May Image Directory

Wrapping up the month of May, here’s a quick screen shot review of the month’s news. Let me know which ones you like the most. Thanks for your input, -David M Masters

Story of my life how to write a bookStory of My Life How to Write a Book Spiritual connection between people known and unknownConnection 5 senses to success attraction attenuation prosperityThe 5 Senses of Laser Focused Concentration
Am I too shy to be massively successfulAm I Too Shy to be Massively Successful? Preserving the servants heart self respect healthy boundariesPreserving the Servant’s Heart Personal SWOT Analysis strength weakness opportunity threatPersonal SWOT Analysis
Toxic relationships toxic people just say noToxic Relationships How to Deal With Toxic People Holistic entrepreneurs heart centered business higher productivity numbers upHolistic Entrepreneurs will work for foodWill Work for Food
Thought leaders dont fit in like a stranger in a strange landStranger in a Strange Land Syndrome Spiritual growth businesses spirit led entrepreneursSpiritual Growth and Business What is your marketing budget average 10 to 40 percentBusiness Last Ditch Effort
Love Mick Jagger You Can Get What You Want photographed by Gered Mankowitz 1966You Can Get What You Want Your friends are against reconciliation like an angry mobNot Just the Two of Us When your ex- comes knockin' do you send him a-walkin'?Second Chances
broken heart when someone breaks your heartBroken Heart Ultimate pet rescue matching at risk dogs and cats with pet parents in needUltimate Pet Rescue Childhood friends can form meaningful deep friendship for lifeConnecting with Friends
I found my soul mateI Found My Soul Mate! Dont quitQuit Now Don’t Quit What you see is what you get see the best feel goodWhat You See is What You Get
Free full length youtube video 2 hours you are the star best movie everFree Full Length YouTube Video Vive la resistance resist the resistance and continue to evolveVive la Resistance Loving Mothers every day mothers are the gateway to lifeMothers Are the Gateway to Life
spiritual abuseAre You a Victim of Spiritual Abuse? Sui Generis collective evolution of body mind and spirit individuallyYou Are Sui Generis Fear of failureFear of Failure
Thank you for letting us do this life together you are not aloneYou Are Never Alone Carmen is safe and secure Who is CarmenCarmen is Safe and Secure Stress free top 10 stress free life hacksLiving Your New Stress-free Life
Stress freeStress-free

May 2016 wrap up images

Story of My Life How to Write a Book

Rarely does a day go by that someone doesn’t ask me about writing their book. There is no doubt – and I firmly believe – that every person whose heart yet beats has a book inside them dying to get out. The key is allowing the book to be born before you die.

I’m not just randomly saying you need to get your book out before you die because it sounds like a catchy phrase. I’m saying that because I am holding in my hands – right now – the unpublished manuscript from a client and friend who has passed away and it disturbs me greatly.

Story of my life how to write a book

One’s life is comprised of not just a single story, but many stories potentially beneficial to the community at large… or at the very least, preserving your thoughts in your voice, in effect leaving something meaningful behind. And for god’s sake, don’t wait until it’s too late.

People approach me because part of what I do is to help people tell their stories, transitioning to published author. As the author of the out-of-print book, 7-day Author: You Can Write and Publish Your Book in 7 Days, somehow people still get their hands on the book and contact me. 7 Day Author is no longer relevant due to huge changes in book publishing since the book was released. I still assist clients and friends in telling their stories, writing their books and publishing them within a week, although it is done entirely differently now.

Why don’t I revise the book? The fact is, the industry changes rapidly (as many do) and to commit to a book that may lose relevance or go out of print when the shift happens is no longer a compelling motivation for me. So, now I focus on writing books that are more evergreen, having a longer shelf-life and relevancy.

Story of My Life

Back to your story, the story of your life, stories or life’s lessons yearning to be told. When is now a good time to take action?

