Category: English

Change creates a wave of emotions which determines our motivation and desire to make decisions and take action. Our capacity to Ride the Wave of Change and control our “internal dialogue” is a powerful tool which directs our response to life’s circumstances.

Unfortunately, seldom are we taught how to manage our emotions. Our parents, the educational system and the corporate environment are dedicated to teach us how to do “things.” Like tying our shoes, throwing a ball, studying for a test and being more productive. All of this knowledge is extremely important. Of equal importance is effectively managing the wave of emotions which presents itself daily.

There are two words which help to manage and direct our “internal dialogue.” The words are BECAUSE and BUT.

William Shakespeare said, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

 

• A positive attitude towards change is good, BECAUSE it creates imagery which empowers us to develop creative solutions.
• A negative attitude towards change is not good, BUT it does give us an opportunity to reflect on the positive elements which the situation creates.

Every change contains both positive and negative elements. The language we use to process these changes will determine the attitude we assume with respect to each event. In the first case, the word BECAUSE affirms the importance of the positive reaction and in the second case, the word BUT detracts from the importance of the negative reaction allowing us to find positive elements of the change.

Normally, we use the word BUT in a negative way in our “internal dialogue.” For example:
“I consider myself to be intelligent and capable, BUT I wasn’t successful in closing an important contract because I wasn’t able to see the subtle nuances of the deal.”

Unconsciously, we beat ourselves up and diminish the importance of our intelligence and capability while we place more emphasis on our inability to achieve an objective. In order to utilize the word BUT in a positive way, we can “phrase” this “internal dialogue” as follows:

“I wasn’t successful in closing the deal, BUT I am intelligent and capable to learn from the experience so that I will do better next time.”

We create power when we use these small and mighty words. Our attitude towards change has a decisive impact in our lives. The decision we take with respect to each event in our life creates our direction and destiny.

When we control the words and ideas flowing through our “internal dialogue”, we take advantage of a powerful tool allowing us to bounce back from the most difficult situations in life, because in the end…

It’s the Bounce that Counts!

∞ Rob McBride ∞

LL I 16

Adversity creates our character and determines our destiny. Think for a moment of the most gratifying moments of your life. Graduating from school, getting married, having kids, being hired for your “dream” job, closing an important sale, resolving a difficult problem or overcoming a complex situation. It’s possible to have these experiences without crossing the turbulent river of adversity but those successes which we obtain in spite of adversity are the most valued moments of our lives.

Why then do we flee from adversity?

We prefer that which is comfortable and convenient. automatically look for that which is known and familiar. Nevertheless, adversity forces us to do something extraordinary. It forces us to think and use our minds to explore and examine alternatives which are outside our comfort zone. We see from our own experience that overcoming adversity produces more personal satisfaction.

Life is like a bouncing ball. Sometimes we are up, and sometimes we are down. Our ability to bounce back from adversity creates our character and determines our destiny. Frequently the cause of our down moments is the turbulent river of adversity. One of the most powerful ways to bounce back from adversity is to focus on the end result. Overcoming the challenge provides us with the exhilaration and pride associated with accomplishing an important task.

We live in a life where adversity confronts us like a tiger with bared teeth every day.

How will we react?

Will we turn and run or meet the challenge?

There are certainly moments when the best answer is to run as quickly as possible! Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to take a moment to reflect on the alternatives. One way of putting things in perspective is to apply, “The rocking chair test.”

How will we feel when we are old, sitting in our rocking chair and thinking about the decision that we took at a given point in time?

Will we be proud of our decision to turn and run or will it be more desirable to know that we faced the danger and fought with valor?

Adversity provides us with the opportunity to determine our destiny and to fly with the eagles rather than slither with the snakes.

In the end…It’s the Bounce that Counts!

∞ Rob McBride ∞

LL I 15

This is one of those months that comes around every once in a Blue Moon, literally. A Blue Moon occurs when there are two full moons in the same month. The next time this will occur is in May 2007. I take this special opportunity to explain one of the ideas which inspired our Lunar Letter.

