Okay, here's the deal. Send a stamped, self-addressed #10 envelope for one autographed bookmark. My way of finding out how many people are actually reading the blog.
Linda Lael Miller
29834 N. Cave Creek Road
Suite 118-272
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Until tomorrow....
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Do you believe in angels?
I do.
And even with all the angel books and general angel "stuff" available today--journals, candles, figurines, cards, etc.--I think angels are still underestimated.
Angels, I have discovered, work in teams.
They like projects.
They have wonderful ideas, and know how to get them up and running. What good are fabulous ideas, after all, if you don't DO anything with them?
They're a fun bunch to hang out with, too. There's something to that hackneyed saying about how they can fly because they take themselves lightly. Might it behoove us to do the same?
I like to think of angels in this context:
I imagine myself in a boardroom, similar to the one on "The Apprentice." (I do have better hair than the Donald but, then, almost everybody does!) The angels are not 'apprentices', but an able and energetic team, every one of them qualified to run any company, any time, anywhere. Yes, I can ask them to help with specific tasks, but I also need to be open to their suggestions and ideas. They want to help, but too often they are like Secret Service agents when the President doesn't want them getting underfoot. They spend a lot of time in their shirtsleeves, playing Pinnochle in the White House kitchen!
If you think this idea is crazy, you haven't read "Think and Grow Rich", by Napoleon Hill. It's the Master Mind concept, in which Hill recommended assembling a team of imaginary advisors and consulting with them on problems, objectives, and goals. It is most effective before sleep. Why? Because when we sleep, our conscious mind, that assiduous gatekeeper, is not in charge. Now, a gatekeeper is a good thing, because we don't want just any old sludge getting in to gum up the system, do we? The problem is that the conscious mind is a little TOO careful, a lot of the time. It filters things through old beliefs and perceptions and even superstitions that our best selves have long since outgrown. It's sort of like putting a first-grader in charge of a classroom entrance at Harvard. The conscious mind is habit-ridden, and it would rather stick with crayons than risk learning to use a supercomputer, for example. This is partly laziness, and partly just plain old, ordinary inertia.
I'm beginning a formal experiment in working with an Angel Advisory Board, and I will report regularly on this blog, honestly and with examples.
As a postscript, I've completed the 30 Day Tarot experiment I told you about, based on Mark McElroy's wonderful book, "What's in the Cards for You?" I've acquired a fabulous new tool for generating story ideas, insights, and the like. I have learned to see how the cards can tell a story, in a series of pictures, and I would not trade any of my discoveries for a brand new Jag.
Now, if the thought of using cards gives you the heebie-jeebies, well, that's a sure sign of an overzealous gatekeeper. Old tapes are playing. Examine them, using your journal, and ask yourself if you've outgrown them. Tarot cards are not the tools of the devil. (The devil gets way too much press, in my opinion. In fact, he's the archetype for Excuses.)
At some point, we are going to start going through the Tarot, card by card, perhaps on a weekly basis.
Tune in tomorrow for a PO Box where you can send feedback and request a free "McKettrick's Choice" bookmark, personally autographed by moi. One to a customer, while they last, and you have to send an SASE.
And even with all the angel books and general angel "stuff" available today--journals, candles, figurines, cards, etc.--I think angels are still underestimated.
Angels, I have discovered, work in teams.
They like projects.
They have wonderful ideas, and know how to get them up and running. What good are fabulous ideas, after all, if you don't DO anything with them?
They're a fun bunch to hang out with, too. There's something to that hackneyed saying about how they can fly because they take themselves lightly. Might it behoove us to do the same?
I like to think of angels in this context:
I imagine myself in a boardroom, similar to the one on "The Apprentice." (I do have better hair than the Donald but, then, almost everybody does!) The angels are not 'apprentices', but an able and energetic team, every one of them qualified to run any company, any time, anywhere. Yes, I can ask them to help with specific tasks, but I also need to be open to their suggestions and ideas. They want to help, but too often they are like Secret Service agents when the President doesn't want them getting underfoot. They spend a lot of time in their shirtsleeves, playing Pinnochle in the White House kitchen!
If you think this idea is crazy, you haven't read "Think and Grow Rich", by Napoleon Hill. It's the Master Mind concept, in which Hill recommended assembling a team of imaginary advisors and consulting with them on problems, objectives, and goals. It is most effective before sleep. Why? Because when we sleep, our conscious mind, that assiduous gatekeeper, is not in charge. Now, a gatekeeper is a good thing, because we don't want just any old sludge getting in to gum up the system, do we? The problem is that the conscious mind is a little TOO careful, a lot of the time. It filters things through old beliefs and perceptions and even superstitions that our best selves have long since outgrown. It's sort of like putting a first-grader in charge of a classroom entrance at Harvard. The conscious mind is habit-ridden, and it would rather stick with crayons than risk learning to use a supercomputer, for example. This is partly laziness, and partly just plain old, ordinary inertia.
