Weekly Wisdom

I have no problem doing it with my eyes open, it’s when I close them that I begin to have problems.

For the Master-Swami-Zen Monk-Eastern Philosophers of the world, it is a long-held assumption that if you can define the word “Zen” you have absolutely no idea of its meaning. With that in mind--and considering my Master-Swami-Zen Monk-Eastern Philosopher mind is totally bastardized in the new millennium--let’s give it the old college try.

Let’s begin with what Zen is not. Zen is not week long binges with blow seeping out our noses and either a hundred dollar hooker named Angel, or Beverly Hill’s slimiest sheik hanging on our arm. Zen is not getting so schizo from our Starbucks addiction that we have to take half a bottle of aspirin before we are calm enough to pour a glass of water. Nor is Zen rushing out to buy the latest gizmo, be it computer, phone, or vibrator, so we can appear to be the hippest kat on the block. Facade. Zen is not desperately seeking Susan at bars, websites, or your nephew Schlomo’s Bar Mitzvah. Desperation. Neither is Zen gorging down a whole pint of Haagen Daas in one sitting, and vowing to get on the treadmill the next day. Fat. Zen is not placing the importance of a television show over our friends, nor is it flipping off your neighbor for the umpteenth time on the 405 Freeway. Zen is not making the scene every night, for fear that the scene is going to make you. Zen is not about trying to make the most money in the world, or accumulate the most toys, because the one with the most toys, contrary to the popular moronic saying, does not win in the end. Loser.

Who wins in the end, you ask? Subjectively ranting, I think the one who wins in the end, is the one who learns to respect and reconnect with nature. The one who understands that no matter how much effort we exert to takeover the world, both on a personal and global level, nature will always prevail, and it is Nature that we all must return to in the end. (So, better be nice while you have the chance. )

Grasshopper want to find Zen? Be at one with nature. I’m not talking about whittling down a stick and going out to hunt the neighborhood stray for dinner. No, I speak of: Where do you fit in with Nature’s plan, and how are you best going to carry out the mission you were set down on this planet to accomplish?

“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” – Aristotle

Make time, even if it is in between A.A. meetings, to identify your particular vocation, because it’s only after this step that you can relax into the long journey called: Finding your balance. A journey that promises to be highlighted by stumbles and pratfalls that would make the Marx Brothers look graceful, and “Do Not Pass Go, Go Directly To Jail” cards that haunt us like the neighbor hood crow on Sunday mornings. A long and winding road to be sure, a trek only to be tread by the truly brave and passionate few who are ready to go the extra mile. Selfishness versus selflessness.

The reason the Road Less Traveled is the road less traveled, is because there is a very treacherous cliff up ahead. And at the bottom is the word: Change. You either risk your soul (and what is life without a degree of risk), or you opt for the road to Lazyville: Where all High School sweethearts die young.

“What we do is but a drop in the ocean, but if we didn’t do it the ocean would be one less drop.” - Mother Teresa.

Be that drop in all its splendor. Know that your drop is making a difference to the world. Know that it forms a connection between you and all things Mother Nature.

Anyone who was witness to the countless beautiful millennium celebrations around the world (via CNN), can attest to the fact that there is a lot of love in the air, and our potential seems to be endless. Does war in some Third World country affect us? Maybe not directly, but some way and some day, it probably will. For our mission to prosper, there can be no denying that all fate is tied together in the big karmic web. Pick your drops well, and keep in mind: no matter how technologically advanced we become, if we cross Mother Nature one too many times...

Sit by the river and listen to your soul. Meditate. Then enter the forest where no one ever has before. Quest. When you’re ready, come back with your boon and create your ripple. Hero. Because within all the nonsense in the world, some Zensense must be found.

I dream that one day we will all be able to walk across the tightrope with our eyes closed. Then we will have found our own interpretation of Zen.

MANTRA (man-tra) n. : a sacred word or syllable repeated in prayer or meditation

Mantra? I know, you're probably already thinking, "Mantra schmantra"...what do sacred words have to do with my life?

