The Wise Old Man
A short video about how our attitude can make a huge difference in our life. Read more
What I Learned From My 3 Year Old Tomato Sauce
Mr Moo, my dog, gets very excited when I start rummaging around in the pantry or the fridge. He sees me lifting things up, checking the use by date, and it either gets put back or goes in the pile – his pile. It’s written all over his face and I can well imagine what he is thinking: “Oh yeah, I’m in for a treat tomorrow!”
I’m a bit fussy when it comes to use by or best before dates. Even though the logical side of my brain tells me quite loudly that manufacturers put in a buffer and one simply wouldn’t get food poisoning after consuming it a few days past the date. I’m also a plain eater. It’s rare for me to have sauces etc plastered over my food.
So it was with some surprise last night that I cooked my dinner and had a strong yearning for tomato sauce. Out came the bottle and I happily started spraying the stuff all over my food. I ended up having some dinner with my tomato sauce; not some tomato sauce with my dinner! And it was delicious!
After finishing my meal, I sat there thinking how nice it was and I should have tomato sauce more often! The bottle is sitting right in front of me, so I pick it up, flick it over and suddenly the best before date jumped right off the bottle. Oh no. 11th January 2009. I’m thinking, “This must be some kind of mistake!” All that tomato sauce has gone to my head and I’m on a high… I’m hallucinating!
But nope. My tomato sauce was almost 3 years past its best before date! Yikes! How did that get past my inspections? My inspections I have been carrying out since… well, forever. I’ve missed this bottle for 3 years?! How can that be?
Before I knew it, I felt sick. Never mind that 5 seconds ago I was thinking it was the best darn meal I’d had all week. Never mind that when I was eating I was thinking it was the best darn tomato sauce I’d ever had. No. Forget all that. I’ve just eaten 3 year old tomato sauce for crying out loud!!!
I rush to the bin to destroy the evidence; throwing the bottle away will hopefully make me feel better. I hurriedly put the dishes in the dishwasher so I don’t have to look at the red stuff that is left on my plate. None of this works. My dinner feels heavy in my tummy and I can taste the awful sauce (yes, I know, it was beautiful not long ago). So I scoff down some liquorice to get rid of the taste. That worked.
I sit down and am sure my stomach is going to rebel any time soon! Then I couldn’t help but laugh. What a lot of nonsense! The tomato sauce didn’t taste any different – in fact, it was normal. It tasted wonderful. So the slight sick feeling in my tummy and the bad taste in my mouth was all mind over matter! So I just imagined in my mind that the bottle really said 2012 not 2009. And voila! I felt fine.
So I started thinking about that bottle. Why had I missed it all this time? And why did the date reveal itself to me that day?
Maybe my spirit guides kept me from discovering the bottle and waited for a time when they knew I would benefit from my experience and the lesson it provided. After some reflections, I realised that I am procrastinating with something in my life and, after thinking about the tomato sauce, I came to a decision that it was a ‘mind over matter’ thing and I just need to get on with it!!!
Maybe my spirit guides nudged me into having the tomato sauce so I could also share my experience and thoughts with others because someone, somewhere, would relate to the lesson and get value from it at a time when they needed it.
The tomato sauce gave me a valuable reminder that life can be a bit like my experience with that sauce – where I felt mildly ill when, in fact, I was fine. Sometimes we have feelings or thoughts that are, quite simply, mind over matter. Our brain is so powerful and if we allow it, it can give us an illusion or perception of things that aren’t necessarily true.
This is when it can be valuable to put on the brakes and ask:
- “Is this a mind over matter moment?”
- “What is real and what is perceived?”
- “What would happen if I totally flipped my thought or feeling of _________ and took it in the opposite direction?”
- “How do I now feel?”
Even the simplest and seemingly unrelated events that happen in our life are presented to us for a reason and a lesson to learn.
I’m grateful to my tomato sauce 
7 Ways to Accept Yourself for Who You Are
Accepting yourself and your situation in life can be a difficult task. Do you tend to be more accepting of others’ mistakes than your own? If so, you’re being too hard on yourself!
Those people aren’t better than you! You were created with a unique set of talents that no one else has. Plus, everyone makes mistakes. We’re only human!
Becoming more accepting of yourself and loving yourself for the fine person that you really are can lead you to greater happiness and a more fulfilling life.
Here are some excellent techniques you can use to help you better accept yourself:
1. Focus on your positive qualities. Even though self-improvement is a good thing, it’s important that you identify and focus on your positive qualities, rather than concentrating on the qualities you feel negatively about.
