You are invited to take a seat and join me for my radio show on Monday, August 27 at 12 PM Central!

Click here to listen!

My guest will be Vipin Mehta, Author of the Global Healing  books

I was so enthralled during my first interview with Vipin that I wanted to have him on again to talk more about metaphysics.  He was kind enough to oblige, and so now we have another interview to share!  This time, our discussions revolved around the topic of healing through the use of metaphysics.  This three-part interview will blow you away!

Vipin Mehta, P.E., M.A.P.A. was born in India and raised in Mumbai during the Independence Movement inspired through Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence.  Shortly after migrating to the United States in 1969 with only a few dollars to his name, Vipin became a licensed Professional Engineer and established MEHTA Engineering, which has since evolved into a 30-year engineering and construction management firm for roads, bridges, airports, and other infrastructure related projects.  After arriving to the U.S., Vipin also received a Masters in Public Affairs from Northern Illinois University and has since played a very active role in local, state and national politics and has been addressed as the Metaphysical and Spiritual Counselor to many politicians – both Democrat and Republican.

Vipin has pursued Metaphysical and Spiritual learning by Spiritual Masters and Mystics from all over the world.  His interest in Metaphysics began in 1947, where he first learned from Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings.  Other Spiritual Masters include the Indian mystics J. Krishnamurti, Rabindranath Tagore (Nobel Prize winner in 1912) and Rajneesh/Osho along with western spiritualists Edgar Cayce, Ruth Montgomery, and other modern mystics. Vipin has studied many Metaphysical and Spiritual scriptures including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zen, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sufi and others through which he taught “Religion of Man” and other courses at local Colleges and gave lectures on Metaphysics across the U.S. and India.

Vipin now lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife Hansa and has two children Ravé and Radha.

I will be broadcasting part one of our interview on metaphysical healing on “Positively Empowered Radio.”  Grab your seat and listen to what promises to be a fascinating discussion!

“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” ~Meryl Streep

Yesterday was the first day of class for one of the courses I teach at the college level.  Most of the time, because of the heavy use of online activities for my courses, I get a lot of questions from students, so after class, I stayed after to answer questions from students.  As I finished answering questions, I had two young women who were telling me that they were hastily checking to see if there were any course activities due before class started, and that while they didn’t find anything and assumed that nothing was due, there was a certain level of stress and anxiety this had caused them.

I had never thought of this possibility before, this being the start of the eighth year that I have been instructing at the college level.  It never occurred to me that because I never specifically indicated in my communication to students before classes started that there weren’t any assignments due by the first day, I may be adding to the normal stress and anxiety of a first day of class, when there are so many uncertainties in the first place.

Hearing the relief in their voices when they were explaining how they were happy to know they hadn’t missed something or missed a deadline spoke right to my heart.  I explained to them that I don’t ever want to cause anxiety or stress upon a student, most especially on the first day.  I shared a story with them about a time when I was taking a class, and didn’t realize myself that something was due by the beginning of class.  I joked with them that I simply left the class in the middle, went and wrote up the assignment, and then handed it in when I got back.  They got a good laugh out of it, but I was serious — I actually did that.

I think that being an instructor who can empathize with students makes for a great learning experience, both for the instructor and the student.  I don’t know how many times I have structured my class specifically because I want to make a learning process more comfortable and convenient for my students, simply because I was uncomfortable and inconvenienced as a student myself.  The “not having anything due the first day of class” is one of those — I didn’t like being put in that position myself, so I don’t want to put my students in that position either.

The opportunity to be empathic exists far beyond the classroom.  We don’t have to be classroom teachers to realize the chances we have to make a difference in someone’s life and make them more comfortable and make things more convenient.  If you have children, no doubt you think back to things you experienced as a child, and structure your parenting in a manner that makes childhood more comfortable and convenient for your children.  If you have a spouse or significant other, no doubt you try to put yourself in their shoes and contemplate what it may be like to be experiencing what they are experiencing, or think about how they would feel if you did or said something.

