I just got back from my chiropractor’s office. For a long time he had been telling me that his role was to help me maintain my spinal health…that because of my age there was a stiffness that I would have to live with and as long as I wasn’t in pain there was nothing to worry about.

I have also been doing yoga for many years. Yoga has given me hope that as I age rather than becoming stiffer and less able to engage in activities, I would become more flexible and be more active no matter how old I was. And I do notice a difference. I’m more flexible than I have ever been and with each year I become more flexible.

So I have to admit that the chiropractors past prognosis was disappointing.

However today he said that he has been noticing that my spine is more flexible than its ever been and that he should have recognized what was possible with a commitment to a regular yoga practice. He said that my progress was an inspiration to him and that I have been actually reversing the aging process.

It reinforces my commitment to a regular practice. Self care is a path not a solution. It’s an evolutionary process. It’s never too late to begin the journey. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Smile and don’t forget to laugh a little bit more than yesterday.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Throughout his life, Mark has always made a practice of taking a leap of faith whenever he heard the call for something more. His life has been an unfolding journey of discovery. 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. Whether coaching one-on-one, speaking to groups, or leading a retreat, he shares his message that regardless of our life’s circumstances, we can find more joy and meaning in our life. He is a sought after speaker and coauthor along with Zig Ziglar and Brian Tracy and other experts in the book 101 Great Ways to Improve your Life. Mark’s new book, Dancing on the River…Finding Joy and Meaning in the Midst of Change. 415.453.5016 http://www.inspirepossibility.com

I had the privilege to visit the site of a project that one of my life coaching clients,our good friend Les, an architect, was designing. It was a fabulous project with incredible views of the reservoir and the ocean. The hacienda style house was almost built. The finishing touches will be complete within the month.

I would describe it as simple elegance. It blended in perfectly with the lay of the land. Our possible view was maximized and as you walked around there was a organic feeling that gave you the feeling that you were home. This was a plum job…perhaps one the most idyllic jobs in the county. And Les was the architect…this wasn’t the only plum that was coming Les’s way.

Yet Les didn’t see himself in that light. Les downplays his accomplishments, so much so that he doesn’t see himself on the same level as some of the other architects who are his competitors.

I suggested to Les that he begin to see himself as a star (or any adjective that would empower him)…to realize that this is his time to shine and that the universe has recognized his greatness before he has.

That’s the way it is for many of us….we are our own worse critic…we would never talk to a friend the way we talk to ourself.

So that’s why I suggested to Les to see himself as a star…he doesn’t have to concern himself with thinking that he might be boastful. No one will ever think of him in those terms. For Les a little more ego can go a long way. For many others that’s not the case.

Like many of us, Les has arrived. It’s our time. Our star is shining bright. All we need to do is say to ourself…thankyou…thankyou and to enjoy the journey. And don’t forget to smile and laugh a little bit more than yesterday.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Throughout his life, Mark has always made a practice of taking a leap of faith whenever he heard the call for something more. His life has been an unfolding journey of discovery. 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. Whether coaching one-on-one, speaking to groups, or leading a retreat, he shares his message that regardless of our life’s circumstances, we can find more joy and meaning in our life. He is a sought after speaker and coauthor along with Zig Ziglar and Brian Tracy and other experts in the book 101 Great Ways to Improve your Life. Mark’s new book, Dancing on the River…Finding Joy and Meaning in the Midst of Change. 415.453.5016 http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Life’s seasons are amazing and always full of surprises, some of which you are not prepared for. I always look forward to the winter rains filling up the creeks. There’s nothing more soothing than taking a walk in nature in the midst of rushing water on the way to a cascading waterfall. And yes in our busy lives it’s important to take the time to enjoy these special moments.

This winter has been fairly mild; so mild that there was concern about a possible drought, which is certainly a contrast to a few years ago when we had the many storms and floods. Just about when we had given up hope of any rain, the late storms came and the creeks and reservoirs began filling up. The trails have been glorious.

But then I think back to a few years ago when we were in the middle of a major storm. Like many challenges that we face in our life, you sometimes wonder if it will ever end. You also know that after the storm there is a sense of calmness, clarity and beauty. You feel lighter.

Spring is perhaps my favorite season. As spring approaches I notice the first wild flowers, the blossoms on the fruit trees and the abundance of birds in the trees. In the evening, the sky is clear and I notice the many stars and the brightness of the moon.

