Reinvention

I had to re-boot my computer the other day and as easy as it was to hit control+Alt+delete to initiate the process, I thought about how useful this command would be to us as humans and have a similar feature that we could all access whenever it was needed.  The process of reinvention is one of my favorite topics, because I firmly believe that we all have that capability at any given time in our lives.  The issue has always been finding the catalyst to motivate us to proceed.  It is such a popular topic these days that we now we have shows that highlight stories that deal with people's issues regarding addictions to food, alcohol, drugs or even the transformation of a home.  Through the course of an hour on television, we can participate as an active observant to see what it takes for someone to go through an incredible change.  At the core of all of these stories are issues that are deep rooted within causing a negative reaction that can cause people to abuse any number of things.  Those are extreme examples, however, there are also plenty of other non-extreme cases that are just as pivotal in the need to reboot.  Some folks deal with complacency in their lives, where everything appears to be the same and routine, while in the inside of some of these individuals are screaming to get out of their comfort zone.  There are plenty of people in the world that end long term relationships and marriages because they grew apart and at some point in their journey together and the rebooting function for them no longer worked.  For all of us human beings there is no simplicity associated with hitting a reset command within us in order to snap out of something and transform to another level that we long for.  The reality for us is that we must make the reinvention process a daily occurrence, with special attention to the small details of ensuring that we do so with long term consistency.  The formula is always the same, if you want to change then be resolved to do so with follow up steps afterwards in order to achieve your desired goal.  Think of a marathon runner and the amount of daily training that they have undergone in order to achieve that level of sustained capability, that allows them to run over twenty miles without stopping. We can all surmise that it took plenty of time, discipline and persistence in order to achieve that level of performance.  With this same type of approach our own reinvention can take place if one is resolute to attaining such a change.  The good news is that there is such a rebooting command that we all carry, we just need to work on finding the impetus that will allow us to realize that we can initiate that function at the time that we need it most.  Much like getting into better shape will require a regimen in order to achieve desired results, we must also develop that drive in order to be successful in our reinvention.  The opportunity to change is always there, so we must realize that our own free will is the only thing that stands in our way.  Regardless of where you happen to be in your life today know that you, as the author of your own life, can write the type of story you wish for yourself.  In particular, you can write the happy ending that you have always wished for and deserve.  Just be resolved to change, take small steps daily, set a strategy to reach your goal and surround yourself with great support so that your own harmonious being will be the end result of the transformation you desire.

Faith

Over the course of many years I have seen pictures and images with the word "faith" and every time I look at one, I always take some time to contemplate what that words means to me.   If you look up the word in a dictionary, one of the definitions is: belief that is not based on proof.  Since I am a person of strong faith and have been since I was a child, I also think about how it has transformed me over the years.  In my life, my faith was taught to me by my grandmother and reinforced via my mother as well, as it has provided me with a road map of sorts for navigating the unpredictable curves that come at you unexpectedly at times.  When I remember my first experiences with my religious Catholic faith during my formative years, my recollections of it were tied to a particular need that I had and how I could achieve that which felt far beyond what I could do in my human capacity.  I specifically remember praying about an exam in elementary school and although I had done my homework I did not feel confident about the outcome, so I remember how my faith was exercised during the course of that experience. What I have learned over the years is that I began shifting my faith from a place where it was tied to a need, to a more constant inner meditative state that focuses primarily on how grateful I am for what is currently in my life.  This is not to say that I don't have needs, however, my first thoughts now are to think about those individuals that have much more dire circumstances that don't even come close to my own situation.  I have strong faith that greater things will be manifested in my near future and it all comes from a place of strong belief in the good that is part of my life on an ongoing basis.  Considering the alternative which can be connecting ongoing demands that are never ending, which overshadow those particular things that are in fact adding prosperity and abundance to your existence, I choose to begin my day each day from a place of simple gratitude.  I also love the fact that I know that there is a much greater majestic power behind all things above all humanity, whom I know as God, that is orchestrating how every piece fits together on a map that we are not privy to viewing prior to its revelation to us.  Therefore, our strength in our conviction is what guides us in knowing that we are to pay attention to things that help elevate our thinking and act accordingly towards others as well.  I know that it may be a common perception that those with problems in their lives are the ones that need faith the most, in order to overcome their situation.  Yet, I have believed for quite some time that when you don't have issues or problems is also when one you are very connected to this great truth, as you can be grateful for being in that state while praying for the others that need additional strength and support.  With our world in its current existence, I believe it is the perfect opportunity to focus on why faith is so needed, so that we can have piece of mind in knowing that good will ultimately overcome all things and overshadow the darkness that may exist.   Regardless of what your convictions are, I hope that you can agree to the possibility that can be realized if we all were to share our good thoughts, meditations and prayers for one another to help elevate those that need it, while sending even more of those to the many that are most in need. I have deep faith in that we can still do much good on this earth and as part of our legacy to those that will come after us, I will continue to focus on doing good regardless of what other's actions are.  I also embrace all of the good hopes, dreams and prayers that we all have, as I look forward to all of them being answered, so that we can become yet another shining example what mankind is truly capable of through the strength found in people's devout faith.

