Karl's Blog.com

Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:10:00 +0000

There's absolutely no question about it.

This is my all-time, favourite subject when it comes to the world of self-development. Because if people really understood it, they would instantly skip the need for 90% of the self-help courses out there.

I'm talking about SELF-PITY.

Now, let me ask you a question.

How many of us go around feeling sorry for ourselves?

Oh, come on. Admit it. We all do at times. It's entirely natural.

It's fantastic fun to wallow in a little self-pity. Reminding ourselves how terrible the world is. How we've simply not been given the opportunities we need. How it's unfair that we've lost money, health, friends. How people are just plain against us.

We're the victim. And self-pity allows us to give ourselves a little consolatory pat on the back.

Ironically, it actually feels good because we're proving ourselves right in the first place.

"Yes, Karl. You always thought you were worthless. People said you weren't, but you knew it really. And look at what happened to you today! Pah! It proves it. You are worthless. Oh, what a horrid world!"

See what I mean? Think about it.

And it's strange, because most of us don't realize just how often we indulge in self-pity. Most of us play the victim over and over again, many dozens of times each day.

We do it when we're moaning about our jobs. When we're worried about our looks. When we're questioning fate. When we're envious. In fact, it's so engrained into our lives, we do it almost automatically.

But self-pity is the very worst emotion. More so than anger, greed or any of the other baddies.

Self-pity eats up everything else around it, leaving only itself standing. It's destructive, it's addictive, and it's habitual. It leaves you feeling powerless.

Yet self-pity also holds the key to eternal happiness - and true self-development, if only you understand it correctly.

You see, if you truly learned to let go of all of your self-pity, then you would be happy. Naturally. Because self-pity is the only barrier to happiness.

Or, to put it all a lot simpler:

Stop feeling sorry for yourself - and you will be happy!

Stop moaning about work. Or how crazy your kids are. Or why that person is always rude to you. Or how life, fate, God, is just plain unfair.

Yes - life is sometimes cruel. And yes - it may be 100% true that you've been dealt one really crap hand. It's annoying, it's frustrating, it makes you want to weep. There we go.

BUT.

Why bother feeling sorry for yourself?

All it does is zap all of your energy and leave you apathetic.

Self-pity may feel good at first - but when it hardens, it'll leave you empty and bitter.

So, once again, here it is. The quickest, simplest, easiest, most direct method of changing your life for good. A method that will enable you to instantly become happier, and which will alter the way you view the world forever:

STOP FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF.

Stop it. And you will be happy. It really is as simple as that.

There's more self-development in that one sentence alone than almost every self-help course in the world.

So, if you take nothing else from this book, take just that one sentence and make it a part of your everyday life. Every time you feel a tinge of personal sorrow, a flicker of self-pity - just think "Hey, stop feeling sorry for yourself!" - buck up, and get on with it.

The more you do it, the more it'll become part of your personality, the more it'll seriously change your life.

And the simple technique will change your life. That's my personal promise to you.

It's a great first step in removing your own inner limitations, and shifting you further toward true freedom, self-development and happiness.

Stop Being So Damn Sensitive

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:09:00 +0000

You know, there's a high probability that we're never met before.

And yet, I already know quite a bit about you.

I know that you're a highly motivated individual with a strong desire for change. You're probably spiritual, successful, and likely the most energetic and enthusiastic member of your social circle. You're also shockingly intelligent.

Oh, yes. And you're bloody damn sensitive.

You are! You really are! I'm telling you already.

I may have never met you before, but I'm telling you that for a fact. And that's a really great thing, because there are a lot of highly insensitive individuals out there in the world. So you're a limited edition.

You have the ability to read people better than most. You're able to take the best steps to ensure the right people are pleased. And you're flexible enough to change and adapt to your environment. You're a social chameleon.

BUT.

In order to achieve true self-development and inner happiness, you must take this next step.

You must let go of wanting approval - and you must stop being so sensitive.

Right now, in simple terms, you spend too much of your time trying to please everyone. You're trying to keep everyone happy, you're hoping the right people like you, you're wishing people approved of your lifestyle. You're being way too damn sensitive about the whole game of life.

And that causes us to become entangled in our emotions. It stops us from living authentically as ourselves and moving forward with our lives.

This section is really a quick practical pep talk to remind you to... STOP!

Have you ever walked into an office - and it instantly quietened? The loud laughs are reduced to a fluttering whisper - and you wonder, you just wonder, what was happening a few moments ago?

Or you're introduced to that beautiful someone at the party - and moments later, they make an excuse and exit the conversation?

Stop being so sensitive.

The office was probably planning your birthday party. And the guy at the party likely had a bad case of Delhi Belly.

Your viewpoint is always relative. You'll never understand situations from a neutral standpoint, so stop being so sensitive and move on.

Or perhaps you've accidentally fallen into the trap of trying to please everyone at the same time?

You're running around like a mad man, trying to ensure that everyone is kept happy. You change your personality to suit each character - and at the end of the day, you're burnt out. Only to start again tomorrow.

Long story short: You cannot please everyone. Full stop. Get over it!

By trying to shape-shift your personality to match the many hundreds of people you encounter each year, you'll not only be left feeling drained, and lacking in self-esteem - you'll also realize that you're living without authenticity.

You are not being YOU.

And to be yourself, says Joseph Campbell, is the highest honour anyone is granted.

So, be yourself.

By that, I mean REALLY yourself. The inner self that wants to say "NO!" more often than you do. The inner self that feels proud that it's being genuine, rather than putting on an act. The REAL YOU.

By being more authentic, you'll automatically find yourself surrounded with quality individuals that more closely match your personality. You'll begin enjoying life more, and find yourself more immersed in life's experiences. You'll become real, without any need to hide or change.

And, ironically, people end up liking you more when this side of your personality emerges. By letting go of wanting approval - that desperate, clingy yearning - you automatically gain approval.

So, let's recap this simple and practical rule once again.

Stop being so darn sensitive - and stop wanting approval.

You'll NEVER understand a full situation, so don't let it get to you. You'll NEVER get everyone to like you or your lifestyle, so don't even bother. And you'll NEVER truly understand any other human being on this whole planet, so let them all go jump.

When you place the power of your own approval on something outside of yourself, you will NEVER experience true happiness or self-development.

So:

STOP being sensitive. And STOP wanting the approval of others.

And you will experience more happiness, spiritual fulfilment and authenticity in your life.

Be Happy NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:06:00 +0000

We've all heard it about a million times before.

Live in the moment. Seize the day. Be happy NOW.

In fact, I'm willing to bet that you've heard it so many times, it seizes to really mean anything anymore. Right?

Let's be honest. If everyone in the world decided to treat each moment as if it were their last, we'd spend our life savings on fast cars, expensive champagne and dubious encounters one day - then regret it all the next.

