Is it time to Manifest Your Dreams?

Is there a dream you’ve been putting off for years waiting for the “perfect time”? Well the only time to start is NOW! And this highly inspirational ebook can help you on that journey.
 
Dare to Dream ebook launched 24 June 2009. This book and its contents have been fifteen years in the making and its wisdom is taken from many workshops, online courses and of course the results that people achieving while “daring to dream”.! Click on the photo for more information on its inspirational contents.

(Dare to Dream – 9 Spiritual Lessons for Manifesting Your Dreams – will be launched w/c June 15th – Special offer on first 333 sales – see below for details)

Everyone has talent but most people are not considered very talented. So what do those who are considered talented do?

 1. THEY MAKE A DECISION TO DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS. They commit to themselves that they will go for it. This decision can be triggered by many things – sometimes it can be instilled by parents or teachers who help children realise the importance of developing their talents, sometimes it can be triggered by a wake up call of some sort – the death of a loved one, an accident, a health scare and sometimes it can simply be a desire to do more of what we love in our lives.  

2. THEY CONSISTENTLY NOURISH THEIR TALENT. As Thomas Eddison said “Genius is 1% inspiraiton and 99% perspiration”. This is what really matters. It is the consistent action in the direction of our dreams. It is practicing and practicing and refining and refining. Simply put it is time and practice. Without this, no matter how many talents we’ve be gifted with, they will never amount to much. The challenge these days are there are so many distractions, so we must schedule time to nourish our talent. Whatever it is daily, weekly, monthly we MUST give our talents quality development time. One lady friend of mine had wanted to write a book for about 30 years but hadn’t. However eventually she made a decision that every night at 8pm she would sit for an hour and write, write anything. After a year she wrote her first novel and I believe is now on her third or fourth.   

3. THEY SHARE THEIR TALENTS often while facing their fears of not being good enough or of being rejected. No point developing great talent and no one knowing about it. I believe our talents are gifts that we can use to help and serve other people. Whatever it is, sport, music, art, business, parenting, ask yourself “how can I use my talents to serve other peoples needs?” If you don’t have an answer to this question, wait for one to arise intuitively or simply be aware of what begins to show up in your life in terms of who to serve and start to serve them. Even if its a small step to begin with go for it, remember small acorns produce great oak trees!

This week I’d  like to mention three people who continuously develop their talents and are using them to help others:

1. Sheila Campbell CEO Downsyndrome Center http://www.downsyndromecentre.ie/ The aim of this charity is to create a center of expertise to help those with Down Syndrome and their families. Sheila is constantly using her talents to come up with ways to help raise funds for this and today (Thurs 11 June) they are having Irelands largest ever charity sale of quality dresses some of which were contributed by many very well known people (see www.buymydress.ie) There has been huge interest in this and no doubt it will be another major step in the realisation of the Center for Expertise.  

2. Jenny Brice – Singer and Songwriter – On her 40th birthday Jenny released her debut album, Dreaming of Peace. It’s a beautiful cd and well worth purchasing. Jenny lives in Washington State and after particpating in and helping to organise a Dare to Dream workshop over there in 2004 she wrote a song entitled Dareto Dream which is on the album. There’s also a video put to the music on her website, well worth checking out –  http://www.jennybricemusic.com/

3. Claire Conroy – Claire particpated in the 12 week Dare to Dream course just finished in Dublin and truly got into the “Spirit” of it all. One of Claires dreams was to offer her wisdom and talents in her own “Spiritual” based workshop. I’m glad to say that Claire is delivering her workshop this Saturday 13th June in Dublin. The title of the workshop is “Finding Joy” and among other wisdom which will be shared and explored on the day is the work of Eckhart Tolle. It will be a great day I’m sure. If you’d like to know more about this you can email Claire on claireasysteps@gmail.com 

The other great news is the “Dare to Dream – 9 Spiritual Lessons for Manifesting Your Dreams” ebook is finished and will be launched week commencing 15th June. The first 333 copies of this book will be sold for a special offer price of just $19.97 (about Euro 15), after they will be for sale for $33. If you’d like me to let you know when its launched simply send me an email info@seanmkelly.com  I will be sending it out to a lot of people so if you would like to know first send me an email.

So what are your talents? Make a decision today to nourish them and share them. And I’d love to hear how your talents positively touch peoples lives.

