I just watched a great video about a way to bring your family together, whether it’s to remember 9/11 or simply to create a deeper sense of unity. You can watch the video now.

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Have you ever created poems about family unity? Share your experience below.

My friend Renee and I roomed together at a marketing conference this past weekend. She’s a technology-lover who thought it was just people like me and others who share the same mentor who stay up til all hours working on our websites and other technology.

I asked her, “What’s the most important thing you’ve learned at the event?”

“I found my bee people,” she told me.

I had to ask her what that meant, and she told me about a movie in which a chubby girl dancing in a bumblebee outfit is trying to find people who appreciate her. After being ridiculed, mocked and ignored, at long last, she finds a group of people dancing in bumblebee outfits similar to hers. She finds her bee people.

I had never heard of the movie, and then Declan Dunn shared a video on his wall that tells the same story.

Spark Your Storytelling Ideas with Digital Storytelling

Blind Melon is playing electrified instruments in the middle of a field (clearly by the magic of modern technology,  since there is no such thing as electric grass in the world at the moment!)

Watch the video with music by Blind Melon.

It is an example of digital storytelling. The story is being danced to a related but not matching piece of music. Digital storytelling brings multimedia elements together to communicate a story.

Taking a source of emotional pain that gets transformed is a great way to get storytelling ideas, Look into your own life for plenty of material.

As a child, I was a lot like the girl. Nobody was like me and many ridiculed me because I dance to my own beat.

I never let that stop me, although naturally it hurt as a kid to have people ridicule me. Now people pay me to do what kids used to make fun of me for doing.

Never let anyone stop you from being authentically YOU!

Bring out your true self by taking The 21–Day “I AM a Gift to the World!” Challenge and find your bee people!

It’s at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/iamagift.

Peace brings prosperity. The US Institute for Economics and Peace recently revealed something that every peacebringer instinctively knows. Peace breeds prosperity.

The US Peace Index even quantifies the cost of violence per person: “The cost of violence per person in a state ranges from $656 in Maine to $2,458 in Louisiana.”

Here is another interesting quote about  peace and prosperity:

The index estimates that the economic effect of decreasing violence in states by 25% ranges from $126m in Vermont to $16bn in California.

Where there is peace, people live more prosperously. Money is saved. (And of course the bigger picture is lives are saved and life is more joyful!)

Looking at the Global Peace Index, the beneficial effects of peace are clear.

The US Institute of Peace is on the brink of losing funding, thanks to legislators.

Whether you live in the US or elsewhere, the US Institute of Peace positively impacts the world in ways you may never have imagined.

Watch this video about the US Institute of Peace now.

Here is a message from the Peace Alliance about how losing funding will change the world..

U.S. House Voted to De-authorize U.S. Institute of Peace

Well friends, it is now clear that many members of the U.S. House (and elsewhere) are on a committed mission to fully eliminate the U.S. Institute of Peace.  After a recent partial victory to secure most of the funding through this fiscal year, we are being called on once again to stand strong for its very existence. 

Today, the U.S. House voted 226-194 in favor of repealing Title VXII of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985, which authorized the establishment of the United States Institute of Peace.  This would likely eliminate the agency altogether.

It is certainly frustrating that as we work to make the case for increased investment in peacebuilding work and infrastructure, one of the only agencies working solely to support peacebuilding internationally is on the chopping block again.  More evidence that those of us advocating for the work of peace have our job cut out for us.  We must stand strong against these efforts to turn back the progress made so far, even as we work for increased investments and infrastructure. 

Contact your Members of Congress and the President today, urging them to stand strong behind the USIP and peacebuilding in general.

The entire military authorization, including this provision, still needs to be approved by the Senate in order to become law. Recently, over 10,000 of you acted to keep funding for USIP (in our network alone). In collaboration with our allies, let’s log many thousands more actions to save this valuable institution.  Your efforts can make a difference!Please consider chipping in towards our continued efforts to help save the USIP.

Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), wrote a compelling article on why the USIP is so important. Here are some excerpts discussing the valuable contributions it has made:

“In the last quarter century, this small, agile and innovative congressionally funded organization created an entire field around peacebuilding — working in difficult conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan — discovering how to best bridge divides, mend broken societies and transition from war to peace.

What many people don’t realize is that USIP is bridging the military and civilian sectors. USIP is neither part of the State Department nor of the Defense Department…

The Institute’s work is not always visible because it seeks to protect the people with which it works in conflict zones. During the Iraq war, USIP was called upon by the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, to reconcile tribal differences in the “Triangle of Death” in Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad…

In the Niger delta, USIP ameliorated conflict by training community leaders in conflict resolution, integrating former rebels back into their home communities, and preparing proposals to resolve some of the key issues dividing the Nigerian government and the Niger Delta rebels.

Back here in Washington, the Institute’s role is equally vital. It was USIP that convened the congressionally funded Iraq study group to analyze options and alternatives when the country was at a crossroads in Iraq.

It was USIP that convened the Genocide Prevention Task Force, featuring former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Defense Secretary William Cohen, and published recommendations that led to the designation of a White House point person to work on stopping genocides…

We need vital institutions in this country that have no political agenda and no partisan bias. USIP convenes the left and the right, the civilian and the military, the national and the international players, government officials and the nongovernmental organizations.”

Read the entire article here, highlighting many of its powerful and crucial accomplishments.

Please, contact your Members of Congress and the President today, urging them to stand strong behind the USIP and peacebuilding in general.

We thank you for your continued support and taking these actions for peace. Together, we will make fundamental changes in the way our culture prioritizes the values and work of peace. 

Three Powerful Actions to Save USIP!

