Energy of Heart

Alice is taught a great lesson from the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland . I'm not sure if Alice really comprehends the lesson. The question is, how many people read this passage and simply smile and think of it as funny, but totally miss the gravity of what the Cheshire Cat teaches.  “Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to. Alice: I don't much care where. The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go. Alice: ...So long as I get somewhere. The Cheshire Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland  In the Disney cartoon of Alice in Wonderland, the Cheshire cat seems to be a little facetious and just trying to cause problems for Alice. But, what if he's just trying to help Alice discover what it is she wants? How many of us do this and we don't even realize it. We know w...

 One of the functions of the brain is to survive. It does what it can to preserve the body and vital parts. When we stay too long in a cold environment, blood flow to the extremities is restricted to preserve heat to the core functions. It's why our fingers and toes get cold easily if they aren't protected. In a similar sense our paradigms, the mindset and belief systems that basically govern our perceptions and behaviors, do all they can to preserve our lives, to keep us from getting hurt, to be safe and secure. This mindset is what conjures up the doubt, the skepticism, the disbelief. It reminds us of all the times we've attempted to change in the past...and failed. It serves up a hefty dose of "reality" along with a big side of reservations. But our past doesn't dictate our future. Past failures are only learning opportunities. If we drive our lives while looking at the rearview mirror at our past, we'll either crash or we'll go so slow it'll ta...

 As I read, listen, and watch those who are highly successful--and teaching, coaching, and mentoring others to become the same--there are a number of common elements.  One of these elements, often considered one of the most important for you to experience the quantum leap, is to think beyond the limitations we have placed on ourselves. Most of the world lives in the reality these perceive as most probable, most likely. It's what they believe is common sense. Guess what? We go where our focus is. That is the results we will achieve. To go beyond what is seen as reasonable, logical, you need to forget about thinking what you can have and begin shifting your desires to what you want. You must allow yourself to dream, risk. Of course, there are some things that you can think of that are beyond the scope of reality. An exaggerated example would be if someone's dream was to become a dog. That said, while there may be some limitations in our physical world, there are lots of ideas an...

Subconsciously we are attracted to the status quo, doing things in what seems to be the reasonable way. We set goals that are safe, achievable. Our progress is measurable and reliable, provided we stretch ourselves to do those things we know we should do. Considering what some may see as impossible is unreasonable. "Impossible" goals may interest us, they may entertain our mind as we dream about them, but we soon brush them aside and go back to what we see as possible. We put our faith in the familiar because we are certain of how we can get there and certain of the results. We need to really stretch our faith. Just as we can see the reliable, predictable results in our lives, we can "see" in our mind's eye, through the eye of faith, the "real" results of what we dream and imagine. "Faith in the familiar" only results in familiar results. It's not really faith because we subconsciously (and consciously) know what the results will be by do...

 A big deal is made in self-improvement circles about the law of attraction. It's actually a lesser law, very closely related to the law of vibration. Basically it's the law that the vibrational frequency of an energy attracts like vibrational energies. It's a big key to success and failure. It's why we keep getting more of the same. Simply thinking or wishing for success doesn't cut it because this doesn't change our internal energy, the vibrational frequency (which is on the emotional or subconscious level) that we are sending out is what we attract. The common "wisdom" to success is to "work harder." The problem is if we work harder doing the same, then we're just going to get more worn out getting the same results. Yes, you might get a little more success. You might inch up the ladder of promotion or success. But at some point you're not likely to be able to continue the "work harder". Eventually this work philosophy bec...

 At the time of this post, I work in IT. I've earned two IT-related associates degrees, a bachelors of information systems with an emphasis in business intelligence, and a masters in cybersecurity. But I don't work in a high-paying position. I could easily find a job that earns at least $20-30, 000 more than I do in my public education position. Besides loving to learn, the intent was to find a better paying job, but I love the low stress environment I'm in. I love the autonomy I'm given. I love the freedom and flexibility of my job. I love helping people personally and not talking on the phone all the time or remoting into machines. But I digress. Technology is constantly changing. Anyone who hangs on to old ways of doing things is quickly outdated. What I learned for server administration in my first few years was outdated by the time I graduated. Here's what I've learned as being most important to working in a changing environment. You need to take advantage ...

 Most people believe that the way to get ahead, to become better, is to make gradual, continuous, incremental improvements. The typical career would be to start in a position and move up the ladder, either in the same company or through new jobs/positions in other companies. For others is just working harder and getting those raises. Maybe it's just a cost of living increase. Maybe it's 5 or 7 percent. Doesn't sound too bad. How does a 2.3% cost of living and merit increase that total to $2,400 sound? For some, it'd be great. Others it's nothing. That works out to an additional $200 each month. Of course all the taxes get taken out before you see any of it.  But, before taxes, that's an extra $46 each week (assuming you get paid for 52 weeks, including all leave time). And that works out to just over an extra $1 per hour for a 40-hour work week. Your perspective really determines how you see this. Some people would be ecstatic for a $1/hour raise.  The question ...

 It seems I hear "quantum" a lot. It's kind of a buzz-word for self-improvement, to make a "quantum leap. While my mind can be very figurative, it's also extremely literal when it comes to interpreting meaning of words. A quantum is a measurement. It's actually very, very small. Webster's defines it as "any of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided" and "any of the small subdivisions of a quantized physical magnitude (such as magnetic moment)". (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum) A quantum is the smallest amount of any physical property involved in an interaction. A photon is a single quantum of light. So, if a quantum is such a small thing, why is it used as if it's some hyperspace jump that can take you far beyond where you currently are? Why is it used synonymously with terms like "going to the next level" or "skipping levels"? First it's a ...