The routine of our daily lives frequently creates obstacles to our enjoying each marvelous day on earth. I created a concept which enables us to be more aware of the value of each day and converted the idea into a simple game.

The idea evolved as I was thinking about the importance of each day, month and year in this adventure we call “life.” The first step was to establish a point of reference. Since I am somewhat of a “lunatic” and have always been aware of the phases of the moon, I decided to use the Full Moon as the central theme of this wonderful game.

It has been well established that goals and objectives are one of the primary keys to achieving that which we most desire. For example, we can create a goal to buy a new car or change jobs. If we accompany that goal with a definite plan of action, more than likely we will achieve our objective. If this idea works for short term goals, what about more important life time goals involving our health and happiness?

Think for a moment about the time when you would like to leave this reality we call “life” and enter another reality, yet unknown. Now visualize yourself at this “Ideal Age” full of life and energy, celebrating your life with those you love and cherish.

• The age which you have just visualized is your Ideal Age.
• From your Ideal Age, subtract your Actual Age.
• The result is your Years of Fun and Fulfillment.
• Take your Years of Fun and Fulfillment and multiply by 365.25.
• This will give you your Days of Fun and Fulfillment.
• Your Days of Fun and Fulfillment divided by 29.5 will give you your Full Moons of Fun and Fulfillment until your Ideal Age.

It sounds complicated, so here is an example:

• 82 – 42 = 40 Years of Fun and Fulfillment
• 40 X 365,25 = 14,610 Days of Fun and Fulfillment *
• 14.610 / 29,50 = 495,25 Full Moons of Fun and Fulfillment

* This formula will give you a ballpark figure. If you would like to calculate your actual Days of Fun and Fulfillment, click here.

Precious Stones

The next step is to buy or find Precious Stones which exemplify for you each Full Moon of Fun and Fulfillment. In our example we would have 495 Full Moon’s of Fun and Fulfillment. Your Precious Stones can be the precious glass gems in this buy link, marbles, stones or any other small object.

Place them in a glass jar and at the beginning of each Full Moon take one out.
Carry it with you in your pocket or change purse. This way you can see your Precious Stone often during the month and remember the importance of that month in the great scheme of things.

When the Full Moon comes around, take your Precious Stone and place it some place where you can see it regularly. It could be in a fish tank, garden or beneath a tree.
Take another Precious Stone from your jar and play the game until the next Full Moon.

We may wonder, “Won’t seeing the number of Precious Stones decreasing in our jar have a negative effect?” This depends entirely on our point of view. This process is an excellent way to remind us to enjoy each day, Full Moon and year of Fun and Fulfillment. When we finally take out the last Precious Stone from our jar and place it in the special place we have chosen, it signifies the achievement of an important milestone in our lives. At that moment, I would suggest starting the whole process again. Insurance actuaries remind us that even someone who is 100 years old has a life expectancy.

Your Precious Stones create powerful imagery to live in the present and to Bounce back from difficult situations because in the end…

It’s the Bounce that Counts!

∞ Rob McBride ∞

LL I 14

Deep deliberate breathing will provide our body with vigor and vitality. We ignore the power and energy that breathing can generate. Oxygen is essential for every cell and organ in our body. Our respiratory system distributes this vital energy and eliminates toxins from our body.

We breathe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during our entire lives. We can last many days without food, a shorter period of time without water but without breathing for only a few minutes, we begin to turn blue!

Dr. Marcos Levy explains that as we breathe deeply, our diaphragm contracts. This contraction creates suction within the largest vein in our bodies, called the vena cava, which carries blood from our lower extremities to the heart. This improves blood circulation and increases energy levels.

One of the best ways to assure proper breathing is through vigorous exercise. As our heart rate increases and we begin to breathe deeply we automatically utilize our diaphragm. I know what you are thinking:

“I don’t have time for exercise!”

