We all always want to be happy, growing, and free. We can think about freedom in two ways. There’s freedom from the things that bug us, stop us, or threaten us. Then there is freedom. The difference is in how these two ideas feel. When we think about things we want freedom from, we are […]
Too often, we let ourselves to be pulled and pushed by the events and circumstances we see around us, especially if–whether small or big–they are not what we want. This mode of life feels awful, drains us, and perpetuates those events and circumstances. Here’s something much better: direct your attention so that your attitude, […]
They say that nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come. Actually, there is one thing more powerful: a person who has committed herself or himself to a clear, compelling outcome. Committed means, “This will happen. It won’t happen through bull-headedness, force, or hope. There may be obstacles but no excuses. I will simply see […]
Sages tell us that the way to have what we want is to allow it, to detatch, to get out of the way. Best we can tell, this means deciding what we want, not obsessing about it or the lack of it, then going out for some gelato. Or anything else we like. In […]
We often do wanting wrong. Want-yeah-but is what happens when we want something, deep down doubt it’s possible, and list all the reasons why what we want just can’t be. Want-hope-so is what happens when we want something, deep down doubt it’s possible, but pray that luck is on our side this time. Want-damn-it is […]
The sages tell us to get present and find joy right here and now. There is nothing more we need. We can be happy now without achieving our acquiring anything. Striving, they say, leads to misery. People have long misinterpreted the sages. They think that the sages mean we should stop wanting, be small, do […]
What do you most want right now? And why do you want it? And why is that? And why is that? (et cetera) If we keep asking, “Why?,” we will eventually land on, “Because I want to feel happy.” Whatever we want, we want it so that we can feel happy. Beyond this, there […]
There is a bit of a bun fight going on in the career coaching world about what it takes to have a successful career. On one side, experts advise us to follow our passion. “Do what you love,” they say. Experts on the other side say passion is highly overrated and what we really must […]
We have good want and bad want. Good want says things like, “I want this and am excited that it is on its way.” Bad want says things like, “I want this but there are so many obstacles.” Good want feels good. Bad want feels bad. We always have the ability to choose between good […]
What do you want, my friend? A new car, job, or relationship? More sales, money, or health? A house, a vacation, or someone to change their mind? Why, kind soul, do you want this? What important quality would increase in your life? Satisfaction, meaning, or joy? Respect, growth, or freedom? Excitement, delight, or calm? Maybe […]