When you reflect upon your life you realize that you have experienced various cycles. There were those days when you struggled and there were those days when everything seemed to flow. And of course those days when nothing seemed to happen.

There is a natural rhythm of life that when we tune into it, our life seems to flow. Perhaps that’s what I’m feeling now. As winter approaches and the days becoming shorter, I am becoming more peaceful and quiet. In fact I’m so quiet that I don’t feel like doing much of anything. Instead of getting up early to meditate, I’m staying in bed and sleeping more.

I’m not motivated to take action and make things happen. I’m winding down from the years work. I can’t say I’ve been harried during the year, but I am looking forward to this year coming to completion. Tomorrow it’s December. So I’m kickin back and taking it easy.

One thing that is different is that I’m going with it. I’m not fighting it-i’m actually able to enjoy the lazies. And isn’t that what this season is all about-a time for reflection and going inward.

So what more can I say? Enjoy the lazies…make it part of your cycle. You are tuning into nature’s greater intelligence.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

AJOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

I am always thinking about new ways to expand my thinking. At Thanksgiving it is a family tradition to go around the table and each of us take our turn expressing what we are thankful for.

Although somewhat predictable, it is a very meaningful experience. As our family grows up, I think that most of us are grateful that we come together at this time of year.

We are grateful for our family, for our health, for food on the table and for our friends. We also pray for peace in the world.

So Mark, what’s that new idea you are thinking about? As an expansion of our ritual, it is time to think about the “giving” part of the ‘thanksgiving.’ Not only think about being grateful but think about giving in a new light.

Think about what will you have to “give up.” It’s time to give up any resentments that you may still have. It’s time to give up the negative habits which have been holding you back. It’s time to give up the idea that someone owes you. It’s time to move on.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Yesterday during a life coaching session, my client, let’s just call him Max, was worrying about the effect that the economy was having on his business. Max was in the building business.

There was no question that some of his clients were delaying the beginning of their projects. Max was freaking out and thinking about moving out of his nice house into his trailer. In fact thoughts about leaving the area entered his mind.

Later in the session, Max said that this thought was only fleeting and he was determined to ride it out and make it work now. In his mind he wanted a backup plan.

But how do you ride it out? Aren’t you then thinking about the future when you believe things will be different, rather than staying in the present?

That’s the catch-22 question. Yes we have to be hopeful about tomorrow yet not attached to it turning around instantly. Yes perhaps we would like it too, but it doesn’t work that way. It’s only when we make peace with our current reality, that our current reality will change.

Why is this so? Because the moment when we make peace with it, is the moment when we are totally in the now. It’s that moment when our mind stops racing ahead. It’s that moment when we experience that stillness. We all have our ways of getting there. What’s important is to take the time to get there. For me, meditation has been that way.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Another beautiful day. It’s the middle of November and it’s 77 degrees this morning. The fall colors are becoming more vivid and the leaves are falling.

I love animals. There are lots of squirrels and birds on our property. We haven’t got another dog since Daria. So there’s a void in my life.

Two stray cats are beginning to frequent our property more often. The white cat, Snowie, is more aloof and mysterious.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

And the striped cat that I call Tiger comes around and is more of a lover. We have formed quite a bond.

In fact a few times he got into our house and went upstairs into our bedroom. I haven’t seen him yet today. We’ll see if he shows up. But he is definitely filling the void. Daria kept the cats away.

We all fill the void in different ways. The void might have been created by a change in careers or a relationship not working out. It doesn’t matter why…what matters is that you are open to what’s next.

It’s an exciting time….that’s what I keep saying to friends who I come in contact with and they agree. When I say it there’s part of me that hesitates. Yes there’s a lot of uncertainty, but we live in a historic time.

There’s more fear out there than since 911. The financial system is on the verge of collapse. And in some ways it feels as if we are on the verge of a renaissance.

That’s what I’m visualizing…a renaissance for ourselves, and for the world where we work together as one.

Yes it starts with the economy…but that wholeness also has the world working together as one.

I felt good all weekend. Nothing happened in the world of consequence. Yet I felt good inside. I continue to do the inner work.

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Early coffee shop chatter. There’s still some talk of the election but there’s definitely a lull. All of a sudden I feel like I have a lot more time to focus on something new. The question is what is the new. My sports teams aren’t doing that well so I have lost interest in that too. I don’t start working with coaching clients until the afternoon.

Working out is a good start…getting my mind and body in better shape. The days are getting shorter and usually that’s a time for going inward.

That’s what I did this morning before the coffee shop. A long meditation to begin the day. And then wondering about the highlight of my day. I have written about this on previous occasions. As you are reading this blog, ask yourself a question. If it’s the morning, ask yourself what the highlight of your day might be.

If it’s in the evening, ask yourself what the highlight of the day has been. You might also want to ask yourself how did today contribute to your being a better person. By making this inquiry as you begin the day and before bedtime allows you to keep your focus on just today. Afterall, isn’t that what life is….a series of today’s…a series of now’s.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

It’s finally over! Do you feel any different? For quite some time, most everyone I know was focusing on the election. Most were cautiously optimistic. We wanted to believe but we had been hurt and disappointed so many times that we were afraid to let ourselves go. And most all of us are ready to move on with our lives.

The mood is certainly different than it’s been. Last month in A Voice for Optimism, I wrote that having faith is a moment-to-moment choice that one makes over and over again. Making that choice is an expression of personal freedom. Perhaps it’s the ultimate challenge.

