Tag Archives: Self Improvement

Affirmations, Attitude, Celebration, Emotions, Energy, Focus, Habit Formation, Happiness, Intentional Thinking, Joy, Mindset, Positive Thinking, Self Talk, Visualization

Apply This Lesson From The World’s Happiest Man: Matthieu Ricard

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HORIZONS frost-bitten-phil-koch

“For decades now I have been emphasizing happiness is a left brain function. There has been a push to get people to use more of their right hemisphere for creativity.

We all know the stereotype of suffering, tormented creatives. Well, perhaps there is a reason for the stereotype.

Personally, I am an advocate for whole brain learning and development. We use our whole brain and balance is important. As is lateral cross-hemispheric communication.

The Brain Grows As Any Muscle Does The More You Use It

Not only left-right, but up down, in and out. From our prehistoric brain to our thinking cap, the neo cortex.

There is discussion that we have many brains. A gut brain, heart coherence, that our cells, while specialized, all communicate. Unified Field Theory.

It is now currently understood  that our seat of emotions, heart and gut, may actually run more of the show than we have thought previously.

All very interesting and fascinating thinking Science catching up and confirming that which has been known for many, many years. I think it is exciting.

What You See Is What You Get

I have firmly maintained that how we direct our brains and what we focus on matters. Researcher have concluded that most people are visual. I believe that to be accurate. We all imagine and make images.

We may not be aware or conscious of these unless we are directed to pay attention. When tasked to make a mental image deliberately some complain they aren’t good at it.

I think they are they just aren’t that good at it deliberately. They haven’t used or conditioned their visualizing muscles, yet, to work for them when they want it to. It just does what it does.

We all talk to ourselves or listen to past prior conversations and voices in our head without being schizophrenic. This is a normal part of daily living. We talk to ourselves, inside and out loud.

What You Say Is What You Get

Here too we may or may not be that aware of how we speak to ourselves. We also let it run on and on without exercising the control over it we could. Mostly, because we don’t know we could.

95% of what we do is habitual, unconscious habits, patterns or repetitive behavior, We think the same thoughts, or most of them day in and day out.

We are routine and predictable in so many ways. We run on automatic and it is reliable. It does the same thing over and over. We don’t change it because it seems hard. It isn’t, it just seems that way.

What we say and how we say it to ourselves is governed mostly by the left front temporal lobe. We ought to pay attention to those who have said positive thinking is an important ingredient to feeling happy. We think and then we feel. We feel and we think.

Everything Originates In Thought

It is cyclical. If we begin to monitor our thoughts and feelings, what we imagine, what we say and speak to ourselves we can begin to alter how we feel and increase our ability to be happy and to be successful.

We CAN exercise deliberate control of our thought processes.

If you want to be successful you think, feel and act successful. THEN success will follow. If you want happiness you think, feel and act happy. THEN happiness will follow.

Sadly, most people think happiness follows money, things, specific people, events or circumstances.  It doesn’t. You be happy, you be successful, you be rich, you be healthy in mind first and then those things follow.

You Steer Your Mind As You Steer A Vehicle – You Are In Control

You get what you think about. What you see and say IS what you get. You act first THEN you get what you want. Go First! Everything first originates as a thought and then it becomes reality.

So I am going to add some information and quotes from an copyrighted ©Business Insider article on ‘the happiest man in the world’.  His name “Matthieu Ricard”.

Ricard is 69, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, born in France who has been called “the world’s happiest man,” because he participated in a 12-year brain study on meditation and compassion led by a Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist from the University of Wisconsin.

This researcher hooked up 256 sensors to Ricard’s head. These research scans found that when Ricard was meditating on compassion his mind was unusually light.

You Can Choose What To Focus Your Attention On

His brain produced a level of gamma waves,  linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory, Davidson says has never before been reported in the neuroscience literature.

‘The scans also showed excessive activity in his brain’s left prefrontal cortex compared to its right counterpart, allowing him an abnormally large capacity for happiness and a reduced propensity towards negativity.’

This aspect is not new. Brain scans have revealed this previously. Happy people have more activity going on in this left region of the brain. This area of the brain is responsible most of our speaking and understanding language abilities.

This area ‘lights up’ when we talk to ourselves.

According to the article Ricard says he sometimes meditates for entire days without getting bored. He admits he’s a generally happy person but he feels the title “happiest man” is a media-driven overstatement.

What You Feel Is What You Get

He spoke with Business Insider at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His advice for how to be happy follows:

The answer is altruism. Thinking about yourself all the time is stressful, exhausting and leads to feeling unhappy. It is not about the moral high ground  but if you want to be happy, strive to be benevolent. That makes you and others feel better. Be kind.

Ricard says when your mind is filled with benevolence, it is healthy and can flourish. That means a better mental state which also means a healthier body. Plus, he said others perceive you as nice. He believes anyone can do this.

