May /June 2019

May/June 2019

                                            Choices

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we can sometimes forget that we have Choices. We have Choices for every action, and for every decision, towards every goal that we make. We have a choice in how we respond.  We have a Choice in what we decide.  We have a choice in whether we accomplish our goals or not.

 When we fail to accomplish our goals, we may sometimes try to blame someone or something else as to the reason we “Failed.”  We do this in order to feel better about ourselves.  In actuality, it was our Choices that created our outcomes. If the outcome was that we did not “succeed”, the only way it could be considered a “failure”, is if we choose to give up.  Choosing to not learn from the outcome, and being open to the feedback of what is necessary to accomplish the goal is the only way to “fail”.

 One tool to use to Empower us to succeed is to remove the, “I Should’s”…,  “I Need’s”…, and “I Want’s”…, from our self-talk and replace them with “I Choose.”  

 Our “I Should’s”…,  “I Need’s”…, and “I Want’s”…, always have an underlying negativity, a heaviness about them, and they are usually followed up with a “but”:  

“I should exercise…, but…”

“I need to quit smoking…, but…”

“I want to become Empowered…, but…” 

Then comes a flood of reasons to justify why we are not doing what we “should”, “want”, or “need” to be doing.

 After someone completes their Transformational Journey with me, I check in from time to time to make sure they are still on track. With his permission, here is a response from one of my check-ins.

 “Sir yes sir.  I am indeed!  I am choosing to be successful my brotha.  Dude I have a good one for you.  I was listening to an eBook called the 10x rule by a motivational speaker named Grant Cardone.  At the end of each chapter he gives little tasks.  In one of those tasks he asks the question "If you knew you could accomplish any goal, what would that goal be?".  I was really impacted by that question because it made me realize, why can't I accomplish any goal?  Of course, anyone CAN accomplish any goal, we have just chosen not to in the past because of one excuse or another.  We've been conditioned to limit ourselves for whatever reason.  Parents, peers, etc... So now, I choose to free myself from those self-limitations, as I know they are not real and do not serve my interests.”

 When we replace the “I Should’s”, “I Want’s”, and “I Need’s” with, “I Choose…”, it Empowers us. It opens up doors to unlimited possibilities, giving us ideas and inspiring us to find ways to accomplish our goals!

“I Choose to exercise.”

“I Choose to quit smoking.”

“I Choose to become Empowered.”

Dedicate the Month of May and June to be Aware of how Powerful it is to say “I Choose”

Smile, Wade

April 2019

                                     Words Create

We don’t realize the Power that lies within the words that we speak.

Our words (the words we choose to use) reflect what we Believe, and determine how our individual reality is created.  

It is possible but rare when we choose our words on purpose. Most of the time, our words just flow out without us realizing that what we are saying is creating how we experience the world.

What we say (the words we use) doesn’t just create our own reality, It also creates an atmosphere that can have the power to influence the people around us.

 A friend of mine shared an experience he had in one of his college courses. One of his classmates told the Professor that she was confused. The Professor said not to use the word “confused” because it will spread to the other students and create more confusion.  A more positive way to express a feeling of confusion is to say that you just need more information so that you can understand it. It is important to not use negative terms or words such as “confused” to describe your thoughts.

We sometimes say other negative things like, “Life is unfair…, hard…,” or, “People are racist.”  What we may not understand is that by using these words we are creating that same reality.  Let’s use the term “racist” for an example. I personally am not a racist, and the words and thoughts I choose to use never reflect a racist mindset.  The circle of friends I maintain and the reality they create with their words doesn’t create a racist outlook on life either.  I’m not saying it doesn’t exist.  Just turn on any news channel and you will hear about racism.  It does exist because there are a lot of people that create it and perpetuate it by the words they choose.

I don’t have the Power to change other people’s words,  I only have the power to change my own.  

 Maybe, if we all decide to be aware and believe in the Power of our words,  we will begin to choose only the ones that create Harmony.  Maybe then, chaos, hate, and division will simply begin to fade away. No way of knowing for sure, but what is for sure, it that it is a Powerful place to start!

Dedicate the Month of April to be aware of the Power in the words you choose and choose only the words that match the reality you want to create.

Smile, Wade

March 2019

                                     Step Back and Breathe

There is an energy taking place in America, the Greatest Country on earth. Unfortunately, it’s not a particularly positive energy.  It is an energy that has the potential to divide this Great Country of Ours.

The right blaming the left…, The left blaming the right…,  Each side blaming the other of Dividing us!

 United We Stand…, Divided We Fall!

