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Are You a Blind Man Touching an Elephant?

 

The Blind Men and the Elephant is quite a famous Indian fable. It tells the story of six blind travelers who come across different parts of an elephant as they journey through life. You may have heard it and, if so, it bears repeating. If not, like my wife, you will find it to be a very interesting parable.

As each blind man touches the large mammal, he creates his own version of reality based on his limited experience and perspective. It reminds me of organized religions, with their individual interpretation of God/Supreme Source, as well as their assumption that theirs is the only “right” “best” or “true Path”.

Do you judge a book by its cover? Do you make assumptions based on first impressions? Do you, like me, sometimes decide that you are right and everyone else wrong? Are you a blind man touching an elephant? Read the fable and see for yourself! Here is a popular version by John Godfrey Saxes:

It was six men of Indostan, to learning much inclined, who went to see the elephant (Though all of them were blind), that each by observation, might satisfy his mind.

The first approached the elephant, and, happening to fall, against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl:’God bless me! but the elephant is nothing but a wall!’

The second feeling of the tusk cried: ‘Ho! what have we here, so very round and smooth and sharp? To me, tis mighty clear, this wonder of an elephant, is very like a spear!’

The third approached the animal, and, happening to take, the squirming trunk within his hands, ‘I see,’ quoth he, the elephant is very like a snake!’

The fourth reached out his eager hand, and felt about the knee:’What most this wondrous beast is like, is mighty plain,’ quoth he; ‘Tis clear enough the elephant is very like a tree.’

The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said; ‘E’en the blindest man can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an elephant, is very like a fan!’

The sixth no sooner had begun, about the beast to grope, than, seizing on the swinging tail, that fell within his scope, ‘I see,’ quothe he, ‘the elephant is very like a rope!’

And so these men of Indostan, disputed loud and long, each in his own opinion, exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, and all were in the wrong!

MORAL: So, oft in theologic wars, the disputants, I ween, tread on in utter ignorance, of what each other mean and prate about the elephant, not one of them has seen.

Keep manifesting  😆
Tony

If interested in getting on my e-mailing list click here.

Your Very Best Quote Of The Week – Vol. 1

 

Each Saturday I share with you a really good quote. Now, the weekly quote may be one that I enjoy the most or perhaps one that is quite controversial, or unusual, or thought-provoking.

You may agree with it, or not. Either way, please let me know what you think.

May 12, 2018
“You are the creator of your experience,
which means you have more power than you have yet imagined.
You are not the victim of circumstance or of other people’s problems,
and this is not a test from God…
The awareness that our thoughts have creative power,
that whatever we focus on will show up in our lives,
is an ancient spiritual teaching.”
-Ellen Debenport

May 5, 2018
“We are called to assist the earth to heal her wounds
and in the process heal our own –
indeed, to embrace the whole creation
in all its diversity, beauty, and wonder.”
– Wangari Maathai, Winner of Nobel Peace Prize.

April 28, 2018
“Re-examine all you have been told
in school or church or in any book,
Dismiss whatever insults your own soul;
And your very flesh shall be a great poem…”
-Walt Whitman

April 21, 2018
“Every time you meditate,
every time you do a visualization for healing,
every time you say something for healing the whole planet,
you are connecting with people who are doing the same thing.”
– Louise Hay

April 14, 2018
“No community or nation can stand alone; all are dependent and interdependent.
Only through a recognition of the principle of brotherhood can we hope for a solution of the social problems that face the world.
The mass consciousness must become aware of the oneness of all humanity, and each individual must recognize that his own interests and welfare depend upon the welfare of all other members of society.”
– Thurman Fleet

April 7, 2018
“In my darkest hour, I discovered Tapping
and, miraculously,
this unorthodox approach to making sense in my life
moved me out of the fog
and into the sunshine.”
-Chip Conley, founder of Joie de Vivre Hotels and Global Head of Hospitality and Strategy for Airbnb.

