How Michael Jackson Changed My Life

Hi

I was going through my email archives and came across this email.  It is very powerful and I wanted to share it with you this Christmas season.  I hope that it impacts you as much as it did me.
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How Michael Jackson Changed My Life


Hi Fran

Without a doubt, there are few people in history that affect others like Michael Jackson did and still does. While there are people who idolize him, there are others who are sickened by the sight of him or the mention of his name.

His passing probably only strengthens how each camp already sees him. That is the challenge when talking about Michael Jackson.

So I'm going to ask now that, if you don't like him, set that aside for a few moments, however difficult that may be. It will be worth it to you. Cool? Alright. Let's go.

Because, what you must accept, embrace and keep in mind for the rest of your life is that every single person you meet, see, hear or read about can teach you important lessons... lessons on what to do or say, what not to, how to improve and become more successful or happy in life.

And Michael Jackson, for all of his problems, like everyone else, he can teach us all lessons about success in
any area of life. Those lessons can change you for the better... forever.

Now, unlike the hero-worshipper types, I personally was just fascinated by how effortlessly he moved, how he danced as if floating above the ground, and how he could sing practically any style of music.

Until the mid 1980s, when I didn't yet understand what it took to be successful at anything, I'd see talent like that and, like many other people, assumed that it was all God-given and that all came so easy to those like Michael Jackson and other accomplished, successful people. I never looked beyond the performance and asked, "How did he gain those skills?"

But a few years after "Thriller" (the best selling album of all time) came out, I saw a news story about him. In
interviews with him and those who knew him well, I learned that he had been dancing and singing and entertaining since he was a very young child, for some 18 or so years before "Thriller" was released.

He told of the years of constant practice it took to be able to move and dance and sing the way he did.  Yars and years of daily practice.

Oh sure, he obviously had natural talent, like all of the most successful people in any field do. But talent alone is never enough. It cannot take you very far. All of have something that we could be great at. But sadly, few ever develop their talents to any degree. So talent alone won't take you anywhere unless you are ready, willing, and able to put the time and effort in to develop it.

So I started watching closely the most successful people in every field. It became an obsession. I read about
them, listened to them, and pondered their thought processes concerning the areas of life where they were most skilled.

Business, entertainment, sports, fitness, social skills, politics, academia... it didn't matter. Successful people share a few definite traits that make them successful.
They work at it.

And more, they love it...

Love what they do so much, they're willing to invest their time.

And like anyone whose ever studied success like I did, it became clear to me that I could change my life 180 degrees if I could just commit myself to excellence and went about learning and working toward some meaningful, worthwhile goals.

I thought, "If I could get myself to learn and study and practice the profession of sales, I could become successful at anything. I came to believe that if I could learn to motivate myself, to ignore temptation, to ignore people who wanted to keep me down, to keep my eyes on my objectives, then I could literally be anything I wanted to be.

That is what I convinced myself of.

And like Michael Jackson, I practiced with purpose for many hours each day, becoming among the best in the world in that one skillset.

And it all started with watching someone who seemed to float over the ground, as if he wasn't even touching it.

You see, with practice, we can all accomplish amazing things.

The key is to be able to gain a high level of control over your mind.

Do that and I don't care what your disability, or what excuses you've ever had for your failings or your emotional breakdowns... when you can gain control over your thoughts and emotions, you are in the driver's seat of your life.

The event that first grabbed me was seeing Michael Jackson float on air. After that, there were many other people who kept me convinced that with a powerful mind and trained skills comes success.

Now, no one will ever gain complete mastery over their minds. But the good news is, you don't have to.
You just need to control it enough to keep yourself, confident, motivated, facing in the right direction and to
never quit. That is all successful people do.

Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare?

The hare had the most God-given talent, but he didn't stay focused. The tortoise was slow, but he stayed focused on his goal and didn't quit. So he, not the hare won the race.

That is so simple to understand...

But how many people do meaningful work they love, master it and develop their talents like they expect others to do?

Not many.  If most people did, the world would be a much different place.

That is what inspired me to develop and perfect what have become the most advanced thought and behavior modification programs in existence.

