Appreciation

I just heard over the weekend that unemployment numbers are up in the US this quarter. I always find it amazing how few people actually enjoy and are really excited about what they do for a living. So many people it seems to me are a squandering away their time, waiting for something better else to come along. This reminds me of a quote by Oscar Wilde. He once said: “THE BEST WAY TO APPRECIATE YOUR JOB IS TO IMAGINE YOURSELF WITHOUT ONE.”

I have to admit, I have found myself on many occasions, rowing along in this boat of unappreciativeness. These days I try to be incredibly thankful and grateful for each and every moment, and this I certainly intend to continue.

Fateful Choices

I just reached the halfway point last night in Ian Kershaw’s latest book, “Fateful Choices - Ten decisions that change the world 1940-1941.” These 10 decisions take place in an 18 month period between the summer of 1940 in the end of 1941. It’s a fascinating period of history. I find it hard to believe that it was only 50 years ago and the entire world seemed was in turmoil. I just finished the chapter on decision number six last evening. Joseph Stalin decided that even though the preponderance of evidence was pointing toward a German invasion of the Soviet Union, he thought it would be completely insane to attack to the east while the battles in the west and in the Balkins were still raging. As it turns out, right up until the eve of the invasion on June 22 - Stalin continue to believe that Adolf Hitler would never make such an insane move. The decision to invade was of course was a complete disaster for both sides. By the time it was over, some 25,000,000 lives were lost in the Soviet Union side alone.

Ordinary?

Granted, and it is the political season in this election year of 2008, but why all this talk of ordinary Americans? I think every American should be extraordinary!

Awakening Start's Now

I was somewhat unfamiliar with Eckhart Tolle before initially reading this book a few months ago. I had heard of his book "The Power of Now," and I had listened to a bit of it on CD in a friend's car. However, I didn't feel that I thoroughly understood the subject he was discussing. At this point though, I did know his name and a little about his life's work. I was in the airport in Los Angeles and I had a few moments before making my way to the gate to catch a flight. I always take a book and a magazine or two with me whenever I fly, as I find it's a great opportunity for me to catch up on the infinite pile that's always within arm's reach of my bed. I don't recall exactly what I was reading at the moment, but I do recall that I was thoroughly engaged in reading something that I was at the time, enjoying. Since I had these few minutes before making my way to the gate, I went to the bookstore in the terminal and browsed through all of the latest editions to come on the market. As I was browsing, I noticed a rather striking orange cover with a large "Eckhart Tolle" on it. Since I had recently become familiar with his previous book, I decided to pick it up and read a few pages. At once, I was thoroughly engrossed. I put the book back on the shelf, and decided since I had a book with me to finish reading, when I got home I would get on Amazon.com and order Eckhart's latest book to read at some point in the future. I started walking to my gate but I kept feeling a "tug at my sleeve" to go back and buy that book and read it on my short trip to San Francisco. I got to my gate and I pulled the book I was reading out of my briefcase, opened it to the dog-eared page where I previously left off and began to read on. For some peculiar, compelling reason, I couldn't get Tolle's new book out of my head. I was overwhelmed by a feeling that I really should go back to the bookstore and by that book. After a few moments of this, I said to myself "I must have that book now!" So, I rushed back to the bookstore, bought the book, and began reading it at once. After I settled in on my short flight from LAX to San Francisco, I began reading again, and I got to page six, in the first chapter, where Eckhart says: "This book is about you. It will change your state of consciousness or it will be meaningless. It can only awaken those who are ready. Not everyone is ready yet, but many are, and with each person who awakens, the momentum in the collective consciousness grows, and it becomes easier for others. If you don't know what awakening means, read on. Only by awakening can you know the true meaning of the word. A glimpse is enough to initiate the awakening process, which is irreversible. For some, that glimpse will come while reading this book. For many others who may not even have realized it, the process has already begun." Wow. I was so taken by this paragraph and by the overwhelming feeling to go back to that bookstore and purchase this book-I knew this was going to resonate with me deeply. I've now read the book twice and also bought it on CD and listen to it quite frequently. This is a book that will change your life.

"Ask and it is Given" Process Seven & Eight

For the last week are so, I’ve been familiarizing myself with the 22 processes that are listed in Jerry and Esther Hicks book “Ask and It Is Given.” Yesterday, I studied process seven and eight.

Number seven is about evaluating dreams. I’ve always been incredibly fascinated by dreams, but I’ve never been particularly good at deciphering their meaning. There are a couple of interesting suggestions in this process number seven. One, is that it’s important to pay attention how you feel in a dream. Something that I’ve never thought about before which is mentioned in this process is that a dream never has more than one feeling. Interesting. There may be multiple people and situations but the feeling is the same throughout. I haven’t yet put this to the test, but I shall be paying close attention to whether not this I find this to be true. Nearly every morning I seem to recall parts of dreams I’ve had the previous night. I’ve always been very curious about why they seemed to fade away so quickly upon waking. I shall be paying much closer attention to the emotional feeling, rather than the particulars of this situation as its occurring.

Process number eight is called “The Book of Positive Aspects.” This is a process that also sounds quite interesting. It’s rather simple really, you take a little notebook and on the cover you write “My Book of Positive Aspects.” It says that you should use about twenty minutes to do this exercise.

You start by simply opening to the first page, and at the top write a brief description of something or someone that you always feel good about. Then you simply ask yourself a series of questions such as, “What do I like about you?” “Why do I love you so much?” etc. And as you ask yourself this series of questions, you let the answers come to you and you write them down as the ideas and thoughts flow.

I think this sounds like a fun little idea, though I’m not quite sure this will be one of the processes that I find most valuable for me. I do think it would be an interesting little exercise however, I may try is just for fun.

"Ask and it is Given"

I’m currently reading the second half of Jerry and Esther Hicks book called “Ask and it is Given. Learning to Manifest your Desire.”

I first heard about this book from Dr. Wayne Dyer. I believe he mentioned it in his latest book about inspiration and know that I've also I heard him speak about it on several occasions on his radio program on Hay House Radio. It sounded like an intriguing title and since I have a great respect for Dr. Dyer I thought it would be worth buying a copy to have a look for myself.

The first half of the book is a description of how intention works in the universe. As I was reading the book, these ideas resonated quite deeply with me and I could hardly get myself to put it down. The second half of the book which I have just begun is a description of 22 processes for actually moving your emotional “set-point” to higher levels. I’ve read several of the descriptions of these processes and it’s interesting that I find myself naturally and instinctively using some of these methods, without having never really thought much about them. The way this book describes these processes seems to be so very logical – they just seem to make sense. I’m going to make a point to familiarize myself with all 22 and throughout the day be able to call upon them as necessary. I think it’s a fantastic way to analyze and process exactly where your emotional “set-point” happens to be, and how to intentionally change it to another level.

This book is quite a fascinating read and has inspired me to seek out some of the other writings of this husband and wife team.