While exercise is ideal for deep breathing, there are other ways to breathe properly. The first step is to inhale slowly and deeply through the nose. The air should fill first the lower, middle and then upper lungs. Exhale through the mouth while fully relaxing rib cage and stomach. This can be accomplished during the following activities:

Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
Running after our children
Jumping up and down
Walking rapidly
Chasing a dog
Doing yoga

In addition, it is also possible to focus on deep deliberate breathing at any given moment. For example:

In traffic
When we are angry
Before going to sleep
While watching television
Before chastising our children
During a particularly boring meeting

Vanity leads us to suck in our stomach so that people think we are skinny, but by doing this we don’t breathe properly! Deep breathing causes our stomach to inflate as we inhale and to deflate as we exhale. It may be that people laugh at our inflated stomachs but we will be activating our respiratory system which fills us with energy and vitality to face daily challenges.

∞ Rob McBride ∞

LL I 13

Many of us are familiar with the words of Matthew 7:7.

“Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened unto you.”

Regardless of religious affiliation or belief, these words work wonders to open doors which otherwise remain closed. In order to achieve that which we desire, we must be first willing to take action.

At the same time, it is not enough to merely ask, seek or knock. These are the first steps and without them we will certainly go nowhere. More importantly, however, we must ask, seek and knock “effectively” in order to achieve our objectives. A tremendous source of frustration for many of us arises when we take action but fail to attain results.

Let’s look at two examples.

1. If we knock lightly and tentatively on the door of a gigantic house, no one will hear us to let us in. On the other hand, if we bang our fists on the door, it will open with a very angry owner wanting to know what we demand.

2. In the world of sales, and to some extent we are all salespeople, we know that we must contact someone before we can make a sale. Many of us think that by making enough contacts, we will become successful. The truth is that we must make effective contacts where we satisfy needs in order to make a sale.

There are several steps that we can take which assure that each time we ask, seek and knock, we will not only be taking action but be taking effective action. One way to narrow it down is in terms of EPPA², my formula for increased confidence and success:

Experience: Energize our experience today to be more effective tomorrow.

Preparation: Prepare well in advance to create confidence.

Perseverance: Persevere to attain and maintain success.

Attitude²: Create an exceptional attitude².

Taking effective action by energizing experience, preparing, persevering and maintaining an excellent attitude², assures that we will be well on our way to achieve our goals and objectives.

∞ Rob McBride ∞

LL I 12

We have the power to create a Well of Abundance in our lives. Nevertheless, most of us never create abundance that goes beyond solving our immediate necessities. Let’s look at an analogy that can generate this magic element which we all desire.

It is estimated that rivers and lakes contain only about 3% of the entire amount of the world’s freshwater which is so vital for our survival. The water that is not in rivers and lakes is stored under the earth’s surface in different forms and depths.

When we begin to drill a well, we arrive rapidly to what is called the water table. We find water but it is not constant or reliable. It is affected by local conditions such as changes in the seasons and climactic conditions. Water which is found at deeper levels is stored in aquifers. The quality and quantity of this water is more constant and reliable because it comes from sources that are not as affected by local conditions.

You are probably asking:

“What does this have to do with me and abundance in my life?”

In the beginning, we all take advantage of the abundance which is readily available. In our example this can be represented by the rivers and lakes. This source of abundance is rapidly depleted and we must work harder and drill deeper to once again find that which we desire.

Frequently, we stop as soon as we achieve initial levels of success, the water table. Since this is affected by local conditions, there comes a point when the source is no longer constant or reliable. Often we do not deepen our existing well to find the aquifer which will provide a steady stream of abundance, but rather go in search of another nearby well which gives immediate satisfaction.

Most often the best response to a lack of abundance in our lives is not to go find another well but to dig deeper into the one we currently have to find a constant source of abundance.

Any position and any type of work have potential. When we continue to dig, investigate and learn everything about our business and work, we will arrive at the aquifers that are not so affected by seasons and changes. We achieve stability in our business and our lives which are converted into a Well of Abundance.

