8 Ways To Awaken Your Greatness And Affirm Your True Power

Greatness Must Be Nurtured

To awaken your greatness requires unearthing your potential that lies dormant within you.

Just as a miner who goes in search of diamonds and discovers the illustrious mineral, there are many who give up right before they strike it rich.

Giving up does not mean the diamonds don't exist, for it is those who keep searching that eventually realise success.

So it is with greatness. You must continue your quest to unearth it because undoubtedly it dwells within you waiting to emerge.

This article embodies eight key principles that serve as the foundation to awaken your greatness. Review them as often as you like. Let it be a roadmap to discover the treasured force within you.

Don't believe you are less than capable of greatness. This is the biggest lie sold to mankind. Greatness exists within every man because you are born in the likeness of a greater intelligence that knows little of producing averageness.

The greatest men and women amongst us are those born with some level of skill, intelligence, intuition, creative ability etc. They have spent years, if not decades to cultivate that potential.

If you don't believe me, consider the passage from someone who has studied world class performance for decades. Anders Ericsson coined the phrase '10,000 hour rule' well before Malcolm Gladwell popularised it in his book Outliers.

He explains in Peak: How All of Us Can Achieve Extraordinary Things: "For more than thirty years I have studied these people, the special ones who stand out as experts in their fields - athletes, musicians, chess players, doctors, salespeople, teachers, and more. I have delved into the nuts and bolts of what they do and how they do it. I have observed, interviewed, and tested them. I have explored the psychology, the physiology, and the neuroanatomy of these extraordinary people. And over time I've come to understand that, yes, these people do have an extraordinary gift, which lies at the heart of their capabilities. But it is not the gift that people usually assume it to be, and it is even more powerful than we imagine. Most importantly, it is a gift that every one of us is born with and can, with the right approach, take advantage of."

I hope this idea saturates into your mind over the follow paragraphs. Greatness must be nurtured, cultivated and exploited until it produces results. Yet, many people give up when the going gets tough. Challenges are nature's way of pushing you to grow so you may develop the resources required to succeed.

1. Stretch Your Mind Through New Experiences

The mind must be stretched by new experiences otherwise it grows stale and listless. Most people live dreary lives doing the same repetitive tasks, day in day out wondering why the magic and spontaneity has vanished. They become habituated to this way of life without the freedom to explore their inner genius.

Authors Jeff Brown and Mark Fenske explain in The Winner's Brain: 8 Strategies Great Minds Use to Achieve Success: "Some brains are more proactive than others. One of the best ways to take your use of memory to a higher level is by exposing it to as many new experiences as possible."

We become familiar to the routines of everyday life and miss out on what is going on around us. To compound this, every person is tethered to their mobile device wearing it like a safety blanket.

Inspiration is closer to home than you think. It was the late Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People who wrote: "We become what we repeatedly do." To stretch your mind, be open to new experiences beyond your daily habits and take notice of life with determined enthusiasm.

Instead of making excuses for the way life is, mould it into something you can become proud of. Perhaps your greatness has been dormant all these years, or needs to be roused. I assure you the moment you walk fearlessly towards greatness, it will run towards you with raging enthusiasm and show you the way. It will show you infinite possibilities to explore your potential in ways you never thought possible.

2. Overcome Your Fears By Making Peace With Them

Become curious in the face of your fears. Investigate them, reason with them but don't buy into the narrative they espouse. Don't let it be a one-sided conversation because you have the power to your fears. "Fear was given to us as a motive to avoid physical harm and death. That is it. We are the ones who have perverted it into a tool for the ego's protection," explains Brendon Burchard.

The secret to overcoming your fears is to approach them with curiosity while observing your reaction. So, if you fear asking your boss for a pay rise because they might say no, what small step can you take to overcome this fear?

"Fear, largely, is a waste of a good life, one of the most capable thieves of presence," writes Jan Frazier in The Freedom of Being: At Ease with What Is. Fear is an emotion, just like other emotions. Granted, it has a stronger intensity, but it is not intended to stop you, only to provide feedback on your actions.

Leverage your fears and you will discover the essence of your character. Assuredly, if you listen intently, there is a subtle message guiding you to surmount your fears. By listening closely, you come to understand the language of your fears. The more you know something, the better you are at taking inspired action to overcome it. Through a sense of wonder you'll conquer your fears because for most people fear is a STOP sign. However, to the initiated fear is a PROMOTE sign, offering important clues about your inner psyche.

3. Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

It's no secret that optimal performance is gained outside your comfort zone. You seldom achieve success when you're comfortable, because everything is familiar. There is little need to draw on your mental faculties when you're in your safe zone. You must commit to taking bold risks if you seek to become the finest version of yourself.

To move beyond your comfort zone requires smaller steps to confront your fears, whilst managing discomfort. Learn to become comfortable with uncertainty just as elite forces like the Navy Seals are trained. It's no surprise that personal growth is apparent beyond your comfort zone. In extending yourself, you celebrate your gains and accomplish new skills and emotional resiliency along the way.

That adaptability can work for or against you depending on your actions. If you remain idle, you risk rusting out, thus impairing your personal development. You can mitigate this uncertainty by reframing it as Stephen R. Covey avows, "Create an internal "comfort zone." Then, when you get into the situation, it isn't foreign. It doesn't scare you."

He is referring to creating an inner sanctuary when change overwhelms you. Within that space is the reassurance that what eventuates cannot disrupt what is familiar. Given life begins at the end of your comfort zone, what lies beyond your perceived security is far greater than your habituated environment. Life undergoes constant change and you must celebrate the challenging journey if you strive for a more enriching life.

4. Play Big In The Game Of Life

Play big in the game of life irrespective of fame, fortune or success. It is vital you honour your talents, resources and gifts to the best of your ability. It is incumbent on you to bring to life the best version of yourself regardless of your limitations. To be your best is an evolving process, yet the one true constant is that you improve without settling.

What you receive is proportional to what you believe you deserve. History has revealed less talented people who have achieved outstanding success owing to their commanding self-belief. Overcome your fears and push past your resistance. These two aspects alone keep you stranded because your life's objectives become diluted, through the fog of separation.

Sacrifice is essential in any field where the prize is big. Nothing is gained by standing on the side-lines. Even time is a sacrifice when pursuing your passion. Those who play small, receive smaller rewards. Those who take risks with little assurances, are compensated owing to their enduring commitment. Life honours those willing to risk it all and play big.

You cannot lose in the game of life where lessons are learned and wisdom is gained. Success arrives when you least expect it, due to the hard work and tireless commitment to greatness.

Focus on what matters and allow everything else not conducive to your potential to fall away. If it doesn't resonate with you, let it go so something better will fill its place. Overcome your fears and focus on what you can achieve. If you are pulled by your fears, you perceive life from a constrained mindset.

Trying to reach for the skies while lying on your back is not conducive to your potential. Get on your feet and make daily advances towards that which you seek. I urge you to think with the end in mind as the late Stephen Covey said if you wish to live a significant life. From that place you create an exceptional life using your talents, gifts and genius to serve others.

5. Discover Your Potential And Live It Fully

Every man yearns to express his potential through his life and work. The dictionary defines potential as: latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness. Potential evokes the impression of an idle car, roaring with possibility before hurtling down the road. It is the car's engine and driver that decide the car's speed. Yet, without someone to take control of the vehicle, there is little potential to speak of.

