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Rick Singer's Blog
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Posted on Monday, September 12, 2011 3:16 PM
Vote for my ABOUTME web page below by visiting the site featuring me and my beautiful twins and clicking on the vote button on the top right hand corner. The contest is to be the official faces of AboutMe on a TimesSquare billboard. I am in the top 5% and I need you guys more than ever. Please share with evberone you know and make sure they vote. You can vote daily until sept. 20th |
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ME: Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2011 3:54 PM
 I am working on my first book for the new publishing company called Be the Change Publications. I will start out small and grow from there. It will be a non-profit compant publishing books that can change humanity. All money will go to community projects related to transforming the Universe. We can make a huge change if we stick together witth passion, purpose, and persistence. The writing contest will choose the top 20 essays to be published as chapters in this upcoming book. The essays should answer: What is wrong with the world today? and What do we need to do to prevent humanity from self destruction? Be creative and be willing to apply what you suggest. I look forward to your essays and any comments, suggestions etc that can help this publishing venture be a huge success. Lets make Gandhi proud! Also lets keep voting to get my books out to a larger audience. You can vote daily until sept. 20th. Only you guys can put me on the Times Square Billboard. |
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Posted on Monday, September 05, 2011 3:06 PM
Book Review and Giveaway: Your Daily Walk with The Great Minds: Wisdom and Enlightenment of the Past and Present by Richard A. Singer Jr. Today we have an unique daily devotional!Synopsis: Starting on New Year's Day and continuing over the course of the calendar year, this book offers a journey of profound transformation, based on psychological spiritual principles that have been scientifically validated for their value in fostering personal development. Each day, readers will enter the inner world of one of the world's most influential minds. Day by day, great thinkers and great doers serve as muse and motivator for taking steps toward a more meaningful and fulfilling life, which, in turn, creates a better world. "We are all human beings and those minds of the past are part of our human family," Singer stresses. "We can relate to these individuals and be inspired by their insight, vision, and how they lived their lives. We are no different from Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., or Oprah. We all have the capacity to be great in our own unique way and contribute to changing the world," says the author. For every day of the year, it combines gems of wisdom with proven self-actualizing strategies and personal growth techniques. After starting their day with a compelling quotation from a great mind-Einstein, Freud, Confucius, M. Scott Peck, Dale Carnegie, Vince Lombardi, Anton Chekhov, Anais Nin, Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau,Henry Ford, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Teresa, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Luther King, Jr., St. Augustine, George Santayana, and Milton Berle, among others-readers will commit to through the following practices: 1. Meditation- Singer offers a reflection on the immediate relevance and application of the quotation for the day. 2. Visualization- Singer encourages readers to take a moment to picture themselves living the for the day. 3. Affirmation- Singer provides one for each day's commitment to change to help readers internalize it, believe it, and apply it throughout the day. 4. Mindfulness- Singer urges readers to focus on the present and truly living each moment of the daily guidance for change. For each month, Singer suggests two books for gaining further knowledge,insight, understanding, and inspiration to change. The recommended reading list ranges from Norman Vincent Peale's Power of Positive Thinking to Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. About the Author: An award-winning author, a trained psychotherapist, and an Assistant Professor of Human and Social Services. He has studied Eastern Psychology, Buddhist Healing,and Non-Violence at the Doctoral level, and remains a devoted student of wisdom recorded throughout history.A native of Pennsylvania, he now makes his home on the island of Grand Cayman. To learn more, please visit his website: www.EmbracingthePresent.comReview: This is an interesting daily devotional, as it isn't focused on the bible, but on the words of some our our greatest thinkers and writers! I like that each day's entry is SHORT and quick to read through. The thought for journaling for the day can be one you think on/act upon all day and then journal upon at night. As the entries are only dated by month and date, not year, the book can be used over and over. Here's an example for today: Today's quote: "Life's most urgent question, is what are you doing for others." Martin Luther King, Jr. Today's Meditation (first sentence only): Liberation from suffering comes only from kindness to the human race and and the willingness to make a difference in other human beings' lives." Today's Personal Journaling: "What will YOU do to enhance humanity today?" As you can see, very simple, but basic ideas. Obviously if you were so inclined, you can find an applicable bible verse and add it to your journaling, as say an extra homework assignment. I think this is a great way to broach wider subjects and a wider audience by the author. In fact, I would highly recommend this book to kids entering college, and those graduating, as a way of focusing themselves daily and enriching their lives. It would also be a good resource for teachers and church leaders (especially for quotes applicable to sermons!). |
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Me: Posted on Saturday, September 03, 2011 12:09 PM
I created a website at AboutMe that features me and my precious twins. The site is in the top 5% currently in a contest to be featured on a NYC billboard in Times Square. Its now time to spread my books around the world even more and begin transforming humanity. Please vote for me at the following link: You can vote once a day until September 20th. Please push me ahead. Thanks for all your support. |
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Missy: Posted on Saturday, September 03, 2011 12:04 PM
I am still reading this book and will probably read it for the rest of my life....I loved what you have done - thank you so much!Missy "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present" by Richard A. Singer Jr. allows the reader's an opportunity to nibble on the knowledge from several wise people in history. The book is set up as a daily walk with several of the greatest minds of history; you will even find the words of Jesus between the covers of this book.
Every day is a walk which entails the month and day, there's no year so that makes this book timeless. After the date you get your quote from one of the great minds of time. Following that is your daily meditation; personal journaling exercise and lastly an affirmation based on your journal entry. On my birthday entry you find the words from Walter Anderson "Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action" The meditation meaning Singer shares bring more to the point of procrastination; which is the gist of what Anderson is saying in his quote.
