"STAGED KINDNESS"...

The Staged Kindness concept popped in my mind after a trip to New Zealand. Residents there are world-renowned for their kindness. And they did indeed seem to be especially kind-hearted.

But why are they that way? Certainly it cannot be their genes. In my Cognitive Science studies at UC Berkeley, I remember reading papers that suggested that people within groups tend to adopt the characteristics of their group. For example, subjects in an "elite" task group will perform faster than those assigned to the "dunce" group. Even if both groups were identical in skill.

It makes perfect sense then to suggest that New Zealanders are friendlier because that is part of their group characteristic. They think of themselves as being friendly, so they are.

This begs the question: how can we get Americans to think they are friendly? For a long time we've been exposed to nightly news reports of youth violence, murders, robberies, road rage on the rise. We rarely hear anything about people being good to one other. As TV shapes more and more of our world, the picture it paints becomes our group characteristic. We start thinking we live in a world of angry people. And this shapes how we react to and interpret the actions of people around us.

So we're quicker to jump to anger - thinking that the person who just cut us off on the highway did it on purpose out of malice. So we react in anger, by honking, or worse, acting more aggressively. This other person sees your actions, and this further defines how they see their group characteristic. Their unconscious mind accepts that Americans, like them, are an angry lot.

It's a spiral of anger that can only lead us to a world like that depicted in Blade Runner. That doesn't sound very good to me.

We could keep our eyes open for the perfect moment to play the kindness card - but these moments are far too rare and hard to spot. Besides, people within the spiral of anger are suspicious of acts of kindness - thinking you expect something from them in return. After all, Americans like us aren't kind without expecting something, right?

What we need to do instead is create a situation where the people giving and receiving the kind act are in alliance. We can stage kindness anywhere, anytime, in any way. It's fun to do, completely safe, and may just indeed improve the world. Because as people see acts of kindness around them, they will think the people in their community are kind. So they will be too. Because people in their community are friendly, and they're part of that group.

Let's pretend to make the world a better place.

“The Life You Were Meant To Have: Lessons on Living with Purpose and Clear Intent”

Photo taken by Ronna Westland in Santiago Chile, October 2006, next to The Statue of the Virgin Mary on Cerro San Cristobal in Parque Metroplitano.








Creating a life you love and bringing dreams into reality takes effort. It takes courage to look at your life. Resolving to take inventory of what is working and what isn’t requires honesty and diligence as well. Yet if done with care and compassion, a life review can help you understand where you’ve been and what you learned so far. It can also help you identify the lessons that you will carry with you to help you along your way. Taking inventory can also help you realize what patterns are no longer serving you and will help you see what steps to take to overcome undesired circumstances and release old ways .

What do you want to give your attention to? Are you able to identify your true desires? Are your desires crystal clear or are they fuzzy and vague? The Universe works in a very organized fashion. Your thoughts and intentions come together rising up from your true being-your soul. If you really have no idea what you desire then certainly a process of elimination (illumination) is in order.

Simple Steps to Take: Act, Believe, Receive.

ACT

Start by getting into a quiet place. Clear your mind and then one by one count your blessings. No matter who you are, there are many. Consent to being generous in return. Be gentle with yourself. Surround yourself with positive loving energy. Allow yourself to feel relaxed and peaceful. Remember to be thankful to the Universe for all your blessings and then focus your attention on what you’d like to create. Do not focus on what you do not want—that only serves to bring it about. To create a life you love, you must give it your full attention. Always remember that energy flows where attention goes. Pay special attention to thoughts and ideas that come to you because they truly are answered prayers. Look beyond the surface and see the underlying order of your dreams and take mental notes.

Next access your power of intention. Be clear about what you desire and focus on it with unwavering faith. Intention is not abstract or vague. Intention is very clear, concise and powerful. Focus on your highest priorities which will help you get motivated and inspired. Using the power of intention you will manifest blessings into your life. Notice loving guidance you hear from other people and from deep inside your heart. Learn to measure thoughts energetically accepting that if you feel heavy when you think about one thing or another chances are you need to move on and if you feel light chances are your intentions are resonating with your soul. Align yourself to it. Healing, manifesting, creating miracles will become genuine possibilities and probabilities when you connect to your power of intention.