Carpe Diem!
Sean M Kelly
www.seanMkelly.com
www.twitter.com/beinspirednow

This is perhaps the most inspirational video I’ve ever seen and reminds us ALL how much there is to be grateful for in our lives and the power of the unbreakable human Spirit! There is no doubt that if we could all have even 10% of the determination that’s demonstrated in this video there would be no such thing as “recession” in our world.

In-Joy. Sean M Kelly www.seanmkelly.com www.twitter.com/beinspirednow

The universe is always offering us opportunities to get in touch with our better selves but sometimes even in the smallest situations we can become so self-righteous we miss these wonderful opportunities to help create a better day for ourselves and anyone else involved in such a situation.  I had such an experience today.

This morning I was in Luxembourg airport returning to Dublin after delivering a course on “Accelerated Learning”. The course went very well and it was a beautiful sunny day in Luxembourg.

I went into a newsagents at the airport and was browsing the magazines.  I picked up the “Time” magazine, as one its headlines “It’s a great time for web start-ups” caught my eye. As I browsed the magazine I realized there was little else in it that interested me, so I thought I’d simply “speed read” the web article and not bother buying the magazine. So that’s what I did.

I then took out a pen and was taking down some of the websites mentioned when the lady of the shop came over. She started telling me in French “you’re not allowed to read and take notes from magazines, you must buy them!” That is when my head immediately went up my ass and I in a retaliatory tone told her “you might understand if you read the magazine yourself! Of course what I really meant was “up yours b.tch!”  

After a bit of harassment she went back to the cash desk and I, with my head firmly up my ass followed her.  I let my ass speak as I told her in my best “pompous” tone – “I’m never buying in this shop again. I’ve often been here and bought before. I won’t be buying here again!”  (as if she really gave a sh.t).

So off I went finding it very difficult to walk as my head was firmly rammed up my ass! All sorts of thoughts started coming into my head  – “I’ll show her! I’ll start a website and tell everyone about this terrible shop! or I’ll get onto some national radio show and tell everyone in Ireland how badly I was treated!” Oh what I was going to do!!!

I sat down and had a cup of tea to try and ease my head out of my ass, even a little bit because it was really getting uncomfortable! At that point I found a piece from Opening Doors Within for 5 July 2003 by Eileen Caddy that I had with me – it read “Your thoughts towards abundance determine whether all your needs are met or not… When you think as a pauper, you are a pauper, for you deprive yourself of all the good things in life which are yours when you readjust your thinking and attitude towards them. Start right now thinking prosperity”

So what was I thinking in the shop? I admitted to myself I was thinking like a “pauper“. As soon as I admitted that my head began to come down a little from up my ass!

As I sat drinking my tea I reflected on the fact that there was going to be a “bad feeling” left here in Luxembourg between myself and this lady.   I heard the echoes of what Dr Wayne Dyer often recommends as a solution to such situations - “have I got the strength to be kind and let go of the need to be right?”

Even with this I still resisted by thinking “ah sure what the hell, I was right????” With that I felt a sharp pain up my rear end as my head catapulted further up my ass!

With all my talk of peace, etc could I apologise to this lady and let go of the need to be right? Peace! Ah sure this has nothing to do with peace! On the contrary this has everything to do with creating a world in which global peace and harmony is realized. It always starts with us facing the truth about ourselves and taking the appropriate action to clear the daily issues that arise before they gather egotistical momentum and result in broken relationships, destroyed businesses, addictions, illnesses and even warfare! Of course our ego would have us deny that these small daily confrontational issues have anything to do with such larger global issues, as this means we can continue to be our self-righteous selves and blame everyone else for what’s wrong in the world!

So I told myself “Sean instead of leaving here with this negative issue let’s do the opposite of what my ego was telling me to do and indeed what I really felt like doing”. So what was the opposite?

I went to another shop and bought a box of lindt chocolates. I then went to the shop where the incident happened. I picked up the time magazine I had been reading. I approached the pay desk and I could see the lady wondering what I was up to? (I thought to myself this is actually going to really surprise her and I hope it makes her day!)

She scanned the Time magazine in. As I gave her the money she looked at me directly in the eyes as if to say “so you realized the error of your ways … did you!”. I was secretly really looking forward to what I was going to do next.

I put my hand in my bag, took out the box of lindt chocolates, looked at the lady and said “Pour toi” (for you). Immediately a huge smile enveloped her face, she put her hand straight out to shake mine saying “Merci, Merci!” (thank you thank you). We looked at each other and I said “Merci et Pardon” (thank you and sorry). It really was a wonderful moment and felt fantastic! And what made it even better was the fact that my head was really flying down my ass!

