tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13586511633306606762024-02-19T16:01:43.747-07:00As I See ItThe Official Blog of Bud HamPeg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-34935710624027898792017-04-19T11:07:00.003-06:002017-04-19T19:53:38.626-06:00Philosophy for Teachers<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">A PHILOSOPHY
FOR TEACHERS </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">You can’t
not be a teacher and you can’t not be a student. You will either be an
excellent teacher and student, a mediocre one or a poor one. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is a matter of personal choice.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Not from ACIM)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>SOURCE:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><b><i>A COURSE IN MIRACLES<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>--- </i></b><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Manual for Teachers </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Excerpts from:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>The Manual for Teachers </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">PART 1.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>WHO ARE GOD’S TEACHERS?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Page 3, Par 1 <i>A teacher of God is anyone
who chooses to be one.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>His
qualifications consist solely of this….Once he has done that, his road is
established….He has entered an agreement with God…</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par 2, They come from all over the world.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>They come from all religions and from no religion…The Call is
universal…. Many hear It, but few will answer….</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par 4, This is a manual for a special curriculum intended for teachers of
a special form of the universal course.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>There are thousands of other forms, all with the same outcome. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">PART 2. WHO ARE THE PUPILS?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Page 5, Par 1.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span><i>Certain pupils have been assigned to each of God’s teachers, and they
will begin to look for him as soon as he has answered the Call.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par 4,<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The pupil comes at the
right time to the right place.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This is
inevitable because he made the right choice in that ancient instant which he
now relives.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Page 6, Par 5.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When pupil and
teacher come together, a teaching-learning situation begins.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For the teacher is not really the one who
does the teaching.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God’s Teacher [the
Holy Spirit] speaks to (and through) any two who join together for learning
purposes.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">PART
4.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What Are the Characteristics of God’s
Teachers?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">EXCERPTS FROM THE 10 CHARACTERISTICS of A
T.O.G.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">I Trust</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 1 <i>This is the foundation on which
their ability to fulfill their function rests….The teachers of God have trust
in the world, because they have learned it is not governed by laws the world
made up. It is governed by a power that is in them but not of them.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 2<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>When
this power has been experienced, it is impossible to trust one’s own petty
strength again.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 6<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>Yet
when he (the teacher) is ready to go on, he goes with mighty companions [Spirit
guides and Angels] beside him.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">II Honesty</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 1<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>All
other traits of<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God’s teachers rest on
trust.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Once that has been achieved, the
others cannot fail to follow. Only the trusting can afford honesty….<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The term actually means consistency…..At no
level are they in conflict with themselves.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>….it is impossible for them to be in conflict with anyone or anything.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">III Tolerance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 1<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>God’s
teachers do not judge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>To judge is to be
dishonest, for to judge is to assume a position you do not have.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No teacher of God can judge and hope to
learn.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">IV Gentleness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 1<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>Harm
is impossible for God’s teachers…..harm can actually achieve nothing.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par, 2<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>Therefore
God’s teachers are wholly gentle. They need the strength of gentleness….</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">V Joy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par 1.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>Joy
is the result of gentleness.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Gentleness
means that fear is now impossible…Joy goes with gentleness as surely as grief
attends attack.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">VI Defenselessness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par, 1<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>God’s
teachers have learned how to be simple.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Their joy comes from understanding Who created them….<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No one can become an advanced teacher of God
until he understands that defenses are foolish guardians of mad illusions.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>…it is not danger that comes when defenses
are laid down.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is safety.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is peace. It is joy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And it is God.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">VII Generosity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 1<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>…To
the teachers of God, it means giving away in order to keep….alien to the
thinking of the world.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 2<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>The
teacher of God is generous out of Self interest. …. The teacher of God does not
want anything he cannot give away…</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">VIII Patience</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par, 1<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>Those
who are certain of the outcome can afford to wait, and to wait without
anxiety.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Patience is natural to the
teacher of God. ….All he sees is certain outcome….not in doubt….Patience is
natural to those who trust.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">IX Faithfulness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 1<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>….Faithfulness
is the teacher of God’s trust in the Word of God to set all things right; not
some, but all.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">X Open-Mindedness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par.
