Mental Energy

Today we have rain. I wrote this a few days ago and have obviously survived....

While I type this, there are huge flakes of snow cascading from the heavens, falling gently on anything and everything that is outside. I work outside. Morning promises to be a little more challenging than the mornings of recent days. Hollywood would paint a picture of serenity and peace with the falling snow. But as a professional driver, I see the reality of shoveling, plowing and idiot drivers on the road that don't know how to prepare for such beauty and serenity. I can handle it. I've been doing this professionally for 20 years. If I prayed, I would pray that the less prepared people would all be safe in the morning.

To continue my series on making a positive change in one's life, I come to Mental Energy. Once you've eliminated the negativity and prepared your body with rest, nutrition and exercise, you need to make sure that you are mentally prepared for your new success. Mental energy can come from passion, emotion and motivation. It results from either the search for pleasure or to avoid pain. Yes, pain. Often we are motivated by fear. It could be a threat of unemployement or actual physical pain.

A good vocabulary isn't a must, but a bad vocabulary can certainly hurt you. Surrounding yourself with people that talk poorly of you will only bring you down. But in contrast, if people encourage each other to always do a little better, what happens is, well, people do better.

What would your life's soundtrack be like? Does the music that you listen to lift your spirits? Does it give you the mental energy that you need to complete your task? Each person is very different. What lifts your spirits may be just the thing that brings mine down. In a day when people seem to be obsessed with music, it's a good idea to have a playlist that will help get you through the tough spots. ( A playlist is like a modern day mix-tape ) Make up a playlist for exercising. Make up something to help you relax. What does your work day sound like. Each of these things can be quite different. Music to help you prepare for a meeting will be different than a night out with friends. And for some, such as myself, quiet time will go far in helping to get things done. I'm the kind of person that really listens to the music. I can't help but to dance, even if it is just in my thoughts. So to concentrate, I turn everything off.

One more way to gain mental energy is to turn to your beliefs. Regardless of your religious affiliations, everyone believes something. Whatever that might be, to spend a little time reflecting on those beliefs, gives you a chance to center yourself mentally and prepare for whatever you are about to tackle.

To summarize, if you have a lofty dream, you must pursue it with passion and urgency, or you will run out of fuel to complete the journey. And if you don't have a driving purpose in life, begin the journey of self discovery today. The Law of Energy says: Human life is sheer physical, mental and spiritual energy. The force for living is abundant in the universe, but may be hidden as mere potential or expressed as kinetic energy. Pursue your goals through a balance of physical, mental and spiritual energy.

I am prepared for what tomorrow holds. Plenty of rest, a good meal and a clear state of mind is a great way to start any day. Snow can be quite peaceful.

Have a great day friends.

Manifesting Change

I believe that we manifest, or bring in to our lives, whatever we think about. I have watched it for years in every person that I have ever met. I believe that people are awesome. They care about pretty much everything and everyone, always. It's just that they are so busy believing what they have been told, and therefore manifesting it, that they genuinely haven't noticed that in our gorgeous little planet's entire history, there has never been:
- A drought that didn't end
- A storm that didn't clear
- Lightning that didn't retreat
- An earthquake that didn't still
-A flood that didn't recede, nor
-A plague that wasn't eventually, completely, and utterly overwhelmed by the healthy

These are all things that will come to an end. And in the end, we will be here. We'll be here a little smarter, a little stronger and a little better off. These are not things we need to worry about.

We need to stop believing the folklore of the past. Take a good look at reality and create our own future.
Start living a life filled with meaning. A life that will be remembered long after we are gone.

My Father was a Pioneer

No, he didn't blaze any trails across the wild West or battle Native Americans for land rights. He wasn't part of any gold rush either. But yes, my father, and mother, were pioneers. They both looked to bring Chiropractic care to America in the 1950's and 60's. They believed in everything it had to offer. In a time when "modern medicine" had very little to offer and diseases such as polio were running rampant with no cure in sight, they looked to bring natural, holistic cures to people seeking relief from their aches and pains. You see, in 1933, my father received a vaccination that was popular at the time and a bad reaction to the serum almost took his arm. He wore the scars of that vaccination for 80 years until the day he died in July of 2013. And he vowed to find a better way to heal people that were sick.

