Arvind Devalia's Blog, page 5

Love is all that Matters – and NOT Just On Valentine’s Day!

So how is Valentine’s Day going for you?

Did you spend some quality time with your loved one – or was it just another day for you?

It always amuses me to see people spending a small fortune on just one day every year to show their love for someone!

What happens during the remaining 364 days of the year!?

It’s crazy and dumb to only celebrate your love on Valentine’s Day!

Why not make it a fun Valentine’s Day every day?

Does “romantic love” evoke a vision of red roses, serenading in the park, moonlit walks and champagne?

In our world of glossy magazines and glitzy media, where we are constantly bombarded with images of the ideal, love struck and “perfect” couple, is it any wonder that the real meaning of love has been so diluted!?

Love for some is about being starry eyed and going gaga over someone. The actual being in love becomes more important than ever truly loving someone.

But love is MUCH more than that.

What would the world be like if we truly loved others the way we love our close ones?

I imagine the world would then be transformed and there would be fewer or no wars and we would live in peace and harmony.

In the words of John Lennon, just imagine a brotherhood of man and imagine all the people sharing all the world. It’s easy if you try.

As we look around the world today, such unity would seem to only exist in our imagination and in songs.

We love our close ones and that’s about it. In one of his lectures, I remember Sadhguru Vasudev the motorbike crazy mystic shared how as a young boy he asked his mother if she would have loved him as much if he had been born next door! She could not give him a straight answer but started crying instead.

Yet in our lifetime, we have experienced some magical moments of togetherness.

 

I remember how during the Tsunami crisis in Dec 2004, the world just came together to help the millions of people affected. There was such a crescendo of love, compassion and goodwill, the world became a better place for a while.

And the same happens anytime there is a natural disaster.

Somehow such natural catastrophes bring out the best in us and bring us together. Sadly it doesn’t seem to last.

I have learnt that it takes so little to create our own little heaven on earth if we wish to. We all want to contribute and do something for others.

“Everyone has the need to contribute. It is one of the six human needs. If you give from your heart, it will come back to you tenfold.” – Anthony Robbins

I remember a few years ago taking part in the London Basket Brigade and delivering food baskets to poor families who would otherwise forego a Xmas lunch.

My cousin and I delivered 24 baskets to families in council estates for 6 hours and it was quite late and rather dark by the time we got to the very last basket. The last home was in a rather nice apartment building and we wondered if we had the right address for delivery.

However, when we knocked on the door and made our delivery, we soon knew we had the right address. It turned out the family had just been made homeless and some friends were housing them at the last minute.

I’ll never forget the look of gratitude on the faces of the couple who answered the door.  Words were not needed as connected through our humanity. Best of all was when their three young children peeped around the next room and got so excited with their delivery. Their Xmas was suddenly not looking so bleak.

That Xmas I had an extra bounce in my step! And all it took was a few hours and a desire and willingness to make a difference.

FREE Book – Love is all that Matters

To mark this day of love, my Kindle book Love is all That Matters” is FREE  on Amazon today (Amazon USA  / Amazon UK  / Amazon India ).

This is a short but powerful manifesto to help people bring more love into their lives and the world.

This book is a clarion call to bring more love into the world through simple yet powerful daily rituals

Let us wait no more…

“Give, but give until it hurts.” – Mother Teresa

The chapters in this book are:-

1. Who Needs a Magic Wand to Create Love?

2. What is Love?

3. Love Yourself First Before Loving Anyone Else

4. Learn to Love Unconditionally

5. Don’t Fall in Love, Create Love

6. Be Special to Find the Special One

7. Master the Art of Saying Thank You

8. Live with Acceptance and Friendship Every Day

9. The way forward

Each short chapter concludes with a daily exercise – carry out these simple exercises and watch in wonder as your life magically transforms into a life filled with love, kindness and understanding.

Please download your copy from the links below, depending on which country you are in:-

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

Amazon India

Outside of these countries, just search for the book on your own country’s Amazon website.

I would like you all to feel intense burning desire to be who you truly are and take on a mission to transform the world through being more loving and kind to yourself and others.

“The intensity of your desire needs to be so great that your love for who you are and what you do precludes the possibility of any boredom, tedium or weariness!” – Wayne Dwyer

At the end of the day, all the world simply needs is more people aware of the power of love to positively change their lives and change the world.

And one day soon, everyone will know and realise that Love is all that Matters…

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” – Paul McCartney

PS If by the time you see this post, the Kindle book is no longer free, then simply email me and I shall send it to you:-)

The post Love is all that Matters – and NOT Just On Valentine’s Day! appeared first on Make It Happen.

Why It Takes Love and a Lot of Guts to Survive and Thrive

What’s the biggest personal problem you have ever faced in your life?

Given the chance, if you are like most people you may just rattle off some of the challenges you have faced in your life. Some people might even show me their battle wounds

Let me be clear – this is a rhetorical question and not an invitation for you to wallow in your past or share any pain you are going through now.

We have all faced challenges during our life journey – and the very fact you are reading this shows that you survived.

As a wise man said to me once – your life is a success every time you wake up in the morning. You have survived another night and maybe you will thrive for another day!

It’s so easy to feel sorry for ourselves as we meander through life’s ups and downs – and wonder how and why life got so hard for us along the way.

Then along comes somebody who has faced such astonishing challenges and is still dancing and smiling through life. They just blow you away with their zest for life, optimism and positivity.

One such person is my long term friend and mentor Evelyne Brink. Three years ago in November 2011, Evelyne was due to visit my home for lunch. She was 7 months pregnant at the time and was due to visit me after a routine hospital check-up in the morning.

She never made it to mine that day.

Instead she called me in the afternoon to say that the doctors had discovered something not quite right with her baby. She was in shock and still taking in the news. I offered to join her at the hospital but her partner Thomas was already on the way.

That day Evelyne’s life changed for ever. As did Thomas’s and all the close people in her life.

Their son Tuffel was born a few weeks later without a bowel and despite all the odds he is now a bright, gregarious 3-year old.

Tuffel is a miracle baby and has become the first ever survivor of “ultra short gut syndrome“, living with no small intestine.

Evelyne has now written and published a heart-warming book about her journey over the last 3 years – “It Takes Guts” (Amazon UK/Amazon.com)  an uplifting and deeply emotional journey which will fill your heart with new hope for what is possible for each and every one of us.

As the subtitle says, it is a story of love, hope and a missing bowel.

“An amazing story of how crisis can turn strangers into family and the amazing reserves of grace, love, and hope we can all find inside ourselves when we really need them.” – Michael Neill, Supercoach

Evelyne has such a powerful story to share – and amidst her busy life of nappy changing and visits to the hospital with Tuffel, she kindly agreed to be interviewed for my blog, so that readers can be inspired by her message.

1. Evelyne thank you so much for making time for us despite your busy life looking after Tuffel.
What you went through is every parent’s worst nightmare which turned into a miracle. Who are you and where does your story begin?

Hello and thank you for being here!

What is a parent’s worst nightmare? That your child would die – I’ve luckily only been faced with the prognosis not the event. And herein lies the big miracle (one of them) of my story.

I’m a multi-passionate and naturally happy soul with a colourful background in performing and coaching. I used to be known as UK’s No. 1 Madonna Impersonator travelling the world as the Queen of Pop and I’ve had record deals with Sony in the past.

I’ve written and performed one woman shows and brought out my own music (Check out Diva Eve on ITunes or Amazon).

I’ve also been into stand-up comedy which as a female German was an interesting choice to make in the UK scene. That in itself might have been my best joke. Ah well…

Since 2009, I have been a full time coach, fostering miracles and breakthroughs in other people’s lives as well as my own (I think that bit’s important). I’ve authored a book called “The ARTrepreneur. Financial Success for Artistic Souls”, I worked with creative people in the media and music industry, and I now work as a coach at Channel 4.

So becoming a mum was an important step and a long standing dream for me. I was going to be super yummy mummy with my life coaching skills and my good taste for pampering treatments, I thought my biggest worry was how to lose the weight and get my abs back.

I had started a blog “from yummy to mummy” to poke fun at the loss of identity, personality and figure I was heading toward but then my own story turned darker as the scans showed stuff that shouldn’t be there. A cyst at first than floating loops of bowel.

We had a horrible prognosis but nobody knew it was “that bad”. Although it’s all relative isn’t it. What’s bad? What’s good? And who are we to know?

2. Who would want to read your story and why? How does reading this story affect people’s lives?

You will probably love and appreciate your life and circumstances just that little bit much more. If you are a parent you’ll hug your kids tighter and feel more connected to them, more grateful and quite possibly more at peace in yourself.

“If you want to quickly reduce the size of almost any huge problem you are dealing with, simply read “It Takes Guts” by Evelyne Brink.” – Steve Hardison, The Ultimate Coach.

The story is not a happy clappy novel but a real life account with people living who shouldn’t be living and some dying who shouldn’t be dying and loving people going mad and mad people becoming more sane and everything in between.

Robert Holden says “this story will make you laugh and weep and feel every feeling there is”.

I promise that you’ll be left uplifted. I was very aware that I didn’t want my readers to be left in the pits of human sadness. I like to see myself as a prism that breaks the light of life to show the different colours.

You’d think my book would speak to women and parents most or the medical professionals but feedback shows that men also really get into it! Even though it has the face of a baby on the cover.

3. What motivated you to write the book?

This was too big a story not to write.

I’ve been writing a diary and loving it from the age of 6.I thought documenting the making of deer figurines created from conkers would be a wise point for future reference. I also thought writing down who treated me wrongly would be important so the world could see the unfairness of the teenage years I had to endure.

