Appreciation.

   This photo came from someone selling their boat on sailboatlistings.com (hey, we all have to have our dreams)  Thought I would share it.  I find great peace in the beauty that is creation.  God is an artist ;)

:)

Life is.....

   When I was about 30 years old, I realized that there were certain individuals that had greater impact or significance in my life.  They came from different arenas of life, different roles, different backgrounds and cultures, it took me a while to figure out what was the common thread between them and why they weren't like  everyone else in my life.

  By the time I was able to define the link that made them stand out in my life, I had made other realizations enabling me to see a bigger picture of life, impact and living.  The epiphany that came first was silly, amazing and very funny!  Besides being completely true it is a unique way of seeing life that started to change everything for me.  I will suggest, it gave me new eyes with which to see the world!

"Life is a sexually transmitted disease that will kill us all."

   It still makes me laugh more than a decade later to read it or speak it.  So what is so amazing about this statement other than being true?  Well, think of it this way, the leading cause of death is life!  I have never met anyone who died that didn't have a case of living first.

   This realization led me to a couple more, next that most people in life have missed the first realization and were trying to survive life.  The sad consequences of this perspective is that it rips living right out of the breast of life it'self!  Because trying is a lie, no one gets out alive.  We will all die from it. No use in getting upset about it, won't help.

   The final realization I feel is so necessary to share with everyone who will listen or consider is that the purpose of life then,  IS TO LIVE!

   These rare individuals who changed my life, had impact, provided real direction and vision were the ones who knew how to live life!  Whether they knew it or not, they had made a decision to pay less attention to the things that don't matter no matter how much these things wanted to pretend otherwise.  They were also paying more attention to or focusing on the few items of real significance in life.

   Here is the challenge,  to divine between all the stuff in our lives and get to the heart of living.  To figure out what matters and then separate things into basic guidelines so we can act accordingly.  There are things that urgent and unimportant, things that are important and not urgent, things that are not urgent or important and still worth doing, things that simply don't matter or have any positive impact or outcome, and lastly the very few things that are both important and urgent.

   Only you can make the determination in your life about what is what.  Once you start applying this to the events and demands of your life you will find that it greatly simplifies and clarifies things.  It even reduces stress! (Who does want that?) I will admit to losing sight of this regularly, it take practice. Lot's of practice.

  May we all find the meat of our lives in this day.  I pray that each and everyone of you will find just a bit more "life" in living.

Peace and good Living to you and yours.

Billy B.

Self Doubt

   I know within my heart that there is so much more I can do, achieve and be.  So why do I doubt myself?  It amazes me still that the greatest limiting factor in my life is my own beliefs.

   You would think that just by knowing that such is the case, it would be simple to overcome.  I once saw a sign that said "We all make mistakes.  The first time it's a mistake and once you know, if you do it again, it's a choice."  I like that.  A little harsh but, completely correct.

  So, knowing it's easy to change our programming, why is so hard sometimes.  There are certain moments when I encounter incorrect or unacceptable thinking or perspectives in myself and I change my mind, that's it! Done.  And then there are moments like these where I realize what has been holding me back from living my life much more "on purpose" and restraining my successes and if feels like a big vat of mud that I have to wade across  just to make the change.

   I do not claim to be a master of wisdom.  I only have an affinity for it and love the "Ah Ha!" moments that give me direction and clarity.  I do challenge myself everyday to apply some of it.  To quote an old Buddhist something or other that I read somewhere sometime (well, if you don't know, you don't know, right?) "It does not matter where you started or where you are going.  It only matters the step you are taking right now."

  I would love to hear from some of you, if you do not wish to post, message me.  How do we clear the mortar of a poor thought process that is a "cling-on" and reset the new brick and mortor of a positive thought process?

  May we all find joy in our hearts.  May we all look in our hearts today to see the joy that is already there!

Billy B.

Been active on Twitter under WilyBCool.  Love to hear from you!

Horizons of perspective.

   Why must we feel the need to define ourselves?  To invest a portion of who we believe ourselves to be into stuff, or titles, or relationships or event control over someone else?

  To know ourselves is to realize that none of this defines us.  We are not any of these or any myriad of possible things.  No title or name can define you, no possession explains you, no office or authority given by man determines your value or your capacity.  You are a creation of the eternal!  You are a portion of creation it'self and here to participate in creation!

   Each day you live and experience you are stretching creation that much further.  You are an instrument of creation and inseparable from the whole!

