LIFE ON PURPOSE

By Dr. Brad Swift

"All is in Divine Order and working perfectly even when it doesn't at first glance look like it. Take this economic crisis -- while it may not match our preferences for how we'd like it to be, it's the perfect outcome to expect when you have a small number of ego-centric people hungry for power and run by greed making the decisions and policies while everyone else casts a blind eye of ignorance and complacency." Brad Swift from meditation.

While participating in John Randolph Price's 40 Day Prosperity Plan which includes meditating each day and then journaling, the above statement flowed from my pen. Upon reflecting on it later, it felt true and worthy of expanding upon. For years I've used the affirmation, "All is in Divine Order so I flow with what's flowing," especially during those times that it didn't look or feel like Divine Order was present.

Now, I see that those times may have gone against the grain of my preferences, but were consistent with the thought and emotional patterns that preceded the times. And if we are not awake and aware, it is easy to perpetuate the undesired conditions through worry, doubt, fear, and lack-based thinking. The realization that "all is in Divine Order" is a perfect point from which to pivot to a new reality, perhaps even to a reality that is both in Divine Order and more consistent with our preferences, especially when those preferences are aligned with the greater good of all concerned.

============= Applying it to Daily Life =============

While this may be an interesting observation and thought process, how do we apply it to our everyday lives?

May I suggest the following:

1. Notice a time or situation that may not appear to be in Divine Order or that doesn't match with your preferences. Maybe it's something as simple as rushing around to get yourself to work, then walking out to the car only to find one of your tires is flat?

2. How, you might ask, could a flat tire that's going to make you late for work be in Divine Order? And that's exactly what I invite you to do -- ask this question of your Inner Guidance. See if you can ask it, not from a place of upset and frustration but with an authentic sense of curiosity. "Wow, this sure doesn't look or feel to be in Divine Order. So, I'm curious, how might this be in Divine Order?

3. Then be open to receiving input. As possible answers come, check in to see which feel most empowering, and don't be surprised if there's more than one, since often Divine Order has multiple ways of serving.

Here are some possible responses to the above scenario: "This is God's not so subtle way to suggest I slow down and pay more attention. The car was pulling to that side yesterday on the drive home. If I hadn't been in such a rush, I'd known to check the tires. "This is God suggesting to me to learn to be more comfortable in reaching out for support from others. I know I could still make it to work on time by simply calling Joe to swing by and pick me up.

Now, the question is, "will I allow another to support me like that?" "This is Divine intervention suggesting to me that today is not a day to work. That I've been putting in a lot of overtime and it's time for a bit of rest and rejuvenation time. I'll go inside and call AAA to have the tire fixed and take one personal day for me. This way, I'll be much more effective in my work upon returning."

Remember, to look for which responses feel right, and that appear to point you to the 'greater good of all concerned.' Follow that guidance and see where it leads.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Brad Swift is one of the foremost experts on the subject of personal life purpose, having founded the Life On Purpose Institute in 1996. An avid student of the human development movement and New Thought, he specializes in life purpose coaching with individuals and groups. He is the author of: · Coaching to Win: Building Your Business by Building Your Team · Life On Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life -- an award winning finalist in the Self-Help: Motivational division of the Best Books 2007 Awards sponsored by USA News. Check out his website www.lifeonpurpose.com or contact him coachbrad@lifeonpurpose.com

Think About....

The trouble for most people is they don't decide to get wealthy, they just dream about it.

Michael Masterson

The Old Man with a Poem

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Melbourne .. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.


Cranky Old Man.....
What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!


Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within ... . . .

we will all, one day, be there, too!

PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM,

The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched.

They must be felt by the heart!

Think....

"The intellect always cuts and divides like a pair of scissors. The heart sews things together and unites like a needle. The tailor uses both."

~ Ammachi

Think About.........

You don't get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.

Jim Rohn

LIVING LIFE

By Toby Mildon

Now in his late twenties, Toby was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) a neuromuscular condition that affects his overall body strength and prevents him from walking. He needs around the clock care. However, despite spending his whole life in a wheelchair it hasn't stopped him from leading an active and fulfilling life. But he almost didn't live to fulfill many of his life's ambitions as he was struck by critical illness and spent three months in a coma and on life support. Here's his personal story.

As Project Manager for the BBC I work on Future Media projects and Chair BBC Ability (disabled staff forum). I am a Personal Performance Coach to media executives and have published a self-help book. I've enjoyed successful careers as Engagement Leader for Cerner in the world’s largest healthcare IT program and Consultant at Accenture for global Communications and High Tech clients. I also worked for British Airways as an Account Executive and LloydsTSB as young as 15.

I went to University of Derby and achieved a 2:1 in a Marketing Management degree and got Distinction in an Advanced GNVQ in Business after school. I moved to London to pursue my career aspirations, own my own apartment and have a team of live in Personal Care Assistants (PA) 24/7.

I've always strived to be a high achiever and leave a legacy. March 2010 was no exception - focused on my BBC career, building my coaching portfolio, chairing a national disability charity (JTSMA), producing a pilot for a new business entertainment TV show and more.  Christmas 2009 was 'planning time', to decide what I wanted to achieve in 2010. So I produced a Mind Map outlining my goals. I lived by Stephen Covey's principal of Begin with the End in Mind.

Whilst proceeding with vigor I developed a chest infection. After my second course of antibiotics I became dehydrated. I go to A&E, had X-Rays and blood tests and the doctor admits me with a severe chest infection. One morning I'm found having a seizure and fighting for air. The doctors and nurses rushed to my bed and brought me around again.

