A Recipe to Dream

A Recipe to Dream

Take one Dream.

Dream it in detail. Put it into your own hands. See its final Outcome clearly in your mind.

Mix it with a little effort and add a generous portion of self-discipline.

Flavour it with a wholesome pinch of Ambition.

Stir Briskly with confidence until the mixture becomes clear, the doubt separated from the resolution.

Bake at an even temperature in a moderate mind until the dream rises and is firm to the touch.

Decorate with individuality.

Cut into generous portions and serve with justifiable pride.

Bryce Courtney

The Power of One

Keep Something Back!

Catch a Falling Star, Put it in your Pocket, Save it for a Rainy Day!

Perry Como crooned his advice to us decades ago.:

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket,

Never let it fade away!

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket,

Save it for a rainy day!

The importance of keeping something BACK cannot be underestimated. Just as our fuel tanks come with a 'Reserve', so our spirit needs fuel in reserve too.

Fuel in every respect: Money, Love, Energy, Creativity...

Compare the feeling you have at the beginning of the month when you have money in your account: You feel Hopeful? Energised? Optimistic?

And when your account is depleted and edging into overdraft? Fearful, Worried, Lacklustre?

Now, if you could maintain the beginnning of the month feeling (Hopeful, Energised and Optimistic) - would you not enjoy your life a little more? Your relationships would blossom, you'd achieve more at work, you would be a better person to be around - for yourself as well as your significant others?

Building a solid 'Pocketful of money for a Rainy Day' has a compounded influence on your life. Knowing you have a nest egg - a growing nest egg - creates an energetic shift in your spirit. The focus is taken away from the bills, debt and responsibility of living...and put towards the joy of living. As we know with the Law of Attraction: what we focus on, we create more of.

In creating a nest egg - even a small $10 savings account - which we add to whenever we can - we are creating Wealth (Whole Health). Each dollar or cent we add to the nest egg is creating not only a stable financial platform from which we can gain control over our lives...it is also creating an infinite resource for good feelings. Good Feelings generate more Good Feelings. To reverse any downward spiral into an upward spiral we need first change our feeling.

Similarly, when we feel loved, appreciated and respected; we feel empowered. We feel we can do anything, become the greatest version of ourselves.

In retaining a 'Pocketful of Love' in reserve we ensure our "Love Tank" is filled. How do we do that? We ensure that we 'get' that which we need to feel loved. Perhaps its a day at the Spa, a special treat of fresh flowers or a favorite chocolate; listening to the music you like, watching the Television show you want to watch, taking an hour or two with a trusted friend over coffee to 'catch up', a night out with the 'boys.'

Find what it is you need to feel a little more like yourself: and do it.

When we nurture our own needs ahead of everyone else, we actually have more to share and give to others.

Keep that Pocketful of Starlight handy...it will allow you to shine on the dullest of days.

The Secret Within 'The Secret.'

Few have not heard of 'The Secret.' The Law of Attraction that promises to change our lives simply by 'Thinking Positive.' Think about it long enough and that which you think about will manifest in your life. Think of the Money you need to pay 'Bills' and you will open a mailbox full of Bills. Think of Money - and you will open a mailbox full of Checks.

If it were that simple!

The Secret touches on one aspect of the Formula. It is true that we need begin with the correct Thought. However, without Action no matter how 'positive' that thought, we are not going to get anything! You can Think yourself Rich until the cows come home...until you take Action to create the means for wealth to enter...nothing will change. No-one wins the Lotto without buying a ticket first.

The second aspect The Secret and many motivational guru's fail to emphasise is the State of Mind or Emotion behind that thought that is needed to bring it to fruition.

You have the Thought: I want to be Rich.

Nothing much changes.

You word it according to Universal Principles that one must bring it into the present to manifest it totally. So you change it: I am Rich.

Nothing much changes.

You hold that thought for 6 to 20 seconds at a time to allow the neural pathways to form around the new thought.

Nothing much changes.

You even go out and Buy the Lotto ticket (you take Action)...

Nothing Happens!

Why? Your emotional state was not aligned to the concept of being Rich! You have umpteen subconsious 'truths' about money that prevents you from attaining it or keeping it. "Money is the root of all Evil." "Work Hard for your Money." "Wealthy people are lazy swines..."