Spring is a time of new beginnings as we ready ourselves for the spring ritual with its sense of optimism and hope. As you think about what you want to harvest, you pull out the weeds and prepare the soil for planting. Think of the weeds as the limiting beliefs that clutter your mind, and the seeds that you plant as ideas in the form of possibilities in the garden of your mind.

How you cultivate your garden determines your harvest. Sometimes you’ll pour seeds right from the package onto the soil and at other times you follow a systematic plan of planting every few inches. Some seeds and we don’t know which ones, emerge from the darkness toward the light and become healthy plants that nurture us in many ways. Not only do they provide food for the body, they provide food for the soul. From the darkness there is a miraculous process that gives birth to creation. That’s the way it was for each of us. We emerged from the darkness of the womb to the light of the day.

What we harvest in the future from these seeds becomes our destiny. This spring let us be inspired by the ritual of spring to think bigger–to think about what we can plant that will transcend our normal way of looking at spring. Think of spring as a time of possibility. Be sure to plant some seeds that won’t have to be replanted next year, that will grow and can be harvested and enjoyed by future generations. We are talking about creating a vision. What we stand for now, determines the future for ourselves, the generations to come after us, and the planet earth.

Sometimes an inspiring poem says it all. This poem, written in 500 B.C. by an anonymous Chinese poet, is most poignant. Enjoy the poem.

The Harvest

If you are thinking a year ahead,
sow seed.
If you are thinking ten years ahead,
plant a tree.
If you are thinking one hundred years ahead,
educate the people.
By sowing seed once,
you will harvest once.
By planting a tree,
you will harvest tenfold.
By educating the people,
you will harvest one hundredfold.

We educate with our ideas. We lead with our vision. Imagine there’s a movie screen, the movie screen of your mind that connects with the universal mind of the world. Imagine you have a magic power that can influence the way people think. You can empower the world to think differently. What do you want them to know? What is your hope for yourself, your community and the world?

My hope is that we all will share our vision. When enough of us share the same vision and commit to it we can create an unstoppable force of possibility. We want to experience love and that sense of connection. We long for peace on the planet and want to see an end to world hunger.

When we feel connected to each other, to nature and to this empowering presence, we know we are not alone. From this place of knowing, we know that what is possible in our lives is unlimited. As spring unfolds it is my hope the seeds you plant renew your sense of hope and optimism. May you be inspired by this journey. By “you being you,” you make a difference.

As you Journey On, make your life an exciting journey of discovery.

Mark

Mark Susnow, Executive and Life Coach, Visionary Speaker and Inspirational Leader, has a unique background. Throughout his life, Mark has always made a practice of taking a leap of faith whenever he heard the call for something more. His life has been an unfolding journey of discovery. 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. Whether coaching one-on-one, speaking to groups, or leading a retreat, he shares his message that regardless of our life’s circumstances, we can find more joy and meaning in our life. He is a sought after speaker and coauthor along with Zig Ziglar and Brian Tracy and other experts in the book 101 Great Ways to Improve your Life. Mark’s new book, Dancing on the River…Finding Joy and Meaning in the Midst of Change will be released in the fall of 2009. http://.www.inspirepossibility.com

When i talked with our good friend Les who you might feel you know by now, in a life coaching session yesterday, he had a concern. Yes he has been incorporating some of my ideas into his life. But he felt that sometimes they worked and sometimes they didn’t. One of my ideas was for him to meditate.

Les was somewhat sporadic in his approach in that he really didn’t make a commitment to the practice. If he did it one day and he felt good afterwards he did it the next. But if he didn’t feel good the next day, it would be a while before he would meditate again.

I pointed out to Les that he hadn’t really made the commitment which is what you have to do in the beginning, until it becomes part of your life. Then you do it because it’s like mental flossing. You floss because you know that it goods for you. Let’s say with flossing that the dentist tells you still have a problem. What do you do? You find out how you can tweak so it works better. You are committed to the process for your self-care.

Meditation is like that. You might want to reevaluate you practice. Sometimes just a subtle shift in your approach makes the biggest difference. But we can’t be attached to the results like Les was.

Have faith that you are ON THE RIGHT PATH….give it time…smile and laugh a little bit more than yesterday and

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to find joy and meaning in the midst of change. 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. Whether coaching one-on-one, speaking to groups, or leading a retreat, he
shares his message that we can make our life an exciting journey of discovery. He publishes the inspirational ezine, Letters on Life. Mark’s new book, Dancing on the River…Finding Joy and Meaning in the Midst of Change will be released in the fall of 2009. http://www.inspirepossibility.com. 415.453.5016

During our life coaching session yesterday with let’s call him Carl, Carl was concerned that there wasn’t anything he was excited about in his life. His life seemed flat. He would try something and then after a while decide that he didn’t like it. And because this has been his pattern for so long, he was reluctant to try something new unless he heard bells ringing and trumpets blaring.

