attitude

Posted on February 29, 2024February 29, 2024 by Roger — Leave a comment

A Me-ist to a We-ist: How We Can Change the World One Person at a Time

Chapter Two

Be kind to the planet

Our Earth is populated with roughly 7.4 billion people as of August 2016, according to Wikipedia.com (World Population, https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_population). By the year 2100, a United Nations report estimates that number will grow substantially to around 11.2 billion. The sheer numbers of our species will put even more stress upon our world’s environment, energy resources, and food supplies. While our future may appear bleak, there is also a source of hope when we change our attitude about being a Me-ist to become a We-ist. This can be a great moment in history as H.H. The Dalai Lama writes about our present circumstance, “This crisis in bringing us an opportunity to experience what few generations in history ever have the privilege of knowing: a generational mission; the exhilaration of a compelling moral purpose; a shared and unifying cause…to put aside pettiness and conflict…and the opportunity to rise” (George, 2009). Being kind to our planet is not just buying fuel efficient automobiles and riding bicycles; turning down our home’s nightly temperature and changing to more efficient light bulbs; or recycling and buying less manufactured goods. Author James George (2009) nicely sums up our present situation, “The real bottom line, then, is to see that we are in a spiritual crisis that is widely misperceived as an environmental or an economic or a social crisis.

Earth Mother is screaming for our help to help ourselves: we can invent all sorts of new electronic gadgets; create unlimited social sites to consume our time; and design countless video games to distract us from being who we are or why we are here on the planet. These material goods cannot and will not help our environment…we must create new thinking to manifest as new people, a world of more caring and compassionate people that are kind to our planet. The shift in our fundamental thoughts, words, and actions towards ourselves and, hence, to others, creates new behaviours and values that are helpful to our environment and to us. As we have a spiritual awakening, our hearts and souls are also changed from being a Me-ist to a We-ist. What an extraordinary life it would be. Does each one of us have to change at the same moment to impact the world around us? No. The teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff (1991) reflect his ideas about what it takes to make real change on our world, “two hundred conscious people, if they existed and if they found it necessary and legitimate, could change the whole life on earth.” Once We-ists begin to change to Me-ists, a new paradigm is formed and then the momentum from such an occurrence will carry us to a new and better world.

The idea behind becoming a We-ist when you are a Me-ist at the present moment is to shift your focus from your Self to others, and your attention can be centred upon a person, animal or the environment. Let’s consider what happens as you focus upon another individual. When you shift your focus, you can help others feel important, self-confident, and worthy of love, success, and happiness. What single word leaves the greatest impression upon others…their name. Every time you meet a new person be sure to remember and use their name, nothing else is sweeter to your ear than your own name. We can help others become more self-confident by following these few steps. If we are supportive and not critical of others, this simple act is conducive to building a person’s self-confidence. When we spend time with someone else, this is when we can reinforce what they do well and not what they don’t do so well. These are ways to refocus upon others and not focus upon your Self.

When you shift your focus upon the creatures that you encounter on a daily basis you help that stray dog or cat by supplying them with a loving home. Millions of people world-wide agree with your decision to have a pet; surely, we all cannot be wrong. Why? You win because research indicates that owning a dog, cat or other animal companion is beneficial psychologically and physiologically (Crain, 2013). First, when you have a pet you are more active and this aids in increasing your heart rate and boosts your energy. Since you are active, you have a greater chance of lowering your chances for obesity, lowering your blood pressure, and your cholesterol too. Second, having a pet increases your feeling of empathy, a positive reaction that is flooded with positive energy as you put their needs before yours, which increases your compassion. Third, your pet needs you to feed, exercise, and water them which increase your empathy. In turn, you feel needed; your dog is never ever judgmental of your actions. Last, petting your dog or cat releases huge doses of positive hormones, serotonin and oxytocin, throughout your system which reduces your cortisol (Niven, 2007). Do you want to become a We-ist? Adopt an animal… today.

When you shift your focus upon the Earth Mother you are helping her survive and therefore enabling your children, grand-children, and great-grand-children an opportunity to live a long healthy life upon our one and only terrestrial home. The focus of this chapter is how we can change from a Me-ist to a We-ist by being kind to our environment. Let’s start with the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. It appears that the 3 R’s appeared on the first Earth Day in 1970, within the Environmental Handbook edited by Garrett De Bell and published by Ballentine/Friends of the Earth (www.urbanore.com). The 3 R’s are effective because they are simple imperatives, commands that leave an impression upon our minds to take action to do something positive for our environment. In the process, we benefit emotionally and spiritually from our selfless actions to save the world from pollution.

