"Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life's cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you have only an extemporaneous half possession... Do that which is assigned to you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson certainly wasn't the first to think of the idea that when you do what you are supposed to do, what you're meant to do, you are fulfilling your purpose in life. Now, I understand that we all must work or have a job or otherwise earn some form of money; and we are not all going to be able to make a career out of our purpose. However, I do suggest that if you are not doing your purpose in some form of your life, you are cheating yourself.
Inspired people do inspired things. They attract people who are inspirational, and they build on the good feelings that come from the cycle of fulfilling their inspiration. The funny thing about inspiration is that it can come at any time, from anywhere, and often sneaks up and is gone before most people ever saw its face.
My morning drive to work is one of those inspirational moments that I get to appreciate, if I choose to do so, almost every day. I travel on open country road, down 126 through cornfields, and farms. Yes they still exist. My commute has me on my way at the true crack of dawn, when the blue black of night breaks, and the warm tangerines come breaking across the horizon. There is a corner farm I see every day that has dairy cows, and I look forward to every Spring. The calves run and play, while moms mow the wide open fields. It is hokey, and sometimes it feels like another world, and that's a good thing. These moments transport me to a place of infinite possibility and appreciation; some of my most inspired thoughts come during these hours.
I don't know a better way to start off a day. Even during thunderstorms my drive is pure awe. There's something magical about the wide open space, and sparsely trafficked roads, that opens the mind to all of the divine wonders and capacities that each new day brings. It is often with mild discomfort that I begin to see the traffic lights and know that I am just minutes from beginning my work day. I know I must earn a living, however, my burning desire to is to create my life based upon moments like those I experience on my morning drive. Those moments are real, and untainted by the busyness of life. Creation occurs in those wee hours.
I cultivate the now based upon moments like those I have on the drive, and I apply them to the amazing company my friend and I are building. You see, we both share a common desire to live life fully and with total appreciation, and when you know what you're meant to do, it's easy to know where to go. I prepare with a very clear outcome ahead, a specific attainable goal, and I pursue that goal with the same passion that my eyes chase the dawn with every morning on my ride.
Be well, and live inspired.
Michael
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Monday, January 3, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
AFTER THE BEEP: Family Matters: The Toy Box
AFTER THE BEEP: Family Matters: The Toy Box: "There are these things that lay around the house that make me smile. A space shuttle that zooms nose up, all willy-nilly, across the f..."
Family Matters: The Toy Box
There are these things that lay around the house that make me smile. A space shuttle that zooms nose up, all willy-nilly, across the floor at mach speed giggles. A dinosaur sticker stuck to the bottom of my foot as I cross the floor to go make late night tea. Is that T-Rex poking his nose around the corner of my big toe?
What is it that we look at, but never see? What is it that we will often look at as a nuisance, but is really the fabric of our life? The race track pokes its nose out from under the couch, the baby doll cries from the toy box, as UNO uncrosses its legs to relax. We ought never forget that we have these beautiful reminders of the memories that we are building every day. Yes, it would be nice if the kids picked up their toys, and the blankets, and shoes were all put in their places. Would I love it if the shelves and corners dusted themselves? Yes. But, really, what I see every day are the reminders of the most important parts of my life.
Eventually there will be no more Matchbox cars, Mickey Mouse trains, dinosaurs or dragons. The toy box will be replaced by empty space, and it will not be feng shui, it will be nostalgia and a sense of loss.
Every day my kids leave tracks of who they are, and what they love. Their footprints are scattered around the house like drips of melting icicles, who too soon will be evaporated into time. They will drive their cars, and build their dreams, and the scattered items that once frustrated me will become the relics of a time that I will feel I should have cherished like it was my last. I should have drank in every stuffed toy, and piece of cretaceous era triceratops on paper. I should have bathed in the blue, green, and grey shopping cart filled with train tracks, and Hot Wheels.
