My 2009 New Year Message

A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my blogs in 2008. I hope I was able to provide you with helpful advice, tips and content. As I continue to learn and grow, I will continue to share in the hope that I can help you to learn and grow. You are the reason I do what I do, as it it is my passion and purpose to help others be the best they can be, which in turn helps me to be the best I can be.

So, please have a safe and fun New Year's. I look forward to connecting with everyone further in 2009. Peace, love, joy & prosperity, forevermore, in abundance!

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com

Social Media - The Dawning of a New Age!

We are at the threshold of the Age of Consciousness and it is a great time to be alive on earth for we are the new pioneers and our message is one of love, peace, joy and prosperity for everyone, in abundance, forevermore.

"The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend personal God and avoid dogma and theology. Covering both the natural and the spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things natural and spiritual as a meaningful unity". - Albert Einstein

It was the Internet that allowed the free flow of information behind the iron curtain that brought the truth to a people starving for it. Today, social media has now taken what the Internet started and we are doing it at the speed of thought.

We are making connections that only a few short years ago would have been practically impossible to make. And the truth is out and once out can never be put back in again. No longer can the spreaders of hate, greed, disempowerment and fear hide behind the walls of time and distance for neither are an obstacle to the truth today.

“A human being is part of the whole called by us the universe--a part limited in time and space. S/he experiences her/himself, their thoughts and their feelings, as something separate from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of their consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us; it restricts us to our personal decisions and our affections to a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” - Albert Einstein

Now that we know and understand the power of social media, it is our responsibility to use it for good and to change the world for the better. To do anything else would be immoral and cowardly.

So, I for one pledge to do all in my power to use this gift of social media that the universe has provided to usher in the Age of Consciousness, where peace, love, joy and prosperity reign.

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.' - Albert Einstein

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I am honored that you would do so. Please share your thoughts, comments, stories and topic suggestions.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry
http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

If you are happy now, why complicate things?

Today, I got to thinking about how we can complicate things in life that are working when we think we need more to be happy. And you know how the universe works, when you need something it will be provided.

Well the story I am about to share has been around for a long time. I know I have received it in an e-mail on more than one occasion. So, as I was searching for inspiration to complete my blog today, I was reading a blog by my friend Dina Sabnani and lo and behold was the exact story I needed to make my point, which she posted about three weeks ago.

Here is the link to her blog: http://divinedeebaby.blogspot.com/

The Fisherman and the MBA!

A boat was docked in a tiny Mexican fishing village.

A tourist complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. 'Not very long,' answered the Fisherman.

'But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?' asked the tourist. The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The tourist asked, 'But what do you do with the rest of your time?'

'I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take an afternoon nap with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs... I have a full life.'

The tourist interrupted, 'I have an MBA and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.'

'And after that?' asked the Fisherman. 'With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to a BIG city! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise.'

'How long would that take?' asked the fisherman.

'Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years,' replied the tourist.

'And after that?'

'Afterwards? Well my Friend, That's when it gets really interesting,' answered the tourist, laughing.. 'When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!'

'Millions? Really? And after that?' said the fisherman.

'After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take an afternoon nap with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends.'

And the moral is: Know where you're going in life....... you may already be there!

I love this story. It gets right to the point that if we are already happy with our life and where it is going, do not over analyze it. If happiness is the goal and you are truly happy then just be.

There is no need for anything else, no matter what anyone else has to say. This is your life and you get to decide if it is serving you. You get to decide if you are happy or not, successful or not, living or not. Others may give you their two cents worth but in the end it is all up to you.

So, if you are happy then just be happy, if not, then make the changes necessary to be happy and remember being comes from within, so nothing outside of you can truly make you happy, if you are not happy inside.

I love you guys for taking the time to read my blog. I hope I was able to provide some useful information today. Please feel free to comment, share your stories or suggest topics.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

Author - Rare Sense, One Day It Will Be Common: A Practical Guide to a Fulfilled and Balanced Life

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Dedication, Desire, Drive

Today while driving to the grocery store I observed two people out jogging. Now the sight of two people out for a morning jog is normally nothing to write about. I mean around the world today there was perhaps millions of people out jogging this morning. So, what made it so special about these two that I should take time to write about it. And why did I include the picture to the right.

It was the circumstances under which they were running. Your see in Central Ohio, it is mid-December, so the weather is not usually really cooperative with outside running and today it was especially challenging. It was about 35 degrees and raining. If you ever experienced running in a cold rain, you will understand that it really is miserable. The rain soaks your clothes making them heavier and heavier and no matter what, your ankles and face get some exposure to the water and cold. Your feet get wet and the cold settles into your bones. And the guy in the picture is obviously challenging himself by running where he is at, higher elevation, bad terrain and he looks dressed for cold weather at the least.

Now, some of you may be saying that these people were nuts for jogging in this kind of weather or across those mountains and that terrain. Couldn't they just have run on a treadmill inside where it was warm? Well, if they have a treadmill then the answer would be yes. If not, then that was not an option. OK, then what about just taking the day off? Again, a possibility but they chose not do so. And why do you think they chose to run in these conditions?

Well, here are my thoughts on this.

First of all, anyone who has ever wanted to accomplish anything knows that there are are obstacles and challenges to overcome. And sometimes it is those very obstacles and challenges that they seek to overcome that make the journey to the goal more worthwhile.

Facing adversity in life and overcoming it makes you stronger, builds character and gives you confidence. Sure it is nice when, from time to time, things come a little easier but after you finished that run in the cold and rain, you feel more alive than ever because you not only made your goal for the day but you did so under adverse conditions. You did not give in to the fear, doubt or challenge but faced it head on. Talk about an adrenaline rush!

