Journey On is a blog dedicated to personal growth and personal development. As we continue to expand and evolve what is possible in our lives also expands. Everyday there are thousands of thoughts that come through our mind....some positive and some negative.....We have a choice as to which ones we think about. This blog is an ongoing expression of what's on my mind and the choices I make.
Friday, January 30, 2004
THE POWER OF RITUAL: I'm thinking about rituals and how they can benefit us. I recently read in the Power of Full Engagement by Tony Schwartz an expanded definition of what a ritual is. Our everyday life is full of rituals that we don't necessarily think in this way. Rituals are more than just habits in that a ritual has the potential to be symbolic of something greater that just a physical act.
For example if I get up and make myself fresh juice, the making of the juice is part of my healthy living ritual. Exercising rather than being a habit can also become part of my healthy living ritual. Because it is elevated to being a ritual it reverberates througout my entire being. It sends a message that health is a value, a priority in my life which has much greater value that just the juice itself.
When looking at an ordinary habit in the context of a ritual rather than something we have to do we feel empowered....the challenge and the opportunity is to look at our live from the perspective of ritual. There will be less resistance and more excitement. Become an explorer and join with me in this quest to make ordinary living more adventurous.
Journey On
Mark
posted @ 11:11 AM
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
REMOVE THE BLOCKS:There's a shift when doing something stops being a struggle and becomes something you're looking forward to....it becomes part of your life. You need to do it to feel that you are you and totally you. All the parts of your self are alive at the same time. You are integrated and feel and act in a positive way. From this place you are willing to take on new things with the confidence that you can do almost anything. How do we stay in that groove when we feel we can do anything? What's the secret?
There are universal principles that are not so obvious to many people but when you look beneath the surface you know them. The ancient Chinese think in terms of energy. When our chi or energy is stuck then we have disease and uneasiness. We need to keep our energy flowing. Unlock the blocks...remove the obstacles....what are the obstacles in your life...what thougths and beliefs are holding you back. Clear the blocks from your mind and see what unfolds....limitless...expanding.....mindblowing. Let it flow..
Jouneyon
Mark
posted @ 12:47 PM
Sunday, January 25, 2004
wHEN IN DOUBT SMILE!! So where do I start...I'm experimenting. I'm listening to the soundtrack of "What a Girl Wants"...haven't seen the movie so I'm curious to see what comes up with this writing... the words let's fall in love are repeated. I remember the Beattles song Love Makes the World Go Round....it sure puts a smile on your face.
There's an article that my wife Annie gave me on the effects of smiling. This is what I know for sure. It's a good thing and we need to spend more time doing it. It's interesting how I said spend like it's money or a commodity. Have you ever looked into a mirror and smiled. It's fun...if you haven't done this yet do it and if you have what happens when you look into that mirror.
What do you feel like doing. Now the music is kicking in and I feel like moving.. like dancing with a smile on my face. Now a big smile....According to scientists when you smile the muscles stimulate nerve endings in the brain connected to the feeling good center. There's a release of endorphins and nitrous oxide. My message to you is to be a smiler. When in doubt, smile.
That was fun.. I'm smiling...and becoming a bigger smiler.
Jouneyon
Mark
posted @ 4:06 PM
Saturday, January 17, 2004
It's time to check in. After the last blog I was feeling it...that is the groove. And then I let it slip away...Of course I'm talking about the groove of writing... of letting my thoughts flow effortlessly into words..So here I am trying to get that groove back.. and the music of the legendary Marcus Miller is helping me do that
i'm thinking about the flow of the day..the people I met..the conversations some good and some not so good....the thoughts that motivated me to action leaving me little choice. Oh what happened to free will. It got swallowed by automatic pilot when I was drawn to a particular action or expressed a feeling ... The ones we're closest too have a way of triggering those feelings. They have the best chance of getting us.