As I left to board my flight, I passed the shop again and she gave me a big joyful wave. With that I felt huge relief as my head finally slide totally out from up my ass. In fact I felt fantastic – I was now leaving with a “joyful” feeling between two people rather than a “bad” feeling.

If you find yourself in a similar situation this week, have a go at having the strength to be kind and let go of the egotistical need to be right! It’s amazing how freeing it feels and it does wonders for your ass!

Carpe Diem!

Sean M Kelly

Sean M Kelly is an international inspirational speaker, trainer, musician and author. He lectures and trains on many areas of human potential development including how to use more your amazing mind, memory, creativity and innovation, speed reading, accelerated learning, stress management, yoga, relaxation and meditation, conflict management, communicate with confidence, the power of positive thinking and of course Dare to Dream!

He has delivered training and inspirational speeches for many organisations including Pfizer, JP Morgan, Microsoft, Irish Life, Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, the Irish Management Institute, Fedelity Investments, RTE and many others. If you’d like to discuss how Sean can help your organisation use a lot more of your unused minds potential and turn adversity adversity into your greatest learning opportunity, simply send an email to info@seanmkelly.com with a name and contact phone number and we will delighted to contact you.

www.seanMkelly.com

  PS: The new Dare to Dream website is getting closer to launch with a Free Mini-course and a new Dare to Dream ebook! It will help your dreams come true! If you’re interested in knowing when its been launched simply email info@seanmkelly.com

 PSS: New 8 week Yoga course starts Tues 28 Apr in Jesuit Conf Center, Milltown, 7-.8.15pm. Cost Euro 120 or Euro 20 for drop in class. See www.seanMkelly.com for more details. Its the last yoga class until September. So get positive in Mind, Body and Spirit for the summer! Also FREE Dare to Dream CD for all those who register in full by Tues 28 Apr. Email info@seanmkelly.com or txt 087 2494954 to say you’re coming!

 AWAKENINGS

Thurs 9th April 7.30pm Dublin, an inspirational musical retreat – click here

If there was no such thing as change there would be no such thing as butterfly’s. We can either resist change and create struggle or we can embrace it and create harmony. If we are very attached to the way things are we resist change and often get left behind and irrespective of our opinion about change it will continue to happen. It is also happening at an ever increasing rate. The “old ways” of “doing” things which were to a large extent based on fear, greed and scarcity  - “there isent enough for everyone” are been challenged and there is no doubt that we are now reaping the harvest of this sort of limited thinking. I remember hearing one time that there was enough money in the world in the 1950’s for everyone to be a millionaire! Something to think about for sure.

Others would say its not an economic problem at all but a Spiritual one, as we have never learnt to truly love one another and share with eachother. If we had the world we’ve created would be an entirely different place! However whats most important is that each of us do our bit to realise more love, sharing and harmony in our own lives and once there is a critical mass of people doing this (approx 11%) humanity will reach a whole new level of harmonious existence.

So as Mohatma Gandhi said “Be the change you wish to see in the world”

In-Joy, Sean M Kelly
www.seanMkelly.com

PS: Your Invitation to Awakenings – on Holy Thursday 9th April 2009 I’m facilitating a musical retreat evening with the intention of creating an inspirational and reflective space for all present. A space from which you will feel alot more inspired and positive in your own life. All are welcome. For more details click here

The following story is taken from “A Pipers Tales – Celtic Wisdom to nourish the Soul“. If you enjoy this story and would like more inspiration in your day and a place in the book to journal your own thoughts, you can buy the book for €14.99 and have it delivered in the next week on Amazon.com (Amazon have only 3 copies left in stock so if you want one soon its best to order now).

Once upon a time there was a beautiful golden sandy beach. On this beach there lived a beautiful race of people, a race of people who believed in the highest of qualities like love, peace, sharing, kindness, compassion, friendship, abundance for all, being of service, prosperity, well being and living with a deep sense of gratitude.

They also knew they were all part of one beautiful creation. Each day they would honour the Source of this creation (of which they were all a part) by joyfully gathering together to align their intentions with it – they would still their minds, listen to the whispers from their Soul and happily follow through on the guidance received. By honouring this guidance they had co-created heaven on earth.

However it had not always been such a heavenly existence. Many stories had been passed down from the elders about the old society. It was said that many years ago people used to build sandcastles on the beach and instead of sharing them, they wanted to keep them for themselves. Not only that they also believed that whoever had the biggest sandcastle was the best, most successful and most worthy person. In fact they were so attached to their sandcastles that they never spent any time reflecting on what their existence was truly about – they needed to spend all their time learning about how to acquire more sandcastles so that one day they could feel they were better than everyone else.