  It has been said that there are 2 levels of Enlightenment.  The first is Self Realization.  This is where you begin to see and be your part in the bigger picture.  The second is God Realization.  This is where the boundaries between yourself and creation begin to blur and you take your true place in the whole.

   I am yet unable to imagine the second and have to make efforts each day just to glimpse my place within each day.  How marvelous the view!  I am but a participant in the creation of each new day and my smallness in this big picture is empowering!  It empowers me to be free from predetermination, judgments, and assumptions about who or what I am or should be.  For now it suffices to simply be and be there while it is happening!

   May the horizons of your current perspective expand!  May you find great peace within the larger picture.

Billy B

Life on Purpose.

   What sets the greatest members of humanity apart from the rest of the race?  I'm talking about the Mother Theresa's, Ganhdi's, the Dalai Lama's etc.  In my humble opinion, it is when someone moves beyond an egocentric perspective.  When they "see" life as something much greater than themselves and live their life in such a manner as to "be" for others.

   In the Christian world, many will say that the greatest feat of Christ was that he died for us.  I would disagree.  Dying for others is not nearly so hard as what he really did.  As you read the works on his life and you see events through the eyes of those who followed him and loved him you begin to understand that he lived his life for us!  It takes a lot more commitment to live the whole or the majority of ones life for others than to die for others.

   Another way to look at it is to consider what it is like to "get out of your head and into your heart" or to let of of the belief that you are the thinker and realize the thinker is not without you.  To life beyond yourself, non-egoic living is to evolve beyond the belief that it is all about you.  As Mark Twain said it so well "Stop going around telling the world that it owes you a living. It owes you nothing. It was here first."  The man we call Buddha said that enlightenment was the end of suffering.  Suffering is a state of the mind, it exists only because of the mind.  Pain is real, suffering is only in your head. 

  When do we as a people, stop trying to make others right or wrong?  Does being right or wrong justify or nullify anyone's existance?  Their perspective?  Their right to be here?  They are here and Creation/God saw the value in their life, we as mere children of creation have no power or right to declare a life justified or unjustified.  All life, God, Creation or whatever title you chose (for our thoughts and opinions cannot define such things) ask of us is that we live and fulfill whatever purpose we are created for.  

   My suggestion is to stop wasting time on things that do not matter and focus on finding and fulfilling our purpose.  

   As far as I have been able to determine, mine is to create real enduring value for others and humanity. Hopefully by helping others broaden the horizons of their current perspective.  What is yours?  What are you doing about it?  How can you make the shift from egoic living to non-egoic living? 

   Do you wish to come to end of your life and still have "your music trapped within you."?

   Peace and Purpose be unto you.  May you find the path to something greater than yourself.

Billy B

   

Beauty and Grace.

   As I sit and ponder the difference between reality and what is, it strikes me that there can be quite a disparity   Reality is our perception, or as Tibetan Buddhists would suggest, the reflection of our inner world.  What is is that which is not subject to our perspective, our filters and lenses that we create through our belief systems or viewpoints.

   "Arrogant is the man that thinks he can define God." in other words.  We exist because of God/Creation.  Not the other way around.

   I look at the picture about and realize that all that immense beauty and space is just a particle in this world's whole and not even a speck in this universe and not even an imperceptible glance in the galaxy.  Yet for the moment it was here, it was. No blindness or vision created it or can define it.

   Beauty is and can be without perception and yet is there for those who will see.

   May you find beauty and grace where you did not expect.  May you be without struggle and grief.

Billy B

Finding the important behind the urgent.

   Sometimes morning is just the best time of day.  My peaceful time when it's really just me and my drive to work.  The radio is off, time to contemplate the beauty that is!  How did I get so lucky to be able to see such things so often?

   It's part of my meditation being able to admire the work that is each marvelous day!  Life is to short to be stuffy.

   I work with people and cars for a living, neither will co-operate often times. However, keeping a clear head and "seeing" beyond the urgent to the important is a real task at times.

   I find that meditation allows me to clear my head of the various distractions and the attention monkeys.  "Seeing" clearing to the heart of the matter is a gift and talent that requires constant attention especially when you don't have time to do it. Taking time each morning to clear heart, head and soul has proven very beneficial to my daily quality of life.  I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to get more out of their daily experience.

   I love the lyrics from Sheryl Crow "It's not wanting what you want. It's wanting what you've got."  It's called having an appreciation for what is.

