Like any good mother, her desire was to have her child grow bright and bold, and to be full of good humor and wit, and to be generous and courageous and kind.
For, being such, how could anyone not have the most beautiful story?
After all, what is the code and concept of life, of living, of humanity, if it is not to find one's calling and to have that calling be greater than one's self; if it is not to pursue that calling and complete it with joyous self-respect?
That a baby would be borne by an unwed teenager in a space and at a time when and where bearing such a child is an ignominy so hateful as to incur the wrath of a community, of a society, of a people full ready to stone such a mother to death, i.e., to be murdered stone by stone! In the name of God!
That the baby would be born in a barn where animals feed, yet, oh may it never be forgotten (though it is ignored and in ignorance misunderstood), allowed there by the generosity of an inn-keeper who did not shove this mother-to-be back into the streets at a time when the press of weary travelers from far and wide had crammed full every livable space around!
That the stars would be so aligned, a bright light darting through the sky, pregnant with a story long since foretold, drew the attention of three traveling wisemen such that they were drawn from afar to this incredible birth-scene, and arrived bearing gifts worthy of a king!
That the ruling dictator of the land, hearing of this birth, of its progenitors and its potential and its promise, not knowing which child this is, but so envious and so threatened by its arrival, ordered every mother's child two years and younger be forthwith murdered such that this child could not escape his venemous sting!
That this child, guided by his step-father-to-be and guarded by angels, escaped the bloody onslaught!
That this child's father is God!
Oh dear! What child is this? His mother's name is Mary.
Enjoy actionable discoveries continuously shared - smartly - particularly those that uplift, inspire, promote harmony, expand opportunities, exemplify beauty, and reveal wonder, in other words, those proven to strengthen our emboldened exercise of genuine love through all of love's fertile dimensions, supplying those of us who are blessed and inspired to take action with necessary skillsets to be awesome in our real world. Namaste. Share.
SCENARIO: Recall. Recall. Recall. Such a powerful human story, that is: to recall and reset; to resolve to put right, to render capable of its fullest potential, to set a thing true to one's highest values and in alignment with one's clearest vision; yes, to recall and reset worthy of the brand. That is a powerful human story: a sample of best-in-class. But might it also be divine?
Let's see if that is indeed a fruitful perspective.
Everything authentic about this celerbrated season of remembrance is a reminder of its necessity as well as a demonstration of its capability: that putting right can be done and ought to be done, and that when it is accomplished it is a brand new ball game of the highest order ==> customers' needs are satisfied. Five Stars. (Joy changes everything. Guaranteed. But what is joy?)
What is it that is being put right in this celebrated story? (We sing of it and speak of it repeatedly.) Isn't it a powerful story? It has all of the hallmarks of one. But what is being put right in this story? And what is being delivered? And who is it being delivered to? And what solution or satisfaction does it provide?
Here too is another beauty we recognize. Such stories - re-branding stories, putting right stories - are being lived-out repeatedly in every land, and at the heart of such stories, in their soul, there is satisfaction and joy! And isn't that also the fuller story of Jesus - The Christ, within the context of the human condition: a putting right; a making available what is of the highest order - delivering significance and satisfaction {{comfort and joy and peace that passes all understanding}}? (What child is this? Wonderful. Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.) Mike drop!
However, often in the reverie of a joyous celebration, it is easy to forgo or misplace essential elements of the celebrated story. We've learned that in general recognizing what is for what it is is a huge advantage to anyone whose purpose, passion and preparedness are congruent with his or her calling, for then that person is profitably positioned to adapt to unexpected changes and stay on course with the vision.
How about you? How about your story? What is its journey? Where are you within it? Who is the villain? Who is its hero? How is it unfolding? What does it solve or satisfy? Your story matters.
