So, who am I to tell you to never give up?

I don’t know you and we have never met. I don’t know your challenges and the struggle that you have faced up until this point. And I certainly don’t claim to know what may be in the store for you in the future.

So again, who am I to tell you to never give up?

I believe that we as humans have so much more in common than we could have ever thought possible. When was the last time you recall relating with another individual through the lens of commonality? Think about that for a moment.

You and I have more in common than I could talk about for hours.

We are both energy beings. We both have a physical body which has the ability to explore and experience this marvelous physical dimension. We were both born into families and places we did not pick. Neither of us picked our sex before birth. We did not choose much of what happened to us in the foundational years of our early life. We just experienced it.

We both became conscious of life one day, realizing that we are spirit in a physical body enjoying planet earth while it’s spinning around the sun, which in turn is spinning around something else, and so on…

You and I are simply concentrations of consciousness who are experiencing the physical dimension in a physical body. We are a part of something so much bigger than us, it is like a single cell in your body trying to imagine what it’s place is in the grand scheme of things.

I could go on and on-

The bottom line is that we have tremendous commonalities if we just sit down for a moment and think about them.

And so I understand your struggle in life because I face and confront mine every morning when I wake up. I share the same experience through my own aspects, just as you do through yours.

You may be facing a plethora of problems and challenges in your life at the current moment.

You may be lost spiritually, not knowing which religion or faith is the answer for you. You may be experiencing the symptoms of a chronic disease at this time which is taking a serious toll on your affairs. You may not be blessed with the relationships and intimacy from other humans that you are naturally wired to crave. You might be sick and tired of school and unsure of where it will take you in the future. You may be experiencing financial lack at this time. And so on and so forth…

Let me share a mindset with you which will make your life easier.

Repeat after me, aloud: “Every problem in the universe has a solution.”

One more time, aloud: “”Every problem in the universe has a solution.”

Yes. It does. There is two ways you can find it. You can either find it yourself (hint: Google it!), or find another person that knows the solution or where to find the solution.

I swear it is that simple. If you choose to view life with a mindset that says.. “problems are a normal state of affairs in life and I realize that every problem in the universe has a solution,” you will just have an easier time going about life. Try it for yourself. If it does not work out for you, find something that does.

So, you and I agree that we all experience problems and challenges while on the journey of life and that there are solutions for those problems out there as long as we are conscious and willing to solve our issues. That is a fact.

What ticks me off big time, and I mean big time (which is why I am taking the time to share this my thoughts with you in regards to this subject) is when people just give up on all different areas of their life.

They give up on their dreams, their challenges, their problems, and their struggles. They stagnate at the current level of intelligence and skill, choosing not to grow and expand their abilities as time progresses while expecting others to hand things to them. They begin to believe that the problems they are experiencing in the areas of spirituality, health, relationships, finances, etc. currently are always going to stop them from experiencing life to the fullest capacity…

For those people I say never give up on your struggle of life because you are a part of a larger whole whose agenda is to advance and move forward. That larger whole that we are all a part of is consciousness. Consciousness is our commonality and it is the canvas on which time, space, and matter are painted.

So I say to you that the larger whole of life is moving forward. That you must move forward because that is what you are wired to do. It is the only way that you can begin to align yourself with the spirit of our universe and experience the joy and abundance that is everywhere around us.

So go out there and give life all you got. You were born to do it.

Sometimes I wonder what life would have been like if I was on planet earth thousands of years ago when language was somewhat non-existent, extremely elementary at best. Although our lives would have been much simpler, I am certain people were greatly challenged with their ability to effectively communicate their feelings and the beauty they witnessed in the marvelous world around them.

Fast forwarding thousands of year later, language today is quite comprehensive. Maybe it is a little bit too complex at times. The more complex language a person uses, the smaller their audience.

Anyhow, one absolutely amazing aspect of language is the ability to take a complex concept and put it into simple words which can be easily understood by the masses. For example, a metaphor can shortcut our understanding of concepts which may have taken years to understand otherwise.

One application of words which I have always been extremely touched by is inspirational quotes. It would have taken me a long time to come to the same conclusions on my own had it not been for certain quotes which I came across during specific times of my life.

Below are four inspirational quotes which simply changed my life. I can proudly say that I wake up every morning and live by these words. I hope for you to find them moving as well.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

Humans are total creatures of habit. We live our entire life in little chunks called days which seem to last forever between birth and death. As we perform certain actions daily over and over again, we unconsciously create patterns which will thoroughly run our lives whether we are aware of their existence or not.

If you wish you create the life of your dreams, start by creating the day of your dreams. If you can do what matters most to you everyday, your life is almost guaranteed to be a success. Don’t worry too much about tomorrow. Definitely don’t worry at all about yesterday because it is already gone. However, what you do today is most significant since it will become your past and will be your future.

“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.” – George Bernard Shaw

One thing is for sure and that is; it matters not where one is coming from, but only where one is going. Since we do not have control of the circumstances we are born into or those present in our life for the first decade and half, it is crucial to realize that how we choose to interpret the circumstances in our early life will either make us or break us.

It is unfortunate to see people blaming everyone else for the circumstances in their lives. Their spouse, their boss, their parents, the government, and the list can go on and on. It is essential for an individual to realize that when they believe “a problem” to be out there in the external world, they are unconsciously giving up their power to find and reach a solution. Therefore, one must always believe in their ability to influence their life and circumstances though the power of choices, decisions, and beliefs.

“Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. You don’t fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.” – Jim Rohn

This quote by Jim Rohn is totally profound. It is profound because not only does it break down “failure” into a very simple yet comprehensive understanding; the same quote gives us the foundational understanding of success as well.

You see success is not a destination, it is a journey. That is why you hear people say “my overnight success took me 30 years.”

Being a success is not an event, but rather a journey of living true to one’s cause and values on a day to day basis. Once you have chosen and locked down your purpose in life, it is your day to day judgments which will serve as the vehicle to transport you to your destination. So, stick to your causes and what means the most to you daily and your lifetime success will take care of itself.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Again, life changing words in my opinion. Each human must realize that at the core of their life lies the same thread which is present in everyone’s life; service to others.