   Yes, I do practice several forms of meditation depending on my level of focus each day.  Sometimes it's sitting in total silence and stillness.  Sometimes it's a series of mantras to gather my focus for the day.  Even certain sound exercises to clear the soul and quiet the mind.  Each one has it's place and each one is used more or less for the same purpose, to find my place in the big picture of the day.

   What do you do to quiet the mind and find clarity?  How does it add to the quality of your day and your experience?

May your heart be at peace, may your peace bring joy to you and those around you.

Billy B.

Is your Positive attitude good or bad?

   There are many perspectives out there.  I encountered one not to long ago that told me my Positive outlook did not allow me to see things as they were.  I have pondered this for a while.  Let's see if you agree with me or this individuals point of view.

   I believe that cultivating a positive outlook is essential to making the most of things.  I do my best to be grateful to God/Creation for such a bountiful world and for so many glorious days and opportunities!  I have found that by believing the best of others I am often times right.  It appears to be that when I expect the worst of others, more often than I would like, I am right.  Most of all, by expecting and looking for the blessings in each day I find them scattered all around me poking me in the ribs with belly laughs of joy, tickling my eyes with beauty, bending my ears with the sweet sounds of nature and blessing me with many opportunities to connect with others around me to see the world through their eyes for just a moment.  How glorious it all is!  When expecting challenges and trails, it is amazing how many "issues" make themselves known.

   Now his suggestion was that by being overly optimistic, I do not see what is, being a realist was his statement.  Dealing with the pure facts was how he said one could make the best decisions and make the most of everything.  Their are times when being brutally honest with oneself is necessary, I agree.  This avoids self delusion.  At the same time, Life is not a mathematical forula.  It cannot be reduced to numbers, It is not a problem to be solved.  This is my view.  I have firm convictions based on my experience that Life is more of an adventure that must be lived and participated in!

   If I were to be brutally honest with myself about life, then I would suggest that I, like most spend way to much time worrying about stuff that simply does not matter anyways.  To be a realist in the truest sense, would that mean stating that we, as humans, have become obsessed with artificial beliefs that our man made world of stress and self imposed importance is just pomp and circumstance?

   What's your read?  Do we need to have a negative view of the world or a positive one?  Is there a line somewhere in the middle?  As for me,  living at peace and being reconciled with being a part of the whole "feels" right.  By "feels" I would suggest something like how one "feels" with a dousing rod.

   May you be able to "feel" your way to greater connection with life and to a "Life on Purpose".

Billy B.

Family rituals of value.

   There should be certain givens within each family that are just expected.  No matter how much anyone loves to complain, that should just happen.  The pic above is not ours, it simply is one of those givens that we want to have.  Regular family trips, dragging a small sailboat behind and finding places to spend time sailing, sitting around the campfires roasting our marshmallows and hot dogs.  The rituals we have are great, so great that we want more! Don't you?

   So, what are some of our family rituals?  For us, each Sunday morning, it's breakfast as a family.  Be it waffles, pancakes, coffee cake or crepes.  It doesn't matter, grumpy, sick or afflicted everyone is expected to be there at the table once it's set.

   Connections, some could call it communion. It's what we do. It's how we stay in touch with each of the kids and each other.  We joke and make fun of each other, we make fun of the cooking, we have marvelous recipes that everyone expects and begs for.  My wife's INCREDIBLE buttermilk suryp is do die for!  The kids will gang up on me and demand crepes and then we sit around the table experimenting with different ingredients to see who can role the craziest crepe!  This is our good time.  Our time to enjoy each others company.  Food fights do happen!

   What is your family ritual?  Why do you do them?  We have a firepit out back that get's a lot of use.  hang out, watch the flames just to see who the smoke is following tonite.

   Of all the things I have had the privilege of doing in my life.  These are the things that matter.  Those moments I would not trade for money, success or adventure!  I have plans for greater such moments.  My wife and I would love to have a Tuscan style meeting area in our back yard, to hang with friends and family, to create greater ambiance.  Don't really care at what pace it happens, 2 hours or 2 days.  It's that it happens that matters most!

  May you share such moments with those you love.  May you make greater connections and new bonds with others so that you may have more people to share your rituals with!  Either way, create and have your rituals and SHARE!

Love, the goofy guy in the back yard down the street laughing a little to loud and having fun with others.  Wish you were here.

Billy B.

Just a quick thought.

This evening as I sit here preparing for bed. I realize just how blessed I am and need to write my thoughts down.