1<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>Open-mindedness comes with lack of
judgment. As judgment shuts the mind against God’s Teacher, so open-mindedness
invites Him to come in….Only the open-minded can be at peace….</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Par. 2<i><span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>….Forgiveness is the final goal of the curriculum.</i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">AN EXERISE FOR THE COMMITTED TEACHER OF GOD</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The following chart
provides a self-help tool that can help a T O G (teacher of God) become more
competent.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">“HOW
AM I DOING?”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">SUGGESTION:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Rate your behavior periodically.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">---------------------------------------------------------</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXCELLENT TEACHER
AND STUDENT</span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">THE 10 “BEs” of an excellent student and
teacher</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">INSTRUCTIONS: RATE YOURSELF PERIODICALLY FOR
INCREASED SELF-AWARENESS<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Code: ‘-’ Needs Attention; ‘+’Some Progress;
‘++’Satisfactory</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Characteristic</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Date/Rating</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Date/Rating</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Date/Rating</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Trusting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Honest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Tolerant</span></div>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Gentle </span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Joyful</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Defenseless</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Generous</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Patient</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Faithful</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 118.7pt;" valign="top" width="158"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "monaco"; margin: 0px;">BE Open-Minded</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Facilitator:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Bud Ham</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Email – </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">bud.budham@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Blog:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>budhamasiseeit.blogspot.com</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833940171989678365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-90917302969240699002017-03-22T08:00:00.000-06:002017-03-22T08:00:24.241-06:00THREE GREAT TRUTHS
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<div align="center" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
In song, prose and poetry Seekers
have asked the question throughout history, “What is truth?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I cannot say what truth is for you -- it is
sometimes difficult and often impossible for me to say what truth is for
me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Yet, I do believe that if one
earnestly seeks truth, works at it long enough, and is open to guidance, our
personal list of truths expands.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This
process also clarifies another truth – my truth may not be your truth. I share
my truths with you not to suggest that they should become yours, only that they
might serve you also.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 53px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You will become what you think.</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you think fearful thoughts you will become
frightened.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If your thoughts dwell on illness you will
become sick.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you think peaceful thoughts you will become a
serene person.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you think loving thoughts you become a warm,
loving person.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you think mean-spirited thoughts you become a
hateful person.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Each of us has pessimistic, ugly
or mean-spirited thoughts from time to time -- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">but we can choose not to entertain them and we can replace them!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
level of thought is the only place we have control over our own destiny.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i></b>Becoming what we think is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Law of Attraction </i>manifested. The law of
attraction states that we attract to ourselves that which we love and cherish
or that which we fear and hate.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
“attractant” is our thought energy – the message is: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t put your energy into
something you don’t want!</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 53px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whatever you want in life, give it away.</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you want respect, give respect.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you want cooperation, give cooperation.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you want people to listen to you, listen to
them.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you want more love, give love away.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span>If you want more money, take all you can spare
and without discrimination give it to someone who needs it more than you do.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
If you have something you cannot
give away, you don’t own it, it owns you!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>To give anything away opens the channel for the inflow of more of the
same.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The ancient pronouncements, “as
you sow, so shall you reap” and “cast your bread on the water and it will be
returned multiplied,” attest to the law of cause and effect.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we give love at every opportunity we can
surely expect it will be returned multiplied.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The same principle holds true for mean-spirited acts!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 53px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We are in control of our own destiny.</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
If we accept and practice the
first two Great Truths we can ignore fate and luck and can accept that where I
am today is the result of past thoughts and actions. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I am responsible and I am in control of my
future</i></b>. </div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833940171989678365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-55706083858145344982017-03-15T08:00:00.000-06:002017-03-15T08:00:27.914-06:00THE SUB-CONSCIOUS MIND
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<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Perhaps one of Dr.
Sigmund Freud’s greatest contributions to our knowledge about how the human
mind works was his introduction to the concept of the sub-conscious mind.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I cannot recall who introduced me to the
following expansion of the concept that makes a lot of sense to me:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The
sub-conscious mind, which influences conscious thought, is an “information pool”
that does not have a drain - – we can only put information into it and can
remove nothing.”</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The media (newspapers,
radio, television, magazines, etc.) in our present day culture bombard us with
fear-based information that is in the very least negative –- more often it is
violent, ugly, viscous; even horrendous.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This information in written, visual or audio form when we become conscious
of it, becomes part of our sub-conscious pool.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Let us now consider
the positive/negative “ph” of our pool.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>It is believed by many that there are far more love-based acts of
kindness, compassion, gentleness and generosity, occurring on a regular basis,
than there are fear-based ones.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However
these stories are seldom reported in the media.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This imbalance creates a negative “ph” in our sub-conscious mind pool. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This imbalance makes daily inspirational
reading much more valuable –- it is vital to regain some balance in our
thinking<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The primary means of control in our lives is our thoughts. “The thought
is father of the deed—we become what we think.”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">A TRUE, LOVE-BASED
INCIDENT TO REDUCE NEGATIVE “PH”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A few days ago at a grocery Supermarket I