Until next time journeyon
Mark
posted @ 5:05 PM
Friday, January 09, 2004
WHAT'S YOUR KEY: I'm thinking about passwords today. I have between 10-15 . If I add combinations to locks that I have for bicycles and other things I approach around 20. I don't want to write them down because then the safety element would be lost. So I memorize them and give myself clues as to the best way to remember them.
And aren't passwords and combinations replacements for old fashioned keys. They are suppose to be more efficient but instead you have more to keep track of.... what happened to those good ole days when life was less complicated....to those simple days when you didn't have to hide what's yours...passwords do let you in and are the key to unlocking secrets .
Wouldn't it be cool if every one had a password and if we knew what it was that person would instantly be more open, loving and there for us. The ultimate password is the password to the heart. And just like our many other passwords, sometimes we need to look harder to find what it is... But once we find it everything clicks...we're where we want to be...we're home.
Journeyon
Mark
posted @ 5:02 PM
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
THE WISHING WELL: I am listening to Richie Havens singing his new song The Well about a wishing well near the hollow. The well is full of water and when you look into it you see your reflection. The well is your mirror for what you see in your life. If you're feeling fear the mirror reflects fear and if you feel love that is what the well is going to reflect. Isn't that the way it is, we see what we project. We see what we believe and want to believe.
The mystics and many of the modern day thinkers espouse we attract what we focus on. I believe it and it has been a practice of mine to focus on what can go right rather than what can go wrong. It's more fun and the likelihood is that there is a great chance that it will happen. So that brings me to this year.
What is it that you want to happen on a personal level, a community level and globally? I think that we would all like to see world peace. Have you seen those bumper stickers that say "Visualize World Peace". Lets all look into our wishing well and see the world a better place.
Jouneyon
Mark
posted @ 11:21 AM
How you can benefit from Coaching.
If you’re reading this letter it’s because you have an interest or curiosity about the phenomenon called coaching. Coaching is sweeping the nation, but why, what's it all about, and how does it work? A Coach is a well trained and experienced professional who helps you produce extraordinary results in your life. Coaches accelerate progress by providing focus and awareness. They help you see where you are now and what you are willing to do to get where you want to be in the future, recognizing that results are a matter of your intentions, choices and actions. The bottom line is a great Coach will help you get what you want, often more quickly than doing it alone.
Why Is Coaching important? So many of us are so busy living from our clocks and calendars, we often forget what matters to us or have little time to even think about it. Too often we are uncomfortable about saying what we want because we don’t believe that it is possible. Sometimes we have just given up. A masterful coach inspires you to believe in yourself so that you are willing to declare what it is that you really want.
A Coach "listens" intently, asks clarifying questions, challenges your assumptions, helps you dream big and makes sure you do the important things you say you will do in order to have the important things you say you want. It is a partnership based on intention, agreement, integrity and relationship. The bottom line is, we can't do it alone. Some of us think we can, but with a Coach you will be challenged, stretched and empowered and you will increase your chances of being successful and be celebrated for it.
In the process you discover your source of inner power, so that whatever you do in life you do with more confidence and ease.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. Throw off the bow lines, sail away from the safe harbor, Catch the Trade Winds in your sails."
- Mark Twain
Believe in yourself. Live your dream
Explore and discover what is possible.
Mark Susnow, formerly a trial attorney for 30 years, is a coach, musician, speaker, and group facilitator. He’s inspired hundreds of people to believe in themselves and to achieve their goals and dreams. mark@inspirepossibility.com 415.453.5016
NEW - E-Books by Mark Susnow
Stepping Stones to
Greater Personal Freedom
Reclaim Your Life:
Live In Balance
Executive Leadership Development Program: 10 Insights to Developing
the Leader Within
About Coaching Give yourself the gift of coaching and make an investment in your future. learn more...
Subscribe to this Weblog
FREE Self Assessment Test Who's in charge of your life? How much of your life is controlled by self-defeating and self -limiting beliefs and habits?