No. Being happy now is not about being extreme.

But rather it's about making a decision to not put off your happiness until tomorrow.

You know, there's a popular sign in UK pubs that reads:

"Free Beer Tomorrow!"

And it always makes me smile. Because, of course, tomorrow never comes.

Most of us spend our time putting off happiness until some future point. Next week, next month, next year. At one point in my life, I spent about seven years working like a dog - and telling myself "Don't worry, I'll be happy next year!"

Of course, next year never came.

Here are a couple of quick home-truths:

Firstly, you might be dead tomorrow. You really might. You might not even make tomorrow. The only thing you know that you have for sure is this very moment. Realize that!

Secondly, you'll die with a TODO list. You won't ever get everything sorted. Accept that and move on. Don't put off your smile just because you're waiting to "finish" everything.

Make the decision to be happy now.

Ask yourself: If not now, when?

Let's do a little experiment.

Try to randomly catch yourself at some point today, and check what you're thinking about.

You might be in the past: Thinking about what happened last week, how that person spoke to you, what a great time you had at the party, how embarrassed you were about the wine incident.

You might be in the future: Worried about what you did and how it'll cause you problems, concerned about how the holiday will eventually work out, fretting over future IRS investigations.

But I'm willing to bet that you are NOT in the present.

Your mind will be thinking about anything but now!

You see, we each spend 95% of our time either reconstructing the past or daydreaming about the future. Yet we rarely spend any time actually in this very moment!

And our real happiness lies here - in this single moment.

By learning to live more for and in the moment, we become happier people - which is, ultimately, one of the most important goals in the self-development journey.

So, realize to yourself that this moment is all you have. It's the only time you have to change or do anything.

In fact: You are only what exists in this moment.

Are you happy right now? Have you been truly living in the moment? What would you change in this moment to make you feel better? Could you follow your bliss even more?

For a moment, join me in a quick exercise.

Sit there right now, and consider your thoughts. Try for a moment to get into the now.

Let's think about what matters. We only have this moment, we know that. So forget about the past -it's history. It'll never come back and it doesn't matter to us right now. And ignore the future - it's just a fantasy right now.

Think about what really matters - this very moment.

Get lost in the moment and discover what's really important. You should find yourself freeing up, opening, feeling more happy and alive. You become more aware of your breathing, your heart, your body.

Gone are your worries of the past. Gone are your fears of the future. Gone are crazy labels, like pain or embarrassment. The only thing which matters is this moment, and how you react to it.

Make a decision to smile, too. Because happiness is now!

So, the next time you reach a red light - and suddenly stop singing your favourite song, because nearby drivers are watching - make the decision to be happy now, and continue blasting out that tune!

The next time you decide to save your best clothes and favourite perfume for that elusive rainy day - make the decision to be happy now, and dress smart and smell great!

The more we live for this moment, the happier we become.

Try doing the above exercise each morning, or whenever you're feeling stressed. It'll help put things back into perspective.

So, stop putting off your happiness until tomorrow - and you'll naturally become a happier person, and take a quantum leap in your self-development journey.

Remember:

If not now, when?

People Are Weird. Love Them For It.

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:03:00 +0000

The world would be a wonderful place.

If it wasn't so full of people.

Honestly. It's jam-packed full of them. And whilst they may be the source of one big bag of pleasure, they're also the cause of much of our pain.

This rule is about realizing, on a very deep level, that we'll never really understand any of them - and that we just have to love them for that very reason!

Let's be honest. We all try to be nice and self-developed. And calm. And peaceful. And lovely.

But sometimes you find someone that has the ability to press the wrong buttons within you.

Almost without realizing it, the boiling emotions inside explode into an outrage and you lose your temper. Later, you feel annoyed with yourself - as though you've sinned against the holy doctrine of self-development.

Surely someone that is "self-developed," per se, wouldn't have such an outburst?

Pah. Nothing could be further from the truth.

One of the great lessons in the world of self-development is to realize that, despite Miss Marple's theory, people are in fact all very, very different.

Many people in the world are - let's face it - just weird.

They say things they don't mean. They mean things they don't say.

They act in weird ways that just don't make sense. They hide things they shouldn't be embarrassed about. They please people they shouldn't be bothered about pleasing. They remain in relationships that continue to harm them.

They don't listen to sound advice. They are continuously unreliable, unlike your good self. They seem totally unable to keep a single friend. They're socially awkward. They're inhibited in almost every area of their lives. They don't know how to let their hair down.

People are just plain weird sometimes.

You're right. Absolutely. I'm on your side.

We understand that.

So, here's the revelation: yes, they're like that. That's life. It's not going to change. People are sometimes weird, fruity screw-ups and you're not going to change it.

Get used to it. And get over it.

You will never find another person on this planet that thinks just like you, so don't bother trying.

If you're searching for that ideal soul mate, don't look for someone who thinks just like you. Firstly, they don't exist, you narcissist. Secondly, wouldn't that all just be a bit boring?

You see, the real teaching here is that yes, everyone is different. We're all weird in some ways. But that's really what makes life, and social interaction, fun.

Without the occasion dollop of strangeness, and conflict, and inhibition, and general weird interaction, we'd all forget what it means to be a delicate human being.

So, that's that. We're all different and we're all a bit odd sometimes. Welcome it, and move on.

Here's another thing.

When somebody acts in a particularly strange way, it's easy to get angry. But that doesn't always help the situation. So here's a little trick you can use to become more open and understanding to the way those annoying, know-it-all people behave.

Bring to mind the person annoying you. Try thinking of the moment that person was born, and fast-forwarding through their life to the present. Understand everything that they've been through, everything that has helped transform that blank baby canvas into the individual they are now.

Perhaps a rough childhood gave them a hardened exterior. Maybe a lack of intimacy gave them a social awkwardness. Perhaps a failed romantic life gave them a passion for business success.

If you were in their shoes, and stepped through their life experiences, you'd end up the same way.

Right?

So, fast-forward through their life - and you'll find yourself sympathizing with how they are as people. They are the result of their life's experience. You'd be the same.

Do it for Hitler as an experiment. Even he was merely the result of his life's experiences, the outcome of having gone through life in the way he had. He probably didn't consider himself evil.

Think of a person that irks you in life.

Can you give them permission to be the person they are, right now? With their own life, and quirks, and weirdness? And their own "distorted" quest for happiness?

Can you give them permission to follow their own bliss?

Can you even just love them a little more to help them along the way?

Can you fast-forward through their life - and be a little more open to why they operate the way they do?

Try it. It might just help.

And remember that you'll never really understand anyone in this world. We're all a bit strange and kooky sometimes. That's life. It's what makes us individuals.