Needless to say once people owned something they had to protect it – so armies and weapons of mass destruction were invented. And those who had the most powerful weapons felt they were the most important and had the right to decide how the beach was ruled.

They also invented mortgages, taxes, laws and a consciousness of scarcity and fear which they kept alive through the beaches media which they controlled. By doing this they knew people would be “imprisoned” in a financial straight jacket and would have to live as the so called powerful wanted them too (at least until they paid off their mortgage, of course interest rates could always be increased if a lot of people started to do that!).

For generations the people on the beach lived in fear – fear of eachother, fear of lack, fear of disapproval, fear of losing their sandcastles and of course the biggest fear of all – there were too many people coming to live on the beach! In this sort of fearful and insecure society the true meaning of life wasent really important. Anyway it could be worried about at the end of life and/or by those who have lost the plot and gone with the fairies!

Then one particular bright, fresh day the ocean rose up like a mountain and washed all the sandcastles away. Very few people s
urvived. The few that did … woke up!

The above story is taken from “A Pipers Tales – Celtic Wisdom to nourish the Soul“. If you enjoy this story and would like more inspiration in your day and a place in the book to journal your own thoughts, you can buy the book for €14.99 and have it delivered in the next week on Amazon.com (Amazon have only 3 copies left in stock so if you want one soon its best to order now

Carpe Diem!

Sean M Kelly

www.seanMkelly.com

In 1986 just after I graduated with an honours degree in Mathematics and Physics, I thought I’d walk into a job, afterall I had a degree!!! Well one year later I was still looking for a job and collecting the dole. Every day I received many “cherrio” (i.e. “we regret …”) letters from companies. They were all looking for experience and were unwilling to give me a chance. It was very disheartening. Some days I simply felt like doing nothing but most days thankfully I’d sit at a typewriter (do you remember them?) and apply for jobs.  However I decided to always believe that one day I will go to the front door and pick up a letter which would offer me a job! Well after months and months and months that letter did arrive. I remember the moment so clearly. My Father picked up the letter and brought it up to me in my bedroom. I opened it and “YES” it was a job offer!

Not only was it a job offer it was an EXCELLENT JOB OFFER! It was with an American Company called Sterling Software who were going to train me in writing COBOL computer language and then place me in Europe or America as a consultant. It was a fantastic job and a great opportunity to catch up on the year I’d just spent looking for one!

Well thirty of us started the job at the time and our boss was a big American from Texas who drove a Ford Bronco and wore cowboy boots. He was a real positive guy which I really enjoyed. I really couldn’t believe how lucky I was to get such a job and to be on my way to the US in a few weeks. I even remember saying goodbye to my girlfriend at the time (now my wife).

Then one day after only been there for a few weeks my big American boss in his cowboy boots marched in at 9am and told us that “due to a disagreement over the payment of tax they would be pulling out of Ireland” and as a consequence we were all being let go!

You can imagine how I and the twenty nine others, some who had mortgages to pay and families to rear, felt. I was distraught! We responded in the good old traditional Irish fashion, we went to the pub!!!

However that night I met a friend of my Fathers who had been very encouraging to me when I was looking for a job. When I told him what happened he said “Sean its not what happens to you in life thats the most important thing but what you do in response to what happens!”

Of course these were very wise words but when we’re feeling low or in a state of shock its challenging to take them on board. However on reflection I did and with reluctance a few weeks later I took the boat to England with the aim of getting the experience necessary to get a job back in Ireland in a few years.

So what can you do if you lose your job:

1. DECIDE to RISE TO THE CHALLENGE: As stated above, its your response above all else to the situation that matters most. Are you going to play victim or are you going to rise to the challenge? The challenge may be tough and you may need to dig really deep within yourself but if you are alive you can rise up and overcome that challenge. Not only that, it can be the very platform from which your life really soars to a far more fulfilling, exciting and properous level. So what do you need to do – DECIDE that you will RISE TO THE CHALLENGE and REACH YOUR SUMMIT!

2. DO WHAT YOU CAN TODAY: Your whole future is before you and so is everyone elses. If theres one way to feel overwhelmed its to to think we can control it! Can we control it? Can we predict it? Can we organise it exactly the way we want it to be? Plain and simple … NO! Nobody controls the future and anyone who thinks they can, should read the obituaries about how many people die suddendly every day. So what can we do? We can live for today – do what we can, with what we have, where we are TODAY! Even if your finances are struggling ask yourself – “Will I surive today?” and chances are you will. In fact at some time in the future you may look back on the challenges you face today and say “that was really a blessing in disguise!” So all we need to do is focus our energies on doing what we can today.