I’ve been bullied into doing house chores in exchange for lending a bicycle from my brother and other such cruelties. Preserved in writing for all to see (anyone who can decipher my handwriting and the fading ink).

Later my writing in diaries became about un-meddling my confusions about life, men and what lies in between.

Now, apart from that, I want to share the process of how we co-create our lives and how our inner world impacts our life and I love to connect through words and communicate without having to repeat myself endlessly.

I also feel a bit more smart and witty when I write, as I can sit for minutes to make one point, and you’ll never know it didn’t just trickle out of me.

So writing is my one stop medium for all these wonderful things.

4. Evelyne, you spent 8 months in hospital with your new-born son. When did you find the time to write?

I asked myself the same question recently. I didn’t sleep through the night, due to expressing milk and when I wasn’t expressing milk, I was cooking, sleeping, having a shower or getting ready to go or come back from the hospital. Or arguing with my loved one which takes a lot of time and dedication. But you get good at what you practice.

Life and household chores don’t stop – except for cleaning and tidying which can definitely wait!

Something has to be really important to find time in an ultra-packed high stress and sleep deprived schedule.

“This story will make you weep and laugh. It will make you feel every feeling there is – and think deeply about what is real, sacred and true about life”. – Robert Holden, author and founder of The Happiness Project.

To me, this story that I first shared in my newsletter was that important. I knew there was so much that was going to get lost and I wanted to focus my energy and consciously witness what was happening. I knew my memory and brain function during this time were less than normal – so now I’m so grateful it’s on paper because I had actually forgotten many of the details.

5. My blog readers are smart people who want to make it happen. How does this very personal story of yours help them specifically?

I like to make it happen. I am passionate about creating in life, it makes me come alive, too.

This is a story of someone who has been told he couldn’t even live and he made it happen to live – and live really well.

Defying the odds is not just good luck, there is teamwork and innovation, dedication and commitment behind it. Thinking outside boxes you didn’t even know existed.

Discussing and arguing your case, talking to the right people, asking more than once or twice, putting your foot down, connecting to your deeper truth.

Those are the ingredients for our personal miracle and they are the same for your success!

I think contrast can be a very useful motivator. If you see what we made happen and the emotional stress under which we and many other families did, you will find whatever you want to get done to be a lot easier.

And feedback from people who have read my book shows that people tend to scrap mediocre, throw away the idea of settling for OK and really go for it!

Our little boy Tuffel has inspired people to change career paths, to be more aware, to do things they were afraid of…so reading this story might do the same for you or if you’re open to the possibility, even more?

I’d be thrilled to hear about that. For me that makes our whole journey and the work of writing this book, all very worthwhile.

6. You like talking about miracles. You don’t just mean feeling a little better but actually living through the impossible. What makes miracles happen in your view?

I guess I already answered this in the last question but I’ll add that willingness to see things as miracles is important.

Us humans get used to things so quickly and are pros at taking things for granted – and before you know it, we’ve classified a full on miracle as a medical outcome or a little bit of “luck”.

What makes a miracle happen is a lot of detailed effort, trust and for me, good energy.

There is something really important in a peaceful flow of energy for me. When I’m hyped up and my head is running 100 miles a minute whatever happens is not in “miracle mode”.

Miracle feels magical and all things magical have a slower pace to them. If you think of the beautiful scenes in the movie Avatar or any enchanting moment, they are not filmed in time lapse but in almost slow motion. By the way, it’s the same for erotic moments – they are based on a slowed down perception that allows the space to feel and experience the amazingness that is.

I lived in a very slow mode through the hospital time. Anytime I didn’t, I couldn’t connect with my magical bundle of cabled baby. But in slow magic mode I could – and I could feel this amazing presence for both of us and everything was okay even though machines were beeping and stuff happened.

The more we chilled, the better things went. Being quite a bubbly, even hyperactive thing, that was a huge revelation for me!

And the magic here is that in that slower pace, we can catch a glimpse of new possibilities and ideas – and they are what change our whole world around.

So if you want to make bigger and better things happen, this is a super top tip. Slow down to experience miracles in your life.

And learn how to live your life as if everything is a miracle.

7. Evelyne, you come across as very positive. Are you always hopeful and strong? And what advice can you give to those who may not be naturally as optimistic?

I can be a moaner, get stuck in victim mentality big time and way too often for my liking – in other words my shit stinks. It’s called being human.

Which is not something I always readily accept either. I am stubborn I don’t just want to accept and embrace and be grateful when I’m freaking angry and hating it all. I have that side too and I am learning to see it as okay to show it.

I find it amusing (sometimes) that even though we evolve and learn all these wonderful things in life, the stubborn kid still comes out to shut it all down when it matters the most. And then I build shame on top of that as if to say I shouldn’t be like that. I should be positive through and through or wise and mature through and through at all times just because someone noticed that I can tap into wisdom.

I call this the birth and rise of the spiritual Ego. Just when you think you’re over yourself, bang! It slaps me in the face.

My advice to people with a more negative tendency is to take it easy. And give yourself a break, let’s cut some slack and most of all have a laugh.

The biggest difference between depressed and happy people is actually the degree to which they take their own thoughts seriously.

They are really not so important or even real as they feel. The more you can laugh about yourself, the more you’ll laugh in life.

I love to laugh so that is my spiritual practice. It feels even better than Yoga.

8. Where is life going for you and your family? Is there a long-term solution for your son?

I am conducting this interview from a hospital ward. Tuffel is sleeping and has woken up crying and screaming a few times. He’s on 2 machines and has a fever and therefore IV antibiotics running.

That’s part of our life now. Every rise in his temperature and we’re in hospital.

Most of the time we’re out of hospital to the degree where we get annoyed when we have to get in. In fact we can be happy to be out so much!

There is currently only bowel transplant as an alternative option but then taking immune suppressants for the rest of your life is not a healthy option either. Nor is living with a suppressed immune system.  Try that in a nursery…we’ve already been fighting colds for 3 months as it is!

Stem cells will provide a future solution. We’ve already raised the first million pounds to get stem cell research for the small intestine going at Great Ormond Street. But it will take more than £1 million to regenerate the most complex organ in the body. We aren’t done with our work and the more people know about it and how much it will impact them, the better it will be for all of us.

I have a lot of people to thank for supporting us and our new cause.

Stem cell technology is revolutionizing medicine just like antibiotics did. There is a paralysed guy who is walking again, I’ve read about Diabetes and Leukaemia being cured, I mean, we are on the right track. And they can work with cells originating from the skin so no embryos have to be harmed.

You might imagine there will be a part 2 to Tuffel’s story at least.

I am not sure where we are going next as a family – I am open. We want to do more fun things like weekend trips.

Thomas is launching a new business soon and I will speak and coach and lead possibility thinking workshops so as make all this learning available to people who want to make their dreams/visions and missions happen.

First off a family Christmas with my sister and her kids and my mum – in other words a full house. Now that I’ve got a proper house and home, it’s a good idea to decorate and fill it with loved ones. Wish me luck.

Thank you Arvind for your support and to everyone who reads this blog post and shares our story. 

I’m really grateful for connection, I know the feeling of isolation and loneliness which are often self-inflicted – and I really appreciate it when someone reaches out their hands often enough for me to take it.

Wishing you and your community a wonderful and peaceful end of the year and that the new one will be filled with all the creative pzazz you can handle as much as a lot of roaring laughter.

Thank you Evelyne

There you go – please read Evelyne’s heart-warming story over the festive season – “It Takes Guts” (Amazon UK/Amazon.com)

And next time you ever feel sorry for yourself, just remember little Tuffel’s courageous story and his fighting spirit.

It sure takes guts to face the challenges life throws at us.  If he can do it, so can you and I.

At least you and I have some guts.

Your Chance to Win Evelyne’s Book!

Evelyne has kindly offered a signed copy of her book (Amazon UK/Amazon.com) to one reader of my blog. Simply write below a comment about

To be in with a chance to win, all you have to do is write a comment below, and share how you’ve faced a challenge in life and overcome it.

What challenges did you face and what did you do to get out of it? What lessons did you learn?

If you are reading this post via RSS or in your in-box, please click here and write your comments at the bottom of the post.

Evelyne will choose a reader with the most inspirational stories on 3rd January 2015 and directly send them a signed copy.

Thanks everyone!

The post Why It Takes Love and a Lot of Guts to Survive and Thrive appeared first on Make It Happen.

Why It Makes Sense to do Good Every Day

Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone!

Wherever you are in the word today, I wish you all the best for today even if you are not celebrating this tradition of thanks giving marked in so many countries and cultures around the wold.

I love the idea of having a special day of thanks giving whereby we can express our gratitude for all that’s good in our lives.

At the same time, living with an attitude of gratitude all the time is something we can all cultivate.

Having once experienced Thanksgiving Day with my brother and his family in the USA, I know what a special day it is for so many people around the USA.

On this day, in theory anyway, we get to see all that’s good in our lives and in the world – and for a few hours we connect with our own greatness. Bit like Xmas Day, except a few weeks earlier.

Then we get back to being our “normal” grumpy and stressed selves!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every day were to be like this, a day of goodness, gratitude and appreciation!?

At the same time, I feel that people are forgetting the original meaning of this thanksgiving celebration. Even in the UK over the last few years, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have been marked with a buying frenzy and special deals – so you can buy more of the stuff that you didn’t really need or want in the first place!

And the focus seems to have shifted more to eating, drinking and getting merry – and away from thankfulness and appreciating what we have.

I’ll stop myself there before I start ranting!