 Whichever side you follow…, whichever side you are on…  Take a step back…, and breathe. Allow your Heart and Soul as a Human Being to Shine through and reveal your Truth.  Allow Common Sense to flow forth, and enable you to take Responsibility for your own life. 

 America is unique.  America is one of the only places in existence that allows each and every one of us to choose…,

To Thrive.

Or

To be a Victim.

Many strategies can be used to Oppress people.  Division is one of them.   Right now, there are those who are trying to push certain hot buttons to create unrest among us…, pitting one group against another.  A divided group is easier to Oppress.  Hence the saying, “Divide and Conquer”.

Yet, what we as Americans need to realize, is that even in the face of Oppression, we can choose to not be a Victim.  As a Victim, we give all of our Power, all of our Hopes, all of our Dreams to someone else and we become completely dependent upon them. 

Nobody can take away our Hopes and Dreams unless we allow them to.   Unless we choose  to give away our Power to someone else. Unless we allow our Gender, Race, or Sexual Identity to be used against us, to divide us, and become Victims. 

For every argument of Prosperity, we can show you Oppression, regardless of your Gender, Race, or Sexual Identity. 

For every argument of Oppression, we can show you Prosperity, regardless of your Gender, Race, or Sexual Identity.  This is a Fact!

 Remember, that regardless of our backgrounds…, we are all the same on the inside, we are all Human Beings with a Heart and Soul.  We are all Equal and we all can do and create whatever we Believe.

 It is time now, more than ever before, to step back, and breathe.  Allow our Truth and Common Sense to flow forth to Unite us and enable us to take Responsibility for our own lives. This is how we become Empowered.  

 Dedicate the Month of March to take a step back…, breathe…, and become Empowered.

United We Stand!

Smile, Wade

February 2019

                             Lessons Learned

The way we grow… the way we Empower ourselves is from our past, not by wishing to change our past, but to Learn, to reflect on what we could have said or done better. 

Not to constantly beat ourselves up for what was done. Not to try to change it, for that of course is Impossible.

But what is Possible . . . What is Powerful . . . Is to use it. Use it; To Learn . . . To Understand . . . To Grow . . . To Become Empowered, not in a self righteous way, because that would be the very opposite of Leaning. But Empowered in a way to move us and everyone around us Forward. 

The past is the past, and unless we Lean from it we will continue to recreate it,  to relive it, over and over again.

Since we can not change the past, why not use it to assist us in; Learning - Growing - and becoming Stronger.

Dedicate the Month of February to befriend the past,  To Learn, To Understand, To Grow, and become Empowered.

Smile, Wade

January 2019

                                   MISTAKES

In NLP, (Neuro Linguistic Programming), there are guiding philosophies or  “beliefs” that we call Pre-sups, (Presuppositions).  They are called presuppositions because you pre-suppose them to be true and then act as if they are.  One of them is: There is no Failure, only Feedback.

 This is a Powerful Pre-sup.  We only fail if we choose not to learn from it.  If we use Feedback, either from ourselves or from an outside source, it will open us up to learning and improvement as we go through life.  Applying this feedback will prevent life’s mistakes from getting in our way and holding us back.

 Not learning from one’s mistakes has often been defined as a form of Insanity.  In fact, Albert Einstein said the definition of Insanity is: “Doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results”

 I think you could also define Insanity as: “Repeating the same mistake over and over again.”

 Another definition from the web dictionary seems to streamline and sum up the first two “non-official” definitions of Insanity as simply: “Extreme foolishness or irrationality.”

 Now, while categorizing oneself as “Insane” may be an extreme end of this spectrum, However; not learning from our mistakes is indeed foolish and  irrational.

 Everyone makes mistakes.  It is a part of life.  It is how we choose to deal with them that will determine how we will move forward.

 A Mistake will only become a failure if we choose to be closed-minded to Feedback, and not Learn from it.

Dedicate the Month of January to Transform any mistakes you may make by Learning from them, and become Empowered.

Smile, Wade   

December 2018

Drops

Our minds are like containers, and our thoughts are like drops of paint.

Negative thoughts/energy are considered to be heavy - dark - black. Positive thoughts/energy are considered to be light - illuminating - white.

One drop of black paint in a container of white paint…,  will not create any difference.

However, if a few more black drops go in…, the contents in the container will begin to change. If we add more black drops, we will visually be able to see the contents in the container is different.   If small, seemingly insignificant, black drops continue to go in…, eventually the contents of the container will become completely black.

At anytime we choose, we can begin to add light - illuminating - white drops, back into the container, and in time it will become as it was.

It is important to understand that…, it takes a lot fewer black drops to turn the white paint to black, then it takes to turn the black paint back to white. 

This is why it is so important to take responsibility for our own thoughts and to be aware if they are negative or positive.  