In my previous post, I wrote about eliminating negative people and things from your life. Surrounding yourself with positive people and situations. But once you've done that, you still need to remain positive yourself. In order to do that, you must take care of yourself. Take ownership of yourself and stop blaming others for your shortcomings. Proper sleep and nutrition is a must. Do whatever it takes to ensure that you are able to get the rest and nutrition that it takes to achieve your goals.

To complete the balance in your life, you must take care of your body completely. Exercise of some sort is essential to your well being. My father would be quick to offer an adjustment to keep you balanced and keep your organs operating optimally. I swore by what I was taught my entire life. That pinched nerves can cause numbness, dizziness, shortness of breath and allergies. Vital organs can function improperly if the nerves working them don't receive the proper signals from the brain. So, whenever I would have anything from a headache to a pain in my foot, I turned to Dad and chiropractic care. My father taught me that the body wants to be "in line". In recent years, I've seen chiropractic offices offering massage therapy and I thought it was genius. The body wants to be in line. Relax the muscles and the joints will almost fix themselves. The problem is though, if the muscles are too relaxed, it is even easier to joust something out of place. I thought that there has to be a better way.

That's when I found Yoga. And I know what the images are that come to mind about yoga. They are ALL untrue. Recently many Youtubers have been doing the Yoga Challenge in an effort to entertain their viewers. There are untrained kids trying to do the most ridiculous maneuvers and poses. While it is entertaining to say the least, it is NOT Yoga. Many people often confuse yoga with meditation too. Yes, it helps to concentrate but meditation is something different.

I'm sure that if my father had been born in a different time, he would have been a Yogi. As it were though, it was known as something from the East and having served in the US Navy during WW2 in the Pacific, anything remotely Japanese was tabu.

The truth is that Yoga has eliminated my asthma. It has eliminated my allergies to pollens and danders. Yoga has improved my posture and helped in my digestion. My muscles are more toned and I've been able to maintain a healthy weight, well into my forties. Last year, I ran my first 5k when in the past I couldn't run a half mile.

All this has given me confidence to do so many things that I never thought I would be able to do. Anyone can do yoga. Most days, I do simple beginner stretches. They keep me balanced and help me to feel better about myself, so I can take on the day. The assisted living home where my parents lived offered chair yoga for those that could not get up and down easily. It is simple stretching. Any runner or swimmer will know how important stretching can be. And any doctor will tell you how important it is to stay active and exercise.

This is what works for me. Everyone is going to be different. I guess my point is that over the years, I have taken the knowledge given me and searched out what works for me. It took many years and trying different things.

Find what works for you. Eat well, get plenty of rest and exercise.
Once you have yourself ready to take on your next challenge, you will wonder why you didn't start sooner.

Negative Influences

Growing up in the United Penticostal Church as a gay man, I had a lot of suppressed emotions. As I've aged, I have found that there is a lot of negativity that comes in growing up that way. As one friend explains it, they have a list of Do's and Don'ts that consist of a whole lot of Don'ts. Having come to terms with myself and educating myself about the laws of nature and humanity, I've been working the last few years to better myself in a more positive way. To live my life in a way that is more accepting of the diversity around me. But yet, surrounding myself with positive influences and eliminating the negative influences of my life.

Many conditions can drain or waste your vital energy. Examples are boring routines, excessive indulgence, guilt and self blame. These are all things that were prevalent in my life but are also obvious and so they need no further discussion. Instead, I will focus on something that is poisonous , subtle and often underestimated.

One of the most destructive sources of energy drainage is negative people. These people surrounded me as a child and young adult. Their pessimistic words and attitudes can kill you, both figuratively and literally. They can shut off your vision of hope and expectancy, emphasize fear and doubt, and focus on the ugly and sad. Expose your dreams to them, and you may never dream again.