Let me walk my talk, by thanking all of you who have continued to read my blog and followed me despite my infrequent postings and multiple cyber disappearances. It is you who inspire me and make me want to become a better human being. Without you and the other people in my life, I am nothing.

Thank you for allowing me to contribute to you – and please know that I continue to aspire to serve you more. And together we can and we WILL make this an even better world.

Also, during this week of Thanksgiving, please remember that no matter what challenges you may be facing in your life, we all have so much to be grateful for.

So why does it make sense to do good every day, and not just on some special day like today?

As Mother Teresa said, do good anyway, no matter what.

“People are often unreasonable and self-centred. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.” – Mother Teresa

If you look around, the world faces umpteen challenges today and it’s really time for us to rise to the challenge and make it happen for a better world for all us. At the same time we have to make the most of our own lives and make the most of what we all have.

This morning, we had a tragic reminder of the need to make the most of each day and our limited time on earth.  Australian cricketer Phil Hughes passed away, 2 days after being hit on the head with the ball. A reminder of just how fragile and delicate our lives are – and yet so precious.

Life is indeed so precious and it breaks my heart every time I hear about more senseless killings and deaths.

Of course it is not how or when you die, but ultimately what matters is how you lived your life – and the legacy you created.

A while back, a blog reader emailed me directly to challenge my way of looking at the world through “rose-tinted glasses”.

Well, as I replied to him, I am happy to see the world the way I see it. Of course it’s not about being blind to reality, but choosing to see how things can be different and in a way which uplifts and benefits everyone.

So yes, I for one am happy to be upbeat about our humanity and our potential to solve the huge problems we face today.  All around me, there are so many inspirational people who are striving to change things for the better – and their number is growing.

More and more people believe in the power of good and strive to make it a fair and just society, a world that works for everyone.

And it makes total sense to do good every day – it’s the only time we have and it’s the only time we CAN do any good! 

Yet so many of us in the Western world who have a lot to be thankful for,  so often take life for granted and never get around to make the huge difference they could make.

So what stops us from doing more good every day?

1. Fear of Failure and Playing Small

Incredibly, the biggest block to us doing more good is fear!

There is the fear of failure, success, standing out, looking stupid etc. The idea of doing some good and taking a stand for the world can seem so big, one can be paralysed with fear.

Well, feel the fear and change the world anyway!

Conversely there is the fear of playing big and not wanting to stand out – but in the words of Marianne Williamson, who are you to not let your light shine?

And if you want some kick-ass coaching to help you PLAY BIG, just visit my Think Big Coaching website and arrange a powerful, life-changing conversation with me.

2. Waiting for Perfection and the Right Time

You will never have the right moment to do some good in the world. The only moment you have is now!

So stop waiting for the right moment and for “one day, some day” – do what you can today. Whilst you can.

Strive for excellence, not perfection!

And if you are too busy with other things, ask yourself – what must I DO in my lifetime?

For Mahatma Gandhi, it was a liberated India, for Mr Mandela, it was a united, free South Africa.

What must you do in your lifetime?

Don’t hesitate a day longer. Start today.

3.  Waiting to Know How to Do Good

Not knowing what good to do in the world today is a really dumb place to come from!

From today onwards, you can simply show kindness to everyone you meet.

Do not wait to be enlightened one day with your life purpose, so you can then spend the rest of your life blissfully focusing on doing good in the manner you were supposedly pre-ordained to do so!

Simply make it your life purpose to be kind and loving every day – and then carry out your good deeds daily to the best of your ability.

And if you are still looking for ideas to spread kindness, just choose from any of these 31 ways to carry out random acts of kindness

The world needs you do to some good – do not keep it waiting!

Get the Life you Love – 9th Anniversary

We all have deep within us this calling and a capacity to help others, to make a difference in some way and to make ourselves count.

It is this belief that drives me to coach, to blog and to publish books. And this is why exactly 9 years ago this week, I published my book “Get the Life you Love“.

Exactly 10 years ago on 25th November 2004, I met up with my friend Ritu Sethi and we got talking about our goals for the following year. When I mentioned I wanted to write a best-selling book within a year, she challenged me to do so.

I accepted her challenge and agreed that the defining moment proving that I had achieved my goal would be to see my book on the shelves of Borders Bookstore, Oxford Circus, a year from that day – and then the two of us would celebrate with champagne.

Did I do it!? Yes!

This photo taken on 25th Nov 2005 is testimony to what you too can do with some focus, dedication, accountability and most importantly ACTION!

A few months after this photo was taken, Borders Bookstores gave my book a national listing and stocked it in over 60 stores. Then a few years later during the downturn, they went bust!

This story gives me an opportunity to ask you some powerful questions:-

1. What’s next for you?

2. What will YOU achieve by 25th November 2015?

3. Who will you have to BE to achieve this? 

4. What about in 10 years’ time!?

Answers below in the comments box please:)

And so it happened that 9 years ago this week, I took a video of my book rolling off the printing press. Every aspiring author’s dream video!

If you are reading this via email, click on this link to see the video.

That summer of 2005, I spent many days and weeks in Regents Park and created something that been so fulfilling and rewarding to me. Having sold thousands of copies since then, I feel I have achieved my intention of helping and contributing to a lot of people.

From the original print run of almost 4,500, I am now down to my last 100 or so copies. Over the years, the mountain of books delivered to my home has now dwindled down to less than two packs of 60!

(And these 100 copies too would have gone a long time ago, if it wasn’t for the beauty and efficiency of print-on-demand, whereby I get to fulfil Amazon orders automatically by having single or more copies printed by Lightning Source, my international printer).

Signed Copies for You and Your Friends

I now intend to see the remaining 100 copies sold by Xmas – and am sending out signed copies to readers around the world.

Please click on the Paypal button below to order your copies.

This is the perfect gift for Xmas and the New Year – I can even send it as a gift on your behalf! Just contact me by 10th December and I’ll get some copies out to your loved ones:-).

I am grateful to all of you for sharing this journey with me.

The exhilarating thing is that the 9 years since I published the book have just flown by! It’s scary too!

I would love you to get my book and go through the many lessons and exercises – and I can guarantee your life will be impacted in a positive way.

Please do let me know how you get on with my book – and I would really appreciate it if you would write a review on Amazon afterwards.

And I always welcome all feedback about anything I do or say.

Please also let me know how else I can help you get the life you love in 2015. On this day of gratitude and appreciation, this is the question I would like you to answer:-

How else can I serve you?

Finally, during this week of Thanksgiving, please remember that no matter what challenges you may be facing in your life, we all have so much to be grateful for.

To help you celebrate and appreciate all that you have got to be thankful for, check out my special articles about this special time.

Thanksgiving Lesson 1 – How To Embrace What You Already Have

Thanksgiving Lesson 2 – How To Let Yourself Give and Receive

Thanksgiving Lesson 3 – How To Add a Little Sizzle to Your Relationships

Thanksgiving Lesson 4 – How to Harvest the Wisdom from my Blogger Friends

Thanksgiving Lesson 5 – How to Serve Others at the Global Table

Thanks everyone!

Images courtesy of  woodleywonderworks and katerha

 

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11 Key Lessons from Gandhi for Leading a Powerful Life of Commitment

This week was the 145th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest human beings who ever lived.

If you have never heard of Gandhi, where have you been!?

As Einstein said:-

“Generations to come, it may well be, will scarcely believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.” – Einstein

As regular readers will know, Gandhi is one of my all-time heroes and I have written a number of key articles about his life and his message.

Indeed, this post about lessons in life from a 140 year old man is one of the most popular posts on my blog.

Do also check out the following 3 posts:

1. Gandhi the Ultimate Minimalist

2. Let Your Life your Be your Message

3. Lessons in Peace from Sammy, also known as Gandhi

Being a keen and ardent student of people, I have always being intrigued by what makes a “Gandhi” a Gandhi?

What made him so committed to his cause that he changed the lives of millions of people and his legacy still lives on in the world today?

And what makes it so that the majority of us can’t even get committed to our own well-being?

What is Commitment?

Firstly, let’s get clear what we mean by commitment.

“The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity etc” – Oxford Dictionary

Please understand that what I mean by commitment in this context is not just another word you throw around loosely – but a way of being and something you take on being for the rest of your life. Just like Gandhi did.

“Commitment is an act, not a word.” – Jean-Paul Sartre

Commitment is about declaring your word to something bigger than you.

For this life-changing article, the real question is really not about what Gandhi and others like him have achieved in their life – but what made him and them stand out from the rest of us?

So this is really an inquiry about what allows you and me to be totally committed to what we say we are committed to.

And as a backdrop, I’ll use Gandhi’s life as an illustration of what he was committed to – and how he changed the world as a result.

I learnt a lot about the power of commitment when I recently came across The Deuce Story – all about how an American Footballer transformed overnight after declaring his commitment to be the #1 player in his position.

Deuce’s story partly prompted me to write this post – he literally became an overnight sensation. All after just one powerful, chance conversation with Steve Hardison, the Ultimate Coach.

Yes, that’s the power of thinking big coaching. :-).

Ironically, Deuce’s story is also an illustration of how one’s commitment has to be renewed daily. He flopped just as quickly as his star had risen.

You see not even the ultimate coach can empower you, if you don’t take action to renew your commitment on a daily basis.

To use this analogy in my own life, I too have had many false starts. By way of writing this first blog post after a few weeks break, I am renewing my commitment to serve you through my words and by sharing my insights about life.

I am committing today to henceforth write at least one post a week.

In the words of Steve Hardison, I am here to:-

“Be Me, Be Love and Be in Service”.