First, according to Rob at the Green Guide for Everyday Living, reduce “…is dubbed as the mother of all 3 R’s and it should be the first rule to consider when making any task at home.” For example, it is important to work upon reducing energy, materials, and electronic gadgets where you live. Making these simple choices to reduce the waste and consumption in your home is a big step to caring for the Earth and taking the focus off of you and onto something bigger and more important than yourself.

Next, pay particular attention to what you buy and why you buy it; this prudent decision helps our environment. It is easy to say reduce buying clothes, mobile phones, jewellery, shoes and so forth for many of us; however, this attitude swims directly against the current of our modern-day consumer driven world. The government measures economic success by how much we spend. The neighbourhood gauges you on the size of your house, the make of your car, and the price of your toys. The media, in its many forms, pushes the idea that more is better and you are worth more because you have more. This is not true wealth and happiness in life; it is spiritual and emotional poverty that occurs when you face unbridled shopping. What can you do? If you have a problem, acknowledge that you have the problem; don’t deny it exists. Many of us have real problems and issues when it comes to being able to reduce what we buy. The problem is maybe that you are a shopaholic; but don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed of this condition because you’re not alone…far from it. The well-known New York psychologist, Dr. April Lane Benson, estimates that over 18 million Americans are shopaholics. It’s a staggering number of people who suffer from this dilemma, and this is why Dr. Benson created Shopaholicnomore.com. If you think that you or a loved one has a shopping or spending issue, you can visit the site and download their free self-assessment questionnaire to discover if there is a reason for concern as well as what to do about it. This site and its useful information could change your life forever.

You can pick-up your digital or paper copy of A Me-ist to a We-ist at Amazon. Enjoy the read and a review would be greatly appreciated to help get the word out and help save our planet and our species from the portal of extinction.

Posted on December 22, 2020December 22, 2020 by Roger — Leave a comment

I think that we’re all done with 2020. Most would want this past year in their rearview mirror.

“Positive expectancy is the driving force that changes problems to solutions, difficulties to possibilities, and adversities to opportunities.” Roger Kenworthy

This past year has been difficult for may of us, however, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we can come out on the other side of this pandemic much stronger if we look at our problems as solutions, our difficulties into possibilities, and our adversities into opportunities.

Roadblocks are not meant to end our desires; rather, they are there to instruct us.

When we set out to accomplish big goals and big dreams, we often run into roadblocks that appear to stop us from achieving what we truly desire in life. However, these are mere detours set before us to test our resolve. Although we encounter problems, difficulties, and adversities along the path to success, The Law of Expectancy can turn these into solutions, possibilities, and opportunities.

You will only achieve what you expect to achieve.

The Law of Expectancy will bring about big changes in your life as a result of your mental attitude. Because you achieve what you expect to achieve, according to the Law, your attitude sets off a chain reaction to bring about your success. So, we have thoughts of success that cause us to react in a positive manner which draws all the people and circumstances that are necessary to achieve what we want.

Failures manifest victories if you persist and not surrender your goals

Thomas Edison certainly had the Law on his side when it took him over 10,000 attempts to discover the incandescent light bulb. And The Law was working for Sly Stallone when scores of Hollywood studios turned down his script about a prize fighter from Philadelphia. In spite of repeated failure and rejection, these men had an attitude of victory and not of defeat which helped them get around, through, and over the obstacles that were stopping them from achieving their ultimate goal.

Positive Expectancy is a key component of your success

It must be said that the opposite is true as well, if we think we can’t then we certainly can’t reach our goals. This is evident with many people: on the surface, it looks like they should attain whatever they strive for. They plan their goal, are sure to be positive in life, and do all the right stuff, however, unless they have positive expectancy, chances are they will not reach their goal no matter how long or how hard they try. This is self-sabotage. And as they continue to sabotage their efforts on an unconscious level, they are not even aware of what or why they don’t achieve the success they want out of life.

Clearly define your goal, visualize your results, take consistent action, and remain in a positive state of vibration.

The Law will provide for you if you do the following: have a clearly defined goal, visualize your results before they occur, never lose sight of your goal, take consistent action towards your goal, and remain in a positive state of mind.

Expectancy of success PLUS positive thoughts will manifest your desires

Even though you maintain positive thoughts towards your goal and your success, it is not enough just to be positive. More importantly, you need positive expectancy to accompany optimism. You have to feel a sense of expectancy as well as think positively to succeed. Expectancy of success, coupled with positive thoughts, will manifest what you want to achieve in your life.

“Positive expectancy is the driving force that changes problems to solutions, difficulties to possibilities, and adversities to opportunities.”

