hahaha I LOVE your candor!

really refreshing!

for me, finding the inner diamond - I need to be grounded, relaxed and clear to find it.

I have this amazing walk, I take in the mornings, I get out of my head, I open up to the bigger "stuff" of the universe...

to me, I think as Yan seemed to be saying...
unless you like spelunking through horse shit... the best way to uncover the diamond may be to cast off the shit.
when our head is clear, and we are able to not be crazy about finding it, we are relaxed and at ease and feeling good and whole...
we have better access to the diamond.

and I might even suggest... the more we do it, the more we have better access to our inner diamond.
The horse shit may always want to re-accumulate, so it may be best to think of this action as an on-going thing...
much like we cannot expect to only take one shower in our lives...

haha!

nothin' wrong with gettin' your wiki on!

This morning I was re-listening to "The Big Leap" - Michael's conversation with Gay Hendricks (His new book is "The Big Leap") and in it we discussed "unconscious commitments" and how we can see them and consciously make new commitments - great show - very worth listening again if you have the ability.

Part of the conversation was Michael revealing that at one time he had a commitment to "flying under the radar".

So... one might think that an author of three best selling books under his belt would have a Wikipedia page.
He doesn't...

(Mr Hendricks does - just saying...)

Mary...

I completely agree... you could feel it through the airwaves... a real and honest connection...

this was a particularly GREAT show.

what if we took 5 minutes, ten minutes... an hour on New Years day... and just beat the crap out of yourself emotionally...

I am worthless, I never say the right thing, I am ugly and fat, and too short and my hair is the wrong color...
etc
etc

and then... because we got that out of the way early... we never have to do it again for the rest of the year?

.




PERFECT!




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[why, you ask, am I posting this here...?]

.


I have tried to do the "90 money challenge" before...
I wasn't around when Michael first launched it, so getting to the game late makes for a less than enthusiastic start...
but I often will listen to old Podcasts  - the one that randomly came up yesterday was the 90day money game.

and now...
I'm gonna play it.


why, you ask, am I posting this here...?
well. I really want to examine my possibilities in truly doing this game,
staying with it...
remaining focussed on it.


I am modifying it so that it has a well defined "goal date"

I am *really* playing the 73 day money game.

I want an extra $7,000 to play with by December 31, 2009


SOMEONE PLEASE JOIN ME IT IS ALWAYS EASIER TO DO THESE THINGS WITH OTHERS!!



*Between Now and December 31, 2009, I will earn and have an extra $7000 dollars to welcome in the new year.*

gonna think today of invitations to send out that will help me on my way to doing so...

speaking of which... anyone in So Cal (Venice) who will be around on November 21, and will be looking for unique handmade gifts for the holidays, I am having an open studio you can get more details at my new website!
coolfishstudios.com





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Tracy

I think you are doing great.
wait for it to run it's course (as quickly as possible), then discuss movies, what was on the telly last night...
you can't control others.

maybe as a trigger for yourself, when the conversation is about sickness say to others... "Wash your hands" and make it your only comment. when others notice that all you say is "wash your hands", explain to them that endlessly talking about something just makes for more worry, and more worry lowers your immunity, so you choose to take a more proactive step and wash your hands... physically and mentally of the illness...

make it light... and playful... not judgy... if people laugh they are more receptive...

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Mary that is GREAT to hear...


I hope we were helpful...
and, how did you find the process of asking for help?
did it feel like a huge scary step?
did you see our advice as "missing the point" (a waste of your time)?
did you have resistance? were you drawn to other answers more? or is your reaction neutral?


each answer has much to say for you... like a jewel to examine...




Good luck...
I hope we hear more from you.

Tom


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just reporting back...
false alarm - clean bill of health!!

learning to eat better, and getting more exercise.



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I LOVE that you say "It seems everything until now has chosen me."