My chest infection got worse and I was suffocating and couldn't breathe. I went into a coma and was put on life support to keep me alive - I lay in intensive care unconscious for two months. I developed multiple organ failure - my kidneys, liver and stomach stopped working and I was on dialysis.  An MRI scan revealed a bleed on my brain. A nasal gastric (NG) tube fed me nutrients and I had a tracheotomy in my neck. I had thirty tubes, bags and bottles connected to my body in all.

My Mum who had practically moved to London to be at my bedside went away a weekend break, however, soon after, the doctor summoned her, as they didn't think I'd make it through the night. They turned off my life support. In spite of this, I stabilized and two months passed before I woke from my coma.

As I opened my eyes I was really confused. I thought I was 100 years old, that the BBC had fired me and the physios were out to kill me. At first I couldn't talk. I used my eyebrows to say “Yes” (raising them) or “No” (a frown).  I asked the doctor whether I almost died and he honestly replied "yes, you almost did and you're lucky to be alive".

My whole world had shattered. Not a lot made sense. I didn't care that my hair was falling out from the medication. When I first sat in my wheelchair my arms were so weak I just drove in circles. My first time outside ICU was to the tropical fish tank with a tranche of nurses, tubes and equipment. I stared mesmerized at the fish.

I realized at this moment that what I appreciated in life had shifted if fish spellbound me. An OT visited daily to exercise my arms and hands to get them working again. I couldn't hold a pen or operate my iPhone. To this day I still can't feed myself or drive my adapted vehicle.

As soon as I had a Fluoroscopy to see whether I had the strength to swallow food my Speech Therapist and Dietician put me onto a puree diet. The first food I eat in over two months was pureed salmon and broccoli and mashed potato. I chuckled that the chef had shaped the pureed salmon into the shape of a fish.

No matter how much physio and suctioning I had I just couldn't clear my chest. I was exhausted, depressed and desperate to go home. I wanted to get back to 'normal' rather too quickly and so I arranged a phased return to work. I installed speech recognition software on my laptop and Access to Work funding for transport. Returning to work gave me structure and some purpose again. However, I struggled physically and emotionally. But I stuck at it.

Although I'm missing three months of 2010, this whole experience has had a profound impact on my life. It was a turning point in how I live life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Toby Mildon works for the BBC in London but also help media professionals through his practice (MildonMedia.com) to make life work for them rather than against them. He uses his corporate and media background as well as his experience of facing challenges due to disability. You can reach Toby attoby.mildon@gmail.com

Think.....

Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.

~Dale Carnegie 

Think About....

"A person cannot cling to anything unless she believes in it; belief always precedes action, therefore a person's deeds and life are the fruits of her belief."

 - Above Life's Turmoil

My “Secret Millionaire” Story

By Jeff Usner

Ever feel beat up and down and out? That was me not too long ago. It was only a few years ago, I was at the greatest point of despair in my life. I was drowning in close to $300,000 in debt, struggling in my business, working long, endless hours away from my family, I lost my son James. I even had a stroke and almost died. I was terrified and stressed out how I would put food on the table for my family.

Yet, here I am today, a multi millionaire, and set to give away $100,000’s on ABC’s Secret Millionaire, airing this Sunday, July 15 7/8 et.

How does this happen and why would I go on a national TV show?

An act of God is my first answer.

After that, I finally figured out a simple system to make money on the Internet. I used that to become debt free within 8 months, and within 18 months a millionaire.

When ABC first approached me about being on the show, I was very hesitant about the opportunity. In fact, at one point in the interviewing process, I turned them down, only to get a phone call a few weeks later telling me they really wanted my story on their network.

I didn’t want to go on the show because I like to live my life "under the radar". I live a very simple life, and most of my family and friends don’t even know how well we do financially. So to open up and expose my entire family, not just to friends, but to millions of people on national TV… well, there’s an element of uncertainty that comes with putting your face and story out there.

But, I decided to do it anyway. Why?

I know many people are hurting right now in our country. I know there are many people who are where I was, or even worse. And, these people often wonder…

Can it get any better? How will I find a way out? Is there hope?

So I shared our story on TV to inspire people to keep going. To breakthrough. To keep pushing forward. To keep believing.

Even if you are on the mat, feeling like you are taking a beating, there are better times coming. Focus on the good things in front of you. Speak life over them. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, so use your words wisely.

Tune into the show. Let it inspire you. Learn from the amazing heroes on the show. I served three amazing organizations during that week. Each is making a huge difference. Each has been down and out. Each is helping people "get back up and fight."

Be a part of it. Don’t only watch it. Share it with friends. Share this story. They will thank you and you will make a difference.

Jeff Usner

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
To learn more about Jeff and to learn how he did it. Go get his new book, “Internet Millionaire, Your Blueprint to Succeed”, for free. In this book Jeff outlines everything he did to from despair and struggles to earning millions and appearing on ABC’s Secret Millionaire: Get the Book free:www.JeffsFreeBook.com

Think About.....

Champions aren't made in the gyms.      

Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision

Muhammad Ali

A couple's love for each other.......

I just want to share a very interesting story....

A very poor man lived with his wife. One day, his wife, who had very long hair asked him to buy her a comb for her hair to grow well and to be well-groomed. The man felt very sorry and said no.

He explained that he did not even have enough money to fix the strap of his watch he had just broken. She did not insist on her request.


The man went to work and passed by a watch shop, sold his damaged watch at a low price and went to buy a comb for his wife.


He came home in the evening with the comb in his hand ready to give to his wife. He was surprised when he saw his wife with a very short hair cut. She had sold her hair and was holding a new watch band. Tears flowed simultaneously from their eyes, not for the futility of their actions, but for the reciprocity of their love.

MORAL: To love is nothing, to be loved is something but to love and to be loved by the one you love, that is EVERYTHING. Never take love for granted.:)