The good news is, no matter how dark our container has become, purposely adding white drops back in, will begin to create a shift. With time, patience and persistence the Transformation will happen.

We always have the power to choose our thoughts…, “ black or white.” It has been and always will be up to us to decide in which way we will choose to think.

Dedicate the Month of December to choose what color drops you want to put into your container.  

Smile, Wade

November 2018

                             Life is Funny

It is easy to be Thankful..., to be Grateful…, when Life is easy.

What we forget…,   is that it is actually more Powerful to be Thankful / Grateful when Life is not "going" our way. 

When Life seems to be the hardest, or most challenging, is when we tend to react instead of taking the time to Learn, to Grow, to…, Respond.

We instead have a knee jerk reaction:

We resist…,

We get mad…,

We become resentful.

But these seemingly difficult events are actually telling us…, Reminding us…,

to “BE” Thankful.

To be Thankful…, for what we can overcome.

To be Thankful…, for the lessons we will learn.

To be Thankful…, for letting us know that we may have drifted off course.

It is reminding us that we need to pay attention. To really…, Pay Attention:

to Our Thoughts, 

to Our Feelings,

And to…, “BE”…,   Be Responsible and take Ownership of Our Reality.

These are the times when we need to Appreciate Life…,

These are the times when we need to be Grateful for Life…, The Most.

Dedicate the Month of November to pay attention to what you are paying attention to, and to “BE” . . . Thankful 

Smile, Wade

October 2018

Its not what you do, but How you Do IT, that makes the difference

A friend of mine from the Marines gave me his permission to share an exchange we had recently:

 He asked me,      “How is your business?”

I answered,         “It’s super busy!”

He said,              “Good for you.  You chose a wise business to get into.”

I replied,              “It’s not necessarily the business…, it’s how you run it.”

He said,              “You wisely chose a product and service that is in demand,

Some people choose to go to cosmetology school and think they are going to

get paid to put make up on…, not so wise.”

I said,                  "If you are a good cosmetologist, you will find plenty of people 

                            to put make up on and be successful”

 My friend had fallen into the “Grass is always Greener” delusion. He had no idea of what it took for me to build my business.

 It’s not necessarily what you “Do”, or “Choose to Do”, that creates Success…,   It’s how you Do “it”, that makes the difference.

 The most important step is to first Believe in Yourself…, and then apply that belief to give you the Confidence, Inspiration and Passion to do “it” better than anyone else can.

It will take Hard Work and Many Hours to be Successful, but the Magic is in the Belief in Yourself. 

 As you continue to Believe in Yourself…, the Hard Work and Many Hours will be Rewarded. 

 No matter what “it” is you choose to do…, if you Believe in Yourself…, 100%...: 

The Hard Work…, will not seem so hard,

The Many hours…, will not seem so many, and…,

You Will be…, Successful.

 Dedicate the Month of October to Believe in Yourself, and become Empowered with Confidence, Inspiration and Passion to be Successful!!!

Smile, Wade

September 2018

                                                     Judgement

Most of the time the only one who really judges you is…, you.                                                        We seem to constantly Judge ourselves…, what we could have done…, what we should have done…  And most of the time we focus on the negative…, and we judge . . . Ourselves. 

We walk into a room with people we have never met, or even our own work place, and the self - judgement begins.  We think it’s the other people immediately judging us, but the truth is, it’s all originating from within.

We judge who we are, or are not, what we are doing, or are not doing.  Then, subconsciously, we will surround ourselves with people who support our beliefs.   Those who will see us in the way we see ourselves. To judge what we are or are not doing, what we have or have not done, good or bad, right or wrong, thus acknowledging our self-limiting beliefs, and therefore making them “Right”.

We will also tend to Judge others based on our experiences, our beliefs, without even knowing the person we are Judging.  We will Judge others to justify our beliefs, to help make us feel better about ourselves.  

But when the water stops boiling…, when the dust settles…, the truth is revealed.                      That truth is that we are not perfect.  Every one of us has, and will continue, to make mistakes. Yet, we are Magnificent in our own unique ways.  We are all doing the best that we can do.

The most important thing is how you see yourself.                                                                         The way we choose to see ourselves can either demoralize us…, or Empower us.                 Whichever one we choose…, we get to be right. 

As Henry Ford said:                                                                                                                       “Whether You Think You Can or whether You Think You Can’t…, You get to be Right”

And then, in order to be…, “Right”.  we subconsciously attract people, situations, and events to support us…, to Judge us. The reality, is that we are simply Judging ourselves.

We all have more potential…, more capabilities…, more Love…, than we will ever realize.We simply need to just stop Judging…, and Start LIVING!!!