March 31, 2018
“…your brain is filtering out part of reality for you,
because it’s decided you don’t need to see this.
There’s censorship going on.
You put your hand over one eye,
and you see your nose intruding
into your field of vision in your other eye,
and you realize your nose is always there.
Yet unless you really look for it,
your brain edits out what you see.”
-David Byrne

March 24, 2018
“Practice switching roles with some of your loved ones.
Imagine what it is like to be your partner or spouse,
your parent, your child.
Get inside your loved one’s shoes and imagine
what it would be like to see the world through their eyes,
with their hopes and fears and dreams.
Think how you would respond.”
-Lynne McTaggart – in the Intention Experiment.

March 17, 2018
“See the things that you want as already yours.
Know that they will come to you at need.
Then let them come.
Don’t fret and worry about them.
Don’t think about your lack of them.
Think of them as yours, as belonging to you,
as already in your possession.”
– Robert Collier

March 10, 2018
“The vast majority of people are born,
grow up, struggle, and go through life in misery and failure,
not realizing that it would be just as easy to switch over
and get exactly what they want out of life,
not recognizing that the mind attracts the thing it dwells upon.”
-Napoleon Hill.

March 3, 2018
“… living the life of your dreams is a lot like sailing.
You pick your destination, hoist up your sail, make minor adjustments while the journey is underway, and let the wind do all the hard work.
In other words, imagine the end result, do what little you can, make minor adjustments while the journey is underway, and let me blow your mind.
W-e-e-e-e-e-e!”
–The Universe [Mike Dooley]

Feb. 24, 2018
“If, in my low moments, in word, deed, or attitude,
through some error of temper, taste, or tone,
I have caused anyone discomfort, created pain, or revived someone’s fears,
that was not my truest self.
If there were occasions when my grape turned into a raisin,
and my joy bell lost its resonance,
please forgive me.
Charge it to my head and not to my heart.”
-Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Feb. 17, 2018
“It is often easier to open our hearts
to nature, animals, children or other people
than it is to ourselves.
From the time of birth, most of us have been bombarded
with messages from parents, teachers, peers, clergy, ads and the media
about how we have to look, act and feel
in order to measure up.
Our hearts gradually harden against ourselves,
and we enter a vicious cycle of self-judgment
and the projections of those judgments onto others.”
-Joan Borysenko Ph.D., from Pocketful of Miracles.

Feb. 3, 2018
“When you do something you’re not so proud of, you can react in one of three ways.
You can beat yourself up and wallow in the depths of despair, riddled with shame and paralyzed by guilt.
You can shield or numb yourself from what you’ve done and just keep right on doing the same ol’ thing.
Or you can take everything as an opportunity for growth and awakening, recognizing how you want to be different
And taking positive action to avoid behaving that way in the future,
All while holding yourself close with loving compassion and infinite forgiveness.
Bet you can guess which one I’d choose . . .
Always here with you, loving you, even when you screw up,”
-Your Inner Pilot Light

Jan. 27, 2018
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
-Roald Dahl.

Jan. 20, 2018
“We do not attract that which we want but that which we are. Not in love with your life? Create something new. Change yourself, then notice everything change.”
-Oprah Winfrey

Keep manifesting 🙂
Tony

If interested in getting on my e-mailing list click here.

Your Financial Prosperity Affirmations

The following series of  PROSPERITY [Financial Abundance] affirmations is based on a Tapping exercise developed by Nick Ortner of The Tapping Solution.

If you wish, you can go through the tapping process, using the tapping steps, as you repeat the affirmations. That is how I prefer to do it for myself during my daily morning routine.

Use all of them or select those with which you are the most comfortable. You can set the others aside for now and then come back to them and use them whenever you wish.

Fill in the blanks with your preferred level of income.
And join me in financial abundance.