picked up three items. I decided to use the automated personal checkout
kiosk.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The total was less than
$5.00.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I removed my money clip that also
contained my personal and corporate credit cards, removed five dollars from the
clip and ran it thorough the machine, took my receipt and left the store.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The next morning as I
was going to fill my gas tank I discovered I did not have my money clip and
credit cards.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I returned home and
searched all the usual places where I might have left it to no avail.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I then began to search my memory for the last
time is used the clip.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Incidentally, I
do have “Senior Moments!!”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I immediately
drove to the Supermarket, went to the customer service desk and told the
attendant that I might have left my money clip and credit cards at the kiosk
the previous day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Moments later she
handed me the clip and cards. Incidentally the money clip contained a $20.00
bill. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Bud Ham</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833940171989678365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-32245619773346102872017-03-08T14:53:00.001-07:002017-03-08T17:53:05.449-07:00THE RED DRESS<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">THE
PARABLE OF THE RED DRESS</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Gloria arose early and
began her day by dressing for the most important meeting of her professional
career.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The advertising company she
founded twenty-five years earlier was flourishing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>On this much anticipated day she was meeting
with the board of directors of a potential client.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If she and her assistant were successful in
landing a contract it would be, by far, the largest in her career.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She was genuinely excited but not fearful.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">She removed two of her
favorite dresses from her closet –- a green one and a red one.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Both dresses were designed for a professional
woman and she found them equally attractive.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">She stood in front of
a full length mirror as she held up each dress to help in decision making she
asked the question, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Which one feels
better?”</i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Very quickly she became
aware that the green one felt better.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Gloria had no way of
knowing that the president of the board of directors had a strong negative bias
about any woman who wore red.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">During the meeting
Gloria and her assistant were treated with attention, dignity and respect.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The president and the board were very pleased
with the presentation and unanimously agreed to a lucrative, long term
contract.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">During the next
several months Gloria and her employees met frequently with representatives of
the new client.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The respect and
admiration for Gloria and her team reflected the quality and effectiveness of
their advertising campaign.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Six months
into the contract the president was so impressed with the results that he
scheduled a formal dinner to honor Gloria and her team.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 13px; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">On
that fateful evening as Gloria dressed for the occasion the red dress felt
better.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She wore it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The bias the president had against women
wearing red was changed forever.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Peace,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bud </b></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">A
Course in Miracles --- Workbook for Students</span></i></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Lesson 49<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>--<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God’s
voice speaks to me throughout the day.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>It is quite possible to listen to God’s voice witho</i></b></span></div>
Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833940171989678365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-80446932083739684462017-02-25T14:49:00.000-07:002017-02-25T14:49:07.579-07:00TESTING SPIRITUALITY<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
The Process:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It is most helpful if the experimenter accepts The Law of Attraction advanced by wise men and philosophers for centuries:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"The thought is father of the deed."</i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
· If I dwell on thoughts of sickness I shall become ill. Psychosomatic illness has been scientifically proven.<br />
<br />
<br />
· If I dwell on fearful thoughts I shall become a frightened person.<br />
<br />
<br />
· If I dwell on love based thoughts I shall become a happy serene, person.<br />
<br />
<br />
Every morning for 14 days: after you are fully awake but before you begin your day, write the date on a slip of paper and list three things you would like to have happen this day. Put it in a safe place and do not refer it until day 14. MAKE THE COMMITMENT THAT TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO MAKE LOVE BASED DECISIONS THIS DAY,<br />
<br />
<br />
At the end of 14 days evaluate. Did you have more ideal days?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
<br />
BudPeg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-10227692303558673842017-02-18T14:43:00.000-07:002017-02-18T14:43:01.520-07:00SPIRITUAL SIMPLICITY<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20_rZ0MlR6ZS5zhTTFuHdrAfMZh6n225vi-DE5sUjAqAjCuJaTIHJZDyOktKYj1nhzlXA2PeyMISQeZX3m54QiHmWt-J2J2mEjqXrNoYFt1ZQ9ZXnmYO5311Qj01ZiBDC7t8yqqv021aG/s1600/15181451_10154272615069164_4974474693160357406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20_rZ0MlR6ZS5zhTTFuHdrAfMZh6n225vi-DE5sUjAqAjCuJaTIHJZDyOktKYj1nhzlXA2PeyMISQeZX3m54QiHmWt-J2J2mEjqXrNoYFt1ZQ9ZXnmYO5311Qj01ZiBDC7t8yqqv021aG/s200/15181451_10154272615069164_4974474693160357406_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><i><b>“If spiritual teaching is complicated it is not from me.”</b></i> Jeshua Ben Joseph (Jesus)<br /><br /><br /><br /><b><i>“Complexity is born of the world, and not from the mind of God.”</i></b> The Way of Mastery, Page 143<br /><br /><br /><br />· There are only two basic human emotions, Love and Fear. i.e., The emotions of hate, anger, greed, vengeance, jealousy, guilt, distrust and self-pity are derivatives of fear. The emotions of tolerance, generosity, kindness, patience, trust, and self-respect are derivatives of love.<br /><br /><br />· Love and Fear are opposites and co-variables. They are opposites because you cannot be fearful and loving at the same time and if love increases fear decreases.<br /><br /><br />· I have full responsibility regarding the amount of love or fear I have: If I make more love based decisions I live with more love and vice-versa.<br /><br /><br />· The only control I have in life is my thoughts. When I have fear based thoughts I can choose again!<br /><br /><br /> <br />Peace,<br /><br /> Bud </span>Peg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-2116682676372574262015-12-21T05:00:00.000-07:002015-12-21T05:00:04.905-07:00Desire Clarification, Part II <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsH2VtjSg0fy-HsfppSh_EQXa_Wx84k8phePlHH1LVXP-H2QJsXBuwv93t95FfjKIlbxe8anh6yfYnDgQwVAPqihMQkMez5Os-c3D3kLiiG3AP-hXGWAWjqpK355mw08UTH1JyLvs8v67/s1600/cappuccino.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsH2VtjSg0fy-HsfppSh_EQXa_Wx84k8phePlHH1LVXP-H2QJsXBuwv93t95FfjKIlbxe8anh6yfYnDgQwVAPqihMQkMez5Os-c3D3kLiiG3AP-hXGWAWjqpK355mw08UTH1JyLvs8v67/s200/cappuccino.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b>STEP TWO</b> – INTENTION<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Now set action objectives. (More specific than goals)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Objectives are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Attainable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Very specific<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Measurable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Start and completion dated<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b>STEP THREE</b> –- ALLOW<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">If one of your objectives doesn’t work it is not a FAILURE. It is a stepping stone toward what will work. (Remember Edison’s search for a light bulb filament.) Begin again.