“Dance as if Nobody is Watching” …, because remember…, most of the time the only one that is really doing the judging is ourselves… and anyone else who would judge…  well … they don’t  matter!

Dedicate the Month of September to Remember all of your Magnificence…,                                    and live each day without Judgement!

Smile,                                                                                                                                              Wade

August 2018

                                        How Can “I” make Today a Good Day

Flowing with the theme that Nothing - “No Thing” can make us happy...,                                      Here is a very Powerful Question to ask ourselves:

How can “I” make today a Good Day?

Sometimes without even realizing it, we find ourselves relying on our                                         Mom - Dad - Brother - Sister - Husband - Wife - Girlfriend - Boyfriend - Employees - Employer- Grandma - Grandpa - Aunt - Uncle - Best Friend - etc...,                                                to make our day a good day.  Yet when we do that, we give away all of our power,                              all of our..., potential.

Simply asking;                                                                                                                                  "How Can “I” make today a Good Day?"                                                                                             Is Empowering!

You will find that just by asking yourself this question, your imagination will ignite;               opening up doors to unlimited possibilities.

Do what ever it takes to remind yourself that you always have and always will hold the Power to be in Full Control.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Write the question: How Can “I” make today a Good Day,  on a sticky note and stick it to the mirror in your bathroom, on your desk at work, in your car or wherever you need to in order to remind yourself that you have a choice and that you hold the Power.  No matter what is happening around you, you have the power to Make Today a Good Day!

Dedicate the Month of August to become in Full Control and make every day a Good Day!  

Smile,                                                                                                                                                Wade

June/July 2018

                                   Nothing - (No Thing) Can “Make" us Authentically Happy      

                                       "If you are not happy here and now, you never will be”                                     .                                       Taisen Deshimaru

One of the most misguided thoughts that we can ever have is the thought of . . . “When”, 

“When I get the right mate, then I will be Happy.”

“When I get a good job, then I will be Happy.”

“When I get a house, then I will be Happy.”

“When I get that, Car - TV - Phone - Vacation - Project Completed - Degree . . . then . . .                       I will be Happy.”

            Like the carrot hanging in front of a horse artificially moving him forward.

The reality is even if or When we get the “carrot”, the happiness we thought it would create does not materialize, or at best it will be very short lived.  

Of course a good job, mate, home, etc are nice to have, but the problem lies when we allow ourselves to think that these things . . .  will be “The” answer to our happiness.

Seeking things outside ourselves to make us happy will always be an artificial and very shallow type of happiness.

Searching from the Outside - In, for happiness is like the horse chasing after the carrot hanging in front of him, he will never get the carrot as we will never find . . .                                                   the right home,                                                                                                                               the right mate,                                                                                                                                 the right job . . .                                                                                                                             that will create the Authentic happiness we all seek.

Strive to be Happy no matter What . . .                                                                                                    No matter what you may or may not have, and allow yourself to be empowered with the realization that, nothing… no thing outside yourself can or ever will bring you authentic happiness.

True Authentic happiness comes from within.                                                                                 Our power comes from within ourselves, not from things outside ourselves.  As we allow ourselves to be happy no matter what,                                                                                                                 we open our Hearts and allow this energyto flow through us,                                                         resonating with our true nature,                                                                                                        with who we really are,                                                                                                                        and what has always been with us since birth . . .                                                                              and this is where we will find Pure Authentic Unconditional Happiness!  

Dedicate the Month of June and July to Live on Purpose, to live from the Inside Out                         and feel the Power of True Authentic Happiness!

Smile,                                                                                                                                              Wade

May 2018

                                                        Integrity

Integrity: Merriam-Webster:                                                                                                               1:  Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : Incorruptibility.                             2:  An unimpaired condition : Soundness.                                                                                                3:  The quality or state of being complete or undivided: Completeness.

Integrity is, in my opinion, one of the most important characteristics to strive for.                             It is doing what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it.                        This includes following through even when it may be “inconvenient.” 

When we make a commitment to make Integrity a part of our character, we will follow through and do what we say we are going to do when we say we are going to do it with others, but can sometimes forget to include ourselves.                                                                                                                It is important to remember to apply the elements of Integrity,                                        Incorruptibility - Soundness - Completeness,                                                                                   to our own personal goals also.

My daughter and I, from time to time, will make bets to help keep us on track for achieving our personal goals.  Even though this helped, we would still find ourselves struggling to follow through.  This led me to send her this text:

“With your approval, we are going to make a shift…  We are still going to keep the same structure for the month, but we are not going to let each other set ourselves up sub-consciously for failure.  When we declare we are going to do something, we are now going to take the mind-set that we have just “promised”   (“given our word”), to…, The…, Most…, Important…, Person…, In…, The Entire World!!! ——  OURSELF!!!                                                                                                                                         If we are making a promise to the most important person in the entire world (OURSELF), then we will surely follow through!”