 

Whilst I have been away from my blog for a few weeks, I have had quite a summer and been on a deep journey of healing and also soul searching. More on that in a future blog post, but suffice to say that I am back now with a renewed vigour and deep sense of my ongoing and future contribution to the world.

I do feel that I have let down my regular readers and I am clearing that up today by renewing my commitment to post here on a regular basis.

It’s a cop out to say I am only human and also to say that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself.

Yes, of course I should always be kind to myself and I should always be committed to my own well-being and health. But as I’ll explain below, Gandhi’s commitment to his vision was actually greater than his commitment to his own self-interests.

So let us begin.

What made Gandhi who he was – and what made him the man he became?

To start with, who was Gandhi as a person? By all accounts, he was actually quite an ordinary man who was raised to greatness by one life-changing experience. The real question is this:-

What makes an ordinary man extra-ordinary?

What transformed Mohandas Gandhi into “Mahatma” Gandhi?

(Mahatma is Sanskrit for “Great Soul” – and Gandhi was bestowed with that title during this lifetime by his ardent followers).

One of the inspirational figures in my life is Sadhguru – and this week he wrote a fabulous article about how Gandhi’s life as a struggling lawyer in South Africa was turned upside down after he got thrown out of a train for being in a first class carriage. His only “sin” was the colour of his skin.

In that life-defining moment, Gandhi identified with the plight of all those around him who were not as fortunate as him. He rose beyond his own “petty” daily challenges of survival and making money, and made a commitment to something larger than him. His old identity was shattered and the rest is history as he rose to become a giant amongst man.

Though not traumatic at all, I had my own life-changing moment a few years ago in India, when I experienced unconditional love for the first time. Life was never the same again – and maybe all of you will also soon have such a life-changing experience. Maybe even by the time you have read this blog post and reflected on your own life:-).

So here we go – what’s commitment and how can we all become committed just like Gandhi did?

1. Connect to Something Bigger than Yourself

How does one get committed?

Simple – getting committed to something is a decision you make within yourself. A decision that resonates with you and makes you come alive.

Everyone one of us has something within us that makes us tear up and get connected to something bigger than us.

And this is what happened to Gandhi when he speculated on life, whilst sitting on that railway platform after having been thrown out of the train carriage simply because of his skin colour.

By all accounts, Gandhi was an ordinary man – “average” in all ways but he went on to do things that he himself probably never imagined possible. There were so many more talented and qualified leaders around him at that time, but he rose above them all – simply because of his commitment.

You and I – we all live with a limited identification. And it takes something outside of us, for us to wake up to our own power.

My life-changing moment when I spent some time with orphans in India was a call from something much deeper and bigger than me. I was never the same person again. I then went on to raise great awareness and funds for my chosen project – Nirvana School.  

My life changed in a flash. Forever.

So the key is this – be willing to be sacrificed and to be “used” for something bigger than yourself!

Feel the Fear and Change the World Anyway

Know that being committed to something is simply a decision you make.

And please, NO half-hearted commitments!

2. Focus on Your Being

Once you are clear on your commitment, your BEING is the most important part of you and your commitment.

A key part of being committed is to come from the future you want to create and work backwards to WHO you need to be now. If you come from the past, you will of course, get more of the past.

Ask yourself:-

WHO do I need to be to fulfil on what I am committed to?

What type of person will it take to create the future I want?

What’s the “being” of the being who fulfils on such a commitment?

Being authentic and being courageous about what you stand for in the world is what will have people knocking on your door.

So in Gandhi’s case, his being was one of someone totally loving and peaceful, and yet he was powerful and steadfast in his resolution. He espoused peace and love, and never did he falter in being loving and forgiving towards the British despite being jailed a number of times.

His being of love, peace and equanimity won the day in the end – and that’s why we still talk about him to this day.

And that’s why Gandhi will always be my hero – I aspire to be like him daily – goofy teeth and hair style notwithstanding :-).

3. Make Your Commitment a Life-Long Thing

When you get committed to something bigger than yourself that becomes a lifelong commitment.

Once you are totally committed in such a way, you express yourself daily – completely and in every possible way.

So what you commit to for life is not something you do lightly – and nor is it something you can only do when you feel good about it.

Nelson Mandela was in prison for 27 years – and his commitment to a united and free South Africa never wavered. Now that’s commitment!

Okay, I appreciate not everyone reading this will want to change the world for the better (why not!?).

But whatever you truly want in your life – for yourself and others – getting truly committed to that is a conscious decision you make for yourself. And you can choose to make that a lifelong commitment.

4. Do Not be Attached to the Outcome

Once you are committed to something you are committed. And then you give it your all.

Even if the results don’t come, you remain committed – there is no such thing as a “failure” for a committed person.

You don’t care about the outcome – your commitment is your reward enough.

Gandhi remained committed to a free and united India – and though he did get to see a free India in his lifetime, the country being ultimately partitioned broke his heart. And he was rather sad and forlorn in the last few months of his life.

Something I need to clear up here – a friend asked about being committed in a marriage.

Yes, once you are marred, you are committed to your partner. One can’t get married on a Saturday and then decide to be “unmarried” the following Wednesday!

Commitment in relationships is an article I shall write in the near future, but consider this question. What should one do about one’s commitment in a marriage / relationship that has become say abusive?

Hard as it may be sometimes to get out of such a relationship, the greater commitment you must always have is to yourself.

So in such a scenario, your commitment to your own wellbeing and greatness overrides any commitment you may have made to another person. And yes, you can break your marriage vows, despite any family or social pressures. Of course I am simplifying greatly here but your ultimate commitment must be to yourself.

Conversely, being solely committed to yourself and your ultimate actualisation does mean that you DO get committed to something bigger than yourself!

This reminds me of a family folklore story that I only heard recently from a cousin’s wife. 60 years ago, soon after my parents got engaged, my mother got seriously ill a few months before the wedding date. The story goes that he was put under a lot of pressure from his elder brother, the family patriarch, and others to break off the engagement with this “sick woman”.

However my father remained resolute and reassured my mother and her family that he was totally committed to getting married – his stance was what would have happened if my mother had fallen ill 6 months after the wedding?

Well, fortunately for me (!), my mother recovered fully within a few months – and here I am today to share the story.

I only heard this story a few months ago and this is yet another testimony of the type of man my late father was. And Gandhi was his hero too :-).

Check out Lessons in Compassion from my Father

5. Declare your Commitment

Your commitment has to be declared publicly.

There is a reason why most cultures make the act of getting married such a big, public celebration. Of course, I am an advocate for any partying any time, but there is a bigger underlying reason to taking your marriage vows publicly.

You are declaring your commitment to the world – and your word has power.

Beyond the wedding celebration and beyond your marriage ceremony, you do need to renew your commitment to each other daily. I bet that if more couples actively reviewed their marital commitment to each other, they would be much happier and the divorce rates would come plummeting down.

So remember the power of your word. And of your commitment.

Nelson Mandela endured 27 years of hardship in prison. Yet he remained committed to his vision of a united and peaceful South Africa. Now that’s commitment!

6. Renew Your Commitment Daily – and Review Periodically

As I said above, it is key to renew your commitment daily. Otherwise like Deuce, you’ll go by the wayside – and your dreams will be stalled or forever lost.

What is also important is to review your commitment regularly. Challenge yourself and check in that your commitment is still valid. Ask what changes you need to make in light of your ongoing life journey.

Ask – why am I doing this? Is this still valid?

Of course some commitments are life-long – such as to a married partner. If you are single, and you want to be in relationship, your commitment could be to create a loving fulfilling relationship, rather than being committed to creating a relationship with one particular person.

7. Get Clear about Whose Dream it is

Before you get committed to something, get clear about whose dream you are committing to.

Is it really something that fires you up? Or is it something that you think you ought to be doing? Maybe your parents or your peer group influenced you to take up something?

Coming back to the example of a couple getting married, ideally the two people involved should be committed to a common, greater goal.

In my ideal world, two people can come together with a big dream to transform the world and get committed to doing so together. And such a powerful union would thrive and CAN change the world.

So get clear – whose dream are you committing to?

Own your dream and your commitment – it’s your life, your vision, your commitment.

Ultimately, your life is your life – though often this might be hard for some of the key people in your life such as your parents to accept.

I am not advocating disowning anyone in your life – after all they have, or they think they have, your best interests at heart. But when you get committed to something bigger than you, you have the power to inspire and draw others into your vision of the world.

It is also about truly believing in what you are up to – and not worrying about looking good.

Do not wait for others to buy into your vision – nor care about what others might say or think.

8. Get a Sense of Urgency

I have realised that time is just so short – our lives are speeding up day by day. And before we know it, they will be burying us under the ground – or in my case sending me up in smoke :-).

Every day brings each one of us closer to our ultimate day of commitment – our death. Life beyond death is a topic for discussion for another day – but for now I suggest that all you and I should really be interested in is how best to make the most of our time here on this fragile yet achingly beautiful planet.

And that means truly getting committed once and for all to what our heart is yearning for – and then going for it.

9. Do Not Seek Certainty

There is no certainty in life – except for something I mentioned above – death.

Once you get committed to something, and it is something that totally rocks you and your world, then go for it and give it your all.

You’ll find that paths open for you – and you’ll naturally draw in the internal resources and external resources you need for your journey.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” – Goethe

Do not look for certainty – instead just keep taking those daily actions and the rest will take care of itself.

Photo credit – Antiquorom Auctions

10. Simplify Your Life

When you get truly committed to something, a beautiful thing happens – your life actually becomes simpler!

