your highest potential

Making Choices

2008-06-30T12:31:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-09T18:45:00.003-05:00

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

2008-06-02T13:58:00.002-05:00

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

2008-05-26T14:05:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-20T18:44:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-11T15:31:00.004-05:00

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

2008-03-23T17:55:00.003-05:00

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

Texas... pretty in spring

2008-03-23T17:45:00.003-05:00

Howdy from Texas! I was inspired to take this picture after driving by this beautiful field. I had just finished swimming in Lake Ray Roberts, trying to get used to swimming in cold water before my triathlon in Galveston next weekend. What does this have to do with Your Highest Potential? To me it is about appreciating the beauty around us everyday, and celebrating it in whatever way is most natural for you. That is my dog Juan with me, he likes wildflowers too!
Peace,
Kuhpow

Dreams

2008-02-24T21:52:00.004-06:00

Here is a picture of a bedroom that I would love to have. I love all the vibrant colors, and the exotic feel of the room.

Recently I've gotten into the habit of taking pictures of things I love especially if they are in books that I can't rip the picture out of.

Why am I doing this?
Because I want to remember design ideas for my dream home.

How am I going to get my dream home?
By not worrying about how, & doing what I love.

I found a piece of paper in my organizer, and I'm not sure where it is from but it says "Whatever it is you desire to be, do, or have, ultimatley you are aiming for a feeling. In other words, you believe that achieving this desire will cause you to feel good in one way or another-perhaps happy, powerful, loved, competent, successful, and so on."

This quote makes me feel that I should stop focusing on externals like dream homes, jobs, etc. and start focusing on internals like feeling happy, successful, and important. I can't keep waiting for certain preconditions before I let myself be happy.

Why do you want the things you do?

Been Busy

2008-01-30T11:55:00.000-06:00

Howdy. I just wanted to post about a really great weekend I had last week. I signed up to volunteer with GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender) teens at a place here in Dallas. It's kind of like a clubhouse, a place the teens can go to feel accepted and be themselves. They had a two day training before you can volunteer. It was really only two evenings Thursday and Friday night. I had such a good time, and I'm really excited to be there for the teens helping them realize their goals and dreams, and just appreciating them so that the can bring out their full potential and feel that there is something to live for. It was also quite hard remembering what it is like coming out as queer. When I was 16 I finally had the guts to tell myself, and then a few friends. It was really hard for me because I didn't want to be queer. I would sneekaly watch any daytime talk show when they had GLBT guests on. I was lucky and found a teen group to go to, and they really helped me out. Now it's my turn to give back, and I'm so happy to be able to do it. A lot of GLBT kids face a lot of discrimination and negativity about their sexual prefrence. Some get kicked out, and some kill themselves. Others start misbehaving or overcompensating. It seems things should be getting better, but there is a long way to go for acceptance. I believe as long as the government continues to discriminate against us in refusing marital rights than it will be giving people rights to discrimanate against us in other ways as well.

The picture is of me at Metro Diner. A great place that a friend introduced me to so I could decompress after the volunteer training. It's a yummy place for an old time coffee shop food. If you're on Gaston Ave in Dallas, check em out.

The Artists Way

2008-01-21T12:24:00.000-06:00

I've started a new self help book: "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. It is a book designed to help you unblock your creative side.

The funny thing is I didn't know I was blocked creatively, but did feel like I was in a rut. I wasn't doing the things I used to do for fun like making duck tape wallets, organizing events, participating in the Vagina Monologues.

My wife actually purchased the book for me at a book store because I was wavering on buying it. I try to get most of my books from the Library, but they didn't have it. I kept saying I don't need another self help book, but when she offered to buy it for me I took her up on it.

I'm really glad she did. I think this self help book is unique. There are a lot of fun exercises in it. You read a chapter each week then do the exercises at the end of it. You have to write 3 pages in your journal everyday, called morning pages, and you have to take yourself out on an artists date once a week.

After the first week I felt my creative juices flowing, and feel very creative still. It's giving me a sense of play while I go about my very serious goal of creating my dream job.

Have any of you done the exercises in the Artists Way? Have any suggestions for books on creativity?

Richard Bolles and I

2008-01-12T20:30:00.001-06:00

Well I've renewed my determination to find my dream job. I was tempted to take a job I didn't know much about, didn't pay the amount I wanted, and was an hour commute each way. Sounds crazy that I was tempted for such a job, but it was working with animals and doing educational outreach which are two fields I'm interested in.

I'm so grateful I got some great advice from the best career coach and author of "What Color is Your Parachute". He encouraged me to not be a job begger, but discover what I wanted to do with the help of exercises he has in his book. I did the exercises and now I have a flower that is leading me to my ideal job.

Friday I talked to four people about their jobs using the Informational Interviewing techniques in his book. I used an electronic database at the library, searched the fields I'm interested in. Got the addresses of the businesses, and just stopped by. I asked for 10 minutes of their time, and everyone of them gave it to me. It was a blast.

I believe everyone of you has a unique mission. If you're like me and are having trouble narrowing down the possibilities I think his book is a great place to start. Do you have any book suggestions for discovering your mission?

Laughter Yoga

2008-01-06T20:27:00.000-06:00

photo by ericmcgregor

I had the best time tonight at a Laughter Yoga class tonight.

I heard about laughter yoga on some news show a while back. They showed people getting together in parks in India, and laughing together. They had certain ways to laugh, and would walk around laughing at eachother. I didn't think to much about it, but then a book I was reading about gratitude had exercises in it, and one of them was to laugh a minute everyday. I was really put off by this requirement because I didn't think it would count if the laughter was fake. Then a friend told me about a laugher yoga class in Ft. Worth . Third time is always a charm for me so I decided I had to try it out.

I'm so glad I did. It was so much fun to get together and laugh. I found out that fake laughter is just as good for the body as "real" laughter. Laughing is really good for the body and mind, and that kids laugh from 400-600 times a day, but adults only laugh about 12 times a day. That is sad.

Well I'm sold on Laughter Clubs, and would encourage you to try it. I'm thinking about become a laughter yoga teacher! Have any of you tried it? Tell me about your experience if you have.

Happy New Year

2008-01-02T10:14:00.000-06:00

For my Kwanzaa present my wife got me the book The Artists Way. I started reading it on New Years, and began the morning pages exercise today. The Morning Pages is an exercise where you write whatever you feel or think for 3 pages. It supposed to help your critical Left Brain side get all the criticisms and negativity out of the way for your more creative side to come through. You're also supposed to make weekly artist dates with yourself. Where for a couple of hours you do something by yourself that feeds your artists soul. It doesn't have to be artistic, but it just has to be something you want to do. I'm definately excited about this. Although I do have the pangs of guilt at taking time for myself. I want to clump in my exercise routine as my artist date, but I don't think that is the point. I also don't want to force myself to do anything, but let it be spur of the moment.

If you're blocked creatively, or would like to be more creative give this book a try. Then let me know how your artist is doing.

Happy Kwanzaa

2007-12-26T09:31:00.000-06:00

For the past 5 years I've been celebrating Kwanzaa with my wife and extended family and friends. I really like this holiday because it doesn't have the pressures of showing your love through an expensive gift like Christmas seems to. All the gifts given have to be hand made or useful. One time a friend brought a box of books she had and we all got to pick our favorites. Another time a friend brought dishes she had made. Each night we light a candle, talk about the principle, and do a craft. Anyone can celebrate Kwanzaa, and if you'd like to learn more go to the Official Kwanzaa Website in the link above. Here is a list of the 7 principles celebrated during Kwanzaa:

NGUZO SABA(The Seven Principles)

Umoja (Unity)To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (Purpose)To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (Creativity)To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith)To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Dolly Parton - Better Get To Livin'

2007-12-20T20:25:00.001-06:00

This is everything you need to know, summed up by the best country singer in the world Dolly Parton. Amy Sedaris is in it to which is awesome.

Visualize a better dog

2007-12-14T11:22:00.000-06:00

I'm reading "Be the Pack Leader" by Cesar Millan last night, and guess what he keeps stressing over and over?

Visualization!

Visualizing the behavior you want from your dog instead of focusing on the negative behavior you've seen or experienced in the past. He also talks about projecting a calm assertive energy. When I've heard the same message over and over from so many different people that I respect then it finally starts to sink in. In the SGI we call the calm assertive energy bringing forth our Buddhahood. A lot of people try to fake the funk, and it is hard for us to see through the fake funk sometimes, but Ceasar claims that dogs can sniff out the fake funk and will reflect back your energy.

This has made me relize that I had convinced myself of my fake funkness, but have not fooled my dogs. It is has made me realize what energy I'm putting out there, and that taking deep breathes can bring the energy back around.

What energy are you putting out there?

Visualize

2007-12-13T12:37:00.000-06:00

photo by zophos

I'm listening to the audiobook version of the E-Myth recommended on the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast. It's a pretty interesting book about starting or revamping a small business. What really struck me was to have a successful business you must visualize what you want your business to become. Visualizing your goal and making it happen is the key to creating the life you want. It is often easy, and I'm guilty of this, of just reacting to situations. Now I've been reminded once again to visualize what I want.