I believe the authors' intention is two-fold; one is for the reader to change and grow which in turns effects humanity. This quote from the book can say much better what I am trying to convey "There are three gifts you can give on a daily basis that will eventually transform all of creation; they are love, compassion, and kindness." Singer has the right idea it starts with us and then extends out.
It's up to the reader to read daily, walk everyday with Singer and all the wise minds encompassed in this book and GROW. Take a look at some of the great minds Albert Einstein, Deepak Chopra, Helen Keller, Oprah Winfrey, and Abraham Lincoln to name a few.
"Your Daily Walk is much more than a self help book it's a world help book if you work it daily.
Missy
Readers Paradise
5 book marks
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Francine L Trevens : Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2011 10:51 AM
A Patio of Poems. ©2005 Francine L Trevens FROM THE INDIAN GIVER* Life is a gift from an Indian giver. Use It well; relish what you can Of this imperfect present Aware, at any moment There’ll be a recall From the manufacturer. *also appeared 2003 in Bibliophilos Poetry Annual NO REGRETS For paths I never followed, loves I’ve never borne For dreams I never dared, opportunities forsworn For all I missed in life or never knew was there No looking back – pleased am I with all I had to share. The sweetest words to say when final curtains nigh “My life was full and good, so no regrets have I.” DEVASTATION** Oh what devastation man has brought His pride exceeding all normal bound His cry of I consistently resounds From barren space caused by wars he wrought By striving for full mastery he sought Since first he subjugated woman, beast Environment as well, caring least For those whom this destruction left distraught. Then nature, with uncontested power Strikes at most unpropitious hour Fierce flood, wild fire, tsunami’s whirling thrust In one wild burst of fury, one great gust Erases myriad constructions of mankind Will he now see or be forever blind? ** appeared on Yellow Bat website 2005 |
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Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 12:03 PM
*Living in the now is as much about gratitude as it is about mindfulness and this theme is repeated throughout Now: Embracing the Present Moment. The first section of the book is full of quotations, which follow with not only an expansion on the wisdom of the quote, but also a present and centered meditation to integrate that knowledge. The second section of the book contains essays from various contributors with vastly different experiences and catalysts for beginning to live in the now. I also love that Rick addresses the paradox of planning and goal setting while remaining in the now. The longevity and relevance of the quotes are testament to what many have tried to teach us for decades and I highly recommend this as a daily meditative exercise to strengthen this wisdom.
Review by Libby Brown, Editor of Insight Magazine Australia
Insight Magazine has become a great partner with me and will be giving away a set of autographed books in their August Issue from me and I will be their Editor for the September Issue. They are awesome. Check themout at
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Renee Gatz: Posted on Monday, June 20, 2011 12:40 PM
My story starts with my Irish immigrant grandmother's wisdom, strength and sense of humor, which helped her leave her home on 24 hours notice alone for a new life in a strange country. She had many challenges to face and passed that wisdom on to my mother who then imparted that wisdom to me. Over the years, I would mention an expression I heard my entire life and was always amazed at the positive reaction my expressions received. Many times I was told I should write a book and finally the spirit moved me and I did just that. I had an advantage in being a marketing and communications professional so I understand the writing and marketing process but in the financial services industry. My challenge was transferring that core knowledge to the publishing space. Again, my angels intervened many times to make the right connections for me. Now getting published was one thing, but I could never have even guessed in my wildest dreams all the very cool people I would meet and just wanted to help me and who touched me and who I got to touch. I was able to bring back warm memories of grandmothers, mothers, fathers, etc. those here and those past.
As I went along, I met two authors writing a book about "Wise Irish Women" and I was their first chapter, coming out in the fall. This gave me yet another opportunity to honor my grandmother, mother, father with stories about their strength of character and sense of humor in managing life's ups and down. You mention being mindful, I am happy that I listened to the little voice and my body telling me to do this. I am often asked about success and I respond that I am just enjoying the ride and looking forward to what is coming next. I don't worry, I just go and it just keeps getting better and better. I don't think in this day and age you can speak enough positiveness into people and encourage them enough. I am so excited to be part of a positive contribution to the larger conversation in my small way.
Please check out my site www.reneegatz.com to learn more about me and my book. |
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Nancy Alvarez: Posted on Monday, June 20, 2011 12:29 PM
Sometimes I wake up in the morning with my head filled with all the things I have to do that day: for my work life, for the household, for a friend, for my mate - the list goes on. On those days I rarely notice if it's cloudy or sunny, an important thing to notice here in the Northwest where I live. I am not lying in my bed, relishing my life, or the day, or the few minutes I can stay under the comforter, rubbing my feet up and down against the percale sheets, fluffing up my pillow, and breathing in the fresh-smelling air. I am off doing all the tasks I have burdened myself with that morning, even though I've just awakened, and am, in reality, still lying in bed. When this happens, I am learning to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and do Reiki on myself. When I took the Reiki workshop, I thought I had finally accepted that I was living in a very earthy/crunchy, airy/fairy community and partaking of its offerings. I laughed all the way to the first morning's event. When I left at the end of the day, I was laughing for another reason. I felt more relaxed than I had in months, and happy. I actually felt happy. So I do Reiki when I wake up in a crazy place, and it works 99% of the time. Then I can begin my day, doing one task at a time, clear-headed enough to decide upon an order that works for me and doesn't feel overwhelming. I am grateful for the course I took, and grateful that I have decided to use what I learned there on a daily basis. It keeps me much more present, I guess as Rick would say, in the 'now.' When I take the time to wake up in the present, I actually enjoy writing on my blog, and communicating with women who have read my book, "Little Nancy: the Journey Home" or taken the workshop I offer. Life is full, with intention, rather than trivia. Nancy Alvarez |
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Jacqueline: Posted on Monday, June 20, 2011 11:33 AM
My name is Jacqueline. I’m an independent jeweler and the owner of. I design and create jewelry and home decor accessories. I live in New York City, one of the most vibrant urban cities of the world and also the capital of fashion.