You never know what life will bring. Every day I thank God for another chance to continue living this life, doing my part –in some (even small) way – to help make the world a better place and to fulfill my life’s purpose of helping others achieve their highest and best.

Hopefully, as you read these words, you are also listening to that voice within beseeching you to, “Please write our story.” The only difference between authors and those who are not authors is that the authors took the action(s) necessary to write and publish their words.

Yes, I do help people write their books for a fee, but it is not my intent to sell you anything, as there are many ways to write and publish your book at little or no cost to you. It’s not about me, it’s about you; your story that must be told. It’s up to you to take the action…

Start writing. Use pen or pencil and paper, type on a typewriter, use a computer or your cell phone. You could even get a digital (or tape) recorder and simply speak your words and either transcribe them yourself, have someone else do it or use your computer as a transcription device using something, like Dragon Speak. However you do it, do something… every day. You will be surprised how a few hundred words a day will accrue into what could become your book, which may include an important message that needs to be told. In fact, it may be the reason you have lived the life that you have lived.

How to Write a Book

The “how” in how to write a book is of less concern to you in this moment than the actual writing of your book. The most important first step requires taking the daily action of recording your thoughts. This is more important than not doing it.

Formulating your ideas into chapters and having a beginning, a middle and an end may be something you can handle, though it is always good to enlist the aid of someone to assist in the formatting, proofreading and editing, if that is possible. If not, don’t let it stop you. Speaking of stopping:

Don’t Let Anything Stop You

Don’t second-guess yourself, do not allow self-doubt to creep up, don’t let any sense of unworthiness threaten your progress. You don’t need to be famous, have a fancy degree or even adequate writing skills to tell your story. You only need to tell it and let nothing stand between you and the publishing of your book.

Publishing your book

It is quicker and easier to publish your book today – now – more than ever. Once you have your manuscript you can publish it freely in both eBook (Kindle) format and physical printed books (the kind you can hold in your hands and sit on your bookshelf) on demand via Amazon.

No Excuses

There is no reason you cannot get this done. Dear God, please don’t let your opportunity to tell your story – in your words – lapse.

We and the world are waiting…
Even now, we are listening for your voice, desiring to read your words…

Share Your Book

If you have taken the action to get your message out and write your book, please let us know in the comments section below, so that others can be encouraged by your decisiveness in taking the action to see your thoughts documented and come to life.

See also: How to Write a Book about My Life

Connection

There exists a connection that exists between people that transcends circumstance, time and space. Two (or more) people could be separated, yet still connected heart-to-heart by a thread that is not limited to the restrictions of geography, circumstance, time or space.

Such connections exist between mothers and their children, even children that have not been seen since birth still this bond remains. This tether is ever predominantly present between twins, but also (though at lesser intensity) between separated siblings (even if separated at birth or a very early age and raised in different families with no cognitive knowledge of each other) as well as the psychic cords connecting siblings, friends and even people who have never met.

Individuals who share this type of spiritual connection will often find that they have much in common when they do finally meet each other. They commonly like the same things like foods, fashion, hobbies or enjoyable activities and may share a higher level of communication, like thinking the same thoughts at the same time, knowing what is going to be said before the words are spoken, and could be considered a type of telepathic communication.

Spiritual connection between people known and unknown

It’s as if this bond existed prior to birth and persists throughout this life’s journey.

As we traverse our journey, we cross paths with individuals that we have been connected to. I find this of particular interest when someone is attracted to my life – to whom I have no biological connection with and have never known or met previously – who, when I meet them, there is a feeling of kinship, familiarity and knowingness of our being connected without rational explanation.

It’s like meeting up with a dear old friend after a period of separation, yet there was no previous relationship to base these feeling upon.

I have attracted individuals whom I have never met, whose lives have been so similar to my own (which anyone would think impossible to duplicate) that when we become acquainted, we immediately feel as though we’ve known each other before and shared our lives both concurrently and individually. Our recognition of our selves feels more like a reunion than a primal introduction.

