Seascape (great) by Anton Gorlin (from http://www.inspirefirst.com and http://www.cuded.com)
Picture: Paddleboard Nelson by Gemma Campbell in the scenic and tranquil “little” haven that is New Zealand
Don’t worry about the world ending today…
it’s already tomorrow in scenic and tranquil “little” New Zealand
How to Make Your Wildest Dreams Come True – Fifteen Principles to Realise Them
“Life is about finding, then following the dream… and
one’s dream/vision comes to reality through believing in
yourself, making the commitment and then creating it.”
– craig
“Some men see things as they are and say: ‘Why?’
I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’”
– George Bernard Shaw, Irish dramatist, essayist and critic (1856-1950)
“All big men are dreamers.
They see things in the soft haze of a spring day;
or in the red fire of a long winter’s evening.
Some of us let great dreams die;
but others nourish and protect them,
nurse them through bad days,
till they bring them to the sunshine and light,
which comes always to those who sincerely hope
that their dreams will come true.”
– Woodrow Wilson (1856-1925)
President of the United States (1913-1921)
“The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you…and the often seemingly difficult or even ‘impassible’) path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you.”
“When I let go of what (and who) I think I am, I become all that I can be… and am capable of being.”
– craig (as adapted and inspired from Lao Tzu)
Picture by my old friend John (whose “photographic talents” I definitely do not possess!)
web site http://jetpix.wordpress.com/
Live Your Dream through overcoming Obstacles and Never Ever Quit
from http://www.grandprixchampion.wordpress.com and http://www.mindmindpower.wordpress.com
“Together, one mind, one life, one small step at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact and encourage to reach their fullest potentials.”
PS
Article Title: A Book “Review”: ‘The Sermon on the Mount’: The Key to Success in Life by Emmet Fox
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Books, good books, success, success principles, Emmet Fox, Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, Jesus Christ, thoughts on Jesus, spiritual growth
Web site: http://self-improvement-ebooks.com/books/tsotm.php
Submitter’s web sites: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lockhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://goo.gl/vTpjk The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.
www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com
www.breakdownbarriers.wordpress.com
http://religiousunity.wordpress.com
www.peacepursuit.wordpress.comand his various other blogs are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
(obsessive or WHAT!)
Other Articles by Craig are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)
Publishing Guidelines:
All my articles may be freely published, electronically or in print
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
A BOOK “REVIEW” THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: The Key to Success in Life by Emmet Fox
Sourced from http://self-improvement-ebooks.com/books/tsotm.php
Submitter’s Note:
I have extracted (and “bolded” and underlined) what I consider to be the main points from this article on Emmet Fox’s excellent book and am sharing in a “spirit of enlightenment” thanks to the amazing power of the ‘net’ to reach so many people around the globe
“total non-techno” craig
Article Summary
The book is a practical manual of spiritual development
“Fresh with contemporary relevance, this classic of positive thinking from one of the world’s great motivational writers offers galvanizing insights on self-transformation. Based on Emmet Fox’s simple message that “thoughts are things” and all potential lies in their creative and constructive use, these thirty-one inspiring essays how to have it all — health, healing, happiness, and a liberated spirit — through the power of constructive though. First published in 1940, Power Through Constructive Thinking has been a never-failing source of strength and renewal for generations of readers.”
The eminence of Jesus Christ in the world…
* Jesus taught without dogma
* Tap into the power of prayer
* Transform negative attitudes into life-affirming beliefs through tapping the realm of infinite power that surrounds us.
Book excerpt:
“In the scriptural sense, ‘prosperity‘ and ‘prosper’ signify a very great deal more than the acquirement of material possessions. They really mean success in prayer. From the point of view from the soul, success in prayer is the only kind of prosperity worth having; and if our prayers are successful, we shall naturally have all the material things that we need.”
*
Emmet Fox offers people of all faiths powerful strategies and practical guidelines for bringing health, happiness, and true prosperity into their lives and the lives of others.
As you read the Bible, you should constantly affirm that Divine Wisdom is enlightening and inspiring you.
What Did Jesus Teach (Chapter 1)?
JESUS Christ is easily the most important figure that has ever appeared in the history of mankind. However you regard him, the fact will remain that the life and death of Jesus, and the teachings attributed to him have influenced the course of human history more than those of any other man who has ever lived.
