Who You Are Makes A Difference
Many years ago I was honoured to be presented with a blue ribbon that read “Who I Am Makes A Difference”.
Today, some 15 years later, that same blue ribbon has a pride of place on my office bookshelf, and, whenever I feel I am not making ENOUGH of a difference, or things aren’t moving quick enough where I don’t feel I’m able to help as many folks as I would like… all I have to do is glance over at that ribbon to know that even if I only make an impact on one life that day, who I am makes a difference.
A graphical ribbon that was sent to me via email, I never knew the story behind the ribbon. And then the other day, as I was watching a short video on Daily Success Stream, there it was! Funny how our lives can come full circle, huh? 
So I was introduced to the beautiful soul of Helice ‘Sparky’ Bridges who spiralled off a whole movement and touched thousands upon thousands of lives.
I want you to know today that who you are DOES make a difference. Please accept this blue ribbon from me. Please print, cut it out and stick it somewhere that you can see it everyday. And while you’re at it, why not print and cut out a few and pass on to people who have made a difference in YOUR life?
YOU are special! Thank you for being you.
Are Your Monsters Gobbling You Up?
For some reason, my dog thinks the toaster is a monster.
He has such a fear of the toaster that as soon as I pop some bread into it, he charges out of the house to hide, tail between his legs; convinced the toaster is going to jump off the cupboard, chase after him and gobble him up!
In fact, his fear is so massive that despite him hating the rain with a vengeance, he will go and sit out in the rain just to get away from the toaster (normally he wouldn’t let a drop of rain touch his head!). Same thing goes if it is 40C (104F) outside; he would much prefer to swelter in the sun and nearly cark it than be inside with ‘The Monster’.
I have no idea why he has such a fear of toasters, and unfortunately, unlike us humans where we can get guidance on our fears, talk through all logical outcomes, and walk out the other side free of the fear, my darling little dog can’t do this and seems destined to be afraid of the monster all of his life, despite my best efforts to reassure him.
His situation and the way he carries on reminds me, on occasions, of what us humans put ourselves through, just to avert what we perceive as ‘pain’ due to an ingrained fear that we possess. We will jump through hoops, run 10 miles backward, and climb the wrong mountain; just to avoid ‘it’.
In jumping through those hoops, running those miles, and climbing a mountain, we’ve expended more energy than we should have which has taken our energy off what matters. Did you know that it takes more energy to fight your fear than it does to face it and move through it?
Fears are self-limiting beliefs that do not serve you in any way. And without evaluating your fear they sit in your subconscious, allowed to fester like a wound, and prevent you from fulfilling your dreams and desires.
What beliefs and fears are holding you back from stepping out with passion and purpose?
Please feel free to download this worksheet to work through your beliefs and fears so you can transform your thinking and eradicate the monsters!
Does the Law of Attraction REALLY Work?
Earlier this week, I was in a call with my coach Julie (yes, coaches have coaches too!), and I opened up a topic about some eBooks I had written and published back in the 90’s and that I continue to revise on a regular basis; and how an idea had popped into my head about doing something different with them.
Some thoughts were jumping around in my head, but I hadn’t really clarified clearly what I wanted. So, as all good coaches do, Julie fired some questions my way and, by the end of the call, my vision was clearer and I had started to map out a path and journey that I wanted to take with my eBooks.
Before I share with you this amazing story; firstly, a little background.
Initially, I sold my eBooks as a standalone product, which I changed in 2001 and incorporated into some software that I developed – so they were no longer a standalone product.
In 2005 – around 10 years after I wrote the original version – I suddenly felt motivated to register my eBooks and apply for ISBNs. I had no idea why I needed to do that; but the urging was strong so I listened to my heart and did it. As the ISBN Agency states on their website: “The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally. Each number identifies a unique edition of a publication, from one specific publisher, allowing for more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors.” The significance of this will become clear in a moment.
For a little while now, I have had this ‘feeling’ that I need to separate the eBooks from the software and, once again, offer as a standalone product. In fact, the feelings have been getting stronger, so I realised it must be for a reason, and that is when the thought popped into my head that I need to do something with it – and this is when Julie stepped in with some coaching to help me define this ever-persistent pull.
If you have ever worked with a coach, you know and understand the POWER of saying your thoughts out loud and then working through your ideas to arrive at some solid solutions and, importantly, an action plan to see that solution to fruition. One of these powers in saying your thoughts and intentions out loud, is that you are bedding it down and throwing that conscious thought out into the Universe.
And so it began for me. My thoughts and intentions were out there… my journey was starting.
Almost every night I fall to sleep with special affirmations that I have recorded… that day (which was a Monday), I re-recorded my affirmations to incorporate my intentions with my eBooks.
Starting that day, I played my own movie and saw my vision; saw myself in that vision. I was there already.
Starting that day, I took action steps toward my vision and acted with urgency. And, as I do every day, I took time to reflect and give deep gratitude for what has happened in my life that day.
Let’s fast forward to Friday.