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b>STEP FOUR</b> – SURRENDER<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> T</span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">his step is for those who have Spiritual belief and choose to use their Greater Power --- ask for guidance.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">MORE ON THE CONCEPT OF <b>ALLOWING<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8tWgO-0f84NwR8aSXJtLKtOndXN8YdsetQO_ctuPMYNXQECnyCuZEjw218KzcqZNuHe68RT-qr-xksA-MZuSzhn_xqcSm1CXKbtA4-FRUz5ZRSzWuLvXtIKUQeacdbL8Q6tjiQJonyh8/s1600/P1010014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8tWgO-0f84NwR8aSXJtLKtOndXN8YdsetQO_ctuPMYNXQECnyCuZEjw218KzcqZNuHe68RT-qr-xksA-MZuSzhn_xqcSm1CXKbtA4-FRUz5ZRSzWuLvXtIKUQeacdbL8Q6tjiQJonyh8/s320/P1010014.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">It is safe to assume that most of us are aware of the benefit to our quality of life by developing a high level of tolerance. We know that the opposite of tolerance is intolerance; and that intolerance leads to defensiveness and judgment; and that judgment is the mother of prejudice. Our stress is greatly influenced by our level of tolerance. Now let us consider taking tolerance to its maximum by developing the mindset of <i>allowing. </i> And thereby reduce our stress.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">If an undesirable event happens and it stresses me it is a choice <i>and I have accepted “victimhood.” </i>A case in point: In national elections some of us are conservatives and some are liberals and will vote to support our position. If the election does not go my way, I can become stressed and experience a reduction in my quality of life. Or, I can accept the philosophy of Ekhart Tolle and “allow” – <i>It is as it is-</i> and release it and thereby release the stress it can cause. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"> <i> </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Let me leave you with another thing to consider: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Once again, victimhood is always a choice. An alternate way of dealing with any event that could produce stress is to ask the question, “What can I learn from this unwanted event?” If I do in fact learn something, the event was a blessing.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans";">I welcome your comments and questions. One of the greatest gifts you could give me is the gift of interaction and conversation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans";">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans";">Bud.</span></div>
Peg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-68251552111546917012015-12-14T19:23:00.000-07:002015-12-14T19:23:55.002-07:00Desire Clarification, Part I <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5TmfuTEMtX6lKSCNLWQAcWI2wh74iJwrywiDIchKfiRKDuJ2dKpeejKjHIgGpoVqBTz43PNtjJfS-GO7a-VRXVKCm8M0HvpHpvXesYll1obrfSYPtUXI20Q-UyITtSxRyO2KoBNl8ZNs/s1600/%25D1%258A%25D1%258A%25D1%258A%25D1%258A%25D1%258A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5TmfuTEMtX6lKSCNLWQAcWI2wh74iJwrywiDIchKfiRKDuJ2dKpeejKjHIgGpoVqBTz43PNtjJfS-GO7a-VRXVKCm8M0HvpHpvXesYll1obrfSYPtUXI20Q-UyITtSxRyO2KoBNl8ZNs/s320/%25D1%258A%25D1%258A%25D1%258A%25D1%258A%25D1%258A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12pt;">MANAGING STRESS IN OUR MATURE YEARS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Several
decades ago Canadian psychologist, Hans Selye wrote a best-selling book about
stress<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>His perception was, as I recall it, that stress
motivates us to do things and is not a bad thing unless we allow ourselves to
become <u>distressed.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
perhaps a useful play on words, but I prefer to use the term “desire” rather
than stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In simple terms, if
you are thirsty you desire water and you will seek it –- if you are hungry your
desire might motivate you to go to your refrigerator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Some
time ago I made a promise to write an article on stress for a professional
newsletter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It Is my desire to
fulfill my commitment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I delay
or procrastinate in responding to my desire to keep my promise I will probably
be stressed or in Selye’s use of words become “distressed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">If
we have that uncomfortable feeling in our gut (fear) it is to alert us that
something is amiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The purpose of
this discomfort is to get our attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">react </i>to this awareness
by becoming stressed you can be sure that we are being moved by ego-based
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we continue to entertain
fearful thoughts the fear will cause us to become stressed (or in Selye’s
opinion distressed).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Step
one in the process of overcoming this discomfort is to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">allow </i></b>–- or “own” this
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the teaching of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=a+course+in+miracles&sprefix=a+course+in+mi%2Caps%2C179">A Course In Miracles</a>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">embrace </i>it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Please
keep one thing in mind:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The only place I have real control over my
life is my thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I dwell on
my fear-based reaction I am stressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is well to remember that the Law of Attraction is very real –- if I continue
to entertain fear based thoughts what am I attracting? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>If I ask,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “What can I do about this?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
message here is: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I can choose again, </b></i>replace
the fear-based, negative thought with a positive one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">When
my discomfort causes awareness that something is “out of kilter” I can choose
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">respond </i>rather than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">react. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>To respond is to thoughtfully think through the situation
causing the discomfort and rationally decide what I am<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>going do about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Ekhart Tolle’s book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450145654&sr=1-1&keywords=the+power+of+now">The Power of Now</a> </i>is the following
process, paraphrased a bit:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Accept [allow] whatever is happening as if
you had planned it in every detail. Don’t fight it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work with it, not against it </i>[don’t fear it].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then,
if possible and appropriate take action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This will change your very life.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Many
philosophers have told us:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
thought is father of the deed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>Said
another way, once we have accepted any thought as valid the behavior to support
it is automatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the thought
originated as a fear-based reaction –- from stress –- and you continue to
entertain it, you will live with more fear-based stress, not less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can discipline ourselves to choose
again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same
psychological dynamic applies to positive (love)-based thoughts -– when we
“own” them our behavior will support them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><b>CLARIFYING
</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>DESIRE</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">I
have found the following described exercise to be unbelievably useful in
helping me decide what I really, really, REALLY desire. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are actively pursuing a strong
desire it is likely that stress will disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">I
am referring to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Way-Mastery-Shanti-Christo-Foundation/dp/0977163202/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450146041&sr=1-1&keywords=the+way+of+mastery">The Way of Mastery,</a> ( </i>another
spiritual self-help book)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Chapter 4
--<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>DESIRE IS EVERYTHING. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This exercise also introduces us to the
very important element of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ALLOWING.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rationale
for this exercise is that unless we are absolutely clear on our desire, the
second step, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">intention</i>, will be fuzzy
at best and probably impotent -- then the whole thing goes away and we have