Ever since I can remember, I have been seeking and waiting for my romantic soul mate, my one true love, but the evolutionary process of my life has made me keenly aware that we have many soul mates. They are not all romantic in nature and they include a number of people to whom we share this special connection.

I am so grateful to have met these individuals with whom I share a heart connection superceding logic throughout my life; starting with grade school and continuing throughout my life’s journey.

In fact, there is a possibility that as you read these words, you and I may be reconnecting, as you recognize our tethered hearts, even in this moment.

If so, I am so glad that we are getting acquainted (or more correctly “reacquainted”) even though it boggles the mind.

I’m already feeling like a celebration is in order.

How about you?

What do you think about this type of connection?

How would you explain it?

The 5 Senses of Laser Focused Concentration

By engaging all of your information receptors in the attenuation of your end result, you can avoid distraction and increase your attention to manifest anything you want giving you the ability to make all your dreams come true.

5 senses to success attraction attenuation prosperity

First of all, create a multi-dimensional experiential representation of what it is that you want to achieve.

Sight

My primary sense is visual. This is where I start to create my vision of what it is that I desire. You could find a photographic representation of what it is that you want. If it is a particular item, it is easy enough to find a photo of the item that you want… the more photos, the better. Put them in places where you find your attention throughout the day. Some places might include the refrigerator, your bathroom mirror, on top of the TV, hanging from the rear-view mirror in your car, even carrying a card-sized photo in your pocket that you can refer to throughout the day, and on the nightstand next to your bed.

If what you’re focusing on is more complex, like an idea, concept, career, mission, etc… you may need to develop a visual montage including may images, or a vision board. A vision board is a poster-board featuring a collection of many different images that represent what you want to attract.

Hearing

Next up is to create an audio representation of that which you desire to engage your ears.
If it is a thing, like a new Harley Davidson Motorcycle, make an MP3 (CD or mix tape) compilation of songs about riding on your motorcycle with a sound clip of the vroom-vroom (or guttural potato-potato-potato) sound of the motorcycle between tracks.

Get a portable recorder and interview owners of Harley Davidson motorcycles and ask them what they like best about their bikes and listen to these periodically throughout the day.

You get the idea; you can listen to audio recordings that help you to pinpoint the attention of your auditory senses via the input device of your ears.

Use your voice to engage your ears. Nothing is more attractive to your ears than your live voice. Ever notice that when you listen to a recording of your voice, it sounds tinny in comparison to how it sounds when it resonates within your head?

Make a list, create affirmations or a mantra that you speak aloud to command the attention of your auditory interface.

Touch

Engaging your sense of touch (contact via hands, feet or skin) could take many forms…

If you desire a Harley, then a ride or test-drive would be an excellent multi-dimensional experience, but now you need something that you can touch and feel to focus your attention on throughout the day, when you may not have access to a physical representation of that which you seek.

Create and use a talisman. A talisman is a physical charm or representation of what you desire. In fact, no other company provides more talismans for potential customers than Harley Davidson. You can easily obtain a key-fob with the Harley-logo (or any other object or form from bumper-stickers to underwear)… something that you can contact to your vision periodically.

You can use any item that you want to be your talisman, including a ring, pendant, business card, silicone bracelet or wristband, a small stone or string tied around your wrist… whatever it is, it is something that you can physically touch while you daydream about your goal.

Smell

Your nose knows what it is that you want, and by entertaining your sense of smell, it can create neural pathways in the brain that engage the attention of the universe to begin to vector in all the components that are necessary to bring your desires to fruition.

In some cases, you may be able to have a multi-faceted talisman. For instance, if your Harley talisman is made of leather – the smell of the leather may be your mind’s nose candy.

If your goal is financial, maybe the scent of cash dollars engages your sense of smell in this daily exercise. Many fragrances, potpourri, incense, essential oil scents or other items that are pleasant odiferous representations your desire(s) can be used to sniff your way to success.