Have you ever wanted something so badly that it was all you could think about? A car, a job, a lover, a meal, a nap, a better body. Of course you have! And how many times throughout your life have you turned that want or need into reality? Gazillions of times! How did you actually do it? Simply by focusing on your want or need and subconsciously repeating it over and over until you achieved it. e.g. Food, Food, Food. Sex, Sex, Sex. Sleep, Sleep, Sleep. New job, New Job, New job. Of course, I'm simplifying things quite a bit here (i.e. these are not "sacred words"), but in the modern world, the words we focus on essentially work like ancient mantras.

The simple magic of a Mantra is that if you focus on and repeat a word or thought often enough, you create a sort of internal conflict (i.e. I need food, but I don't have any), which subsequently pressures you to mobilize the resources necessary to resolve this conflict (i.e. go get food). The Mantra or thought creates the impetus for you to match your inner thought/want/need with your outer reality. By simply focusing on the right words or thoughts, you set in motion a process which enables you to actualize or become one with those thoughts or dreams.

According to "Z" (my Tai Chi Master), Mantras work best when they are simplistic and clear. Moreover, you must be aware of the karmic consequences of a Mantra because they can be both positive and negative. For example, a drug addict will have the mantra of Heroine and try to actualize the mantra to get high. Conversely, a spiritual seeker like Gandhi had the mantra of "freedom for my people" and everything he did when he was working to actualize his mantra (e.g. Fasting) was directly connected to the positive karmic consequence or outcome he was seeking. When you first find a mantra, "Z" explains, hopefully you'll evaluate it for it’s karmic consequence.

A great morning Mantra is to repeat “It’s a new day!” several times when you wake up. This will completely free of yesterday and make you fully present today. Another excellent Mantra which I learned from Tony Robbins is, "All I need is within me now!". This one will give you strength whenever you're tackling life's challenges. Make sense?

Here's another example. When cultivating Tai Chi skills, continuously repeating the words "smooth" and "graceful" helps you become smoother and more graceful. The spoken mantra and the movement become one - a moving mantra! Likewise, chanting "smooth" and "graceful" under your breath can also help you in your daily life. Repeating "smooth" and "graceful" in your head can help you conquer the fear and uncertainty you might have about a business presentation, a first date etc. The karmic consequence is that you become smooth and graceful in all your endeavors.

So whether you choose "compassion", "kindness", "positive energy", "strength" or any other Mantra you please, you will find that focusing on one or several of these thematic words will help you attract more abundance and happiness into your life!

"When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees."

- Kenneth Kaunda

We all know that we need to fail over and over again in order to succeed. So why is it that so many of us cling to the fear of failure as an excuse for not going for it?

By never failing, we always know what outcome we're going to get. What a price to pay though! Mediocrity, unfulfilled dreams, being less than we can be...all because we fear failure and avoid uncertainty with a passion!

Actually, there is a very good explanation for this widely shared fear of failing, fear of not being good enough, fear of disappointing ourselves and others. It just so happens that fear is most powerful human (and animal) emotion! It is innate and was pre-programmed into our systems to protect us from the dangers of the wild. But in a modern world, this instinct often hurts us rather than helping us. Moreover, unlike animals, we have the ability to overcome our biology with the power of our minds.

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln failed many, many times in both politics and business before he eventually succeeded in winning the Presidency? Were you aware that "Post-It Notes" were invented as a result of a glue that 3M scientists initially thought was a failure because it wasn't sticky enough? Do you realize that literally every single human accomplishment, invention, and technological advancement ever achieved has been the result of failure after failure...or should I say, Lesson after Lesson?

I often find it helpful to remind myself that failure is like learning to walk. By falling and then picking ourselves up over and over again we eventually learn to balance correctly, stand tall and head off with confidence in any direction we please. Learning to walk is actually an excellent metaphor for life, because we are constantly learning to walk over and over again in every new endeavor we pursue.

To continue growing, it is critical that we maintain our childlike diligence to continually pick ourselves up and "try, try again"...because if we don't, who will do it for us?

TIME TO REVISIT YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS NOW!

A call to action on the First Day of Spring (or anytime)

by Drew Kossoff

It's the first day of Spring '00 and it's time revisit your New Year's Resolutions and see how you've done so far this year!

Have you made progress or accomplished any of your goals?

If yes, congratulate yourself! If no, don't beat yourself up! Just make a commitment to start today! Turn your wishes into reality!