I live a mindful life, being completely in touch with and aware of the present moment, as well as taking a non-evaluative and non-judgmental approach to my inner experience. For example, a mindful approach to my inner experience is simply viewing "thoughts as thoughts" as opposed to evaluating certain thoughts as positive or negative. For example, you may not be able to afford a designer dress, but you can always find my fashion forward jewelry to update your own looks and my elegant home decor accessories to enhance your home.
In the past I have had careers in pottery, graphic design and industrial design with a sidetrack into computer programming early on in my work history. Ever since I can remember, art in some shape or form has been my passion. I am a graduate of The College of Ceramics at SUNY with a BFA in sculpture and art history, an MFA in Arizona State University in environmental design, and an MID in industrial design from Pratt Institute. A perpetual student, I am self-taught in handmade fashion forward jewelry with a proficient background as a professional designer. I have also written and had published two hip, smart books: Graphic Illustration in Black and White and Polymer Clay; Creating Functional and Decorative Objects.
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Kita Szpak: Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2011 9:54 AM
#article_title_box #article_header_left #article_header_right #article_header_container Living in the Now Posted: June 13, 2011 Some months ago I was given an opportunity to submit a short essay on living in the “ Now” to Rick Singer, a trained psychotherapist and award-winning author of Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds and Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul. Once I sent in my essay to him, I thought nothing more about it until I received a congratulatory e-mail from Rick telling me that I had been chosen as one of the guest contributors to his new book NOW: Embracing the Present Moment.So what is this book all about? What is so special about living in the “ Now”?NOW is made up of 99 present-centered reflections which focus on universal themes such as courage, fear, and success, freedom from the past, gratitude, laughter, choice, desire, and the beauty of nature among them. Each mini-meditation is followed up by an immediate call-to-action. The second part of NOW features inspiring and practical essays from a wide-range of people who are living in the “ Now” day by day. Contributors include health and fitness expert and body image coach Stephanie Mansour; lifestyle design consultant, writer, and radio show host DeAnna Radaj; Boston marathon finisher and polio survivor Mary McManus; acclaimed dog sled guide and author Dagny McKinley; author, singer/songwriter, and recording artist Donna W. Hill; me, and others. NOW: Embracing the Present Moment* will be officially launched this July, 2011, and I am delighted to be a part of it. Before I forget, the title of my essay is “Act of Fulfilling = Being in the Moment = Happiness”. I think you’re beginning to get the picture here. Most of all, I want to express the fact that my writing path to living a passionate life is opening up for me. When I act on opportunities and go with the natural flow of things, there is no question that I am living a passionate life. I wish the same for you! *NOW: Embracing the Present Moment is available for order on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Now-Embracing-Present-Rick-Singer/dp/1846945240/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305488636&sr=1-2 |
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Dr. Laura JJ Dessauer: Posted on Saturday, June 11, 2011 9:56 AM
Using Art as A Tool for Transformation Sarah was an unforgettable girl. She was a tall lanky teenager with as many piercings on her face as freckles. She was a student in an alternative high school where I worked. I can still picture Sarah today in her baggy pants, ripped clothes and colored hair. She was one of those students who wore her anger and sadness like a badge. Everyone knew Sarah had a rough time. She had even threatened to kill herself a year earlier. The clothes and the personal history made it easy for Sarah to be left alone, and she said that's what she wanted. A natural artist and freethinker, Sarah was recommended for art therapy by a concerned teacher. She strolled into our first session, unloaded her books and grabbed some clay. Quietly she molded the clay. For the first month we sat mostly in silence as she formed the clay into angry mask-like faces. I accepted what she gave me unconditionally, knowing there was more to Sarah than angry masks. I waited for weeks until the time was right. I asked Sarah, “What’s behind the mask?...If you took away the angry mask what would there be?” Sarah sat quietly looking at her clay. A long pause, a sigh, her brown eyes rimmed with tears, “ I don’t know”. Our journey together had begun. Sarah, like many kids I’ve worked with over the years, embraced art. Even with so many let downs and mixed emotions, she was able to let go and risk show who she was through her artistic creations. I witnessed Sarah bloom from lost teen to graduating Senior. Her artwork changed too. From dark pictures and angry masks to bright colored painting she proudly gave to friends and family. She had finally found a way to give of herself and to be accepted. Years later I got a phone call. Sarah wanted to meet for lunch. That day I walked in to see the butterfly Sarah had become. Her face was glowing. She looked so happy and healthy. Her pink outfit mirrored her wonderful transformation from anger to acceptance. We ate, laughed, listened, and knew silently that we were part of a journey that had brought us to this place. I felt grateful to have witnessed Sarah’s transformations. Art Therapists working with children share the hopes of all parents. Our goal is to help children discover their inner beauty and potential. For many people, this journey to self-acceptance requires special support. I saw Sarah again several years later. She was visiting home briefly and had changed schools. She was going to study counseling. She told me she was going to make a difference in somebody’s life. I nodded and smiled, knowing that she already had. Copyright Creativity Queen, LLC About the author: Dr. Laura JJ Dessauer, ATR-BC, LCAT, the founder of the Creativity Queen, LLC, is a Board Certified Creative Arts Therapist and Certified Parent and Teen Coach. Laura brings over 23 years of experience working with families, children and teens in over 21 school districts. The Creativity Queen, LLC, Winner of SCORE Small Business of the Year, offers individual art therapy sessions and creative problem solving programs for both children and adults. Want more tools and practical creative strategies that work? Visit http://thecreativityqueen.com and get instant access to our FREE audio mini-course: Secrets Your Kids Really Don't Want You to Know: A Child Art Therapist Tells All. (*except for the confidential stuff) |
