Proof Doing What You Love Leads to Success

I LOVE finding proof that doing what you love leads to success, both in pleasure and also financially speaking. After all, we have to pay the rent, right?

Todd Geer is a local videographer and he of course likes to take photos, but he doesn't make much money from his stills.

Well, back in 2008 he took a photo of Loveland's beautiful Fourth of July fireworks display--without a tripod. He admits it isn't his best photo, but it is still an inspiring image.

He posted the photo online (panoramio.com) and Author Gish Jen saw the photo and asked for permission to use it on her book, "World and Town" and the publisher gave Geer a nice check ($2500) for the rights to it! Talk about putting it out to the Universe (or Cyber-Space) and money flowing in!

You can see the result on Amazon! Congrats to both Todd and Gish!

Passionate Giving

There are so many opportunities to give back to the world...sometimes it can seem like too many choices. How on earth can we help everyone?

The answer is for us to act upon the thing that moves us...gets our juices flowing!

I was reminded about this idea of passionate giving this weekend by a couple of great, giving guys. Two men on opposite sides of the country who are both going to be traveling great distances to help causes they believe super strongly in.

My brother-in-law is hopping on a bicycle next weekend. He is starting in San Francisco and riding to Los Angeles to raise awareness and money to help those with AIDS and find cures and preventions so others are not struck down by this dis-ease.

If this speaks to you, you can donate to his ride

On the other side of the country, Tellman Knudson is passionate about ending teenage homelessness in the USA. Tellman is currently training to run across the country--barefoot! He plans to start his run on September 1. Learn more about Tellman's run at http://RunTellmanRun.com and you can donate to his cause through Virgin Unite, Richard Branson's non-profit.

These are both wonderful causes...and if you have another that speaks to you, then follow your heart. I'm pointing these two out because these fine men are following through on their passions and spending their time, energy and money to help others--not because they "should" but because it is in their hearts.

I know I have a lot to learn from both of them! Maybe we all can't ride 500 miles or run across the country, but we can all do something...so let's do what we can for the cause of our hearts, and we will truly leave the world a better place.

Remember, it only takes small actions by lots of people to make an impact on the world!

Give to Others from Love Not Obligation

Catherine Carey wrote in her blog, Taking Care of Yourself, yesterday about how good it feels to give to others...it is so true--but it is important that when we give we do so for the right reasons.

It definitely feels fantastic to support organizations that you believe in…it is so important to give back to the world…but we often get caught in the idea of “should” contribute.

When we are donating…either our time or our money…we (and the organizations we are supporting) deserve to be 100% behind the cause. Rather than giving out of “should” or obligation, when we give out of love our efforts are multiplied by the universe.

The good feelings we have when we donate out of love are sent out and others feel the energy and are inspired to give to organizations that they believe in, too!

Remember--it is your life, your time, your energy and your money. Give freely...let it circulate...and give in ways that uplift you so that you are circulating love in addition to money! In fact, the circulating of love is more important...and something that everyone can do--even if they don't have physical (fiscal) money to spare!

Fate, Destiny or Free Will?

Do you believe in "Fate" or "Destiny" or do you believe we have Free Will?

It is tempting to blame events in our lives on Fate or Destiny or Karma...

While there is truth to the adage what goes around comes around...we are in control of our choices and how we choose to react to the events that surround us.

Exercise your free will and choose the path that is right for you. Know that sometimes the path is not fully visible, but it will be revealed every step of the way.

By choosing your path you actively create your life--you bring people, events and things towards you that will help you to achieve the life of YOUR dreams.

Affirmation:

Through conscious choice, I attract the people and events that will assist me in living my best life. Thank you for these blessings.

Inner Voice

So many of the great teachers of today are reminding us that finding our passion, doing things that bring us joy is one of the best things we can do in this life--for ourselves and for the Universe.

Louise Hay teaches that we all deserve to feel good and that we have an inner wisdom that will guide us. Wayne Dyer tells us to be open to the inner voice. Doreen Virtue says to be open to the guidance of the angels. I could go on and on...Abraham teaches to reach for the better feeling thought, so he would definitely concur with this:

My dad always used to say, "If you take a step and it feels good, you must be headed in the right direction." What he wanted us to understand was that we needed to measure our progress against an inner compass, using our feelings, our comfort level, and our knowledge of ourselves as the ultimate guide.

I've spent most of my adult life trying to hear that inner voice above the noise around me...It says softly that happiness is as simple as having something to look forward to in the morning...It says, in a low murmur I sometimes have to strain to hear, that now is the time to have fun.

~Linda Weltner, No Place Like Home

Let me remember to listen to (and hear) that inner voice as it reminds me to follow my bliss. Now is the time to HAVE FUN, whatever that means for ME!

Wisdom comes by Living Life Intended for You

Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start truly living the life the Creator intended for you.
-- Lelia Fisher

There are many things that block us from wisdom such as selfishness, secrets, hate, anger, jealousy and judgments. Another thing that can block us from wisdom is trying too hard or wishing something would happen. Wishing implies doubt and trying implies control. We need to let go of these things. We need to abandon ourselves to the Creator. As soon as we surrender everything, the wisdom starts to flow. The Elders know how to help us with this. Just ask them.

My Great Spirit, today I surrender my life and my will to Your care.

Thanks to White Bison for this great lesson. If you like this and would like to see more, contact White Bison to subscribe to the Elder's Meditation of the Day.