WEEKLY CHALLENGE:

Review your resolutions and goals:

a) If you didn't write down any New Year's resolutions, start right now and begin writing your "Spring/Summer/Fall Resolutions"! I mean right now!!! Even if it is only one Goal!

b) If you did write them down, then review your progress. How did you do?

- If you accomplished some goals, give yourself a pat on the back! Congrats Achiever, now write some new ones!

- If you didn't accomplish anything, give yourself a swift kick in the ass and get moving! Life is fleeting. The time to start is now!

This week's edition is dedicated to the memory of Earl Bethel - a friend and talented human being who passed away last week at the young age of 28.

When someone so "full of life" suddenly passes away, the first question we usually ask ourselves is, "Why?". No answer to this question ever satisfies me, so I force myself to
focus on better questions like, "What can I learn from this tragedy?" or "How can I use this painful experience to transform my life and/or the lives of others?" or "How I can transform the pain of loss into a celebration of this person's life and thereby preserve their spirit? "

Earl was a special human being - incredibly good natured, intelligent, creative, kind hearted, and one of the most "outstanding" guitar players I've ever seen. Although his life
was cut short, most people never live to be "outstanding" at anything, so I celebrate Earl's accomplishements, his beautiful soul and the positive energy he generously shared with so many people.

Earl's tragic death has reminded me just how precious (and short) life really is. Time is fleeting and is not to be wasted. It's unfortunate that we have to lose friends or loved one's to remind us to "live life to the fullest" and "live every day like it's our last", but the universe works in strange ways and if this is the lesson we needed to learn, then so be it.

I encourage you to embrace this lesson and re-commit making your life outstanding! Cherish the people you love and who love you, have compassion for those less fortunate than you, pursue your passions with vigor and pride, and make a difference in this world!

Tragedies often act as a "wake up call" and become the catalysts for positive change.

Write Down A Tragedy You've Experienced.

What Lesson Did you Learn, Change Did It Initiate, or Transformation Resulted in You Life?

REINVENTING YOUR SELF IMAGE:
A Powerful Way To Become The Person of Your Dreams!
by Drew Kossoff

Who are you? Are you the person you see yourself as today...or are you something more?

The fact of the matter is YOU ARE WHO YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE, and some pretty magical things happen when you simply change some of your identities. I'm not talking about Superman to Clark Kent changes, I'm talking about some very subtle shifts in your own mind.

Let's say you want to improve your physical body. How do you perceive your body today? Do you see yourself as someone who is fat and out of shape? How do you think this belief affects your ability to lose weight? Now Imagine if you saw yourself as a thin person, stuck in a fat person's body. Do you think that belief might be a bit more empowering towards losing weight? What if you decided that you were an Olympian in Training? Wouldn't that be an even more powerful belief to adopt? If you see yourself as an Olympian, you'd have to make it to training every day even when you didn't feel like it. You'd eat healthier because an Olympian wouldn't eat double cheesburgers and banana splits. Do you catch where I'm going with this?

What if you wanted to quit smoking? If you see yourself as "a smoker", isn't it true that you'll always be "a smoker who's trying to quit". Might it be more powerful if you decided that you were a "non smoker"? Imagine the difference it would make if someone asked you if you wanted a cigarette and instead of you saying, "Boy I'm dying for one, but I'm trying to quit" vs. "No thanks, I don't smoke!". Your perception of self makes a huge difference in your ability to make decisions because we always try to live up to our identities. It causes pain not to. That's why we lower our standards or self image, so it's easier to live with ourselves. We always know what to expect. But is that going to get us where we want to go in life?

Changing your identity in your own mind is all it takes to make some very powerful changes. They can be as simple as shifting from, "I only work as hard a I have to" to "I strive for excellence in everything I do and go the extra mile to be outstanding!" How do you think that shift might impact your life? In fact, What impact would it have on your life if starting today, you changed just one little belief about yourself to a new improved belief? Now Imagine what you could achieve if you changed one belief every week for a year! How much closer to your goals would you be a year from now? How much more fulfillment would you feel?

TIP: Reinventing your identity works really well when you create a well know character identity that you can relate to. For example, might it affect your creativity if you decided that you were "a modern day picasso"? Or affect your spirit of adventure if you thought of yourself as "a modern day Huckleberry Finn"? Can you see the value in dreaming up all kinds of fun identities for yourself? It has really made a difference in my life, so why not try it in yours?