Re-Use a Shoe

2007-12-08T09:52:00.000-06:00

Have old tennis shoes lying around, and don't know what to do with them?

Nike has an awesome program that I learned about through a really great womens sport adventure blog called Graceful Edge. Nike will take any brand of tennis shoe as long as their is no metal or cleats. They grind it up, and make sport surfaces like basketball and tennis courts. You can drop your old shoes off or mail them in.

Workshop with Richard Bolles

2007-12-07T10:03:00.000-06:00

In July of this year I went to an awesome workshop with Richard Bolles author of the famous book "What Color is Your Parachute". He helped me learn more about being a good person, and helped me to find out more about myself so that I could in turn find a job that I would love doing. He taught me about gratitude, and I had a permagrin the entire workshop. He is getting older so he now has workshops in his beautiful home, and his wife Marci is an excellent hostess. I'm saying all this because he has another workshop coming up in January. Just click the title and it will link you to his website so you can find out more. I couldn't recomend it enough.

Kuhpow

How to feel happiness

2007-12-06T15:07:00.000-06:00

Ultimately, happiness rests on how you establish a solid sense of self or being. Happiness does not lie in outward appearances nor in vanity. It is a matter of what you feel inside; it is a deep resonance in your life. To be filled each day with a rewarding sense of exhilaration and purpose, a sense of tasks accomplished and deep fulfillment-people who feel this way are happy. Those who have this sense of satisfaction even if they are extremely busy are much happier than those who have time on their hands but feel empty inside. ~Daisaku Ikeda

Beginner Camping Tips

2007-12-04T11:16:00.000-06:00

photo by garrulus

Have you ever wanted to go camping, but didn't know where to start? Well I was in the same situation several years ago. Now I've been camping about 5 times, and here are a few tips to get you started.

1. If it's your first time go with freinds who've gone before. Hopefully they have extra equipment you can borrow.

2. If you don't have any friends that like to camp check online or at a local camping store for outdoor clubs, and make some new friends.
3. Buy or rent some books on camping. Backcountry Betty is pretty funny, and is geared to the High Maintainence camper.

4. Minimum supplies: first aid kit, flashlights, food, water, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, trash and ziploc bags, sleeping bag, and tent.

5. Find a place to camp. There are city, state, and national parks where you can camp. Most have websites with a lot of great information on them. Most places allow you to reserve a spot, but don't allow you to pick the exact one until you arrive.

Camping is a lot of fun, and is a great way to wind down. I love getting away from technology, and being in a restful place, sitting around campfires, and taking hikes. Hope you give it a try.

Pet Peeves

2007-12-03T11:12:00.000-06:00

This weekend I was on a camping trip, and I totally let a pet peeve of mine work my nerves. I felt like the leader of the trip was being too controlling, and it hit the last straw for me when she told me I was opening the graham cracker package all wrong.

I tried to handle my feelings as best I could.

When it got real bad I would walk around and take deep breaths.
I texted my wife so I could vent about the situation.
I made smart alec comments (this was not the best way to handle it, but I did it)
I called her after it was over and told her I thought she was being too controling.

I really wish I didn't have any pet peeves. That I could love everyone fully. Honestly though there are a few things that people do that push my buttons, and this lady pushed them all. My massage therapist told me a neat trick to try to help in those kind of situations which is to invite the person that annoys you, and a bunch of people you respect to a peace table in your head. I feel pretty bad about the way I reacted to the situation, but I learned a lot. My goals are to have fewer and fewer buttons to push.

What positive things do you do when someone pushes your buttons?

Developing Compassion

2007-11-30T11:09:00.000-06:00

Compassion is the ability to feel anothers suffering as if it were your own. To take on their problems like they were your problems.

Compassion is the key to unlocking your highest potential because when we get compassion we get that there are no differences among us. Although unique in appearance and attitude we are all one with eachother, the universe, and everything in it. That knowledge can help us gain the wisdom to take actions that are a benefit to all, and that add value to the universe.

When I remember to think with unity in mind my actions and life become more important, and I choose to add to the positive side of things. It's not just about me anymore, but it is about the whole universe. The government can no longer tell me that we are attacking a group of people because they are all evil. I know that the "outsiders" are just like me and my friends and family.

Some of the ways I've developed my compassion:
1. Travel - visiting foreign countries with different cultural norms showed me that although we have surface differences we are in most ways alike, and seek happiness and security.
2. Spread your Automatic Compassion - sometimes it is easy to be compassionate about certain things. For me I have Automatic Compassion for misstreated dogs. I think it is because they have no choice in the matter if they are well treated or not. Also those puppy dog eyes get me everytime. Now I can take that feeling, and spread it to people or situations that are harder for me to feel compassionate about.
3. Pray - Pray and reach out to people with problems, and act as if that was your own problem. I'm not saying to try to solve their problem for them, but treat them like you would want to be treated going through the same stuff.
4. 100 people take 1 step - it's better for 100 people to take 1 step then 1 person to take 100 steps. I don't think the US is a very good representation of this model right now, but I hope we all can start making this our philosophy.
5. What do you do to develop compassion or feel united?

Mantra Mishaps

2007-11-28T10:32:00.000-06:00

I was reminded yesterday that what we tell ourselves can have a huge impact on how we feel in the world, and how we interpret other peoples actions.

We become addicted to a mantra that isn't always positive, and we're often not aware of it. For example, feeling that no one works as hard as you, or that you always have to take care of other peoples responsibilities.

When we tell ourselves these negative things then the world responds by verifying this mantra. You do end up feeling that you work more than others, or take care of others responsibilities.

This week think about whether you are telling yourself anything negative ie I'm not smart enough, no one loves me, etc. Then make a point to tell yourself the opposite every night. Fake it till ya make it!

Kuhpow

Paragliding 101

2007-11-27T11:47:00.001-06:00

Sorry about the quality it's my first try at this. Here is the video footage from my paragliding adventure. Love to fly check it out.

The Flowering of Creative Life Force by Daisaku Ikeda

2007-11-26T09:57:00.000-06:00

The Flowering of
Creative
Life Force.

"There is no one lonelier or more unhappy than a person who does not know the
pure joy of creating a life for himself or herself. To be human is not
merely to stand erect and manifest intelligence or knowledge. To be human in the
full sense of the word is to lead a creative life.

The struggle to create new life from within is a truly wonderful thing.
There is found the brilliant wisdom that guides and directs the workings of reason;
the light of insight that penetrates the farthest reaches of the universe;
the undaunted will to see justice done that meets and challenges all the
assaults of evil; the spirit of unbounded care that embraces all who suffer. When
these are fused with that energy of compassion that pours forth from the deepest
sources of cosmic life, an ecstatic rhythm arises to color the lives of all people."

Did you create your day?
--

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T10:43:00.000-06:00

It's my favorite holiday. I love to sit around with friends and family, eat a great meal, and talk about all the things we have to be grateful for.

Remembering to have gratitude for all the things we have, rather than anger or jealously for the things we "lack" is a great way to change our lives. I've been chanting an hour every night since Sunday. Last night while chanting I realized I'm already living my dream life. That my circumstances don't have to change for me to be happy, but my attitude does. It was very liberating to know this deep down.

I'm still very much like a sapling being blown around by circumstances, desires, and people. Remembering gratitude helps root me down into happiness.

I'm very thankful for all the circumstances in my life that have led me to the point I'm at now, and for the direction I'm going in. I'm grateful to my freinds, family, and all of you who take the time to read my blog.

What are you thankful for?

DFW Outdoors

2007-11-20T11:30:00.000-06:00

If you live in the Dallas/Ft.Worth Metroplex, and like a bit of adventure I suggest going to this website. There is a fee to join, but I've never joined. I usually just take a look at the calander. A lot of the stuff you can do without being a member, and it'll give you some good ideas of things to try. It's also a great place to find out about events in the Metro area. If you're an adventurer this is a great place to begin your journey.

Blogs I Read

2007-11-19T09:40:00.000-06:00

I've added a new sidebar element with a list of blogs I'm currently reading. The way I organize them is with NetVibes. NetVibes is pretty easy to get the hang of, and you can add a lot of cool widgets. I've discovered most of these blogs by reading the comments left on blogs, and clicking the names on the comments I like. I've gotten lost for hours on the web doing this, and had fun on the journey. Let me know if you have a favorite, and I'll add it to my list.

Be Kuhpowerful today!

You can quit smoking!

2007-11-15T16:15:00.000-06:00

I started smoking when I was Seventeen. It took me 10 years to finally quit. I'd like to share some of the things that worked for me in hopes that it might help you quit too.

I cultivated a desire to live to my highest potential. I really had to work on feeling worthy, and that I had a mission and legacy to leave in this lifetime and squandering my life for cigarettes was not worth it.

I tried and failed multiple times. I succeded in quiting a couple times for several months, and then relapsed before I was able to quit for good. I never gave up on quiting.

