As I sit here and write the end of the week blog post, it’s snowing out there. It’s one of those winters that when you look out the window, it’s breathtakingly beautiful but the moment you step outside, it becomes another story altogether! (Photo: vtpeacnik)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the beauty of winter around here. In fact, I happen to live in the Valley where I’m surrounded by miles and miles of woods and state parks. It’s one reason I continue to stay here.
Just because Thanksgiving came and went doesn’t mean we can’t continue to find things we’re grateful for. If I’ve learned anything from writing 55 weekly gratitude posts, it’s the value of maintaining an attitude of gratitude even when times are tough. Like right now. Seems that America is falling apart, right?
But are you falling apart?
Maybe you’re worried about your pension because the company you once worked for might not survive if they don’t get bailed out by the government. Maybe your finances are tight. All of that stuff is probably swirling around in your head. Stop and ask yourself if any of these things are within your control.
I’m willing to bet that the answer for many of the things you might be worried about is no. But what you can control is your outlook. Why not look at what’s working in your life and focus on them instead? For some of you, that might be all you think you have. Maybe you’re just hanging by the thread. If you are, I’ve been there but I certainly hope not!
All of us are affected in some way by the current state of economy but not all of us deal with it the same way. So how about writing down a list of things you’re grateful for and thanking God for your blessings, no matter how small they might be?
Here are mine:
3 Day Juice Feast/Fast a Success
Remember I wrote earlier this week about my 3 day juicing experiment? It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. (Photo: Margot)
For the last 3 months, I have been drinking mostly green smoothies in the mornings followed by a variety of different plant-based dishes including but not limited to spinach salads, “Hoppy Loaves” (romaine lettuce with avocados sprinkled with cherry tomatoes), raw spaghetti (zucchini made into noodles with green sauce) and others.
After a few weeks of reading up on the benefits of juicing, I went on a 3 day juice fast where I had nothing by freshly made juice every 3 or 4 hours. Let me tell you, that really took discipline! But it was fun – I wanted to see if I could do it.
And I did!
I was surprised how much easier it was than I thought it would be. Surprisingly, I had super high energy throughout the entire time and never felt so clean inside. Working out was no problem at all. I didn’t even need to take my “cat nap” in the afternoons. I kept going all day until it was time for bed and the moment my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light and slept like a baby. Incredible.
My weight dropped from 152.0 to 148.5, the LOWEST EVER in 20 years. Thursday was the first day I broke the fast and went back to solids but unfortunately I rushed back into it too quickly. I ended up emitting so much gas it was embarrassing! My energy wasn’t up to par at the gym. Even the green smoothie I had that morning didn’t seem to help much. I should have paid attention to recommendations on how to break a juice fast in “The Complete Book of Juicing” but I was so eager to eat again that I went overboard.
Lesson learned.
It’s now Saturday and I’m fine. As expected, my weight went back up to its normal level (153.0) (151.0 on Sunday). That’s the interesting thing about the body. It knows what your “normal weight” should be and it will operate on its own. In other words, there’s really no need to push your body to a certain weight level because it will find its “natural position” all by itself.
And now that I’m back to solids, everything seems to be back to pre-juicing energy levels. It seems my body has readjusted nicely (no more gas!). I’m very grateful I had an opportunity to see what it was like to go on a short juice fast. I now know that I will do this again, perhaps for 5 days instead of 3, probably sometime during January 2009.
Later on in the new year I might even do a 92 day juice feast like Philip McCluskey and Angela Stokes did. Once I make my decision, there’s no going back! I’ll bet you can’t wait to see if I end up doing it, huh? If you’re not a subscriber, you might want to sign up so you won’t miss it!
Launching a New Business
Part of this very interesting raw food journey is that not only have I taken my life to the next level by living with zest and a sense of adventure (like going to London last month at the drop of the hat), but after lying dormant for YEARS, my entrepreneurial spirit has finally been revived.
Even though that took me by surprise, I wasn’t really surprised because I had been reading that something like that might happen along way. Many new raw foodists go through a metamorphosis of sorts. They completely change the way they carry on their lives, the way they perceive and take risks and uncover hidden talents along the way. It’s like being reborn. You’re on a wonderful, exhilarating journey self discovery, clearing out old debris and allowing the real you to emerge. That’s what detoxing your body with healthy food will do for you. In fact, it’s made me leaner, cleaner and more alert than ever! There’s more of me coming into the light that you don’t yet know about. Hold on to your seats boys and girls!
