Day 15 - Magically heal your Relationships.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


Tough one. It's way easier to blame someone else and only focus on their faults. 
I remember a while ago reading about "the Rule of Five". Jack Canfield (Chicken soup for the Soul) states that for every goal you want to achieve you need to take five actions a day to get you closer to that goal.
If that goal is improving a relationship it would translate to giving that person five compliments every time you criticize him/her...

The rule of Five is an excellent technique to start rewiring your mind in a sense - making you less critical of that person in other words. From a Gratitude angle Rhonda suggests penning down ten aspects of him/her  you really appreciate. Who knows...it might just reignite that flame in your heart and make it burn even higher and brighter than before :)

Day 14 - Have a Magical Day.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


As the saying goes, action without planning is the cause of every failure.


Question though. Is it possible to plan for a Magical Day? According to Rhonda it certainly is.
She suggests you start your day mentally reviewing the meetings, training sessions, etc. ahead and giving thanks for a successful outcome. Sure, it has not taken place yet but you are planting to seeds for success in your mind - just trust your preparation and the rest will follow.


"Intentions compressed into words enfold magical power."
~ Deepak Chopra

Day 13 - Make all your wishes come True.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


Once again put your thinking cap on and ponder what you want most right now?
Go back to the lists we created initially and choose your top ten desires from different areas in your life.
Once you have your Top TEN it's time to turn your imagination a notch higher and imagine you have received each and every one of the wishes on your list.


Back to pen-and-paper, try this:- "Thank you, thank you, thank you for _______ ."
And so go until you reach the end of your TOP TEN list. Utilize all your senses to truly feel what it would feel like the next day after your wish came true. 


"Imagination is the true magic carpet."
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Day 12 - Magical People who made a Difference.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each one of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
~ Albert Schweitzer


Yet again Stylo and Paper time. List three people who reignited your spark and reminded you to shine your light as opposed to hiding it under a bushel. 


On paper, write down how he/she inspired and touched your life. Be specific. Feel it. Relive it if you are able to. Say it out loud and then thank them for their positive impact on your life.


As easy as that. 

Day 11 - a Magic Morning.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


Got out on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Rather crawl back underneath the covers, take a few deep breaths and start over. Start your day with gratitude and feel the difference.


When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.
~ Marcus Aurelius

Day 10 - Magic Dust Everyone. Yes, everyone!

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


Juice up the powerful energy of Gratitude by directing it towards those you'd usually not spare a second thought to. The lady cleaning the office, the uncle clearing trays at the food court. How about the bus conductor - a simple thanks makes a huge impact on his/her day...and yours :)


Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
~ Philo of Alexandria

Day 9 - The Money Magnet.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


Absolutely loved this task.


Take any current unpaid bills and write on each one: "Thank you for the money". 
Feel grateful for having the money to pay the bill, irrespective whether you have the funds or not.


Then, take ten bills you've already paid and write across each one: "Thank you - PAID". 
Once again amp up the gratitude for being able to honor your commitments.


It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Day 8 - The Magic Ingredient.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


What a wonderful day. I started reading Rhonda's book on March 8th and one of my first tasks was to list down my wishes, desires, wants, likes, dreams etc. Top of my list on that day was to obtain a Muscle Up. Those nearest and dearest to me know that CrossFit training takes up a huge chunk of my life...hence the desire for that elusive Muscle Up. 


Elusive the past eighteen months until today that is :)


I arrived early at the gym this morning planning on running five x 400m's. So I did my usual warm up and Tom then talked me into trying a muscle up. My coach had me chipping away at skills and drills for Muscle Ups for what feels like forever. The man's a Saint for having so much patience with me.f Thank you Coach Kevin.


Anyway, for some reason all the hard work paid off this morning and voila it happened. Jumping for joy is an understatement. Have a look and see:

But back to today's write-up on the Magic and the importance of being grateful for the "simple things" such as food and drink. The act of giving thanks for that what you are about to consume and as a result, how the Observer Effect comes into the equation.

More on the Observer Effect in the clip below.

Day 7 - The Magical Way out of Negativity.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful."
~ Gautama Buddha


Hmmm. Today's challenge. Put your thinking cap on, pick one current issue or prickly situation you'd like to resolve, and...look for ten things to be grateful for. 
Yep, you read right. Grab that stylo & paper and pen down 10 things that are not that bad in your chosen situation.