Each program delivers you into the minds of the most skilled people and, through a technology called Suggestopedia, installs into you the same kind of moment-by-moment thought processes and belief systems that they have pertaining to the area of life that they are extraordinary at.

Since being good at, say, making money doesn't necessarily mean that you're a healthy person... and since being a good student doesn't mean that you'll be a likable person, each skill set needed to be separated into individual programs.

That is why we don't have a generic "positive thinking" program. Because you could be a "positive thinker" with your diet, eating the healthiest foods, but at the same time "hate" exercising, and so you never reach the level of health that you want, for example.

This is why Michael Jackson could become one of the world's best dancers, singers and entertainers, but at the same time was a failure in other important parts of his life, unable to manage any degree of normality.

Make sense?

***This may not still be valid***And right now, for literally just the next few days, you can save on some of the most powerful at-home behavior modification programs we have all at 40% off.  We have never had so many programs discounted so deeply at one time before.

So look at the titles below...

If you are a bit weak or feel hopeless in one or more of these areas of skill, click on their links, read about them and ask yourself this question: "Can this program help me improve my life? And if so, what would that mean to me?"

Then ask yourself again, "If that would happen, what would THAT mean to me?

I think you'll conclude that if you could control your mind related to these skill sets, and you were comfortable with the change (that is the #1 key to keeping the change), you would be able to become whatever you want to become, have what you want to have and do what you want to do.

All these programs are 40% off right now for the next few days right here:

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No other mental training is simpler or more effective at helping you to adopt the specific habitual mental thought processes of the people who are the best at what you want to do.

Now that is a BIG claim. And they do back it up.

Check them out now before the prices go up in a few days.

Successfully yours,


Mike Brescia



PS: Ever see the book I co-authored with Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy and Denis Waitley? Get it here:
- http://www.thinkrightnow.com/r/greatness.asp

PPS: If you are experiencing digestive health problems, like acid reflux, diverticulitis, colitis, Crohn's, IBS,
constipation, Hiatal Hernia, etc. and want the pain to end without needing medication, get the manuals that are changing the lives of tens of thousands right now. Get them here:
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(c) copyright 2009 Think Right Now Int'l
- http://www.thinkrightnow.com
- http://www.instantinnerpower.com
- http://www.bluerockholistics.com/product/pro-ss.asp

Orders: 1-315-468-4300
Fax: 315-468-5818

About the Author Mike Brescia is a success researcher, president of Think Right Now Int'l, Inc. and developer of the world renowned Think Right Now Accelerated Success Conditioning Programs.
Mike has made it his life's mission to help others develop success habits in all areas of life through conditioning their minds with the thoughts, beliefs and attitudes of the most successful people in the world.

*The contents of this email are not to be considered medical advice.*
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Have a Very Merry Christmas and a blessed and peace filled New Year

Fran

Blessings - Winter Solstice

Blessings




The darkest day of the year, Winter Solstice, arrives on December 21st for those in the northern hemisphere. Filled with magic, the light's renewal causes me to rejoice.

How about you?

Solstice feels like the energy of the full moon, but multiplied by many big numbers. This powerful energy is part of why people are a bit nuts this time of year. If you align with the energy and celebrate it, it can renew you and restore you.

What do you feel and what do you notice?

The light in the dark forms a most life affirming notion. Yes?

Get some candles and send some blessings to people on this day. Or you can choose the time of the great world traditions of this season instead.

The idea remains the same.

Bless

Bless everyone and everything.

Bless parts of yourself you like and bless parts of yourself you don't like as much.

Bless people you like and bless people you don't like.

Bless your leaders and your politicians, the ones you like and the ones you don't like.

Gifting

This season makes for a great time to donate to good causes.

Three Recommendations -

Open Doorways Reading Room. A fellow reader of this newsletter founded it. Read more page HERE.
=> http://goo.gl/gNcbw

Heifer Project - You can help feed deserving folks, help them to be prosperous so they can educate their children, and make them wonderful independent contributing citizens. Read my article - The Perfect Gift.
=> http://goo.gl/WtCWZ

Trust for Public Land - Conserves land for people - parks gardens, wild spots. Some of my favorite places have been saved by these guys. Maybe some of your favorite places too. They work with the grass roots to  make things happen.  For every $1 donated TPL conserves nearly $5 worth of land.
=> http://www.tpl.org/

Walk in beauty,

William

P.S. Consider giving a membership to Body & Soul Mentor to someone you love. Maybe even to yourself.

http://bodyandsoulmentor.com/
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Feel free to pass this newsletter on, just leave the contact information intact, fair enough?
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Body & Soul Mentor private member web site http://www.bodyandsoulmentor.com/
My Blog and archives -- http://www.VitalArts.net/art/
My RSS feed -- http://vitalarts.net/RSSFeed.html

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William Wittmann, M.Ed., LMP is a Life Coach and Alternative Healer.

