Inspiraelevation

Midas or Minus

June 3rd, 2015
Midas or Minus

Many are suffering from lack, or what seems like a deficiency syndrome.

It seems like
1. There is not enough time
2. Not enough resources
3. Not enough capital
4. Not enough opportunities
landscapes look barren, dry, and arid.

The drought is spreading, fissures reaching into spirits parching the inner springs from which hope pours.

An enveloping cloud of malcontent is sweeping global fields.

One thing is certain,

scarcity is pervasive.

This is illusion (mirage) a subtle trick of the mind.

It is an curable epidemic running unconstrained.

Its perpetuation dependent upon a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

One is constantly expanding that state in which one currently exists until it encompass everything. You grow what you feed.

Thoughts of scarcity beget statehood’s of scarcity.

Thoughts of scarcity are virulent strains that must be eradicated.

Self- fulfilling prophecy works both ways

What of Abundance

We were meant to live lives of plenty and abundance.

We must recognize this as our truth.
- Manifest abundance (We don’t exhibit poverty in our thought patterns )
- Speak abundance (We eliminate those negative words that connote to impoverished thinking)
- Claim abundance (We accept that our abundance is purposed, we don’t let anyone diminish our shine)
- Walk in abundance (We act, speak, and move in away that demonstrates gratitude for the plenty we have already been given even if it has not manifested itself in the physical realm as of yet)
Develop the Midas mentality

The Midas Touch flows from the Midas mentality.

The Midas touch is known as the phenomenon wherein the outcome of the majority of an individual’s processes lend to success.

Everything that individuals puts their mind to they succeed at it.

Everything they touch turns to gold.

How does one turn everything into gold

For one to have the right touch one must posses the right mindset
- What you have been given is sufficient for you to succeed (Believe )
- You have to learn how to wield what you have (Demonstrate)
- There is always plenty for those who have a deep desire and a need but there is never enough to feed our greed ( desire the right things)
- Be grateful for the time, resources, and capital you do have, and use what you have been given to the fullest. (Gratitude)
You will be surprised with the results.
The Middle

June 1st, 2015
There is something about being in the “middle” that seems to invoke feelings of mediocrity, of resolution, and finality.

It is a feeling of not having fully arrived.

It seems that we are “men in the middle”.

Doomed to hold the rank of “middle class”.

Somehow we will be forever “stuck in the middle.”

“In the middle of nowhere.”

Its not always looked upon as a favorable position.

The middle seems to be at some unidentifiable point between failure and victory.

Remember, Perception is everything.

As so well penned in Jimmy Eat Worlds Lyrics, “The Middle”

“Hey, don’t write yourself off yet. It’s only in your head you feel left out or looked down on. Just do your best (just do your best), do everything you can (do everything you can). And don’t you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.”

What if we looked at the middle just a bit different

In the middle is where you find the juicy bits.

In the middle sits the stuff of substance.

No one sandwiches bread between meat.

The meat is always found in the middle.

The most sumptuous part of the pie is the delicious filling.

Finishing the pie brings about fulfillment.

The middle is the most delicious.

The in-between part

The in-between part (the middle) is the process It is the path to becoming.

It is the stream one must wade through to reach the outer bank.

The one who jumps from end to end, whose feet have never touched the middle, may experience the high of making it. They will never fully appreciate the win, or understand how to get there again.

It is struggling through the process that increases value.

Treading through the middle builds cognizance , effective methodology, and intuition.

It is where one builds their practice to repeatable mastery. Lessons gained through trial are lessons not soon forgotten.

Working it out

Remember in grade school when teacher’s drilled on the importance of working out the problem.

Even if you got the answer right, you got it wrong because you did not work through it.

Turns out there was a point, after all; a method to the madness.

In life, its not always about the answer

Especially, not getting it right on the first go around.

Few get everything right the first time.

But it always has, and always will be about how you got there. How you followed the rainbow to reach your pot of gold.

Unfortunately,

John Watzkin, notes in his excellent book “The Art of learning a journey on the pursuit to Excellence.

“its not about the results, its about what it took to get there”

It is methodical work and effort, work and reworking, that one’s builds a solid foundation upon which success can be repeated.

Passing the test

Passing the test is exhilarating.

Passing the test indicates achievement.

The question one must ask themselves is, what is the significance of my achievement.

“You may pass the test, but learn absolutely nothing, and most critically, you don’t gain any appreciation for the value or beauty of learning itself” (Watzkin, p. 50).

Even more important than passing the test is learning something in the process.

Stuck in the middle

“Yes I’m stuck in the middle with you, And I’m wondering what it is I should do, It’s so hard to keep this smile from my face, Losing control, yeah, I’m all over the place, Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.” – Stealers Wheel lyrics
1. Don’t give up.
2. Don’t get comfortable.
States are temporary, we move into them and out of them.

It is only when we put down roots that we remain permanent residents of a state, whether it be a physical location or a state of mind.

Most everyone has to pass through the middle to get to the other side.

We simply must not get stuck there.