I'm beginning a formal experiment in working with an Angel Advisory Board, and I will report regularly on this blog, honestly and with examples.
As a postscript, I've completed the 30 Day Tarot experiment I told you about, based on Mark McElroy's wonderful book, "What's in the Cards for You?" I've acquired a fabulous new tool for generating story ideas, insights, and the like. I have learned to see how the cards can tell a story, in a series of pictures, and I would not trade any of my discoveries for a brand new Jag.
Now, if the thought of using cards gives you the heebie-jeebies, well, that's a sure sign of an overzealous gatekeeper. Old tapes are playing. Examine them, using your journal, and ask yourself if you've outgrown them. Tarot cards are not the tools of the devil. (The devil gets way too much press, in my opinion. In fact, he's the archetype for Excuses.)
At some point, we are going to start going through the Tarot, card by card, perhaps on a weekly basis.
Tune in tomorrow for a PO Box where you can send feedback and request a free "McKettrick's Choice" bookmark, personally autographed by moi. One to a customer, while they last, and you have to send an SASE.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Old Dog, New Trick!
As previously mentioned, I'm a first-year student at the University of Phoenix, and I'm loving it, but let me tell you, it's a real challenge. But I just mastered a new skill, and I'm so pleased I have to shout it from the rooftops. I can do PowerPoint! I constructed a presentation on using Tarot cards and other insight tools for brainstorming, and I'll be giving it tonight in my Communications 110 class. I'll let you know how it goes in tomorrow's blog.
Other good news on the dog front: Sadie has lost 4 pounds on the homemade dog-food diet, and Bernice is down 1! It's working!
I'm living by my to-do list these days. The first Mojo book, now officially titled DEADLY GAMBLE, coming from HQN in November of 2006, is well underway, with 100 pages done.
So, much as this old dog would like to go on howling, there's work to do.
Other good news on the dog front: Sadie has lost 4 pounds on the homemade dog-food diet, and Bernice is down 1! It's working!
I'm living by my to-do list these days. The first Mojo book, now officially titled DEADLY GAMBLE, coming from HQN in November of 2006, is well underway, with 100 pages done.
So, much as this old dog would like to go on howling, there's work to do.
Monday, August 29, 2005
God Bless New Orleans
Let's keep the Big Easy and all her children in our thoughts and prayers today.
New Orleans is one of my favorite American cities. There is no place quite like it. The people are friendly, and to say the least, unique. The food is marvelous.
Please pray for New Orleans.
New Orleans is one of my favorite American cities. There is no place quite like it. The people are friendly, and to say the least, unique. The food is marvelous.
Please pray for New Orleans.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Living in the Solution
Pick a challenge, any challenge, something in your daily life that you'd really like to change. For a start, I'd suggest something small, but this is YOUR experiment, so do it your way.
Sit down, preferably with pen and paper, or if you're a techno-type, open a fresh document on your computer.
Get a clear idea of what you want to change, but don't write it down.
Now, take a few moments to envision yourself with the problem solved. How would that look, feel, taste, smell, sound? Who would you be? Really get inside that solution. Try it on, like a wonderful new outfit at your favorite store.
Write a paragraph from the mindset of the solution. You might use a stem like, "Here's how it happened--"
Now, without judging--no idea is too stupid--and very quickly, in a stream of consciousness style, write down 20 ways you might find that solution. Start with #20 and work down. That way, you'll get the crazy stuff (I've written things like, "Jump off a cliff") out of the way first.
Don't get discouraged if The Idea doesn't jump out at you on the first try. This technique takes practice. Keep centering yourself in the solution, and do a fresh page of 20 possibilities tomorrow morning.
If you do this, you will amaze yourself. If you just think, "What a nice idea, maybe I'll try it sometime", nothing will change.
Go for it!
Sit down, preferably with pen and paper, or if you're a techno-type, open a fresh document on your computer.
Get a clear idea of what you want to change, but don't write it down.
Now, take a few moments to envision yourself with the problem solved. How would that look, feel, taste, smell, sound? Who would you be? Really get inside that solution. Try it on, like a wonderful new outfit at your favorite store.
Write a paragraph from the mindset of the solution. You might use a stem like, "Here's how it happened--"
Now, without judging--no idea is too stupid--and very quickly, in a stream of consciousness style, write down 20 ways you might find that solution. Start with #20 and work down. That way, you'll get the crazy stuff (I've written things like, "Jump off a cliff") out of the way first.
Don't get discouraged if The Idea doesn't jump out at you on the first try. This technique takes practice. Keep centering yourself in the solution, and do a fresh page of 20 possibilities tomorrow morning.
If you do this, you will amaze yourself. If you just think, "What a nice idea, maybe I'll try it sometime", nothing will change.
Go for it!
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