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The Mobilizer's Guidebook

From our Friends at Youth Service America ...  The Mobilizer's Guidebook has been one of Mobilize.org's most successful resources, outlining tools to help Millennials improve their communities and their campuses, as well as become more engaged in the political process. The Mobilizer's Guidebook was created in 2005 by a team of staff members and interns who set out to write a collection of the lessons that they wished they had been taught when launching an organization, starting a campaign or building a coalition. The ten steps outlined in the Mobilizer's Guidebook tell the story of the founding of Mobilize.org and is a documentfor which Mobilize.org invites you to lend your voice, your story and your resources to improve. http://mobilize.org/resources-2/mobilizers-guidebook

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

So I've told you before that I am not the biggest reader of fiction. I'm on the road so much these days that I'm mostly reading things related to the various projects I'm working on, or tied to the many countries I'm working in. But, when I got my hands on the new iPad and saw the title of this book in the iTunes store, I couldn't say no.

And I'll tell you what ... Seth Grahame-Smith's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, is one of the most engaging books I've read all year. In fact, a lot of people seem to be loving this new genre, thanks to Grahame-Smith. As a follow-up to his New York Times bestseller, "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," this off-the-wall history/vampire mashup is surprisingly believable and a whole lot of fun.

When I was deciding about this book, I came across a great review that persuaded me to give it a try. Here's the lead paragraph from Brad Moon's review:

“Some people, Abraham, are just too interesting to kill.” So says the vampire who saves a teenage Abe Lincoln, who’s bitten off a bit more than he expected after ambushing a vampire in the guise of an elderly woman, on board an Ohio river boat. After discovering that his mother was slain by a vampire, the young Abraham Lincoln swears vengeance against the undead, using an axe to begin a campaign of vampire eradication that eventually has him becoming the most skilled and successful vampire hunter in America. All the while, he’s steered by Henry Sturges, the vampire who saved him early on in his career and who is determined to prevent America from being over-run by those of his kind who would destroy the country with their excesses. Sturges uses Lincoln as his assassin, supplying the future President with the name and location of vampires to be disposed of and slowly maneuvering him toward his greatest role."

Click Here to Read More of this review...

Daily Practice: Today's Book: "Spiritual Liberation"

DAY 9 of my Daily Practice using the PhilosophersNotes Challenge begins with a reading of "Spiritual Liberation" by Michael Bernard Beckwith.

  

According to Beckwith, his central message is "not about religiosity or churchianity. It is about aspiring toward spiritual liberation, which [he] defines as becoming free from the narrow confines of fear, doubt, worry, and lack, and living instead from a conscious awareness of one’s Authentic Self, one’s true nature of wholeness."

I consider myself a spiritual person, if not a religious one. I was raised Presbyterian and I consider myself a Christian, though most of the time I'm not such a fan of organized religion. It sure seems to create a lot of trauma and drama in the world.

Having said that, so much of what Beckwith talks about in this book focuses on our individual journeys toward self-actualization. He writes a lot about discipline, especially self-discipline. And he speaks at length about ego, personality, and character. Check out this great vision:

“The Spirit of the living God is knocking at the door of your heart, reminding you that you are an exquisite, precious, and powerful being. Shine! Sing! Be bold enough to articulate what you are sensing, feeling, and knowing. Now is the time for you to partner with that immense power. Allow the tidal wave of the divine inspiration to wash over you and express in, through, and as you. Consciously and confidently enter the sacred process of co-creation, because That which expresses as you does not happen through anyone else in quite the same way. Become a master of your own divine, radiant creative expression.” Whoa!

I also really liked this quote from Beckwith: "Circumstances arise and hard times come so that we may grow through them, so that we may evolve. I like to say that a bad day for the ego is a good day for the soul. When we look back on some of our most challenging experiences, we admit that we wouldn’t trade what we gained from them for remaining the same as we were. Something within acknowledges that during those times when we are pressed against the ropes of life, we learn to become more generous, to forgive, to never give up on ourselves or others. We learn to regenerate, to rejuvenate, to surrender.”