He encourages mental training, as I do. He compares it to training for a marathon. While one may not become an olympic champion there is a vast difference between one who trains and one who does not.

Healthy Mind Healthy  Body Comes From Conditioning

This is so very true of mental training our abilities. He maintains many things, benevolence, attention, memory, emotional balance, can be trained including happiness. So how does Ricard recommend you train your mind to be happy.

Start by thinking happy thoughts for 10 to 15 minutes each day. Instead of having fleeting happy thoughts, hold onto them. Concentrate and stay focused on the positive emotions.

Don’t let your mind wander. Keep it on happy positive thoughts and feelings. Just 15 minutes a day can be enough. Condition you mind by daily focused concentration on happy thoughts and feelings.

He says, if you do the training every day, even in as short of time as two weeks you can feel the positive results. If you practiced for 50 years, as he has, you can become a happiness pro.

GO FIRST!

The article concludes with UW researcher, Richard Davidson, stating that even 20 minutes of daily meditation can overall make people much happier.

*If you’d like to read the ©Business Insider copyrighted article, click the title link below to go to their website.

Use the link within the article to see the brain scans and get more tips from Ricard. I encourage you to visit and read this article:

A 69-year-old monk who scientists call the ‘world’s happiest man’ says the secret to being happy takes just 15 minutes a day

I thought you might like this. Benevolence, compassion, kindness, understanding. Much needed in this current day. From ancient to modern times the call to be loving, kind, to go the extra mile, help others in need and to be charitable has been emphasized.

Imagine We Followed The Golden Rule And Went The Extra Mile

It is good for the your soul of and the recipient. Help yourself by helping others. We can all be happier by what we do first. First, we think happy thoughts and we feel happy. First, we help others without expecting return.

What you want wants you! It can find you when YOU go first. Celebrate everything without reason. That is going first. Be grateful! That is going first. Do it and the rest follows. It doesn’t come if you wait for it. Act first, GO FIRST, and it comes to you.” Rex Sikes

Be thankful you have today to be thankful!

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Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Creating The Future, Expectations, Focus, Habit Formation, Intentional Thinking, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Rehearsal And Practice, Responsibility, Visualization

Success Is The Sum Of Small Efforts Repeated Daily

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horizons 2-whispers-phil-koch

“In my posts I continually attempt to emphasize how simple it is to make positive changes and succeed. Whether you want to accelerate your career, improve your bank account, enjoy a delightful relationship or celebrate more of what life has to offer, it is easy once you know how.

Today, I am going to give you a few quotes from Robert Collier, one of the early New Thought leaders to again drive that point home for you. Collier lived from 1885 to 1950. He wrote, ‘you can do anything you wish to do, have anything you wish to have, be anything you wish to be.’ What follows are a few more of Robert’s words.

‘Visualize this thing you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin to build.’

‘Any thought that is passed on to the subconscious often enough and convincingly enough is finally accepted.’

‘See things as you would have them be instead of as they are.’

‘Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.’

‘The great successful men of the world have used their imagination; they think ahead and create their mental picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that a bit, but steadily building, steadily building.’

‘The first essential, of course, is to know what you want.’

‘All power is from within and is therefore under our own control.’

‘The first principle of success is desire, knowing what you want.’

‘Desire is the planting of your seed. Very few persons, comparatively, know how to Desire with sufficient intensity. They do not know what it is to feel and manifest that intense, eager, longing, craving, insistent, demanding, ravenous Desire which is akin to the persistent, insistent, ardent, overwhelming desire of the drowning man for a breath of air; of the shipwrecked or desert-lost man for a drink of water; of the famished man for bread and meat… ‘

Well, there you have it. I think it is more than sufficiently self-explanatory. I want to only remind you of one quote again in particular, so that it is not overlooked. All are great, of course, but it is this one.

‘Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.’ It is the small things we do on a consistent and persistent basis that make all the difference in the world. Walking the same way though the valley floor creates a pathway. It is the continuous repetition that creates the path.

Recently, I shared on ‘neuroplasticity’ the brains ability to change and grow based on our use of it. As we learn new things and repeat those learnings through practice we build new habits and can replace old ones. We can evolve ourselves as our brains literally evolve. Neurons that fire together DO wire together.

So never give up. Do small things, a little bit each day and you will make progress to your goal. Whatever that is, you can be, do and have anything you want. Anything you want. Napoleon Hill, reminded us, ‘Whatever the mind can conceive, and believe we can achieve’.

Since all power is from within and therefore under your control keep the faith, never give up. Do the little things and you will arrive where you want to. Keep making your dreams a reality. It can be easier than you ever think and it is much simpler!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate and delight!