You should love people with all your heart. But choose wisely the ones with whom you share your time with. Negativity manifest in a variety of shapes and forms. You may see it in any or all of these forms

* Cursing
* Gossip
* Fear
* Low self-esteem
* Unforgiven wrongs
* Envy or Grudge
* Regret
* Procrastination

Think about the 10 people that you spend the most time with and compare them against those eight items listed above. Don't be surprised if the people that you are closest to have some or all of the qualities listed. It is important to carefully and systematically reduce the amount of time that you spend with those negative influences.

I'm not saying to separate from your marital partner or close relatives. In those cases, we must show kindness, avoid arguments and NEVER expose your dreams to them.

You may be tempted to remain in the company of those that are negative because you hope to turn them positive. If you want to help a negative friend or relative, you must first work on yourself and your dreams. Gain some victories in your life. Then, you can reach back with strength and compassion, and lift your loved one. If you try to remain with the negative influences, they will only keep you from ever achieving your goals or helping them.

Now think about the ten most positive people or groups that you know that you would like to have as a regular part of your life. Regardless of how you know them. Start contacting them. Carefully develop relationships with them. Be sure that you have something to bring to the relationship and that you are not just using them for your advantage. Feed and nurture these positive relationships. Associate with leaders in your profession or area of interest. Find people who are moving forward. Your growth demands that you avoid regressive forces that seek to complain, assign blame, or forecast doom.

There are many people in my industry that look at increased cremation rates as the demise of the funeral industry. I like to surround myself with people who see it simply as a change, and that we all need to change with the times instead of burying our heads in the sand.

I will let you digest this information and we will come back to this subject in the near future.

Bigger than an Iphone 6

Many times in the last few months I have felt that I really missed sharing my thoughts with the world through this blog. Several times I've gone back over some of the post that I've done and wondered what direction, if any, I was taking. These are my thoughts on the matter.

I often try to post things that I find inspirational. If you follow me on facebook, you may have noticed this too. Over there, I try to keep things short and simple. This is where I can come to finish a thought though. And for some reason, you all seem to care what I think. Thank you for that.

Many times, as well, this has been more of a travel log of sorts. Chronicling my many adventures.

At first, I did not see how these things all went together. It seemed a little random to me. But what I have found is that A Brighter Side of the Grave is all of these things. Life is about the adventures that we share. We share them with family and friends as they happen. And we share them over and over again, sometimes for years afterward, with people that we meet along life's way.
 With age, comes experience. And I love the fact that I have inspired several people to experience more than they ever thought possible simply by sharing my adventures and experiences.

I'm not a materialistic person. I don't need to surround myself with things. I don't need the latest and greatest gadgets. In fact, I usually let others work the bugs out before I invest in anything new. But, what I do love to spend money on is adventure. Sometimes we can plan for a year or more for an adventure. Some people call them vacations, others call them holidays. I call them adventures.

These adventures give us something to look forward to. As the day draws closer, we find ourselves getting excited. When we embark, we can hardly believe that it is happening. And when it is over, we have stories to tell for the rest of our lives. Sometimes we don't even know how great the adventure is until after it is done. Have you ever planned a beach vacation to have it rain every day that you are there? I did. Over a year of planning a trip to Cape Cod and it turned out to be the coldest wettest month of June in the history of Cape Cod weather. We threw on some jackets and went exploring anyway. It was a wonderful time and I wouldn't have changed anything. On the way home, we stopped in Plymouth. We had planned a cemetery tour in the evening. We contacted the tour guide who informed us that everyone else had cancelled but since we had traveled so far, if we wanted to continue, to meet her at Plymouth Rock. We did. She handed us some lanterns and led us to the cemetery. The sun set and as she was trying to spook us with her stories, the weather worsened. A cold wind was blowing and the rain was coming down sideways. I think our stories frightened her more than her stories, us. By the end, we were drenched and frozen. It was an experience I will never forget and wouldn't change for anything. Stories that will last longer than any Iphone 6.

It is life's adventures that keep me going. I appreciate every second that I am given here on Earth. Sometimes those adventures are cloaked in the veil of every day work. But if you look closely, they are always there. In everything we do, there is adventure. And when you realize this, you will look forward to every day, not just your next vacation.

