And so it was. You get a lot done and yet you still think about what you didn’t do.

That’s the way it is with many clients that I work with, so today we addressed it.

At the end of the day acknowledge yourself for what you did. In a given day you accomplish a lot. I even suggest positive self-talk. Many times I tell myself, “You did good.” Some people think I’m crazy but who cares. I give myself a lot of strokes and feel good about myself the next day. Perhaps I could have handled something better, but I don’t drive myself crazy about it. It’s a self-defeating habit to knock ourselves down which we do quite often. So we have to be proactive in our approach.

Incorporate the practice of acknowledging yourself into your daily routine. Review your day in detail if you have to and focus on something you feel good about. I often talk about the highlight of the day. Start with that. And then acknowledge yourself for that moment. And from there go on to something else. Focus on what’s right, rather than what’s wrong.

If you like this blog, most likely you will like my monthly ezine, Letters on LIfe. Sign up for it.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

What is the conversation that you most often have with yourself? Do you notice a recurring theme? For example in some coaching calls there might be the theme that.. “I’m too old to begin this. Life has passed me by.” That is a real common one.

Let’s take a look at some of the variations of this theme. “It’s not in the cards for me.” I had that one for a while. After several unsuccessful relationships I had the mind set that I would never have a family. After all I was 40 and kept meeting partners who were not interested. Maybe I was meeting them because I really didn’t want to have one. So that mindset for a while.

And then I remembered something my mother used to always tell me. “I was a late bloomer.” That seemed to work. I had my first child at 43. i like the tone of this mindset. I look forward to what’s ahead of me.

Here’s a mental practice that can make a difference no matter what your mindset is.

Let’s go back to the idea that life has passed you by. What would be an empowering suggestion?

“I like that I am now in my prime.” With this attitude, I have a real good chance that I have a lot of good things to look forward to.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

As you know I am a firm believer in beginning your day with intention. How you start your day sets the tone for the day. Even so there are those days when you are still bothered. I arrived Monday night and found that my bags were lost. For the last two days I have been dealing with the airlines attempting to get the bags back. It’s amazing how incompetent they are. Still don’t have them.

With my morning meditation I was able to calm my mind.  And now I am thinking about the highlight of the day. The bags will arrive…just not on my time schedule. It’s letting go….

So that’s my challenge. There’s always going to be a few loose ends. And that’s everyone’s challenge. How do we deal with loose ends because that’s the way life is. There is going to be something out there that is unresolved.

And life is a mystery…That’s what makes it exciting.  And yes there are those loose ends.  It’s always going to be that way. Our work is to become comfortable with them…to not get sidetracked from what we really want to do and accomplish. And yes to be curious as to how its going to be resolved.

I’ll let you know what happens with the airlines. If you like this blog, most likely you will like my monthly ezine, Letters on Life.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

Thunder…my last day on the island. Torrential rains….I didn’t feel like leaving the house so I didn’t go to yoga this morning. Yesterday I focused on the highlight of the day as I left the house. It was a big focus because I had just blogged about it.

I drove to yoga. To my delight, the yoga teacher was Carol one of my favorites who I hadn’t seen on this trip. Her presence was uplifting and I immediately smiled to myself. As I left the class I looked at the waterfall. Usually they are streaks in the distance. But as I focused on this one I could see the water streaming down the mountain. So there was number #2.

And I wondered about the rest of the day. And I had a great conversation later in the day with Curt one of my good friends. And then a great dinner.

So I know I am overdoing it here but I am doing so for a purpose. This morning I didn’t wake up with the same intention.

I called the airlines to change a ticket. And after an hour of being put on hold several times I blew it. Perhaps I could have been more conscious about it. I have the rest of the day to focus on the highlight.

How we start our day is so important. It sets the tone for the day. Start your day on your terms. Here’s what i suggest. First thing in the morning take the time to meditate. Then express gratitude for those things in your life that you are grateful for. Little things make a big difference. Be grateful for your smile and your sense of humor….for your openness. Perhaps you can think of twenty or thirty different things to be grateful for. It becomes a habit.

I am grateful for Whisperings, the great internet radio station. It really chills me out.
After your gratitude get into the highlight of the day.

Over time you will notice a difference. No matter what happens there will always be a highlight. It might just be a moment in time. But that’s what it’s all about–Appreciating each moment.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

There is a stream on ITunes, Whisperings, that transports me to a different realm. Much of my writing is done listening to this music. It’s solo piano.

I love that ability to travel from the concerns of the material world to the deeper places of my being. Meditation has always been a part of my path. And yoga certainly has.

Developing the ability to shift the mind from those dark obsessive places of negativity is what we are all striving for; tuning into that place inside where there is stillness and the mind is silent.

No matter what’s going on elsewhere this is our sanctuary. It takes commitment to get there. It’s not unusual to get off the track so we have to develop ways to be reminded that we are drifting. Committing to one positive habit a day is a great beginning. And that means that no matter what else is going on, you follow through.

One of my habits that serves me well is to ask the question, ” I wonder what the highlight of the day will be?” Thats what I’m wondering right now as I start the day.” I’m open to finding out. I’m curious. Maybe it will be two or three highlights.

Try it. Ask yourself the same question.

If you like this blog, most likely you will like my free monthly ezine, Letters on Life.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

In a coaching call this morning we discussed the two ways you can get the juices going again. What I mean by the juices is that passion that is missing in your life. We do all the right things and yet our life seems flat.