Courage and Kindness

Last week, I was entranced by the recent re-telling of the famous story of Cinderella.  Although I knew how the story went and its magical happy ending, I was very inspired by the core message it presented to its audience.  In the story, Cinderella's mother teaches her from a very young age that in order to succeed in this world, she would have to develop and demonstrate courage and kindness. After watching the film and going for a walk afterwards I kept thinking about those two attributes and how powerful they were.  When you think about the word courage you immediately may think of a heroic instance, such as when a fireman who runs into a burning building to rescue people in the midst of all of that danger.  Courage can be defined by the situation in which one finds themselves in and taking a great leap of faith in knowing that one has to do what is inherently right, even if it means facing jeopardy and vulnerability.  We hear about the many people around the world daily who had to utilize courage in order to overcome their particular situation.  In thinking about the many examples of this, I was also reminded about the many instances of courageousness, such as when a person who is suffering physical and emotional abuse, that has to be fearless in walking away from someone that has hurt them.  Nobody ever wishes for anyone to be in such a dire situation that bravery is what will get them out.  Yet, we have a multitude of examples of these individuals who demonstrate to the world that things can be better and that nobody deserves to live a life that is full of pain.  In contrast to this, I then thought about the second pivotal word in this message and that was to be kind.  For this, I have to agree with how it was showcased in the story, as the behavior would have been learned by lessons that someone taught us at a young age.  I can recall many multiple instances when my grandmother showed me that kindness was an inherent trait that she had and it became a defining attribute of her legacy on this earth.  My other example has also been my mother, who through her own works and contributions has demonstrated that what she learned from her mother, also lives on in her and now with her children.  When I was growing up we did not have much, however, I can recall my grandmother making enough food to feed us and anyone else that may have shown up to our home on any particular day.  The kitchen like in most households, was where the centralized activities of our family were and having pots and pans filled with basic and delicious Mexican traditional recipes was something I took for granted.  I don't ever recall that any of the dishes that were prepared for us, came from some cookbook or handwritten recipe, as they were all crafted from teachings and memories handed down over generations.  Although we had many lessons on giving to others that were less fortunate, food was at the top of the list in providing a meal to someone that may not have had enough to eat.  I then had a flash back to the film when Cinderella is given scraps to eat and when she goes to her room she notices the mice in the room looking at her, she then overturns a cup on the floor, places a napkin over it to make it look like a mini dining table and serves the mice a small meal from her scraps.  I smiled from ear to ear when I saw this, as I knew exactly this type of kindness.  In our world today we have many examples that are not ideal in showcasing the good in humanity.  We constantly get a barrage of stories fed to us through the media that demonstrate how negative things can be. This is why I believe that we overturn that tide and make contributions that may be insignificant to others, but monumental to those that receive them.  Regardless of what the world may say, I challenge all of you to take moments through out your day to show what kindness is through your actions and words.  In addition, when presented with the opportunity also demonstrate your courageous side you have within, as we search for new heroes in our everyday stories and you may be the star of the next tale to be told.

Believe In Yourself

Today, I am sharing an article that will be published next month.

“Believe In Yourself”

