Yes We Can

I am no sports fan, of any sport. And I don't need to be to get charged up to support Team USA for ice-hockey at the Olymics after watching this 5 year old Warrior of a young man speak. Check it out if you haven't - some 2 million people have.

Being Perfect

I love what I read in Rev. Kathianne Lewis's newsletter this week. She talks about the word "perfect." She says in Aramaic the word "perfect" has other meanings, some of which were 'complete,' 'fulfilled' or 'mature.' That's Perfect! (sorry I couldn't resist it). At the heart of this lesson is "I am perfect, whole and complete - just as I am right here and now." How much time and energy have I spent comparing, critizing, condemning myself against others - a lot over the years. How much time do you and companies in particularly do the same - all with the intent of competing and "beating" others so they may be the perfect alternative for consumers. In reality, there is only one me. There always has been and always will be. There is only one you. Each of us are perfect just as we are - with all of our character defects right in there in the mix of things. It is that light and shadow that makes us this lovely tapestry that we call the world. And it all weaves together in harmony and balance - at least that was the intent of our creator. Finally, I love what Kathianne says about spiritual maturity. I am not the same person I was as a child. And that's not simply my mind and body that has evolved - it's my connection with source. For all those formative years when the world is constantly bombarding children with how to be, do and have - to "survive" in this world. Instead, wouldn't it be perfect if we realized we co-exist in this tapestry and in celebrating my perfection I celebrate yours and on and on and on. Join me in celebrating your perfect-ness, just as it is right here and right now.

God in the office

Interesting piece is USA Today - worth a read. They are claiming that acceptance of spirituality in the workplace is on the rise. Here's an except: "According to the workplace spirituality movement, creativity at work is a spiritual process that involves the whole person and not just the intellect or manual skill, and the new class of knowledge workers is devoting more of their time to work because they find deep meaning and a sense of purpose on the job." The bigger question to me is how many employees find that "sense of purpose" on the job - that then they are willing to give more of their time to work? I bet if we did a survey of this issue it would at best be a split - likely a low percent. Further, how many people take the time to know their true purpose, true calling in this life? And is it self-serving or serving a higher power, or at least a broader good? Ultimately - resonance comes from serving the one universal source that we all come from and go back to. How many people resonate at that level of consciousness and through that high frequency then impact positive change in the office-space? Please do comment on your perspectives.

The Saints

I am so uterly excited about the New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl last night. Before I explain why, know that I am not a football person at all. The most football I watch in the past couple of years was the last 30 minutes of the game last night. Here's why I am excited. I believe we all contributed to the consciousness that showed up on that field last night. All of us rooting the people of New Orleans on for a big boost of energy - of resonance! To me last night and the coming weeks/months is not about football at all. It's about a team that has and will ignite the biggest fire in a long time - a fire of the heart. This victory is a celebration of a people who have been to the bottom and now have a chance to be catapolled to the top. It's a celebration of the countless people and organizations that have been (and continue to) rebuild New Orleans. From Habitat for Humanity volunteers to engineers and health care workers. Finally, yes it's sad that it takes such epic natural dissastor to wake us up - and it's a heavy price to pay. Maybe that's what is required - one nation at a time, one community at a time - to get us up on our feet, to put our arms up in the air and scream - YES WE CAN! Yes I Can! Yes You Can! Keep that positive radiance shinning folks - it works if you work it!

The Shift

There are two movies, both called The Shift. I am referring to the one by Wayne Dyer. I highly recommend you watch this movie. The main part I want to share today is a survey he quotes: Quantum Change is the book I believe that came out of it. A survey was done where men and women were asked what's most important to them. And then many years later it was repeated after they had all had a moment that turned their values upside-down. Here's what came out of that: MEN went from: 1. Wealth --> Spirituality 2. Adventure --> Personal Peace 3. Achievement --> Family 4. Pleasure --> God's will 5. Respected --> Honesty WOMEN went from: 1. Family --> Personal growth 2. Independent --> Self-esteem 3. Career --> Spirituality 4. Fitting in --> Happiness 5. Attractiveness --> Forgiveness Granted he doesn't speak to how many people went through this and I ask you to entertain - think of the most life-defining moment in your life, we've all had them. What impact did that have on what's most important to you?