Regrettably, many people are held back by limiting beliefs, fears and doubts related to their potential. Left unchecked, these destructive energies perpetuate into a contracted self-worth. Whatever you buy into long enough and with enough conviction, forms your reality. You recognise potential within yourself foremost when you abide by your highest distinction. In doing so, it summons your dormant strengths and commitment toward greatness.

To cultivate potential, hold steadfast to move in the right direction, without becoming fixed on the path which leads you there. Potential must be obvious to the individual and is accompanied with passion and desire. Make it a priority to nurture your strengths since passion and enthusiasm alone only get you so far.

An indomitable will, spawned by inspiration rouses potential. It is through dedicated focus toward a vision or dream that transforms desire into action since strong aspirations alone are insufficient. Whatever is possible is attributed to the mind that can conceive it. The realisation of your goals and dreams are constrained only by your limiting beliefs. They slow if not halt progress altogether, because the same creative intelligence that manifests your desires, also gives birth to your insecurities.

The power to unleash potential is overcome by rising above your obstacles, instead of being defeated by them. Potential is clothed in: hard work, an indomitable will, commitment and courage. To take a contrasting view, I equate lack of potential to simmering water that never boils given the heat has been turned down on it. To nurture potential, form a strong foundation to harness those gifts and nurture them as you evolve.

You cannot escape your potential any more than refusing to inhale oxygen from the air surrounding you. However, how you use that potential forms the foundation for life to express herself through you. Your task is to birth that potential by giving it life through: dedication, commitment and inspired action.

6. Find Your Passion And Purpose

Your life's purpose is found through trial and effort. Purpose is found in action, not inaction. Your purpose may vary and may serve others as you evolve. Be mindful of attaching your purpose to your career as evident when one is made redundant, or the company downsizes. Many people describe feelings of emptiness following an unexpected change in their profession since they connect their purpose to their career.

The notion you have ONE purpose remains a misconception. There are many stories of successful people who have found innumerable callings throughout their life. Equally, many people are called to their purpose, while others uncover their purpose when they least expect it. There is no prevailing formula for finding one's purpose. The key lies in the commitment to action and perseverance.

One must stay open to inner guidance - by learning to trust your intuition. Seek the advice of those who have traversed the path before you by studying the steps they took to uncover their purpose. As well-intentioned as family members are, soliciting their advice contrary to your views may work against you. Another way to overcome your fears is to pursue your passions which embody your inner most desires. You must bring them to life and overcome your fears, anxieties and worries.

Your passions are connected to your greater self that is not bound by fears or negative emotions, but inspiration. When inspiration and passion converge, it is akin to a matchstick thrown on dry wood resulting in a burning flame. One without the other are merely objects, yet when brought together they can set anything alight. Passion engenders courage because you are driven by a strong desire to realise a greater purpose than your fears. Passion douses the flame on fear and turns it into smouldering ash before it burns furiously.

Your passion equalled with inspiration must be accompanied with a compelling WHY. It is infused with a deeper meaning tied to your purpose with an intent to bring forth the gifts from your soul. So the message is clear: find your passion and be fearless in your pursuit of it.

7. Live Without Regrets

Regret arises when you live less than what you are capable of. It signifies going against the tide of your inner wisdom, essential to your personal growth. Regret serves as a reminder your actions are not purposeful and a clearer intent is required. You must connect with a deeper motivation if you wish to live a life without regrets. This inner resource summons you to play bigger than what you have been.

Don't hide behind excuses when life does not turn out as you hoped since you are likely to become a victim instead of a victor. That's why you should be purposeful in your actions, instead of acting from a place of fear. When you take inspired action, everything unfolds according to a greater plan. The pieces of the puzzle come together as they should. The secret to living without regrets is to act intentionally with what is of importance to you.

If you are dictated by what popular culture considers important, you are not honouring your deepest wisdom, but following the masses. This is likely to result in regrets and uninspired action.

To live without regrets, pursue what you value most and fills your life with joy irrespective of what others consider. This does not mean your actions should affect other people though do not be dictated by what they consider important. People will disapprove how you live your life because it does not conform to their opinions. It may jeopardise their self-esteem since they have not taken action to follow their goals or dreams.

Similarly, people are afraid to try new things for fear of failure. When did failure embed itself in our psyche and stop us in our tracks? Failure is merely feedback, alerting you to something that requires more steps for completion. It should not impact your self-worth unless you allow it to.

Regret rears its ugly head when your actions are not aligned with your WHY. This is your underlying motivation clothed in a deeper purpose. Otherwise, you are likely to plod along and throw caution to the wind, hoping your efforts succeed. If it doesn't, you experience regret and a blow to your self-esteem since you have not tied it with your intrinsic values.

Living in the present moment offers the opportunity to reconnect with what is important now. Life advances at a fast pace, it's easy to lose sight of your inner needs until a major crisis appears. By then, it's too late because the foundations that once held your life together have collapsed, taking your sense of purpose with it. To follow your inner intelligence, tune in to the voice of your inner self. This may be as: play, movement or any form of creative expression.

The child within wants to be heard. If you dismiss it because things out there distract you, you miss exploring what is vital to your joy and happiness. I invite you to look unfavourably on regret and live an intentional life. When you are aligned with something greater, there is no room for regret. Instead, purposeful action commandeers the helm to lead you toward a life replete with fulfilment and bliss.

8. Develop True Strength Of Character

Character is engraved within you and follows you throughout life. It encompasses your reputable qualities and is the bedrock of your existence. But character can be eroded if you do not adhere to your highest values when it matters. This is because it takes time to build the choices you make. Habits build character. Your actions correspond to the sum of your character and are formed behind closed doors, revealing yourself to the world.

Still, you must align your values with your highest good and the good of others, through altruistic actions rather than self-serving interests. To uphold your moral values is not enough. Abiding by those values so your actions are congruent is of greater importance. You must build a strong foundation upon which your character is formed. The person with a strong character is willing to upgrade their knowledge to become a better version of themselves.

True strength of character is reinforced by continuous self-improvement. You must widen your circle of development to encompass greater attributes, indicative of the person you wish to become. Self-improvement is developed through a Growth Mindset instead of a Fixed Mindset, according to Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, author of the international bestseller Mindset.

The Growth Mindset individual appreciates character is a transformative process that changes over the course of your life, so it coincides with your greater self.

Strength of character is vital to pursuing excellence and is not tied to success alone, but connected to constant improvement. True character develops when it is expressed, yet it must be apparent within the individual for it to be known. The individual must discard their previous knowledge in light of new information. With more insight comes more freedom, leading to personal power.

Therefore, character is an ongoing commitment to uphold your highest values. Character requires maintaining integrity, where you act in accordance with your highest values and treat people alike irrespective of their race, religion, education, gender or political affiliations. Integrity is the cornerstone of character. A crack in one's character is attributed to being inconsistent with their actions. French author André Gide wrote: "Be faithful to that which exists within yourself."

Those with strength of character are honest and trustworthy for they stand by their word as the pillar of their existence. Strength of character is evident in those who have self-control and emotional intelligence. They are in alignment with their core values and stand by their commitment not to weaken their principles.

Self-control is related to acting in a way that does not jeopardise one's character or moral values. Building character is a lifelong practice, so a momentary lapse of judgement can destroy it, where it took years to build.