By

Rob Claudio

I read an inspirational message the other morning that simply stated, "Believe in Yourself".  As I looked at those three powerful words, I thought about the many people in the world who may have a hard time believing in themselves because of issues with self esteem or perhaps they have experienced so many hardships in their lifetime, that they may have lost the ability to have that type of confidence.  When the light inside of someone appears to be flickering, it is always cause for concern, as ultimately that embodiment of who they are may appear to be diminishing.  Although we all face different issues within our lifetime, the variance by which some people must overcome their own circumstances can be quite substantial at times.  This also made me think about the courageous 15 year old young woman named Malala from Pakistan, who became the youngest person to ever be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for her activism for female education.  The fact that she survived being targeted and shot in the head while left severely wounded, for being an advocate for girls education in her region of her home country, is absolutely mind blowing.  It is certainly hard to fathom that being an advocate for young children attending school and receiving an education, could cause that type of reaction and in most of the western world this sounds unimaginable. However, as in many instances of tragedies when they occur, there is always something that can be turned into good in the midst of such dire circumstances.  I love the fact that this young girl has brought a voice to her counterparts in the world who may not have one, because of cultures that do not necessarily support something as the right to an education for women and girls.  The belief that Malala had in herself, certainly speaks to a level of courage that is not seen everyday.  This is why it is important to remember examples like this, when you are thinking about the hurdles that you may be undergoing within your present life.  Although you may not be facing life threatening ramifications, one can certainly learn to look at things differently when you hear about stories such as these.  I know that there are plenty of examples in the world where others have been the light in the midst of darkness and there are many heroes walking among us, if we pay close attention.  What Malala and the rest of the heroes through out the world have been able to accomplish is a shining example of believing in themselves and then giving of themselves for the greater good.  For many of us who have grown up with supportive family and friends, it is a comfort to know that people will always stand behind you in all circumstances.  Yet, by the same token many people have lost hope along the way, because they lacked the support of having somebody that had faith in them.  So what does it take to separate yourself from those that may cause doubt about who you are?  First and foremost, one has to remember that we were all created with a greater purpose, some of which has yet to be revealed or manifested in our lives.  The doubt may come from not seeing what you want right away, however, there has to be a core sense of personal conviction that can expel any type of negative thinking, regardless if one is not seeing results. It is also important to remember that change can occur at any given time, all you have to do is make a choice.  If you are resolved to transform and you put in the right amount of work, then you let your faith and hard work find the right opportunity that can be waiting for you around the corner.  Remember that some of the greatest game changers in the world, along with a young girl from Pakistan, were able to affect the world around them by believing in who they were.  It is this type of resolution that can be your catalyst towards your next great episode in your life.  I hope that you are willing to accept the challenge and have the strong belief that you too are worthy of achieving great things, just like the others who have gone before us.

"Don't feed your mind with negative thoughts.
If you do, you will come to believe them."
-Catherine Pulsifer

Personal Contributions

I had spoken at a leadership seminar not too long ago and received a great message from one of the participants afterwards.  She was pledging to use her skills to make written contributions to a newsletter as a way to give back to the development of her peers and association members. During my discussion with the attendees at my seminar, I spoke about the need to make contributions towards others and to aid worthy causes, as part of their leadership journey.  In those instances I never know how much of what I am saying will hit home with the attendees, however, I am always grateful to hear from someone that can add validation to my message.  What I shared with the group that day, was an amazing lesson that I learned during my lifetime of taking yourself out of your own equation as the benefactor and giving that priority to somebody else.  When I was younger I do remember that I was not very good at putting others first, as many young adults think that the world revolves around them.  For that matter, I have come to know many adults who still have this mentality, which saddens me a bit when I have the opportunity to observe it.  Although I had great examples in my immediate family of how we should treat others, the lesson was learned over the course of many years.  My grandmother was among my greatest teachers in showing me that you give to those that are in need, even if it is only home cooked food or collecting the change in your pockets to help and be a shining light to someone who has a greater need.  One does not have to look very far to see the needs within their community, extended families, neighbors and friends who can provide lots of opportunities to assist.   I believe that the question that most people contend with is, where to begin?  I think the easiest place to start is to locate where you find your most compassionate emotions on a particular subject and allow for that to be your compass.  Whether it is at your community church, senior center, child's school, animal shelter or any number of worthy non-profit organizations that speak to your heart, think about how you can provide even a couple of hours a week of your personal assistance to someone that can benefit from your gifts.  I recall having someone who worked for me for sometime in a managerial position and she enjoyed working with kids and among her personal attributes was that she enjoyed cleaning.  During the course of our working relationship, she told me about how she put the two together and decided to sign up to work as a volunteer a couple of times a week at the local Children's Hospital.  She volunteered to clean the visitor rooms where the healthier siblings of the ill children spent a lot of their time waiting and playing, while the parents tended to their ill brother or sister.  I thought it was a great contribution and although she always had a tough story to tell me about a sick child, she always beamed at the end when she had the time to talk to the healthy siblings waiting for their brother or sister to get better.  In her own way, she gave of herself without any expectation other than to potentially see a smile of a young child that she was able to make comfortable, during an unstable and sometimes disorienting experience.  Although you may be in need of some type of breakthrough in your life due to your own personal circumstances, remember that there is always someone with a greater barrier to overcome and in the midst of your trying situation, you can still be a light to somebody else who finds themselves in a darker place than you are.

