Theme for a New Year: Creativity, Profit and Adventure

Theme for a New Year: Creativity, Profit and Adventure

Theme for a New Year: Creativity, Profit and Adventure

New Year's ResolutionIt’s 2015 and most people start all their New Year’s Resolutions, lofty goals, or otherwise map out how the coming year will be better than the last. I’ve tried it lots of times and one year made a resolution not to make any more resolutions.

Two years ago, I set out to focus on goals. Ten of them to be exact. Based on a Brian Tracey interview I had heard through Success Magazine (a favorite of mine). For thirty days, I wrote and memorized my top ten goals and three action steps for each. The year progressed. At the end, I looked back and discovered I had failed to achieve any of the goals. “How could this possibly be,” I asked. They are all still important at the end of the year, but I failed to achieve even one. The fault must be with me, of course.

Last year, 2014, I set no goals. No intentions. Just wanted a few certain things: for my business to be successful financially, to help my friends and family, and to strengthen my relationships. This time, while I had some success and had amazing help from friends and family throughout the year, I still didn’t quite experience what I had hoped to happen.

However, while there were many many challenges that I had never thought I’d face, there were many successes:

  1. I wrote nearly 60,000 words for a novel and even more for ideas for other stories. With this, I’ve decided that I am, officially, a writer. I’m not a professional writer, but a writer none-the-less.
  2. My friends and extended family members helped my family through a very hard time that occurred at the beginning of the year. I am eternally grateful and humbled.
  3. My business partner, key employee and staff helped solidify and strengthen my business setting us up for long term success. While we lost some great folks, it wasn’t due to anything we had done wrong, but rather great opportunities that they were offered. Recent research says that if you have great people, expect them to be poached.
  4. My wife and I (and boys) managed to go through a tough time and come out stronger than ever. Our future looks bright personally and financially.
  5. I accepted the role as President of a professional organization chapter. While I still feel like a kid compared to the professionals I am helping lead, I have been so rewarded professionally and so excited to see businesses thrive that have joined. I still have 9 months to serve and hope things keep going in the same direction.

There is more, but those are things that feel key.

The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.
~ Joseph Campbell

This year, I turn 49…one year from the half-century mark. This gives me great pause as my mother passed away suddenly at only 55 years young. Logically, I know I’m healthy enough to go on many many more years, but there is that subconscious fear that I have to achieve whatever I was put on earth to do more quickly. Regardless, I’m eager to accomplish more sooner than later.

And it was with that thought that I decided (and have heard of others doing the same), to simply create a theme for the year. And that theme is fairly simple: Creativity, Profit and Adventure.

CREATIVITY

  1. In writing and art
  2. In my business and for clients
  3. In relationships and for fun

PROFIT

  1. For things I want to explore in life
  2. For the ability to help others in business (mine and others)
  3. For the resources to give to the community

ADVENTURE

  1. To travel and explore parts of the world I’ve never seen
  2. To experience new things with my wife, family and friends (individually and together)
  3. To create things only in my imagination to thrill and inspire others (see Creativity above)

See how it all loops together?

That’s it. I hope to write more this year than the past, but…hey…we’ll see. It could be an adventure!

How about you?

Dad, RIP

Dad, RIP

Saying goodbye to my dad and going through the five stages of grief. Just dealing with how I’m really feeling. Reader beware.

read more
Heading Back to Elementary School

Heading Back to Elementary School

Sometime between sixth grade elementary and seventh grade junior high, my father brought home a tape recorder that was designed for hearing or vision impaired students. It was bright orange and all the buttons were colored and had braille on them. But besides being...

read more
The Piano

The Piano

Sometimes, the burdens of life become too heavy for men to bear. But we’re expected to bear them anyway. But there comes a point when you just can’t.

What happens then? Joe decides to find out as he ventures into the woods and experiences something he never imagined.

read more

Sponsor Creativity

If you’ve enjoyed anything on my site, please feel free to donate what you can. In turn, I’ll continue to add content and encourage others to live a creative life! Regardless, I hope you’ve enjoyed your time. If you feel like reaching out, please do so. I'm easy to find.

Even a cup of coffee for a few dollars, or $5 for a triple grande mocha would give me some 'juice' to create for me and others.

Anger Sharks

Anger Sharks

Anger Sharks

Some days, you just get pissed off. Something little might even trigger you and send you into a spiral.

I never used to be angry. But seeing Anger Management years ago made me think maybe I was.

Over the past few years it feels like it’s gotten worse, though, lately…it’s fewer and far between. But when I do, MAN! It sets in for hours.

Luckily, I’m not physically angry. And I don’t lash out too much at others, but my tolerance does drop considerably and some people may get the brunt of it. I don’t lash out like Steve Jobs did to his staff, and I try to NEVER say anything I’d regret later.

