Tim Ferris - Expressing Gratitude

My number one mentor in putting Lifestyle Design in action is Tim Ferris.

I recently commented on his latest blogpost, expressing my gratitude for his key strategies and being a living example of consciously creating a Lifestyle Design based on his terms.

To my delight, Tim Ferris commented directly back to me.

Ever since I read his book, "The 4 - Hour Workweek" I've had a vision to meet Tim. Since simply reading the book for the first time in 2007 I've taken many of the strategies and applied them to my life.

Over the last few years my new reality came into fruition. I designed my lifestyle first in my mind's eye, then took action towards manifesting it 'in real life'.

Now that I have created what I set out to achieve, my foundational beliefs have also evolved and strengthened into the solid, unshakable truth that we absolutely can design life on our terms....

My beliefs were re-shaped and expanded, during that part of my journey (and still are). But they've morphed from fear and doubt, to quality questions, a clear focus and intention to set out to create who I want to become, experience what I wish to do, and have what I truly desire... (My 'have' list is lower in rank for my priorities.. I prefer who I 'become' and life experiences versus 'owning' material possessions that simply age, drain cash, or in some other form become a liability - possessions are only 'weight anchors' for the global butterfly!)

So, when I first read Tim's book... I set out a belief just to connect with him somehow.

In the recent month's, that belief and vision has shifted to, "I will become great friends with Tim Ferris, a mentor, friend and ally for educating and inspiring the world to the possibilities to consciously create a Lifestyle Design of CHOICE."

With Tim writing directly back to me on the blog, I'm one step closer.

So I pose a few questions to you, the reader...

• Who is doing or creating, walking down the path of what you want to create, become, experience or have in your life?
• Who has been an effective role model/mentor for the lifestyle or elements of your lifestyle that you have today? Perhaps your health or fitness, parenting, a career path, investments, relationship harmony, lifestyle design or something else...

A key strategy to being/doing/having more in your life..
is to live with the value of gratitude, and express it.

Say "Thank You!" To yourself, to 'God' (whoever that is for you), and also to the person who has guided you along on your journey, or who has nudged you with their wisdom, experience, thought, strategies, kindness or any other powerfully positive impact, into the direction you have traveled to be where you are today.

Here's the ACTION step I encourage you to take today...
Think of a person who has made an impact on your life for the power of shaping you for an area of success in your world. Then gift them the honor of GRATITUDE and say "Thank You!" ...That might be an email, a phone call, a blog post, a facebook comment, a twitter comment, a hand-written letter, an e-card, a snail mail card, a surprise gift, perhaps flowers or a bottle of wine if you are feeling the spirit of a physical token to say "Thanks!"

There is immense power in this simple strategy -GRATITUDE- in Lifestyle Design.

The act of it says, "I appreciate all that I have" to the Universe, who hears you and says with glee, "Great! So I'll send you more of what you want."

An additional, and very strong, benefit of saying "Thank You!" is it creates your mind's focus on all that you have in your life... versus focusing on what you don't have.

Whatever you focus on magnifies, and you get more of what you focus on. When you focus on what you have, you feel great! When you feel great, you are more motivated to continue steps forward on your journey of your life goals.

When you choose to focus on what you don't have, you create a cycle of self-defeating internal (and external) language, your energy drops, and you may take little, if any, action towards creating the lifestyle design of YOUR dreams. And then worse still, you may lull yourself with negative hypnotic thoughts, into the false illusion of your current 'reality' being your permanent reality.

Where you are at today is the sum of all thoughts and actions you have focused on and manifested up until now.

If you want a new reality, first you must have new thoughts - and a strong focus on what you want. A first step to creating the vision of the Lifestyle Design you want to create now is, begin with Gratitude for what you currently have.

So go take that action of saying "Thank You!" now to someone who has affected your life, and if you'd like to share your experience or thoughts, I'd love to hear your comment in the box below this blog.

Random Acts of Kindness

Random acts of kindness are essentially an act of expression towards ourselves. We see someone in need and we recognize, like looking in a mirror, that "it could possibly be me in need."

With each and every simple act of reaching out and giving a helping hand, we plant seeds of greatness into our own heart as well as the ones of those you directly (and indirectly) affect.

There is also the compounding effect you may never see or witness directly.. but know that it occurs.

Like any great tree which has grown from a seed, when given love, care and nurturing, it will grow into a healthy tower of strength, abundant with leaves and plenty of shade to then protect and nurture other beings...

So too occurs with your random acts of kindness. The energy you give manifests into the lives of so many others.

*** *** ***

Today, on my way to the supermarket to gather some basic ingredients for lunch, I passed a lonely man sitting huddled on the street corner near the store. As I entered into the shopping centre and made my way through the turn-style of the grocery market, I spied another man (this time with his small dog) also sitting outside the second entrance, quietly alone and ruffled in his difficult moment in time.

Both had caps gently laid out on the pavement to quietly ask for some pennies as you walk past.

I thought about what I could really offer them of VALUE. I had only taken enough Euro to the store to buy what I needed. And yet, in my heart, I knew I could make a difference to both these gentleman's lives....

"How can I serve them in a way to nourish their souls?" I thought.

With the small change I had left in my pocket, I bought several large bottles of water. I turned 54 cents into two valuable gifts.

Quietly I walked up to each man, now sitting in the warm heat of the Spanish mid-day sun.

With a smile I offered a bottle of water to each man. Each man in turn lit up with a SMILE of Gratitude.

One said "Gracias".. the other said "Thank You!" Both sent their love and kindness back to me through the energy of the heart connection.

I walked away, heading back to my apartment, pondering to myself... how will I generate even more love and kindness in this world tomorrow? Who's heart will I touch next?

And the truth is.. for each random act of kindness I make, the bigger MY heart grows..

What random act of kindness will you do today? Perhaps even a smile at a stranger, or a kind word or compliment, a bottle of water or a sandwich to a homeless person? Perhaps a friendly act for a neighbor in need?

...Remember too... to give yourself and loved ones random acts of kindness regularly also! :o)