I listened to a self Hypnotic CD which had a lot of great visualizations on it. I got it from the Library so it was FREE!

I took long walks with my dog. Whenever it got to be too much I would take a long walk with my dog that way you don't gain weight like some smokers fear.

I spoke with a Vitamin Manager at a health food store who recommended some cleansing products to help eliminate the nicotine out of my system faster. I also got some homeopathic medicine as well.

I avoided bars and coffee shops, anywhere people were smoking, or where I liked to smoke for several months.

I saved my cigarette money. Every week I wrote a check to myself for the amount I would normally spend on cigarettes in a week $35. I saved up the checks, and I bought a really nice couch. Now I use my cigarette money for massages. It was amazing to see how much I would spend on something that was killing me, and then use it for something positive.

If you've tried quiting before, but didn't make it you still have time to quit. Try some of these techniques, quiting smoking is the best thing you can do for yourself.

A world of happy people

2007-11-14T10:45:00.000-06:00

Can any of us be truly happy if there is even one person who is miserable?

Probably not. Although we can't excuse a negative attitude and unhappiness on the mood of another, we are dependent on one another for a truly happy world. I believe one way to begin that process is to truly respect, admire, and treat with kindness every living being. When we can go through the day admiring eachothers inner beauty, the sanctity and majestic beauty of life, and respecting our differences we will be contagiously happy.

The trick for me is getting myself into this mood:

I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo twice a day - which reaffirms this belief in the beauty of all life.

When someone is getting on my nerves I thank them for the lessons they are teaching me.

I write a list of things I'm grateful for.

What do you do?

why you'll get addicted to exercise

2007-11-13T11:24:00.000-06:00

After being out of town for a week, and then sick the next week I didn't exercise for 2 weeks. It actually bummed me out, and I could tell that I really wanted to return to my exercise routine. I never thought I would love to exercise, but here are some of the things to look forward to when you start a routine exercise program that will get you addicted to exercise:

1. A happier outlook on life- exercise releases endorphins which are a natural happy drug.

2. A healthier body - not only does exercise strengthen your muscles and heart, but it also increases hand eye cordination, and gives you the confidence to try things you never thought possible.

3. Discipline - to remember what your goals are, and take the actions necessary to complete them.

kuhpow

Zen Habits

2007-11-09T14:07:00.000-06:00

I was in kind of a funk today. I was recently passed over for a promotion, and although I know all the reasons I should still be hopeful and happy emotionally I still felt depressed. I was looking on line for something to cheer me up and found this sight. It's got a lot of happy stuff on it, plus information on living simply.

check it out
kuhpow

William & Rosalie: A Holocaust Testimony

2007-11-08T15:27:00.000-06:00

My wife went to hear these two speak at UNT last night and was really touched by their story. There aren't many Holocaust survivors left, and despite having a cold she biked 30 minutes to hear their story. There book is available from UNT press and below is a synopsis I got from their website:

Annotation:

William & Rosalie is the gripping and heartfelt account of two young Jewish people from Poland who survive six different German slave and prison camps throughout the Holocaust. In 1941, newlyweds William and Rosalie Schiff are forcibly separated and sent on their individual odysseys through a surreal maze of hate. Terror in the Krakow ghetto, sadistic SS death games, cruel human medical experiments, eyewitness accounts of brutal murders of men, women, children, and even infants, and the menace of rape in occupied Poland make William & Rosalie an unusually explicit view of the chaos that World War II unleashed on the Jewish people.

The lovers’ story begins in Krakow’s ancient neighborhood of Kazimierz, after the Germans occupy western Poland. A year later they marry in the ghetto; by 1942 deportations have wasted both families. After Rosalie is saved by Oskar Schindler, the husband and wife end up at the Plaszow work camp under Amon Goeth, the bestial commandant played by Ralph Fiennes in Schindler’s List. While Rosalie is on “heaven patrol” removing bodies from the camp, William is working in the factories. But when Rosalie is shipped by train to a different factory camp, William sneaks into a boxcar to follow, and he ends up at Auschwitz instead.

Craig Hanley powerfully narrates the struggle of the couple to stay alive and find each other at war’s end. Now in their eighties, William and Rosalie come to terms in this book with the loss of their families and years of torture at the hands of Nazi captors. Unique among memoirs from this era, the book connects directly to the present day. The Schiffs’ ongoing and highly effective campaign against prejudice and discrimination is a heroic culmination of two lives scarred beyond belief by racism. William & Rosalie artfully combines biography with timely lessons on the nature of mass hate, a stubborn phenomenon that continues to endanger every life on Earth.

“William and Rosalie, having experienced the depth of evil and depravity, nonetheless remain committed to the task of seeking to educate against hatred. They model what is best about the human spirit. Their story deserves to be told, and passed from generation to generation.”—Alan L. Berger, Raddock Chair in Holocaust Studies, Florida Atlantic University

“Every Holocaust Survivor has stories that grip and amaze us. But together with that, William and Rosalie Schiff have a rare dedication and determination to share these with as many people as possible. Rosalie was a pampered young girl. Yet she endured years in ghastly concentration and slave labor camps to emerge a warm and loving mother and grandmother as well as a dedicated community volunteer full of optimism and hope. William survived fifteen months in Auschwitz, including a time in Dr. Mengele’s medical lab, yet he retained his indomitable spirit for life and an unshakable belief that there is but one race, the human race. Reading them is to be inspired deeply.”—Elliott Dlin Director, Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance

ON ATTAINING BUDDHAHOOD IN THIS LIFETIME

2007-11-07T13:40:00.000-06:00

Below is a passage from a book called The Writings of Nicheren Daishonin. I wanted to include it on my blog to share a little of the philosophy I adhere to, why I believe that all life is Buddhahood, and it has an explanation of what Nam Myoho Renge Kyo means. The whole book is available online, just follow the link above.

"When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished. it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

What then does myo signify? It is
simply the mysterious nature of our life from moment to moment, which the mind cannot comprehend or words express. When we look into our own mind at any moment, we perceive neither color nor form to verify that it exists. Yet we still cannot say it does not exist, for many differing thoughts continually occur. The mind cannot be considered either to exist or not to exist. Life is indeed an elusive reality that transcends both the words and concepts of existence and nonexistence. It is neither existence nor nonexistence, yet exhibits the qualities of both. It is the mystic entity of the Middle Way that is the ultimate reality. Myo is the name given to the mystic nature of life, and ho, to its manifestations. Renge, which means lotus flower, is used to symbolize the wonder of this Law. If we understand that our life at this moment is myo, then we will also understand that our life at other moments is the Mystic Law.4 This realization is the mystic kyo, or sutra. The Lotus Sutra is the king of sutras, the direct path to enlightenment, for it explains that the entity of our life, which manifests either good or evil at each moment, is in fact the entity of the Mystic Law.

If you chant myoho-renge-kyo with deep faith in this principle, you are certain to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. That is why the sutra states, “After I have passed into extinction, [one] should accept and uphold this sutra. Such a person assuredly and without doubt will attain the Buddha way.”5 Never doubt in the slightest. Respectfully. Maintain your faith and attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Nichiren"

Stephen Covey

2007-11-03T13:13:00.000-05:00

I wanted to mention Stephen Covey because his books have helped me improve my work ethic and attitude. I was interviewing for a job yesterday, and I cracked open his book to freshen up on leadership skills. I opened it to a page where he was saying we have a culture where our brain wants to be entertained rather than cultivating a mind that seeks out knowledge. This hit me pretty hard because I've been falling into the TV trap lately. Feeling the need to veg out in front of the TV after a long day. How much is our time and talent wasted in front of a TV? Is it a waste? Are movies better than TV?

Kuhpow

non profit idea

2007-11-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

I'm going to start researching creating a non-profit bike shop. When I was at the Delancey Street one of the participants mentioned starting a bike based business, and I was intrigued. I wanted to come back to Texas, and find out what the people I'd be working with wanted to do. I found out that one has been fixing bikes.

I'm really excited about this because Denton is a big bike town, we could fix up old bikes, help every kid have a bike, and possibly lobby council for more bike lanes and safety. I envision creating really elaborate bikes, vintage, and beach cruisers. There is already a bike non profit in town, and I'll be contacting them for sure.

Anyone have any ideas for me I'd appreciate them.

Kuhpow

Institute for Social Renewal

2007-10-31T09:47:00.000-05:00

I'm back from the Social Renewal workshop at the Delancey Street Foundation. It was very enlightening. It was a pretty intense two days learning what they due that helps people change. I found their methods to be similiar to my Buddhist practice.

1. Act as an extended family- They help eachother by acting as an extended family, and supporting one another by listening.

2. Each one teach one - This is their biggest mantra. They were saying a lot of people who are in the situation of being self destructive criminals are very self centered. There is also a beautiful feeling one gets when one helps another. So by forcing even a person that has only been there a few days to start teaching the new person they get the benefit of helping another person out instead of always being on the receiving end of handouts.