  • Even though I have issues with prosperity and financial abundance I totally and completely love, accept, and forgive myself.
  • I choose to see myself as a prosperous person.
  • I am determined to be a financially abundant person.
  •  I intend to be a wealthy person.
  • I choose to see myself as someone who is prosperous and can handle the prosperity.
  • I am determined to be someone who is prosperous and can handle the prosperity.
  • I intend to be someone who is prosperous and can handle the prosperity.
  • I am willing and determined to have the money I want and am releasing my blocks and hesitations, preconceived notions and negative beliefs, about money.
  • I am allowing myself to be free to be the kind of person who feels good about making well over _____dollars net, per year, and having that kind of money.
  • I am determined to be and intend to be, the kind of person who feels good about making well over _____ dollars net, per year, and having that kind of money.
  • I am allowing myself to feel great about it in body, mind, and spirit.
  • I can do what it takes to make it happen.
  • I choose to do what it takes to make it happen.
  • I intend to do what it takes to make it happen.
  • I am determined to do what it takes to make it happen.
  • There is inexhaustible plenty, unlimited abundance, and enough money for everyone.
  • My income is not limited by what I earn in my job or my self- employment, from my business, or my pensions, benefits or investments.
  • The Universe is abundant and I am increasing my share of this abundance.
  • Copious amounts of money flow to and through me and I use them wisely, for my benefit and that of others.
  • I serve the Source and money serves me.
  • Money is my useful and obedient servant.
  • Money is the Divine in action.
  • I am prosperous, affluent, wealthy and rich.
  • For my highest good and the highest good of everyone around me.
  • I am releasing/clearing all of my fears, doubts, and hesitations that get in the way of my having what I want, co-creating what I want to create, and being who I want to be.

Keep manifesting  😆
Tony

If interested in getting on my e-mailing list click here.

Your 12 Proclamations of Optimism

 

Use these 12 Optimistic proclamations daily.
I have adapted them from the original Optimist Creed by Christian D. Larson in “Your Forces and How to Use Them”.

As you know, like attracts like, so your optimism helps create your positive world.
Use these proclamations [call them affirmations or declarations if you like] when you are feeling negative or down in the dumps. When things are not going well and you just can’t pull it all together.

Fake it ’till you make it, as they say. Just repeating them will lift your spirits and improve your outlook. Try it and see.

I PROCLAIM THAT:

1. I am so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
2. I talk health, happiness, and prosperity to everyone I meet.
3. I make every person feel that there is something worthwhile in him/her.
4. I look at the sunny, positive side of everything and make my optimism come true.
5. I think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best.
6. I am just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.
7. I forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
8. I wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature that I encounter.
9. I give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize, judge, or blame others.
10. I am too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
11. I think well of myself and I proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.
12. I live in the faith that the whole Universe is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

This or something better still.
For my highest good and that of everyone around me.
And so it is. Thank you, Source Energy.

Keep manifesting 🙂
Tony

If interested in getting on my e-mailing list click here.

The 18 Rules of Happiness

The 18 Rules of Happiness

by Karl Moore

Rule #1 – Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself!
Self-pity is the very worst kind of emotion. It destroys
everything around itself, and leaves you feeling powerless.
Stop being the victim, stop feeling sorry for yourself – – and be happy.

Rule #2 – Be Grateful
The world is so fast-paced that we’re rarely grateful of its gifts.
Think of all the things you’re grateful for right now: family, health, home, everything. Spend time being grateful each day-  and be happy.

Rule #3 – Say Yes More
We each say “No!” way too often. Try saying “Yes!” more to all of life’s experiences. Don’t fight the river’s current. Say “Yes!” more to emotions, situations, social invitations – and be happy

Rule #4 – Follow Your Bliss
In life, we often find ourselves half-way up a ladder we don’t want to climb, rather than at the bottom of one we do. What do you really want to be? Follow your own bliss – and be happy.

Rule #5 – Learn to Let Go
Emotions often hold us back from true happiness and
freedom. Remember, you are not your emotions. Let go of unwanted emotions by asking yourself “Can I let this go?” Do it – and be happy.

Rule #6 – Do Random Acts of Kindness
Being kind is double-edged. It makes you feel happier, and spreads that joy to someone else too. Do more Random Acts of Kindness every day – smile, hold open a door, pay for a coffee – and be happy.