Until your Thoughts are aligned with your Emotions and you take the correct Action...satisfactory results will continue to elude you.

T.E.A.

Thought aligned with the correct Emotion + Action will manifest your desires!

Lets look at in a different light. You have the Thought you want to lose weight. You take Action - you join a gym and diet. The Results you hope for will not be achieved until you are emotionally in sync with the idea that you are slim and fit.

The moment the numbers on the scale or tape measure start decreasing - it creates the emotional readiness for the weightloss. The Body-Mind becomes aligned with the feeling of weightloss and can therefore produce more of it.

Just as a 'Bad Hair' day gets worse as it progresses and you 'expect' more disaster, so too does a run of 'Luck' where you expect to win based on the previous feeling of winning.

The truth of this Success Formula (Thought + Emotion + Action) was brought home to me in a 'Miraculous' manifestation of a holiday to Zanizibar last year. I was in my office and rather alot was happening.(i.e I was an exhausted wreck!) I was visited at 10h00 by a Car Rental Representative who was new to the position. I remarked at her 'unique' accent. South African by birth, she had lived in London with Australian and New Zealand flatmates and worked for American Airlines. The result was a cosmopolitan accent that put me right back into my own experiences of traveling! Recounting familiar anecdotes with a backpack and hiking boots I would describe it as a 'Wash' of emotion that came over me. In an instant I YEARNED to be back in the freewheeling world of the Backpack traveler: Hiking boots, a pair of tattered jeans and no fancy expectations: just a neat and clean hotel room, adequate shower facilities and of course, an Exotic location.

She left at 11h00. By 12h00 I was attending my Godson's First birthday party. At 12h20 his aunt arrived with a dilemma: She had booked and paid for an 8 day trip to Zanzibar and schedule adjustments meant her one daughter could not take the trip. She was looking for some-one (anyone) with a) Valid Passport and b) Time to Travel to use the fully paid for ticket. The trip started in less than a week and she had tried umteen friends, associates and colleagues to no avail.

Guess what? With just a few minor diary adjustments and a Yellow Fever shot, I was en-route to Zanizibar! A fully paid for vacation in a 'comfortable' beach lodge on the best beach of the island! As an exotic location Zanizibar is THE BEST vacation destination. As the final functioning port for the Slave Trade, the Spice Trade and a conglomeration of almost every tribe in Africa: Zanzibar was the epitome of the EXACT experience I had YEARNED for less than 2 hours earlier!

The KEY to manifestation: the house, the car, the job, the partner you want...is the Emotional State that aligns itself with the thought and, of course, the action.  In the instances that I have gotten anything instantaneously it is that emotion that goes with it that is the key to Attracting that which you Desire.

I would describe it as a feeling so intense that it must come from the soul itself. Not the Ego's false sense of pride and false glory, but a genuine urge from the core of your being.

When your Thoughts are aligned with your Emotions - you will take the correct Actions and manifestation is the definitive outcome. It is only the length of Time to manifestation that varies.

5 RULES TO GREAT PARENTING!

Children are a product of their up-bringing. Concious or unconcious nuances in the words or deeds from their primary care-givers have lasting effects on their sense of self esteem, self worth and sense of belonging in the world.

In giving your child the fundamentals of Love and Nurturance you hold the key to producing a young adult with the means and methods to enjoy a 'Gifted' life.

1. SET BOUNDARIES:

How many of you are doing your utmost to give your child everything YOU didn’t have as a child? Material 'things', any manner of hobby or interest that passes his/her fancy, family vacations to surpass any other...and jeapardize financial security in doing so?

The greatest gift a parent can give a child is the self control to persevere BEYOND instantaneous gratification to the era of self worth and achievement to do something ‘for him/her self.’

Nothing gives a sense of self-satisfaction like achievement after a degree of effort.

2. WORK WITH YOUR CHILD’S STRENGTHS

We all have things that we are ‘good’ at. Things that are easily achievable and give us pleasure in the doing. We all have areas that we are not so good at. Things that we struggle with. Imagine how much better we could do the things we are good at – if we did not ‘waste’ time and effort trying to perfect something that we will never like or enjoy?