I love that!

About the Author of “Spiritual Liberation” MICHAEL BERNARD BECKWITH

As one of the foremost spiritual leaders, founder of the Agape Spiritual Center, and a featured teacher in The Secret, Michael Bernard Beckwith is a powerful force for change. As a cofounder of the Association for Global New Thought and the Season for Nonviolence, Beckwith combines spiritual, educational, scientific, governmental, economic, and social elements. He teaches meditation and scientific prayer, conducts retreats, and speaks at conferences and seminars around the world. He is the originator of the Life Visioning Process and author of Inspirations of the Heart, 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast, and A Manifesto of Peace (from the book). Learn more at AgapeLive.com!

Daily Practice: Today's Book: "Real Magic"

DAY 8 of my Daily Practice using the PhilosophersNotes Challenge begins with a reading of "Real Magic" by Wayne Dyer.

  

“Let your one delight and refreshment be to pass from one service to the community to another, with God ever in mind.”

This isn't from Dyer's "Real Magic," but rather from Marcus Aurelius. Nevertheless, it sums up much of what's in this book. Another way of thinking about it comes from Brian's PhilosopherNote: "A key aspect of Dyer’s “Real Magic” formula is to live a life of purpose—where we’re less focused on “outcomes” and more focused on living with integrity to our highest purpose. The book is all about getting in touch with that purpose and rockin’ it from there."

One of the most Disruptive Thoughts in this book for me, was the emphasis on the dual ideas of purpose and service. For 20 years, I've been writing and thinking about the interplay between these two concepts. It has informed my Infinity Training Model (ITM) and is at the heart of the book I've been writing in my mind for the past two decades.

Dyer says it this way: “When you are able to shift your inner awareness to how you can serve others, and when you make this the central focus of your life, you will then be in a position to know true miracles in your progress toward prosperity.”

Entrepreneurial in spirit and team-based in approach, ITM is an approach to leadership development that builds upon the experiences, knowledge and skills of a diverse group of people to create a cadre of leaders committed to public service and public problem-solving. It is intended to teach the skills and concepts that they can then teach to others. This ripple effect has the potential for reaching thousands with renewed hope and an increased involvement in participatory democracy.

Philosophically, ITM recognizes the natural tension that exists between individual and community development—and by focusing on six key concepts—works to maximize personal leadership potential while making positive, community-based social change possible. ITM combines many of the country's most innovative training practices in a way that supports the development of authentic leadership and ensures community development.

More from Dyer: “When you go beyond outcome in life you find yourself unconcerned about what is in it for you. Thoughts, feelings and behavior focus more and more on the fulfillment of your purpose. You go beyond success, achievement and performance as indications of your life’s mission. Instead, every moment is lived fully and lovingly."

In Mobile, AL the other day, my cab driver was also a local Baptist minister and he and I chatted about the idea that Dyer calls "Acting As If." He had a more spiritual spin on it. I had a more secular idea. But, we both agreed with its importance in achieving the goals we set for ourselves. Then I re-read Dyer and he says the same thing. It's another disruptive thought and I really like it!

“The fact is, for myself, I know that if I believe strongly enough, and have enough confidence in myself to learn what I need, then there are very few things that I could not accomplish in a rather short period of time. Once you know you can do it, and act that way, the means will be obvious. Acting as if you were what you want to become and know you can become is the way to remove self-doubt and enter your real-magic kingdom.”

About the Author of “Real Magic” DR. WAYNE D. DYER

Wayne W. Dyer, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. He’s the author of 30 books, has created many audio programs and videos, and has appeared on thousands of television and radio shows. His books Manifest Your Destiny, Wisdom of the Ages, There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, and the New York Times bestsellers 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace, The Power of Intention, and Inspiration and now Change Your Thoughts—Change Your Life have all been featured as National Public Television specials. Dyer holds a doctorate in educational counseling from Wayne State University and was an associate professor at St. John’s University in New York. (Adapted from DrWayneDyer.com.)