Have a Little Faith

Michael Franti is my new music hero. I love pretty much all of his album that I bought on an impulse thanks to Shazam app on my iPhone (it picks up a song from for instance the radio and let's you buy it instantly at iTunes). The words that really hit me hard are: "and when the rain falls down You know the flower's gonna bloom and when the hard times come You know the teacher's in the room and when the sun comes up You know that I'll be there for you" Yes, the teacher is always "in the room" - in me. Each time I am provoked by anything - I have the opportunity to choose to learn from it. And when I know that the teacher is a higher power, that is part of me (and I am a part of that one power) then life is what it's meant to be - a series of lessons that evolve my soul's journey. I invite you to go listen to Michael's song if you haven't already - here it is on YouTube.

The Resonant Man

Friends, if there's one video that I found distills almost all of the lessons I've learnt in years of growth - this video summary of what Will Smith believes in is 100% on point. He distills the concept of "conceive, believe, achieve" as best as anyone I know. PLEASE invest 10 minutes to watch this and if you choose, comment about it! May you have all the success you desire, starting by giving 100% of yourself.

A new decade

I haven't been up on the usual media summary of the past year so I might have missed this - a summary of the past decade. What a tremendous amount of change. I won't list it all and as I look back at my past 10 years I have nothing but gratitude and awe! Gratitude for the growth I have experienced and awe at the life I have. I am excited and in great urgency to start to intend the next 10 years I am starting to co-create with all of you by my side. I know that this is the decade when consciousness will become the technology of choice, when more people will become free, when more people will live for their true purpose and in doing so serve humanity, and I know that this is the decade when more people will focus on being inside-out, rather than outward focused. May this be your best year yet and may this be the decide for all of us to shine 100%!

Pat Tillman Foundation

I just learnt of this Foundation via www.thegentlemensfund.com. Here's what I know so far - Pat Tillman was a NFL player who stepped up into the reserves after 9/11/2001. The Tillman family and friends created the Pat Tillman Foundation in 2004, following Pat’s death while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Here's what I take from this - put aside war for a moment - Pat was clearly a Resonant Man who stepped up to serve/give as he was called to give, from the inside-out. I am all for peace and sad that we are in this prolonged set of wars. And within these events are many opportunities to honor the gold in men and women globally. As we approach 4am Pacific Time tomorrow - December 31, I invite you to join all human-beings to hold the intention that peace is possible in our life time. Please read out loud, ideally with as many people as you can - this meditation. And as you do, remember the many Pat Tillman's who have made a difference - be it serving their country in war, serving hamburgers at McDonald's, serving a trip to the moon with NASA, tilling the soil of mother earth to feed us, and on and on and on. I give thanks for all those who serve to make this heaven on earth.

Tiger Woods: What is within this story

Today, I want to talk about the core purpose of events like the Tiger Woods story. They are not about a celebrity - they are about you and me. In every story lies the opportunity to look within. To look at those places in us that we relate to a story and learn from them - either as "me of the past" "me of the now" or "me of the future." In addition, the magical power of such events lies in looking at what shadows come up for me. What, if anything, am I hiding, denying or suppressing. What is mine to forgive (including myself) that such a story brings up for me? Today, take a few minutes for yourself and ask yourself - what part of Tiger's story is my story? And please - go beyond the obvious. My invitation to you is not about adultry, it's about living your truth in all parts of your life. How many of us are in jobs that we don't feel we belong in? How many of us have truly explored the route cause of our anger/resentment about someone/something? That, my friends, is the work we have in front of us - if you choose to accept the invitation. P.S. A reminder to check out: http://theshadoweffect.com/ if you haven't already.

Life - Part 4

"It's not what you've forged, but what you've allowed." Said a bit differently, it's not what you've put concentrated effort into, it's what you've welcomed. I love this one. I have often put great effort into something - at work, in a relationship etc. And until and unless I welcome the outcome I desire - it's a drain on my energy and the journey is a drag. By simply allowing myself to feel, I open myself to the many possibilities ahead, without attachment to the outcome. How often have you been locked in how something must be? I invite you to welcome the many possibilities on whatever is dragging you down energetically today.