Comfort Memories

As I was catching up on some television shows I had recorded from last week, I was mesmerized by a scene in one show that takes place back in the early 1960's.  There was a long interchange among a few folks at a maternity hospital and during the middle of the conversation, one person got up and bought a cup of coffee at an old fashioned dispenser machine.  In that moment, I immediately remembered the same type of machine during my childhood and although coffee was not have been my first choice as a young kid, I do recall being with my grandmother and how she allowed me to get a cup of hot chocolate from a similar machine.  The feeling of that memory brought back to mind how that influential person in my life and I shared so many memories while she was alive, along with the comfort feeling when getting cup of hot chocolate.  I don't remember exactly where this coffee machine was or where we were, but I do recall that machine and being in awe of how it worked instantaneously with a push of a button.  I know many of us have these trigger memories that can take us back in time in a split second and all of a sudden your bank of memories is opened to illustrate snapshots of many fond occasions. For many a song can be that focal point, as music is memorialized by the era in which it was made.  We all have these hallmarks associated with stages in time that remind us of what we were feeling or going through, like suspended dreams that can come back in an instant.  I cherish all of those memories, as I know that the volumes of available material continue to grow as we age while we add additional experiences to our catalog.  It is a comforting thought to know that we can all make a withdraw at any given time, so that we can revisit these junctures that many times filled our hearts with joy and happiness.  Also of note are the moments which may have brought other emotions that were born of a moment of sorrow or pain.  Although we know that those instances are carved into our list of memories, I believe that seeking to find the positive feelings are more fulfilling of what we seek and desire in our everyday lives.  Not too long ago, all of this was also validated when my sister and I went to see an animated film that was based upon this premise as well.  In the film, they had people that portrayed emotions and we got a glimpse of them as they operated with each other inside a person's mind.  It was a wonderful illustration of how the mind works and they provided vivid descriptions of how core memories are established, which were documented and sent to a special holding place in the mind.  As we grow older, I also notice that we are part of younger people's history that is now affiliated with potential comforting thoughts for them and it is a great realization when you are in the moment of when this is happening.  Through these instances one realizes that those memories will be able to live on far after we are gone.  Whether it is a birthday occasion, spending time with your loved one's at the beach, weekly family dinners or enjoying a family trip, all of those and other occurrences that bring a smile to your face are part of your embedded comfort memories.   My hope for all is that you are fully present in each moment of every day while you experience and memorialize ongoing instances of joy, fulfillment along with gratitude that will help fill your heart for a lifetime.  

Staying Centered

Today I am sharing a column that will be published next month.

Inventing Your Life

“Staying Centered”

By

Rob Claudio

I saw a motivational quote a few days ago that described how character is built in us by how we behave when we have little in our lives and then how we act when the opposite is true.  I know that if you were to ask a wealthy person if having money has changed them, the answer most likely would be no.  Yet, we know that if you are living in a much more upscale neighborhood and money is not an issue for you, that one may have a different perspective about many things.  There are also lots of wealthy individuals such as Warren Buffet, who although he is among the richest men in the world, still lives in the same house before his immense wealth became synonymous with his life.  There are many individuals who day dream about having that type of lifestyle, however, we all know too well that money should not be the goal in our lives as it certainly can’t buy happiness.  What I think happens most frequently with those wealthy individuals, is that the people around them begin to change first, which then produces a varied chain reaction.  I do like what some of these famous wealthy people have done with their efforts to give back to their communities and through out the world, to make things better for others.  The folks that decided to live the rest of their lives in a philanthropic manner, some even pledging to give away their fortunes to worthy causes before they die, certainly merit our praise.  Having the capability to remain centered regardless of where one happens to find themselves in their life, is an attribute that we should all continue to integrate into everything that we do.  In order to achieve this with the best results, I see it similar to developing a daily routine that encompasses practice.  Whether it is the early morning or late evening, one has to find their quiet moments when gratitude is the centering thought.  Although you may not have achieved all of your goals as of yet, knowing that you are grateful for where you are and how far you have come, can be a daily indicator that keeps you progressing in the right direction.  Pay attention to your circle of support, as they will always have your best interest in mind and you need these folks to help lift you up. We all need to foster those relationships that contribute to our well being and enhance more of who we really are. Whether they are lifelong friends, a supportive family member or someone that you trust in all matters, one has to be appreciative of them and their unconditional love.  It would be interesting to ask some of the famous wealthy people in the world about their inner circle of support, as I believe that most would tell us that those individuals have probably been there long before their fame and fortune.  Your values also shape how you can maintain a state of being centered, as they represent what matters most to you.  The contributions that we make with our own time and discretionary money, say a lot about where some of those values may be.  Hopefully, those values are filled with perpetuating the good in others and helping those that have much less.  Communities are filled with people in need and one does not have to look very far, in order to find a worthy organization that merits your time and attention.  Plus, let us not forget the feeling of doing good deeds for the right reasons, as part of your true intentions that can help define a higher level of inner peace.  When you think about what a list looks like for staying centered, it actually does not have to appear to be very long when you finish itemizing it.  For many it can be very simple, short and to the point.  I would bet that most people have a short list filled with the things that are of most value to them.  Whatever it is that you aspire to achieve for the rest of your life, my wish for you is that your daily list of centered values stays prominently in a place that you can revisit it as your day goes by.  To paraphrase a famous quote that I heard a long time ago in my own family simply states, that we must pass from this life one day and none of us can take anything that we earned on this earth with us.  Hence, keep your perspective about the physical and material things, as you continue to build your list that is filled with items that are truly worth more than what money can buy.

“Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” 
― Oprah Winfrey