Archive for January, 2009
Jeff’s in Boston this week. He’s giving a keynote and some training for Beacon Hospice, and he asked me to read through his email. And I saw this one that was really inspiring…it’s St Theresa’s Prayer. You may have already read it before, it really speaks to the heart so I’ll paste it at the bottom of this blog.
Even if you don’t believe in God, there is definately a powerful presence that surrounds us and will come into our lives if we allow it to. I’ve seen it in people who have great energy, it’s a kind of light that shines out of them and it attracts people to them. I think we all have it, but sometimes, we allow lifes upsets and tragic events to block the light.
So now, in this year of 2009, when everything is changing and up for grabs so to speak, why not allow our light to really shine. It means letting go of the past hurts and upsets. It means spending a few moments a day in prayer or meditation so that we remember who we are, and get into connection with a higher power. And it means loving ourselves and letting that love out into the world. Loving our life, and the people who are in it.
Let’s start right now and allow our light to shine. Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
Saint Theresa’s Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
January 13th, 2009
I looked out the window this morning….the cars are stuck in the snow and its freezing. It’s Chicago. It’s what we expect. The Mayor has had so much pushback on his decision to not plough the side streets, that they are now being ploughed….thank goodness. And yet, I had the thought, ‘why aren’t we somewhere sunny? Like Australia, or the Carribean?’ And the answer is….wherever we are, is where we will find happiness.
Jeff’s mom and dad moved to Spain to retire (I’m going back a few years now), and it was great for a while, and then they got tired of the same old routine! Sun, sun and more sun. There were things they didn’t like about the place, and things they liked. So my conclusion is this. It doesn’t matter where we are, or who we are with, it’s up to us to create a great and amazing time.
So, early this morning, I went to the YMCA, and took a spinning class. It was excellent. My blood got pumpiing, my legs and arms were really working hard. The music was up high and it felt like being at a party….only I was excersizing!
Then, I had some oatmeal. A good, healthy breakfast. And so it goes. Moment to moment, a choice. Eating healthy, having fun, working out, digging the car out of snow and ice. It’s all a choice. Choose to have an amazing life and you will. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
January 12th, 2009
I don’t know if you are doing this anyway, or have never done it before….but it’s a really good way of keeping balance in your life. And balance, my friend is really important to a healthy life both at work and at home.
It’s really easy to do. Some people even meditate or pray during a walk…others sit down. I personally sit and meditate. Here’s how you do it. Sit in a comfortable, quiet place (early morning is best. I meditate at 6:00 am), close your eyes and take a couple of slow, deep breaths. Then you can concentrate on your breath, or your diaphragm moving up and down. Other people repeat a mantra in their head such as ‘Om’ or ‘Peace’. It’s really all about not thinking of your problems and worries. It’s creating a time to sit and do nothing…to think nothing…to relax and let peace flow into your mind, body and spirit.
The other thing I do is pray. And although sometimes, I do ask for help; I work on being grateful. “Thank you for all that life has given to me…”
Try it. I find both prayer and meditation help greatly in keeping a balance in my life. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
January 9th, 2009
Sometimes, we let small things get really big in our minds. A little annoyance becomes huge and it ends up clogging up the whole works. When this happens, it’s a good thing to just breathe. Think about the life force of a single breathe, because if you can’t breathe for a few minutes, you would literally die. But here we are….we can breathe….we are alive! Let’s be thankful.
This morning I had specific things on my mind that needed doing, and that everybody agreed upon. Then suddenly, there was a change of plan that I was not in control of. So I started to get annoyed and have a little ‘hissy’ fit inside my head. Then I decided to leave, and go and do what I wanted to do. As I was driving away, it suddenly dawned on me that what I needed to do, and what was really important for the business and the company were two different things.
I just wanted to do my thing, which would then have caused problems for other people. So I turned around, came back to the office and decided to have a great day. And that’s exactly what I’m having. So remember, step outside of yourself and see the bigger picture. What are my actions going to do to the rest of the people? If I keep doing this how will I affect my coworkers, my business, my relationships, and my family. Stop. Breathe. Re-Think. Get back to being great again. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
January 8th, 2009
Life is amazing. It just keeps going on and on. This morning at my house, it was crazy. Our granddaughter (4) had strep throat and did not want to take her “spicy” medicine. So, we were coming up with all these ideas like, “have a drink of chocolate milk after the medicine,” or “have an M & M after,” and, “have a drink of apple juice,” but nothing would make the medicine go down easily.
She screamed and screamed.
And it had to be taken.
Finally, after she had taken it and calmed down, it was like it never happened. Although, of course, there is tonight! And the medicine has to be taken for 10 days—three times a day! I hope she gets it and realizes it has to be taken whether she screams or not.
And that’s life isn’t it! There’s the good, the bad and the ugly. And we just have to take what comes along. Do the job. Take the medicine and keep on going. The difference I believe, between happy people, and unhappy people, is how long it takes them to get over things. So here’s my recommendation. do what you need to do and if it’s something that needs your urgent attention, do it first.
Take the medicine and then enjoy your life. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
January 7th, 2009
It doesn’t matter what’s going on at the moment–we always have a choice. We can make it great or we can make it awful. And the secret is that most of it is in our minds….no wipe that….all of it is in our minds.
We make up stories about ourselves, our co-workers, our family, our boss, and then we talk to ourselves about them. In our head we either make things worse or better. We think about people in a good way or a bad way. We view situations as bleak or promisiing.
So just for today, make a decision to have only good thoughts. If a bad thought pops into your head, your job is to replace it with a good one. It works! Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
January 5th, 2009
If you want to live a happy life, you must take action. Indecision is the enemy. Whenever you are saying to yourself, “I can’t decide,” you are putting your life on hold. Don’t do it.
I’m not saying to jump into things without any thought, or having a clue about the consequences of your actions….but whenever you don’t take action about something, it’s like being a little bit dead.
Listen, I heard this great thing the other day….”You were dead before you got here.” It’s true. Before you were born, you didn’t know anything, you were somewhere maybe, depending on your beliefs, but you didn’t really know where you were….not as the person you are today, the person who is reading this.
And that’s what it’s like not taking action. It’s like being a bit dead. You are thinking about something, but not doing anything about it.
So! Today take action. Clean something up. Clean something out. Tell someone something you need to tell them. Do not be afraid. Step forward into your life and life will come up and meet you with a great rush of excitement. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
January 3rd, 2009
The great thing about time, is that you can begin anything you want, any time you want. You get to make it a new day every day. I know it sounds a bit hokey sometimes….make it a new day….a new beginning any time you want. But it’s true. It all begins with a thought, your thought. In this moment I am choosing to be happy, to be amazing, to have a great life.
So just for today, just for this moment in time, just for this second, make it a new beginning for yourself.
It doesn’t matter what’s gone before, now, in this moment is a new NOW! Rock N Roll and make it a great moment for yourself. Jeff & Val
January 2nd, 2009
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