Secondly, if you want to succeed or accomplish anything in life you must apply the three Ds; dedication, desire and drive.

Combine these three feelings and you will never quit, never give up and even when defeat is eminent, you will find the victory in the defeat. When the goal will not be reached, you will find the positive in the negative. When the outcome will be less than desirable, you will find the joy in the sorrow. When you just "did it anyway", you will appreciate the journey!

You see these three obviously had some goal they were trying to reach so they were applying the three Ds on this day. And no matter what, they were going to accomplish what they set out to do. No, cold, no rain, no bad terrain, nothing was stopping them from doing what they needed to do this day to work towards their goal. Do you think these three will reach their goals? More than likely yes for they have already shown they have the dedication, desire and drive to do so.

Here is my definition on those three Ds:

1. Dedication: The feeling that no matter what you will work as hard as you can to see something through to the end.

2. Desire: A feeling deep in your soul that there is something you wish to accomplish or attain.

3. Drive: The internal feeling that fuels you when things get the toughest.

So, what goals are you trying to attain? Are you applying the three Ds or are you giving in to fear and doubt? Do you shrink away from challenges or meet them head on?

Thanks for reading my blog today. I hope I was able to provide you with something that you can use to better your life. Please feel free to share a comment, story, and/or provide any suggestions for topics for future posts.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Are you doing good?

I love the wisdom contained in quotes and so today I wanted to share some of them around a common theme. Are you doing good?

"In the time we have it is surely our duty to do all the good we can to all the people we can in all the ways we can." - William Barclay

Can you imagine how the world would be if we all followed this and made it our mantra?

"The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are." - Stephen R. Covey

What good are you doing today?

"It's simply a matter of doing what you do best and not worrying about what the other fellow is going to do" .- John R. Amos

Are you being as kind as possible?

"Ask yourself constantly, ‘What is the right thing to do?’" - Confucius

Are you sharing your love with the world?

"Think in terms of what's good for the other person and success will seek you out." - Mary Kay Ash

Are you sharing your unique talents with the world?

"We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from it". - William Osler

Take time today to ponder both the questions and the quotes and see what you come up with. It is always a good idea to reflect on your life and see how you are living. Are you contributing to society in a positive way? Are you doing good for yourself and others?

Thanks for taking the time to read this today, I am honored that you would do so. Please share any comments you have about today's post. And to make this blog even better, I am always looking for suggestions for topics.

May you be blessed always and in all ways.

Harry
www.raresenseunlimited.com

A Revealing Set of Quizzes

Who or what is most important to you in your life? Here is a couple quizzes to remind you, in case you have forgotten. We all need little reminders now and then!

On a piece of paper write down the answers to the following, if you can. And no cheating, see if you can do it from memory.

Quiz #1:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman Trophy winners.

3. Name five people who have won a Pulitzer Prize.

4. Name the last five people that have won an Oscar for Best Actor or Actress.

5. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

6. Name the last five World Series Champions.

7. Name the last five winners of the Grammy for best new artist.

8. Name the last five Super Bowl champions.

9. Name the last five Indy 500 winners.

10. Name the last five winners of the Masters.

Here’s Quiz #2. See how you do on this one.

1. List a few teachers that have aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends that have helped you through a difficult period in your life.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Name a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6. Name a half dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

So, which quiz was easier to complete? Most people say it was the second one because those people have had a direct impact on their lives! So, the next time you despair about one of your celebrity “heroes” letting you down, just remember who is really important in your life.

Oh, and for those who are listed in the second quiz, why not take time out ASAP and thank them for contributing, in such a positive manner, to your life. They have helped to make you who you are today!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, I am humbled that you would do so. Please share your thoughts and comments on today's post and offer any suggestions you might have for topics for my upcoming posts.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry
Author: Rare Sense, One Day It Will Be Common: A Practical Guide to a Fulfilled & Balanced Life

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com

People You Should Know

From time to time, I like to feature people that I know you would benefit from knowing. Today I am presenting, Chalen Ewing and Kendra E. Thornbury:

Chalen Ewing, also known by her Cree Indian name Morningstar Woman, is a healer, author, counselor and musician. She has produced an award winning documentary and is a Life Coach Skills trainer. Chalen follows and teaches the old medicine ways and wrote the book "Childhood Lost: The Residential School Experience" concerning the trials and tribulations of Native American children forced to attend residential schools and the impact it had and continues to have on their lives and the Native American communities from which they came.

http://www.morningstarmedicine.com/

Kendra E Thornbury, MA is an international coach, spiritual guide, Manifest Mastermind Coach, speaker, facilitator, writer, entrepreneur & humanitarian. Her purpose is to inspire & guide people to be fully alive. She helps people awaken to the bounty of life and live in joy and prosperity.Kendra is on the cutting edge of spiritual thought and practice. People say she is 'wise beyond her years' and is sought out for her insight and guidance. Kendra is known for her clarity and passion. She is masterful at helping people to get out of their comfort zones, into their true potential and to create the true success they desire. Her practice is grounded in over 17 years of applied study in health, healing, yoga, meditation, ceremony, and music.

http://www.spiritalive.net/

http://www.lessonsinlawofattraction.com/

I had the honor and privilege to interview both women on my Blog Talk Radio Show and you can listen to the archives of the show by going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/harryshade. After listening, if you would help me out and both comment on and rate the shows, I would be very appreciative, as the comments and ratings help me to continue to improve the show.

Thanks once again for reading my blog, I am blessed that you would take the time to do so. Please feel free to comment, share some people you think we would be blessed to get to know and suggest topics for my blog and radio shows.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

It's Never Too Late!