I had a bit of a frustrating day with one miscommunication after the other. The easy option was to get my sorry self home and collapse on the coach with a bowl of ice-cream. Far more enriching though was my decision to rather do this exercise for it certainly turned my negative state around. Even better yet is my renewed sense of seeking for solutions, opportunities and possibilities as opposed to feeling stymied by my perceived limitations.


And all of a sudden the heart opened :)

Day 6 - Works like Magic.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


All about feeling deep gratitude for your job, day-job, moonlighting job, odd job - you name it!


I found this chapter particularly interesting from a business owner's perspective. The moment one stops being grateful for business and the energy starts shifting to worries about overheads etc. you risk the possibility of being caught in a downward spiral. Been there, done that :(


I remember many a dreadful evening at my guesthouse in Zanzibar during the period just after 9/11. Tourism dropped by 70% on the island itself and all I could focus on was how BAD business was.


Took me a few weeks to realise the potential in catering to the local populace instead. Sure it was trial and error, but after the first local band played at the restaurant the daily grind seemed worthwhile again. Once my energy levels were high again the tide turned towards revenue instead of loss...profits were in sight again soon enough.


Onwards, upwards. Always!

Day 5 - Magic Money.

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


"Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty."
I couldn't agree more with Christian Hymnal. Even more so in view of the latest global financial crisis. 


Rhonda takes an interesting approach here by asking you to think back to your childhood and all the things you received ...free. Sure, your parents or caretakers paid but essentially you received it free of charge.


Only in counting these blessings does one start to realize just how much there is to be grateful for. I thoroughly enjoyed the few minutes I set aside for this exercise.


Another top tip - and this note I see now whenever I open my wallet now - is a little post-it note on a banknote to remind you of your "riches".
Mine reads: "Thank you for all the money and riches I've been given throughout my Life!"


A simple but potent reminder that all is well :)

High Altitude Radiation and other fun things...

Phew! As in a huge PHEW!
It's been awfully quiet my side and I owe you quite a few posts on the "the Magic".

Been traveling to Denver for a CF Kids course and now that I'm safe and sound in Singapore again it's time to pick up where I left of.

Day 5 on Magic Money coming at you later today :)

Day 4 - Magical Health

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


Ironic how we only consider our health when we don't feel that great...


How about flipping the coin and actually giving thanks for your health. Just think of it. Your feet and legs take you places, your arms and hands write, dress and caress. The list goes on and on. 
...and don't forget your senses. For one, I'm totally unable to imagine my world without my sense of smell.


Take stock my friend and say Thank you :)

Day 3 - Magical Relationships

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


All about how your daily interactions with others provide meaning, pleasure and purpose to your life.
Choose three people you'd love to improve your relationship with and get your hands on a pic of them (with you or alone).


Grab your journal and stylo and individually starting with a "Thank you" and their name put it down on paper what you are most grateful for having this person in your life. Repeat this five times for each loved one you chose in your top three.


Also, carry the pics of your three precious peeps with you for the day - just a reminder of the wonderful and close connections you have with your nearest and dearest.


...and feel the LOVE :)

Day 2 - The Magic Rock

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".


Those who have seen "The Secret" will be familiar with Lee Brower's gratitude rock practice. The long and the short of it is that one uses a rock/pebble/stone as a reminder that you have much to feel grateful for. 


Since viewing the Secret a number of years ago I've made it a habit to look out for smooth pebbles during my travels. Thus far, my favourite is a smooth volcanic rock I picked up in Bali, on the gorgeous Tulamben beach after a lovely scuba diving experience. Every time I hold this rock in the palm of my hand I relive that exhilarating moment of emerging from the surf feeling one with Nature and all her splendour.


For this particular practice you'll use your personal magic rock as a reminder at night before you go to bed of the highlight of your day. The best thing that happened today, in other words. 


Give thanks and then drift off to sleep.


Sweet.

Day 1 - Count your Blessings

Still on the topic of Rhonda Byrne's "The Magic".

Day 1 is all about counting your blessings and realizing just how much you have to be grateful for.
Simple, yet effective.

List 10 things/people/even events you are grateful for and why.

Reread your list, really feel the gratitude and slowly something starts unfolding within.
...and so the transformation starts.