True character is shaped behind closed doors since you cannot tell a great deal about a man until he is tested. Yet, in solitude he forms the bedrock of his character and shapes it like a blacksmith forming steel. For it was the late Dr. Wayne Dyer who once said: "What other people think of me is none of my business." It is the opinion of yourself that is of importance and the foundation of your strength of character.

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Inner Well-Being - Can I Rely on Myself?

We all probably want happiness and inner well-being. Yet sometimes we lack uplifting thoughts, forget the meaning and purpose which gave our life a sense a of direction, or feel discouraged and stressed when facing adversity.

Is it really so difficult creating inner well-being for ourselves?

Reliance on others for inner well-being

In times of hardship, we each need all the comfort, and encouragement we can get from family members. The boss may give us time off to recover. Our friends may put us up where they live for a while. But can others make us happy, deeply happy? Therapists know that despite their therapeutic skill, there are always some clients who don't improve. They also realise they cannot take all the credit for those who do get better by pursuing personal change. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Unless people take responsibility for their own lives, nothing much changes whatever expertise is provided.

Reliance on one's own efforts alone for inner well-being

Many have wondered about ever finding inner well-being when going through an awful personal crisis, or when feeling apathetic and alienated from work. If they have tried to conjure up hope, confidence and contentment even with help from others, they probably have encountered great difficulty.

My own experience has been that I sometimes lack inspiration and a sense of strength to pursue what I guess is the right direction - one that I value and find meaningful. I've come to accept I have freedom and thus responsibility to try to do something about my life. But that I can't achieve this by myself alone. I can point myself in the right direction but can't create tolerance and generosity in myself just by having the right intentions. The soul needs nurturing.

Transpersonal energy creating inner well-being

I would suggest in addition to our own sensations and desires, personal growth comes from a greater light and energy. A higher power that give us inner well-being to manage the hurdles life placed in our path and to resist our personal demons. This idea of a higher power, however it is conceived, is also the view of the various 12 Step Recovery Programs available for various kinds of personal problems e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous.

These group interventions share the view that there is a spiritual source from beyond ourselves that can provide an inflow of healing power. In his best seller The Road Less Travelled, psychiatrist Scott Peck points out that natural growth and healing, mystical experiences, and fortunate coincidences, are commonplace. He says they are manifestations of a powerful force originating outside of human consciousness which nurtures the spiritual growth of human beings. He calls it Grace. This is a force other than, and in addition to, our conscious will. He identifies it with the power of love. The desire to nurture the inner well-being of people.

Swedenborg's experience

Emanuel Swedenborg was a Christian mystic and spiritual philosopher who was born in the 17thcentury. Once he had a vision of a shining presence. He said a brilliant light appeared to him in a similar way to how the sun appears to all of us. Only one which radiated spiritual heat and light. Light symbolising the wisdom that enlightens our thought: heat, the feeling of compassion that gives warmth to our concerns. He said that this spiritual sun, normally invisible to us, is the origin of all that is good and true in life and thus our inner well-being. The physical sun in our sky is the basis of our geography and time. Similarly, for him, the visionary sun was the basis of all personal direction and orientation.

In line with this mystical experience, Swedenborg comments on the biblical creation narrative - not he said to be taken literally but an account of the potential creation of spiritual development in each person. On the 4th day of the creation myth, the sun, together with the moon and stars formed. Symbolically speaking, receiving the sun's light enlightens our understanding of higher principles: receiving its warmth stirs in us a concern for others. The picture here is an individual newly recognising that there is a higher source of deeper thought and kindness that comes from beyond oneself. Swedenborg maintains that this acknowledgment is critical. For without it, we each will depend only on ourself to find inner well-being. And this will lead to disappointment, pride and a sense of something lacking.

Conclusion about inner well-being

Swedenborg was writing during the Christian era in Europe. These days there are many who no longer believe in a personal God. I suspect that amongst non-religious people, there are nevertheless many who do believe in a universal spiritual source of everything. In other words, they acknowledge a Divinity that is both beyond, as well as potentially within, the individual. One that inspires, and is the origin of, compassion for others as well as for our own inner welfare. Also, the starting place of common sense to know what are useful and effective ways to act.

Whatever our troubles, I would suggest inner well-being is possible if we can learn how to connect with this divine creative spirit. And keep connecting. It can be seen as the kind of love that is a real thing in itself flowing into us from beyond ourselves. An infinite and everlasting reality originating beyond our own limitations.

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How to Overcome Procrastination in a Single Stupid-Simple Step

What could be a stupid-simple step to overcome procrastination?

Happiness can be a choice or a need. It depends on whether you choose to cultivate it or look outside for it. Procrastination is a hidden culprit eating away at your happiness in the moment.

Once you accept that it's a state of mind and that you can choose to create it at will and with a little trick, here's what you just need to know...

Let's see if these thoughts prove effective and practical to help you stop procrastinating and being more productive:

Straight to the point - there are two ways you can begin to act...

1. Wait and act when you are in the desired state of mind.

2. ACT in spite of the state of mind.

Essentially there's nothing wrong with both. There are popular writers who wait for the right moment of inspiration and then start jotting down some of their bestsellers. And then there are a huge number of experts who act irrespective of the mood. They believe in 'Get Up, Dress Up and Show Up' philosophy.

Find which one's your strength. Explore for a while which are you best times of the day when you feel at your peak performance level.

There's nothing that can block you if you are the second type. You just need to force yourself to get up and get to work until your flow takes over.

But what if you are the first type - one who needs to wait for the right state of mind?

Well, ABRACADABRA... it takes only a few minutes to get you into the right state... how?

1. Start learning from experts on how to prime your mind for a creative day.

2. List and Build habits which can instantly bring a shift in your state of mind.

Anthony Robbins, World Authority on Leadership Psychology and the #1 Life And Business Strategist believes in priming his mind and body for the day. And how long does it take? Only 15 to 20 minutes.

Choose a breathing exercise to being your day with. Most experts are these days trying Wim Hof's breathing exercise or try "Breath of Fire" breathing exercise.

Oxygen somehow has been identified has been linked with greater energy and better health which indirectly has been found to have a big impact on your state of mind.

Indian yoga has been recommending 'Pranayama' and 'Meditation' for ages as the first activities as part of your morning rituals because Indian yogis have been very keen on state of mind.

Be it Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Meditation or Jose Silva's Mind Control Meditation' the primary purpose is to put you in the right state of mind for you to launch your action.

There are writer's who wait till 1 P.M to get their creative juices flowing and then once there let the ideas flow. That's a great place to be. Imagine.

Try Six Phase Meditation by Vishen Lakhiani. Many claim it's giving good results to put you in the right state before you launch.

And last of all, instead of measuring your progress in rating the results of your action, rate the power of your intent to get into the state and ACT on your IDEA!

All the best!

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Best Bruce Lipton MOTIVATION (1.5 HOURS of Pure INSPIRATION)

Get Your "80/20" in Gear and Have a Blast

There's a fascinating concept in economics called "Pareto's Law," or the "80/20 Rule." In a nutshell, a 19th century economist, Vilfredo Pareto, noticed that 20% of the people owned 80% of the land, and similarly that 20% of his peapods produced 80% of his peas. Much later, Joe Juran, looking to improve factory production during WWII, realized that 20% of the factories were responsible for 80% of all defective parts, and vice-versa: thus the beginning of the quality movement in US business.