Thanks to people like Corinne Edwards, Sharmaine Hobbs, Christine O’Kelly and others, my mind has been constantly been on the lookout for multiple streams of income. Over the years, I’ve been exposed to several different business models but none of them appealed to me for a variety of different reasons. But I’m very excited to tell you that I finally found something that resonates within the deepest core of my inner being!
The beautiful thing about my latest food journey is that because my mind is clearer than ever, I’ve put myself in the position of manifesting things at a faster rate than before. I’m more alert to opportunities that are passing by. God is placing new people in my life, gifting me with me speaking engagements and other fortuitous opportunities. I’m so very grateful for it all.
Since I am still in the process of establishing this new business, I’m not yet ready to announce it to the world but I do want to share how it all got started. If by the end of my story you want to know more about it, send me an email or fill out the “contact me” form above.
One day, I got an email from friend of mine who also happens to be a pilot. She sent me a couple video links which took 7 life changing minutes of my time. By the time I finished, I knew immediately that God was using her to reach out to me because I found something that made my spirit tingle!
Despite the inner conviction, I still wanted to pray about it and ask God for a sign.
It came a week later in the form an announcement by the editor of a very highly respected health newsletter (with over a million subscribers). He had mentioned that this particular business model was poised to explode in the coming years and listed reasons why he thought so. I literally fell off my chair – I had my sign!
I thank God for this fortuitous event and look forward to developing it into a full-fledged online business. Stay tuned!
Other things I’m VERY grateful for:
1. I’m in better shape today than I was when I was in my 30′s because I made a firm decision to take care of the body I was neglecting at the beginning of this summer.
2. Despite the economy, I continue to hold my head up high and have faith that I will continue to prosper and grow my businesses.
3. A national aviation association that awarded me a $2500 scholarship for my historic instrument flight training in 2006 invited me to speak at a fund raising event in Las Vegas next year – I’m grateful to be giving back as I’m donating my speaking services for them in exchange for an all expense paid trip to the strip – this will be my second time in Las Vegas!
4. If you are a serious blogger, then you probably know about SOBCon09, a business school for bloggers in Chicago. I’m extremely excited to inform you that I was invited by the very famous Liz Strauss to give a presentation on “Blog Accessibility” along with Karen Putz and Glenda Hyatt.
Go to SOBCon09 and check out the program – I’m scheduled to give my portion at 4 pm on Friday, the first day of the conference. Us three will rock the place! Whoo hoo!
5. I continue to cultivate friendships with those who understand what I am going through and support me, especially during my raw food journey. I’m grateful to those people who have emerged into my life in ways that have been unexpected yet divinely orchestrated. I thank God for bringing them into my life.
This means getting rid of toxic people who do not understand what you’re doing and do nothing but surround you with negative vibes. They are usually those who complain about the economy or do not want to make changes with their lives. I need to surround myself with people who are go-getters, people who want to succeed and actually make changes with whatever they’re not happy with – I’m talking about people who are consistently working through their challenges (no one is immune!) and have a healthy attitude about them.
Back when I first started this blog, I wrote an article called The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People. I was inspired to write it because I had just got done releasing certain people with whom I had been involved with for several months that had to be let go.
6. And finally, I thank YOU for being with me for so long. Many of you have seen what I’ve done with my life and I’m proud to know that I’ve touched you as much as you’ve touched me with your comments and interest. THANK YOU.
Food for thought:
Two things:
1) Has anything happened to you this week that you can be grateful for? Name one thing and tell us about it!
2) Are you curious to know more about my new online business? Email me for details if you want to know more about it or use the contact form above.
If you liked this post and you want to be notified of the next one, subscribe via Email or Full Text RSS Feed. I would love to have you as part of the community!
8:24 am on December 7th, 2008 1
My week has been great Stephen! What I’m grateful for – a phone conversation I had with a life coach/author. We did some visualizing – and it was a powerful experience for me. And is leading my thoughts in new and exciting directions. It’s just been an amazing connection that we’ve developed, and I’m excited for what the future holds!
SOBCon09 in Chicago – I need to look into that – it’s so close to me! That you will be speaking at that (and Las Vegas) – very cool Stephen! And, a new business venture – sounds like exciting times indeed for you! Life takes amazing turns doesn’t it! I’m looking forward to what is to come for you…
8:29 am on December 7th, 2008 2
Very grateful that my husband still has a job. His company “downsized” last thursday. To use such a detached word feels so impersonal to me for all the friends, over 100 that are no longer in his company.