Even though this story is a couple years old, it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It is also a reminder that age is just a number and it is never too late to go after your dreams. Since the story is rather lengthy, I provided part of it and a link where you can go to read the rest.

Flynt, 59, making comeback with Sul Ross State University
August 23, 2007

ALPINE, Texas -- Mike Flynt was drinking beer and swapping stories with some old football buddies a few months ago when he brought up the biggest regret of his life: getting kicked off the college team before his senior year.

So, one of his pals said, why not do something about it?

Most 59-year-olds would have laughed. Flynt's only concern was if he was eligible. Finding out he was, Flynt returned to Sul Ross State this month, 37 years after he left and six years before he goes on Medicare. His comeback peaked Wednesday with the coach saying he's made the Division III team's roster. He could be in action as soon as Sept. 1.

Flynt is giving new meaning to being a college senior. After all, he's a grandfather and a card-carrying member of AARP. He's eight years older than his coach and has two kids older than any of his teammates.

"I think it was Carl Yastrzemski who used to say, 'How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?' I'd be in my late 20s or early 30s, because that's how I feel," said Flynt, who has made a living out of physical fitness. "That's been my approach to this whole thing. I feel that good. I'm just going to find out if I can perform and make a contribution to the team."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

For the rest of the story go to http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2986313.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments or stories with us!

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry
http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/
www.blogtalkradio.com/harryshade
http://twitter.com/harryshade

A Time to Give Thanks!

Today, I want to offer my sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this blog. This will be a short post, no fluff, no puff, just sincere love and appreciation.

Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, which is more or less an American holiday, the tradition of giving thanks for what we have is borne out in many different traditions around the world. From ancient times to today, people have taken the time to give thanks. From celebrating the harvest to new moon festivals to sacrificing to the gods, the idea of showing gratitude knows no boundaries. It transcends time, race, creed, religion, gender and nationality.

So, it is the same today, that we should take the time, not just on special days, but everyday to show our gratitude for all the good things we have in our lives. For the more we acknowledge the good in our lives, the more we attract good things to us.

It is my wish for everyone to have all the peace, love, joy and prosperity, in abundance, forevermore. Take time today to give thanks and show appreciation to those people who have brought happiness and blessings to you.

As always please feel free to share your thoughts and comments!

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Keeping Body, Mind and Spirit Tuned Up and Healthy

In my book Rare Sense, One day It Will Be Common, I provide information on living a fulfilled and balanced life. A huge part of that balance is in taking care of the three parts of us: Body, Mind and Spirit.

Just like a three legged chair that has a weak leg will eventually get out of balance and cause stress on the other two legs, so will that happen to us if we do not take the time to nourish and strengthen all aspects of our very being.

Here are some tips for doing just that.

Body:

Of course the obvious thing here is getting enough exercise but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Good nutrition, taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, getting regular checkups with our doctors, meditation, massage and reducing stress are all key to having a healthy body. For us to perform at our maximum potential our bodies need to be a well oiled machine. The healthier our body is the more alive we feel, which leads to a happier spirit and a clear mind.

Mind:

We must always being looking for ways to stimulate our minds. Whether it be learning something new, playing a game like chess, using meditation, reading stimulating materials, debating the latest world challenges and/or traveling to a new locale, it is imperative that we continue to exercise our minds. Study after study has shown that mental stimulation is perhaps more important to warding off dementia or Alzheimer's than anything else. So, take the time to challenge that brain of yours everyday, especially as you age. A healthy mind allows our body to perform at it's best and our spirit to be light.

Spirit:

There are so many ways to raise and keep your spirits up. You can serve others by volunteering, take time to commune with nature, become active in your place of worship, keep company with happy people, meditate, try new things, go to new places, be grateful and have a career where you live your purpose and passion everyday. Your spirit wants to soar, so give it all the energy and power to do just that by being fully involved with life. When our spirit is free, we feel great and want to sustain that feeling and so we endeavor to continue to strengthen our body and mind as well. For we know that when all three are in sync, we will feel and perform at our best.

There are so many other ways to keep you body, mind and spirit in balance. I juts wanted to provide you with some stimulation in the hope that you will decide to have the life that you want and deserve. I am sure that you have ways that you keep yourself in balance and I woud love to have you share them with us.

As always I welcome your comments, feedback and stories. Thanks for reading my blog today, I am honored and blessed that you would do so.

May you be belessed always and in all ways!

Harry
http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

The Power of Prayer

Today I am sharing a story that was sent to me and touched me at the soul level:

This really touched my heart….esp. seeing that Christmas holiday’s are nearly upon us………

A poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries.She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can."

John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer, who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?"

Louise replied, "Yes sir."

"O. K." he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."

Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it."

The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust.

Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said:"DEAR LORD, YOU KNOW MY NEEDS AND I AM LEAVING THIS IN YOUR HANDS."

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said; "It was worth every penny of it.

Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.

THE POWER OF PRAYER: When you receive this, if you are so inclined, please say a prayer. That's all you have to do. Just stop right now, and say a prayer of thanks for your own good fortune. I believe if you will send this testimony out with prayer in faith, you will receive what you need God to do in your and your families' life.

So dear heart, trust God to heal the sick, provide food for the hungry, clothes and shelter for those that don't have as we do. Amen & Amen

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this today and I welcome your comments and stories how faith and prayer have made a difference in your life.

May you be blessed always and in all ways.

Harry
www.raresenseunlimited.com

Cherish your time on earth!

Lately, my days have been so busy that I have had very little time to blog and because of that today's blog is short and to the point. Recently, friends of mine lost their 27 year old daughter in a traffic accident. She left behind three children and a very devastated family.