When it comes to having Integrity, we may not realize that it applies to ourselves as well.  We may think that keeping promises to ourself is not as important as keeping our word to others we have made promises to.  We may disregard the promises we made to ourself thinking we are not as important.                                                                                                                                         We…  are not…  The…, Most Important…, Person…, In…, The Entire World!!!

Yet we are…                                                                                                                                        We must be…, because if we don’t Believe in ourselves first, then we cannot be a part of something greater than ourselves.

We are all a part of something greater than our individual selves. We are all a part of a very Powerful Energy. This Energy is called different things to different people:                                                               God - Love - Buddha - Christ Consciousness - Spirit . . .                                                                and it is in this place where the pure elements of Integrity,                                             Incorruptibility - Soundness - Completeness, resinate.

To be a part of this Energy requires us to Believe in ourselves,                                                            to feel this Beautiful Energy from within.

Everything Begins ….  “Within”   With - In….  Ourselves!

Dedicate the Month of May to make a “Promise” to Believe in Yourself,                                  acknowledge that You Are Important, and build Integrity into your character.

Smile,                                                                                                                                              Wade

APRIL 2018

                                                               Kick The Ball!

Have you ever been involved with a group or a project where it seems like nothing is getting done?

Several years ago, I was a part of a group like that.  We were tasked with the responsibility of organizing a charity project.  At the beginning, I made sure to let everyone know I was available to do anything that was asked. The only problem was…, nothing was being asked, and nothing was getting done.  I decided to step in to get the ball rolling.  Most of the group was very receptive, but a few became defensive.  This surprised me, due to the fact that my intention was not to take charge, but to simply gain direction and to get “something” happening.

I, personally, am a very simple, straight-forward man.  I like to be told the truth, as it is, and I will also state it as I see it.  It has not been nor ever will be my intention to dictate and expect everyone to blindly follow.  I also will never pretend to agree, nor would I want anyone else to!  

It does not matter if I am playing the role of a Coach or a Player.  I will always commit 100%.       As a Player…, I will Listen, ask questions if necessary, and perform with the rest of the team.          As a Coach…, I will Lead by example, Inspire, and Motivate to the best of my ability.

In my opinion, neither is more important than the other.                                                                    A bunch of Players without direction would be a disaster, and maybe worse…,                                  a bunch of Coaches without any players would be…, a waste of time.

If I see a game ball just sitting in a beautiful field of grass, I have an unstoppable desire to…,    KICK THE BALL !!!                                                                                                                      Because, if the ball sits on the grass too long, the grass under the ball will die.  As long as the ball stays moving…, everyone and everything benefits! 

Just because “I” kicked the ball does not mean that I kicked it the only way it can go, or even in the correct direction.  I just want to get the ball moving and keep it moving!                                          If you like where the ball is going, then get behind it and KICK it harder!                                          If you do not like where the ball is going then…, get behind it and KICK it in a different direction! Most importantly…, get behind the ball and KICK IT!!!

Whether you are a Coach or Player, an Employer or Employee, Teacher or Student, White Collar or Blue Collar…,                                                                                                                       Remember that the direction the ball is going is not as important as getting behind it, and keeping it moving!

Dedicate the Month of April to Acknowledge your relevance, and become Inspired to Kick the Ball!

Smile,                                                                                                                                                 Wade

March 2018

                                                    What is Success?

Success can easily be overlooked in our daily lives.  

A friend of mine shared something she heard at a seminar she attended,                                    “Once you make it to the top of a Mountain, you don’t stay there for very long”

Success is:                                                                                                                              Accomplishing Goals…, Winning a Competition…,                                                                           and, “Making it to the top of a Mountain”,  but it is also so much more.  

Success is not limited to just our big accomplishments.  It is also, and maybe even more importantly, our smaller daily accomplishments:

* Smiling at someone who is rude.

* Pushing past our comfort zone to improve ourselves.

* Being grateful.

* Learning something new.

* Loving our imperfections.

* Being on time.

* Growing from our mistakes.

* Forgiving.

* Going to bed with no regrets.

Don’t overlook the smaller, individual successes that we accomplish every day.  Remember, getting to the top of the Mountain, as thrilling as it is, is only temporary.  This is why our daily small individual Successes, like the examples mentioned above,  are the most Powerful Successes we can have.

The beauty of Success is that every day we wake up,                                                                           it is waiting for us.