3. INCREASE YOUR CASHFLOW - ask yourself what can I do today to improve the cashflow? Its very important to keep some cashflow coming in no matter what you have to do (as long as its a good thing of course). Not only is cashflow important in our everyday life but also from a positive energetic point of view, its like Issac Newton told us in his first law of motion  “things at rest tend to stay at rest and things in motion tend to stay in motion” So aim to bring in some cashflow no matter how small. What hobbies have you got that you could earn an income from? Is there any parttime work you can do? Is there any car boot sales (garage sales) coming up where you could sell something? Is there anyone you know looking for some help you could pay you? Absolutely research the greatest information revolution in human history that is happening right now on the internet. Get a little notebook and carry it around with you. At the front of it write down the question – “How can I increase my cashflow?” Whenever you think of something write it down. Look at your growing list and take action to make the more practical ideas. If one doesent work do another one. When one begins to work focus more on it and ask yourself how can I expand this idea and perhaps even turn it into a business? (Also remember to pay yourself first – see article I wrote on this a number of months back)

4. PAY YOURSELF FIRST AND GROW YOUR MONEY – click here to read previous article I wrote

5. PAY YOUR BILLS AND TALK TO CREDITORS - if your bills are mounting up and you dont know what to do here’s a few ideas.

• Prioritise them – do what you can to pay the most important ones e.g. your mortgage.
• Contact your creditors – if you’re finding it difficult to pay some bills contact your creditors and let them know. Can you pay even a small bit? Remember every bit you pay helps to clear the bill or debt. Creditors in the main are very understanding and appreciate you contacting them and they really dont like to be ignored. And also dont be afraid to stand up to them if necessary, for example if they start threatening you with nasty letters, etc, tell them you dont appreciate threatening letters, that there’s enough trouble in the world without these letters adding to it! If they start warning you about negative credit rating tell them sure you’ll be in good company with most of the worlds banks!
• Focus on your progress – no matter how small your progress is, keep your heart and mind centered on it. This will really help you feel better and if you feel good you will be able to manage things better. If you have a day of despair go out for a walk, take some time out and then “get back on your horse” and go again.

6. Have a Laugh! Well in the days of old when we didn’t have computers, the comedian Jerry Lewis was pretty amazing on a typewriter (see video below just over 2 mins).

Enjoy and Good Luck!

Sean

www.seanMkelly.com

PS: The Dare to Dream 12 week course to inspire you and give you practical ways of manifesting your dreams begins tonight Tuesday 3rd March 2009 in Milltown Park, Dublin, Ireland. Click here for more details.

 Sometimes with all the financial scandals we are currently hearing about we lose sight of our true Spirit. Whether this is Irish, American, English, Scottish or whatever, it is important to remind ourselves of our true Spirit which is far greater than any recession and far deeper than any surface financial storm. In fact perhaps this very financial storm is the catalyst for realigning us with our true Spirit and values. What might some of these values be? What do you think they are? What top three values would you like your nationality to have?

Here’s some important values which make me proud to be Irish:

1. Generosity of Spirit – “when I’m hungry give me someone to feed“ is what I believe Mother Theresa said. Perhaps because of our history, in particular the famine 1847, when 1 million Irish people died and 1 million had to emigrate (a quarter of the Irish population at the time) we’ve been very generous in giving to causes around the world and many Irish people have dedicated their whole lives to helping the much less well off. Lets show the world that our generousity far surpasses any greed that has been highlighted in recent times.

2. Friendliness – “Céad Míle Fáilte”, this of course means 100,000 welcomes. The Irish have been known as a very friendly race and indeed it has been an attraction for many tourists over the years. Let us open our hearts once more to welcome everyone into this island of ours and let them experience true Irish friendliness, fun and great value!

3. Family Values – “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home” - Confucius. The future of the human race is in our children, not our property or share portfolio. Most of all we MUST give our children our love and our time. In giving them our time, a resource which none of us will ever get back we demonstrate at a deep level how important they are to us and how much we love them. Up to quite recent times the Irish were known to be quite laid back and we had a lot more time for our families and other people.  Let us give more time to our families and as a society lets reward this rather than rewarding those who sell unscrupulous financial investments. We must learn to teach our children well because the very future of humanity depends on it.