done nothing to assuage our stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The other two steps in this process are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">allowing </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> surrender.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">This
is an activity that will enable you to be clearer on your desires than ever
before and will only take you about 15 minutes in the morning for 7 mornings -
– they need not be consecutive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdlIFVjjvfHhGjScIpeZGo2B8EqULHTXx0YOS-igf5rkyAa6nhGjlO2Xe53sJ79EsU2J2aZ8SphWA0YzSSGO13H4DzRV_mbnbJhyZmcva2VSWd76fqXlSHJcoa5p3pw9T85y289AtU9NM/s1600/file761243267126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdlIFVjjvfHhGjScIpeZGo2B8EqULHTXx0YOS-igf5rkyAa6nhGjlO2Xe53sJ79EsU2J2aZ8SphWA0YzSSGO13H4DzRV_mbnbJhyZmcva2VSWd76fqXlSHJcoa5p3pw9T85y289AtU9NM/s200/file761243267126.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><b>STEP
ONE</b> –- CLARIFYING DESIRES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">In the morning, after you are fully
awake but before beginning your normal activities take a piece of paper and
enter the date at the top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Next, list 7
things that you really, really desire at that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need not be prioritized, just strongly desired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Do this for 7 mornings
without referring to the previous lists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Put the lists in
a drawer and do not refer to them until the 8<sup>th</sup> day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">On the 8<sup>th</sup>
day take the seven lists (49 desires) and on a separate sheet of paper
categorize or “batch” them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(My
review of my 47 desires boiled down to just 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them was clearly much more important than the other
4.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Decide which
desire(s) you choose to bring to reality.</span></div>
<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />Please come back next week for action steps on HOW to bring your desire(s) to reality.</i></b></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />Bud.<br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
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Peg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-52978281901539108132015-01-15T20:03:00.000-07:002015-01-15T20:03:09.844-07:00Who is the Giver?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Giving and
receiving are the same --- A Course In Miracles<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">WHO IS THE GIVER<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Who is the giver, he who can divest?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Or he who is receiving with thanks he can express?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">I won’t
complain about the past, the future I don’t know, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">but just
today I think I see forever in the glow. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The chance
for us to learn and grow is always opportune, tomorrow is just a breath away
and is yesterday so soon.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">We waste and
fret and stress ourselves and miss the beauty known.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">We rush
right past the quiet part and wonder what went wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">But time we
have in like amount, to love the life we’re living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have enough and will complete if we can learn of
giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">We know we need
the heat and cold and the snow and rain,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s something else we need to know:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">GIVING AND RECEIVING ARE THE SAME<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Who is the giver, She who can divest?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Or she who is receiving, with thanks she can express?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Peace,</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Bud</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqED02jhEYLp1hyphenhyphencvXzCIrhynDG7NHfmbEQHRPtid87t2aARDlXV9QjZ6IpytAD8sZn9hjuPGZ_3UCVFtJ1Im7C0QBH3H3AvVjhbQ80AXaMqUALC5rhM72e-vyIDRvRIQ-GcwrJAvrDPZX/s1600/51fzzj7JmuL._SL500_AA300_PIaudible,BottomRight,13,73_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqED02jhEYLp1hyphenhyphencvXzCIrhynDG7NHfmbEQHRPtid87t2aARDlXV9QjZ6IpytAD8sZn9hjuPGZ_3UCVFtJ1Im7C0QBH3H3AvVjhbQ80AXaMqUALC5rhM72e-vyIDRvRIQ-GcwrJAvrDPZX/s1600/51fzzj7JmuL._SL500_AA300_PIaudible,BottomRight,13,73_AA300_.jpg" /></a></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">A special note: The audiobook version of CHANGING PLACES is now available through Audible, iTunes, and Amazon. Click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Changing-Places-Another-Right-Place/dp/B00R1UU408/ref=tmm_aud_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1421377116&sr=8-2">HERE</a> for the Amazon link.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
Peg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-91991819129008433772014-11-04T11:53:00.000-07:002014-11-04T11:53:05.995-07:00AN ESSAY ON "RIGHT THINKING"<div class="MsoBodyText">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQELM6B7zNmbEJsLn_RUc-u-CDrdhbfDFG271hqXKaLkPKQoehVLjJCB-wrfY4zy-4meCO1qT2PGDz12y5tzgo3126gmpTBD30wr7yY3bTvYygH409T1CMXGGS9bywj-bFCTau51aHPuA/s1600/file0001768686577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQELM6B7zNmbEJsLn_RUc-u-CDrdhbfDFG271hqXKaLkPKQoehVLjJCB-wrfY4zy-4meCO1qT2PGDz12y5tzgo3126gmpTBD30wr7yY3bTvYygH409T1CMXGGS9bywj-bFCTau51aHPuA/s1600/file0001768686577.jpg" height="160" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Motivation research has demonstrated that, for most people,
money is not a primary motivator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, why do people work? The simplest answer, and perhaps the best, is
that people work to satisfy their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">needs,
wants,</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">desires</i>. Let’s
consider these one at a time: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in left 5.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Needs -- necessary for survival<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Wants -- not necessary for survival but in
the same category<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Desires -- Includes things money cannot buy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now let us ask, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What will motivate
people who are not dissatisfied with what they have to greater levels of
productivity?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer is:
Any event that increases feelings of self-worth and confidence. We want things
that money can buy but we also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">desire</i>
things money cannot buy. To take this thought process to its next higher level
let us now consider being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Agenda Driven</i>
and it’s near opposite, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mission Driven</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Agenda
Driven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In our culture we are taught from an early age that to be a winner is
highly desirable and that winners are strongly goal oriented people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we clarify our goals we have
identified predetermined outcomes that we want--- be they needs, wants or
desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we have an agenda it
is primarily designed to satisfy <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">our</b>
needs, wants, and/or desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
us remember what the sales training guru Zig Ziglar taught: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The way to get what you want is to help
others get what they want.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Mission
Driven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">When we are responding to our nobler emotions our genuine
concern is, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How can I serve?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been scientifically demonstrated that positive
thoughts have positive energy and this energy creates an emotional environment
affecting all people who are in that field of energy, as the following story
demonstrates:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was conducting a
sales and team building seminar for a group of real estate sales people in an
outstanding ERA, INC practice in Bangor, Maine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I introduced the concept of being Mission Driven as a
sales technique several sales people made comments to the effect that being mission
driven couldn’t work in real estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the last of the opposition to the concept had been voiced a petite,
gray-haired, grandmotherly lady stood up and said, “I’ve never referred to it
as being mission driven but that has been my sales technique for the past
several years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came to adopt
this style quite by accident. One month I had the good fortune to exceed my
