Writers Write

Beth — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:51:00 +0000

I remember reading once that “writers write”, and because I read it, I must assume that it was written… probably by a writer. But this is more significant, not in what it says about writing – in what it says about life.

In many ways we are what we do; not what we say or what we think, or what we say we think, and we are shaped by our actions, even those which are done with little if any conscious thought. Our actions define us to the outside world and it only makes sense that they affect our soul and define our inner being as well.

What is even more brilliant is the power of recreation given us by the simple understanding of its truth. If we are what we do, we need only change our actions to change our hearts and consequently our lives. We can transform into our wildest desires by embracing action.

So many programs out there today talk about changing our minds to change our lives but think about how easily we can change our minds by changing our action. Let’s face it, we can think about it all we want, but without action our thoughts are unlikely to bear fruit because it is action that creates energy, momentum and change.

Qua vado, illic es

Beth — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:58:07 +0000

I love Latin because when you say simple things in it, they just seem more profound, although sometimes simple thoughts are just profound. In this case “Qua vado, illic es.” Translates roughly, to “Wherever you go, there you are.” I will admit that my first memorable encounter with this quote was watching Mad Max – Beyond Thunderdome in the mid 80’s, but a little research will take the quote back to Thomas a Kempis’, Imitation of Christ, ca. A.D. 1440, reminding us that we cannot outrun our own destinies (death), which is really only one permutation of its meaning.

This quote reminds us that no matter what we do, we must live with what we have done and that no manner of rediscovery can erase our path from our own eyes and hearts. This requires that we acknowledge the permanence of our actions in this transitory existence and the necessity that we live today with the understanding that its memory will be part of our tomorrows, and live so that in our retrospective, we can take joy not only in our accomplishments but also in our journey.

It also encourages us to accept our past, embracing the fact that it is unchangeable and that all change exists in the present – in what we do now. It admonishes us to create the change that we want to see in our lives now and not wait for the morrow, for the choices we make today will shape our future in more than the wealth they create but in the foundation they lay for the future.

So remeber, “Qua vado, illic es.”

Getting your groove back

Beth — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:35:21 +0000

I was attending a convention last week and someone asked me, “Whatever happened to your daily emails… I miss them.” You know something, I have missed them too and the conversation pointed out to me that I lost my groove. Life got busy, the economy got tough, and I allowed myself to go into hiding. How silly was that? When times get tough, is when our groove is the most important. It is what keeps us on track to success and happiness.

So, I am back, hopefully to never lose my grove again.

More on Tools

Beth — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:36:52 +0000

Having the right tools is important, but equally important is having them with you when you need them. Think about it. Almost everyone has a small tool kit in their auto with the tools needed should a problem arise, but many run around all day without a pocket calendar, a note pad or their business cards. You never know who you are going to meet. The perfect opportunity may be waiting just around the corner. Be prepared to take full advantage.

The right tool

Beth — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:03:13 +0000

How full is your tool kit? Think about it, you wouldn’t use a screwdriver to hang a picture and you wouldn’t use a hammer to fix the sink. Most people have a half dozen, or so, basic tools that they use for general maintenance. How many tools do you have in your success tool kit? Most of us only have one or two…

When I was a kid, my Daddy used to always tell me that everything could be fixed and that if something seemed unfixable, you just needed to find the right tool.

What are you carrying?

Beth — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:01:59 +0000

There is a story of two monks travelling through Asia who happen upon a woman fearful of crossing a stream. Without much thought, one monk picks up the woman and carries her across and the two continue on their journey. After the passing of some time, the second monk remarks “do you think it was appropriate for you to pick up the woman my brother?” And the first monk replied, “I stopped carrying her at the water’s edge brother, why is it that you are carrying her still?”

A Sharp Knife

Beth — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:20:50 +0000

Have you ever tried to cut something with a dull knife? Dull knives are not only more difficult to use but they also tend to make a mess of whatever it is you are trying to cut. As a result, most of us are diligent about keeping our knives sharp. What about the other tools we use?

So often, once we have learned something, we tend to not sharpen our success skills and our career skills. We figure that “if it isn’t broke – don’t fix it” and, just like cutting with the dull knife, it shows in our results.

More on Fish Bowls

Beth — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:26:02 +0000

The other day I asked how big your belief bowl is. But having a big enough bowl is not the only element of success.

Think about it. When an absolutely huge bowl is crammed full with stuff… a plastic plant here and there, a castle made of stone, a diver man blowing bubbles… the size of the bowl is actually smaller.

Is the temperature right? A tropical fish isn’t going to make it in chilly waters , nor a goldfish in warm ones.

What about salt? A wonderful spice, but a fresh water fishy doesn’t stand a chance.

Remember, what is in your bowl affects your success as surely as its size does. So, what is in your bowl?

The Art of Collecting

Beth — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:28:39 +0000

Almost all people collect something. Sometimes these things clutter our houses, our cars, our lives or even our minds. Oddly, most of what we collect is kind of pointless but we just keep on collecting. Collecting is fun.

One of the most common things we collect, without any conscious effort really, is concerns and doubts.

Collecting concerns and doubts is serious business. When collect too many of them, there just isn’t any room left for the things we consciously want to collect, like contentment, joy, happiness and success.

The converse is true. If we are busily collecting “happy thoughts” (Peter Pan reference is purposeful), they can push away the concerns and doubts and allow us to soar.

How big is your beliefbowl?

Beth — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:30:27 +0000

Have you ever noticed that a goldfish will only grow as large as their environment will let them. Put a goldfish in a small bowl on a desk, it will remain roughly the same size for its entire life. Put it in a pond, it will actually grow to be quite enormous.

Success is kind of like that. Our potential for success is limited primarily by the bowl (belief) it is held in. How big is your beliefbowl?