4. Sporting Values – the Irish play sport all over the world whether its gaelic football, soccer, rugby, boxing, athletics, cycling and so on. And there’s one thing for sure, we are known for having a lot of fun around it. We bring music and “craic” to it all whether we win or lose. Lets keep celebrating this!

5. A deep sense of History - there’s literally millions of people around the world, in particular in the USA that claim Irish decent, far more than there are Irish people!!! Over the centuries the Irish influence has spread far and wide and there is much to be proud of. We were once even called the “Isle of Saints and Scholars”. Lets remind ourselves of the great people that once walked this land, our Mothers and Fathers, our writers and poets, our sports people, our true visionaries, our musicians, our economists and business people who built their careers with integrity and a sense of service, the mainstream clergy who’s intention was to educate us in mind and Spirit, our medics, our teachers, our true Politicians and the millions more who gave of their lives in the greater service of the Irish people and indeed all of humanity. It is because of their sacrifice and vision we enjoy all the blessings we have today. The question we MUST now ask ourselves is - what blessings will we leave for our children? 

 6. A Spiritual Connection – “Be Still and Know”. The Irish have always had a Spiritual tradition in fact we’ve had a few and have often fought about them! However no matter what religion or even non-religion we have aligned ourselves with, the Irish have always felt a strong connection to the divine. There are countless historical sites around Ireland echoing this spiritual wisdom from our ancestors. Let us not get caught up too much in the “doingness” of life that we do not have time to enjoy the journey of “being” and connecting with this divine invisible presence that is always with us. Indeed this very presence constantly offers us guidance on our lifes journey, should we take the time to listen.

 7. Peace prevails in Ireland - for approximately 800 years there has been trouble in Ireland, in the main with our closest neighbours the English. In 1998 a peace agreement was signed and at this stage even the IRA have disarmed. Yet how much celebration has there been about peace? How much do we hear about the positive developments since the peace deal was signed? How much have we got to offer to the many other places of conflict around the world to help peace be realised there? Peace in the main has been realised in Ireland, lets at least put as much energy into spreading this amazing news as we do to bombariding the world with bad news!

Given these seven values I for one am proud to say I’m Irish. Of course I’m sure there are many more reasons to be proud to be Irish and I invite you to share yours in the comments below. I also invite you if you’re from any other nationality to share reasons why you are proud of your nationality. As the Chinese say “Its better to light a candle than curse the darkness”

Here’s an appropriate song sung by the great Irish tenor John Mc Cormack to finish this article.

In-Joy,
Sean M Kelly
www.seanMkelly.com

PS: Your Invitation to a FREE OPEN EVENING Tues 24th Feb Milltown Park, Sandford Rd, Ranelagh, Dublin

Inspirational Dare to Dream Talk 8-9pm and Yoga Class 6.30-7.45pm

 Recently I met a lady who almost died from a brain haemorrhage. While she lay on the hospital bed all she could think about was why had she stopped following her passions and dreams. In particular she had stopped playing music something she had really loved. She made a commitment to herself that if she lived through her illness she would start playing again. Luckily she did and on returning to her elderly parents house she went into the attic and found her old banjo. She then took some lessons and now plays at a weekly music session!

Have you any talents and passions which need re- igniting? Have you stopped believing in your dreams? Well next Tues 24 Feb I’m offering a FREE Dare to Dream talk to inspire and encourage you to re- ignite your dreams and passions. The talk will be from 8-9pm in Milltown Park, Dublin and you’re invited to come along.

Also on the same evening from 6.30-7.45pm theres a FREE yoga class which would be a great way to take some time out to nourish your body, mind and Spirit.

RESERVE your place by emailing info@seanMkelly.com

The Manifesters Course
- begins Tuesday 24th February for 6 weeks

Want to know more? Email info@seanMkelly.com 

“I had the blues because I had no shoes
until upon a street I came across a man
who had no feet!”

Many people are facing very tough challenges in their lives today. Some are even resorting to end it all as the whole financial foundation on which they based their lives has been shattered. Though it’s not easy when you’re in the thick of it, it can be an opportunity to realign your life with whats truly important and to realise a lot more fulfillment.

One of the greatest motivators for human behaviour is our identity. If I identify myself with that which is outside myself and not ultimately under my control, then when that changes it can rock or even destroy the very foundation on which I base my life and I can feel completely lost in a very stormy ocean!

There are three common patterns of identity that we all use and are worth reflecting on:

1. I AM WHAT I DO – if I believe consciously or unconsciously that I am what I do, then the more I do the better I feel. So there is an underlying driving force to keep doing and doing and doing. If I stop doing even for a short while I feel empty and have very low self worth. Doing and taking action is important but if I believe that’s what my self worth is based on, what happens when I can “do” no more?

