“Sometimes life hits you on the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith!” – Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computer and Pixar Animation Studios

In 2005 Steve Jobs founder of Apple Computer gave the commencement address to new graduates of Stanford University. It is a brilliant address where he focuses on three inspirational short stories from his life:

The first story is about joining the dots – which addresses in a very interesting way the question why did he drop out of college?

The second story is about love and loss, a story which will inspire anyone who has faced adversity particularly in their career as Steve talks about being fired from the very company that he founded namely Apple computers.

The third story is about death where Steve talks about being diagnosed with cancer and his attitude to life. It’s brilliant!

The video is just over 15 minutes and well worth watching in full and indeed taking notes. Here’s some inspirational quotes from the address which I felt were excellent:

I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love and that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you havent found it yet keep looking. Don’t settle! As with all matters of the heart you’ll know when you find it. And like any great relationship if just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking. Don’t settle…

If today was the last day of  my life would I want to do what I am about to do today. Whenever the answer has been no for too many days in a row, I know I have to change something…

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart…

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Stay hungry! Stay foolish!

To read the whole speech you can go to this link – Text of Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford University 2005

Or watch the video below.

Be Inspired!

How not to hurry, what a great title. Gandhi once said the sole purpose of life is not just to go faster yet our world seems to put more and more importance on “speed”. We can pay a heavy price in our lives if thats what we continue to do, sometimes ending up burnt out. So this article offers some great wisdom and tips on how to experience life at a more humane and enjoyable pace.  The article is written by Leo Babauta from www.ZenHabits.net To read all the article click the link at the bottom of this article.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu

Consider the above quote from Lao Tzu, (perhaps mythical) father of Taoism: how can it be true?

Is it possible to never hurry, but to get everything done?

It seems contradictory to our modern world, where everything is a rush, where we try to cram as much into every minute of the day as possible, where if we are not busy, we feel unproductive and lazy.

In fact, often we compete by trying to show how busy we are. I have a thousand projects to do! Oh yeah? I have 10,000! The winner is the person who has the most insane schedule, who rushes from one thing to the next with the energy of a hummingbird, because obviously that means he’s the most successful and important.

Right?

Maybe not. Maybe we’re playing the wrong game — we’ve been conditioned to believe that busier is better, but actually the speed of doing is not as important as what we focus on doing.

Maybe we’re going at the wrong speed. Maybe if we are constantly rushing, we will miss out on life itself. Let’s let go of the obsession with speed, and instead slow down, stop rushing, and enjoy life.

And still get everything done.

Let’s look at how.

A Change of Mindset
The most important step is a realization that life is better when you move at a slower, more relaxed pace, instead of hurrying and rushing and trying to cram too much into every day. Instead, get the most out of every moment.

Is a book better if you speed read it, or if you take your time and get lost in it?

Is a song better if you skim through it, or if you take the time to really listen?

Is food better if you cram it down your throat, or if you savor every bite and really appreciate the flavor?

Is your work better if you’re trying to do 10 things at once, or if you really pour yourself into one important task?

Is your time spent with a friend or loved one better if you have a rushed meeting interrupted by your emails and text messages, or if you can relax and really focus on the person?

Life as a whole is better if you go slowly, and take the time to savor it, appreciate every moment. That’s the simplest reason to slow down.

And so, you’ll need to change your mindset (if you’ve been stuck in a rushed mindset until now). To do this, make the simple admission that life is better when savored, that work is better with focus. Then make the commitment to give that a try, to take some of the steps below.

But I Can’t Change!
There will be some among you who will admit that it would be nice to slow down, but you just can’t do it … your job won’t allow it, or you’ll lose income if you don’t do as many projects, or living in the city makes it too difficult to go slowly. It’s a nice ideal if you’re living on a tropical island, or out in the country, or if you have a job that allows control of your schedule … but it’s not realistic for your life.

I say bullshit.

Take responsibility for your life. If your job forces you to rush, take control of it. Make changes in what you do, in how you work. Work with your boss to make changes if necessary. And if really necessary, you can eventually change jobs. You are responsible for your life…

Click here to read on

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In these days when hundreds of thousands die in a moment of time in Haiti leaving hundreds of thousands more to suffer through incredible hardship, what are we doing in Ireland?