A professional in any field spends hours working and perfecting the unique speciality he has. Fine tuning his technique, improving his method until he may be considered 'The Best' in that field. Michael Jordan is ranked before Babe Ruth and Muhammed Ali as the Greatest Sportsman of the 20th Century. He is revered for his 'Slam Dunk' shot - his ability to 'Air jump' as no one before has. Jordan established early in his career what he was good at and worked rigorously to improve on that. It was the mark of his success.

I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

Michael Jordan

 Marcus Buckingham Strengths

3. PLAY WITH YOUR CHILD

The biggest misconception parents have is that they need take time away from the things they really enjoy to spend quality time with their children. The result is resentment and procrastination in doing this 'chore.' A child does not care what he/she is doing with you – as long as he is doing it with you! Take this opportunity to really PLAY with your child – do what you want to do – just include your child in the experience.

4. SPEAK YOUR CHILD’S LANGUAGE:                       

Gary Chapman discusses the "5 Languages of Love" http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/

Essentially we accept or 'hear' expressions of love in the 'language' we speak it. If we do not perceive we are recieving love, we grow up in the belief that we are not loved. Chapman theorizes there are Five mediums in which love is expressed. We all have a primary and secondary medium in which we understand love. In order to 'feel loved' we need expression of that love in the 'language' or medium we portray love in:

1. Language: Verbal expression of love. "I Love you." said aloud. Verbal expression of appreciation and gratitude: ie: You did that well. You look great. I love that colour on you...

2.  Time: The individual needs protracted 'time' with another to feel nurtured. Long and leisurely bathtime, protracted story telling at bed time...

3. Gifting: This individual expresses and receives love through the giving of 'gifts' or tokens: a handful of flowers, a picture drawing, a favorite plaything.

4. Service: Here expressions of service: making a meal, a cup of tea, doing something for another...are means to express love.

5. Touch: Often the primary language of love in males, touch includes hugs, 'rough and tumble' play, kisses, playing with a child's hair etc.

It is important to observe how a child expresses his/herself in appreciation - and thereafter conciously supplement the child's life in open display of affection in that child's 'language of love.'

5. ADHD AND MODERN LIVING

30 Years ago the ‘fax’ was first making its appearance in the business world. Contracts and Communication were undertaken by “post.” Two weeks between communications was acceptable. Television was in its infancy in South Africa and transmitted from 17h00 to 00h00. Thereafter we watched the ‘Test Pattern.'

In our modern world we have internet and email, Instant Messaging, SMS, Mix-it, Skype, Cell phones and 300 odd television channels running 24/7. The average internet surfer will browse a webpage for less than 4 seconds before moving on to the next if it does not capture his interest.

The world has changed. The way a child concentrates has changed. In brain scans of 'Normal' (i.e. traditional learners) the concentration areas 'light up' when the child focusses in a quiet, studious atmosphere. The brain scan of an 'ADHD' individual shows the same level of concentration within a stimulated environment. An ADHD child needs stimulation in order to learn. Attempting to box these children into the traditional learning environment with Ritalin or equivalent pharmaceutical action does not address the modern mode of living. The world is faster. Information moves in nano-seconds. It is the Traditional System that needs changing: not the child.

As Adults - how often do we see each other pacing furiously while on a cell phone? As Adults - how often do we take a call while simultaneously downloading emails and browsing the internet because we are impatient with 'just sitting still.' And yet, children across the globe are medicated (some as young as 4 years old!) because they too cannot 'sit still.'

As parents then - before accepting the notion that your child is 'ADHD' or ADD and will require medication for which the long term affect are unknown...look at an alernative lifestyle:

• Decrease sugars and additives in the diet.
• Decrease consumption of refined flours.
• Decrease exposure to electronic gear: television, computers, cell phones, DVD players.
• Decrease your own frenetic life style: lead by example.
• Increase outdoor activities: sport, play, leisure.
• Increase 'Nothing' time: Every moment of every day does not need to be filled. Take a moment to simply have a moment.

The Adults of the future are created by the parents and child minders of today. You have the opportunity to offer them Gifts our parents had no idea were available to them.

The best form of Revenge...Be Happy!

"You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger."