1. Sign the new petition now: Send a message to Congress & President.

2. Share this message: Forward to your entire email list as well as Facebook & Twitter.  

3. Donate: Help us sustain our efforts in support of peacebuilding structures in our government.

In gratitude,
Matthew Albracht

As a peacebringer and #1 bestselling author of The Peace Seed, I am dedicated to thinking, speaking, and acting in peaceful ways and to advocating peace in all communications.

Please join me in supporting the US Institute of Peace.

Thank you.

We are all related!

“Nobody can spell anymore, mom complained. Even though she always uses me as her living, walking, breathing dictionary, she complains about the misspelled word in a thank-you card from her nephew.

“He’s one kid, not the whole generation. Probably he has a learning disability like Bruce does,” I reminded her.

Her husband Bruce is no good with words. He can’t spell. He’ll spell night, as in what follows day, “n i t e.” He often uses an incorrect word or a  similar but incorrect word in conversation (deplict instead of depict).

Does that make Bruce a dummy?

No –  Absolutely not! I’m sure he got teased in school over it, but he clearly has a reading disability of some sort.

Bruce isn’t good with words or numbers, bur he is positively brilliant with all things tool. He can fix anything, build anything, and plan anything that involves parts, wires, circuits or screws.

Here’s an example of Bruce’s genius. I am so in awe of him for this…

The clothes dryer broke, so he did something I would never EVER contemplate. He took it all apart, found the broken bit, looked it up in the manual, ordered a new one. Then when the part came, he put all 500 or more pieces back together.

He put the dryer together exactly as it should be (without consulting an expert or even a manual, by the way).

Unbelievable!

There were no extra “mystery bits” left out. He put the whole dryer back together perfectly.

I have absolutely ZERO aptitude for anything having to do with pipes, circuits or tools. I can barely hang a picture on my own wall. If it goes beyond duct tape or liquid nails, count me out.

Oh, but give me words, and I can bend them to my will or let them transport me and my reader to astonishing realms beyond even my wildest imagination.

I’m as bad with tools and repairs as Bruce is with words.

We all have our genius. How awesome is it to simply honor the uniqueness of each person and not judge them for not being good at something outside the bent of your nature?

And that brings attention right back to the question that began this article and the strange word at the start of the title:

Riffing for Journal Writing Prompts: Is Our World in the Hands of a Lost Generation?

Riffing: GREAT internal resource for Journal Writing Prompts

Do you see how simple exchanges like I had with my mother or simple ideas can serve as journal writing prompts?

I call it “riffing.”

If you’ve ever heard a jazz or Celtic band riff on music, then you get the idea. Riffing is simply letting a simple theme, idea, or phrase ignite you to pour out your spur-of-the-moment creativity.

Riffing is a great source of journal writing prompts.

When looking for great journal writing prompts to spark your self discovery and creativity, it can be really fun to use a specific question to ponder or a piece of media as your starting point.

Your feelings about young people might be the perfect source of a great riff for you.

You probably have a lot of opinions about the generation of young people coming up “behind you.” These will be the future leaders of your nation and the world –  the new artists, scientists, entertainers, big thinkers, inventors, business owners and creators.

many of them are already making a huge splash in the world in their arena of expertise.Consider 16–year-old  Lauren Alaina, runner up to new American Idol 17–year-old Scotty McCreery, one of whom will be named American Idol.

Use your opinions about young people as a source of journal writing prompts.

Need some inspirational thoughts to get you going? Watch this video about the lost generation… 

Isn’t that amazing?

I may have to write something like that soon.

Anyway, back to journal writing prompts.

How can you find ideas for riffing?

1. Pick a “pet peeve.” that will give you volumes of material.

2. Pick a controversial topic to use as a source of writing prompts.

3. Pick a bit of conversation and let that be the spark.

Journaling is a tremendous tool of transformation.

Write on Purpose gives you much deeper prompts to help you:

• cope with grief
• makeover a situation you need to reframe
• attain stress relief
• overcome habits
• create your perfect day
• craft your future

You get an audio teaching, guide book and 13 types of journal writing prompts to help you overcome signs of stress and explore the depths of your experience.

Download it right now at www.asktsl.com/wop.

Imagine a race with no prejudice or judgment. A race with infinite peace and freedom.

Could it happen?

It depends on the choices you make. And yet, at your core, as a living manifestation of the Creator’s divine love, you are a miracle. Today, celebrate YOU!

“Rejoice and love yourself today, ’cause baby, you were born this way.”

Lady Gaga Inspirational Quotes from her song “Born This Way” from her new release of the same title.

Watch the video of “Born This Way” –  and as you watch, I invite you to celebrate the things about you that you may have been teased, under-appreciated or misunderstood for…

There are several amazing inspirational quotes tucked inside that song.

Let your miracle prayer be first and foremost to accept yourself. Imagine what a wonderful place the world is as everyone learns to accept yourself…

Because as you accept yourself, your life becomes a miracle prayer of gratitude, with every moment a sacred act, and you begin to accept everyone for exactly who they are.

What a beautiful vision of peace.

Perhaps you never thought of Lady Gaga as a peacebringer, but when you pay attention to her songs, you can feel that intention.

And in order to get inspired to celebrate your own miraculous self, get a daily dose of inspirational thoughts and stories, inspirational quotes and more…

Take The 21–Day “I AM a gift to the World!” Challenge, which you’ll find at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/iamagift.

—–
Why Miracle Monday?
—–
Monday you need something to inspire you more than any
other day, right?

Miracles happen every day of the week, but I am posting
an article related to miracles every Monday for an
important reason.

Mondays tend to be the most depressing day of the week
for people. There are more heart-attacks, missed work
and feelings of despair.

So now you have the opportunity each week to fill your
hope tank for the week with a miraculous story. Some
articles will be about astounding feats of technology.
Others will be about nature.

All the Miracle Monday posts will feature real people
who have overcome tremendous odds to create a great
life.

