The Fuel of Action

WILL is the fuel of action. Will is an internal sense of desire; a simple wanting and taking simple steps in the direction of those desires.

Step 1: what do you want? Tomorrow? Next week? Next Year? Think about it.

Will you get out of bed tomorrow?
Will you eat today?
Will you go out tonight?

Maybe easy questions.

Will you challenge yourself to be more than you are?
Will you accept yourself as you are?
Will you stop worrying what others think?
Will you face your fears?
Will you push yourself to do things that seem impossible?

Maybe not so easy.

It is not CAN, it is WILL. Simply yes or no?


Humans have "will" which is the general capacity to have desires and act (power) deliberately to achieve them.

Like everything we need to deconstruct something in order to understand. We do this to the self, in order to find ways to improve/grow. And our ultimate human desire is to find happiness (whatever that may be to each of us) and this is achieved/actioned by following your own true willpower.

If you want to find it and wish it to be, then it will come. But no...its not magic.

But simple action like general hope and thought in the right direction are putting the wheels in motion. And more effort or just energy at its simplest will help.

Blow the seeds into the wind, and the universe will help grow the flowers of your desires. 

But it takes time and again some kind of effort (to do or NOT do). This reminds me of The Secret, a great extension of this simple idea of The Fuel of Action. Also Manifesting your Destiny by Mike Dooley is another actionable approach to HOW to get what you find - put that fuel on the fire.

Now what I see as the phenomenon, is the fact that people want things but they do not take any sort of action  - it is like they are are not to the point where they want it enough to make the effort or there may be things like physical addictions stopping them (addiction being to laziness, contentment, sorrow, mental barriers, self pity, drugs, etc).

Failure to act comes when the desire to want does not out weight the fuel of action needed to ignite effort.

Its an interesting concept to explore because it is hard to know what is just wanting something else (not being content cause its our nature) vs really needing to take action to get out of a rut, to better yourself.

Many of our "goal posts" continually move as we get closer to (you never will seem to lose enough weight or get fit enough). Its a fact we feel better about ourselves when we are healthy (proud to be putting in the effort to exercise), we feel better around others, our attitudes improve, etc. But the "doing it" part seems to always fall to the waste side. Maybe it is because the goalpost moves and that defeats our willpower?



You might thinking I have NO willpower, cause I see that chocolate cake and I am eating that before I can even think twice. Saturday morning comes and I am so on that couch with the cartoons on, vs running that mile.

BUT everyone has a Devil on their shoulder so its just finding the "will" to overpower "him" more times than it controls you.


OK soooooo we have desires and actions.
How can we understand our desires and take action to get it?

1. Try listing out what you want today, tomorrow, next month, next year and in the next 5 years
2. For each thing, write 1 thing you think you need to do or not do to get that desire
3. Write a sticky note that says "you can do it, I believe" put it on your mirror and say it out loud each day
4. Know you might take 10 steps back before 1 forward

A great talk worth listening to in showing the power of positive thoughts/actions - http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html


Key stat/advice:
-2 minutes of action, 21 days in a row, changes your thought pattern and in the end creating a more productive and efficient person.



The conclusion:
- WILL is the fuel of action
- There is no CAN in WILL
- Simple steps to ignite your fuel

Practicing what you preach aint easy....

As embark on yet another relocation to another big city...maybe the biggest this go, NYC, I cannot help but sit here and realise its time to put into practice all this mumbo jumbo you go on about. Mind control, present moment, confidence, perspective, no what if's, etc. 

Step up, step in and step to it.

Time to walk the walk and put my theory into practice (TIP).

Remembering that even if I let myself down, I am human and trying to figure this out too. The trick is to just try and know that you didn't fail at the hardest step...the first one.

And even if the next few steps are you stumbling backwards. More can be said and more growth can be seen with the first step alone.

Here we go.

The Nasty Need of Validation - the SPIF revolution

Why do we need someone else to validate who we are, the actions that we take and anything for that matter.  For some reason when a person says how *wonderful* (insert affirmative word) you are, you kind of believe in yourself a little more.  Even if it is someone we barely know.

Doubts come - like clouds in the sky and validation is like the wind. But why I question.

If there were an easy exit to remind us of our self worth, I'd put that blinker on to get on that highway with a quickness.