monthly sales goal in the first week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the rest of that month, with each potential client, I concentrated
on “how can I help this person?” I had never experienced such appreciation and
acceptance as I did for the remainder of that month and I have never deviated." The sixty-five year old lady had been the top sales person in the agency for
three consecutive years! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;">Peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans;">Bud</span></div>
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Peg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-90686911243621944112014-09-11T20:46:00.000-06:002014-09-11T20:46:51.659-06:00COMMITMENTS FOR A HAPPY, HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMES76md4rIEzoysCim1kPBBkQu22Ghx1_ic6_tqKK-KhFT-WtfjP1jZIWJQX7gm8sQfcHiWf_MlA3KZyXYLs7_WEuyb__58GLGMCAEU_RFx1FEqSjyOjEj8wxoHbd0J0MzV_yDVZ1n41/s1600/Brent_and_Daddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMES76md4rIEzoysCim1kPBBkQu22Ghx1_ic6_tqKK-KhFT-WtfjP1jZIWJQX7gm8sQfcHiWf_MlA3KZyXYLs7_WEuyb__58GLGMCAEU_RFx1FEqSjyOjEj8wxoHbd0J0MzV_yDVZ1n41/s1600/Brent_and_Daddy.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">ALWAYS BE </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">WILLING</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> TO DO
MORE</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">THAN YOUR SHARE</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Empty the dishwasher, even though you did it last time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Take out the trash just because the wastebasket is full.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">NEVER SAY AN
UNCOMPLIMENTARY THING ABOUT A FAMILY MEMBER ---ESPECIALLY BEHIND HIS OR HER
BACK</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Live the Golden Rule --- do you want them to slam you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Most of us have not overcome ego, so words <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">do </b>hurt us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">AGREE, AS A FAMILY, TO LIMIT MEALTIME </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">CONVERSATIONS</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> TO “HIGHLIGHTS”</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Positive thoughts give positive emotions, aid digestion and bring
happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Mealtime is not the time to deal with negativity --- there is time for
that later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">PARTICIPATE IN FAMILY ACTIVITIES EVEN WHEN INCONVENIENT</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The family that plays together stays together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">“Let your child out” and enjoy the board game --- you will be glad you
did!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">CREATE ONE-TO-ONE TIME WITH EACH FAMILY MEMBER</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Family therapists strongly advocate this activity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The only rule --- It is “off the table” to talk about other family
members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">NEVER BE LATE OR ABSENT FROM A FAMILY EVENT FOR TRIVIAL REASONS</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Your future quality of life will be influenced by the relationship with
your family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">FROM TIME TO TIME GO TO
YOUR SPOUSE OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBER AND ASK:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“WHAT COULD I DO TO MAKE OUR RELATIONSHIP BETTER FOR YOU?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">If you like what you hear great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you don’t just say, “Let me think about that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">FREEDOM AND LOVE ARE </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">INSEPARABLE</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> - To extend freedom to family
members to pursue their path is unconditional love.</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bud </span><!--EndFragment-->
Peg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-85667156853998754102014-08-12T15:20:00.000-06:002014-08-12T22:06:34.401-06:00More From Grandma Ham<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was
blessed during my growing up years to live less than 50 yards from one set of
grandparents --- Grandma and Grandpa Ham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were my refuge during periods of disharmony, most of which I
caused!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know my
mother struggled to maintain sibling harmony between<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my three sisters and I and two female cousins who also lived
nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being out numbered five to
one I was frequently at odds with the females!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When it
seemed obvious that a situation was developing that would probably end up with
me being disciplined I would often make a hasty exit and go visit Grandma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am positive that she was almost
always aware that my errant behavior had prompted the visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In
all those years she never, not even once, scolded or criticized me</i> –-- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">even the time when she knew my friend Milton
and I smoked a cigarette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Never
a guilt-creating criticism --- just priceless guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RELEVANT SUGGESTIONS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prior to my
consulting career I was an employee of the Mountain Bell Telephone Company, an
AT&T company, for 20 years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very honorable company and afforded repeated
opportunities for personal and professional growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I began as a
lineman and enjoyed the physically demanding work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three years later I was promoted to Combinationman and
enjoyed the great variety of tasks maintaining telephone communications in the
small mountain town off Salida, Colorado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For a time I was known as Snowshoe Ham because of winter time
maintenance of wire toll lines over the Continental divide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In my
semi-annual performance reviews I was always rated as Completely Satisfactory
or Outstanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In my eighth
year of employment I was promoted to Business Salesman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more “blue collar” --- I wore a suit
and tie every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I worked very
hard at my new assignment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, in
spite of my dedication to hard work and commitment to succeed as a salesman, I
dreaded my semi-annual review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew my performance was less than
Completely Satisfactory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monthly sales could be measured to the penny -- some
months I never made my objective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PERFORMANCE REVIEW<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the
Friday afternoon of my scheduled review I entered my sales manager’s office
with trepidation. After the normal greeting and a hand shake he put my fears at
rest by saying, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Bud, I believe you have a brilliant future
with the Bell System and I want to help that happen sooner rather than later.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>He very well may have heard my sigh
of relief!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During our
meeting I knew I was in a safe place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That safety was created by his tone of voice, choice of words and body language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several times during the review he
would reach out and touch my arm and say, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“and
Bud hear this”</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- I was a sponge soaking up every word he said!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The review lasted about an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this time he gave me five <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relevant
suggestions --- not one criticism</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>As I left his office it was as if I
was “floating” rather than walking—I was on such a high I did not sleep well
all weekend and could hardly wait until Monday to implement his
suggestions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the next
five months my results were outstanding -- I never received the next semi-
annual review –- I was promoted to manage a large area of eastern Colorado. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Regional Manager I replaced </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">was a nice
person but as a manager he was inept.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It seemed that almost every decision I made me look like a star!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Three years later I was promoted
