Category Archives: Clear Vision

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Long recovery vs. peace of mind

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We all hear the news and reports of doom and destruction. Even the reports of an upbeat financial market are viewed with a squinted eye. The reality is that from the looks of it the capitalist system is in for more than a correction. The system is in for a long punishment. This reminds me of childhood. When one of us children would mess up my parents would say “All of you guys are in trouble because I know you had something to do with it.”

Some of you are probably about to call your parents now and say “that was wrong and I would like to have a discussion, meeting or counseling session”. Well, stop the madness. Don’t do anything until you read this article. The good book tells us that we should “glory in tribulations because tribulation works patience”. Romans 5:3-4 Patience is a challenging subject for these times but it is something that is needed. For the individual it is important because it breeds peace. If a person can maintain peace and not give in to anger and frustration then they will be able to hear their inner voice. The inner voice that directs us to a truly fruitful life.

This reminds me of another scripture. “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience”. Luke 8:15 During the boom times we all heard that inner voice telling us to slow down purchasing and to save our money. I remember when then Fed Chairman, Alan Greenspan said that we were in a period of “irrational exuberance.”

So now that we have all been chastised what should we do to overcome or get back to our former glory. Well the first step is acceptance of your current status. Second, is to make a determination to live for today. Enjoy the space and time that we are occupying. This slowdown is a regrouping that is masked as a problem. Collect your thoughts and endure for the long haul. Endure without malice or contempt for your situation or anyone that may have contributed. As a matter of fact we should thank the contributor for our current world economic status because these contributors have given us time to focus on what is truly important.

The truly important things are your family and your peace of mind. Take a pause to remember what your first love was. What has been your calling your entire life? If you are operating in your field of choice now I ask “Are others truly benefiting from your actions?” Make the world better by maximizing your thinking and allowing peaceful guidance to have it course.

Better is the end of the thing than the beginning thereof: and the patience in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7v8

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It’s okay to stop

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There is a stopping point for everyone. If there is something in your life that is hurting you or impeding your progress you must eliminate it. Shutting down is hard to do because the old you and the old ways are so familiar but, you just have to damn it, stop it up. Cut out all of the infectious material and leave only healthy and worthwhile cells. Let’s form a different thought pattern and say “Think the Maximum Good”tm There is a redirection point for every business or individual and redirection starts with self-examination and self-realization. When self-doubt surfaces you must meet it with pure, good thoughts. Focus your mind on your maximum good.

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Forever Upgrade

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Daily we must tend to the affairs of our lives and it is imperative to choose the path that upgrades our status. If we constantly upgrade we receive affirmations as patience builds. The character of patience requires a series of upgrades to achieve success. The methodical process of reviewing options must be free of emotion. We should not become mechanical but, to employ mechanisms that root out decisions that down grade our life is vital. Decisions are best made with future considerations in mind. Only think on the past for points of reference not points of definition. Our future choices determine our destiny. Right decisions are not always easy choices. Have no fear with any move that shall propel you forward. The tough part is committing to meaningful change. Consider others then consider the mission. Your mission is to serve others by being true to yourself. It takes a lot of courage to lead yourself out to your promised land but courage has a partner in a series of upgraded decisions. Always forward ever upward.

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I lost my hat not my cool

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This morning was a wonderful morning because first of all I woke rested and refreshed. After morning meditation and prayer I went straight into working out. I spoke to my children about throwing your “net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find”. John 21v6 And my daughter said “that’s like getting up on the right side of the bed”. So they were off to school and I showered and dressed. While drinking my coffee I realized I needed a hat. The navy shirt and pullover was a perfect outfit for my Detroit Tigers Hat. This is no ordinary hat; I searched for hours for the right one. It is the “on the field” model with the white piping fitted with the breathable performance material. I purchased this hat on a recent trip to Detroit for which the occasion was to bury an Uncle. So I am sentimentally attached and as hats go this hat is superb. I go to the closet to retrieve the perfect topping for my outfit and it is gone. The search is on. Clear the entire closet, look in my son’s room, go check all the cars; go back to the closet, and still no hat. Now I must interrupt my wife’s beautiful morning and she starts to help me. She questions my memory and then stands on something in the closet to get a better look. When I saw her up there and I felt my heart rate increase I knew the enemy had me looking on the wrong side of the boat and it had nothing to do with the hat. I was doominating the morning and had plans to dominate the entire day, now this hiccup was ruining my attitude. So I asked my wife to terminate the search and continue on her wonderful day. I placed my navy blue Callaway hat with the white rim on my head and said, “God is perfect” and proceeded enjoying the day. Throughout the day the thought of where the Tigers hat may be crossed my mind but, I put it out of my mind and did not allow it to determine the course of my day. So If you lose your hat do not lose your cool.

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The Golden Leader: Marty Scorsese

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I was reading an article in Fast Company the magazine about Martin Scorsese that was about his creative side and how he used it to inspire the world. As I read it dawned on me that he had extraordinary leadership skills. These skills could translate in to leaders in any arena. The first skill that was immediately evident was the question he asked before they got started taping.

Project your best image
The question he asked the interviewer was, “Do I look like Quasimodo? Am I sitting too far down in the chair?” Not only did he consider his dress, which was his classic black blazer and slacks with his immaculately pressed crisp dress shirt on which he never buttons the top button to add a hint of flamboyance to his all business demeanor but he considered how he sat. I noticed this in his photo shoot and I noticed it his acceptance speech at the Golden Globe Awards. From now on decide the image you desire to project and work hard to enhance it.