I am grateful for an art sale.
I am grateful that after going to a raw food restaurant where my daughter broke out in hives that it did not effect her breathing just her skin, on day 3 of that now. Have you encountered anyone who eats fresh raw foods coming down with hives? She’s never had any allergies.
Family. The abilty to get healthier every day. My list of gratitude is long so I will stop here.
9:48 am on December 7th, 2008 3
@ Lance:
Visualization – you’ve stumbled on to man’s greatest secrets to success! Absolutely. It’s worked for me – that’s how I became a pilot, made a lot of money on Wall Street, the world’s first deaf instrument rated pilot and a national speaker. Such an incredibly useful tool. Have fun with it Lance!!!
Be on the lookout for synchronicitic events to coincide with your visualizations! You’ll be AMAZED.
Definitely come to SOBCON09 – I had a GREAT time last year and it promises to be even better this year. I had such a good time that I was sad to leave. Liz Strauss and Terry Starbucker are the coordinators of this event and they did a fabulous job.
Thanks for all your good wishes – they’re the reason I keep going!
9:53 am on December 7th, 2008 4
@ Robin Maria Pedrero:
No, I’ve never encountered anyone who eats fresh raw foods and end up having the hives. But we are all different people with different blood types (has your daughter had a blood test to determine her blood type?) and different chemical make up. The only thing I can think of is that she is detoxing – but the hives sound a bit serious. Has she been gradually introduced to the raw food diet or was it 100 percent overnight?
The wise thing to do is gradually introduce it because a lot of the built up waste inside has to go out of the body and if there’s too much of it, it can’t be eliminated all at once – the body can’t handle that much waste going out so it gets recirculated back in the body.
I would recommend your daughter seeing a holistic doctor to determine the cause. What was it she ate at that restaurant?
I congratulate you on the fact that your husband still has a job despite the downsizing within his company.
Like I’m doing, keep your head up high!
10:42 am on December 7th, 2008 5
A wonderful gratitude post! Of course, I’m interested in learning about your new biz, so shoot me an email or perhaps we can ooVoo this week.
10:57 am on December 7th, 2008 6
@ Karen Putz / DeafMom:
I’ll be sending you an email soon!
Don’t forget, we have our “conference IM call” tomorrow about SOBCon09. If I’m not mistaken, it’s scheduled for 3 pm EST, 2 pm CST and 12 pm PST. Is that correct?
And I’ll sending a separate email with a summary of our last call – did you by any chance save a copy of that IM conversation? I printed mine out but somehow I only got the first page of the conversation, not the rest of it. If you have a copy of it, could you send me an email attachment so I can write up my summary for tomorrow’s IM conference? Thanks!
1:06 pm on December 7th, 2008 7
Stephen,
Loved today’s gratitude post. You are reaping the dividends of 55 weeks of gratitude and a made up mind, in addition to being crystal clear on what you want. I’m happy about your new business endeavors and can’t wait to hear all about it.
I’m happy that we’ll get to connect when you’re in Virginia over the holidays, looking forward to it.
There is so much to be grateful for, but this week I am most grateful because somewhere between re-reading Tim Ferris’ “4-hour Work Week” and talking with Kenny, the guy who handles my honey-do list and puts up my Christmas decorations…I found my courage again. In just a single conversation from someone I hadn’t seen all year, I was blessed tremendously by being reminded of the things I had forgotten about myself.
I’d misplaced my courage this year. While making shifts and moving towards what I really wanted to do with my life with all of my heart, for a part of the year, I felt I was off-kelter. As I watched the coffers dwindle, so did my confidence as well as my creativity. In my heart, I felt my footsteps were being ordered by God, but fear came to camp out with me this year.
Yesterday, I found my courage again and it makes all the difference in living life. This precious blessing of courage has me marching to the inner drummer again, full of faith and confidence, knowing I am indeed on the right track and all is well. Courage…the elixir that heals it all.
Sharmaine
7:25 pm on December 7th, 2008 8
Stephen as always great gratitude post.
I am grateful that I am learning so much from your posts and for taking on the Raw food diet. I noticed my belly is slimming down slowly. (not having macca’s finally paid off!) I am glad to not to rush into the diet and instead just take it easy on a daily basis and let it happen natually.
