Michael

I’m ready for spring! I don’t really have a problem with the winter. I’m just ready for a change. Lots of thoughts of spring were running through my head while driving home in snow showers today.

I thought about the freedom I would feel by not having to wear a heavy winter coat.

I thought about the earthy smell while walking the a forest in the with the trees budding out.

I thought about all of the flowers that will start to break open.

I thought about sitting in the sun feeling the warmth enter my skin.

I thought about the feeling of renewal and birth that comes with the world waking up from the winter.

I thought about hiking and geocaching without wearing winter gear.

All these thoughts just make me feel good, not sad. But, I do look forward to that moment when I know spring has arrived.

Michael

Well, another Idol season has officially started with the first live show this evening. 36 hopefuls begin season 8. Twelve sang tonight.

I find this show fascinating for several reasons. I love watching how people view themselves in the face of the judges comments. I really like seeing someone bring out aspects of themselves that they’ve never shown before. Those surprising moments are the best. I like how the contestants can surprise the judges, both positively and negatively, in their song choice.

But, the best part of the show for me is watching people follow and pursue their dreams. That’s the stuff that life is all about. Those are the life changing moments.

I can’t wait to see what people are able to bring to the table this year.

Michael

For peace of mind….resign as general manager of the universe. – Larry Eisenberg

One of the hardest things for people to do is to let go of trying to control everything or everyone. I think trying to control everything creates a vast amount of stress on the controlling individual. I also think that most of the time the controlling person is not very aware of this stress, but the effects can add to the need for control.

I’ve found that a lot of people that are prone to control do so because deep down they actually feel out of control in some fashion or another. They reach out to the external world to gain a sense of order from the anxiety or chaos they feel internally. Many don’t even know how deep these feelings may go. While many others, don’t even realize how much they try to control.

Bottom line is that peace of mind will be elusive if you try to control or manage everything.

So, if you find yourself getting frustrated with people when they don’t do something the way you would; or you have to have things done in a particular way; or you have to manage every single detail of your life and others, you may be someone that has a control problem.

It may require a deep look inside to overcome this issue. I recommend finding a good counselor who you trust enough to talk openly and freely. The good news is that you can overcome this and the result will be a life that is much more relaxed and full of peace.

Michael

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. – Berthold Auerbach

Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom.  If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. - Charlie Parker

Music’s the medicine of the mind. – John A. Logan

Today was band practice. This was the best session we’ve had up to now. Everything seemed to click and all three of us were right on our game. As we progressed it seemed that the creative flow got even stronger.

We’ve focused our efforts on 13 songs initially with the goal being to do these very well or as close to perfect as possible. After that we’ll move on to increase our repertoire. As we completed a song after doing it well, it seemed to energize us for the next one. We continued at this high pace for about 3 hours.

The big thing was that it was incredibly fun. There were times that it was completely exhilarating for me. The sound of our trio is unique as there are two acoustic guitars and a drummer. You don’t see that very often and we have a lot of room for creative expression with the two guitars.

Our goal is to perform at a local open mic sometime in April. That gives us two more months of practice.

I’m loving it. It’s a like a dream come true.

Michael

Today is the day where romance fills the air and people actively show others how much they are loved. For quite some time, this tradition has been an important part of relationships. Gifts, cards, flowers, candy and other “treats” are given in vast quantities.

So, it was strange for me when I was at a leadership lecture on Thursday and the speaker spent several minutes talking about how much he loathed Valentine’s Day. This is a married man speaking about how terrible Valentine’s Day has been. Obviously I was curious to listen for his explanation.

In this man’s mind, Valentine’s Day is a cheap way to tell someone how you feel or treat them nice once, but do very little the rest of the year. In his view, most or many people don’t do much all year and feel that if they do something on Valentine’s Day then all is well.

I thought this was a fairly negative view of people and the tradition. But, as I thought about it, one point did stand out. It was that we should be telling our loved ones many more times than on this one day how much we love them. We should be treating them in a more positive manner regularly. We should show how much we care throughout the year.

I believe doing all of that would make Valentine’s Day even more special.

Nothing like the present to start a new habit.

Michael

I will waste not even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness. I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will plant only good seeds this day. – Og Mandino

An idealist believes the short run doesn’t count. A cynic believes the long run doesn’t matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run. – Syndey J. Harris

Every second, we possess an extraordinary amount of power for growth, change and happiness. What we feel in every moment is subtly determining our future; seconds, hours or days ahead. Consistent behavior, thoughts and emotions generate consistent reactions, attitudes, beliefs and how people/events respond to us.

We see this happening every day in people around us. Does the complainer become happier because of his complaints? Does he tend to complain more and more? Do people around him seem “down”, angry or sad? Do things seem to not work out for him on a regular basis?

Don’t you like to be around people who are up, positive, happy or loving life? I’m sure the answer is yes unless you are a complainer.