Dedicate the Month of March to Acknowledge your Successes!

Smile,                                                                                                                                                 Wade

February 2018

                                You cannot get it, if you don't already Posses it

Lets say that again….. “You cannot get it, if you don’t already Possess it”                                      One more time………. “You cannot get it, if you don’t already Possess it”

Now take a couple of deep breaths in and out.  Then a few more…, really, really…, deep breaths.  In and…, Out…, Continue to do this  ”Deep Breathing” until you can feel yourself completely relax.

And now hear it again…, “You cannot get it, if you don’t already Possess it”

When you first read the statement…, you may have thought …, “Posses what?”  But yet deep down…, you knew.  As you asked again…, you still may have thought…, “Posses what?” And as you took several deep…, relaxing breaths.  In…, and Out…, You may have still thought…, ”Posses what?” But I assure you, deep in your core, your Being was already becoming naturally in Harmony with…:

                  Simple…,  yet Extremely…, and Unconditionally…, POWERFUL…,

                                                       ……….LOVE……….

For January, you Dedicated the Month to “Acknowledge” Yourself!  Now it is time to apply it.

Everyone…, Each and EVERY ONE of US…, has a Unique and Beautiful Purpose.  A very…, Unique, Beautiful, and POWERFUL Purpose!!!  And here is the Key that we seem to so easily misplace…:  Every PURPOSE is just as Important as any another!!!  When you boil them all down…, when you take out all the “Outside” misguided influence…, everyone’s True and Authentic Purpose boils down to…, Love.                                                                                                                         Simple…, Powerful…,  AUTHENTIC…, Unconditional LOVE!

We All, Each and Everyone one of us, has a Beautiful and Powerful Purpose that we must Acknowledge.  The Magic…, The Power…, can only Flow when we:                                               Stop looking from the “Outside”…, In.                                                                                             Stop waiting for someone or something “Outside” ourselves to Validate who we are.                    Stop comparing ourselves to other people…, to “Outsiders”.

Now is the time to Own It!                                                                                                                  Now is the time to Step into and OWN your Unique GREATNESS!!!                                                 Now is the time to TRUST and BELIEVE in YOURSELF!

You will know it when you have it because everything…, Everything…, “Outside” yourself simply begins to Harmonize from Deep Within.

You see…, with Unconditional Love:                                                                                                  There is no Judgement                                                                                                                      There is no Politics                                                                                                                            There is no Race                                                                                                                                 There is no Gender                                                                                                                           There is no Religion.                                                                                                                           There is no “Status quo”

There is…, Just…, ONE;  and it is Pure,  Authentic, and Powerfully Beautiful!!

Dedicate the Month of February to be in Harmony and Love Yourself…, Completely - Authentically - and Totally!!!                                                                                                                           Remember, you can not get it, if you don’t already Possess it.

Smile,                                                                                                                                                  Wade

January 2018

                                               Acknowledge Yourself

A fresh New Year is here, full of Unlimited possibilities.                                                                 We usually start out with eager determination to make it the best year ever;  setting resolutions and goals to accomplish.                                                                                                                       But then it happens…,  we miss one of our goals…, then a second…; then we begin to beat ourselves up.  We become tempted to just give up and abandon our Resolutions and Goals. 

So how do we stay on course?  How do we not get disappointed with ourselves as we have a hiccup with one of our resolutions or goals?

The key is what we focus on.                                                                                                         What we tend to do when we don’t do what we set out to do, is focus on what we didn’t do.  And as you just read that, you first thought was probably… DUH!  : )                                                      But focusing on what we didn’t do is a negative energy.  It drags us down, and makes it harder to keep moving forward in accomplishing what we set out to do.  It can potentially sabotage our efforts altogether.  What we forget or overlook is that most, if not all of the time, we actually have made a lot of progress towards accomplishing our goals and resolutions.

Focus on what you did accomplish, not on what you did not accomplish.                                  Focus on what you did do, not on what you did not do.

For example:  Let’s say you set a goal to exercise 5 days a week, and you only exercised 2 days.  Don’t focus on the 3 days you did not exercise, or tell yourself, “I ‘only’ exercised 2 days.”                    Focus on the fact that you were able to Accomplish 2 days of exercising!                                          As you Acknowledge Yourself by focusing positively on the 2 days you did exercise, you will be naturally inspired and energized to keep moving towards your goal of 5 days.

When we set a goal or resolution, it is important to be realistic with ourselves.  Part of the process in any journey is preparing for certain setbacks.  Acknowledging that we may have a hiccup…, or two…, or three…, will keep us from beating ourselves up too bad when it happens.  This understanding will then allow us to keep our focus on what we did do, the progress we have made, and what we have accomplished so far.