Staying in the day is a wonderful start to appreciating the moment. However, true appreciation comes from recognizing the minute details of many of the things that often cause frustration. Why can't they pick up after themselves without being asked a hundred times? They will pick up, and they will leave; but, not now. Right now is my time to dive head first in the swimming pool of their fun and fantasy, into their puddles of joy, and I'll teach them a thing or two about picking up.
More importantly, I'll teach them a thing or two about appreciating the details. I will try and help them see the beautiful dust-bunnies in the corners. I know they will reject my crazy appreciation of the minor things, but it is in the minor things that everything major is built. The house isn't popped open from a box, it is every swing of a hammer, every bead of sweat from the builders; it is the copper welds, and the solid foundation. It is every nail, every bumped head, every curse word uttered by a contractor on a time schedule. It is the boxes moving in, and out, and every trash bag sitting on the curb. It is the skinned knees and stubbed toes. The laughter and tears. It is every granola wrapper left on the floor that should be picked up with purpose, and remembered as the time I was alive, and appreciated my every breath in this world.
Thank you for reading. Be well, and live inspired!
Michael
My 5min Tour
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What is it that we look at, but never see? What is it that we will often look at as a nuisance, but is really the fabric of our life? The race track pokes its nose out from under the couch, the baby doll cries from the toy box, as UNO uncrosses its legs to relax. We ought never forget that we have these beautiful reminders of the memories that we are building every day. Yes, it would be nice if the kids picked up their toys, and the blankets, and shoes were all put in their places. Would I love it if the shelves and corners dusted themselves? Yes. But, really, what I see every day are the reminders of the most important parts of my life.
Eventually there will be no more Matchbox cars, Mickey Mouse trains, dinosaurs or dragons. The toy box will be replaced by empty space, and it will not be feng shui, it will be nostalgia and a sense of loss.
Every day my kids leave tracks of who they are, and what they love. Their footprints are scattered around the house like drips of melting icicles, who too soon will be evaporated into time. They will drive their cars, and build their dreams, and the scattered items that once frustrated me will become the relics of a time that I will feel I should have cherished like it was my last. I should have drank in every stuffed toy, and piece of cretaceous era triceratops on paper. I should have bathed in the blue, green, and grey shopping cart filled with train tracks, and Hot Wheels.
Staying in the day is a wonderful start to appreciating the moment. However, true appreciation comes from recognizing the minute details of many of the things that often cause frustration. Why can't they pick up after themselves without being asked a hundred times? They will pick up, and they will leave; but, not now. Right now is my time to dive head first in the swimming pool of their fun and fantasy, into their puddles of joy, and I'll teach them a thing or two about picking up.
More importantly, I'll teach them a thing or two about appreciating the details. I will try and help them see the beautiful dust-bunnies in the corners. I know they will reject my crazy appreciation of the minor things, but it is in the minor things that everything major is built. The house isn't popped open from a box, it is every swing of a hammer, every bead of sweat from the builders; it is the copper welds, and the solid foundation. It is every nail, every bumped head, every curse word uttered by a contractor on a time schedule. It is the boxes moving in, and out, and every trash bag sitting on the curb. It is the skinned knees and stubbed toes. The laughter and tears. It is every granola wrapper left on the floor that should be picked up with purpose, and remembered as the time I was alive, and appreciated my every breath in this world.
Thank you for reading. Be well, and live inspired!
Michael
My 5min Tour
Email Me
Friday, December 31, 2010
JUST DO IT, AND DO IT NOW!
"Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better"
- Émile Coué
A New Year, a new set of goals? Not really. Most of us have goals in our mind at all points of every year. What makes the New Year so appealing to try and put those plans into action is the idea of a fresh start, a clean slate. While this is noble, and worth while in pursuit, I challenge all who read this to see each day a New Year's day!