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Me: Posted on Friday, May 13, 2011 3:58 PM
I do not write books to make money. I write becauuse its my purpose and passion to share with the world. With that said I would like to offer a PDF copy of my newest Book Now to everyone that cannot afford the price . All you have to do is go to the paypal link and pay 99 cents and I will send you a PDF copy. The Paypal Link is on the home page. Also if you are unable to send 99 cents I will send it to you free if you promise to write a review for Amazon or other sites. I want this book to reach everyone in the Universe and begin making a change. Thanks |
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Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2011 12:19 PM
Richard Singer will be signing his newest book Now: Embracing the Present Moment at Barnes and Noble in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Pennsylvania at 7pm on July 22nd. The address is 421 Arena Hub Plaza. Stop by, say hello and get a copy. Richard A. Singer Jr. will lead a discussion described in detail below.Presentation, Saturday, July 23, 201112:00 – 2:00 pm A.R.E. of New York
Edgar Cayce Center
212-691-7690
241 West 30th Street
New York, NY 10001
2nd FL, buzz in #102 Title: Living Your Perfect Life NOW – a discussion with Richard A. Singer Description: When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head and laugh at the sky. Buddha Do you desire a perfect life? You may not realize it but to obtain this life is quite simple. Based on my study of spiritual figures and philosophies, I truly believe that it comes down to two simple practices: * Live Now! Live completely in the miraculous energy of the present. * Help another member of your human family. To help humanity is to truly live. Join us to explore ideas on how to perfect our lives, as found in my latest book, Now: Embracing the Present Moment, as well as in Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul. Bio: Richard Singer is an award winning author, trained psychotherapist, Asst. Professor of Human and Social Services, and most importantly a seeker of truth. He continuously searches for wisdom to use in his life, as well as helping other human beings in their precious journey. He seeks to impart this knowledge to the world through his writing. Richard states that “My books are not only for reading, they are meant to be lived.” Richard has been featured in many magazines, on various radio and television shows including BBC News in London. His books have been reviewed by, amongst others, Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and Martha Stewart's Body and Soul. “For more information” info: For more information you can contact Richard directly at RAS9999@aol.com or visit his website at www.EmbracingthePresent.com. |
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Me: Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 12:03 PM
Upcoming Events Richard Singer will be signing his newest book Now: Embracing the Present Moment at Barnes and Noble in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Pennsylvania at 7pm on July 22nd. The address is 421 Arena Hub Plaza. Stop by, say hello and get a copy. Richard A. Singer Jr. will lead a discussion described in detail below. Presentation, Saturday, July 23, 2011 12:00 – 2:00 pm A.R.E. of New York
Edgar Cayce Center
212-691-7690
241 West 30th Street
New York, NY 10001
2nd FL, buzz in #102 Title: Living Your Perfect Life NOW – a discussion with Richard A. Singer Description:
When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head and laugh at the sky.
Buddha Do you desire a perfect life? You may not realize it but to obtain this life is quite simple. Based on my study of spiritual figures and philosophies, I truly believe that it comes down to two simple practices: * Live Now! Live completely in the miraculous energy of the present. * Help another member of your human family. To help humanity is to truly live. Join us to explore ideas on how to perfect our lives, as found in my latest book, Now: Embracing the Present Moment, as well as in Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul. Bio: Richard Singer is an award winning author, trained psychotherapist, Asst. Professor of Human and Social Services, and most importantly a seeker of truth. He continuously searches for wisdom to use in his life, as well as helping other human beings in their precious journey. He seeks to impart this knowledge to the world through his writing. Richard states that “My books are not only for reading, they are meant to be lived.” Richard has been featured in many magazines, on various radio and television shows including BBC News in London. His books have been reviewed by, amongst others, Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and Martha Stewart's Body and Soul. “For more information” info: For more information you can contact Richard directly at RAS9999@aol.com or visit his website at www.EmbracingthePresent.com. |
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Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2011 10:48 AM
It Is What It Is Kristina Anderson My oncologist says that people who have had cancer have found their inner soul. This is certainly true for me. To survive the emotional upheaval and fear that accompanies cancer – especially after treatment is over – I have had to find a way to live my life along side cancer, and I’ve done it through the practice of mindfulness. While cancer introduced me to my inner soul, mindfulness has taught me how to love it and understand it, and it has brought me to a place of peace I never thought I would reach. Before cancer I danced around the edges of mindfulness. I dabbled, I didn’t. I played with it, and then walked away. I dipped my toes in it, but was too steeped in my way of life to allow it to make a difference. I’m 62. In my late 30s, life began to seriously spiral out of control. I was a single mom managing a large independent bookstore, and my stress level was causing sleepless nights and chaotic days. Yet working in a bookstore meant I had a library about mindfulness at my fingertips. I read books on eastern philosophy, Zen Buddhism, soulfulness, and mindfulness. Most of what I read struck one cord or another but as I look back on those days, what I was missing from my search was practice. And it took me a long time to realize it. Early in my cancer treatment, I learned about breath. My breast cancer surgeon showed me a short exercise on deep breathing that helps heal the wounds