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Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Celebration, Confidence, Emotions, Energy, Expectations, Faith, Flow, Focus, Gratitude, Happiness, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Patience, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Rehearsal And Practice, Self Talk

Attitude Determines Your Altitude! The Importance Of Mindset.

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horizons a-blustery-blue-phil-koch

“What is your mindset? How is your attitude? Are you a victim or a victor? The difference is in how and what you think. What are your predominant thoughts? Henry Ford said, ‘whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.’ Someone else said, ‘your attitude determines your altitude’. So, do you have a champion’s attitude or not?

Here are some thoughts you may wish to incorporate to develop and maintain that winning mindset. These are just samples. Tailor them or create one’s that work for you. The key to making affirmations work is to state them emphatically with loads of positive emotion. Have fun, be enthusiastic and fill your mind and being with positive powerful thoughts. Repeat these frequently throughout each day.

What You Say Is What You Get

I always move forward to success. I burn my ship. I leave no way out. I remain dedicated. I am passionate. I am faithful. I am always convinced, faithful and expectant even when there is no evidence of progress. Even when it seems the tides are against me and nothing is working, I remain true.

I intensify my desire for making my dreams come true. While waiting I make progress every day. I take action.  I am steadfast. I know I will prevail. I make progress during the journey. I enjoy and celebrate every moment. My thoughts and my feelings are aligned. I am congruent in my desires.

My concentration, my focus, my energy, is singular and on my purpose. I want being and doing and having what I want to be dominant in my conscious and unconscious mind. I want to learn each second how to be more positive, powerful, and purposeful. I am accepting, allowing and receptive. I am magnificent!

What You Say Is What You Get

I go after what I want fully. No way out. No excuses. No doubts or fears, but positive in every atom, ever cell, every fiber of my being. I want to believe in myself and discover that I am truly an emperor inside and out. I am a winner and a champion. I am a victor. I will never allow myself to be a victim of others, circumstances, events, or my own thinking.

I will be triumphant. I will win, conquer and evolve. I will succeed in ways currently beyond the limits of my imagination and discover myself delighted along the way.  I will celebrate and be grateful for everything always. Whatever IS is! I will look at the good within, and find it. I will celebrate because that IS what is in the moment.

What I cannot yet see is all the unexpected good coming my way. Goodness comes to me. I always land on my feet. I always win even in ways I don’t completely understand. Adversity has always been my friend even when I didn’t embrace it. There is always something marvelous to find. Seek and I will find it. Knock and it will be opened. I do and it is! I will keep an open mind and an open heart.

 Affirm Yourself – Declare What Is – Make It Happen – And So It Is

Remember to  ask.  Seek and continue to knock until you have the response from the universe you seek. Put your order in. Claim it. Wait for it as you do a meal in a cafe. Behind the scenes everything is being prepared. They are making a dish from your orders. They will deliver it. You only need to enjoy the time waiting. It is coming! It is yours!” Rex Sikes

Today is my day!

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Attitude, Beliefs, Creating The Future, Curiosity, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Habit Formation, Intentional Thinking, Paradigms, Personal Development, Trust

Neuroplasticity Defined In 1912 Verified Recently With PET Technology

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horizons gypsy-soul-phil-koch

“This is so cool! A book written in 1912 describes what we now know today.  Because of technology we presently have the means to verify what was claimed back over 100 years ago. Even further back.

They knew without having the ability to prove it.  Since the advent of PET, CAT and MRI technologies we now know what happens in the brain as people think. We can see it. What is cool is they knew it long ago without any of this supporting technology.

The brain actually evolves. It develops new neural pathways and alters its structure. It can do so for the better or for the not so good. Either it grows healthier or unhealthier. Scientists can determine, post mortem, a happy brain from an unhappy one.

Today, we can image these results how the brain changes and grows neural networks. 100 years ago and more we could not. Frequently, science only confirms what we already know to be the case, and that is okay.

I leave you with this fascinating quote by Charles Haanel, a pioneer in the New Thought movement. Haanel and others, at the turn of the 20th century, made remarks about brain and body that ancient teachers proclaimed centuries before.

Current research into brain confirms neuroplasticity; and the notion that we have more than one brain, receptors in the gut; that heart coherence plays an important role. It inform us, how we learn and develop habits and evolve ourselves.

This quote describes neuroplasticity and the matching function of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) I discussed a lot in this blog. I think it is pretty darn cool. Perhaps, you will as well.

‘Every thought brings into action certain physical tissue, parts of the brain, nerve or muscle. This produces an actual physical change in the construction of the tissue. Therefore it is only necessary to have a certain number of thoughts on a given subject in order to bring about a complete change in the physical organization of a man.  This is the process by which failure is changed to success.

Thoughts of courage, power, inspiration, harmony, are substituted for thoughts of failure, despair, lack, limitation and discord, and as these thoughts take root, the physical tissue is changed and the individual sees life in a new light,  old things have actually passed away, all things have become new, he is born again, this time born of the spirit, life has a new meaning for him, he is reconstructed and is filled with joy, confidence, hope, energy.