∞ Rob McBride ∞

LL I 11

Life is cyclical in nature and we are on a never ending roller coaster of emotions. As we travel through the roller coaster of life, we experience a wide range of emotions and feelings. Commencing our journey we are filled with excitement and expectation. We learn and grow as we initiate a steep climb that is frequently interrupted by twists and turns. As we move towards our goal, we feel exhilaration and anticipation of what is yet to come.

For many of us the culmination of our studies whether it be high school, college or beyond signifies the attainment of a tremendous goal. To be sure it is a wonderful achievement and is a terrific reward for a job well done. Yet it is only the beginning. As we reach the top of that first climb, we look out over the landscape and see all that is possible. Our imaginations run wild with the possibilities and the options that life offers.
It is at that moment that our ride through life takes on a new dimension. We feel the need for speed as we rocket down the other side of the steep climb. The curves come fast and furious as we twist and turn through a series of thrilling moments which take our breath away. Some of us laugh and shout, others cower and cry.

As we reach the bottom, we have a gamut of emotions; relief, excitement, exhilaration and anticipation. We begin to wonder if the ride has ended or if we still have another opportunity to continue on our fantastic voyage.

Our lives are much like that roller coaster with one incredible exception. We have a tremendous amount of control over duration and intensity of the peaks and valleys in our lives. While we never know when the ride will come to an end, our capacity to bounce back from adversity intensifies our experience and determines our destiny.

When the cycle of life brings us down, we have a choice to make. Will we stay down for the count or will we bounce back and give life all that we have to give? Each of us has the power to control our thoughts which ultimately control our actions. Our mind can initiate a new climb to magnificent heights or it can wallow in the worries of why.

As we increase our capacity to welcome the ever changing cycles of life and bounce back from even the most difficult circumstances, we create power to determine our destiny and direction.

∞ Rob McBride ∞

LL I 10

Our lives are constantly changing and evolving. Frequently, these changes involve stress and worry. Following is an idea I have been working on which encourages us to embrace and welcome change.

Imagine for a moment that you are in the mountains. The vegetation is dense and the smell of the soil, trees and flowers impregnates the air. There are butterflies with intense colors, blue, red and yellow which fly haphazardly among the flowers of equally intense color. The sun’s rays which penetrate the tree branches above appear to be threads of silk which connect the trees with the earth. Gentle gusts of wind whisper through leaves which dance and vibrate.

The sound of a river winding through the valley murmurs as it passes over rocks that have formed over thousands of years. A small waterfall spills the contents of the river into a small pool. Small waves form from where the water enters the pool and undulate while losing intensity until they disappear completely into outer limits of the pool. The water is clear and transparent. There are rocks, branches and leaves on the outer borders which detain the contents of pool until it continue on its voyage.

There is an unorganized order which only nature can create. The water and other objects come into the pool from unknown sources. After staying for an indeterminate length of time, they continue on their merry way. There are insects, animals, plants and trees which utilize the pool as a source of energy, power and sustenance. The pool exists as is and with its imperfections is, in fact, perfect.

Our lives are like the mountain river pool. The events of our days, months and years are like the objects that enter the pool. Some people and some things stay for a very long time. Others come and go unperceived. Regardless of how hard we try, it is impossible to keep things unchanged in our lives, in our pools. Change is inevitable and it is constant.

The pool in the mountain exists in harmony with nature. When there is a storm, the water in the pool becomes cloudy and disturbed. After the storm, the form and content of the pool are changed but the essence remains the same.

The same applies to us as human beings as we encounter change. Our lives and our minds are initially in turmoil as we process the new events. While we assimilate this new information, our minds are similar to the cloudy and disturbed pool. When we adopt change as a normal process in life, we have a powerful tool to embrace change.

Our capacity to value the importance of change in our lives determines our happiness, direction and destiny.

∞ Rob McBride ∞

LL I 9