2. I AM WHAT I HAVE – this is where our whole identity revolves around what we possess – the more I own the better I am as a person and the more important I feel. Before the recession hit this was a very common identity – those who owned the most property, had the best cars, had the most successful businesses were put on a pedestal to be admired and even envied. Now this way of thinking has been hit with a tsunami and the foundation of some lives has been destroyed.

3. I AM WHAT OTHERS THINK OF ME – again this is quite a common identity and “keeping up with the jones’s” is based on this one as is the glorification of “being famous” and “being a socialite”. If I believe in this identity I want everyone to think well of me and will do whatever I can to ensure this happens - I tell half truths or even lies so that I will be liked and look good, I will dress as all the “good people” dress.

Leo Tolstoy, the famous Russian author, wrote a very thought provoking story about a man called Ivan Ilych , a self proclaimed “social climber” who lived in Tsarist Russia.  Ivan is suddenly struck by a terminal illness, which offers him time to reflect on his life and he asks himself  – “what if my whole life has been wrong?”. The only time Ivan could remember being true to himself is when he was a child! 

The current challenges we face are an opportunity for us all to reflect on this question and to realign our lives to that which brings the greatest love, joy, passion and peace for ourselves and others. It is an opportunity to ensure we are being true to ourselves for as William Shakespeare’s Hamlet so eloquently reminds us “To Thine Ownself be True. And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou can not then be false to any man”. So lets come back to reflecting on the three patterns of identity mentioned above.

Suppose my identity is based on any or all of the above three patterns – what I’m doing – my job, what I have – property, shares, cars, family or what others think of me – “he’s really achieved so much, he’s great!”.

Now suppose I lose my job or the property and share prices collapse or I become separated? What will people think of me then, especially if I’ve been manipulating the “system” for my own “profit”? On the surface the job is gone, my shares are worthless and people dont think I’m so successful afterall! However even more important to realise is that underneath the surface the very identity which I based my life has been shattered! And it is this collapse in identity which is the greatest challenge for most people. It is this collapse that can cause people to lose heart, to become depressed, to turn to drink or drugs and in the worse cases to give up on life altogether and commit suicide. And the more we try to hold on to this illusionary identity the more suffering we create in our lives. However if you or someone you know find themselves facing such challenges, take heart, there are things we can do to rise above the doom and gloom and learn these life expanding lessons that life is offering us all.

1. Take Responsibility – First and foremost wherever you find yourself take total responsibility for it. The good and the not so good. Realise that ultimately it was us who sowed the seeds and are now reaping the harvest. This is often the most difficult step but the moment we take responsibility, we also reclaim our power to do something about it!

2. Take Control of what you can control - no point trying to control what you can’t control like the state of the property market, share prices and so on but there are many things you can control – your state of mind and what you’re focussing on in your life, make a list of what you can do – start a new business, do what you’ve always wanted to do, save even a small amount of money each week in a secure savings account, go the extra mile for your customers, go out there and get more customers. Do something to help someone else. Create a vision for yourself which excites you and take action today to start realising it.

 3. Create a new identity - we are creative beings. Instead of having an identity which is attached to anything outside yourself, which is subject to change and ultimately beyond your control, base it on the infinite wisdom and greatness that is within you. This can never be taken away from you, recession or otherwise. You can begin to affirm to yourself “I am an infinitely creative and resourceful person“, “My greatest hour has yet to come”, “I am so happy doing what I love and loving what I do and getting richly rewarded for it”, “the greatest moment of my life is this one – the more I truly live it, the more fulfilled I am and the more the future blossoms.” Its also a good idea to remind yourself of what you really like/love about yourself – make a list and smile with every wonderful trait you posess. And let those you love know how wonderful it is that they are part of your life.

4. Use your talents/gifts to serve the world – the best way for you to serve the world is in doing what you love and/or loving what you do. You have a core genius. You have within you the most wonderful talents and gifts. How do you know what they are – its simple - you feel BRILLIANT when you’re pursuing them! So pursue them and keep nourishing them. Then start asking questions like – how can I use my talents and gifts to serve my family, my community, my country, the world? How can I begin to earn an income from what I love and how then can I get it to grow? As you take each step on such a path you leave behind a path which is illuminated with love, with kindness, with joy, with happiness, with passion and it acts as a lighthouse for those who find themselves in stormy seas. Does it take courage? Absolutely! And this is one of the traits you have in abundance – simply take the first step and keep going!

