Michael

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. – Lao Tzu

My last day with my career job was on August 15th. Since then I’ve been trying a different way of living each day. I make very few plans, which is strange for me and somewhat uncomfortable, though I am starting to get used to it.

Each morning I just let things come to me. In other words, I just see what feels better to do at any given time. It could be anything from cleaning to working on my photography or taking a drive. Whatever comes up I do it when the moment is telling me to.

I’m finding that it is an extraordinary way of relaxing as I am not focused on long to-do lists, action items, meetings and etc. But, strange as it may seem, I am accomplishing a tremendous amount every day. It hasn’t even been a week yet.

Since I’m going with the flow and letting the moment lead me, the actions I perform come from an inner inspiration. Since the actions are coming after the inspiration, the amount of “stuff” I get done is huge. This has surprised me.

Doors are opening and doors are closing. I seem to be exactly where I need to be at every moment of the day. There is no pressure, anxiety or feeling like I have too much to do. An added bonus is that I have friends that are either very interested in my “experiment” or completely support what I’m doing.

I’m getting use to this. I can’t wait to see what happens after a month of this kind of living.

Have a great day!

Michael

The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. What ever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work. – Oprah Winfrey

No big secret. That’s great news. All we have to do is believe in what we want to do, accomplish or desire to be. Belief in ourselves is a critical factor. But, it’s really what separates the ones who accomplish great things from those who don’t accomplish anything.

My definition of great things doesn’t mean that you have to be the best in the world in your particular field or be an Olympic medal winner. What it means is that you are doing the best you can do with the personal belief system to back it up. When we do the best we can do or help someone else we are doing great things.

Whenever we do our best, our example is of great benefit to others. If others change their own belief system to the better due to the quality of our own example, then you are doing great things.

It all starts with looking deep into ourselves and throwing away the old belief systems, the old habits of thinking and replacing them with something that is better suited to who we really are inside. You don’t have to look that far to find innumerable examples of people doing this over and over again. From physical illnesses to cultural barriers, history is rich with people who have followed their dreams to success.

We are no different. They didn’t let anything stop them from their goal. Their belief in themselves carried them forward through the difficult times.

It’s never too late to change. Now is the best time. Now is the only time that is important. What are you thinking now? How are you feeling now? What are you doing now?

Michael

Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. – Og Mandino

Note: Please check out my Best of Alaska Cruise photos. Hope you enjoy.

True happiness is within us. That’s a powerful statement. The implications are enormous and the least of which is that we truly have control of our happiness and the direction of our lives. We are raised differently of course and that is because the people that raised us forgot that fact.

So, all we have to do is to remember that we are responsible for our happiness, our lives and really the world we live in. We have more control than we know.

When we are happy, those feelings naturally spread to others. First and foremost from the example of how we are living our lives. Maybe a smile here and there. A hug when appropriate. A hearty laugh. A passion for life. Giving someone your time. Listening. Holding the door for someone.

We all want to be happy. Maybe some people have buried that fact deep within themselves, but I believe it’s always there.  Maybe you can help bring that out in others by being happy yourself. When they become happier it will probably spread to people they know. Before you know it, real social change has taken place.

I’ve begun. What about you?

Michael

One of the greatest gifts you can give to anyone is the gift of attention. – Jim Rohn

It’s a simple thing to give someone attention, but most of the time we choose to do something else. We are more involved with our own thoughts, actions and “responsibilities” and so we are too involved to give another our time.

The gift of your attention will be something that will be remembered, consciously or unconsciously. Sometimes the feeling of getting attention will be subtle and the person will not be clear on why they feel good when being around you. Others, especially children, will know and consequently will develop feelings of being cared for and liked.

True listening is one of the easiest ways to give another attention. A person practicing listening skills will not be thinking about what they are going to say next. True listening involves completely focusing on what the other person is saying and being totally in the present moment. Practicing this skill will be a gift very much appreciated by the other person. Nowadays it seems to be a rare experience. Maybe you can help change that.

Have a great day!

Michael

You understand human nature when you are never surprised by anything it does. – Vernon Howard

The Olympics brings home the notion that we can do anything we set our minds to. So many people have beliefs or opinions that one thing or another can’t be done. The large majority of us adapt these restrictive beliefs especially when made by so called “experts”.

The ABC news channel reported that Ian Thorpe, the celebrated Australian swimmer who won 5 Olympic Gold medals, stated that Michael Phelps would not be able to win gold in all 8 events at the Beijing Olympics. He had several reasons; one of them being that Phelps doesn’t swim well in the morning which was when the final relay medley was held.

