Scott Jeffrey » gratitude

Five Powerful Practices for a Happy Life

Scott Jeffrey — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:30:59 +0000

Here are five spiritual truths for business folks—well, for anyone, really.

Be kind. As Plato noted, everyone is fighting a difficult battle as a consequence of being human. Gentle kindness toward yourself and others can be challenging, but highly rewarding.
Smile. A genuine smile breaks the ego’s bond and brings in the Light. A smile is a genuine gift you can give yourself and others. And it’s free!
Be grateful. The mind projects value into the outside world, always wanting what it doesn’t have. Learn to be grateful for your existence in the present moment and you’ll begin to experience a renewed happier life.
Forgive. Harboring resentment and ill thoughts toward others only poisons your mind and then your body. Forgive them and heal your soul.
Love yourself. Don’t herald the narcissistic ego (the one that says, “I’m better”) as the source of the universe, but love yourself. You can’t love others fully until you love yourself—then you’ll see there’s only one Self to love.

Spiritual truths need not be complex. In fact, they are simple. Living these truths, however, takes practice. But a happier, more fulfilling life awaits.

Welcome the Wanderer

Scott Jeffrey — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:00:48 +0000

In a culture that thrives on constant activity, the Wanderer is condemned. But Wandering, or being lost in reverie, is often a precursor to creative inspiration.

The Wanderer is an archetype of the creative process that follows after the Student.

While the Student works tirelessly to formulate new questions and acquire and integrate information in the Preparation stage, the Wanderer allows the mind to aimlessly drift without attachments and emotions in the Incubation stage.

In the Wanderer state, we arrive at novel ideas in the shower, on walks or while driving. Honoring the Wanderer is one of the most fruitful ways to nurture a creative life.

In the Wanderer state, you are:

Flexible, open to change, and highly adaptable
Patient and easy-going
Allowing and noncontrolling
Unattached to limiting belief systems
Appreciative and grateful

A few ideas on how to embrace the Wander:

Learn to simply stop and listen
Appreciate the innate beauty around you
Feel grateful for your existence
Seek natural surroundings
Hear the chorus of rustling leaves, the cadence of people walking
Allow your thoughts to sink deep into the unconscious

Welcome the Wanderer and its creative renaissance back into your life.

10 Things to Remember During a Challenging Economy

Scott Jeffrey — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:03:27 +0000

Here are ten powerful thoughts to keep in mind:

This too shall pass. All things are transitory. Everything cycles in and out. This recession will not last forever.
Economic downturns are important. It’s a natural cleansing process that leaves the country’s economic framework in a stronger position when things turn upward.
Save. Save. Save. A challenging economy gives us an important reminder that we must constantly be adding to our savings—no matter what.
This is just another experience. If you shut off mainstream media for a while you’ll realize how events get overly dramatized. Again, this too shall pass.
You’re never short of money—only short of an idea. Even in downturns, there are many businesses that flourish. Your true capital is creativity, not money.
Adaptability is a quality of the human condition. The human spirit is incredibly strong. We adapt. How much we kick and scream in the process is up to us.
Let go of resisting what is. Things are tough and might be so for some time. Resisting this fact or complaining about it only expends valuable energy that can be directed towards more fruitful ends.
Focus on what you will create, not on what you lack. I dare not call it the law of attraction but what you hold in mind tends to manifest.
Opportunities still exist. There are always opportunities. Always.
Life is a gift. Be grateful for your existence regardless of your circumstances.

One friendly reminder: You can genuinely smile at any moment … including this one.

The Energy of Money

Seven Questions for Harnessing the Awesome Power of Today

Scott Jeffrey — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:45:41 +0000

What if today was a turning point in your life? Nothing outward needs to change—just an inner shift in perspective of how you perceive yourself and the world.

Would you be willing to ask a series of questions for a period of ten days? Would you consider incorporating certain questions into your daily routine? You can ask them while you’re taking a shower or brushing your teeth. I know your time is valuable. This exercise won’t take any extra time at all—just a bit of mental energy.

Try this for ten days: Within an hour of waking up, review each question below (or pick your top 2 or 3) and let your mind arrive at an inspiring answer.

What am I going to be grateful for today?
What can I be happy about right now?
What am I going to contribute today?
What decision(s) am I going to make today?
Who am I going to become today?
Whose day am I going to brighten?
How is today going to shape my future?

Stay conscious of any big and small changes that take place in your life.

And here are a few words from the Roman poet Horace:

Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He, who can today his own:
He who, secure within, can say:
“To-morrow, do thy worst, for I have liv’d to-day.”

Five Magic Words

Scott Jeffrey — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:43:56 +0000

Author of The Alchemist Paulo Coelho reminds us: “When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”

This may be your last day, and in the end, it’s not how long you live, it’s how you live. If you don’t take the time to give thanks and acknowledge how incredible it is simply to be alive, you miss out on the joy of life because you are unconscious of all the beauties and wonders all around you.

Regardless of how great or troublesome your life and your business may appear right now, it is a miracle that you are alive—that you are breathing; that you have the ability to read and comprehend; that you are above ground. At any moment, there are an infinite number of things you can be thankful for.

Life truly is a gift that most of us do not appreciate—we look for more without ever acknowledging how lucky we are right now.

This simple practice will transform your life forever. It is so simple that many people immediately discount its immeasurable value.

Each morning as soon as you awake, smile and give thanks for the awesome power of today by saying these ﬁve magic words:

“Thank you for this day.”

This small act of gratitude can produce amazing results in every area of your life. It’ll make you more enjoyable to be around, and consequently, you’ll attract more opportunities for your business. But that won’t matter because you’ll honestly feel different when your heart is filled with gratitude for your existence.

How can a single sentence be so powerful? What are the first things people usually say or think when they wake up on a workday? For many, it’s phrases like:

“Oh man, here we go again.”
“I wish I could sleep longer.”
“I’m so tired.”
“I don’t want to get up.”

Wouldn’t you rather wake up each morning and induce feelings of gratitude and joy instead of feelings of lethargy and depression? Your life is a gift. The more you treasure it on a moment-to-moment basis, the greater life experience you will have.

Try it right now. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, make a big smile and say, “Thank you for this day.”