What could the "80/20 Rule" possibly have to do with you? Simply put, most of us spend 80% of our time on things that really don't matter all that much to us, and only 20% of our time on the things that really matter. Huh...

Ask yourself, who do you spend the most time with? The people who uplift you, support you, cherish you? Or those who bore you, annoy you, cause you endless irritation or grief? What do you spend most of your time doing? Complaining, blaming, feeling sorry for yourself? Or praising, appreciating, finding value in what you do? How about activities? Do you spend most of your free time in activities that engage you, inspire you, thrill you? Or do you just go with whatever flow happens to, well, flow at the moment? Facebook, TV, surfing the web...

It finally dawned on me, some years ago, that I'd rather work a little longer/harder to earn some extra bucks (given that I really enjoy my work), so I could pay a house-cleaner to clean my home, an activity I truly do not enjoy, much as I appreciate a clean house. And when given the option to get my butt up off the couch to take a dance class, rather than spend another hour watching a TV program I would forget about in the next 10 minutes, dance class won out. Even though there are days I most definitely do not want to get up off that couch. Dance class clearly is in my list of "top things I love."

What's your percent? When you sit down and honestly assess with whom and where you spend your time-which is the same thing as saying "with whom and where do you spend your life?"-what's your 80/20? Deliberately cut out or reduce those things that do not give you joy, so that more and more of your time is spent in the 80% of stuff you really like to do. Take a look at your friends and social life, including your social media life. Deliberately cut out or reduce the time you spend with those who do not rank high in your "things I love" list.

It may sound odd to take such a calculated approach to your life, but time really is all we have. How and with whom we choose to spend it very much defines how happily we romp through this astonishing, challenging, absolutely wonderful journey called "life." Get your "80/20" in gear, and have a blast!

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Turn Your Stumbling Blocks Into Stepping-Stones

How often have we enviously watched when someone, perhaps someone we know, achieved a goal that to us appeared impossible? We may speculate, how on earth did they manage it? Sure, adopting the right mindset is important. That, coupled with a little luck, hard work and refusing to treat setbacks and hurdles as impediments lets them focus on reaching where they're aiming for. They treat stumbling blocks as stepping-stones.

When we have a goal, whether it be academic, personal or business related, it helps clarify things when we break the different stages into bite-sized chunks. If we're aiming to run a marathon, earn a qualification, lose some weight, learn to drive, it's sensible to set out stepping-stones from where we are to where we want to go. When we're moving a sizeable distance or through rough, unchartered waters it's less daunting to provide a raised stone or two on which to step and safely cross.

- Support is often necessary. Would a coach, mentor or trainer be a valuable addition to your team? They've often been there, done it and are aware of what's required, or they understand the process sufficiently well to educate, motivate and inspire you to stay on target. It's good to have someone with whom we can discuss each stage, who holds us accountable for our actions and who continues to provide motivation and inspiration.

- Interim goals can be good as they're an acknowledgement that we're moving in the right direction. Recognising each stage of the journey can significantly impact on our motivation levels, especially or dark days when we've achieved very little or have perhaps slipped back. Some days we may feel that we've taken two steps forward and one step back, but movement of any kind means that we're not standing still.

- A big stumbling block can be when we're asked to do something slightly outside our immediate skill set. We may know most, but not all of what's being asked of us. Rather than decline the work or try to muddle through why not use it as an opportune stepping-stone to forming an alliance with someone who can bridge that gap, oftentimes bringing a win/win result where both parties add value to each other's businesses.

- A more positive approach to failure can allow us to treat stumbling blocks as stepping-stones. If success comes too easily it can prompt us to ask, 'are we making the best of ourselves, are we aiming for our highest goals?' When a high-jumper clears the bar they simply keep on raising it until they're not able to clear it any more. They continue to challenge themselves. Adopting a positive approach to setbacks and treating them as opportunities for growth allows you to move out of your comfort zone and be inspired to even greater heights.

- Find alternative routes that push you to improve and progress. Your stepping-stones may be about equipping yourself in advance with the knowledge and experience you need to power forward. You could perhaps start by volunteering at a charity, offering to work for free, starting an internship, shadowing someone who'll provide you with a chance to practise; explore whatever stumbling blocks there may be, make mistakes and acquire important skills relevant to your goal. And sometimes trying a completely different niche, outside of your comfort zone, may introduce you to people, skills and learning opportunities that are relevant and transferable.

- Your stepping-stones may require you to sit exams to provide evidence, both to yourself and to others, that you're serious, are on your way and are determined to succeed. This could be essential, especially if you're looking for a professional or qualification-demanding career or role.

- Goals may require a variety of skill sets along the way. Training to run a marathon may require you to lose weight, organise your time better in order to regularly train, let go of some of your responsibilities, delegate better or enlist help with family or work-related commitments. Whatever your goals, could it be worthwhile to outsource some of the routine distractions that eat up so much of your time and energy? What about hiring someone to help with the domestic chores like cleaning, ironing or gardening, or to take over your routine business support like admin, accounts or social media management? It would cost you financially, but it may be worth it.

Stumbling blocks can offer opportunities to learn important lessons and new skills along the way. And if we reach a certain stage and then have to pause a while, that's fine too. Acknowledge that stepping-stones sometimes move us a way along and then provide space for a break, a breather, time to focus on other things in our lives whilst enjoying a new, rather different outlook.

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The Benefits of Being Self Motivated in All Undertakings

Taking responsibility for your own success is the best and only shortcut to success. Therefore, you should know that you are who you want to be and the limit is just within your definition. So what does this mean? It means that individuals need to be self-motivated when pursuing a destiny in their life. The inspiration to wake up every morning and do what you are supposed to be doing should come from yourself and not forced on you by someone else. It is intrinsic, not extrinsic. Everyone knows what, they want and therefore you only can drive yourself to success. Here are some of the advantages of having intrinsic motivation.

You Will Not Find Any Possible Barriers

When a person is self-motivated, there is nothing like impossible since the person will work on anything that looks like a barrier and eventually make it to the other side. On the contrary, when the force is coming from someone other external force not related to the individual, it is very easy to give up and therefore the goal is not achieved. The driving force first is usually from an external source, and therefore you just work under supervision. When this person or source of power is not present, you just give up when you are faced with a barrier. This is not the right way of going by the things you have to do so as to get to the destination. Therefore, individuals should learn to be self-motivated so as to hit the targets easily.

You Value the Goal and So You Are Going for It

People will have intrinsic driving force when they value the goal. When you know what exactly it is that you want, you will ultimately go for the goal, and this is because it impacts your life directly. In short, the motivation is based on the satisfaction offered by the goal that you have set. On the contrary, when the goal benefits the other parties, (because you see it that way) it then becomes very hard to keep going.

This is sometimes the case in a workplace where the staff might see there is no need of burning midnight oil, yet the job you are doing is benefitting someone else, and your salary is just fixed. This is also the reason why some companies pay sales staff based on commission so that they can stretch themselves to the limit.

You Will Leave No Stone Unturned

Think of the miners, they will literally dig down the furrow even after exhausting the precious stone that was on the site. When they leave that site, don't be surprised when others come to scope anything that might be left there. When a person`s inspiration is coming from the inside, this is usually the case. Therefore you will make sure that you have done all the tasks just to achieve the goal that is in front of you. On the contrary, you will just be waiting for the time to pass so as to leave the office no matter how much work is on the waiting tray.