Daily Practice: Today's Author: Paulo Coehlo

DAY 7 of my Daily Practice using the PhilosophersNotes Challenge focuses on the works of Paulo Coehlo.

Alright, here's the deal. If you don't love Paulo Coehlo, it may not be possible for us to be friends. This guy ... he gets it. And I am in awe.

“There is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth… And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

That's Paulo Cohlo in one of the most amazing books of all time, "The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream."

When you talk about Disruptive Thoughts, this is THE BOOK to read. Honestly, it changed my life. And I'll bet it will change yours.

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”

That's him again, also in "The Alchemist."

That makes me think of Montaigne, who says, “My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.”

In my last job, I had the chance to work directly with Russell Simmons on HIV prevention efforts. The guy is very cool and it doesn't surprise me that he said it this way: “The pain that’s created by avoiding hard work is actually much worse than any pain created from the actual work itself. Because if you don’t begin to work on those ideas that God has blessed you with, they will become stagnant inside of you and eventually begin to eat away at you. You might seem OK on the outside, but inside you will be ill from not getting those ideas out of your heart and into the world. Stalling leads to sickness. But taking steps, even baby steps, always leads to success.”

Alright, two more thoughts from Coehlo:

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."

“We wouldn’t worry nearly as much about what others thought of us if we recognize how seldom they do.”

Damn! I get it universe, I have work to do on this one.

Do you want to know me? This—from Coehlo's "Warrior of the Light"—this is me:

“Join with those who sing songs, tell stories, enjoy life … because happiness is contagious. Join those who walk with their heads high even when they have tears in their eyes. Avoid those who … have never shed a tear.”

Finally, IF YOU’RE GOING TO FALL…

“A fall from the third floor hurts as much as a fall from the hundredth. If I have to fall, may it be from a high place.” From the author's book, "By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept."

About the Author: PAULO COELHO

The Brazilian author Paulo Coelho was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. He is one of the best-selling and most influential authors in the world. The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage, The Valkyries, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, The Fifth Mountain, Veronika Decides to Die, Eleven Minutes, The Zahir, and others have sold more than 100 million copies in 150 countries and have been translated into 60 languages. Visit him online at PauloCoelho.com.

Daily Practice: Today's Book: "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind"

DAY 6 of my Daily Practice using the PhilosophersNotes Challenge begins with a reading of "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" by T. Harv Eker.

  

This is another of those books that at the right moment, I imagine I would find really valuable. The problem I'm having is that at the moment, I'm working in Bolivia, one of (if not the most) impoverished countries in South America. AND, we've all seen the devastation in Haiti this week.

It's hard for me to focus on making more money, getting rich, thinking like a millionaire—at least this week.

Now, having said that, I did find some really cool things to think about in the PhilosophersNote on "Secrets."

First, I like the author's distinction between an Affirmation and a Declaration.

Eker says, “An affirmation states that a goal is already happening. I’m not crazy about this because, often when we affirm something that is not yet real, the little voice in our head usually responds with ‘This isn’t true, this is BS’ … On the other hand, a declaration is not saying something is true, it’s saying we have an intention of doing or being something. This is a position the little voice can buy, because we’re not stating it’s true right now, but again, it’s an intention for us in the future.”

I like meditations and affirmations and all that as much as the next guy (alright as much as the next leadership consultant), BUT! I have that little voice in my head sometimes, too. By using declarations instead, I can get with the program. For example:

Affirmation: I love my body!! (Little voice inside says: “No you don't!”)

Declaration: I am making healthy decisions everyday to achieve my goals! (Little voice: "I can do that.")

Another example of a Disruptive Thoughts is this:

AFFECTING VS. INFECTING

“Energy is contagious: either you affect people or you infect people… I believe negative thinking is like having measles of the mind. Instead of itching, you get bitching; instead of scratching, you get bashing; instead of irritation, you get frustration. Now, do you really want to be close to people like that?”

