Category: Lunar Letter (English)

We are like a tree growing in the middle of the woods.  We are both the result of only a few seeds which succeeded in germinating and surviving.  

Like the tree, which starts from a small seed, opens its doors and lets its root search for its destiny, we too begin in a very similar way.  In both cases, after a magical process, we are born into the world seeing light for the very first time.  To come into the world, the tree digs its root deep into the soil and then springs forth its first leaves toward the sun.  As for you and I, we come into the light of the world kicking and screaming, stretching our limbs and thus filling our lungs.

The tree grows slowly, defending itself as it may from dangers which can in an instant take it away.  We too are very delicate initially, and in an instant can suffer a fatal blow.  In time, the tree grows; and with the help of the wind, sun, and the grace of God, strengthens its branches, growing more and more leaves.  Our growth is similar to that of the tree and too with the wind, the sun, and the grace of God, we become the the people we are today.

Then a magical process occurs within the tree, an important time in the development of the tree comes, and without warning it sprouts a flower.  So too in our transition from a child to adolescent, our bodies also flower in their own special way.  As a result of the incredible precesses of fertilization and pollination, the tree begins to produce fruit, each with seed of life inside.  Similarly, we also develop the same seed of hope which from comes from the inside out.

Many times, the fruit falls from the tree, staying close by, while others it is taken by birds or other animals, near and far.  As for our seed, sometimes it nary gets to the corner, while others it also is spread far and wide.  When the tree gets larger, the production of its bounty also increases and with it the amount of fruit and seeds it offers the world.  In time, we too have more ability to spread our seeds over the vastness of humanity.

In its wake, the tree of time leaves some seeds which no doubt become majestic trees in their own right, assuring survival of its species.  In other cases its fruit and seeds are eaten and enjoyed, while in others they simply rot and disintegrate into the ground, without even a sound.

As a testament to our lives, some of our seeds become children, yet many more of our seeds are shared in the form of what we say and do daily; some which are sown carefully and others of which are simply left scattered along the way without a second thought.

Just as a large tree produces well-being with an abundance of fruit and the protection of its shade, we too can be generous, giving of ourselves to nourish others and too by giving them the protection of our shade.  As is the case with trees in time, the seeds we sow today grow and become tomorrow’s eternity.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL IV 6

Who has not, at some point in time, thought or wondered about their “roots”?

Upon hearing this word, perhaps as is my case, you think about the book and television series ROOTS by Alex Haley, where he he explored his own “roots,” taking him back to Africa.
Fortunate are those of us who have had a chance to get to know our parents and grandparents. While our relation with each might be good, bad, or non-existent; what is certain, is that the person we are, comes in great part from who they were. From our DNA, determining our physical characteristics, to our temperament and character, everything we are has its roots in our relatives.

Have you thought about your ancestors which came before your parents and grandparents?

Have you ever imagined what their lives were like, so many years ago?

Recently I have fanned the fire of interest I have had with respect to my own “roots.” My journey has taken me more than 250 years into the past, covering ten generations. As I read over the lives of each of the people I encounter, on the pages of my own history, my imagination goes beyond the facts and figures indicating birth, marriage, and death dates. I think about the lives each of them had while they wandered the earth we now inhabit. Surely, they went through ups and downs in life, similar to the ones you and I have now.

While each of us have many “roots,” and each takes us do a different part of our past, the one related to my last name traces back to Belfast, Ireland, where my earliest known McBride ancestor, Samuel McBride, was born in 1749. He came to the United States on a ship from Ireland, in the summer of 1772, arriving into Newcastle, Deleware, on August 20. Subsequently he settled on and farmed a 6oo acre tract of land close to what is now New Bedford, Pennsylvania, close to the border with Ohio.

Samuel kept a diary which was subsequently read by one of his descendants, Dr. Cooper Fenimore McBride, who discovered the diary while he was compiling a book called, THE RECORD OF SAMUEL McBRIDE. The book he wrote was subsequently published in 1891. The author gave a copy of the book to my great grandfather’s uncle in 1895, who in turn gave it to my great grandfather. My great grandfather, gave it to my father, who subsequently gave the book to me, several years before his death.

