Circumstances challenge our thinking. Our thinking is an attempt to know circumstance better – in fact, thinking is an attempt to predict future circumstance. And the illusory nature of thinking is that most of what we know about real physical laws such as gravity or motion tend to occur as we predict them to occur. For example we expect an object to fall because of gravity and it does. We predict a fast moving car will be in a certain place a few seconds later and it is. This strategy of predictive thought then enter a complex realm when we try to predict the behaviors of others. We are not only limited by our own knowledge of previous circumstances in predicting, but we are going off of limited information (limited to the extent that we know a person and can reliably predict their behavior.)

What we know as trust is faith in certain behaviors based on limited information. Essentially what we are saying is that we have limited data to make a 100% prediction over what you’ll do, and so where there is a gap in your predictable behavior we have to trust that you’ll do the right thing. To trust someone we just met is a great leap of faith. To trust someone that we have known for a long time is easier to do because there is less of a gap to overcome. Reputation becomes so important because it provides a foundation for predicting behavior. The better the reputation from trusted sources, the easier it is to trust someone we just met. For example a book written by someone with a PH.D in front of their name or a degree from Harvard or mentions from the international media or an endorsement from other trusted authors is easier to trust as a source than someone who simply wrote a book -even if the latter has much more useful information than the former.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE LET OUR THINKING RUN ON A TRACK TO PREDICT BEHAVIOR?

Many times our emotions react to our fantasies – good or bad we become victims of the outcomes in our minds that never happened. This impact doesn’t just effect ourselves – it can affect everyone around us. If we are suspicious (future projection) or disgruntled (interpretation of earlier event), these emotions are quite easily detected (both consciously and subconsciously) in our body language, our tone and words.

HOW THEN SHALL WE USE THOUGHT?

We can direct it through the use of well guided questions. We can trust our own mind to supply us with the right answers when we use the right questions. After all – we’ve been with our mind the longest. The time the mind launches off on destructive inquiries is when we let it. That means – when we are not in control of the questions being asked, we very often receive answers we don’t need or feel emotions that are unwanted.

SHOULD I BE FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING QUESTIONS ALL DAY LONG? – THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF WORK

Yes – thought filtering requires a lot of effort – but it’s a job that only you can do. And the alternatives are less appealing. The good news is however that through consciously asking empowering questions on a regular basis you will form a habit of asking empowering questions, making it a little easier to focus your mind in the right areas. However don’t let up – the moment you let your mind wander on its own it can go right over a cliff. In other words – disempowering questions and destructive emotions are just a thought away.

A great way to know if you’ve gone off track is through listening to your body. Emotions are an important signal to how you’ve been thinking. You can trace every emotion you are feeling now or will feel in the future to your thinking. In the words of Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence – “Emotion follows thought just as surely as ducks follow their mother.”

Of course other factors play an important role in how you’re feeling – or rather, they make it easier to feel good. Factors such as getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of water, eating salads, exercising, etc. See if you can come up with a list of “Feel Good Factors” that are simple ways to change your mood for the better. The reason? It’s simply easier to think empowering thoughts if you feel good. Having strategies for changing your state other than through remembering to ask empowering questions will offer a double assault on negative thinking and destructive emotions.

FULL POTENTIAL ACTION STEPS:
1) Come up with at least 1 or 2 questions you could ask yourself that would help you focus your brain on empowering thoughts. For example one question I ask myself, “How do I know I’m not dreaming right now?” This moves my attention to the present and helps me get out of thinking about my circumstances to instead, questioning my reality!
2) Come up with a list of at least 5 Feel Good Factors that you could easily do to change your state and make yourself feel better.

It’s not in achievement – which means honor and praise or self congratulations. A good life is measured in terms of how well aligned you are with aiding the universe in its evolution (value). Change is essential and you are essential part of that change. Where you position yourself greatly determines your “happiness” in the process. Happiness is universal feedback for doing what you are meant to do. The origin of that meaning is from the source of the universe – the same source from which you have come.

When you go to sleep at night – what urges you to sleep? Surely not yourself. No – its the body returning home. It yearns for it. Never is the pull towards the source as great as it is when you are tired. This is your evidence that such a force exists. You will feel this force once more when you have transitioned through the body to another plane – a restoration after a journey through the Earthly plane. Whether this description is from your fantasies or an actual description of events is no matter. The point is this: there is a force that draws you towards the source in both your sleeping and waking. In sleep it is the inevitable tiredness that draws you to the source. And in waking it is the fulfillment you feel in doing work that you were destined to do. Anything less than that is resistance and struggle. This is already know.

So the first characteristic of a good life is character – a personal constitution of:

• Values &
• Virtues

The definition of values are the things which you prioritize above all others as worthy of preservation of pursuit. The definition of virtue is principles of behavior (deeds) that bring about greater goodness and happiness in your life and the lives of others. Not for any other purpose but as an obligation for being – in being part of the whole you are obligated towards the whole. This is your service towards all life that in the grandest view is service to your self.