Miracles are all around you. They happen every day.
Open yourself to the power and majesty of miracles. And
come back all week long for other inspirational
thoughts and stories.

Tayla Kelly has been “sick” almost since she was born. She has fought immune disorders all her life, and yet she refuses to be the “sick kid.”

Dancing is her passion, and it gives her a strong purpose in life as well as an escape from all the doctors, treatments, and surgeries.

Watch the video now and see her fulfill a dream of dancing with two of her favorite dancers on Dancing with the Stars Spring 2011 Week 10 Results Show.

Watch the video of Tayla Kelly now.

What about you – 

what’s YOUR purpose in life?

Some people know and others don’t. If you don’t know yet, simply follow your passion. Where your energy goes, there is your passion, and once you have your passion, you’re well on the way to knowing your purpose in life.

Your Journey

Your journey to knowing and living your purpose in life awaits.

To give you some guidance and/or companions along the way, you will love the How to Live on Purpose community, because a journey shared is much more rewarding and FUN!

Begin by enrolling in the 21–Day “I AM a Gift to the  World!” Challenge. You’ll find it at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/iamagift.

Imagine a housecat having a great big adventure at sea. 

One cat went with his human onto a boat.  Despite the aversion most cats have to water, this one had more than the usual amount of curiosity. He looked around and even jumped onto the edge of the boat to see into the water.

In the water near the boat was a  dolphin.  Now from the cat’s point of view, the dolphin was a great big, huge creature that he had never seen before.

Obviously, this was a truly unusual experience, because what house cat ever has the chance to see a dolphin?

The cat responded to a dolphin with fascination.  She looked over the side of the boat, straining to see the dolphin.

And then something truly miraculous happened. The dolphin came up to investigate the cat.

For the dolphin as well, this was a brand new experience, I’m sure, because what dolphin,  swimming around in the ocean, ever has the opportunity to see a cat?

The cat and the dolphin instantly became enthralled with each other.  The dolphin kissed and nuzzled the cat.  The cat pawed at and rubbed the dolphin. 

Watch the video now.

Despite their obvious differences, these two creatures looked at each other with curiosity, interest, and with growing friendship. 

The dolphin even came back with friends to show the cat, who was just as interested in the other dolphins as in the first.

Imagine if this cat and dolphin had seen each other as enemies instead of potential friends.  What do you think would have happened then? 

Well, from the cat’s perspective she probably didn’t stand a chance against this huge dolphin unless, perhaps, the Dolphin were already prepared as cat food (for a year)!

From the Dolphin’s perspective she could’ve looked at the cat as a snack.  After all, the dolphin’s mouth is much bigger then the size of the small house cat.

I imagine that if the cat and dolphin could visit each other over time, they could grow a true bond, a true friendship, a true kinship.

For human beings it is just the same. So imagine how you can bring this story of the cat and the dolphin playing together into your own life.

Can the cat and dolphin playing teach you something about people?

Way too often, human beings get caught up in noticing the differences. People have a  horrible habit of deciding that the different “other” is an enemy.

How many wars do you suppose have been started because one type of human decides that another type of human is the wrong color, the wrong race, the wrong religion, or perhaps even the wrong species if they think of the other person or race as sub-human.  How awful!

Storytelling Ideas:

You are about to become a sleuth (detective) in your own life experience. You are going to look for an experience of discovering you had more in common than different.

Remember back to a time when you thought someone was very different from you but discovered you had something important in common. Now answer these questions to craft the story:

What common bond did you discover?

How did discovering your sameness change the way you communicated with the person?

How did the discovery change you?

This is a story from my own experience that might perhaps spark your own storytelling ideas.

When I was very young, perhaps 4 years old, my mom took me to the zoo. One of the most amazing creatures was outside the bars with me. She was a little girl who had skin darker than any other I had ever seen.

I thought she was so beautiful! Her tight black hair felt so different from mine. She had never seen hair like mine and instantly loved my long red hair. We were fascinated with each other.

She had an accent, as my ears heard it, even though we both lived in the same city.

We both got startled when the lion roared and both loved seeing all the animals.

She loved the zebra best because of its stripes. I couldn’t decide which animal I liked more, because I liked them all.

My mom said we two girls were like magnets drawn together. Even though we never saw each other again, I cherished the fun experience of meeting someone so different and yet so much the same.

It is my deepest desire and my own miracle prayer for all humanity to see each other with curiosity, fascination and love the way two children with different skin colors did when we met at the zoo…and the way the cat and dolphin did.

You Are a Gift to the World –  and So Is Every Living Being!

Every living human being and indeed, every living creature on the planet, is a gift to the world.  It is the differences as well as the similarities that make life interesting. 

Imagine eating only one food all the time, seeing only one color all the time, or hearing the same note over and over again, and you can clearly and easily understand how the differences make life great. 

The differences among people are in so many ways only on the surface.  Not every person of a particular race will act a certain way.  Not every Arab is a terrorist.  Not every Italian is a gangster. Not every white person is an oath-breaker.

In order to enjoy and experience the beauty of the differences of all humanity, I invite you to take The 21-Day I AM a Gift to the World Challenge. 

This challenge will give you a daily dose of inspirational thoughts and inspirational quotes, plus opportunities to share a beautiful message of validation and welcome with seven key people in your life. 

The Challenge is free! Register for the challenge right now at www.profitablestorytelling.com/iamagift.

—–
Why Miracle Monday?
—–
Monday you need something to inspire you more than any
other day, right?

Miracles happen every day of the week, but I am posting
an article related to miracles every Monday for an
important reason.

Mondays tend to be the most depressing day of the week
for people. There are more heart-attacks, missed work
and feelings of despair.

So now you have the opportunity each week to fill your
hope tank for the week with a miraculous story. Some
articles will be about astounding feats of technology.
Others will be about nature.