Intrinsic driving force is the best form of motivation you should have to achieve life goals.

https://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Being-Self-Motivated-in-All-Undertakings&id=9827610

Sometimes You Just Gotta Get Off It

Have you ever gotten a whirlwind of negative thoughts about something important to you? Yeah, me too. What's even more disheartening is when you know you're doing it and you can't get your mind in a good place about the topic.

You start trying every trick you know to think positive about the subject. For example, if you're stressed out about getting clients, you may say to yourself, "Don't worry. The money will come. I'm a millionaire. I appreciate money."

Nothing happens. You're still stressed about money.

Next you watch a Byron Katie or Michael Beckwith video about money. That doesn't help either.

In coaching lingo, we call this process "being hooked." It's like having a hook through your mouth and being reeled into more negative thoughts. I experience this feeling as temporary insanity. I pray, "Can someone just take my brain away from me so I can relax for a moment?!"

You're so emotionally charged about the topic, there is only one thing left to do. Get off it! The topic, that is. Stop trying to get to the positive feelings until you feel better in general.

This requires a whole switch in your focus. In these moments, I usually go for something that will capture my attention fully. For instance, a walk would give me more time to think... and that can be dangerous.

What works better for me is to go answer some emails, watch Netflix, listen to an Abraham-Hicks CD, make an entry in my appreciation journal, or go shopping. You have to go for full-on distraction. This will create a softer focus on the topic you were scaring yourself about.

I like to remind myself that everything always works out, and this, too, shall pass. By the way, it is sooooooo okay that you got tripped up... or should I say "tripped out"? Happens to all of us. I consider myself a conscious thinker, and I can go down the emotional sewer as fast as the best of them!

When you soften your focus on a highly charged subject, you can actually open to receive the solution... or inspiration will hit with the perfect action to take. This is better known as the "allowing" mode. You have to create some breathing room for the Universe to do what it does best.

Things will always work out in the end. So just get off it and enjoy!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Jeanna Gabellini is a Master Business Coach who makes it effortless and exciting for conscious entrepreneurs to attract all the clients they want without doing more, working more, or marketing more. Grab her FREE audio on dialing in your biz here: http://masterpeacecoaching.com/freecd2

https://ezinearticles.com/?Sometimes-You-Just-Gotta-Get-Off-It&id=9805716

UP YOUR GAME - Les Brown

I'M GLAD THIS VIDEO FOUND YOU! (there are no coincidences All Doors Shall Open For You! !)

ARMOR YOURSELF - Les Brown

The Stockdale Paradox - Coping With Hard Times

What Is The Stockdale Paradox?

The Stockdale Paradox is named after the late James Stockdale, former vice presidential candidate, naval commander and prisoner of war during the American-Vietnam war.

It became well known having been featured in author and business guru Jim Collins' book "Good To Great" following extensive interviews between Collins and Stockdale exploring how Stockdale survived 8 years of imprisonment and torture.

Collins' specific focus was to identify the principles that underpinned Stockdale's survival and emergence at the end of the war as not only unbroken but as source of practical inspiration.

Balancing realism and optimism in a dire situation is a key to survival and success

What the Stockdale Paradox means is that in times of prolonged and seemingly never-ending hardship, set-backs, suffering and distress we need to maintain optimism that we will survive and pull through, and yet, at the same time, balance that with a total realism and practicality about the harsh present realities.

In Stockdale's own words:

"You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end - which you can never afford to lose - with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."

Paraphrased to its core:

Hope for the best, but acknowledge and prepare for the worst

Such paradoxical thinking is one of the defining philosophies of many who have made it through severe hardship and eventually reached their goals.

BUT, this paradox contradicts the law of attraction and so much of the output of the self-help industry.

Suffering IS an integral part of the human condition. It is as though there is an inbuilt design flaw that ensures that we all suffer at some point, one way or another.

Right now at time of writing we are all suffering in some way as we come to terms with the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.

Coping With The Attrition Factor

Many, maybe most, of us are capable of coping with challenges and difficulties in the short to medium term.

But in my experience once a challenging situation drags on beyond the one year mark we start to flag, and after two years - with no end in sight - it gets really tough.

This is what I call the attrition factor.

It is this point that we need to develop the Stockdale Paradox and take it to the next level.

This means that in addition to maintaining a hope for the future and a pragmatic realism about the present you need to do 3 further things:

(1) Find a way of dealing with the emotional side of your pragmatic realism.

There are times when there is nothing more we can do to alleviate the situation. In these circumstances we have two powerful options: we can resist it or we can accept it.

# The biggest key to all this is to behave and respond in ways that may be completely alien to us by allowing and cultivating a very deep acceptance of what is happening and acknowledging that we are not in control of circumstances and - counter cultural and counter intuitive as this sounds - to go with the flow.

# The more we can surrender to the flow then the more we automatically become aligned to a far greater dimension of our consciousness than we may have ever previously experienced - this really is the key

# It is this alignment with the flow that is the dynamic that will pull us through this difficult situation and it is this alignment that is the source of our self-motivation through and beyond present difficult circumstances

# Whether we realise it or not, whether we accept it or not, there is always a spiritual dynamic at work in these situations

(2) Recognise and understand that you are not your thoughts

Our thoughts can drive us crazy, especially in these difficult situations that drag on, and on...

We don't have complete control over our instinctive emotions, they're largely involuntary and that's part of being human. What we do have, though, is control over how we choose to respond to those feelings.

The key to this lies in understanding that:

What matters is not the content of your thoughts but your relationship with your thoughts.

(3) Transform your "dead time" into "alive time"

In "Alive Time vs Dead Time" - I asked the question:

"When you can't work because you have no work, when you feel stuck and can see no way out of this situation, when you don't even know if there is an end of the tunnel, what do you do with your time?"

In difficult times like these, we can choose to just doss around and feel impatient, resentful, or angry.

Or we can we can exercise control over our use of this time figure a way to solve a problem, reach a goal, or help someone else with these things.

Dead time can be revived and transformed and used to our and others long term benefit. We can use this time to emerge from this overall situation a better and more resourceful person.

"I never lost faith in the end of the story. I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade." (Admiral James Stockton)

https://ezinearticles.com/?The-Stockdale-Paradox---Coping-With-Hard-Times&id=10390142

Criticism Nourishes A Man's Growth Without Destroying His Roots

Criticism is really negative. It can be so easy to judge people by their faults. When we condemn another person, we are actually casting judgment. Normally, the reason why we criticize others is that we don't want them to be the first one to look at our faults.

However, if criticism is taken objectively, we can turn it into an inspiration. When someone criticizes us, it means they want to give us feedback on what we're doing. It means providing a room for an opportunity to learn more.Take a moment to think before you respond to what they're saying.

It helps us become stronger. If we always think we're right but don't get feedback from anyone else, then it doesn't mean that what we're doing is good. Honest opinions will tell us exactly how to get away from those bad practices towards the good ones. Easier said than done, right? This can be particularly difficult when we're deeply involved but, if we can take a step back, we might see how to improve ourselves and avoid any negative impact.