Rule #7 – Happiness Is Only Ever Now
Most of us spend our time anywhere but in the present. We obsess about the past, or plan for the future. Now is the only time that really exists. Make the decision to be happy – now.

Rule #8 – Experience, Don’t Hoard!
Research shows that material purchases only boost your happiness levels temporarily. Experiences bring more overall joy. Enjoy safari holidays, learn a language, join a dancing group – and be happy.

Rule #9 – Appreciate Both Sides of the Coin
How many times do we try to embrace happiness – and reject sadness? They’re both sides of the same coin. You cannot have one without the other. Sadness is critical. Don’t fight it – and be happy.

Rule #10 – Be More Social
Extensive research shows that the happiest and most
successful people are those with large social networks. How many friends do you have? Be proactive, start making more – and become happier.

Rule #11 – Love More!
The more you love, the happier you are. Try giving everyone and everything around you a little more love. Friends, family, nature, even enemies: open your heart, give them love – and be happy.

Rule #12 – Have a Dream
Dreams are the spark plugs of the spirit. They give each day excitement and enable you to move forward. What are your dreams? Think about it, write them down. Then do them – and be happy.

Rule #13 – Intention Sets Direction
The outcome you expect is usually the one you receive. If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. So, set a great intention in everything you do – and be happy.

Rule #14 – Enjoy Simple Pleasures
Real happiness can be found in simple pleasures and rituals.
From a daily walk in nearby countryside to a glass of wine after work. Indulge in these, setup your own little rituals – and be happy.

Rule #15 – Accept What Is
Many of us spend time resisting what is. We fight against our own emotions, building up anger and resentment. Accept what is right now. Change it if you can. But accept it first – and be happy.

Rule #16 – Exercise and Eat Well
You are as happy as your lifestyle! For optimum happiness, try walking for 40 minutes a day. Take Omega 3 supplements, and eat more fish, nuts, turkey, cottage cheese. Enjoy – and be happy.

Rule #17 – Zoom Out and Don’t Sweat
We often get a fresh perspective on life after we lose a family member, or survive an illness. Don’t wait for life to remind you. Zoom out and remember your real priorities now – and be happy.

Rule #18 – Laugh, Dance, Smile!
Take time to laugh at the craziness of life! Splash out and enjoy to the max. Surround yourself with happiness – wonderful music, dance classes, evenings with friends. Smile – and be happy!

I absolutely love Karl’s rules. The only one I’d add is: 

Rule #19 – Forgive.  Don’t carry around the anger or resentment over a previous hurt. It’s like a poison that you keep drinking yourself. By forgiving, you release the negative emotion and open yourself to being forgiven in turn. Forgive – and be happy.

Keep manifesting 🙂
Tony

If interested in getting on my e-mailing list click here.

Affirm Your “7” Limitless Resources

 

Use this affirmation/declaration/proclamation daily!

It outlines the 7 limitless resources that have been given to you, or that are now on their way for you.
It reminds you of all the great things that you have at your disposal.
It identifies the amazing things in your life that you need to be grateful for.

And it prepares you for a life of abundance.

Amend as required.

I give thanks for and take advantage of the following numerous and boundless resources in my life:

• To help fulfill my mission
• To help fully realize my vision
• To help achieve my goals
• To help manifest my dream life

1. Great People – an extensive and supportive network of friends, acquaintances, partners, and associates

2. Wonderful Mentors and Coaches

3. Ample Money and Financial Resources

4. Extensive Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

5. Special Talents and Aptitudes

6. Unlimited Potential and Determination

7. Helpful Angels, Spirits, and Guides.

This or something better still.
For my highest good and that of everyone around me.
So be it!
Thank you Source Energy.

Keep manifesting  😆
Tony

If interested in getting on my e-mailing list click here.

