Archive for February, 2007
Being stuck in traffic can be a wonderful thing. I know it can be frustrating if you’re in a rush to get somewhere. But before I got in the car this morning, I knew there would be a lot of traffic so I was ready for it. And I got to enjoy some quiet time to think about where I am in life. And I had this wonderful realization–I am exactly where I am supposed to be! How freeing of a thought that is. When I come from this space, I can let go of any worries I’ve created, because I know that those worries are just made up.
For example, yesterday we finally put our house on the market and friends and family have been adding their two cents…why would you want to give up this great neighborhood, what a big move, where will you move to, isn’t this a bad time to put a house on the market, and on and on. And I started to get plugged into it all and wonder, are we doing the right thing. I finally realized the only right thing to do is make a decision and feel good about it. And making the decision felt so good. And all the worry of where will we move to, etc., will be answered when the time comes. For right now, I get to enjoy where I am right now…which is with a house on the market!
Today I will enjoy the freedom of knowing exactly where I am supposed to be!
February 28th, 2007
There is nothing more powerful than the mnid–and there is nothing more powerful than showing the mind what it is that you want to achieve. For me it is about being happy, and living a joy-filled life full of love and acceptance–even when things come along (which they always do) to disrupt the smooth flow, I still want to maintain a balance of peace and joy. Because lets face it. Life happens. Heaters break down in the middle of a cold spell, air conditioners stop working in the middle of a hot spell, people don’t show up on time, plans get cancelled and all kinds of life stuff like that goes on. Sometimes it’s really difficult, and sometimes it’s not so bad.
If I visualize myself having a great life, I can work through these things and still have fun at the end of the day–because a little sense of humor goes a long way. So here’s a visualization for today. Read through it first and then close your eyes and visualize it in your minds eye: Imagine you are sitting beside a beautiful lake under an amazingly blue sky. Birds are singing and you feel fantastic. Feel the joy of health flood through your body filling every cell of your being. Feel yourself living a fun, joy-filled happy life. Imagine everyone in your life enjoying your company. Feel love and acceptance flood your mind, body and spirit. Then visualize any personal wishes, dreams or goals coming true for yourself. See it happening. Have a happy day. Rock N Roll Val
February 27th, 2007
I jsut read about how to Urge Surf–which means that you ride the wave rather than fight it. We’ve been taught to run from or give in to strong feelings–Animal Brain thinking. Instead, when you have an Animal Brain thought, you simply recognize what you are experiencing without trying to change it.
So, next time you have a craving…which could be an emotion, food, or an addiction to alcohol or cigarettes, just hang on for a bit and the desire will pass. Scientists tell us that, on average, cravings attack four to seven times a day and last only seconds. The more we pay attention to the process of the wave of thoughts coming up and going the less hooked we are by the content of our thoughts and feelings. Today, lets urge surf–ride the wave of the thought until it dissapates on the shore. Rock N Roll Val
February 26th, 2007
I had a great sleep last night, and I attribute it to exercise. When I do something lively, or energetic like taking a walk, going for a run, working out or playing tennis, I just feel great. My levels of frustration go way down and my passion and enthusiasm for life go way up. I go to bed earlier…10:00 pm and wake up earlier 6:00 am ready to have an amazing day.
So now, I get to have this quiet moment when dawn is not yet broken, the street lamps are still on, and I can meditate, write or just savor the quiet. So this morning, I lit a stick of incense and a candle and savored the moment.
We have this amazing life and this wonderful opportunity to live it exactly the way we want, we can choose to do so many things, exercise or not, spend money or save it, eat junk food or eat healthy, be of service or dump trash out of our car window, be kind or be judgemental. It’s all our choice.
So today lets make it a ‘yes’ day to all that is good and wholesome. Let’s breathe in the fresh air, smile at people, be of service to your friends and family, send someone a thank you, be encouraging of others ideas and most of all, love yourself and the role you play. As Shakespeare so wisely said, life is a stage and we are all players.
This is your life, your stage, and you are the star of your own show. Rock N Roll Val
February 24th, 2007
We went out to dinner last night and suddenly we were in the spotlight…literally! The Hungry Hound, a TV food show critic was at the restaurant filming a review and asked if we would mind being in the shot. Actually it was fun, pretending not to notice the very bright lights whilst casually eating dinner. And when the lights went down and the camera was off, we resumed our meal in a normal way…except for the waitress.
At first she was cute and we chatted a little bit as she came by to top up our wine. Then she told us she was an actress and had been to London. Then we got a list of everywhere else she had been and by the time dessert arrived we knew more than we ever wanted to know about her career and personal life. That’s when I made the big mistake of mentioning that our youngest daughter was an actor in LA.
After the five minute dissertation about how our daughter should audition (and how it had worked miracles for her), and after we had left the restaurant, our eldest daughter (with whom Jeff and I had been dining) asked, “So would you go eat there again?” And before I even had a moment to consider my answer out popped my answer, “No!”
The food was good, the ambience was good, and I love friendly staff. As the customer however, I want to be the one in charge of ‘how much we talk.’ And ‘how much I want to listen.’ My daugher says it’s my fault. “You’re too open mom.” Well, maybe that is so. I do invite conversation…and you know what it’s great. If this is the only problem I have in life then maybe I need to be a bit more grateful and a bit less judgemental. Okay, I will go back to the restaurant. Rock N Roll Val
February 23rd, 2007
Last night I was watching American Idol and what I noticed was the outstanding difference in the performance between those who wanted to win and those who did not. Of course, if you ask all the contestants they would say, “I want to win.” Yet the performances were so notably different that it was impossible not to notice.