Never let money dictate your passion
The article mentions films that Scorsese did that were well-funded and did not perform well at the box office and others that were sparsely funded and that he had a wonderful time making. Money greases the wheels but creativity and passion are the wheels and the engine so do not let the money or those who possess it control your passion. Part of the article deals with Scorsese’s unwillingness to deal with the Hollywood executives versus his need to support his family a balancing act all people who call themselves creative must rationalize in their own mind. In the end the right balance leads to freedom.

Leaders drive the bus
The article opened my eyes to just how many different parts and team members were involved in creating a film but it also highlighted the importance of the director’s vision being the driving force. He commented on how his team directed him to the perfect location in one film, though still driving he made the suggested turn. And then there is the length of his films which on average is 2 hours on which he generally stays the course even when the team is screaming – turn now. He said “But sometimes something needs time to work on a viewer.” Leaders must realize this same fact with their vision and stay patient and be the standard bearer for their organization.

Be relentless for your creative vision
A major part of why Martin Scorsese is considered great in his profession is that he understands the spiritual side of the battle.

He said “there is an essence to the project that you must protect. You cannot make concessions on that, the story cannot be tampered with past that point; you have to fight off every power or force around you.”

He understands that is not the people that he is fighting, but a spirit of apathy, commercialism and lack of imagination. These are areas that every leader has to war against. They show their ugly heads in a myriad of places and people. When you know your core values and vision do not allow them to be tampered with by anyone. Go be relentlessly creative.

Here’s the link. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/161/martin-scorsese

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Patience Repels Loneliness

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Xavier LuqueMany days on the path of patience are filled with monotonous tasks that seem to have no effects on your goals. These times are made for champions because champions see every step as beneficial to growth and accomplishment. Taking the actions necessary to propel you to the next stage is critical. Some activities may bore you but without them your mission could be derailed. Belief in a mission is evident in prepatory action. The world will know your beliefs and possibly give you help when you fight the fight with no evidence of progress.

Mission objectives can meander when pressure is applied but consistent action reminds us of our goal. Tough decisions may move your comfort zone but they do not change the mission.

Do the difficult today.

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Planning is weaving a pattern

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While waiting patiently, you are putting together or twisting or weaving a pattern

Part of this statement comes from the definition of patience and the rest is derived from thoughtful human observance. Waiting indicates that all action necessary to finish is accomplished. Conversely, patiently waiting means that you are working on a plan and actively seeking an opportunity to continue on your path to success. All people are waiting for something good to happen, but genuinely successful people and organizations diagram a plan and seek an occasion to execute their visions.

The current mindset in our society is to get your project done right now. If we are hungry, we want fast food now. If we want to talk to some one, we pick up the phone now. If there is a crisis, we want it fixed now. All of this sounds good, and has a lot to do with the rapid advancement of the human race. Whether we realize it or not, patience and planning are fundamental to creating lasting results (even with extraordinary talent). When we are ready to dominate areas of our lives and wish for a peaceful ascension, the good book gives us a different way to plan our success.

Leave a note on how you are weaving a pattern and why.

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Peace of mind that surpasses everything

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One of my friends called me and said he was losing his mind and thought that his life was over. I told him to say ” I have the peace that passes all understanding”. His response was, what does that mean? This was funny to me because I made an assumption that all Christians knew the meaning of this statement. So after a few seconds of silence I had to admit that I knew the peace part but, I had to search to give full meaning to the statement. Here is what I discovered. This is a bible verse that has some contingencies however, they are easy to follow.

Philippians 4 verses 6-7
6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You must do 3 things to receive this peace.

1. Have no care or cast all your care on God
2. Pray and give thanks to God
3. Make your request known to God

These actions will give you peace that others around you can’t understand. Peace that stops you from screaming. Peace that keeps your heart rate normal in chaotic situations. Peace that gives you a stable mind so that you will not lose your mind ” Up in Here”. So the next time you think you are going to “Lose It” say three times.

I have the peace that passes all understanding.

Leave a comment about how peace has kept you in trying situations.

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Occupy until I come

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What are you going to do when you can fly?

Patient Ability – Occupy until I come

“Patient Ability – Occupy until I come” , this is an excerpt from my forthcoming book and is relevant with the events happening throughout the world as people escalate the movement started with “Occupy Wall Street”.

The statement, “Occupy until I come,” is taken directly from the bible. The quote from Luke 19, verse 12 and 13, is “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Patient ability describes what to do while obtaining patience. This chapter gives examples of human nature while pursuing dominance. The entire passage from Luke is used to demonstrate the rewards of occupying (performing transactions repeatedly) while gaining Patient Ability.

This principle contains examples and vivid illustrations of patience. Most motivational books are “rah-rah” cheering books; there are certain aspects of upbeat encouragement throughout this principle. The main premise of Patient Ability is to demonstrate that in any worthwhile journey, there are aspects of continued endurance that propel you to success. This principle gives practical advice for lasting victory. Separate phases are outlined for gaining ability while building a crescendo to dominating life.

Patient Ability is the principle in which we must take a self test and determine our valuable attributes. One must honestly dig deep into what makes himself tick. This is the point where we take off the gloves. You must pull back the veil. There are plenty of things you may be good at doing; however, in order to reach your ultimate goals, you must uncover your true, great talent and develop it. You must determine your limitations so that true progress can be achieved. We all want to hunt; however, knowing how to gather is a very important aspect of increasing your ability. The real impact makers know how to gather people, resources, and energy. What should you do while being patient? What result do you want from your organized actions?

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