Week 19: I’ve Got The Power!

After watching the amazing TED talk on body language by Amy Cuddy I instantly recalled the phrase, “I’ve got the power,” from the 1991 C + C Music Factory song “Everybody Dance Now.” Amy’s presentation of the science behind the idea was both interesting and highly encouraging. Amy’s telling of her own story, and later, her student’s feelings that, “I don’t belong here,” literally moved me to tears.

How many times have I felt that same way; paralyzed with feelings of inadequacy and fear? Yet, like Mark, I had discovered accidentally (really? accidentally?) that certain positions, or poses, of strength had enabled me to walk out on stage and speak, or sing, before various audiences – something I wouldn’t have dared dream of a few years earlier.

Somehow, I too, had managed to fake it till I became it. Now, those things, while not entirely stress free, are not only manageable but deeply enjoyable. Once the music begins the fear falls away.

Amy’s address was a very encouraging and welcome reminder because although I had done this instinctively to overcome certain fears in the past, I hadn’t used it with intent for quite some time. Of course, now I will.

I absolutely love Amy’s plea at the end – that we take this knowledge and give it away freely to those in need – to others who know the heartbreak of feeling that they don’t belong. Let us all stand tall, arms stretched to the heavens, receiving all the boundless strength, courage and confidence that is our birthright. And for those who haven’t yet discovered their own strength, let us help to lift them and to lift their arms for them, until they can stand at last on their own.

Sometimes (to paraphrase yet another song) we can all use a little help from our friends.

10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. – Exodus 17; New International Version of the Holy Bible

In case you missed Amy’s talk, here it is again.

Week 18: Reckoning

Wow, I mean…just, WOW! The question: What would the person I intend to become do next?

What an amazing, powerful – and painful – question. Powerful in the potential it unleashes; painful in that it crashes headlong into the old blueprint. I want to enjoy amazing success, to bless my family and the world around me but – I also want to enjoy a quiet evening vegging in front of the television, relaxing – after all, it’s been a long day. “I’m tired,” the old blueprint complains, “don’t I deserve to sit, to rest, to do – and to be – what I’ve always done and been?”

Who will win? My family and the world around me, or that tired old blueprint that has gotten me to where I am today?

If I am to truly become that “person I intend to become” the old blueprint has got to go. As John the Baptist said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” So it is with each of us. If the “person I/we intend to become” is to increase, then that old blueprint, the old man as it were, must decrease.

In Scroll V Mandino tells us that, “to court idleness is to steal food, clothing, and warmth from those I love.” Ouch!

This is NOT the man I intend to become, so it’s off the couch and onto the battlefield to fight for those I love.

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible

Week 17: Epiphany

Once again I have had my sleeping eyes yanked wide open by the truths of the Master Key. We are in our third week of the Franklin Makeover, where I had first observed Courage, then Kindness and now Decisiveness. And in so doing I am seeing the phrase, “Give More, Get More,” come to life. The more I observe and recognize courage in the acts of others, the more I feel it stir within myself. The more I offer kindness to others, the more I find it returned to me.

I have long struggled with the Law of Attraction. It somehow seemed backward to me. I would focus on getting out of debt, on not being broke all the time, on not being afraid to pick up the phone. But when I gave my mental effort to these thoughts, what do you suppose I received in return? More – more lack and more fear. But this week’s lesson around Lack and Abundance really opened my eyes. It showed me what I was really focused on – getting out of DEBT, not being BROKE all the time, not being AFRAID to pick up the phone. Thinking I was thinking the right thoughts I was actually focused on debt, being broke and fear. Now I know that focusing on wealth and courage brings about abundance in those areas, making the problems previously fixated on, simply and effortlessly melt away into nothingness.

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible

Week 16: Kindness

This week our assignment was to both observe and perform acts of kindness, to post them in the Alliances area and to comment on the posts of others. Doing so has had a truly profound effect on me. I had spent precisely zero time in the Alliances area prior to this week but my eyes have finally been opened to the real value of the Master Mind. I went in to fulfill a requirement and found greatness there. And now, I will never neglect my Master Mind again.

My former blueprint was prone to a certain amount of cynicism – expecting, and therefore, seeing, the worst in people. What I have observed, however, is that while we, as human beings, have our faults, for the most part we truly do have kind hearts. This truth has been evident all around me, all along – I just never took the time to notice before. But once challenged I have begun to see acts of kindness everywhere. Perhaps in looking for the worst in others I only found it in myself.

On the other hand, I have long practiced the art of kindness as a way of life. I am quick to hold doors open, to give other drivers room to get in, to smile, to say, “Thank you” and so forth. I have done these things for so long that they have become a part of me – not tasks to perform – but an extension of who I am. This may seem like a good thing – and it is – but in the same moment I had failed to realize something that this week has caused me to realize about others – that I too am a kind person.

Suddenly, I like myself more and am happy with who I have become…and am becoming. It is appropriate now that I show myself some kindness by smiling in the mirror, saying thank you to the guy in the glass and loving who I am.

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible

Week 15: Rebirth

I have heard of Ben Franklin’s 13 points before but have never thought to apply them myself. I am very excited about this exercise and have chosen COURAGE as my first virtue. The greatest hindrance to my business success in the past has been due to lack of courage – lack of courage to pick up the telephone, lack of courage to meet new people, and of course, lack of courage, in turn leads to … lack!