The ones who wanted to win, were not necessarily the best looking, or the best dressed, or had the best figures–what they had was confidence and an “I’m going to knock this out of the ball court,” type attitude. They came onto the stage and just belted out their song. They stood there and they ‘rocked’ and ‘wowed’ the audience with their passion and enthusiasm.
And I think this is how it is with each one of us if we want to be winners. Every day we have the opportunity to put on our best performance, and that means to give it our all. Smile even when no one else around is smiling. Be optimistic even when things are going wrong, and most important of all, believe in yourself!
Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
February 22nd, 2007
I just talked with my daughter and she said, “I know all the stuff I am supposed to do–it’s just so hard sometimes to do it.” And then she went on, “my son is driving me nuts, (she’s talking about my grandson who is 4) he talks all the time and he just wants to do everything his way. We butt heads all the time.”
We were in my office at the time, and I had my own stuff to do, and she had work to do also, except, it seemed that this was a very important time to listen. So I listened for a couple of minutes unti she had said all she wanted to say, which included, “I feel sometimes that I am fetching and carrying everything for them, I need a tissue, read me a story, I want water.” Then I asked her, “Do you get your children to do chores?” Answer, “No–it’s easier to do it myself.” So then I asked, “Do you take time to listen and set boundaries about your own time.” Answer, “No.”
So this life…this wonderful and amazing life that we have is all about being in the moment. I can think of it as no other way. If someone needs to talk…listen. If someone asks you to do something and they are always asking you to do things and you feel that they can do it themselves no matter how old or young they are, then say, “No.” and then show them how to do it so they can do it for themselves. It’s called delegating and it is a really, really important thing to do if you want to maintain anything like a happy, carefree life.
And remember, everything you do is reflected back to you. If you listen to people, people will listen to you. If you show patience, people will show patience to you. If you are loving, people will show you love. And when someone close to you is driving you nuts, then show them extra love. Be extra patient in showing them how to do things for themselves. Be kind, and most of all, be kind to yourself. Don’t be running around after everyone picking up. Delegate in a kind and nurturing way and the whole world will open up to you in ways you never dreamed possible. If you want to read more, there’s a whole chapter about it in our book, Investing Time for Your Life. Have an AMAZING day.
Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
February 21st, 2007
Jeff had just taken the garbage outside and when he came back inside the house he said with a downward look, ”Wow there’s a lot of water out there.” Then he said, “I know it’s because all the snow is melting, and I just realized, water is life! Water is good. We need it to soak into the ground and give life to the plants–to us.” Then he smiled, “I was looking at ithe water as a problem, like, ‘Oh Lord look at all this water!’ Instead I realize it’s more like, ‘wow look at all this life-giving water!’”
And that is life. Always amazing, always good, always giving us more life, more opportunities to be amazing. So today is about looking at things from the perspective of goodness. Everything has a seed of goodness inside it, a kernal of well-being, everything is rooted in life. And it is up to you and I to nurture it so it sprouts into more goodness, and more feelings of well-being, more life. Today, let’s smile, let’s laugh, let’s be happy. Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
February 20th, 2007
The most amazing thing about this life is that you can begin it any time you want–start afresh, start anew, create a new beginning. Every day when you wake up, you are starting a new day. And you have the choice to do it any way you want. And here’s the wonderful thing–even if you have woken up feeling grumpy, or have been grumpy for most of your life–today you can decide not to be.
And here’s the kicker–the more times you choose to be amazing, happy, joy-filled and enthusiastic about your life, the easier it becomes because you have now created a habit–a new way of being. AND, like I said, it doesn’t matter where you are, who you are, or what you have been doing–you can start right now, from where you are and have a make-over.
Actually it’s much better than a make-over because that implies covering up something–plus it’s usually someone else, an ‘expert’ who does it for you. When you operate from your human brain you are working from the very core of who you are and you are doing it yourself for you. That is why switching to your human brain is so powerful because you are the one in charge of you–not someone else.
When you make the choice to create an amazing life for yourself, where you are happy at work, at peace in your home, have great relationships and feel passionate about your life–you are creating energy that will attract all those things into your life, right now–today–this very moment. And when you decide to do it, everything changes instantly, inside and out. Have a brilliant day! Rock N Roll Val
February 19th, 2007
Jeff and I have been taking tennis lessons recently, and I notice that playing a sport is a good indication of what is going on in my life. So the coach keeps saying, “Relax, relax–you do not have to hit the ball so hard.” And it’s true. Once I relax and let go of wanting to hit the tennis ball into the stratosphere and beyond, then I hit a great shot. And the amazing thing is that it goes faster and gets right to the place on the court where it needs to go.
The other thing he says is, “Stop thinking that you are hitting a ball and imagine you are hitting a light!” So now I am relaxing and hitting a light and my tennis has improved 100%. I just have to apply that in my everyday life. Relax and focus on the light. There is nothing hard to hit, and I can give up the struggle and striving to get somewhere. I am here today and now. Alive and full of well-being, health and joy. What more could a person ask for? Rock N Roll Val
February 18th, 2007
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