We were designed to be empathic beings.  Sometimes in the business or the stress of each day, we fall prey to the raw emotions and the ego that drives our decisions.  Sometimes we find ourselves thinking only of ourselves, and our thoughts of others and their well being are secondary.  Sometimes we are too busy viewing our circumstances and interactions with others as threats, or sometimes our negativity stands between us and our opportunity to be great.

If you haven’t done so today, take time to think about others, and how what it’s like to walk in their shoes.  Think about something you could say that would lift their spirits, or something you could do to make their life a bit easier or more wonderful.  It’s that simple gift that we can give to others — the gift of our empathy — that can really change someone’s day for the better.

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” ~Mark Twain

Have you ever been told to “eat that frog” every day?  Have you ever tried it?  Has it helped you?  I know I have tried “eating the frog” myself, and it does work well.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, the idea of “eating a frog” everyday is intended to assist people with overcoming procrastination.  The basic premise is that if you are staring at your “to do” list for the day, and you see that one big item that looms large, because either it will be unpleasant, or uncomfortable to complete, then it’s easy to just put it off until the next day, because all of the other items on the list seem manageable, more comfortable, and just plain easier by comparison.  It gets so tempting to continue to put off that one big item, and push it to the next day, until you eventually give up or forget about it.

The suggestion is to make that large, uncomfortable and undesirable item your “frog.”  If you just eat that “frog,” then you’ve gotten the unpleasant task out of the way, and the hope is that you feel much better because you finally ate the “frog” and it’s not staring at you any longer.

Well, I had the pleasure of interviewing David Singer today, who is the author of the book Six Simple Rules for a Better Life.  Our conversation started off with the discussion of why New Year’s resolutions don’t work.  As David explained, most of the time our resolutions don’t pan out because the resolution is too large.  We discussed how we can take a lofty goal, like losing fifty pounds of weight, and break it down into manageable pieces, twenty-one days at a time, to develop habits that lead to lasting change.

That got me thinking about that “frog” that we feel we must “eat” to avoid procrastination.  What if that “frog” is something that looms large beyond one day?  What if that “frog” is a lifestyle, physical, or emotional change that requires more than just “checking” it off the list?  You can’t say, “Today I’m going to lose fifty pounds.  Boom.  Done.  Next!”  It’s not possible.

But, after my conversation with David, I shared with him the idea of taking those ultra-large “frogs” and breaking them down into “digestible” pieces that can be eaten, little by little, every day.  How about eating a frog “leg” every day for twenty-one days?  How about making a habit out of walking for five minutes, as David suggested in the interview, every day?  Then, over the next twenty-one days, you eat the “frog’s” other “leg,” and walk for ten minutes a day.  By continually eating frog “pieces,” twenty-one days at a time, we can accomplish great things.

Is there an ultra-large frog that looms large for you?  Are you thinking about the weight you have to lose, or your negative attitude, or the complaining that you engage in on a daily basis?  Are these “frogs” items that can’t be placed on a checklist, because they require daily discipline and practice?

Perhaps, as David suggests, you can start breaking that “frog” into small pieces, day by day, twenty one days at a time.  Perhaps then, the “frog” won’t taste so bad, and perhaps it won’t be so intimidating after all!

What is your “frog?”  How can you break it apart?  If you’re looking for ideas, don’t hesitate to check out David’s book.  He has some great recommendations!

Today’s your day!  Grab a frog leg, and start eating — twenty one days at a time!  You can do it!  You just have to start!  Don’t worry — I hear frog legs taste great with ketchup! 🙂

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

“The more you give, the more you will receive, because you will keep the abundance of the universe circulating in your life.” ~Deepak Chopra

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity of speaking in front of the wonderful people at Lakeshore Technical College.  It was such a kick to get in front of a large group of people and talk about how we can all tap into our true inner greatness and realize our authentic selves.  It was so much fun!