It amazes me the blessings I have received in my life. More so than I have ever merited of myself. Every day I meet people that amaze me. Who despite my best assumptions prove that people in general are really not as shallow as I believe. Who do have cinvictions that life is about more than just themselves. Who have an appreciation for those who listen to their hearts and are willing to consider the possibility of a greater cause.

It is my dream, my wish and my purpose to serve humanity is whatever capacity God will allow. I desire to create an organization or team of people who believe that we must do all we can to find and live "Life on Purpose" then when it is our time to pass baton we will not have our music still trapped within us.

How to get from where I am to where the difference maker reigns? It is not recognition or titles I seek. It is to in some way to create real enduring value for humanity.

Who's with me?

Be it the voice of commonsense in family finance or the voice of encouragement to "see" beyond one'self or even possibly to get those who will listen to consider broader horizons for their current perspective in a bigger picture world.

For those who can understand or can sympathize with my vision. Help me lay out the path or see the way to fulfilling this vision and to help people move from (as Zig Ziglar puts it) importance to significance.

Peace be unto you and yours.

Billy B

The real test.

   There will be times in any substantial relationship, be it marriage, best friends or otherwise when you know that you love them, for the time being however, you do not like them.  The real test is how you behave during these times.

   Let's face it.  The greatest travails and the greatest blessings we can ever experience during our lifetime will come from our most important relationships. Whether is is our spouse, significant other, best friend, child, parent, boss, mentor or any other important relationship.  The biggest challenge is of course, do we have the courage to act based on the love that we know is there (even if it's hiding behind the noise and distraction of the moment) or do we succumb to the prevailing emotions of the moment.

   Living in the moment is a lesson we can all learn when it comes to increasing the quality of life we experience, it does not mean that we should live our lives ignoring the consequences of our actions.  There will be moments for each and every one of us when interacting with loved ones or others that will feel like the situation demands an immediate response.  Most of the time the more the situation feels like it demands immediate action, it is exactly the wrong thing to do.  In other words, take a step back, breathe and consider the outcome and long term effects of your actions or words.  I believe quite firmly that most of the time, no response or a subtle response with garner the best outcome for all involved.

  For some reason, as humans. When we feel wronged, there is a desire to inflict pain, usually emotional to others, particularly those we chose to blame.  Why?  Does it really help?

   I can only speak from my personal experiences.  I know that from the advise of someone I know well and who has proven wiser than myself in many situations, I have been blessed to see how just letting a situation play out on it's own  at times has been the far better answer than to react.

   Imagine living in a world where snap judgments were the exception and not the rule!  Imagine living knowing that even on your worst days, months or even when you had that year dealing your own identity crisis, you were loved, accepted and appreciated just for being.  Do you have the courage to do that for the ones you love even when they do not behave as if they love you?

   Is it easy?  No, anything with such rewards and blessings at stake cannot be easy.  Is it worth it?  Only you can answer that.  I will suggest that you will never know until you do and when you do,  a better life and greater blessings awaits!  Even should the one you love not follow through on their end, such things do not go unrewarded in the grand scheme of things.

  May you accept someone simply as they are today that you would normally not and in return may you find greater blessings in this day and the days to come!

Billy B

Less is sometimes more.

   There is a way of life that goes back mellenia that is focused on quality, not quantity.  Here in America, it does not seem so prevalent that would respect or even revere those who chose to live very simply.  In many parts of the world there is grace and acceptance for those who chose to live outside the concepts of collecting or possessing material goods.

   I am not advocating that we become hermits.  There is a place and need for them who hear this calling.  Without them, we would not be able to see the contrast to our own lives or the lives of those around us.  It's been several years now when I was making very good money working for a dealership.  I worked constantly and had very little time for myself or my family.  We had gathered around us a nice collection of stuff and the large debts associated with it.

   For some reason that I cannot remember exactly, Colette (my wife) and I began considering the consequences of our income decreasing even by just a third.  We got scared!  It wasn't the fear of losing the stuff that we had amassed.  It was the fear of losing our home, being leashed to a terrible task master (read "debt") and not being able to escape.  We made some tough choices and put ourselves on a dramatic financial diet to eliminate debt.  Even at the expense of getting rid of a lot of "stuff".

   We feel very blessed.  We were well into this mode when the economy failed and the automotive industry took a very hard hit.  The position that I held no longer exists and my current income, four years later still has not made it back to half of what it was.  I am not complaining!  In fact, we are rejoicing that we were able to keep our home and learn some amazing life lessons.  We may not have the stuff we used to but, we have a quality of life we never had before now that debt is not our motivating factor in our professional endeavors.

