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

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>

Fortunately you don’t have to do it alone. What makes the journey exciting and fulfilling are the people you meet along the way. It might be years later when you realize the significance of a particular meeting. Even though someone might have changed your thinking about how you see the world, you might not even remember their name or what they looked like. I remember such a meeting.

When I was in my twenties, there was a café in Sausalito that I frequented, which we called the “No Name.” It had an intellectual “air” about it that was different than most cafes and bars. It was not uncommon to see many of the regulars smoking a pipe and quoting Alan Watts, the famous philosopher and author of that era, who lived in one of the house boats.

Quite often, when you walked into the café, you would notice several people engrossed in a game of chess. On many occasions I was one of them.

One day a stranger whose name I never got, so let’s just call him Mr. X, engaged me in conversation and said to me: “It’s all energy.” At the time I didn’t know what he was talking about, but for many years I kept thinking about that meeting and the significance of what he said.

In today’s culture think of the number of books that refer to the concept of energy. Most prosperity books integrate this teaching into their message. It goes like this. “thoughts are things…which are a cluster of cells coming together. Cells are electrons and protons vibrating at different speeds which attract to them a similar vibration…of a similar thought. Many of these concepts, which I first became aware many years ago, have become integrated into the language of mainstream society.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow,JD, is an Executive and Life Coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former successful 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. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com

My journey of the last nine years has led to many conversations some of which have been inspiring, and others a little disconcerting. There is a voice of concern and resignation that I have been repeatedly hearing that seems to be louder than the voice of hope. Many are concerned about the global and planetary challenges that we all face. At the heart of these challenges is an uncertain future. During an election year these concerns are exacerbated. Although I wrote about this earlier in the year, since that voice is getting louder I felt that it deserved revisiting.

The media bombards us with information most of which is negative. When there is an event or tragedy somewhere in the world, within seconds we are aware of it. It’s difficult to tune it out. This negativity, which is constantly reinforced, colors how we perceive our personal reality and the challenges that we experience in day-to-day living. We wonder how we can find fulfillment on a personal level when there is so much suffering and uncertainty in the world.

Lately I have been hearing a louder voice of those who are in the camp of the pessimists. They’ll rattle off the war, the economy, the environment, and our dwindling resources as justifications for their feeling the way they do. They’ll also say that it’s worse this time. When one tends to focus on what’s wrong and isn’t working, they will always find a litany of reasons to justify why they think the way they do.

I am in the camp of the optimists. No matter what is happening in my life or in the world I believe that there will be a better day. In fact I don’t think we have a choice but to be optimistic. This is so, even when there is so much suffering in the world.
I think back to the sixties. Not only did our country seem stuck in a senseless war in Vietnam, our country was hopelessly polarized. There seemed to be little hope. What made matters worse was that we were on a collision course in the bigger cold war with the Soviet Union. Numerous pundits and leading edge periodicals predicted a nuclear holocaust. I remained optimistic. This is what I wrote in a poem back then:
“Should there be a day when the visionaries of peace stop loving, then the prophets of doom will have their day of gloom.”"

No matter what is happening, we don’t know how things are going to turn out. No one knows the future. Things are never as bad as they seem. Feeling pessimistic or hopeless doesn’t help things. Remaining optimistic does. Researchers estimate that we think over sixty thousand thoughts in a day, some of which are positive and others negative. The question is which one do you focus on. There’s a Native American Story that reminds me of this human dilemma.

A grandfather is discussing with his grandson a tragedy that just occurred.
The grandfather says, ” I feel like I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One is an angry vengeful one and the other is a peaceful loving one.”
The grandson then asks,” Which one is going to win?”
The grandfather replies, “The one I feed.”

I recently viewed Al Gore’s latest talk on climate change, which he presented at the TED Conference. I found another voice of optimism. While he laid out the disturbing environmental challenges before us, and the crisis in democracy that we faced, he suggested that we reframe the challenge by seeing the challenge as one that motivates us to action. He urged us to reach inside of ourselves to tap into a greatness that we never knew was possible. He went on to ask, “How many generations before us have had the opportunity to rise to a challenge that is worthy of our best efforts-a challenge that can pull from us more than we thought was possible?”

Imagine approaching your whole life in this way. What will the challenges be in the future that are worthy of your best efforts? Think of the challenges along the way that have helped you get to this point in your life; the challenges that have inspired you to surpass what you thought was possible in your life.