Clear your space. Getting rid of clutter and chaos will clear the energetic force fields around you. Find time to go outside and get some fresh air. Connect with nature to relieve stress and gain new ideas. Being in nature renews your spirit and revives your energy level. So does having a clean environment.

Let go of your old fears. Recognize that fear is faith in reverse. One thing is for certain, no one has ever received the spirit of fear from God. To overcome your fears, identify what your fears are and then systematically resolve to separate them, acknowledge them, embrace them, surround them in healing white light, them bless them and send them on their way. Fear is (False Evidence Appearing Real). Timothy 1:7 says that “God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of sound mind. Faith on the other hand is the substance of things hoped for; evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1.

Meditate. Find a nice, quiet spot where you can relax and meditate at least 20 minutes a day. Mediation is an integral part of becoming receptive to the messages of the Universe. Once you have learned how to contain your mind’s chatter with meditation, you can use this tool to ask for divine guidance. Note: You do not receive what you do not ask for. So ask!

Pray. Prayer is a powerful direct link between you and the Universe. By praying we acknowledge God’s power and goodness and our own neediness and dependence. It is therefore an act of the virtue implying the deepest reverence for God. Prayer presupposes faith in God and hope in his goodness. The use or habit of prayer redounds to our advantage in many ways. Besides obtaining the gifts and graces we need, the very process elevates our mind and heart to a knowledge and love of Divine things, greater confidence in God, and other precious sentiments. Indeed, so numerous and so helpful are these effects of prayer that they compensate us, even when the special object of our prayer is not granted. Often they are of far greater benefit than what we ask for. In addition to these effects of prayer, we may merit restoration to grace. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you" Matthew 7:7 "Therefore I say unto you, all things, whatsoever you ask when ye pray, believe that you shall receive: and they shall come unto you." Mark 11:24

Forgive yourself: It doesn’t matter if you've chanted a million Hail Mary's or made a pilgrimage to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem or done all Twelve Steps five times over, you will simply not be released from a history (notice I did not say past:) that has repeated and repeated and repeated itself...until you COMPLETELY forgive yourself...neither does it make a bit of difference if you've discharged your debt to society and paid your dues to those who have made it possible for you to have gotten as far as you have... unless you reimburse yourself for all the grief you have caused…yourself!

Clear away obstacles and bring your intentions to fruition. Make the time needed to achieve your intention a reality. Support your intentions with light and love. Be flexible. Be willing to let go. Surrendering control to your higher power is very liberating and you may be pleasantly surprised at the relief you experience. Understand that timing is everything. Use positive affirmations every single day. Go with the flow. The Universe will be ready when you are! And finally, choose life! The realm of infinite possibilities includes choosing life (Living In Faith Everyday), choosing to lived inspired (In Spirit) and choosing to feel good (to feel God). Accept that all pain comes from resistance and all resistance comes from a separation of God. It is that simple.

BELIEVE

Belief is the psychological state in which an individual is convinced of the truth of a proposition. Like the related concepts truth, knowledge and wisdom, there is no precise definition of belief on which scholars agree, but rather numerous theories and continued debate about the nature of belief.

In the book, ‘Your Heart’s Desire” author Sonia Choquette says that “your beliefs create the landscape of your experience by imprinting the subconscious mind with directives. Each belief you accept is embraced by the subconscious mind as a command, which the subconscious then sets about following. It doesn’t argue. It doesn’t change the order. It doesn’t talk you out of it. All is says is, “Yes, yes, yes.” Then it tries to fill your order.”

It is important to put forth the effort to define our belief systems through conscious, rational thought and logical deliberation. We have to consider our current values, examine our lives, establish a new set of values, and adjust these values as we grow, to accommodate future decisions and further growth. If we allow our subconscious mind to accumulate unanswered questions and unrelated information, we will process new information to create unwarranted conclusions, false generalizations, undefined contradictions, unidentified wishes, doubts, and fears thrown together by chance into a mass of confusion called 'self-doubt.'

A solid belief system provides you with a set of core values that mature with your experiences and knowledge. By organizing experiences, you are better able to organize how you handle future experiences. Organized experiences provide you with a sense of accomplishment because your perspective is one of success and control as opposed to having a morass of disconnected and confusing memories. By connecting knowledge and experiences through existing knowledge, you can associate situations with previous knowledge, and gain additional knowledge as you move through life.