Just remember this, one of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain;
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

So, the adventure goes on....

Manistee Light

Before we head home,

my little car begged for one more stop.

Manistee is just down the coast from Bear Lake and

The Sleeping Bear Dunes.

I couldn't go home without stopping to photograph this lighthouse.

A pending storm off the coast only added to the drama of the pictures.

I tried to get it from all angles.

It took a lot of hiking in the sand

with wind and waves breathing down our necks.

Had to fight off the natives a bit.

Eventually, they let me get my shot.

That's when I knew I had to get closer.

More walking.

The light marks the entrance to the harbor and helps the ships 

navigate Lake Michigan.

Isn't he so cute!

The elevated walkway is necessary in the winter for access to the light,

As the cold winter winds blow the waters of Lake Michigan, 

the whole peer will be covered in ice.

But today was actually quite nice.

It was worth the walk.

This beach does have some rules.

And this gull was here to make sure we obeyed.

This concludes our little weekend get-a-way.

I'm glad I could share it with you all.

I don't put these photos on here to show off.

Instead, it is to show you that beauty exist all around us.

And, it's all here, just for you.

Your mere presence has always been enough

for the birds to sing, the waves to roll and the sun to shine.

So why do you ever feel like you should be more?

The things you see and experience in your life,

are all yours. No one else will ever see life through your eyes.

So enjoy what you've been given.

I can't do it for you.

Reason for the Season

It's Christmas Eve in Southeastern Michigan and the snow is gently falling outside, bringing excitement and joy to children all over the Detroit Metropolitan area. The hopes for a white Christmas will be granted this year. Morning will bring smiles to faces young and old as they peer out the window to see such a beautiful sight. A white Christmas is actually a rare thing around here so it is truly something to celebrate.

If you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, or the Start of a New Year, there is something magical about snow drifting slowly to the ground, collecting on the lawn.

But this causes me to think of what we are really celebrating. The real reason for the season. The reason that we gather with friends and family at this time each year. No matter if you are celebrating the birth of the Christ child, the rededication of the Holy Temple, the seven core principles, the start of longer days in the Northern Hemisphere, the Beginning of a New Age, or the start of a New Year, in my opinion, we are really celebrating ourselves. We have been a long time in the making and no other has ever been quite like ourselves. We gather with our loved ones to celebrate us. We gather with our loved ones to celebrate them. As we venture into the unknown, we are pioneers into illusions. We are heroic and courageous. We give beyond reason and care beyond hope. We love without limits and reach, stretch and dream in spite of our fears.

Without knowing, your light has illuminated paths, your gaze has lifted broken spirits, and already your life has changed the course of history.

This is the time of year to celebrate YOU.

This is the start of something bigger than anything the past has ever seen. Welcome to the Brighter Side, my friends. It is you, that lights the way.

The Day After

It was sketchy there for a while, but it looks like we all made it.
We survived the end of the Maya calendar.
Had it been the end, what is the one thing you would have regretted not doing?
If you're not doing that right now, Stop. Go do it!
If there's one thing I've encouraged the most here on the brighter side,
 it is to live life with no regrets.
I am constantly looking for opportunities to fill my life with wonderful moments and always encourage my readers to do the same. I hope that you've been able to look at your life with no regrets. But if you haven't, you've been given a second chance with this whole Maya calendar thing. You see the date has been pushed back. As I checked my classic car calendar on the wall, I noticed something.
The calendar ends on December 31st! not the 21st. Silly Mayans.
This is your opportunity to set things right this holiday season.
Happy Holidays to you all.
And thanks for another great year. I've really enjoyed sharing my life with you and interacting through your comments and emails. The next year we have planned many new and exciting things here and I look forward to sharing it all with you. So come along and bring a friend if you like, to enjoy the Brighter Side of the Grave.

Merry Christmas and Happy Yule!

Addiction

Is the Brighter Side of the Grave an addiction?
I hope so.
And I'm not just talking about this blog.