There’s one habit or pattern that most likely will get in your way of thinking this way. Once you have a better handle on it, you’ll feel freer and more optimistic. There’s always that voice-that voice of doubt or judgment- that limits what you think is possible in your life. I know that voice well.

It’s powerful and has been reinforced by a lifetime of negative conditioning. Here’s what I do to try to become free of it. As soon as I notice that I am thinking negatively I catch myself by talking to that voice. In coaching we refer to that voice of judgment as your “gremlin.” I suggest that you give your “gremlin” a name. I call mine Ralph.

The sooner I recognize Ralph, the sooner I am able to break free from the hypnotic spell he has over me. I remind myself that this voice has nothing to do with what’s really going on today; it’s an old habit that I adopted consciously or unconsciously many years ago. By just recognizing and noticing Ralph I am able to break free of the hold he has over me. This enables me to reframe what I initially considered a problem into an opportunity and create an empowering future.

I don’t think we can get enough inspiration in our life. It takes a conscious effort to live an inspired life. Nature has been a great inspiration for me. Sometimes it’s getting together with a dear friend or reading a great book. Sometimes it listening to music or watching a great dancer. We each have our own way of getting there. A big smile always helps. When you are living an an inspired life, no matter what the challenge is, it’s much easier to remain optimistic and to see the possibilities around you.

Share your voice for optimism by sharing this message to those in your circle.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow,JD, is an Executive and Life Coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former successful 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. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com

In our life coaching session yesterday, Fred was ambivalent about beginning a new phase in his relationship. He was planning to live with his partner of four years.

Fred loved his partner and believed that the relationship was right for him. Yet he had those old tapes about his past failed relationships. Not only did they not work out but according to Fred he gave away his power. He was concerned that he would again give away his power.

I gave Fred a different perspective. I reminded him that he is a much different person than the person that I met a few years ago. Although he recognized this too, he had a difficult time accepting that he was a much more evolved person. But deep down he knows that he is a totally different person.

How Fred shows up in the world and the impact he makes are also different. He is a much more dynamic and powerful person than the one I met a while back. Hearing the feedback from me helps his accept this new place in his life. In fact with almost everyone that I work with, their perception of how people perceive them, is different than how people actually do perceive them. Most, if not all, do not see themselves as magnificent as others do.

I have also discussed with Fred a different paradigm. All the work that he has done on himself has prepared him for this moment. He is about to enter into an empowering partnership that will get better and better. He won’t give away his power nor will his partner let him give it away.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow,JD, is an Executive and Life Coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former successful 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. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibiity.com

This month I thought I would blog about what most people are working on in our life coaching and executive coaching sessions.

We’re always working on ourselves and the relationships that we are in. Let’s just call her Suzanne. Her partner of three years is much different than she is. He is worldly, successful in business and a workaholic. She is a mother, seeker of the truth and says she wants more intimacy than she is experiencing.

She has been wanting her partner to be more available both physically and emotionally and working on changing him for these last three years.

In our coaching sessions, we have discussed why this hasn’t worked. We have looked at whether Suzanne really wants the intimacy that she says that she does. After all her previous relationship was very emotional and suffocating. This one is the opposite.

We know from our work with the Law of Attraction that we attract to us what our dominant beliefs and desires our. We’re like an energy transmitter. If we think of this as a perfect universe, then it is not surprising that Suzanne chose this relationship at this time in her life. It gives her the freedom she didn’t have in the last relationship since in this relationship her partner isn’t very demanding. If she wants more intimacy then when the time is right she’ll choose it.

The next time you notice that you are trying to change your partner take a second to notice what you are doing. Why do we have this tendency? Quite often it’s because we don’t want to look at our own stuff. More on this next time.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow,JD, is an Executive and Life Coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former successful 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. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com

One thing that happens as a life coach is that you become curious about people. You become curious about their challenges as usually what they are up against is similar to your challenges.

This morning we met a couple at the coffee shop who felt that their time on Kauai, after seven years, was over. The reason they felt this way was that they weren’t meeting people who matched their ability to connect. In their mind the conversations seemed to be somewhat superficial.

I told them that I used to feel that way but over time I was able to get to that deeper level of connection. I find more and more people that I can connect with So what’s happened? Did I change or did the people change?