3. Reflection - They hold eachother accountable. If you see someone doing something wrong and don't report it it is just as bad as you having done that act yourself. They push eachother to improve, and the have sessions to tell eachother about themselves.

I was very inspired to start my own non profit based on their model so that I too can help someone change their life from one of greed to one of service.

kuhpow

Delancey Street Foundation

2007-10-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

This weekend I'm going back to San Francisco to attend the Social Renewal Workshop at the Delancey Street Foundation. This place is totally inspirational, a place where people can actualize their full potential. I'm going to learn from the masters how to create a healing space so I can do that here. I really like their model where the people help themselves and eachother, and are learning job skills and self esteem. They have all types of businesses, which is great for me because I love starting new things.

Probably won't be posting while I'm gone, but will update on the trip when I get back.

KUHPOW

Juicing

2007-10-19T15:37:00.001-05:00

I recently came across a great juice and smoothie book, and have been trying out the recipes. I have really been enjoying the juices I've been making it, and found it to be a great way to incorporate some of my not so favorite veggies into my diet. I usually have a fruit smoothie as a mid morning snack, and a veggie juice as an afternoon snack and pick me up. Not only do they taste good, but veggie juices are very benefitial to your health by helping your cells detoxify.

The Juicing Book online is a great resource with information on the benefits of juicing, different types of juicers, recipes, and info on sprouting (my next health adventure).

Kimya Dawson

2007-10-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

I had a great time last night listening to the song stylings of Kimya Dawson.

Apparently I'm slow on the uptake because a lot of people I talk to had already heard of her. Well I hadn't, but I'm glad I have now. Her lyrics really rang true for me, and I heard her struggles to be the kind of person she knows herself to be. Maybe I'm projecting. It was a great night the whole reason I love music. It was a show at a persons house, and there was a vegan potluck beforehand. Everone was just sitting in the backyard listening to this beautiful music, and I felt a part of a community. A living breathing community, and I said to myself this is what I love about Denton and music. Hope yall check out her website http://www.kimyadawson.com/ she's got a lot of free mp3s on there.

kuhpow

strict, kind, firm

2007-10-17T15:04:00.001-05:00

Daisaku Ikeda says: "The following three traits summarize the character and mentality of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth: (1) To be rigorously strict toward oneself, like a sharp autumn frost, (2) to be warm and embracing toward others, like a soft spring breeze, (3) to be uncompromising when confronting evil, like a lion monarch."

A Bodhisattva of the Earth is someone who has made the vow to achieve world peace by helping people become happy. How do we help people become happy? One way is by teaching them to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with the belief that all people are equal and are themselves Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Nam Myoho Renge is a law like gravity is a law. When we are aware of the Law we can access it to help us become happy in spite and because of the obstacles to our happiness.

I really like this quote because it reminds me to be gentle towards others. Sometimes in my zeal and desire for their happiness I can forget to be gentle when pointing things out that they might not have seen. Like when people don't quite connect that the food they eat has a direct impact on their health, or when I see someone repeating the same karmic patterns.

I chant for the wisdom to know the difference between helping people become aware of their self sabotage, and being a good listner for them to figure it out for themselves.

kuhpow

Environmental Reminders

2007-10-16T13:56:00.000-05:00

I've just been reminded recently about the concept of obstacles actually being a benefit, there to show you something you need to learn. Watching "7 Years in Tibet" there was a part when the monks said if you embrace your enemy then there arms are to busy hugging you to point a gun at you. That reminded me to embrace my obstacles with joy.

A coworker reminded me that I didn't have any patience when I was complaining about a 12 minute conversation I had where I had to explain the same thing over and over again. I lost my patience a couple more times today before I realized that this was an obstacle I need to embrace. Everytime I encounter someone who I think is long winded I'm going to thank the universe for sending that person to me so that I can practice patience.

I'll have to work hard at that intention, but it already worked once today!

Tuesday challenge: embrace an obstacle.

Environmental Blog Action Day

2007-10-15T13:32:00.000-05:00

As part of the Blog Action Day I'm posting something about the Environment.

Over the years I've been pretty good when it comes to doing things to lessen my impact on the environment. I'm a firm believer in every little bit helps. So I'd suggest finding one more thing you can do to help the environment. Small changes are a great way to make sure you'll keep doing it and making a habit rather than making drastic changes all at once.

For me composting was a small addition I decided I could fit in my lifestyle. There are lots of great books on the subject, and I've included a link above that has a lot of info. With composting there are a lot of products you can buy, but I'm doing mine with stuff I already had. The only thing I bought was a small fencing material and posts to keep my dogs out of the pile.

Basically I have a big tupperware container that I put my kitchen scraps, cotton, papper, and cardboard (not the laminated kind) that I collect throughout the day. At night I empty that into about a 4 gallon container I keep under the sink. I empty that about once a week.

It's pretty easy, and I'm looking forward to a healthier herb garden.

kuhpow

The Gift of Traveling

2007-10-12T10:11:00.000-05:00

I've got the travel/adventure bug if you hadn't noticed. For me it's part of reaching my highest potential. The first time I left the country was in my Senior year of High School. I went with a group of about 10 classmates to 3 cities in Germany. We went to Koln, Munich, and Potsdam. The Germans were a lot less reserved than Americans, and the teenagers seemed to have a lot more freedom. There were topless beaches, nudity was not the big deal Americans seemed to make it. You can drink at 16. People walked and rode bikes a lot more, and seemed more environmentally concious. The host family I stayed with in Potsdam told me they weren't that happy about the reunification of East and West Germany. To me this was a huge surprise because all the media in America made it seem that all the Germans were thrilled.

This experience opened my eyes to something I would now term cultural relativism. I learned that so much of my views of right and wrong were based on a Puritan background, and that eventhough I didn't grow up in a religous background American culture has it built in. That there were other ways to live.

Since then I've traveled to a few other countries, and loved it. I'm very grateful to my parents for being able to support my first oversees trip. I believe that we would have a more beautiful peaceful world if more people were able to travel, and meet people from different backgrounds. If they can get past there culture shock, and desire for predictability they might could come to appriciate a different way of living. It would not be so easy for governments to vilify a nation or justify war if more of the public had met the children that will be killed in the "collateral damage"

Speeking of traveling I came across a cool way to get customized travel books in a Mother Jones magazine. Miss Information is a website where you can submit your destination and interests and they'll customize a travel book just for you. Pretty Cool.

Kuhpow

Sierra Club

2007-10-11T14:47:00.001-05:00

I can't believe I hadn't posted about this sooner, but I think I've made a great discovery... The Sierra Club. I found out about their meetings on a REI calander. They had a meeting about becoming an outings leader. I felt like it was a great oppurtunity for me to learn about being an outdoor guide. I'm finally going to go on some trips as a volunteer. I also discovered that the Club offers some really great camping and backpacking trips for free. Just check out the outings section on their website.

kuhpow

get out and meet people

2007-10-09T11:46:00.000-05:00

Today I'm really grateful for all the people I met throughout my life. We can learn so much from eachother. For me its nice to get a different perspective a new outlook. My favorite people are ones that make me laugh, that are happy to be alive, and who love adventure. Right now I'm joining a lot of outdoor adventure groups because that is where my spirit is taking me. I met some really great people with the Black Bear Explorers. People who were very encouraging and wanted to see you suceed. Staying in the moment and enjoying life are my most important goals. Being kind to people, and supporting them in their pursuits are also important.

meet and greet challange, meet one new person -
Kuhpow

paragliding

2007-10-08T16:20:00.000-05:00

Well I didn't get this high yesterday, but I did get some air off a practice hill in Austin yesterday.

Saturday I drove down to Austin, and camped at the Emma Long City Park. I met up with the owner/guides from Black Bear Explorers, and we had a very relaxing evening. The park is really nice, and you can swim in the lake. I brought my video camera and I interviewed Jeremy DeLost about how he started the company and why since I'm really interested in becoming an outdoor adventure guide.

The next mornning we met up with the guys from Fly Texas and Fly Mexico for a training class. We practiced first flat on the ground keeping the wing above our heads. Then we kept going further and further up the steep hill. At the end we all got to catch some air and practice our landings. I loved it for the brief amount of time I was in the air, it was invigorating. I felt totally powerful and free. I got a brief glimpse of what paragliding is like, and I'm hooked!

Ever since I had a dream about flying I've wanted to parachute. Paragliding seems a lot safer, and more fun. Once you gain experience you can actually go higher then where you jumped from by catching "thermals" which are air currents that are going up to form clouds.

The Fly Mexico program is aroung $800 and you get to fly a couple times a day for an entire week. I'm also looking forward to going with the Black Bear Explorers to the Swiss Alps in August to Paraglide there.

Keep checking back I should have some video posted soon.

Any of you ever gone paragliding or hangliding? What was it like for you?