In Ireland those who get paid loads as traffic controllers (I believe over €100,000 plus a huge pension contribution)decided to go on strike and close all airports in the country yesterday. Those on the other side sitting on their beds of nails just keep repeating the mantra – “We’re RIGHT and they’re WRONG”!!!

Those who made the biggest mistakes in the financial history of Ireland are gone to pastures greener to figure out how to spend all the money they’ve been rewarded with as pensions. While the bailed out institutions they’ve left behind  seek out the “small person/family” who made small mistakes but will be punished in BIG ways, some even losing their homes!

Others who were supposed to regulate it all sneaked out  the backdoor and now have to face the daily grind of regulating how much of their vast pensions they’ll spend each day! But they’re in good company with those who managed the creation of jobs, who used the same door to sneak out of,  as they have a lot of experience of flying first class, staying in the worlds best hotels and spending thousands of euro for a meal with friends (all legitimate expenses of course!)

And you may be wondering what the politicians of the country are doing? It’s obvious? They’re arguing about how to fill up pot holes after the recent snow! I suppose its not that surprising really when their old leader, who created the boom but not the bust, and who created much of his own substantial wealth “backing horses” is going from book shop to book shop ready to sign his book and plead with everyone that “it wasent my fault, please love me, I’m a socialist, I’m a people person”!!!

I will admit this isent the usual tone of my blog articles but right now its how I feel. I believe they’re has to be a better way! A way that will be carved out by those who truly value what is important in this life – love for one another, compassion, generosity, kindnesss, integrity, honesty, truth, loyalty, cheerfulness, our childrens lives and education and whatever other values you feel are truly important, values which ensure that as we all sleep at night we know the world is a better place because we have lived!

Most of us cannot fly over to Haiti to help out and its great that so many have of course, but we can make sure that today wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, with whoever we’re with  that someones life has been better because we have lived to truthfully serve!

Well I came across this great video today and its brilliant! Its a band called Nichelback and a track called “If today was your last day” (Hey if you have anything you’d like to add to this article just click on “continue reading” below.)

 Enjoy! Sean M Kelly, Be Inspired!

Well if you’re into personal development you’ll certainly have heard of Napoleon Hill and his book “Think and Grow Rich”. Well one of the modern miracles of the internet is that many of the earliest pioneers in the personal development industry whose books you may have read years ago can now be watched on the internet. It was with great surprise and delight I came across this one with Napoleon Hill talking about his meeting with Andrew Carnegie.

It’s full of wisdom and for me the genuineness and sincerity of the man comes across almost as if he’s talking to you personally. Have a small notebook and pen ready when watching this video and enjoy it all. God Bless YouTube!

Be Inspired!

This is the gratitude prayer Napoleon talks about near the end of the video:

“I ask not for divine providence or more riches

but more wisdom with which to accept and use wisely

the riches I received at birth

in the form of the power to control and direct

my mind to whatever ends I desire”

PS:  If you’d like some more inspiration for what to put in your notebook have read of a sample chapter on “How to Create an Inspiring Vision” from the Dare to Dream eBook. If you like what you read you can purchase the book and download it immediately. Here’s the link www.daretodream.eu/tips

Can your dreams really come true? What are the important ingredients to manifesting your dreams? This video explores these and more. Be Inspired!

To learn how to turn your dreams into reality and be inspired for 40 days with short videos and reflections enter your details below: 

Let’s do exactly what Ralph Waldo Emerson recommended, namely:

Let us be Silent that we may hear the whispers of God

To subscribe to all 40 days of this Irish Inner Peace Pilgrimage enter your details below:

“Let us be silent that we may hear the whispers of God” – R. W. Emerson

The next three lessons all deal with choosing to take time in your day to be still and it’s best if you read and watch them at a time and place where you’ll be undisturbed. 