Every day on waking should live the breath of a new moment in our history on which we can make those much needed personal improvements. None among us is so perfected that we don't have things about ourselves which we cannot change or do better. Waking in the morning should be the genesis of inspiration. If starting a diet yesterday didn't happen when you tore open the package of Oreos last night, why not today? If quitting smoking has eluded you, then why not today? If repairing relationships with family or friends is renting space in your head, then it is time to evict those ugly tenants!
Each day is opportunity (please refer to my previous post on the beauty of opportunity!) Each day is a gift to do whatever we set our minds to doing. The problem, if you're anything like me is, how do I get started? How do I do it? There is no simpler answer than this: Just do it! Stop making excuses, the timing will never be right, and the longer it goes unchanged, the longer it negatively impacts our self-esteem. We become mired in negative self-talk, and believe ourselves to be failures. The fact is, you cannot fail at anything unless you try, and once you've tried, you are no longer a failure; even if the outcome isn't as you expected. You see, the winning is in the attempt. The victory is in the dedication and persistence to do whatever it takes to change.
I could go on ad nauseam about how we go about accomplishing any of our resolutions, however, the best speech ever given on how we achieve our goals, our resolutions, our desires, our purpose has already been given, by billionaire Art Williams:
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Work in progress
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us."
-Marianne Williamson
-Marianne Williamson
The greatest quotes are the ones that are self-evident. It's not that they are not profound, but it's that they reveal universal truths about human nature. It is assumed that some how we all abide or listen to our nature, but rather I find that we most often try and avoid our human nature or at the very least distract ourselves from it.
What is it about expectations that causes anxiety? It would seem that when we have the capacity to be great, we should fulfill it at every given moment. However, how many people can say that they live and perform to their ultimate capacity everyday?
I know that for myself I often find that I work to my ability, but not my capacity. I started this blog to push myself at my writing. I love to write, and I love words; yet so often I find myself going months without putting meaningful thought down to (virtual) paper. Is it a lack of something to say? No. It's allowing life to take over and dominate my routine. I can at any instant add something into my life if I maintain a burning desire for its fruition.
You see, we all have passion for something. We are all greater than what we do. However, we most often get side tracked by life into doing those things that are part of the routine, and believe me the routine for many of us is so weighty that when we do get any hours that are personal we simply want to "veg-out," and "chill."
Right now, my son is sleeping, and I am writing. I am on winter break from my j.o.b., and I could be using this time to pick-up the house, organize the bills or clean out a closet. But I am not! I am doing what makes me fulfilled. How often do you think that we take time to do what makes us fulfilled? Yes, my kids fulfill my life in many amazing ways, and yes my wife is simply astounding, however, this doesn't speak to my inner desire to create, make, or do something that is intrinsically mine (probably because somebody told me somewhere along the lines that this is "selfish," which is just hogwash.)
The funny thing is, that as I age, I learn that my time is valuable and needs to be focused. I spend a little time each day building a business, blogging, playing with my kids, talking with my wife, even work on the j.ob. outside of work (which is cruel and unusual punishment when you're a salaried employee!) The fact is, if I don't push myself, I am easily made lazy. I am easily sacked by life.
To achieve maximum results in life, I must constantly put out maximum effort. I must be vigilant and concious of my thoughts, my actions, and my words, and make sure they are in harmony. I must write down what I want to accomplish, when I should accomplish it by, and what results I would like to manifest from this effort. Now, this is not something that I've been doing my whole life, but rather, something I've started to apply over the last year. I am constantly derailed in my effort to stay focused. Does this mean I should stop?
Here is where most of us find our perception of failure. We stop doing what is good for us, because we can't sustain it at the level we expect from oursleves. We often think, "if I can't do it the best from the start, I'm not going to do it at all." And, we quit. It happens to me or rather it use to happen to me. Now, when I see that I'm not doing something, that I was previously doing and achieving resluts, that I know are beneficial to my life and my well being, instead of saying, "what's the point," I turn it back on and start doing it again. Life isn't a series of do it once and I'm an expert, but rather it is a series of practices, and disciplines, that I fully acknowledge I will do inconsistantly until a habit has been formed, and it (whatever it is) becomes integral and automatic to my daily functioning.