Into The Wild

2007-10-05T10:35:00.000-05:00

I went and saw Into the Wild last weekend and quite enjoyed it. It wasn't the best movie I saw, and I think tried a little too hard to be spiritual. I did like the cinematography in it, or maybe it was the beautiful landscape that they were able to do justice to. I respected him for ripping up his money, giving up his car, and totally rellying on the universe to provide for him. That takes a lot of guts, and made me realize how much I rely on my parents. It's easy to say you know the world is abundant, but to put your life in the hands of the universe in that way was really cool. I'd recommend any nature lover or free spirit to see this movie.

kuhpow

listening vs giving advice

2007-10-02T16:16:00.000-05:00

I got in trouble this weekend for giving advice. Sometimes it's not always taken that well, and is not always given that well. Is it pure arrogance that one might think that they know the answer to what causes the other suffering?

Sometimes it is really hard for me to use the compassionate listening technique eventhough I know it works. Compassionate listening is when you listen to the other person talk, and then repeat back what you think you heard. Then the person can correct you if you've gotten portions wrong or put a different spin on it. You keep repeating back until they say you got it right. By the way I learned about this is Stephen Covey's book "The Eighth Habit".

The problem is sometimes when I'm listening I think of things that might help, and it's really hard for me to supress the desire to tell them. I guess all I can do is try, but it seems almost wrong to not offer suggestions if you think it might help.

Is there a happy medium?
~~try the compassionate listening technique.

Buddhist Philosophy: The Ten Worlds

2007-10-01T11:46:00.000-05:00

Below is a definition of the Ten Worlds. A really interesting philosophy that instead of Heaven and Hell being places we go after we die, they are actually life conditions that we live moment to moment. Through chanting and other means we try to raise our life condition so that we are no longer dependent on outside conditions to determine our life condition. Here is the defention on the 10 life conditions that I got from the SGI website.

Kuhpow

The Ten Worlds are ten conditions of life which everyone possesses, and which we experience from moment to moment.

The first six (known collectively as the six lower worlds) are: Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity and Rapture. These six lower worlds arise automatically from within our lives in response to external surroundings. Three of the four remaining worlds are: Learning, Realization and Bodhisattva. These worlds are developed through seeking, discovering and aspiring. The tenth world, Buddhahood, is a condition of pure, indestructible happiness.

More about the "Ten Worlds"HELL is a condition of suffering, in which one is devoid of freedom and has very little life force (physical or mental energy). One feels totally trapped by one's circumstances, sometimes dominated by frustrated rage and, in extreme cases, the urge to destroy oneself and everything else. Without the world of Hell, however, we would never be able to understand happiness, or identify with anyone else's suffering. Also, the desire not to fall into this condition is a powerful incentive for us to make efforts in daily life.

HUNGER is a condition characterized by an insatiable desire for food, power, wealth, fame, pleasure and so on. In this state one is tormented by relentless craving and the inability to satisfy it, even when the desire is achieved. Looked at positively, though, hunger is the driving force behind most human activity. Put simply, without the desire to do something, nothing would get done.

ANIMALITY is a condition in which one is governed by instinct, in which one has no sense of morality and lives only for the present moment. In this state one fears the strong and bullies the weak. The positive aspects of animality are our intuitive wisdom and the instinct to protect and nurture life — both our own and the lives of those close to us.

ANGER is the condition in which one is dominated by the selfish ego, competitiveness, arrogance and the need to be superior in all things. Its positive side is passionate energy, a desire for excellence and, above all, a burning abhorrence of injustice.

HUMANITY (or Tranquillity) is the basic "resting" condition of human beings, in which one's energy is recharged before one makes more effort. In this calm state one can pass fair judgment, control instinctive desires with reason, and act in harmony with one's surroundings. However, it is a very unstable state and one can quickly find oneself in a lower world if this world is disturbed.

RAPTURE (or Heaven) is the condition of pleasure, experienced when one's desires are fulfilled. Unlike the true happiness of Buddhahood, however, this state is temporary and, like Humanity, easily disrupted by even a slight change of circumstances. Even if things do not change, Rapture simply disappears with time.
The majority of people spend most of their time moving between these six conditions of life, from Hell to Rapture, governed by their reactions to external influences and therefore highly vulnerable to changing circumstances.
The four higher worlds are characterized by the fact that one needs to make effort to reveal them from within one's life.

LEARNING is a condition in which one seeks some skill, lasting truth or self-improvement through the teachings of others.

REALIZATION (or Absorption) is a state in which one discovers a partial truth through one's own observations, efforts and concentration. The worlds of Learning and Realization are closely related. People in these states can be come arrogant and self-centered.

BODHISATTVA is a condition in which one not only aspires for personal enlightenment but devotes oneself to relieving the sufferings of others through compassionate and altruistic actions. Even this state can have a negative aspect, however, the tendency towards self-sacrifice, the neglect or disrespect of one's own life, which can lead to one acting "compassionately" but merely from a sense of duty and with resentment.

BUDDHAHOOD is the highest of the Ten Worlds, a condition of pure, indestructible happiness which is not dependent on one's circumstances. It is a condition of perfect and absolute freedom, characterized by boundless wisdom, courage, compassion and life force.
Each of the Ten Worlds possesses all Ten Worlds, and each has the potential to reveal any of the others at any moment. This means that we have the capacity to reveal our Buddhahood from the first moment we begin to chant. As we practice we make Buddhahood the dominant state of our lives, as it acts as a kind of filter, revealing the positive aspects of the other nine worlds from Hell to Bodhisattva.
In this way, based on the regular, day-by-day practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, our ordinary lives become charged with positive, value-creating activity; and increasingly we are able to transform our environment — our family, circle of friends and workplace — into a vibrant, happy and harmonious one.

going paragliding leads to dream

2007-09-28T11:13:00.000-05:00

Next week I'm going paragliding with a group of people led by the Black Bear Explorers. I'm super exited by the oppurtunity to fly. Ever since I was a little kid I've wanted to fly. My favorite dream ever was when I dreamed that I was parachuting down, and world was circling beneath me.

I'm really excited to be doing this trip with Black Bear Explorers they go on a lot of neat outdoor adventure trips, which is what I want to be doing right now. I'm going to video tape the paragliding, and hope to film other trips for them in the future.

What's really exciting is that I'm discovering that some advice that I've been following is helping my to realize my dreams. At the What Color is Your Parachute workshop Dick Bolles told us to just follow what interests you. Outdoor Adventures have really been peeking my fancy, and I followed my insticts to Sierra Club Leader training meeting. The Sierra Club trains people to lead outings for their group to help share with people the beauty of nature with the belief that the closer they feel to nature the better they'll take care of it.

I also signed up on the DFW Outdoors web site were I learned about the outing. By doing what I'm interested in, getting in shape, and by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to live a life of my dreams I have stumbled in to an oppurtunity of a lifetime. I'm so grateful and happy for all these oppurtunities I've been having to supress wanting to jump around screaming today.

What interests you? Sign up on a message board or blog of an activity you love.

things that have worked for me on dieting

2007-09-27T19:27:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share a few of the things that have helped me make the necessary changes in my life and habits so that I'm now approaching a healthier weight and body.

First, I believe chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and studying Buddhist philosophy, often taught by Daisaku Ikeda, helped me improve my outlook on my life. A true desire to live healthy came from a more optimistic outlook on life, and a belief that I have a mission to fulfill being here. Finding meaning in my life gave me a reason to treat my body with more respect.

Second, was goal setting helped me to go from vision to reality. By setting a goal (35" waist) by a certain time frame (turning 30).

Third, was exercise. I started a routine of walking my dog an hour every morning. Then utilizing a city perk joined the gym for free. I got a weight room orientation, and started a spinning class. Exercising with a group really helped me, and so did the belief that people were expecting me to show up.

Fourth, was diet. I followed some meal plans from different diet books, kept a food journal, and consulted the vitamin manager at the cupboard.

Fifth, a contest. I love a little friendly competition. The exercise group had a biggest looser contest, and for $20 you could join. Whoever lost the most after 3 months won.

Have you successfully changed your lifestyle and become healthier? How'd you do it?

oppurtunity knocks

2007-09-26T13:19:00.000-05:00

I love how things work in the environment to bring forth our dreams. My dream is to have a great paying job, that is benefitial to the community, and involves doing things I love.

This morning I skipped my second workout in the morning in order to go to a toso (a time period of chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo). I really felt the urge to go to the toso, but I felt I should work out. I decided to listen to my intution which was telling me to skip the workout.

I went to the toso, but the person with the keys to the house was late so a member and I were talking about our plans for the day. He mentioned a non-profit career fair at the University. I asked him to pick up info for me because I had to work. After chanting my intuition told me to get a cover letter printed up, and go during my lunch break. I even worked it so on my mid morning break I got copies of my cover letter in 25 lb weight paper.

The non profit career fair was great, and I learned of several great oppurtunities.

Over the past couple of years I've really tried to listen and become connected with my intution. Sometimes this takes slowing down. Sometimes it takes trust. It takes trust in the goal already being here, and not worrying about the how of getting it.

kuhpow

Mind, Body, Spirit

2007-09-25T11:35:00.000-05:00

The Mind, Body, Spirit trinity is essential to reaching your highest potential.