As I stood in line for the calling hours yesterday evening I could not help but reflect on my life and wondered:

1. Am I loving enough?
2. Am I living enough?
3. Am I making a difference?

I really wanted to answer yes to all of them but I realized that I simply could not do so. Even though I try everyday to love, live and make a difference, I can still do more in all three areas. So, I vowed that I would.

How would you answer those three questions?

What can you do to love more, live more and make more of a difference?

Whatever you do please take the time to tell those you love, "I love you." And let's not sweat the small stuff!

That's all for today! Thank you for reading my blog and always I would appreciate any thoughts, comments, stories and/or questions you may have to share.

Blessings!

Harry
www.raresenseunlimited.com

The Wisdom of Zig Ziglar

Today, I wanted to share with you one of my mentors and one of the greatest motivational speakers ever to grace a stage. He is known to millions as a sales motivational speaker but he is much, much more than that. Zig Ziglar teaches and speaks about how important it is to be a person of integrity, faith, love and kindness. He teaches the golden rule and personal responsibility. He is the embodiment of someone who walks the walk, while talking the talk. For those of you who may not know Zig Ziglar, I have presented here a few of his numerous books and 25 of my all time favorite quotes. I know they will give you an insight into a man who has lived a passionate and purposeful life. They are not in any particular order of importance.

For more information about this wonderful, remarkable man, go to his company's website: http://www.zigziglar.com/index.php

1. "The most important opinion is the one you have of yourself, and the most significant things you say all day are those things you say to yourself."

2. “Every choice you make has an end result.”

3. "It's not where you start - it's where you finish that counts."

4. “Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.”

5. “You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.”

6. “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude”

7. “You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.”

8. “The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.”

9. “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.”

10. “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”

11. “If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner.”

12. “It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference.”

13. "Remember that failure is an event, not a person”

14. “People who have good relationships at home are more effective in the marketplace.”

15. “This I do know beyond any reasonable doubt. Regardless of what you are doing, if you pump long enough, hard enough and enthusiastically enough, sooner or later the effort will bring forth the reward.”

16. “Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.”

17. “Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you.”

18. “Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.”

19. “If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost.”

20. “Little men with little minds and little imaginations go through life in little ruts, smugly resisting all changes which would jar their little worlds”

21. "A goal properly set is halfway reached.”

22. “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want”

23. “If you go looking for a friend, you're going to find they're very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you'll find them everywhere.”

24. “Building a better you is the first step to building a better America”

25. “You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself.”

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, I really am honored that you would do so. If you have any comments, stories about Zig Ziglar and how he has influenced your life or a favorite quote, please share it with us.

Also, if you have any suggestions for a topic you would like me to write about, suggestions on how I can improve my blog or questions, please contact me at harry@raresenseunlimited.com. I value your insight and opinions.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

A Lesson from My Army Days

The inspiration for today's blog actually came from my Internet radio show last night. I had noticed a glitch in the show and so I endeavored to fix it while affecting the show as little as possible. I continued to talk to my guest, told him about the glitch and that we would continue while I fixed it.

Long story short, I made the fix and the show essentially went off without interruption. How did I remain calm and find a solution? I remembered an acronym we were taught in Warrant Officer Candidate school, that at the time was taught to all Army officers and warrant officers. It is AIO and stands for Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.

This lesson has applications for anything you may encounter in your life and is especially important given the uncertainty in the world today.

ADAPT

"Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature's inexorable imperative." - H.G. Wells

When changes occur in our lives and changes are going to happen, how we adapt to them will determine whether it is a positive or negative experience. Being able to adapt allows us to make or accept those changes in a smooth and effortless way.

IMPROVISE

"The ability to improvise allows one to fully tap into their creative core to bring forth a solution to any challenge." - Harry E. Shade

When things do not go the way you expected or do not work the way you thought they would, how do you deal with it? Those that can improvise or to put it another way create a solution on the fly, will do so in a calm and focused manner because they know that there is a solution. All they have to do is look for it and use whatever means are at hand to effect a positive outcome. You want to think like McGyver here.

OVERCOME

"We grow because we struggle, we learn and overcome." - R.C. Allen

The third and final step in the process is overcome. If you can adapt and improvise, then overcoming is the natural result for the first two steps lead us to the end. When life throws use a curve ball, all we have to do is ADAPT and IMPROVISE and the solutions we create we will allow us to overcome even the greatest of odds. Overcoming is really more mental than anything, we know we can overcome something if we can adapt and improvise.

So, once we have the knowing that we can do the first two steps, we can OVERCOME any doubt or fear of the outcome because we know it is assured.

Today, there is a lot of anxiety, uncertainty and fear in the world, most of it put upon us by others. But if we truly take a moment to step back and apply AIO, we will be certain that the outcome will be positive. One thing we need to do is place ourselves in the natural flow of things and try not to fight the current of change.

I know that there are people losing jobs and homes, as well as, retirement money, however those that can adapt, improvise and overcome, will in the end carve out a positive experience in the midst of all the negativity. Maybe we will learn to budget our money better or perhaps learn a new skill and start a new career. The outcomes are of our creation and so we get to decide if they are going to be positive or negative.

Thank you for taking the time to read this today, I am honored that you would do so. I would love to have you share you comments and stories about how you have used AIO in you own life.That way others may benefit from your experiences and wisdom.

May you be blessed always and in all ways.

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Algae - An energy source?

I do not have much to say about this (I know, who is this and what have you done with Harry?)other than the fact that I have always known that in nature there are renewable sources of energy that we can tap into, which will not cause irreparable harm to the environment.