How to Write Your Vision

Why do you need to have a Vision Statement?
Why should you have one, and is it really just a waste of time?
Well, if you don’t know what you want, how will you ever get it?
You need to be clear about what you want and what you expect.
When you achieve this clarity of vision, when you define it, you can then more easily manifest it.
Once you define it, you release and let go.
And let the Universe, through the Law of Attraction, work for you.
Yes, you need to do your share of the work.
And it starts with defining who we are and what we want.
That’s your Mission [Purpose] and our Vision.
First – Mission [check out my blog on this].
And once you define your life purpose/mission, you can then take the next step.
It’s developing your Vision.

What are the items that you might want to address in your vision?
How about such things as:
• Relationships, love, marriage, family, and friends
• House and home
• Travel and transportation
• Self-development and education [courses and learnings]
• Experiences, recreation and use of free time
• Career, livelihood, business, job and community contributions
• Prosperity, money, finances
• Success and achievement
• Material things, clothing, jewelry
• Spirituality or religion

Start by jotting down your personal vision for yourself in the areas noted above.
If you already have a vision for yourself, then you can add, delete, amend and expand to your heart’s delight.
And it’s done in the affirmative. Nothing negative.
Let’s use a process that was taught to me by life coach Mary Morrissey in her Prosperity Plus and Prosperity Plus II courses.
It starts by expressing gratitude prior to each statement in our vision.
Gratitude for each area in which you are now manifesting abundance, or where you intend to.
For example: I love, I am thrilled, I am so joyful, I am grateful, I am so happy, I am so thankful, I am so pleased, I am overjoyed, I am so appreciative…
Followed by: that…….
Let’s take a look at some samples or templates.
They will be very loosely modeled after my own personal vision.
Here we go:

I am so grateful:
• that I have found inner serenity and peace
• that each day I can challenge myself to stretch my limits and step outside of my comfort zone
• that every day I am a little better than the day before in thoughts, words, and actions
• that I am able to do all that I enjoy and all that I want to be doing

I love:
• that I am a fit and healthy, x lbs. /kilos, strong and flexible, sober, drug-free, energetic, vibrant and mentally alert;
• that I exercise/work out/stretch/jog/run/ bike/swim/walk/hike, do Tabata/yoga/pilates/spinning daily;
• that I experience refreshing/relaxing/rejuvenating/renewing/restful sleep each night;
• that I consume only quality nutrition and eat healthy meals and snacks;

I am so thankful:
• that I have a special and sacred morning routine which includes meditating, visioning, reflecting, praying, affirming/proclaiming/declaring, mirror working, journaling, and reading uplifting/spiritual/metaphysical literature every day;
• that I regularly express loving, forgiving and grateful thoughts, affirm peace, joy, beauty, compassion, truth, and abundance;
• that loving kindness and healing energy flow through me to all who need it;
• that I consistently deny fear, anger, and doubt, and clear out judgment, criticism, negativity, and blame;
• that I regularly release feelings of resentment, disappointment, condescention, condemnation, fault-finding, disapproval, regret, guilt, shaming, and self-pity;

I am thrilled:
• that …. and I are living in a fully paid beautiful townhouse/apartment/bungalow/mansion/duplex/ranch/ home in a friendly and welcoming development/community/neighborhood in the city/town/village of…., by the lake/stream/river/ravine/park in the mountains/desert/country.
• that we own a great cottage/cabin/chalet/camp/condo/time-share/ at …..where we vacation for a week/month each summer/winter/fall/spring.

I am so joyful and thankful:
• that I have excellent, fun-filled and rewarding relationships with my family – husband/wife/lover/partner/spouse, our daughters/sons/children and their husbands/wives/partners, grandkids; pets; relatives; numerous friends, mentees, acquaintances, co-workers/staff/boss and business associates.
• that I have ample time and money allowing me/us to regularly travel to beautiful destinations, and wonderful places, including ……..
• that we are taking ocean and river cruises and are spending relaxing times in gorgeous accommodations, including hotels, cottages, and resorts around the world.
• that I am enjoying riding my motorcycle/ATV/scooter/e-bike and driving my 4WD SUV/convertible/sedan/hybrid/van and sports car, and that …… and I go on an annual extended road trip.