The most common approach is to look for what’s missing. It might be a better relationship or a better job. It might be a new activity or hobby. We keep looking and yet nothing changes. We feel the same.

The approach that I follow is to take what I have and to go deeper. To experience what is, in a new way. It takes discipline, commitment and curiosity.

For most people who I come in contact with, “curiosity” is what’s missing. Being curious as to what’s on the other side. We do the same thing over and over again…and one day we make a subtle change. We notice from that one subtle change are whole experience is different. That one change just might be a new perspective.

That’s what has happened on this trip. As I was struggling with holding my asanas in yoga, Bhavani’s gentle voice reminded us to think of it as a breathing experience. As I focused on my breath, I no longer focused on the physical component.

It’s been that way for me in other areas of my life. Asking empowering questions creates a positive expectation. As I was getting ready for this trip I was curious as to who I would meet and how they would become part of my life. And that has already happened. I am also curious about what’s next.

Be curious or as I wrote in January’s, Letters on Life, Be in Wonderment. If you like this blog, you will most likely like my ezine. Take the time to subscribe. It’s free.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Today I can say it was fun. I couldn’t say that last week. In yoga this morning I felt the freedom that I hadn’t experienced before.

I didn’t know if it was possible. That was Ralph talking.(I mention Ralph in the last few blogs.)I kept going…didn’t give up and had a breakthrough.

I let go and enjoyed the process rather than focusing on what was not happening. I was able to be in the moment and felt that there was no other place to be.

I am sure that there are some things about your current reality that you would like to change. But what do you do in the meantime?

You enjoy the process. You love the process…the journey you are taking. You decide that you are having fun. Again it’s a decision that you make. And the truth is unless you consciously make this decision you fall into the negative patterns most of which are unconscious that have been running your life.

So make the choice. If you like this blog, most likely you will like my ezine, Letters on Life.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

It was a lazy day. Annie’s last for a while on the island. We had no plans other than to go to the bakery and get a few things and have a cup of JAVA.

I always like to make new friends on the island. Since we come and go that takes a little effort on our part. Last summer there was Ken that I just met as my trip was ending. I thought about connecting with him but didn’t know how to get ahold of him. No biggie…when’s it the right time you meet who you are suppose to meet.I’m comfortable with it. It’s happening more frequently.

Back to the day. As we were leaving the bakery, Annie suggested we stop at Banana Joes and get some bananas for the house.

After this stop as we were getting into our car we noticed a sign for “Water Ponds.” We followed the sign and looked around for a while noticing some beautiful containers with water plants floating in them. Some of the plants blossomed out of the water. I thought about the healing environment that was created here. As we were about done with our browsing, I looked up and saw someone smiling at me.

It was Ken from last summer. The water ponds were the environment that he created. We talked and he invited us over to meet his wife. We visited the next day. That’s Kauai. It’s the magic of the island.

If you like this blog, you most likely will like my ezine, Letters on Life.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.co

Ralph was pretty mellow today. In yesterday’s blog, I introduced you to Ralph, my gremlin. My gremlin is that negative voice that no matter what I’m doing throws in a little doubt. Ralph says, “It won’t work….You don’t have to do it…You don’t deserve it.” And he goes on and I’m sure you have your own version with your gremlin.

We all have gremlins and the trick is to acknowledge them and move on from there. If we try to sweep them under the carpet they come back at a later time in a bigger way.

By giving your gremlin a name, we realize that our gremlin is not our true essence. It is not our true self. When we stay in our heart and see the world with love in a positive way, our perspective is different. Then our gremlin goes away. We might want to send love to our gremlin.

On a basic level, our challenge in finding more fulfillment is learning to make peace with that inner critic…that wounded child part of ourself.

In yoga this morning there was a shift. By focusing on my breath I was in the present moment. My mind didn’t wander.

You can experience more joy and fulfillment in your life. Make the choice. Leave the judgments behind. After all isn’t your gremlin just a judgment.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

I’m taking a day off. After four straight days of yoga I’m taking a break. When I was in class there were two things going on. The first was the actual class and being conscious of what I was doing physically with the asanas and the breath.

The second was the mental chatter about what I was doing. My mind went rampant…I didn’t want to be here….yes, I really didn’t need to come today…are we near the end of the class? Why is this class two hours long? What difference does it make I’m on vacation.

I was committed to doing it. I had the mental chatter but it didn’t stop me. I think that is what gets in the way of our living the life we want. Not only does the mental chatter get in the way but it stops us.

Just recognize that mental chatter. In coaching we call it our gremlin. I like to give my gremlin a name. I call mine “Ralph.” Your gremlin is that voice that says, “You can’t do it or it won’t work or that you are not good enough.” Or it might be some version of the above. It’s not going to go away.

In my own life, Ralph is a frequent visitor and sometimes wants to run my life. Sometime I let him but usually I say hello and do what I intended. So, yes Ralph is still there but he’s not running my life.

I’ve learned to make peace with Ralph and not try to pretend that he isn’t there. But listening and telling him that it’s going to be all right seems to get me back in the direction that I intended.

In one of his poems, the mystic poet, Rumi, refers to these visitors as guests. Welcome them…there not going anywhere.

It you like this blog, most likely you will like my monthly ezine, Letters on Life.

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. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com