February 27, 2025

Pondering the Mystery of Joy

From Volume 8, Issue 11:Like a mysterious subatomic particle or large universal component, both of which are known to exist by inference of proven data, I think I’ve identified a level above Eckhart Tolle’s three responses. We know we can choose to accept what happens, enjoy it passively, or even engage in the occurrence enthusiastically. But there is evidence that a level greater than “engaging enthusiastically” exists—and I think we’ve all experienced it.

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Serving Two Gods

From Volume 8, Issue 10:”Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one and leave the other behind
It’s not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?”

(Words and music by John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonfuls)

I don’t know if this happens to you. I see it frequently in my daily life. I’m put in a position where I have to decide between two events, or philosophies, or people, and there’s just no middle ground…pick one; get rid of the other. My Knower/Judger always has a problem with this dichotomous dilemma. I always want to say, “I can do both!” (or in other words, “I can do it all!”).

Perhaps people who don’t test life or take chances or get passionate about things don’t run into these crises as often. Seems to happen to me a lot. So what do you do when you find yourself trying to serve two gods?

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My Top 10 Secrets for Developing a Life I Love

From Volume 8, Issue 10:After 30 years of coaching, teambuilding, and developing programs like Clarity Summits and 3-2-1-GO!!, I’ve determined 10 “secrets” that I believe aid me in developing the life I want. They represent a lifetime of mentors, books, and presentations. Here are some of the books that have changed me and been incorporated into my top 10.

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Words Can Hurt You

From Volume 8, Issue 9:I enjoy GEICO ads. I think they’re clever and well written…I especially enjoy Jesse riding into the “THE END” sign and being tossed from his trusty steed while leaving his gal ’cuz a “loner has to be alone.” Yes, words hurt Jesse, and I’ve been thinking lately about how words can hurt all of us…not the words of others but those that we tell ourselves. Who would we be without words, and how can we keep them from hurting us?

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Pet Love: One of the Cheapest Forms of Therapy Around

From Volume 8, Issue 9:In my youth, we had a black cocker spaniel named Cokey (Coke? Like in coal? Get it?). Cokey was a ditzy dog who spent her days in the woods around my northern New Jersey home, cleaning the trees of ticks. Cokey’s ears were so long we had to secure them over her head with a clothespin when she ate, or dinner residue would stick to them. Cokey was Mom’s drug of choice when she stressed out about any of a number of things that impinged upon her life, not the least of which was me. What makes our pets so effective in their ability to calm us and tap off the stresses of the day?

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One Foot in Front of the Other

From Volume 8, Issue 8:I frequently work with groups who want me to help them see the big picture. And having a true visionary on one’s team is necessary, because if you don’t know where you’re going, any place will do, right? But sometimes that vision is so big and so far out there that it’s hard enough to convince yourself to put one foot in front of the other. Here’s how I’ve been stepping back from the big picture and focusing on the moment in my running training—and the results.

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