I have often considered myself an author who doesn't write. Every time I go back to writing I feel better, like somehow I am fulfilling part of my full capacity. My question to you is, what can you do that you don't do? What part of your full(filling) capacity do you ignore on a daily basis, and how do you get it back in your life?
Please feel free to respond, and know that I am simply a voice, practicing a craft, that I believe will reach out into the universe and change how we approach life. I want us all to achieve maximum results, and know that each day, when I put my head on the pillow, that I can say to my creator - I did the best I possible could today, thank you for the gift of me!
Be well and live inspired!
Michael Cordin
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Sunday, December 26, 2010
THE MOST FEARED WORD - "Opportunity"
The most feared word in the social network or in life for that matter is opportunity. The word itself seems to inspire a sense of fear and loathing, and to some extent I can see why. However, I firmly resolve to use the word opportunity in my lexicon. The word itself means: 1. a favorable juncture of circumstances, 2. a good chance for advancement or progress (this according to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary.)
Based on the definition of the word, there should be no reason why anyone wouldn’t want to have opportunities abound in their life. Based upon most people’s experience they hear the word opportunity, but feel the word scam. It is shame that over the course of time that the word has become so bastardized.
All that being said, most people who have been presented with an opportunity have given little time to the person who is presenting the opportunity; they run, ignore, or pick a fight just to defeat the person wanting to share information with them. There was time when I was fully entrenched in the running or ignoring camp, however, I was finally “duped” into sitting down with a friend who wanted to share his opportunity. Tired of ignoring him, and afraid of the strain it had put on our relationship – we had been friends for some twenty plus years, I decided to listen. What I came to see was something amazing. He didn’t care if I did it or didn’t do it. He wanted to present to me the information he had, and let me be the judge for myself.
This was converse to my whole thinking on people who had “opportunities” to show me. I wasn’t sold, I didn’t sign up that day, I took my time and thought about how what he had shared with me could improve or be detrimental to my life. I did my research, and looked into his “opportunity,” and discovered something amazing. I discovered that it made sense for me to try this out. It made financial sense, and it made me explore new areas of my life that had yet to be discovered.
Over the last 9 months I have received a new education, a desired education. I have learned about the 2 tax systems, the one to keep me poor, and the one to help me achieve wealth. I have personally developed into a more open person, someone who is willing to look at himself and address his flaws. I am gaining financial literacy. I have met some of the most amazing people, who earn 10, 50, 100 times what I earn in teaching, yet extend their help at any turn I need it. I have learned that it isn’t easy, that it isn’t for everyone, and that people I talk to should meet certain qualifications in order to be successful business builders. I have learned that a product can substantially improve the quality of your life.
Perhaps, the most amazing thing I’ve learned by allowing the word opportunity to become a part of my life is that I can achieve anything. At this very moment and time I am building an amazing company with my best friend, that isn’t a part of the original opportunity I was presented with, but allowed me to be open to listening and seeing the things that are right there to be seized. In the process we have one mission, to give others the opportunity to create a life for themselves, to give them the tools necessary to build their future in the way they desire, to unchain them from building others’ fortunes, and become the pioneers of their own life, with a full awareness that opportunities are not for everyone.
Most people won’t believe that I believe that my friend and I are creating a Fortune 500 company. They will think, “who are you to have such lofty goals,” “you’re dreaming,” “you’re an idiot if you think that’s possible.” I challenge them to open their minds and see what happens when you start to embrace and see the boundless opportunity given freely to each of us each day.