Upon reviewing each of the pages in the book, time passes before my eyes as I read the accounts of men who gave their lives in war and women who invested theirs in nurturing their families. Some lived a very brief existence, while others lived great tales of persistence and excellence.

Reading about each person, it’s interesting to imagine how much transpired in each of their lives between the two dates indicating their birth and their death. They were men and women who woke up every morning with the song of birds in the air and the sight of dawn’s brilliantly changing light. Certainly they experienced the sadness which comes with difficult loss, and too the exhilaration from great gain. They went out into the world daily to put food on the table and came home with sweat on their brow. They greeted their family and then washed off the dirt to get ready for dinner. While the details of each are quite different, the result is the same. You and I came from these people who once wandered the Earth, just as you and I do now.

Our being begins with those who are now but names on a page. Going through each line of our ancestry, we find people from many walks of life, each leaving their footprints along the way. Each likely had a love lost, and another that prospered; a road traveled, and another left for another day. To sum it up, a life lived and a story told.

How are you doing with your story of life?

When future generations come to your page in history, what will they do?

Will they deem your story worthy of their time, or will they simply turn to the next page?

Just as those who once walked the face of the earth are part of our roots, so too will we be the roots of future generations. The footsteps we leave, be they of love and well-being, or anger and hate; will be all that is left when our time here is done. It depends on us whether our footsteps will be held up high in esteem, or forgotten and erased by the sand of time.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL IV 5

Would you like to have the wherewithal to get up and shake off any weight you have on your shoulders, continuing on with courage whenever necessary?

We all need to motivate ourselves. We can read books, go to seminars or courses, and even pound ourselves on the chest to lift our spirits; nevertheless, the truth is that the face we see each morning in the mirror is our own, and no other. The reflection which comes back with enthusiasm or apathy is a direct result of our ability to manage difficulty.

Anyone can navigate calm waters with ease. On the other hand, only the valiant keep afloat through a terrible storm. Although we all know we should turn lemons into lemonade, we aren’t always able to do it. To be among the valiant, those who taste the sweet sensation of success, I have an exercise which, if you do follow my instructions, could change your life in a positive way forever…

Are these big words?

Does this sound like a good idea?

I challenge you to do the following without thinking twice about it, and in this instant. If you can’t do it right now, do it in the next 24 hours:

Take 9 sheets of paper, either letter or legal size

Fold the sheets once, on the longest side

When you open the pages, you will have a small book

Punch holes in the “spine”

Tie the pages together with ribbon of your choice

In this small book, I suggest you to do an exercise which can stay with you forever, as a special gift. In this case, I am merely the provider of the method, you are the one who will give life to this gift you will give to yourself. What I ask you do is quite simple, but it takes perseverance and tenacity, so it is far from easy.
On the cover of the book, I suggest you give it a title like:

MY LITTLE BOOK
OF SUCCESS

Or in my case, I call it:

BEST OF THE BEST
SEEDS OF SUCCESS

In your small book, without counting the entire first page which surrounds the book, making up the front and back covers, inside there are 32 pages to write thoughts and ideas which can inspire you whenever you like.

To complete the exercise, every day take a quote you like and write it on one of the 32 pages inside. If you write down one thought a day, in one month, you will have your own Little Book of Success which you can take with you wherever you go, to read and consider whenever you feel you need a shot of energy, motivation, or just to feel good.

Do you want to play?

The quotes can come from books you have read or phrases you have heard, they can be from a song or perhaps a biblical verse. You are also always welcome to visit my WEB page (www.RobMcBride.net) where you can search for one or more words in the SEARCH bar, at the top right hand side of the page, and no doubt something of interest will come up.

Do this exercise to create your own Little Book of Success. The process will be a wonderful game you can play with yourself to find the thoughts which will light a fire to your inner desire.