We may not agree with it, but that's how life works. Love them for being the crazy people they are, and love yourself for being the neurotic individual that you are for worrying about it.

When you truly realize that we're all different, with differing life experiences and motivations, you'll not only open up and be able to connect with others on an even deeper level, you'll also become less sensitive and more sociable.

So, be happy, accept these simple facts, and try to love everyone a little more - and you'll be granted one of the true gifts available on the self-development journey.

Be a Rich Monk!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0000

The self-development world is a wonderful place.

But it's full of crazy misconceptions. Silly ideas about things that you must do or must experience in order to become truly self-realized.

This section is about realizing that these firm ideas are really nothing more than urban myths. It'll help you stop getting caught up in your own limited thoughts - and speed you down the freedom freeway.

To get started, let me tell you about a friend I have in London called Jin.

Now Jin is on the self-development journey. He's a seeker. He's looking for something.

Speaking to me just last week, he moaned: "I can't believe it. I've tried everything and nothing works. I've just left a month-long workshop in the States - and I just don't feel right. I've simply not had that big bang moment yet!"

Whoah. Crazy Misconception #1 In Progress.

You do not need an epiphany in order to enjoy freedom and the results of self-development. You do not need to be dramatically healed, or see an angel, or feel just so different.

Many people in the self-development world are waiting - as Jin put it - for that big bang. Until that occurs, they don't feel fixed.

Drop the foolishness. You don't need - and probably won't get - an epiphany. Get over it, and be free as you are right now.

Which leads us on to Crazy Misconception #2: You can't be fixed, because you aren't broken.

Many individuals that enter the world of self-development feel bad or wrong or poisoned in some way. They feel they've been broken - and that they need to be fixed.

Well, you are not broken. You're already whole and perfect as you are right now. There's absolutely nothing you need to change. You're only feeling limited by the limiting thoughts you hold in mind.

So stop trying to fix yourself. You are not broken.

Moving on to Crazy Misconception #3: Spiritual people give up their possessions.

Uhm. Sorry?

Many people in the world have the misguided belief that in order to be fully realized, they must give up their worldly goods. They gift their home to a Buddhist retreat and spend the rest of their lives meditating in a remote wooden hut.

Well, realize that it doesn't have to be that way.

You can be 100% spiritual and self-developed and free - while still living and operating in the modern world. It's the way of the cosmopolitan self-developed warrior.

The idea that you shouldn't have both cash and spiritual fulfilment is both antiquated and just plain wrong.

We all know that money can't buy you happiness. But it can certainly make things much easier.

So, be a living example of breaking that urban myth - and be a rich monk.

And that takes us to Crazy Misconception #4: You must meditate in order to be self-realized.

No way!

This is one of those crazy ideas perpetuated by hardcore Sedona residents that want nothing more but to sit in a circle and "Ohm" all day long. Personally, I indulge in some meditation - but getting my mind into a near lifeless state is something I'd prefer to reserve for when I'm dead.

If you want to meditate, then meditate. If you don't, then don't.

There's absolutely no reason you must meditate in order to truly discover your own freedom.

(If you're interested in meditation, I heartily recommend the Brain Evolution System as an 'advanced' meditation program. It's based on scientific brainwave research, and you can learn more at www.gobrainev.com.)

So, let's quickly review.

You don't need an epiphany. You're not broken. You don't need to throw away all of your money. You don't have to meditate. And this is just the beginning.

Think about your life right now.

What other rules, myths, superstitions, are you allowing to be imposed on your thinking?

What other things are you telling yourself that you must do in order to get where you're going?

What other rituals are you undertaking, just because others say that's what should be done?

Where are the beliefs you're subscribing to right now? And have you questioned them recently?

Do you avoid walking under ladders? Do you get nervous saying "Beetle Juice" thrice? Do you get worried about detail after swearing on somebody's life?

Drop the weird beliefs. They don't serve you.

Release, and set yourself free of your self-created prison.

Stop following the crazy rules, follow your bliss, and you'll be a self-developed, spiritually fulfilled, rich monk. And a better person for it.

You Are Not Your Story

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:57:00 +0000

For thousands of years, human beings have been wonderful story tellers.

There's a built-in yearning to get sucked into a story, to get lost in the drama of the moment, to orate and share your own tales with the world.

Modern story tellers include movie producers and politicians, actors and artists, mothers and fathers. As a society, we respect and admire great story tellers. It's the reason films and television shows have become so immensely popular. They tell stories.

We each love our own stories, too.

I have a wonderful ghost story about a house I once lived in, which gets spookier and more intricate every time I tell it. It's guaranteed to make your hairs stand on end, and I revel in telling it.

But by far and away our most common types of story are the stories about ourselves.

We're great at sport. We're pretty good at karaoke, but get nervous if singing in front of family. We love tomatoes, but they really need to be cored - or they make us feel a bit sick. We keep falling back into abusive relationships, no matter how hard we try not to.

These are our own "mini-stories." And often, they're harmless enough.

It's when our stories start to hold us back that they become an issue...

"My name is Michael - and I'm an alcoholic."

"I'm Jason - and I'm a failed father, and drug addict."

"Yes, I'm Kyle - and I'm a homosexual with intimacy problems."

Sometimes, our stories restrict us.

They define us as a very particular type of person, and ensure that we're kept locked in our own self-created prison. Our stories pigeon-hole us.

Not only that, we also build on them - much like I do with my ghost story. We make them bigger and badder with each telling. We give the stories more power. Soon, our original stories become irrelevant - and our new stories take on a life of their own.

They eventually start to lead us, cripple us.

We carry the weight of our stories around with us each day. They stop us from achieving true freedom, they limit us to working a particular way - and yet we continue with the stories.

To use an Eastern term, our stories are our attachments.

However, not everyone lives like this.

Those that enjoy true freedom, individuals that are genuinely self-developed, know this simple fact:

You are not your story.

You're not!

Whatever amazing story you can tell about your terrible past, how you've always failed time and time again, how life has dealt you an unfair hand, how things were just plain wrong, how you can't break the addiction - you are still NOT your story.

Past results are not indicative of future performance.

What you were is not what you are.

It's just what happened to you. It's not YOU.

You are not your story. You are not your emotions. You are not your past.

And if you could just learn to let go of your story - you'd instantly release all of your baggage, and you could start today the way that you would like. Without limitation. Without issues. Without attachments. Without unwanted stories.

To some degree, our stories provide us with comfort. It's the devil you know. The sick safety blanket. They enable us to indulge in self-pity, and enjoy a little sympathetic attention. But it's pointless holding on to the story, because it's limiting you today.

So, make a decision right now to be the change you wish to see you in your life.