According to Alex Paterson in “Belief Systems” Feb. 2001, The author Robertson Davies was even more brutally honest in his book 'The Deptford Trilogy ' (p477), when he said: "Be sure to choose what you believe and know why you believe it, because if you don't choose your beliefs, you may be certain that some belief, and probably not a very creditable one, will choose you." What all this means is that a person should embrace ideas and beliefs that sit well with him or her at the present time, whilst keeping in mind that as awareness about reality expands with the advent of new experiences, so must one's concept of reality change accordingly.”

RECEIVE

Sometimes receiving God’s gifts and graces comes in planned, small steps methodically accessed and systematically executed and sometimes it shows up with a loud boom. I typically expect the latter! No logic behind that thought just how I perceive its arrival. Fear and worry will not work. The never have. So it’s time to try extreme faith. Perhaps it's beyond time to get back to our roots. With faith, the wings will come.

There are multitudes of choices because there are multitudes of people. You hold within you a Universe, and within that Universe are layer upon layer of infinite possibilities. It is your choice whether you go deep or expand out the largest galaxies of your perception. All possibilities live within you and living is a great gift. It is an end unto itself. To not enjoy it would be a sin.

Think of it this way, picture yourself as a loving Mother, who—no matter what she does for you, no matter how much love and pleasant things with which she surrounds you—has a sullen, angry child that refuses to enjoy her gifts. How would that make you feel? Not a pretty thought is it? So enjoy, set clear intentions, embrace your inner divinity, live your life to the fullest, receive your gifts, give thanks and praise for your many blessings. Thank God for that double vanilla latte’ and juicy grilled steak and the glorious evening sunset spent with friends. Be happy and be well. Wish others well too. And hey, here's one last little secret, this place called Earth is an amusement park for both your body and your soul. If that concept doesn’t work for you, perhaps an encounter up close and personal would be enough to convince you... this is the life you were meant to have.

Many blessings to all!

"The World As I See It"...An Essay by Einstein

"How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he sometimes thinks he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people -- first of all for those upon whose smiles and well-being our own happiness is wholly dependent, and then for the many, unknown to us, to whose destinies we are bound by the ties of sympathy. A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving...

"I have never looked upon ease and happiness as ends in themselves -- this critical basis I call the ideal of a pigsty. The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. Without the sense of kinship with men of like mind, without the occupation with the objective world, the eternally unattainable in the field of art and scientific endeavors, life would have seemed empty to me. The trite objects of human efforts -- possessions, outward success, luxury -- have always seemed to me contemptible.

"My passionate sense of social justice and social responsibility has always contrasted oddly with my pronounced lack of need for direct contact with other human beings and human communities. I am truly a 'lone traveler' and have never belonged to my country, my home, my friends, or even my immediate family, with my whole heart; in the face of all these ties, I have never lost a sense of distance and a need for solitude..."

"My political ideal is democracy. Let every man be respected as an individual and no man idolized. It is an irony of fate that I myself have been the recipient of excessive admiration and reverence from my fellow-beings, through no fault, and no merit, of my own. The cause of this may well be the desire, unattainable for many, to understand the few ideas to which I have with my feeble powers attained through ceaseless struggle. I am quite aware that for any organization to reach its goals, one man must do the thinking and directing and generally bear the responsibility. But the led must not be coerced, they must be able to choose their leader. In my opinion, an autocratic system of coercion soon degenerates; force attracts men of low morality...The really valuable thing in the pageant of human life seems to me not the political state, but the creative, sentient individual, the personality; it alone creates the noble and the sublime, while the herd as such remains dull in thought and dull in feeling.

"This topic brings me to that worst outcrop of herd life, the military system, which I abhor...This plague-spot of civilization ought to be abolished with all possible speed. Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -- how passionately I hate them!

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery -- even if mixed with fear -- that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds: it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity. In this sense, and only this sense, I am a deeply religious man... I am satisfied with the mystery of life's eternity and with a knowledge, a sense, of the marvelous structure of existence -- as well as the humble attempt to understand even a tiny portion of the reason that manifests itself in nature."

~Albert Einstein

to Kindness, Beauty, Truth...and all the Sublime mysteries of Life!!!

Real Estate at the Speed of Light

Photograph "Saguaro Holding Sun" White Tank Mountains. West of Phoenix, AZ. Copyright Frank Zullo at Zullo Photography at http://www.zullophoto.com/2232.html

Article reposted with Marc Davison, the author's express permission.