And as Merrill Lynch once said: "If you want to see something done, just tell some human beings it can't be done. Make it known that it's impossible to fly to the moon, or run 100 meters in 9.9 seconds, or solve Fermat's Last Theorem. Remind the world that no one has ever hit 62 home runs in a season or stuffed 18 people into a Volkswagen. Dangle the undoable in front of the world. Then, consider it done."

Take a look at this video and pay particular attention to the very last statement made by the spokesman.

http://cc.pubco.net/www.valcent.net/i/misc/Vertigro/index.html

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and watch this video. I encourage you to share this will your circle of influence and as always I welcome your comments.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking!

A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say. I have said before that we are both teacher and student and while this is geared towards children, it is a universal truth for us at all times.

It reminds me of the Liberty Mutual commercials which show people seeing other people commit acts of kindness and so they pass it forward, because at that moment they became the student and then in turn the teacher.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,

and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you feed a stray cat,

and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you make my favorite cake for me,

and I learned that the little things

can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I heard you say a prayer,

and I knew that there is a Higher Power

I could always talk to,

and I learned to trust in it.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you make a meal

and take it to a friend who was sick,

and I learned that we all have to

help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you give of your time and money

to help people who had nothing,

and I learned that those who have something

should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it,

and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw how you handled your responsibilities,

even when you didn't feel good, and I learned

that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that

sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw that you cared,

and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know

to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I looked at you and wanted to say,

'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

THIS GOES OUT TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE

WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS,

BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.

LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT .

Each of us influences the lives of those around us, especially the children.

How will you touch the life of someone today?

Just by sharing this with someone else,

you will probably make them at least think

about their influence on others.

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Thank you for reading this today, I am honored that you would take the time. Please feel free to share your thoughts and stories And by all means please share this with everyone you know!

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

The Power of Love

From time to time, I come across wonderful stories full of wisdom and life lessons. This is one of those stories.

A Wonderful Chinese Story About Love & It's Powerful Effect On Others:

A long time ago in China , a girl named Li-Li got married & went to live with her husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all. Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law's habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly.

Days passed, and weeks passed. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never stopped arguing and fighting. But what made the situation even worse was that, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish. All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing Li-Li's poor husband great distress.

Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-law's bad temper and dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it! Li-Li went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs.She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all.

Mr. Huang thought for awhile, and finally said, "Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you." Li-Li said, "Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do." Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, "You can't use a quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become suspicious. Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving. Now, in order to make sure that nobody suspects you, when she dies, you must be very careful to act very friendly towards her. "Don't argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen."

Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law. Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr. Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper, obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother.

After six months had passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She hadn't had an argument with her mother-in-law in six months because she now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with. The mother-in-law's attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best daughter-in-law one could ever find. Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and daughter. Li-Li's husband was very happy to see what was happening.

One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again. She said, "Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from killing my mother-in-law. She's changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her."

Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. "Li-Li, there's nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her."

HAVE YOU REALIZED that how you treat others is exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying: "The person who loves others will also be loved in return."

The Universe might be trying to work in another person's life through you.

Thank you for taking time to read this today, I am honored that you would do so. Please feel free to comment or share an inspiring story of your own.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

www.raresenseunlimited.com

What we can learn from a dog!

Since I was unable to post yesterday I thought I would do two today. We can learn many things from many different places and one of those places is from a dog. If you have never had a dog as a family member, this may not resonate with you but just so you know that for those that have had the privilege of being blessed with the unconditional love of a dog, this is Universal truth.

Now some of you will probably have read or heard these things before but positive, simple life lessons are always worth experiencing again.

"Dogs are not our whole lives but they make our lives whole" - Roger Caras

The picture is of me with my dog Toby in front of a Brutus Buckeye statue at The Ohio State University.!

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy,dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

"A dog owns nothing, yet is seldom dissatisfied" - Irish Proverb

Makes you want to run out and get a dog, doesn't it? If you are so inclined I highly recommend adopting a dog from a local shelter. You can start by googling dog adoption or go to these links for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and The Humane Society of the United States: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer or http://www.hsus.org/.

"The dog was created especially for children. He is the god of frolic." - Henry Ward Beecher

As aways I welcome your thoughts and stories. It is in the sharing of such things that we all learn and grow together. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am blessed that you have done so.

"Old age means realizing that you will never own all the dogs you wanted to." - Joe Gores

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry
http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Wisdom from a child

I have often said that if you want to have a really profound discussion, talk to a young child, between the ages of 4 and 6 especially.

When we are born, the wisdom of the ages is stamped on our soul. And as children we do not have the filters and all the other stuff that piles onto us through life that buries that wisdom. So, children can readily tap into it at any time without having to clear things away. Here is a story of such wisdom.

The photo is of my daughter Melinda at age 4, with our dog at the time, Spencer! We got Spencer just before Melinda was born and they were together for the first ten years.

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the
experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker' s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What
came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

If you either have a story about children and their wisdom that you would like to share or would like to comment about this story, please feel free to do so. It is through this sharing that we can all learn and grow together.

Thank you for taking the time to read this today. I am blessed that you have chosen to do so.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry
http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Evolving Politics

Be empowered, enlightened and evolved!

As we come to the close of the 2008 election process, I have been looking for a way to express how I feel about what I want for the U.S. and more importantly the world. And as typically happens when you are open to it, synchronicity came into play and it came to me today from a friend on Facebook, Kendra Thornbury, who passed along this writing. And so I wanted to share it with you.

Evolving Politics by Nikita Gearing

I take a moment to breathe.

I breathe in Peace, I breathe out Peace.

I awaken the Presence of Peace within me now.

My words are a prayer of Peace into the world and now manifest in alignment with the highest good.