Whilst I had taken action steps over the last four days, the eBooks were still ‘wrapped’ as a bundle with my software products and my plans were still in the beginning phases, including revisions, new website, new marketing plans, and so on.
At 10.15 Friday morning, I received a phone call. I find this time significant. Because on Monday, I finished my coaching call with Julie at 10.14am.
Who was on the call? An International supplier of (ISBN-registered) technical and academic printed books and eBooks to public libraries and university libraries. This organisation wants to promote my eBooks to libraries within Australia and Singapore. WOW!
Was it a coincidence that I felt a need to register my eBooks with ISBNs? No.
Was it a coincidence that I felt an urgent need to overhaul what I am currently doing with my eBooks? No.
Was it a coincidence that I felt a need to discuss it with my coach that galvanised me into action? No.
Was it a coincidence that this company rang me out of the blue? No.
Does the Law of Attraction REALLY work? Yes, it does. It has been proven to me, time and time again.
There are no coincidences in life. You DO attract what you think; on a conscious and subconscious level. When you have a desire for something – which comes from a place deep within your heart – when you apply consistent efforts and positive thoughts, coupled with a genuine gratitude for what you have in your life, RIGHT NOW, you will be astounded at what starts to transpire in your life.
What has happened in your life using the Law of Attraction (or happened without you even knowing it was the Law of Attraction at play)? Please share with me your stories and / or thoughts.
Power Thoughts
I was watching a video in the iLearningGlobal member area on the ‘States of Mind’ by Dennis Deaton; where Dennis provides insights into habitual thought patterns and mental circuitry, and how you can change your life around by thinking powerfully and consistently – after all, our thoughts can either make us or break us.
One concept Dennis shared throughout the video series was in having your very own power thoughts that you can tap into to switch your thinking. And I just loved his powerful thought when dealing with fears that may be holding you back: “If it looks like death, it’s probably life… run to it.”
What power thoughts can you come up with? I challenge you in thinking about it now, jotting them down and memorising so they are ready when you need them.
Dennis mentioned another concept that I found very interesting; and of which I am also guilty of doing on occasions. And it is this: rather than repress your thoughts, acknowledge and redirect.
After all, if you’re already thinking the thought, it is in your brain so there’s no point in trying to squash it. Instead, acknowledge the thought you are having and redirect the thought in another way so it is positive. Dennis gave a very good example of this in respect to chocolate cake. If you’re thinking about the cake but you know you can’t have it, you try and forget about the thought. Instead redirect, and then move on.
Think powerfully and consistently and your thoughts will make you, instead of break you.
“The fundamental and distinguishing characteristic of high achievers… is their thought processes”
~ Dennis Deaton
Your Entrepreneurial Mindset
Quantum physics has been spectacularly successful in verifying what eastern mystics have known for 2500 years. It is not our brain that gives rise to our consciousness, instead it is our consciousness, or mind, that creates everything that seems so real to us. Ref: http://www.justmindpower.com/
So what do you think of that statement?
You know, I can recall a time from way back when I got out of bed, the kettle wouldn’t boil fast enough, then the toothpaste flew out of the tube and landed with a big thump on the mirror, and the clothes I wanted to wear that day weren’t ironed…
And…
I would groan out loud, give a big sigh and just want to crawl back into bed. I thought to myself the day was a disaster and it couldn’t get any better!
You know what? It didn’t.
Simply because I let my mind create my reality for that ENTIRE day, and of course, true to the law of attraction, it didn’t get any better; in fact it got worse! 
I’m sure you can relate to this from some event in your life.
Thankfully, I learned about the power of our conscious mind and how I can so quickly, and easily, change my thought patterns to totally change not just that day, but every day.
So getting back to the little scenario I outlined above… if you’ve experienced something similar, wouldn’t you agree that the opposite is true?
If you can so easily turn a not-so-good day into a really bad day, then don’t you believe that you can turn an okay day into a fabulous day?
It comes back to your attitude, would you agree?
Which leads me into your entrepreneurial mindset.
To be a true master of your entrepreneurial destiny, it is so important that you cultivate a mindset of success. Think like an entrepreneur, act like an entrepreneur, surround yourself with your entrepreneurial vision and lifestyle.
So here’s a fun exercise for you… to feed your mind with your entrepreneurial vision, I’d like to challenge you in putting together your “Prosperity Board”. What is it?
Basically, it’s a pin-up board or whatever else you may choose and it’s a visual affirmation of you, as an Entrepreneur. A Prosperity Board is a powerful tool that appeals directly to the right side of your brain, which is the part of your brain that responds to feelings and images.
Include any pictures or words that symbolise your success and what you truly want in life and business. By focusing your energies on what you want to manifest in your life, your creative imagination will simply cause it to become a reality…
And that, my friend, is coming straight back to your consciousness that I mentioned earlier, where you are creating your reality.
Here’s some directions for creating your Prosperity Board:
- Get a medium size pin-up board or poster board – something you can easily pin stuff to and change whenever you feel like it.