There is no question that I have become a connector. I have worked on it. I take the time to make the connection. Actually it doesn’t take much longer to make the connection. It’s perhaps slowing down a bit.

We have the ability to transcend what’s on the surface and find common ground with almost anyone. It takes commitment but is rewarding.

What most of us want is the ability to connect with others. That’s the good news. And sometimes they just don’t know how to do it. They are so excited about what they are into that they either want to share it with you or convert you. Either way they are not listening. Active listening is the key to connection. If someone feels a certain way, be curious as to what its like to feel that way. Put yourself in their shoes.

For the next week focus on being a better connector.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow,JD, is an Executive and Life Coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former successful 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. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Lately I have been riding my Mountain Bike. Yesterday I rode from my house to Phoenix Lake. On the right side of the lake is a trail called Lower Shaver which takes you up to Five Corners. On the Far edge of the lake you have a choice to continue on Lower Shaver or to turn left and climb Fish Grade or Eldridge. Fish Grade for me has always been out of the question since its so steep. So my choice really was Eldridge or to continue straight.

I wanted more of a challenge so I decided on Eldridge…The slope on Eldridge is slightly elevated for the first 100 yards and then there is a 50 yard stretch in which the slope is greatly elevated. That 50 yard strectch is a challenge; on some occasions I have had to stop and walk my bike or once I get to the top I rest. I wanted to break this pattern. And for the minute or two before having to make the decision I debated as to which trail to take. I chose Eldridge and tried something different.

Once I started the steep 50 yard stretch instead of wondering if I could make it to the top I just focused on the step or two immediataely in front of me. I didn’t look at to see how far I had to go. For me the choice was simple. By breaking it down into small segmentss I didn’t notice any slope. It was only when I looked at the top that I noticed the steepness. As I pedaled focusing on what was immediately in front of me I reached the top and continued on my way. I wasn’t tired or winded and it was as if I was riding on a level trail.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow,JD, is an Executive and Life Coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former successful 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. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com

In a life-coaching session recently I noticed that my client was using the word “overwhelm’ frequently. This was the first time that we had talked. I was curious as to what she meant when she used this word.

We all have an idea of what it means. And because we do the word has tremendous power.

By probing somewhat, we established that she used the word overwhelm interchangeably for what she described as a heightened level of anxiety.

I also asked her to describe her physical body sensations. After doing so she realized that she could describe these same bodily sensations in other ways. While overwhelm was certainly one possibility so was “excitement.” So was “curiousity.”

We agreed that for the next week she wouldn’t use the word “overwhelm.” There are certainly more empowering words that she could use. Once she begins to make them a part of her regular vocabularly, then a myriad of possibilities begins to show up.

To change the way you see life and to change your attitude change your language. Be curious as to the words you use that disempower you. Then begin to replace them with words and phrases that empower you.

What are some of the words that you use that seem to disempower you? What are some better choices?

Journey On

Mark

THERE’S NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW. There will always be something that holds you back; an excuse to put your life on hold. JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow,JD, is an Executive and Life Coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former successful 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. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com

It was one of those days….I needed to get a copy of my birth certificate….so I made the trek to the city…got there early and had to wait in line ….not too long. I asked the guy in front of me if I could look at his paper ane he said no. That hasn’t happened for a long time. And then he continued to almost secretly read it….

I got it within a half hour and now I needed to go to DMV to get a new license plate. Again I didn’t have to wait too long….by 9:45 I was done and time to reward myself. Breakfast at the Half Day,my favorite place…..Now I’m home .. checked my email….and catching up on my writing.

NOW to the bank and post office. The post office is its own world. There never seems to be enough people working. Anyway my errands are done. Time to reward myself. Later on I plan to take a bike ride up on the mountain. No coaching today….taking a break. I’m into this writing thing…..

I’m listening to a compilation of Instrumental Inspirations and I can feel a rhythm to my thinking and my typing. I can feel my body moving to the chord changes and the rhythm. The melodies have a way of taking over my spirit. Yea! As I allow the music to envelop me I have access to a whole new range of sensations and feelings. That’s what music does at times is help us tune into forgotten aspects of our being. This CD is all new and so far I like all of it. That’s about it for now.

Journey On

Mark
THERE’S NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW. There will always be something that holds you back; an excuse to put your life on hold. JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow,JD, is an Executive and Life Coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former successful 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. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com