In this season's story we are highlighting two of our authentic explorations:
1. the putting right
2. the product being offered
We've noticed this issue for many a product of awesome value in high demand in the broad market: the underground market! There, awkward questions arise. Is the product a customer accepting authentic? The real one! And how would that customer know that it is? What are the hallmarks of the real product? Where is the brand verification? How does a valued customer use it? Does the customer really need it? Does it have a lifetime guarantee? Are returns allowable? Who is vouching for this product? Explore! Knowing is by far the better. The story matters.
Now, here is a scenario:
You are prepared to be profitable (exchanging value for value). Enter a fine seller, bill of lading handy, items listed: Comfort, Joy Unspeakable, Peace That Passes All Understanding.
During this series we are getting things done in fresh new ways with fresh new applications using solid working principles and employing exciting innovations.
In a remarkably innovative way you've not experienced before, each episode will transform one of theseven deadly sins into a fresh new lens and a BS Meter that will further enhance our abilites to get things done superbly well.
Enjoy.
Today's pivot QUESTION: were you to arise and discover your health, wealth and wellbeing were adequately catered for, in other words, your balanced needs of gold, frankincense and myrth are henceforth sufficiently supplied
- what would be the new vision for your life there on out?
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What Is In Your Personal Toolkit?
Your story matters.
Is your vision deep and wide enough to accomodate the breadth and depth of your capability - your created potential, the promise of who you could be? What is the measure of it? What do you measure it with? Is it in your toolkit?
"Use your courage, your heart and vision to fix, to heal, to empathize, to connect, because living life has something bigger than yourself as a hero's journey." Viola Davis.
Yesterday I ran over into the park to share a quick thought with one of our SuperStarKids' parents, knowing I needed to hurry on to my next engagement. As I was about to leave her a little child ran up to my legs and lifted his arms. "Do you want me to pick you up?" I asked, leaning to lift him up, quite aware (though surpressing my awareness) of picking up a stranger's child.
This little boy, so solidly light, keen, and comfortable in my arms, I engaged in a cheerful chat, speaking to him (as I learned from my mother to do speaking with any child, and as I have long since been mindfull to continue doing) as I would speak to anyone with whom I am conversing (no baby-talk or child-talk, just person to person). Besides, I smile a lot anyway. What can I say?
As we were so engaged I felt an approaching shadow (steady and light) which I presumed, without allowing myself to be distracted from the child's cheerful engagement, might well be either the child's mother or nanny, and at a quick glance upon her arrival I noticed she was stunningly beautiful. I said to the little boy, "Is this your mommy?" and he said, "Mommy," and I said to her, "Thank you for being so comfortable with me lifting your child." She smiled an acknowledging confident smile. Did I say she was stunningly beautiful? I had no idea whether she knew who I was. (Besides, I smile a lot anyway, did I say?) I leaned the boy over to her, as you would, expecting he'd cross over to her arms, but he said "Ball" to her. She handed him a spongy soft football. I said, "Would you like me to play ball with you?" I was quite aware I needed to hurry off to my next engagement.
I touched the ball. He released it to me, so I took that as an indication he would not mind me setting him back down on the ground. I did. Then I lifted the ball to see if he would lift has hand to catch. I inquired whether he would like to catch, but he just kept looking at me. His mom was already happily engaged with another parent. I knew I needed to let go of the ball and not throw it directly at the child. I percieved he either was not of age to catch or was finding in my conversation nothing more than a peculiar jumble of delightful sounds. I tossed the ball to his side then said, "Would you like to throw the ball back to me." He ran to the ball and tossed it. I got the ball and tossed it. He got the ball and tossed it. But I needed to go. Casting my voice toward his mom and clasping my hands (the way I sometimes do to greet or bid farewell) and pressed toward him, I said, "I want to play more with you, but I need to go. Is that OK?" He stood looking at me, a light smile, while I solemnly wished to him and for him the joys of a beautiful life.
Isn't that something? One unexpected delightful connection, and the trajectory of my day was altered. The flap of a beautiful wing! I embrace that. Just like that - doesn't it happen that way for you too - the chapter of our story changes.