again, this time to Management Trainer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THE NEW
ASSIGNMENT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My new
assignment was to conduct week-long classes on behavioral management for twelve
managers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was required to study
human behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read books on
management theory, personal growth, communications, and psychology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I relished every bit of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I attended
several classes on self-awareness, personal growth, group dynamics and training
skills --- all sponsored by AT&T.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The concept defined below was introduced at one of these sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have found it profoundly
useful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I encourage you to study
it carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyqgXhoFDAo/U-qD4WGyEwI/AAAAAAAACvs/wg4L31uhQxA/s1600/Emotional%2BScreen.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyqgXhoFDAo/U-qD4WGyEwI/AAAAAAAACvs/wg4L31uhQxA/s1600/Emotional%2BScreen.tiff" height="640" width="529" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THE EMOTIONAL SCREEN OR
“FILTER”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
psychological defense mechanism exists between each of us and the outside
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its function is to block
out any information, coming from the outside world to me, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it is threatening to my positive Self-Concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two main parts to
Self-Concept: Self-Image (how I “see” me) and Self-Esteem (how I “feel” about
the pictures.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As the
diagram depicts, words of praise and/or affirmation, pass unimpeded because they
are reinforcing -- not threatening to the positive Self-Concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so with criticism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NOTE: It is important for us to consider the teaching of many
respected behavioral scientists who tell us:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“There is no such
thing as “constructive criticism”, these are incompatible terms -- criticism is
attack.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon as
the recipient of the criticism senses the negative content of the message, pain
triggers the defense mechanism and blocks the communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NOTE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also important to know that if
the recipient of criticism has low self-esteem, criticism reinforces the low
self-worth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">OUR MENTAL
CAPACITY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The human
brain can only think of (or listen to) one thing at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is only one auditory nerve from
the tympanic membrane to the brain and it can only carry one message at a
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When fear interrupts the
communication process, most people can think of only one thing --
self-preservation and escape and they miss the intended message, which could be
very useful to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this
scenario only very secure, mature individuals have the ability remain focused on
the message. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Peace,</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Bud.</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Peg Brantleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-64470244323129666472014-07-30T17:01:00.000-06:002014-07-30T17:11:13.929-06:00The River of Life: Grandma Ham's Wisdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXvtA0Y81lyZip6Ko1jxQ3YUbLQhJo0rCTdUyf0bYqzrRUIoFM9KuvfkHVeRAR7iZjg7rLcRB9zD0EeRzCSzNG5lskOdp0o5bgZZMHfpjBwJ7_PxioMTKVxuBHbNGu1VUuDB0EgHKrldn/s1600/IMG_4477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXvtA0Y81lyZip6Ko1jxQ3YUbLQhJo0rCTdUyf0bYqzrRUIoFM9KuvfkHVeRAR7iZjg7rLcRB9zD0EeRzCSzNG5lskOdp0o5bgZZMHfpjBwJ7_PxioMTKVxuBHbNGu1VUuDB0EgHKrldn/s1600/IMG_4477.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One beautiful Indian summer day, when I was a small boy of nine or ten years, Grandma Ham and I were sitting in rocking chairs on her porch. Our family had recently undergone a family crisis. In her best story telling style she told me, “Buddy, life is like a mountain river, sometimes it runs still and smooth, deep and peaceful. But you can be sure that downstream there will be rapids and perhaps even falls. And then it will smooth out again for a time. Our challenge is to accept whatever the river of life hands us, doing our best and always knowing we are never left alone and comfortless by our creator. We should always remember -- this too, shall pass.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The River of Life</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Life is analogous to a river that each of God’s children, born into this life on earth, has chosen to experience. Firstly, let us accept that the River knows where it is going! If this becomes a “knowing” (stronger than a belief) it is an easily made decision to go with the flow! Because of our earth-bound educations, unless we accept this knowing, most human beings become “human doings” and resist or fight against the currents of life. Our human directed educations teach us to deal with life’s adversities by overcoming them by whatever means and energy it takes, thereby giving validity to the problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Course in Miracles has taught us that every time we have chosen to view any life event as a problem, we can choose again! Lesson 193 in the Workbook is: All things are lessons God would have me learn. If I accept an event as a problem it is adversarial to my best interests and I must defeat it -- often at great expense of time, energy, and material resources. The other option is to accept the event as a lesson God would have me learn and the negative event is transformed into a blessing. If I decide it is a gift I have had a learning experience and avoided victimhood, which is always a choice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The event is analogous to a large rock in The River of Life -- it is an opportunity to use Divine Guidance and have a positive learning experience rather than an event reducing joy in my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Quality of life improves as we travel down life’s river with a minimum of effort -- going with the flow rather than paddling upstream. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peace,</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bud</span></div>
Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833940171989678365noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358651163330660676.post-54379878847142589662013-09-30T10:27:00.000-06:002013-10-01T19:41:43.072-06:00ON TAKING THE HIGH ROAD; A PERPSECTIVE ON HUMAN EMOTIONS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The writing of this essay has been on my mind for
quite some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe some of my
procrastination has to do with my awareness that understanding this concept and
putting it to use can be a powerful, life altering activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
concern is: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Can I adequately communicate
it in this essay? </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have accepted
the assignment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For almost 30 years I have been a student of a
spiritual path described in the three books of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Course in Miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Course</i> teaches that there are only two
basic emotions in our lives; they are love and fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of our many emotional reactions are
derivatives of one or the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example selfishness, greed, revenge, anger, jealousy, lying, low self-esteem,
intolerance and arrogance are all fear-based.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Conversely, generosity, forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, honesty and
humility are love-based.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important
to remember; every fear-based emotion has a love-based opposite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Further it is important for us to realize that fear
and love are opposites and co-variables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are opposites because we cannot be loving and fearful at the same
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are co-variables because if
love goes up in our lives fear goes down and vice-versa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We probably are in agreement that all mentally
healthy people want to be happy<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
us also carefully consider that we can greatly influence the degree of
happiness we experience by the decisions we make -- if we make more fear-based
decisions than love-based ones we live with more fear -- if we make more
love-based decisions we live with more love.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, happiness is on the love-based