- Maintaining this positive focus will not only help you better accept yourself, but it’ll also make it easier for you to attain your goals by utilizing your talents to boost yourself forward.
2. Consciously prevent negative thinking patterns. Negative thinking can really snowball fast if you don’t get ahead of it. It’s okay to be in a bad mood every once in awhile and have some negative thoughts; it happens to everyone. The trick is in learning how to push those negative thoughts aside and replace them with something positive.
- Replace your negative thoughts about yourself with affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that affirm your positive qualities and help bring out the best in you. You can find affirmations in bookstores and on websites, or you can write your own. You can also download some positive affirmations and self-reflections on my site:
- I Am The Body In Motion That Stays in Motion
- Giving To Others Makes Me Rich
- If you believe in yourself, you can do it. It’s really that simple.
3. Accept your imperfections. Another part of being human is having some imperfections. Instead of dwelling on the things you can’t change, accept them for what they are. Making the best of your life starts with accepting your imperfections.
4. Use positive self-talk. Positive self-talk can help you achieve great things and change the way you think about yourself. Make it a point to give sincere compliments to yourself.
- Compliment yourself for the good things about your looks, your positive qualities, and every time you do something right. Do this each and every day until it becomes a habit.
- Recommended reading: “What To Say When You Talk To Yourself” by Shad Helmstetter:
5. Disregard what other people might think about your decisions. You’ll never make everyone else happy. If you try, you’ll soon discover that, not only will other people still be unhappy, but you’ll also be exhausted and unhappy yourself.
- Make your own decisions according to your priorities and be confident that you’ve done what is right for you.
6. Avoid worrying. Worrying will never help your situation. Rather than wasting your time by being engulfed in fear, take action to do what you can to make the situation better. If there’s nothing you can do to change it, focus on moving forward in other ways.
7. Try your best and accept that you’ve done what you could. Do your best every day and be proud of yourself for your efforts. Let go of any negative thoughts, such as being angry with yourself for not being able to accomplish an impossible feat.
- Even when you haven’t done your best, find a way to forgive yourself. Move on and commit to trying harder next time.
In changing the way you think about yourself, you’ll also change the way you see the world. Every day opens up new opportunities for you, and by utilizing positive thinking, you can make a real difference!
14 Simple Ways to Add Happiness to Your Day
I love simple things… it’s the simple things in life which can totally transform your day and turn it into one of sunshine (even if it is raining!).
Here are some easy ways to add happiness to your day:
1. Watch a movie. Grab a big bucket of popcorn and immerse yourself in your favorite movie.
2. Watch your kids or loved ones. Simply observe them and think about how much you appreciate the fact that they’re in your life.
3. Call your best friend. A phone call with a close friend is a great way to pass some time in a way that is comfortable and familiar to you. You can think about old times or enjoy planning something fun for the future.
4. Go out for ice cream. Okay, I agree, this one is a little naughty… but what the heck, you have to indulge once in a while, right?! And if you don’t like ice cream, grab your favorite treat instead.
5. Enjoy nature. Take a walk in the park and admire the different patterns and shapes on the trunks of the trees, or the flowers, or whatever catches your eye. Or what about just observing the beauty of the stars at night.
6. Take a hot bath. What a great stress buster! Light some scented candles to include the benefits of aromatherapy to the relaxing warmth of the bath.
7. Play a sport. Gather your friends and have a friendly competition. Sports are a fun way to get some exercise and relieve stress.
8. Zzzzzz. An afternoon nap may be just what you’re looking for. Even 15 minutes of shut-eye can help you feel more energized and happy.
9. Snuggle with your partner. Take the time to appreciate your partner and snuggle up for some couple-time. It’s a great way to reconnect, especially if you’ve been really busy.
10. Be lazy. Take some time to simply be lazy, with no responsibilities, and give yourself some me-time. Hmmm… how indulgent!
11. Listen to your favorite song. Crank up the tunes! And while you’re at it, why not put on your dancing shoes?! 
12. Make casual conversation. Strike up some lively conversations with strangers. If you’re friendly and happy towards them, they’ll likely be the same to you.
13. Be thankful. Reflect on all the things that you’re grateful for in your life and write them down. You might be surprised at how long your list is! Sometimes changing your focus to what’s going right in your life is all you need to turn that frown upside down.
14. Enjoy time with your pets. Pets are part of the family too. Snuggle up with your pet for some quality time together.
And don’t forget; be entirely present in the moment to feel the joy travel through your whole being.
So what simple things did I leave off this list that YOU like to do to bring happiness into your day? Share it with me below!
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.
