STRAIGHT UP LIVING

Believe It To See It

"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ~Frank LLoyd Wright

 

 

No matter what your spiritual or philosophical views may be, there is no greater force that directs human behavior than belief.  Your beliefs are what make you who you are, shape your life and guide you to your destiny.  Another word for your particular set of beliefs is faith.When you read the headline for this article you may have thought it was a typo or that I had written it backward by mistake.  It wasn't a mistake.  In fact, the truth contained in that simple phrase is a significant part of the foundation on which I have built this blog, and am building my life.  "Believe It to See It" simply means that before we see anything manifest in our lives, we must first believe it.  Another way of looking at it is: What we see in our lives is a result of what we believe!

  

   "If you are able?  Everything is possible for the person who believes"                                                                         ~ Jesus                               

 

 

      
                                     

 

 

Your beliefs will fall into either of two categories.  Empowering or Limiting.  See, your "belief system" is non-judgmental, which means it doesn't assign a "right" or "wrong" label to each belief.  It simply accepts as truth whatever you feed it.  Beliefs have the power to create or destroy.  To empower or limit us.  What beliefs do you hold that empower you?  Limit you?

"By believing passionately in something that does not yet exist, we create it"        

                                                                                 ~ Nikos Kazantzakis

  

 

Every period of personal growth or personal breakthroughs begin with a change in our beliefs.  If there were no change, there would be no growth or breakthrough.  Beliefs are incredibly powerful, but what is truly wonderful is that we get to choose our beliefs!

"Men often become what they believe themselves to be.  If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it.  But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning" 

                                                                                               ~ Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

A Call to Action

 Empowering beliefs have the opposite affect of limiting beliefs.  Whereas limiting beliefs hold you back, empowering beliefs propel you forward.  Holding to beliefs that empower you will always result in action.  They will not allow you to fall asleep in your comfort zone, but will keep you on   the move.

 

I write this article very much in the "now" because my beliefs are moving me into action.  For a long time I have worked hard to fill my mind and heart with empowering beliefs and they have taken root in me, so much so in fact, that they define who and what I am.  That being the case, I am compelled to leave my comfort zone (again) and enter uncharted waters.  I hold to my belief that I will experience great things and that I will succeed.

 

As Within, As Without

I'd like to leave you with this thought.  No matter what you may profess, you are always living what you actually believe.  Take a close look at your life.  What does it tell you about your beliefs?  Are you being held back or compelled to take action?

 

 

 

Who I Am ~ Become Still As You listen~

 

 

Take the next five minutes of your life and become still.  Allow the music to transport you to that place of calm, peace and stillness.   In this place you will hear and receive.

 

 

If you liked this song, you can check out the entire album three different ways! Here on this blog by clicking on the image of the hand in the side bar to your right, visit CD Baby,  and now on ITUNES!  Just go to the ITUNES Store and search for the album by title "Life is Now, Don't Wait!"

Close Encounters

                            . . . of the Human Kind!

 

       

There are many people, myself included, who desire to be a force for good in this world.  People who want their lives to make a difference in the lives of others and for the world to be, at least a little, better off because they lived. 

In today's world, we are fortunate to have literally dozens of tools at our disposal that can be utilized in our quest to "be the difference".  We have books, e-books, smart phones, skype, social media, web sites and blogs that we can use to wield our influence.  That being said, there remains one tool that is more powerful than all those just mentioned, though it often finds itself at, or near, the bottom of the list.  "What is this amazingly powerful tool?" you ask.  It is,

Human Interaction!  

 

Our world is flooded with books and blogs but the ones that really stand out, the ones that have the most influence are the ones that are authored by an individual who lives out, every day, the precepts and principles they write about.  That is how their writings become so influential.  They are out in the world, face to face with other people.  They are "hands on" and put their principles into action.  The things they speak of, or write about, aren't just theories to these people.  They have put their concepts and beliefs to the test, keeping what works, discarding what does not and are changing lives in the process!

Afterwards, they may write about such things and those writings will be energized because they were born out of action and passion.

 

"Action expresses priorities"

                                                                                       ~ Ghandi

 

Let's make good use of all the tools available to us, but most of all the tool of interacting with others.  Let's get "out there", Live It, and be the difference.

 

If you liked this song, you can purchase itm and preview the entire album here!

 

 

 

 

Will You Rise To The Occasion?

 

 

     

The quick and simple answer, to the question asked in the title of this post, is "No, you probably won't rise to the occasion...unless you've trained for it!

 

You may be familiar with this well known axiom: "We do not rise to the occasion, but rather fall back to our level of training."  You'll hear this repeated often in relation to military and law enforcement training and it's meaning is clear.  When facing a crisis situation, and the pressure is on, the skills necessary to effectively deal with that situation will not suddenly materialize within us.  Instead, we will fall back to previously established habits (training).

If you will allow yourself to think on this for even a few minutes, you will see that this concept is foundational to living a life that is fulfilling, joyful, loving and effective.  We must not rest on our laurels and allow a day to pass in which we are not actively engaged in seeking out ways to improve ourselves as a human being.

Perhaps we're impatient, quick to anger, out of shape, overweight, lack purpose or spiritual direction.  None of these things make us a bad person, but what it comes down to is this:  What are we doing about it?  What actual steps are being sought out (and taken) that will help us change, grow, and better equip us for this life?

It Isn't What Happens To You, It's How You Respond To It

When the time comes (notice I didn't say if the time comes) and your facing a high pressure situation, how will you respond?  If you've been "training" yourself then your response will be in accordance with that level of training.  If you have not been training yourself, then you'll fall back to your old habits and deal with the situation based on that level of training.

 

While I am fully aware of the ways in which I desire and need to grow, I cannot speak for you,  But then, you already know, right? 

I strongly encourage you to take action.  No more hesitation.  No more excuses or "reasons".  Begin now, today.  If not today, when?  You can count the reading of this post as step number one.  See?  You've already begun!

Your life, your journey.

 

If you liked this song, you can purchase it and preview the entire album here!

Independence

In The United States, today is Independence Day.  I am taking several moments to think about those who made it possible and those who continue to do so.