That is SOO awesome...
It sounds to me like you are saying "the right thing at the right time has always been there for me."
now, you may be reacting to that with... "no Tom - you are not getting it"... but, with a click of a switch, we can change perception...
WHAT IF... that really was what you were saying?

from this place, a place where you are confident in the universes ability to supply and take care of you... The question becomes a whole lot easier... less stressful, less "important".

so, walk down this path for just a minute.
The universe has always supplied just what you need when you need it...
So, I am content in my place... where I am and how I am... because it is where the universe has lead me...
Now, I want to have more.... love more... be more... be happier.

My favorite MN exercise is...
put your hand over your heart, breath deeply into your heart, think happy thoughts, something that makes you smile, relax and take this moment just for yourself, calmly... and ask yourself, "what do I need to do today to take better care of myself?" or ""what do I need to do today that would make me really happy?" 


Trust yourself Mary. you may not be as "in your head" as you think...

make a list of ALL the things that you want to do (200-500)... take your time with it... then go back over the list and take the top 20 things that seem to excite you the most...

and then sit with each of them for a minute or two, play out the scenarios of you actually doing each of them (don't get bogged down on "how" you will to the point where you will be doing them) One of them may feel stronger than the rest... watch for bodily changes... spontaneous smiles, rushes of endorphines, a lightness...

(hard to imagine a "boneheaded idea" surviving this...)

find the thing that you most want to do and live with it for a day or two... and then go start to do it...


As for getting help... if money is the issue...
depending on the help you need, think about approaching institutions that "train" people on the type of help you need... there are ALWAYS students that need to earn their chops by taking on low or no-cost clients/experiments...
it just takes a little research...

I have had business plans created, websites and "branding" done, interns for my Art Fabrication business and three months of psychological counseling using this method...
You have more to offer than you may realize...

and don't forget, you HAVE a magic wand! you can fly.
Best of luck

Tom

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thanks for asking new girl...

I have much less anxiety around it. and as emerging information comes to light, I feel more and more in control (as much as we can say we are in control) of diet, and treatment options...

making decisions from a place of love, calm and equanimity is always better than panic, fear and anxiety...



honing clarity...


.

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wow...
had a GREAT day!




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>>>
>  1. Each day from now until the 14th of December, choose at least
>  one thing you don't think can happen in your life or in the world,
>  but it would be really great if it could.

I am going to design my day for complete joy... so even if stuff happens my first reaction will be light and easy. I will walk to work today (my studio is a one and a half hour walk) and I will dance along the way (even when the I-tunes song doesn't necessarily call for it), giving the many Los Angeles commuters something to smile and/or laugh about (at?). and as I am creating today, I will approach the many "Problem solving Issues" with levity, and a spirit of playfulness...


2. Possibility Questions:

>      * What would have to happen in order for me to keep a spirit of complete joy today?

I will have to foster an essence of joy, and remember to stay playful...


>      * What would I have to do in order for me to keep a spirit of complete joy today?

I will have to be completely aware and watchful of my own reactions to outer stimulus, and allow these reactions to be held in abeyance, so that I can make sure "ease and relaxed" is the response.


>      * Am I willing to do that? If not, what am I willing to do?

I am willing to try this... The I-tunes is fully charged and ready for the walk.



<<<

I am interested in how others will respond...

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MARY...
YES!!!! use the magic wand... dang girl if you got one use it!...

I've been looking for one of those... and it has eluded me... and you have one... and don't even know if you should use it... YES!!! use it, use it, use it!

and know how fortunate you are to have it...

You got a magic wand... Everest is just a hill - you can leap it in a single bound... you are superman or super woman (although I don't know if she used to boast about leaping things in a single bound... but, WHATEVER!!! you have a magic wand you can be either Superman OR Superwoman or BOTH!

either way... now that you are Superperson... and you are aware you are in your Fortress of Solitude - you can fly out of there at Any Time! AND you have a magic wand....

now... with all that magic on your side... you have to know...
that whatever limitations you imagine, are not real...
and with all that magic flying around you... all you have to do is pluck help from the air...
it's a little like asking....
and that is something you, Superperson can do...


watta ya think?