A lot of us tend to just focus on one of these aspects, usually the one we are naturally gifted towards. To use some Junior High venaculer to describe it: Nerds focus on the Mind, Jocks on the Body, and Bible Thumpers on the Spirit.

A person with just one of these qualities can never reach a well balanced life. When only focusing on pursuits of the mind we might forget to exercise our bodies, or the damage knowledge can do without a Spiritual practice that helps to keep the wellness of all in mind. If we only focus on the Body we often forget to train our minds or spirit. Only focusing on the Spirit often leads people to forget to focus on the moment instead of their "salvation".

So how do you balance all 3?

I don't know ;) How do you do it?

For me I've found a religous practice that encourages involvement in all aspects of society. I exercise, and eat healthy foods. I use the library to continue my studies in topics I'm interested in. All this keeps me pretty busy, but I'm so glad to be doing all 3.

kuhpow

p.s. and don't forget to pick a nick name

My Weekly Massage...Don't be jealous

2007-09-21T14:31:00.000-05:00

For about a year now I've been getting a massage almost every week. When I say almost I mean I might have missed a couple. I LOVE getting a massage, and I LOVE my massage therapist. I think it is one of the kindest things I do for myself. I used to smoke cigarettes, and it would cost about the same to smoke for a week as it does for a massage. I've really found a big difference in waiting for a problem or injury to get a massage, and having a weekly massage to keep me injury free. There a lot of benefits to massage.

If you've never gotten a massage before I hope you will soon. If you are scared because you don't know What To Expect read this and you'll know everything you need to know.

Pema Chodron's The Places That Scare You

2007-09-20T16:20:00.000-05:00

So I'm reading "The Places That Scare You" and I'm really finding it quite helpful to me in learning compassion. First Pema Chodron says to find a thing that you already feel compassion for. For me I have always felt a great deal of compassion for abused and neglected dogs. By thinking about that I could really feel in my core what it is like to feel compassion for something. I feel total compassion for dogs because through no fault of their own they are in a situation that they are powerless to get out of. Sometimes with people I begin to judge their situation, and can't always feel the total compassion I do for dogs. So by focusing on an area where I already have compassion I can get in touch with that emotion, and it will eventually grow to more people. Another technique I've been using a lot is that when I start to feel a negative emotion towards someone or their situation I breathe in that negative emotion, and then breathe out healing for them and all others who suffer from that. For example I have a coworker who constantly complains about being tired, but doesn't see the connection between her bad eating habits and her health. She says I don't know why I'm so tired, when I asked what she had for lunch and she said a Happy Meal, I told her that is probably why. Later in the day she was still complaining, but I didn't say anything because I figure what's the point. Then I remembered the technique and I breathed in the emotion of judgement and frustration I was having, and breathed out that people would beging to conect that how they feel, and how they take care of their bodies is directly related. It really helped me to get out of my frustrated mood, and feel a lot better about the situation. I did it again when I went into someones house who was living in total poverty. I breathed in the sadness I felt, and breathed out that everyone could believe that despite their circumstances we are all one being.

If you try it, tell me if it works for you.

LGBT Pride Protesters

2007-09-19T13:16:00.000-05:00

Every year at the Dallas LGBT Pride Parade there is a group of Fundementalist Christians urging us all to repent and change our evil ways. I always have ignored them, but this year was different. Before the parade my wife was telling me how angry the protesters made her, and how it was even worse when people tried to tell her how to feel. To just ignore them, don't confront them etc. We talked a lot about that, and in a way I saw her point. I really wasn't angry at them, but she was and that was her choice. Actually I don't even think it is much of a choice, how we react to certain situations. When we went to the parade number pick up a lot of the people there also voiced there concerns to the Police's representative about the protesters. He explained there was nothing they could do because it came down to free speech.

Fast Forward to the day of. I just finished my triathlon and we drove down to dallas. We went straight to the Park where the protesters are, and the parade ends. There are boothes all throughout the park and our gay buddhist group had a booth. My wife went down to stand in front of the protesters to block there view, and out cheer them with positivity. It was such a good thing for her to channel her anger that way. I took a mutual friend to see her, and I noticed the protesters P.A. system was not being guarded and was similar to the one we use at the library. I saw the plug and I got an idea that it would be so easy to unplug it. I asked a cop if I would get in trouble for doing this, and she said I didn't see you do anything. With that as I brought the water back down I unplugged their PA and for a minute they were silenced. They figured it out rather quickly and plugged it back in. It felt quite good, and when I told some fellow buddhist what I had done, the 2 that were there didn't think it was appropriate.

For me I don't think it was my most highest potentialest moment, but it felt quite good. I do believe in free speech, but I don't believe in raining on others parade. I think liberals and conservatists alike should be wary of protesting other peoples events. Hold you own event to promote what you want, ie pro peace rather than anti war. Maybe that isn't always possible, but I think it's more respectful.

kuhpow

My Triathlon Experience

2007-09-18T16:15:00.000-05:00

I completed my 2nd Triathlon on Sunday. It was so much fun! I got up around 4 in the morning so I could walk my dogs and eat some breakfast. We left at 5:15am to get to the race site at Lake Ray Roberts Johnson Branch at 5:45am. I'm glad I had brought my head lamp with me because it was pretty dark and hard to see. My wife packed a cooler full of snacks, juice, and water for after the race, and I packed all my triathlon gear. It almost feels like going camping the amount of stuff you have to take with you. You need bike shoes, helmet, gloves, water bottles, energy gels and cubes and bars, tri outfit, change of clothes (unless you don't mind going places afterwards in your sweaty spandex), running shoes, socks, hat, racebelt, sunglasses, heart rate moniter, and watch. My wife packs some sandwiches with peanut butter, bannana, and honey, cashews with yogurt raisens, water with lime, and juice.

Before the race I ate a power bar, cereal, and some of the peanut butter sandwich. I also drank as much water as I could. I learned from my first triathlon to freeze my bottle waters the night before. While they're sitting out in the transition area they defrost, but still stay cool.

The sprint race started last because it was the shortest, so I didn't start my swim until 8:15am. I got out in front on the swim because even though I'm not the fastest swimmer at a pre tri practice I learned it's better to be passed than try to pass. It's pretty hard doing an open water swim, you bang into a lot more people, it's hard to see, and the waves make it easy to get a mouth full of water when you're trying to breathe.

The bike was difficult, but I did well. One other triathlete kept urging my to push harder as she passed me. We took turns at the lead urging eachother. I really like that about triathletes they have all been very sportsmanlike from what I've seen.

I took the run at the end pretty easy. During the first mile my feet were pretty numb from the bike ride, the next two miles I felt really good. I kind of wish I had signed up for the olympic distance which was my plan at the beginning. I'm just kind of scared of a 10k run after a longer swim and bike. The next triathlon I do that offers olympic I'm going to do it. I did this triathlon with Team in Training. They really helped me out as a beginner in the sport. These couple of races have helped to spur me on to accomplish my goal which it to compete in the gay olympics in 2010, and my newest goal which is to win!

When I was in Junior High I wanted to be in the sports, but the coaches didn't see the athlete in me. Now that I'm 30 I see the athlete in me, and I no longer have to have anyone but me validate it, and that's pretty KUHPOWERFUL!

train conductor

2007-09-15T14:43:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things is to wave at train conductors because they always wave back. It makes me wonder what it's like to drive a train across the country. I had a friend who got a job doing that, but I never heard back from him what it's like. This doesn't have much to do with potential, but it is the weekend!

kuhpow

dependent happiness

2007-09-14T11:51:00.000-05:00

I noticed the other day how much happier I am at work lately. My job is exactly the same, but my coworkers changed. I really hate to admit that my outside environment and the people in it have such a profound affect on me. I'd like to be at a place where nothing in my environment can move me from a state of Buddhahood, or ultimate happiness and compassion. That is not the case right now. Some days I'm better at sustaining a high life condition, and other days it's a roller coaster of emotions. It does help to have some good friends who are positive people that actually elevate your life condition rather than lower it.

earthly desires equal enlightenment

2007-09-13T18:19:00.000-05:00

Last night I had a Buddhist Study Meeting at my house. One of the topics that came up was the quite unique view of Nicheren Buddhists that earthly desires equal enlightenment. In a lot of other Buddhist sects the cause of suffering is desires, so to attain happiness and enlightenment you must rid yourself of desires. On the contrary, an excellent way to find out more about yourself and lead yourself to what your mission in life is is to not only have desires but pray to fulfill them. We're taught it is okay to pray for anything we want. Sometimes it's selfish sometimes altruistic, sometimes it might be detrimental to your happiness. What is revealed in this is a truer sense of self and an awakening of your full potential.

I really feel this has been true for me. Praying for what I desire like a better job, better health, and a happier life has helped me to be grateful for where I'm at, and has sent me on a path to fulfill my mission.