I not one to do much with the various blog awards. I don't really put much weight in most of them.

I do appreciate that someone thinks enough of my little blog to pass it on to others and especially that they follow, read and even comment back.

A while ago this one was passed along by a faithful follower, Anne from MorningAJ, and I thought it deserved some attention.

I am flattered that anyone would consider this blog addictive. But when I think of the blogs that I follow, I would have to consider them all addictive. Like everyone, my time is very valuable to me. But I always have to find the time to find out what's going on in blogland. Even if  it means that I don't have time to share myself.

I'm expected to share with you, Why I started blogging and how it has grown to be what it is today.
To do that, I must go way back in my past life, as I call it. Over the years, in my old career, I had moved many, many times. Along the way I had made many friends of co-workers and neighbors. We always say that we are going to keep in touch with people. But time and space have a way of pulling people apart. I originally started blogging on Myspace so that old friends could keep up with where I was or what I was doing in my active life.

As my career in the funeral business grew, more and more, I was asked about my experiences as a professional hearse driver. Commenters consistently inquired about crazy or interesting stories. I found that in social settings our business was often the topic of discussion. Frequently, my husband and I were told that we should write a book.

I have a fascination with life. I may work in the death business. But I help people to get back to living their own life after the loss of someone that they loved. There are so many wonderful stories out there of a life well lived. There are so many humorous things that happen in the course of life and those are the stories that are shared on a daily basis in my business. It's not about death at all. It's about life; wonderful life. It pains me to watch someone wasting their life not feeling fulfilled. My goal in life is to help the people that I meet along the way to find their purpose. To live and love while they are still on the brighter side of the grave. And so, The Brighter Side of the Grave was born.

Here, I like to tell some of the stories that I hear. To pass along what I observe others remembering about their loved ones; the things they thought were important enough to mention at their funeral. I'm learning to live a full and happy life by listening to those memorable moments in other peoples lives. And I blog to pass those wonderful things along to you. Of course I include the crazy stories of my own life as I go. I love to share with you my adventures. Be them at home in the yard or traveling the globe. I hope in some small way that I inspire others to live life without fear or regrets. To keep in mind as you go through your days, that these are the things people will say about you when you are gone. Only you can write the script for your funeral. Only you can decide what people will remember about you. Through our daily lives, we each have a chance to live on forever in the memories of those that knew us.

That is what the Brighter Side is all about. That is why I blog.


So very much can happen in a lifetime, or even in a single day. Yet, I can assure you that whatever has or will happen in yours, no matter what chasms you cross, heights you scale, or how many people you love or are loved by, when all is said and done and you take that final look over your shoulder, what will humble you the most, is that you got to be you. That's pretty incredible!

Words to Live By

Smile

If you can make just one person smile today, if only by giving them one of yours, it just might change their entire week... which just might change their entire life. 

Truly, your smile could launch 1,000 ships, warm 10,000 hearts, or power a small kitchen appliance.

Reflections of Yourself

I am no less of a person by the flaws you see in me;

I am no lesser for I am not those flaws!

I know who I am,

my flaws and my strengths,

and there is no better person who can handle me,

but me.

So, take a good look in the mirror.

There will never be another quite like the one looking back at you.

Enjoy!

Why do you do what you do?

Why do you do what you do?

Ever give that question much thought?

My recent shift in my career focus brought this question to the surface many times.
It's crazy that since I quit my job to focus more on our business and caring for my father, I seem to be busier than ever. A friend was concerned that I might be trying to do too much.

I have to admit though, I feel like I am really doing something that matters here. I am helping people through some of the hardest times in their lives. And in return, I feel better than I have felt in years.
Tomorrow, I'll post an article containing interviews with a few funeral directors that really tells the story of why we do, what we do.

For years, I was trying to pay the bills and keep my head above water in the sea of life. It's been a courageous move leaving a secure job for an unsure life. But it has made all the difference in the world for me. I've preached for years that we need to follow our dreams, find our purpose, and walk the path less traveled. And I've tried to do just that, but still holding on to the safety line. For once, I have closed my eyes, let go and am loving every second of it. At the same time, I am sustaining the dream that my husband had for this business. I don't know what the future holds, but something tells me that it's going to be wonderful.

