Grateful Stephen Keeping Warm
“Be content with what you have-rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” LaoTzu
I was on Twitter this morning, going through other people’s tweets when I saw the above quote from Dhrumil, founder of “We Like It Raw.” I immediately knew it would fit with this week’s long awaited gratitude post.
It’s amazing – I have so much to be grateful for but I had been putting off writing this simply because I wasn’t inspired to but all of a sudden my whole body, mind and spirit became re-invigorated and here we are! I knew this would happen and I’m glad I gave myself a chance to ease in the new year without feeling the need to rush back to the keyboard. I got a much deserved break and I thank all of you for being patient.
Here are some of the things I am deeply grateful for as we go into the new year:
Christmas with Family and Friends
Festival of Christmas Lights
I am blessed to have close family and friends who are happy to see me during the holidays. I know I’ll always have a place to go, no matter what. For Christmas, I drove to Virginia and spent an entire week at my brother’s house.
We all have heard of the saying how time seems to be flying by faster as we get older. Well, I believe there’s a scientific reason behind that. I’m not quite sure of the details but the 6 hour drive from Ohio to Virginia and back literally felt like 15 minutes. I was there for one week, arriving on a Monday and before all of us knew it, it was Saturday.
Unbelievable!
Stephen and Nita at a Natural Food Deli Restaurant
Among some of the things I did was to enjoy quality time with my Mom and Dad (Mom and I went for a nice leisurely stroll in the woods behind the house), I had lunch with Nita at a natural food deli/restaurant, met Sharmaine Hobbs for the very first time and drove through a fabulous outdoor lights festival.
You all “met” Sharmaine Hobbs last year when I did an interview with her. Nita was someone who I met at a speaking engagement in Washington DC a few years ago and we ended up becoming good friends. Along the way, Nita became a faithful subscriber, sometimes acting as a virtual assistant, alerting me whenever the server for this blog went down.
All of us had a great time.
Sharmaine Hobbs and Stephen
I even ate Tiramisu! Now, this might not seem like a big deal to you so a little explaining is in order here. First of all, Nita, the ever-so faithful subscriber, said in jest one day that she was sick and tired of seeing the gratitude posts start off with the same ole picture of a Tiramisu even though I never ate one before.
Well as luck would have it, my brother and his wife bought one with ice cream in it (instead of the usual cream, per Nita). Lo and behold, I had my first Tiramisu! Now I can say I’ve had a sampling of it – hehehe.
If you’re new here and you don’t know what the heck is so funny, go to Flicker and you’ll see. Notice what it says on the plate.
My first-ever Tiramisu!
While the holidays are very stressful for a lot of people, we had the most un-stressful time ever. My family agreed to just buy gifts for the girls and not each other. That saved us a lot of hassle plus we genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.
Now, that’s something I don’t take for granted!
Speaking Gigs in 2008
Last year was my best year ever in terms of paid speaking engagements. The funny thing is I’m not an aggressive marketer at all. I don’t make cold calls and neither do I send out a flurry of unsolicited emails about my speaking services.
Ever since my speaking website was revamped a two years ago or so, clients have magically appeared along the way, finding me on the Internet. I’m grateful I invested the money to have my speaking website revamped so that clients like Frito-Lay, Penn State University, Risk Management Institute and others could find me online and fly me out to places like Las Vegas, Texas, Florida and Michigan, to name a few.
Risk Mgmt Institute, Las Vegas
I even spoke to the British Police in London when I went over there at the drop of the hat to visit friends last November (2008)! That gig was an unexpected bonus. If you don’t take a risk (like dropping what you’re doing and doing something totally out of character), you won’t get to see what could have been. You never know!
I’m actually going back to Las Vegas in March to speak to a large aviation organization in March 2009. It’s for the National Air Transportation Association to help them with a major fundraising effort for their aviation scholarship fund. It was because of a scholarship I won from them in late 2005 that the cost of becoming the world’s first deaf instrument rated pilot was partially defrayed. They asked if I would headline as a keynote speaker at one of their biggest events of the year to “give back.” How could I say anything but “YES!”
