In the life coaching or executive coaching circles, there’s always someone pontificating on the Law of Attraction. This morning I got an email…actually it was a short video. So the theory goes- our dominant thoughts determine our reality. What we focus on expands. if you want a great relationship, focus on being in the great relationship now and experience it emotionally. If you want more success in your business, focus on what’s it like to be successful. See it, feel it and believe it.

All of the writers, say do 3 things. Ask for what you want, Believe(act as if it’s already happened) and be willing to Receive.

As to my own experience, I have found that when I’ve focused on what I’ve wanted that eventually it happened. Finding my soulmate was like that. Success in my law practice was like that and now success in my career as a coach. I do have to admit, it took longer than I thought. So along the way I had plenty of time to practice patience.

But..the critics have their opinion too. For example, on the way home, you get hit by a drunk driver. Does that mean that you created the drunk driver? If you take the viewpoint that you create your reality, then you would have to say yes. And let’s say you have a serious illness. Did you create this illness? So not only are you sick, you feel guilty about being sick.

Let’s try to make sense it. I do believe that our thoughts do create our reality. They do determine what we focus on. From own experience it’s worked. But I also know that there are some things that are out of my control. I can’t control that drunk driver. I can’t control that hurricane.

So I do believe that to a large extent we do attract to us, our reality. But there are forces greater than we can comprehend that are also at work here. We don’t know exactly know what those forces are and how and when they will show up.

As I have said on many occasions, life is a great mystery. To think that there was one universal principle that was true no matter what, makes it an absolute factor in our existence. I like to think that there’s more to learn. I look forward to being surprised and yet I can still believe that if I focus on what I want, that it will happen. It makes me feel like I have a plan and I’m going in the right direction.

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

I’m a dog lover. And the last year has been the first as an adult that I haven’t had a dog. It’s also a time as my kids leave home that I want to have the flexibility to travel more. It’s a decision that I made. Like many decisions that we make there are pros and cons.

Since then I have been graced by two cats that make the rounds on our property. There’s a lot of wildlife on our property and Whitey, a mysterious white cat, is always lurking, tracking the birds that are feeding. Although nothing happens, Whitey soon disappears and a few days later, he disappears. Whitey, is kind of a neighborhood cat as chooses who he wants to hang out with. Once in a while, Whitey likes affection and to a limited extent snuggles up to you.

Now on the other hand, a yellow striped cat that I call Tiger is a sweetheart. She’s affectionate, and purrs before you even touch her.
I look forward to her making the rounds. There have been occasions when it was warmer and our house was more open, that Tiger would be inside our house. Even though, Tiger has no collar, I know she belongs to someone.

Tiger reminds me of that unconditional love that we all have inside of us that is waiting to be expressed. That’s what animals do. They allow us to express a part of ourselves that too often we keep buried.

The holidays are also an opportunity to express that love that we so often keep hidden. Take the time to call an old friend and let them know how special they are. So often we don’t know how much we make a difference in someone’s life. Making that call will make that difference.

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 on the happiness cycle. I recently wrote that I read in the newspaper that Happiness is Contagious. That’s good news for all of us who spend a lot of time on our personal development. By finding happiness inside ourselves we affect others.

Apparently the country of Bhutan has been aware of this for quite some time. We have been told that money can’t buy happiness but in the country of Bhutan that observation is the basis of government policy. Bhutan measures its progress not by GDP which is a measure of economic health and development by most nations but by GNH, or gross national happiness.

Gross national happiness is built on four pillars: fair and sustainable economic and social development, protection and promotion of cultural values, environmental conservation and good government.

In practice, that means any economic development project in the country is considered progress only if it does not dramatically widen the income gap between rich and poor, pollute the country’s rivers, sicken its people or line a government official’s pocket.

“Gross national happiness is not about happiness,” said Kinley Dorji, managing director of Kuensel, Bhutan’s national newspaper.

“As Buddhists, we believe happiness is an individual pursuit, gained from looking inside rather than outside. Gross national happiness is a mandate of the state to create an environment where citizens can pursue happiness.”

Has Bhutan achieved its goals? It has the highest per capita income in South Asia, with most of its money derived from sales of clean hydroelectric power to neighboring India and from luring high-end exclusivity-seeking tourists, who must spend at least $200 a day while visiting the country.

Bhutan’s rushing glacier-melt rivers are surprisingly clean and its pine, oak and hemlock forests largely intact.

Ancient traditional sports such as archery still are a passion, and more than 90% of Bhutanese have access to free health care and education.

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

There are those moments when the small world connection that you have just experienced reminds you that we are all connected. The frequency of these meetings keeps increasing. Syncronicity becomes the norm rather than the exception

For a long time now, I have thought of the ever expanding synchronicity in my life as a gathering of my tribe. I have often shared this belief with others but now it makes even greater sense. And that’s what the discussion was with my friend Marcus at the coffee shop.

I didn’t have wait long to put that theory into practice. By what we do and say, we attract to us our tribe, so that’s why it’s important to become clear as to what has meaning for us. That evening, I went to a holiday party that the two Bevs gave quite similar to last years. We went around the room sharing what we were grateful in our life and what moved us. It was a poem that Louise wrote and shared that impelled me to engage in a conversation with her later in the evening. She gave me a copy of her poem and I noticed her name on the bottom of the page where the copyright notice was. As with Louise most everyone in the room shared the same values. My search for what had meaning for me began over 35 years ago. In our conversation Louise and I discovered that when I first began my search that I had briefly dated Louise’s sister. Pretty amazing!! Of all the people in the room she was the one that I gravitated toward. And then the story. It was her speaking from her heart and sharing with the rest of us her deepest longings that led to her reconnecting with one of her tribe, me. Quite often we avoid speaking from our heart and sharing what has meaning. Instead we generate a water-downed version of what is important to us. People don’t get a chance to get who we are. When that occurs, it’s difficult for our tribe to find us.

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

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

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

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