“Growth comes at the point of resistance” (Watzkin p. 61).
- Work out the problems
- Sweat it out (in the middle).
- Show your effort.
- Build mastery in the process.
- The end will take care of itself.
Watzkin. J. (2007). The Art of learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence . FreePress. New York: NY.
Open your tool belt

May 30th, 2015
Open your tool belt

The attainment of knowledge put’s one in position to achieve.

It is the effective use of that knowledge that brings about the power necessary to move from conceptualization to realization.

Everyone has within them the tools to build a bridge spanning from their current state to their potential state. It simply requires reaching within oneself and making good use of what you have.

Let’s open that tool belt together

In that tool bet exists three extremely powerful tools.
- Your mind
- Your words
- Your spirit
If used correctly these tools will well assist you in constructing a foundation for success that can withstand the raging storms of life.

These tools will provide you with the wisdom needed to make the right decisions, at the right time, unlocking unfathomable potentialities.

A beginner’s guide to your tool belt

Seek and you shall find (Use your mind)

Don’t neglect your mind.

Like all things, the mind too grows weak when not used.

Exercise your brain just as you would your body.

When a muscle is not used it shrinks (atrophy). If not used for long periods of time the muscles will become too weak to sustain activity.

When we learn new things, or take on new challenges we strengthen our mental muscles.

We build greater and stronger synaptic connections and our neurotransmitters fire at greater speeds.

“The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.”- Luke Mastin

“The efficacy of synaptic transmission is not constant; it varies depending upon the frequency of stimulation. It is very difficult to overestimate the importance of synaptic transmission. It is critical to the basic functioning of the nervous system and appears to be critical in learning and memory.” –University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

We can increase our potentiality.

With increase of potential comes an increase in possibilities for greater opportunities to succeed.

Maintain a discoverers mind.

Never tire of the search for knowledge.

Consume all that you can concerning your path. We can not grow beyond that which we know.

Our knowledge is the vehicle that drives us from “A” to where we want to “Be.” Trying to transverse continents of possibilities with out a vehicle (knowledge) would take an eternity.

Many who find themselves in this situation, often look back and say if I had known then what I know now then my life would be an entirely different thing.

Such is inexcusable.

One’s existence should never culminate to this’ ” should’ve, could’ve, would’ve now I can’t so ( I ain’t) or will not.”

We have access to everything we need.

We simply need to seek

Ask and it shall be given (Use your words)

Inquiry is everything.

Never be afraid to ask questions.

This is how we learn.

The only silly question is one that is never asked.

Most will not volunteer information to you.

Failure to ask questions will make your trek a long and laborious one.

People who fall in this category often run head first into obstacle after obstacle before getting it right.

The path’s have already been paved.

The maps have already been drawn.

You simply need to ask for directions.

If you want something ask for it.

Don’t be ashamed.

There are few mind readers, if any, that exist among us. No one is aware of what you desire. You must make it known.

Nothing is worse than having a dream locked deep inside you, a potential for great things, and you throw away the key.

Ask and it shall be given.

Knock and it shall be opened unto you (Use your spirit energy)

Nurture the spirit of perseverance.

Realize there is something out there for you.

Behind some door, somewhere, you will find that thing, with your name on it, that was meant for only you.

It will not come to you.

You have to seek for it.

Some may have to knock on a lot of doors before one of them opens.

One thing is certain no one will open the door unless you knock.

Knock hard and knock often until you find the right door.

When people close the door in your face, step back realize its okay because what was behind that door was not meant for you anyway.

Keep moving and keep knocking until things change.

Use every tool that you have at your disposal to build a bridge to the attainment of everything that exists for you to succeed.

Mastin, L. (2010). Neurons & Synapses. http://www.human-memory.net/brain_neurons.html

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. 1997. Synaptic plasticity. http://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/m/s1/chapter07.html
Origins (Beginnings)

May 28th, 2015
To everything there is a source.

All things have an origin.

A place of beginnings

no matter how beautiful or tragic.

That is ground zero.

The natal land

Where

Pre-birth pangs gave way to something grand

Where, fruits of Labor

once brought forth

You can hold in your hand

your nestling dream now visible to all of  man

for once you could hold within your gaze

the substance of hope and faith

The evidence of things once invisible

as within the depths you could not see

what sprouted desire would come to be

because

only moments before that dream; the dream that had swelled with in your frame

Is now given a face and a name

At this place

one finds the reason and purpose that drives all things

It is only at that moment, that most significant  moment, that one comes to understand why “caged bird’s sing”

In those passing moments

When expectancy is full

When one is

swollen with hope that birthing brings

that the pent-up thing, soul-deep, bursting forth, fighting to become, is born a living breathing being

That, which was once hidden

no longer concealable

your bosom much to small to contain such a seed

grown full-term

the being of your destiny

Seeing Ahead

We often can’t see ahead

our eyes were not made for such things

However,

we can see from whence we came

The origin

from birth

to where we stand

Thus,

Oft times we must re-fix our gaze

and remember

The depth and meaning of our source, our birth, natal sands

Introspect and recollect

The moment when your first idea blossomed into a dream

when a seed began to manifest itself as the  tree it could potentially be.