Life - Part 2

"It's not what you've felt, but what you've decided." Yes we are in an age where men are awakening to their feelings. Definitely important to be connected to my feelings, vs. suppressing them. And what lies beyond feeling is what I make up based on my feelings - what I decide to project on the world. So often I have made myself angry (decided) over the smallest things: long check out line at the market, someone showing up late for an appointment with me, something someone has said. Always it's what I made up about the situation, based on how I felt about it - which makes all the difference. When I can step back, remove myself from the emotion (without denying it) then I can see more perspectives and be open to seeing the love in everything vs. fear. If you choose, write in or share with someone today - what highly charged feeling has led you to decide something that may or may not be the truth?

Chai Wallah

I was reminded of ChaiWallah's thanks to Seth Godin's recent blog entry. If any of you have been to India and traveled by train, you know the magic of the chai wallah. When your train stops at that remote little village in the depths of rural India, and there's a morning mist - it's a welcome site to be greeted by "Chai, Garam Garam Chai" (hot hot tea). He's about the only voice you hear as you rub your eyes from barely having slept over night in a second class 3-tier compartment with no air-conditioning. Regardless of how cool or hot the temperature is, a Chai Wallah is always welcome. Seth's point is around focus. The ChaiWallah has one purpose and one purpose only (as per me) to delight his customer and make their day. What's your purpose for the day?

Be Your Truth

OK, so if you read the last 3 entries I made - awake, aware and alive, then read on. If not, I encourage you to read those first for this to truly make sense! As MaryAnne Williamson says: "... it's not our darkness that we are afraid of, it's our light." The light within, the TRUTH, that we are all One, we are all from one source, one Universe - call it higher power or God or ... And this whole game of life is about remembering this truth. As cliched as it is, the saying "the truth shall set you free" is 100% what life is about IMJ (in my judgement) and the one lesson we all have to learn in this human/earthly existence of our soul. Some learn it very early on and retain that delicate innocence that we all are at birth. Others muddle around neither in "speaking" a lie, nor living fully. And yet others live such a blatant lie (to themselves more than externally) that when they explode and come "clean" it's an amazing turn-about. Twelve-step programs are a great place to practice the discipline of being accountable to others, being in integrity with yourself and living "clean" how ever you choose to define that based on your agreed "bottom-line" behaviors with your sponsor. There is so much rich learning in the steps and before one even contemplates taking the steps - the first condition MUST be truth. Be true to yourself, first and foremost. To your God/higher power. And to those who you lean on for support (e.g. sponsor, loved ones). The topic of truth will be my exploration for September. Please do contribute with what you've learnt about the truth.

I am Alive! - Part 3

One of my favorite songs is a Jewish chant "Li, la, la, lai, la la lai la lai - I am alive!" And then it goes "And who, is this aliveness I am, if it's not the blessed holy one!" That's aliveness to me. When I can remember that I am part of my creator and so are you - all created from one source. That I am responsible for creating my own heaven on earth and when I do that with love and giving to others I am alive. When I am living each moment on purpose, I am alive. When I am living a life of joy and love, I am alive. When I live a chant of releasing and letting go of what eats me, I am alive. When I accept my shadow and lean into it, just as much as my gold, I am alive. When I witness the God in you, I am alive. What's aliveness to you?

Aware

Once I am awake to an issue - from my inner consciousness, different perspectives and choices start to emerge. "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone" is an anthem song for me. Once I am awake I can see what's in-front and all around me better than before. Becoming aware of the options, the alternatives is the beginning to a true inner power and peace. I am starting on the path of not being a victim or perpetrator to anyone or anything. I step up in responsibility to change what has not been right in my life and in doing so I make my world (the world) a better place. So a tangible example - the financial crisis. Instead of pointing at the bigger picture of corruption and greed on Wall Street, let me bring it home. Pre-recession, I spent liberally - unconsciously. Post-recession (or I guess in the midst of it) I am getting better at more conscious/aware decisions on how I spend. I am grateful to continue to have a well paying and rewarding job. Still I step into responsibility - not out of fear of what may lay ahead but out of a decision to live differently. I ask myself before spending: "do I really need this?" and it's just as important to ask do I want something. How is self-awakening and self-awareness showing up in your life?