Examples of Values:

• Time
• Energy
• Knowledge
• Connection
• Wealth

Example of Virtues:

• Confidence / Boldness
• Self-control / Discipline
• Peace
• Loving
• Happiness
• Patience
• Positivity
• Zest
• Passion
• Playful

FULL POTENTIAL ACTION STEPS:
#1 Determine what your highest values are – these can easily be determined based on where you’re willing to invest the majority of your time, energy and other life resources without feeling guilty.
#2 Set goals based on your highest values. For example when I discovered that Time is one of my highest values I immediately began making sure I invested it in the best manner possible. For me this meant to be as present as possible, to avoid arguments or conflict and create as many enjoyable moments as possible. The point: through identifying your highest values you can then set up goals around them. Contrary to popular belief, goals don’t have to be for “things” but rather – for experiences in alignment with your values.
#3 Determine what virtues you want to cultivate as part of your character. These can easily be determined based on the behaviors you feel will bring the greatest goodness to you and to others.
#4: Determine at least one behavior for each virtue.
Align your daily behaviors with your virtues. For example when I discovered that self-control is high on my list of virtues I began to notice the times I lost control and took steps to strengthen my self control so I lived true to this virtue. There’s two points here – (1) You must have a track. (2) Noticing when you’ve gone off track so you can make corrections. (Don’t get frustrated with yourself during this process, the act of “aligning” means you’re off track most of the time.)

We are drawn to a noble cause – a noble purpose that makes everything else in life seem insignificant. This perspective allows us to easily give our life for something – whether that be all at once in a form of martyrdom or gradually through the daily investment of time until our death. The hardest kind of work has little or no meaning to you; in this trade you give your life for something you don’t believe in.

We all have a book to write, a picture to paint, a dance to perform or a song to sing. We all have a music inside us that only we know how to express whether it be in art, business or only to ourselves. We have limitless creativity with limited time for creation. That is the challenge.

We must choose our moments wisely and especially those decisions that can tie us up for time to come. Those decisions now that become chains that bind us in the future. There is only one thing to be attached to and that is the eternal energy residing in us all. Any attachments that remain now must be let go one by one as soon as they are identified. Only when we have let go of everything can we consciously choose what we wish to retain for the better enjoyment of the life experience.

LET GO

Consider the exercise of letting go. Sit back, close your eyes and breathe deeply. When you tell yourself to let go – what are the things you think of first? You might consider financial matters, or family matters, or relationship matters. Let these go and see what remains as a concern. It may help to write these things down and then go back to letting go -this shows your brain that you are acknowledging its worries or concerns so you can resume your practice at more peace.

As you begin to let go – you might notice yourself to finally beginning to relax. It’s amazing what happens when you simply give your self the permission to let go. This can be difficult because there is a deeper belief that says letting go is irresponsible and unless you feel an emotional reaction of tension or worry you will not deal with the situation at hand. To let go of the emotional suffering of worry you make a pact with your brain / EGO that you will still deal with the situation – you just choose to do it in a more resourceful state. This negotiation between happens between Soul (the Awareness) and the Ego (the Brain and Body). When you let go – you tell your brain and body it’s okay to relax while still taking situations in life seriously. If you we’re conscious of this need to reassure the Ego, the body exists in this state of stress, worry or concern to ensure that the situation at hand is taken seriously. Think about it – if the body or brain didn’t feel signals of stress why would it deal with a circumstance? It wouldn’t. It responds to the stress in the form of behaviors that attempt to create better circumstances, in an effort to relieve the tension. If the hand wasn’t burning on the stove, it might not move.

This ancient mechanism of stress was more useful in earlier times when the body did have immediate threats that could be dealt with -immediately. But in modern times threats like debt can persist for a long time- and the old mechanisms for dealing with threats that cause stress can be very harmful to the body.

So the exercise of letting go is indeed one that will take practice. And if you find your mind wandering back to concerns that cause tension – remember the phrase: reality is what you are aware of. If you simply redirect your focus to become aware of something else the tension subsides. Anytime you feel yourself growing tense – become aware of what you are being aware of. This practice of mindfulness never fails to lead you to peace or happiness. Your reality is whatever you are aware of.

CHOOSING YOUR VEHICLE OF SELF EXPRESSION

We still live in an age where “paying the bills” is a reality of every day life for most people. If you still haven’t found the magic formula for doing what you love and making money at it – you’re not alone.

Personally I have found it difficult to transition from my current business to doing something I love full time. But on a daily basis I make it a point to clear out my obligations as efficiently as possible so I can focus more of my time on what I consider “high value”. It helps to know what my vehicle for self expression is; that is that is the thing that brings me the greatest fulfillment while doing it.

FULL POTENTIAL ACTION STEPS:
Step 1: Do something NOW. Schedule some time today identifying the vehicle for your highest self expression. Even if you’re not sure – ask yourself what it might be. I have found that when you separate your passion from making money you’ll find greater clarity. Sometimes its not possible to profit from doing what you love, sometimes it is.
Step 2: Come up with a strategy for investing more time every day in doing that thing, even just 20 minutes a day paves the way for greater emotional satisfaction.
Step 3: Share your experiences here or in your own blog, to help inspire others.