I firmly believe that nothing is chance; we meet everyone we do for a reason. We are all absolutely interconnected for a reason. If we can manage to get out of our own way, and allow nature to do its job, we will see that absolutely nothing is chance, and that we are the ones who ignore or tune out the most fundamental fabric of how we are supposed to be a benefit to one another. The acorn doesn’t grow into a lemon tree, it always grows into an Oak. The sun doesn’t sometimes rise, it always rises. Why do we not do what we were exactly meant to do, take each opportunity that presents itself, and run with it like our pants are on fire!
Be well and live inspired,
Michael Cordin
Email Me
My 5 Minute Website
Based on the definition of the word, there should be no reason why anyone wouldn’t want to have opportunities abound in their life. Based upon most people’s experience they hear the word opportunity, but feel the word scam. It is shame that over the course of time that the word has become so bastardized.
All that being said, most people who have been presented with an opportunity have given little time to the person who is presenting the opportunity; they run, ignore, or pick a fight just to defeat the person wanting to share information with them. There was time when I was fully entrenched in the running or ignoring camp, however, I was finally “duped” into sitting down with a friend who wanted to share his opportunity. Tired of ignoring him, and afraid of the strain it had put on our relationship – we had been friends for some twenty plus years, I decided to listen. What I came to see was something amazing. He didn’t care if I did it or didn’t do it. He wanted to present to me the information he had, and let me be the judge for myself.
This was converse to my whole thinking on people who had “opportunities” to show me. I wasn’t sold, I didn’t sign up that day, I took my time and thought about how what he had shared with me could improve or be detrimental to my life. I did my research, and looked into his “opportunity,” and discovered something amazing. I discovered that it made sense for me to try this out. It made financial sense, and it made me explore new areas of my life that had yet to be discovered.
Over the last 9 months I have received a new education, a desired education. I have learned about the 2 tax systems, the one to keep me poor, and the one to help me achieve wealth. I have personally developed into a more open person, someone who is willing to look at himself and address his flaws. I am gaining financial literacy. I have met some of the most amazing people, who earn 10, 50, 100 times what I earn in teaching, yet extend their help at any turn I need it. I have learned that it isn’t easy, that it isn’t for everyone, and that people I talk to should meet certain qualifications in order to be successful business builders. I have learned that a product can substantially improve the quality of your life.
Perhaps, the most amazing thing I’ve learned by allowing the word opportunity to become a part of my life is that I can achieve anything. At this very moment and time I am building an amazing company with my best friend, that isn’t a part of the original opportunity I was presented with, but allowed me to be open to listening and seeing the things that are right there to be seized. In the process we have one mission, to give others the opportunity to create a life for themselves, to give them the tools necessary to build their future in the way they desire, to unchain them from building others’ fortunes, and become the pioneers of their own life, with a full awareness that opportunities are not for everyone.
Most people won’t believe that I believe that my friend and I are creating a Fortune 500 company. They will think, “who are you to have such lofty goals,” “you’re dreaming,” “you’re an idiot if you think that’s possible.” I challenge them to open their minds and see what happens when you start to embrace and see the boundless opportunity given freely to each of us each day.
I firmly believe that nothing is chance; we meet everyone we do for a reason. We are all absolutely interconnected for a reason. If we can manage to get out of our own way, and allow nature to do its job, we will see that absolutely nothing is chance, and that we are the ones who ignore or tune out the most fundamental fabric of how we are supposed to be a benefit to one another. The acorn doesn’t grow into a lemon tree, it always grows into an Oak. The sun doesn’t sometimes rise, it always rises. Why do we not do what we were exactly meant to do, take each opportunity that presents itself, and run with it like our pants are on fire!
Be well and live inspired,
Michael Cordin
Email Me
My 5 Minute Website
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
NO SUCH THING AS SECURITY
I have a wonderful friend who told me a long time ago that there's no such thing as security. It took me some time wrap my head around what exactly he meant. My friend is a veteran of Vietnam, and has some of the greatest insights to share about life, and the events that contribute to the formation of the way we perceive our world. One of the greatest lessons he has ever taught me comes from the insight that only a veteran can teach, and that is the nature of our reality living in a country like ours. When you have seen the things he has seen, when you have lived moment to moment with the knowledge that the next could absolutely be your last, when you have ducked your head momentarily only to watch a friend get his skull blown off, you come to a place that is decidedly real.