Here’s a simple way to be still by meditating on your breathing:

1. Sit in a comfortable position

2. Bring your awareness to your breathing

3. Keep your awareness on your breathing for at least 3 minutes
(ideally work up to 15 minutes but it’s better to turn it into a daily habit by doing it for short periods and then extending the period once you’ve established the habit)

If your attention drifts onto other thoughts gently bring it back to your breathing. In time your mind will quiet and you will enter a beautiful space of stillness. Sit without any expectation or desire for results. Please also note if your mind is restless that’s perfectly normal particularly if you live a busy life.

Make a commitment to yourself to do this every day for 10 days. It’s best done in the morning time when you first get up. It enables you to tune into the day in a nice gentle way.

Sometimes we look for the most complicated esoteric way of meditating. This can often be a way of distracting ourselves from meditating at all. In my experience and after teaching meditation and relaxation to many people the greatest challenge people have is not how to meditate but choosing to take the time to meditate in any form! So keep it simple and keep it short. Goal number one is to  create a daily meditation habit.

And here’s a video which will also help. Remember day 11 and day 12 of the inner peace pilgrimage will also help you in this area.

To subscribe to all 40 days of this Irish Inner Peace Pilgrimage enter your details below:

In 1986 just after I graduated with an honours degree in Mathematics and Physics, I thought I’d walk into a job, afterall I had a degree!!! Well one year later I was still looking for a job and collecting the dole. Every day I received many “cherrio” (i.e. “we regret …”) letters from companies. They were all looking for experience and were unwilling to give me a chance. It was very disheartening. Some days I simply felt like doing nothing but most days thankfully I’d sit at a typewriter (do you remember them?) and apply for jobs.  However I decided to always believe that one day I will go to the front door and pick up a letter which would offer me a job! Well after months and months and months that letter did arrive. I remember the moment so clearly. My Father picked up the letter and brought it up to me in my bedroom. I opened it and “YES” it was a job offer!

Not only was it a job offer it was an EXCELLENT JOB OFFER! It was with an American Company called Sterling Software who were going to train me in writing COBOL computer language and then place me in Europe or America as a consultant. It was a fantastic job and a great opportunity to catch up on the year I’d just spent looking for one!

Well thirty of us started the job at the time and our boss was a big American from Texas who drove a Ford Bronco and wore cowboy boots. He was a real positive guy which I really enjoyed. I really couldn’t believe how lucky I was to get such a job and to be on my way to the US in a few weeks. I even remember saying goodbye to my girlfriend at the time (now my wife).

Then one day after only been there for a few weeks my big American boss in his cowboy boots marched in at 9am and told us that “due to a disagreement over the payment of tax they would be pulling out of Ireland” and as a consequence we were all being let go!

You can imagine how I and the twenty nine others, some who had mortgages to pay and families to rear, felt. I was distraught! We responded in the good old traditional Irish fashion, we went to the pub!!!

However that night I met a friend of my Fathers who had been very encouraging to me when I was looking for a job. When I told him what happened he said “Sean its not what happens to you in life thats the most important thing but what you do in response to what happens!”

Of course these were very wise words but when we’re feeling low or in a state of shock its challenging to take them on board. However on reflection I did and with reluctance a few weeks later I took the boat to England with the aim of getting the experience necessary to get a job back in Ireland in a few years.

So what can you do if you lose your job:

1. DECIDE to RISE TO THE CHALLENGE: As stated above, its your response above all else to the situation that matters most. Are you going to play victim or are you going to rise to the challenge? The challenge may be tough and you may need to dig really deep within yourself but if you are alive you can rise up and overcome that challenge. Not only that, it can be the very platform from which your life really soars to a far more fulfilling, exciting and properous level. So what do you need to do – DECIDE that you will RISE TO THE CHALLENGE and REACH YOUR SUMMIT!

2. DO WHAT YOU CAN TODAY: Your whole future is before you and so is everyone elses. If theres one way to feel overwhelmed its to to think we can control it! Can we control it? Can we predict it? Can we organise it exactly the way we want it to be? Plain and simple … NO! Nobody controls the future and anyone who thinks they can, should read the obituaries about how many people die suddendly every day. So what can we do? We can live for today – do what we can, with what we have, where we are TODAY! Even if your finances are struggling ask yourself – “Will I surive today?” and chances are you will. In fact at some time in the future you may look back on the challenges you face today and say “that was really a blessing in disguise!” So all we need to do is focus our energies on doing what we can today.

