Never a dull moment

If you decide, in your mind, that your life will never be dull, you may be surprised at the kinds of risks you will be willing to take.  Would you like to evolve so that you no longer feel hindered by self-doubt? Wonder how to muster the courage to do something you've never done before? Stop the waiting game.

A fantastic place to start is to ask yourself who told you something was wrong with you? Who persuaded you that you couldn't do things? Who told you your hopes aren't possible? Even if people exert effort to dissuade you, ultimately, you choose to believe you can do things or not. Yes, that's right! Its you. Learn to jump mental hurdles. You can do what you set your mind to do. The potential is always inside you.

One example in my life was an impulsive move to join a former boyfriend on a trip with his parents. At the time, I was studying in the south of France and had little money. Let’s say, I learned to do more with less. Low and behold, my attention was drawn to a ‘last minute flight deal.’ A close friend thought I was nuts! So much for my hard-earned pennies. I bought a non-refundable ticket and set out for a memorable adventure. I flew to north to Paris (France)-over to London (UK), across the Atlantic to Miami (USA) and caught a connector to the Caribbean.

As it happened, I missed a flight and was re-routed. Little did I know the computer system assumed that since I didn't board one of my scheduled planes, it automatically cancelled my whole return itinerary. Imagine my dismay when I was supposed to be on the same plane as my 'then boyfriend' and his parents back to Florida. Yet, I was told I couldn’t board. We didn’t have the chance to say good bye. My reaction? I got creative. Although all the other flights out that day from the island to Miami were supposedly over-sold, I talked my way onto the next connection. I sat with a stewardess in the rear. Did I relay a story of anticipation! She urged me on.

Once in Miami, I disembarked and ran between terminals. I passed a security check not meant for me in light of my tickets, and scurried past 5 gates to arrive at the gate of interest. This memory reminds me of a frantic scene in the film Broadcast News. I didn't slide under tables or filing cabinets, but I knew haste. You may too?

Much to my chagrin, my boyfriend's plane had already boarded and was preparing to depart. In sheer desperation, I calmly shared my story to the two attendants at the gate. Luckily, the guy and girl were 'sentimental types.' They opted to make an on-board PA announcement for my boyfriend to come off the plane. I have no clue what he or his parents thought when they heard it, except perhaps, “what the???” I sensed their conservative bewilderment grew into pure curiosity and then, absolute awe.

One of those sentimental attendants accompanied me down the tunnel to the plane door. When my boyfriend appeared and saw me, he looked at me in disbelief then, smiled. I hunched my shoulders and said, “I simply wanted to give you a proper goodbye.” What a memorable kiss and embrace! I had imagined the end of a romantic film script. I just decided to make it real.

As the attendant escorted me out of the tunnel, I was grateful for the emotional roller coaster. I think he felt he had done a good deed. It was before 9/11 when security measures were different. The plane shut its door and headed for the runway. I headed for the terminal I was supposed to be in and had a great chat with a former hockey-player turned airline employee. He kindly reworked my flight itineray so that I could get back to school.

After four flights, a long stopover and late connection, I ended up missing my train. Funny, I met up with a friendly foreign student in the same predicament. I intuited it would be safe to hitchhike with him, albeit after midnight. That memorable experience and ride lasted a few hours, but I'll have to leave that for another entry.

Admittedly, it takes courage to live life to the fullest. Adrenalin helps. I sense that certain kinds of risks will be worth it. I believe and then, they are. Young love may compel wild decision-making, even if a relationship isn't meant to last. No matter what the outcome, we can always choose to learn from risk-taking, Is yours worth it?

Telepathic brainwaves jumping your way

When you think of telepathy, you may think of science fiction scenarios like those of Star Trek or the film called The Matrix. Your mind might wander to the unusual life experience of psychic intuitives, energy healers, clairvoyants and indigo children. You may think about people who claim such abilities or even demonstrate clear aptitudes. What would you do with them? Would you transcend your ego?

If you seek to develop telepathic skills, or discover you have some ESP already, what kinds of things would you do with it? Would you seek to help others? Sure, you could read Help Yourself with ESP (Revised Prentice-Hall, 1999) by Al Manning or other books you could find on the subject. Yet, shouldn't intuition be your guide?

Dean Radin has a great new book called Entangled Minds: Extrasensory Experiences in Quantum Reality (Paraview Pocket, 2006). Even New Age physician and writer Deepak Chopra thinks this book reminds us how parapsychology is becoming more of a mainstream science. Many people believe that when scientists pick up on a topic and devote increasing time, energy and finances to research it, then the general public might perceive it with more credibility. What is your view?