I shared a laugh with the group yesterday as I laid out my “antidote” to mental mediocrity, because one of the ingredients was to “silently leave everyone a gift.”  I explained that my wife, Shelly, had chuckled when she read that line because she thought that I meant to leave a “silent, but deadly gift,” as in walking into a room and releasing noxious bodily fumes. 🙂  No, that’s not what I meant, Shelly!

When we give, we receive.  Giving is like receiving, and receiving is like giving.  The only difference is within the direction that they run.  To withhold something is to stagnate the laws of the universe.  If we choke off our giving, and we hold on to that which we fear losing, the stagnation is not normal, and we also choke off our receiving.

As I had explained to the audience, one of the easiest ways to ensure that we are continually giving is to silently leave everyone a gift.  If you are in the store, and you are at the cash register, you can silently wish the cashier happiness, health, and prosperity.  If you walk into a large room, even if people don’t know you are there or even if you don’t exist, you can wish them happiness, health, and prosperity.  If you are meditating and your thoughts fall upon your family or community or state or the entire human population, you can wish mankind happiness, health, and prosperity.  You can even wish that mankind be free of suffering.

It’s a simple way to be a “giver.”  When we give, we receive.  The more we give, the more we will receive in return.  It’s the way the universe operates.

This also is so helpful when trying to de-escalate any negative emotion that may be arising within you.  The way I look at it, it’s hard to be angry or upset or resentful toward someone if you are wishing them well.  As a matter of fact, I would think it’s virtually impossible to be angry at someone while genuinely hoping that they are happy, healthy, and prosperous.  To wish someone well calms the emotional brain, deflates the ego, and returns us to a point of pure potentiality and greatness.

It’s that simple gift — a gift made in silence, that can bring true happiness, health, and prosperity in our direction, simply because we were so willing to give in the first place.

Give it a try — wish unto others much happiness, health, and prosperity, and see what happens.  I’ll bet you’ll feel better right away, because, after all, it feels good to be generous and give something to others!

I do sincerely with you much happiness, health, and prosperity!  May you bless others with your gift — your gift made in silence.  May your positivity and goodwill be a shining example for those around you, and may you be blessed with great things in return!

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

“I would want my legacy to be that I was a great son, father and friend.” ~Dante Hall

Last week I was discussing how I was involved with starting a community theatre organization more than fifteen years ago.  For a majority of the years that the group has been assembled, I have either been directly involved or I have attended and watched their shows.

Whenever I watched a production as a member of the organization in the early days, I thought about how a simple idea — a simple dream — had manifested itself into reality.  A reality that has literally impacted thousands of lives in one way or another since its beginning.  Whenever I walk into the auditorium and see all those people in the chairs and all the people on stage (and backstage), to think that I was among the few who brought it to life years ago is an awesome and humbling experience.

It’s not about the ego for me.  I completely recognize that if it were only up to me, the group would have dissolved years ago — I have long since disassociated from the group while pursuing a career and raising a family.  Hundreds of other people have grabbed hold of the reins and have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making the group much more than it ever was when I was involved.  It’s not about me — it’s about the people who have really kept it going.  It’s just awesome!

However, it’s a legacy — it’s something that three nineteen year olds started years ago, and with the help of a lot of people, it has grown and still exists today.  It’s just awesome to know that one dream has impacted so many people.  There are some former performers who have gone on to pursue a professional career that revolves around the arts, and the group was helpful in giving many of those people the opportunity to get started in theatre at a young age.   That was our goal when it all started — to give kids the opportunity to enjoy the arts at a young age.

We all have the potential to leave a legacy.  If you’re a parent, you have the opportunity to leave a legacy every day.  The philosophies and lessons you pass on to your children have the ability to shape their futures.  Everything we do has the opportunity to positively or negatively impact other people.

What will be your legacy?  Will it be a positive legacy that changes the world and leaves it for the better?  Will it be something that impacts the lives of thousands or millions of people?  Perhaps it’s not a lofty goal…Maybe your legacy will to have been a great spouse, or a great child, or a great parent who loved their children dearly and taught them how to live a happy life.  It doesn’t have to be big, by any means!  Start thinking about the mark you want to make on this world, and then start focusing and directing your positive energies into making it a reality!