He sees opportunities for success to which he was heretofore blind. He recognizes possibilities which before had no meaning for him. The thoughts of success with which he has been impregnated are radiated to those around him, and they in turn help him onward and upward; he attract to him new and successful associates, and this in turn changes his environment; so that by this simple exercise of thought, a man changes not only himself, but his environment, circumstances and conditions.’ Charles Haanel, The Master Key.

We can learn a lot from those who have gone before us. There is much wisdom in some older writings. I love to study them. This quote provides us another example of how all knowledge is always available. We just don’t know how to discover it, until we do. Then in looking back it becomes obvious. Life IS a marvelous mystery to celebrate and enjoy!” Rex Sikes

During the day delight often!

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Blessings, Celebration, Creating The Future, Energy, Focus, Friendship, Giving Unconditionally, Gratitude, Happiness, Law Of Attraction, Positive Thinking, Relationships, Responsibility

Do This And Your World Can Immediately Become Better!

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horizons years-gone-by-phil-koch

“It always fascinates me how things work out together. Some call it synchronicity. The topic I chose to write about today came home to me in a delightful way. I had planned to write on kindness and committing those random acts when one happened to me.

Prior to writing this I am at home. I had dozed off. I was awakened gently by my daughter who said, ‘I brought you soup’. Wonderful, I thought. Plus, she brought home something for me to drink. I am delighted. It was welcomed and it was tasty.

I felt well taken care of and loved. As we talked and I ate soup, it comes out that out she has been delivering soup to a friend’s grandmother for a number of weeks. She had visited once and realized the woman’s refrigerator was bare.

If You Want To Lift Yourself Up Lift Up Someone Else

She had a couple eggs, cheese, and nothing in the freezer. My daughter brought some soup over the next evening and the woman enjoyed it. So my daughter made it more of a regular thing. She’d take her a quart or two of soup.

Nightly, after work, she’d tell me she was going to this woman’s house. Even in very bad weather she made the delivery. I had been concerned at times when weather was rough. I wanted her to come home safe,  but she would say she was going to her friend’s grandma’s house first.

I never knew why until tonight.  It simply came up as we chatted and I ate the soup she brought me. After some more conversation she stated she was excited about our plans for the evening tomorrow. Off to her room she went. I am blessed with two wonderful children. I was well taken care of this late night.

You Don’t Need A Reason To Help People

I am very proud. My daughter simply wanted to do something nice for this woman because she cared. She said, though the woman has a job and works hard she has a difficult time making ends meet. She can’t make enough money to buy much food.

My daughter cared! She acted! When people care for other people we lift each other up. We ought to  assist people without criticizing them for their lot in life. We help them because of what is in our heart not because of what they can do in return.

I think this is what life is really all about. Simple kindness. Simple goodness to each other. We are all on this cloud encased globe together. We ought to be able to get along, help and enjoy each other. I will close this out soon, but first a quote I would have used tonight, anyway. Joseph Murphy wrote the following:

My Religion Is Kindness – Dali Lama

‘There is no one to change but yourself. You have to be nice to yourself; the real self of you is God. Exalt, honor, revere and respect this Divine Presence within yourself; then you are loving and honoring your neighbor.Your neighbor is the closest thing to you; God is your neighbor; and if you love God you will have goodwill toward all men.’

Simple acts of kindness can go a long way toward helping us help people feel exalted, honored, revered and respected. We should strive to lift each other up together instead of tearing each other apart or down. More kindness is needed, less greed and intolerance.

Be kind. Do something nice for yourself by doing something nice for someone else. Let your actions be your reward not the praise from others. It feels good to do something nice. It is increase for all! A rising tide floats the boat and everyone in it.

Right Now How You Feel Is Creating The Future

It is good to uplift others. When you put it out there you get it back in countless untold ways. Simply make it a point to be more gentle, accepting, kind, peaceful and loving. The more love and goodness we spread around the more we get back to enjoy and spread again.

Create that ambience around you. And know this: People are mostly good! We hear about the bad ones all the time in media, but mostly, people are wonderful! We all should keep that in mind. What we focus on we get back. Let’s focus on the goodness. Let’s build what we want to have more of. Let’s celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Today is another day to be thrilled!

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Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Decision, Deliberate Creators, Emotions, Energy, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Goals, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Affirmations, Positive Thinking, Positive Thoughts

Are You Up For A Challenge That Can Easily Transform How You Think And Live?

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Horizons dont-give-up-on-me-phil-koch

“Would you do something that could make a real difference for you in your life? Do you want to think, feel better and enjoy more? Are you up for a challenge? It will help you create  concentration, focus, energy and momentum. Well, are you? It’s completely up to you.