You can subscribe to William’s Newsletter free by going to http://www.vitalarts.net/.
Vital Arts, Incorporated, 4227 E. Madison, 2-C, Seattle, WA 98112, USA

Christmas is Coming....Are You Ready?

Mary's Christmas


It was anything but an idyllic, silent night on that cool Bethlehem evening when a scared teenager gave birth to the King of kings. Mary endured the pain of her baby’s arrival without the aid of anything more than the carpentry-roughened hands of Joseph, her betrothed. Shepherds may have been serenaded in nearby fields by angels singing praises to the Baby, but all Mary and Joseph heard were the sounds of animals, birth agony, and the first cries of God in baby form. A high-magnitude star shone in the night sky above the outbuilding, but the manger scene was a dreary place for these two out-of-town visitors.

As Joseph laid the infant in Mary’s arms, a combination of wonder, pain, fear and joy must have coursed through her heart. She knew, because of an angel’s promise, that this tiny bundle was “the Son of the Highest.” (Luke 1:32) As she peered through the semidarkness into His eyes and then into Joseph’s, she must have wondered how she was going to mother this One whose kingdom would never end.

Mary had much to ponder in her heart on that special night. Now, over 2,000 years later, each of us needs to consider the importance of Jesus’ birth and His subsequent death, resurrection, and promise to return.

- Dave Branon, Our Daily Bread

Something to Think About



Based on Luke 1: 26-38 from The New Serendipity Bible for Study Groups



1. What do you think was the hardest for Mary to comprehend?

a. The fact that she was favoured by God
b. A pregnancy before marriage
c. Who her child was going to be
d. How all this fit into God’s plan

2. Why did God choose Mary to give birth to his Son?

a. She earned the honour by her holy life
b. She was at the right place at the right time
c. Her lineage was correct
d. He had her in mind from the beginning
e. Only God knows why He picked her

3. Mary’s initial reaction to the angel’s appearance was:

a. Fear
b. Confusion
c. Doubt
d. Faith
e. Concern
f. Curiousity

4. If an angel were to reveal God’s plan for my life today, I would:

a. Ask a lot of questions
b. Wonder if I had any say about it
c. Rejoice that God could use me
d. Worry about my ability to carry it off
e. Run away scared
f. I’d rather not know the future; I’d prefer to be surprised

5. After this encounter with the angel, how did Mary envision herself?

a. Ascending a throne
b. As a lowly servant
c. As a surrogate mother
d. As an ordinary person

6. Why did the angel tell Mary about Elizabeth’s condition?

a. To prove God’s power
b. To unfold the rest of God’s plan
c. To encourage her
d. To give her something else to think about

7. My biggest concern about bringing Christ to my world is:

a. I don’t know enough about Him
b. I’m not sure if Christ has entered my world
c. I never know what to say
d. I’m not sure I am ready for people’s reaction
e. My own life does not always reflect God’s holiness
f. It may require some major changes in my life

8. One way I can bring the Saviour into the world right now is to:

a. Talk about my relationship to Christ with others
b. Help those in need around me
c. Do everything in a spirit of joy and gratitude
d. Work with honesty and integrity in the marketplace
e. Persuade my family and community to observe God’s laws
f. Celebrate God’s love in worship with other believers

9. I have the easiest (E) time and the hardest (H) time believing that:

a. All the days ordained for me were written in God’s book ahead of time (Ps 139:16)
b. God has saved us and called us to holy life (2 Ti 1:8-9)
c. I am an important part of the body of Christ (1 Co 12:27)
d. In Christ I can bear fruit for His kingdom (Jn 15:5)
e. To be great, I must become a servant of Christ (mt 20:26-28)

10. If indeed “the Lord is with me,” then I am encouraged that:

a. God can use even me, despite my flaws
b. Serving Him will bring me joy and fulfillment
c. God will guide me each step of the way
d. He will carry me through my time of struggle
e. He has the power to carry out His plan

God Bless...Have a Blessed Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas

Fran Watson
http://www.franwatson.ca/

Random Acts of Kindness

Random acts of kindness are those little sweet or grand lovely things we for no reason.