   I can only imagine what our lives would be like if we realized that outside of a home, debt had no place in our married lives at a much earlier stage in our marriage.  I can tell you that we enjoy an amazing life together, great relationships with our children and time spent around the little fire pit in our back yard whether roasting marshmallows or hot dogs or just tending the flame is some of the most valuable time in my week.  I cannot imagine spending 65 plus hours at work again!

  When I tell you this it is because I believe that as Americans we have been sold the wrong dream.  I believe that we have let the banks, big business and advertising convince the masses that indentured service is the norm and what we want!!!  Indentured servants were classified as slaves in the new world!  I see no difference now that we are approaching our own freedom.  We have focused hard and will do all we can to eliminate all debt outside of our home by the early next year.  If you have not been there is sometime, take a minute to imagine it.  There is quite a weight lifted and a much greater sense of well being.

   More importantly,  you will have the the freedom to make dramatic changes in your lives when all of your time is no longer owned by the banks.  Do you really want to know that most of the work you perform is not for the benefit of anyone but the banks?  Do you realize that you selling your freedom and your time when you go into debt?  I may sound extreme. It's not intentional, it is simply an observation of my own life.

   What dream have you bought into?  Who's dream is it?  The path you are taking right now, does it fulfill or lead to a life "on purpose"?

   I ask questions, you need not answer them here or you can.  Either way, I hope that my efforts and my realizations my bless the lives of those who read and consider.

Peace to you and purpose for your days!

Billy B.

 

A fine line between participation and investment.

    Last night as I was getting ready to head out and visit with a couple good friends from Highschool for some dinner and such when I got a call from my oldest.  He had broken down and is about 90 miles away in the next county where he has found a good job and an apartment with a friend.  Sadly, his car had broken down and left him stranded on his way home from work.

   He was quite upset.  Understandably so, and was taking it pretty hard as his newer job is not that tolerant of travel problems associated with getting to and from work.  Considering other trials that had come his way recently, he was feeling picked on.  Did his car plan this to mess with him?  Did things conspire against him?  Of course not!  So why do we treat it like they are?

   I can tell you that I have many times in my life and will still do it on occasion.  Not intentionally, it's just that we lose perspective or lose sight of the big picture.  It's not personal, we can be involved without investing our personal worth in a situation.  In other words.  We can enjoy and participate without feeling like it's all about us.

   When we can keep this level of separation then it becomes clear that it is just a situation and there are different possible actions and outcomes.  Sometimes there is no action required no matter how much it seems like the situation demands action.  The more urgent and important the situation pretends to be, usually the less action is required for the best possible outcome.  It's the subtle ones that can get you!

   One of my favorite quotes is "Keep on keepin' on."  Staying the course of consistent good action get's you further in the long run than heated sprints and allows you to keep a clearer perspective.

   Yes, we still have to find a solution to his transportation needs and we are a family that no longer believes in using credit for anything except a home.  Time to be creative!

   That's OK!  We are happy that this is a great opportunity for him to learn that it's just a situation to reckon with.  It does not define him nor is it him in anyway.

   The question then is how do we make the separation in our lives between what is happening and who we are?  First, we have to learn not to invest any of our self worth into things, titles, situations or anything.  This is part of living a Self Evident Life.  Just by being here, we know that our life is already justified and we no longer have to waste anymore time on trying to prove our worth or justify our existence.  So, we are not defined by anything other than our own perception.  Secondly, live accordingly.  That means live!  Live in such a way that  it is no longer about you.  This simple change in behavior will give your life amazing power and clarity.

   Do not take my word for this, do it and try to prove me wrong!  I firmly believe that you will be very pleasantly surprised!

Love and admiration for all of you,
Billy B

The day is ripe with blessings for those who see them.

     The day is filled with blessings for those who see them.

     I love the picture above. It's called "Duck Pile" and it's from my lovely bride of more than 20 years, Colette.  She crochets these amazing little animals for family and friends.  I've not yet met anyone who does not get a big smile across their face when encountering these lovable little ducks!

    Colette and I were discussing how when we see the world through a sour attitude, it seems that problems and stumbling blocks fill the way.  Even more interesting is that when we see the world as a great blessing and are grateful for every breath, even more blessings and joys fill our day!

    Tibetan Buddhists have said for millenia now that we are not in the world, the world is in us and what we experience is a reflection of our inner world.  I believe that they are talking about the very fact that so much of life is shaped by our beliefs and perspective.  What we believe eventually becomes reality in most situations.