.

.



Thank you everyone...
Anjali for sharing your story... Terri for the words of encouragement...
and Michael for allowing me to be an A*hole if I need to be...
(I may just yet put tin foil over my windows, curl up in fetal position in the corner and spend the day whimpering - I doubt it, but good to know I always have that option - ha ha)


update....
I am very fortunate to not only practice feeling ok with this right now... but, since I have to wait to get further test results... THEN I can make an appointment with a doctor... so it will be easily a week or so before I have more information... I get to practice cultivating that equanimity for at least a week!!! YEA!!

There was a wonderful moment... I laughed when the nurse told me all of this...
my expectations of fears being assuage or confirmed today... It is not to be... OBVIOUSLY... I need more practice... ha ha...


NOW... I have to come up with some FUN possibility for tomorrow...


Maybe it is funner to live in possibilities of wonder, excitement and joy....?

(I will let you know tomorrow - although I suspect I know what the answer will be...)




Thanks again everyone...





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I'm with you Terri!



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AWESOME reminder Terri
Thanks...




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Lovely, Anja... absolutely lovely!!!



.

[I want to feel ok with this right now, and I want to feel ok with this as information unfolds, and to approach this challenge with equanimity.]

I received a "disturbing" letter over the weekend from my doctor - I had a routine check up last week...  and have been sitting with it until this morning when I can finally call (in two hours)  and schedule the further tests etc...

so... I am feeling a little anxious...

giving the possibility game a whirl...


>>>
>  1. Each day from now until the 14th of December, choose at least
>  one thing you don?t think can happen in your life or in the world,
>  but it would be really great if it could.

I want to feel ok with this right now, and I want to feel ok with this as information unfolds, and to approach this challenge with equanimity.


2. Possibility Questions:

>      * ?What would have to happen in order for me to feel ok with this right now, and to feel ok with this as information unfolds, and to approach this challenge with equanimity??

I would have to calm the F*** down and realize I can not do anything about this at this moment... I CAN learn more about it as I speak to the doctor, and research how I can address the issue through medicines, dietary and lifestyle choices.


>      * ?What would I have to do in order for me to feel ok with this right now, and I want to feel ok with this as information unfolds, and to approach this challenge with equanimity.??

I Will have to face the fear head on, I will have to not be afraid of the words, and not be intimidated by that fear and by well-intentioned doctors.
(Maybe I can even write some congress people today to tell them how important the health care issue is to me)


>      * ?Am I willing to do that? If not, what am I willing to do??

YES... yes I am...



<<<

fantastic to hear...

.



Are there plans for another "Creating The Impossible" program?

and... If anyone went throught the program... please, let us know how it was!

(those that didn't do the process cannot read the posts above- but I for one am anxious to know your impressions.... successes??)



Thanks
Tom




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Thank You Eileen.
beautiful.





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yeah good show...

there is a british version and an american version.


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.

hard to suggest, given the language ambiguities...

but, keeping it simple and descriptive is always a good move.



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well for me...

forgiveness - requires judgment. "I have determined that someone has done me a wrong"... that "wrong" could be illusory, it could be "real"... but, "wrong-doing" is judgment call.

acceptance - can be done without judgment. It is, perhaps the perception of what is without the intent to change it... not to say that "what is" is forever, and that it can not be changed, it can.

wonderful question New Girl, it made me stop and mull - and refine my thoughts on the subject.


I accept my past, what happened in my life, but choose to not allow it to make me distrust and hate people...




and it is the "poster moment" of martyrdom...
when Christ is on the cross...
"forgive them Father, for they know not what they do..."






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Michelle I completely agree.


I think this is a matter of semantics in many ways.
I can forgive a terrorist but still keep his violent butt in jail!

forgiveness isn't naive, or stupid or even ignorant... in many cases it is a deeply spiritual act.


