The Letter in the Universal Mailbox

Whatever we think about and thank about we bring about.

-       Dr. John Demartini

Do you realize how incredibly powerful the above words are? Dr. Demartini’s quote is one of many included in the awesome book by Rhonda Byrne called The Secret. Of course, if you have read this book you will know that the secret is encapsulated in the phrase “the law of attraction.” The law of attraction has as its foundation the principle that like attracts like. In other words, what we focus on creates the conditions of our life, either positive or negative.

American author and speaker, John Assaraf, says: “Here’s the problem. Most people are thinking about what they don’t want, and they’re wondering why it shows up over and over.”

Here’s my theory. If we acknowledge that our thoughts are powerful, we really should discipline ourselves to corral them and focus on what we truly want – the stuff of our dreams.

To fully actualize the teaching of the law of attraction, it takes focus. American artist, Marion Lansky states: “Focus is the most magical tool we have. It’s the most powerful aspect of our minds. It’s the letter in the universal mailbox, the genie in the lamp.” Wow. That’s so true, isn’t it?

I just finished reading a great book by Steven Pressfield called Turning Pro. In terms of tapping your inner power and creating your life’s work (as his sub-title states), Mr. Pressfield makes a clear distinction between the amateur and the professional. The amateur is someone who lives a shadow life. He knows in his heart of hearts he really should be writing that screenplay, or sculpting that work of art, or giving presentations as an inspirational speaker; but instead he settles for a manner of living and working that, while it attends to his daily needs, quietly frustrates him. (See Thoreau quote re the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.)

The professional, on the other hand, is someone who is true to herself. She has the same fears and challenges as the amateur, but she has made a decision to focus her energies on what it takes to achieve her dream. And because of that decision, she has ordered her life in such a way whereby discipline is its hallmark.

If you are not already there, don’t you want to join the ranks of the pros? If so, what is holding you back? You’ve got this!

American author, Sara Avant Stover, reminds us, “You already have inside you everything you’ve ever wanted or looked for elsewhere.” All that any of us has to do is develop enough intestinal fortitude to break down the barriers (self-doubt, fear) and put into action the required steps – the plan – to achieve our magnificent obsession.

Hold it! Are you thinking you haven’t yet figured out your magnificent obsession? If that’s the case, ask yourself this question. “What is the one thing I could do with my life that would not only bring me a splendid sense of fulfillment, but would also serve an enduring need for my fellow human beings?”

We need – the world needs – you to answer that question, and then pursue your response with passion. Steven Pressfield is waiting too. “I will gladly shell out $24.95 or $9.99 or 99 cents on iTunes to read or see or listen to the 24-karat treasure that you have refined from your pain and your vision and your imagination.”

And so will I.

Building an Inner Citadel

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.

-       Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

That’s how I see my job as an educator. To somehow spark in my students that inner drive to reach for their potential. To, first of all, master the content of the course material; but then to grab hold to the joy of learning and in the process long for their goals and dreams.

On the last Friday of October, I had the pleasure of teaching the CPR course to a group of grade ten PE students in Calgary. Typically, at the beginning of the course, I ask the students to introduce themselves. As part of that introduction, I also ask them to either say something interesting about themselves or tell us what their dream for the future is. With this particular group of students, their future ambitions ranged from wanting to be a cardiologist, to a history professor, to a mechanic.

As I got into the course content I attempted to infuse some humor into an otherwise serious topic – learning the skills to one day maybe save someone’s life. At one point in our discussion, we were talking about various risk factors that might predispose someone to having a heart attack or stroke. One of those risk factors is stress. On that topic, we brainstormed ways we can deal with excessive amounts of stress.

Recently, I was doing a little research on the effects of stress. One source made the claim that 43% of all adults suffer adverse effects from stress. The same source also asserted that 75-90% of all doctor’s office visits are from stress related ailments and complaints. Wow! That’s a staggering figure. Of course, a certain degree of stress is healthy and is just our body’s normal reaction to events occurring around us.

One strategy for stress mitigation that I proposed to my students would come under the umbrella of life perspective, or attitude. In that regard, I mentioned a book I had just finished reading. It’s called The Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday. The book’s subtitle is “The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumphs.” In this very interesting book, the author uses case studies of famous people throughout history (as well as the teachings of the philosophy of Stoicism) to make a point. That is, the potentially stress causing challenges of life can be better managed by leaning into the trial or obstacle in our way.

By dealing proactively with our challenges, the author suggests that we can build up our armor, or “Inner Citadel,” as the Stoics called it. Mr. Holiday defines this Inner Citadel as “that fortress inside of us that no external adversity can ever break down.” In this regard, the book also contains a quote by the Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius: “Choose not to be harmed, and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed, and you haven’t been.”

To make the point more salient for my students, I referenced the rigor of a grade ten Math or English course. My suggestion there was for the students (if they’re feeling challenged in that subject area) to lean into the course content. In other words, make a decision to become really interested in the course; spend more time on skill development; and ask the teacher as many questions as needed to master the content.

Our discussion also segued into the philosophy of Stoicism. All but one of the students were unfamiliar with this ancient school of thought. After I had provided some background information, one of the students was keen to ask if I could tell her the essence of Stoic thought. What a great question.

           I was glad to respond by saying that the Stoics were all about achieving a balance in life – to not be buffeted by the inevitable ups and downs of our existence. Their modus operandi was to remain calm and use life’s obstacles as fodder for the forge, if you will, to lead them to a higher level of character refinement.