I call forth the highest outcome for the U.S. Presidential Election in 2008.

I call forth the election of the 44th President of the United States of America who serves the highest evolution of the U.S. and our world.

I am grateful that Truth, Integrity, Peace, and the New Paradigm are now present and manifesting through the U.S. Presidential Election.

I call forth the reality of Peace, Unity, Consciousness, Sustainable Solutions, and the New Earth resonance.

I intend that the President and the Vice President who serve and create the Highest Good for all peoples of the U.S., all peoples of the world and all of life on our precious planet are now elected -- simply and easily.

I recognize that I play a role in creating Peace, each day, each moment.

I dedicate this moment to consciously create the election of a President and Vice President who support life and serve the highest good of all people.

I am grateful that Truth prevails now, that Peace prevails now.

I am grateful that the highest outcome for the U.S. Presidential Election is now manifest.

I create Peace now.

And so it is.

May peace, joy, prosperity and love be yours forevermore in abundance!

Harry
http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Right Now

Today I wanted to share a poem I wrote:

RIGHT NOW
Right now, tell someone you love them.

Right now, be at peace.

Right now, refuse to worry.

Right now, commune with nature.

Right now, help someone in need.

Right now, shelter the homeless.

Right now, feed the hungry.

Right now, care for the sick.

Right now, tell someone your sorry.

Right now, practice forgiveness.

Right now, let your light shine.

Right now, be spontaneous.

Right now, learn something new.

Right now, show compassion.

Right now, exercise your body.

Right now, be one with all.

Right now, because it is all we are ever guaranteed.

Copyright 2008 by Harry E. Shade, All Rights Reserved

I would appreciate your comments and thoughts. Also, if you have something you have written and you would like me to feature it, and you, in one of my blogs, just let me know by submitting them with your information to harry@raresenseunlimited.com. Please put Rare Sense Blog Submission in the subject line. If I use your submission, I will notify you.

That's all for today.

Blessings!

Harry

http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Responsibility

Today, I wanted to do something different and so I decided to give you a chapter from my book, Rare Sense; One day It Will Be Commmon: A Practical Guide to a Fulfilled and Balanced Life. It is the chapter on responsibility. Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Responsibility

“Enlightenment means taking full responsibility for your life.” - William Blake

One of the biggest challenges in this modern age seems to be taking responsibility for our actions. We try to blame others for our very existence and our life and quickly look to lay responsibility elsewhere than at our own doorstep.

But this is really not possible since we are creating it all. However, if you believe that you do not have control, that you do not create your existence, then it is much easier to not take responsibility for it and to blame others.

As a child, we may lack the maturity as to how to respond to negative things said about us and thus are limited in our ability to choose what to believe. It is especially more difficult when the people who are supposed to love and protect us are the very ones causing the pain. However, once we mature and can make those informed, intelligent choices we can no longer blame others for the choices we make. Of course even children have the wisdom to choose to accept what is said about them. We can choose to internalize it or let it roll of our backs, like water off a duck. Very early on, we sometimes have a better understanding of who we really are. It is when we get older and start accepting someone else’s version of who we are that we start to doubt ourselves.

One of the best examples of not taking responsibility for our actions involved the lawsuit against McDonald’s by the lady who placed the coffee cup between her legs and burned herself. Had rare sense been applied in this situation, that lawsuit would have been thrown out, but in this day and age we are quicker to blame others than ourselves. Let me ask this question? Did any McDonald’s employee place that cup between that lady’s legs or did she choose to do that herself? I know you know the answer, so why was she not made to take responsibility for her own actions?

"I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime." - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Taking responsibility for our lives is the rare sense or spiritual thing to do. I have said earlier, we always take responsibility when things are going well, but we want to blame others when it is not. Convenient isn’t it?

Well, that is simply not the way things work in the universe. We were given free will. We are responsible for our lives and the decisions we make. Yes, there are some things that happen to us that make us think that sometimes we are not in control. However, if we really look at our lives, the things that have happened and what our responses to those things have been, we will find that somehow, some way, we created it.

Looking in that mirror is one of hardest things we will ever do, but we must. Because until we do, we will not be able to change our circumstances for we will think that we do not have control, yet what we think about is brought to us.

So, if you think you are not responsible and that you do not have control, things will continue to be created in which you do not have control and your life will seem like it is one disaster after another. Taking responsibility is taking control and having control is using your free will.

Here is something that is going to sound contradictory, so please bear with me. We can think we are not responsible but we still are. We can think we are not in control but we still are. We can think that we do not have free will but we still do. For you see, we have free will and that is one thing that does not change about us. With that free will we are free to think whatever we want to think, but no matter what we think we are responsible for all of it. Either what happens to us or how we are going to react to it. And with that comes responsibility.

If things are not going the way we wish them to be, then we need to take the time to see what thoughts and decisions we have made to create the circumstances we face today. Sometimes we have to go back many years to find the answer, sometimes just a few seconds but we will find the answer because it lies within us.

The good and bad, the ups and downs, all of it! Being responsible is having rare sense because we are telling the universe; I understand who I am and what I am capable of. I understand that I have the gift of free will and that I use that gift each and every moment of every single day! I am in control and I am a creative being, one with God and an integral part of the universe.

“Let us not talk of karma, but simply of responsibility toward the whole world.” - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Copyright 2007 - Harry E. Shade, All Rights Reserved

If you would like to purchase a copy of my book, please go to my web site, www.raresenseunlimited.com for details. It is available in paperback, e-book and audio versions

Well, that's it. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments about this post. I look forward to hearing from you.

Until next time, may you be blessed always and in all ways.

Harry

PEACE!