AND... to state... many times it is an incredibly pompous act to forgive someone... For instance:
We may feel as though someone has done us some disservice or performed some sort of personal affront against us... when in fact, the act may have been more innocent - not intended to harm...


I will take this example because it is a personal example and it is currently in the forefront of my mind...
(here goes)
I feel as though you restarted this thread as a way to "teach me a lesson" about forum etiquette...
now... I can think that I should "forgive you" for the "insult"...
but the truth of the matter is this...

you either did mean it as an insult...
OR you didn't...

Either way...
this is happening in MY brain.
Once I see that whatever is happening with you... is happening with you...
and whatever is happening with me is happening with me... there IS no reason to forgive.
this is more like a choice in perspective...
so forgiveness is moot.

but... the abuse I received as a child... is more complex.
yes... my abusers were most probably abused as well... and they continue the cycle.
I can sympathize with them for that...
forgiveness is more challenging however.

and your'e right...
it sometimes takes time...



(shoot! ran out of time)

friends?



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.

after 42 years and moving away from my family, I'm now ready to address having been abused as a child. how can I use NLP and other means to get through this? I'd like to incorporate this with seeing a therapist.

thanks.

you don't think that "forgiveness" is an intrinsic part of this conversation?

for me, the dialog is doing what it is "born" to do... flow and slow and rush where it will.
Am I breaking some forum etiquette rule I am honestly unaware of?

if so... I appologize.
(sorry again with the amazingly inappropriate sense of humor... but honestly just trying my best to keep it light)



.

.


just saw "The Fall" amazing movie... the director is Tarsem (he did the movie "the cell" as well) visually stunning.


.

Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince 

( those wonderful children are growing up so fast now)

I have got to see this this week!!!
I am hearing great things..

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Zalikhan

it is a very good question.

I think for me, if I were to take this on I would do this.

Think of the most wonderful life you can create for yourself. Where you would really *Love* to see your life. maybe just start with 5 years from now.
and then back-map it.
what benchmarks do you have to achieve in 4 years to get there? how about 3? and 2?

once you get the process, and you feel comfortable.

Start over again with 10 years.

but hold on to the 5 year plan.
I find for me, I work better focusing on more immediate things, also, my passion is more lively wit a five year plan, it feels to me more fiery.



hope that is helpful?


good luck
Tom



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Elese

really well stated thank you.

and I think you are right... it is a process of defining for ourselves what forgiveness means.

and ultimately... I forgive, not for the benefit of another... but for ME!


I release something that I am holding...
a pain I am reiterating...
as Terry called it... a poison.
and that needs to happen in my time, without outer pressure...


However, Michelle, don't you think as a couch, if I came to you... with this issue...
It would be helpful to me, for you to point this out?
I'm not saying pressure...
but wouldn't it be helpful to have it pointed out that I am ingesting poison?
That I am obviously vibrating at a very low level.

I am putting the challenge back to you.


You must see that letting go of this *IS* going to make me healthier...
whether we call it forgiveness or something else.




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.

Hi can i ask a simple question ?
Do you have peace within and happiness within ?

love light and blessings
peter

yes.
I do.
I keep mine in a pretty jar on a shelf.






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[My Profile]

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Pal...

You should put the Blog web-addy in your signature...

I'm sure you know how... but if not:

> Click on "My Profile" in the above menu bar...
> On the left in the menu titled: "Modify Profile" click on "Forum Profile Information"
> Under the heading "Signature" copy and paste the Web address.
> you can also add a picture, and other fun stuff to share with others.


I look forward to reading your $100,000 blog!!!


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.


Michelle... I agree with much of what you said...

and I agree the "sell, sell, sell" thing can be irksome....
and I think there is a place for that in the forums and it would be great if others would respect that, and keep their marketing to that one area...
(my personal "thorn-n-the-side" is the ones that post in several different places... ACK! like I'm not smart enough to see it in one place... you have to put it in several??)

but, not everyone has the same sense of "marketing decorum" as you and I.