The fires that cross my chest and the “Anger Sharks” that swim in my head are very unpleasant.

What Works for Me in Dowsing the Fires and Scaring Off the Sharks?

  1. Walk away and keep going (a short walk to blow off steam.)
  2. Go to a quiet place (dark or void of a lot of distractions that might trigger you)
  3. Ten minutes (plus) of meditation or some soothing music
  4. Scream (but only if no one is around…and careful, you’ll make your throat REAL sore)
  5. Listen to some comedy

The biggest thing is not to react in the moment, but respond. It’s also good not to stew for too long if it’s something that needs to be addressed.

Well, that’s my lesson for myself tonight. I did do some art therapy when I got triggered today. I call it, ‘Anger Sharks,’ of course! (See below and click for larger image)

Speaking of Anger Sharks, I did snag that from Anger Management. “The Anger Sharks are swimming in my head!” Here’s the scene (start about 20 seconds in):

So…all together now, “GooooosFrabahhhhh.”

Got any tricks of your own? Share below!

Anger Sharks by Eric Huber 2014

Dad, RIP

Dad, RIP

Saying goodbye to my dad and going through the five stages of grief. Just dealing with how I’m really feeling. Reader beware.

read more
Heading Back to Elementary School

Heading Back to Elementary School

Sometime between sixth grade elementary and seventh grade junior high, my father brought home a tape recorder that was designed for hearing or vision impaired students. It was bright orange and all the buttons were colored and had braille on them. But besides being...

read more
The Piano

The Piano

Sometimes, the burdens of life become too heavy for men to bear. But we’re expected to bear them anyway. But there comes a point when you just can’t.

What happens then? Joe decides to find out as he ventures into the woods and experiences something he never imagined.

read more

Sponsor Creativity

If you’ve enjoyed anything on my site, please feel free to donate what you can. In turn, I’ll continue to add content and encourage others to live a creative life! Regardless, I hope you’ve enjoyed your time. If you feel like reaching out, please do so. I'm easy to find.

Even a cup of coffee for a few dollars, or $5 for a triple grande mocha would give me some 'juice' to create for me and others.

Tasty Vegan Chili

Tasty Vegan Chili

Vegan ChiliTrying to eat healthier and living with a person who has vegetarian to vegan tendencies is a challenge sometimes. I THOUGHT I craved and missed meat… but a lot of times, it’s just the feeling of having comfort food, familiar flavors and textures I miss from growing up.

Recently I was craving REAL chili. Well, Frito™ Chili pie, actually. Vegan chili at the store was too sweet and just not “right.” So I went searching and here’s what I came up with.

This recipe has it’s root from one I found on OhSheGlows.com although she got it from another site that had zucchini in the recipe. I don’t do zucchini. But isn’t it great to share recipes and experiment with your creativity?

My creative project got good reviews during a Halloween party and some of my ‘mistakes’ have still been well received at home. I recommend making a double batch as it will only set you back about $15-20…IF you get Fritos.

Prep time can be 20-30 minutes depending on how fast you chop.

First Part:

  • 1 Tbsp EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
  • 1-3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 Bell Peppers, chopped (I used red)
  • 1 Sweet Onion, chopped (I’ve tried both white and red…both work)
  • 3 Carrots (recipe said ‘chopped’…I grated it…made it appear like meat…kinda)

Take ALL ingredients above and saute on medium until soft (5-10 minutes)

OPTION: Original recipe called for 1 can organic mushrooms, drained (BLEH!)

Second Part:

Original recipe calls for 1 Can each of:

  • Black Beans, White Kidney Beans and Red Kidney beans… rinsed.
  • 1 Can of Diced Tomatoes

I HOWEVER do not do well with Black Beans and mixed it up a bit. I used:

  • Red Chili Beans, Pinto Beans, and White Cannallini Beans (No rinsing)
  • 1 Can of Rotel

Mix it all up with the goodies you sauteed.

Third Part:

Add Spices!

  • 3 Tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Cumin
  • Pinch of Sea Salt (I did about a tsp)
  • Pinch of Cayenne (WARNING: I Accidental did a Tbsp or more once. Christi LOVED IT! But I had to cool it down a bit…well…a lot, actually.)
  • 2 tsp Oregano
  • 1 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • Lime Juice (1 lime)

COVER and HEAT on low to medium heat for 20 Minutes stirring occasionally.

Last Step:

Here are my twists on the recipe to finish it up before serving (besides any listed above above).