All the Miracle Monday posts will feature real people
who have overcome tremendous odds to create a great
life.

Miracles are all around you. They happen every day.
Open yourself to the power and majesty of miracles. And
come back all week long for other inspirational
thoughts and stories.

Imagine what it would be like if you were visiting a friend and suddenly your life changed forever.

Life as you know it will never be the same.

This is what happened to Charla Nash.

She was visiting a friend; her friend had a chimpanzee as a pet. The chimp went crazy and brutally attacked Charla.

Indeed, she almost did not survive. Eight hours of surgery with four teams of people helping her allowed her to live through the horrific experience.

But now two years after the surgery, Charla’s <Garbled> looks nothing like it did before the horrible accident. You might imagine that she could be bitter, because it is difficult for her to get around on her own.

Charla Nash is now blind in both eyes and her face is so horribly disfigured from the chimpanzee attack that she wears a veil over her face.

Pictures of Charla’s unveiled face are so discomforting that they often come with warnings that some people may not want to see them. 

Despite everything—blindness, disfigurement and disability—Charla did not come out as a bitter and hateful person. She has a strong will to recover. The love of her daughter kept her going through all of that recovery that she went through in the hospital and in rehabilitation. And it keeps her going still.

Now, her brother is taking care of her daughter most of the time, and Charla lives in an independent living facility.

There is a good reason why I include this story as a Miracle Monday post. Charla Nash’s life is truly a miracle prayer in action. Recently, she asked to see her entire team that served her in the hospital.

Did she want to criticize them? Blame them for her disfigurement?

No.

She wanted to see them all so she could thank them for all they did, to express gratitude and appreciation for getting her through and allowing her to live. Never once did she scold them for her disfigurement. She praised them,

what a gracious heart she has. She is a living miracle and certainly an inspiration to everyone. 

Miracles come in many forms.

Sometimes, a miracle comes from a special wonder of nature, such as an especially beautiful sunset. But so many times, the miraculous comes from someone having grace under pressure, someone overcoming unthinkable odds, someone going on when all reason might say they should simply give up.

Had it not been for those four surgical teams at the hospital, Charla surely would  not have recovered. Some  What makes her a living miracle prayer is not the simple fact that she is alive. What makes her miraculous is her heart of gratitude and appreciation.

people might think that her life is shattered now and that perhaps she should not have made it through all of that pain, surgery, and permanent disfigurement.

 And yet … to hear her thank all of those who helped her to get through it, and to hear that she still has a loving heart and not a bitter heart, to see her still fight back and work towards her recovery every single day is truly both inspiring and miraculous.

Do you imagine that you would respond the way Charla did?

 Do you imagine that you would look at your life as a miracle?

Would you inspire others with the way you handle the situation?.

Watch this video showing Charla’s love and grace as she met all the hospital staff who helped her through her surgeries and recovery.

Watch the video of Charla Nash’s miraculous recovery:

Watch only GOOD news!

How can you open yourself up to the miracle prayer of gratitude and appreciation?

It begins by thinking of yourself as someone who is truly blessed. For some people, this is a very difficult understanding.

Maybe you’ve lost your job; maybe you’re dealing with cancer or some other illness. Maybe you’re dealing with situations that you do not prefer and having experiences you wish you did not have to endure.

None of that matters. The way you look at your life is entirely up to you. Yes, It is entirely up to you to decide how you’re going to respond.  
     
For me, I feel so very blessed every time I get to eat a meal, because I realize that so many in the world do not have that honor and privilege. I feel so blessed to have my modest little home out in the country. Some people might think of it as small and insignificant; for me, it is my dream come true.

I’m greeted every day by bird song and all the wonders of nature. I’m able to sleep in a bed in safety and have electricity, and I feel so very blessed to have a place to sleep when I know that so many do not have that privilege or that honor.

This is why I say that the way you perceive your life is entirely up to you.  
     
One thing that tends to get in the way for people and make it hard for you to see the miraculous around you is stress.

When you’re feeling stressed, it can be hard to feel blessed. Blessed and stressed at the same time? How could that be possible?

And yet, when you find ways to deal with the signs of stress in your life, and when you then experience stress relief, it helps you to feel blessed and then to increase all of the things that are good and right in your life as you deal with the bumps in the road that everybody experiences.
     
So then, your next question is going to be “great, now how do I deal with the signs of stress? Life is tough!”

Here is the answer. Here are some simple ways that you can deal with signs of stress and open your mind and heart to the miraculous.

1. Roll back. 

 People who practice the martial arts know what it is to roll back.  It means to get a new perspective.  It means that instead of staying right in the middle of things to back off a bit, to get a new perspective. 

Imagine an eagle who is sitting in a tree and then takes off and soars over the landscape.  Certainly, I’m not expecting you to fly (in physical form) like the eagle, but yet your perception can back off and get a new perspective. 

But, first you have to take the time and give a little bit of attention to that new perspective.  So, roll back.

2. Breathe. 

You have to stop and take a breath, because this is what helps you to get out of the craziness and stress and worry that might be happening in your mind. Breathing lets you get into a place where you can cope with whatever is happening.  Breathing is very important, and there are so many different breathing exercises that you can do. 

The simplest way to start is to put your hands on your belly and breathe into your hands, letting your hands move will keeping your shoulders still.  This will ensure that you breathe from your diaphragm rather than from the little tiny part of your lungs that’s up near your shoulders.  When people are stressed, the first thing to go is the breath.

3. Open the mind to the possibility of change. 

One  of the things that happens way too often when you’re stressed is you get into the mind set that it’s always going to be this way.  You probably don’t mean to do it, and probably don’t even recognize that you’re doing it. 

Simply by taking that new perspective to realize that things can change, it helps you to get out of that rut.  Otherwise, your mind can stay in a rut like when the road is muddy and there is a deep groove from tires and you just can’t seem to get out of it.  That’s what your mind can do unless you take charge of it.