3. INCREASE YOUR CASHFLOW - ask yourself what can I do today to improve the cashflow? Its very important to keep some cashflow coming in no matter what you have to do (as long as its a good thing of course). Not only is cashflow important in our everyday life but also from a positive energetic point of view, its like Issac Newton told us in his first law of motion  “things at rest tend to stay at rest and things in motion tend to stay in motion” So aim to bring in some cashflow no matter how small. What hobbies have you got that you could earn an income from? Is there any parttime work you can do? Is there any car boot sales (garage sales) coming up where you could sell something? Is there anyone you know looking for some help you could pay you? Absolutely research the greatest information revolution in human history that is happening right now on the internet. Get a little notebook and carry it around with you. At the front of it write down the question – “How can I increase my cashflow?” Whenever you think of something write it down. Look at your growing list and take action to make the more practical ideas. If one doesent work do another one. When one begins to work focus more on it and ask yourself how can I expand this idea and perhaps even turn it into a business? (Also remember to pay yourself first – see article I wrote on this a number of months back)

4. PAY YOURSELF FIRST AND GROW YOUR MONEY – click here to read previous article I wrote

5. PAY YOUR BILLS AND TALK TO CREDITORS - if your bills are mounting up and you dont know what to do here’s a few ideas.

• Prioritise them – do what you can to pay the most important ones e.g. your mortgage.
• Contact your creditors – if you’re finding it difficult to pay some bills contact your creditors and let them know. Can you pay even a small bit? Remember every bit you pay helps to clear the bill or debt. Creditors in the main are very understanding and appreciate you contacting them and they really dont like to be ignored. And also dont be afraid to stand up to them if necessary, for example if they start threatening you with nasty letters, etc, tell them you dont appreciate threatening letters, that there’s enough trouble in the world without these letters adding to it! If they start warning you about negative credit rating tell them sure you’ll be in good company with most of the worlds banks!
• Focus on your progress – no matter how small your progress is, keep your heart and mind centered on it. This will really help you feel better and if you feel good you will be able to manage things better. If you have a day of despair go out for a walk, take some time out and then “get back on your horse” and go again.

6. Have a Laugh! Well in the days of old when we didn’t have computers, the comedian Jerry Lewis was pretty amazing on a typewriter (see video below just over 2 mins).

Enjoy and Good Luck!

Sean

www.seanMkelly.com

PS: The Dare to Dream 12 week course to inspire you and give you practical ways of manifesting your dreams begins tonight Tuesday 3rd March 2009 in Milltown Park, Dublin, Ireland. Click here for more details.

The Manifesters Course
- begins Tuesday 24th February for 6 weeks

Want to know more? Email info@seanMkelly.com 

“I had the blues because I had no shoes
until upon a street I came across a man
who had no feet!”

Many people are facing very tough challenges in their lives today. Some are even resorting to end it all as the whole financial foundation on which they based their lives has been shattered. Though it’s not easy when you’re in the thick of it, it can be an opportunity to realign your life with whats truly important and to realise a lot more fulfillment.

One of the greatest motivators for human behaviour is our identity. If I identify myself with that which is outside myself and not ultimately under my control, then when that changes it can rock or even destroy the very foundation on which I base my life and I can feel completely lost in a very stormy ocean!

There are three common patterns of identity that we all use and are worth reflecting on:

1. I AM WHAT I DO – if I believe consciously or unconsciously that I am what I do, then the more I do the better I feel. So there is an underlying driving force to keep doing and doing and doing. If I stop doing even for a short while I feel empty and have very low self worth. Doing and taking action is important but if I believe that’s what my self worth is based on, what happens when I can “do” no more?