side of the equation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Influence of Attitudes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Your choice to make fear-based or love-based
decisions will probably be influenced by another belief system/mental factor
which can be described as an attitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 40.1pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">One attitude is:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> We live in a world of plenty -- there is enough of everything.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 40.1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Or
it’s opposite<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 40.1pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We
live in a world of shortages.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If you think we live in a world of shortages fear
will likely influence your primary motivation to be: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s in it for me? </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather
than; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What is in the best interest of
all concerned, including me?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To benefit from making love-based decisions --
taking the high road-- requires disciplining ourselves to consciously apply it,
on a continuous basis, to every situation requiring a decision. It is of
paramount importance to be ever mindful that fear-based decisions will not
serve my desire for happiness -- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and most importantly, I CAN CHOOSE AGAIN --</i>it
is that simple!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A
“MIND SET”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For a number of years
I have highly respected the work of research psychologist Dr. J. B. Rotter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Locus of Control, </i>he identified two ways of thinking that effect a
person’s decision making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He referred to
people as being either “Internals” or “Externals.” In short, Internals are
optimists and Externals are pessimists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Further he concluded that Externals believe in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“fate, luck and powerful others” </i>while Internals believe, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I am in charge of my own destiny.” </i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A further conclusion
of Dr. Rotter is that Internals have a much greater tendency to trust while
Externals are “non-trusters.” I found his work to be very useful, especially
many clearly defined </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">differences in quality
of life between the two ways of thinking and being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example his research clearly validated
the following:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trusters (Internals) live
longer; are happier; have more friends; have fewer heart attacks and other
debilitating illnesses. He did find however that trusters are often taken
advantage of, however, non-trusters miss out on many more of life’s joyful
experiences. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of his major
conclusions was that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It is better to
trust unless you have reason not to!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Non-trusters are much more likely to take the low
road.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">STEVEN
COVEY’S TRUST ESSAY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">DR. STEPHEN COVEY’S GREAT </span></span><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">CONTRIBUTIONS</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">NOTE: One of Dr.
Covey’s greatest contributions to our society was his book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The following essay is without doubt
equally true and useful.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE
ONE THING THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There
is one thing that is common to every individual, relationship, team, family, organization,
nation, economy, and civilization throughout the world -- one thing which, if
removed, will destroy the most powerful government, the most successful
business, the most thriving economy, the most influential leadership, the
greatest friendship, the strongest character, the deepest love.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the other hand, if developed and
leveraged, that one thing has the potential to create unparalleled success and
prosperity in every dimension of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet, it is the least understood, most neglected, and most underestimated
possibility of our time.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That one thing is trust.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Trust
impacts us 24/7, 365 days a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
undergirds and affects the quality of every relationship, every work project,
every business venture, and every effort in which we are engaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It changes the quality of every present
moment and alters the trajectory on outcome of every future moment of our lives
-- both personally and professionally.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Contrary to what most people believe,
trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don’t;
rather trust is a pragmatic, tangible, actionable asset that you can create --
much faster than you probably think possible.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While corporate scandals, terrorist
threats, office politics, and broken relationships have created low trust on
almost every front, I contend that the possibility to establish, grow, extend,
and restore trust is not only vital to our personal and interpersonal
well-being; it is the key leadership competency of the new global economy.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am also convinced that in every
situation, nothing is as fast as the speed of trust. And, contrary to popular
belief, trust is something you can do something about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, you can get good at it! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stephen Covey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now let us talk about “high road” decisions and
“low road” decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">--Sometimes we rationalize that we are “justified”
to take the low road. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[RATIONALIZE<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">—to devise self-satisfying but incorrect
reasons for one’s behavior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>American
Heritage Dictionary]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">--It may be “legal” to take the low road. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">--It is often more profitable to take the low road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">--Others might see taking the low road as the smart
choice.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">--Laziness might influence me to take the low road.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">--Revenge might be my justification to take the low
road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“THE
BOX”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In recent years we have heard the term “in the
box.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My senior citizen (read old
fashioned) understanding of that term is that if I am “in the box” I will have
increased difficulty being effective in my communications and therefore have
greater difficulty accomplishing my objectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not a good place to be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can put
myself in the box by doing something that might be greatly -- or even
marginally -- a violation of my value system and trying to justify it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making excuses inside my own head --
rationalizing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The real problem is what happens next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My avoidance of my own perception of
responsible behavior leads me to feelings of guilt and I am led to rationalize
by blaming others or circumstances over which I have no control -- I have
chosen to be a victim. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The consequence
of this is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">self-deception</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Said another way it is “intellectual
dishonesty” -- being dishonest with myself.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">At a very real and deep level avoidance of the
responsibility of living my values leads to the penalty of reduced self-worth
and a sense of powerlessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
factors will reduce my acceptance that I am in charge of my own destiny -- a
great loss to quality of life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Always
take the high road!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Email<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:bud.budham@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">bud.budham@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833940171989678365noreply@blogger.com6