Taste

You might find it difficult to think of way to have your goal create an association with your mouth and tongue but it is a lot easier than you might think.

In our Harley-example, you might associate the motorcycle with an energy drink (or some other non-alcoholic drink).

There are a variety of hard candies or chewing gums that come in a wide variety of flavors; some which you have never tasted. You can select one of these flavored-items (that you have not tasted before, so that the taste is not associated with anything else from your past) to represent you wildest dream(s). Focusing on what you want while you excite your flavor receptors will increase your laser focus.

Attraction Attenuation

By engaging all five senses, you attune your vibration to that which you seek. Just the fact that you have the desire means the universe has already matched this desire to you. Now, all that is left is for you match your vibration to what seems illusive. It has already taken place; you just need to do the work to align yourself to the end result.

Get the sense that your senses can get you from here to there, and they will.

Am I Too Shy to be Massively Successful?

Almost anyone can go through periods in their life of shyness, especially if life has caught them off-guard or if they’re in a position to question their worthiness.

Am I too shy to be massively successful

In the event that you see what may be perceived as shyness come and go, then you probably need to do some internal work on your self confidence. This will help you get back on track and in the flow of self-empowerment.

If it’s a condition that you stuggle with all of your life, day in, day out, you may be an introvert.

Contrary to belief, introverts are not shy but rather approach life and expression of self in a different way that extroverts.

To answer the question, “Am I too shy to be massively successful?” The answer is clearly, “No.”

In fact, you may be comparing yourself to the wrong folks. If you’re comparing yourself to the loud, boisterous, famous people who dominate the press and tabloids, then you would certainly feel inadequate if you think that this is what you need to act like if you desire success.

On the other hand, if you compare yourself to other introverts who have made huge contributions to our world, you realize that you are absolutely perfect just the way you are.

Abraham Lincoln was an introvert and struggling with self-consciousness did not prevent him from taking massive action for the world at large.

Consider these highly successful introverts:

Never too shy to be great albert einstein bill gates steven spielbergAlbert Einstein
Audrey Hepburn
Bill Gates
Charles Schwab
Christina Aguilera
Courteney Cox
Eleanor Roosevelt
Emma Watson
J.K. Rowling
Steve Wozniak
Steven Spielberg
Warren Buffet

Not bad to have your name among those on that list, right?

First off, you must realize that you are perfect just the way you are. You have certain attributes and special abilities that come naturally that otherwise would be difficult for others who are less sensitive to learn. For instance…

If you are an introverts you are more likely:

Cautious

More cautious and are prone to be less reckless than their extroverted counterparts.

Discrete

Able to avoid the spotlight (tabloids) and are less likely to receive negative press on the front page news.

Conversational

Gifted with the ability to carry on meaningful conversations (not just idle chit-chat).

Empathetic

Make other people feel as though you really care and are actively listening.

Deeply Connect

Avoid small talk, have meaningful conversations and active listening.

Practical

To under promise and over-deliver, unlike extroverts who tend to overstate and fail to live up to expectations.

Creative

Since they can be content with spending time alone and away from the crowd, this gives them time to be more contemplative and creative than their peers.

Diligent

Work productively in an organized space and manner.

Research-oriented

Excel at conducting extensive research

In the corporate world it is not unusual to discover that the introvert who has worked his or her way up the internal hierarchy is considered the “secret weapon” of the organization.

They are highly valued yet do not seek praise or public recognition as they are more comfortable in a respected support position in the background.

In brainstorming sessions and mastermind meetings they are turned to following violent discourses where they sit silently and calmly and are asked, “What do you think?”

Alternatively, there are some things that you’re less likely to be good at. You don’t necessarily have to learn to act as if you are an extrovert, but you might consider expanding your skill set to include some of the things that come naturally to extroverts.