I explained to Carl that no matter what he does there are going to be moments when his enthusiasm wanes. That’s the learning curve. We have a sense of commitment and sometimes excitement to learn something new but after a while we reach a plateau. It’s no longer fun and we feel stuck. We make a decision that it’s not for us and stop. Then we try something new and come back to the same place with the new thing. It goes on and on until we change our relationship to the plateau.

As George Leonard the author of Mastery encourages…”Learn to love the plateau.” Learn to love that stuck place. On the other side of the plateau is where mastery occurs. When I started going to Salsa classes I reached that plateau. I felt like quitting. But I also was inspired by many of the other dancers who started at the same place I did. I kept at it and then went to the next level. It became fun and once it becomes fun, it has a life of its own.
What I suggested to Carl was that it didn’t matter what he did, as long as he did something. Then in the process of doing, there is the possibility that something great can happen. Carl also felt that he didn’t have any friends. I suggested to him that in the process of learning and being involved is where i have made most of my friends. Years ago I began the study of Tai Chi. In the class I made three life long friends and none of us still do the Tai Chi form that we learned. But out of the doing, something greater occurred.

Put yourself out there and transcend the plateau. Smile and laugh a little bit more than yesterday.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to find joy and meaning in the midst of change. 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. Whether coaching one-on-one, speaking to groups, or leading a retreat, he
shares his message that we can make our life an exciting journey of discovery. He publishes the inspirational ezine, Letters on Life. Mark’s new book, Dancing on the River…Finding Joy and Meaning in the Midst of Change will be released in the fall of 2009. http://www.inspirepossibility.com. 415.453.5016

I have been noticing that in our coaching sessions this week, whether they are pertaining to life coaching or business coaching, the focus is the same.

Most people that I work with seem to have increasing challenges as they are affected by the national mood. While they remain optimistic, it still effects them on some level.

And some also have personal challenges dealing with other stressors. It could be a difficult relationship or a significant illness of a loved one.

Some not only have the responsibilities of a wage earner and business owner, but also the responsibilities of a care giver.

They are stretched in many directions.

In our calls, I always ask them about their self-care. It’s so easy to get lost in all of the responsibilities that you have, that you forget about yourself. You forget to take time for what nurtures you.

In normal times you should have a proactive self-care program. When you have more challenges than usual then you should increase the amount of time that you take for yourself. You are always going to have challenges. You can’t get away from it. Perhaps what bothers you now won’t bother you in a few months, but there will always be something else that comes up that concerns you. So life won’t stop. But you can develop a plan that will help you find more joy and meaning in your life.

Perhaps you think that you’re too busy…that you don’t have time. What you’ll find is that when you take just 10-15 minutes in the morning before rushing out of the house, your day will go smoother. When you take time for a meal, you’ll experience a deep sense of relaxation the rest of the day. If you take the time to read an inspirational magazine or book before falling asleep you’ll sleep better. It’s taking the time for yourself. It not only becomes a habit, it becomes a way of life. You couldn’t imagine your life any other way. It’s a choice. Choose happiness.

Smile…laugh a little bit more than yesterday and journey on

Mark

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to find joy and meaning in the midst of change. 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. Whether coaching one-on-one, speaking to groups, or leading a retreat, he
shares his message that we can make our life an exciting journey of discovery. He publishes the inspirational ezine, Letters on Life. Mark’s new book, Dancing on the River…Finding Joy and Meaning in the Midst of Change will be released in the fall of 2009. http://www.inspirepossibility.com. 415.453.5016

I saw an old friend yesterday, lets call him Carl, at Unity. Calling him an old friend doesn’t accurately describe our relationship. I’ve known him for over twenty five years. He really wasn’t someone who played a big part in my life–just one of those many people that you run into every three or four years and when you do, you talk at a certain level. Somewhat superficial— it never really flows…at least that was my experience until yesterday.

Was it me or was it him…or perhaps a combination of the two? What started out as a polite hello, ended up with a full-on connection. An hour later we said our good-bye and I am sure we both left with that feeling that you have when you have touched another’ soul. You want more and at the same time you feel complete. Yet I had the feeling that we would be more involved in each other’s life. We’ll see.