What role does desire have in your life?

laughing part II

2007-09-12T13:29:00.000-05:00

Well I did it, I laughed for a minute straight last night. It wasn't too hard although I did have to fake it a few times with a tee hee and haw haw. The fake laughs would make my wife start laughing harder, which made me laugh for real. I guess I have to do it everyday for the next 42 days. I did feel quite good after the laugh. I also am supposed to do something generous remembering that giving and receiving are one in the same. I gave time last night, and I'm giving time and food tonight. It's nice when I think of it as genorosity rather than an obligation. Does anyone else want to play the abounding river game with me?

kuhpow

laughing for a minute

2007-09-11T16:25:00.000-05:00

So I'm starting to play the Abounding River game. One of the things I'm supposed to do today is laugh for a minute. It seems so weird to me to laugh for a minute on purpose. I haven't done it yet. My strategy is going to be to think of things that have made me laugh in the past. I also plan on doing it with someone since laughter is contagious. I'll let you know how it goes. How about you trying it and let me know how it goes for you.

kuhpow

cultivating virtue

2007-09-10T11:17:00.000-05:00

I've been listening to an audiobook from a buddhist nun, Pema Chodron. It's about creating lasting happiness by cultivating virtue. She talks about how a lot of our habits actually prevent us from attaining this life state. Insteading of feeling bad about this we can welcome this state as a way of teaching us compassion for all people who also have habbits that prevent them from this open/mind and heart state. I liked the analogy she used when she said that our bad habits like judging others or aggresion is like cement on the earth preventing our growth. By cultivating virtue like compassion and generosity we put cracks in the cement which will allow growth. Another practice to create virtue is letting go. I really enjoyed the exercise she suggested which is to scan your possesions mentally until you find one that if someone said they liked it you wouldn't want to give it away. Then imagine being able to give millions of those away. I have a pretty expensive bike (for me), and I would not want to give it away if someone asked for it. Imagining the ability to give millions away filled me with so much joy I really felt like I was glowing. I can see how the grasping and clinging to possesions make me feel poor, but the idea of being able to give them away makes me feel like the richest person. It's funny because the Abounding River book I mentioned earlier talks about the same thing. I'm really going to work on how I cling to things.

I also want to mention that I was so fortunate to get to meet with some Territory Leaders from SGI this weekend. They really filled me with hope that our goal of World Peace is attainable, and to do so we must all become indestructably happy. Again I'm renewing my vow to awaken all people to the fact that they are the Buddha capable of attaining lasting and unbreakable happiness. I'm redoubling my efforts to fight through all my habits that are keeping me from happiness and do it with a smile on my face joyesly. I wish all of you happiness.

Kuhpow

obstacles

2007-09-07T15:09:00.000-05:00

is there something in your life keeping you from your dreams? in buddhism we call those obstacles, and the we thank the universe for them, most of the time. obstacles are oppurtunities, and the bigger the obstacle the bigger the benefit coming after overcoming it. it took me along time to actually believe this. at first it fealt like i was faking: yeah sure this obstacle is a benefit. when you're going through it and it is painful it is hard to see, sometimes you want to run away and hide. when you can bring forth the courage to go ahead and try to win and overcome what's holding you back you are one step closer to living your dreams.

Kuhpow

Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.
~Bernadette Devlin

Discipline is remembering what we want

2007-09-06T19:11:00.000-05:00

At yoga class last night my yoga teacher mentioned this phrase she saw at a studio one time: Discipline is remembering what we want. I really like the conotations of that because sometimes after doing something for awhile I forget why I started doing it in the first place and it becomes a chore. That's when I thought discipline came in, and I thought of it more in the way of when I was a child and I didn't want to do something but my mom made me anyway. As I've gotten older I though of my conscience as my mom, telling me what to do. I like thinking of discipline in this new way: Remembering what I want. I want to be healthy, happy, and free. Sometimes I forget that and return to a roudier version of me that wants to be crazy, wild, and impulsive. It takes remembering my intentions to turn down cigarettes, the extra drinks, and staying out late. Now I wake up early, exercise, eat right, study ways to improve, and chant twice a day. It's a struggle to do the right things, but having a clear intention helps the remembering.

Kuhpow

Modern Buddhism

2007-09-05T13:18:00.000-05:00

A very huge part of my life is my practice of Nicheren Daishonin Buddhism, which is what got me started on the path to finding my highest potential and helping others to find theirs. I practice this Buddhism in an organization called Soka Gakkai International or SGI. In SGI there are no longer any preists, but it is organized by having regular practionars volunteer as leaders to help take care of members and organize meetings. There are 3 pillars of this Buddhism; faith, practice, and study.

Faith in Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, which is the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Basically it means Devotion to the Mystic Law of Cause and Effect through Sound.

Practice is chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as well as two sections of the Lotus Sutra, called Gongyo, every morning and evening. Practice is also living the principles of Buddhism.

Study the writings of Nicheren Daishonen, and Daisaku Ikeda the current president of SGI.

These 3 things put together has moved the lives of many people into a positive direction bringing out their highest potential for the benefit of all humankind. I really love this practice which has given me a much more positive outlook on life, and a desire to fulfill the mission I was put here for.

Kuhpow

Labor Day

2007-09-04T11:45:00.000-05:00

So how did you spend your Labor Day?

I spent mine lazing on the couch watching travel shows and eating graham crackers. I finally got off my butt and did some cleaning too. I think I was recovering from my camping trip to Possum Kingdom State Park in Caddo Texas. I still have a headache from all the Cedar trees. We brought our 3 dogs, and the puppy was not having sleeping outside the tent. I let him sleep with me, but then he kept waking up and moving around every couple of hours. Finally I just held him beside me, and spooned him until sunrise. There was a beautiful orange sunrise over the lake, that didn't seem to last long enough. After eating breakfast, graham crackers and a natural version of cheetos, we took the dogs to the hiking trail. Unfortunately it was very difficult to tell what was trail or not so we decided to turn around since we didn't have a compass. We did see a deer that was taller than me, and my oldest dog went crazy for the scent. The park was nice if you were going to boat, fish, or jet ski. The campsites were real close together, but it was drive up campsites which was nice.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for great camping sites near dfw where I could take my dogs on some nature hikes.

thanks,
Kuhpow

breathing

2007-08-30T19:49:00.000-05:00

So I've been paying attention to my strong emotions and where I've been feeling them in my body. I noticed when I was judging someone my chest felt constricted and I was holding my breath. When I noticed that I would take a few nice deep breathes and the intensity of the emotion would leave me. I've noticed that I have the most intense emotions when I feel things aren't fair, or people aren't doing their fair share. To me this means I'm supposed to be learning about appreciation for what people do.

If emotions come from me, not from other people or circumstances, then is it ever justified to get angry about injustice?

Kuhpow

The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zucav

2007-08-29T09:36:00.000-05:00

I'm reading about 4 books right now, and I just started The Seat of the Soul on an audio format. I love to listen to audio books while I'm driving. It's a little hard with this book because they have exercises for you to do, and I have trouble remembering them, and I can't write them down when I'm driving. One exercise I like a lot is just recognizing my emotions, where they are located, and congratulating myself on noticing them. It took the sting out of the stronger negative emotions when I was excited that I recognized what it is. Gary explains it's not the person or experience causing the emotion, but how are energy system processes it. He stresses that we can all attain authentic power by practicing everyday the awareness of our emotions. Eventually you'll be able to live a life based on compassion and love, rather then fear.

Kuhpowerful

Justice

2007-08-27T20:02:00.000-05:00

A lot of what I kept hearing over and over in my environment this weekend was to stand up for justice. Sometimes it's hard to know when to let people be jerks, if that is who they want to be, and when to tell them to their face that what they're doing/saying/being is detrimental to themselves or others. Sometimes I've jumped the gun to tell someone about themself, or I didn't think about the best way to say it. I think that is why the cultivation of wisdom is essential in our lives because with wisdom you can stand up for justice in the best way possible, and in a way where the person/thing you're confronting will actually hear what you are saying.

For example, I've been marching in the Dallas Gay Pride Parade for the past 3 years. Every year there is a group of protesters at the end of the parade route holding up hateful signs, mainly condemning gays to hell. It is very frustrating to see them at the end of the parade. You are finally finished, had been walking through cheering crowds, and at the end... a painful reality check. I try to focus on the positive aspects of the parade, and the many that were there to cheer us, rather that the few that were there to boo us. What is the best way to deal with the protesters? Most say ignore, a few say run them off, and some have a desire to beat them up.

In that situation what do you think is the best way to stand up for justice?

The Abounding River

2007-08-24T17:24:00.000-05:00

When I was in San Francisco I went to a great all RAW restaurant called Cafe Gratitude. The food was super yummy, but the atmosphere was even better. The glass water bottles had words like love, happiness, and joy etched in it. Which if you've seen What the Bleep do We Know, or read The Hidden Messages in Water you know the power positive words can have on Water Molecules. The food was named by phrases like I am Abundant, I am Lucious, I am Peaceful. So when you ordered you said those things about yourself. Maybe you're thinking that it's pretty hocky, I did too, but it's also really cool. I believe in the power of words, and just saying them about yourself makes you that much closer to being it. At the restaurant you can also play The Abounding River game. The waiter asks you a question, mine was What did I appreciate about my family, then everyone at the table shares. I bought the logbook for the game, and I'm starting to read it. Pretty good so far.