(((((((((((((((( YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK ))))))))))))))))

Create Some Powerful New Identities for yourself:

Physical Identity (e.g. Olympian)
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Financial Identity (e.g. Donald Trump of Genex)
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Social Identity (e.g. Superfriend)
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Romantic Identity (e.g. Prince Charming)
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Other categories could include your Creative Identity,
Professional Identity, Spiritual Identity, Family Identity,
Intellectual Identity etc.

Choose whatever categories most important to you and start
re-inventing yourself today!

ABUNDANCE ABOUNDS
by Drew Kossoff

Does it always seem like everyone has "more of something" than you do? More money, more love, more friends, more clothes, more style, more creativity, a better job, a bigger house, a faster car, a hotter girlfriend/boyfriend etc. Well, I'm sorry to inform you that you're suffering from AFFLUENZA!!

If you step back for a moment and look at how far you've come in your life, how much you've achieved, how much "more" you have than so many others, you'll realize how much Abundance you already have in your life. In fact, just the fact that you are alive is a miracle in itself. You are the result of one sperm out of millions that won an incredible race to the egg to make you! That in itself makes you incredibly special from the start!

We live in an incredible time in an incredible country where wealth and abundance abounds! I know it's hard to feel like you have enough when it seems like everyone has more than you do, but the solution to your affluenza is to take your mind out of the
rat race because it's a game that gets you nowhere. I'm not saying that you shouldn't strive for affluence, but it really helps to keep things in perspective.

I had a little fit of Affluenza myself recently. A couple of weeks ago I went hiking in the Palisades with my girlfriend and her brother's family. The road to the trailhead goes through a very beautiful part of LA with many large, lavish homes with lot's of land. I found myself feeling a bit jealous and all the sudden thinking, "I want to live like this. I need to have one of these homes." For a few hours I found myself in a huff dreaming about a bigger house and taking for granted the great house I currently live in. This spiraled into thoughts about wanting more money, more of this and more of that.

Later that night, I recognized the trap I was caught in and focused on this lesson: While it's important to continually strive for more in your life, if you're always looking forward and focusing on what you don't have, know matter how far you go, you'll always be dissatisfied, because there will always be something more. So instead, I began to focus on what I did have, and all the sudden I began to feel a whole lot more satisfied and fulfilled. After all, I truly do have so much to be thankful for: An amazing family, a wonderful girlfriend, super friends, a great job, a cool house (even if it isn't a mansion!) and so much more!

So the next time you find yourself focusing on things you "don't have", try reflecting on what you do have. I promise it will make you feel better! i.e. Definitely strive for more, but
utilize the power of "GRATITUDE" to keep you balanced in the abundance you already have!

WEEKLY CHALLENGE:

What ABUNDANCE do you already have in your life?

List all the things you have to be thankful for:
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WHAT DO ANGELS LOOK LIKE?
author unknown

What do Angels look like?
- Like the little old lady who returned your wallet yesterday.
- Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up the world, when you smile.
- Like the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.
- Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with you.
- Like the rich man who showed you that it really is all possible, if only you believe.
- Like the stranger who just happened to come along, when you had lost your way.
- Like the friend who touched your heart, when you didn't think you had one.

Angels come in all sizes and shapes, all ages and skin types. Some with freckles, some with dimples, some with wrinkles, some without. They come disguised as friends, enemies teachers, students, lovers and fools. They don't take life too seriously, they travel light. They leave no forwarding address, they ask nothing in return. They are hard to find when your eyes are closed, but when you choose to see, they are everywhere you look.

So, open you eyes and count all your Angels -- for you are truly blessed!

Angels, please send this story to all those who make a difference in your life.

WEEKLY CHALLENGE:

1. Get out there and be a GUARDIAN ANGEL to someone. Be kind for no other reason than to make someone smile, ease their pain, or help them through a difficult time. Be a positive force for good in the Universe and make a difference!

2. Give thanks this week to the Angels who've made a difference in your life! Call an old friend; write a card to an influential teacher, parent or grandparent; take a good friend or mentor out to lunch.