2. I AM WHAT I HAVE – this is where our whole identity revolves around what we possess – the more I own the better I am as a person and the more important I feel. Before the recession hit this was a very common identity – those who owned the most property, had the best cars, had the most successful businesses were put on a pedestal to be admired and even envied. Now this way of thinking has been hit with a tsunami and the foundation of some lives has been destroyed.

3. I AM WHAT OTHERS THINK OF ME – again this is quite a common identity and “keeping up with the jones’s” is based on this one as is the glorification of “being famous” and “being a socialite”. If I believe in this identity I want everyone to think well of me and will do whatever I can to ensure this happens - I tell half truths or even lies so that I will be liked and look good, I will dress as all the “good people” dress.

Leo Tolstoy, the famous Russian author, wrote a very thought provoking story about a man called Ivan Ilych , a self proclaimed “social climber” who lived in Tsarist Russia.  Ivan is suddenly struck by a terminal illness, which offers him time to reflect on his life and he asks himself  – “what if my whole life has been wrong?”. The only time Ivan could remember being true to himself is when he was a child! 

The current challenges we face are an opportunity for us all to reflect on this question and to realign our lives to that which brings the greatest love, joy, passion and peace for ourselves and others. It is an opportunity to ensure we are being true to ourselves for as William Shakespeare’s Hamlet so eloquently reminds us “To Thine Ownself be True. And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou can not then be false to any man”. So lets come back to reflecting on the three patterns of identity mentioned above.

Suppose my identity is based on any or all of the above three patterns – what I’m doing – my job, what I have – property, shares, cars, family or what others think of me – “he’s really achieved so much, he’s great!”.

Now suppose I lose my job or the property and share prices collapse or I become separated? What will people think of me then, especially if I’ve been manipulating the “system” for my own “profit”? On the surface the job is gone, my shares are worthless and people dont think I’m so successful afterall! However even more important to realise is that underneath the surface the very identity which I based my life has been shattered! And it is this collapse in identity which is the greatest challenge for most people. It is this collapse that can cause people to lose heart, to become depressed, to turn to drink or drugs and in the worse cases to give up on life altogether and commit suicide. And the more we try to hold on to this illusionary identity the more suffering we create in our lives. However if you or someone you know find themselves facing such challenges, take heart, there are things we can do to rise above the doom and gloom and learn these life expanding lessons that life is offering us all.

1. Take Responsibility – First and foremost wherever you find yourself take total responsibility for it. The good and the not so good. Realise that ultimately it was us who sowed the seeds and are now reaping the harvest. This is often the most difficult step but the moment we take responsibility, we also reclaim our power to do something about it!

2. Take Control of what you can control - no point trying to control what you can’t control like the state of the property market, share prices and so on but there are many things you can control – your state of mind and what you’re focussing on in your life, make a list of what you can do – start a new business, do what you’ve always wanted to do, save even a small amount of money each week in a secure savings account, go the extra mile for your customers, go out there and get more customers. Do something to help someone else. Create a vision for yourself which excites you and take action today to start realising it.

 3. Create a new identity - we are creative beings. Instead of having an identity which is attached to anything outside yourself, which is subject to change and ultimately beyond your control, base it on the infinite wisdom and greatness that is within you. This can never be taken away from you, recession or otherwise. You can begin to affirm to yourself “I am an infinitely creative and resourceful person“, “My greatest hour has yet to come”, “I am so happy doing what I love and loving what I do and getting richly rewarded for it”, “the greatest moment of my life is this one – the more I truly live it, the more fulfilled I am and the more the future blossoms.” Its also a good idea to remind yourself of what you really like/love about yourself – make a list and smile with every wonderful trait you posess. And let those you love know how wonderful it is that they are part of your life.

4. Use your talents/gifts to serve the world – the best way for you to serve the world is in doing what you love and/or loving what you do. You have a core genius. You have within you the most wonderful talents and gifts. How do you know what they are – its simple - you feel BRILLIANT when you’re pursuing them! So pursue them and keep nourishing them. Then start asking questions like – how can I use my talents and gifts to serve my family, my community, my country, the world? How can I begin to earn an income from what I love and how then can I get it to grow? As you take each step on such a path you leave behind a path which is illuminated with love, with kindness, with joy, with happiness, with passion and it acts as a lighthouse for those who find themselves in stormy seas. Does it take courage? Absolutely! And this is one of the traits you have in abundance – simply take the first step and keep going!