  • Add another Tbsp of Chili Powder, a little more Cocoa Powder, and dash of Cumin.
    I learned from my mom’s winning Teralingua Texas Chili Recipe… add additional spices towards the end for more flavor. (Betcha wish I’d share that recipe too, don’tcha?)
  • Take the lid off and raise the heat to a low boil so the water evaporates and lets the chili thicken. Stir often or else it might burn and stick!
  • Slowly add just a bit of flour (pick your favorite) to allow it to thicken more (NOTE: The original recipe called for Chia Seeds to thicken… I had a Chia pet once… but if you have gluten allergies, you can try it — I’ve also found ground cashews work to thicken too, but tend to sweeten the flavor).

Cook for another 15-20 minutes and you should have an awesome, thick, spicy (but not TOO spicy) chili for a couple of days. Heck! Make it tonight and serve tomorrow. It’s always better the second day.

Fritos™Serve over Fritos™ for the days of Frito Pie! If you’re only vegetarian and not vegan…go ahead and put a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle some cheese on top. (Frito Lay did NOT pay me to say that. lol)

And if you’re feeling extra creative… save some of the red onion, grab some cilantro and when you serve the chili on top of Fritos, add the onions with cilantro garnish. FANCY!

Bet you can’t eat one bowl.

Let me know what you think or if you come up with a flavorful variation.

Talk Previously Titled “Creating Your New Life”

Talk Previously Titled “Creating Your New Life”

Talk Previously Titled “Creating Your New Life”

- 17 min read -

(Original talk at Unity of Fayetteville 2/1/12)

Today’s Message was going to be called, “Creating Your New Life.”

In it, I was going to share some of the tools, thoughts, and lessons I’ve learned getting to where I am today, and moving to where I want to be tomorrow.

But that all changed Friday morning after Christi walked into our bedroom to find me dead on the couch. There I was, sitting straight up, pale, eyes wide open, not breathing, and not responding to shaking, yelling or slapping. No flinching. No breathing. She thought I was dead. And so did Brett, the oldest boy who called 911.

As you can see, I’m okay now. And I didn’t die.

A half day in the ER with all sorts of tests said it was simply a Vasovagal Syncope. In other words I passed out from a combination of stress, pain, and fear.

All of that was from a few minutes earlier, in a house still dark from everyone getting ready for the day, our pet cat started an awful howl. Soon, I heard Avery screaming, I rushed in to see the cat with her leg trapped between two slats of wood twisting and clawing to get away. I reached down to try to stabilize her and get her loose, but she turned on me and bit…hard. I yanked back just as Christi stepped forward and the cat bit into her foot and wrapped her claws around Christi’s legs. As Christi tried to pull back, the cat went nuts, and Christi began screaming. I tried to grab the cat to get her to let go, and she did. We all backed up, everyone was screaming holding their bleeding hands and legs in the dark.

Poor Brett woke to the screaming and howling just as the cat freed herself and we all dashed or hobbled to the nearest sinks to rinse our bleeding wounds.

At the sink, I discovered the cat had bit clean through my finger and split my finger nail, and ripped a deep gash in one of my other fingers.

I checked on everyone else, and as the incident died down, I felt my blood pressure drop and so I sat down and tried to put my head between my knees, but I felt nauseous and sat up and leaned back.

The doctor said, the Vagus Nerve conveys sensory information about the state of our organs to the central nervous system. Your heart beating too fast? It reports that and if your system says you’re just watching a scary movie, it will slow your heart down. But if you’re being chased by a lion, it will continue to let it race and find other ways to optimize your system for the fight or flight reaction.

In the cases of stress, sudden fear, severe pain, overexertion, overheating, hunger, nausea, or standing after sitting or laying down for a long time, the vagal reaction is a reflex response that causes the pulse to slow down or the blood vessels to dilate. This causes the blood pressure to fall, reducing the blood flow to the brain. Lying down, or falling to the ground, usually stops the reaction within 60 seconds.

But I didn’t hit the ground. And I can’t imagine how I would have reacted seeing Christi in the same state.

It was interesting to discover, that something I was unconscious of was watching out for me.

While laying in the ER, I couldn’t help but think about the talk I was giving today. “How can I talk about Creating your new life, when I, somehow, created THIS part of my life?”

In a blog post by our own Brad Volz, he reminded me that there is a message in everything. We just have to be willing to listen.

So I listened. And after rereading all the material I had gathered for today, the potential meditations or exercises, I finally decided to simply twist the title. I felt the message today was a continuation of my last message that was titled “The Hero’s Spiritual Journey” which you can listen to at http://www.unity-fay.org/ October 16th recording.

Today’s Message is now titled:
“Writing Your Own Hero’s Journey”

Shouldn’t we all be the hero of our own life story?

How many in here feel like they aren’t where you thought you would be? Not saying bad or good!

How many of you here would like to write a new script for your life?