"I WAS A SERIAL PRE-JUDGER"
by Justin Johnson

I'm sure you've all heard the story of a young "dead-head" looking man walking into a city bank with nothing but sandals on his feet, and old shirt on his body, a pair of shorts and a torn back-pack. He proceeds to the teller, who doesn't give him the time of day for several minutes, and asks to see the President of the bank. She laughs and tells him that President is very busy and can't waste his time seeing every bum that comes in off the
street. After hearing this, this "bum" opens his back pack and pulls out a cashiers check for $5 Million Dollars and tells the lady, "Well, I guess he doesn't need to bother with my money either." Leaving the bank and the teller speechless. I'm not sure what happens after that, but I would suspect, she was looking for another job by days end while our "bum" was over at another bank helping it's President put his kids through school.

The moral here is simple: Don't judge a book by it's cover. Of course, we all know this is much easier said than done. Our beliefs, when turned into positive convictions have the power to propel us toward success, while beliefs, as negative opinions limit our progress and leave us critical and judgmental of everything around us..

Being in advertising sales, for example, I've learned that pre-judging the person on the other side of the desk (or phone) can be one of the worst things you can do..

Four years ago, I walked into an interview with a dot com development company. I was dressed to the nines, expecting a "formal" meeting. I get to the front desk and I see a kid, not more than 20 years old in shorts, sneakers, a surf shirt answering calls at the front desk. I tell him who I am and who I am here to see. To this he replies, "wait over there for a couple of minutes and I'LL be right with you." Wait a second! "I'll be right with you?" This kid? This is the alchemist that is going to take me out of the traditional media world with a tap from his golden wand and bring me into the "dot-com" world? This was my future? I really fluffed my resume for this..I'm even in a new suit over here. Well, luckily for me, I harbored those thoughts only in my head and not out my mouth or I would still be
selling Ad pages in some magazine. Turns out he was not alone, he started this (now very successful) Internet company with 3 of his childhood friends, and I still look at each of them as three of the smartest Internet business people I have met!

Another experience happened to me a few months ago where I received a voice mail from a funny sounding internet start-up I'd never heard of. I initially pre-judged the opportunity thinking it was some fly by night company that would never result in any significant business. Luckily for me, I overcame this "limiting belief", returned the call and treated them with the same respect as I do for my major accounts. To my surprise, the company turned out to be incredibly well funded and has become one of my largest and most valued clients!

The moral? Don't limit your beliefs..because YOU NEVER KNOW! Creating positive beliefs and assumptions towards new people and/or situations opens you up to so many more opportunities because you stop limiting yourself . Why not assume that they want to do business with you from the get go? Why not assume they NEED to meet with you? Why not assume they can't succeed without you? What if the "slacker" you are talking to is a millionaire CEO?

I used to be one of the biggest offenders of negative assumptions and beliefs. I would practically talk my self out of getting a sale. As I matured in my career, I learned to overcome my fears and keep my ego at home. This has helped create positive outcomes in nearly every scenario. I'm confident it will do the same for you!

WEEKLY CHALLENGE:

What beliefs do you have about money, relationships, career, health etc. that are holding you back in life? How have you been limiting yourself?

Write down at least one limiting belief you have (right now!) and how changing that belief might impact your life: (e.g. imagine how different your life could be if you changed these beliefs: "smoking not so bad for me", "I'll never be a millionaire", or "relationships equal pain"....to these new beliefs: "smoking equals cancer and death!", "I can achieve financial freedom!" , "relationships can be beautiful and incredibly fulfilling"
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Commit to trying on a new and more positive belief for size this week!

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL???
Finding Meaning In An Increasingly Artificial World
by Drew Kossoff

School shootings, female eating disorders, 24hr mind dulling entertainment, credit card debt up the wazoo, wasteful commercialism, loss of community and values, young Americans tuning out to ecstasy like the hippies did to LSD in the 60's...

What's wrong this picture? Can you sense the general malaise in our great land?   Why does everyone seem to be LACKING something? <money, time, love, meaning...>

I believe one of the core reasons for this unrest in our world is we've simply lost touch with our true nature as human animals. As a species, we've evolved to the point where we no longer have to focus the majority of our time on survival and teamwork - finding our next meal and protecting ourselves, our family and community from the dangers of the wild.