Keep your eyes open for opportunities to engage in activities that you have never participated in before. Though this may be an uncomfortable challenge, think of it as learning to help others with similar inhibitions (because we’re more likely to be motivated to do something for someone les, than ourselves). Following the experience, you may be surprised to find it enjoyable or rewarding. Congratulations for getting ‘er done.

Consider getting more comfortable with:

  • Modeling others (try to “act like” someone you admire in a particular situation)
  • Dealing with problems (instead of avoiding them)
  • Tolerance (not judging others so much)
  • Public speaking & giving presentations
  • Networking in group settings
  • Becoming better in negotiations
  • Increasing your sales skills

Remember to take baby-steps toward your success. Don’t try to bite off more than you can chew. You could be easily overwhelmed and if too far outside your comfort zone, you might tend to bag the whole idea.

It’s better to be content with making a little progress every day (or regularly) than expecting to establish a high degree of competency overnight.

Reward yourself with solitude to recharge after engaging in a personal growth exercise and remember to love yourself because you are perfect just the way you are and totally well-equipped and poised for massive success!

Keep growing!

See you at the top.

Preserving the Servants Heart

I have a servant’s heart, as do many of my clients. There is a downside to being of selfless service to others, and that is neglecting the self-care necessary to maintain a healthy life for the person possessing a servant’s heart. The result is a decline in emotional health, that left to deteriorate, will affect the biological system and adding undue mental stress. This could result in lack of self-respect, angst, premature aging and a host of other health-related issues.

Preserving the servants heart self respect healthy boundaries

The servant must find ways to preserve themselves to be able to better serve their clients, community and/or world at large. Often, the servant feels as though, “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one,” (Spock, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan).

There needs to be a healthy balance, even so – rarely – one may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. Many have had to answer the call, including my 20-year-old son who answered this call on a particular 4th of July while serving in the Armed Services in Afghanistan, though most of us in the service of others will not face paying the ultimate price on their behalf.

That said, to better serve others best, we in service must pay enough attention to our own needs to maintain a healthy platform to work from enabling us to better serve our communities.

Servants need to stop feeling the needs of others are more important than their own. If you have neglected your own self-care, it’s time to take back your life to increase your effectiveness in servitude. Your needs are important and only you have the ability to tend to your needs. It can be uncomfortable, but taking steps to preserve one’s self is paramount to your success in effective service over time.

The key is balance

Learn to say, “No”

For the servant, it can seem counter-intuitive, but you were created with an internal sensor to help you monitor when and what serves your highest and best performance of your service. Some call it intuition; at the very least it is that undaunted feeling of overwhelm, a clear indication the situation at hand is not congruent with your personal terms of service.

In this moment it is certainly prudent for you to exercise your ability to simply say, “No.” (I can see that grimacing expression on your face. Stay with me…) you must start using this word. Uncomfortable as it may be at first, trust me, it will get easier. It’s a small two-letter word that will help you create enough space to establish a basic parameter. It is not your calling to be all things to all men and besides, saying no doesn’t imply that you don’t respect or like someone; it only means no. That’s all.

You may need a little wiggle room to muster up a firm, “No.” If so, you could offer up a stall tactic, like, “Let me check my schedule and get back to you.”

If you have a long history of always saying, “Yes,” when it was not in your best interest, you could dress it up a bit by saying, “Now is not a good time for me,” or, “that’s not really my area of expertise,” and refer them to someone more keenly attuned to that particular circumstance or project.

You can refer them to someone who is better suited or equipped to take on the task, or encourage the person approaching you to examine their own abilities and some insightful review might lead them to the conclusion that they may have the skills necessary to undertake it on their own. Why not use your intuition to give them the opportunity to grow?

In the event you have accepted a particular responsibility and felt uncomfortable or resentful for having accepted the challenge, this is a clear indication, that when approached with this type of offer in the future, declining the assignment is certainly in order.