You can see a video they put together to promote this mega-event right here.
Frito-Lay Corporation, Dallas, Texas
I’m grateful that not only have speaking clients magically gravitated towards me but that I have a chance to give back as a speaker in a meaningful way.
Raw Food Journey That Began in Sept 2008
The decision to adopt a raw food lifestyle changed my life in ways I never would have imagined. Not only did I shed significant weight but I went on a quest for spiritual cleansing, got closer to God and sharpened my intuition. My mind became clearer. I was sleeping better and enjoyed more energy. On top of that, I found myself being led to spiritual events, places and people. I also began taking wild risks like dropping everything at the drop of a hat and flying to London for a week.
Leading a raw food lifestyle through the bitter cold winter months has been an interesting challenge because ever since I began eating fruits and vegetables, I basically stopped cooking. I gave up cigars and coffee, two of my most favorite things in the world. To my surprise, giving them up was easy and effortless. Not once have I wanted to go back to either of them – amazing!
I’m grateful that despite the frigid temperatures outside, I continue to venture outside and visit the gym several times a week. As a result of my commitment to better health, my weight went from 178 to an average of 152 lbs. Based on past experience, winters are always the hardest times to maintain a healthy regiment of physical fitness and diet but I continue to stick with it.
Thank you God!
Congratulations to Jessica Cox – The World’s First Armless Pilot
Being grateful also means being happy and thankful for other people’s successes. My mentor, Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest Airlines, alerted me to Jessica’s eye-popping achievement. She became the first ARMLESS pilot in the world, flying with her feet. Imagine that!
I met her at a National Speakers Association convention in Orlando back in 2006. She’s the nicest, most humble person you’d ever meet. Watching her on video do the things we all take for granted made me realize that we have no right to complain.
Take a look at her video and try telling me you aren’t impressed:
God bless you Jessica for inspiring the rest of us with the things you can do. If you can put contact lenses in, fly an airplane and go for a black belt in Karate, the rest of us have a lot to think about!
What an inspiration you are – thanks!
Certified Reki Practitioner
Reki Practitioner Certificate
Some of the most amazing things have happened since transforming my life with the raw food diet have included me being led on a path of healing, health and wellness. While I’ve heard of Reki before, I never really paid much attention to it. I believed it was for those who were “chosen.”
I couldn’t have been more wrong!
Through a series of events that took place just before I left for the holidays, I was led to an opportunity to take a class with a Master Reki teacher from Canton, OH.
My friend Linda Clifton from CrossRoads (where I got my first-ever colonic followed by a couple of amazing footbaths and sessions in the infrared sauna) told me about it. I knew I wanted to do something in the healing arts because I had considered taking a course with Dr. Eric Pearl, author of “The Reconnection.” But his seminar wasn’t until March 2009. So when this came up, I jumped at the chance.
What is Reki exactly?
In short, it’s a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing. It is administered by the laying of the hands on the person and allowing universal life force to flow through the practitioner to the patient.
If you’re curious to learn more about it, click here.
Transformation on the Planet
What is most gratifying is that we are witnessing the planet undergo major changes for the better. There’s been a huge shakeout, as you have already seen, in the world of finance and high power. This is necessary to transform the planet into a place where the playing field is more level than it was before. (Photo credit: loswl)
Have you noticed more and more people are rising up to the light, following their inner path to provide kindness, higher consciousness, love and compassion as well as become environmentally conscious? This is not an accident. This is why I have hope, optimism and faith going forward, not to mention enormous gratitude.
I believe Obama is an evolved soul and that it was his destiny to be elected president so that he can help close the gap that currently exists in this power structured world. I knew from the start he would be elected. In fact, I couldn’t help but have visions of him taking the oath of president on the steps of Capital Hill. He has a sense of light, compassion and understanding that no other politician has ever demonstrated before in my opinion. The fallout in the financial markets are part of the leveling taking place as we move toward the light. This greatly comforts me despite the challenging times our country is experiencing.