On the other hand....
(and perhaps a slight change in perspective)

Fellow denizens of the forum are ostensibly "aligned" to our same interests...
And we appreciate their support on the forum... and they are seeking support.
Most of the products mentioned are NLP based, but there are books, services, workshops and websites mentioned as well.

All with a particular interest to those that read this forum.
so... if we really look at it... there is No Better place to market your stuff!


And just to say...
I've been members of forums of various subjects and interests all over this "world wide web" thing...
and it is pretty standard behavior...
AND, it used to bother me... and I was even super timid/embarrassed to post anything I was involved with... but then...
I realized... many people were there to hear about what others were doing in those fields...
It is genuinely interesting to many people there!!!




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>  I was asking how to push through the next day
>  when I feel "stunned".....sorry it was not as clear
>  as it was in my own head!


HA HA.... i hope you see the humor in that?


such a great question... and i really reverb with it!

I have kind of unusual sleep habits.
I do work for myself mostly so I can embrace and thrive within my sleep patterns.
I usually get 5 hours of sleep a night.
not bragging as super achiever here...
and it kind of has always been that way.

so, sleep has been a question I have looked at for myself, pretty intrinsically.

I think for me.
I embrace and laugh about those times that my brain is mayonnaise.
I know it to be a temporary state, I don't put too much emphasis on it...
just recently i couldn't remember how to spell "of".... seriously....
(and... with due humility.... i am a pretty sharp guy)
and spell check don't help much when you try to spell it "uv".
it took a minute, i remained patient and light about it... open mouth laughing at myself about it....
and yes... my own personal achievement for the day was remembering how to spell "of".


so, be gentle with yourself, be aware of the flow... the ups and downs of your own life...
to inhale... there must be an exhale somewhere...
up times down times.
Love or at least be ok with it.


and sometimes... like in this thread... be willing to clarify if needed.


hope that was helpful!



.

If i can ask....
it seems to be you have some anxiety about how "fast" this is happening (or not happening as the case may be... he he)

and so...
how soon do you want this to happen?
do you believe that you are not this as fast as it "should" be happening?

for me... and I am just speaking for me...
the answer comes when I let go of the "dire need" to figure it out "now".

be easy with yourself.

belief.... conditioning is a deep deep well....
the deeper you go... the bigger it gets.
the moment we "believe" that we see the whole of a thing, is the moment we have lost sight.
(again, speaking from my own experience and you may have different).

and to suggest with your issue of the book....
write it ALL out however you want....
(purge)
set it aside for a time....
come back with fresh eyes....
reread it all...
get rid of the stuff that doesn't sing to you anymore.
(refine)

.


Sue, condolences on the sleeplessness...


not sure if you are asking:
A.) I could not sleep last night... now what do I do?
or
B.) how can I sleep through the night?





.

hot summer days make me yearn for sherbert....


thrifty - (now cvs?) has this really good apricot mango sherbert.... mmmmmm





.

Welll thank You H.I.A.

that is wonderful to hear.

the sculture is not mine... i noticed the other day that my profile picture had disppeared for some reason...

I am one of those kinda nutty people that think you should have some sort of image to represent you.... kind of visual guy like that....
so someone had sent me this image the other day and I intended to just put it up til I got to my other computer that has image of me...

It is not my work, but you are right it is truly exquisite.

James....

I have to say... I completely disagree with you.
We are all different however.

I have a similar story to Lisa.
I went through therapy for years and found it nothing but useless, and painful (and expensive).

and even though that was the case with me... I realize that therapy is something that may help others.


I found NLP techniques FANTASTIC for me to "readjust" the importance of these past traumatic  occurrences in my life.

they are in the past and the only reason they are in my life now is habit and reiteration.

I can break habits... and I can adjust my reiterations.