I feel there is a lot more genY'ers (twenty something and younger) on this hwy, I look at them with a bit of envy; "you little kittens, walking around like lions". Do you really have that much confidence on the inside? Or is it just a party on the outside?

I do think you can be of a self-worth mind set and still crave validation. And the genY'ers are just externally and vocally projecting in order to get that validation.








I think somehow the mind on its own should be able to find the strength to be self sufficient.  One of life's mission is grow in the direction of being mentally self-sufficient. This way  contentment/happiness would be found more easily.

However, we are social creatures, we thrive to find this connection and almost need it for a sense of completeness for the journey of life.  Double edge sword.

OK the SPIF (Social Pay it Forward) Revolution -

 

WHY?
I would LOVE to help drive a bit of daily selfless giving. But it might just be a pipe dream, with no legs but hey, dream big or go home.

Its a nice idea.

WHAT?
Imagine being able to give without needing money. To make someones day with a little note.

Its simple.

So many people post their status updates, really just fishing for some support. And there is NOTHING wrong with it.

IE:
status: "do not think today is going to be a good day, everything sux."
Reading between the lines: hey guys, you're my friends, please help me make it through the day, are you out there"


SPIF: Its proactive vs reactive.


HOW?
I think everyday we go to one of our unnecessarily large facebook "friends" list, pick one and give them a random little boost.

Its easy.

Maybe a reason why they are your friend. 
Maybe just a "hey you are great and lots of people look up to you, just saying",
"you can make today a good day,
"just remember you are special and live today like there is no tomorrow".


Starting the post with SPIF, so people do not think its an odd stalker post.
"SPIF: I remember in high school you were a leader, a motivator and someone not enough people knew - I am sure today you are even better. Keep on, keeping on."

"SPIF: you are so beautiful. I do not know you that well but our paths crossed at some point. And I just think you are going to have a great day and get through all of life's challenges.

"SPIF: "Today you are on my mind. Keep being amazing."


WHEN?
Sometimes I feel death brings these reminders out. But why not do it when people are still alive. It is good to see, read and know that people do care. And think you are special.

Life is bloody hard. Imagine having the real support of "friends" to help get you through. And the support is as simple as words - YOU can do this.

THE SPIF REVOLUTION.

External validation will take a back seat when one can find the strength to control the mind, and happiness is at our finger tips once we realise we are not that voice.

But for now help a friend out - SPIF 'em.

Your a gravitational pull

I move around a bit and really seek for new connections often. Or coming back to old cities and try to reconnect. Life is busy. It takes effort and is hard.

Sometimes we can take it personal. Its not. And if it is, who cares.

I just like thinking about the saying in the image below. All in due time. Its important to make effort and pursue to a point. We are a ball of energy and things will inevitably come to you...if you build it the right things will come to you.

Just worry about your gravitational pull, your world and the rest will fall into place as they should. Believe.

unclarification of clarification

Yoga means Union - each time you meet with your mat ponder this:

Now begins the clarification on Union.

Union is the suspension of thought.

Union reveals pure consciousness.

Often we hear, read, touch or find something to cause a deeper reaction within.  Somethings we can't necessarily explain. And sometimes this happens right away, sometimes it take times and the effect continue to ripple into larger things (thoughts, changes, interest, knowedge).

These words are, in essenance, the beginning of the Yoga Sutras and the beginning of a journey that will no doubt take many life times to understand. 

One might now ask - What is Pure Consciousness?

I think the key is not always to try and understand everything; to put a science and logic to it.  We have to experience and feel it to know.

As we venture towards the Meditation step in the 8-fold Asthanga Path, each time you sit on your cushion you will ponder this:

Now begins the clarification of Pure Consciousness.

Pure Consciousness is the translucidity of self.

Pure Consciousness reveals the soul.

I am asking myself - why go vegan?

Funny I never thought I would go vegetarian, let alone vegan. But sometimes in the course of life you gravitate in a direction that you could never plan or anticipate. That's life. If you could foresee your future, it wouldn't be all that fun or exciting right? Or you'd probably probably be laying on a beach, of your own island, doing skype psychic sessions right.