Your legacy is out there, waiting to be left for someone.  You never know when a simple dream can grow into something that can change others’ lives for the better!

What’s your legacy?  How do you want to be remembered?  It’s time to go and create it!  Bring it to life!

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person. ~Audrey Hepburn

I love to laugh.  Who doesn’t?  Laughter is so important to one’s well being and good health, and let’s face it, when we are laughing and in a positive mood, it directs our attention away from negativity.

I have the fortune of knowing four people, off of the top of my head, that I know are great for a guaranteed laugh when I need it the most.

One person who makes me laugh — one of the funniest people I know — is my wife, Shelly.  If Shelly and I were a beach volleyball team, I would be the setup man, and Shelly would provide the spike — the kill shot.  Whenever I think I am being funny, she completely surpasses me, uses me as the butt of her joke, and makes me laugh all at the same time.

Yesterday, thinking I was being funny and clever, I told her that I keep getting cuter as I get older.  Without missing a beat, she quipped back, “Boy, I’d hate to see your baby pictures…”  She had me laughing hard, and laughing at myself, more than anything.

Another person who makes me laugh a lot is my pastor, Jim Liddle.  He always has some good jokes, and is great with improvisational comedy.  I thoroughly enjoy listening to him and watching him perform, because he always has me laughing.  Usually the jokes are a bit too clever for me, so I start laughing about ten seconds after he delivers the punchline.  Then I keep laughing for the next two or three minutes, and I start getting dirty looks from Shelly, because I am sitting in church, where I am supposed to be (at least a little) quiet.

The third person who is great for a guaranteed laugh is one of my chiropractic school classmates.  To make sure I don’t put him in any sort of compromising position due to his profession and contact with patients, I won’t identify him.  Let’s just say this — to sit next to him during a conference is the absolute worst and best thing to do — all at the same time!  It’s the worst thing because you sit there for ninety percent of an eight-hour conference, trying to hold back your laughter from all the jokes and wisecracks you hear, but it’s the best because the eight-hour conference goes by so quickly.

He and I were at a conference some time ago, and the presenter was projecting images of lower extremity (thigh and leg) exercises, rehabilitation protocols, and orthopedic tests.  The person who was shown as the subject on these images was a female, and she was wearing sports shorts and a sports bra.  The first thing that came to mind the question of why she needed to be wearing only a sports bra in these pictures — the upper extremity (shoulders and arms) were not the focus of the images.  She could have easily been photographed wearing a shirt.

I turned to my friend, and said, “Look — those pictures…”

He knew just what I was talking about, only his comment to me was, “I know…She’s wearing way too much clothing…”

I just lost it!  That’s why it’s the worst and the best!

The fourth person that I think of as one of the funniest people I know is Dave Theune.  I was fortunate to have crossed paths with Dave years ago when he was in a musical production that I was a part of.  His comedic timing and improvisational skills are just awesome.

A couple of years ago, I saw a Stanley Steemer commercial on television…The actor in the commercial looked so familiar, but I just couldn’t figure out why.  I saw the commercial again, and suddenly realized why the actor looked so familiar — it was Dave!  No way!

I had the honor of interviewing Dave a couple of months ago on my radio show.  You can listen to the interview here if you wish.  Below is also the commercial that I saw on television, featuring Dave.  I bet you’ve seen him in these commercials too!

The power of laughter is so important for a healthy life, and a healthy brain and mind.  Who are some of the funny people you know?  How do they bless your life?

To take time to enjoy life and laugh is to put ourselves in a more positive mindset.  When we enjoy the laughter — the bliss of the moment — we are in a much better position to live life to its fullest, full of optimism, potential, and pure satisfaction!  Laughter is a gift!  Enjoy it!

Here’s Dave’s commercial, as promised:

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net