More on "awake"

It's been a week since I wrote about the cycle of life - awake, aware and alive. This week I'll take you through these a bit further with some examples. See if they fit. Basically, this first stage of becoming awake is "coming out of the cold" or coming out of a numb/robotic/zombie state where you convinced yourself - this is how it is. I love how we live in a world where we think this is The most intelligent civilization in history. That with technology - this is it. Don't you think the Romans, the Greeks, the Incas thought the same way? What happened to them? What's happening with the global economy right now and other areas of raising our awakeness and awareness is just the same. The collapse of the old and the beginning of the new. Change is not welcome by most people, it is feared. Imagine if you lived life like a game - yes, the Game of Life. You would be able to look at these opportunities and say "bring it on." Persavering and overcoming challenges is what is in our base DNA, we just have to call it forth. What ever you are facing today and in your life right now - call forth the champion in you to bring it on and with faith the solutions will emerge.

Awake, Aware, Alive - The Cycle of Life

I thought it would benefit our readers to provide a refresher on the purpose of this blog. It's simple - at the Resonant Man we seek to inspire men to their aliveness. We do this by sharing many observations and perspectives, both contemporary and not. Almost always, the blog entries are based on people, events or lessons learnt that inspire the writer and he wants to share them with you. So what makes for aliveness? It's a simple but not easy 3-step process: Awake: To become awake to ones truth is a journey that many don't embark upon all their life. To have the courage to look at your life and honestly evaluate yourself, in all areas of your life. If you are short of a 10 (on a 1 to 10 scale where 10 is the best) in any area and awake to knowing you are there, that's the first step. Aware: Once you are awake to the truth of where you are, to become consciously aware of your choices is step 2. Aware that there is a greater good possible for you, if you choose. Aware that you have not been satisfied in one or more areas of your life and are willing to make changes. That's a great place to be. Alive: With the groundwork set, the work done to make the change - you have the opportunity to accept that greater good that is available to all of us, once we are awake to it and aware it's in our reach. This is the step when we radiate at the highest energy and live fully in harmony with our purpose. Remember, life purpose is what it's about. It doesn't matter what it is as long as you are clear that it's what your inner-self has called you forth to step into. It doesn't matter big or small, what matters is you feel alive when you are being, doing and having the life you always dreamed of having - right here, right now! Finally, when you do hit "10" in all areas of your life - build your next 10 and go for it! That's the cycle of life as we are born alive every morning and we die every night, simply having the opportunity to start over when you awaken the next morning.

Chronos or Kairos - Which do you choose?

I am so grateful for having learnt of these two types of time, thanks to a leader in the ManKind Project. Here's how Wikipedia defines them: "Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment (the supreme moment). The ancient Greeks had two words for time, chronos and kairos. While the former means chronological and sequential time, the later signifies a time in between, a moment of undetermined period of time in which something special happens. What that something special is depends on the person using the word." So think of chronos as quantitative and kairos as qualitative. There is certainly a place for both types of time and I believe the true magic (inspiration, insight and purposeful action) happens when I am open to the flow of what I am doing. I am so immersed in it that nothing else happens. Be it work I love, a person I am connecting with, a project or form of entertainment - I am fulled emersed when I am in kairos time. So if you choose - consider giving yourself permission to play with kairos time or as I like to call it "fuzzy time." A tip-of-the-hat to our ancient Greeks who articulated these words.

CNN = "constantly negative news"

OK so I feel like I'm perpetuating negative thoughts by even putting this out and having this title but as many of you already practice this - it's important to focus on the positive inputs we take in (audio, visual, sensory) to keep our thoughts at a higher vibration. That's what The Resonant Man project is about. Sure stuff happens and mostly it's external. What I choose to do with myself internally is what it's about. How do I choose to respond, instead of react to a situation? Do I get sucked into the black-hole of fear or can I lean in, take a look at the chaos, lean back, stand firm and go "Hummm... I choose to view this differently." And then make sure to jump up and down and laugh loud, just because. Go make it a loving and joyous day!