When thinking about what to write about today, one thing kept popping up, PEACE! So, as I usually do, I go with my intuition.

"There is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find PEACE. You will find that deep place of silence right in your room, your garden or even your bathtub." - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

But why is PEACE so important? Because PEACE is a necessary and vital ingredient to our ability to live our life to the fullest. PEACE brings clarity to our minds, vitality to our bodies and calmness to our spirit. PEACE ushers in balance and harmony and removes doubt, fear, anxiety and stress.

"Let tears flow of their own accord; their flowing is not inconsistent with inward PEACE and harmony" - Seneca

In the interest of spreading PEACE, the first thing I want to offer is this poem/mantra by my friend Isabella:

I am peace
surrounded by peace
secure in peace.
peace protects me
peace supports me
peace is mine

All is well.
peace to all beings
peace among all beings
I am steeped in peace
Absorbed in peace
In the streets, at our work,
having peaceful thoughts,
peaceful words, peaceful acts.
sending light and love to end your day!

When I first read this I could feel my body relax, my heartbeat slow down and my mind become silent and clear. In essence peace had found it's way into every cell of my being. What a joyous feeling. Try it, I guarantee you will love it.

"First keep the PEACE within yourself and then you can also bring PEACE to others." - Thomas A. Kempis

Then I came across this breathing exercise:

Slowly, deeply inhale, quietly chanting the word: Peace,
Then, slowly,deeply exhale, quietly chanting the word: Love.

And of course I had to try it and once again I was filled with the overwhelming feeling of peace and love. So, if you are having a rough day and you want to bring peace into your life, you know have two wonderful ways to do it.

"Nothing can bring you PEACE but yourself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I welcome any comments you may have about this post and any techniques you would like to share for finding peace in your life.

That's all for today.

PEACE!

Harry

Fun!

I was talking to my brother and asked him what he thought I should blog about today. I had several ideas in mind but just thought I would get his thoughts. And so he comes up with one word, FUN! On the surface not all that helpful really, but let's have FUN with it.

"It's kind of FUN to do the impossible." - Walt Disney

Before we can really get into this topic, I believe we need to define FUN. I could get the Webster's definition but what would be the FUN in that? No, I will present my own definition of FUN. It is, my humble opinion, that FUN is a state of mind. FUN can be had anywhere at anytime. There is no need for anything for anyone to have FUN. FUN just is. Of course what I consider to be FUN, will not be FUN for all. FUN after all is a personal thing.

"There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family"." - Jerry Seinfeld

Even though I must admit, it can be easier to have FUN with FUN things in FUN places but once again not necessary to having FUN. No....one can have FUN sitting all alone in an empty room, if you think FUN! And remember that a FUNdamental (I just could not resist) truth is that when you are having FUN you are joyful, which is important for your mental, physical and spiritual well being. Are you having FUN yet?

"To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more FUN?" - Katherine Graham

Now, I will readily admit that FUN is a good topic but then I thought in what context should I write about FUN? Having FUN? Doing FUN things? How about living a "FUN" life? Then it hit me. Make it an acronym. That'll be FUN!

FUN - Finding Uniqueness Naturally

or

FUN - Feeling Unusually Naughty

or

FUN - Flowing Undisturbed Normally

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the FUN." - Katherine Hepburn

Now, I am sure that those of you reading this can come up with some fun acronyms of your own and share them with me in a comment. Wouldn't that be FUN? I think it would be great FUN!

"Getting there isn't half the FUN, it's all the FUN." - Robert Townsend

So, please, let's have some FUN with FUN and let me know your FUN comments. Now wasn't that FUN?

That's all the FUN for today.

May you blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

And A Child Shall Lead Us

And a child shall lead us!

Here is a link to a wonderful story about, Logan The Sky Angel Cowboy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY&feature=channel

This simple story of love has gone around the world and has been viewed more than 8.6 million times on YouTube. If you have not yet head this remarkable young man, I urge you to go there now. You will be glad that you did. If you have already listened to it, go there again because it is a remarkable reminder.

"Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them." - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

I do find it ironic how people can be so amazed at the wisdom of children. Our soul knows from the moment we are born that we are spiritual beings in human form. In fact, if you really take the time to listen to the children they will speak the most profound truths in the simplest of ways because they have yet to be tainted by all the stuff that is piled on us throughout our lives. They are more innocent and so more in tune with the spiritual.

"He who teaches children learns more than they do." - German Proverb

It is our purpose as adults to cut through all drama and everything life as put on us and return to that place of innocence. There is where we will find our spirituality and the simple universal truths that are imprinted on our very souls.

And so I leave you with this sobering quote by Peter Ustinov - "Did you know that every two hours the nations of this world spend as much on armaments as they spend on the children of this world every year?"

I thank you for visiting my blog today. I know that time is the most precious commodity we have and so the fact that you took your time to be here is humbling.

I would love it if you would share your stories about the wisdom of children, so please post your comments.

If you would like to learn more about me, my book and what I do, please visit http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/.

That's all for today!

Bless the children of the world for they are our future!

Harry

Let Me Love

Today, I want to share another poem from my friend John McIntosh, "Let Me Love". It is a powerful message as to the responsibility we all share for the common welfare of everyone.

Are you going through your day as a testament to the ever flowing, ever expanding love of the universe?

Are you spreading love or fear? Peace or disharmony? Joy or sadness?
Do you live your life in the cosmic flow of love or do you fight against the current?

Do you understand the simple power of sharing your love with the world?

Do you know the influence you have on those around you?

Do you understand that at all times you are example for someone, even just yourself?

Please take the time to read this wonderful, uplifting poem and hopefully you will understand the role you play in this world.