In the meeting, Carl reminded of a conversation that we had over 20 years ago that made a profound difference in his life. I had shared with him a workshop that I had just completed. Carl was inspired to eventually take the workshop. Although it took him a while, it totally changed his life and he was grateful for my willingness to share my experience with him.

I was touched knowing that I made a difference in his life. And had I not ran into Carl that morning, I would have never known about my gift or remembered our meeting. I wonder how many other profound meetings that I have forgotten about. So think about. How often do you hold back, rather than share what’s on your mind? It’s that smile or gesture or kindness that can make all of the difference in someone’s life.

It’s “you being you” that makes a difference in the world. Don’t let someone dissuade you from expressing who you are. Smile and laugh a little bit more than yesterday and

Journey ON

Mark

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach inspires others to find joy and meaning in the midst of change. 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. Whether coaching one-on-one, speaking to groups, or leading a retreat, he
shares his message that we can make our life an exciting journey of discovery. He is a sought after speaker and coauthor along with other experts Zig Ziglar and Brian Tracy in the book 101 Great Ways to Improve your Life. He publishes the inspirational ezine, Letters on Life. Mark’s new book, Dancing on the River…Finding Joy and Meaning in the Midst of Change will be released in the fall of 2009. http://www.inspirepossibility.com. 415.453.5016

When I read Les’s email this morning I had a big smile on my face. Last week I asked Les, who is one of my life and business coaching clients, to write out what he learned from last year’s economic crunch. Les who is an architect summarized the year for himself…clients cancelling projects, low self-esteem, eating more than he wanted to and thinking about leaving the area. He was on his way out.

He hung in there. What we had been discussing in our coaching relationship is his relationship to the unknown. He saw the unknown as threatening and scary. Many of us do.

He slowly began to think about the unknown in a new way. I suggested that he see the “unknown as his friend.” With that in mind he became curious as to all of the good that might happen. I even suggested that this year could be his best year in his business. It all started with a call out of the blue as Les calls it. It was for a big project. This was the first of just many projects that have been coming his way. He has been on a roll and has a full schedule.

What I have seen is that this cycle for Les was just one of many that we all go through in our lifetimes. What we have to learn to do in the meantime is to hang in there until the tides change. But if we let the cycle get us too far down we won’t be ready to enjoy the next phase of the cycle when it comes and it will.

We have a choice. Choose happiness. Smile and laugh a little bit more than yesterday.

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 was having breakfast with my friend Curt this morning. We’ve been friends for many years and have seen each other evolve through many stages in our lives. He knew me when I was single and a trial lawyer. He was with me when I made the decision to give up the law practice and make the transition to becoming a life coach. It’s been nine years since I left the law practice. In the eight years that I have been a life coach I have worked with over a thousand people in different ways. Many were stuck in their lives or were looking to answer a particular challenge. Many who I work with are very successful. If you met them, you would think that they didn’t have a problem in the world. They seemed self-confident and reassured and charismatic.

What I have found is that no matter how self-assured and self-confident one might seem when you meet them, on the inner level they experience the same doubts and insecurities that you do which is usually a version of, “Am I good enough?”

In our work together, we change that mindset so that the unknown rather than scare you, excites you. And you stop worrying about what people might think of you.

In fact, I think that all worry is based on what might happen in the future which is unknown. Are you optimistic about it or pessimistic? That’s the choice that we make over and over again.

I know what my choice is. Even if it doesn’t work out the way I hoped it’s never as bad as I thought. Whatever happens I have more tools to work with. And I’m not as stressed out so that when things go my way, I can enjoy the 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. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Whether it’s life coaching or business coaching, I have noticed that with some people that I work with, their changes are dramatic. They’re not the same person they were when we began our work together.

They have more self-confidence and are excited about the future, but in the back of their mind, they still remember where they came from and how in the past when things started to go well, they sabotaged themselves. Things fell apart and they are now waiting for that to happen again.

It doesn’t have to happen. Once we go through the gate to a new way of thinking, we’ll never go back. That’s what happens when we are on a spiritual path…we are awake and aware of things that previously we were not conscious of.

We can’t go backwards. It’s too late, which is a good thing. I remember when I first began this path of awakening there were times when I wish things were not so clear. I had to take responsibility for my life and could no longer blame others or circumstances, like my parents or what happened as a child.

I remember some people would say, “Ignorance is Bliss.” Once you know the truth you realize that “Ignorance is just Ignorance.” There’s no reason to try to glorify it.

The good news is that as you go forward from here, you’ll have more choices and possibilities to live a more fulfilling and successful life. You won’t go backwards even if you wanted to. On some level you are forever changed.

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 and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com.em>