    Can we then accept that so much of the world is so cruel to each other without acknowledging that if we want the world to be different the change must start with us.  I am by no means perfect.  I have my issues and ego flair ups like everyone.  I do accept responsibility for my own actions and ask that you do the same.

    What can you do today to make a difference in the life of another?  By doing so, you will have an effect on your own life and outcome.

    If you accept that you can shape your own reality, what reality would you have it be?  Keep the big picture in mind.  When you move beyond yourself, life begins.

Peace and great joy be unto you and yours.

Billy B.

It's what you've done, not what you have.

     When it comes to the end of your life.  I have spoken with several and it feels completely right.  It is what you have done and the relationships that you have forged in your life that will matter.  What you have owned or possessed will not matter all that much.

     After my wife and went through some major financial changes in our lives about a decade and a half ago, we came up with the phrase that "As a family, we will spend more on doing and less on having."  You'll probably notice that it does not mention money.  It is only one of several things that we can "spend".  Money can be replaced. Win it, lose it, spend it or earn it.  It can always be replaced should you truly chose to.  Time however, cannot.  Which are you more careful with?  Time or money?

     My yard usually looks good yet is never the neatest yard in the neighborhood.  I am not critical or judging anyone for their yard or home or such.  I am simply stating that I have made a choice.  Time with my wife and kids is of greater value to me than a perfect yard.

     What is your favorite activity with the ones you care about?  If you could restructure your life some to make a few changes about how and where you got to spend some of your time, how would it change?  What is really stopping you from doing it?  

     What relationship will you connect with today that perhaps you have not for a while?

     Remember, living is a shared experience.  The more you share, the more you really live.  May you live a little more today.

Billy B

Glorious Sun Up!

Sometime it's all about the chance to start over.  I know that after the way this week has gone, it's nice to wake up to a new day!  It's just one more opportunity to start over.

One of the greatest gifts of life is a new day, a new sun up and the chance to greet the day as if it is a whole new opportunity!

I apologize for those who may visit each day for not being able to leave an entry yesterday.  Today however is one more chance to live! To be! To love!

With each new day, I humbly believe that we need to make sure that the ones we love have the reassurance that we do love them.  It's part of the new opportunity that is the new day.  Don't forget the ones that you love or to bring a little love into the lives of those you meet this fine day.

To live is to experience, participate and enjoy!  Make sure to share!

I have joined Toastmasters International in order to improve my public speaking skills and training.  Perhaps I can live my dream to become a public speaker, author and motivator.  To become a difference maker.  I have to admit, I get quite a thrill out of speaking in front of people. Oddly, no fear just the desire to make a difference.  To touch the lives of others in a positive way.

I am thankful for each and every day, for each one of you and for every opportunity I get. For the new day!

May you find joy and love in the new day!

Billy B

Self imposed importance.

To continue kind of on the lines of where we left off yesterday.  When we realize that the big picture value of all men (meaning all people regardless of gender, race, culture, education, faculties or resources) is equal, then we must begin to accept that it is not all about us.

One of the greatest mistakes that is easy for any of us suffering (or enjoying depending on your perspective) the human condition is to take life personal.  Again, I love the quote from Mark Twain "Do not go around telling the world that it owes you a living. It owes you nothing. It was here first."  Earth, life, consciousness were not created by us.  Because of them, we are!

When we take life personally, we miss out on the blessings of accepting what is already and completely by default omit becoming a participant in our own lives.

Why should we feel the need to imagine ourselves as the center of anything versus just living and participating in the glorious act of living!

Perhaps this is why I enjoy sailing.  To be competent at sailing you have to give up on the idea of control and give into the practice of collaboration.  You cannot control the wind, the water or any of the elements except where control surfaces meet the wind and water.  You learn to work with what is instead of exercising control over something.

Some days I find in my current professional role as a repair shop manager that I let the things that I have no control over cause me substantial stress. Stress is worrying about things you have not control over. So why do I do it? I tell myself that it is because I take it personal to take care of my customers.  In fact that is completely true and still there is nothing I can do about it and no good comes from doing it.  Does that mean that I should not care?  No, of course not.  It means I should not take it personal.

I don't have all the answers. I only know that there is room for improvement and that I appreciate the moments of growth and realization that come from being a participant in my own life.  Join me if you will in living a purposeful life instead of letting life live us.

