A few weeks ago I attended a three day self-development workshop. It was exceptional. One of the workshop rules was “no small talk at any time” including at lunchtime and during breaks. This meant no talking about the weather, the traffic or what I ate for breakfast that day. All conversations had to be meaningful…
If you want real freedom and true joy, master the art of acceptance. Most of us think we have far more control over life than we do. We live in huge denial of how powerless we really are. We believe we can control what other people think, say, feel and do. We believe life can…
There is great wisdom in the lyrics of many songs. In the song “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mother shares her wishes for her only son. There is great truth in her words (if you haven’t listened to this song in a while, listen to it here). Words that have meaning for me, include: …
Let’s assume you want 2014 to be an awesome year. You want it to be your best year yet! Why not! Don’t you deserve such a year? I think you do! I have a five step process I suggest you try. To do this exercise right you need to devote a solid block of time…
On December 5th, 2013 Nelson Mandela died. He was a man who personified freedom and what it means to be free. There is much we can learn from this man, including and perhaps most importantly, the following: “there is no easy walk to freedom.” Reflect on this statement as it applies to your own life. …
When you walk into a room, do you bring sickness or health? I’m talking about both physical and mental health. Good physical health means your body is in good working order. You eat healthy, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Your weight is healthy and you’re free from disease. Good mental health means you have…
To a large extent, your virtues define who you are and what your life is like. Your ability to be honest, compassionate and never give up, for example, greatly impact how you interact with the world and how the world interacts with you. Are some virtues more significant than others? I believe one virtue lays…
Let’s say you’re meeting a new friend for coffee. During your visit, how well would you get to know them? Would you talk about the weather, the daily news or would you talk about who they really are and who you really are? Would you let them in to the deeper parts of you? Would…
On August 11th, 2013 my fifteen year old daughter Shannon and I boarded a plane bound for Whitehorse in the Yukon. This was to be the trip of a lifetime – a ten day canoe trip covering over 300 km (185 miles) with eight other people on the Big Salmon River. On Day Five of…
St. John of the Cross, a Spanish priest, made the following statement… “In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.” What a thought-provoking declaration. Is there a better way to evaluate our lives than love? I don’t think so. It’s not about how much money we make or how big our…
I believe that all human beings have a need to connect deeply with others. It is essential to our happiness and overall well-being. Connection happens when we are able to see, hear, feel, appreciate or understand another at some level. While connecting with family and friends is imperative to good health, life also presents endless…
Sometimes life feels good, sometimes it feels great and sometimes… life feels hard. That’s just life. How you travel through the good, the great and especially the hard is important. I’ve found that when life gets hard, I have an opportunity to ask myself two very simple, yet powerful questions. These questions help to take…
Louise Hay is known as one of the founders of the self-help movement. More than 50 million copies of her book “You Can Heal Your Life” have been sold throughout the world. She has spent most of her life helping people help themselves to lead richer, fuller lives. She is a master in her field. …
This past week I received news about a friend I knew well from High School. At the age of 52, he died suddenly of a heart attack. His family and friends are in shock. Although he was overweight and could have taken better care of himself, no one expected this. Many of those close to…
Today is Mother’s Day! It’s a day to celebrate motherhood and what it means to be a mother. What do you love most about your mother? What did she teach or give you that you are most grateful for? If you are a mother, what do you think your children value most about you? Here…