Great achievements are made with small steps. Great presence is replete with our inner essence. When we are willing to make small sacrifices in the short-term, our path becomes a living dream full of inspiration.

Will you pass the test?

If your answer is yes, I would love to see your Little Book of Success!

What do you say?

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL IV 4

We tend to dream about an “ideal” life, nevertheless, this idyllic state is different for each of us.  While some have already reached their dream, or are perhaps very close, others are just starting their journey.  Whatever the case may be, we should be firm with our dreams and flexible in our plans to get them.

Our dreams begin from an early age, when we love to dream about being policemen, firemen, dancers, doctors, astronauts and a plethora of other professions.  As we grow, we form a vision of the world, and our dreams frequently change.  Along the way, we find “good people” with “wise words” and “good intentions,” who take it upon themselves to tell us why we will never reach our dreams.  Because of this, we often decide to change the direction of our desires to something more “reasonable, sure, and less risky.”  In turn, we become slaves to the fear of failure.

Nevertheless, while excuses abound and we love to blame someone else for our failures, ultimately we are the only ones who can determine our future.

Have you ever wanted to do something different from what you are doing now?

If you are like the majority of us, you have had various changes in your plans along the way.  If you have been able to maintain firm with your dreams and your direction, congratulations!  Few are able to follow the beat of their own drum, despite what others say.

Is there anything wrong with being an astronaut, or any other profession we dreamed about when we were younger?

If we look around us, many people are doing what we once dreamed about. Following the example of the astronaut, surely the path to become one is not easy, but it is possible. In fact, there are many people who have been launched into outer space and most have lived to talk about it.  As such, if they have done it, we can too.  Though perhaps no one in our city, state, or country may have been an astronaut, we can be the first to do so.

Whatever our dream might be, there is at least one way to achieve it. As Walt Disney said:

“If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”

As an analogy, imagine our goal is to “summit” the peak of a huge mountain. There may be one road which is easier than the rest and used by most, but this does mean it has to be our path. Think about the top of any mountain you are familiar with.  How many ways are there to get there? From a mathematical point of view, the possibilities are infinite.

There may be storms blocking our way, routes requiring specialized equipment, options demanding additional effort, and paths interminably long.  Nevertheless, if our dream firmly in mind and our objective to get to the top is strong, there will always be a way to achieve our objective. Important is to not “lose ourselves” along the way and to be congruent in our thoughts, actions and principles as we go.

Many times we become flexible, changing our dreams according to the weather, the environment, and the general opinion of others.  Though flexible with our dreams, many times we are rigid in our way of doing things, while maintaining the same routines. As a result, we become tired and frustrated.

It is better to be firm with our objectives and dreams, while being flexible with the plans we implement to reach them.  Being at peace with ourselves, tenacious in our actions, congruent with our principles, and firm in our dreams; there is no doubt we can reach the summit of anything we desire.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL IV 3

We all want success. Since we are small, we begin to dream about what we see on television and to want what is offered in the constant bombardment of marketing we are subjected to. Soon we realize there is a great difference between staying “stuck in the desire” and living the dream.

While our dreams are varied, several factors can lead us to live them. The first thing we must do to achieve any dream is to believe in our ability to obtain it. Without first believing it possible, likely it will remain as a mere illusion, never becoming reality.

Do you doubt you can do what another has already done, or arrive where another has arrived?

Depending on the price we have to pay to achieve the dream, we decide whether or not to pursue it. If we are willing to go after it, there is no doubt we can do what anybody else has achieved and much more. Biologically speaking, we are all the same. Despite being born and raised in different environments and cultures, there is nothing stopping us from achieving what we want.

After believing our dream is possible, we must determine a specific plan of action. With our objective firmly in mind, establishing a series of actions allows us to get closer little by little.

Suppose the following is our dream:

SURF WITH EACH SUNRISE AND SUNSET

Have you dreamed about this kind of lifestyle?