-Buddha-

Anger is a natural emotion. Unfortunately from a very young age, we are conditioned to label it 'bad.' As a 'Terrible Two Year Old' we are admonished for expressing ourselves in this way. A passionate display of rage as a favorite toy is taken from us is labeled a 'tantrum' and so begins the steady socialization to hide that which is deemed 'unacceptable.'

As adults, the habit of hiding such emotion becomes so ingrained many do not even recognise they are angry! Over time, unexpressed anger starts seething within the body framework. Organs most susceptible to this are the Liver (seat of anger in Chinese Medicine), Gall Bladder (You may have heard the term: "what galls you?"), Kidneys and Bladder (What 'pisses' you off?) and Pancreas - related to 'Sweetness' - or lack thereof - in life. Diseases relating to these organs often have 'anger' or its close cousin 'rage' as the root cause.

I met with a client who appeared perfectly calm and serene. Having recently returned to South Africa after the break-up of her marriage I complimented her on her acceptance of the new situation. As a single mother, raising a daughter with Down Syndrome she honestly thought she held no animosity towards her wealthy ex-husband who had left her for a younger woman and refused to contribute to the continued care of his afflicted daughter. She was struggling materially, but remained convinced she was 'fine'. Beneath her unruffled exterior I sensed such deep seated fury I was amazed items were not flung around the room by the sheer energy of it.

In this instance, Anger was certainly appropriate. Anger was normal. And yet, a mask of social niceness was kept in place with a will of iron. From a metaphysical perspective, this woman was a disease waiting to manifest! Expression of Anger (any emotion) is essential for the continued vitality of the body. To deny natural feelings of anger, animosity, frustration, annoyance or rage is to lock such toxic thoughts and feelings into the body-mind. The danger is the trapped emotions may vent at inopportune moments: Road Rage is just such an inappropriate response to everyday frustrations. Unexpressed anger can explode in a moment.

How is anger 'good'? The sheer energy contained within the emotion is momentous. Anger as a fuel can drive an individual for greater and longer lengths of time. An angry sportsman who is able to focus his anger on his opponent is invincible. An angry housewife could quite possibly complete a month's worth of cleaning in an afternoon!

The individual who is able to recognise and harness the energy of anger has a resource of great potential.

Unfortunately many adults are unable to rise above the 'bad' label of anger. They guiltily mask the emotion in a 'sunny' exterior, staunchly refusing to acknowledge ill feeling. The squashing of such tempestuous energy breeds discontent. Resentment slowly builds, eating away at relationships, undermining the integrity of the relationship through this untruth. The lie by ommission of expression is perhaps the single most toxic ingredient in any relationship: marriage, business colleagues or friendships.

They say 'Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned?' Any form of betrayal can likely unleash a malestrom of emotion in male and females alike. Unexpected Retrenchment? News of an impending divorce? Found your business partner has been helping himself to more than his fair share? These events are guaranteed to unleash an unsettling array of emotions - anger being a very natural part of the adjustment.

To remain fixated in angry turmoil is a choice - and results in embittered rage that can last a lifetime. The alternative is to consciously work through anger to arrive at a point of pure serenity:

1. Recognise that you are angry.
2. Name (out loud or in written format) all that you are angry about.
   
3. Vent! Take yourself in your car, close all windows and SCREAM all you need to. Punch a pillow. Take a kick-boxing course.  It is important to physically release the anger from your cellular memory. Spontaneous tears are a signal trauma has been released.
   
4. Pamper yourself. Massage is a little like 'panel beating' your body. It irons out pockets of stress in your muscle and tissue.
   
5. Focus Forward: Use the experience and lessons gained to better prepare yourself for future events.
   
6. Be Happy! Arrange/ create/ motivate your life according to what pleases you! As you adjust yourself to the lifestyle aligned to your integrity: self fulfilment and happiness are the direct result.
   

No Revenge is Sweeter than arresting anothers' importance in your life through sublime Happiness.

Conflict within Families: Talents that set us apart vs. Our need to Conform

The family relationship is often one of the most difficult to resolve. In times of old teachers would make use of stories/ fables/ parables to teach our Great Lessons. Here, I have attached the story of The Princess and the Shoes which highlights that difficult transition of being 'the same' as your family/tribe/social group and grasping the New, Risky, Never been Done Before aspect of our God-given gifts.