We all have a piece of God in ourselves. We are also all one. Like the wave and the ocean are one. I believe those who are cognizant of this will survive going forward while the dark forces will continue to fall by the wayside.
Many of you in this Adversity University community are lightworkers. I am too – that’s why you were attracted to this blog. Whether or not you realize it, you are aiming to make a difference in your own way. That’s why you are still here with me. I am grateful that I have a platform and an audience to share my views about the power of gratitude, the power of making a difference and the power of seeing life from a different perspective, to name a few.
In short, I am grateful Mother Earth continues to evolve towards the light and heal from horrific man-made wounds and that we are heading for a kinder, more compassionate world.
Confessions of a Mystic
I have one final thing I’m grateful for. Thanks to Liara Covert from Dreambuilders, Australia (who you may have noticed is the # 1 comment champ this month), I stumbled onto an online book called “Confessions of a Mystic.”
From the moment I read the first story, I was immediately hooked. If you’re into miracles, signs from the angels (like feathers floating down to the pavement) and things of that nature, I think you’ll enjoy this online book very much.
I just added it to my blogroll today, thanks to Liara.
Take a moment to check out Confessions of a Mystic.
Food for thought: What are you grateful for this weekend?
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6:58 am on January 18th, 2009 1
Hi Stephen,
A very uplifting gratitude post today! I am especially moved by the story of Jessica Cox – what a great example of overcoming adversity! And it reminds me that I CAN do whatever I set my mind to!
And that you had the opportunity to spend time with not only family, but a couple of online friends as well – over the holidays – that is so cool!
What am I grateful for? I’m grateful for a warm house this past week amidst very cold weather. And, I’m grateful for yesterday and playing a big basketball game – two families – adults and kids – out having fun in the gym!
10:52 am on January 18th, 2009 2
Hi Stephen,
Great post! I especially appreciated the Transformation of the planet. No one has expressed that sentiment to me before, and it makes me feel better to think of it in terms of a necessary clearing instead of calamity. I also believe Obama is in an excellent position to help heal this country.
I am grateful for my Dad, a man who works for the parking garage where I park my car at work, and the AAA guy who towed my car. My dad and the man from the garage helped me push my car down 6 flights in the garage so the AAA truck could tow it. The AAA truck couldn’t enter the garage because the clearance was too low, but, instead of leaving, he waited for us to bring it down. It was pretty amazing, my Dad and this stranger to me worked together to help me get my car down the ramps. Awesome!
3:00 pm on January 18th, 2009 3
@ Jen Krejsa:
I love it when strangers wait patiently for us to do what we need to do so that they can help us like what the AAA guy did. That’s incredible! And a reminder to be sure you pass that act of kindness forward to others who might need the same thing. As long as we can keep the cycle flowing, countless of people will be affected by this.
I’m glad you enjoyed the last piece of the gratitude post about the earth’s transformation process. That truly gives me hope and inspiration despite current economic conditions. As long as I focus on the positives, I will continue to experience it. It’s too easy to get bogged down by the negatives (it doesn’t help that bad economic news is everywhere) but I’ve learned to filter them out.
3:02 pm on January 18th, 2009 4
@ Lance:
Thanks Lance – I was moved by Jessica’s story too. I mean, who flies with their feet? It’s only a matter of time before this story really gets around. It’s so unusual, so powerful. Similar to the Nick Vujicic story (simply google the name and you’ll find him easily).
I’m also grateful for a warm home too. Who won the basketball game by the way?
4:41 pm on January 18th, 2009 5
Stephen, I just spent time on the Confessions of a Mystic site and Liara’s too and enjoyed both and will return to read more of both. Thanks.
4:43 pm on January 18th, 2009 6
Stephen, I forgot to congratulate you on taking the Reiki courses. Did your Reiki teacher tell you that you can bless your food with the Reiki and that will add to the benefits of all the raw foods that you are already eating.