What we tend to forget is that we set goals and resolutions to do something that we are not currently doing, to step out of our comfort zone and improve ourselves.  If it was easy, there would be no need to set goals or resolutions.  

Dedicate the Month of January To keep focused on your accomplishments, no matter how big or small, and Acknowledge Yourself for having them!

Smile,                                                                                                                                              Wade

December 2017

                                                              Why

Why are we…,  you…,  me…,  here…?   Why?                                                                                         Is it to Lead…?                                                                                                                                         Is it to Follow…?                                                                                                                                       Is it to be Complacent…?                                                                                                                         Is it for Retribution…?                                                                                                                           Is it for Righting a Wrong…?                                                                                                                    Is it to Create Harmony…?                                                                                                                      Is it to be an Example of Unconditional Love…?

Who really knows?

Why…?  Why are we here?

What is The Purpose?                                                                                                                         What is Our Purpose?                                                                                                                           What is Your Purpose?

Are we all individual and separate beings?                                                                                            or                                                                                                                                                  Are we all connected and a part of something greater than our individual selves?

Do we search outside ourselves for the answers?                                                                                 or                                                                                                                                                    Do the answers lie within ourselves?

Is there a right or wrong answer for any of the above questions?

I do not Believe that there is a right or wrong answer.                                                                        I Believe that the answer lies in our own very personal and very Powerful Beliefs.

When we take the time to check in and pay attention to our own personal deep down Beliefs,         we will notice that what we personally Believe in will match our own personal reality.

The beauty of Beliefs are that they are not set in stone. We have the free will to change our Beliefs anytime we want to.

We are all more Powerful than we realize, and that Power, or the lack of it, comes from our Beliefs.

Dedicate the Month of December to make a check in with your Beliefs.  If they match the reality you want…,  then keep Believing.  If they do not…, simply change them.  Either way, it is important to remember that our reality, and our Power, is generated by what we choose to……

                                                              “BELIEVE”

Smile,                                                                                                                                          Wade

November 2017

                                                  Are you a Victim or a Success?

Victim: (noun) a person who is deceived or cheated, as by his or her own emotions or ignorance, by the dishonesty of others, or by some impersonal agency.

Success: (noun) the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of ones goals.

With permission from a very good friend, here is an email exchange we had.  In Bold text are my friends comments followed by my responses: 

  I acknowledge the brave Union soldiers who gave their lives for a more perfect Union. Also, 20 million Africans died for servitude to a nation who were not allowed to vote until 1968.                                                                                                                             And that has been corrected!

 African Americans who were not wanted in the armed services.                                                 And that has been corrected!

 More black men locked up for an ounce of pot today.                                                                      Not sure if that is 100% true...  and if it is.... pot is still federally illegal….so don’t do it!

Need I stand for all the men of color shot down in the streets like dogs?                               Are you talking Whites shooting blacks down like dogs?…                                                          Cops shooting Blacks only down like dogs?…                                                                            Blacks shooting Blacks down like dogs?                                                                                        People just going in and shooting men of color in the streets for no reason other than they are men of color?!?!?........ Really???!!!   come on.... 

Should I be grateful for this?                                                                                                      Be Grateful for whatever you want to be Grateful for...    

One thing that never seems to get acknowledged is the experience I have had as a white male: For one thing…,  I have not a Clue what “White Privilege” is!!  As middle class caucasians, myself and my kids get NOTHING…,  ZERO…, in the form of assistance, no help in any way at all.  I also pay higher taxes and medical insurance premiums than those with free or heavily government subsidized assistance. When I was pursing a career as a Fire Fighter, it was made very clear to me that because of Affirmative Action, I would have to score higher, and work 3 times harder to get hired than other applicants of minority races/ethnicities.   

I am not saying that there is not a problem.  We do still need to work together and continue to strive to improve.  We also still need to acknowledge this fact:

Right now… In America…  there have been and always will be Victims.  If you choose to be a victim, wether you are Black;  White;  Male;  Female;  or whatever…,  you will find reasons to justify your Victimhood!!!!                                                                                                  And…,                                                                                                                               Right now… In America…  if you choose to succeed, wether you are Black;  White;  Male;  Female;   or whatever…, you can SUCCEED!!!!! 

We can banter on this to the end of time, and we can both come up with examples to justify and "Prove" our points of view!!

If you BELIEVE that being a Female, Male, Black, Brown, White, or whatever, is causing you to be oppressed and unsuccessful,                                                                                                            You will be right!

 If you BELIEVE that being a Female, Male, Black, Brown, White, or whatever, will not be an obstacle standing in the way of your success,                                                                                 You will be right!