In the time it took to read this sentence:

A new idea was born.
A new innovation that will change the world just emerged.
A new business registered.
A new way of thinking is now viral.

A speed-of-light change is coursing through every industry. Each has its own examples of those who are part of the movement. They come in three forms: the map makers, the ship captains and the willing passengers. Each depend on the other.

Every industry also has examples of those who chose not to be part of the movement. They come in three forms: Disbelievers, the stubborn and the uniformed.

Real estate is on the fast track of change. Like every other vertical, it too has its share of map makers and disbelievers, ship captains and the uninformed, willing passengers and the stubborn.

What category do you fit into?

New Worlds

I've been short on sleep lately. If you're a sailor you'll understand why. The winds of change blow steadily at 30 knots. I'm Columbus out on the Web's open seas. Looking for new worlds to discover.
New ideas to grab onto and cultivate. What a time to be alive.

My RSS reader chugs along pouring hundreds of new articles a day into my engine. I carry the Web in my palm so I don't miss a thing.

What kind of life is that? I find it exhilarating. Besides, what's the alternative? Wading in the shallows? Staying tied to the dock? Being blissfully ignorant? I can't imagine that. Not now. The consequences are too high. Information is freedom. Freedom from dependency. Freedom from manipulation. Freedom to form your own opinions rather than be influenced by the masses. Freedom to succeed while others wonder how.

Tending the Garden

I plant seeds. I consider my registration on new 2.0 sites my little contribution to the online garden where seasons change daily. I willingly sign up for sites that capture me for all the right reasons -- where the benefits are obvious. I join a network, mingle with fellow humans, participate in history in the making.

Many of the sites I've joined have grown mightily. I feel as if I am part of the solution, part of the future, a viable member of a worldwide community that enacts change.

I'm a dreamer as well. I believe that one day social networks, due to the mass participation from humans all over the planet, will drive massive and positive change worldwide. At the very least, it further flattens our world and opens up channels to do business with people we otherwise would never meet.

Look What I Stumbled Upon

Awhile back I stumbled upon Stumbleupon.com while customizing my Firefox browser. It has enabled me to search in ways that Google can't by connecting my searches to related places recommended by other StumbleUpon users. It's a referral network where people like me help each other make sense of the world. I assume you already know that.

In a way this is the start of Web 3.0 -- the combination of search with the collective knowledge of a community.

What does this mean for real estate?

Are you being StumbledUpon? How many people are tripping into your gardens and spreading your seeds out to others? How many of your sites are growing into towering beanstalks? Being spread virally across the fertile soil of social networks that attract boomers like me down to your next client 20 years from now?

How many of you are shriveling from a lack of fertilizer and water?

Real estate brokers and agents want to be at the center of the transaction. Cool. What are you doing about it? Real estate search begins on the Web where it appears only 65 percent of industry professionals have established some sort of presence (usually a poorly designed vanity Web site geared toward "capturing" consumers.)

Here's the opportunity: Millions of consumers are out there on the Web, planting seeds like me. They are connecting, stumbling upon others for referrals.

Imagine a real estate version of StumbleUpon where the home-search paradigm factors in age, gender and special interests. Results would be ranked, tagged and guided by other site users.

Imagine a StumbleUpon agent finder. StumbleUpon Brokerages. StumbleUpon Neighborhoods. The possibilities are endless.

You can sit and imagine (and look at what they are accomplishing), remain blissfully unaware or build something of your own. If you do build something, I'll be among the first to sign up. Judging by the success of past sites I've discovered and signed up on, it seems l have a green thumb.

Marc Davison is a founding partner of 1000watt Consulting at http://www.1000wattconsulting.com
He can be reached at marc@1000wattconsulting.com

Must Rehab Beliefs....

I recently came across an article called, "Real Estate at the Speed of Light". You can copy this link and read it for yourself if you'd like. It can be found at http://www.inman.com/hstory.aspx?ID=63678.

So I was very inspired by this story and the story writers technique in conveying a "serious" message in an un-serious manner helped drive the point. I dont like being preached TO. Never have, never will, but this story "stuck" with me all day. So, I was lead to email the articles owner, Marc Davison of 1000watt Consulting. I didn't get too windy (honest I didn't) but I did share some of my thoughts with him. He wrote back! Go figure right? Nonetheless, when he writes me back..so begins the electronic trek to not only his website but also to another one that he touts as well. I am sharing this information with you now because here I am 24 hours later, busier than hell, but still thinking about all of these people, places and things. There must be something to that!

