Making Choices

I started reading Making Choices The Joy of a Courageous Life last night, and really liked the content. I've been faced with a lot of decisions lately, and often feel frozen in place. Sometimes I'm afraid to act because I'm not to sure where I want to go. This book is very encouraging in helping me to Bite the Bullet and choose, not to get down on myself if the decision turns out to be a mistake, and how to say no in a positive way.

My goal is to find a job with beauty, benefit, and good. I've been doing a lot of research on myself and the careers I'm interested in. It's been tough to go about this process mythodically, instead of my usual approach of answering job ads on a whim. I know it's great for me to take the time, and do the research on careers. It can also feel overwhelming, and I get scared to make any decision because it could be wrong. In Making Choices Alexandra encourages the Reader to Bite the Bullett. It's okay to make mistakes, most of the highest achievers do. You just don't hear about all their setbacks.

Saying No gives you the time to say Yes to your priorities. I have a tendency to overextend myself, and I know a lot of other people do to. It's hard with family, friends, and social expectations. It's not always easy to say no to something you think you should do. In Making Choices she gives you permission to show your life through what you say yes to, and to say no to the things that don't add value.

I really like this book, and got through half of it Sunday afternoon. If you've been dreading making a decision, or feel indecisive read this book.

Me and my goat buddy

I had a wonderful time today. I went trail riding by a beautiful river, and my friends father made some great persian food. This is his goat, and he makes great goat cheese and yogurt.

I love going out and spending time with my friends. This was a great day, and I feel totally refreshed.

One thing she brought up was about when she does good things she sometimes does it with the expectation she will get something back. I told her I had been thinking about that a few weeks earlier.

I read something about how a lot of people walk around feeling entitled. I realized I was one of those people. Thinking that the universe owes me something. I decided that every good deed I do in the future, I would change my attitude, and I would do it out of a sense of gratitude for what I've already received.

What are you grateful for?

why faith leads to happiness

Recently I've been worried about various things in my life. Trying to find my dream job is on the top of the list. I also been worried about my finances. I've sought the wisdom of some of the elders in my Buddhist community, and they kept telling my that I have to strenghthen my faith in the mystic law. The mystic law is a belief in cause and effect, and that chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo will put your life in rhythem with that law.

I was confused by the advice for awhile until I started to realize that when I worry it shows that I lack faith. I don't think you have to be Buddhist to apply this to your life too. Everyone of any religion (or non religon) can choose to have faith that the Universe will be able to provide for them, and that their dreams can come true. It is a choose whether to have faith in a bountiful universe or a stingy one.

When I start worrying about finances or finding a meaningful career I remind myself that the Universe is taking care of that for me. I don't want to sound like "I'm letting go and letting God" I don't feel it is quite the same thing. I'm taking actions towards my dreams and goals, and at the same time I'm choosing to believe that the Universe is a bountiful place and that my dreams and goals have already come true. I choose to be grateful for everything in my life and the journey that I'm on. I choose to be grateful for all that has already been provided to me, and I'm thankful for the gifts I will receive in the future. I choose to contribute to society now not out of a sense of what will I get in return, but out of gratitude for what I've already received.

This is what faith is to me, and when I can remember this I'm so happy!

What is faith to you?
Does this make sense?

dig a hole to compost

Well you can't see it real well but there are all kinds of bugs eating away at my compost. That is an eggshell in the center of the picture. They seem to take a really long time to decompose.

When I first decided to make a compost pile I fenced off a portion of my backyard, so my dogs wouldn't get into it, and piled the compost in a heap. I would sometimes cover it with the cardboard from boxes and grass clippings. That was not very successful. My dog tore down the fence, and my fruit and veggie leftovers weren't decomposing.

Finally I listened to my wife who said dig a hole. I moved the compost pile out of the backyard. dug about a 1 foot hole, filled it with the compostable stuff, and then covered it with dirt. It only takes it a couple of weeks to decompose now. Whenever I dig it out again to add more there are all kinds of worms and doodle bugs going to town.

So why am I posting about composting on Your Highest Potential? Because doing something to help the environment is part of bringing out your highest potential. I wanted to share that composting doesn't have to be hard. Get a bucket with a tight fitting lid, and keep it in your kitchen. Whenever you have scraps like egg shells, coffee grounds, apple cores, etc (no meat) just put in in your bucket. When it gets full go dig a hole and put it in. It's really fun to see it decompose, you can use the soil to help grow other plants, and you're helping reduce the garbage going to the landfill.

peace out

The Seeds of Opposites

picture by ahisgett

I just learned about the concept called the seeds of opposites, and find it a very inspiring concept.

To attain Buddhahood you must overcome the sufferings that are common to us all: birth, old age, sickness, and death.

Some believe that earthly desires cause this suffering, and seek to eliminate attachments and earthly desires in order to attain enlightenment.

Nichiren Buddhism teaches that earthly desires bring about enlightenment.

Earthly desires and the sufferings of birth and death becomes the cause or seed for attaining Buddhahood.

The seeds of opposites makes it possible for good to come out of evil.

I remember when President Bush was elected for a second time. Instead of wallowing in self pity I had faith that he would mess things up so badly that it would awaken people to the foolishness of war. I think that this has come true.

So no matter what negative things have happened to you, or mistakes you've made, you have the power to turn that around into something positive. The seeds of opposities is finding the silver lining in the darkest cloud.

Million Dollar Habits

by @n@bou's

I just finished reading Brian Tracy's book "Million Dollar Habits." One of the habits is to do at least one task a day related to the goal that you want to accomplish. So everyday I'm calling people asking them about their jobs. I'm conducting Informational Interviews, to learn what careers and industries are like, as taught by Richard Bolles in his book "What Color is Your Parachute." I'm amazed at how many people are willing to take time to answer my questions about their jobs. Doing this one task everyday is making my dream job that much closer to becoming a reality.

My challenge to you is to take your #1 goal, write it down, and then take one action toward achieving that goal everyday.

Lets achieve our dreams together.

Visioning: ten steps to designing the life of your dreams

This is the vision board I created using the book, Visioning: ten steps to designing the life of your dreams. I really like this book. I have heard about the benefits of collaging, and had created some collages using magazine cut outs. But most of these were just pictures of what I wanted. In Lucia Capacchione's book you learn to pick pictures and words that resonate with you. Then selecting out of those designing a board that is representative of your future. I really liked the steps she had you go through before creating the board like burning incense, getting your table ready, creating a beautiful atmosphere, and writing with your non dominant hand to bypass your inner critic. It was a lot of fun to create this board, and I plan on making more.

Kuhpow