I admit there are moments when the dreams or plans I’ve had seem to take a turn in a direction that I can see no purpose or point – and I get in a temporary funk. But it’s always come full circle and slowly I’ve learned to just be present with…whatever is happening. As long as I continue to do my best and be prayerfully minded I’ll understand it eventually and it will all work out perfectly.

If I’ve had any challenge with this series, it’s picking only one thing a day to be grateful for. A warm bed to sleep in and food to eat are two that so many of us take for granted. I thank God for these and so much more. Sometimes I like to sing myself to sleep with the words of Irving Berlins, Count Your Blessings – as he wrote, “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessings.”

Until tomorrow…

Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

So while we have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years, it’s time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God.

You might be a redneck if:

• It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, ‘One nation, under God’
• You’ve never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places
• You still say ‘Christmas’ instead of ‘Winter Festival’
• You bow your head when someone prays
• You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem
• You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have
• You’ve never burned an American flag in protest, nor intend to
• You know what you believe and you aren’t afraid to say so, no matter who is listening
• You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same
• You’d give your last dollar to a friend

BTW – My daddy’s family was most recently from Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma area while my mom’s was from Russia and the Ukraine so I get the cross culture concept

Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

I don’t spend as much time reading books as I used too. Now more time is given to articles and stories while researching information on the internet.

The truth is I can get lost in books, and days would go by with little more than a vague awareness of the passage of time if I were totally left alone. In fact, I spent one summer working at the local library while I was in elementary school  just to have the opportunity to be around the wealth of knowledge, information and adventure that graced those shelves.

I will admit that while I have the opportunity to read books on the computer – it isn’t as satisfying as sitting down in a comfortable chair and feeling that book in my hands, smelling the paper and listening to the pages as they turn providing a tangible feedback loop of my progress through the story or text.

The worlds that open up when I read – no matter the source – keep me connected with myself and others…so today…I’m grateful for the ability to read. And I’m thankful that my parents and teachers passed on their love of reading helping me believe in the possibilities that surrounded this new and exciting undertaking.

Today I am grateful for love, the caring of family and friends both near and far. The love of a God who is all present and all knowing and loves me unconditionally.

And tonight my prayers go out to the young family of Noah Biorkman in Tennessee. While his CarePage has the same information it also requires a log-in. It’s times like these that this poem is so fitting.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you.” ~ by Mary Stevenson

May you be held in the palm of His hand – today and always!

Kira

Sometimes when it seems that there is a firestorm all around God speaks in the still small voice and says; “Peace, be still” and I know that whatever is on the horizon will come out OK.

It reminds me of the story about the old Chinese emperor who wanted his artisans to create something so unique that it would always keep him centered. After many trials, a fine jeweler brought him a gold ring with nothing more than four words engraved around the inside of the ring.

At once he knew that this was what he had been looking for. When he was on the top of the mountain so proud in his accomplishments or in the valley of despair, one look and he would find a balance in his life.

All of this with these four simple words, “this too shall pass“.

May the wisdom of this saying be yours today.

In Harmony,
Kira

For the remaining days in 2009 I will affirm reasons for gratitude starting with three great kids. Ben, Triss and Daniel are three of the most wonderful humans I’ve had the pleasure to know.

Each is unique in their philosophical outlook on life as well as their interests. They have their similarities including music, sports and the well being of humanity yet you might find one listening or performing heavy rock, another opera or another country. I am grateful for their kindness, their caring and their honesty.

I’m blessed to have three of the best kids in the world…thanks guys.

Love,
     Mom

PS If you’d like to join me in this feel free to add your reasons for gratitude in the comments section!

OK maybe that’s going a bit overboard with the metaphor but you get the point.

In a recent discussion, someone told me that two teachers in a relationship with each other weren’t necessarily a good match because they were always “telling each other what/how to do___”…because that is how teachers teach.

The simple fact that it DID upset me spoke volumes.

As I thought about it I realized that the best teachers guide their students on a journey of self-discovery. They understand their subject and students so well that they can formulate questions to encourage them to find their own answers. While there are times that some details may be necessary to provide a foundation…that foundation is best laid when the subject is eager for knowledge.

Those teachers that feel pressed to deliver, unqualified or limited in their scope of knowledge may resort to an answer that includes some form of “that’s the way it is”.

Or there is the parental fall back of – “here let me do it for you”, because it’s faster and simpler in our push button world.

I’ve done both in my time. And I can recall the frustration…and guilt, when as a young parent or teacher – I would say or do these things because I felt a lack of choices.