If yes, then decide on a positive affirmation or a mantra. You know, a declaration. A positive assertion. Something simple, something short. Make it a positive phrase that makes you feel great and go ‘oh yeah’ when you say it or think it. See below for examples.

Make sure to pick a powerful, juicy one for yourself. One that you believe is possible; one you believe you can have. Pick the best one you can think of that makes you feel marvelous. Now, commit to saying it as many times as possible during the day and night.

Energy Flows Where Your Attention Goes

When you get up, before you leave bed, say it 10, or 25 times. While brushing your teeth, shaving, showering, or otherwise occupied continue to focus on it and repeat it. While safely driving. Any time you drive repeat it. Think It! Say It! Feel It!  Believe It! Become It!

Say it out loud with great enthusiasm as often as you can each  day. Set a timer on your phone if you need a reminder. Before bed say it as much as you can prior to falling asleep. When with others at home or work silently repeat to yourself.

Do it. Again and again and commit to no fewer than 7 days. If you really want to give it a powerful go make it no fewer than 30 days. Pick one powerful affirmation and recite it with positive feelings as often as you can for at least the next seven to thirty days.

You Become What You Think About

Concentrate on your one idea as much as you can. If, during this time, you become aware of thinking neutral or less than glorious thoughts, shift to your mantra. The goal is to constantly occupy your thoughts with it. Stop neutral or less than glorious thinking.

Feel great repeating your mantra. Emotions are what make the affirmations work. Merely reciting anything without emotion is practically meaningless. Put some real juice or ‘omphh’  into this. The military makes use of repetition and strong emotions. You can too!

Imagine you are impressing this thought on your subconscious. You want it to grab hold of this positive message and ‘get it’. You deliver this message by repeating it as often as you can or will with positive emotions. Keep at it and your subconscious mind can and will get it.

What You Focus On Expands 

Chose an affirmation that makes you feel great. Such as, ‘I am awesome’. ‘I am unstoppable’. ‘I am powerful’. ‘I feel confident’. ‘I easily clean the house.’ ‘It is easy to find ways to make extra money’. ‘I am able to look people in the eye when speaking with them’.

‘I feel marvelous.’ I can eat healthy foods and feel great.’ ‘I can grow my business.’ ‘I feel marvelous’. ‘I am healthy.’ ‘I am rich in many ways’. ‘I have plenty of money’. Create your own. Make sure you feel it positively and you honestly believe it. Start with that in mind.

To boost its power imagine yourself, see yourself, already being or doing or having the good you desire. Take some time to visualize while you chant it. 5 or more minutes. I do it while on the treadmill at the gym. I set a walking pace, hold on, close my eyes and do it.

What You Think About You Bring About

I walk and hold on so I am safe. Then I imagine what I want while repeating the mantra to myself. If I am on the treadmill for an hour I have now exercised my mind and my body. I enjoy doing this. I also do it with eyes open on the treadmill and vary the speeds.

Do it for no less than 7 days. Honestly, commit to it. There is much you can discover about yourself by putting this into practice. You may be quite amazed. Feel free to keep it going longer. Become attuned or aware of new possibilities while taking this challenge.

If, after a while, or a few days, you feel like tweaking your mantra go ahead. If you feel you’d be better off changing it to one you believe more or feel better about go ahead. Make whatever adjustment you need to make it stronger. Begin the challenge over from that point.

What You Say Is What You Get

There is more to discuss, but nothing else you need. Think it as often as you can. See it. Speak it. Declare it. Feel good. Fill as much time as you can with this thought and positive feelings over the seven day period. Enjoy it. Stay open to discovery and enjoy it. You will!

Report back at the end of your chosen time frame. You can leave comments here or in the Facebook group of the same name. Daily Inspiration and  Gratitude. Are you willing to take this challenge? If so get ready to begin. Have a great time and celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Delight in today!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!

Attitude, Creating The Future, Energy, Faith, Focus, Habit Formation, Intentional Thinking, Law Of Attraction, Mindset, Patience, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Self Improvement, Trust

Time Is Not The Enemy But Your Friend

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Horizons wandering-phil-koch

“You have changes you want to make in your career or your life. Perhaps, you are going through difficult times. You want relief. You have developed a better attitude and are moving in the right direction. Only it doesn’t seem fast enough, right?

Some people who learn about Intentional Creation, Positive Thinking, or the Law of Attraction give it a try and if they don’t get immediate success decide whatever they are doing isn’t working and abandon it. They want improvement overnight.

Instead of hanging in there they claim whatever they tried didn’t work, or at least not for them. No one can estimate the time it will take for you, because no one else is you. I can’t tell you how well, or even if, you actually apply the principles.

The More We Do The More We Can Do

My assessment of you doesn’t matter. Next concept. It takes whatever time it takes for a seed to grow and to flower. I’m sure you already understand this. Everything takes some time. Why is the question? One answer is because it does. Get over it already.

Another is, you actually wouldn’t be happy with immediate manifestation because it would work both ways. Instant success or failure depending on what your predominantly thinking. So that is why it takes some time to manifest. Be thankful in this regard.

I think there is a much better reason. Not because anyone ordains it the answer, but it just seems to work this way. The reason things take time is so that you can get to be better. The reason things take time is so it is attributable to YOUR efforts and not luck or accident.

Time Shows Us What Really Matters

Things don’t manifest right away to give you practice. Time allows you to develop good habits. You can build the habit of right thinking. Otherwise, you would think it is luck and you don’t benefit from luck. You greatest benefit is from truly conditioning your mind.

Once you condition your mind, once you learn how to control your thinking then anything can be yours. You become more powerful, and wise through experience BECAUSE things take time. You evolve and develop your attitude, abilities and talents. You improve!

The more we do the more we can do is one of my favorite sayings. Things take time so we can grow and develop our skills to become more of whomever and whatever we want to be. We learn the nuance of great power and deliberate attention and control.

The Way We Spend Our Time Defines Who We Are

When things don’t work out fast I accept, perhaps, I need to learn more patience while pursuing my goal. The two concepts are not mutually exclusive. One can be patient and continue to act in one’s behalf. Some people haven’t learned this. Maybe, it is time to.

When things are troublesome or downright tough, perhaps, we learn persistence or the ability to be joyful anyway. When money is tight and debt looms we learn to think and focus on abundance instead. We learn concentration and where and how to focus our energy.

I am not saying there is a god or design to this. There very well may be, but that part doesn’t matter for my explanation. It is through trials we become stronger and well seasoned. We get more back than we could ever imagine. So, I say bring it! I want to learn.

Time Teaches Us How To Live

We learn patience, faith and trust and much more when things take longer. If it is wham, bam, thank you… it just isn’t as satisfying in the long run. Immediate results don’t always benefit us overall. We live life while waiting for actual seeds to sprout. That applies here too.

While we wait and see things through, life continues. We continue to exercise out focus to keep our attention on what we want even when it doesn’t seem to be happening. We build so many character muscles this way. We can improve in so many different dimensions.

I want to improve. I want to get better at what I have learned to do. I want mastery not accidental results. I want to learn to stick it out and make it happen and live the utmost! I don’t merely want to escape what is, if I don’t it. I want to rule what is. Don’y you?

You Are Where Your Thoughts Have Brought You

I have noticed that I am better off and far more happier because things didn’t manifest how or when I had hoped. I have become aware that I am far more delighted and well off because I went through some tough or long times without a quick remedy.

I have learned to be happy without regard to what is going on. Things can be tough or easy and that doesn’t change my happiness. It isn’t acquisition of money, things or people that make me happy but since I am happy I seem to be able to acquire and appreciate those even more. Happiness first is what time has helped me to be.

Time is not the enemy some people think it is. It can be a wonderful and useful friend. Learn to embrace it. Lean to embrace all things and life becomes much more wonderful. Time gives you more opportunities than you can even imagine. Become aware. Seek and you will find them. Meanwhile, celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Have a wonderful day!

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Acceptance, Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Celebration, Confidence, Decision, Energy, Flow, Focus, Intentional Thinking, Living In The Moment, Novelty, Persistence, Positive Thinking

The Secret To Success Few Realize: Actor’s Improv Training

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“Among other things I am an actor. Since I was three. I love it. As an actor there are many forms of training. Scene work, theater or on camera, commercials, audition, and improv. Believe me, there are many other approaches to this art and craft too. I mention this because there is an important concept I hope you will grasp.

The art of improv means spontaneous, extemporaneous, think on your feet, (comedic as is popularized by clubs  but there is also dramatic improv) acting entertainment. So let’s deal with what most people might know. The improv club. You go, have a few drinks or food and watch people respond to audience requests.

Topics blended together in unique ways, chosen out of a hat, so to speak. Actors then work together to entertain. A rule of improv, an important rule, in order to advance the premise and the scene is to say ‘Yes’ to whatever is offered. Say ‘yes’ and you have forward progress. Say no and the scene stops.

Live Love Laugh Celebrate And Enjoy

A lot of training goes into getting talent to go for the ‘yes’ right out of the gate. It keeps the ball rolling as long as the actors say ‘yes’. This is not uttered verbally, necessarily, while it can be, it is a concept.

A principle for good improv. Whatever is offered you you accept it, say yes to it, and add to it. Steer it. Your partner respond likewise. Together you keep it moving.

I am quote, a wonderful current talent, Tina Fey, who posted, back in 2011 her ‘4 Rules Of Innovation’ from her book ‘Bossypants’. ‘The first rule of improvisation is to AGREE. Saying “no” grinds invention, innovation  (and improv) to a screeching halt.

‘Obviously in real life you’re not always going to agree with what everyone says. But saying YES reminds you to respect what your partner has created and to start from an open-minded place. Start with a YES and see where that takes you.’

Wake Up And Live

‘The second rule of improv is to not only say YES, say YES, AND. In improv, you agree and then add something of your own. If your partner starts with, “I can’t believe it’s so hot in here,” and you just say “Yeah…” the skit has stalled. But if you respond with, “What did you expect? We’re in hell!” things keep moving forward.’

I’ll let you go find the other two rules, but I will nutshell it for you by briefly quoting her again. ‘Whatever the problem be part of the solution.’ and ‘there are no mistakes only opportunities. The next big laugh is around the corner.’  I love this and it fits so well with the philosophy and approaches I have been sharing in my blog.

I was reminded of this listening to friend and Casting Director, and expert, Amy Jo Berman implore actors to get improv training so that when things get switched up on them at an audition; when the sides (pages of script) are changed on them moments prior to going before the casting director, they are prepared, they are skilled, well trained talent and able to say ‘yes’. Nothing throws them!

Be Happy Smile More

I want to thank Tina and Amy for such great insight. I want to thank all those from ancient texts to modern day authors who have said the same thing, forever, in so many inspiring ways.

What we need to do is hear the message and then act on it. This is another reason why repetition is so necessary. Too often we miss what is really important!

As an actor in life we need to accept and affirm what is handed to us. Say ‘yes’ and add to it. Don’t let it stop there. We can steer it, just don’t resist it. Direct the energies in productive ways.

See it all the way through to the conclusion. Let go of preconceived notions of how things should be and go with the flow. Create some flow. Allow it to become better. Attitude is everything. Have fun and learn!

The more you practice these life skills the better you get at it, just as actors do practicing and rehearsing their craft. If you do it, repeat it, again and again, correctly, the logical outgrowth is you get better at it. You develop reliable, habitual skills. You evolve new neural pathways that serve you better.

Yes I Can

‘Start with a yes and see where that takes you’. Get in the habit of affirming life, of co-operating with others. moving forward, and adding value to all.

Keep moving it forward in positive ways. SO when life or someone throws you a curve ball you step in to bat. You aren’t thrown by changes.

Step up to the plate when life switches things up. Go for the run. Say ‘yes’ and move forward. Opportunity exists and the next big one is around the corner. Remember that! Set you attitude right and you can be, do and have anything. Live, love, laugh and say ‘yes’ to life! Celebrate! Rex Sikes

Enjoy each day more than the last!

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Attitude, Confidence, Creating The Future, Focus, Friendship, Giving Unconditionally, Law Of Attraction, Overcoming Difficulty, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Relationships, Responsibility, Success

How You Can Help Yourself While Helping Others Through Tough Times

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“We all face tough times, don’t we?  Life throws us curve balls from time to time. That just is the way it is. Times can be hard. The question is do you rise to meet tough times and see them through or do you buckle, cave and let them triumph over you? How do you meet the tough times you go through?

Napoleon Hill maintained that when the going gets tough your sincerity of purpose will sustain you. I love this because so much of what he wrote about was going the extra mile, adding value to others, helping others and applying the Golden Rule. He stated that these practices will help you make your dreams come true.

When others know that their interests are in your heart they can and do go out of their way for you. You could end up with booking more jobs, getting more clients and customers because you become known for delivering quality above and beyond the call of duty. You get known as someone with integrity and who cares.

It is hard to beat that, especially in this day and age when customer service is hard to come by, profits above people rule the purchase. Wages are low, costs are high. People have been demeaned an devalued. Help them, care for them, go that extra mile, deliver on your promises and then some and you will stand out.

I love another story Hill shared about Henry Ford and a woman named Martha Berry, founder of a Northern Georgia school for poor girls and boys. Their parents were not able to pay to send them to school. Times were tough for Ms. Berry and it was difficult to keep the school afloat.

She managed to book a meeting with mogul Henry Ford and requested a small donation to keep the school running. Ford refused. ‘Well then’, she said, ‘would you give us a bushel of peanuts?’ Apparently, this amused Ford so he honored this request. She and the students planted, harvested  and replanted the peanuts.

They made considerable sums of money. She took the money to Ford to show him how she had increased the return on his investment. Because he was so impressed with her and the students efforts he donated farm equipment and tractors.  He gave enough equipment to keep the self-sustaining school in business.

Over the years he contributed more than a million dollars to the school Ms Berry founded. Though skeptical at first, her strong belief in what she was doing convinced Ford to do what he first had refused to do. By her actions and faith she demonstrated that she was fully engaged in an absolutely worthy endeavor.

An endeavor so worthy that she would never let any obstacle or adversity prevent her from prevailing. She would never give in. Ford stated, ‘I couldn’t help but be impressed with her sincerity and the way she applied it on behalf of the needy boys and girls.’ Ms Berry was one who would not let circumstances rule but one who would rule over circumstances.

She demonstrated sincerity, ingenuity, the ability to take action, persistence, and much more, including her dedication and willingness to help others. Hill commented, ‘You can achieve your own goals in life by proving to others you have a sincere desire to help them. If you do,you won’t have to worry about the lean times. You will have more clients or customers than you can handle.’

I think this is a beautiful and excellent reminder to remember we are all in it together. A rising tide floats the entire boat. Together, we can make wonderful things happen. We can and should help others especially the more powerful we become. It reminds us that what we are on the inside will be reflected in what we create on the outside. From within to without. The good we put out there comes back to us!” Rex Sikes

Make it a marvelous day!

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Use Your Brain Properly And It Can Remain Healthy All Your Life

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“Our brain is incredible. It continues to grow and evolve as we use it. Just as your muscles grow your brain does with use. This is why it is important to use it or lose it. For decades, I have been a proponent of greater brain health.

I included both thought, or mental exercises, and physical exercises in workshops and seminars so that my participants could practice and benefit. Doing them daily kept the brain and body healthy, adaptable and resilient.

The best news, which has been around forever, but continues to receive more and more scientific validation as we look into it, is that you can easily change and transform yourself through changing your thinking. That is how it works.

What You Think You Become

Thoughts not only affect the outside world (from within to without), but they determine how the brain develops as well. Your brain actually changes its physical structure when you think or do something repeatedly. You can tell a happy person’s brain from an unhappy person’s brain postmortem. Physically they are different.

When you maintain focus on a positive goal you direct your brain. You literally wire your brain to take you there, to make it happen. Our input literally re-wires the brain itself. If we negative input we get negative results. If we positive input we get positive results.

As Henry Ford maintained, once he had set a goal he chose to see it through to the end. He refused to listen to any impossibilities of his past thinking and the doubts of others. He chose create or do what he wanted in spite of others telling him it could not be done.

What You Feel You Attract

Whether you think a positive thought or a negative thought your brain compares that thought to every other thought, belief, experience or program it previously stored that agrees with it. At that time your brain not only acts on those programs, but it also replays those same messages again re-enforcing them.

The brain is designed to feed back, find examples, match and to reproduce, the beliefs, attitudes and opinions you have about yourself, your circumstances and life. This is exactly why people who are positive thinkings create or ‘attract’ more of the same. It is why negative thinkers continue to think and behave negatively.

Then even if life or circumstances change around us, we continue to view life the same way. We see ourselves and the world through these perceptual filters. It is the brains way of maintaining a sense of consistency for us. We get back or create more of the same no matter what we input. Garbage In Garbage, Out or Good In, Good Out!

What You Imagine You Create

Research maintains that thinking positive thoughts is healthier for the body and for the brain. As you think positive thoughts your body and brain benefit greatly. You brain grows stronger, healthier and more flexible. Your body becomes more stress free, healthier and capable of healing and rejuvenation.

When you repeatedly think the same positive thought over and over again accompanied by good feelings you create new neural pathways. You can replace old thought and behavior habits with new ones through repetition and emotion. That is how it works. That is how it always worked.

The brain and body are also negatively affected by negative thoughts and chronic negative thinking. You mental clarity, emotional well-being and physical stress and ability to be healthy are all negatively impacted. It just works that way.

Your Brain: Use It Or Lose It

Science bears out what common sense should have always informed us. So it IS important to maintain a positive attitude. You think and feel better. You are more creative and able to solve problems. You are healthier in body, mind and spirit. There are good reasons to think positive. Thinking positive thoughts leads to positive feelings.

You can be, do and have anything you want. Your brain will work with you to get it when you educate it as to what you want. You brain and mind support you as you learn new positive habits. The process gets easier the more you do it. Remember, the more you do the more you can do.

If the same positive message is repeated often enough, the brain wires it in and acts on it as though it’s true.  Every opinion you have, every belief and every attitude you have was created in this same way same way in your brain through repetition. Your brain is designed to create neural pathways whether positive or negative or true or false. It doesn’t care. It doesn’t know a penny from a dollar.

Your Greatest Power Is Your Mind – Use It Well

Your brain simply says, ‘yes, I understand all systems go.’  I leave you today with this Henry David Thoreau quote,  ‘As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.’

So think the thoughts you want to make reality. Use good judgement. Evolve yourself! Stay positive! Stay positive and you can make your dreams come true. Express gratitude and celebrate everything and life becomes much more enjoyable. Look for the good in all things and reasons to delight and you will!” Rex Sikes

Enjoy today!

If you like these posts please subscribe. If you think these posts would help others please share them. Help Spread the word. 

Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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