For anyone who has ever wanted to kick, kill or run away from their families...or is terrified to show their most glorious, magnificent, talented part of themselves!

THE PRINCESS AND THE SHOES

Once Upon a time, in a kingdom far distant from here, was born a beautiful princess, Asra. At her christening, her Fairy Godmother presented her with the most beautiful pair of white magic shoes. These shoes sparkled and glistened and were the envy of the whole kingdom.

As little Asra grew, the magic white shoes grew too. Molding her feet into fine and dainty form. Now each night, the little Princess would remove her white shoes and store them in a special glass box beside her bed. Each morning, before rising from her bed, she would don the white shoes and skip from her room.

The magic white shoes allowed her to walk and dance and run better than anyone else in the kingdom. Over time, Asra’s family became jealous of her white shoes. They were barefoot; their feet being broad and rough and slow. They hatched a plan to steal the white shoes from her. Each night as she slept, one after the other, they crept into her room to take the shoes from her. On each occasion the glass box sang and awakened her as they attempted to take the shoes.

On the first night, it was her father who tried to take the shoes. As the glass box sang and awakened her, he patted her brow and told her he just wanted to check that she was okay as she slept.

On the second night, it was her mother who tried to take the shoes. As the glass box sang and awakened her, her mother brushed her lips to Asra’s brow and told her she wanted to tell her one more time how she was loved.

On the third night, it was her brother and sister who tried to take the shoes. As the glass box sang and awakened her, they told her they simply wanted to play with her one last time that day.

As time wore on and Asra grew older and more beautiful, her family became increasingly bitter towards the white shoes.

‘Why do you continue to wear those old things?” Her sister asked.

“What do you want to wear shoes for?” Her brother asked.

“I hate how those things have deformed your feet.” Her mother said.

“Why do you want to be different from us?” Her father insisted.

Asra ignored them all. She saw only how beautiful the shoes were and reveled in the dainty steps the shoes gave her.

Finally, her family devised a plot to steal the shoes from her. They commissioned the help of a witch to take the shoes.

One afternoon, as Asra was dancing and skipping down to the river in her beautiful white shoes, she came upon a young woman like herself. This woman was as beautiful, but beaten and bruised by thugs who had robbed her.

Asra’s heart flooded with compassion for the poor woman and took her back to the palace with her. She fed her and had her bathed in her own bath. She prepared a bed for her near the fire in her room and gave her the finest nightgown to wear.

In return the, lady gave her a token. Asra thanked her for the token and wore it round her neck. Unknown to Asra, the token was bewitched, and would deafen her ears as she slept.

In the night, her guest stole into the room. In the glow of the moonlight it could be seen that she was a witch. Opening the glass box, she removed the white shoes. The glass box sang and sang, but the token about Asra’s neck prevented her from hearing the plea.

Upon waking, Asra was distraught that her white shoes were gone. She tried to walk, but her dainty feet were too tender and she fell to the floor. Repeatedly she tried to walk, but the pain was so sharp she could not bare it. Finally her mother and father came to her room to ask what kept her from the family breakfast table. Finding their daughter in a heap on the floor, tears glistening in her eyes, they were troubled at what they had done.

Her parents vowed they would hire the best teachers in the kingdom to train her in walking and dancing and running.

It took many months for Asra to learn how to walk. It took many more months to learn how to dance. And still more months to learn how to run. Finally, Asra was able to walk and dance and run like others in the kingdom. Her feet were still slender and dainty after many years in shoes, but finally her family was happy to see her barefoot like them.

One day as she played in the river, a handsome prince from a far kingdom walked by. He wore the finest pare of leather boots she had seen. His arches were high and his step firm. He was of a family of shoemakers. They cobbled the finest shoes in all the kingdoms. He was taken immediately by the beauty and daintiness of her feet and asked her hand in marriage.

She is thrilled and the special date is set. As a gift to his bride, his mother and father craft the finest pair of silver silk slippers ever made.

She is wearing the new slippers on the day of her wedding when she is overcome with guilt. Her family is barefoot beside her at the ceremony and although she is thrilled to wear such fine slippers, she can’t but notice that her feet are so different from those of her family. Her new husband is proud to walk with his beautiful slipper clad wife, but as they prepare to leave, she removes the shoes and gives them to her mother “to remember me by.”