The moment when a brief musing among self or friends began to grow into the next big thing

once just a passing idea, minuscule packages of energy, sparks of  light, circuiting your mental frame

The moment when your hand wrapped around the door knob and swung open wide the doors of opportunity

Introspect and recollect

The place of birth

the well-spring of everything

What now exists for you in the material was once a little thing

unforeseen

A shard, a fragment, an electric signal in your brain

energy traveling neuronal pathways

Now manifested into everything

Let it keep you humble

But dreaming

for we are all connected

to a single root

buried in the same rich soil

nourished by the same celestial springs

The difference maker

not the size or type of seedling

but rather

The size of the hope encased within

Even the smallest of things have the propensity to grow big.
- thought to an invention
- Intention to a vision
- hope to a movement
- aspiration to revolution
- a problem to solution
- delicate glass from a grain of sand
- a single cell to a man
If we were to sit and often contemplate how small things become great

Perhaps then we would see the miracles in everything

And

Seize every moment to be all and do all we can
Watch your “but’s”

May 27th, 2015
Words are powerful.

When uttered they speak volumes of what we represent, what we believe, and who we are.

If one would recognize such, I believe they would exercise more caution in their platitudes and expressions.

Maybe it can be reasoned that failure to reign in such power is due to lack of knowledge.

After all, there are but a few things from which a man dies in spirit, one being a lack of knowledge.

It should be the burden of man, that no other of his or her kindred should perish while yet alive.

For this we should strive.

Lesson: Words that influence deed

There are quite a few words in our standard vocabularies that should be abolished (done away with).

These words, which are often callously spoken, are some of the weightiest in existence.

upon mere utterance, as with indelible ink, one etches out an image, a silhouette.

A projected image of one’s character and personality.

One need not say a lot. That which one say’s can mean everything

The unutterable things

Here is an abbreviated list:
- Can’t
- Try
- Maybe
- Whatever
- But
Although, seemingly insignificant these words say a lot about ones state of mind, or pattern of belief.

These words belie faith, assurance, and positivism.

They indicate the counter.

Knowing thus requires a call to action and change.

I Can’t

When you say can’t you have already proclaimed defeat.

Can’t screams negativity.

It proclaims that you do not have the will or gumption to achieve.

If you wish to achieve and be successful, remove this word completely from your vocabulary.

Replace it with can.

You must have a can do attitude to reach altitude you desire.

I’ll Try

The word try indicates a lack of fortitude and lack of assurance.

When one says that they will “try” to do something it means that they are not quite sure that they will be able to deliver. Therefore, on such matters they they can not be fully depended. Perhaps they will be successful, perhaps they will not. In truth, either one can or cannot.

There is an axiom that states “Nothing beats a failure but a try.” This is true.

The only way you can ensure even a modicum of success is if you act in some manner.

However, to truly increase your probabilities of winning you have to walk forth in assurance. You have to know with a certainty that you can get the job done. This requires a little bit more than simply acting.

You have to give it everything you got.

You can only get out what you put in.

When you are just “trying” to do something you are only putting in minimal effort.

When you utter, “I’ll Try” you have made it evident to yourself and the outside world that what you have agreed to is only a trial.

To Try, “to attempt to accomplish or complete something.” -Merriam Webster.

Your body will never act beyond what your mind instructs it.

Those who simply try never win the gold medal they walk away with honorable mention.

I don’t know Maybe

The word maybe indicates a lack of assurance and incomplete knowledge.

This word displays to others that you are indecisive. It also projects a lack of decision making skills.

It is alright to say you don’t know something.

Acknowledging what you don’t know is a sign of wisdom.

To live in maybe’s is a mark of uncertainty. No one can depend on maybe’s.

“Let your yes be yes and your no be no, (James 5:12), ” but never maybe so.

Whatever!

The word “whatever” is an indicator of apathy. It belies a lack of passion or caring. This word speaks a lot of your character.

It often underlines exasperation and exhaustion and is a sign of giving up.

Uttering this word, shouts, “it really doesn’t matter. ”

At its base root it indicates the undefinable, Just anything.

You attract in to your life that, which you project.

If you just don’t care , and you want just anything, you will get just anything.

If you have no concern over what you put out into the world, don’t be surprised when you reap chaos.

Watch your but’s

But is the most used of the terms, yet it’s utterance indicates a lot.

This word indicates exception. Uttering it nullifies everything said prior to its utterance.

It is a term of negation.

It indicates that one does not truly mean the things that they first speak.

The word but is, “Used to introduce a statement that adds something to a previous statement and usually contrasts with it in some way. On the contrary ; on the other hand.” – Merriam Webster

Example: “I would love to come in tomorrow, but….”

The word but, is typically a word indicating a lack of commitment, and what follows is typical an excuse or rational as to why the former cannot be undertaken.

No matter what is said before, the but , now becomes null and void.

What really matters in life is not so much what you say you will do, but that you do what you say.

Watch your “but’s”.

Words have power.

A person’s use of vernacular indicates a lot about a persons personality and patterns of thinking.

Walk and talk in the way that shows a penchant for success.

Put away those things which undermine it.

“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.”

― Eric Thomas, The Secret To Success