Russell Brand

It is impossible for me not to be a huge Russell Brand fan after this. I admire people whose passion comes out as clearly as his does. If we all were as well versed about issues we care about, public apathy would not be so prevalent.

"I recognize that I have the ability to be selfish, but I also recognize that you can't be happy if you only care about yourself at the expense of other people." - Russell Brand (b. 1975)

A Single Act, Many Ripples

This is one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen. Being in the right place at the right time is one thing but making the most of an opportunity is when magic happens.

"Life well spent is long." - Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 - 1519)

Connecting the Dots

As a teacher, it can be frustrating when a student continues to let opportunities pass them by because they are too busy dealing with their own frustrations brought about by missed opportunity.

I tend to have more questions than I have answers and I usually get more things wrong than I get right but there are a few things that I know to be absolutes when it comes to mastery.

• There are more opportunities in every moment in every day than you can count.
• No one has control over you that you have not given them. 
• Everyone has something to offer.
• Small things add up to big things.
• Gratitude is key.

My advice:

• Take responsibility for your situation and change it to your liking. And for everyone's sake, stop pointing fingers and stop whining. 
• Be mindful and take instruction whether it is offered or not. Everyone is a potential mentor. It is easier to build upon someone else's mistakes than having to make your own. 
• Stick to your commitments. You can only break so many promises before you lose all credibility. You must be able to trust yourself or future commitment is pointless.
• Learn to show gratitude for what you have. While things may not be pristine and perfect, they are still pretty freaking awesome. Open your eyes and be thankful.

Lastly, follow the Black Belt Success Cycle:

• Set a goal 
• Have a plan (and success coach)
• TAKE CONSISTENT ACTION
• Review your progress
• Review your goals

"The truth knocks on the door and you say, go away, I'm looking for the truth, and it goes away. Puzzling." - Robert M. Pirsig (b. 1928)

Thanksgiving

A small portion of what I have to be thankful for:

I live in a privileged country where war and the atrocities associated with it remain primarily an abstraction for most. While I have moments of want, I have never been in need.

I share a lifestyle with a bunch of amazing people that supports a healthy mind and a healthy body. I live a life of consequence and that ensures I will never have to sacrifice quantity for quality or vice versa.

As I continue to refine my practice, my mindfulness allows me to witness more miracles in a single moment than I can count.

My life is blessed by people who love me and inspire me to be a better person every day.

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." - Woody Allen (B. 1935)

Evolution

I spent a lot of time cleaning out my email this week. I tend to hold a few gigabytes of data in my mailboxes and every so often I get rid of old, no longer relevant, messages. Mixed in with the soon to be deleted bunch are always a few gems that can be inspiring to revisit.

Change is constant. Reading old correspondences can be a real eye opener to just how much I have changed. I have dedicated the majority of my life to mastery but my focus has never been as intense as it has been these past five years. Nor has change, and that's change for the better, been more prevalent.

Reading my old emails remind me that I am evolving. Everyday I go to bed a different person than I was when I woke up that morning. It's up to me to fill my day with things that ensure I am evolving into the person I want to be.

“We change, whether we like it or not.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)