The Magic by Rhonda Byrne

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
~ Roald Dahl

Oh wow! A follow-up to "The Secret" and an absolute must read. This book actually takes you from just reading to doing instead and that says a lot.

Once again as with "The Secret" the Magic kicks off with a passage from a holy scripture. This time, the Gospel of Matthew. Without giving too much away, suffice to say the key to leading a full and satisfying life is GRATITUDE. And so the 28 journey starts. 28 Days to learn as many magical practices to turn your life around. Life changing could read as a more rewarding life too - whichever way you choose to view the proverbial glass. Half full, half empty?

I'll be sharing each day's lesson over the next 28 days.
Why?
Because sharing is caring :)

Oh the rage!

Rage

A Poem 

Rage. Rage. Lightning burst and blind. Thunder

rage and crush, crack earth; explosion and crevasse.

Thrash tree, twist and fall; rock like finest china blast.

Rage, wind, rage. Shake foundations, split air and ear.

Bundled staves of forces fling at earth and man.

Crows and ravens flail, plow raging, earthen air,

grow weary, finally quail to quaking ground

for respite from fierce bitterness;

wet-eyed owls abandon swivel-headed dignity

in frantic search of sheltered stump,

deep hole darker than the darker night.

All crouch, cower, beg and fall, bend double

under fear, seek refuge any slightest slit might yield.

He stood and raged – raged! – deafened by blear enfilade,

lightning might throughout the demon-studded night;

raised silvered threat of fist to god, and shook

the centers of the world with outrage and defiance.

He leaped and shouted at the storm, raged at rage,

joined, united with the rage; out-raged the rage

bolt for bolt, when flamed by bolt and turned to ash...

then raged – raged! – in god's hard face,

undeterred, undiminished, unabashed.

Copyright by Don Gray

  

Just how willing are you to fly?

During my Hypnotherapy course we talked a fair bit about allegories for growth and how to bring a potent message across succinctly. Trina Paulus' "Hope for the Flowers" has a powerful message that deeply resonated with me (and still does). A message that the struggles in life are part and parcel of our journey and we should not attempt to shortcut the process. To rather totally submerge oneself in the experience, learn the lesson and emerge renewed/refreshed/rejuvenated.

"One day a small opening appeared in a cocoon. A man sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little opening, then it seemed to stop making progress. It seemed as if it had gotten as far as it could and could get no further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and opened the cocoon. Then the butterfly emerged easily. But its body was withered and tiny. Its wings were shriveled.

The man continued to watch, expecting that at any moment the wings would open, enlarge and expand, and become firm and able to support the butterfly's body.

Neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around in a withered body with shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and struggle required in order for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening are Nature's Way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings. So it can fly once it has achieved freedom from the cocoon.

How does one become a butterfly?
You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."

The Sunday Standard, New Delhi - 18 December 2011

Came across this article in a local paper while waiting at the Delhi Airport for our return flight home.

Sharing is caring, so here goes:-

Stories of Wisdom

A teacher and his disciple were walking through the forest. The disciple was disturbed by the realization that his mind was in a constant state of unrest. He asked: "Why are most people's minds restless, and only a few possess a calm mind? What can one do to still the mind?"

The teacher smiled and said: "I will tell you a story. An elephant was plucking leaves from a tree. A small fly came, flying and buzzing near his ear. The elephant waved it away with his long ears. Then the fly came again, and the elephant waved it away once more."

This was repeated several times. Then the elephant asked the fly: "Why are you so restless and noisy? Why can't you stay in peace for a while in one place?"

The fly answered: "I am attracted to whatever I see, hear or smell. My senses pull me constantly in all directions, and I cannot resist them. But how do you stay so calm?"

The elephant answered: "My five senses do not rule my attention. I can direct my attention wherever I want. This helps me to stay immersed in whatever I do, and therefore, my mind is focussed and calm. Now that I'm eating I am immersed in eating. In this way, I can enjoy my food better."

The disciple saw light. "I understand! My mind will be in constant unrest if my five senses control it. If I am able to disregard sense impressions, my mind would become calm, and I will be focussed."

Moral: The mind is restless and goes wherever the attention is. Control your attention, and you control your mind.

~ Adapted from Inspiring Stories by Remez Sasson