"Use your courage, your heart and vision to fix, to heal, to empathize, to connect, because living life has something bigger than yourself as a hero's journey." Viola Davis.
To further enhance your toolklt, to be more proficient with your toolset, or to create tools uniquely suitable to your tasks and needs, you are welcome to consult freely with our regularly updated PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTand associated playlists - styled for your convenience. Click. Take. Peruse. Use freely.
This episode's fresh new lens is anger: def - "rage, outrage, enrage, resentment, hostility, indignation, exasperation, infuriate, madden, antagonize, provoke, piss off." (Which of LIFE'S virtues would you consider a counterpoint to anger? 100 points. To compare your answer see Flight Of The Fused Monkeys - Listen to it - Read It.)
* * *
a Fresh New Lens:
A-N-G-E-R ==> (a good sense of humor is a god-sent; good laughter is good for the soul, refocus your passion)
Hope
"An infinity of forests lies dormant in the dream of an accorn."
How can you more optimally deliver your 'goodies':
valued goods
valued services
invaluable ideas
such that their benefactors enjoy a more enriching experience?
What need(s) are you satisfying and who are the stakeholders of your current endeavor to satisfy it?
Knowing better positions us to do better!
Adaptablity. “The only constant in life is change” - Heraclitus. A question we faced is this: how well do we respond to the inevitability of change?
Even for those among us who haven't been around that long, and even with a modicum of awareness of our history, it probably does not take much else to recognize that the pace of change in practically every realm of life is accelearting fast.
Blink. Yep, the world has already moved on from all of what you and I took for granted a minute ago. No known generation has experienced this speed of change prior to now.
Should this be a cause for lament? Probably not! This new dynamic is idyllically suited to those of us who, amongst other skills previously identified, are willing and capable of unlearning in order to learn anew, in other words, those of us who are able to become zero again, i.e., able to be nothing in order to become more, yes, to live profitable lives - ever ready, willing and able to adapt.
Didn't the ancients tell us these things? We believe they have. They are quoted like geniuses, left, right and center, all across our social media feeds; have you noticed? Quoted!
Here is what is awesome: all that is exactly the story of the birth of baby Jesus! Ha-ha-hah. Adaptability. Mike drop!
The clock chimes. Then minutes tick away. The clock chimes again. Then minutes tick away. The clock chimes again. Then minutes tick away. The clock chimes again. Then minutes tick away. The clock chimes again. Then minutes tick away. The clock chimes again. Then minutes tick away. The clock chimes again. Then minutes tick away. The clock chimes.
Take Action
"Know what you own. Understand what you claim. Believe you can achieve what you conceive then call it by its name. Mine! The extent to which you have this clarity of mind, this purity of understanding, this strength of belief, you have the fire, the fuel, the impetus, the passion, the determination, the willpower you require to pursue and retrieve your truest desire. But do not claim what does not belong to you. It will not keep you . . . it will suffer you but for only so long."
You are valued. You are important. What you experience is important. Your intention matters. You are a whole being. You are a true wonder. You diminish yourself whenever you pit valued elements of who you are against vital elements of who you are: your intuitive self against your intellectual self, your rational self against your emotional self, your gut against your heart against your head. Don't be put at war against yourself: you are a masterpiece. An intricate being. Human!
How do YOU avoid being stalled?
mentor
coach
advocate
sponsor
Life: it is a dance. It gets better with practice; its music is in your heart and in your soul and in your blood and in your bones. Life; it is a dance. It gets better with practice. You have a partner – your spirit. You can have a party if you like, but choose smartly who you invite, for life – your life – is a dance. It gets better with practice, unless you stop the music or so crowd your dance floor there is no space to move or be moved within it. Explore. Yes, life; it is a dance. It gets better with practice until the dance becomes the dancer and the dancer becomes the dance and life and all of existence becomes a singular flow. Yes, life; it is a dance. It gets better with practice. Dance.