LET ME LOVE!

Let me not withhold
the overflowing cup
from any who are in need.

Let me,
with every beat of my heart,
extend an ocean
of healing love
to an ever widening circle.

Let me express in every tiny deed,
the grace and peace
that now fills my heart,
that all I touch will be inspired
to do the same.

Let me be an example of faith,
standing tall against the backdrop
of a world lost in fear and attack.

Let me love.

Blessings

John~Teach Only Love~ McIntosh
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgroups.to%2Fspirittracks%2F&h=7ac866252c5ba4ce8f9df2ae0a0df048

BTW, the illustration is from my book, Rare Sense; One Day It Will Be Common: A Practical Guide to a Fulfilled and Balanced Life. .

If you have thoughts or comments, please feel free to share them here. I want to hear from you!

May you be blessed always and in all ways

Harry
http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Empowering Women, Part 2

There are several areas where I have tried to make a difference by empowering women in my own community. I have always known that the place where you can have an immediate and profound impact is right in your own backyard.

Before I go any further I want everyone to understand, especially the men, that by empowering the females in your life, you are helping them to be the best wife, friend, mom, business woman, sister, aunt, cousin, girlfriend and woman that they can be, which will not only have a positive impact on your life, but on the world in general. I am talking about an equality and harmony of souls, so that together we can make this world the best it can be.

It is my hope that through sharing some of what I do, it will give forth ideas on how you can find ways to empower the people in your community and your life.

"Embrace and love all of yourself - past, present, and future. Forgive yourself quickly and as often as necessary. Encourage yourself. Tell yourself good things about yourself." - Melody Beattie

First if all, in my own immediate family. My daughter is 18 now and all through her childhood years I did everything I could to encourage and support her in her activities. I often pointed out that she could do or be anything she wanted as long as she put her mind to it and put forth the effort. I empowered her by never limiting her on things she wanted to try and always being there to provide guidance and coaching. We had many a "serious" talks during the car rides to and from school and not too long ago she pointed out to me that those were some of the most fun times we had together. I taught her to have big dreams and lofty goals and how to work towards those things. I taught her that the only limits were the ones she placed on herself. I celebrated her victories and comforted her in her defeats.

"Think in terms of what's good for the other person and success will seek you out." - Mary Kay Ash

I also tried to lead by example by not limiting my dreams and goals by going out on a limb and starting my own business. While I am not talking all the credit for how she has turned out, I can say that she is a loving, caring, determined, hard working, compassionate, young woman with a very bright future ahead of her.

"I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun." - Katharine Hepburn

Next, would be my beautiful bride. A few years back, Tammy came to me and said she would like to finish her degree. I knew it was something she really wanted and so I supported her wholeheartedly. She went back to school and during that time I did everything I could to ensure that she did not have to worry about the domestic things, so she could concentrate on school. Well, she not only graduated with her degree but did so with honors. You could not have found a more proud husband on her graduation day and she accomplished something she had always wanted to do.

"Success means that we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others." - Marianne Williamson

As a basketball coach for a Junior High girls basketball team I sit them down just before our first practice and tell them that they will be learning about life and that basketball is just a byproduct. Then throughout the season we have our "life lesson" sessions where we talk about teamwork, dedication, determination, passion, vision, etc.

"One's philosophy is expressed in the choices one makes." - Anna Eleanor Roosevelt

We do exercises like: 1. goal setting; 2. Writing down something nice about each of their teammates, which I compile and give to each of them and 3. defining words and how they relate to basketball and life. I also hand out inspirational quotes and encourage, encourage, encourage.

"It never occurs to me that there are things that I can't do." - Whoopi Goldberg

I know the importance of women having positive male role models and so I do my very best everyday to be that role model. And so what are you doing to empower the people in your life?

Well, that is all for today.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

The Glow Project for Women

http://www.glowproject.org
One of my favorite things in life to do is empower women. It is one of my passions because I know how critical it is to the very survival of our world. I also know that there are not enough men in this world who are actively empowering women and that is a tragedy of epic proportions. As further evidence and testament of the wisdom of women, I will be offering quotes from some of the most influential women of all time.

"My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." - Oprah Winfrey

For way too long, we have been a patriarchal society, dominated by male energies and suppressing female energies. The imbalance of these two energies has been the root cause for so many of our social ills. I am not advocating a return to a matriarchal society as that imbalance is not right either. The balance and harmony of these two energies will bring in the dawning of a new era of peace, compassion, love, tolerance and acceptance and must be pursued with all vigor.
"Regret is an appalling waste of energy, you can't build on it; it's only good for wallowing in." - Katherine Mansfield

I have learned first hand the power of women from my Mom. When her marriage to my father was finally coming an inevitable end, she was determined that for the first time in our lives, we would own our own home. The whole time my parents were married, my father refused to buy a house but rather chose to rent and spend much of his money on alcohol. My Mom wanted us to have a place we could call home and on her small salary as a school secretary and many second jobs, she was able to buy a house. As a single parent, she struggled to pay the bills but she always provided for her children, often going without herself. However, there was never ever a lack of love. She had to assume both roles of Mother and Father and did so with courage, determination and grace. I will never ever be able to repay her for all that she has done for me but I can pay it forward.

"Success means that we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others." - Marianne Williamson

So, to honor my Mom, I encourage all women and the men who support them to go to http://www.glowproject.org/ and learn more about "The most inspiring movie ever created for women!" It is through things like The Glow Project and E-women Network (http://www.ewomennetwork.com/index.html) that this new era will be ushered in. And not a moment too soon!

"I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime." --Elisabeth Kubler-Ross


That's all for today!

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry