My Audio Experiment...

Check out my experimental first audio posting.  I've decided to investigate joining the podcast crowd.  My first audio post is a brief biographical sketch and basic summary of my manifestation coaching approach.  Listen and let me know what you think!!  http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/html/audio.html 

The Unread Book...

I spent a lot of time in trouble during my early school years. Don’t misunderstand; I wasn’t a bad kid. But I was a troublesome kid. I talked too much, asked too many questions, came back with too many impertinent remarks, argued with my elders, and read too much (which basically means I was reading anything but the textbooks I was supposed to be reading. My passion has always been science fiction, and even in grammar school I found the genre more interesting than geography).

In fact, when I finally graduated from Immaculate Conception grammar school, I was given the seven books that had been confiscated from me during my four years there. Each one was taken for reading in class. I had good grades, but reading was an addiction for me very early in life.

Today, it is typical for me be reading three or four books concurrently. Out of economic necessity, I shop at a wonderful used bookstore in the San Fernando Valley called The Iliad. I start there on a Saturday morning with the bargain counter near the entrance. Tons of books under $5. I get all kinds of books I would have passed by before. I don’t want to risk $35 on a book I’m not sure about. But for $1 I’ll buy anything that looks intriguing. That bargain price has lured me into some fascinating reading. But most especially historical reading.

Recently, I’ve started reading another $2 book published in 1916. It’s called A Diplomat’s Wife in Mexico covering her diplomatic stay in Mexico around 1912. Written by Edith O’Shaughnessy as a series of letters back to the States, it presents a fascinating sometimes troubling picture of the American viewpoint at the turn of the century, and our relationship with Latin America.

As I reached near the halfway point of the book, I started having the cut many pages. For those not familiar with this, many times, older books would have pages that were not properly cut along the outside, preventing you from turning the page. In the day, it was typical to have a letter opener or some other knife-like tool handy when reading a book for the first time, to be able to “cut” the pages when needed.

I suddenly realized that if I was cutting pages, I was the first one to turn these pages. That meant this near 100-year old book had never been read all through until I did it myself this week. For almost 100 years, this book has lain fallow, its message locked between its covers just waiting from someone to cut the pages open and release the story.

For some reason, it made me sad. I wondered how many of us are like that book. It has a lovely dark green cover with the Mexican eagle emblem embossed in gold on the front, along with the title and a reproduction of Mrs. O’Shaughnessy’s signature. It’s quite a pretty book, actually, and still it’s never been opened.

So many of us put on our best face, dress up real nice for the world, and still end up standing at the edge of the dance floor, watching everyone else have fun – our book unopened.

But my little book had no choice. It couldn’t jump up and cry “read me!” and it couldn’t read itself. You and I have more going for us. We don’t have to wait for someone to find us finally on the bargain counter at The Iliad.

With a little bit of courage and a little bit of daring, we can speak up for ourselves, create our own readers, and tell our story to the world. Whether it’s creating a compelling resume, giving an Oscar-worthy job interview, or writing the next great novel, we have the power to create without waiting for permission.

I know doing the unfamiliar is scary and daunting. But after my bittersweet encounter with Mrs. O’Shaughnessy’s book, I have a new inspiration. Every time I think about giving up I’ll think about that poor little book just waiting, waiting, waiting, and I’ll know that nothing is scarier than that. No risk of failure is worse than the thought of being like that book, unread, unappreciated, just waiting.

Trying is better. Trying and failing is better. Anything is better than just sitting there.  And that's a great feeling.

Once you reach that point, you have found your power. Find your focus next and blast off. Don’t be that unread book!

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

In Defense of Impatience...

“Didn’t you learn anything in Italy about patience?” my office colleague asked me after my recent return from a two-week vacation in rural Italy. I was, as usual, demanding deadlines and commitments from my staff at a manager’s meeting.

I thought about that question that night. It’s true that my Italian ancestors have a different pace of living that one could describe as slower. Certainly meals are a leisurely pastime in Italy. But drive on an Italian street or better yet, the autostrada (their freeways)! You’d never describe an Italian driver as patient.

What’s the difference?

When Italians want to get somewhere, they don’t dawdle. Whether by autostrada, or vaporetto boat in Venice, or the subway in Rome, Italians waste no time and have little patience for those who do. But once they reach their destination, they slow their pace and begin a deeper experience.

When I try to create change in my life, that is, when I’m trying to get somewhere, I myself tend to be very impatient. Sometimes I feel like I’m pushing a big object against a heavy wind. But it seems to me that impatience with the pace of progress is the engine that creates the progress. Complacency is the enemy of forward motion. Impatience keeps complacency at bay. This is a good thing.

On the other hand, my impatience sometimes enters into my personal relationships, and that’s where my travel lessons will come in handy. When I had the attention of my Italian relatives during our recent visit, I had their entire attention. We talked over dinner for hours, and they made my mother and I the center of attention the whole meal. We felt welcomed and included despite the language challenges.

My lesson?

Be impatient with progress, but not people. Don’t let your focus on moving forward blind you to the people you travel with. They are, after all, the point of your journey.

So, I guess the answer to my friend’s question is “yes,” after all. I have learned something from my recent vacation. I’ve learned that there is a place for impatience and pushing, but there’s also a place for stopping and listening. As with so many things, it’s all a matter of balance.

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

Starting school...

Summer is over already and school is upon us.  If you're new to the school routine, here's a useful website, Mom's Homeroom, dedicated to helping you prepare your child to succeed in school. 

Useful as the site is, there's an even better way to help your child succeed in school, and that is to get involved and stay involved in his or her school life.  This article shows the many ways that parental involvement is key to student success.

It doesn't take a degree in rocket science to help your kids succeed in school.  All it takes it encouragement, support, and involvement to make a difference that will last a lifetime.

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

Renew your dreams...

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born." — Dale E. Turner

Never think it's too late to pursue your dream or achieve major accomplishments.  This article will inspire you.  You'll be surprised at who became world famous in their later years.  Grantly Morris humourously lists amazing things accomplished by senior citizens.

But you don't have to be in your golden years to learn this lesson.  Perhaps you never graduated from high school, and feel at 35 it's too late to fix it.  Not true. 

Last night I saw an amazing documentary called Changing Keys about Billy McLaughlin, a famous guitarist whose brain sort of forgot how to play.  He could have given up.  He almost did.  What he finally did in the end is head-shakingly amazing.  And a true lesson in not giving up.

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

Brain Sqeeze...

Something to relax you this Sunday as you prepare for the coming week.  Print and enjoy!

Learn from Mistakes...

“Some of the best lessons we ever learn are learned from past mistakes. The error of the past is the wisdom and success of the future.” – Dale E. Turner