I AM INSPIRED!

I’ve been away from my blog for a while now. There were no personal dramas or major catastrophes taking me away from my inspirational writing. In fact, it is just the opposite. I’ve found myself focused on some very simple, but wonderful things in life. As I get more present with the “little things in life,” I find myself more content, more satisfied, and less distracted with getting somewhere, accomplishing some thing, or showing up in some way. I feel relaxed and thankful. One of my intentions in writing this particular blog entry is to remind myself of this simple truth and the simple joy that comes with it. I stopped looking at my social media stats for months on end and started looking more at sunsets, the turning color of leaves, and the hummingbird that visits the ever-blooming flowers on the deck outside of my kitchen window. The thought of these things brings a smile to my face, even as I sit and write this.

 Interestingly, my world of business did not stop. If anything, it got busier. My coaching career did not falter. It prospered. How is that possible? Aren’t I supposed to be visiting my social media sites numerous times a day and offering new content at every turn? Shouldn’t I be posting my every inspirational moment for the world to follow? Evidently, like everything, it is a choice. Don’t get me wrong. I’m about to start posting a lot about my next upcoming projects any day now. Yes, I have some things to share. Things that excite, inspire, and motivate me. Yes, I want to share them. And, I will. However, this little break away from what I am “supposed” to do as a dedicated, motivated, inspired coaching entrepreneur has been an amazing lesson for me. When the worries came up that I “should” be more active in the online world, I had to breathe deeply into those fears and trust that life knows better than I do. It always does. I followed my gut instinct rather than my rational mind. The world did not come crashing down. I did not slink away into obscurity. I carved out more time to appreciate the life that is going on around me at every moment. I gave more of my attention to the simple things and life got a bit more simple. I am refreshed. I am grateful. I am inspired.

 Now, let the postings begin anew …

 Gratefully,

Mark

www.MarkEdgarStephens.com

www.WhoAreYouChoosingToBe.com

PUMPKINS ON MY PORCH!

Pumpkins are now on my porch!  To me, there are few things that bring as much instantaneous pleasure to my senses as a pumpkin.  I enjoy the bright, friendly orange color that becomes almost iridescent at dusk.  I like the smooth, wavy feeling of its hard, outer shell.  Everything that has the taste of pumpkin combined with cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg bursts with deliciousness in my mouth.  The smell of toasted pumpkin seeds and warm pumpkin pie elicits such sense memory as to propel me into excited, childlike memories of fantastic costumes and trick-or-treats.  And, of course, there is the magic and beauty of the pumpkin carved into a jack-o-lantern.

 

Recently, I’ve been working with clients who wish to experience their lives at a more pleasurable level.  I ask them to identify the simple things in life that plunge them into their senses.  I do this by asking questions.  “What are the sights, tastes, sounds, and smells you enjoy most?  What things that you touch bring you a sense of calm, peace, and pleasure?”  As a person begins to share their answers to these questions, a smile comes across his or her face.  I observe as they shift toward feelings of happiness and joy simply by recalling the things in life that they enjoy.

 

This Halloween as I light my pumpkin (because I don’t let a Halloween pass without carving one), I will take a few extra minutes to sit and watch it glow.  I’ll breathe in the crisp, October night air.  I will smell the burning candle inside of the pumpkin and I will be grateful that I can taste, touch, smell, and see something so simple, so pure, and so beautiful.

 

If you haven’t carved a pumpkin since childhood, try it this year.  It may remind you of some of the simple joys in life.

 

Enjoying my senses!
Mark

www.MarkEdgarStephens.com

www.WhoAreYouChoosingToBe.com

 

 

I ENJOY BEING ENJOYED!

Even as I knew I was going to write this blog, I hesitated.  Announcing to the world that “I enjoy being enjoyed,” feels both liberating and egotistical.  The fact that it is my truth is the reason that I am writing it anyway.

Earlier this week, I was working with some of the exercises from my book (I read through and work with the materials in my book quite often to keep me on track and, sometimes, to get me back on track).  In doing the work, this statement flew from my brain through my hand onto a piece of paper.  The questioning I was actively engaged in was directed toward my outer purpose (inner purpose remains constant, but outer purpose can change quite dramatically in a lifetime).  After looking at the many things in which I participate (most are communication oriented), the simple statement, “I enjoy being enjoyed,” popped out.  I thought about this statement as I smiled, realizing that this must be the truth for a great many people.  Whether we are talking about friends, family, lovers, business associates, animals, children, or strangers, I think most of us enjoy being enjoyed.  It is the simple act of appreciation.  When we appreciate something it grows in value.  When people enjoy us, we feel appreciated and we can feel our intrinsic value more immediately.  The people  around us act as a reflection for us.  Enjoyment of another person, appreciation in its most simple essence, is a reflection of our ability to be “in joy.”  So, now the secret is out:  I ENJOY BEING ENJOYED!

What does this mean in my day-to-day life?  It means that the intention in each day, in each moment, is simply to appreciate everything around me — the people, nature, situations, buildings, classes, work, changes (a challenging one).  The alternative, being unappreciative of the world around me and of my place in this world, would only bring a sense of melancholy, frustration, and angst.  I think I’ll stick with the enjoyment as best I can.

I hope you enjoyed this post.  If so, let me know.  After all, in case you didn’t get it, I ENJOY BEING ENJOYED!

Unabashedly, ridiculously grateful,

Mark

www.MarkEdgarStephens.com

www.WhoAreYouChoosingToBe.com

www.NexAim.com