5:47 pm on January 18th, 2009 7
The basketball game…we called it a tie (since we didn’t really keep score – and it was pretty even). Although, at the very end – since it was so close – we said – next basket wins – and the team I was on scored in like 5 seconds (very lucky!). The teams were mixed up between the two families, so no one family won it all! Lots of fun for a cold day in Wisconsin…
6:10 pm on January 18th, 2009 8
You have meaningful ways of reaching out to people with uplifting stories. Its not just what you choose to share, but the down-to-earth voice you use that people can relate to on a personal level. That example of the first rated, armless female pilot stands out for me. Each positive vibration you send out enriches the lives of people. That is a priceless gift. You never know whose lives you touch, but you do. You invite people to embark on deeper levels of engagement.
The nature of stories you share tells me you may be drawn to a book called No Excuses by Kyle Maynard. The synopsis reads as follows:
“Born without arms or legs below his elbows and knees, Kyle Maynard excels as a champion athlete, inspirational speaker, college student and male model. No Excuses is his inspirational autobiography that shows how a positive can-do attitude gives someone we might see as disadvantaged the advantage over life.”
1:29 pm on January 19th, 2009 9
What a great post Stephen! You do indeed have much to be grateful for. So did you like the Tiramisu? That is my favorite dessert ever!
Thanks for the wonderful video of Jessica, what an amazing person. I wear contacts and have a hard enough time putting them in with my hands.
I hope that this year is filled with many blessings for you and your family!
10:47 am on January 21st, 2009 10
Dear Stephen,
The thing about blogs that has always captured my attention
is to sneak peek into someone else’s life. It’s not so much
the day to day business of a person’s life, but their
personal evolution. It’s all a learning and we can certainly
be teachers and students to one another.
*Bravo* to you !
xo xo
Deb
“If you want to feel connected to your own purpose, know this for certain: Your purpose will only be found in service to others, and in being connected to the something far greater than your mind/body/ego.”
~ Wayne Dyer, from The Power of Intention
12:46 pm on January 22nd, 2009 11
Stephen,
It was such an honor and pleasure to have some time together over the holidays face to face. You are such a shining star and a great inspiration! Look forward to connecting again on your next east coast visit.
As always, great post!
Sharmaine
4:59 pm on January 22nd, 2009 12
As always, great post, Stephen!
About T-I-M-E you posted a pic of YOUR Tiramisu! LOL. I’m sure you’re relieved that I’ve now stopped harpin’ on that!
I’ve not really noticed “more and more people are giving more compassion, etc”, but it is may be because due to the fact that YOU are the one who’s doing that, therefore attracting people who are like you, making it seem like it’s always happening!
Oh, yeah I had a great time with you, Stephen, during our get-together last month!
Have a great week/weekend.
Nita
5:59 pm on January 24th, 2009 13
@ Nita:
I knew you would enjoy the Tiramisu photo – I must say that it was because of YOU that this photo finally made its way to the latest gratitude post. Good thing you suggested I take a photo of it before I ate it because otherwise it might not have occurred me to do it.
Wow, that’s a cool thought – “it may be because due to the fact that YOU are the one who’s doing that (giving more compassion), therefore attracting people who are like you….” Well, yes, that certainly makes sense! It gives credence to the old saying that “like attracts like.”
Look forward to seeing you again the next time I go to VA. Probably around the Spring.
6:03 pm on January 24th, 2009 14
@ Sharmaine:
Indeed it was a honor to meet you for the FIRST time! I am sitting here in my living room, using the laptop (what great freedom to do that instead of always going in my office!) and my mind is flooded with memories of our first meeting and conversation that followed. It truly lifted me up to see one of my favorite people in this community in person for the first time!
You definitely look younger than the picture I’ve seen of you! You are a great joy that I’ve always known you were simply by the words you type either in your newsletter or in the comment section here at this blog. Your words carry joy and light everywhere they go. So when I met you, I knew I was going to meet someone with the same energy!
Thanks for visiting me when I was in VA for the holidays. My family and I look forward to having you back – this time for dinner like Nita did!