So, if you take those three pieces of advice, that will help you to open yourself to the miraculous and to all new possibilities in your life. 

Help overcoming stress, Overwhelm and Burnout

To help you along your way, there is a program that you will find really useful, because in overcoming stress there are three deadly mistakes that most people <Lost Signal>

There are three deadly mistakes you definitely want to avoid. The program I recommend to you is called The Three Deadly Mistakes That Cause Stress, Overwhelm and Burn Out.

So if you have ever felt stressed, if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in not knowing what to do, or if you’re approaching that burnout where you almost don’t care anymore because you’re so out of sorts, you need to pick up this program today and bring it home.

What you will discover in the three deadly mistakes package is a powerful audio. You’ll also find a study guide or an action guide to help you as you move into the space of overcoming your signs of stress instead of verging on burnout.

You’ll discover that this program gives you very specific tools that you can use to live a quality life and to get stress out of your way so that can you open yourself to the miraculous.

You will find the three deadly mistakes package at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/deadly.

__________________________________________________________________

—–
Why Miracle Monday?
—–
Monday you need something to inspire you more than anyother day, right?

Miracles happen every day of the week, but I am posting an article related to miracles every Monday for an important reason.

Mondays tend to be the most depressing day of the week for people. There are more heart-attacks, missed work and feelings of despair.

So now you have the opportunity each week to fill your hope tank for the week with a miraculous story. Some articles will be about astounding feats of technology. Others will be about nature.

All the Miracle Monday posts will feature real people who have overcome tremendous odds to create a great life.

Miracles are all around you. They happen every day. Open yourself to the power and majesty of miracles. And come back all week long for other inspirational thoughts and inspirational stories.

Expect a miracle!

Dr. Rick Schaefer, author of Extreme Thought Makeover, wrote a blog post about one of my favorite subjects…dogs.

Although I’m truly more of a cat person, I also adore dogs and really all animals. I consider animals our elder siblings, for they are amazing teachers. They helped keep the planet in balance long before humanity came and made a mess of things.

Dr. Rick Schaefer writes a daily focus that I absolutely love to read. Recently, he focused on DOGS.

Before you read his post and his most unusual suggestion, watch Molly Flagtail roll in the grass. What a great source of stress relief and relaxation it is to watch a dog be silly! Dogs are good for your health. They truly are a great source of stress relief.

Molly actually appeared in someone’s dream and delivered an important message. I’ll tell you about that soon.

Meanwhile…Here are the inspirational thoughts Dr. Rick wrote.

Your Daily Focus: Dogs

Posted in Quotes / Daily Focus

One of the greatest inventions of all time is Dogs!  Think about it.  You can run into any dog on the planet, a total stranger to you, and they act as though they are your best friend and haven’t seen you for 2 years.  

Total surprise, total joy, dancing around completely beside themselves.  They jump, they dance, they wag their tails, they hug you and lick you and can barely contain themselves.

Think about how this feels. In return, you can hardly contain yourself as well.  You reach out, pet, hug, love, kiss, and dance.  Wow, what a display of affection and love.

Dogs are the perfect demonstration of the Law of Attraction. They emanate nothing but positive energy and enthusiasm and love, and thus in turn, they attract it back.

They are the perfect example of allowing their inner being to flow out into the physical world at all times… nothing but love and affection for all.

I love this idea.  Let’s try to allow the true energy of our inner being to flow out into the physical world, with nothing but love and affection for all.  

Here’s the key:  for all.  For you, for me, for them, for we, for he, for she, for everyone, including (and here’s the key) for ourselves!

Let’s try an experiment. The next time you see someone, pretend it is your best friend in the whole world and you haven’t seen them for two years.  Jump, dance, wag, lick, love, hug, and kiss.  

Let’s see what happens!  You know, if only one of us does it it’ll appear weird.  If ten of us do it, it’ll appear to be a “movement.”  If we all do it, it’ll change the world forever!

Aren’t those beautiful words of wisdom?

This is my response to Rick.

Rick –  your inspirational thoughts are uplifting, as always! I don’t lick people, but I definitely jump up and down, dance in a circle and otherwise celebrate connecting with people. I don’t have a tail, but if I did, it would wag! People get a warm smile that touches my eyes and voice plus a warmer welcome.

Part of the intention I speak aloud twice each day is, “I am more loving each day.”

Here are some photos of my favorite dog, Molly Flagtail, on Flickr. These were all taken during our travels.

I rescued Molly from a shelter, and she claimed me within seconds when we met. Astonishingly, the Adoptions Coordinator of the Max Fund in Denver, where I adopted her, actually thought living life as a guide dog would be restrictive.

Does Molly look restricted to you?

Here she is in action.…

 

 

 

Dogs teach love. Love is why every person is here on earth. Everybody is invited into the circle of love. All are welcome. Each person is a gift to the world. YOU are worthy. I celebrate you!

having a playful nature is wonderful fun. And if some people think I’m overly expressive, that’s their opinion and they’re welcome to it. Personally, I couldn’t care less. I am who I am, and if I want to show excitement, I shall!

.Imagine a love revolution sweeping the world. This love revolution honors the uniqueness, strengths and foibles of all people. The circle of life is for everyone. All are welcome!

Dr. Rick’s book Extreme Thought Makeover is one of the “must read” books I recommend to all my friends, mentoring clients, customers and anyone else who wants a fun life makeover.

The book gives you a simple yet powerful action to take each day that gives you precisely what the title offers.

You’ll notice that he wisely included dozens of success stories from his clients. One of them is from me. You’ll find it in the chapter about the Rampage of Appreciation. 

Claim Extreme Thought Makeover now at www.profitableStorytelling.com/etm.

