Michael

What did you do for fun today? Did you do something to feed your soul? Did you pursue a passionate hobby, craft or activity? Did you eat a favorite food or talk to a good friend? Did you practice your music or your art?

Each and every day, you should take some time for yourself. If you do something that gives you enjoyment, pleasure or makes you laugh, then your day will be more enjoyable. When you have many days like this, your life is more enjoyable.

We all have the tendency or habit of doing for others or just doing other things instead of something for ourselves. But the effect of doing that over time can be personally devastating. Most of the time it’s subtle, but over many days, weeks or months we began to feel a general malaise about life. We may not know why we feel less than wonderful. It just seems to hang over us.

It’s simple. We aren’t living our lives in a way that gives us purpose, joy, pleasure and a feeling that things can be fun. What’s great is that it is really easy to fix. We just need to give ourselves the gift of time.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort. Just do one thing every day that brings you immense pleasure, joy or fun. One thing. That’s all it takes.

Today, I took some photographs and ate Thai food. I know. That’s two things for me, but after the first one, I got inspired.

Have a great day!

Michael

Spring Flowers

The Vernal Equinox occurred at 7:44 a.m. EDT. This heralds the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of fall in the southern. Astronomical note: The equinox is the point at which the center of the sun crosses the equator.

For us in the north, it’s a time to start coming out from weeks and month of being reclusive. Internally, it’s time to turn away from a time of introspection to more outward endeavors. I love this time of year. People start to thaw out. Plants are budding. Flowers begin blooming. The world is waking up (at least in the north).

I’m looking forward to doing more hiking without heavy coats, gloves and hats. I’m ready to feel the warmth of the sun while sitting on my deck. I’m ready for spring bulbs. I’m ready for the Newport Flower Show. I’m ready for my annual trip to Yosemite with my daughter.

I’m just ready for spring.

I’m glad it’s here!

Michael

One must desire something to be alive. – Margaret Deland, O Magazine, September 2002

Desire, like the atom, is explosive with creative force. – Paul Vernon Buser

The heart is where it all starts. Not our minds or our body. If our heart is not into it, then nothing happens. Just the phrase, “My heart’s not into it,” tells the tale. Passion and commitment come from the heart. Excitement and desire come from the heart. No one I know gets desire or commitment from an intellectual argument.

We think we make decisions with our mind, but when we look closer, we find that the heart was the starting point. Once our heart is into something, then the mind can kick in to figure out how to do it and complete the tasks. Our bodies quickly follow and take us where we need to go.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What job, relationship, belief or thing is keeping you from living your passion and following your heart?
• What decisions have you made the can be changed to allow your desires to be fulfilled?
• What are you doing on a daily basis that you are not committed to? Why?
• What fears are preventing you from living the life you want to live?
• If you could try one thing that you are not doing right now, what would it be?
• What are you most desirable dreams? Which one can you start to follow right now?

This is a great time to make that change. Spring is in the air. New leaves and flowers are bursting forth from a long dormancy. Don’t you think it’s time to wake up and live the life you want to live? I do.

Have a great day!

Michael

Changing Course (changingcourse.com) is a unique website dedicated to the belief that you should be able to get paid to do what you love. It has a host of ideas to help you make a career change, turn your passions into income and how do change your life to be what you want it to be.

Dr. Valerie Young experienced a personal tragedy that woke her up. She decided to change her life. Dr. Young started the Changing Course website to help other people do exactly the same thing. Of the many pages, she has three free enlightening articles: The Great Work Debate: Money vs. Happiness, What Your Guidance Counselor, Career Counselor, and Own Mother Probably Never Told You… You Don’t Need A Job to Make a Living, Ten Tips for Figuring Out How to Get Paid to Do What You Love.

I’m really happy to see something like this. I’ve always believed that you should be able to make a living doing what you love to do. Life doesn’t have to be miserable because you hate your job or career. There is another way. Dr. Young points you in the right direction and gives you solid tips and techniques to help you change your course.

Have a great day!

Michael

When you are doing something you love, you can get through anything. – Michael Thornton

I contracted a fairly solid cold right as I was flying down to New Orleans to attend a photography workshop. My energy level was much lower than I was anticipating. I still wanted to fully participate. There was no way I was going to miss a minute of the three day workshop.

So, with a combination of Dayquil, Nyquil, caffeine, gallons of liquids, lots of rest and staying mostly inside I was able to make the entire workshop. You know what? I’m not sure it was all the “ingredients” I ingested. I think it was because of my love for photography. My passion for this creative pursuit of mine is powerful. It helps me get up well before dawn and stay up late processing my photographs.

I think that’s the key. When you love something, you can make it through anything. With that said, we should be doing more of the things we love to do. Whether it is career, hobbies, exercise, cooking or the millions of other pursuits that we all participate in, make it be something you love. If you don’t love it, then stop doing it. Change it something that turns you on. Your life will shoot off in different but wonderful directions.