The right kind of criticism can give you an advantage. Do not react harshly or resort to violence. Use positive language to arrive a win-win solution. The language you use in responding to a criticism is important. Try to avoid getting into an argument. Instead, turn the exchange into a discussion about how to resolve the problem. Turn your words into action to show that you can listen to feedback, respond in the correct way and still be productive.

Don't take it personally if someone doesn't immediately like us or even our work. Even if we feel we're being criticized unfairly, don't retaliate with an extreme reaction or else you cannot repair the damage. It can also harm our reputation. The best we can do is to learn from them. This might give us an avenue to change. But never do it to please other people but do it for ourselves.

There are times that the criticism is already too personal and below the belt. More likely than not, other just want to destroy our resolve. People are by nature subject to commit mistakes and it's important to remember to not be offended by someone's remarks. Take a criticism on board and not respond as though it's a personal attack. Make it work to our advantage or, if all else fails, leave with our reputation intact.

Good criticism is rare. It can take a long time to find people who know how to provide useful feedback, instead of simply telling what's wrong with you.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Criticism-Nourishes-A-Mans-Growth-Without-Destroying-His-Roots&id=9774783

Aaaaand, Another One Bites The Dust (By Kitty Rochester)

I went on Facebook today. Nothing unusual there. I decided to search for a female acquaintance of mine. I do this sometimes when I'm being nosy or looking for inspiration. On this occasion, the latter was my motivation.

This woman has recently started her own business and as I'm exploring the concept myself, I hit the search button. She's a bit younger than me and successful by societal standards; career, marriage and a small personal business. Despite this, by societal standards this woman is considered, 'unattractive'. She is overweight and often tries too hard. Her Facebook posts often reflect an insecure soul desperately pretending she's OK with who she is. You may know someone similar that immediately comes to mind. Anyway, I don't have a problem with this, the world is full of insecure people. What annoys me with her is the flavour of arrogance she uses to try and compensate for her insecurities. This personally hits a nerve as I can't stand falseness, niceties or 'showy-ness', hence why she always remained just an acquaintance. I kept her as a Facebook friend because despite her insecurities, how she looks and her arrogant style - this woman inspired me.

So imagine my horror when I found out that she had unfriended me. OK, I wasn't that horrified but still. I was like, oh, another one bites the dust.

And why? By societal standards I guess you could say I'm considered attractive, successful in my career and I'm recently married. My Facebook posts are full of satirical humour to make sure people stay friends with me. As a successful and attractive woman, I'm a threat to other women. I've often known that I've inspired other ladies, which for the most part, I've embraced and enjoyed. I have also enjoyed reaping inspiration from other women.

5 years ago I got divorced. It was very much my rock bottom as I went through a breakdown. I had a lot of friends then. People also seemed to like me better. I think some people genuinely loved the fact that someone, 'like me', wasn't perfect. I know this, because I've also relished that fact when I've discovered someone I look up to isn't perfect. How sad is it that?

So today, when I discovered that my female acquaintance had unfriended me, it stung a bit. Because being successful and happy, can be a really lonely business for women. For men, it's celebrated. For women, it's tolerated. For this very reason I've often had more male friends than female. Within the context of friendship, men aren't threatened by a successful and happy woman. I'm also aware that any men reading this will think I've got guy friends because I'm hot and they just want to try and get with me. Which is partly true, I'm not an idiot. But not all guys are that shallow and the ones who tried - we've often become great friends regardless.

It makes me sad that my finding happiness and getting married, provoked this kind of reaction. I kind of understand that it probably triggered something in her that makes her uncomfortable with herself. Is this what the world is becoming? A place where being uncomfortable is too much of a challenge?

It's so much easier to exclude than to deal with ourselves. But if anything, by writing this I'd like to encourage to not always succumb to what is easy. Say 'hey' to the woman who looks like she's got it all together, don't feel intimidated by her. She's probably lonelier than you think.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Aaaaand,-Another-One-Bites-The-Dust&id=9804909

Abraham Hicks ~ Listen To This Everytime You Need To Boost Your Energy!

Enthusiasm - How to Find It

How keen are you to get up in the morning and follow your ordinary day? Have you the enthusiasm needed to do what is fulfilling and good?

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm". (Ralph Waldo Emerson, philosopher)

With inspiration, and the enthusiasm that goes along with it, we have energy for living life to the full, no matter what obstacles and hardships it throws in our faces.

What can one do to feel enthusiasm for what one does each and every day?

Danger of enthusiasm carrying us away

We may be a naturally generous, kind, or affectionate sort of person. And so become easily swayed and even enthusiastic about giving away money, time or love. But such inbuilt good tendencies can weaken judgement about a situation. Sentiment or fervent emotion may need the protection of good sense before it runs away with itself.

Our thinking may be realistic or unrealistic. Before giving charity to an alcoholic, remember he or she will likely spend gift money on booze rather than on food. Level-headed individuals do not take risks with their money on dodgy investments no matter the enthusiastic promises made by the salesman. One ignores one's insightful thinking when keenly involving oneself with a charming but good-for-nothing partner.

"When a person is under the influence of strong natural emotions, his rational balance can easily be upset, and he may be carried in any direction." (Hugo Lj Odhner, spiritual psychology writer)

Other examples of getting carried away by enthusiasm are spending "too much" time playing video games or engaging in activity supporting some social or political project to the detriment of family life.

"Enthusiasm for a cause sometimes warps judgment." (William Howard Taft, politician)

Fortunately most of us learn some right thinking from parents, teachers, and friends as well as good ideas from books and elsewhere. Good sense protects the mind against unfounded eagerness or fervour of others. Does such good sense also not come from deeper ideas in ethics, spiritual philosophy, and sacred writing?

Problem of lack of enthusiastic focus

Being enthused is being in the zone. A complete absorption for a while in what one does with loss of sense of space and time.

The opposite to this is the mental state in which one lacks enthusiasm. Energised focus is missing. One is under-involved, and there is a lack of enjoyment in the activity.

Time drags when you are not feeling sufficiently enthused about say your studies, work, or home developments. This lack of keenness can be due to not appreciating the end product, not feeling the spirit behind a project, not being open to the source of its inspiration.

"It is not easy to find something that will intrigue and bind your interest and enthusiasm. This you must seek for yourself." (Walter Annenberg, publisher, philanthropist, and diplomat)

A lack of enthusiastic effort may also apply to spiritual practice. We may remember the effects of meditation, learn the value of mindfulness practice, understand about the application of ethical theory, or know about philosophical ideas. Something may be missing. I would compare true ideas in the understanding with a receptive cup. Do we not need to distinguish between the cup and a limitless source of refreshing liquid which fills it?

According to one view, experience and knowledge about deeper concepts is a vessel into which the rich wine of the infinite spirit can flow.

Intellectualism

There have been good ideas around in contemporary spirituality. Concepts such as the true-self, the new age, one's inner path, or the numinous. Wonderful though many have thought these ideas to be, can they in any way be a substitute for the source of inspiration behind them? Perhaps you put your hope and trust in a higher life force beyond us seen as the source of energy behind the universe? In line with this view, a powerful spirit of illumination and vitality flows into a person through his or her soul. In other words those interested in spirituality sometimes confuse their understanding of ideas with the infinite source that can enliven their framework of conceptual thinking.