There is no time to waste or even desire to spend any energy or time on superfluous things.

Gandhi led a very simple, monastic life and he had no time for the trappings for life – he was devoted to his cause and his ultimate spiritual growth. Indeed, he was the ultimate minimalist.

In this day and age, we have so many distractions, we can hardly fulfil our daily commitments, never mind our life-long commitments.

But a powerful life-long commitment will automatically filter out any minor distractions.

For instance, for me no more endless email checking or time-wasting on social media!

At the same time, you must enjoy your life and make the most of the abundance that this planet offers. Remember that the earth was created for our delight and our pleasure.

And I am open to receiving and enjoying all the delights that the universe has to offer. Even fast cars :-).

If less is best, why do I still want a Porsche!?

Ultimately though, remember that you and I are just dust and ashes. So isn’t it time you and I got truly committed and made the most of ourselves so that we might even become star-sparkle before reverting back to mud and smoke!?

“Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that he or she can reach into the one or the other, depending on the need. When feeling lowly and depressed, discouraged or disconsolate, one should reach into the right pocket, and, there, find the words: “For my sake was the world created.”

But when feeling high and mighty one should reach into the left pocket, and find the words: “I am but dust and ashes” – Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peschischa

 11. Inspire and Create a Dedicated Team

When you get committed to something bigger than you, you will naturally inspire and draw in like-minded people who will join you and support your cause.

Gandhi had an incredible set of talented and equally committed people who enabled him to do what he did in his lifetime.

He was very much the kingpin and the leader of the pack and yet he was nowhere near the archetype of a leader! He was a tiny, skinny, bald man with goofy teeth and wiry round glasses.

By all accounts of his physical presence, Gandhi was a nobody – but it was his being and his commitment that made him the man who he was.

My point is this – you can get the best A-team and a super mastermind group around you – but it all begins with you, your being and your commitment.

So get committed – and then let the people inspired by your commitment be drawn to you.

The Way Forward

It’s time for you (and me) to wake up and truly get committed to what you want in your life – and what you want for the world.

Life is short – the clock is ticking. The sands of time are running fast.

The world needs you to share your gifts. Whilst you can.

Are you ready to get committed?

Please share in the comments below just what you are committed to. When will you begin?

TODAY is the best day to declare your commitment – and then take that first step.

My Own Commitment

So naturally, some of you may be wondering what I am committed to in my life?

Great question – I thought you would never ask!

I am clear that I have an extra-ordinary commitment to myself and to people. I am committed to being in my own power and greatness, and standing in this place at all times.

It is from this place that I take a stand for people being united, and finding their own greatness and power. And everything I do from now onwards will be from this place of being me, being love and being of service.

(Thanks again Steve Hardison for your 90 minute talk which changed my BEING forever).

I am committed to creating and living an extraordinary life – and playing a BIG game for the rest of my life.

I am committed to being an extraordinary coach and to work with extraordinary clients who are up for transforming the world just like I am.

On a personal level, I am committed to creating an extraordinary, passionate, soulmate relationship, sharing my life with an extraordinary woman and transforming the world together.

So over to you now.

WHAT are you committed to? WHEN will you begin?

Think Big Coaching

Do you need to get committed to something big?

I am pleased to announce the launch of my new coaching website – this is powerful coaching for big dreamers who are ready to take action big time and to make it happen.

And of course the website is called:-

Think Big Coaching.

Please have a quick look – and then get in touch if you are really up for some fearless, life-changing coaching.

Let’s begin the dance of coaching. You speak, I listen. Your life transforms.

And most importantly for me, the world transforms too.

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” ― Henry David Thoreau

Make It Happen Retreats

I am on a roll!

I am also pleased to announce the launch of Make It Happen Retreats - workshops which will get you in touch with your commitment and get you fired up to change your life and change the world.

Please check out Make It Happen Retreats – and join us at the first two events:-

1. London – 11th October

2. Amsterdam – 8th November

Book your places today – and know that I am totally committed to you having a transformational and life-changing experience during these events.

The post 11 Key Lessons from Gandhi for Leading a Powerful Life of Commitment appeared first on Make It Happen.

Friends & Friend’s Friends Picnic 2014 (Year 13!)

Have you noticed there’s so much strife and unease all around us in the world today?

People in so many parts of the world seem intent on killing each other and wiping out civilisations which have taken centuries to grow and develop.

And locally too, there seems to be an ongoing unrest with pockets of violence and in-fighting.

As much as we would like to change what’s happening globally, to me there seems to be a general sense of despondency and hopelessness. Rather than taking a stand, it’s seems so much easier to vent our fury and our prejudices on social media sites!

Whilst most of us cannot do much about global affairs, or even have the desire to do anything beyond fulfilling our own daily challenges of survival, we can certainly make a difference in our local communities.

What I strongly believe is that more than ever before today, we all need to take a stand in our own communities and see how we can be united and bring people together.

And this brings me nicely to the theme of my post today:-).

Time for My Annual Picnic in Regents Park!

Twelve years ago in the summer of 2002, I had this idea of bringing together in one place all the people in my life.

So I held a picnic in Regents Park for my immediate family, close friends, work colleagues, neighbours and some strangers I had met that very day.

And that’s how my annual “Friends and Friend’s Friends Picnic” was born and this Sunday, 17th August will be the 13th annual picnic!

The event has grown dramatically, and last year we had over 400+ people attending!

The picnic was especially featured in TimeOut magazine last year – and I believer there’s also a listing in this week’s issue.

People come from as far as Birmingham, Brighton, East Anglia and Coventry – and it’s always a joyous, fun-filled occasion.

Please join me this Sunday – let’s co-create our very own peace gathering:-)

You can confirm your attendance via this Facebook event page.

The idea is to get a lot of friends and their friends together. I invite all my friends and they invite all their friends and they invite their friends and so on……and before we know, there will be 100′s of friends, new and old, having a lot of fun.

Everyone is invited to bring their own food and drinks plus some extra to share. We will also be playing football, frisbee etc for fun, so bring those trainers and sports gear. And of course children are most welcome. If you haven’t got any, borrow some for the day :-).

Also bring your “enemies” – by the end of the day, I’ll convert them into your best friends!

I recently got some Hula Hoops so it should be entertaining watching some people have a go!

There are lots of things you can do in Regents Park. There is boating on the lake, heronry and waterfowl collections to visit, and of course the world famous Rose garden.

We will also be having some African drumming and singing. Bring along any musical instrument that you would like to play.

Check out the picnic photos from 2013!

Please note that this picnic will be happening no matter what the weather is on the day!

A “heat wave” is forecast for this week so it should be a great day out for all of us.

The details are as follows:-

Date: Sunday 17th August 2014

Time: 1pm till 8pm

Location: Regents Park at the London Mosque end. Use the Mosque as your landmark, as its minaret is visible from almost anywhere else in the park.

Directions:

Enter the Park via Hanover Gate, turn left and you are there. You will see a children’s play area. The chosen picnic spot is the whole of this semi-circular area of grass and there is room for at least thousand people.

Parking – You must pay for parking within Regents Park even on Sundays till 6.30pm. Alternatively, you CAN park free on single yellow lines on Prince Albert Road, and around St Johns Wood High St.

Nearest Tube stations: – St Johns Wood and Baker Street.

For further clarification, please call me on 07803 950 250. Keep this number with you on the day, in case you are lost – remember that Regents Park is huge.

Please invite all your friends and ask them to invite their friends. And so on – this could be the start of something big.

You can also register on Facebook to confirm you are coming.

This is the 13th year running that I have organised this Friends and Friend’s Friends Picnic. It is now an annual event and is held every year in July or August.

If you are not able to come to London for this picnic, then no matter where you are in the world, how about organising your own?

Check out my simple guide on how to hold your own picnic anywhere in the world

For further information and clarification, just contact me

The post Friends & Friend’s Friends Picnic 2014 (Year 13!) appeared first on Make It Happen.

Lessons in Life, Love and Peace from a Holocaust Survivor

Just what’s going on in the world today?

What’s with all this strife, conflict and war around the globe?

For a while now, I have been avoiding watching the news but I can hardly turn a blind eye to what’s happening right now in places like Gaza and the Ukraine.

It breaks my heart to see all this anguish and sorrow happening around us. When will we ever learn!?

“There must be people who remember World War II and the Holocaust who can help us get out of this rut” – Martin Scorsese.

I feel that the world quickly needs to remember and apply the lessons taught by the likes of Gandhi and Mother Teresa:-

1. 6 Key Lessons in Life from a 140 year old man.

2. Mother Teresa on Loneliness, Love and Peace.

Then recently, with almost divine intervention, amidst all my anguish and hopelessness I met Eva Schloss.

I had the real privilege and honour to meet Eva Schloss recently at a book reading event in Waterstones bookstore in Hampstead Village. It was a life-changing event and got me reconnected to what’s really important to me and also what truly matters in life.

It was a surreal evening as I then discovered that Eva and I are neighbours, and we literally live around the corner from each other!

A couple of weeks ago, I invited Eva to my home for tea – and also to share her wisdom and views on peace and life for my blog readers.

Eva Schloss has an incredible story. She was arrested in Amsterdam by the Nazis on her 15th birthday and sent to Auschwitz. Thanks to incredible luck, her own determination and the love and protection of her mother Fritzi, Eva somehow survived Auschwitz.

After the war, Eva and her mother returned home to Amsterdam – alas only to learn that both her father and brother had been killed during the war.

Before the war, Eva had been friends with Anne Frank, who went on to change the world through the legacy of her diary. Though their fates were very different, Eva’s life became entwined with her friend’s for ever more, after her mother Fritzi married Otto Frank, Anne’s father.