in the chest of a woman who has gone through breast surgery. I began to practice taking deep, slow breaths to fill my chest with oxygen. I would close my eyes and envision healing, love, and peace entering my body with each inhale. I did this, and in doing so, I began to bring the practice of mindfulness into my every day. When I finished what I call my big guns treatment (chemotherapy and other intravenous drugs), I felt at a loss. As many cancer patients do when treatment is over, I asked what’s next. The doctors tell you to go back to work, go back to your life as it was before cancer (no thanks). But for me and many patients, what comes next isn’t about going back. You move forward and forge a new normal. You could go about your days just as you did before the big C but do you really want to? And most people can’t. Cancer changes everything. It changes you, your family, and everyone and everything close to you. On top of that, it opens the door wide to the possibility of recurrence and poses the question, “what if it comes back?” And that’s where I got stuck, and that’s where practicing mindfulness saved me. I started attending a yoga class for cancer patients. I loved it from day one. Although I had practiced yoga and meditation in the 1970's, my practice at that time lacked commitment and understanding. This time was different. I became conscious of how mindfulness changes us, and being mindful starts with noticing our breath. Today, I put mindfulness first above all else. If I let it, it can get buried under deadlines and to-do lists, and sometimes I have to put Post-it Notes above the kitchen sink, on the bathroom mirror and on my computer screen as a reminder to breathe. To be mindful. To practice being quiet and present. It’s easy to forget to breathe. Sounds strange, I know, but think about it. Breathing is automatic, unless you’re affected by pulmonary conditions. It happens whether you think about it or not. But when stressed, I have a tendency to hold my breath, and I am usually unaware that I’m doing it. Through yoga, I have learned how to breathe consciously and with purpose. Something as simple as breathing can be easily overlooked, yet when we are conscious of our breath, we are living in the present. It sounds so simple, but for me, as for many people, it wasn’t. Today my number one priority is my health. I eat an anti-cancer diet, I exercise, and I practice being mindful – of my life, my breathing, my health, my days, my nights, and those I love and those who love me. When I allow stress – and I say allow because I do have control over it – I stop whatever I’m doing and breathe deeply. I may also begin playing with slowness—a practice that is directly connected to being mindful. I move in slow motion. I rise from my chair and begin walking in slow motion. This practice serves to remind me that where my attention goes, my power goes. Here’s what mindfulness has taught me: I can breathe into physical pain and get instant relief from it. I can let go of that which I can’t control. I can love easier. I can live without the fear of death. I can be more patient. I can live today and not worry about tomorrow. I can be present to those around me, including strangers. I must be present to be mindful of life’s mysteries. That it’s okay to be silent, and through silence I find peace. Mindfulness has reminded me that everything is made of energy – the chair in which I sit, the bed in which I sleep, the table where I eat my food, the paper on which I write, the clothes that protect my body. And all of it and I are connected. Mindfulness has taught me that for Now, in this moment, I can be free. About the Author: Kristina E. Anderson is President of EasyRead Writing, LLC, a plain language and health literacy firm established in 2002. As a specialist in plain language and health literacy, she brings an understanding of language, literacy and audience to for-profit and non-profit communications in the health and science fields. She writes for culturally diverse, low literacy and general audiences and has experience preparing materials for translation into other languages as well as conducting focus groups and readability testing and analysis. Kristina has a B.A. in cultural anthropology from the University of New Mexico and is a member of the National Science Writers Association. |
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Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 9:19 AM
The Beauty of the Moment Denise Krochta Have you ever stopped to think that tomorrow might not come? What if you knew that today would be your last day? Do you ever go from here to there and when you get there realize that, in your mind, you were planning something that would be happening at a later date, time, and place? Do you ever go to the movies and realize that you missed a very relevant part of the movie because your mind was somewhere else? Let’s go back to the second question. Think about it. If you had 24 hours left and knew it, how would you spend them? Three of my siblings have died at young ages. The oldest was 40 years old. Two of the three were younger than I was. This often brought these thoughts to mind. I think it is human nature to think about this after young people die. But, we usually only think about it for a short while and then dismiss it and continue our usual mode of existence. For me and for many that includes lots of time spent physically in one place and mentally in another. It was not until years after the deaths I mention above, that crisis, sadness, anxiety and frustration returned to my life. Worry, worry, worry. Projecting. The “what ifs” of the past and the “what ifs” of the future almost completely occupied my mind. This time my reaction was radical. I began to think, again, about making my time count, making it mean something. I began my journey into a life of learning to live in the present moment. I am a practical person. I am a patient person. Changing from a distracted and preoccupied person to someone who can focus on the moment, I knew, would not be easy nor would it be immediate. I was willing to give it a valiant effort. I expected it could save my life. And, in many ways, it did. In the beginning, each day I would catch myself projecting and worrying about the past or the future, at least 100 times. Each time I would catch myself and direct my thoughts to what was happening in my life at that particular moment. I would focus on the details and try to experience Now. This took a lot of hard work and concentration. Sometimes by the end of the day I had to take a break, because in those early days, I was exhausted. But, perseverance paid off. Big time! After years of putting minute by minute together to experience each on its own, I will never regret the hard work. Today, distraction does come. There