5. Stop listening to and reading about doom and gloom – yesterday I was at a talk and eventhough I pretty much have stopped listening to the media, who are in the main selling misery to the masses, the speaker reminded all the business people present that it wasent helping any of us in our business to listen to the merchants of doom and gloom, in fact it’s possibly making it worse! And of course they are getting paid for bombarding us with such soul destroying negativity! They are painting a picture far worse than it really is and even if it’s as bad as they say its still best to focus and celebrate and be grateful for all the great things in our lives and in this world of ours. Make a choice today in your life to stop “buying into” the misery and buy into what makes you feel good!

The most basic principle of positive thinking is – “whatever we think about expands”, so if we’re constantly thinking about “doom and gloom” we will get more of it. Having everyone be aware of “doom and gloom” has not made it go away. What will make it go away is a change in focus and taking positive action accordingly. And that change in focus begins with each of us as individuals. Even if you do have to listen to the merchants of doom and gloom at least keep it to a minimum!

Remember the greatest failures are often steps to the greatest successes. And the fact that you are alive and have a life means you’re already a success. And thats the place to begin again!

Here’s a wonderful quote on courage by Mary Anne Radmacher, to finish this article (please use it and share with those who simply need some inspiration during the current challenges we face):

“Courage does not always roar,

Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day

that says I’ll try again tomorrow”

Carpe Diem

Sean M Kelly

www.seanMkelly.com

PS: We now offer yoga, relaxation and meditation classes on Monday mornings and lunchtime in Dun Laoighre and on Tuesday evenings in Milltown, Dublin. For more details simply email info@seanMkelly.com

PSS: The Manifesters Course – Would you like to join a group of others online and/or in weekly meetings to learn how to use meditation to manifest fulfilling desires in your life? I’m going to be offering a 6 week course beginning on Tues 24th February which will show you how. The numbers on the course will be limited and you must be passionate about what you wish to manifest and/or about exploring what that is. The course will involve weekly lessons/practice offered through emails and podcasts and other related media as well as a physical meeting once a week (for those who live in Dublin). If you’re interested please email me on info@seanMkelly.com and let me know at least three passions you have in life which you’d like to expand. I very much look forward to hearing from you.

On Tuesday evening after facilitating a meditation/mindfulness class in Dublin I had a rather interesting experience which reinforced the very topic we were exploring – how to see God in everyone and how much we have to be grateful for.

About midnight I stopped at a shop to buy a cold/flu remedy. It was a bitterly cold night with the wind howling by the shop front. I looked over and saw a homeless man sitting on his little box outside the shop with his little cardboard begging cup in hand. The manager of the shop was very politely trying to get him to move on. I wondered where he was going to go? Where was he going to sleep on such a bitter cold night? Was this in some poor part of the world where I saw this? No! It was in a weathly superb of South Dublin, Ireland which up until recently had one of the fastest growing economies in the world!!!

I offer this poem as a reminder to us all on this thanksgiving day of how much we have to be grateful for – may it remind us that on these cold winters nights if we have a bed to sleep in we are far better off than many:

The Homeless Man

I was reminded last night how lucky I am
when on a bitterly cold evening late at night
I saw a homeless man.
Huddled up on his little box
his cardboard cup in hand
the shopowner didn’t want him there (nor did anyone else)
his unsightly presence reminding us 
of the part of society that has been let slide.

I wondered could I help so I gave him some money for tea
with distress and sorrow in his face he cried
“I’m in so much pain, so much pain”
and offered his thanks to me.

I didn’t know what to do
so I offered a silent prayer
and hoped some light would come his way
to help him in his despair.
Then from out of the shadows I saw, 
another homeless man, his back hunched
feet dragging in oversized shoes
his little cardboard cup in hand.

Will these men really have to sleep on a darkened street
on this bitter of winter nights?
while airwaves bombard us with the harvest of greed,
vast self-indulgence and we blame it on one man! (ref Ireland FAS issue)

The problems we face are Spiritual
for we havent answered love’s eternal call 
to care for our brothers and sisters 
and share what we’ve got with one and All.

So now carry in your pocket
some extra money to share
a greater Love in your heart
or even a silent prayer.
Whatever your way
give, Give, GIVE!
and show you care
so that in the future people may say:
“YES” we were the generation that …
Truly learnt to Share.

by Sean M Kelly 27 November 2008, ThanksGiving Day

Thanksgiving 2008