That is really cool. I'm on a mission this next week not to complain ... about anything. It isn't easy, but boy oh boy does life seem better.

About the Author of “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” T. HARV EKER

Using the principles he teaches, T. Harv Eker went from zero to millionaire in only two and a half years. Eker is president of Peak Potentials Training, one of the fastest growing success training companies in North America. With his unique brand of “street smarts with heart,” Eker’s humorous, “cut-to-the-chase” style keeps his audience spellbound. People come from all over the world to attend his sold-out seminars, where crowds often exceed 2,000 people for a weekend program. So far, Eker’s teachings have touched the lives of more than a quarter million people. (from HarperCollins) Learn more about all things Eker at MillionaireMind.com.

Daily Practice: Today's Book: "Ask And It Is Given"

DAY 5 of my Daily Practice using the PhilosophersNotes Challenge is a reading of "Ask And It Is Given: Learning to Master Your Desires" by Esther and Jerry Hicks.

  

Alright, so this book needs a preface. Here's what Brian at PhilosopherNotes wrote: "For those unfamiliar, 'Ask and It Is Given' is a book written by Esther and Jerry Hicks who channel the wisdom of a group of beings from another dimension who are collectively called 'Abraham.'"

Uh. Beings from another dimension? Abraham? Whoa.

Read the summary and of course you'll think about the runaway bestseller of a few years ago, "The Secret."

I didn't love that either.

It isn't that I don't respect the law of attraction (a central theme in both books). I absolutely do. I just think this one is a little too out there and "The Secret" a little too much about material possessions and wealth.

I much prefer "Illusions: Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah" by Richard Bach. I've read this book a dozen times and I've actually bought cases of them for friends and family over the years. It shares some of the same themes from "Ask and It Is Given," but in a way that works a little better for me.

For example, in "Illusions" one of the author's Disruptive Thoughts for me is also one of my favorite of his quotes: "Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."

I remember the moment I read this in college freshman year. It changed everything for me.

Another great idea from Bach comes through here:

"Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you." I really love that.

Oh yeah, and two I'll use in workshops next week:

1) "Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't."

2) "I gave my life to become the person I am right now. Was it worth it?"

Alright, so I didn't really talk much about the Day 5 PN Book, but I think that's alright. It still made me think and it gave me the chance to encourage you to read "Illusions." I know you'll love it.

About the Authors of “Ask and It Is Given” ESTHER AND JERRY HICKS

Jerry and Esther Hicks produce and present the leading-edge Abraham-Hicks teachings on the art of allowing our natural Well-Being to come forth. While presenting open workshops in up to 60 cities a year, they’ve created more than 600 books, audios, CDs and videos. Their internationally acclaimed Website is: AbrahamHicks.com. (from the book)

Daily Practice: Today's Book: "The Big Leap" (Part 2)

DAY 4 of my Daily Practice using the PhilosophersNotes Challenge continues with more disruptive thoughts from "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks.

Click here to read the first post.

  

In thinking about today's PN Challenge book, I kept coming back to a few central ideas and I feel like I need to write a bit more.

For example here is a BIG DISRUPTIVE THOUGHT:

“Behind every communication problem is a SWEATY TEN-MINUTE CONVERSATION you don’t want to have. However, the moment you work up the courage to have it, you collect an instant reward in relief as well as open up a flow of communication that will allow you to resolve the situation.”

Wow, in my work as a consultant, this is sage advice. Absolutely amazing. This is new language I'll use for the rest of my life. Think about it! How much time do we waste worrying and obsessing about difficult conversations. Remember what Dale Carnegie told us worry does to the body and mind?

Finally, I'm realizing this week that one of my issues must have to do with image—personal and professional. Apparently, the universe has decided that now is the right time for me to get the lesson. Four out of four books this week!

In "The Big Leap" Hedricks writes this about Sam Lewin: “On Judgment Day, Mr. Lewin, God will not ask, ‘Why were you not Moses?’ He will ask, ‘Why were you not Sam Lewin?’ The goal in life is not to attain some imaginary ideal; it is to find and fully use our own gifts.”