How many of you feel that someone else is writing the story of your life and you’re simply reacting to each new obstacle?

In the hero’s journey, based on Joseph Campbells’ writings, which identified a repeating plot of all myths, many movies, and stories throughout history follow, after a decision has been made to cross the first threshold and commit to path that will eventually change them, everything appears to line up and ‘supernatural aide’ appears. But soon, the “Road of Trials” begin that shape you into what you desire to become.

If you attended our introductory class of The Artist’s Way this past Wednesday, you were privy to the fact that I almost had to cancel the evening as I was experiencing a cold and my was having trouble with coughing and even speaking.

But I realized that I was trying to protect myself from utter failure, ridicule, and laughter I was about to experience. Seth Godin says our ancient Lizard Brains try to keep us safe. There’s a TIGER! RUN! The Artist’s Way says your inner censor tries to get us to give up. And just as we feel that rush of excitement of trying something new, it changes to fear.

Kate reminded me that Fear and Excitement have the same vibrational level, it’s how we choose to embrace it. Yes…falling out of an airplane sounds terrifying, but if you’ve got a plane, an instructor and a parachute, it turns into excitement.

In creating MY new life—Writing MY Hero’s Journey, I have decided that I want to be surrounded by creative, spiritual, and loving people who want to share their gifts, who want to help others succeed, and who have dreams they are finally ready to share and ask for help in achieving. I want to show people through entertainment and education that they are more alike than different.

But how am I writing this script? What plot elements do I have at play for action and character development?

  • First, I have an amazing loving partner who is capable and, more importantly, WILLING to bring me back to life.
  • I have a business that I run with a partner from our homes and we’re getting ready to add staff. SCARY!
  • I’m on the board of the New Design School.
  • I’m hoping to start a new non-profit organization for commercial creatives like graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, and that ilk.
  • I’m Facilitating AND TAKING an Artist’s Way Class.
  • I’m doing speeches.
  • I’m doing person design projects.
  • I spend time cultivating my relationships starting at home.
  • Oh…and I’m writing.

Is this what I meant to write for my life? And how does it get me to the conclusion of this story? Where I am showing people through entertainment and education that they are more alike than different

Well, I KNOW I did not write the part about sitting in the ER waiting for a CAT scan after the Cataclysmic Catastrophe that morning with the … pet.

Or was it?

Maybe it was a ‘Pause’ to reflect on the direction I was going. Maybe a chance to make sure I am doing the things I want. Creating the things I want to create. Be with the people I want to create with. Maybe the ER was the “Belly of the Whale” where I was beginning my transition from my old life into the new.

I can tell you, there are many changes afoot already.

EXERCISES

But this isn’t just about me. It’s about how YOU can write your own journey

Now, normally here at Unity, we have a nice relaxing meditation. But I want to engage you a little more directly today. I want you to be an active participant in what you are creating.

Grab a sheet of paper and pencil or pen in front of you and get ready for the first of these exercises.

Some of you may feel like something is holding you back. I want you to jot down a short sentence of some recurring negative thoughts you have going on in your head.

It may be, ‘I don’t have the connections to make a movie.’ or ‘I’m too old to start learning to play the piano,’ or even, ‘I’m too broke to go on a trip.’ Just the meanest nastiest thing you’ve been beating yourself up about. If you never do that, congrats! You are amazing, cause I still do it.

Next, I want you to turn that phrase around. “I don’t have the connections to make a movie,” becomes, “I am surrounded by people who help me make movies.” “I’m too old to learn the piano,” becomes, “I play the piano daily and get better all the time.” And “I’m too broke to go on a trip,” becomes “I enjoy my trips at home and abroad with friends and family.”

“But Eric, that’s a lie. I am not a millionaire. I can’t play the guitar. I don’t even have a video camera, let alone a script to shoot!” I’ve heard this before.

“It’s not a lie, if you believe it.” George Costanza from the show Seinfeld said that, I think.

And, you’re right. It’s not the truth….as it’s held today. But this powerful little exercise can help you set a course for what will become true in the future. Especially if you repeat it regularly to yourself every day.

How many saw The Secret? 

How many of you have ever in your lives, just once, thought about something you wanted, and through seeming coincidence, got it?

In The Secret, the Genie as the Universe says, “Your wish is my command.” The Bible says, “Ask and you shall receive.”

What you focus on expands. It can’t help but expand. Because each moment you focus on it, you learn more and experience more.

If you start of the day, from the second you awake you say, “Today is the happiest day of my life, and I write stories of action, humor and connection that I share with everyone across the globe.” Guess what? Each day you say that, you begin making changes in the things you do and the people you surround yourself with. Until, finally, one day, you wake up as a published author, signing books, and what you say to yourself is now… truth. In fact, it may be that you have a whole NEW mantra for the next book in your Hero’s Journey.