Today, I challenge each one of you to be a participant, not a bystander passing judgement.  See what happens!  Let me know if there is a difference from doing so.

Peace and great living to you all!

Billy B.

A Self Evident Life.

It always amazes me how many people find the concept of a Self Evident Life as something new or novel!  The basis of the it all is very simple. If Creation, God, whatever title you chose insert here ______, saw the value in having you here now, then you are here and that value is immense.  So much so that it cannot be measured or even grasped by all of us that are in the human state.   This value is so high, that you or I or anyone for that fact, cannot by simple deed or words increase or diminish that value. If it were not so, then by simple deed or word, you could simply vanish!  I doesn't happen.

Your life is Self Evident!  It needs no justification.  You need not waste time trying to justify it, earn titles for it or trying to prove any inherent value or even worse, any lack of value that you believe, see or perceive!

Imagine, if you will, what kind of a world this would be if people no longer felt the need prove their worth (or lack there of). A world where no one needed to add titles to their name, where no one needed to take charge and prove something or prove the value or lack of value they see in themselves.  Where we do not need together and say goodbye to those who have taken their own lives because they could not see the it for themselves! Or, because of those who feel they must take life or exercise power over others just to feel important or superior to others.

There is only one way to get there, it starts with us.  Are we courageous enough to go there?  Can we accept the responsibility of acknowledging our own self worth because once we do, we must acknowledge the worth of everyone else around us.  No one of us can be any greater than anyone else if we understand the basic law of the Self Evident Life.

Peace and good karma to you and those you meet this day.  May you see the immense value that is you!  May you see it in everyone you meet.

Billy B

To find out what lies beyond your current perspective you must step outside of your comfort zone.

I have always admired the Aussie concept of "walk about".  Where to become more than you currently are or to make the move to the next incarnation of your life, you need to have a change of scenery.  Even if it is only a perspective change or just considering a new point of view, an idea or even just changing a simple belief that reduces your ability to accept others or situations as they are.

Today's entry is short.  Sometimes it is the simplest of things that make the biggest difference.  What can you change in your perspective or belief system just for a day to see what could be?

Peace be unto you.

Billy B

Anxiety, a self fullfilling prophesy.

Hello Everyone,

While my lovely wife and I were driving to and from a family reunion we both found ourselves mentally wondering off to the stresses and potential complications of the coming week.  At one point and time I broke out in laughter at the whole of the situation!

I already had prepared my plan of action and priorities for this morning and I knew that there was nothing that I could do more that would be effective or helpful until today arrived.  Why do we remove ourselves from the moment and create anxiety or stress over situations that are not even here yet?  How many times in the past have I created so much worry that I was no longer able to properly deal with the situation when it did arrive?  Even worse, how many times do we sabotage a situation that would have normally just worked itself out yet instead we invented, created a belief of things amiss or even completely misread a situation over our own paranoid mental dialogs?

I would like to believe that I am the only one that has done this to myself, I know though from experience that many times in life I have had to spend time helping others calm down or see through their own self created misgivings about a situation just because, as humans, we cannot let go of anxieties and bad self dialog.  Having spent the last 20 plus years working with the public.  I get to see the best and worst of society's paranoia and idiosyncrasies.

As far as I have been able to tell, the only thing we accomplish by not letting go of the future is to ruin the current moment.  My wife and I being new business owners, it's easy to say "Yeah, but!" and justify it. Yet we would have allowed it to completely mess with and distract us from a great time with relatives and friends.

How sad would that have been?  It is my genuine hope that we can all let go of the past (we can't change it, too late), the future (worrying only makes the present and the future worse) and all the "ifs" that really don't matter anyways!  Live!  Let go!  and just be present!  I firmly believe that we will find out that most things will work them selves out if we let them.

With love, hope and courage I wish you all the best possible day.

Billy B

Good morning!  I often wonder about what we forget to see or even completely overlook just because we are to busy listening to the voice in our head give a narration or defining for us the things that should or shouldn't be.  When do we turn a deaf ear to the narrator in our heads and just see the Glory that is today?

I like this quote from Mark Twain. "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing, it was here first."

So why do we believe that something is owed to us or that we have a right to things or privileges when our true God given right is to live, to breath and to experience life!  Why mess up the day by demanding something of it instead of  just becoming a participant and getting involved in the first place?

I have spent the last 40 plus years learning the real meaning of the definition of insanity.  Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  That is why this blog was created. To start doing something different and starting a new path to different results.  Last night I went to my first Toastmasters meeting to find out a little more about this new path.