Maybe a little more, just to be sure we're hearing this?

From Leo Buscaglia: “You are the best you. You will always be the second best anyone else.”

And R.W. Emerson: “Envy is ignorance. Imitation is suicide.”

And finally from Osho: “Each person is born with a unique individuality, and each person has a destiny of his or her own. Imitation is crime, it is criminal. If you try to become a Buddha, you may look like Buddha, you may walk like him, you may talk like him, but you will miss. You will miss all that life was ready to deliver to you. Buddha happens only once. It is not in the nature of things to repeat. Existence is so creative that it never repeats anything. You cannot find another human being in the present, in the past, or in the future who is going to resemble you exactly. It has never happened. The human being is not a mechanism like Ford cars on an assembly line. Never imitate anybody.”

Now I'm done.

About the Author of “The Big Leap”GAY HENDRICKS

Dr. Gay Hendricks has served for more than 30 years as one of the major contributors to the fields of relationship transformation and body-mind therapies. Along with his wife, Dr. Kathlyn Hendricks, Gay is the author of many bestsellers, including Conscious Loving, At the Speed of Life, and Five Wishes. Gay received his PhD in counseling psychology from Stanford University in 1974. After a 21-year career as a professor at the University of Colorado, he founded The Hendricks Institute, which offers seminars in North America, Asia, and Europe. He is also the founder of a new virtual learning center for transformation, Gaia Illumination University. Learn more about Gay at Hendricks.com!

Daily Practice: Today's Book: "The Big Leap" (Part 1)

DAY 4 of my Daily Practice using the PhilosophersNotes Challenge begins with a reading of "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks.

  

I don't know this author, but after reading the PhilosopherNote on his book, I feel like I should. The concepts seem consistent with a lot of my values and philosophy, particularly two Disruptive Thoughts about fear that struck me as I listened, read, and considered the reading.

First of all, this quote from Fritz Perls, MD, the psychiatrist and founder of Gestalt therapy, is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

“Fear is excitement without the breath."

According to Perls, here’s what this intriguing statement means: "The very same mechanisms that produce excitement also produce fear, and any fear can be transformed into excitement by breathing fully with it. On the other hand, excitement turns into fear quickly if you hold your breath. When scared, most of us have a tendency to try to get rid of the feeling. We think we can get rid of it by denying or ignoring it, and we use holding our breath as a physical tool of denial.”

In reflecting on this idea, I couldn't help but think about the concept of Comfort Zone, which I talk about with someone almost everyday. In fact, in my workshops, I'm often reminding people to breathe. It is a mantra I find myself repeating over and over to myself and others. It also brings to mind a particular bit of wisdom passed on to me by my dear friend and mentor, George Lakey:

"Life happens on the edge of your comfort zone."

In this book, Gay Hendricks says this about breathing into it: “The best advice I can give you is to take big, easy breaths when you feel fear. Feel the fear instead of pretending it’s not there. Celebrate it with a big breath, just the way you’d celebrate your birthday by taking a big breath and blowing out all the candles on your cake. Do that, and your fear turns into excitement. Do it more, and your excitement turns into exhilaration. I fi nd it very empowering to know that I’m in charge of the exhilaration I feel as I go through life. I bet you will, too.”

… And, don’t forget Emerson’s thoughts on the subject: “Always, always, always, always, always do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.”

Brian from PhilosopherNotes suggests that the basic idea is very simple and very powerful when appreciated and applied: "We often have moments of inspiration or breakthroughs or “state experiences” when we see the world in a new, revolutionary way.

"And… They’re only really meaningful if, after the initial buzz wears off, we have the discipline and the diligence and the patience and the persistence (and playfulness!) to create the structures in our lives that enable that breakthrough to stabilize and integrate and become a new way of being or “stage of our development.”

Remember yesterday? Dale Carnegie said it this way: "Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied."

I think this idea is big enough to stop here for now. I may not be finished with this book though!