Even those mornings, when it’s cold out, and you’ve got a ton of mundane tasks to do and you feel like crap, setting your intention for the day can make all the difference.

But there’s another trick to this.

Nature abhors a vacuum. And Barbara Sher, author of Wishcraft: How to Get What you Really Want says, “Isolation is a dream killer.” And even Psalm 68:6a “Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.”

Right now, I’m going to think about what I really want. (Stare at audience. Look quizzical. Look around. Look up.)

Why aren’t I getting what I want? I really really want it.

Alright, right now, I’m going to TELL you what I really want.

I want something to keep my head warm. (Someone tosses my hat to me).

I was going to say something to write with, but I didn’t want to get pelted with pens!

The point is, don’t be afraid of sharing your dreams. If your friends laugh, get new friends! It’s YOUR life, after all. They’ll come around. Or not. But you’ll be living the life you were dreaming, creating, and writing about.

Now, turn to the person next to you and bravely state your NEW mantra. What you want to become.

When I was about 6 years old, my parents bought me a Dr. Seuss book called, “My Book About Me by Me, Myself.” There are fun little facts I noted about my age, eye color, how many doorknobs were in the house, and..what I wanted to be when I grew up.

While there were dozens and dozens of example lives, I chose “Cartoonist.” 

I remember reading Archie, Peanuts, Lil Abner and a bunch of others and loved how images could tell a story. I still love that today. Movies tell stories. And in Graphic Design, I get to communicate messages visually. I didn’t become a cartoonist, but the essence of what I wanted to accomplish is the same. Of course, the book also says my favorite foods were corn on the cob, chicken, and SPAM….which…as you all know WAS true even up until a year ago when my eating habits drastically changed for the better.

Wait…I need to remember SPAM for a moment. (take off my hat, place over heart, set hat down)

In the Artist’s Way class (and book, in general), the goal is to free that inner child, that inner artist and creative spirit that is still hidden away. It’s not just about art, but music, writing, dance, connection to who are and how to let them out.

Let’s do one exercise from the Artist’s Way.

On your sheet of paper in front of you, I want you to quickly write down five answers to this question:

  • If you had five other lives to lead, what would you do in each of them? 

Mine would be a special effects designer, a parkour acrobat, a game designer, an actor, and a movie director. Have fun with these. Don’t overthink.

  • Now, pick the one that calls out to you the most. 

From here, I want you to think about some small way you can do something that is an aspect of that life. If it’s being a country singer, what about taking a guitar lesson? If it’s movie director, grab an iPhone, or even a digital camera and record a three minute movie.

And, yes, I recognize the irony of me saying this in front of everyone.

This is an actual assignment in The Artist’s Way. If you’re interested, it’s not too late, but you’ll have some catch up to do. See me after service OR, can everyone taking the class raise their hands? Catch one of these people!

So here’s the thing about writing this part of the journey. Many people are Shadow Artists. They have surrounded themselves with people doing what they wish they could do. These people have not crossed the first threshold of the Hero’s Journey.

But…you’re about to!

A few years back, I got involved with film festivals and ended up running three of them. I met filmmakers, writers, and actors. And then after three years of this I noticed, I wasn’t getting to see the movies anymore, or spending time with the people creating them. I had gotten to a level of orchestration, which, while gratifying, I had completely moved away from what I desired most. Connections to help me achieve my dreams.

And yet, even today, the universe keeps putting me in connection with those who could still help. Recently, I’ve met and worked with a screenwriter, a filmmaker, and done design work for a movie producer, film distributor, and the director Joel Schumacher. And still, I haven’t started my films.

Like at least ONE other person in the room, I’ve got stories to tell. The Hero’s Journey for me is ongoing, and I feel that the third act is about to begin in which the hero learns a new truth.

You can write your own story. You don’t have to have just one dream. They can intertwine in a complex dance. Some journey’s are straight forward, others have many plot twists and turns.

Repeat your mantras, share your dreams, and above all, unless you’ve got canvas gloves, thick pants, and boots, never reach down to help a howling stuck cat.

Thank you.
Namaste.

Sponsor Creativity

If you’ve enjoyed anything on my site, please feel free to donate what you can. In turn, I’ll continue to add content and encourage others to live a creative life! Regardless, I hope you’ve enjoyed your time. If you feel like reaching out, please do so. I'm easy to find.

Even a cup of coffee for a few dollars, or $5 for a triple grande mocha would give me some 'juice' to create for me and others.