In his "story" Marc says and I quote, "In the time it took to read this sentence: A new idea was born. A new innovation that will change the world just emerged. A new business registered. A new way of thinking is now viral.

The speed-of-light change is coursing through every industry. Each has its own examples of those who are part of the movement. They come in three forms: the map makers, the ship captains and the willing passengers. Each needs the others.

And every industry has examples of those who chose not to be part of the movement. They come in three forms: the disbelievers, the stubborn and the uniformed.

Real estate is on the fast track of change. It has it's share of map makers and disbelievers, ship captains and the uninformed, willing passengers and the stubborn."

End of quote...

And I left this article with an overwhelming thought of...Hey you know what? It's all true! Sometimes we get so bogged down in the business of doing business, that even if we started out as a map maker or ship's captain or even a willing passenger (key word willing, which for me means a duplicate set of keys in my hand for rapid escape when needed), we forget who we are, why we are here and the reason we came here in the first place. I have experienced this myself. And it's no easy task to simply "change your mind, change your life", because things just don't happen without effort and for some of us, the thought of having to drum up another ounce of effort just cannot be done.

Maybe we are where we are, in this space and time because of certain circumstances. Maybe it's because of (extreme) boredom. Maybe it's because of a lack of passion, a feeling of being burned out because for whatever reason you were doing "it" ...it all just seemed to fizzle. Or maybe...and here's the biggie...you just plain don't give a damn anymore! I can certainly understand that too! So if by some strange, magical coincidence (yeah right) I was lead to this article for no identifiable and reasonable reason, I think it was a good thing after all. It did made me think, it did make take the time out of my very busy self-induced BS schedule to access another human being's thoughts, feelings and personal point of view....and somehow at the end of the day, I felt refreshed. Like a little micro-holiday. This is why I am writing today, because maybe if this affected me, it will affect you. Maybe all you need right now is just a little micro-holiday or a breath of fresh air to get it all going again. An infusion. Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. You need an infusion and you need it fast but I ain't talking about caffeine baby! LOL

So, here's the opportunity folks. Go to http://www.1000wattconsulting.com/, (or simply click the green link in the title above) check out Marc's website, explore the services he and his professional team offers, definitely read the blog. Maybe leave your mark on society and contribute something to this blog. You never know if something you say or do makes another person's day or sparks an idea that'll forever change the world! Personally, I believe that this is how all great things come about! Education or elimination baby, there's no doubt about it!

I also found another cool article on the 1000watt blog today that has also made me think. I may post that entry next. Also, go check out a cool tool that Marc Davison recommends at http://stumbledupon.com. I did and I found an architectural website that inspired me in just a few minutes. If architecture isn't your gig, that's okay, check it out anyways, the photography is awesome. Go to http://www.thecoolhunter.net/architecture/ to find out what I'm talking about. They roam the globe so you're in the know! Very cool stuff!

The fabulous and very unique artwork of the 'Sidewalk Chalk Guy' is also incredible and darn sure worth a moment of your time. Have a peek at http://gprime.net/images/sidewalkchalkguy/ you will be amazed and dazzled! I promise.

So in closing, let me say this...Get inspired by whatever means it takes. Just do it! Do it today, tomorrow is never promised! Get branded or re-branded. Start something or quit something. Give something away! If you spend your time thinking about others, chances are you won't have time to think about yourself. Pump up your juices again. Start a new trend. Be a pioneer. Give yourself a new message to think about. Stop telling yourself you're not worthy! You Are!!! Hey! Float your own boat. Why not, there are no "rules" about that. And if there are, break 'em! That's what rules are for right? And for the love of Pete, (who is Pete anyways?) LOL...tell that negative Nelly in your life to piss off and go away!

Be the captain of your own Universe, you don't need a boat to do this! Just get up, go out and do something new to get it all going again. You have it in you! I know you do! Be happy! Be Joyful! Be silly! Smile! When was the last time you just laughed? If you're having to think about this folks, it's been way too long! Find your passion again unless of course you never had any and in that case my very best recommendation would be for you to ignore every single fabulous thing I just wrote about and go out and kick rocks on the side of the road for a while. That'll be enlightenening!  :)