I recommend that everyone should take a moment to step outside your comfort zone each week and ask yourself, what if I changed the "thing" I am doing, what would be the different result?

May each one of you fully enjoy the gore and glory that is today!

Billy B

Beautiful Morning!

I had the distinct privilege of spending some time with a good friend last night.  We caught up on things and mostly watched one of my favorite TV shows where people do their best to navigate an obstacle course over water and mud designed to get them wet and muddy.  Perhaps it is mean spirited of me to enjoy watching everyone fall and stumble and just wipe out, at the same time, it amazes me how many people don't get the basics like the most simple laws of physics.  I justify my pleasure in watching them by knowing that if given chance I would do it wholeheartedly!  (Even though they might have to carry me off the field on stretcher, I would go laughing!)

I think we have all heard of the definition of insanity. Doing the the same thing over and over again expecting different results.  Do we even realize that we are doing that?  One of the primary reasons for this blog is very personal.  It's time to re-invent myself. I want and need different results.

Tonight I will attend Toastmasters for the first time and have every intention of joining them.  Time to take my gift for gab to the next level and make sure that I can use it effectively in front of audiences.  Perhaps just one step closer to being able to help effect a real difference in the lives of others.  To become a difference maker.

I wish everyone the best of days!  It is my  sincere hope, with all of my heart and soul that you will find your reason why today is a great day!  With everything that I am, know that your life is the pinnacle of creation and that your are here to experience it!  Go out, live a little today and soak up some of the glory that is today!

Greeting the new day!

I absolutely love this time of year!  I get to greet the sunrise each morning as the timing is just perfect on my drive into work.  Of all of the creations of God, few are as stunning or as glorious as a beautiful sunrise.  I have heard or read somewhere that there are cultures that make a point of greeting the new day by rising to meet the sunrise each morning.  I imagine that creates quite a sense of appreciation for the blessing of the day.

Science has told us just recently that they now know that time travel is possible, as long as you want to go forward and completely impossible to go backwards.  It is possible to go forward but, I imagine, the universe felt the best way to avoid having to deal with paradoxes in the first place was to make it impossible to go backwards.  On a practical level this makes perfect sense.  Worrying or obsessing over what is done and gone does nothing for the quality of our current day nor can it do anything for the quality of the future. Sure, learn from the past, live in the present and to have the best possible future, have a quality today!

I had a friend post something on his facebook page recently where he was wondering about what to do if he no longer found joy in his current career field.  Well, as I see it, there are only a few choices; 1  suck it up, stay in your comfort zone and keep doing it or, 2  Step outside your comfort zone and re-invent yourself.  The risks are higher and the potential rewards and prices is higher too!  As Thoreau said in one of his works (and I may be summerizing) "A ship is safest at port but, that is not what they are made for."

Have a great day!  Be thankful for the people in your life!  Love, Live and have Joy!

Billy B

With the encouragement of several friends and colleagues from all over, here is my first effort on a blog.

The primary reason for this blog is due to the fact that I really have no good reason to complain about anything of significance in my life. I am married to an absolutely fabulous bride of 20+ years (that still tickles my fancy and makes me feel like a love sick teenager), 3 great kids that are just as warped as me. (You'll get to know more about that later on.)  Yet, I cannot say that I have the flexibility and means, no matter how humble my desires to do what I want and feel I should be doing with my life, even more so I cannot say that I am living or for that matter that I have the capacity with my current skills and situation to "live my life on purpose".

Since my mid-thirties I have felt a deep seated need and motivation to do something of greater value for others, or more precisely to create some enduring value "for humanity".  My personal mission statement for over 10 years has now been....

"It is my intention and purpose to create real enduring value for others."

I can see the need to update that in the future to "It is my intention and purpose to create real enduring value for humanity."

To create the changes in my life that will be necessary to get from where I am currently to where I am living "Life on Purpose" a few pieces of the puzzle are going to need to be found or rediscovered to be able to put together the resources and means to effect "the move from importance to significance"*.

This is the purpose of this blog.  To share with you the marvelous journey that is mine while I make the changes necessary in my life to get from where I am to where I can live with purpose and intensity eventually arriving at the point where I will not ponder a life "with my music still within me."

I will elaborate more as I find my keys and strokes to pound out a message that will hopefully inspire a few, garner some feedback from others or at bare minimum, entertain a few souls who can appreciate my rather different and definitively a bit odd perspective.

*Zig Ziglar