Transcendent source of inspiration

According to the spiritual philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg, a powerful source of universal love and wisdom provides higher inspiration. He says this is the transcendent origin of all that is humane in humanity. It both enlightens and energises our thinking about what is useful and important. Without this divine energy we have no enthusiasm.

The infinite source of heat of love and light of wisdom can be compared with the heat and light of our natural sun.

"The sun of our world cannot use its warmth and light to bring forth sprouts in the earth directly. Rather, the sun uses substances in the soil in which it can be present through its warmth and light to make plants grow." (Emanuel Swedenborg, spiritual philosopher)

I would like to suggest that the substance in the soil of the mind are those ideas we have about living a useful life. So, without a ground of rational ideas and understanding, we cannot receive inspiration. At the same time, there is a similar argument. This is that no amount, of such ideas and understanding of themselves, will give us energy and enthusiasm. Do we also not need a willingness to receive divine inflow of love and wisdom? And to acknowledge it comes from outside of ourselves from a higher source?

http://ezinearticles.com/?Enthusiasm---How-to-Find-It&id=9810120

Making Choices - How to Choose

Often, people tell me "I don't have a choice". They continue doing things that are unhealthy or unsatisfying even though they are miserable while doing them.

I think it is important to consider the types of choices that we face in life:

1. Too many choices - There is an interesting video on YouTube that describes the psychology adopted by Costco. Their inventory is based on research that suggests people with too many choices tend not to buy. When you shop there, you might only find a 180-tablet bottle of pain reliever rather than a range of sizes. You likely will purchase the one that they offer. They planned that!

Parents often complain about the fact that their child's room is frequently a mess. When you dig down for details about this you might hear that the child tries on an outfit in the morning and then quickly decides not to wear it that day. Instead of hanging it back up in the closet, the discarded outfit is just dropped on the floor. This can go on repeatedly for days and days until it is time to do the laundry. The child then just gathers up everything that is on the floor and, even though it is all clean, offers it up to the parent to wash. Perhaps the child has too many choices when it comes to clothing. Or toys. Or other possessions. Too many choices can cause a myriad of problems.

2. Not enough choices - When you are feeling "trapped" by life it is a good time to consider what is holding you back from making changes. Is it your own fears or negative attitude? Are you laden by so much debt that you are forced to keep putting one foot in front of another even though you don't like the path ahead of you? Are you living in an environment that stifles creative thinking?

No matter how limited your options might be, there are always choices that you can make. It might take time and sacrifice to pay down your debt, but you can do it! More education or another job search might just open a door that you couldn't previously see. Consulting with a professional or individual who has overcome trouble in the past might provide you with exactly the information and inspiration that you have needed.

3. Making healthy choices - Delayed gratification is the antidote for impulsivity. When you jump into something without gathering enough information or weighing the options, you will likely face regret.

We all want to have fun and nice things, but it is important to consider the difference between needs and wants. I frequently tell teenagers that growing up means doing all the things that you don't want to do - anyway! You need to get enough sleep and a healthy diet even if that means having to invest your time and efforts into planning and preparing for them. The good news is that once you have established a routine you will find realize the benefits.

This week think about the choices that you have and the ones that you have been neglecting. What could you do differently in the future to make your life happier and healthier?

https://ezinearticles.com/?Making-Choices---How-to-Choose&id=10167190

The Law of Attraction in Recovery From Alcoholism

You will always find exactly what you're looking for, this is an age-old truth. It still surprises me when I discover how many people don't realize this truth. To recover from alcoholism, which is my primary focus in the recovery community, I always start in the mind. Thoughts lead to feelings, which lead to actions, which lead to results.

So the question is; what are you looking for? Or may I phrase that a different way; what is it that you WANT? You see, wanting is the beginning of deliberate creating, and until you want something, you'll never have it. That being the case, if what you want is not currently present in your life, you must look inward and examine your thoughts.

Our minds are sending and receiving stations. All attraction begins with you. Therefore you must focus on what you want, not on what you need. Because, when you focus on what you need, you're actually focusing on the lack of what you want, thereby attracting more lack (of what you really want).

You must continually seek that which you desire. Every day, every morning, from your bed upon awakening, throughout the day, until again you find it's the end of the day, and your head is back on the pillow. You must continually seek that which you desire. When you do this, a vibrational harmonic frequency will begin to resonate out into the Universe, and all that is in alignment with that frequency, all things that resonate vibrationally with your desires, that resonate with what you want, they will begin to appear in your life. Not just things either, but thoughts and ideas, concepts from Creative Intelligence, they will begin to appear in your mind in the form of inspiration, excitement, and motivation. Things you've watched others attempt, and up until now you've never even dared to think about... but now you want to try them for yourself.

Soon, opportunities will begin to present themselves. New and different people will show up around you. Situations that used to baffle you will suddenly begin to resolve themselves with grace and ease. You will find yourself where you want to be, and becoming who you want to be, more and more each day. This is the way of things, it is Universal Law. It cannot not happen.

Then, it's simply a choice, not a struggle. I have many years of personal experience with these matters, in life generally, and in recovery specifically. When all you desire is recovery from alcoholism, and that becomes a burning desire, and it consumes you every day with a passion that surpasses all others, then it is an outcome with an imminent arrival. Be present; remain open; and trust your Intuitive Wisdom.

https://ezinearticles.com/?The-Law-of-Attraction-in-Recovery-From-Alcoholism&id=9954853

Walking Alone in the Rain (By Anselm Anyoha)

Ideas, they say, come at moments of loneliness, or seclusion. People have written volumes of books while jailed by their fellow men, who regretted the inspiration gained by their enemies even as they were incarcerated. In 1963, from a jail in Birmingham during the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King wrote several pivotal letters.

Not that I recommend going to jail as a way of coming up with ideas. There are less-punishing places to find inspiration. Places to get away from all the noise and smoke, dust and smells. A place to have quiet moments to think, to come up with new ideas, or to hope new ideas will germinate in the mind like the small, wavering stems of young corn plants.

"Just find any quiet, isolated place," they say, "and ideas will rush into your brain."

This is not to say that a person cannot still have ideas when everybody is on their case and situations around them are blowing up, with their parents screaming at each other, their wives asking them to wait a minute more for the egusi/melon soup to cook properly, their children not doing as they are told, their bosses unreasonable, money drying up like raindrops on Harmattan Day, and people not giving them the respect they deserve.

One still could come up with ideas in those horrible situations. The problem, though, is that under such circumstances the ideas would come out scrambled, like the patch of damp soil where a hen has used her claws to search for an elusive worm, with which she hopes to feed five starving chicks.

There is no debating, therefore, that being in a quiet place is the best way to imagine new ideas and new ways of accomplishing a dream, no matter how elusive that may have been in the past.

Nevertheless, finding a suitable nest for a solitary moment is becoming very difficult. One may have to think hard, search hard, perhaps drive a distance to locate quiet places suitable for a moment of reflection.

But since I had been thinking of this walk for months, perhaps years, I had an idea of where to go to find solitude. What freedom it would be to walk alone! The place I had in mind is a community park in Monroe, Connecticut called Wolfe Park. It is an area filled with tall trees, surrounding a lake the size of a soccer field.

When one of my brothers visited from Nigeria and I had taken him to the park, he had remarked how the Wolfe Park Lake resembled Nwangele Lake in Onitsha, Nigeria. As kids, we used to visit Nwangele and from a distance, and for no particular reason other than we were young, restless, and uncontrollable, throw rocks on a few toads and frogs that raised their heads above water. I remembered how quick those frogs were and how they would dive back into the water as the rocks left our palms.