6:19 pm on January 24th, 2009 15
@ Deb Estep:
Thanks Deb – you are certainly getting a “sneak’s peek” into my life! Hahaha.
That’s true – it’s more about the personal evolution, not day to day business of a person’s life. For those who have been with me a long time, they have been watching me evolve.
And you know what? I’ve been watching myself evolve too! LOL.
6:50 pm on January 24th, 2009 16
@ Natalia Burleson:
Oh yes, I LOVED it!
Yes, Jessica is amazing – who ever knew a person could actually fly with her feet???? I mean, WHAT?!? That’s news!
Thank you for the good wishes – I return the sentiments, exactly!
7:07 pm on January 24th, 2009 17
@ Liara Covert:
Thanks Liara – when I’m inspired to write a story, I re-enact it all over again. I’m thankful to be given the gift of writing stories based on my own personal experiences.
I usually come out of the writing exercise with a combination of happiness, peace and gratitude for the experience. I always thank God for having helped the words flow through my fingertips on the keyboard. I never take my gift of writing for granted. This is why I never force myself to write. I disagree with bloggers who say if you have writer’s block, force yourself to write something.
“Each positive vibration you sent out enriches the lives of people.” That’s exactly why I continue to maintain this blog and share my experiences! I love the idea of “inviting” people to explore rather than demanding or pushing them to do so. I try to put myself in the reader’s shoes – “How would I feel if I were reading this?”
I’ve not read his book but I am very familiar with who Kyle Maynard is. In fact, I sent a donation for his van and got an autographed picture in return. He was asking for help to buy a specially built van so he could enjoy a measure of freedom that we all take for granted.
7:09 pm on January 24th, 2009 18
@ Lance:
Ah, so it was a tie. Well, well, well, I’m so glad you all had a good time on that very cold day. Makes for nice memories, hmmm?
7:12 pm on January 24th, 2009 19
@ Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker:
Thanks – now all I need to do is find a way to make good use of it other than on myself! I do self-administered Reki several times a week, usually when I go to bed or if I wake up in the middle of the night, I use it to help me fall back to sleep. (It works!).
No, my Reki teacher did not tell me I could bless my food with Reki. I find that rather interesting! I suppose it is just a matter of hovering my hands over the plate?
7:14 pm on January 24th, 2009 20
@ Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker:
Isn’t the “Confessions of a Mystic” online book awesome! I couldn’t believe how I became so mesmerized by her stories and how I was simply incapable of stopping.
Of course, it helped that she’s a good writer but more to the point, her experiences totally resonated with my soul. That’s a great sign that her experiences represent some truth for me.
Glad to have introduced you to both the mystic and Liara’s sites. Both are awesome and uplifting. Enjoy!
10:04 am on January 26th, 2009 21
Hello,
Congratulations on your blog and thank you for your inspiring writing.
Can i ask you to talk more about your reiki experience? Why? How do you feel?
Regards,
Nuno (from Portugal)
10:43 am on January 26th, 2009 22
@ Nuno:
It’s great to “meet” someone from Portugal! How did you find us here at Adversity University? I’m glad you enjoy my writing here. I’m grateful you found me and took the time to drop a line.
My Reki experience began shortly before Christmas. I was led to take a weekend course from a Reki Master and at the end became certified at the first level. Up to this point, I’ve been using it mostly on myself but I’ve taken small steps to establish a Reki practice. As for how I feel, it’s too early to tell but one thing I noticed is when I perform Reki on myself, I become very relaxed to the point of wanting to fall asleep! I usually do it at night when I climb in bed. Sometimes I use it if I wake up in the middle of the night and cannot fall back to sleep. I’ve found that it puts me back in the relaxed state and I drift off to sleep again.
As for why I was led to Reki, I have no idea. It became part of a series of divinely led events that unfolded at the right time with the right people. It felt natural to follow my instincts and go through with it. I had actually been thinking of taking “The Reconnection” course (Dr. Eric Pearl, author of a book by that same title) but it wasn’t until March. When the Reki course came up, it felt “right” and so I took the course locally for a lot less money.
Does this answer your question?