is minimal time worrying, even in the midst of drama and chaos, and my life is calm and serene when it should be and exciting and enlightening when it can be. At this time in my life there is no wasted time. Waiting in lines, wherever, now that I am aware I have lots of entertainment. Sometimes I’m so busy watching what is going on around me that I hope the wait can be just a little bit longer. There is so much to see, hear, feel, and ponder. Previously, I could be anywhere and much happened around me that I would never experience. Today, I realize that I spent much of my life not seeing because I was not looking with my mind, only with my eyes. Each morning I wake up and let the dog out. There is so much to experience at that very moment. I look and Now I see. The flowers in my garden are partially opened and the bees and the butterflies (which had always been illusive in the past) can be seen busily beginning their day. The dew is dripping off the roof and the clouds in the sky form unique patterns and colors as the rising sun shines from behind them. The neighborhood hawk is looking down at us from the palm tree in the center of the driveway, as he does each morning. Speaking of the dog, the moment she walks out the door she stops to scan the yard for something to chase. She is completely focused on her environment. I’ve learned a lot of this from my dogs, actually. You see, dogs live in the moment, for the moment, and seem to be very focused on the goings on of that moment. I don’t think they think much about the future. As my day progresses, even what many would consider the mundane daily activities will bring a smile to my face at the strangest times. While sitting at a red light I often am attracted by something small that would never have gotten my attention in the past. I’ve been especially amused by spiders on my windshield, often continuing to watch what will happen to them when my car begins to pick up speed after the stop. Or I’ll notice the expression on the face of a baby in a stroller as the mom walks in the cross walk at the light. Babies always make me smile. It is my experience Now that I can enjoy myself no matter what I am doing and where I am. My husband likes to go to the home improvement store, and he likes me to accompany him. For many years, this was such a boring and unnerving chore for me, but I did it for my husband. When I began my transition to focus and experiencing each moment, even this experience changed. Instead of just wishing it to be over I began to pay attention to what was around me. I was amazed by the different kinds of people seriously enjoying their home improvement experience. I noticed the customer service people, some who were having good days, and some who were obviously having not so good days. I began to actually look at some of the items in the store and learn about things that I couldn’t even identify at first. I realized that my original bad attitude really a waste of good time. There was a lot to learn here. Every couple of months I go to get my hair cut. A simple activity you might think. Each time I do this someone washes my hair. During that time I’ve learned to pay strict attention to the feel of the warm, then cool water, the smell of the shampoo and conditioners, and especially the touch of the person shampooing my hair. It’s like getting a massage as a bonus for the price of a haircut. These are the many simple ways to practice living in the moment. When we have special plans like vacations, family celebrations, alone times in a beautiful and quiet place, we can really hone our skills and make these events even more special than ever. We begin to see awe in many (what we might have originally considered boring or common) things. We begin to recognize the small miracles around us every day. We notice that our bodies are less tense and there seems to be less stress in our lives. As I said before, this is a simple concept but not easy. The rewards are never ending. Think about this. At the particular moment we are pondering the things of our choice we cannot worry and stress about the chaos and drama in our lives. Each moment we choose to focus on the very moment we are experiencing, chances are there is nothing to worry about or cause us stress. It is important that we take moment by moment. If we put these moments together it is easy to come up with some stress free and worry free time before you know it. As I said, I am a practical person. I am not unrealistic and I am not idealistic. Many would consider this “living in the moment” thought process something out of the ordinary and not for the general population. This is not the case. For those, like me, who need to regain a sense of calm and sanity in a life surrounded by drama and chaos, “capturing” the present moment as often as possible can make this happen. Anyone can do this. Try it. You’ll like it! (For clarification of purpose: This is part of a plan that worked for me during some extremely stressful years of my teenage son’s addiction to drugs.) About the Author: Denise Krochta grew up during the 50’s and 60’s on the East coast of the US. She has a BA degree from IndianaUniversity, Bloomington, in foreign languages. After college, her career in International Business took her to places around the globe. Traveling, meeting and learning about people and their values and traditions, have since been an integral part of her life. Denise is married and has two grown sons. She and her husband live in Florida with their energetic boxer pup. Denise is the author of "Sweat: A Practical Plan for Keeping Your Heart Intact While Loving an Addict" For more information visit her website at www.DeniseKrochta.com |
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Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 10:16 AM
Act of Fulfilling = Being in the Moment = Happiness Kita Szpak If you look up the word “fulfill” in the dictionary, you will find it means to “accomplish”, “carry out”, “achieve”, and “bring to pass”. These words don’t quite fire up the imagination as much as “realize”, “satisfy”, “make good”, and “perfect” – words that not only embody the completion of a task but the emotional state of the person who is completing the task.
When you fulfill and are fulfilled by “accomplishing” your goals and “realizing” your dreams, perfect balance is manifested from within and without effortlessly. This is what we call happiness.
Let’s explain this further by picking up on the idea back to the time you were young and could do something really well effortlessly. You liked doing it because you were good at it. The hours flew by as you “lost yourself” in your activity. Time stopped and you were in the moment so keenly that you became what you were doing – what you were creating. It felt great and you were very happy.
