My car is just over three years old. However, the tires are worn; the tail light has a crack in it; the manifold is also cracked and there are two distinctive dings in the body. For the past few weeks, I've heard myself say; "I'm ready for a new car." And because I'm ready for a new car, I've really neglected the one I own. I haven't even washed my car or vacummed the interior in about two months.
In fact, as I was about to leave for a meeting today, I actually had to be careful as to how I got in my car, not to soil my dress slacks. That was a turning point. "When did I become like this?" I pondered.
Luckiliy I had enough time before my meeting to drive over to the car wash. While waiting for the car to be washed, I busied myself reading the paper and catching up on a few emails. Soon I noticed the car wash attendant waiving his cloth franically, because the driver of the car he had just finished wasn't walking over to claim the car. My first reaction was; "What a pretty car." Then I realized it was my car! As I walked over to my car, I suddently remembered all the reasons that I loved the car. Great wheels, nice color, sporty look and a beautiful black leather interior. I don't need a new car - I need to appreaciate the one that I have. Even if I choose to trade the car in for a newer modeling keeping it in good repair and clean will only enhance the trade in value. So my counsel is Love what is....And even more will come your way!
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Honoring the Body Temple
When I’m in “action mode” I have a tremendous about of energy and I get things done. In fact; I’ve yet to meet a piece of furniture that I cannot move – by myself. This past weekend, I had two days of being in constant action-mode. I worked two 14 hour days – and then crashed.
As I went about completing one task after another, I paid very little attention to my body. Therefore, when I stopped moving, my body let me know it had been ignored. My joints ached, my knees swelled and my feet throbbed.
Just as I was about to get up and take a pill, I remembered the quote I had just written down earlier in the day:
“My body is the temple of the living Spirit.”
So today, take time to honor this wonderful vessel that you call your body. With every breath you take, see it as perfection, knowing that even when you abuse it, every cell with in it still renews itself. Find some wonderful way today to pamper it, for it has served you well.
As I went about completing one task after another, I paid very little attention to my body. Therefore, when I stopped moving, my body let me know it had been ignored. My joints ached, my knees swelled and my feet throbbed.
Just as I was about to get up and take a pill, I remembered the quote I had just written down earlier in the day:
“My body is the temple of the living Spirit.”
So today, take time to honor this wonderful vessel that you call your body. With every breath you take, see it as perfection, knowing that even when you abuse it, every cell with in it still renews itself. Find some wonderful way today to pamper it, for it has served you well.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Are You Living An On Fire Life?
Jeff Bordes and I have just launched a new website called Ignition Factor. Ignition Factor's website is a gateway to an inovative coaching enterprise designed to help people live what we call "an on fire life."
It’s our job to provoke the conversation. We’ll throw out the idea — and then you offer the real life examples and/or questions to the topic presented.
Also, if you have a challenge, dilemma, or anything that is keeping you from living an “on-fire life” then we want to know about it. You post the question, and the solution may come from either Jeff, me or another reader.
Here are a few of the questions that have come to us this past week at jack@theingnitionfactor.com — Read the posts, and the let us know what you think.
Let the conversations begin!
Post #1 — The Fire Triangle as a Metaphor
Question: "Why do you use “fire” as a metaphor?"
The Ignition Factor is based on the metaphor of the Fire Triangle, a simple model dating back to ancient Greece, and still used in the modern science of firefighting.
The Fire Triangle represents the three elements fire needs in order to ignite and modulate the burn: Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen. If one of these elements are missing or removed, fire will not exist.
In the Science of Fire, there's a fourth element, combustion. Combustion is a chemical reaction which feeds fire, allowing it to continue and burn hotter and stronger. At Ignition Factor, we teach that the forth element of combustion is the manifestations realized for “purposefully” living an “On-Fire Life. In order to experience “on fire”, we teach that you must accept the responsibility to tend to the three essential elements of the fire within you: You have to be accountable. You have to do stuff. To do so will allow you to feel "on fire" within all 7 major areas of your life: Mind, Body, Career, Wealth, Family, Relationship, and Spirit. Are you On Fire? If you’re not now, you will be after having spent some time with us on this blog site or at www.theignitionfactor.com.
At Ignition Factor, we believe that the only way to experience a truly fulfilled life is to purposefully dedicate oneself to living a life that is consistently and constantly “on fire!” Read on and we'll teach you how!
Post #2 — “Catch Fire!"
[Imagine what it would be like to feel completely fulfilled at the end of each and every day!]
Question: "What does it mean to be fulfilled?"
Before we answer your question, we have a question for you: “At the end of the day — how do you feel?”
• Exhausted and overwhelmed?