At first glance, the idea might seem absurd and far-fetched, nevertheless, never doubt it can be done, as there are many who currently do so.

A good place to start would be to to determine where we could make a living close to the ocean. What country, state, or city gives us the best opportunities to live the “surfer’s lifestyle”? Next, we could investigate job opportunities in the area. Among the options available might be working in a restaurant or on the beach giving surfing lessons. At the same time, we could work in our profession (doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc.) in the area we choose.

The possibilities are infinite and the more we study and investigate our chosen activity or profession, the broader our possibilities become.

Not even the sky is the limit. Nevertheless, our main limitations tend to be our own beliefs and even “friends” or family members, who seem to gain some strange pleasure in telling us everything “we can’t do and will never be able to achieve,” instead of encouraging us to pursue our dreams and desires.

Finally, and most importantly, we need to “get to work” and take action. We could enroll in a course preparing us for our chosen activity and begin planning a trip to “test the waters.”

If we want to surf, we must first be willing to get up on the board, knowing we may fall off. Similarly, we must be willing to get up on the board of life, knowing full well there are risks involved.

Those who live the dream we have today made decisions at some point of their lives leading them to live the dream others only imagine. It’s not enough to have a dream, we must wake up, making decisions and taking actions to live it.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL IV 2

Like the drop which fills the glass, each day is like a drop filling our glass of life.

The day we are born, the first glorious drop falls into our glass; and the day we part, the glass finally overflows, after finally reaching the top.

Some glasses are miniature, filling and then overflowing in a very short period of time. Others are enormous, filling day after day, year after year. Finally, comes the day when the contents spill over in a spectacular waterfall marking our passing to the other side.

Whatever the case may be, each day fills our glass. While each drop seems to be insignificant, in reality, each is extremely important. Days filled with love and good intention fill our glass with a pure, clear liquid. On the contrary, days filled with hate and bad intention add tainted and toxic drops. Perhaps one are two drops may not seem to have much effect, but depending on their toxicity, they can contaminate the rest of the glass.

If we are happy with our glass, and its contents, we need only continue as we are. If not, the good news is we can always throw out the liquid inside, clean the glass, dry it out and begin again.

Those who attempt to “treat” contaminated water by simply adding new good, clean drops, without taking out the bad, generally fail in the attempt. Sometimes it is necessary to first eliminate what is toxic before adding what is good.

Can you see how life is like a glass?

Have you thought about the drops in your glass?

Are they clean and clear, or cloudy and toxic?

Are your drops worthy of being remembered and shared or would it be better to empty the glass and begin again?

We are responsible for the drops filling the existence of our being. Our daily actions determine the quality and purity of the liquid in our glass. Each drop has the capacity to add or detract value. We can be aware of each drop we add, and in this way increase the quality of our lives.

Our glass will lay testimony to the person we were. The drops of love we distill will be those which later overflow from our glass and become a constant spring of well-being to be remembered by future generations.

How are you doing with your glass of life?

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL IV 1

We immediately reject the words “Pain” and “Mourning.” Nobody willingly wades through the troubled waters these two small words imply.

Nevertheless, common sense tells us we will likely experience both of these emotions at some time in our lives. The pain we feel for all kinds of things brings with it a sense of “ mourning,” which can be overcome in greater or lesser amounts of time depending on the gravity of the circumstance. In some cases it may be overcome in a matter of seconds or minutes, while in others it may take DAYS, months, or even years.

The idea behind this message isn’t to stay stuck in the troubled waters of pain and suffering, rather to understand the process so we can break the cycle and move on. To get out of the pain and the sadness, I propose we “Give DAYS to Pain.”

First Cycle: Pain

D epression
A nger
Y earning
S uffering

Have you ever felt a pain inside which doubles you over taking you down?

From there is only a short skip and a hop into the dark cloud of depression. Anger and frustration stop by uninvited and sit to stay, producing toxic and sometimes even violent thoughts as we Yearn to return to some sense of normalcy. Our stress level increases as anxiety envelopes us in her gloomy shawl, obscuring our world in pain and suffering. When we look into the mirror, all we see is but a faded copy of what we once were.