Don't feel left out if you didn't know the town of Onitsha or Nwangele Lake. It doesn't really matter, because people have maltreated Nwangele, used it as a dump site and left it to dry out beyond recognition.

Anyway, Wolfe Park has a narrow pedestrian path that takes visitors up the hills and down steep valleys until they have walked right around the lake to come back to their original starting point.

Making up my mind to go for the walk was not an easy decision. The sky looked like it was going to open its doors and pour down buckets and buckets of rain. "Will it rain or not?" I asked myself as I looked up into the teary cloud.

Questions came into my head. Was it possible that what I had not been able to do for months could today become a reality? Several times I had used fatigue as an excuse not to walk. Yesterday, fatigue was the reason I could walk; today fatigue is gone.

Ripples of excitement flew into my head. What would the feelings be when I walked alone, and what ideas would come into my head?

Walking with others is fun, but it is compromising when you have to keep pace with them or talk to them or listen to them, share their everlasting burdens of issues and problems. Selfishness, like walking alone, serves a purpose. I wanted to walk alone in silence and at my own pace, hearing only the sound of my footsteps and the beat of my heart, the rustling of the leaves in the tops of majestic trees.

In terms of ideas, lately, my ideas seemed as old as worn-out jeans. A new wardrobe of ideas was what I was searching for. There is more holding back for a walk alone, a walk that would solve a lot of my worldly desires.

With my mind made up, after work, instead of going home I drove to Wolfe Park. No other car was at the parking field. What did that mean? Everybody else but me was fearful of the rain. The cloud was on the brink of tears, but would it rain? I thought for a moment. If I hurried and began the walk, I could finish and get back to my car before any downpour. If, however, the rain caught up with me... oh well, I would have to endure it just like I have endured many other misfortunes in my life.

As a final preparation I grabbed a bug repellant tin from my car and sprayed the tips of my shoes, the cuffs of my shirt, the hems of my pants and the top part of my hat. For some reason bugs, mosquitoes, and their cousins like to follow me, land on me and bite my neck, like mean women do to their men.

Then, again, I looked up at the sky. Not that I was terrified of rain; I only wanted to know what was facing me. The cloud above was damp with rain, but also there was a defiant sun. Which of the two would win the day? I pondered. As kids, we used to wonder who would win if the sun and rain wrestled. The sun is so powerful it could evaporate falling rain, but then again a torrential rain could drench the sun.

Not certain if it would rain, and not overtly concerned if it did, I began to walk the trail of the park, an undulating landscape of hills and valleys around a lake of crystal water, surrounded by vegetation and the big tall trees.

True to expectation, there was not one man or woman on the trail with me. I was all alone, just as I'd prayed for. Ordinarily, you would see a crowd of people, including weight-watchers, loners, monks, those who wanted a quiet moment, old and young, men and women, black and white, all walking the trail. Not today.

They were not serious, to begin with, I said to myself: How could everybody be gone because of the threat of rain? Their absence was my gain, I supposed. More quiet time for ideas to rush into my brain.

As I walked down the trail, my mind was occupied, initially full of ideas, of wonderful possibilities in the field of making money, plenty of money, and new, never-seen discoveries that would take the world by surprise, all of which would finally make my teachers proud of the time they spent educating me.

Mediocrity wasn't what they intended when they crammed my brain with mathematics and physics and yes, chemistry.

Raindrops were now beginning to break through the leaves to fall on my hat and arms. It was a drizzle, yet it was beginning to derail my mind and my ideas, turning them into situation alert. For the first time during the walk I became conscious of my circumstances.

What an insane idea to walk the trail, alone in the rain, through the woods. By this time I was in the thick of the park, surrounded by trees, huge tall trees; some kissing the sky, others, weak and broken, leaning against their neighbors. My mind was running through scenarios of pandemonium. Am I in any danger or not?

Drops of rain were now breaking through the branches and leaves at a much faster pace and landing on my head, which was now exposed because I had been using my hat to ward off the scores of flies that, despite the insect repellant, were hovering around my ears and eyes and face.

To shake off the flies, I began to trot, occasionally stopping to elude them. They kept pace with me. How did I manage to get into this mess? I swore to myself as I hit and swatted the flies off my head.

Minutes ago I was happy, unaware of my surroundings walking alone in the park, and indeed, new ideas were beginning to erupt in my head; but now everything around me had become noticeable and frightening.

The trees were no longer elegant and strong. They were actually in a forest where wolves live, and I remembered that recently people had reported sighting a horde of wolves. My heart, which had been quiet since I started the walk, began to pound beneath my ribs, and my breathing went up and down like a child at the end of a long cry.

From the chest of the forest a long, winding snake rose and began to creep towards me, one inch at a time. With drops of rain hanging off my eyelashes, it was hard for me to judge its distance. I suspected it was close enough to lunge at me. I could only see its dazzling head, its grey skin and half of its length; the other half of its body and the tail, I suspected, it had either concealed or curled around a half-dead tree with a slender trunk. What should I do now? Grab a weapon, my mind instructed.

Around the path were quite a few sticks thrown to the ground by the wind that had accompanied the teary sky. I selected a thick club, the size of a man's leg. But the second I gazed back at the snake, it had turned into a twisted fallen branch. A sigh of relief came upon me. With my weapon ready to whack any other intruder, I continued trekking the trail.

When I got near the lake that resembled Nwangele, I quickened my pace trying to go around the circumference of the lake in a faster time. Half of the perimeter of the lake is not sheltered by trees and the rain hammered me as I walked.

Because I was so deep in the forest I welcomed the rain. It had been a long time since rain fell on me. It brought back childhood memories of my village, Akokwa. How grandmother would allow me to shower in the rain and I would position myself to let the waterfall from the zinc pound my head.

Except for ripples of raindrops the lake was calm. I don't think it has frogs and toads like the old Nwangele Lake before it dried up, but I have seen people catch medium-size fish and crabs in Wolfe Lake. Where were they today? Only a little rain and everybody but me was gone. They couldn't have been serious fishermen.

When I'd completed the circumference of the lake I turned the corner and began to walk back up the trail to where I began the journey. I was drenched but happy. My fear had lessened. Let it rain on me, I murmured with wet lips. I slowed my ascent up the hill. Why hurry when I was already soaking wet?

Almost halfway back to my car, a steady breeze came to glue my shirt to my skin. Uneasiness and cold sent a shuddering sensation around my chest. I tried to peel parts of my shirt away from my skin but it was not enough to save me from the chills, so I let the shivers plague me.

More power walking and I could see the outline of my car, all by itself in a field that could swallow six hundred and seven cars. Pride filled my heart. Not empty pride, but a pride of accomplishment.

Breakthrough ideas did not come, but I sure laid the foundation for one. No farmer sows a corn seed without tilling the ground, preparing the fields, and cutting the weeds. The same with ideas; they don't just come out of thin air. And they come when least expected.

Who knows what channels had been opened in my mind by the experience of rain on the body, the reconnection of the past to the present, and the remembrance of Nwangele?

Back in my car, I peeled off my wet shirt and put on a coat jacket. Where is everybody on this rainy day at Wolfe Park?

End

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