Meat just never sat right in my stomach. And it doesn't really go through the body as fast as I'd like - they say meat sits in your intestines rotting for months or longer.  Yuck.
Also, I seem to be plagued with bloating (and yes equipped with Gas X to help avoid public ramifications of this), which dairy and all animal products are known to contributed to.  Bloating doesn't feel good. And feeling good is kind of important for me.

When I ate meat, I tried to hide from the fact of it being an actual animal and all, which I think a lot of people have to do in order to eat it (the cheap frozen bag of chicken is just food, not a living breathing thing...ok then cool).

On August, 18th 2011, I embarked on a trip to India, connecting in Abu Dhabi. I was alone and new to the whole turban, everyone staring at white people thing (especially blonde women type, many days I wish I'd just had a burka handy). Well, I saw a little piece of home and comfort when I saw Burger King. Chicken nuggets and a conversation with an Aussie bloke before I continue to the unknown was in order.

I wish I could say my last meat was a delicious fillet mignon or better yet pork dumplings. But nope the good ole BK nugs was it.

I knew I wasn't going to eat meat in India; just set that stake in the sand when I decided to go. First, because the carcasses are still warm and hanging in view on the street. Two, I just wasn't keen on the idea of unsanitary-ness when it comes to meat. I knew I was going to have enough issues with the tummy as it was (and I did). Thirdly, the religious fabric of the country and culture makes you want to follow suit to really be immersed.

I got back to reality in the West. And thought why not continue this? I feel great. Lighter. Healthier. But bloody hell the menu's and access to food without meat is a pain.

People kind of look at you weird. What...now your a hippy freak - are you going to go throw paint on people wearing fur?  Yeah, maybe...and watch out I will be naked under the full moon in your front lawn. Well, that actually might come true.

I read a few books over the years - Skinny Bitch is one that stands out cause obvi its hilarious.
I took away one of many important things - first the idea that milk was a marketing ploy.  I am a marketer (not proudly) and this makes me mad - its is not good for adults and we are the only adult animal to have this substance past adolescence. Cows milk makes little baby cows into 2 ton creatures, why the heck are we putting it in our bodies. We think we need the calcium, but do we really?

Then I started watching documentaries because they were on Net Flix and sounded interesting. Funny how happy accidents are born - some in the form of knowledge.

I started to learn more about what is going into the animals that we are eating - the steroids, and poisons that make them grow faster.  The antibiotics to deal with the unsanitary and unhealthy conditions these animals are in. Its just not what food used to be and not good for us. And its all in the name of making a profit - industrialisation. Knowledge is power and lots of people just do not want to know.  And I was one, but now the old philosophy is out da door "what we do not know does not harm us"

Forks over Knifes is a great documentary review research of doctors into the need for protein from animals - everyone thinks we need meat for protein. But do we? Certainly not the meat we have access to with all the chemicals.
They are finding that we do not need it and can get the needs from other means. And 2nd that a lot of diseases and cancers are starting to be correlated to our diets and, in particular, meat.

Then I started reading about what this industrialisation is doing to the environment and some compelling realities about this industry, and some cruelties to animals. The natural cycle of cows, their poo, the flys, the grazing, the circle of life - doesn't happen naturally anymore.
The dirt no longer has the nutrients the veggies are in, cause of too many chemicals and cycles of growth...

Here are a few crazy stats:

1. Animal excrement is 130x that of the entire human population in the US.
2. Animals produce MORE global warming gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) than all the motorized vehicles in the world combined.
1. Switching to a vegan diet is 50% more effective than switching to a hybrid car
3. More than 1/2 of the water consumed in the US is used to raise animals for food.
1. Veggie diet requires 300 gallons of water per day, while a meat diet requires more than 4000 gallons daily.
4. 1 animal requires 16 pounds of grain for just 1 pound of edible flesh, thats a lot of food to feed the animals vs redirecting to starving people.
5. Dairy cows on average live for 5-7 years, where as they are able to live to 20 yrs+
6. Pigs are more intelligent than dogs, and have the intelligence of a 3-year old.
7. Egg-laying hens are kept without water and food for 14 days at a time to force their bodies into another egg-laying cycle
8. Beaks of chickens and tails of pigs are cut off with no pain relievers. Ouch.