You see, we can spend our whole lifetime creating a legacy through our accomplishments. Fancy cars, huge estates, and marvelous material abundance are all fun and pleasure, and there is nothing wrong with them. These luxuries are our right if we so choose for the time and effort we have put forth in creating our lives and businesses.

However, if we wish to be a legend, what really counts is that which we give to others. Thus, as we pass on to an unknown realm of existence after life on earth, we continue to live through others by our donations of not just money and gifts but through the image of an extraordinary citizen who practiced a habit of giving to others less fortunate in mind and material life.

I hope you enjoyed the quotes and appreciated the profound lessons which they carry. It is words like these which have inspired the great spirit in others to do what was considered impossible, and achieve what was considered unachievable.

I wish for you to find plenty of inspirational quotes which carry profound meaning for you. When you do find such quotes or if you already have some, be sure to put them in places where you are likely to see them everyday such as your bathroom mirror, bedroom wall, car, or the inside of your wallet.

May your life be filled with meaning and accomplishment.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer

I recently watched the world renowned documentaries, “What the bleep do we know?” and “The Secret” for a second time after a few years. What a powerful reminder of universal wisdom! The creators of both DVDs certainly did a phenomenal job in communicating timeless knowledge in such a way that almost anyone is gently introduced to the greatest truths of our existence in a matter of a few hours.

If you haven’t watched any of these documentaries, stop reading this article and watch them NOW.

Pass It On
What the bleep do we know?
The Secret
The Compass

I am so very grateful to the makers of these documentaries for playing their part in the most powerful paradigm shift currently occurring on planet earth; the transition from Newton’s view of the universe working like a giant clock (where we are merely observers) to Einstein’s mind-blowing view of the universe thorough the quantum mechanics lens (where we are creators).

Since more and more humans are beginning to look at life and their connection with it in a different light, I am very proud to add fuel to the fire through my writings.

Here are five simple life changing truths which allow you to better your life simply by changing the way you look at it.

True and Lasting Change Only Occurs
When We Can’t Go On But We Don’t Give Up

Awareness is the mother of change. It is only when a person becomes aware of the differences between where they are in life and where they would like to be that they can begin to do something about it. Often, people aren’t willing to change their life much until something HUGE happens, like a severe auto accident, the death of a loved one, or finding out they have a terminal disease.

If you look at the core of what these events really do, they dramatically change the way people think in a very short period of time. Let me be the last one to tell you; you do not need something drastic happen to you externally to change your thinking. Search within you for any desires you may have to accomplish whatever you would like and give those desires more emotion and more attention.

I guarantee you that you can create a true and lasting change in your life as long as you don’t give up and decide that you won’t go on anymore creating the same life you have been creating up to this point.

Problem Acknowledgement Always Precedes Problem Resolution

It is not possible to fix something if you are not willing to admit it is broke.

It is not possible to address your smoking problem if you are not willing to admit that it is causing very serious harm to your health and shortening your stay on this most amazing journey called life. It is not possible for you to consider joining a gym or changing your eating habits if you do not believe you are overweight and that it may lead to serious health problems down the road. And it absolutely not possible for you to change your financial situation if you do not think that being $20,000 in debt will always keep you running in a hamster wheel, living paycheck to paycheck.

Something amazing happens when we acknowledge a problem’s existence: WE CAN BEGIN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Life is too short. If there is a pile of dirty clothes in the corner of the room and we just choose to look the other way, guess what, they will still be there the next time you look.

Accepting Response-Ability For Your Circumstances Is The Beginning Of Positive Change

Life is unfair. There, I said it. I will say it one more time. Life is not fair.

You can read the line above several times – you may even have to read it a hundred times before you begin to understand its significance. The truth is, no one really knows why we are here on planet earth and everyone claiming to know the answers is forgetting to tell us that it is their THEORY as to what they believe the purpose of our life to be.

With that being said, I believe that life is 90/10. 90% of what happens to us is in our control and we ATTRACT it into our life. However, I believe that 10% just HAPPENS to us and we have no control over it. Call it the lessons we need to learn in this lifetime and so forth.

Until you accept response-ability for your current circumstances, it is NOT possible for you to begin to do anything about them. You see, it does not matter what happens to you in life, it ONLY matters how you choose to react to it.

If you have a major or possibly many minor challenges in your life, look at them right in the eyes, accept them for what they are, and choose to accept response-ability for them so you can begin to create positive change in your life.

You Can Only Give To Others
That Which You Have Inside You

People can only give to others that which they have inside them. If you find yourself angry with your children, angry with your boss, angry with your co-workers, angry with your life, I am sorry to tell you but it is not them that may need to change, it is you!

If you wish for your relationship with others to have more love – be more loving. If you wish for others to be more understanding towards you – be more understanding towards others yourself.

If you wish to enjoy a better experience while dealing with others, learn to look inwards and see how you can improve yourself before trying to improve them.

Knowledge Is Not Power
Knowledge Properly Applied Is Power

Everyone knows that we must eat healthy and perform specific exercises to create the best body possible. We also know that if we keep doing the same things over and over again, we are going to keep getting the same things over and over again. Most of us also know a tremendous amount about other areas of our life, knowledge so powerful that it has the ability to take our circumstances to a whole another level.

Yet – guess what? Knowledge is absolutely powerless without application. It is until we choose to do something with what we know that we can begin to experience the results from its application. Just like a hammer means nothing until someone lifts it and smacks a nail with it, knowledge is not powerful until it is used and applied.

My intention in writing is to positively affect people’s lives by channeling timeless universal wisdom and knowledge. I hope that you gained valuable insights on how to further improve your life and take your abilities to a higher level by applying that which I shared with you.

One last thing before I go. If you are able to find people that believe in you, cherish them as much as you possibly can and take the time to thank them for having faith in you. Having someone look you in the eyes and tell you that they believe in you is one of the most encouraging experience for any human being.

Cheers to a happier, more fulfilled and vibrant life, now.

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Robert F Kennedy

If you find yourself up against the same problems and issues today which you were facing years ago, it may be the right time to start looking at things differently. Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.

Being successful is very simple. Just model others who are successful. Talk like they talk, do what they do, and most importantly think like they think. Focus on less, but only on that which is more important to you, whatever that may be.

There are certain areas which are equally important to the well being of every human when it comes to success and happiness. These areas are spiritual fulfillment, vibrant physical health, nurturing relationships, and financial wealth.

There are many reasons why people fail to attain the state known as success, or even happiness. Below are seven of the most common reasons in my opinion.

Not Knowing What They Want
The number one reason why people are unsuccessful or unhappy is because they do not know what they want out of life. You see, life is a like a blank canvas. It is up to each individual to pick the colors they wish to paint and draw any picture they please. If a person does not choose to pick their colors or picture to paint, they can be certain that someone else who does know what they want will pick it for them.

When going into any situation, whether it is as simple as a phone call, or as complex as an entire lifetime, knowing what you want is essential to getting what you want. It is the destination which we must have in mind clearly prior to starting any journey.

Not Doing What They Know
Knowledge and action are worlds apart. Just because you know that you need to eat healthy and exercise regularly in order to attain vibrant health does not mean that you will do it.

In my personal opinion, the only reason why people do what they know is because of an intense desire to gain what they are after. If there is a strong emotional need to become healthier, richer, happier, or whatever else, there is nothing in the world which can stop a human will to achieve these ideals.

Not Associating With The Right People
Simply said, you will eventually become who your friends are. Either they will become like you, or you like them. It is plain, yet profoundly true. It is also a fact that your earnings will be within 20% or so of the average earnings of your five closest friends. Don’t believe me? Do the rough math in your own head for your own situation and you are certainly in for a shocker.

The people who we surround ourselves with immensely affect how we think. We borrow not only their thoughts and ideologies, but also their manners and habits. Associate yourself with positive, successful people and you are certain to become one as well.

Not learning and Educating Further
Tom Hopkins, a Real Estate genius put it this way; “No one limits your growth but you. If you want to earn more, learn more.” Further educating yourself in the areas which you deem important and worthwhile is an absolute necessity to just earning more but also advancing your life further as a whole.

Want to learn more? Walk into a Borders or Barnes & Noble and you are certain to find more books on the areas of your interest that you can possibly read in the next year. There is also a tremendous amount of free information available of the Internet on any subject you can think of. Use this information to learn more and constantly grow yourself.

Doing What Everyone Else Is Doing
If you do what everyone else is doing, you are going to have what everyone else has. This may not be a bad thing, however if you are not wanting to settle for what everyone else has, than be ready to take action differently. Most adults go out and get a college degree, or not even that, they work different jobs for 30-40 years, and are dependent upon the government or others to take care of them in their later years.

If you do not want that for yourself, you have got to get away from the weekly paycheck trap. It is a total hamster wheel. You may be working very hard and constantly busy but you will not be going anywhere in all actuality.

Not Taking Enough Risks
Simply put, the bigger the risk the bigger the reward. If you are willing to put yourself out there and be vulnerable, you will have so much more to gain than those who choose to blanket their lives with “security.” I love what Bob Parsons, founder of GoDaddy.com has to say about security, “Security is for cadavers.”

The truth is that real growth occurs when you get and stay out of your normal comfort zone. You only gain the most when you push yourself to do things you are uncomfortable doing under normal circumstances.

Giving Up
Unfortunately most people have been accustomed to giving up as being okay. If you are running a marathon and your foot start hurting, society teaches us that it is okay to stop and pull out because you foot was hurting. The question to ask yourself is; how can you ever win a race if you don’t finish it?

In reality, the last 20% of your effort typically gives you 80% of your results. You must keep going until you have accomplished whatever you set out to do. If you can only learn to get out of your own way and just keep going, there is nothing that will be able to stop you.

These seven reasons are what I believe to be the biggest challenges which stop people in living the life of their dreams and experience the beauty of all that life has to offer. If we can learn to overcome these challenges, and constantly push ourselves to advance further, all of the rewards are ours to gain and enjoy.

May your journey to your best be filled with success and happiness.

Life is an amazing journey. Once it starts, we are in for countless experiences which will forever affect us one way or another. How we choose to think will always be the single most important factor in determining the quality of our lives. It is crucial to realize and acknowledge that our experiences are simply just that, our experiences.

Simply put, there are certain aspects of life which absolutely must be under our control in order to live life to the fullest.

Two of the most important aspects in life are how we choose to think about and experience time and money. These are the two critical resources which will greatly affect how a person lives their life. In order for us to be able to do what we want, when we want, we must be in charge and control of these very resources. Without question, time and money are two extremely precious resources to any human being.

The focus of this article will be to talk about time, which I believe to be the single most valuable resource in life.

Time is simply fascinating.

The biggest challenge in trying to comprehend time is to give up the concept of linear time. Opposite to what you may have always believed there is no such thing as past or future. There is ONLY one time and that is the present, the NOW. This second, or this moment is the only time that ever existed and that will ever exist. Life or time is simply a stream of NOWs, one after another, ongoing forever and ever into infinity.

Clocks and calendars are simply human made measurement and accountability tools when dealing with time.

What humans call the past is nothing more than a way to refer to the NOWs which have already passed. What we call the future is also nothing more than a way to refer to the NOWs which have yet to come.

When an individual chooses their actions in the NOW, the present, with deliberate intent and in accordance with a plan, they are literally creating the recipe for a fulfilled life

Ask most adults what is the one thing they would do differently in life if there were to go back and live all over again and you are guaranteed to hear many say they would choose to spend their time differently.

Another miss-perception when relating to time is not having enough. You may often hear people say, “I don’t have time to….” When you hear someone say that, always remind yourself that there is no such thing as not having enough time. Everyone has time, and they have a choice to spend it as they desire. When someone says they don’t have time, what they are really saying is that they choose to spend their time doing something else.

Always remember, the greatest people on earth, those who have left magnificent legacies behind, had exactly the same amount of time as everyone else – 24 hours in a day, yet they were able to get so much more done because they chose to spend it with deliberate intent and in accordance with a plan.

If you find yourself running from one task to another, and not “having time” for anything, STOP, and ask yourself this question: “Why am I doing what I am doing right now?” Take some time to establish what you really want out of life, that which is important to you, and only choose to do that which you truly desire.

Establishing priorities is also a key to getting more done in the same amount of time. By doing things and spending time performing activities which really matter, we are constantly adding more to the bottom line.

One of the best ways to make better use of time is to do one or a combination of the following three strategies; eliminate, automate, delegate.

You may often find yourself performing “pointless” activities such as reading the news, watching excessive television, or aimlessly surfing the Internet. You can literally create more time to accomplish different objectives by eliminating some of these activities.

Technology is so great! If you find yourself buried in paperwork, take some time to research how you may automate current tasks by using computer software. You will all of a sudden find yourself with more free time to perform other tasks.

Unless you gain tremendous satisfaction from mowing the lawn, washing your car, or running certain errands, you could choose to delegate these tasks for a very small amount of money and use the same time and energy to involve yourself in more meaningful activities.

Another reason why I believe time to be the most valuable resource, even more precious than money, is because time cannot be replaced. Money certainly can be. Once a day, or a month, or a year is spent doing whatever we choose, there is no going back and changing what took place.

A great way to look at time and making the most of it is to give your 100% attention to tasks at present. For example, when you are at work or involved with your professional obligations, avoid performing activities unrelated to work. When you are at home spending time with your children, steer clear from taking work related phone calls or checking your email every 2 hours.

One of the best ways to manage and deal with time is to schedule everything meticulously. Schedule time to check email twice a day, schedule time for spending a certain amount of time with each of your children every week, and schedule time where you and your spouse can be alone and intimate. Schedule, schedule, schedule. The more you do this, the better you will become at it.

For the most part, there are certain activities which we perform everyday. Having a success routine is essential to a content life. My personal success routine includes the following four activities daily; meditating, exercising, eating healthy, and educating by reading or listening to tapes/CD’s everyday.

Create your own success routine and you will typically find yourself in a content state of mind regardless of the day to day stresses of life.

We are all unique in every sense of the word. We are unique in our looks, our likes and dislikes, and definitely in our ways of thinking and behavior. It is this very difference in our personal characteristics which can make interaction with others both so much fun – and quite challenging at the same time.

As a person chooses to take more time towards better understanding themselves as to why they think the way they think, feel the way they feel, and do what they do, something quite amazing happens… One finds that just as this information is applicable to better understanding oneself; it can also be effectively used to better understand others.

For example, as you go out and learn more about Astrology and your own particular Astrological blueprint, you will naturally have an easier time understanding where another person is coming from through the Astrology lens.

I believe what makes a person who they are is a composite of many different aspects. As I have taken the time to better research and understand these aspects, I am fascinated by the idea of how helpful this information can be in understanding where our biggest challenges are in life. But more importantly, we can use this same information to decide what we need to do to overcome challenges and thus benefit from living happier lives.

Of the many aspects to what makes an individual who they are, a main part is their culture and more specifically, how they were programmed and conditioned while they were raised. Simply put, if you were raised by parents who were rich, you will be affected a certain way, very differently than if you were raised by parents who were considered poor by society’s standards. So, how our parents think and how we are raised will most certainly affect who we are and to some extent always shed light on certain thinking traits we regularly practice.

Another major aspect to a person is their education. Not just the education they received at school but the education conducted by any religious institutions, family and friends, and that which a person acquired on their own. What we take in through our five senses over a period of time forever become a part of us and will affect us one way or another whether we like it or not.

Some other lesser known aspects to better understanding ourselves are Numerology, Astrology, and MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) system. Both Numerology and Astrology are fascinating subjects which I have found to be very helpful in understanding parts of who I am. However the intention in this article is to discuss Personality Types as outlined by the MBTI system. I will simply layout the background information behind Personality Types and introduce you to a foundational understanding on how the MBTI system works.

The MBTI system was developed by Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers. It is a system which can be reliably used to identify a person’s behavior in four distinct areas of life. These four areas have a so called “umbrella effect” on our life. They influence all aspects of our personality in a broad way.

The basic philosophy behind Personality Types goes as far back as Carl Jung who talked about the differences in the psychology and behavior of people in great depth.

It was these two women however who took the existing knowledge on human behavior and personalities, and developed a system around it which can be used to accurately identify a person’s unique Personality Type. Thus, following a person’s response to a specific set of questions and scenarios, an individual can be categorized in such a manner that their natural tendencies are clearly identified by a particular Personality Type.

The four areas, which allow for a combination of 16 unique Personality Types, are as follows:

How do we obtain our energy?
Extraverts (E) or Introverts (I)

Extraverts obtain their energy in life by interacting with other people. They focus their energy on the outer world of people and things. Extraverts are constantly paying attention to the world around them and how they can become a part of it. These folks are naturally outgoing and ready to spark up a conversation about, well, anything. Extraverts prefer to spend more time with others than by themselves.

Introverts obtain their energy by being by themselves. They focus their energy in the inner world of ideas and thoughts. Introverts prefer to immerse themselves in their own world, in anything that is of interest to them. They are considered shy or “keeping to themselves” from an outsider’s view looking into their lives. Introverts prefer to spend more time by themselves than with others.

What kind of information do we naturally pay attention to?
Sensor (S) or Intuitive (N)

Sensors pay more attention to facts and details. They are down-to-earth and generally sensible. They trust their direct experiences and lessons learned over time in life more than their gut instinct. Sensing individuals prefer to use established skills and ways of thinking. They are systematic people in their thought and life.

Intuitive people typically try to understand the connections, underlying meanings, and implications more than facts. These individuals are typically more creative than Sensors and possibly practice their imagination to a higher degree as well. They trust their gut instinct more than Sensors and can seem to make decisions without the support of facts and details, simply following feelings and vibes.

How do we make our decisions?
Thinkers (T) or Feelers (F)

Thinkers make decisions objectively weighing pros and cons. They are logical and analytical in their approach to life and its many scenarios. Thinkers are more likely to shoot straight and may be charged with hurting feelings because of their blunt delivery. They are more in touch with logic than emotions.

Feelers make decisions based on how they feel about a given issue by looking at its affect on themselves and others. They are more sensitive and empathetic in their view of life. Feelers are prone to watch what they say and what they do such that they do not hurt other people’s feelings. They are far more in touch with their emotions than logic.

How do we organize our world?
Judgers (J) or Perceivers (P)

Judgers like to live their lives by making most decisions quickly and easily. They would rather have things settled and agreed upon. They very much like to be in control on a given situation and like to know what to expect when going into a scenario. They are very conscious of their time and are punctual, habitual people. Judgers are typically very organized in all aspects of their life.

Perceivers are more apt to take their time making decisions, often anxious and unsure about exactly what they would like to do. They have a tendency to keep their options open in case something unexpected comes up. They are comfortable with letting other people run the show and call the shots. It is more likely for Perceivers to run late and find time just slipping away. Perceivers typically find organization a challenge and often have a hard time finding things when in need of them.

In conclusion, it is crucial to realize that these four different Personality Type indicators are not black and white, but rather a scale with each side on opposite ends. A person can very well be totally leaning on one side, be somewhere in the middle, or be totally on the other side depending on their specific situation.

Given these four essential dimensions of our personality, there are 16 different possible combinations of Personality Types. Each of these types is unique in their strengths and weaknesses, and thus equally unique in their challenges and opportunities.

By identifying your own personality type, i.e., ESFJ (Extravert Sensor Feeler Judger), you can better understand why you behave a certain way and enjoy it, while someone else behaves in an exactly opposite way and finds it just an enjoyable. You can also use this information to better relate to other individuals creating for a more friendly and effective interaction.

An excellent book on the MBTI system and the practical application of better understanding your own Personality Type and that of others is “The Art of SpeedReading People,” by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger. If what you read in this article is of interest to you, be sure to follow up this article by acquiring more information about Personality Types and the MBTI system.

If you are like most people, you learned quite a few things in school that you will probably never use in your life. Things like how to dissect a frog, the amount of rainfall during summer in the Amazon jungle, and plenty of weird equations required to solve algebraic problems.

Unfortunately I do not foresee what we are taught in schools changing anytime soon.

However, I do know that there is a tremendous amount of very useful information available in all of the millions of books that have been written over the course of a very long time.

So if you happen to have children or influence over motivated young individuals, one of the best habits which you can instill in them is to read books regularly.

There are as many books on different subjects as there are people, so no matter what interests a person may have, they are certain to find books they will enjoy reading.

There are many areas of life which are fascinating, however most people know little about them because these subjects of life are not taught in school. The best example is that of financial literacy.

No wonder we are not taught how to think, act, and be like the rich in school since most schools are funded by private corporations who want them to pump out employees, not motivated and independent business people.

There are plenty of other subjects which help us better understand life. Some of these subjects are simply ridiculed by institutionalized academia because they have roots in esoteric teachings and their theories cannot be duplicated under controlled circumstances. Just because a subject does not fit the criteria of one group does not mean that an individual should turn their back towards it.

A great subject that many people know very little about, yet one that can help them understand themselves and others in a whole new light is Numerology.

Numerology is the science or study of numbers.

You see, numbers are very unique in a sense that they have been around much longer than languages. As a matter of fact, one can even say that numbers have been around for as long as life has been around.

Simply put, everything in life is energy. You can take anything and at its innermost core, it is only energy.

Numerology states that each number has a particular vibration, or energy. A very popular Internet encyclopedia, Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org), defines the basic vibrations of numbers zero through nine as follows:

Zero – Everything or absoluteness, All
One – Individual, Aggressor, Yang
Two – Balance, Union, Receptive, Yin
Three – Communication/interaction, Neutrality
Four – Creation
Five – Action, Restlessness
Six – Reaction/flux, Responsibility
Seven – Thought/consciousness
Eight – Power/sacrifice
Nine – Completion
Ten – Rebirth
In Numerology, all numbers after 0-9 are always reduced to a single digit.

For example, 4638 would be reduced to a single digit by adding all of the digits in the number, i.e., 4 + 6 + 3 + 8 = 21, which would further reduce to 2 + 1 = 3. So, simply put, the number 4638 essentially has the same vibration or energy as the number 3.

Like all of the other sciences, Numerology is a very broad subject. It is a lot more complex and methodical than the basic introduction which I have shared with you.

In this article, we will be looking at the relationship between Numerology and our date of birth. When we reduce our date of birth down to a single digit, we call this number our Life Path number in Numerology.

Our date of birth is one of the most significant days in our life because it was they day we started our journey of life on earth. It marks the time period, or the model which we are. Also, it is very important to realize that every single day is totally unique in a sense that tomorrow is never the same exact day. All over the world, life is changing. Events happen that forever change the course of life. Thus, the day we were born will never come again.

With that being said, our date of birth is the only day when everything was in a certain arrangement in the Universe. The position of the Earth relevant to the Moon, the Sun, and the rest of the cosmos was a certain way that is forever stamped into us. Since that particular energy will always affect us, why not learn more about it?

So, let’s do an example:

Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29th, 1954 or 01-29-1954.

01-29-1954 breaks down to a single digit as follows:
0 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 1 + 9 + 5 + 4 = 31, which further reduces to 3 + 1 = 4.

Oprah Winfrey is a 4 Life Path in Numerology.

Below is a summary of each of the 9 Life Paths according to a very well know and greatly respected Numerologist, Glynis McCants. She goes into great detail about the subject of Numerology and all of the numbers which affect us in our life in her best selling book “Glynis Has Your Number,” and her website www.numberslady.com

ONE’S are independent, self motivated and hard workers. They have a strong desire to be #1. They are critical of themselves and as a result, can be critical of others. When the 1 Life Path has won a personal victory, their face radiates with pure joy. Multitasking is something they tend to be very good at, and keeping busy is important to them. The 1s will not tolerate laziness from the people they spend their time with.

TWO’S want peace. They make good mediators. They are very loyal, and when they say that they love you, count on it! They welcome companionship and the chance to share their lives with someone special. The flip side is that if they feel threatened or pushed to the wall, they become the terrible 2s. But ultimately, they do not want conflict.

THREE’S communicate in all areas: written word and verbal. Writers, radio broadcasters, actors, singers, performers, counselors. They are the natural comedian. They can be manic depressive if they do not use their creative energy and tend to exaggerate the truth. Known for their trademark smile, eyes and voice.