For the persons who call on you to serve them, and have little respect for all that you do, ask yourself, “Would I let this person treat my son or daughter, like that?” If the answer is no, then it’s time to start setting some healthy boundaries.

Personal SWOT Analysis

Harvard Business School professors, George Albert Smith Jr and C Roland Christensen developed the first incarnation of the SWOT Analysis in the fifties and later, Stanford University’s Albert Humphrey adapted it for use in organizational strategy.

This tool is as effective today as it was then and is an excellent way to establish your baseline prior to entering a potential business venture.

Personal SWOT Analysis strength weakness opportunity threat

Using this analysis you determine what are your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

This same system can be adapted to evaluate your innate abilities and challenges.

To create a Personal SWOT Analysis, simply title each of 4 pages with Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat.


STRENGTH

Always start from a position of strength. So, list all the strengths that you possess, personally and professionally. Think about answering questions, like, what are the things that you do well? What unique personal resources can you call up? And, what do others see as your strengths?

No need to hurry, here; review and re-review adding any attributes, skills or gifts that you may have missed. Most people are amazed at what they have accumulated over the years in their personal escrow. Bask in the glow before continuing…

WEAKNESS

Understanding our weaknesses is so empowering. On this list, you note the things that are difficult for you, that you admire in others and which you possessed yourself or activities that you’d rather not participate in.

Think about asking yourself, in what areas could I improve? What comes easier to others than me? What do others see as my weaknesses?

This is an excellent opportunity to review skills that you need to be aware of either opportunity to gain the knowledge or skills for yourself or alternatively seek resources for outsourcing.

OPPORTUNITY

We are all surrounded by a myriad of opportunities for personal growth. You may be aware of some that are immediately within your grasp, others you may need to begin to look for.

List the opportunities that come to mind regarding personal growth or expansion at home, at work, or in relationships within your circle of influence. Maybe consider taking steps to grow your audience.

Keeping a keen eye for opportunities to share, care and grow will keep you on the leading edge of your life’s journey in style.

Ask questions, be curious; about life, what are other people doing that you look up to, competitors, or associates in your field. You may uncover other opportunities by being more aware.

Thoughtful, metered Googling and social media excursions can help keep you abreast of opportunities, but you must stay in control. Don’t let these tools become your weakness.

THREAT

What are the roadblocks that appear to be in your way? What stands between you and what you desire? What are the challenges that you face?

BY clearly defining the threats to your success, it is easier to map out a route to circumvent the threats that may turn out to be opportunities for personal growth.

In the event that you decide that becoming an expert in the thing that may be blocking you is not congruent with the person that you are… No problem. It’s an opportunity to outsource; find, hire or trade services with someone who would love to handle this for you.


Using this personal SWOT Analysis will help you grasp what assets you possess (many we take for granted), and what your shortcomings might be (many are exaggerated and easily overcome), and having it in black-and-white will help you chart your journey to unbridled success.

Toxic Relationships How to Deal With Toxic People

Invariably, there will come times in your life when you find people within your inner circle of friends and family who do not have your best interests at heart. They come in all shapes and sizes, can have a variety of social disorders or none at all, but this one thing they have in common:

They Do Not Support Your Continued Growth or Success

Often times, not only are they non-supportive, contact and their continued influence may actually be detrimental to your personal growth and success. These individuals are referred to as “Toxic people.”

To say the least having a toxic relationship can prevent you from achieving your highest and best. Toxic people have a tendency to drag down your emotional state, leaving you feeling drained. Toxic people may be destructive, showering you with admiration to earn your respect and trust only to betray you or stab you in the back.

When you are on a path of personal growth or increasing your performance, it may be necessary to minimize the negative affects of nay Sayers and toxic people in your life.

Toxic relationships toxic people just say no

How to Deal with Toxic People

In most cases, you can decrease the negative influence of toxic people by creating a buffer of space between you and the person with whom you have a toxic relationship. Most toxic people have varying degrees of toxicity and may not be so toxic as to be dangerous.