Most often it would be with something that either came naturally to me and I didn’t know how I knew something or some time when I had neglected to plan my time well and everyone paid for my shortsightedness.

On the other hand, I’ve worked as a vocal and speech coach with adults who struggle with presenting themselves, speaking up or performing and seen the results when a well meaning but unskilled music teacher (stuck with being a choir teacher in addition to their regular classroom duties) or parent who told the child to “just mouth it” or “we just need you to sing more softly —- all the time” and that child grew up believing they “couldn’t or shouldn’t” sing or speak out.

I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who loved what they did, my parents who read to me or let me listen for hours on end to talking books. Music teachers within and without my family who loved to sing as well as teach. I even remember in college when I solidified my love for history. There is little doubt that it was tied to my Western Civ Professor who, for 12 weeks, one short semester, spoke of places and times past from a personal relationship. She had traveled all over Europe and her eyes would light up when she talked about the Parthenon or the Coliseum. It’s been over 30 years and while I admit I don’t remember her name, I remember her passion and love of the subject.

I believe it is the same thing with children. When we share our love of reading, music, math, science, nature…whatever the subject NOT because we want them to love it but just because it flows out of our own love for it – they will pick up on it. We’re not telling them they have to learn something – we’re sharing with them our own enthusiasm. There is no need to force them…because we really love what we’re doing.

So the next time you want to help someone learn a concept, skill or craft, if it becomes a struggle – take a moment and ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I love what I’m talking about?
2. Am I trying to “tell” them what to do?
3. Do I feel like I have enough tools in my tool bag that I can help them discover their own answers?
4. Am I unattached to their results?

If you answered no to any of these – consider asking for outside help. And let me know how it goes.

In the meantime, thank someone today that has inspired you, share a smile with someone you love and find something to laugh about it’ll keep you young at heart.

Love,
Kira

The rest of the story goes: “This photo is a very rare one, taken by NASA. This kind of event occurs once in 3000 years. This photo has done miracles in many lives. Make a wish…  you have looked at the eye of God. Surely you will see the changes in your life within a day! Whether you believe it or not, don’t keep this mail with you. This is a picture NASA took with the Hubbell telescope. Called ‘The Eye of God.’  “

Now I know what programs like Photoshop can do so being the skeptic – I looked this up. Here is the coolest thing – it IS a real picture. Granted it is a composit since it is about 700 light-years away and spans about 2.5 light-years across. It isn’t a once in every 3000 years kind of thing – it’s age is @10,600 (+2,300 or −1,200) years so it’s been around a while. In addition, it DOES make one think of the “Eye of God”. For more about the background on the image I’ve included two links – one is is the press release about the Helix Nebula and the other is details found on Wikipedia. Press Release and Wikipedia

In the end I wonder why people feel the need to make up “stories” to be amazed at the miracles around us every day.

I would love to hear what you think?

Let us start with the first concept that language is needed for communicating ideas. In The Inner Game, the concept of Self 1 and Self 2 are introduced as two different parts of our psyche. The first one is the “self” that has the ability to perform a given task at our peak potential.

The other is the “self” that keeps telling us, why we can’t, what we should have done, what we should be doing, what we did “wrong” – and the list goes on. Moreover, it is talking to us DURING the performance.

I was relieved when I read The Inner Game of Music because I have had that secondary dialogue running in my head for so many years that I thought it was normal! As I looked back I wondered how I could perform ANYTHING with that other voice telling me how I should have released that last phrase…sung that note…added more character…and so on.

After I read the book, I began to connect with my “best performances” and see how that “other voice” never came into the equation. The goal is to be so “in the moment” that nothing else exists but the NOW. As a performer, if I am totally in the present, the things that matter are the energy/message in the music and the interaction between the audience and me.

Barry Green also introduces the trio concept of Awareness, Will and Trust. This trio is like playing pixie sticks. The sum of the parts is greater than any individual element.

Awareness is being in touch with everything around me. This includes how I am feeling, what is happening in the “house” (which is what allows me to open up and interact with my audience), and what the music is saying. Awareness even allows me to improvise and deliver a message that someone may have needed to hear – that I did not know of ahead of time. 

Trust, also known as removing all reason for doubt, comes in the form of trusting my own skills and preparation. I will perform better if I am able to trust the rest of the ensemble (if this is a group), the adequacy of the venue, and even the sound system, This list of “trust” is as long as the different elements that you have in your performance…even dress or costuming can be a factor.

Will provides the focus or clarity. Do I know what my goals and objectives are for any given performance? My goal may be as simple as everyone having a good time…or it may be eliciting a certain response. The clarity alone may be enough that I will hit my mark simply by being present or it may require some additional preparation. However, unless I have thought through what my desire is – I will have chosen to open myself up to the possibility of missing my mark.

With the combination of Awareness, Will and Trust, I also put myself in a position to know when to ask for feedback or help. Without this combination, I may find myself having the “if only” dialogue, 5 minutes before curtain. This self-talk diminishes any performance…from theater to business. I can change the order if needed, because they work best simultaneously, but I would not experience the same success should I remove an element.

Until next time – remember, you have the choice to make it a GREAT DAY! The gratitude with which you greet the day may make all the difference so enjoy some laughter and have a wonderful one!

In Harmony,
Kira

Internet marketing of the “latest and greatest personal growth idea of the century” feels like it has gotten to that point. While there are many wonderful programs out there provide personal growth, self-actualization and empowerment with the best ones based on concepts thousands of years old, today’s marketing techniques make it sound like something new, forgotten, unheard of in centuries…you know what I mean. Moreover, it seems everyone is doing it from the great to the not so great. In addition, as I found some have deviated far from the boundaries of integrity.

Within Freedom’s Formula, I am always looking for ways to ask better questions, make better choices and embrace change that allows me to speak to more hearts. I hear from many of personal growth experts on a daily basis. I am open to tempering my thoughts and actions to be more in alignment with my understanding of truth as revealed to me – from whatever the source.

A few days ago, I received an email promoting the “Lost Art of Pelmanism”. It was from Joe Vitale. Now I have read Zero Limits and I liked his concepts, as we seem to agree on a number of points. I have even taken him up on a recommendation for health products. There is a “but” and it is a big one as far as I am concerned. He is not accessible. His email addresses bounce, you know, that reply email that is not valid. His communication is on a mass-market scale even to business associates. There is more too.

The information on Pelmanism did sound very interesting. Mental mastery, personal growth…you know the routine, so I followed the link to find out more about it. On the subsequent website there was a sentence caught my eye. It said, “These twelve books explain very clearly how to train your mind with exercises, concepts, and secrets that just aren’t available anywhere else.”

If this information was really around that long – how is it not “available anywhere else”?

So I decided to follow a different path.

I spent some time on Google looking up Pelmanism. I found a card “game” that is supposed to be based on the books. This is the same type of card game that I have played with my kids for years – turn cards over and match pairs by remembering where the different cards are located. I found a site that allows you to download all of the twelve books at no charge. Then I found the original author. Moreover, I found an antique bookstore about an hour away with all 12 books.

My initial intent was to do a comparison of content along with reviewing it from the perspective of Freedom’s Formula.

I went ahead and downloaded the PDF from Devox out of South Africa. It is riddled with errors – some obvious others not so. Up front, the reader is told of the potential for error with text saying, “Despite careful editing it is possible that some of the original contents is missing or spelled wrong.” Personally, having done extensive transcription of old news papers, “careful” editing does not allow for missing content or spelling errors as it can lead to different interpretation of content.

I bought the Lost Art of Pelmanism by Joe Vitale and Pat O’Bryan – it was a small investment to have the content in PDF format and to see how these two master markets and self-help gurus have used the information.

Both PDF versions include the routine “Copyright © 2005. All rights reserved. No portions of this work may be reproduced in any form…”

I also bought the 12 original books from Cromwell Books. For an anachronistic moment, I was thrilled to see that the original owner R. S. Rankin and the dates in book six 10/10/29, twelve 6/15/30. From the content of the books and brief reserch on the web – he could even have been Robert Stanely Rankin – professor professor of Political Science at Duke University. A Poly Sci Proffessor could very easily have used this information to great advantage. At least it makes for a very cool connection with history.

What surprised me upon first scanning, is that the content of the Lost Art of Pelmanism is little more than plagiarism. They appear to have simply changed the title and put their names on the books. Additionally, the layout is exactly the same, page breaks, hyphenation and all. Then you add a slick marketing page and voila, money in the bank. All for the little time it took to convert the text, put up a couple of web pages for sales and thank you/ product delivery then some emails to sell it all. Again and again since it started at least three years ago.

Joe Vitale and Pat O’Bryan do not seem to have even put anything new (of their own) in Mr. Ennerver’s work nor credit Mr. Ennever.

In any case, I am going to see how Pelmanism by William Joseph Ennever relates to Freedom’s Formula and the Handbook for Freedom. I will be keeping you posted at least once a week and we’ll see if it takes me as long to get through these as it did Mr. Rankin.

Until next time – go out and make it a great day!

In Harmony,

Kira