While you wait for your book to arrive, I invite everyone reading this post to share in the comments how you celebrate people. Please add your comment, and also subscribe to the RSS feed in your favorite reader so you’ll never miss a post again.

I’m watching for your contribution!

Here’s the question…

How do you celebrate people?

 

I look forward to reading your response in the comments below!

“My mom used to tell me that God made me this way for a reason, and I believe that reason is wrestling.”

 –  Anthony Robles inspirational quotes, miracle prayer quotes from the, 2011 NCAA Wrestling Champion, 125 pound weight class who achieved his success with only one leg

When you see someone without a body part, how do you feel?

Do you believe the person is missing out, lacking or less than others?

Imagine watching a young man with well-muscled arms crossing the college campus on crutches. He has no right leg, and you see him go into the auditorium, then into the wrestling arena as a competitor.

Then, astounded, you watch him face and conquer wrestlers with all their requisite body parts to become the national champion..

His story is one of the most inspirational stories you will encounter, because

yes, the top college wrestler in the 125 pound weight class is missing something that most people take for granted.

Anthony Robles was born without a right leg.

Here is NCAA 2011 Wrestling Champion Anthony Robles’ belief about having only one leg:

I really don’t see missing my leg as a handicap. You know, my parents raised me strong and they didn’t give me any special treatment. So, I believe I can do anything I set my mind to and wrestling is something I enjoy, I love it and I’m just trying to be (the) best at it” – Anthony Robles, WPVI March 16^th 2011. inspirational quotes

His inspirational stories of doing what some might believe to be impossible touch people worldwide.

Here is a brief interview Anthony Robles gave after his incredible win.

watch the video.

 Inside information about the sport of wrestling.

Here is a snippet from an article from the Tuscon Citizen newspaper via USA Today Online about inclusiveness in the sport of wrestling:

Wrestling is a sport that prides itself on being open to athletes of all types:

• Dock Kelly, born without part of his right hand and his right leg, competed in the 1996 NCAA Division I championships for North Carolina-Greensboro.

• Nick Ackerman, who lost both legs below the knees as a child due to bacterial meningitis, was 174-pound champion at the 2001 Division III finals. He wrestled for Simpson (Iowa).

•Kyle Maynard, born without hands or feet, qualified for the Georgia high school championships in 2004.

“We give opportunities,” said (Oklahoma State coach John) Smith. “Wrestling is a sport of opportunity for the little, for the big, for the average kid, for the kid that’s got one leg, one arm. It’s a sport of opportunity for a lot of people that can’t do a lot of things or other sports.”

View article Source:

Robles never sits on the pity pot. His miracle mindset, strength, and determination are taking him from champion wrestler to inspirational speaker for sure.

Turning “Weakness” into Strength

Since he has only one leg to stand on, Robles.had to adapt his technique. Upper body strength and cat-like agility serve him well on the mat. His tremendous attitude serves him in all areas of life.

You as a person on a quest for your dream come true also have amazing strengths and abilities too, and they’re all tucked inside of life’s challenges. No matter who you are, you have an unique way of doing things that you must honor.

The road to all your dreams come true is definitely a broken road, and it is because of the stumbles, challenges and even heartbreak that you reach the object of your own personal quest.

Following the crowd does not serve you well. You turn any supposed weakness or deficit into a strength when you find the power in your pain.

Hidden inside every step along your own road of trials is a gift in the form of an opportunity to develop strengths of character you would not have had on an easier road.

But perhaps you are feeling grumbly about your challenges and difficulty. perhaps you consider them to be stumbling blocks. Or perhaps you wonder why you are faced with such a horrible fate.

Find the Power in Your Pain and the Message in Your Mess

How can you find power in your pain and unwrap the gift inside your trials and tribulations?

1. Write down your feelings. No need to censor or criticize your emotions. Just be honest and write them down. There is a powerful purpose to this. When you write on purpose, you get to the root of what’s bothering you instead of staying stuck in a feeling.

2. have a mentor. A mentor is someone who is ahead of you along the journey. All successful people throughout history have had mentors who guided them and gave them perspective.

3. Be around only positive people. Anyone who gossips, complains or criticizes is negative and has no room in your world. You become like who and what surround you.

4. Avoid watching the news. Media influences you in subtle ways. Reading or especially watching the news drains your momentum and positive energy, so avoid it. You’ll find out from someone anything you need to know.

5. Find the gift inside the challenge. Perhaps you have heard of the Rascal Flatts song “Bless the Broken Road” with the lyric, “God bless the broken road that lead me straight to you.” Look for the opportunities that have come to you as a result of your difficulties and challenges. You may start to realize that something amazing wouldn’t have come to you without that particular challenge.

6. Share your story of turning trials into triumph. Tell the story of overcoming your challenges whenever you get the chance. Anthony Robles intends to be an inspirational speaker, and no doubt he will inspire millions with his message. You may not want to be a speaker, but those around you will definitely be inspired by YOUR strength and courage.

Find the Message in Your mess

All of the above tools will help you tap into the power in your pain. And yet you may want a “head start.” The Find the Message in Your Mess package gives you the mindset, storytelling techniques and mentoring to tap into the power in your pain.

It includes a 90–minute DVD shipped to your door plus a variety of instantly downloadable tools, including an audio program, action guide and inspirational stories to guide you along the way. Plus I do a special call for people who have this package several times a year, and you get your special invitation when you pick up the package today.

Claim the Find the Message in Your Mess package NOW at ProfitableStorytelling.com/message.
—–
Why Miracle Monday?
—–
Monday you need something to inspire you more than any
other day, right?

Miracles happen every day of the week, but I am posting
an article related to miracles every Monday for an
important reason.

Mondays tend to be the most depressing day of the week
for people. There are more heart-attacks, missed work
and feelings of despair.

