Living on Purpose: 101

Living on purpose is simple - but not easy. But, don't be fooled, this blog is not about the basics of living on purpose. Instead, I am taking a moment to celebrate that this is the 101st blog I have written for this site.

101!

That is a lot of blogs - whose with me?

Okay, enough celebrating. Here is blog 101:

Recently a friend sent me a link to this quick online video: CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT!

(Make sure you have watched the clip before continuing - it is kind of important.)

Well, did you miss it the first time?

When I developed an anger and stress management program last year - I showed a similar video to the one you just watched. From my experience - between 70-80% of the people who watch the video do not see the moon-walking bear. So, the question is, if you didn't see the bear...

What else might you be missing?

This video has been a great tool for me to use in the past in really opening up the idea of "where" we put our focus. So, "where do you put your focus?"

To me, this video is bigger than just being so focused on a goal or project that we lose the bigger picture, but if that is all you take from it, that lesson is big enough on its own.

I think we can all relate to times in our life when we are so consumed with a goal that we put on our blinders and don't let anything else distract us. Sometimes this is good, because distractions can take us away from our focus. But, if this single-mindedness is so inflexible, what might we miss in the process?

Is it possible that something completely unpredictable could come along that might even be a better option or solution? But, if we don't make ourselves open to new possibilities - we won't see them when they are there.

The bigger question for me in all of this is...

Is it possible that a better solution is always available - we just need to see it?

Okay, that is more a statement, but I added a question mark - so it's now a question...sort of.

And, what prevents us from seeing these other options?

To answer that - go back to the video. You were given one simple rule to follow. One rule that dictated your focus. Because of that one focus - you missed the alternative opportunity.

So what rules do we live by that keep our focus? Some of these rules over the years may have even become permanent attachments to our identity - such as:

* I am not smart enough. (So I unconsciously look for ways to not be smart)
* Making money is a grind! (Guess what - making money is always difficult as a result)
* There is never enough [blank]. (You are right - there isn't enough)

A rule or opinion someone else thrust on you, or a past experience that left a lasting impression can sometimes become part of our belief system. When that happens - what we get is what we see!

Isn't it the other way around?

Nope. What we get is what we see.

I had two very frustrating experiences over the past few days regarding customer service issues. In both of them, I was deeply humbled, not because the other people were the problem - but just the opposite. I obviously had something going on in my belief system that showed up in these people - because what I got was based on some deeper perception I was holding on to.

The reason I take ownership of this is not because these events happened - but when they happened - my response to them made me feel like a victim - and that is all on me. I choose my feelings and responses - and I decided to take on the role of victim.

I made the choice - I paid the price! (If we could add an "o" to "price" - that really would of rhymed)

Being a victim is a choice we make - it is optional. Now, don't get me wrong. Bad things happen to people all of the time - but we are the one's who choose how we respond.

Playing the victim is often weaved into someone's overall personality. If that is true for you - it is time to recognize it - own it - and now let it go! It is not something you want as part of your belief system.

How many dancing bears have we missed in our life - than cried, "Oh poor me!" Instead, maybe we need to adjust some of the beliefs and perceptions we live by.

If you want help with that - give me a call! Just moon-walk yourself over to the phone and dial me up!

Much love!

Travis
561.676.4583