania).

Keep your calm

When all about you are loosing their heads (so to speak), when chaos surrounds you, when noise levels are high and no one knows what to do; you have a golden opportunity.
Take a deep breath, actively relax all your muscles and picture yourself sitting in the middle of a storm, where all is calm and serene.
Be the observer of what is going on around you, like you are lying at the bottom of the ocean watching all the activity as it passes by above. With practice you can become really good at this and actually enjoy being amongst chaos.
When I used to work in a busy school environment; with bells and children moving around constantly; I used to enjoy being the calm in the eye of the storm, when others around me where struggling. I would often help colleagues and children alike to try and take some of their pressure off them, whilst still managing my own stresses. Surprisingly some people really appreciated this, whilst some showed resentment or even jealousy. Not so much at my ability to manage things, but more because of the way it caused others to warm to me. Why not try it yourself?