Let me repeat that, because it's exceptionally important:

Right now, make the decision to be the change you wish to see it your life.

Sit back and think of the stories you have formed about your life. All those great stories you have about how your marriage started falling apart in the early days, and how you've been rescuing it ever since. Great stories about the time you were bullied, and how it made you feel suicidal. Fantastic stories about how life sometimes stinks. Especially yours.

Think about one of your stories.

Then ask yourself: "Can I let this story go?"

Can I drop this story? (Even if it's a good one?) Can I release this story? Can I unclench the tight fist I have around this story? Can I let go of desperately holding on to it, and making it part of "me"?

And, if you can, just do it. Let go. Breathe out - and release. Feel it drop away.

Don't go into it. Don't try to analyze the details. Don't dig around to figure out the "hidden lesson." Just ask yourself if you can drop the story. And if you can, do it.

Because your story, really, is ultimately just that. A story.

People cling to stories because they think they give their life meaning.

Incorrect.

Life doesn't have meaning.

The meaning of life is the meaning you bring to life.

What meaning would you like your life to have?

Make a decision to shape your own story, starting today - and you'll discover a true freedom and happiness uncovering itself in your own wonderful life.

Smile, Laugh, Love Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:54:00 +0000

Some years ago, I decided to take the introductory class at a local Buddhist retreat.

After much waiting, the Chief Guru serenely glided into the room, his bearded face lacking all emotion. He sat on the stool in front of the class, and slowly pieced together his words.

"What makes us happy?" he asked.

"My new trainers," answered the guy next to me. The Chief Guru told him he was wrong, and gave all the reasons why trainers didn't make you truly happy. This was an event clearly not sponsored by Nike.

He continued for a further two hours explaining why physical things couldn't make us happy. He conveyed the idea that, yes, indeed, happiness comes from inside.

Much head-nodding and middle-aged clucking later, everyone left. They'd all been fully instructed on the true meaning of happiness by Chief Guru - and were in awe of his wisdom.

But here's the thing.

During the whole experience, not a single person either laughed or smiled.

Nobody! Not the Chief Guru. Not the people attending the class.

Is that the kind of true self-enlightenment you'd like to experience?

Today's post is a reminder that you should make a decision to be happy. Regardless of what others tell you, what others do, or what's happening in the world around you.

You see, being happy is the ultimate goal of true self-development.

Those that aren't happy, aren't truly self-developed.

Learn to be happy with what you are, and what you have.

If you aren't happy with what you are, you won't be happy with what you'll become. If you aren't happy with what you have, you won't be happy with what you get.

So, make a pact with yourself right now to be happy.

Part of that is deciding to smile more. Deciding to love more. Deciding to laugh more. Deciding to love yourself more.

These things will each make you a happier person.

Because, let's admit it, you'll never be 100% self-developed. No way, Jose.

We're all a little bit screwed up in one way or another.

We're pedantic about the strangest of things. We have little quirks that other people find kooky. We obsess over detail, or beat ourselves up over the craziest of things.

Right?

Just for once, why don't you congratulate yourself on how great you are at making a mountain out of a molehill?

Why don't you give yourself a pat on the back for focusing on issues and "problems" that aren't really important?

Why don't you say well done to yourself for being so good at holding onto issues from your past?

Let's be honest: You're great at it! You do it better than anybody else!

You're flawed.

You're perfect.

So, smile, laugh, and love yourself for being the wonderful crazy person you are - and you'll take the greatest self-development step ever.

Ever wondered why the Dalai Lama laughs so much?

My belief is that he's recognized the hilarity of life, with all of its ups and downs, with all of earth's many inhabitants worrying about their small, crazy, funny little problems.

He's "zoomed out," and sees how adorable we all are. He sees the happiness behind our apparent veil of problems and issues.

So, again - make that decision to beat the crowd.

Smile, laugh, love yourself.

And you will achieve enlightenment.

A Short Course in Releasing

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:52:00 +0000

Releasing is a fantastic tool for unleashing freedom in your life!

It allows you to let go of sadness and limitation, and embrace freedom and happiness. It enables you to drop negative emotion and increase positive emotion.

Releasing allows you to control your feelings, rather than letting your feelings control you.

In fact, I'd consider releasing to be perhaps the most important self-development technique on the planet.

Sound interesting? Well, let's start from the beginning.

Emotions are how we feel.

We feel grief after the death of a family member. We feel anger when somebody rubs us up the wrong way. We feel pride when we do a great job.

Emotions are useful, and help make us human.

But sometimes emotions hold us back.

They cause us to freeze in fear when about to deliver our speech. They cause us to continue being angry toward someone we should've forgiven long ago. They cause us to carry on being addicted to gambling, or bad relationships.

Yes, emotions have a lot to answer for!

But the good thing is that you can control your emotions just as simply as you'd control a light switch. Turning them off is as simple as <click>.

You see, the secret you must realise is this:

You are not your emotions.

That's right. You are not your emotions. And your emotions are not you.

Emotions are just things that you experience.

Rather than "I am angry," a more accurate description might be "I am experiencing anger."

And rather than "I am courageous," a more lucid version may be "I am feeling courageous."

So, emotions are just things you experience. Sometimes they feel good, sometimes they run riot. And you can switch them off as easily as you'd switch off a plug socket.

How?

Through the process of releasing.

Now, releasing is all about letting go of your negative emotions. When you let go of negative emotions, you'll feel lighter and more stress-free. You'll enjoy greater freedom and feel more at peace with the world.

Releasing is always a great idea.

(You can let go of positive emotions too, and you'll typically feel even more positive as a result.)

How can you release?

Firstly, you need to recognize that we're each desperately holding onto our emotions - even those emotions that aren't serving us. We're clenching them, like we'd clench our hands around a pencil or a small ball.

We're holding on to that fear, that grief, that apathy - because we somehow think that it is us, and that we need it.

But when we realise that we are not our emotions, and that we don't need it, we can simply choose to let it go.

That is, we can unclench our fist - and allow that emotion to simply be free, or even drop out of our hands altogether.

Let's try it together.

Think of something right now that you know is a concern for you. It might be a situation at work, or a particular person you dislike, or just some general worry that you have. Make it a simple issue for now, just for starters.

Think of that thing, and notice the resistance that builds up in your stomach.

Then simply ask yourself the question:

"Can I let this go?"

Which is another way of saying: Can you unclench the grip you have around this feeling right now? Can you release the grip? Can you let go of the resistance? Can you just drop the emotion attached to this issue?

As you ask yourself "Can I let this go?" - breathe out, and answer honestly with "Yes" or "No" out loud. It doesn't matter which you answer with, it'll all provide you with an emotional release on some level.

While exhaling, feel the release happening. Feel yourself unclenching that grip. Feel yourself just letting go of that emotion. Notice the difference?