Kuhpow

Career Goal 1

2007-08-23T18:34:00.000-05:00

When I took the parachute workshop one of the things Dick Bolles recommended was looking at a Word Menu Dictionary, and reading the words of the field you are thinking about entering. I found that I really liked words that had to do with leisure, fun, and recreation. I actually had recently thought to myself that I have no problem deciding what I want to do in my leisure time, but I found it extremely difficult to figure out what I'd like to do for work. That got me thinking about researching a career in Recreation. Make a career of having fun! About a month ago I was at REI and saw on their calender a class on being an Outdoor leader for the Sierra Club. I went to the meeting last night, and I'm very excited by this opportunity to first volunteer at a job I might be interested in. Something really cool that came out of it was there are Inner City Outings with kids which is exactly the job I was thinking about. So I've got to join the Sierra Club, go on a few of their outings, and learn some more wilderness skills. Then I'm on my was to being an outings leader!

There was another meeting going on at the same time, but I got to stop by on it too. It's called Texas Outdoor Women's Network. These Women were really friendly, and I found it hard to leave to go to the Sierra Club meeting. They set up outdoor trips for women only. So I got their information too.

I feel this illustrates the principle of setting a goal, and the environment (life, God, etc) responding to that goal. Once setting your mind to a goal you become more aware of the opportunities that will help you get to that goal. If you have faith and courage then you can take action on those opportunities. By taking action then your goal is certain to appear.

Do you have any similar experiences? Do you want to share your goals?

My first triathlon!

2007-08-21T15:42:00.000-05:00

I participated in my first full fledged triathlon on Sunday. It was a lot of fun. It was a sprint distance. The swim was 700 meters, the bike was 10 miles, and the run was 3 miles. I had to get up at 4 in the morning, which was a drag. It is good to get to these things early, and beat the rush. I set up my gear the night before so I wouldn't forget anything, but I did end up forgetting my camera. At least it wasn't anything too important like my bike helmet. I've been training for a while. I go to bootcamp class about 4 times a week, I swim for a half hour for 3 times a week, and I try to ride about 2 times a week for about an hour. It was great weather, and was overcast, but it was pretty windy. I had to downshift when I was going against the wind. I finished in 1 hour and 25 minutes. I was second in the Athena class, and around 9th in my age group. I like to race because I finally get some official times, and ways to measure myself. Now I have a new goal, to shave 10 minutes off my time.

KUHPOW

Composting

2007-08-18T16:48:00.000-05:00

I heard Julia Butterfly Hill say take what you want and compost the rest. I thought it was pretty funny, but also true. This afternoon I went to a composting workshop that was very enlightening. Basically they were saying that you can compost everything that makes up your body. Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Water. So you start with a bottom layer of paper (newspaper is good, but not full color), wood, or cardboard. Water the layer. The 2nd layer should be something green (which is the nitrogen) like grass or leaves. Water that layer. The 3rd layer is your Kitchen Scraps. Water that and cover with some horse, chicken, or rabbit poop. Stir and in a month or so you can add some good soil to your plants, and when you eat them you get all the nutrients you need.

That will make for a KUHPOWerful garden

Death

2007-08-17T16:47:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons I got into living to your highest potential is death. In high school my Godmother's daughter died in a car crash. To me she was one of the nicest people I knew. She had a lot going for her, and was beautiful. I was really upset about her dying. It made me feel that life was so unpredictable there is no reason to try to be or do good. The whole notion of dying made me want to put partying and having fun with friends my number 1 priority. If you could die the next day would you rather go out like it's 1999, or at home studying or staying late at your job. So I got a do what feels good attitude for a long time. This wasn't a completely satisfying outlook on life, and eventually I went looking for more. What I discovered is that to really live is to work hard at creating value and beauty in the world. To create beautiful things that will outlive you. To contribute. More on this soon...

Kuhpow

Stardust

2007-08-16T20:15:00.000-05:00

This is the best movie I've seen this year. It's kind of like Princess Bride, but not as goofy. It is very funny, and has some great suprises. I don't want to give anything away, so just go out and see this movie!

it's kupowerific

an inspirational poem

2007-08-14T10:54:00.000-05:00

Dare to BelieveDare to believe,That there is a song in your heart.
Dare to believe in your dreams.
As long as you have the courage to believe,
Nothing can stop you from becoming who you want to be
Too many people do not achieve their dreams,
Because they give up just before they attain them
Too many people end up on the wrong path
Taken off course by a grain of doubt.You can change your fate,
Even when the sun is already high in the sky,
Even when the day has long begun
Too many people say that everything is okay.
They do not understand why they should change.
Too many people bury their splendour under rocks of suffering
We must not succumb but hold our heads up high.
Let us get up and sing a song of joy.
I will relentlessly forge ahead,
Now that I have found what belongs to me.

~Josei Toda

Team in Training

2007-08-11T13:41:00.000-05:00

In a month I'll be participating in my first triathlon! It's part of my goal to be in the 2010 Gay Olypics. I heard of the Gay Olympics, and looked it up on the internet one day. I looked through the events and decided on Triathlon. I had no idea how to train for one, but decided to just focus on the goal and the answer would come. The very next day I got an email from a co worker who was doing a bike race with Team in Training. Team in Training will train you for a marathon, triathlon, or century bike ride in exchage for you raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma society. If you'd like to help me reach my fundraising goal click on the link to make a secure donation.

Kuhpow!

It's a new day

2007-08-10T11:22:00.000-05:00

Today I'm grateful for having found out about blogging at a workshop created by the author of What Color is Your Parachute. I went to the workshop because I've had a desire for a long time to find the job of my dreams. Something that would provide beauty (something that I love), benefit (will provide for my financial needs), and good (is a contribution to society). I read about such a job from Josei Toda the second president of SGI Soka Gakkai International. In SGI I was taught to have big dreams. I'm not one of those people who was born knowing what they want to do. I like lots of different things, and the result right now is that I'm in a job that I don't find very rewarding. So I made a goal, to find a job with beauty, benefit, and good. I wrote this goal down, and chanted (it's sort of like praying) Nam Myoho Renge Kyo every morning and night with this determination in mind. Something else I've learned from Buddhism is to find a mentor for the thing you want. I decided to find a teacher to help me find this job. I then heard an interview on Fresh Air with Richard Bolles author of What Color is Your Parachute. He first wrote this book in the 70's and has been updating it every year since. I bought his book and checked out his website. I discovered there would be a workshop at his house. I signed up for the workshop, and I had a blast! One of the participants has a website called job-hunt.org and she suggested I start a blog. I didn't really know why, but since then I've been researching blogs, and reading blogs. I really have been learning a lot, and hopes this adds to bringing out my potential. Another thing I was reminded of at the workshop is to have fun, so here is my wrestling photo.

til next time,

kuhpow

30th Birthday

2007-08-09T18:12:00.000-05:00

So today I turned 30! Turning 30 has been a great motivator in my life. I made a determination when I turned 29 that I'd have a 35" waist by the time I was 30. I've still got a couple of inches to go, but I've imporved my health so much over the past year. For me the big difference was exercise. I started walking my dog a hour every morning. Then I joined a gym, which was free for me with my job. I took a spinning class, and then a boot camp class. Now I'm training for triathlons with Team in Training. I couldn't even run from lamp post to lamp post last year. This year I did my first 5k in 29 minutes. Besides exercise I got a few diet books and followed their food plans. I also bought a food diary and wrote down everything I ate. Another major reason I was successful was that I shared my determination with people I trusted, and I asked and received their support. Monday I celebrate at 6 Flags. Turning 30 is great!

Kuhpow

Gratitude

2007-08-08T09:45:00.000-05:00

Starting my day with Gratitude has been one of the best things I've found for putting me in a great state of mind. So why do I so often forget to do it? For a long time I thought that if I was grateful all the time then how could I change the circumstances that I wasn't happy with. I was at a workshop a couple weeks ago with Dick Bolles author of What Color is Your Parachute. He gave us a piece of paper every morning with a big column for gratitude, and a slightly smaller column for changes we'd like to see in our life.

til next time
kuhpow

why your highest potential?

2007-08-04T16:42:00.000-05:00

So I've been toying with the idea of starting my first blog. I've been reading books and suggestions, and trying to decide what it would be about. That is when I came up with the idea of your highest potential. I'm very interested in all things self improvement. In my SGI Buddhist community we call it Human Revolution. The idea, that I believe Gandi so aptly expressed, of being the change we want to see. So in my search to reach my highest potential I've come across a lot of great books, articles, websites, ideas, and people. I'd like to share this information with anyone interested in improving their lives.