Witnessing the rising sun drench the entire valley with glorious light.

Are you surprised that I’m back already, especially a day or so after posting my last article?  Me too — It’s been a long time since I’ve done that!

I can’t explain it and I’m not going to even try but suddenly I feel inspired to share a new development with you this morning.   Right now my brain is buzzing with pure delight - it’s one of those “high as a kite” kind of things except that it’s all natural.  

As I write, I’m staring out the window, watching glorious sunshine flood the entire valley with delicious rays of light.   Thank you God!

Do you know yourself? (Photo taken at Maharishi University during Visitor's Weekend in April 2009)

I bet the title of today’s article threw you for a double loop, didn’t it?  Good.  That was intentional - not as an attention grabbing gimmick but something I’ve come to realize over the years.

This topic came up because I had to answer the following question on my graduate school application:

What are your personal and professional goals? (minimum 50 words)

Without knowing it, I had been using the power of my subconscious mind over the last several years, especially after college graduation in the early 80’s.

Argiro Student Center, America’s first student center constructed according to the ancient principles of Vedic architecture for harmony with natural law.

As we go through different seasons in life, there comes a time of big change like going back to school for the first time in decades.   In my last post, I announced that I was accepted in the Masters’ program at Maharishi University of Management where I’ll be studying Vedic Science (the study of consciousness).

Yesterday afternoon I was taking a much needed catnap when my Blackberry vibrated, jolting me awake.  I meant to take the holster off my belt and set it aside so that I wouldn’t be disturbed but I was very glad I didn’t because of a special email I received from Maharishi University.

It’s official:  I’ve been accepted. Wahoooo!!

I’m sitting here in my office in child-like wonder and awe at what will unfold next.  I’m exceedingly grateful and can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.

Here’s what I read after rubbing my eyes and yawning after a well needed catnap:

Dear Stephen,

Argiro Student Center, America’s first student center constructed according to the ancient principles of Vedic architecture for harmony with natural law.

My challenge is that when I write, I love to keep writing, which means I take forever to get an article just right.  It takes HOURS to write one and I think the fact that I tend to be a perfectionist sometimes takes away the joy of writing - I find it harder to get motivated because of this tendency.  That’s partially why you haven’t heard from me in a while.

Vita-Mix Blender

Do you watch Martha Stewart?  Have you been thinking of getting the Vita-Mix blender but keep putting it off?

Well, today, Wednesday, April 29, 2009 the Vita-Mix 5200, the blender you see in the photo on the left in my kitchen, will be featured on the Martha Stewart show and they are having a special right now - you can only take advantage of this through the link provided below!  Check your local listings for the Martha Stewart show.

Now YOU can enjoy the delicious meals that Martha and Chef Mario Batali made in the Vita-Mix machine as seen on a recent episode of the Martha Stewart Show and receive a bonus subscription to Martha’s Body + Soul* magazine!

This morning I received a comment from someone who somehow stumbled onto this blog.   Her name is Lisa.  She left an inspiring message in my last post that simply had to come from God.    God was definitely using her as a messenger.

As her story goes, she was working in the Peace Corp overseas.  Six months before she was due to finish the tour, she decided she wanted to go back to school for a graduate degree, specifically New York University (NYU).  She didn’t know how she was going to pay for it nor did she know where she was going to live.

Do you have a good mentor?  Are you a mentor yourself? (Photo:  CallieDel Boa).

The reason I’m asking is because shortly after I wrote the article a few days ago about asking for help with regards to my quest for higher education, I received an email from a very good friend who has been my mentor for several years.  Here’s what he said:

I don’t think it is a good idea to be soliciting funds to go to college in your 40’s when it is not a life threatening necessity…….

Now think about that for a moment.  What was your perception of what he wrote?

This morning when I received an email broadcast from Adversity University with yesterday’s post, Update:  Request for Help An Experiment, (I subscribe to my own blog to see what others are seeing in their inboxes), I realized that the Paypal button was not working inside the email.  (Photo credit:  ktpupp)

This was strange because I became aware of this problem late yesterday afternoon and fixed it long before the emails went out to you and everybody else on the email subscriber list.

However, for some reason the correction didn’t take place probably because of a stupid option Wordpress has with automatically saving my posts every five seconds, causing weird problems like this situation.  Fortunately,  I’ve since found a plug-in to disable the autosave feature.

For those of you who are long-time regular readers of this blog, you’ll notice I’ve been sliding back and forth between posting weekly interviews and gratitude articles.  The purpose of this post is to bring you up to date on what’s happening on my end and then begin an experiment.  (Photo:  Siouxanna)

First before I tell you about my latest and probably most ambitious experience, I just wanted to tell you that I’ve been a bit preoccupied with preparing for a keynote presentation next week in Las Vegas at a major aviation expo.  For the first time in my professional speaking career, I will be using PowerPoint complete with photos and videos.  Thankfully the man who invited me to be the speaker has been helping me with the technical aspects of video editing and incorporating them in my PowerPoint program.  It’s taking a lot of my time and focus these days to get it just right and I’m having fun learning as I go!

Okay everybody, here we are for the second interview with James Sinclair, the Director of the new movie “What If?”  It’s like “The Secret” but goes much deeper.

I had a great time learning more about James last week with Part I.   Today’s Part Two promises to be even more interesting for those of you who want to know more about the man behind this fascinating movie.  Please be sure to read Part I before delving into this section.

Let’s call James out from the “green room” - JAMES, COME ON OUT - WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU SOME MORE!!

The Gratitude Rock in my Home

I love doing these gratitude posts because when I sit down and think about the things I am grateful for, I always come away feeling lighter, happier and more content.  I also end up learning a little more about myself.

We all know the gloom and doom being touted on TV and in the newspapers these days.   Even if we are directly affected by it, the question we should ask ourselves is:  “Will we subscribe to the negative hoopla or take time out to focus on what we still have going for us?”

One day a fellow blogger and friend sent me an email about an interview she had done with James Sinclair, the director of the new “What IF?” movie.   The movie’s title drew me right in because I love exploring “mysterious possibilities” so I went right over there and read both parts of her interview with him.

I found it to be so compelling that I ended up contacting him myself and eventually asked if he’d like to be interviewed at Adversity University to which he replied, “Yes, I’d be honored.”

The Gratitude Rock in my Home

I know this gratitude article is a bit late as I usually post this on a Friday or Saturday but better late than never so here goes.

One day I received an email from Jennifer Mannion, a woman from upstate New York with whom I somehow connected on the Internet.  I’m not sure how we found each other but we were divinely led to discover that we each have similar interests including, but not limited to, spirituality, natural healing methods (like Reiki and “The Reconnection”) plus other things.

The Gratitude Rock in my Home

Well, here we are again, at the end of the week.  Is it me or did you notice it too?   Time is flying faster and faster.   Is this some sort of phenomena or what?   Hmmmm…..

Gratitude is a state of mind.  It’s like natural medicine for the body, mind and spirit.  It’s ESPECIALLY good for times like these with the economy and everything else in dire straits.