So for me.... Therapy WAS useless and NLP worked.


the sad fact of life in America is some ungodly number like 60 to 70% of us have had some type of sexual "inappropriateness" and/or some type of "abuse" levied against us.
(the number for American women is more like 70 - 80%)


I think Lisa's question and solution... her intent to use therapy AND NLP techniques... is amazingly insightful and self-aware of her own inner workings and needs. She obviously is listening to her own inner voice in a very healthy way!
She IS taking care of herself.

I think it is a tremendous disservice to advice her against it...





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My question for people who have a really exacting idea of the "perfect mate is....

really?

if that person really shows up....
won't you be bored?


how amazingly predictable and staid will they be?
where is the spontaneity?
where is the part that "they" are allowed to be "they".



I went out with a girl a few times and we seemed to be great together... it was going along really well...
and then....
there was that "oh shit" moment....
something about me that was apparently un-workable (I am bisexual).
 she ended it and thanked me  - she had one more thing that she had to add to her list she said....
I fit EVERY OTHER CRITERIA on her list....
I am impossible to find. i am the one in a million....

but...
she has a deeper relationship with her list than she did with me.




kinda sad actually,




.

[should]

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Actually....

that is extremely reasonable.



think about how much should you pay to achieve the impossible?




is it really $99?
is it more?
is it less?







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I was a little ambivalent when you first posted the question Michael...
on the one hand....

This is SUCH a cool resource and concept....
BUT, there was dwindling traffic over time....
the passion seemed gone for a long time....
no posts for weeks at a time except for our Beloved Terri...

NOW.... it seems that the passion is back...
the enthusiasm and vigor has returned to the board.

This really is a tremendous resource... if for just its archived information.... but when it is vibrant and active... it is EVEN better.


I strongly urge you to keep it...

and even when you can't make it that often here... know that we all are checking it, looking and reading and considering....

and to reiterate what I think Peter said.... I'm not much of a "twit", I don't "tweek" or check my "face" much... the format is just... i dont know too... something... for me to do with comfort or ease...

This is known and works and with much less distracting buzzers and whistles and shiny silver pieces cling clanging around.


I like it here.







there is my two cents.

Tom






 


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I'm living the dream!!!





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So glad to see the traffic and energy and love here

I missed it for so long...
excited to see 300 plus people on here right now.

Michael you sure get things done...


much loving true gratitude
Tom

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Excellent Electra!
congrats...




.

So... Michael... or someone else who knows...
are you limiting it to 1000 people?
or are you accepting more than 1000?

cause... I'm pretty sure you'll get it.

[Here are the only prerequisites for your project:1. You must believe you have a less than 50% chance for success in the 30 days of the program.2. You must be so passionate about what it is you want to create that you will be glad of any time you spend invested in creating it, regardless of how things turn out!]

Michael's new program "Creating the Impossible: 30 days to Transform Your World" looks like a great program...
has anyone else signed up yet?

LOVE this part:
 
 Here are the only prerequisites for your project:

1. You must believe you have a less than 50% chance for success in the 30 days of the program.

2. You must be so passionate about what it is you want to create that you will be glad of any time you spend invested in creating it, regardless of how things turn out!


I have a great big Public Art project coming up that is going to keep me crazy busy for most of the summer.

so, my two issues are...
1. I can afford the CTI (Creating The Impossible) program when I get my first paycheck on the Public Art project... (hard to know when that will be it is a city project) - and anyway... I think I will join the solutions cafe, cause I have been wanting to for a long time - this is the perfect time and reason to do so.

2.) and how much time I am going to be able to spend on the CTI program.


any advise, anyone?

I know these "issues" aren't really insurmountable...
just trying to work it all out...

so... just maybe some psychic support from my fellow sojourners on the quest for the impossible...


thanks for listening...
Tom

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Just wanted to say...
love the new format, the new sign-in and the whole show in general.


keep up the SUPER work Michael.





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