So now you have the opportunity each week to fill your
hope tank for the week with a miraculous story. Some
articles will be about astounding feats of technology.
Others will be about nature.

All the Miracle Monday posts will feature real people
who have overcome tremendous odds to create a great
life.

Miracles are all around you. They happen every day.
Open yourself to the power and majesty of miracles. And
come back all week long for other inspirational
thoughts and stories.

Jeremy Boone is kicking butts and taking names for sure…in more ways than one!

One way Jeremy is kicking behinds is as a performance trainer for top athletes such as the Carolina Panthers. He trains these athletes to play at their peak performance levels.

He also works with parents who have children in sports. He has created a coaching program for parents and even a game that teaches them to properly encourage their young athletes.

The third way he is “kicking butts” is in the arena of writing and publishing his book and marketing it even before he finished writing it!

His much anticipated new book Parent Your Best is now available. 

Jeremy Boone is a man of passion and determination who lets NOTHING stop him from achieving his goals. He came to me for help writing and publishing his book Parent Your Best.

And while he was writing the book, he began to get media attention.

Here is his blog post about appearing on the NBC affiliate station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Notice how he took a current news event and turned it into a promotional opportunity for himself and his book:

Today I had the opportunity to go by the NBC Studio here in Charlotte, NC and talk with Michelle Boudin about a recent event where a parent assaulted a police officer.

After reviewing the video clip a few times it made me realize how  a poor thirty second decision by a dad will now negatively affect literally thousands of other athletes and their parents here in Mecklenburg County.  

There are obviously many more obvious thoughts about this unfortunate event.  At the end of the day, what needs to be done is to take a proactive approach to helping parents build the skills they need to be the parent that their child needs them to be both on and off the court.

Performance Coach Teaches Parents to Support their young athletes

News stories about parents getting into brawls at sporting events happen way too often. Jeremy Boone is able to take the news and turn it into a way for him to share his positive parenting message.

Recently, Jeremy appeared on NBC. Here’s the news clip along with Jeremy’s comments. Watch the video now.

He commented how a bad decision exploded into an incident that got national news coverage in a matter of moments.

Jeremy has also appeared on Fox Got Game. His two-part segment began with conversation about training football players, the Panthers, for their upcoming season.

Then, the second segment focused on his book Parent Your Best. He shared how parents can support the sports performance of their children without being overbearing.

Even a Performance Coach Needs Guidance for How to Write a book that Explodes Your Business

Both are great examples of leveraging expertise and turning free publicity into a way to put yourself and your business in front of thousands and potentially even millions of people.

A book is the most powerful tool of leverage you can create.

Author Coaching

Jeremy came to me for author coaching. He took what I told him to do and ran with the ball all the way to the goal!

TV Publicity…BEFORE the book!

Even before his book was complete, he has already been getting television publicity and interest in his book and business from large sporting organizations.

Live Events…BEFORE the book!

Jeremy also leveraged his experience and passion into creating a parent Your Best Live Event.

He recorded this event and is using the event in a couple of ways.

1. Clips to get traffic to his site by solving problems for parents
2. The whole event as a bonus resource for those who buy the book.

 So what about you?

Wondering how to write a book and how to publish a book?

Don’t try it alone. Sure, it’s easy and free to publish, but without mentoring, you won’t have the guidance and oomph you need to reach your real goals with the book.

More than once, I’ve told Jeremy, already a big thinker, “Jeremy, you need to think BIGGER!” And the results are top secret at the moment…but they’re big!

You can start with the Instant VIP Interactive Self-Study Program, which gives you week-by-week guidance through the process of writing your book, choosing your publishing option, and growing your influence as an expert author.

You’ll find it at ProfitableStorytelling.com/vipselfstudy.

Welcome to an ongoing exploration questioning the existence of miracles. Are miracles dead? Are they everywhere?

Dr. Rick Schaefer, author of Extreme Thought makeover, made miracles his daily focus. Here in part is what he says about miracles:

There are two ways to live your life – one as though nothing is a miracle, the other as though everything is a miracle.  – Albert Einstein

Is it just a random event that the Earth rotates perfectly on it’s axis and orbits perfectly around the sun? Is it just a coincidence that the planet maintains it’s atmosphere and temperature perfectly to sustain human life? Is it really out of your control that you couldn’t find a parking spot close to the mall?

What about all that stuff? How does a tomato seed know which way is up when it starts growing underground.

—-

We are all connected through the God-force engulfing our Universe, the energy of our Angels, the ribbons of energy of our non-physical Souls, the combined intention and desire of every person on this planet.

A previous post about miracle prayer and the power of believing conveyed a Facebook conversation about whether miracles are dead, rare or everywhere.

Obviously, Dr. Rick favors the belief that miracles are everywhere and that your perception is what makes the difference in your own life.

Now take a look at a human miracle (or non-miracle, depending on your perception). This story combines a passionate human spirit and powerful forces of nature.

Inspirational Stories: Soul Surfer

“When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.”

Helen Keller | Inspirational Quotes | Miracle Prayer Quotes

Reflect on Helen Keller’s words as you read the story of Brittany Hamilton.

A young woman’s inspiring story of passion and persistence in the face of loss now inspires movie audiences a movie called.Soul Surfer.

Bethany Hamilton has a passionn for surfing. At age 13, she had already distinguished herself as someone destined for greatness in the sport.

Then, one fateful day, a shark bit off her left arm.

What would YOU feel when seeming tragedy strikes –  literally?

Naturally, Bethany’s road to recovery had its emotional outbursts and plenty of ups and downs. She thought her passion for riding the waves had come to a dramatic end forever.

Would YOU give up on your passion forever?

But in a short time (only a few months after losing her arm), her inner strength and passion asserted themselves once more and she took up her beloved sport once more.

Just two years later, she won a national title. Her comeback has inspired many thousands of people and is now sure to inspire millions because of the movie.