About the Author of “The Big Leap”GAY HENDRICKS

Dr. Gay Hendricks has served for more than 30 years as one of the major contributors to the fields of relationship transformation and body-mind therapies. Along with his wife, Dr. Kathlyn Hendricks, Gay is the author of many bestsellers, including Conscious Loving, At the Speed of Life, and Five Wishes. Gay received his PhD in counseling psychology from Stanford University in 1974. After a 21-year career as a professor at the University of Colorado, he founded The Hendricks Institute, which offers seminars in North America, Asia, and Europe. He is also the founder of a new virtual learning center for transformation, Gaia Illumination University. Learn more about Gay at Hendricks.com!

Daily Practice: Today's Book: "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living"

DAY 3 of my Daily Practice using the PhilosophersNotes Challenge is a reading of "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living: Time-Tested Methods for Conquering Worry" by Dale Carnegie.

  

I think I read Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" for a college class once, but to be honest I don't know much about the guy. For this book choice, I'm coming in without expectation, but quite curious from the title.

I've always been a bit of a worrier. For example, in junior high our band sold fruit every year to pay for equipment. It was a contest, and believe me when I tell you that even then, I liked to win! I'd plan my strategy and manage my list of buyers months ahead. I'd have a million questions and for weeks my life was consumed by band fruit. One year even my band director told me to relax, yelling at me that I was going to get a hernia if I didn't. Really?

Nevertheless, I need the ideas in this book. In fact, this little tidbit from Carnegie is particularly timely for me and more than one of my clients at the moment:

“Experience has proved to me, time after time, the enormous value of arriving at a decision. It is the failure to arrive at a fixed purpose, the inability to stop going around and round in maddening circles, that drives men to nervous breakdowns and living hells. I find that fifty per cent of my worries vanishes once I arrive at a clear, definite decision; and another forty per cent usually vanishes once I start to carry out that decision.

So, I banish about 90% of my worries by taking these four steps:

1. Writing down precisely what I am worried about.

2. Writing down what I can do about it.

3. Deciding what to do.

4. Starting immediately to carry out that decision.”

Now that is some darn good advice!

Remember my goal of focusing on Disruptive Thoughts? Carnegie makes a big deal out of an old adage recognizing that "some readers are going to snort at the idea of making so much over a hackneyed proverb like ‘Don’t cry over spilt milk.’ I know it is trite, commonplace, a platitude," he says. "I know you have heard it a thousand times. But I also know that these hackneyed proverbs contain the very essence of the distilled wisdom of all ages."

For me the disruptive thought isn't the quote, but the idea that sometimes the simplest ideas are the ones that carry the most meaning. If we're open, even the things we've heard a thousand times can take on new meaning.

My mom, for example, ends every conversation with me with the words "Be Happy."

She's said it to me a million times since I was a kid. But, it is only recently, that I've come to understand the power those two words have had on me and my life and the way I look at the world. I am happy and I am positive and I do see the glass half full. I think I'm one of the lucky ones.

Milton says it this way: "The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.”

And both Brian (from PhilosopherNotes) and I LOVED this from Carnegie: “Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied; and the purpose of this book is to remind you of what you already know and to kick you in the shins [or wherever else you need it] and inspire you to do something about applying it.”

Well, how about one more disruptive thought? It's a doozey!

From Dale Carnegie: “I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves—before breakfast, after breakfast, and right on until ten minutes past midnight. They would be a thousand times more concerned about a slight headache of their own than they would about the news of your death or mine.” Whoa.

And Tim Ferriss in his book, "The 4-Hour Workweek," says something like: “Don’t worry about what other people think. They don’t think that often, anyway.”

Three out of three books this week reminding us not too dwell on the opinions of others—must be a lesson I need to learn.

About the Author of “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” DALE CARNEGIE

Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) described himself as a “simple country boy” from Missouri but was also a pioneer of the self-improvement genre. Since the 1936 publication of his first book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, he has touched millions of readers and his classic works continue to impact lives to this day.