The unexpected kindness of a stranger

Submitted By: Betty

Yesterday, as I approached the front door of our public library, a white-haired gentleman stepped back to hold the door for me. You see, I have to go everywhere these days with a walker, and folks are constantly holding or opening doors for me, so this was not unusual.

However, I told the gentleman that the door had an automatic opener, and he did not need to stay to hold it open. He said "Here I thought I would have an opportunity to be useful."

At that, I backed up, let the door close, and allowed him to reopen the door, this time using the automatic control. His comment then was "Well, now I feel like I have accomplished something helpful and worthwhile today."

We never know, do we, how someone else is feeling… we seniors seem to feel we can take care of ourselves at all times. That random act of Kindness brightened not only my day, but to my joy and delight, also the day of that kind, gentle, white-haired senior citizen. I felt a glow for the rest of the day, and, hopefully, so did he!

So, gentle readers, never hesitate to offer kindness... you may find to your amazement that there is more kindness in your community than you ever believe possible.


"If you have not often felt the joy of doing a kind act, you have neglected much, and most of all yourself."
Author:A. Neilen

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into a flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." - Author:Albert Schweitzer

Check out the Random Acts of Kindness website for some ideas on how you can make life better for those around you.  You'll feel better for it!

BANABU
Fran Watson
http://www.banabu.ca/
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/Stories/Features/Kindness-101.html#
 

Being Your Best

We moved our Japanese Maple out of the shade of the Aspens maybe a month ago, placing it closer to our front door in full sun. Before, a few leaves were red, most others green or kind of purple. Since being replanted it has exploded in an all over palette of red and crimson and scarlet and magenta. It is a constant delight. And we think it’s very happy! I hope this image delights you.

From:  http://paulandlayne.com/blog/

As I read this quote on Paul and Layne’s blog today I thought about how it relates to people. How often do we wither when we are in the wrong workplace, the wrong relationship, the wrong situation for us?

Think of the changes you have seen in people you know when they met the “right” person, got the “right” job for them or moved out of a bad situation. Just like the Maple, they burst into life and their happiness explodes around them affecting everyone and everything.

If you are in a bad situation, you owe it to yourself to move into the light. Expose yourself to the warmth and possibilities. Explore your potential. If it is your job, look around and find another one. Don’t be trapped by false thinking. Maybe you’ve been told, “You’ve got a good job with good pay, you should stay there.” If you are unhappy, then all the money isn’t going to make you happy. You owe it to yourself to explore the type of job you really want, one that will make you happy. You are worth it.

If you are in a bad relationship, it’s time to move on. If you are in an abusive relationship, it’s time to run as fast as you can away from the situation and get yourself into a safe place. Every relationship has its ups and downs, as well as some bumps and hiccups, that’s normal, but if you can’t find any of the joy, then why stay? But be honest, not deceitful. Don’t carry on with another person while you are still in the relationship. Make a clean break. You need to get to know yourself before you start over or you may find yourself in the same type of relationship you just left.

You are what you believe you are. Your thoughts make you. Think happy, positive thoughts. Let them course through your body and burst forth like the leaves on the maple. Be bright. Be happy. Be who you really are!

To being your best self


Fran

www.banabu.ca

Paths of Life

Had you trodden a different path,
Life sweeter might have been;
And riches might have come your way,
With every day serene.
Dream not of yesteryears, I say,
But make the utmost of today.

What's the weather like today where you live?  Is it bright and sunny, or is it overcast and dull like it is where I live.  A dark, foggy morning can often cause a bit of depression in the kitchen, where chores must be done, or in the office, where nobody feels like singing.  But, of course, such circumstances are a challenge, aren't they.  Here are a few lines by Viney Wilder which may help us make it through those dull days.