It is important to know this cycle of pain must first be experienced before we can move on to the second part, which enables us to break the chains of pain.

Second Cycle: Desire and Determination

D esire
A ttitude²
Y es
S urpass

While we don’t choose the pain we are exposed to, we do choose how we handle it to free ourselves from its grasp.

To get out of the eternal questions of: “What should we do?” and “How should we do it?”; we can fan the flames of our inner Desire and change our state of mind.

The key we need to escape our dilemma may be found in our family, our religion, our work or some other kind of project. As we get involved in what interests us, each time we do, we fan the flame of Desire necessary to break the cycle of pain and continue on our merry way.

With our mind connected again with what drives us, we can once again pursue what we once wanted. A light, previously lost it in the haze of our pain, now shines at the end of the tunnel giving us the initiative we need to liberate ourselves from the pain. We take one step, then another, and then another. With an excellent Attitude²(squared), mixed together with a boatload of confidence, soon we can once again say Yes to life to Surpass the situation with new resolve and renewed energy.

We accept what has happened, learn what we can from it. In time our guiding light begins to burn brighter. What once doubled us over in pain taking us down to the ground, becomes the reason behind our new found vigor to direct our destiny; and it all begins by “Giving DAYS to Pain.”

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL III 50

Life is like a game and our happiness depends on how we play. If we play it well, we feel good and are happy, but if we play it poorly, certainly we won’t feel so well.

By seeing life as if it were a game, we can look for the “tricks” and strategies that allow us to play it better. This is particularly helpful in our relationships with others.

Let’s take a look at a similar, but different, idea from “Ten to Win” from my good friend and mentor, Joel Weldon. In my version of the game, the best possible score is 20 points and the worst is 0. To “pass” we need at least 10 points and anything under 10 is a “failing” grade for everyone involved. In an encounter between two people, each person can contribute up to 10 points where the full 10 points represents 100% effort and 0 points indicates no effort on their behalf.

As is life, our emotional tides are cyclical. Depending on the day and how we feel, our contribution will vary from one day to another. Some days, we will feel terrific and be able to give much, others we won’t feel so good and any effort is will no doubt be difficult.

Would you like to “win” in any relationship with others? Welcome to the club! It isn’t always easy but it is quite simple. We need only achieve a minimum of 10 points between the participants.

Let’s take an example of a student and a teacher, though the example holds true for many situations in life, including, but not limited to: salesperson-client, boss-employee, husband-wife, parent-child, or any other situation where more than one person is involved.

Continuing with our first example, if we have an outstanding student, who continually gives between 80 and 90% of their potential; along with a teacher who does the same, we find the two together will usually pass with excellent grades(between 16 and 18 points total).

Occasionally, both student and teacher may have an outstanding day, on the same day, where both bring 100%. Together, they achieve a “perfect” score of 20. These are those rare times I like to call “Magic Moments” where everything seems to go just as planned.

Using the same example, but on the other end of the spectrum; when neither the student or the teacher bring even 50% of their potential. Under these circumstances, they will surely fail every time.

Though there are many different possible scenarios, there is one thing for certain; the more we bring of ourselves, the more chances we have at “winning.”

Why is this important and what can we do with the information?

To improve our chances of “winning” in the game of life, there are various “tricks” and techniques we can use. Let’s look as toms of the most relevant:

• Learn more about what we do
• Increase our contribution in any encounter with others
• Obtain and maintain an excellent attitude toward life to keep a positive perspective on the challenges we encounter our our journey
• Relate with others who tend to give their best effort and learn from their experiences

In any encounter we have, we have two options. We can give our best effort or not. With the first option, we increase our possibility of winning while with the second, we are sure to come up short.

Playing to win implies giving our best effort whenever we relate with others. When we do this with others who do the same, there is no doubt together we can pass the test.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL III 49