Won't you join me on my adventure by setting out on your own adventure?
What are your dreams?
Why do you do what you do?
Is it what you love to do?

Unforgettable

To take this literally, 

This is St. Edward's addition to our garden this year.

It's a welcoming path that helps to bring many welcome neighbors and friends calling on those warm summer nights to hang out at our place, enjoy a cool beverage and witty conversation on the shady patio.

All are welcome. Stop on by and sit a while.

But to broaden this idea, let your colors show and your light shine. That's when you'll be adorned with gifts unimaginable.

We tend to forget the kind of car you drive, the brand of cloths you wear or even if you can throw a Frisbee.
(Yes Josh, you need to forget that.)
 But we forever remember the broadly smiling, animal talking, tree hugging eccentrics we befriend.

This weekend, put the "U" in Unforgettable.

Light Show

I know that it can be really scary to get what you want sometimes.
So scary, in fact, that we won't do it.
How do we get over that obstacle?
Make the stakes incredibly high.
Like the kind of high stakes that make news headlines.
So early this morning before the sun came up, 
as I walked Pugsley in the cool 81 degree night time air,

I spied a shooting star. 
It shot right through the big dipper, streaking through the sky from east to west. It glowed for what seemed like a long while, but I'm sure it was just a few seconds.
You bet, I made a wish.
I'm sure you'll see the headlines soon.
Keep an eye out for your own shooting star.
I'll be waiting to see your headlines.

Two Cups of Coffee

This story comes to us from another Blogging friend. This one from Downunder; Shannon Boh...

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things–your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions–and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else–the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first–the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

(My Frank Lloyd Wright designed coffee mugs)

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Steps

We are led to believe that having a clear, step-by-step plan is the way to high achievement.

Wrong!

 Having a step-by-step plan is the way to really limit yourself and get you completely off the path of getting what you really want.

 Freeeeee yourself !!!!

Are you holding on too tight?

This comes to me via Steve Mattus, another blogger that I follow....

You’re trying so hard to reach your goals.  Maybe you’re trying to grow your business, trying diligently to acquire new clients.  Perhaps you’re trying to save your marriage.  Maybe you’re looking to fall in love.  Maybe you’re trying to get the kids to school on time or trying to keep the laundry up.  Or, like many, maybe you’re trying to get in shape, lose weight, or get that elusive six-pack.

How’s it going?

You may feel like, despite all the best efforts, regardless of all the trying, even with all the heart and soul you’ve put into it…  the business is generating half the revenue you need, there are far too few new clients, the marriage is failing, you haven’t found love, the kids are late, the laundry is behind, you’re overweight.

Okay… it’s probably not that bad.  But at least one of those is probably true for you.

All you want is for it to be fixed.  You see other people getting what you want.  You think to yourself, “They are awesome, sure, but so am I.  They’re deserving, sure!  But so am I.”  And yet, you feel like you’re not getting what you want.  You’ve tried the best practices.  You’ve researched what others have done, and you’ve tried the tricks, read the highest rated books, utilized all the time-management tools you can think of, and joined the gym, done the diet, even did a colon cleanse in an effort to get some kind of a result.  (That last one worked, by the way… you were in the bathroom for what seemed like days.  Not exactly the “result” you were hoping for.  I get it.)

It's not working. You try and try. And still... It's not working.

This might be a curveball…. but… What if you’re holding on too tight?  What if you’ve got your eyes set on a goal that isn’t actually what you want?

Do you need to let go?

What would happen if you were able to let go of the idea of achieving that goal?

What if that goal wasn’t what you really wanted?  What if you really wanted something else?  What could that be?  How do you tell?

Ask yourself, “If I _____________ (fill in the blank with your goal), what would be different?”

The answer to that question is more likely what you really want.

As long as you're holding tightly to your current goal... you narrow the opportunities to get it.

Letting go is so incredibly difficult.  Doing so frees us in amazing ways.

