Success in Life and Chess

In the evenings, my son and I enjoy playing chess. Since our main goal is to have fun, our games are lighthearted while we apply new strategies to each game. Our challenge is to improve our awareness and overcome the limitations of our own thinking. We often cheer for each other when a great move is made, even if we lose a chess piece. We see our mistakes as a reminder to pay closer attention and we don't attach any anger or guilt to the experience of the game.

Our lives can be seen as a parallel to a game of chess. When all the pieces work together to fulfill our goals, we enjoy a life of balance and harmony. Although some of the pieces in our life play a more dominant role than others, ultimately we decide how we are going to put each piece into play. Through experience we learn how even minor pieces can help us make powerful advances.

We don't even have to see every possible combination to make the right decision, but we can develop a keen awareness for what feels like the right solution. When we realize we already have everything we need to direct our life, we take action. If we should make a move that doesn't work out the way we’d like, we simply learn from the lesson and adjust to the challenges as we continue toward our goals. All we have to do is decide what we want to accomplish, be clear in our intentions, take action, and allow ourselves to succeed.

An Overwhelmed Mind

Have you ever tried to stop thinking? Some people say it can't be done! When we feel our mind can’t be turned off, we often go to bed tired and wake up tired. If our first action in the morning is to reset the snooze alarm "one more time," perhaps it’s time to commit to improving our life and putting an end to feeling overwhelmed.

An overwhelmed mind is limiting in its ability to function since it’s too busy jumping from thought to thought to perceive accurately. If we think we can listen and speak at the same time, we are only contributing to our mental noise and distancing ourselves from the greater potential of understanding.

Clearing an overwhelmed mind can be as simple as taking two or three deep breaths in coordination with relaxing the body. By drawing deep, cleansing breaths, we can calm the body naturally and increase our flow of inner energy. When our breathing is calm, we release any stress, anger, or fear we have and allow our mind to become clear in any situation. Feeling overwhelmed is an unconscious habit developed by responding to life’s changing circumstances. By taking the time to clear an overwhelmed mind we perceive more accurately and discover a balanced, more fulfilling life.

A Cup of Coffee

Two weeks ago while driving home from a writing retreat in the Sierras, I asked Maureen, "How's your coffee?" She smiled and said, "It’s great." I was happy for her because I know how much Maureen loves a good cup of coffee.

This may sound like a simple situation, but what would have happen if I asked, "Is today’s coffee as good as the coffee you make at home?"

Asking that question would have made Maureen compare her present cup of coffee with another coffee experience. By comparing, it would have taken her away from the joy she was experiencing at the present moment.

The more time we spend in the present moment, the more joy there is in our lives. When we compare events, it brings up experiences from the past that can create judgments. By living in the present moment, we expand our awareness and enjoy the experience that’s before us right now.

Seeing the Beauty in Life

Have you ever wondered how people can look at the same view and yet never see the same thing?

Years ago, I was setting up my camera and tripod to take a beautiful seascape picture near Big Sur, California. Two men hiking along the trail paused as they passed to see what I was photographing. As they walked away, I overheard one of the men say, "I’ve walked this trail hundreds of times, but I’ve never seen what he sees."

So often people only see what they’ve seen before with the same mindset, yet the beauty in life is often discovered when we see things as if for the first time. Creativity and inspiration come from seeing things in a new light which often leads to incredible innovation that benefits us all.

Peace of Mind

How do we find peace of mind in a world that seems to be spinning out of control? The answer lies in quieting the busy mind. Yet when we try to sit still for a few moments our mind seems to be overflowing with thoughts and emotions and we wonder if peace of mind is even possible. Sometimes I wonder if we even allow ourselves to be at peace.

One morning as I was sitting quietly for a few minutes before a busy day, this thought crossed my mind:

"I accept all good things for Michael."

I visualized going through the day without wondering or worrying about what would happen in each situation; instead, I envisioned all good things coming to Michael.

What I felt was a peaceful state that lasted throughout the day. Even when things weren’t going as planned, my perspective shifted as I saw the bigger picture.

A few days later, I mentioned to a friend how this simple exercise greatly improved my peace of mind. She replied, "Michael, what you’ve found is present moment consciousness and allowed yourself to succeed."

The next time you want a little peace of mind, take a few moments to breathe fully and accept all good things for yourself. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel and how many good things do come into your life.

The Shell

One day while walking along the beach, I found an abalone shell in the sand. When I picked up the shell, I immediately felt the rough texture of the outer shell that protects the abalone from its environment and predators. As I turned the shell over, the beautiful iridescent colors and the smoothness of the inner shell was the opposite of its rough exterior.

The abalone shell reminded me of the people we see everyday. Each of us has a rough exterior that faces the outer world and an inner radiance that reflects our true brilliance and potential.

Clearing the Air

After arriving early for a business meeting to give a presentation, I was met with quite a surprise. As I walked into the meeting room, I suddenly felt the residual turmoil from events of the previous meeting. The phrase, "The air was so thick you could cut it with a knife" crossed my mind.

With less than an hour before my presentation, I mentally and energetically "cleared the air" to insure a positive experience for everyone at the meeting. When the business meeting was finished, several people told me, "This was by far the most productive meeting we’ve ever had in this room."

At times, all of us have felt the emotional tension within a room or the peaceful reverence of a sacred place. Every environment is imprinted by the thoughts, emotions, and spiritual qualities of the people who inhabit the space. When we take the time to create a positive environment, we discover a greater level of success and happiness for ourselves and others.