~ From the Autobiography of Sterling Hayden who you probably remember as General Ripper in “Dr. Strangeglove” or Captain McCluskey (The cop on the take that Michael shot in the Godfather).

The Ego Captain

The Ego captain is very selfish, power hungry and prideful. He likes to steer the ship towards destinations of lust, riches, excitement and hours of idle entertainment. He’ll gladly blast other ships out of the water if it means he can collect their bounty and grow more powerful in the process. The Ego captain uses the map they have created since they first started sailing, rarely asks for directions and the crew blindly follows his instructions even if it leads to their own destruction.

The Soul Captain

The Soul captain on the other hand is a wise and loving captain. He likes to steer the ship towards places of peace, love and joy. He still likes to have a good time but not at the expense of his crew or that of the other ships.

The Soul captain has the power to take control of the ship at any time. Some Soul captains choose not to – and they suffer the consequences at the hand of the Ego captain. A Soul captain that chooses to take control will have to fight many battles with the Ego captain – but each time he does he will develop more strength, (self mastery and discipline) and soon the Ego will not be able to compete with the Soul captain for control of the ship. That doesn’t mean the Ego captain won’t stop trying. And boy does it try. In this book we’ll talk about the how to recognize the Ego and its many disguises, how to strengthen will power and how to maintain control of your Life Vessel.

The Ego Captain vs. Soul the Soul Captain

The Ego captain looks at the Soul captain as a menace to his plans. He seeks to lock up or put the Soul captain to sleep at any chance he can get. And most of the time he succeeds. In this book we’ll talk about how to awaken the Soul and maintain a high level of awareness / consciousness.

The Soul captain delegates all tasks to the Ego captain. The Ego captain doesn’t like being controlled – ever. The Ego captain knows that the one person he must listen to is the Soul captain but the Ego captain is always restless for control. He wants to steer the ship to the places he most enjoys. He doesn’t want to take orders from the Soul captain and is always rebelling or plotting ways in which he can take back control.

A Sleeping Soul Captain

The Soul captain is usually sleeping or awakens briefly when the Ego is in a state of panic. This is usually the time of great loss or suffering.

An awakened Soul is always helping and loving the Ego, but never gives it back full control. A wise Soul captain stays alert and is ready for the Ego to take on many disguises in attempt to take back control; it laughs at its childishness and turns it away.

When the Ego Captain Takes Control

Unless the Soul captain remains awake and alert, the Ego will almost always succeeds in regaining control of the ship (which can happen several times over the course of a day, or even an hour).

And when the Ego does regain control of the ship, he’ll pretend that all the instructions that had come from the Soul captain or the Spirit beyond the ship were his idea. He likes to pretend like he is wise and the crew has no need for a Soul captain or the Spirit.

And sometimes if the Ego captain has not seen the Soul captain for a while… he’ll convince himself that there is only one captain on the ship and that he is in fact the Soul and the Spirit!

For example, many ancient rulers, emperors and Egyptian kings truly believed they were immortal gods.

Old Map (Closed Mind) Versus New Map (Open Mind)

After childhood the Ego captain is usually reluctant to update his map. This might make the Ego captain seem wrong or make the Ego feel bad for wasting time headed in the wrong direction. The Ego would rather fake that he is right rather than actually be right.

A Soul captain is always seeking ways to improve the map so it can follow the instructions of the Spirit beyond the ship. He’s not afraid to ask for help or listen to instructions.

The Ego captain hates how this makes them look – but the Soul captain knows that in the long run this will make them even more effective at getting where they want to go. The Soul captain is always willing to be wrong if it means they can travel more effectively.

The Ocean of Egos

Most of the ships sailing on the high seas are run by Ego captains and they look upon other Soul captains as ‘nice guys’ but easy targets. But a wise Soul captain knows the intentions of the Ego before he has a chance to do any harm and guards against it. A wise Soul captain is prepared for the worst while sailing for the better.

The Role of the Soul Captain

The Soul captain must avoid all Ego distractions listen to the Spirit beyond the ship. The Soul captain must use the lighthouse in the foggy distance (Spirit), to guide the ship moment by moment away from dangerous rocks and sharp reef.

The Soul captain may not even know the destination, but he stays the course – like a Columbus that discovered new lands out of faith that by sailing west he’d find a new trade route to the Indies. Staying the course also means illuminating false monsters (erroneous beliefs or unjustified fear) instead of wasting resources avoiding what doesn’t exist.

Not having a map of the destination seems absurdly illogical to the Ego captain. The Soul captain maps out the waters already crossed (gathers as much information as possible about the environment) to save himself time, but he’s always willing to sail into uncharted waters if that’s what he feels guided to do.

(An excerpt from the book Full Potential)