Dad, RIP

Dad, RIP

Saying goodbye to my dad and going through the five stages of grief. Just dealing with how I’m really feeling. Reader beware.

read more
Heading Back to Elementary School

Heading Back to Elementary School

Sometime between sixth grade elementary and seventh grade junior high, my father brought home a tape recorder that was designed for hearing or vision impaired students. It was bright orange and all the buttons were colored and had braille on them. But besides being...

read more
The Piano

The Piano

Sometimes, the burdens of life become too heavy for men to bear. But we’re expected to bear them anyway. But there comes a point when you just can’t.

What happens then? Joe decides to find out as he ventures into the woods and experiences something he never imagined.

read more

Twinkies™ and Global Consciousness

Twinkies™ and Global Consciousness

Twinkies™ and Global Consciousness

- 15 min read -

(Originally a talk given at Unity of Fayetteville on 7/21/13 about manifesting)

If you’re here, you’re obviously wondering, why Twinkies,™ Global Consciousness and Manifesting?

I know that nearly everyone here has studied manifesting. Most of you have attended Mary Morrisey’s Prosperity Plus class, watched The Secret, read Manifest Your Destiny by Wayne Dyer, studied Wallace Wattles’ The Science of Getting Rich, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, and the Abraham/Hicks Law of Attraction.

So why would I pick a topic you all already knows?

After hanging out with many of you, talking with others, reading through many books, watching tons of videos and listening to recordings, I kept wondering why many of us still struggle to get what we all dream about.

And then I found out why. I have found the villain that keeps us from success. This villain is devious, steadfast, and insidious.

This villain sabotages our actions just when we are at the edge of success. They place thoughts of fear, jealousy, greed, anger and superstition when we just start to feel our plans are about to come to fruition.

twinkie-protestsAnd then last year this villain took our Twinkies™.

But like in all literature, film and mythology, this is not the kind of villain who is simply motivated to destroy for the sake of destruction. This villain can be saved. It can seek redemption. We can become allies with this villain for the greater good redeeming their past vile actions and inactions.

Just as Darth Vader turned from the Dark Side to help Luke Skywalker defeat the Emperor, or the Grinch returns all the Christmas presents back to the Whos down in Whoville. This antagonist can also be redeemed and become our ally.

This villain is none other than our subconscious mind.

Now we can stop fighting with ourselves and begin recreating the great story of our lives. We have goals and dreams. We have challenges. And we have a villain to battle and save who will help us in our grandest dreams.

How did our subconsciousness steal our Twinkies™ you ask?

Think about our world. Our lives. Our thoughts.

Over the past few decades, we’re more and more concerned with our health. We’re focused on what we’re consuming. How we’re consuming it. We look to make better choices. Many of us often think, “If they didn’t have Twinkies™, I wouldn’t be tempted to eat them.”

I’m making some assumptions on this part, and I know there was some Union management issues at hand, but as a business owner I can guess that some of this occurred: as buying habits shifted, profits dropped in the Hostess company. Workers may have been cut or at least a reduction in hours. In the worker’s subconscious minds, they began feeling fear of losing their jobs. The managers and owners began fearing a loss in profits and the inevitable layoffs. Their villains kept feeding their fears. Finally, a tipping point was reached and no amount of product placement in a zombie movie could help. Hostess filed for bankruptcy and an end of an era was upon us.

For those of you wondering about the zombie movie reference, one of the characters was in search of Twinkies™ in the after apocalypse zombie infested earth. He understood that, contrary to popular belief, Twinkies™ did, in fact, have an expiration date.

Here’s where our villain can be turned and how global consciousness enters the picture.

It has been shown that global events and what people focus on globally can cause a measurable effect. At the moment, from what I’ve read, scientists are only showing that computers constantly producing random numbers will begin having less random numbers when global events occur. However, we’ve learned that ‘Prayer Walks’ (or circles) in cities with high crime have resulted in a lowering of the crime rate from 25% up to 46% according to some sources.

Now, did the outrage of Twinkies™ demise spur us to turn our subconscious minds in conjunction with the larger global consciousness to create action?

Last week, Twinkies™ returned to the shelves of stores with a further extended shelf life (just in case of a zombie apocalypse, I’m guessing).

And…they are testing gluten-free, sugar-free and low-sodium versions to boot!

Honestly, I haven’t had a Twinkie in years. I was sad to hear Twinkies™ were gone. But not because I wanted one, but because it reminded me of when I was younger and when I was a kid. It was a treat. Sure it was all sugar, not good for you, and otherwise kinda gross when you think of all the preservatives. But it evoked an emotion.

I also believe that the power of our global consciousness is limited by each of our own sub-consciousnesses and consciousnesses. It is EASY to believe in holding a Twinkie in your hand and eating it. It is more difficult to believe that we can create a non-profit organization that feeds the world, a home in Italy, or other lofty dream.