It is simply amazing that we can get food 24 hours a day, most of the time not even realizing or caring where and how that food came to arrive on our plates.   We can flip on the lights at any hour of darkness, oblivious to the natural cycles of day and night. We can travel great distances by land, sea and air in amazingly short periods of time.

Without "survival" as our primary goal and the absolute need for "connection" with others, it has become incredibly easy to get caught up in the rat race and the glamorous pursuit of money, status, toys, the next party etc. We live in an increasingly artificial world of individuals conditioned to the pursuit of self leisure.   While the pursuit a comfortable life is certainly important, for many this becomes the "ONLY" pursuit, and this inevitably leads to the sense of emptiness and unrest so many of us feel.

It is a certain truth that BALANCE is critical to achieving fulfillment in life. On your deathbed, will you really look back on your life and say,"I wish I worked more hours, had a nicer car, a bigger home entertainment system?" Think about what is truly meaningful to you.

The other morning, while rushing to get to work, I encountered 11 "just hatched" baby ducks waddling after their mother towards the canal in front of my house. Amidst the blur that is often my life, this "real moment" re-connected me to the miracle that is LIFE. Nature itself - Birth, Growth, Death, Family - is what "connects" us to our world. If you were to lose everything, you'd still have your family, your friends and mother nature to nourish and support you. Everything else is secondary.

Pursue your dreams, seek financial independence, enjoy the fruits of your labor, but also reflect on what "REALLY" matters to you. Is it a shiny new car or a hug from your child? A good stock investment or a beautiful sunset? Watching "Who wants to be a millionaire" or taking a walk on the beach? Getting wasted or spending quality time with a friend or loved one? Buying another pair of shoes or helping someone in need?

If you want more meaning in your life, figure out what truly matters to you, make it a priority and then balance it with your pursuit of everything else.

WEEKLY CHALLENGE:

Write down three ways you can re-connect with yourself and the meaningful things in your life.

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2. ________________________________________
3. ________________________________________

Commit a mere 1/10th of your month (3 days) to doing these things!

TURN ON YOUR PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT GENERATOR!!!
by Drew Kossoff

If you look around you, you'll see that life is all about exchanging "ENERGY". Everything is in a constant cycle of creation, degradation and exchange. Potential Energy is everywhere. Each molecule of water has the "potential" to evaporate and join a cloud, then to turn into rain and then back into a happy water molecule in a lake or river. Each child has the "potential" to become the next great leader. Each smile has the "potential" to make a new friend.

It is a simple fact that INSIDE YOU lies a powerful PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT GENERATOR just waiting to be fired up!

A quick sojourn back to Physics class reveals valuable insights into getting your generator cooking: "Work" is needed to create or build Potential Energy, and the amount of Potential Energy a system possesses is equal to the work done on the system (i.e.
the farther you stretch a rubber band, the faster it will fly when you let go). Likewise, Potential Energy can be transformed into other forms of energy: "Heat", "Light", "Kinetic Energy", and even "Nuclear Energy".

Just as in Science, your personal achievement "potential" can be transformed into a powerful reality if can learn to fire up your energy and release it. In Tai Chi, we often describe this process of building energy as "cooking chi". I actually like to think of my personal achievement generator as similar that of the movie character E.T. When my generator is weakened, my inner light or energy is dim, but when my generator is revved up, my inner light glows bright, enabling me to fly! For me personally, the secret to revving up my engine is expending "Energy" in all directions, which I equate to both "Working" and "Giving" because the more I "Work" on something and the more I "Give of Myself", the more energy I build up in me and those around me (very important).

Just as "Energy" can be transformed into other forms of "Energy" in science, "Energy" in our lives comes in many exchangeable forms: money, love, knowledge, ideas, craft, labor etc. "Energy", in whatever form, is the fuel that everything runs on. Building up "Energy" is what returns it to back to you because the more momentum you build, the more powerful the energy gets (like a snowball rolling down a hill).