"When I came to see you a little over a year ago, I had a general sense that my life was unfulfilled, but I didn't know why or what to do to change it. You helped me to see that my life was out of balance. We identified my priorities, and you gave me tools to create the life I wanted. But I couldn't have made the necessary changes without your ongoing guidance and support.With your help, I was able to purchase a home closer to my daughter's school, make huge steps toward fulfilling career goals, and find a more healthy and satisfying relationship." Linda S. Naleway, Senior Paralegal
"Everyone needs help from time to time.We just get too caught up in the daily dramas of our personal affairs to see the forest through the tress. Even the most successful and brilliant minds in the universe become wise by recognizing the need for outside, caring support. Your background as a lawyer and spiritual seeker allow you the unique balance of being tough , practical, and down to earth, while at the same time gentle and loving." Art Brownstein, M.D.
Author: Healing Back Pain Naturally
(Harbor Press 1999)
"After playing six years in the National Football League I was fortunate enough to make a great transition into the business world.I became caught up in the rat race and didn't even know it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for working with me during the last three months. The first word that comes to mind is "AWESOME". The journey of life is easier traveled with a Map & Directions. Thanks for helping me find my way." Natu Tuatagaloa, Senior Vice President, IDEX Corp.
"I began working with Mark at a stormy point for me personally and professionally. Mark helped me learn to look at my life very differently, to rediscover myself, and get passion back in my life. His positive energy, insight and direct coaching style make him a wonderful mentor for those serious about personal growth." Jay Nathanson, Managing Partner, Target Marketing
"Having you as my personal coach has helped me to focus my energy on myself and reach within to find the stillness, the calmness of my inner self. I have also learned the importance of being grateful for other joys in my life: my musical talents, great friends, my law practice, natural creativity and passion for living." Rick Baskin, Attorney-At-Law
"Mark has taught me to start each day by wondering what the most fascinating/exciting thing might be during the day. Through that lens, I have looked at every experience from a different perspective . Most recently he supported me through a major life change-by encouraging me to enjoy the process. What a concept! His insights and intuitions have supported me in living my life more in alignment with who I am.Thanks Mark and Iâm looking forward to more." Judith Hodgens, Former Mayor and Council member, Town of San Anselmo
"Mark Susnow knows how to bring out superior performance in his clients. He is masterful. By working with Mark, you will consistently surpass your own expectations of yourself. You will also discover that life can be a lot more pleasurable. I have personally benefited enormously from Mark's coaching and I recommend him to you without reservation." Raz Ingrasci, President of the Hoffman Institute
"As someone who had done lots of personal growth work with individuals like Deepak Chopra and Tony Robbins, I was a bit reserved about whether working with Mark would add anything to my life. Now, nearly one year after first meeting Mark, I can say with 100% conviction that my work with Mark has been hands-down the most powerful personal growth work that I have done. Through Mark's ongoing support, guidance and wisdom, I picked up my family and left my law firm to pursue a job that I've dreamt about my entire life. And now, quite literally, I am living a dream come true and I simply would not be where I am today without Mark's coaching." Don McLaughlin, Attorney-at-Law
"The most profound change I have noticed from working with you has been in my communication. For the first time, I am able to be more myself, open, honest and real with everyone-my life partner, my friends, with those I manage, and those who manage me. They, too, have noticed and applauded this transformation." David Phipps, Director of Engineering
"Denial…that is the best word I can think of to describe my life before I met Mark and started on a new journey. It’s not that I was unhappy or unsuccessful before, it’s just that I didn’t indulge myself by maximizing life’s opportunities. The difference in my life over the last fifteen months is like the contrast of a mountain climber who now gazes up to see where he can still go instead of looking down to see how far he could drop. After Mark helped me have the courage to get past my fear of falling, he awakened me to the concept that above the mountain summit exists an endless series of peaks. The power to enjoy your life to the fullest truly lies within yourself, and it’s clear that helping people find their stride is Mark’s Mount Everest. Journey on Mark!" Mitch Emoff President, Fulfillment Center, Shumsky and Co