What’s holding you back? What’s preventing you from doing what you love? Remember this. No excuse is enough to keep you back. Don’t let it.

Have a great day!

Michael

Truly, it is in the darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest to us. – Meister Eckhart

Sometimes when we are in our darkest hour, it’s hard to have perspective. We don’t realize how close we are to the light (i.e. help out of the darkness). We are so consumed by the depths of our despair, sorrow, negativity or whatever negative emotion is permeating our soul that we forget that the situation is only temporary.

The light is so close to us. All we need to reach it is to take the first step; make the smallest attempt to reach for it. Our decision to change or get out of the darkness is the stimulus that starts help coming our way. But, unless we make the move out of darkness, then the light just sits patiently waiting. No help comes.

Though that first step can be excruciatingly hard at times, it is the sole key to improving your life for the better. All the great teachings for thousands of years have said something similar. We have free will. It’s always our choice to be wherever we want to be. In contrast, it is also our choice to change at any moment. We forget we have the power to change.

So, take that first small step. Ask for some help, some guidance or a different perspective. At the first notice of movement forward, the universe seems to jump at the chance to bring you help. You have to want it first and then take that step. The first one is on your own. From that point forward, as you move along a path of making yourself feel better, help will be in your hand.

Michael

Happiness comes when you believe in what you are doing, know what you are doing, and love what you are doing. - Brian Tracy

The nature of happiness is different for everyone. We share many things that make us happy, but ultimately we all have very specific notions, ideas and things that individually make us happy.

For me, happiness is:

• Staying up late
• Waking up earlier
• Sleeping in
• A perfect cup of coffee
• Playing the guitar
• Taking a photograph
• Traveling to a place I’ve never been
• Giving a gift that someone really wanted but couldn’t get it themselves
• Watching a sunset
• Hiking through a forest in the spring
• Snow
• Thai food
• Dry wit or humor
• Writing
• Yosemite
• A surprise rainbow
• Visiting London
• Learning something new
• Taking a trip with Erica
• Strawberries
• Waterfalls

I’ve listed 21 things that make me happy. Why don’t you make a list of your own? Carry it in your pocket. When you are feeling down or just need a little bit of a mood boost, take the list out and read it. Sometimes just thinking of things that make you happy will life your spirits. Try to make sure you do one of the items on your list every day. Just take a few minutes for yourself. The future payoff is huge.

Have a great day!

Michael

Bromeliad Flower

Sometimes we need a place to get away from it all. A place that calms the soul, enriches the imagination and allows us to focus on the present moment.

I found that the middle of Bourbon Street in New Orleans tonight was not such a place.   There are a lot of people in heavy party mode. It’s not my thing tonight.

I found a quiet courtyard full of plants and some places to sit and relax. That’s what I needed most; a serene place away from the noise, hustle & bustle and the crowds.

Like I mentioned yesterday, it is amazing what can be found behind an archway, a closed door, a stone fence or a short alleyway in the French Quarter. You just never know in this city what is hiding in plain sight.

But, I’m thankful for these places. They can be just what the soul needs at just the right time.

Hope your day was exactly what you needed.

Michael

Ahhhh!! I’m in New Orleans for a 3 day photography workshop. My hotel, the Royal Sonesta, is located right on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter. Let me tell you. This place is crazy. It’s full of people day and night. Everyone is working hard on having a good time; lots of partying going on due to the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.

I really love the French Quarter and New Orleans has a special feel like many European cities. You can easily walk anywhere. No driving required. There is something interesting around every corner. The food is world class. Cajun and Creole styles are supreme. But, every other type of food can easily be found.

You never know what is behind a door or entrance way. The streets are narrow and many times when you walk into someone’s home or a café, it turns into a beautiful courtyard full of plants and flowers. It gives the experience a sense of magic because it feels like you were transported somewhere else.

What adds to this trip is that fact that New Orleans seems to be getting back its vitality. I’ve met some really nice people and everyone seems to be in a good mood. The service at the hotel is spectacular.

The people here have had some tough times but you wouldn’t know it today. It’s good to see.

Have a great day!

Michael

Erica and I went to see Fleetwood Mac last night in Boston. This is the Fleetwood Mac Unleashed Tour. No album to promote. Just the best of their 40 some plus year career. And let me say, “They played some of the greatest songs in rock history!!”

The entire band poured their heart and soul out for a solid 2 1/2 hours. Everyone was “blown away” with how incredible the entire band performed. Lindsey Buckingham is a freaking genius on the guitar. I’ve never seen anything quite like his playing style. All fingers on both hands moving a breathtaking speeds. Plus he was singing at the same time.

One thing we loved about the entire concert was that the core group really was here to have a good time. They said it at the beginning and they weren’t joking. It was fantastic to watch people that have performed for decades together just have a wonderful time making terrific music together.

It’s been a long time dream of mine to see these guys (and Stevie Nicks) play together. The concert was every bit my dream plus a whole lot more.

I’ve been thinking it about all day. Just makes me smile.

Have a great day!

Michael