Watch the video trailer of Soul Surfer

Was her recovery a miracle?

Perhaps the real miracle is the passion of her own spirit and her willingness to overcome, climb on the board again with only one arm, and reclaim her purpose in life.

With all the medical procedures and human intervention, some might say there is no miracle here. After all, Bethany’s miraculous recovery did not come as a divine gift bestowed upon her.

Or did it?

Her own human spirit is the miracle. The inspirational stories of her life, her “disability (hah!) and her comeback now have an impact on more lives as people hear and see her story.

Perhaps you’re wondering…Is there a miracle power inside me

Could there be a miracle power inside you?

This is a question you will have to answer for yourself. And as you play with miracle prayer and whether miracles are all around you or not, perhaps you would allow yourself to consider this…

Perhaps miracles are in the power of openness, wonder, and the recognition of blessings.

What would happen if you opened your heart, mind and spirit to see miracles all around you in the inspirational stories of remarkable people and in the wonders of the natural world?

What would happen if you expect a miracle?

Bridging the Miracle Gap

Perhaps you want to open yourself to expect a miracle and believe that miracles are all around you – yet perhaps you feel that all the pain and distress in the world wipes out the possibility of miracles.

Nobody can or should even try telling you how to believe. However, these suggestions will help you open yourself to a more joyous and engaged life whether or not you ultimately believe in miracles.

1. Focus on what is going RIGHT. The question, “What if it all goes right?” is a powerful one. You’ll never change what displeases you by complaining or doing battle anyway, so surrender to “What if it all goes right?” and watch what happens.

2. When you catch yourself complaining, replace that complaint with a realization of what is good in the situation OR what you can learn from it. Maybe the alarm not working caused you to miss being in an accident.

3. Practice kindness to the people you encounter. A smile costs nothing and can be the thing that makes someone’s day.

4. Connect with nature.  Get caught up in the wonder of an exquisite sunset or the power of a wave. This more than anything will open your spirit to miraculous wonders. Imagine waking up feeling excited to greet the day and you can feel the power of connecting with the natural world.

5. Practice gratitude and appreciation. Keep a gratitude journal or gratitude list and write down at least 5–10 things for which you feel gratitude and appreciation each day.

Guidance Along the Path

All of those suggestions make for a quality life. Yet I know that having a trusted guide to show you the way makes all the difference.

Chief Robert and Terri TallTree, award-winning musicians and gifted speakers, have a beautiful DVD called Four Brothers that guides you to understand the natural world and feel more connected with your true source of power. 

The tallTrees are outstanding mentors who make the process of lerning one of discovery and joy.

As a student in their year-long self mastery program, I can tell you that following their teachings makes my life even more blissful and full of purpose than I would be without their guidance.

One of the things you’ll discover on the Four Brothers DVD is a simple way to de-stress and feel more connected with both yourself and the world around you.

You’ll also discover how the 4 elements, your “four brothers,” work in your life.

Bring home the Four Brothers DVD now at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/4brothers and watch your heart open like a flower to a meaningful life.

Perhaps you will discover that there IS a miracle power within you!

*******************************************

Why Miracle Monday?

Monday you need something to inspire you more than any
other day, right?

Miracles happen every day of the week, but I am posting
an article related to miracles every Monday for an
important reason.

Mondays tend to be the most depressing day of the week
for people. There are more heart-attacks, missed work
and feelings of despair.

So now you have the opportunity each week to fill your
hope tank for the week with a miraculous story. Some
articles will be about astounding feats of technology.
Others will be about nature.

All the Miracle Monday posts will feature real people
who have overcome tremendous odds to create a great
life.

Miracles are all around you. They happen every day.
Open yourself to the power and majesty of miracles. And
come back all week long for other inspirational
thoughts and stories.

That blind woman was me, and the co-author was Bonnie Tesh, who could not drive because cancer , among other things, took away all feeling in her foot.

Thanks to the power of the internet, we are able to share our inspirational stories and inspirational thoughts in this short TV appearance with people for years to come.

The book we wrote, I[‘ll Push You Steer, is a collection of inspirational quotes and inspirational short stories. we share the various experiences of dealing with what society calls our “disabilities.”

To us, any challenges are nothing more than speed bumps along the journey.

Watch the video of our TV appearance to inspire YOU and help you find your new groove.

You can see more about I’ll Push You Steer at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/push. The book is available everywhere, and now on amazon Kindle.

An Abundance of Inspiration!

There are numerous articles on this site with inspirational thoughts, inspirational short stories, inspirational quotes, and inspirational  stories.

Watch the video with Maya Angelou inspirational quotes plus some inspirational thoughts  to make the teaching your own.

Welcome to your Inspirational Quotes and inspirational thoughts for the day!

Here is today’s inspirational quote of the day, which comes from Maya Angelou.

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

Now, let’s bring this teaching into your life.

When you immediately teach what you have learned, you learn better, faster and more easily. When you turn around and give once you have received, you keep the flow going. You will receive more as you give more!

. For more inspiration, take the 21-Day “I am a Gift to the World!” Challenge at  www.ProfitableStoryTelling.com/world.

And remember, you ARE a gift to the world!! G

Imagine being blind, standing at a bus stop waiting to go home…and some guy starts watching you…then stalking you.

What would you do? How would you feel?

Well, I was raised to think on my feet, as the saying goes, which is to say that I’m not the typical damsel in distress. A scary situation? yes, absolutely. yet watch me sharing the story at a writers conference and you’ll see what happened.

I doubt that stalker ever forgot me.

Watch the video of the “Just Growl and mean It,”  one of many inspirational stories in I’ll Push You Steer.

This is an excerpt from the inspirational and humorous I’ll Push You Steer by myself and Bonnie Tesh, who is an award-winning author and dear friend.