This is the power we have at our disposal. It’s really about making small but simple choices constantly and consistently. So, if we make many positive choices in how we respond, feel and act, our overall day is better. Put a lot of those days together and our life starts feeling better.

The great thing is you don’t have to worry about what you’ve done in the past. Even if you have been grumpy or a complainer for years, you can change now and move forward with a different feeling.

It doesn’t matter when you start but now is the best time.

Michael

When you know that you’re capable of dealing with whatever comes, you have the only security the world has to offer. – Harry Browne

I strongly believe that we only get what we are capable of handling. We are all different in that respect so what can be dealt with by one person could be overwhelming for another. Each of us has a unique set of skills, attributes, perspectives, strengths and weaknesses. No two people are alike.

I’m always amazed at what people overcome. Sometimes the events and circumstances are way beyond anything I think I could deal with. Though, in thinking about that, it’s not really that relevant. I (and you also) have the exact skills and experience needed to deal with whatever comes our way. That’s the important part. We can use what others go through as inspiration, but we shouldn’t use them as a comparison.

When you begin to believe you can deal with all things that come your way, the sense of relief will be quite strong. Remember that belief when you are going through something that is challenging. It will help to carry you through the difficult moment you are experiencing.

You can do it!

Michael

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it. – Arnold H. Glasgow

Have you ever looked at patience as the key to everything? It’s a big statement but one I think has merit. I’ve always believed that the way you manage your attitude directly affects your life and the interaction you have with the world around you.

I’m thinking now that underlying a positive attitude is a healthy dose of patience.  Patience and a bad attitude just don’t seem to mix well.

We live in a world of “I want it now” and where many people have expectations of instant gratification. We are “trained” from our childhood that we are supposed to get what we want when we want it. But, the reality is that we have to wait sometimes and probably more than that.

True growth of self takes time. To learn any musical instrument takes time. To become a superior athlete takes time. Wisdom takes time. Patience takes time.

So, if we can cultivate and grow the art/skill of patience, not only will we get to where we want to go, but we will enjoy the journey also. That’s what it’s all about anyway. Who cares about reaching the goal if it sucked all the way there? What’s the fun in that?

Here’s one for you. Be patient with yourself as you learn and practice being patient.

Have a great day!

Michael

Self-doubt does more to sabotage individual potential than all external limitations put together. – Brian Tracy

The most important conversations, briefings, meeting, and lectures you will ever have will be those you hold with yourself in the privacy of your own mind. – Denis Waitley

Self-doubt. It rates right up there with fear in the debilitating effect it can have on people. We can be our worst critic or our best supporter. The choice is ours.

What we say to ourselves in our own mind is a critical element in how we feel. It’s a key component that affects how we react to events around us. Think about it. We talk to ourselves almost non-stop throughout the day in a variety of ways. Sometimes the talk is positive, “pat on the back” kind of talk while other times we tell ourselves we are stupid.

Getting a handle on your self-talk may seem challenging initially. So, the first thing you should do is work on being conscious of what you are telling yourself. Make sure you are not judging what you are hearing. That would defeat the purpose of this exercise. Start listening more consciously to your internal dialogue.

Next, focus on being aware of your emotions coming from your self-talk. Remember to look for all self-talk and associated emotions, both positive and negative. See if your negative self-talk happens during certain times of your day like when you are at work, around a particular person or doing something you don’t enjoy.

Finally, as you become more aware of what you are saying to yourself, how that makes you feel and when in your day you talk this way, start to try and “tweak” what you are saying. Is there a way that you can turn the words to a slightly more positive spin? Don’ make up something you don’t believe. That doesn’t work. Think of this exercise as talking your way out of a hole. How would you help your friend if they were having a similar problem?

Help yourself the same way.

Michael

In January, Australia’s Queensland Bureau of Tourism announced through the web an incredible job opportunity based on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a dream job. Your primary responsibilities include exploring the islands and the reef. You must try all the different activities available and report about them on a weekly basis by blog, photography and video. There will be the occasional interview. Basically, by experiencing all that the reefs have to offer and telling the world, you promote the region for the tourism bureau.

Accommodations are extraordinary; a three bedroom condo in a multi-million dollar resort. The job is for six months from July 1^st 2009 to January 1^st 2010. The pay is approximately $100,000 U.S. Not bad in relation to the responsibilities.

Thousands upon thousands of people have applied and at one point so many people were hitting their website that it crashed because of the traffic overload. You must fill out a very short application and upload a 60 second video about yourself and why you are best for the job.

50 semi-finalists will be voted on during the the last week of March. 11 short-listed candidates will be announced on April 2^nd and will be flown to Australia for the final interview during the first week of May. The winner will be picked on May 6^th and needs to start work promptly on July 1^st.

I’m applying!

Michael