There can hardly, therefore, be a more important undertaking than to inquire into the question of what Jesus really did stand for.
What did Jesus teach? What did he really wish us to believe and to do? What was his message to the world? If he should come back now, what would he say? The message which Jesus brought has a unique value, because it is the Truth, and the only perfect statement of the Truth of the nature of God and of man, and of life, and of the world; and of the relationships which exist between them. Jesus explains to us what the nature of God is, and what our own nature is; tells us the meaning of life and of death; shows us why we make mistakes; why we yield to temptation; why we become sick, and impoverished, and old; and, most important of all, he tells us how all these evils may be overcome, and how we may bring health, happiness, and true prosperity into our lives, and into the lives of others, if they really wish for them, too.
The first thing that we have to realize is a fact of fundamental importance, because it means breaking away from all the ordinary pre-possessions of orthodoxy. The plain fact is that Jesus taught no theology whatever. His teaching is entirely spiritual or metaphysical. Historical Christianity, unfortunately, has largely concerned itself with theological and doctrinal questions which, strange to say, have no part whatever in the Gospel teaching. It will startle many good people to learn that all the doctrines and theologies of the churches are human inventions built up by their authors out of their own mentalities, and foisted upon the Bible from the outside; but such is the case. The actual explanation of man’s life lies in just the fact that he is essentially spiritual and eternal,
The “Plan of Salvation” which figured so prominently in the evangelical sermons and divinity books of a past generation is as completely unknown to the Bible as it is to the Koran. There never was any such arrangement in the universe, and the Bible does not teach it at all. What has happened is that certain obscure texts from Genesis, a few phrases taken here and there from Paul’s letters, and one or two isolated verses from other parts of the Scriptures, have been taken out and pieced together by divines, to produce the kind of teaching which it seemed to them ought to have been found in the Bible. Jesus knows nothing of all this.
But he teaches that we are only punished for–and actually punished by–our own mistakes; and he teaches that every man or woman, no matter how steeped in evil and uncleanness, has always direct access to an all-loving, all-powerful Father-God, who will forgive him, and supply His own strength to him to enable him to find himself again; and unto seventy times seven, if need be.
It seems that human nature is very prone to believe what it wants to believe, rather than to incur the labor of really searching the Scriptures with an open mind.
Jesus, as we shall discover later on, made a special point of discouraging the laying of emphasis upon outer observances; and, indeed, upon hard-and-fast rules and regulations of every kind. What he insisted upon was a certain spirit in one’s conduct, and he was careful to teach principles only, knowing that when the spirit is right, details will take care of themselves; and that, in fact, “the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life,” as was so obviously seen in the sad example of the Pharisees. Yet, in spite of this, the history of orthodox Christianity is largely made up of attempts to enforce all sorts of external observances upon the people
But the miracles did happen. All the deeds related of Jesus in the four Gospels did happen, and many others too, “the which, if they should be written, every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” Jesus himself justified what people thought to be a strange and wonderful teaching by the works he was able to do; and he went further and said, referring to those who study and practice his teaching: “The works that I do, ye shall do, and greater works.” * Now what, after all, is a miracle? Miracles, in the popular sense of the word, can and do happen as the result of prayer. Prayer does change things. Prayer does make things happen quite otherwise than they would have happened had the prayer not been made. It makes no difference at all what sort of difficulty you may be in. It does not matter what the causes may have been that led up to it. Enough prayer will get you out of your difficulty if only you will be persistent enough in your appeal to God.
Prayer, however, is both a science and an art; and it was to the teaching of this science and this art that Jesus devoted the greater part of his ministry. The Gospel miracles happened, because Jesus had the spiritual understanding that gave him greater power in prayer than anyone else before or since.
It is the Spiritual Key that unlocks the mystery of the Bible teaching in general, and of the Gospels in particular. It is the Spiritual Key that explains the miracles and shows that they were performed in order to prove to us that we too can perform miracles, and thereby overcome sin, sickness, and limitation. With this key we can afford to discard verbal inspiration and all superstitious literalism, and yet understand that the Bible really is the most precious and most authentic of all man’s possessions.
Externally, the Bible is a collection of inspired documents written by men of all kinds, in all sorts of circumstances, and over hundreds of years of time. The book, as we have it, is an inexhaustible reservoir, of Spiritual Truth, compiled under Divine inspiration, and the actual route by which it reached its present form does not matter. Divine Wisdom is the author; and that is all that concerns us. .
The spiritual message is given in the Bible; and, above all, the parable is used to convey spiritual and metaphysical truth. In some cases, what was never intended to be more than a parable was, at one time, taken for literal statement of fact; and this often made the Bible seem to teach things which are opposed to common sense. The story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden is a case in point. Rightly understood, this is perhaps the most wonderful parable of all; it was never intended by its author to be taken for history, but literal-minded people did so take it, with all sorts of absurd consequences.
The Spiritual Key to the Bible rescues us from all these difficulties, dilemmas, and seeming inconsistencies. It saves us from the false positions of Ritualism, Evangelicalism, and what is called Liberalism alike, because it gives us the Truth. And the Truth turns out to be nothing less than the amazing but undeniable fact that the whole outer world–whether it be the physical body, the common things of life, the winds and the rain, the clouds, the earth itself–is amenable to man’s thought, and that he has dominion over it when he knows it
All day long the thoughts that occupy your mind, your Secret Place, as Jesus calls it, are moulding your destiny for good or evil; in fact, the truth is that the whole of our life’s experience is but the outer expression of inner thought. Now we can choose the sort of thoughts that we entertain. It will be a little difficult to break a bad habit of thought, but it can be done. We can choose how we shall think–in point of fact, we always do choose–and therefore our lives are just the result of the kind of thoughts we have chosen to hold; and therefore they are of our own ordering; and therefore there is perfect justice in the universe. No suffering for another man’s original sin, but the reaping of a harvest that we our-selves have sown. We have free will, but our free will lies in our choice of thought.
NB: This is in essence what Jesus taught. It is, as we shall see, the underlying message of the whole Bible; but it is not expressed with equal clearness throughout. In the earlier portion of the book it shines through but dimly on the whole, as the light from a heavily shrouded lamp; but, as time goes on, veil after veil is removed, and the light shines ever stronger and stronger, until, in the teaching of Jesus Christ, it pours forth clear and unimpeded. Truth never changes, but what we have to deal with on this plane is man’s apprehension of the Truth, and, throughout historical time, this has been steadily and continuously improving.
Jesus Christ summed up this Truth, taught it completely and thoroughly, and, above all, demonstrated it in his own person. Most of us now can glimpse intellectually the idea of what it must mean in its fullness, and much that must inevitably follow from a competent understanding of it. But what we can demonstrate is a very different matter. To accept the Truth is the great first step, but not until we have proved it in doing is it ours. Jesus proved everything that he taught, even to the overcoming of death in what we call the Resurrection. For reasons which I cannot discuss here, it happens that every time you overcome a difficulty by prayer, you help the whole of the human race, past, present, and future, in a general way; and you help it to overcome that special kind of difficulty in particular. Jesus, by surmounting every sort of limitation to which mankind is subject, and in particular by over-coming death, per-formed a work of unique and incalculable value to the race, and is therefore justly entitled the Saviour of the world.
A number of those present naturally took notes, and, later on, these notes were edited into what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. The authors of the four Gospels each selected the material for his monograph in accordance with his own purpose; and it is Matthew who gives us the most complete and carefully arranged version of the address. His setting forth of the Sermon on the Mount is an almost perfect codification of the Jesus Christ religion, and I have therefore chosen it as the text for this book. It covers the essentials. It is practical and personal. It is definite, specific, and yet widely illuminating. Once the true meaning of the instructions has been grasped, it is only necessary to begin putting them faithfully into practice to get immediate results. The magnitude and extent of these results will depend solely upon the sincerity and thoroughness with which they are applied. This is a matter which each individual has to settle for himself. “No man can save his brother’s soul, or pay his brother’s debt.” We can and should help one another on special occasions, but in the long run each must learn to do his own work, and “sin” no more, lest a worse thing befall him.
If you really do wish to alter your life, if you really do wish to change yourself–to become a different person altogether in the sight of God and man–if you really do want health and peace of mind, and spiritual development, then Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, has clearly shown you how it is to be done. The task is not an easy one, but we know that it CAN be accomplished, because there are those who have done it–but the price must be paid, and the price is the actual carrying out of these principles in every corner of your life.
If you are prepared to pay that price, to break really and truly with the old, and start upon the creation of the new , then the study of the great Sermon will indeed be to you the Mountain of Liberation.
Emmet Fox
Sourced from http://self-improvement-ebooks.com/books/tsotm.php
Shared by craig
“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.”
– craig
Former Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa Desmond Tutu once said these wise and inspiring words:
“We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.” “A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.” – Jahrulal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India
“It is time for people of good will from every faith, culture and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside the partisan bickering between nations and join together to confront the danger that lies before us. Let us seek common ground between peoples around the globe… because what unites us is far more important than what divides us.”
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”
“When people’s hearts are full of love, the world is filled with hope.”
“With passion and purpose in our individual lives we can touch others and in so doing illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity to make a better world (through helping raise the ‘collective consciousness’). Let us encourage our leaders towards an alternate vision for the world to embrace: one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged. Each one of us in our own little ways can offer (and most importantly, LIVE) this compelling new horizon: a bright future of justness and justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values. Especially a vision of hope and thoughts of peace fuelled by the eternal flame of love, which can light the darkest night… always ” – me “God, The Essence of Life, the Ground of All Being, is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
These writings may be freely published with acknowledgment to the source web site, thanks
“Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes – goodwill among men and peace on earth.” – Albert Einstein
“What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other… and how we live. Only when we can say, ‘I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi’ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, or a Sikh …’ will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are.”
– craig
from http://www.craigsquotes.wordpress.com
and http://www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com
In his various writings, little by little, one mind, one soul, one life at a time, Craig strives in some small way to break down social, cultural, religious and economic barriers through sharing information and “planting, then watering uplifting ideas and seeds of hope”. He truly believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share as ‘human beans’ is way more important than what divides us. Craig’s new manuscript, ‘A New Dawn’ is set in the Middle East: In it he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially love.
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lockhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.
www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com
www.breakdownbarriers.wordpress.com
http://religiousunity.wordpress.com
www.peacepursuit.wordpress.comand his various other blogs are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
(obsessive or WHAT!)
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
This article may be published with acknowledgment to the source, thanks
PPS
YOU
“God is a mystery, the ‘mystery of life’, a Creative Presence, Who/That allows me to be who I really want to be and become.”
“God, the Essence of Life, is the great mystery in the vast unknown; yet He (She/Spirit??) is understandable.”
May YOU all see God’s bright light on the path up head
Run Your OWN Race: The Greatest Race
from http://www.grandprixchampion.wordpress.com
“When (or is it perhaps if??) you arrive in a place (or rather state ) known as heaven, let faith and love be the wings of the chariot that carried you there.”
– Craig (as adapted from the words of Jonathan Edwards, a former minister in Massachusetts (New England)
Cllick on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMA1eYdLZLM
Also see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhAghiP-5Fk
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQI5LtRtrb0
May the light of God shine brightly on your path up ahead
Article Title: Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell (from “Motivational and Inspirational Self Help Books“)
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category/Key words: Dreams, dream information, self help books, motivational and inspirational books, John Maxwell, success, success principles, achievement, self help, personal growth, motivation, inspiration, empowerment, life purpose (enough there for now, craig)
Web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig
Publishing Guidelines:
This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
INTRODUCTION
Submitter’s Note:
Craig has been studying the amazing powers of the human mind for the past two decades (now his “life-long hobby”). These are some notes I took from an uplifting and inspiring address by Dr John Maxwell from the ‘Hour of Power’ television programme (he has written a new book), so (even if you are not “religiously-minded”) I am sharing the contents of this author’s work in the spirit of encouraging and hopefully even inspiring those people to just GO FOR IT with all you’ve got. Nothing is impossible, if you earnestly desire it and work hard at achieving your dreams. Thank you sincerely, Dr Maxwell for sharing your most uplifting words of wisdom in encouraging me to follow my passion and reach for my personal dreams down the “un-trodden path of self fulfilment”. I in turn am passing them on through the amazing power of the ‘net’. Enjoy…
*
PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST AND HOW TO SURVIVE THE SURPRIZE by Dr John Maxwell
“It took me twenty long years of blood, sweat and floods of tears to become an overnight success.”
– an anymoose writer”
In his new book, ‘Put Your Dream to the Test’), John Maxwell is talking about the dream journey of the bible-character, Joseph. And there are parallels that each one of us can learn from Joseph in following the path of our own dreams. A first lesson: Each great journey has a great price. The questions to ask yourself to make your wildest dreams come true:
1. Am I willing to pay the price for my dream? Don’t be limited by your thinking (eg fleas in a bottle learnt not to jump high). There is always a cost to reaching your dreams. Family and friends often react negatively to your dream. Always remember, along the journey, you will have more “downs” than “ups”.
2. Do I have enough passion? Does my passion impel me to keep the dream alive? Passion is the great energizer, which pushes us on, when all appears lost.
3. Always remember, God is with you in the tough times, the “dark ” days and hours in the valleys. Along the journey we become closely attached to God, our “closest companion” through our “ups and downs”… to guide, strengthen and comfort us. God is ALWAYS faithful “If God is with us, everybody else might as well be too!” – John Maxwell
* Attitude is a CHOICE The attitude I have today is a choice. It’s my responsibility… TODAY! Invest in others. Put others first. Help them achieve THEIR dreams. Add value to them (and their lives) There are four ways to do that:
1. Value people, first
2. Add value to what others value.
3. By making ourselves more valuable
4. By doing things God values – that have an eternal nature.
NB: Be forgiving – no matter what someone has done to you. Have a forgiving spirit.
*
Part Four: In his address (based on his new book, ‘Put Your Dream to the Test’), John Maxwell is talking about the dream journey of Joseph. Joseph went from being a “believer” into a “buyer of the dream”, he really “bought into” his dream and “survived the surprise”. He fully trusted God (though “bad things can still happen to good people”).
* *
NOW THAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED YOUR WILDEST DREAM(S)… WHAT NEXT?
Once we achieve, receive our dream, how to make the most of it? My dream is HERE. Often we can impact others more through sharing our failures more than our successes (a failure is just a person, who hasn’t succeeded …YET!). Now that you have achieved your dream…
* Be GENEROUS
* HELP others.. through adding value to them…. through your success (and what you’ve learnt along the way). Remember: ” God will not give to us, what will not flow through us” So share the benefits of your dream with others. Ask yourself: “Does my success, achieving my dream, benefit others in some way?” “Will other people be blessed with the God-given dream inside me?” .
*
SUMMARY:
1. Be GENEROUS
2 Be HUMBLE. “If the Lord makes you successful… one day, I’ll keep you humble.”
– a wife (I won’t say whose!)
Remember: “divine promotion is better than self promotion”) God raised me up. God helps those who can’t help themselves, when we are in over our heads and God makes the difference in achieving our dreams. Keeps us humble. CHOOSE to give God the glory, pass it on . Say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:3)
3 Have an attitude TO WIN Say “I CAN…one sunny day!
4. Live with an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE Always remember… God has already equipped you with all that you need to achieve your goals and even your wildest dreams . It usually takes a long time for your dream to lift off (the bigger the dream, the longer it takes). So be PATIENT. Wait on your dream. Trials and tribulations bring patience. Dreams are conceived in the mind long before they are realised. Dreams are like a large aircraft, a Jumbo jet on the runway. It takes a lot of energy for them to lift off, but then you soar freely. You can, if you THINK you can. Just believe in your dream…and yourself!
5. Use the great power of the human imagination to the fullest.
“Whatever the mind can conceive, can be achieved”.
Do all this in following YOUR dream and you WILL soar high and allow you to be all God intended you to be and become. You CAN do it … and in doing so you’ll surprize yourself at what is “humanly” possible!
Makes your dreams BIG enough for God, the Ultimate Source to fit in!
BELIEVE it (first) …then SEE your dreams come true
Shared by Craig Lock (“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder”)
“Believing is seeing”
“I believe that God creates us with different gifts; so that in life’s journey each one of us, experiences challenges, things that give us joy and using our gifts allow us to bless the world around us.”
“Look within and you will find and receive from Without.”
“We have it all within, but we get all from without, the Ultimate Source.” – craig
“You are as great as your thoughts, as big as your heart and as vast as your imagination.” – my good friend, Dr Andy Eastcott, Gisborne, New Zealand
Craig has been following his dream for many years. He likes (rather loves) to share knowledge and insights from his life experiences with dashes of humour to try and help others in ‘every little way’ he can… without being too much of a “Mr goody-goody boring two shoes” (although they may be different colours and he’s lost the other one) . Craig believes the spiritual dimension is something we can all “tap into”… like ‘a sixth sense’, which gives each person ‘superior wisdom’ (“Infinite Wisdom from the Ultimate Source”) in making decisions and choosing one’s path in life.
He loves encouraging people to find, then follow their dreams in life… truly believing that with hard work, dedication, faith, and patience absolutely ANYTHING is possible to achieve (accomplish) in life
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
‘The Awakened Spirit’ and ‘From Seeds of Hate to the Bonds of Love’, based on some true and inspiring stories
of the unquenchable, the indomitable human spirit, that lies within each one of us. Stories of ‘Endless Possibilities, Far and Unlimited (Grand) Horizons’.
These ebooks are already available at the above web sites.
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.comand http://craigbooks.wordpress.com
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
“Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, lets see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
PS: I love these words of inspiration, so am sharing. Enjoy…
“I wish you well on a rainy day I wish you rainbows to brighten your day
To feel your quiet moments with a special kind of warmth to remind you that happiness can happen when you least expect it.
I wish you rainbows to make you laugh and smile to show you the simple beauty of life and to give you the magic of dreams come true.
I wish you rainbows I wish you well.”
– Larry S. Chenges
PPS
Click on John Maxwell’s great Youtube videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcKbfmukP9U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGeV606QJ4o
Article Title: Run Your OWN Race: The Greatest Race
Shared by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Inspiration, empowerment, mind, mind-power, self help books, self help, personal growth, motivational and inspirational books, Joel Osteen, success, success principles, achievement, thought, power of thought, motivation, inspiration, empowerment (enough there for now, craig)
Web sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com
www.religiousunity.wordpress.com
www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration
Publishing Guidelines:
We hope that the following piece may be thought-provoking, interesting, informative and helpful* to your e-zine readers, or on your web site.
* enough adjectives, Craig?
This article may be freely reproduced. If it helps others “out there” on the pathway to success and more importantly, joyful living, then we’re very happy.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#
RUN YOUR OWN RACE: THE GREATEST RACE (OF LIFE)
Submitter’s Note:
These are some brief notes that I took from an address by American televangelist, Joel Osteen some years back. I hope you find them as uplifting and inspirational as I do… and that is my reason for sharing. Enjoy…
Plant seeds of hope in others. David (say = I) fulfilled his purpose for his generation.
God has equipped each one of us exactly what we need to achieve our destinies.
When God made you, He (?? or choose whatever means to you, male, female or “gender neutral – It”) threw away the mould. Be comfortable with who God made you to be. Then make the most of what God has made.
Don’t compare yourself with others; otherwise you’ll lose focus.
Just because you’ve failed before, doesn’t mean that you are a failure.
,Discipline (and not desire) determines your destiny.
God has not equipped you to do something outside your vision.
God, the Ultimate Source has equipped you to fulfil your unique destiny.
Follow your own inner vision for your life – be comfortable in yourself. (“I can’t run your race, run with your vision”). Only YOU can do that.
Stay focussed. Say :Even in the valleys, this situation will work out for my ultimate good.
EXPECT a favourable outcome to your endeavours, ie EXPECT SUCCESS
“Greatness is forged in the valley of adversity.”
Just be the very best you can be.
St Paul: “I have kept the faith. I have followed the course.”
Celebrate yourself: who God made you to be.
God has already equipped you with all you need to achieve your dreams. You DO have the tools for your calling, to be victorious.
You will soar high and be all the person God intended you to be.
Shared by craig (“information and inspiration distributer, incorrigible encourager and people-builder”)
“God has already equipped you with all you need to achieve your wildest dreams.”
“Make your dreams BIG enough for God to fit in”
“Success to others may be apparent in what you DO; but significance, meaning and purpose lies, then reveals itself in what you ARE and BECOME down the ‘river of life’ – how and the spirit with which you face, then overcome the daily obstacles, the frequent trials and tribulations along the often rocky path-way of life’s magical and mysterious journey. Light your path brightly.”
– craig
“Let the light of your BEING shine brightly;
so revealing Who You Really Are.
Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanates from our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Life (and Ground of our very Being).
Therefore, it can do more than illuminate your own path.
YOUR spirit will help makes the lives of others easier by illuminating others paths.
For this light is our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom, beauty and especially love…
and it lies within each ONE of us.
Through your actions and your being,
let your light, YOUR spirit truly shine brightly on the world,
like the radiance emitted by a candle at midnight.”
– craig (as adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in Conversations with God Book 3′).
“What we are is God’s gift to us.
What we become is our gift to God.”
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
and http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007360X2O
His latest novels ‘The Awakened Spirit’ and ‘From Seeds of Hate to the Bonds of Love’, based on some true and inspiring stories
of the unquenchable, the indomitable human spirit, that lies within each one of us. Stories of ‘Endless Possibilities, Far and Unlimited (Grand) Horizons’
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com
www.religiousunity.wordpress.com
www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
“Lord, make me a channel for Your peace to flow through to everyone I meet”
“The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you…and the often seemingly difficult or even “impassable”) path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you.”
“Together, one mind, one life at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower, uplift and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
PPS
“When (or is it perhaps if??) you arrive in a place (or rather state ) known as heaven, let faith and love be the wings of the chariot that carried you there.”
– Craig (as adapted from the words of Jonathan Edwards, a former minister in Massachusetts (New England)
Cllick on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMA1eYdLZLM
Also see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhAghiP-5Fk
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQI5LtRtrb0
May the light of God shine brightly on your path up ahead
Article Title: How to Motivate Yourself and Stay Motivated (from‘Handbook to Survive Life’)
Author: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Motivation, Self Help, Self Help Books, Handbook to Survive Life, Personal Growth, Success, Empowerment
Other Articles are available at:http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 andhttp://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)
Publishing Guidelines:
We hope that the following article (an extract from Craig’s first published book HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE LIFE) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. This article may be freely reproduced electronically or in print. If it helps any others “out there” towards success, then we’re very happy.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
How to Motivate Yourself and Stay Motivated
Another Monday morning… oh, no!
What motivates us to do the things that we do? Why do we think and behave as we do? What influences people to do what they do?
Is it all because of that one word MONEY, which drives us to do what we do? I think not.
The word “motivation” means different things to different people. One thing for sure is that you can’t buy a jar of it: it has to come from within yourself. A person’s brain needs constant motivational input just as muscles need exercise, engines need petrol and plants need water.
I used to think that motivation was a slick American fad and that it wasn’t for me. After all, I was very motivated already!
People are the product of their thoughts and the aim of motivational material is to improve the quality of your thoughts.Motivation is nothing more than encouragement and we all perform better for it. Friends of mine say that I am a good motivator, because I simply encourage others.
“We become what we think about all day long.”
– RW`Emerson
“Most people think only what everybody else is doing.”
– Earl Nightingale
The road to achievement starts with a goal. Implant that goal in your mind and think about it all day long. I am doing that with this manuscript and my goal is to have it published and be an author. I think I have taken the right action steps so far, so that I eventually reach my target. Pay the price by making sacrifices. Take small steps towards your goal every day, instead of occasional bursts of activity.
The principal difference between the average person and the one who is highly successful seems to be in the degree of his or her personal motivation. Motivation is the hidden power in the successful person’s arsenal and is the key ingredient for success. Most people, I believe are motivated or have the potential if they are aroused and interested in the activity.
However, one thing is for sure: It is not something someone else can give you. It must be self-generated from within; it is not external “RA RA” hype. In other words, motivationis an inner energy, rather than a fire lit by others. Perhaps it’s enthusiasm???
Strong motivation also stems from a deep rooted belief in what you are trying to do; it is strongest when it comes from your inner (core) values. This creates a feeling of ENTHUSIASM which is essential in order to remain motivated. Look at the zeal of a missionary or a Jehovah’s Witness. The best salesmen are those who get very excited about and have total faith in their products. They sell with a firm conviction that their product is the best available.
*
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SOURCES OF MOTIVATION?
What influences people to do as they do? There are many diverse influences. It is difficult to pin-point which one is most important, but some factors are as follows: different cultures, social environment and biological influences (eg. hunger, thirst) in work and in play. Other influences are our thoughts, our perceptions. Everyone is different and unique, so there are great individual differences in our drives.
There are two main sources of motivation: What will happen if you do? What will happen if you don’t? For example, your doctor advises you to give up smoking. If you do, you will feel better and live longer; if you don’t your health is going to deteriorate. Both sources (and implications) are equally powerful.
There is a strong correlation between motivation and achievement. Highly motivated people are nearly always achievers. Thrill-seekers like sky-divers and stuntmen often need to do life threatening activities to keep them motivated. Danger gives them pleasure and keeps them motivated.
Why do we work? Is it just for money or is money merely a short-term issue? I am personally not motivated by money. I prefer interesting and exciting work that offers a challenge and the opportunity for personal growth. Others may feel the need for affiliation or to contribute to society. In the following chapter there is an exercise on this.
Understanding motivation gives us the power to accept our behaviour when we have strange reactions. It can also enable us to change what we think and do if we want to improve our behaviour or performance. So when going for a job it is critical to understand your motivations. What do you really want and expect from it?
What do others expect of you? Our behaviour is directly affected by our needs. If you are clear about the answers you will be happiest.
THEORIES OF MOTIVATION:
There are three main theories of motivation:
1. Desire for achievement (ie a sense of significance).
2. Desire for power.
3. Desire for affiliation or a sense of belonging.
These theories are linked to the concept of extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside, for example, the prospect of fame, recognition, monetary rewards, gaining power, respect or social approval/belonging ( = a sense of affiliation). With intrinsic rewards, the task or situation is in itself motivating or compelling. Motivation is often defined in terms of our goals. Marie says that contributing to society by daring to be different is what motivates me – strange! I think that I get bored easily without a challenge. Enough about “little old me”!
There are six main steps or elements in the process of motivation.
1. Desire: First, to be motivated you must have an intense burning desire to get where or what you want.
2. Decision: You must make a conscious decision on what to aim for.
3. Determination: to climb mountains so that absolutely nothing will stop you. You need to be able to repeat the habits which are necessary to get there.
4. Discipline: It is critical to pay the price whether you like it or not. Motivation is strongest when it is the internalisation of your goals and dreams, in other words, when you are headed on a clear path in your life’s direction.
5. Focus
6. Direction
and
N.B:
7. PURPOSE: because once you find your purpose, you WILL be motivated. Purpose comes from enthusiam and is lit by our passions.
Certain people have the constant challenge to reach and sustain an optimum level of motivation which overcomes problems and brings results. If there is no challenge in what you are doing, motivation will soon wither and die.
Always remember: The buck starts – and stops – with you!.
Self knowledge is the key to self-motivation: – why do we behave as we do? What makes us “tick”?
Also critical for motivation is the image or snapshot you have of yourself. This is based on your inner belief in yourself as well as your attitude and views of your strengths and weaknesses. If you believe in yourself and expect success, you will act confidently and be highly motivated.
Key Points of this lesson:
* We must define success for ourselves.
* Be aware of our own strengths and weaknesses.
* Your personal solutions lie within you.
* To sustain motivation, do better than in the past.
* Motivation often comes from a challenge.
* It is necessary at times to make a positive out of a
negative.
* The most important thing for an achievement-orientated person
is to have a clear goal.
and
* I believe motivation is closely tied to purpose.
What comes first? The chicken or the egg? Motivation or action? The answer surprisingly is ACTION. First, we have to prime the pump and the way is through action. People who tend to procrastinate confuse motivation and action.
“Get fired with enthusiasm; otherwise your boss may fire you with enthusiasm!”
FIND YOUR PURPOSE – what are you attempting to achieve?
NB: THINK and EXPECT SUCCESS, ie a favourable outcome to your objectives…
then you’ll be very motivated in all your endeavours.
SO WHY NOT GET STARTED ON THAT NEXT ARTICLE, TASK OR PROJECT…
WHAT’S STOPPING YOU?
Craig Lock (“Information and inspiration distributer, writer for self-empowerment, incorrigible encourager and people-builder”)
The various books* (including Handbook to Survive) that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 andhttp://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children –
MINE!
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
* Fiction and non-fiction books, self help, novels, travel, humour.
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children – MINE!
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.”
– Chinese proverb
“A book is small enough to hold in your hand; but when you read it, the walls fall away and you’re in a room as big as the world.”
“A book, like a dog, is man’s best friend, but inside it’s too dark to read.”
– Groucho Marx
“Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, empower, encourage and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
THIS ARTICLE (as with all my articles) MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
“Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact,empower, encourage and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
PPS:
– craig
Don’t worry about the world ending today…
it’s already tomorrow in scenic and tranquil “little” New Zealand
Beyond the Zone: God and The Spiritual Journey 