My goal is to build that energy into a Nuclear Reaction, but building a Nuclear Reaction by yourself unfortunately isn't possible. Your ability to build energy to extraordinary levels
is affected by others around you. In fact, you need their help to get to the next level! Great Leaders don't act alone, they excel at aggregating people toward a common goal. Bill Gates didn't build Microsoft by himself, nor did Gandhi or Martin
Luther King effect social change without the help of others. In order to secure the help of others (i.e. to receive), you must expend some form of "Energy"(i.e. Give!!). So many people see "Giving" or expending "Energy" as a "burden" or "work" or a "waste of their time"...but it actually is the key to getting where you want to go. Build energy, build connections, build love.

How do you build energy in others? People are motivated by many types of energy: financial energy, political energy, religious energy, love energy, fun energy etc. Thinking of "energy" in these terms, how might you achieve more of what you want in life?
Certainly not by taking more energy than you give! The more love you give, the more friends and loved one's you'll have. The more you apply yourself at work, the more success and promotions you'll receive.

I utilize this "Giving" philosophy in my life by trying to create "positive" human energy wherever I go. I try to affect and connect with others - whether they're a cashier I'll never see again, a homeless person, or my most important client - even if its merely winning a smile or a laugh. Some might simply label this "extroversion", but I see it as spreading good energy. In fact, I even try to spread this good energy in my voicemail messages . I'm quite well known (sometimes teased) for my upbeat "radio announcer" sounding voicemail greetings, but you wouldn't believe just how often people leave me messages telling me that my voicemail greeting alone cheered them up, changed their mood
etc. To be able to affect people simply with my voice is one simple example of how a creating/giving a little energy can build even more energy. You should try this out next time you're in the supermarket. Try first walking down an aisle frowning and without looking anyone in the eye. Then try walking down the next aisle smiling and giving a nice cheery "hello" to everyone you pass. I guarantee you'll create positive energy!

I've found it valuable in applying this approach to all aspects of my life to think of myself as a CREATOR OF ENERGY (substitute any of the following words for "energy": wealth, love, friendship, knowledge, art etc.). The more energy I expend, the more momentum I build, and the more I get back. For example, when I give to my body in the form of nourishing foods, exercise, and a good night's sleep, my body returns a vibrant, healthy and well functioning shell to live in. When I give energy to my work (to my co-workers and clients), it returns to me in the form of financial energy, social energy and intellectual stimulation energy. When I give energy to my relationship with Chareen, it returns to me in kind. When I give energy to studying and mastering something, I always get more back than I initially invest. In fact, investing is a good metaphor for all of this. Invest in energy and you will get great returns. So stop waiting for that lucky break, that winning lottery ticket...start to be the greatest energy creator you've ever known!

Potential Energy resides inside of you too. You have significant power over your "energy generator". If you can simply begin to think of yourself as an "energy creator" in all aspects of life, you too will achieve more than you ever hoped for!!!

WEEKLY CHALLENGE:

Go spread your energy. Pour your milk on every cocoa puff you see and surround yourself with chocolate milk!

ARE YOU A LIFE EXPLORER?
by Drew Kossoff

There is one thing you can be certain about in your life: "Change Is The Only Constant".

Vibrant living beings are characterized by "movement" and "growth" while sick, aging, dying beings are characterized by "stagnation" and "decay". Thus, it is no secret that in order to survive and thrive you must stay active, keep moving, learning, growing, changing and evolving both mentally and physically (and spiritually some might say).

Ever wonder why little children are so easily fascinated by pretty much anything? Because just about everything is brand NEW and therefore fascinating - new flavors, new sights, new sounds, new smells, new experiences. When you're constantly experiencing
new things, it is easy to approach life with a curious, open and explorative mind. Unfortunately, as most of us get older, we form our opinions, become set in our routines, and slowly but surely stop learning, exploring, and experiencing new things.

The more we stay the same, the less alive we are. Just as our muscles wither from lack of exercise, so do our minds. That is why it is critical to keep "moving" and "growing" to be fully "alive". My grandfather walked two miles and studied and hour of Italian every single day until he passed away of "natural causes" at the age of 95 (with "all his marbles" intact). I believe his consistent physical "movement" and mental "growth" helped him to
achieve such longevity.