8:42 pm on December 7th, 2008 9
Stephen – your gratitude posts are so inspiring! What a wonderful practice it must be to consistently sit down, reflect on, and write out all of the things you are grateful for. I’m curious how that practice in and of itself has changed you. What inspired you to begin the gratitude posts in the first place?
I’m really excited to hear about your new business and felt my skin tingle when you talked about the revival of your entrepreneurial spirit – wow! I love that feeling. I’m about to launch something new as well and the experience of building it is exhilarating!
And congrats for the speaking spot at SOB-Con – WOW!!!
12:51 am on December 8th, 2008 10
You’re amazing, Stephen. You have really made me interested in trying out something different with my diet. It’s not that I eat bad–in fact, I think I eat really well–but what I’ve noticed is that I’m “unconscious” of what I eat; maybe being a little more aware of what it is will improve how I view my own health.
8:10 am on December 8th, 2008 11
@ Sharmaine:
You are certainly one of the most eloquent writers I’ve met! The words you put out there come from your heart in a way that’s unmistakable. Thank you for pouring forth words that lifted and inspired me. You have a way of reminding me time and time again that I am on the right path. We all need that kind of reminding. And finally, they are words of love and strength – I cannot wait to meet you in a few weeks when I visit my brother for the holidays!
Like me, you’ve been on a magnificient journey of self discovery, working hard not to beat yourself up for missed signposts or goals but continuing forward, learning along the way. The biggest thing we do to hurt ourselves, I find, is that we have the potential to beat ourselves up for what did or didn’t happen. Don’t you find that to be true?
Anyway, I’m so glad you found your courage again. I’ll be sending you details about my new business which has changed my life and might change yours too.
8:12 am on December 8th, 2008 12
@ Elias:
Wow, I wish I could give you a hug to let you know how proud I am of your progress in eating healthier! Good for you that you have a slimmer stomach – doesn’t that feel GREAT? I know it does for me. In fact, when I’m sitting on my couch or in my office chair and I look down at a flatter stomach, I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s real. LOL. I feel wonderful about it so I know how you must be feeling. Congratulations!
Good for you that you’re letting things happen “naturally.” That’s the secret. Shhhhhh…..don’t tell anyone.
8:16 am on December 8th, 2008 13
@ Ryan:
Awesome Ryan! I’m THRILLED. I love it when people are inspired to take whatever steps they need to improve their health by changing their dietary habits, in whatever form works for them.
The beautiful thing about my experience and sharing it with everyone on here is that I have absolutely no attachment to whether people take up the raw food lifestyle or not but if they do, I’m always excited to hear about it because I know it’ll change them for the better healthwise.
Letting me know that you’re interested in giving this a try is more than anything I could ask of the readers here. I’d love to know how you’re doing. Feel free to ask questions along the way. You’ll find others on here who might answer you back before I do – that’s how responsive the community has become here!
I was going to say “Good Luck” but decided that wasn’t quite fitting so how about this: “Best wishes for any amount of success you have on this new way of eating!”
8:19 am on December 8th, 2008 14
@ Christine OKelly:
Hey there! You have no idea how much you’ve inspired me yourself! So glad you enjoyed this post and some of the others.
Yes, when you consistently sit down and write things you’re grateful for, amazing things happen in your life. Gratitude is really a very powerful energy to wrap yourself around because when you’re deeply immersed in it, the universe really responds to that and sends you even more of what you’re grateful for. Writing them down and sharing them on the Internet is like the compounding power factor. It’s like a strong broadcasting medium to the universe compared to writing on a piece of paper and keeping it to yourself. That’s why I do it online – to compound its power and it’s working!
I will send you an email about my online business that changed my life and might change yours as well. Thanks for your genuine interest and support. I can’t wait to meet you one day. It’s bound to happen.
As for SOBCon09, are you going? Hope so!
9:44 am on December 8th, 2008 15
Stephen,
You asked what my daughter had…a variety, gogi berries in a mixed smoothie, a lasagne with macademian nut cheese, zuch, tomato, mushroom, etc plus she tasted my meal, and had a nut mint choc chip ice cream. She does not only eat a raw diet but eats healthy. Thanks for your holistic suggestion, however she called me later yesterday as her condition got worse, she had gone to get medical attention and they gave her 2 shots.
Peace.
9:49 am on December 8th, 2008 16
@ Robin Maria Pedrero:
Hmmm..I wonder what it was that caused that reaction? Hmmm…hopefully you were able to pinpoint the cause. Thanks a lot for sharing.