Eva subsequently kept quiet for many decades about her holocaust experience, but in recent years she is on mission to spread her message of peace and reconciliation.

She has published a number of books and her most recent book is “After Auschwitz” (Amazon UK / Amazon USA) , which is a searingly honest account of how an ordinary person survived the Holocaust. It is also a heart-breaking, exploration of what happened next and Eva’s struggle to live with herself after the war.

“When the power of love overtakes the love of power, peace will reign” – Jimi Hendrix (click to tweet)

Meeting Eva in my own home again was a rather surreal experience to say the least!

At that time I was still recovering from taking part in the London to Brighton bike ride in memory of my late cousin Harish Devalia who passed away in December last year after a heart attack.

The bike ride went really well except that 20 yards from the finish line, I fell off the bike after trying to high-five some children on the side of the finish line! Somehow, my bike somersaulted and I head-banged the ground. Apart from serious calf bruising, I also suffered bruised/ fractured ribs.

So when I met up with Eva, I was in a lot of pain and feeling rather sorry for myself.  And then as soon as she started sharing more about her life and her holocaust journey, I had a reality check.

“The Holocaust survivors are among the most inspiring people I have had the privilege to meet” – Jonathan Sacks

Here was this amazing and inspirational human being who had survived the worst atrocities mankind is capable of and I was whining about some bruising.

Talk about a wake-up call!

On that note, what are YOU whining about in your life right now?

Eva was very kind to share her life lessons for today’s world and this is what she had to say.

1. Eva, thanks for joining me and for this wonderful opportunity to learn from you about life, love and peace. What do you think is the biggest challenge we face today in the world?

The biggest challenge the world faces today is the lack of acceptance. Sadly terrible atrocities are still happening now and we just have to look around at the news today to see what’s happening in the Middle East and elsewhere.

We simply need to accept each other for who we are.  For instance, at the end of the day, what’s the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims?

There is actually very little difference except their interpretation of their faith. We are all just one people and it’s high time we realised we are all one.

We preach tolerance but we are not tolerant towards each other. If we have no trust of each other, then where do we begin? How do we even begin to negotiate?

Even soldiers involved in the many wars around the world are so traumatised. What’s the point of all this fighting?

2. What would you advise people today on an individual basis?

Life is so precious! Today I see people wasting their lives away and not doing their best. And it’s such waste.

Having been through the type of experiences I have, one learns to know what’s truly important in life.

People don’t look after themselves today – which is why obesity is such a huge challenge nowadays.

People are mostly greedy and it’s all about me, me, me. Plus the drinking culture does not help. There is more to life than getting drunk at weekends!

So look after yourself to the best of your ability. Remember the sacredness and value of your life.

3. What about the younger generation today? What are your thoughts and suggestions for them?

Nowadays, I see children spending so much of their time on computers and video games.

Movies nowadays are mostly violent, as are videos. Kids play games which encourage to see how many people they can kill etc.

So inevitably, children think that violence is the normal way. What’s happened to the censorship of movies and news?

Also, there are very few role models for children. Footballers shouldn’t be so aggressive – we need stronger referees!

In my own family, my grand-children are interested in the holocaust and in my past. A couple of them are following careers which will allow them to make a difference in the world.

So it’s not all doom and gloom where the young people today are concerned. With a bit of guidance and mentoring, we can create model citizens for tomorrow.

I myself have never watched movies like Schindler’s List as it would be too harrowing for me.

But Arvind, I do recommend for you to watch The Pianist, which is about a Polish Jewish musician who struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto of World War II.

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion“. Nelson Mandela

Also, I did watch Sophie’s Choice many years ago, about a woman forced by the Nazis to choose between her son and her daughter.

4. Apart from your book tours and talks, what else do you do?

I have worked in 8 prisons around the UK and shared my experiences of life.

We have to remember that most prisoners are not criminals but people who have ended up in prison through either being badly brought up or not being loved by their parents.

One prisoner had murdered her husband after being provoked for many years in a violent, abusive relationship. She was very disturbed and could not speak. She had suicidal thoughts but she is now in regular dialogue with me and is getting her life back together again.

Ultimately, everyone is “good” but some people are “bad” only through circumstances.

How can someone have children and not look after their own child?

5. What advise can you give me and on my quest to be a peace activist in the world?

Well, your wonderful book “Get the Life you Love” is a good start!

Keep doing what you are doing – and write more books and get yourself out there.

Let your life be your message.

6. Finally, you are now only 85 years young! So what’s more for you next?

More of the same for me – more talks around the world. Time is so precious and there is so much more to be done by me – and people like you and others. It encourages me to see so many people interested in peace work and making the world a better place.

Anyone who wants to know more about my work and my life lessons should read my books – and also check out my interview with Steven Spielberg.

Eva Schloss’s Book

Eva has written 3 books and the most recent one is “After Auschwitz”.

Please get your copy today from (Amazon UK / Amazon USA) and support Eva’s quest for Peace in the World.

Peace in the World Begins with Me and You

So there you are – some simple but powerful words of peace from an inspirational woman who lived through hell and came through to share her light with the world.

Thanks Eva for your time and ongoing inspiration!

What’s really present for me right now is that it’s high time that ALL of us took a stand for a peaceful world.

Let peace in the world begin with me and you

Healing Circles in London – 1st Aug/ 2nd Aug/ 3rd Aug

I am delighted and honoured to announce the first ever Healing Circles to be held in Europe, led by my dear friends Erik Swenson and Michael Vlahoulis

They are coming over from the USA next Thursday 31st July, along with Kate Agarwal and holding three healing events in 3 days:-

1. Violet Hill Studios in St Johns Wood on Friday 1st August.

2. Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden on Saturday, 2nd August

3. Waterstones Bookstore in Piccadilly Circus on Sunday 3rd August

Please join me and others for a life-changing healing and inspirational experience.

Limited spaces, so please book ASAP!

The post Lessons in Life, Love and Peace from a Holocaust Survivor appeared first on Make It Happen.

The #1 Secret to Living Big that Successful People Don’t Want to Tell You!

What secrets do successful people hold under their hats that you’d love to know?

How do they progress from zero to where they are today?

How can you do the same?

Let’s see how it all starts:

I turned to look at her one last time before I left.

She refused to return my gaze. Her pain was visible.

As I’d made the decision to leave my home in the North of England for the dizzy heights of London, I had no intention of hurting her. But she was hurt all the same.

She was hurt because I hadn’t listened to her advice to stay in the city I was raised in.

She was hurt because she felt betrayed by her own child. How would she explain to the neighbours that her unwed daughter was now living alone?

But most of all, she was hurt because she was afraid for my safety. She wouldn’t be there to protect me.

She was my mother, after all. This reaction was as much chemical as it was emotional.

It took me some time to realise that her hurt was in her control. It wasn’t caused by me, brought on by me, and neither could it be controlled by me.

She created it. She would make it go away.

But this post is not about forgiveness, difficult relationships, or coming to terms with your decisions.

This post is about a subtle shift in mindset.

A mindset that moves you away from simply dreaming, and starting to truly live.

Before I’d decided to move to a new city, I behaved like a victim of my dreams. My thoughts for my future were consumed with what ifs…..

What if …I had the courage to do what felt right in my heart?
What if …. moving to London could happen for me?
What if …. I could start my own business and not have to work for someone else?

And these what if’s? They kept me rooted in the lack of faith I had in my own actions. The fact that I invested more time dreaming, and less time acting, was a testament to this lack of faith.

And all it took was one slight adjustment to the very words inside my mind to impact my entire life.

Instead of thinking what if … I started asking why not?

Why not take a chance and move to London for a short period of time?
Why not make new friends when I get there?
Why not start a website that offers services to help others in business?

And over time, my life began to transform.

It didn’t happen in grand, sweeping accomplishments. As with any big change, it evolved with each, tiny step.

And you can do the same.

Focus

First, make a list of everything in your life that you want to change. Make your what if..? list.

Cover everything you’ve ever wished for, from health, money, relationships, and everything else in between. Make it grand; make it small – whatever you choose. Just write it all down.

What if … I made enough money to send my children to the school of my choosing?
What if … I learned a new skill so that I can start a new business?
What if … I could afford a copywriter to make my website so emotionally appealing that sales skyrocket?

Make your list.

What’s Your Why?

Now, next to each item on your list, write down all the things in your life that would change if this thing came to life. How differently would you feel? How different would the conversations you have become? What inner dialogue would you have, and what impact would this have on your confidence?

What impact would it have in the confidence other people have in you?

The reason why we make the list, and then add more visualisation to each item, is that the second part helps in making you bought into the concept.

Knowing what to change is one thing, but the thing that drives you to make that change is a compelling, emotional reason why the change is so important.

What if I learned a new skill to start a business? On its own, this is just a question. But add to it the reason why this is an important change (I could leave my job and work from an apartment in New York/I could see my mum whenever I wanted/I could take a holiday without having to ask for ‘time off’ in the first instance) and the drive to make the change happen increases tenfold.

Which One First?

Pick one thing on your list to focus on that’s going to make a change in your life. Whether you choose something that overhauls your entire life as it is today, or something small – again – it’s up to you.

Pick one thing, and decide what action you’ll be taking today to create shifts in your life. Remember that small, consistent steps lead to big change in the long term.

So using the example of someone wishing to learn a new skill to start their own business: today, this person can decide what market they wish to serve, and list the people that best represent this market.

Then tomorrow, they could set up times to have conversations with these people, to determine what needs they have that a new business idea can be generated from.