By applying a laser focus to this one virtue this week I have already begun to see positive results. Picking up the phone and dialing it hasn’t felt like the great weight it once had. In fact, it’s becoming … fun!

Who would have thought that I had created a reality in which the very tool I required to achieve my DMP seemed this horrid, snarling monster? I am so grateful to now realize that I have the power – and the tools – to create a new reality, the reality that “I” desire, the reality that will catapult my dharma into, well … reality!

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible

Week 7: Choices

This week my task was to forgive, to release any and all resentment I may have been harboring towards anyone – even myself. A fairly easy task really, as I had determined long ago to live a life free of resentment. With much practice I have become quite accomplished at not allowing others’ attitudes and actions towards me to become a stumbling block. Self forgiveness, however, is often the more difficult task, but in this too I have had much practice.

Forgiveness, I have found, is a matter of choice. When asked, “How do I forgive this person?” I reply, “You just do it.”

“But they don’t deserve it!”

“Probably not, but don’t you? Don’t you deserve to be free of the chains that unforgiveness has placed upon you? For years after the incident has been forgotten by the other person you will continue to be driven to anger or depression at the very sight of them or the mere mention of their name. Do you really wish to allow them that much control over you? The seeds of unforgiveness may even manifest as digestive, heart or other health problems. Is this the life you deserve? Free yourself; forgive them and let it go.”

Forgiveness is not for the guilty – they may not deserve, be aware of or even care for your forgiveness, in fact they may no longer even be among the living. Forgiveness is for the victim; forgiveness breaks the chains of resentment, anger and hatred.

Forgive … and be free.

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible

 

Week 5: Opinionation

This week’s lesson has underscored the reality that we, as a people, are a very opinionated nation. Everyone, it seems, has an opinion about something, perhaps everything. From a fellow employee’s choice of clothing or hairstyle to the President’s latest fiscal policy to our involvement in the affairs of other nations.

It seems most of our attention is focused “out there.” It’s little wonder that we don’t truly understand how “we” work; we don’t really spend quality time with “us.” To be free of having and sharing opinions is both refreshing and restful. I can see how redirecting my focus inward will enable me to become more aware of who I am, what I am capable of and how I can finally offer real solutions, and not just opinions, to the world.

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible

Week 4: Revelation

Some time ago I had learned to recognize the familiar face of self sabotage, as it has often reared its ugly head. How many times have I returned home from a highly inspirational meeting, with a fire in my belly to go out and conquer the world, only to get caught up in the trivial urgencies of day-to-day living? Before long the fire had died, as had my hopes for the life I had dreamed of only days earlier. How many times has a prospect told me, “Yes, I’m interested. Call me!” only to find that I had lost their number? The old blueprint was winning, that notion that I’m not deserving of success, that I’m not good enough, that I am unworthy. Even this post is two weeks overdue. So, if the enemy has won; what’s the point?

The point is that by refusing to give up we send a message to our subconscious that we are indeed good enough and that we will continue on until the answer presents itself. In week four we have that answer. Knowing now that my old blueprint has created peptides that have addicted me to certain emotions, such as feelings of failure and worthlessness, has given me valuable insight into the mind and strategies of my enemy. I also now have the battle plan for victory. By creating new habits using the readings, index cards and the sit, combined with deeper, intense emotions I create new peptides, a new blueprint of my own choosing, and a new life.

Now, when my feet first hit the floor each morning, I greet the day, not in dreaded anticipation of what is to come, but with joyous gratitude and excited expectation for the incredible opportunities and experiences that lie ahead.

So, up yours old blueprint; there’s a new me in town and I am here, as a warrior, set to create and defend this new life of mine!

 

 

 

 

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible

Week 3: Frustration

I know that the Master Keys way is to NOT influence our purpose but I have been a bit frustrated by the lack of examples of how to go about writing our DMPs. Thankfully, that frustration was alleviated with this week’s webinar. I am very grateful for the examples that were shared of various members’ DMPs and the comments that were offered for improving them.

I found the bridge analogy to be extremely helpful and began to look at my DMP as the blueprint it is intended to be and to ask, “Can I begin construction with what I have here?” Back to the drawing board in a few places to be sure.

Asking the questions, “Why do I not already have these things? What has gotten in my way?” I found to be excellent for digging out the root of my sacrifice and exposing those things I must give up, no – exchange, for my major purpose in life. A painful process perhaps, but hey, isn’t my MAJOR PURPOSE IN LIFE worth it?

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible

Week 2: Priorities

This past week has proven both a blessing and a challenge. As mentioned in the previous post I have been blessed with a sudden and significant addition of work hours, which has proven to be quite the challenge, in terms of shoehorning the Master Keys process in. Given the enormous value in the self-discovery/self-mastery process it looks as though additional sacrifices will have to be made.

If we truly create our realities and if that creation truly takes place between our ears then what could possibly have greater importance in our lives than learning to master our thoughts? When we have mastered our thoughts we will have mastered our present, our future and will have become the authors of our own destiny.

The question then isn’t, “How in the world can I possibly fit this into my schedule?” but rather “How can I NOT make this the CENTER of my schedule and subordinate everything else to it?”

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2; New International Version of the Holy Bible