Another book of note is The Divine Matrix: bridging time, space miracles and belief by Gregg Braden (Hay House, 2006). It examines how from 1993 -2000, a series of earth-shattering experiments offers dramatic evidence of a web of energy that connects everything in our lives and our world. What if it this Divine Matrix determines whether and if so, how we heal our bodies, discern success in work, create relationships, other pursuits, and nurture inner and/or world peace?

New evidence reveals we each hold the power to speak directly with the mind to the force that links creation. This jumps beyond ideas compiled in Rhonda Byrne's The Secret. Would you like to tap into it? What would it mean to discover you could create more joy, heal suffering, and bring peace lives around you? Foresee it. How might you live if you knew how to focus this energy every moment of every day? How would that redefine meaning for you? even reframe your view of career?

Charged up with ventriliquism fever?

During my childhood, I recall reading ads on bilboards and in the backs of comic books about ventriliquism courses.  Yet, 'the mail order route' didn't strike me as the most effective way to go.   It was one skill I wished to learn, but I didn't know anyone who did this or how to about it.  Now, if you ask just anyone for advice on this subject, he or she may simply say, "learn to stop moving your lips."  Talk with your mind? Become an entertaining puppeteer? Would other options exist?

Many of us are fascinated with the idea of ventriloquism, but how many seek to develop the skill?Where do you go and who do you ask? People become quite excited when they realize that it is possible for them to do this almost magical illusion.  You can too, if you really want to do this.  You can do anything yet set your mind to do. 

Sure, if you explore your local library or bookstore, you may find books like "Ventriliquism for Dummies" and Instructional DVDs. Don't wrongfully believe its a deviant art.  If you're charged up with ventriliquist fever, you might also check out "Otto and George" on David Letterman stored on YouTube.  Be warned, Otto is often considered as one of the most controversial ventriliquists:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlRikiFs5QE /p>

If this performance isn't 'your thing,' look up names like Jay Johnson, 'Opie & Anthony' and Jim Norton on YouTube.  You may suddenly be inspired to develop a new personal talent and take bars and clubs by storm! Consider the endless possibilities for your creative video series, comedy act or travelling show.

Attain liberation

In the Crest-Jewel of Wisdom by Shankara, to know the nature of your Soul is to experience, not simply dream of, pure bliss. Perception, as you understand it, and the urge to compare, wouldn’t exist. You would forget. You would unlearn everything you have been conditioned to believe. You would see anew and be self-satisfied.

To value silence and be void of desire are what truly cause the greatest happiness. You wouldn't think about the past or speculate on the future. You would be indifferent to present. Time and space would have no meaning. How many people have you met who live quietly as if spectators, free from all desire and change?

William Wordsworth viewed Soul and a sense of home as points of self-realization. What does this passage from his poem, "Intimations of Immortality" mean to you?

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;
The Soul that rises with us, our life star,
Hath had elsewhere, its setting,
And cometh from afar.
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home.

Retrieve soul memory

One approach to goal-setting is to consider it a process that can enable you to remember what you forgot.  Whenever you learn something, you focus and other ideas fade into the background.  Some people believe each person is born with a soul that has a silent understanding of the world. Yet, most grow up to forget and evolve away from love, compassion and the original life views. 

You may describe the state of 'soul memory' as thinking differently during different life phases. We do so believing in our passing choices and perceived priorities.  Yet, lessons are always there for us to learn.  The question is, which ones do you notice?  How will you take steps to get something out of each one? Or, will you even bother?

1) Do you hold narrow views? People around you may say you appear rigid or dogmatic.  Are you the type who believes you're always right?  If you know anyone like this and you're on the receiving end, are you judgmental and close-minded about their behavior? Look in the mirror. Ask yourself how you feed off of each other's energy.  You may wish to rethink reactions.  How you interact has underlying goals. 

2) Does your mind control your feelings?  Certain people are so very 'results-oriented' that they miss the beauty and opportunities in front of them.  They may convince themselves work is more important than relationships or other life experiences.  If you know anyone like this, consider how your own choices may purposely go in the opposite direction or somewhere in between. Discern how you react or not.  Each of us has obvious and not-so-obvious reasons for our choices.

3) Are you even a tad bit insensitive?  To lack insight or experience may be interpreted by others as insensitivity or a lack of understanding.  Ignorance is not bad unless you lable it as such.  Whatever your belief system, you are now on a journey of self-discovery. Innate goals involve learning.  Your conscious and unconsscious choices determine the "how," "with whom" and "why."