Simply backing away and being a little more “busy” to avoid spending too much time in close proximity with the toxic person may be enough to mitigate the damages of this particular toxic relationship.

This enables you to maintain a relationship with the toxic individual that is less toxic in nature. Simply by limiting your exposure, you can maintain a healthier version of a previously toxic relationship, which is the best way to approach how to deal with toxic people, especially family, friends, co-workers and/or clients who are somewhat toxic.

Dangerous Toxic Relationships

Dangerously toxic people, on the other hand, are a different breed and must be approached in a different manner.

Dangerous toxic people are destructive. They seek out ways to not only undermine your personal growth or success, but they will extend a great deal of effort to make you feel bad, put you down, impose their beliefs on you, demand your attention and resources (including emotional and financial).

Establishing firm and clear boundaries may be an effective way to deal with a toxic person. If you do this, do not renegotiate your established boundaries, because toxic people – especially dangerously toxic people – will have little regard for your setting boundaries. It is likely that they will persist in an attempt to breach your parameters at every opportunity.

If necessary, limit your exposure to the toxic people in your life to public places. This may decrease the negative affects of the toxic relationship.

In the event that these more considerable options are not effective in eliminating the social toxicity from your life, you may need to severe the toxic relationship altogether.

Stop contacting the toxic person, do not take their calls, block their number, un-friend them from social media, block them if you have to.

With enough lack of access to you, the toxic people will eventually move on to someone else.

The Most Important Thing

The most important thing, fo you, is to maintain healthy relationships and deal with people who support you and make you feel good consistently.

The better you feel, the closer you are to achieving your highest and best.

Wishing you the best and that all your relationships are with people who

Love, Support and Respect You
Increasing Your Happiness

Holistic Entrepreneurs

There is a growing trend among entrepreneurs, business people, leader and corporate management in approaching a holistic approach to their busy lifestyles.

Holistic entrepreneurs heart centered business higher productivity numbers up

Years in the making, the aggressive climb-the-corporate-ladder professionals are finding their achievement of the summit of their driving goals and fervent determination less satisfying than they had expected.

You can have everything… the home, the family, the cars, the boat(s), luxury vacations and lifestyle, yet it leaves one wanting more… Not more in the sense of material things, but more in terms of what might be more meaningful from within.

It’s as if the definition of success is in the process of being redefined. Accumulation of wealth is still the most common measurement of success, but within the ranks of the most successful people in the world there is a yearning to find greater meaning and satisfaction in what this life’s journey has to offer.

In an effort to offer socially relevant expressions of gratitude, philanthropy became more popular among the most affluent business people. Exercising the philanthropic good deed of giving back, or helping others less fortunate, by creating not-for-profit entities in an effort to help make the world a better place.

While this has been noteworthy and has helped the world in many ways, with each entrepreneur expressing their concerns, beliefs and promoting their personal points of view, backed by their own financing… still, inside there is a longing for something more.

THE SHIFT

The shift in modern business and corporate circles is less a devil-may-care guerilla approach to dominating one’s field of influence with every ounce of effort possible, and moving more toward a personal, spiritual and planetary balanced approach to success.

This is promoting a more holistic approach to business and corporate lifestyles, demonstrated by skilled professionals seeking more personal quality of life while they pursue their passions and dreams simultaneously. They are expanding their minds, bodies and souls as they continue to build their professional careers… And the results are astounding.

Having a sense of inner wellness and feeling as though one is a part of a greater whole and embracing the we’re-all-in-this-together approach to business, instead of the us-against-them approach of business warfare is paying off – not only in the lives of the business people approaching their careers in this manner – but it is having a positive impact of the entire capitalistic environment.

Business culture is in a stage of metamorphosis, from strict micromanagement to a culture of mutual benefit and increased workplace satisfaction, and as a surprise to the old-school management – who projected certain failure for “going soft” – the levels of productivity is on the increase.

This approach is counter-intuitive to our parent’s generation that demanded selfless submission to the business. And if your selfless commitment and dedication wavered, in any way, there was someone on the rung of the ladder just beneath you, willing and able to take your place.

As professionals are embracing a heart centered approach to business practices, feeling better within, able to freely express themselves, and encouraged to seek their own personal satisfaction (with support of the corporation) both the ability and desire to better serve the (business) community increases, resulting in higher production numbers due to heightened levels of integrity, intuition and imagination.

The top entrepreneurs and leaders are seeking greater meaning, and as they do so, this care and compassion for themselves and others is spreading like a virus, infecting the entire organization in this phase of business evolution taking place before our very eyes.

Instead of

What Can I Get?

The trend is

How Can I Serve?

From a place of inner peace and a desire to make the world a better place, we are able to witness – what could very well be – the greatest advancement in a capitalistic society.

Enter the Benevolent Entrepreneur

Will Work for Food

Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Panhandling has been around for as long as we have. Someone less fortunate (or appears to be less fortunate) is begging for leftovers from others with compassionate hearts who empathize with the beggar and offer him or her money to help them with their plight.

will work for food

Of course, it is reasonable because you think to yourself, “What if I were in his shoes?” As you imagine what it would be like if it you were homeless, hungry and penniless. Wouldn’t you appreciate someone reaching out to you to offer a helping hand, maybe a little spare change or a couple of dollars to get some food?

Just last week, I was at the grocery store, where a man was sat on the sidewalk next to his bike. He asked if I had $1.63 so that he could finish his purchase inside. I said, “Sure,” and dug out all the change from my pocket (which was closer to $3.00). He thanked me, and I continued into the store (where I expected for him to follow) as he peddled away on his bicycle.

Not long ago, I was strolling down the street while commiserating with a minister, when we were approached by a panhandler requesting spare change. As I reached into my pocket the minister told the man that he gives his money to the mission, and gave him verbal directions to the location of the mission and invited him to get what he needs there.

The minister told me that his church, along with all the many other churches in the city, go through an extensive amount of effort to make certain that no one goes hungry. They have outlets to supply them with good clothing, shoes, food, shelter and a place to sleep. They have programs to put the less fortunate to work, even those with minimal skills. He said, “If they’re panhandling, it’s not for something they need – because their basic needs are met. We see to that – it’s to support their addictions, which we do not provide for.”

I have an eccentric friend who is a multimillionaire. He is the most frugal man I’ve ever known. He spends little or no money on himself. If he desires something for himself (he could just write a check), he suits up in shabby apparel (he doesn’t dress well, in the first place) and drives to a mall in a neighboring city. He makes about $100 an hour asking people for, “spare change to make a phone call.”

Then there’s the time that I took my son to the mission, in an attempt to see what life might be like, if he didn’t apply himself in school, enabling him to be gainfully employed. My son and I waited in line with all the other folks, which included men, women, and children of all ages. When we got inside he was amazed (and so was I) seeing the spread of good, hot food, fresh pastries, like a first-rate buffet at a restaurant.

Dad tip: If you’re going to show your son how the impoverished life, check it out first, so as not to contradict your teaching opportunity.

That said, what about you?

If you were down and out – right now – what would you do?

Okay, in an emergency, you might ask someone for a hand out for something in the moment, but chances are you would make a way to take care of yourself and your family.

I met a man who washed the windows at my store. He lost his job when the factory shut down – which was a trend in his industry – he was on unemployment for a while, until that ran out. Rather than commit suicide so that his wife and children could go on welfare, he had some soap and a bucket, invested in a “nice” squeegee and went from business to business offering to wash the windows. He made his own way.

I think most of us would.

What do you think (or do) when you see someone holding a Work for Food sign?
What would YOU DO, if you were down and out?