- Then hang your board in a prominent place where you can see it EVERY DAY.
- Next, cut out pictures and words from magazines, newspapers etc that depict YOU as a successful entrepreneur. For example, you may be driving a really cool Lamborghini!! (Be creative if you want and doctor it in a photo editing program… put yourself in the car!) You may also like to list your goals and pictures that relate to health and prosperity, as well as pictures that represent a flourishing business.
- Then, cut out the elements and just stick it on the board. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way in doing this… the goal is to have fun and encapsulate YOU as a successful entrepreneur. If it makes you feel great when you look at it, then you’re speaking to your heart.
Looking frequently at your Prosperity Board cultivates your entrepreneurial mindset and reminds you of who you are… not in the future… but NOW. It’s so important you LIVE your future life in the NOW.
When you’ve achieved a particular milestone that’s on your board, take it down and in big letters write THANK YOU across the picture.
Have fun putting together your board.
Playing Your Own Movie
It’s true that if you want something to happen, you have to believe it first.
I also believe that in order for your belief to be 100% fool-proof, one must master the art of self-movie making! If you find it hard to visualise, don’t worry; if practised every day it becomes easier – as with anything!
I heard an athlete say she “pictures” herself winning. She plays the movie over and over in her mind, day after day. To her, she has already won; she just needs to “re-enact” her movie.
When you tell your brain something often enough it will believe it! Self belief is the key!
But, unfortunately, this can also work in the reverse. Putting yourself down, feeding yourself negative chatter or being exposed to ongoing negativity can be awfully damaging to that special person – YOU.
Today, right now, why not start on your journey of being a positive self-movie maker. Just think what you could achieve! How your day can be!
Now that’s something to smile about
What would happen if you loved like a child?
The other day I received a touching email from my sister about “What love means to age 4-8 year old children”.
A group of professionals asked kids “What does love mean?” It really moved me to read some of the responses; things like:
‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’ Rebecca – age 8
‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’ Billy – age 4
‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’ Terri – age 4
‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.’ Bobby – age 7
‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.’ Nikka – age 6
‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’ Tommy – age 6
‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’ Cindy – age 8
‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ Karen – age 7
‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot People forget.’ Jessica – age 8
*******************
Wow, I truly marvelled at what these kids came out with. What wisdom. What insight. What pure trust and belief in the world, themselves and what is around them!
They thought about what it meant, and then they expressed what they felt and saw from the heart.
This brings to me the thought. What would happen if you loved like a child?
I invite you, right now, to go lie down in some grass (or somewhere else of your choosing), squelch your toes, stretch, close your eyes, and deeply inhale that question.
Truly envision that question enveloping your whole being. Then let your definition float away, open your arms wide to your sides, and allow the peace and wisdom you have discovered to wash over you.
What does your future life look like when you surrender to the love of life, as envisioned by your inner child?
Nanna’s Dance
My earliest memory of Nanna is sitting on her lounge room floor eating dinner and being told to eat my brussel sprouts – which I hated!
When Nanna was diagnosed with kidney failure it uprooted the whole family as we lived almost 500kms away from our capital city, Adelaide. Nanna was given kidney transplants that were unsuccessful and she was put on a kidney dialysis machine, where she ultimately spent the next 12 years of her life. Read more
Touching Another’s Heart
Years ago, one of my suppliers was diagnosed with bowel cancer. As if that wasn’t enough, it was discovered he had a hole in his heart. Something needed to be done, urgently, or he was going to die. He couldn’t get enough oxygen; walking only five paces left him short of breath. Combined with his treatment for bowel cancer he was in a bad way.
Shortly after his operation I sat at the foot of his bed, in awe of the miracle which had drastically changed his life. Very emotional he told me how the surgeon discovered it was worse than they thought – ultimately he required two plastic valves and one metal valve for his heart.
With tears running down his cheeks he told me that the surgeon had held his heart in his hands and placed it onto his chest. And, chokingly, he said again “Held my heart in his hands”.
I cried along with him. Truly, a miracle.
With a sob and a smile, he went on to say that he thought only his wife ever held his heart. We marvelled at the magnificence of surgeons and their procedures and how, literally, they hold our hearts – our lives – in their hands.
Later that day, I reflected on what he had said. And it got me thinking.
You know, we’re all “heart doctors” in our own way. Every day we “touch” someone else’s heart through our kind words, our dreams, our hopes – just for being ourselves! And like a true doctor, your touch may enable someone to “live” again.
I heard the following years ago:
A young boy was walking along a beach strewn with hundreds of starfish. He came across an old man who was picking up one starfish at a time and tossing it back into the sea … but the boy could see that for every one he tossed back in, at least two more were being washed back onto the shore.
Perplexed, he went up to the old man and said, “Old man! Why are you tossing those starfish back in? It makes no difference! Look how many come back in!”
The old man turned to the boy. “Son,” he said, as he tossed a starfish back into the sea, “it sure made a difference to that one!”
It’s all about making a difference.
Article by Tara West © 2000
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