Do the job that lies before you'
Keep your courage one more day.
You can never guess how often
You affect some other life
By the fact that you're a doer,
Not a quitter, in the strife.


Just say a little word today
That brings a happy smile.
Just do a little kindness which
May warm some heart a while.
Just share the burden, if you may,
Of someone on the road today.

Life is better when you are helping others.  It warrms both your heart and theirs and makes everyone's day a little more pleasant, and the gift you give to others gets passed on.

Have a wonderful, wonderful day, no matter what the weather where you are.

Fran Watson

Inspiration - You Never Know Where It Will Strike You

You never know when you may be the lucky recipient of an inspirational moment, something that causes you to take pause and think and really appreciate what you have and the incredible resilience of fellow human beings.


Last night I went with my wife to a local hole-in-the-wall pizza parlor where we heard rumor live jazz was going to be played. As our neighborhood is sadly lacking in after-hours-entertainment of this type, we showed up early and got a good seat, close to the action but not so close that you had to shout to be heard. It was a small place, probably seating about 50 people max so the setting was very intimate so we were just a few feet away from the live performers.

Within twenty minutes, the first musician climbed the stage with saxophone in hand. He did a wonderful job playing two soulful songs with the background provided by a drummer, keyboard, and bass player. He finished his second song, accepted his light applause, and returned to his table where a well deserved adult beverage awaited him.

We learned that this was how the evening was going to progress with numerous musicians of all ages and proficiencies stepping up to play a few songs and then making way for the next performer. There was a small whiteboard on a stand and whoever wanted to play just signed up, with ages ranging from what looked like about 20 to what was definitely at least 65. What fun – we were in store for some talent-filled times over the next two hours.

Enjoying our pizza, I observed the other members of the audience as they filtered in to find a seat. A pair of twins took a table next to us, an older gentleman sat at the nearby bar air-drumming along with the music, and students from the local college joined the growing ranks. I noticed a man who came in on a pair of crutches, struggling a bit to navigate the narrow path between booths and tables, but with a big smile on his face. He sat down with the twins and listened to the trombone performer currently wailing on stage. The young brass player finished his first song, took a breath, and started his second and final rendition.

About this time, I noticed the man on crutches working his way up to his feet and then carefully to the booth in front of us. I was rocking out to the jazz and assumed he just wanted to get a little closer to the action. I saw him raise a small suitcase from the floor and carefully place it on the table top. He opened it and took out a mouthpiece that was to fit on the end of the saxophone stored within. Holding it carefully while balanced on the end of the seat, he adjusted the reed and wetted it and fiddled with it, preparing for his performance.

The trombone player finished, took a bow, and headed back to his seat. The man with the crutches carefully rose with his saxophone suspended around his neck. With one crutch on his left side, he started forward, his free hand moving from chair to chair to keep him stable. The stage was about 10 feet away but it took him a few minutes to manage the distance. He was offered a chair to sit on but turned it down, instead leaning against the booth closest to the stage. Once situated, he turned to his right to face the audience and share a brief smile. The song to play was agreed upon and with a one and a two and a three, they began. And he was good. Not just good, but GOOD! Crisp, clean notes rolled from his instrument, tight harmonies with the others on stage, smooth transitions, just pure sweet music. I may have imagined it, but I swear he had a smile on his face while he was playing. He finished his first song and was heartily applauded by the audience and his fellow musicians. A quick breath and he started in on his second song which was equally as beautiful. Inside of me, I felt a pride for what he had done and admiration for what it must have taken to get here.

How difficult must it have been to focus on playing such beautiful music when at any moment you might slip from your perch and end up on the floor?

How much effort and commitment and never-say-die attitude did it take to get that good despite his physical challenges?

How much faith in himself was needed just to participate and excel amidst a group of generally younger, universally talented, and physically fit fellow musicians?

You never know where you will find inspiration. You never know when someone’s strength may become your strength. And you never know just what you might find at your local pizza parlor on an average-every-day week night.

Inspiration is everywhere if you just tune in to hear it. Now that’s music to my ears…

David Bernard is a guest blogger for PickTheBrain. He is the founder of the blog Love Being Retired.

I was inspired....hopefully you were too.

Fran