I am seeing/hearing more people becoming aware, making changes which will shift out planet and society back out of the enivormental dark ages. That is this whole hoopla about 2012 Mayan calendar - consciousness, awareness, responsibility and action.

2 "hows":
- Buying local - supporting small businesses and farming. Why support major cooperations, paying the "man" vs the people trying to make it?
- Buy organic - not only is it better for you health wise, its better for the animals and the environment.

Its annoying that doing all this is more expensive, but the industrialisation caused the prices to go down. And cheaper is not better. It is supposed to be more money (=more value).  I am telling this to myself as well cause with a minimum wage job now, its hard to do.


I think each to their own. I hope for more people to be gravitate towards knowledge; better the world and themselves. How, what and when is all in due time and up to each person.



So as I take some time seeing if cheese and I can break up, I will continue to open my eyes and mind to the world around.

What can I do to help myself, others and the world?


PS - um chocolate has milk (light bulb momento), this vegan thing could prove to be difficult....slowly slowly

The grit factor - counter intuitive recipe for success

I love this:

"Progress in life is directly proportional to the dirt under our fingernails. Let’s call the dirt, the grit factor, “g.”

(Usefulness of your Idea + Luck + Connections)*g = Success

Embrace the suck. Enjoy the grit. It’s good for us. It will make us better. And if we’re not trying to get better every day, shame on us."

Another great article from:

http://www.positivelypositive.com/2012/07/30/the-counterintuitive-ingredient-to-experiencing-success/

 

Whats your relationship to time?

This is a great article - I am inspired to write this way and to continue to evaluate time...its our responsibility and beneficial to many facets of our life...

http://www.positivelypositive.com/2012/08/03/the-side-effects-of-chronic-hurrying/

And I cannot help but add in something Joseph Campbell says - in time we are simple only 1 fraction of what we truly are....

How to walk with a full cup of coffee?

In Yoga, we aim for mobility, flexibility, strength and peace of mind. How? Through challenging postures - stretching and balancing.
Balancing in the standing asanas are always interesting as many things impact your ability to do the posture; depending on your energy level, your sleep for that day, and most importantly your dristi - or gaze. Ever try walking with a full cup of coffee in your hand? Your instincts tell you to watch or keep you eye on the cup in order not to spill...when I was 16 working my first job, a waitress that had been in the biz a long time, told me that I am doing this all wrong as my hand and shoes are wet with coffee. She says gaze directly ahead, dont even keep the coffee in your focus...you see where you are going and you automatically have a steady hand. Boom, no spill.



Same with yoga and balancing. Once you focus your gaze, ideally your mind, you will find peace in the posture. Which directly translates to your everyday life. Whow whow you think, how can you just jump from a posture to life. Some things you cant explain. You can read and read about swimming but until you are in the water, floating, the concept of the weightlessness is not fully understood until experienced. Same-same with these concepts in yoga.  But there is a indirect relationship between focusing (one-pointed mind) on something, like the gaze/breath in order to assist you in succeeding to remain steady (if even for a second). There is never perfection, meaning once you achieve it that means in the future you will do it again. Nope. As I said, it depends on many factors - what did you eat today, too much sun, too little sleep, mind busy?

Key parts of the body are directly tied to balance, most of which can be improved through yoga (muscles, joints, grounding/touch, gaze/focus). There are 2 things left to anatomy of the head - brain (vestibulcerebellum) and ear (perilymph fluid).



We hear alot about balance in life - in food, in activities, in really everything...moderation. Moderation is balance. It is an important lesson in life, that no one will master but it is a daily effort we must all try not to forget.

Moral of the story today is balance in your standing postures, will help with overall steadiness and balance in your life.

A respite...is ok

Well I cannot believe its been 2 months since I have been an active yoggie blogger...I took a little detour on the journey of life. More like a pit-stop, pulled over, slowed and stagnated...
I am back, heaps and heaps of yoga and life passions in queue to post...more to come in hours and days to come.

One foot in front of the other has been my motto for the last 2 months...thats just not going to cut it.
I have been getting back into regular yoga in July, its just bloody expensive and I need to change that with donation based studio in Seattle!

I think we push and push....more and more. When we stop for a respite that we always desire, we feel guilty, we feel a lacking, a need to be doing...its just in some of our natures. How to find contentment, a million dollar quest....

stay tuned, Im back.