Remember, we are the ones that are holding on to our emotions. We are the ones that are causing them to continue living inside our minds.

Would you prefer to hold on to your negative emotions even more, allowing them to bubble away inside your mind - or would you prefer to just let them go?

Remember, by letting go, we're not agreeing with it, or letting somebody off the hook. We're simply releasing the emotion attached to it. We're granting ourselves greater peace and serenity.

Then, when you're ready, connect to see whether that issue still has any charge.

If it does, repeat the process once more: connect with the issue, ask yourself "Can I let this go?", answer "Yes" or "No" while breathing out, and feel the release.

Loop on this entire process a few more times.

You'll soon begin to really feel very different about the whole issue.

Within minutes, you'll notice the emotion has drastically reduced in size - and may just have disappeared altogether. Right?

Finished? How did that feel?

Let's try it once more. This time, make sure you follow through the entire process. Out loud, too, if you can.

Again, think of a situation which brings up some resistance in your tummy. It might be an annoying person, or a small worry that you have right now.

Get in touch with that sensation, that energy, that feeling. Then ask yourself:

"Can I let this go?"

Answer the question out loud, with a "Yes" or "No," while breathing out. Remember, any answer is fine, they both work the same magic. Just be honest.

As you answer, loosen your clutch on the emotion. Relax into the comfort. Release.

Feel yourself unclenching. Feel yourself letting go.

Releasing feels great. It's like the feeling you get when the doctors call you, after those worrying tests - and say you've got the all clear. It's total relief. That's releasing.

To help you feel the release even further, imagine two doors in front of your stomach opening, allowing all of the negative emotion just to flow out - as you let go. Really feel it happening. Great!

Finished?

Now check how you feel.

If there's still any emotional charge left, no worries. That's fine! Repeat the process until you feel better about the issue, or want to finish.

If you don't feel any progress at all, don't worry either. Just let go of trying to get results. Sometimes you're too busy "watching" to really experience.

And if you answer "No" during the process and don't feel yourself able to let go, don't worry about that either. Every step, no matter how redundant it may feel, helps take you closer to emotional freedom. Just release on it and move on.

And that's it, really.

Releasing is the quickest and easiest method for letting go of troublesome emotions.

It's the hidden process behind almost every therapy out there - from psychotherapy to tribal drum therapy. Except here we're just releasing the emotions directly, rather than fluffing up the process.

There's no need to spend years sitting on a couch, going into your "back story" and analyzing precisely why things happened that way. Here, we just release - and move on.

It really is as simple as that.

Just connect with the emotion and ask yourself: "Can I let this go?" - then breathe out, answer "Yes" or "No," and feel yourself letting go.

Easy!

---

Further Releasing Methods

There are other ways of releasing, too - all based on the same core "letting go" principle.

One of the most popular is the three questions method.

This was popularized by the late Lester Levenson, and is now taught in the Abundance Course (www.releasetechnique.com) and The Sedona Method (www.sedona.com).

This technique is based on the following premises:

1. We don't know that we can let emotions go

2. We don't want to let go of emotions

3. We always put off letting go until later

So, this method of releasing works by addressing each of these questions - allowing us to cycle through, and slowly let go of the emotions that are holding us back.

Here are the steps:

1. Think of the situation, and connect with the emotion you'd like to release.

2. Ask yourself: "Could I let this go?" (yes/no - answer out loud, honestly)

3. Move on to ask: "Would I let this go?" (again, yes/no)

4. And then: "When?" (now/later)

5. Feel that release - then check to see how the situation feels. If there's still some emotional charge, go back to step one and loop again: you'll find some issues are layered like onions, and are released over multiple passes. Or if you feel stuck in the actual process itself, let go of wanting to feel stuck, and start again - or rest for a while.

Another popular releasing method is the welcoming technique, popularized by many releasing teachers, including Chris Payne with his Effort-Free Life System (www.effortfree.com).

Here are the steps to follow for this technique:

1. Lower your head and place your hand on your chest or stomach. Get in touch with an emotion, or a situation that has an emotional charge for you.

2. Notice the intensity of the feeling in your body, and rate the intensity from 0 to 10.

3. Welcome the emotion, much as you'd welcome a friend into your home. Welcoming doesn't mean you agree or forgive the emotion, just embrace it, accept it, welcome it. Allow it to be there, instead of pretending it doesn't exist. Feel the welcoming.

4. Now get in touch with the emotion again. How does it feel?

5. Rate the intensity again, from 0 to 10. Keep going until it comes down to 0. If you feel stuck, ask yourself if you could let go of trying to change being stuck - or simply continue later.

Releasing teacher Lester Levenson (whose work is now continued through The Abundance Course and The Sedona Method) also used to suggest that individuals try letting go of wanting control, approval and security too. These are general terms that can help you release on emotions right across the board.

You know, releasing is about letting go of emotions. It's about detachment.

It's what the Eastern world calls letting go of our attachments and aversions.

In the Western world, this releasing process is essentially the equivalent of saying:

"F**k it!"

(A wonderful argument set forth by John C. Parkin in his book of the same name.)

Try each of these techniques yourself, and start using whichever suits you best. But remember to try them.

Releasing isn't just for reading about. It's experiential.

---

Conclusion

Releasing is a powerful method for gaining greater emotional freedom.

It helps you realise that you are not your emotions - and thereby allows you to release all of the limiting thoughts, emotions and feelings that have held you back in the past.

You'll become happier, enjoy more self-empowerment, and simply be more free when you discover releasing for yourself.

Take time out to go through all of your issues, negative emotions, and the people in your life - releasing on each in turn. You'll feel the benefits immediately.

Just keep asking yourself "Can I let this go?"

Practice it as often as you can - and do it all the time. Even when you're talking to somebody, you can release there and then, in that moment. It's simple and it's easy.

To learn more about releasing, I'd suggest one of the following books:

� The Sedona Method - by Hale Dwoskin - www.sedona.com

� The Abundance Course - by Larry Crane - www.releasetechnique.com

� The Secret of Letting Go - by Guy Finley - www.guyfinley.com

� Effort-Free Life System - by Chris Payne - www.effortfree.com

� Happiness Now - by Bradley Thompson - www.happiness.fm

� F**k It - by John C. Parkin - www.thefuckitway.com

Discover releasing for yourself, embrace it in your daily life - and I promise you'll never look back.

Even if that releasing is as simple as saying "F**k it!" just a little more often.

Quotes to Inspire

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:48:00 +0000

Life has a habit of throwing crazy situations our way, giving us chance to demonstrate our character in the way we handle them.

But one thing's for sure, we're never the first person in that situation. The whole plethora of human emotion has been experienced googol times by a billion other people.