• Overwhelmed because of all the “to-do’s that went undone?
• Grateful because you fall asleep counting the wins of the day — like others count sheep?
If you take the time to understand and implement the principles offered by Jeff and I (Your life coaches) at Ignition Factor, you will experience some tremendous new results in your life. You’ll be “fired up” because you will be in control of your own destiny.
Imagine at the end of each day, feeling fulfilled. Feeling satisfied with all that you accomplished and experienced — just in that one day. You can know the gift of falling asleep counting the “wins” of the day rather than sheep. We’ll teach you how! When you visit us at Theignitionfactor.com you can order our 30-day Guide to Living A Fulfilled Life. We believe that at the end of the that thirty days you will be more in control of your time, activities, relationships and you will be well on your way to experiencing what we at Ignition Factor call a fulfilled life.
Post #3 — Begin With The End In Mind
Question: "I think I’m living a fulfilled life, but how do I know?"
Ask yourself this question:
How do you define a fulfilled life? There may have been a spontaneous answer that popped right into your mind. And if that answer “feels” right — then go with it. But if that answer didn’t ignite a spark of motivation within your gut — then perhaps you should ponder the question a bit more.
Some people look at it as a legacy question. They choose to live what we at Ignition Factor call “A Principled Life". It is their intention to make sure that their children and their children’s children understand the values and beliefs that have enabled their family to endure hardships and/or experience success.
Others believe that they were born with a purpose to complete. They endeavor to make the world a better place because they feel called to do so. But this is your journey.
At Ignition Factor our intention is to provide you with tools so you can look back on this journey and say “I did it!” I accomplished all that I wanted. I am fulfilled!
Post #4 — In Order To Be Fulfilled — You've Got To Go To The Source!
Question: "I feel like I’m always fighting fires and that I’ ve lost all control of my life. What can I do?"
At Ignition Factor we use the symbols of fire and especially the “fire triangle” because they serve as a vivid metaphor for living a fulfilled life. For example, in our “Ignite the Spark Within, Seminar and Retreat” we teach students to visualize their own ‘inner flame”. Once they can do that, we then teach them that what they are really witnessing is their “eternal flame.”
That eternal flame is your source. — It is where legacy and fulfillment are manifested. It is what burns within you — it tells the story of who we are and what we came here to do.
We’re lucky. We get to control that eternal flame. We get to fuel it; to modulate the temperature and to control the burn. However, if we do not accept this responsibility, that flame will continue to burn.
It will burn out of control. Relationships, jobs, families and even our own sense of self — will go up in flames. If that happens, we’re accountable. So whenever you hear yourself say: I spent the entire day “fighting fires?” Guess what — you’ve let your "internal" fire burn out of control. You didn’t modulate the temperature and you failed to control the burn!
Along the way, you may discover that “oops this window needs caulking”— so you add a step and then move on — keeping the end in mind. Soon a neighbor comes by and offers a ladder — how helpful! Now you modify your plan, to accommodate the use of your new tool. Soon, by concentrating on the step in front of you — you realize — it’s done! And you say to yourself: “It’s just as I thought it would be!”
It’s our job to provoke the conversation. We’ll throw out the idea — and then you offer the real life examples and/or questions to the topic presented.
Also, if you have a challenge, dilemma, or anything that is keeping you from living an “on-fire life” then we want to know about it. You post the question, and the solution may come from either Jeff, me or another reader.
Here are a few of the questions that have come to us this past week at jack@theingnitionfactor.com — Read the posts, and the let us know what you think.
Let the conversations begin!
Post #1 — The Fire Triangle as a Metaphor
Question: "Why do you use “fire” as a metaphor?"
The Ignition Factor is based on the metaphor of the Fire Triangle, a simple model dating back to ancient Greece, and still used in the modern science of firefighting.
The Fire Triangle represents the three elements fire needs in order to ignite and modulate the burn: Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen. If one of these elements are missing or removed, fire will not exist.
In the Science of Fire, there's a fourth element, combustion. Combustion is a chemical reaction which feeds fire, allowing it to continue and burn hotter and stronger. At Ignition Factor, we teach that the forth element of combustion is the manifestations realized for “purposefully” living an “On-Fire Life. In order to experience “on fire”, we teach that you must accept the responsibility to tend to the three essential elements of the fire within you: You have to be accountable. You have to do stuff. To do so will allow you to feel "on fire" within all 7 major areas of your life: Mind, Body, Career, Wealth, Family, Relationship, and Spirit. Are you On Fire? If you’re not now, you will be after having spent some time with us on this blog site or at www.theignitionfactor.com.