Think of a recent situation when you’ve been happy. Was it at work when you were completing the web redesign? Was it when you were laying the final stones for your patio? Was it when you were scraping off the old paint from an antique chair you just bought? Was it when you started writing your book? When such moments are replicated and you move from one to the next easily, you are in the flow. You are fulfilling and being fulfilled in the same instance. Being in the flow is the Universe’s way of telling you that you are where you are supposed to be – when this happens, you are happy. And if there is an ever-constant fluidity in your life, chances are you are not only happy but also fulfilling your life purpose. In the past, I’ve often thought that being happy meant living out an almost- heroic existence where I am saving the world from certain calamity or dramatically stating my views in an international forum of great thinkers who are hanging on to my every word. I smile now as I read what I’ve just written. Wisdom and life experience tell me that it is precisely in the small gestures, that accumulate into bigger actions where I find the essence of “being in the moment”, and of being happy. And if I repeat these instances of fulfillment effortlessly, then I am also following my life purpose. I was out on my after-work run along the river a while back, and jogged into my favorite stretch of trees – pine trees to be exact. As I ran alongside of them, I spontaneously reached out to touch their green needles. It was but a moment of contact yet in that instance, where sun, and trees, and quiet greeted me, that my eyes welled up and I let the tears flow. I was in perfect balance and perfectly happy. I was in the moment. Often we assume that to be fulfilled and happy necessitates a steady diet of grandeur, drama and excitement. In fact, being happy - being in the moment – demands a retreat into oneself to bear what is already there for the taking. Try it. Lose yourself in a favorite activity. Let time stop as you become what you are doing – what you are creating. It will feel great and in that moment, you will be happy.
About the Author: Kita Szpak is a writer, publicist, communications strategist, and speaker whose professional reputation has been built on “positioning clients for excellence” since she opened her consulting business in 1992. Armed with honors degrees in German and Education from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, as well as business management certification from the Queen’s School of Business, Kita cross-pollinates sound business principals with marketing savvy. She has spent over ten years working with prominent Canadian artists, musicians and writers such as Robert Farrell, Maria Knapik, Firdaus Kharas, and Elisabeth Harvor. Last October, Kita published her first children’s book, “You’re Special Wherever You Are” (www.picturebookstories.com). Last April, Kita also accomplished another first by running the Big Sur International Marathon in California. Her second book, “Tipping Point to Happiness” (www.tippingpointtohappiness.com) with business partner, Monique MacKinnon, made its debut at the Women Living on the Verge of Evolution Summit and Convocation in Las Vegas in September, 2010. |
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Posted on Monday, April 11, 2011 2:57 PM
Wow…I’m Dying Craig Sim Webb Since childhood, I have always loved swimming, windsurfing, Scuba diving, rafting, kayaking and canoeing; if it has to do with water sports, you name it and I probably do it and love it. A few months before I turned thirteen, I became the top 200M breaststroke swimmer in Canada for my age group. By fourteen or fifteen, I could swim two lengths of a 25-meter pool underwater without coming up for air. Yet when someone once asked me what I thought the worst way to die was, I answered without hesitation – I most feared death by drowning. It seemed like a strange contradiction, but I guess some things just are not logical, or at least not until we can see a bigger picture.
And so it happened that my new French roommate who guided rafting trips invited me along for a day on Quebec City’s nearby Jacques Cartier River. It was fall, and the vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves highlighted against dark green pines smelled wonderful. They swayed in the September breeze under a warm autumn sun that sparkled off the river all around our raft. The water was cool since the rafting season was nearly over. Without a doubt, the Jacques Cartier is a powerful, spectacular river. After a couple hours of white water wildness intermixed with friendly paddling chatter, the growing roar of a large oncoming rapid slowly drowned out our voices. We grew silent and tensed excitedly as the frothing river vortex that was to change my life forever loomed closer. Our boat smacked the churning waters slightly sideways, ramming into the rushing white backflow of a huge souse hole. The raft instantly folded like an upside-down taco and dumped most of it contents, including me. I did not even have time for a breath before I was pulled under. I swirled about in the chilly, dark water. My life vest propelled me toward the surface but my helmet bumped the underside of the boat. I felt a sudden stab of fear. I had no air and could not see which way to go to reach the boat’s edge, so I started heading forward, frantically trying to surface again. Unfortunately, I must have been at one end of the raft heading toward the other end lengthwise, since it was near-impossible to see in the swirling water. After frantically trying to pop up for air a few times, everything slowed. I do not remember even feeling the coldness of the water anymore. A single thought washed over my whole awareness, Wow... I guess this is it – I’m dying. What was so surprising to me was how the gripping fear suddenly switched to an incredibly deep sense of peace, wonder, and intrigue about the whole situation. I stopped scrambling to get to the surface for a breath. The experience had somehow become strangely very enjoyable. I guess I must have floated and swirled there for a little while. I don’t remember exactly what happened after that until somehow I was back in the boat. I guess I eventually popped to the surface and got yanked up by someone on the raft. I don’t think my roommate guide ever even asked whether I was okay because she was too busy hauling others back into the boat and trying to steer. Reflecting on the experience later, I began to realize that a subtle yet very profound shift had happened in those moments underwater. I was no longer afraid of drowning, or really very fearful of death for that matter. It was from that point on that very significant changes began to take place. Many years later, after learning symbolism and developing the Lucid Living framework that I teach for more fully understanding important events, I now see the whole experience not just as a dramatic life moment, but also as a powerful symbolic scenario of sorts that I call a ‘waking dream’. That is to say that if one views the situation metaphorically, it is as though I was ‘baptized’ underwater in a sense, and freed from my fears of drowning and even somewhat of dying.
time, I would say that the waking event I just described was a ‘symbolic’ enactment in the physical world of a larger, deeper transformation that was already happening within me at other levels. It was the visible tip of my inner catharsis iceberg, so to speak, and a signpost of the beginnings of a much bigger and deeper change. When I shared this perspective with my highly respected colleague Dr. Raymond Moody whose books some of you are surely familiar with, he acknowledged that this was indeed quite a valid way to understand the event. I will even venture to say that my future hopes and dreams for who I could someday become had somehow reached backwards across time, unconsciously guided me to Quebec City, and sparked this momentous and rather grace-filled life transition. I feel much freer and fuller these days, and that awakening event became a key doorway in my past through which my present reality and fullness of life first really became possible.