And that's why quotes are great.

They help us to connect with other people's wisdom, and to learn from our cumulative experiences of life.

That's why today's post contains some of my favourite ever quotes - to help inspire you during the times you need it.

* * *

A ship is safe in harbor... But that's not what ships were built for - William Shed

There is nothing either good or bad... But thinking makes it so - William Shakespeare

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become - Buddha

The cave you most fear to enter contains the greatest treasure - Joseph Campbell

Life is not measured by its length, but by its depth - Anonymous

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it -William A. Ward

Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning - Joseph Campbell

There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it - Napoleon Hill

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

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty - Winston Churchill

Put yourself in a state of mind where you say to yourself, 'Here is an opportunity for me to celebrate like never before, my own power, my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary' - Martin Luther King, Jr.

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world - Buddha

I try to learn from the past, but I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present. That's where the fun is - Donald Trump

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination - Jimmy Dean

I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think - Rumi

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it - John Ruskin

Men are born to succeed, not to fail - Henry David Thoreau

I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest - Muhammad Ali

Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have - Unknown

Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get - Dale Carnegie

The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have - Woody Allen

When you come to a fork in the road, take it - Yogi Berra

Fortune favours the bold - Virgil

He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe - Marcus Aurelius

Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so - Marcus Aurelius

If you haven't got charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble - Bob Hope

It is not length of life, but depth of life - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Act as if it were impossible to fail - Dorothea Brande

If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self - Napoleon Hill

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. - Maria Robinson

The future depends on what we do in the present - Mahatma Gandhi

Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today - James Dean

Attain to the place where no one and no thing can disturb you - Lester Levenson

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us - Helen Keller

In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet - Albert Schweitzer

All the world's a stage, And the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts - William Shakespeare

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you're heading - Lao Tzu

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it - Winston Churchill

Experiences to Open Your Eyes Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:45:00 +0000

Every now and then we all get stuck in the routine of life.

We need something to open our eyes to its wonder again. This section is all about that. It provides a handful of suggestions that you can use to bring a little child-like magic back into your life.

So, randomly pick something from this list - and get to it, right away!

Make a list of six things you could do this evening. Then roll a dice and let fate decide!
Find somebody else on the Internet with the same name as you, get in touch and try to make a new friend
Visit Wikipedia and click the "Random Article" link on the left hand-side. Get lost in the site for an hour, discovering worlds you never knew existed
Decide to say "Yes!" to everything for a month, a week, or even just for a night. See what doors open for you!
Open an atlas, close your eyes, and randomly stab your finger anywhere on the page. Decide to go there for your next vacation
Join an Internet dating site, and remember what it feels like to flirt a little!
Lookup and hook up with a few old friends from school. Find them at Friends Reunited, Classmates.com, or on Facebook
Buy an item of food from the supermarket you would never usually purchase. Indulge!
Send a random "Hello!" text message to the person with the mobile/cell number one digit up and down from you
Get to know your neighbours
Decide to "play" today. Go to the seaside, enjoy a little bowling, play a board-game with family!
Be mischievous. Play a prank and don't worry about getting caught!
Enjoy a leisurely meal with your loved ones ... share the preparation of the meal ... enjoy the time together
Celebrate your loved ones by creating a family journal of photos, notes and special memories
Spend time walking in an inspiring natural location with a friend you haven't seen for a while. Enjoy conversing with your friend - listen to their insights and share some of yours
Go for a 20 minute power walk to clear your mind, boost your circulation and improve your energy levels
Buy 12 life-changing books and read one a month
Try a completely new activity - something you haven't done before and enjoy the adventure of learning something new
Sit under a tree for an hour or three and just do nothing. Listen to the sound of nature's voice. Enjoy the stillness of being in the moment
Do something nice for someone you don't know. And do it anonymously. Your feel-good factor will soar as a result of your kindness.
Join a dance class. Go wild, have fun and enjoy the freedom of moving to the music
Spend a night star-gazing. You cannot fail to be awe-inspired by the magical, vast universe that is out there
Rekindle old friendships ... spend a day catching up and enjoying the company of old friends
Go out to the nearest city with the intention of making one new friend. Strike up random conversations, visit coffee shops and libraries, and see where he day takes you
Be creative: take a pottery class; learn how to paint with oils; try basket-weaving
Do something spontaneous, and for no reason at all
Go visit a nearby comedy club

Foods to Make You Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:42:00 +0000

A nutritious, balanced diet is the key to good health and longevity. But did you know that some foods actually enhance mood and help maintain those all-important feel-good vibes?

Eating for happiness - as well as health - should be your primary goal. To obtain the sustenance you need, include the following foods in your diet:

� Foods high in Omega 3 - ie, oily fish, nuts, flax seeds. Omega 3 has been scientifically proven to reduce depression and increase happiness. Try also taking a daily supplement, too.

� Foods rich in tryptophan - ie, lobster, turkey, pineapple, tofu, bananas. Tryptophan is converted by the body into the feel-good chemical serotonin, which increases your well-being.

� Foods with plenty of amino-acids - ie, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, milk, nuts, pulses, bananas, avocados, wheat germ, and legumes. These foods help maintain correct amino acid levels, essential in balancing your mood.

� Foods which raise vitamin B levels - ie, spinach, peas, orange juice, wheat germ or avocado. Solid vitamin B levels help safeguard yourself against depression.

Also:

� Whole grains such as oats, quinoa or brown rice contain B vitamins to ensure the slow release of sugars needed to maintain well-being.

� Carbohydrates, such as cereals, rice, pasta and starchy vegetables provide slow energy release to maintain a balanced metabolism.

� Regular 'energy snacks' such as fruit, cereal, seeds and nuts help maintain energy levels and good mood throughout the day.

� Pomegranates, goji berries, blueberries, raspberries, avocados, mangoes, apples, macadamia nuts, spirulina, broccoli and spinach - all super-foods that contribute to overall wellness.

And remember these feel-good food pointers:

� Vitamins and minerals - especially the B vitamins - are essential for correct functioning of the nervous system and help to prevent illness linked to depression, anxiety or dementia. Vitamin D supplements have been shown to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Always take a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement.

� Ditch adrenalin-fuelling coffee and choose relaxing herbal and fruit teas to aid tranquillity and boost well-being. Also drink a few glasses of water each day to maintain correct hydration.

� Eat fresh, organic foods where possible. Choose raw veggie or fruit options.

� Replace junk foods (high sugar / high salt / high fat / high additives content) with natural foods - vegetables, fruit, grains and seeds.

� Always eat in moderation.

� Believe in the healing properties of the food you're eating.

� Enjoy your food! Hang up your worries and frustrations before you sit down for dinner. When you think calm and happy thoughts while you're eating, it will aid your digestion and ensure that the food provides you with the energy and healing needed.