Longevity isn't the only benefit of continually "moving" and "growing". Abraham Lincoln once wisely said, "And in the end, It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years". In order to live a rich, full life and get the most out of your years, you MUST continue to move, explore, try new things, consider new perspectives, embrace change and EVOLVE. In my mind, this approach to life is exemplified by "Explorers" because by definition they are constantly moving, learning, growing, changing and discovering. That is why I like to think of myself as a "Life Explorer".

How does this "identity" help me in life? Today, for example, I found myself having a pretty "routine" Sunday morning. My mind was stagnating and I needed to get out and get some perspective. For me, surfing usually achieves this end, but instead of walking from my house for a quick surf session here in Venice, I asked myself, "what would a true "Explorer" do when a South swell rolls in?" Answer: Jump in their car and search for surf up in Malibu country! I somewhat reluctantly jumped in my car and headed up to Malibu for a change and the fresh perspective was exactly what I needed! New sites along the drive stimulated my curiosity (restaurants to try, a new surf shop to check out), bad traffic
on the PCH made me appreciate the "easy in, easy out" access I have to my home in Venice, unknown faces in the water (some friendly, some not) stimulated my competitive "fight or flight" nature and made me feel alive, and the near perfect waves, surrounding beauty, and almost mystic surf culture at the 'bu reminded me just how lucky this New York City kid is to be living the SoCal lifestyle he always dreamed of. A simple journey out of my routine comfort zone "made" my entire weekend.

My experience today is seemingly small in the scheme of things, but let me tell you, approaching all aspects of your life as an "Explorer" will bring your far greater rewards. I should know. I'd still be stuck in New York in some corporate job and with the wrong girl if I didn't have the courage to be an "Explorer". So whenever you're stuck, frustrated, stagnating, losing hope...start moving! Make a change! Try something new! Explore! You'll be happy you did!

WEEKLY CHALLENGE:

Are you an Explorer?

When is the last time you went exploring or discovered something new?

How are you learning, evolving, growing every day?

START MOVING TODAY!!!
- Sign up for an interesting class OR dedicate 30 minutes a day to study something new!
- Take a vacation to somewhere you've never been OR drive a new way home!
- Start exercising again or try a new approach to your routine (a new trail, new surf spot, new class).

Write down at least one thing you're going to do to begin "exploring" or "moving" and Commit to doing it!

1.________________________________________
2.________________________________________
3.________________________________________

CHOICES R US
by Drew Kossoff

As human animals, we have, for the most part, evolved beyond the basic need for survival. Consequently, we find ourselves "seeking" various forms of stimulation to give our lives meaning and keep us occupied. Each of us achieves this stimulation in a combination of ways - through work, hobbies, entertainment, creativity, music, physical exercise, relationships etc. Since our society is based on a hierarchical system of rewards based
around money, the majority of us spend from one third to one half of our waking hours "working" in order to fund our "stimulation" and basic survival requirements. Unfortunately, so many of us don't find our work meaningful or enjoyable...it is simply a means to an end. Or is it?

A magical thing about being human is that we can CHOOSE what meanings we give to our experience and can very quickly change our reality by simply adjusting how we approach life inside our minds. For example, what if you decide today that no matter how routine or frustrating your job is, you are going to create challenges and fun for yourself at work and make it a totally amazing day. You will do this by attempting to make every person your speak with laugh or smile, by setting a personal productivity record, and by turning up your "quality" and "creativity" 110%. How do you think this day might turn out? Significantly better I'd be willing to bet! And not because your job or anything external to you changed at all. YOU CHANGED, you CHOSE to make it different.

I have a friend who recently came to this realization. When his boss left the company, with her went his entire structure and reward system and he soon became disenchanted, starting slacking off, began interviewing for other jobs and completely missed the fact that this was an opportunity for him to "step up" and really prove himself to his management. After receiving a number of other offers, he realized that he actually had it pretty good right where he was and just needed to create challenges for himself to give meaning back to his job. He once again took pride in his work and turned up the quality a few notches and in no time was having more success than he'd ever achieved at any point in his career and feeling great about it. The solution was not another job, or anything outside himself... the solution was inside his mind.

To free yourself and truly take control of your life, you must simply CHOOSE your own meanings (and rewards).

I try to think of my life as a never-ending flow of experiences to enjoy. From the most mundane to the most meaningful moments, by grasping onto "present" instead of always focusing on the "just out of reach" future, I achieve more inner peace and ha