Shortly after my powerful ‘submersion’ experience, school break began and I suddenly started remembering up to ten (!) dreams a day. Yes, sometimes ten or more – and many of them often well past lunch and even into following days. This shocked and amazed me, yet I was very curious, so like a good little scientist, I started logging these dreams in a notebook to see what might emerge from it all. Within a week of starting the notebook, I tried a mental technique one night that I had previously developed on my own for reminding myself of things, and I underwent the most incredible experience. I later learned that it was called a lucid (i.e. conscious) dream. I knew during the dream that ‘I’ was dreaming, while my physical body continued to sleep soundly in bed. The experience did not last long, but it truly astounded me, and made me realize that physical life is really just one station on a larger dial of experience. In the weeks and months after that, more lucid dreams and many other unusual perceptions and other mind-blowing experiences followed that were shocking, very intriguing, and mostly way outside of everything I knew at that time. These experiences radically and quite abruptly transformed and expanded my whole view of the world, of life, and of who “I” am.
To make a long and quite adventurous story short, I spent the years since then exploring various aspects of life that my traditional education did not train me in. I volunteered at Montreal's suicide action hotline and learned how to avoid reacting to stressful emotional situations. Sometimes I would get repeat 'troublemaker' callers to laugh at jokes rather than getting caught in their anger or being led along by their false stories. A couple times at least I was able to get emergency help for people in the middle of a suicide attempt who may have otherwise lost their lives. At 25, I traveled to Ecuador for 6 months to work as a third world development volunteer, and I discovered from an outside perspective what our culture is like -- and it was quite an eye-opener! For my education, I finished my physics degree and also continued to integrate my inner explorations with dreams into a more comprehensive view of objective and subjective science. I also had the great blessing to have three guidance dreams that encouraged me to learn non-violent communication, and I am very thankful that I followed them. That communications training, which I studied closely for 7 years, has been such a blessing. It has not only immeasurably helped my personal and professional relationships, but the core perspective that it offers has also allowed me to be much more present and peaceful in tough emotional scenarios because it allows me to always see the true, beautiful intentions behind everyone's actions and know without a doubt that we are all essentially good at heart, though occasionally stuck with rather poor strategies for trying to meet our needs. Another mind-body healing and optimal performance modality I have trained since college that helps a great deal with presence and mindfulness is biofeedback. Specialized equipment that monitors breathing, heart rate, brainwaves, hand temperature and other physiological measures has permitted myself and clients to physiologically train skills such as focused attention, quiet mind, creativity, deep peace and presence, and much more. For example, one very simple mindfulness technique anyone can use when stressful moments occur is to breathe deeply from the diaphragm six times per minute. This breathing frequency actually affects the heart in a very unique manner that helps to bring about mind-body harmony and a more centered perspective.
I realized early on that nobody else was really going to make my life the amazing adventure I hoped it could be, so I decided I would not sit on the sidelines waiting. Many times I have felt lost, or been immobilized by fear. That I broke through these darker moments is often because I took initiative and moved forward 'anyway', pep-talking myself into finding creative ways to surmount difficult obstacles and empathizing with myself after major disappointments so that I could find the perseverance to pick myself up an continue. Yet I must also acknowledge that there are far too many times to count where I have been supported by friends, family, or by other forms of the amazing grace that has so often helped me through. What has really been most valuable is to have the "inner GPS" guidance that my dreams offer me every day as to what choices and projects will be the most fulfilling, how to navigate relationship challenges as well as possible, and essentially how to love myself as deeply as I now do, even with all my personal peculiarities and continuing challenges. I have so much still to learn, but the inner dream/intuition compass has helped immeasurably to heal serious digestion troubles naturally, resolve painful relationship conflicts, write new songs, make very lucrative business decisions, and advance organically along my path of personal evolution. I am very grateful to now be fortunate enough to enjoy the role of training both individuals and companies how to take more advantage of all the processes I have mentioned to improve health, peace of mind, team synergy, and personal and professional success, and also to be a performing/recording artist and corporate edutainer. About the Author: Craig Sim Webbis a widely-traveled Speaker/Trainer/Author in applied psychology, communications, and optimal performance. He is an invited expert for Fortune 500 corporations, major motion pictures, and over a thousand international TV/radio/print/online media, and has had the privilege to empower CEOs, celebrities, best-selling Authors, doctors, professors, and many others, helping them make major breakthroughs while having plenty of fun. To learn about online teleclasses, outdoor adventure workshops, and private counseling or corporate training, visit: www.edutainer.ca or www.craigwebb.ca. |
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Posted on Friday, April 08, 2011 10:34 AM
3. People in the west are always getting ready to live. Alan Watts Western society embraces the idea that our goal is to prepare to live life at some future time. People’s lives are filled with meaningless monotonous tasks in order to live “someday.” What makes us think or believe that we will ever be ready to live if we cannot give ourselves to the present moment and simply live Now? Living continues to be something that we push away until our lives are over. We intend to make life meaningful in the future, but in reality never even begin to truly make life meaningful in the present. Do It Now What future are you preparing for if the only time that exists is Now? Beware of following a society that is slowly destroying itself. There exists plenty of evidence that the majority that we call “normal” has no clue how to live effectively or in peace. Make a conscious effort Right Now to stop pushing life away and embrace it with all the zest and energy that resides within the core of your being. |
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