Treat your body well. It's the only one you have.

Good nutrition is essential to maintain optimum state of mind, body and spirit. What you choose to eat makes a real difference, so choose the perfect ingredients for a happy you!

For more information on how food can affect your mood, alongside ideal meal plans for your mind, visit www.foodandmood.org.

Songs to Make You Smile!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:52:00 +0000

Most of us forget just how much music affects our mood!

So, find out what music makes you happy, and surround yourself with it. Load it onto your iPhone, create a mix CD for your car, play it on your computer at work.

And if you're unsure what makes you happy, here are a few fantastic suggestions to get you started!

Fascination - Alphabeat
Wake Up Boo! - Boo Radleys (Scientifically-speaking, the
happiest song in the world!)
She Moves in Her Own Way - The Kooks

Love Train - The O'Jays
The Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns
Shiny Happy People - REM
I'm Working My Way Back to You Babe - The Spinners

Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows - Lesley Gore
Search For The Hero - Heather Small: M People
Don't Worry Be Happy - Jimmy Cliff or Bobby McFerrin
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

We Are The Champions - Queen
Simply The Best - Tina Turner
If You Want to Sing Out - Cat Stevens
I Had The Time Of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warne

My Way - Frank Sinatra
Greatest Love Of All - Whitney Houston
You've Got A Friend - Carole King
All You Need Is Love - The Beatles

Ray Of Light - Madonna
Headstart For Happiness - The Style Council
I Can See Clearly Now - Jimmy Cliff, Johnny Nash or Bob
Marley
We Will Rock You - Queen

Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler or Colleen Hewitt
O Happy Day - Sister Act
Paint The Sky With Stars - Enya
Orinoco Flow - Enya

Good Morning Starshine - Serena Ryder
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina and The Waves
I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly
Chariots Of Fire - Vangelis

Return To Innocence - Enigma
I Feel Good - James Brown
Beautiful Day - U2
New Day - Celine Dion

Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
O Fortuna - Carmina Burana
Nessun Dorma - from Puccini's opera Turandot
Lovely Day - Bill Withers

The Roses Of Success - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang soundtrack
Rocky Theme Tune
This Time - KarlsBlog.com theme tune

On Releasing

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:53:00 +0000

In this week's video blog post, I'm chatting about the art of releasing.

Simply watch and discover how you can learn to "let go" of problems in your life, just as simply as you'd let go of a pencil.

Click play to view:

(Can't see the video? Visit http://www.karlsblog.com/)

To learn more about releasing, I very highly recommend that you check out the Happiness NOW! course - available online at:

http://www.happiness.fm/

The product comes with my full endorsement.

Intention, Belief, Direction

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:48:00 +0000

There's one truly fantastic scene in Alice in Wonderland.

It occurs after Alice has shrunk, and she's exploring the dark, mystical forest - desperately attempting to find her way.

Suddenly the disappearing-reappearing Cheshire Cat appears, perched high in a tree, and offers to give her directions: "Where you are going?"

"I don't know!" replies Alice.

The cat responds: "Well, if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there!"

What a revelation.

Do you know where you're going?

Let me ask you something.

Have you ever been to a party, expecting it to be absolutely great - and it was? Or have you ever gone on a night out, expecting it to be truly terrible - and it was?

Perhaps you've got out of bed, stubbed your toe, and decided this was going to be a bad day - and it was? Or maybe you woke up, the sun was shining, and you made the decision that today was going to be fantastic- and it was?

It's funny. You see, we usually get the outcome we expect.

In other words, our intention sets our direction.

It's not that the physical world around us changes. It's just that the way we perceive events alters. It's all in our relative perception.

We notice the good things at the party, and make light of the bad. We soak up the sunshine and smile during a good day, and become a grump on the bad.

We consistently prove ourselves right.

So, here's the trick.

By setting a good intention on the things you do, you'll automatically achieve many more positive outcomes!

In fact, this simple principle forms the basis of almost every self-development fad out there.

From The Secret to What The Bleep, from the Law of Attraction to Cosmic Ordering - and yes, even prayer - they're all based on the idea of setting your mind to something and letting yourself achieve it.

Yet most of these fads build up complicated systems and beliefs to help warrant the price tag. They make it more complex to warrant your purchase of the next book, the next DVD, the next seminar ticket.

But it's really not that difficult.

Distilled, simplified, unwrapped, the concept is the most uncomplicated thing you'll ever encounter.

Quite simply: Intention sets direction. Full stop.

Set your intention - and you'll set your direction.

So, where in your life can you start setting your direction?

Try spending a few moments in bed before getting up, deciding that this is going to be a wonderful day. Take a minute before your night out to make the decision that you're going to hook up with some great people. When meeting that annoying business client, set an intention that you're going to
get along great and make a real connection today.

It might not work every time, but it'll work more than life without intention.

Increase your intention even further. Begin intending positive outcomes during the smallest of exercises. During meetings. During walks. During simple car journeys. During coffee breaks with friends.

Set an intention of happiness and positivity - and watch it come about in your life.

Try it on your mindset, too. Set an intention of being great fun during the party. Set an intention of writing a fantastic novel. Set an intention of being a wonderful parent.

But whatever you do - set an intention.

Henry Ford once said: "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right."

Think about it.

He was actually saying that whatever we believe will happen, will happen. The things that we hold in mind will ultimately come about. Our intention sets our direction.

This is really one of the ultimate self-development secrets. By applying this, we're setting the compass by which our personal ship sails. It might sound stupidly simple, but it works - and works well.

So, discover it for yourself the easy way. Make setting your intention part of your daily ritual.

Because if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.

---

For further reading on this topic, I highly recommend you visit http://www.beliefsecret.com/ - this is the original 1948 course that discusses the secret of belief & intention, and how to apply such methods to your life for maximum results.

Click: http://www.beliefsecret.com/

We Shall Never Surrender

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:32:00 +0000

Today, a video poem for those of you struggling through difficult times:

(Can't see the video? Visit http://www.karlsblog.com/)

And when you've watched that, really get back into the spirit of life with this video:

Bird Song

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Sun, 16 May 2010 19:11:00 +0000

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." - Maya Angelou

The Secrets of NLP

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:56:00 +0000

You know, NLP is a fascinating topic in the world of self-development.

It stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and it's essentially a method of "rewiring" some of your inner thought processes - by following a series of simple, visualization-style techniques.

It was co-founded by Richard Bandler and John Grinder back in the 80's - and has been time-tested as one of the most popular methods of fast, inner change.

Writing this blog every day, with its heavy slant on personal development, I'm often asked which techniques produce the best results.