Over time, this research will translate itself into a skill this person will need to start a business, and before they know it, they are on the path to working out of New York, just as they’d dreamed.

So today, this is my invitation to you:

What thought are you thinking that begins with what if…. And how different does it become when you decide to ask why not?

How does this make you feel? Defiant? Adamant? Ready for movement?

And more importantly: what are you now going to do?

My ‘why not’ moments? They took me from the North of England, to London, and then to picture perfect Paris, where I now live.

Where will yours take you?

This is a guest post from Razwana Wahid who is the founder of Your Work is Your Life. A copywriting and online business strategy service dedicated to coaches, consultants, healers and service providers. The ‘what if …. why not?’ movement has started. Are you in? Join us. Right here.

 

 

 

Top image courtesy of SweetonVeg

The post The #1 Secret to Living Big that Successful People Don’t Want to Tell You! appeared first on Make It Happen.

21 Powerful Reasons Why You Should Never Complain Again

Do you go through life complaining about things?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stop complaining and start living again?

I have had some amazing insights recently into this topic of complaining – and it all began during my preparations for the London Marathon in April.

As some of you know, I recently took part in the London Marathon to help little children like baby India and in aid of my chosen charity WellChild.

Thanks again to all of you who sponsored me for this cause – I am basking in sheer gratitude for your generosity and support.

Please know that I felt your support and well wishes every step of the way:-).

I walked the whole way in 7 hours and 28 mins – and it was a memorable and life-changing day – I live my life for days like this!

You can see my pictures on Facebook - The Ecstasy and Joy of London Marathon 2014

I say to all my friends and I am going to also tell you all – do whatever it takes to take part in the London Marathon at least once in our lifetime.

It’ll be one of the best days of your life!

These are my 2 key articles after the previous 2 times I have taken part in the London Marathon:-

1. 10 Life Lessons from Running the London Marathon

2. How to Change the World in Less Than 8 Hours and 27 Miles

So what made it such a powerful experience for me?

Well for starters, I felt like I was part of something much bigger than me.

 

Whilst we were all waiting at the start line in our various starting pens, the excitement and the buzz was electric.

I did feel a little nervous – after all, superheroes also get nervous. Maybe just for a change, I should take off my superman cape and become human again!

I felt very alive and very present to all those around me. It was incredible to think that almost everyone there was taking part to raise funds and create awareness for their chosen cause.

So there was a much greater meaning to the day and it was not just about running or walking around some of the most scenic parts of London.

And when we got to the start line, it was like unleashing a force of nature and it was a torrent of humanity coming together for a common cause.

A cause much greater than any cause us single individuals can aspire to in our day to day lives.

What I also got was the incredible sense of camaraderie amongst the runners – we were united in not only conquering the 26 miles of the marathon course,  but also in creating a better world.

It was a potent combination of achieving something personally and also remembering the greater good we are all capable of.

What was just as powerful was the encouragement we received from the spectators. That’s what got me through walking 26 miles, even though once I had started, nothing was going to stop me from getting to the finish line!

What I also got was the oneness with me and the thousands of spectators who not only encouraged me and the others but also donated loose change into my collection bucket.

As I walked and walked and walked on that day, I got to reflect and think a lot about the day and what made it so special. Since I was walking, I was mainly alone during the 26 mile route and that’s a lot of thinking time:-).

I felt in the zone and was fully present most of the time. I realised that any great endeavour takes such presence and commitment to the greater cause and to a final target.

And then I also got that we all go through life complaining about our lot rather than fully appreciating all we have.

At the start line, there were people around me who had conquered various personal challenges or were running in memory of a loved one they had lost – or they were taking part for their chosen cause or charity.

There was a guy in a tiger outfit which looked like it weighed a tonne –just imagine running 26 miles in that! There was a gorilla too and umpteen other fancy outfits – all for a bigger cause.

A cause bigger than me and you.

There were also wheel chair participants who started the marathon from a different start line – and to see these guys is even more impressive.

They just whizz around the 26 mile course like it’s just another breeze in the park.

Now that’s what I call really taking on your life and not complaining!

So what do you get out of complaining!?

Usually it’s about not taking responsibility for your life!

“The moment you accept responsibility for EVERYTHING in your life is the moment you gain the power to change ANYTHING in your life“. – Hal Elrod

We go through life complaining about others and what they did to us – or indeed what they didn’t do for us.

We go through life feeling hard done by – and we believe that others have got it in for us, including “god”.

We complain about petty things like the weather, the traffic and train delays.

And we go through life stuck in our little petty stories – whilst life is passing us by.

Yet, when I was on the marathon route, not only did I get present to the futility of our complaining but more importantly, I was aware of the majesty and splendour of this thing we call life.

There I was in the midst of humanity at its greatest, all rooting together for a common and greater cause, and striving to make the world a better place through umpteen individuals – those taking part and those spectators encouraging the participants.

And then I wondered what it would be like to capture that sheer energy, that immense goodness and that can-do attitude!?

Our world would be transformed overnight!

As I work on the next phase of my own growth and my business development, I plan to capture this energy and create resources to help you make it happen for yourself and others. More details over the coming weeks.

In the meantime, let’s again look at complaints in your world. What’s YOUR number one complaint?

I would love you to take part in my simple survey which only has one question – you simply fill in the  gap:-

My number one complaint in life is ……………………………….

Please click here and let me know – it’ll take you no more than one minute of your time. Thank you.

Your input will allow me to create a brand new online course to help you stop complaining and start living again.

As you reflect on your complaints in life, here are just 21 benefits of stopping complaining:-

21 Benefits of Stopping Complaining:-

Attain Inner peace
Boost in your productivity
Let go of the past
Allow others to be
Become a nicer person
Lighten up
Become popular (or less unpopular!)
Smile a lot more
Become generally happier
More energy for things you love doing
Greater clarity of mind and improved creativity
Less noise in your head
Greater focus on key things
Better co-operation from work colleagues, employees and all the people in your life
Cordial family relationships
Improved sense of perspective
Optimistic mind-set
Better health
Lower Blood Pressure!
A can-do attitude
Self-Acceptance – and acceptance of what is

These are 21 reasons I just rattled off for why you should never complain again – and I am sure you can think of many more reasons why you should stop complaining.

What you get once you stop complaining is grace, ease and joy in life.

Of course, it’s important to “complain” about some things. It’s okay and I believe absolutely necessary to take a stand for something in your life – such as Gandhi did when he took a stand for the end of oppression in India.

That’s a different type of complaining when you take a stand for something bigger than you. Then you just have to remember to feel the fear and change the world anyway.

From today onwards, begin to get aware of all your complaints in life – and then ask yourself if it really matters!

And please do take my simple one page survey right away and let me know what your number one complaint in life is.

Survey about complaints 

Finally, I invite you take part in the London Marathon next year – as I said, it”ll be one of the best days of your life. There are a number of charities which will offer you a place as long as you commit to fund-raise for them.

 

The post 21 Powerful Reasons Why You Should Never Complain Again appeared first on Make It Happen.

Help Me Help Baby India

Have you had ever had a life-changing experience around children?

An experience which changed you and your life for ever?

Today I am going to share a key experience from my life – and also the incredible and moving story of baby India. You will then understand and appreciate exactly why I am taking part in the London Marathon this coming Sunday.

I have had 2 life-changing experiences around children – one of them was when I experienced unconditional love for the first time in South India whilst visiting Nirvana School.

A few years before this, I went through an experience which affected me deeply – and it was only recently that I had a sense of completion.

We are talking about a time over 20 years ago. My eldest brother’s wife was expecting twins and there was much excitement in the family – my parents especially looked forward to their first grandchildren.

One evening I got the call that the twins, both baby boys, had arrived prematurely and I rushed off in total excitement to see my newly born nephews. But it was only at the hospital that I found out how just premature they were – and how seriously ill. They had been put into intensive care straight away.

Even worse news was being told that one of the babies was really weak, under-developed and unlikely to survive for more than a few days. But the prognosis was very promising for his twin brother.

As you can imagine, we were all in shock – the good news followed by such devastating news.  I still remember to this day how what sustained and encouraged us was the incredible kindness and support from all the hospital staff. Such tender kindness was so welcome during those torrid days.

Four days after the birth of the twins, the doctors told us that they were losing the battle to save the weaker twin and it was only a matter of a couple of hours.

So they gave us the space to be alone so we could say some final prayers and be with the baby.

There we were, the entire family in a private room and we were handed a tiny bundle. We then said some prayers around my little nephew, smaller than a 2 lb bag of sugar- and even lighter.

Having seen the little guy previously just through his incubator, it felt so good to actually hold him – incredibly tender and fragile looking and yet so much personality and presence already after his first 4 days of life.

It was an incredibly poignant and sad moment in my life to feel this little guy, his heart pumping away and his tiny nostrils fighting to take in some last gasps of oxygen.

I can’t even being to imagine what his mother and father were going through. As for my own parents, they were trying to keep a strong facade but I could tell just how hard it was for them too.

And then it happened – the baby was in my arms and I could feel the heart beating ever so slightly – and then no more. A life had been extinguished even before it had much of a chance.

That life-changing moment stayed with me forever.  Feelings of helplessness, sadness, anger all came up – only to be suppressed forever. Or for many years anyway, until I visited Nirvana School, where I learnt once again the joy of being around children.

And the other tiny twin nephew? He stayed in hospital for another 4 weeks and slowly but surely put on some weight. From being just 3 lb of weight at birth, he is now a gangling young man and is following a promising career in IT and Banking – and of course we are all very fond and proud of him.