As the happy couple near the home of the Prince in his distant kingdom, he asks why she gave her precious slippers away.

“When I am with you, I know you will make many fine slippers for me. My mother had none. Now, she may know a slight comfort in owning a pair of fine silk slippers. Each Day she dons the slippers, I will be remembered and so our bond continues. I am then free to love you and your wonderful family, knowing that I can do so without remorse.

He smiled and they lived Happily Ever after….

Meaning:

The white shoes represent that which makes us special and ‘different’ from our families. They were given by her ‘Fairy Godmother’ – or divine source. The Family both covet and want to destroy the unique spark that is within us. It sets us apart from the Family | Tribe | Social Group.

Conflict within Families: Talents that set us apart Vs. Our need to Conform

‘Rescue’ by public appreciation that allows us to express ourselves authentically.

We intuitively know that we need to safeguard our unique gifts (protecting it in the ‘glass box’ of our hearts). Our intuition naturally warns us when our gift is threatened. We manage to hold on to our gifts through our childhood just long enough that it can form us.

Those closest to us are most prone to belittle our gift as it marks us as different to them. Envy and jealousy reign in any family.

The ‘witch’ represents a close ‘best’ friend who oftentimes has evil intent. Be warned against those who have a two-faced role in your life. The little princess gave her new ‘friend’ the best she had to offer. In return, the token she was given was merely the tool the ‘friend’ needed to take the talents from the princess.

In succeeding in removing the white shoes (innate talent), the family were ‘troubled’ by what they had done and made amends by ‘treating’ her with the best teachers (counselors and doctors) in the region. These specialists finally made Asra ‘the same’ as her family. I.e.: mediocre

The family had comfort in having her the same as them.

The advent of the prince marks a woman’s natural separation from her family roots. He is of a background that recognizes her talents (dainty feet) for what they are. He embraces that which set her apart from her family.

The silver silk slippers – given her by her in-laws – denote the acceptance they have in welcoming her into their family. They are of the ‘finest in all the kingdoms’. She is unconditionally accepted for her magnificent talents.

In giving the silver slippers to her mother (a token of her natural talents) she is finally able to appease the family and move away in her independent life.

When living in an environment (her Prince’s kingdom) where she is able to easily access gratitude, love, abundance, recognition, respect, honor (the many shoes he will give her) she is able to ‘Live Happily Ever After’

Dew Point! Optimal Life Potential.

Dew Point! It is that miracle of nature where temperature, humidity, ambiant pressure...and countless other miniscule adjustments are made, to meet in the perfect combination that results in the formation of Dew.
The sky cannot be too cloudy...or too clear that the water droplets freeze in Frost. The wind cannot be too strong to cause the evaporation of moisture, or the air too heavy to prevent the condensation on water droplets. In the culmination of Ideal conditions...Magic Occurs! As the sun glides up over the horizon, the rays of light will catch on the perfectly formed water droplets - and an ordinary and mundane garden is transformed into a carpet of glistening diamond droplets!

So too, when a human being is in that perfect Groove of optimal living....Magic Happens! It is in that space, that groove, that wedge that lies between comfort and struggle that the Human becomes the most phenomenal instrument of creative genius. It is after years of concerted effort and struggle, nurturance, support and 'luck' that a dancer performs her peak pirouette; an athlete smashes all previous records; an engineer unleashes atomic fusion, a politician ignites the hopes of a nation.

Moments of Greatness do not occur every day; but when they do...the face of the world is changed!

Each and every human has the potential to achieve this. That moment of Dew Point when all aspects of his life: his experiences, thoughts, hopes, dreams, relationships and opportunities culminate in a unification of all that is great within him. It is at that precise moment that he knows true Bliss. He knows what he came here to do; and he is doing it. And in doing it...he is achieving his Optimal Life Potential.

To the outsider it looks like a "Lucky" Man. A man who is living a charmed life. A man who just seems to 'win' no matter what the odds.

We all have this same ability. We just need to find our own unique groove to do it!

In the next few months, we will be coaching you through the process. We all have that groove. That channel within us where Life is Easy. It is not that Life is Easy. But when you are doing that thing that you should be doing....well, then it all just falls into place. One perfect jewel at a time!