I am so happy:
• that I am taking on-line and in-class courses, at home and around the world
• that I am learning more about the Law of Attraction, metaphysics/spirituality, abundance, natural health, prosperity, yoga/tai-chi, visualization/manifestation, meditation, personal development…. and playing my musical instrument.
• that I find ample time to sing in my choir, attend theatre, concerts/lectures/seminars/workshops and trainings and meeting of my club or organization/company/school/team /church/spiritual community/group, play my favorite sports/games/musical instruments, practice my hobbies/avocations and participate in………
• that I/we frequently visit galleries and museums and regularly watch quality movies and inspiring TV series/documentaries
• that I regularly read educational and uplifting books, magazines, e-zines, and newsletters, visit positive blogs/ websites, listen to motivational and healing audios and watch helpful/energizing videos
• that I/we order-in delicious, healthy food and/or eat at good restaurants on a regular basis.

I am overjoyed:
• that I am a successful, influential, and well-known inspiring author/writer, dynamic coach/mentor/trainer/speaker/teacher, healer/salesperson/employee/ internet or network marketer/manager/leader/supervisor/operator/desk jockey/civil servant, labourer/bureaucrat/worker/homemaker/ …your title.
• that I am sharing my knowledge of the Law of Attraction/ abundance and prosperity/relationships/ finance/new thought and spiritual principles/health and weight loss/EFT/Seniors Care/motorcycle riding/supervision, management, and leadership …
• that I am a prosperous and well-respected business person/employer/employee/partner, a committed and active member of my spiritual community/club/organization, and a highly regarded instructor/consultant/ board or committee member/volunteer.
• that every day I take the opportunity of developing, expanding, and simplifying my business/job and increasing my customer/client/consumer base
• that I am an awakened millionaire/philanthropist, contributing generously to various charities, tithing to my spiritual home/community/mosque/church/synagogue, donating blood and gifting of myself, assisting and supporting my children, the poor and destitute, and helping my local government/state/province/country/neighborhood/humanity…

I so pleased:
• that I am a financially free enlightened entrepreneur/person with over a …. dollars in various safe and secure ethical investments providing me with a comfortable monetary return
• that I am blessed with a generous pension/income/alimony/profit/commission and a lucrative business
• that I receive frequent and unexpected financial surprises
• that I regularly win opulent prizes

I am so appreciative:
• that I have excellent cash flow and an annual after-tax/net income of well over ….. dollars
For My Highest Good and The Highest Good of everyone around me.
This or something even better still.
And so it is!
Thank You, Universe/Divine Energy/Source/God etc.

There you have it.

If you have any questions, just contact me using the form under the “contents” tab.

Keep manifesting 🙂
Tony
If interested in getting on my e-mailing list click here.

How to Define Your Mission

Ok. Let’s start with your life purpose. Your mission this time ’round/During this embodiment/In this lifetime.

Perhaps it can go something like this:

It is my Mission and Life Purpose:
• To have fun and to be happy.
• To experience joy and savor the succulent sweetness of life.
• To be a good [fill in the blank – spouse/husband/wife, partner, parent, grandparent, uncle/aunt, friend, provider, child, sibling/brother/sister, employer, owner, employee, relative, teacher, pupil, etc.]
• To be a dedicated student and patient teacher of spiritual values, acting as a channel for healing, joy, peace and abundance and an expression and manifestation of forgiveness, gratitude, love, beauty and truth.
• To be a servant of the Divine/Source/Universe, helping to make the world a better place for everyone.

You can write out your own version for yourself.
For some reason, writing it out by hand tends to implant it deeper into your subconscious.
You can then repeat it regularly as part of your daily practice/ritual. And maybe post it on your bathroom mirror.  😎
Which will put you further in tune with the Law of Attraction.

Keep manifesting  😆
Tony

If interested in getting on my e-mailing list click here.