Quite often I have thought about the nature of personal freedom. What resonates the loudest is that personal freedom is freedom from negative thinking. In light of all of the negative reinforcement out there, it’s a worthy challenge that we all have been working on to varying degrees of success. If you are questioning how you are doing, ask yourself how much you worry.

Intellectually we know that we have a choice as to how we see our lives. We know that it’s not the event or circumstance that causes us pain but the meaning we give that event. The good news is that we cultivating a shift in consciousness we can transform how we feel and think about life.

Let me share with you what I mean. Since we can’t determine what is in the news, our only choice is to change our perspective as to how we view these events. With all of the news about banks failing or about to fail, let me introduce you to a different type of bank-it’s an inner bank that I call the B.A.N.K of Well-Being. It’s our internal barometer as to how we are feeling about “life.” When our account has a nice surplus we are optimistic and believe that we can handle most challenges. Our job is to be mindful of how easily our account can fluctuate.

Your account easily gets drained when there is a run of negative news and you focus on what might go wrong. No matter what’s going on in your life, there is always going to be something that can negatively affect you. Just think about how easily you get plugged in when you read the paper or watch the news. Yet wanting to tune into the news, whether it’s the paper, TV or the Internet, can become an addiction. I have to admit I was one of those who was getting addicted to news about the election.

There are many other situations that have the potential to drain your account. It might be a toxic relationship or work situation. No matter what you do, the stresses of everyday living have the potential to drain your account. No matter how careful and strategic you are, you can’t be perfect. Trying to be perfect further drains your account.

When stress drains you, you don’t have the energy or fortitude to handle the normal circumstances of your life. You overreact and aren’t able to see the big picture. In essence your personal, spiritual and emotional accounts have gotten drained.

You need to replenish your account by depositing good energy in the form of positive thoughts, healthy food, exercise, a spiritual discipline, inspiration, and supportive friends. Meditation and communing in nature have always had a healing affect on my being. My attitude about life dramatically changed once I began meditating many years ago. Everyday in some way I am making a deposit. I know that you have your own way of replenishing your account.
The BANK (Beyond Negative Thinking) of Well Being is a reminder to me that I have a choice. It’s a choice about being conscious that I make over and over again.

Becoming conscious is not only a choice about how you want to live your life, but it’s also a choice about being that person who actually lives that life. It’s a choice about which voice you choose to listen to; the voice of judgment sometimes referred as your “gremlin” or the voice of inspiration, which becomes your “guiding light.”

To help you make a quantum shift from becoming that person to being that person, think about what you can do to replenish your account? Imagine being that person whose account is brimming over.

We all have many good intentions that never get acted upon. They remain in our mind as another good idea. There is no better time than now to change that. What is one action that you are willing to take now? Who is going to hold you accountable to take that action?

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

We are so adaptable. For the last few months I was obsessed with the election. A few times a day I must have gone to five different sites to catch the latest polls. Now it’s over.

I am in between…there’s nothing right now that has caught my fancy. I’m also a big sports fan. What’s interesting is that the most popular political site, Fivethirtyeight.com is run by Nate Silver, who used to have a sports website for sports betting. In Fivethirtyeight, Nate transferred his expertise developed in the sports world to the political world. His predictions about the ultimate outcome were quite canny.

Right now my teams aren’t doing that good. So what’s a guy like me going to do? I guess be quiet and go inward before the next big phase.

And that what’s I have been doing for many years and that’s what helps me get through the changes that occur in day-to-day living. We can’t avoid them. We have to be flexible.

It takes making a choice on your part to live consciously. It takes making a commitment to make that choice a way of being. It’s a choice that you make over and over again. Choosing to start your day with meditation. It will set the tone for the day.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

The intensity of the last few months has diminished. I can’t say things have returned to normal, because there’s a new excitement in the air.

But in the meantime we go on with our life and face the challenges that we have in everyday living. How do we remain hopeful in an uncertain time? How do we get back to today. Yesterday I wrote about the highlight of the day. Another aspect of this, which i have written about previously, is focusing on what you are grateful for.

So what are you grateful for? What happens when you ask yourself this question? What is first on your list? Why is it first on your list? What’s next? And what’s after that?

For the next few days make it a practice to begin your day focusing on these qualities. You might want to make it a daily practice.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

You have a dream and then you begin to live it. You have hope and what you believe needs to happen, happens. Now here we are. The monkey is off our back….the anticipation is over. WE are back to now.

That’s where we always are. There is only one “now” at a time. I don’t know anyone who isn’t excited about the future with the election of Obama. But what do we do in the meantime because have to live in a world of today’s.

I don’t mean “have to” like we have no choice. It’s what we choose on a daily basis. We get to choose what we think about and focus on. Here’s a suggestion that I make to all of my coaching clients, whether it’s life coaching or executive or business coaching. It doesn’t matter what it is….It’s the same suggestion to everyone I know. After you take time in the morning for creative silence or meditation ask yourself a question.

This is what I do. I “wonder” what the highlight of my day will be. By definition, there’s always going to be a high point. It could be a brief moment, an insight, a smile or a purring of a cat. When you’re open to it, it will come. Be curious as to what it is. Sometimes I suggest that you keep a journal and after a month reflect back on those daily moments.

Why not start now. Believe again. Believe in what’s possible..in your own life and in the world. Do you see a renaissance coming?

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com