FOUR’S seek security. Home is their haven. They are usually very cerebral and need to find ways to relax their minds. Like NIKE, “Just Do It.” Otherwise, great ideas live and die in their heads. The 4s like to be organized and to put things back in their “proper place”. If their home environment appears sloppy and unkempt , that is a sign that the 4 Life Path person is not doing well.

FIVE’S seek freedom, fun, and adventure. If they do not live the adventure, their lives become way too dramatic. They are the natural detectives and celebrators of life (holidays are usually their specialty). 5s have a hard time settling down and have a fear of being trapped or smothered in a relationship.

SIX’S are nurturers. If men, they rescue damsels in distress. If women, they mother the “little boy” in their men. They should manage or run the company. If every thing is going smoothly, they must be careful not to ruin it. They tend to put people on pedestals which then topple. Magnetic. People are drawn to them. Their moods affect the room.

SEVEN’S are another cerebral number. They have a loner quality. They need to learn to have faith. They have a love of natural beauty: ocean, green grass, plants, flowers, etc. If they do not have faith they tend to become very cynical and escape through drugs, alcohol, work, and geography. They have an air of mystery and do not want you to know who they are.

EIGHT’S do not feel safe unless they have found a way to establish financial security. It is difficult for the 8s to take advice. When they make a choice, they must feel it is their decision, NOT SOMEONE ELSES. As a result, they do tend to learn the hard way. 8s are very honest and by being so blunt, they unintentionally hurt feelings. Although they can sometimes appear insensitive, what is going on inside them is the exact opposite. They do feel deeply about everything that goes on in their lives.

NINE’S are the natural leader. People assume they are in charge even if they are not. If in a department store, people think they work there. They take care of everyone else but need to learn to speak up when they need help, love, and hugs. 9s often feel unloved or abandoned by their mother or father, or they feel completely responsible for them. It’s hard for them to let go of the past.

It is very important to realize that our Life Path number is simply one of the many numbers in our personal Numerology chart. If the Life Path number description does not sound like you, please note that there are five primary numbers in your chart, plus an Attitude Number that make up your personal numerological blueprint.

By learning more about all of the numbers is your personal Numerology chart, you will further understand many aspects of yourself which may have puzzled you in the past, or that you have never put much thought into.

The science of Numerology is thousands of years old. If what you read in this article interests you, be sure to follow up by reading “Glynis Has Your Number,” by Glynis McCants.

May your journey to better understand yourself and life be fruitful and humbling.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”
- Aristotle

Humans are certainly creatures of habit. We go about living our lives one day at a time, often performing same tasks over and over again daily, weekly, monthly, and so on.

A habit can be simply defined as any task we consciously or unconsciously perform on a regular basis. A habit can be as basic as always putting on a seat belt prior to starting our vehicles or more sophisticated such as taking an hour just for ourselves every Sunday evening to reflect back on the prior week and plan the one coming ahead.

It is in the very nature of a habit to become unconscious over a period of time due to its repetitive nature. What happens is that when we perform a task repeatedly, we condition our body and mind to consistently behave in a certain manner.

Habits becoming unconscious can be a good or a bad thing.

It can be a good thing when we have consciously chosen our habits in alignment with our goals and vision. When our habits are positive and allow us to be happier, healthier, and richer.

It can be a bad thing or better put, an opportunity for improvement, when we have become involved with a habit which is negatively affecting us spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically.

Awareness is an absolute blessing. The more aware a person becomes the more power they have over their life.

As a person becomes aware of their habits in contrast with their life’s desires, they arrive at a crucial point. Do I do something about it, or do I continue to act in the same manner? The truth of the matter is different actions produce different results.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
- Albert Einstein

As a person chooses different habits, it is very important to realize that gaining new habits almost always means losing old ones. This is because everything in life is energy. You can take anything and its most basic element will be atoms, which further break down to very interestingly behaving waves of energy.

In order for us to choose new habits we need new energy. We will need to find this new energy which our new habits require from somewhere. One of the simplest ways to find more energy is to let go of old habits and use that same energy towards new habits.

The two habits I am about to share with you have had a profound effect in my own life. They have allowed me to be happier and wiser. Amongst a few other habits, I will be performing these two for all the years ahead.

My two simple habits for a more fulfilled life are;

* Daily Meditation
* Continuous Education

Daily Meditation

Meditation is a broad subject and can be approached via many different angles.

Most people think of the Buddha or a monk sitting in silence with his eyes closed in a cave somewhere in an Eastern country when they think of meditation. In reality, meditation is much more practical and you will be surprised to hear that you are probably already meditating but do not realize that you are doing it.

Meditation can be defined as a calming and peaceful state of mind deliberately attained by performing a particular task.

With that in mind, listening to music can be considered meditation because it puts you in a certain state of mind. Going out for a walk with your dog can also be considered as meditation because it puts you in a particular relaxed state of mind where you can temporarily seem to forget about the past or future, while deeply enjoying the present.

Although these forms of meditations and others similar are beneficial, there is another form of meditation which can be approached in a much more systematic manner.

If you find yourself with a deep feeling inside that there is “something missing,” give the following a try over a period of one week:

Put on some comfortable clothing and find a quiet spot somewhere indoors or outdoors. While sitting down with your back straight (you can lean against whatever you would like), close your eyes and focus on your breath. Be sure that your arms and legs are uncrossed and to set a timer for 15 minutes.

Your mind will come up with hundreds of different thoughts during the meditation and that is totally normal. Each time you realize that your mind in wandering off and that you are supposed to be meditating, simply focus your attention back to your breathing.

This one habit can forever change your life as long as you are willing to be open minded and stepping outside your typical comfort zone.

The benefits of meditation will be subtle. You will simply be happier, calmer, and more aware of yourself, your habits, and your surrounding. As you continue to meditate over a longer period of time, weeks and months, a profound feeling of being content with yourself will become more and more noticeable.

There are plenty of amazing resources available to further acquaint yourself with meditation. A great beginner’s book on the subject is “Total Meditation” by Susannah Marriott.

Continuous Education

The truth of the matter is that we all entered this world without a single piece of knowledge. Everything that any individual knows is simply learned via a variety of different channels over the period of time.

These channels include our parents, our culture, our religious leaders, our siblings, our school teachers, our government, our family, and the list goes on and on. Most of us go through some kind of high school, some moving on to college. Once we have graduated and obtained a degree, we consider ourselves educated.

In reality, education has no end.

Rather, it is a process which is continuously performed over our entire life. No matter what your chosen line of profession, I can guarantee that there is more to learn. Allow me to approach the same subject with a different light.

“In nature you are either growing or dying.”
- T. Harv Eker

Unquestionably, we are certainly a part of nature.

If we choose to no longer educate ourselves by reading books or magazines, watching informative television programming and movies, or attending workshops and seminars, we are simply falling behind since life is always moving forward. Always has been and always will be.

In order to stay with the flow of life, we must always be educating ourselves further whether the knowledge is general or specific. The best way to find out how we should go about our education process is to follow the following two guidelines:

1. When you are involved in an educational activity such that you lose track of time, you are on the right path.

2. Follow your heart. What is your heart telling you? Does it say to go to Veterinarian School and become a Veterinarian? Does it say to read books on Day Trading and start doing small trades? Whatever it says, if you follow your hearts advice you will never be disappointed.

Conscious continuous education is a trait found amongst all successful people.

So, let’s put this together.

Daily meditation and continuous education allow for a constant spiritual renewal. Since spirit or energy is where it all begins, such a stable foundation allows for a host of other habits which can be successfully added to one’s life. These other habits include balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and total gratitude no matter wherever you are in your life, because there will always be people who have it worse.

By choosing to become aware of our habits and directing them in a manner that is in alignment with our deepest goals and desires, we only have fulfillment and happiness to gain as a result.

May God and the Universe always be with you on your forever continuous journey to a better, more meaningful life.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Lao Tzu

Indeed, it does.

It also begins with knowing where you want to go. After all, you can take as many steps as you want and walk your entire life without arriving anywhere because you don’t have a destination. Once we choose a destination, not only can we begin to head in the right direction, we are also able to map out our precise path accordingly.

When set properly, goals act as markers. They allow us to establish where we are on our journey at any given point. They also help us steer our direction in life so that we can constantly be heading towards the destination we choose for ourselves.

Goals are extremely important because they serve as a focal point for our ventures. They allow us to choose what we believe to be most important for us and go after it with all of our will and might.
The first step in achieving a goal is to know what your goal is.

As simple as this may sound, the truth of the matter is a target cannot be hit if it is not known. Now that we can all see on the importance of setting goals, let’s go one layer deeper; setting goals is simply not enough, the whole goal setting process must be done in a certain way.

My greatest mentor, Timothy Krupa, once shared with me, “Success is not doing certain things, it is doing things a certain way.”

Nothing could be closer to the truth with it comes to setting goals. Just setting goals will not make you achieve them and in turn cause you to become a success. It is the process through which you go about setting and achieving goals which will over time guarantee your success.

There are many aspects to setting and attaining goals. In my opinion, S.M.A.R.T. goal setting captures the essence of those aspects which are most important to successfully going about setting and attaining goals.

When goals are set in accordance with the S.M.A.R.T. model, the results can be phenomenal. S.M.A.R.T. goals consist of the following five aspects:

S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Act As If
R – Realistic
T – Timely

Please allow me to elaborate further on each of these crucial aspects of S.M.A.R.T. goal setting.

Specific
“When you get specific, things happen.” Art Sobczak

Vagueness will not get you anywhere when it comes to knowing where you want to go in life. The most important aspect in setting and achieving goals is being specific. Simply said, the more specific your goals are, the clearer your direction for the future.

When a goal is clear-cut and definitive, it allows a person to focus on tasks at hand in a much more efficient manner. It also helps one clearly define the course of action they will need to take. Over time, this definite-ness is certain to translate into results.

For example; a goal such as, “I want to earn more money,” would translate into “I am going to earn more money by becoming an expert in Internet Marketing” in accordance with being specific.

Measurable
“You cannot manage what you cannot measure.” Anonymous

When something is measurable, it is manageable. By knowing exactly what is to be accomplished, you can go about the entire process in an efficient and systematic manner. By specifically knowing what you are after, you can also be certain to know when it is finally accomplished.

Measurable goals allow one to track progress and determine where one stands at any given point. This accountability enables a person to alter their approach until any given goal is attained. Following our example from above, we would add the following to our goal of wanting to earn more money; “I am going to earn $10,000 a month by becoming an expert in Internet Marketing.”

Act As If
Acting as if simply means that you must think, feel, and act AS IF the goal you want to achieve is already attained. Now you may say, “But how? I know it is not!”

Acting as if will be challenging at first because the intellect will constantly try to point out that you have not yet achieved your goal, however over time it will become easier and easier.

When you act as if, your subconscious mind accepts your new thoughts, feelings, and actions as the normal state of mind for you. This will allow you to take actions which you would not otherwise perform.

Acting as if is all about faith and belief. It is about your belief in the unseen and faith in yourself that you will be able to accomplish your goal no matter what it takes.

After all, why should acting as if be so challenging if you are certain that you will achieve your goal anyways?

When it comes to our example of earning $10,000 a month by becoming an expert in Internet Marketing, acting as if would consist of getting in the feeling of asking and answering questions such as; how will I manage my finances when I am earning $10,000 a month? How much of it would I spend and what would I spend it on? How much of it would I save? How much of it would I invest back into my business? Would I buy a new car? If so, what color, year, make, and model?

It would also include considering and researching which seminars would I go to for Internet Marketing? How will I continually educate myself to stay atop the latest information in my chosen field? What would my day to day schedule be like?

How would I contribute to others? And the list can go on and on…
The more you contemplate on your future as if it is already here, the faster you will be able to attain it.

Realistic
Your goals must be realistic enough for you to believe that you will be able to achieve them. You are much more likely to commit to achieving a goal when it is believable for you in your mind. Realistic does not necessarily mean easy, instead the goal should certainly make you take action which puts you out of your comfort zone.

You see, if you keep doing what you have been doing, you will keep getting what you have been getting. When you set a goal that stretches what you consider the norm for you, you grow by doing what you would not normally do.

If you set a goal of losing 30 lbs in one week, you will only be disappointed when the week is over. It would be much more realistic if you were to give yourself three months to accomplish the same goal.
Following our example of earning $10,000 a month by becoming an expert in Internet Marketing, you would want to research if it is possible to earn such an amount and what would you need to learn to pull this off. You will also want to ask yourself; can I picture myself making this happen? If the answer is no, adjust your goal to what is believable for you.

If the answer is yes, then it is time to move on to the final step of S.M.A.R.T goal setting.

Timely
It is extremely crucial that you give your goal a time or date element. Without a time or date aspect, it is not possible to have a specific enough goal to get you to take action towards its fulfillment.

Humans are creatures of habit. Almost always, we will continue to do what we have always been doing. By setting a time frame or date on our goal, we are much more likely to take action. You are also able to break your goal down into smaller chunks by having an end date in mind.

Following our example of earning $10,000 a month by becoming an expert in Internet Marketing, you would want to add a time frame by rephrasing the goal as following:

“I am earning $10,000 a month by becoming an expert in Internet Marketing exactly one year from today.”

So, if your goal is to read more, its’ S.M.A.R.T. version would be; “I will read books and articles on health and financial prosperity one hour a day, four days a week.”

Final Thoughts
In conclusion, having goals is simply not enough. We must take a systematic approach to achieving our goals.

As we achieve smaller goals, it gets easier and easier to set and go after bigger goals. It is also essential that you write your goal down and post it somewhere such that you will see it at least twice, three times a day. An excellent idea, which I use myself, is to print your goals out and post it your shower after laminating the page. This will certainly make you look at them consistently everyday.

I would like to finish this article with an absolutely brilliant quote found in Stephen Covey’s best selling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People:

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; show a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

Money is an essential part of life. It has been around for a really long time in many different forms and is not going anywhere anytime soon. As time progresses, we are going to see more and more transactions performed digitally and paper money will eventually be phased out. No matter what its form, money will continue to affect our lives in countless ways.

So What Exactly Is Money?
In simple terms, money it is a tool used to measure the exchange of value between two entities. A simple example is an employee trading their time for money with an employer. Knowledge, experience, skills, and talents are just some of the factors which determine an individual’s capacity to earn money. The employer and employee simply agree to trade a specific amount of money for a specific amount of time and an exchange of value takes place resulting in the transfer of money.

That same money is then used to pay for all different sorts of needs and wants. It pays for the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the places where we reside. It pays for the cars we drive, the material possessions we enjoy, and the luxuries in which we choose to indulge. In order to live the kind of lifestyle we want, we must have the money to pay for it. Although credit can allow a person to pay for a lifestyle they cannot otherwise afford, there is nothing worse you can do for your financial prosperity than using credit to acquire liabilities.

So, let’s get this straight. Money comes as a result of trading our knowledge and time. It is something you obtain only after you have provided value to a particular cause.

So if you want more money, provide more value. It is really that simple. The real question to constantly ask yourself when you want more money in your life is; how can I help more people and how can I provide more value?

As shared earlier, an individual’s capacity to earn money is dependent upon many different factors such as their knowledge, experience, skills, and talents amongst other things.

The more knowledgeable people are in their respective fields, the more likely they are to earn more money. Experts in a particular field are typically top earners within that field because they have the expertise to conduct higher level transactions than everyone else. People and businesses are willing to pay experts a higher amount of money because they are able to provide a higher amount of value.

Experience is also a crucial part in the determination of an individual’s money worth. With time and practice comes knowledge which cannot be gained any other way. You may have heard before, “practice makes perfect,” but that is simply not true. Practice only makes permanent. It is the manner in which the practice is conducted that determines its worth. Experience allows an individual to learn and grow in a particular field over time. This translates into a higher quality of work performed resulting in a higher amount of money earned.

Skills and talents work similarly to experience. The more skilled and talented an individual is with their work, the more money they are able to charge for their services.

It is very important to note that we all are talented and gifted in unique ways. It is when we align our professional desires with our talents and gifts that we can begin to experience true fulfillment in our lives. If we become the best at what we do, money will naturally follow.

When it comes to money or life in general for that matter, it all goes back to how we think and what we believe. Our lives are simply a mirror of what we believe to be true at our innermost core. As we go along in life, our reality is validated by our thoughts and beliefs. The essence of our financial prosperity is rooted in how we feel and think about money.

If you want to be rich, let me share the single most important fact which separates the poor from the rich: learn to save money.

There are a billion ways to spend money. We are constantly being bombarded with advertisements and marketing campaigns designed for us to spend money. Ironically, since most of us were never educated in financial affairs, we continue to borrow our understanding of money from our parents, society, and culture. At times this may be a good thing, but given that most people are poor, it seems that what most people believe to be true about financial prosperity may not be true after all.

When it comes to how much money you have today, the math is very simple. How much money a person has will always equal to how much money they earned minus how much money they spent. I know I am not sharing the biggest financial revelation of your life with you, but I cannot stress the importance of this most basic principle.

If an individual is earning $40,000 dollars a year and saving $10,000 of it, they are hundred times more likely to reach financial freedom than an individual earning $80,000 a year and spending $100,000. People often ask each other, how much money do you make? In reality, the answer to that question is irrelevant to an individual financial worth.

Please read the lines in bold text below three times so that you are more likely to begin to understand their significance in your financial future. The essence of long term financial prosperity lies in the following three timeless principles:

1. Continually educate and grow yourself so you may earn more money.
2. Spend only a small fraction of what you earn by choosing to live a moderate lifestyle.
3. Always save and invest your money is such a manner that you earn more money.

If you were expecting one thing you can do which will make you rich forever, I am sorry to disappoint, but in my opinion your financial future is solely dependent upon the timeless essence of what is conveyed in the three simple points above.

Even though they sound extremely simple, making the three points happen consistently requires massive persistence and strict discipline. Fortunately there are a tremendous amount of resources which can help you in your quest for financial freedom.

A book, which changed my outlook on money forever, one I highly recommend is: “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind,” by T. Harv Eker. I hope that everyone who wishes to create a prosperous financial future reads this timeless classic.

As we depart, I want you to forever remember the following four words, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”