At Ignition Factor, we believe that the only way to experience a truly fulfilled life is to purposefully dedicate oneself to living a life that is consistently and constantly “on fire!” Read on and we'll teach you how!
Post #2 — “Catch Fire!"
[Imagine what it would be like to feel completely fulfilled at the end of each and every day!]
Question: "What does it mean to be fulfilled?"
Before we answer your question, we have a question for you: “At the end of the day — how do you feel?”
• Exhausted and overwhelmed?
• Overwhelmed because of all the “to-do’s that went undone?
• Grateful because you fall asleep counting the wins of the day — like others count sheep?
If you take the time to understand and implement the principles offered by Jeff and I (Your life coaches) at Ignition Factor, you will experience some tremendous new results in your life. You’ll be “fired up” because you will be in control of your own destiny.
Imagine at the end of each day, feeling fulfilled. Feeling satisfied with all that you accomplished and experienced — just in that one day. You can know the gift of falling asleep counting the “wins” of the day rather than sheep. We’ll teach you how! When you visit us at Theignitionfactor.com you can order our 30-day Guide to Living A Fulfilled Life. We believe that at the end of the that thirty days you will be more in control of your time, activities, relationships and you will be well on your way to experiencing what we at Ignition Factor call a fulfilled life.
Post #3 — Begin With The End In Mind
Question: "I think I’m living a fulfilled life, but how do I know?"
Ask yourself this question:
How do you define a fulfilled life? There may have been a spontaneous answer that popped right into your mind. And if that answer “feels” right — then go with it. But if that answer didn’t ignite a spark of motivation within your gut — then perhaps you should ponder the question a bit more.
Some people look at it as a legacy question. They choose to live what we at Ignition Factor call “A Principled Life". It is their intention to make sure that their children and their children’s children understand the values and beliefs that have enabled their family to endure hardships and/or experience success.
Others believe that they were born with a purpose to complete. They endeavor to make the world a better place because they feel called to do so. But this is your journey.
At Ignition Factor our intention is to provide you with tools so you can look back on this journey and say “I did it!” I accomplished all that I wanted. I am fulfilled!
Post #4 — In Order To Be Fulfilled — You've Got To Go To The Source!
Question: "I feel like I’m always fighting fires and that I’ ve lost all control of my life. What can I do?"
At Ignition Factor we use the symbols of fire and especially the “fire triangle” because they serve as a vivid metaphor for living a fulfilled life. For example, in our “Ignite the Spark Within, Seminar and Retreat” we teach students to visualize their own ‘inner flame”. Once they can do that, we then teach them that what they are really witnessing is their “eternal flame.”
That eternal flame is your source. — It is where legacy and fulfillment are manifested. It is what burns within you — it tells the story of who we are and what we came here to do.
We’re lucky. We get to control that eternal flame. We get to fuel it; to modulate the temperature and to control the burn. However, if we do not accept this responsibility, that flame will continue to burn.
It will burn out of control. Relationships, jobs, families and even our own sense of self — will go up in flames. If that happens, we’re accountable. So whenever you hear yourself say: I spent the entire day “fighting fires?” Guess what — you’ve let your "internal" fire burn out of control. You didn’t modulate the temperature and you failed to control the burn!
Therefore you must consciously fuel the flame and modulate the burn so that the results that you want are manifested. By using the principles taught at Ignition Factor you will create results that make you proud — that will add to your experience of living a fulfilled life.
POST 5 — See The End — At The Very Beginning
Question: "I want to turn my life around, but I just don’t know where to begin?"
Do not begin any ask without taking a moment to visualize how you think the end will be. If you’re about to paint your house you just don’t throw up any old color and think that it will do. You imagine your house, beige, blue or green. Then you set out to create your vision.
POST 5 — See The End — At The Very Beginning
Question: "I want to turn my life around, but I just don’t know where to begin?"
Do not begin any ask without taking a moment to visualize how you think the end will be. If you’re about to paint your house you just don’t throw up any old color and think that it will do. You imagine your house, beige, blue or green. Then you set out to create your vision.
You carefully select the paint that will fulfill your vision. You anticipate which steps to take first, cut back the shrubs, sand the walls, tape off the windows and then you begin to paint. When you follow “a plan” you’re much more likely to experience the results you imagined. Then off you go – step by step on your journey toward a beautifully painted home.
Along the way, you may discover that “oops this window needs caulking”— so you add a step and then move on — keeping the end in mind. Soon a neighbor comes by and offers a ladder — how helpful! Now you modify your plan, to accommodate the use of your new tool. Soon, by concentrating on the step in front of you — you realize — it’s done! And you say to yourself: “It’s just as I thought it would be!”
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