The hospital held a small service for my nephew – and after that, as a family, we got on with our lives. We were not even sure if and where he had been buried. Through our grief, we didn’t even follow up – and looking back, maybe we were simply in denial.

Over the years I wondered where he had been buried and I thought of investigating but just found it too painful to even think about it.

Roll on many years – and over the last two years, I felt it was finally time for some closure and I contacted the relevant hospital and cemeteries but didn’t get anywhere.

Then a miracle happened – going through my late father’s files last Xmas, I found a little postcard meticulously filed away – and on it was the Birmingham cemetery address, section and plot number

Two weeks ago, on a glorious spring day, we finally visited my late nephew’s tiny grave – it was a poignant moment in our lives, and especially for his twin brother.

It felt like closure in a way, and yet a reminder of someone who is very much part of our lives. His soul lives on amongst us.

Two decades later my memory of the baby passing away in my arms is still as intense as ever – but now there is only a tinge of sadness over our loss and about what could have been.

I am now wiser and braver – and can truly see how death is just as much part of life. I am now also  strong enough to deal with grief and know that as I go along on my life journey, I am sure to experience such loss many more times.

Why the London Marathon?

So moving forward to today, here I am once more on the verge of taking part in the London Marathon.

This will be the third time I am taking part and once again I am raising funds for WellChild, a charity that helps look after sick children just like my nephew and gives support to their families.

Please check out 2 articles I wrote after my previous marathons:-

1. 10 Life Lessons from Running the London Marathon

2. How to Change the World in Less than 8 Hours and 27 Miles

This coming Sunday, 13th April 2014, I’ll be lining up for my third London Marathon with over 36,000 other runners and each one of us will be raising awareness and sponsorship for their chosen cause - I have chosen Well-Child.

Some friends have been asking me why I am so passionate about WellChild and indeed why I am taking part in the London Marathon for them once again.

So having now shared about my late nephew, they all know – I simply want other families and children to receive the same tender kindness and support we received all those years ago. And that’s exactly what WellChild provides.

This is my way of contributing, making a difference to children and giving something back. And you too can do your bit by sponsoring me.

Please click here to go to my sponsorship page

To give you an example of how your sponsorship will help, I am sharing a story about Baby India. Your contribution will be helping baby India and other brave children like her.

(I have been given permission by baby India’s family and WellChild to share her moving story).

Baby India’s Story

Here is India’s story:-

After a fairly uneventful pregnancy, India Stern was delivered early by Caesarean Section. As a second-time mum, Suzy, was initially relaxed when India, just like her older sister Freya (3), was slow to feed in the first few days. However she then began to notice signs that India’s breathing might not be normal and sought medical advice.

Within days, when things continued to worsen, India was rushed to hospital. So began a nightmare time for her family as India’s condition deteriorated further and her breathing continued to be problematic even after the trauma of major corrective heart surgery. Eventually doctors established that India has a chromosomal disorder which affects her development and breathing and that a tracheostomy (a surgical opening in the neck to allow oxygen directly into the windpipe) was needed.

Fortunately for India’s family, Sue Donald had just started the pilot phase of her appointment as a WellChild Complex Care Discharge Coordinator and was soon introduced to them. Suzy was heartbroken, grieving for the baby she had thought she would have and wracked with worries about how the family would cope with the complicated regime that India would need at home.

Immediately the move home seemed nearer and less daunting as Sue introduced her first to other families whose children had tracheostomies and then to the vast team of healthcare professionals who would help look after India once she was home, with Sue always taking the lead on the momentous tasking of coordinating everyone.

Suzy said: “I remember feeling very overwhelmed and wondering how did get here? As I sobbed on Sue’s shoulder she was incredibly supportive, listening to me and not giving me false comfort but practical advice.”

Over the next few weeks Sue rushed around making preparations for India to be discharged from hospital at last, keeping in touch with Suzy at every stage. Despite another recent stay in hospital, things are now going well for India who has been home for a couple of months where she is thriving.

Suzy said: “India is now the smiliest girl in town and her smile was worth waiting for. It’s hard work but we’ve had lots of contact with Sue since we’ve been home which is a tremendous comfort.”

So there you are – my participation in the London Marathon and your sponsorship will help provide more nursing support for children like India.

My target is to raise at least £1,500 for WellChild. Please help me get there.

Click here to go to my sponsorship page

If just 50 readers sponsor me for at least £20 each, I’ll reach my target easily.

Of course, you can sponsor me for more than £20 each:-).

Thanks everyone for your generosity and kindness.

The post Help Me Help Baby India appeared first on Make It Happen.

The #1 Secret to Get Ultimate Happiness in Your Life

Happy International Happiness Day everyone!

So just how happy are you in your life?

And just how much happiness is there around you?

Today is the day decreed by the UN for universal happiness and this is the second year of this day happening.

So to start with, here are my 17 tips to become happy right now.

And no matter where you are at in your life, always look on the bright side of life!

But just what is happiness – and how can you sustain these feelings of happiness?

Is happiness what you feel when your favourite football team wins? Only for you to get really upset when they get thrashed the following week?

Or is happiness the feelings you get after a night out with your friends and drinking beer and feasting on your favourite dishes?

Or is happiness being with your loved ones and seeing your little child at play?

I believe that happiness is all of the above – and is much more. The challenge comes when we see happiness as transient and dependent on external factors as in the above examples.

So how can you sustain happiness and how can you generate it from within you, no matter what’s going on in your external world?

Let me explain a bit more by sharing what’s going on for me right now.

It was my birthday yesterday and what an amazing day it was!

With over 300 messages on Facebook, Gmail, Mobile and WhatsApp I certainly felt the love yesterday! And today I am basking in a sea of love, gratitude and appreciation.

I love you all and am so proud to have you all in my life:-).

I now just have to remember that every day is my birthday!

My birthday reminded me of how easy it is to have happiness in our lives – and also just what’s important in my own life.

Heartfelt birthday messages from family and friends from around the world meant a lot more to me rather than any material gifts.
The simple gesture by a friend of bringing me some home-made cakes meant more to me than any fancy party in a glitzy club.
A leisurely walk in my spiritual place Regents Palace meant more to me than a visit to anywhere else in London. Check out my photos on Facebook:-).
A deep morning meditation and a reflection on my life to date and all the lives I have impacted rather than on the things I have not yet done or the things I have accumulated.

So these are clearly the sort of things which make me happy:-)

My point is this – what’s important to you in YOUR life? What really makes YOU happy!?

It’s a while since I came to the conclusion that what makes ME happy is making a difference to others. And now I truly believe that is actually what WE all want.

Just look back on your own life and recall the times when you’ve made a small or big difference to a stranger. Or remember the time you went out of your way for someone when you didn’t really have to.  THAT feeling of fulfilment, joy, elation, or whatever you felt is what I call ultimate happiness.

And what would your life be like if you chose to live such a life from here on!? A life of service to others? No matter what work you do now or what stage of life you are in, you can indeed bring this sense of making a difference

That’s the amazing thing – to get ultimate happiness in your life, you don’t have to pack up your life, go on a pilgrimage or live in a cave!

You simply choose to live a life of making a difference to others!

And that my friends is the secret to ultimate happiness in your life.

Ultimately we all want to make a difference and we get the biggest kick going by making others happy!

So when will you begin?

My Life from Here Onwards

A birthday is always a time to reflect not only on the year just passed, but also your life to date. And to then create an intention for your life from there onwards.

And this is exactly what I did yesterday. I looked back on my life and what it’s been about to date.

I feel that there is still so much to be done – and yet there’s so little time!

One thing that seems to be human is that no matter how much we have done, it’s never enough!

As you look around the world today, granted there is a lot of strife and discord around us. And yet there is also a lot of nobility, beauty and splendour. I much prefer to focus on the latter whilst also remaining realistic and practical.

All around me I come across so many inspirational people who are out to make a difference in the world and create their legacy. It blows me away when I meet such people or read about them online. There is massive change going on in the world and I am so happy to be part of this the massive, positive shift happening around me.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Yes, there is so much injustice, dishonour, outrage, shame, violence, racism etc. in the world. But there’s also so much concern and desire to share what limited resources we have. And a desire to make the world a better place.

There are so many inspirational people out there who care for the truth.

People whose commitment is to the truth and to compassion, not to any sides.
People who take grave risks and take a stand for the greater good.
People who use wise speech rather than the right speech.
People who show compassion and mercy even to those who have caused them terrible atrocities.
People who are willing to drop the past, forego the conflict and focus on things that bind us.
People who accept that it is what it is and are prepared to choose and create something more noble and lasting.

This reminds me of the famous prayer attributed to St Francis of Assissi:-

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

To end, where I am at is that I now have a searing sense of urgency!

And what do I want to create?

A friend put it so beautifully recently:-

“I want to create a world that works for everybody”.

So join me and let’s make it happen together.

Make It Happen 2014 Survey

Thanks to all of you who completed my recent survey. There were 103 responses in the end!

I had promised to do a draw for a FREE one hour coaching session worth £250. The draw was done by my friend Dr Thuvaraka Vetpillai. Incredibly she picked out her own name! So we did the draw again and the lucky winner is Trisha Em.

Thuvaraka also gets the free coaching session – she is an incredibly caring doctor and an inspirational newcomer to the coaching profession – and I am delighted to be part of her coaching journey.

New Coaching Page

As part of my quest to make a difference to you all, I have revised my coaching page.

The key coaching question I have for you is this:-

What’s your biggest challenge I can help you with?

Please contact me to find out how I can help you – let’s get cracking with the coaching!

 

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