5. Stop listening to and reading about doom and gloom – yesterday I was at a talk and eventhough I pretty much have stopped listening to the media, who are in the main selling misery to the masses, the speaker reminded all the business people present that it wasent helping any of us in our business to listen to the merchants of doom and gloom, in fact it’s possibly making it worse! And of course they are getting paid for bombarding us with such soul destroying negativity! They are painting a picture far worse than it really is and even if it’s as bad as they say its still best to focus and celebrate and be grateful for all the great things in our lives and in this world of ours. Make a choice today in your life to stop “buying into” the misery and buy into what makes you feel good!

The most basic principle of positive thinking is – “whatever we think about expands”, so if we’re constantly thinking about “doom and gloom” we will get more of it. Having everyone be aware of “doom and gloom” has not made it go away. What will make it go away is a change in focus and taking positive action accordingly. And that change in focus begins with each of us as individuals. Even if you do have to listen to the merchants of doom and gloom at least keep it to a minimum!

Remember the greatest failures are often steps to the greatest successes. And the fact that you are alive and have a life means you’re already a success. And thats the place to begin again!

Here’s a wonderful quote on courage by Mary Anne Radmacher, to finish this article (please use it and share with those who simply need some inspiration during the current challenges we face):

“Courage does not always roar,

Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day

that says I’ll try again tomorrow”

Carpe Diem

Sean M Kelly

www.seanMkelly.com

PS: We now offer yoga, relaxation and meditation classes on Monday mornings and lunchtime in Dun Laoighre and on Tuesday evenings in Milltown, Dublin. For more details simply email info@seanMkelly.com

PSS: The Manifesters Course – Would you like to join a group of others online and/or in weekly meetings to learn how to use meditation to manifest fulfilling desires in your life? I’m going to be offering a 6 week course beginning on Tues 24th February which will show you how. The numbers on the course will be limited and you must be passionate about what you wish to manifest and/or about exploring what that is. The course will involve weekly lessons/practice offered through emails and podcasts and other related media as well as a physical meeting once a week (for those who live in Dublin). If you’re interested please email me on info@seanMkelly.com and let me know at least three passions you have in life which you’d like to expand. I very much look forward to hearing from you.

During Medieval times a King decided to determine who were the wisest people in his kingdom. To ascertain this he asked his servants to prepare a feast in his castle. He asked that it be filled with an abundance of food and drink which would amaze anyone on seeing it. He asked that many different groups of people be invited and they could eat and drink as much as they liked. However there was one condition – they all had to wear jackets made of bamboo. His servants invited the first group of guests who put on the jackets as they went into the great feast:

When they arrived and saw all the food and drink they were amazed and excited so they dived in towards the tables and tried to eat. However when they picked up some food they soon realised they couldn’t get it into their mouths because of the bamboo jackets - no matter how hard they tried they couldn’t get their hands to their mouths. After some time they gave up and left in total frustration without eating any food or drinking any drink!

The second group came in and again they couldn’t figure out how to eat with the bamboo jackets on and eventually left in frustration.

Eventually the most caring and generous people in the Kingdom were invited to enjoy the feast. They put on the bamboo jackets bent down picked up some food and began to feed eachother!

Before any of the current recessions what were we doing, were we more concerned with feeding ourselves than feeding eachother? If so then the wisest way out of recession is to now feed eachother!

Who will you feed this week?

Bon Appetit!

Sean M Kelly

PS: Dru Yoga and Meditation/Mindfulness classes Tuesday evenings 7-8.30pm and 8.45-9.45pm respectively, Jesuit Conference center, Milltown Park, Dublin. Each week more people are trying these classes out and finding out what a positive difference they make to their week, particularly in light of all the economic “doom and gloom” that is been bombarded at us at the moment! To register for a class simply text 087 2494954 or email info@seanMkelly.com