Masterpiece
a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.
So your BS meter is stuck on gluttony? Not good! Occasionally, ideal solutions are found in not focusing solely on how much, but also on what. Depending on the cause this might well be such a case. Let's say, you are stressed, and that that is the underlining contributor. Then its time to pay attention to your what. For such a case a full belly of laughter might well be a phenomenal fix. Here is what we found: "A good belly-laugh helps to decrease cortisol and epinephrine (two stress hormones) while increasing endorphins, serotonin and a host of other feel good hormones - all at the same time. Laughter helps to increase T-cells in your body which are key to a healthy immune system." Isn't that something? Then let your laughter rise from an ocean of joy. Now - that gluttony is going to be doing some real good all around. Lifts your spirits, multiplied manifold above and beyond what you might ever have imagined. Give it a try. You will change your world. Laugh! Gratitude will put you in the mood.
Out beyond ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.
. . .
live laugh love
. . .
let your light shine
Come, let us all be friends for once,
Let us make life easy on us,
Let us be lovers and loved ones,
The earth shall be left to no one.
Across the nation and around the world there is a long rumble.
It is a rumble so loud it strikes ready ears as a distant clap of a fierce thunder. It is a rumble so low, it rides beneath the noise of a thousand human fears; it can no longer be heard. Fear of flight, fear of heights, fear of sand, fear of snow, fear of monsters in the closet, fear of bugs in the pillow, fear of cats, fear of bats, fear of strangers at the door, fear of being lost, fear of being laughed at, fear of being stuck in the toilet bowl, fear of whites, fear of blacks, fear of browns, blues and yellows, fear of nakedness, fear of the unknown, fear of being hurt.
Smile. Live. Love. Laugh. Look. Listen. Learn. Be awesome. You are powerful beyond measure. You are not alone. You can do all things. I am you. You are me. We are one. Keep Sharing.
May our light shine on sprinkled seeds along The Journey.
"Live Your Life - Live it well. You are worth it."
Listen. Learn. Lead.
Standard problem-solving steps repeated: 1) Understand the problem. 2) Devise a workable plan to solve the problem. 3) Test your plan where applicable. 4) Implement the plan. 5) Interpret the results. 6) Use that feedback.
Something to Consider: We have an internal team. What do you do when your internal team members are in conflict with each other - at loggerheads - and have set up impassable boundaries, blocking your best moves? This internal team - the creators of your personal narrative; the protagonists and antagonists of your infernal stories; the arbiters of your doubts and fears; the adjudicators of your joy and peace; the advocates for your spectacular - are they in need of a courageous leader? - (A Place Called Ah.)
Breathe.
We are accompanied.
Balance - Focus - Rhythm
Love is alive in fertile dimensions, where it lifts you up, never puts you down, and is always real! Love heals.
The Journey - Your Voice Illuminated - Our Global Digital Radio Show & Podcast. We stop at exotic places, meet fascinating folks with intriguing stories and novel solutions to some of life's tricky problems. We play a few games too, and track remarkable characters of three classics: ILICET - A Time To Begin Again (True Story) SBL Series: 2:26 AM, The Gathering (Matchbox Mystery) and Flight Of The Fused Monkeys (5-Star Series). Life is beautiful and full of surprises. Breathe! Along our journey of life and learning we challenge ourselves toward the reaches of our highest ideals: to be our best, do our utmost, achieve our finest, wherever necessary and practicable redesigning the contours of possibility, reshaping human capability. Join our posse. We are changing the game! We welcome your perspective. Enjoy top dramatic, inspirational, mystery, scifi, and true stories. Live. Love. Laugh. Look. Listen. Lead. Learn with us. Get your FREE AUDIO of 'Sven: The High Achiever's Journey'. You'll be glad you did. Share the experience.
ILICET - A Time To Begin Again (True Story) 