Why? Because we’ve held a Twinkie before. We have not owned a home in Italy…yet.

Let’s get back to the villain.

Part of the entire New Thought movement understood the power of the subconscious mind. Even if they didn’t completely understand how to control it, they knew the basics on how to turn it to their goals.

Today’s teachers understand much more, and are teaching it very well.

While you can’t control your subconscious, you can feed it.

Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich says this:

“THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND consists of a field of consciousness, in which every impulse of thought that reaches the objective mind through any of the five senses, is classified and recorded, and from which thoughts may be recalled or withdrawn as letters may be taken from a filing cabinet.

It receives, and files, sense impressions or thoughts, regardless of their nature. You may VOLUNTARILY plant in your subconscious mind any plan, thought, or purpose which you desire to translate into its physical or monetary equivalent. The subconscious acts first on the dominating desires which have been mixed with emotional feeling, such as faith.

THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND WORKS DAY AND NIGHT. Through a method of procedure, unknown to man, the subconscious mind draws upon the forces of Infinite Intelligence for the power with which it voluntarily transmutes one’s desires into their physical equivalent, making use, always of the most practical media by which this end may be accomplished.”

Hill mentions the Infinite Intelligence. Wallace Wattles speaks of a Formless Intelligence. And while I know many of you have heard it before, it bears repeating:

“There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the inter-spaces of the universe.

A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.

Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance can cause the thing he thinks about to be created.

In order to do this, man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind; otherwise he cannot be in harmony with the Formless Intelligence, which is always creative and never competitive in spirit.”

Mike Dooley, who was in the movie The Secret boiled it down to this

“Thoughts Become Things. Choose the Good Ones.”

Einstein revealed to us a Universe made of Energy. He hypothesized that everything, in fact, was made of energy. That all the way down to the atomic level, things vibrate, oscillate and resonate. Quantum studies show that we can change reality. We can change the outcome of experiments simply by watching them.

Hill said, “every impulse of thought that reaches the objective mind through any of the five senses.”

Our senses simply pick up different types of energy by vibrational interpretations. Everything is energy.

Twinkie StonehengeIt’s at this point we can turn our villain into our ally. 

Some of you may have already redeemed your subconscious mind and are working together in manifesting what you want. Others, may have a twisting plot of cooperation and conflict going on in your own personal stories, like I have had. The rest of you may be listening to your subconscious now and it’s saying, “Don’t listen to this guy. He’s an idiot. He’s trying to brainwash you. He doesn’t have our best interests in mind. Quick! Check your cell phone. Play Angry Birds. Angry Birds!!! AIM. FIRE. AIM. FIRE. AIM. FIRE! DIE EVIL PIGS.”

Where was I?

Ah yes…turning the villain into a hero.

It’s here that the real work begins. Work that can be fun, but takes practice and dedication. The results and rewards are nothing less than miraculous.

With correct thoughts, you can begin immediate manifestation. You can have and do anything you want. But you have to get out of your own way.

Abraham says the Vortex exists ready for you to enter and live from, but you have to let go.

How many of you have thoughts in your mind, right now, saying something like, “I really want to go buy this coffee maker, but… I don’t really need it. I’d kinda feel guilty getting it because little Joey really wants a bike. I don’t really want to spend money on a bike right now.”

The Infinite Intelligence, the Formless Intelligence, the Genie, Bob, or God just heard… “I want a Coffee Maker. No. Not really. Joey wants a bike. (but I don’t want to buy a bike).” Coffee Maker. No Coffee Maker. Bike. No Bike.

Okay then. Nothing.

(Sigh)

We’ve all heard this example or something like it. The question is, “How do you stop doing that!?” Let me ask another question you MAY have heard the answer to before: “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”

Practice. Practice. Practice.

So let’s figure out what exactly it is we have to practice. And, specifically practice on getting your new hero to focus on the things you WANT and not what you DON’T want.

My wife and I, many of you, and lots of people I know are INSTANT manifestors. Or at least, very quick manifestors.

As many of you know, I have a thing about movies and mythology. I’ve publicly spoken about my desire to be involved in movies. I’ve written a dozen outlines of movie plots and screenplays.

A few weeks ago, Christi and I were talking about some goals, considering various resources, and otherwise dreaming. Two things we focused on were me taking steps to finish one (or more) of my ideas and doing something with them, as well as making a comment about how our house needs to start pulling it’s weight in our family by producing some additional income.

Literally two days later, one of our friends posted on Facebook post and tagged us in it. “Eric and Christi have a nice living room. How about it? You guys want to be in a movie? Or at least your house?”

We checked it out and a movie production was looking for a location to shoot an independent film AND was willing to pay a few hundred dollars for a night shoot.