I Believe that anyone…, ANYONE…, who tries to blame outside circumstances for their lack of success, and then use their gender or race as proof, is a total cop out.  And what is fascinating to me is that you can take either side, and surround yourself with countless people that will support you in that belief.

Why not focus on what we have done…?  How far we have come…?  And also bear in mind that America didn't start slavery!  It was a world wide pandemic long before the American white male came into the picture.    Stop living in the Past!!!  It is gone, and we will never be that way again.  We will only continue to get better and better as we move forward.  But only…,  if we STOP CHOOSING to live in the past and be a Victim!!!!

I am sorry, but I will not allow myself, my kids, my family, and any friend that will listen, to make a gender or racial excuse to justify a lack of success.

There are times when we tell ourselves that we are going to change our ways and become successful in a particular aspect of our lives.  What many of us don't do though is step out and away from the people and situations that will continue to pull us down.  We fall into the "misery loves company" mentality and surround ourselves with the very opposite of what we are trying to accomplish.  By choosing to take action physically, mentally and spiritually we can step out of victimhood and into success.

One of my favorite quotes is from Henry Ford,                                                                         “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.”

Today in America no matter what Race, Religion, or Gender you are…, YOU can be a victim!     And, today in America YOU can find lots of proof to justify why because of your gender, race, or religion you are being victimized.

Today in America no matter what Race, Religion, or Gender you are…,  YOU can be successful. And, today in America YOU can find unlimited proof of males and females of all races and religions that are successful. 

Pay attention to who or what you are paying attention to...; be conscious if it is holding you back, or moving you forward.

Dedicate the Month of November to Believe in Yourself and your ability to be a Success!

Smile,                                                                                                                                                  Wade

October 2017

                                              Commitment vs Convenient

To be Successful in anything we have to be Committed.

The United States of America became the powerful place that it is because of individuals that were Committed to have a better life.  If these individuals just sat and waited until it was convenient we would still be under British rule.

Successful marriages are the result of Commitment, not convenience.  It takes 2 people to be Committed to staying together durning challenging times;  times when it may be a lot easier and convenient to just bow out.  A lack of Commitment is one of the reasons why so many marriages end in divorce.

Any professional athlete, or entertainer made it big because they where Committed.  They did not wait until it was convent to study, to workout, to practice, to get up, to make tryouts or get interviews.

Commitment is the Key ingredient of anyone who is Successful.  Success comes from being Committed; Committed to studying harder, to practicing more, to getting up earlier, to not missing a workout, and striving to be better than anyone else at what they are doing.

Commitment is also the Key ingredient of any Successful group or organization.  It is not always convenient to get up early, stay late, give up part of your day or weekend to make a meeting, be on prescheduled calls such as a mastermind/conference/networking or webinar, finish a deadline, be a member of a church, show up on time for practice with your team, band or any group that you are apart of.

To be good at anything we do. . .; to be respected for whoever we are,  (A Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Husband, Wife, Employee, Employer, Friend or Fo); takes Commitment.

Dedicate the Month of October to make a Commitment to yourself, and to be the very best you can be at anything you have chosen to "Commit" to.

Smile,                                                                                                                                              Wade                                                                                                                                               

August/September 2017

                                                              FLOWING

Life is always moving forward…,  constantly, and powerfully.   We can try to resist it…, try to stop it from moving forward…, or we can choose to flow, and grow with it.

Attempting to resist, or stop life from moving forward creates a tremendous amount of stress.  It is like building a very unstable dam that can, and will, eventually break.  After the break we are completely drained and become stagnate, until we muster up enough misguided energy to build another unstable dam, and repeat the cycle again.  Nothing can heal or grow when we are constantly resisting and tensing up, or being complacent and stagnate.  Resistance and Stagnation create disease, because we have stopped life’s natural flow.

Nothing can be more important than to make regular check-ins with ourselves.  We need to make sure that we are not resisting our day, but flowing with it!

Bruce Lee is a perfect example of Flowing.  He was a strong, but relatively small individual at only 5’ 7” and 128 pounds.  Despite his small frame, he was able to easily take down heavier and stronger opponents who should have been able to crush him.  How did he do it?  Bruce Lee knew that trying to resist against the strength and mass of his oncoming attacker was not the answer.  He was able to easily defeat his opponents because he was a master of the “Flow”.  Bruce Lee would Flow with his opponents energy instead of resisting against it.

The first four letters in "flower" spell “Flow”  A simple flower can be a Powerful reminder for us to always pay attention to how we are "Flowing".

Dedicate August and September to see how Empowering it is when you choose to Flow with life!

Smile,                                                                                                                                              Wade