As a logical man, I always stick with the proven methodologies - and NLP is right up there on my list.

I'm telling you all of this, because I recently helped to launch a fantastic program that teaches you everything you could possibly want to know about NLP - in under two hours.

Usually, learning NLP takes many weeks, costs thousands in training courses, and only then can you apply it to change your own life.

Today, it can be learned during your dinner-break - with exercises to guide you through some of the most powerful techniques, while you listen.

I'm not going to rave on about it - but I'd really like you to check out this website:

Click HERE: www.ultimatenlp.com

This course, designed by NLP practitioner Christine Golden, actually guides you through the most powerful NLP methods - and works them with you LIVE, to provide instant results.

It's phenomenal - and I know, because I helped edit the CD course itself.

That's why today I'm really recommending that you check out the site.

If you're looking to boost your confidence, get rid of fears and phobias, tap into a state of permanent peak performance, become motivated to do things you dislike, instantly become more charismatic.

Then you could really do with checking out The Ultimate NLP Course.

It comes with a money-back guarantee, so you don't need to worry about the details. Just visit the website to learn more.

Remember, I only recommend programs that I use myself, and would recommend to my closest friends. So, check it out - and here's wishing you much success in exploring NLP.

Have a great evening!

Click HERE: www.ultimatenlp.com

The Future

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:17:00 +0000

"I never think of the future - it comes soon enough."

That's what Albert Einstein once said, and it's true without a doubt.

Yet, how many times do you drift off and start worrying unnecessarily about future events?

You know the stuff . morbid thoughts such as you or loved ones getting older and eventually dying.

And then, what about time spent worrying about possible outcomes?

Often, some can be caught up dwelling about all types of potential negative scenarios for the future which will likely never happen.

When we conjure up these negative scenarios for our futures, not only do we waste considerable `now' time but we give life to those thoughts!

Remember, thoughts are powerful and can become reality.

So, focus on enjoying the moment rather than some possible future. Leave the days, weeks, months and years to unfold in their own good time.

Be High Energy

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Sun, 09 May 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Brief post today.

Spend less time READING this, more time taking ACTION on it.

QUESTION: What's your energy like?

Are you a HIGH ENERGY person - happy, bright, half-full, solutions, laughs, enjoyment, love, excitement?

Or are you a LOW ENERGY person - negative, problems, greys, issues, blame, victim, detracting, complaints?

Most people switch between the two.

But have you ever noticed how HIGH ENERGY people achieve more in life?

They enjoy more. They're more successful. They have greater social circles. They exhume an energy that makes people WANT to be around them.

Contrast that with LOW ENERGY people.

So here's a quick thought. The point of the post:

What if you made more of an effort to DITCH those qualities that make you a LOW ENERGY person - and adopt MORE of those qualities that make you an HIGH ENERGY person?

Try it out. One day. TODAY. Every day. See the difference.

Be HIGH ENERGY, become more alive.

Guess Who I Bumped Into?

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:14:00 +0000

I bumped into an Internet celebrity "up north" recently.

Here's a picture of the two of us, getting on a treat.

But the question is. Who is he?

Answers on the blog in the comments box at www.karlsblog.com please. First person correct wins an enormous amount of kudos :)

PS. There are clues in the picture if you look hard enough!

William Said

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Tue, 04 May 2010 15:12:00 +0000

William Shakespeare, in his wisdom, once said:

"Be great in act, as you have been in thought."

We are all capable of achieving great things . in fact, wonderful things.

However, our greatest thoughts and ideas can remain confined within as a result of irrational fears.

If you're holding yourself back from becoming a success because of fear . or shyness . or concern about what other people may think . or worry in case of failure . and so on, then now's the time to banish those negatives so that you can become truly great.

Give your amazing thoughts freedom so that you reach your full potential.

Go out there on your particular stage and give the performance of a lifetime.

It's all down to you. so go on, be absolutely amazing!

To Buy a Day

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:21:00 +0000

I write today's post 29,000 feet in the air, flying from the north east to the continent.

And I'm contemplating the question...

If you were about to die and could buy just one extra day, how much would you pay?

Just one day of experiencing, breathing, laughing, loving, immersing, everything-ing.

How much for would you pay for that?

My guess is... everything.

Hey, without consciousness, "posessions" mean nothing anyhoo.

So, you would pay every penny you own for one day here on planet earth.

Right?

And yet right now, you're taking life for granted... moaning, b!tching, stressing, fearing. We take our health and wellbeing for granted.

You're *wasting* the one thing you'd give everything you own to enjoy.

Bit foolish, really.

Life is all about experience... and the more enjoyment, laughter, love and fun you can throw into the mix, the more worthwhile your existence.

Think about it.

If you were about to die and could buy just one extra day, how much would you pay?

Be a Better, Happier You!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:21:00 +0000

Today, in celebration of the past week's "Be a Better You" posts, I'm giving away copies of my book - The 18 Rules of Happiness.

Click to play:

(Visit http://www.karlsblog.com/ if you can't see the video above.)

Here are the links to download:

Click HERE to download The 18 Rules of Happiness in PDF format

Click HERE to download The 18 Rules visual mind map in PDF format

Click HERE and send a copy of this blog post - to claim your FREE MP3 version of the book

Be a Better You - Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:21:00 +0000

In today's "Be a Better You" post, I briefly chat about improving your life - through meditation, releasing and exercise.

Click to play:

(Visit http://www.karlsblog.com/ if you can't see the video above.)

Here are the links you need to learn more:

The Meditation Program
http://www.meditationprogram.com/
RRP $85 for download version, click here to buy for just $67 - includes ALL guarantees and bonuses

Happiness NOW!
http://www.happiness.fm/
RRP $97, click here to buy for just $67 - including all guarantees, bonuses and free international shipping

The Five Rituals
http://www.fiverituals.com/
RRP $39.95, click here to buy for just $29.95 - including all guarantees and bonuses

Be a Better You - with the Law of Attraction

noreply@blogger.com (Karl) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 11:20:00 +0000

In today's "Be a Better You" feature, I'm discussing the industry craze that is the Law of Attraction - and how to use it to seriously improve your life.

Just click to play:

(Visit http://www.karlsblog.com/ if you can't see the video above.)

Here are the important links you need to know:

The Quantum Cookbook
http://www.quantumcookbook.com/
RRP $147, click here to buy for just $97 - includes ALL bonuses, guarantees and FREE international shipping

Advanced Cosmic Ordering
http://www.advancedcosmicordering.com/
RRP $47.95, click here to buy for just $37.95 - includes ALL bonuses, guarantees and FREE international shipping

The Absolute Secret
http://www.theabsolutesecret.com/
RRP $27.95, click here to buy for just $17.95 - includes ALL bonuses and guarantees