We constantly fill our lives with ideas of importance, and perceived needs. We place layers upon layers of seemingly harmless desires over necessity. He has often said, "to see the deer, you must look between the trees." How often do we find ourselves looking in the right direction, but focusing on the wrong thing. It is the space in between that is important and gives definition to life. Without the space in between the trees, the trees would have no form.
Security is false hope, it is the notion that if I do "X" I will be okay, and some how I have insured a future moment of existence. The fact is, no matter how many layers of perceived security we layer on to our lives, stocks, bonds, 401k's, jobs, friends, life insurance (which should be called death insurance,) we are no closer to security than the man who shakes his cup on the corner. I can exercise, and eat well, I can take supplements, and fortify my body, however, none of these things guarantees anything. Security is a fallacy we use to hide the true nature of life.
The sooner we come to expect uncertainty, the quicker we tune in to being alive. The only moment that exists is the moment you're in, and therefore what is to be cherished is now. It is my chief aim and purpose to experience each "now" as the greatest event of my life. Those experiences that came before have served their purpose, and any yet to come will be exactly as they were meant to be, based on the appreciation of "now."
It is not a pessimistic attitude that says, each breath could be my last, but rather the total opposite. When one truly embraces the moment as the last, true living, appreciation, and gratitude are experienced. Life is a precious gift, as cliche as that may sound. However, most of us are so busy building a perceived future, that what escapes us is the perfection and beauty of being exactly where we are in the moment we are experiencing. Every cherished now will take care of the busy tomorrow, and when we get out of our planning, and out of our head, we come to reality. Every abundant future started with seeing and appreciating what was presented at the moment. As my friend also says to me, "sometimes you have to go out of your mind, to come to your senses."
Be well, and live inspired,
Michael
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My 5 Minute Tour
We constantly fill our lives with ideas of importance, and perceived needs. We place layers upon layers of seemingly harmless desires over necessity. He has often said, "to see the deer, you must look between the trees." How often do we find ourselves looking in the right direction, but focusing on the wrong thing. It is the space in between that is important and gives definition to life. Without the space in between the trees, the trees would have no form.
Security is false hope, it is the notion that if I do "X" I will be okay, and some how I have insured a future moment of existence. The fact is, no matter how many layers of perceived security we layer on to our lives, stocks, bonds, 401k's, jobs, friends, life insurance (which should be called death insurance,) we are no closer to security than the man who shakes his cup on the corner. I can exercise, and eat well, I can take supplements, and fortify my body, however, none of these things guarantees anything. Security is a fallacy we use to hide the true nature of life.
The sooner we come to expect uncertainty, the quicker we tune in to being alive. The only moment that exists is the moment you're in, and therefore what is to be cherished is now. It is my chief aim and purpose to experience each "now" as the greatest event of my life. Those experiences that came before have served their purpose, and any yet to come will be exactly as they were meant to be, based on the appreciation of "now."
It is not a pessimistic attitude that says, each breath could be my last, but rather the total opposite. When one truly embraces the moment as the last, true living, appreciation, and gratitude are experienced. Life is a precious gift, as cliche as that may sound. However, most of us are so busy building a perceived future, that what escapes us is the perfection and beauty of being exactly where we are in the moment we are experiencing. Every cherished now will take care of the busy tomorrow, and when we get out of our planning, and out of our head, we come to reality. Every abundant future started with seeing and appreciating what was presented at the moment. As my friend also says to me, "sometimes you have to go out of your mind, to come to your senses."
Be well, and live inspired,
Michael
Click to Email Me
My 5 Minute Tour
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