Let go of narrow goals to achieve things that won’t get you what you really want.

Let go of beliefs that aren’t true.

Let go of holding only one perspective.

Let go of being right.

Let go of having to know.

Let go of being secure all the time.

Letting go means getting curious.  And true curiosity is a tool that will take you to places you haven’t even imagined yet.

Hold on just like a baby…  gently.  And let go like a baby… easily.  Look at the world in wonderment.

What do you need to let go of?

For more from Steve, check out http://actualinfinity.com/

The Wright Way

When we let go of the details and focus on the outcome instead, dreams really do come true.

As has been indicated in my two previous post, I've had a dream. A dream that one day, I would visit an original Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built home. To witness up close and in person the genius that was FLW.

While we were in Grand Rapids for my birthday on the walking tour that took us to many beautiful homes, we were able to see, outside and inside one of his works that was built in 1910.

Yes, 1910! I know, it looks like something from the 60's or 70's. That's how ahead of his time he was.

This home was designed and built by Wright for clothing store owner, Meyer May. May was a rather short man and wanted a home that would not make him look and feel so short.

Mr. Wright designed this home with a strong horizontal feel, which makes anyone look tall. Even though the ceilings are at nine feet, each room is designed with these horizontal lines that emphasises anything that is vertical.

 Even to stand in the garden, you will look taller.

 The front door is even tucked around on the side because it is too much of a vertical line for this design.

 As you step inside, it is laid out with a open great room. This minimizes the vertical lines created by walls.

This was a strange concept back in 1910 when heating and cooling was a challenge in Michigan.

Mr. Wright designed EVERYTHING about the house, including the furniture.

In the dinning room, he designed highback chairs to create a sense of enclosure when seated at the table.

And to eliminate the vertical feeling of a chandelier, he designed lamps built into the corners of the table.

 To separate rooms such as the entryway, he placed  arts and crafts style spindles instead of solid walls. This gave a sense of separation yet allowed for airflow on those hot summer days.

 In the living room, the furniture keeps the horizontal lines going even though the windows start low and wrap up onto the ceiling as stained glass sky lights.

Even in 1910, the skylights were designed with lighting inside. This way, it was always sunny, even on cloudy days.

 On this side of the living room, built in shelving maintains the strong horizontal lines. As does the inlaid glass tile between the bricks on the fireplace.

 Every stick of furniture and even the rugs, all were designed by Wright.

 To me, the bathroom was the only place where 1910 shown through. But even here, the tub keeps that horizontal line consistent throughout the whole house.

 Every single window in the house looked like this.

No matter what the view outside is, how can it be bad with windows like this?

These are the children's rooms on the second floor.

Who wouldn't want to grow up here?



Where do you put all your posters and high school memorabilia though?


Throughout the house, there are pegs installed in the picture rail. Wright placed these pegs where it was appropriate to hang artwork.

 A bit of a control freak, Frank Lloyd Wright even designed the clothing that you would wear when entertaining in such a house. Because he wanted you to look your best in the setting that he'd created for you. You needed to wear just the wright colors and just the wright style.

 Before Lay-Z-Boy technology, Frank Lloyd Wright even designed his own version of a reclining chair.












In the mid-1980's this home was purchased by Steelcase Corporation, who turned it into a museum-piece of Mr. Wright's architectural prowess.

Already well known during his lifetime, Wright was recognized in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects as the Greatest American Architect of All Time.

Wright lived from 1867 until 1959. He was an architect, interior designer, writer and educator who designed more than a thousand structures and completed more than 500 works. He believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and it's environment. A philosophy he called Organic Architecture. Something that 100 years later, we are trying to understand and even mimic.

His designs were efficient in heating, cooling and overall harmony of living. He is most famous for his work completed in 1935 in Southern Pennsylvania appropriately named Fallingwater as it is built over an actual waterfall.

For me, visiting this home, was a dream come true. I am inspired now to make a trip to Southern Pennsylvania. Or perhaps Wisconsin or Arizona where his two homes and studios are located. Taliesen East and Taliesen West