BAM! I got to hang with a movie crew and watch the pre-production and chat with the director, photographer, actors, and production people. The house made money for us.  AND…bonus…our son who had just made a comment of wanting to make a certain amount of money a week got hired by the director and made the entire amount in a night.

Pretty cool, eh? And I’ve focused on writing several days since then and am much clearer on what I want to accomplish.

So how did the opportunity manifest itself so quickly and so specifically?

We had no expectation of HOW things would unfold, we simply wanted an outcome. This is one of the keys. One of the ways as kids we were able to accomplish things. We never knew HOW something was going to happen, we simply knew what we wanted. We didn’t know if it could or couldn’t be done, simply that we wanted it done.

To end my talk today, I want to give you a few items to help your subconscious become your ally. To turn it from the dark side. To deliver all the presents back to you it’s been hoarding.

The Law of Attraction is based on one simple idea: what you focus on expands.

  1. You must be crystal clear on your goal or goals. Create a vision board. Create a mantra. Describe an experience. Paint a picture of the perfect relationship.
  2. Use the present tense when referring to your goals.
  3. Eliminate all negative thoughts. Anything self-defeating, critical, sad. Your FEELINGS are your best indicator of where you are in manifesting. Choose better feelings and thoughts and you will find yourself closer to your goal and you’re FEEL when you are closer.
  4. Meditate
  5. FEEL what it’s like to have achieved your goals.
  6. Say “Thank You” and embody gratitude. Negative thoughts and fear cannot exist at the same time as gratitude.
  7. Believe, have faith and pretend you don’t NEED it.

Lastly, you can try the Genie Approach.

Use the two magic words. No. Not Abra Cadabra (or is that just one word?)

“I Command…”

“I Command that a parking place will open up in front of the coffee shop!” One did for me, by the way. However, I had meant for a FREE parking place to open up. Sigh.

BE CLEAR AND PRECISE!

Also, there is ONE RULE for the Genie Approach: You cannot command others.

None of this, “I command Christi (my wife) to make me a pie!” Which, wouldn’t go over well in a multitude of ways. Your command should be “I command the universe create an apple pie for me.” Now, of course, the fasted manifestation is to go to the store and buy one, but…hey…instant!

twinkies-roadSo, go turn your villain into a hero, command the universe, have faith, and manifest some Twinkies.™

(And if you had been at Unity, I passed out the newly released Twinkies!)

Click here for more podcasts from Unity.

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Even a cup of coffee for a few dollars, or $5 for a triple grande mocha would give me some 'juice' to create for me and others.

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Any Man's Death Diminishes Me…

Any Man's Death Diminishes Me…

“Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
~ John Donne

Tomorrow would have been my mother’s 70th birthday. And while I can celebrate the 10th of October, I still have a tendency to grieve a bit. Today would have been my grandmother’s 114 birthday (if my math is correct). I celebrate and grieve as well.

On top of these milestones, one of my close friend’s step-father passed away, bringing all these dates and events into the forefront of my mind and heart.

John Donne’s quote has always struck a chord with me and every time I hear of someone’s passing, be it close or far, I do take a moment and try to reflect on what they meant to others and how they were perceived by others.

Did They Have Passion?

I heard a quote that the ancient Greeks asked when a person passed away that I found interesting, and that was “Did they have passion?” While this quote was said in the movie, Serendipity, I did research and found that it was generally true. “Did they have passion” for something in their life. It didn’t matter what. But it was important they didn’t squander their lives.

People die every day. It’s part of our existence. And, generally, it’s only as we grow older we notice it more often. While one movie villain says, “Time is a fire in which we all burn,” the hero responds, “Time is a friend who travels with us on our journey in life.” I believe our journey shapes our views and beliefs on death.

The Prophet: on Death

When my mother passed away in 1997, and I’m sure I’ve written this elsewhere, I read a passage from one of her favorite books titled The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. The passage was the prophet speaking to the masses about “Death.” It was chosen because of the last line which had special meaning for my mother. It seems growing up that a teacher had once told her she didn’t have talent in a certain area and shouldn’t try. You’ll see what that talent was by reading the last line.

Today, I took some time and recreated my “Illumination” digital painting and added the last few paragraphs from the passage. I’ll also post the entire passage below.

So, live each day as if it’s your last. Focus on making each day filled with more of the things you’re passionate about. And remember tell those around you how much you really love them.


(Click for larger version)

The Prophet: On Death

You would know the secret of death.

But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?

The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day
cannot unveil the mystery of light.

If you would indeed behold the spirit of death,
open your heart wide unto the body of life.

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;

And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.

Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.

Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he
stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.

Is the sheered not joyful beneath his trembling,
that he shall wear the mark of the king?

Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides,
that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet