CONNECTING INSPIRATION
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Thursday, November 03, 2011
A Curiously Spontaneous Note on Wealth.
One of the key concepts to creating wealth is to understand that money
is not the goal.
Frequently
you hear people tell you that they want to make money. However, it's
not money they are really after. It is the things that money can buy
and the freedom of time to do what they really want. While you may think
this is an insignificant difference, it is actually the reason so many
people never become wealthy.
Most of us were taught throughout our childhood that the whole point of making money is to sock it away and build our own 'nest egg'. We think of this as a type of insurance against bad fortune, accidents or old age when we can no longer work. The wealthy know that money only works when it is in motion - not when it's sitting in a bank account. We must understand that wealth is an ongoing journey of growth and circulation and if that circulation is stopped, then the flow of money will cease.
While it may seem that there are many roadblocks on the journey to wealth, the only real obstacle is what you believe, think, and feel about money. Most of us were raised with the cliché "Seeing is Believing" which is a skeptical and negative view of life. Still, we hear it our whole lives until it becomes a part of our thought process without our even realizing it. Wealthy people understand that this cliché is exactly backward - you must believe in what you can achieve before you will see it happen in your life. They know that "Believing is Seeing." The only thing that separates a millionaire from you right now is a wealthy mindset, and the foundation of that mindset is belief.
Does this mean that the wealthy have some special skill or knowledge? No - but they do possess some key characteristics that help them become wealthy.
The first of these characteristics is a willingness to listen to their own intuition. If you could become wealthy by listening to the masses, then the masses would be wealthy and they are not. It is a natural tendency to ask the opinions of those we love or respect. Unfortunately, we listen to their comments and biases not taking into account the results in their own lives. We make a decision to listen based on our emotional attachment rather than by looking at what they have achieved. How can anyone who has not accumulated wealth advise you on how to do it? They can't.
A second characteristic of the wealthy is the ability to act when opportunities present themselves. Opportunity is often imagined to be something that you can't miss or pass up. However, I know from personal experience that opportunity is often only a whisper that comes during some of the most trying times of life. If you read the life stories of very wealthy and successful people, you will frequently find they were fired from jobs, kicked out of school or dealt with significant personal tragedies that other people would view as devastating. Instead, they viewed the challenges as opportunities and prospered.
The wealthy also understand that wealth is an ongoing process. It is not a destination you arrive at one day and then stop. It is also rarely accomplished overnight - although it can occur in a short period of time. However, if you gain wealth before you have gained a wealthy mindset then you are in danger of losing that wealth forever. We have all heard of those that win the lottery only to be near penniless a few years later. Since they were never taught to think wealthy, they have very little chance of achieving wealth that lasts and ultimately they lose what money they have.
Those with a wealthy mindset do what they love - and make money at it. Often I see individuals who are seeking wealth like it's something outside that they have to search for. In reality, wealth exists within you. You have activities and hobbies that you love and you can make these into your business if you choose to. Those who are successful and create a great deal of wealth do so because they are doing something they love. The money follows and is just a logical result of them realizing their dream.
Most of us were taught throughout our childhood that the whole point of making money is to sock it away and build our own 'nest egg'. We think of this as a type of insurance against bad fortune, accidents or old age when we can no longer work. The wealthy know that money only works when it is in motion - not when it's sitting in a bank account. We must understand that wealth is an ongoing journey of growth and circulation and if that circulation is stopped, then the flow of money will cease.
While it may seem that there are many roadblocks on the journey to wealth, the only real obstacle is what you believe, think, and feel about money. Most of us were raised with the cliché "Seeing is Believing" which is a skeptical and negative view of life. Still, we hear it our whole lives until it becomes a part of our thought process without our even realizing it. Wealthy people understand that this cliché is exactly backward - you must believe in what you can achieve before you will see it happen in your life. They know that "Believing is Seeing." The only thing that separates a millionaire from you right now is a wealthy mindset, and the foundation of that mindset is belief.
Does this mean that the wealthy have some special skill or knowledge? No - but they do possess some key characteristics that help them become wealthy.
The first of these characteristics is a willingness to listen to their own intuition. If you could become wealthy by listening to the masses, then the masses would be wealthy and they are not. It is a natural tendency to ask the opinions of those we love or respect. Unfortunately, we listen to their comments and biases not taking into account the results in their own lives. We make a decision to listen based on our emotional attachment rather than by looking at what they have achieved. How can anyone who has not accumulated wealth advise you on how to do it? They can't.
A second characteristic of the wealthy is the ability to act when opportunities present themselves. Opportunity is often imagined to be something that you can't miss or pass up. However, I know from personal experience that opportunity is often only a whisper that comes during some of the most trying times of life. If you read the life stories of very wealthy and successful people, you will frequently find they were fired from jobs, kicked out of school or dealt with significant personal tragedies that other people would view as devastating. Instead, they viewed the challenges as opportunities and prospered.
The wealthy also understand that wealth is an ongoing process. It is not a destination you arrive at one day and then stop. It is also rarely accomplished overnight - although it can occur in a short period of time. However, if you gain wealth before you have gained a wealthy mindset then you are in danger of losing that wealth forever. We have all heard of those that win the lottery only to be near penniless a few years later. Since they were never taught to think wealthy, they have very little chance of achieving wealth that lasts and ultimately they lose what money they have.
Those with a wealthy mindset do what they love - and make money at it. Often I see individuals who are seeking wealth like it's something outside that they have to search for. In reality, wealth exists within you. You have activities and hobbies that you love and you can make these into your business if you choose to. Those who are successful and create a great deal of wealth do so because they are doing something they love. The money follows and is just a logical result of them realizing their dream.
Money is not the
dream.
Whether you grow up in the worst circumstance or have every advantage, you have the exact same potential inside of you to create the life you want. No matter how many times you read or hear someone talk about how to become wealthy, your life will never change until you believe that it can - Believing is Seeing.
Whether you grow up in the worst circumstance or have every advantage, you have the exact same potential inside of you to create the life you want. No matter how many times you read or hear someone talk about how to become wealthy, your life will never change until you believe that it can - Believing is Seeing.
Monday, October 31, 2011
How to keep your juices flowing....
"It's a wonderful feeling. You're deep in the groove of your work, and everything seems to be going even better than expected. There's a lot on your plate, but you're managing your priorities with elegance and grace, and you're doing some of your best work. In short, you're on fire. Then, just as suddenly, it ends…"
Very smart article by Todd Henry, found of the Accidental Creative . Mines into a problem most of us face - creative or not - on a regular basis.
Very smart article by Todd Henry, found of the Accidental Creative . Mines into a problem most of us face - creative or not - on a regular basis.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
A brief note on Faith
Faith tests us.
From the inside out.
To see if we're ready.
CB
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Confluence Thoughts
I was clumsily trying to explain to my wife this morning, why this project inspires and annoys me in equal measures. I think the answer lies hidden somewhere amongst the barriers we place around our own moments of genius. Those illuminating ideas, thoughts and notions we tingle over in private, yet never see the light of day. Muffled by delusions of unworthiness. Dimmed by fear of success. Shackled by misguided expectations of failure. Judgement. Ridicule.
What if...we'd all given every idea we had, a chance?
What if...we start today?
PS What he says is equally as inspiring as what he photographed.
What if...we'd all given every idea we had, a chance?
What if...we start today?
PS What he says is equally as inspiring as what he photographed.
Friday, April 08, 2011
Bust them by mobile
Definition of madness: "doing the same thing and expecting different results".
(Dear people in charge of minimizing bloodshed on UAE roads, read above.)
Idea: Busted by Mobile...www.nameandshame.com
How about setting up an online service that allows 'virtual citizen arrests', via mobile phone photographic evidence? We can't stop in our cars. And remembering number plates and telling tales won't cut it. But you know what they say, "a picture busts a stupid driver."
The photo of this moron (White Lexus plate #A4919) was taken in my car a few days back, by a colleague. In fact the day after the 120 car pile up that killed 5 people! Case in point...at one point I could smell the drivers breath he was so close.
Maybe if we all knew that evidence of such irresponsibility and blatant disregard for human life had a formal place to be sent, reviewed and potentially acted upon, a) we'd feel more empowered to protect ourselves, and b) maybe, just maybe, idiots like this might think twice about putting his own, and other people's lives at risk!
(Dear people in charge of minimizing bloodshed on UAE roads, read above.)
Idea: Busted by Mobile...www.nameandshame.com
How about setting up an online service that allows 'virtual citizen arrests', via mobile phone photographic evidence? We can't stop in our cars. And remembering number plates and telling tales won't cut it. But you know what they say, "a picture busts a stupid driver."
The photo of this moron (White Lexus plate #A4919) was taken in my car a few days back, by a colleague. In fact the day after the 120 car pile up that killed 5 people! Case in point...at one point I could smell the drivers breath he was so close.
Maybe if we all knew that evidence of such irresponsibility and blatant disregard for human life had a formal place to be sent, reviewed and potentially acted upon, a) we'd feel more empowered to protect ourselves, and b) maybe, just maybe, idiots like this might think twice about putting his own, and other people's lives at risk!
 |
| Lexus Plate # A4919 |
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Japan | Light | Beauty
Too often, under the darkness cast by challenging and tragic times, the world looks in with our thoughts intensely auto-focussed on the profound negativity and pain of the peoples and places involved. And whilst out hearts might be bathed in compassion and hope, one might question; can a billion minds focussed on the energy of the dark, possibly send in the Light these people need?
Japan, our hearts and minds are with you in your dark times. This post is dedicated to the indescribable beauty you contribute to the world. Perhaps, if we leave our hearts to do what they are best at, and we focus our minds back to your Beauty, then in some metaphysical way that we may never really understand, we can help bring light to your shadow.
(If you feel compelled, PLEASE share this with as many people as you can. The more minds the better...)
 |
| Bringing Light to Eastern Shadows |
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Confluence of Writing Travel
I've been pondering the art of travel writing of late; gathering clues on what makes a 'good' travel writer, or perhaps more accurately, 'good' travel writing.
Like all the arts, (reading) writing is hugely subjective. What inflames one may bore another, and what grips us may not even touch the sides of them. And so on and so on... But when it comes to Travel, I believe it's very nature supports a more objective set of do's and don'ts on how to ink successfully. Here's an opening quartet to ponder:
1. Do observe and embellish the entire Journey. Don't just accurately detail the Destination. The latter is corporate copy writing. The former, far more intimate and individual, and as such, engaging and useful.
2. Do inflame our imaginations. Don't just write what it says on the Arrivals screen. Travel has and always will be one of our most poetic and exciting human indulgences. Tap into our innate nomadic tendencies, challenge our perceptions, inspire us to embrace the experience; book, pack and head off into the wilderness of the ‘unhome.’
3. Do make us smile, laugh even. Don't be corporate. As a wise man once said, "beware the humorless, for they seek only solutions on the level of coercion". When we laugh our spirits rise, and along with them our scope for inspiration and thirst for adventure.
4. Do write from principles of Power. Don't deploy those of Force. By way example; support us to 'choose' to, rather than instruct us to 'have' to; be authoritative, but never dogmatic; know the difference between educating and persuading, holistic and analytical; and always err on the side of honesty, impartiality, inspiration, inventiveness, modesty, responsibility, and truthfulness.
Good Travel Writing, as I read it, is a simultaneous confluence of intimate, passionate cultural observation, and clever, factual detailing. Writing that picks us up by our boot straps, inspires and stimulates us; triggers our own innate sense of adventure and reminds us how much we need to appreciate, respect and love this impossibly random and magnificent planet we have been given, to explore.
Good, adventurous things.
CB
@Confluence
 |
| Somewhere in the journey |
Like all the arts, (reading) writing is hugely subjective. What inflames one may bore another, and what grips us may not even touch the sides of them. And so on and so on... But when it comes to Travel, I believe it's very nature supports a more objective set of do's and don'ts on how to ink successfully. Here's an opening quartet to ponder:
1. Do observe and embellish the entire Journey. Don't just accurately detail the Destination. The latter is corporate copy writing. The former, far more intimate and individual, and as such, engaging and useful.
2. Do inflame our imaginations. Don't just write what it says on the Arrivals screen. Travel has and always will be one of our most poetic and exciting human indulgences. Tap into our innate nomadic tendencies, challenge our perceptions, inspire us to embrace the experience; book, pack and head off into the wilderness of the ‘unhome.’
3. Do make us smile, laugh even. Don't be corporate. As a wise man once said, "beware the humorless, for they seek only solutions on the level of coercion". When we laugh our spirits rise, and along with them our scope for inspiration and thirst for adventure.
4. Do write from principles of Power. Don't deploy those of Force. By way example; support us to 'choose' to, rather than instruct us to 'have' to; be authoritative, but never dogmatic; know the difference between educating and persuading, holistic and analytical; and always err on the side of honesty, impartiality, inspiration, inventiveness, modesty, responsibility, and truthfulness.
Good Travel Writing, as I read it, is a simultaneous confluence of intimate, passionate cultural observation, and clever, factual detailing. Writing that picks us up by our boot straps, inspires and stimulates us; triggers our own innate sense of adventure and reminds us how much we need to appreciate, respect and love this impossibly random and magnificent planet we have been given, to explore.
Good, adventurous things.
CB
@Confluence
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Simple wisdom for an epic New Year.
In this interconnected universe, every improvement we make in ourselves and in our private world, improves the world at large for everyone. We all float on the collective level of consciousness of mankind so that any increment we add comes back to us. We all add to our common buoyancy by our efforts to benefit life. What we do to serve life automatically benefits all of us because we're all included in that which is life. We are life. It's a scientific fact that "what is good for you is good for me".
Simple kindness to one's self and all that lives is the most powerful transformational force of all. So as we march on through 2011, let's carry this small but powerful sentiment with us, to keep us looking up and out for one another, as we go about doing the best we can.
Good things and Happy New Year.
CB
@confluence
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