After winning his 8th Gold Medal, Phelps was being interviewed by Bob Costas. Bob was asking him about all the negative comments and opinions that had been generated before and during his medal competitions. Phelps smiles and says that when he hears those kinds of comments all it does is “fire him up.” He has to prove that they are wrong. Apparently he can.

This is the attitude that makes ordinary people do extraordinary things. Yes, we all know that Phelps has the physical genetics that make his body perfect for swimming, but if his mind were in the wrong place, he would never have done his magic.

The lesson is simple and clear. Don’t let others sway you away from doing what you want. There is really only one obstacle to you doing extraordinary things and that simply is YOU.

So don’t be surprised by what others or you can do. This is the way things are supposed to be.

Have a great day!

Michael

8 Gold Medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics

7 World Records at the Beijing 2008 Olympics

14 Career Gold Medals

16 Career Olympic Medals

Michael Phelps has forever set his name in history. He beat Mark Spitz’s long held record of 7 Gold Medals in one Olympics. It will be very difficult for someone to break this record now. It was fantastic to watch it all happen live. It’s not often you get to watch history in the making.

Something about that is incredibly inspiring. Phelps is an example for all us. We have no limits except what we believe in our minds.

I’m honored to have watched Phelps go through this entire experience.

Michael

One may go a long way after one is tired. – French Proverb

Michael Phelps has done it again. He won his 7th Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing in the 100 meter butterfly. This ties him with Mark Spitz for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics by one individual. Until today, Mark Spitz was the only person to achieve that in 112 years. Now there are two!

The race itself was one of the most exciting I have ever seen. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire 51 seconds. Phelps trailed behind Cavic for almost the entire time; probably for almost 80 meters. Then you see both of them neck for neck. At the last moment, 0.01 (one hundredth) of a second, Phelps touches the pad first. No one could believe it. That’s like a fingernail. Even after reviewing it in slow motion, it was difficult to see.

Michael Phelps’ time of 50.58 seconds was an Olympic record also. Phelps seems unstoppable. His final attempt at gold will be on Sunday in the 4 x 100 medley relay where he swims the butterfly leg. Phelps career gold count is 13 which clearly places his name forever in history.

I can’t wait until Sunday.

Michael

Friendship is a word the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm. – Augustine Birrell

I was reflecting today on my many good friends. I feel very fortunate to have the caliber of friends that I have. They seem to be spread all over the place; multiple U.S. states and several countries. The diversity that those relationships bring is a bonus.

I’ve never been one to have large numbers of friends, but I do have and cultivate several very close friendships. I will do anything to help a friend of mine. I have in the past and I will do so in the future. My friendships were the first place I was able to practice unconditional love outside of my family. I believe that is a great first step for true internal change.

For my close friends, time and distance does not seem to be a factor in our relationships. It usually only takes a few minutes to sync up and then it is like we were never apart. That’s always felt strange to me. In a good way, but strange nevertheless.

So, to all my friends, thanks for the support you have given me, the laughs, the help in navigating those tough times and for being there when no one else cared. These are the gifts that make life truly meaningful and I will never take them for granted.

Have a great day!

Michael

At the company I work with, there is a small cafe that is usually busy at breakfast and lunch. Lisa is the primary person that works the cash register plus handles a number of other jobs in the food preparation area.

Because of her, I love going to the cafe. For all of the numerous times I’ve gone there on different days, different times and with different moods she has never been less than extremely jovial, happy, friendly and helpful. Never. Not once. Not even an inkling that she might be having a bad day.

I believe she is the most consistently happy person I’ve ever met. She is always smiling and telling people to have a good day. She thanks people for saying the same to her. And you know what? She is sincere. This is not some made up customer service drivel. She’s the real deal.

I think about the gift she is giving people everyday just by being herself. Lisa is spreading happiness to everyone and doesn’t seem to find that hard to do. I believe it really doesn’t take any effort for any of us to spread the same amount of happiness.

I’m thankful and appreciative of her zest for life, her attitude, her state of happiness and the example she is giving to us.

Michael

More on the Olympics. Michael Phelps wins his 10th Gold Medal in the 200 meter butterfly!!!!!! This guy is amazing. As the camera zoomed in on him after he had won, you could tell that he wasn’t happy with his time. This guy is an animal.

It was quite exciting to watch history being made. Phelps has now won more gold medals than any other athlete in their Olympic career. In addition to this incredible achievement, he also broke the world record in this event.

Michael Phelps has been in four finals at the Beijing Olympics and won gold in all four plus he set world records in every event. He seems unstoppable. I’m completely absorbed in watching him perform his magic in the pool.

I can’t wait to see what he does in the next four events. I always feel inspiration from watching someone do something that has never been done before. It tells me that there are no barriers. We can do anything we believe in.

Have a great day!

Michael