You can only achieve what you expect to achieve

Failures lead to victories if you keep pursuing your goals

Positive Expectancy is the driving force for your success

Have a clearly defined goal, visualize your results, take consistent action, and remain positive to achieve your goals

Optimism, when married to Positive Expectancy, manifests your desires.

All the best in 2021

Finally, to all my readers; from our family to yours, we send love and hope for a better 2021. However, we are still are in the driver’s seat and we have the ability to change these dark days to golden opportunities.

I have reduced the price of my favorite digital book on KINDLE, A Me-ist to a We-ist: How We Can Change the World One Person at a Time to .99 (regular price is $5.99). I’m doing this to help anyone reach their goals of fulfillment and harmony with their Self in the upcoming year and many years after that. Let me know your experience after reading at inspiredwithquotes@gmail.com.

Posted on October 12, 2017October 12, 2017 by Roger — Leave a comment

“Meditating for the mind is as important as exercising for the body.”

Meditation is our connection to the spiritual world.

For thousands of years, humankind has practiced the art of meditation. In earlier times, religion and meditation were inexorably joined and all the major world religions incorporated meditating as a means to connect with the One; a means to silence the physical world and experience the spiritual world; and a means to transcend the seen world and to reside within the unseen world.

A deeply, devoted state of thinking

And it was the monks, priests, and mendicants who mainly followed a meditative life within the confines of their monasteries and caves, thus, it appears that the conduit to the spiritual realm all too often excluded the general populace. Nowadays, there is no longer a barrier which prevents us from accessing and practicing this time honored tradition. While meditation and religious practices are still tightly entwined, most people out of the realm of organized religions who practice meditation are in reality practicing discursive thinking – a deep, devoted state of thinking.

Our mental state changes our physical body

Whether it’s achieving spiritual ecstasy or attaining physical enjoyment from regular meditation (or discursive thinking), the scientific community as a whole identifies that a change of mental state results in a change of physical state. A body of research indicates a litany of ills including anxiety, stress, pain, and depression are substantially reduced or completely eliminated by regular meditation sessions.

Our happiness increases with our meditation sessions

There is also evidence to support the lowering of blood pressure levels, improving sleeping patterns, strengthening immunity systems, and increasing general overall happiness. In fact, a number of studies have discovered that your overall Happiness Index number may increase by as much as 20% from regular meditation sessions.

Create a stronger connection between the Source and your Self

New Age scientists have hypothesized that habitually meditating creates a stronger connection between the practitioner and the Source which in turn releases blockages of energy which are at the heart of the many problems which we suffer from in this modern age.

You can have a healthier brain

Even though we have an extensive list of benefits from regular meditation, researchers have recently discovered other reasons to make this a regular routine in our busy and hectic lives. As we age, we naturally have a thinning of our frontal cortex. One study finds that regular meditation slows down the process and it also helps thicken this area of the brain when practiced over long periods of time. After years of being committed to this sacred act, we end up with a healthier brain.

Meditate to rewire your brain and increase awareness

A wide number of studies also discover that regular meditation sessions rewire our brain. It seems that the rewiring of the brain results in an increased awareness and focus upon the present moment. Most of us spend a great deal of our time, scientists estimate as high as 50% of the time wandering from idea to idea, hence, there is little focus.

A lack of focus can attract negative energy

As our thoughts race around in our minds, we most often than not are attracted to the negative aspects of our life; the bill that is owing, the car that needs fixing, the tooth that needs drilling. So, our lack of focus results in obsessing upon the negative which then places us in a negative state which then attracts more negativity to our lives.

Quiet the white noise

However, a wide range of studies have found that when we meditate, we quiet the white noise of the outside world and become less judgmental in our worldview. This change then manifests as a more relaxed attitude that is not obsessing upon the broken this or the unpaid that. It appears that the brain is able to respond to self-monitoring and retain and maintain focus and block-out worldly interference.

Science not speculation

This is not just speculation. A recent study discovered that meditating monks and praying nuns activated the areas of the brain that dealt with concentration and focus while they also deactivated the areas of the brain that controlled responses to worldly stimuli. Over time, the ability to control your focus upon the inner world and not upon the outer world is a direct result of the rewiring of the brain which is directly influenced by meditation.

Focus upon the purposeful not the superfluous

Meditation is more than just a few umm’s while sitting cross-legged on the floor with sweet smelling incense burning and exotic music playing in the background. Meditation results in significant health benefits that help us to live a long and productive life. It is our ability to control our thoughts and focus upon the meaningful things in life and not the superfluous which bring about true happiness and good health.

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Roger — Leave a comment

“Big goals do not manifest from small efforts.”

Become aware of the Natural Laws

Some would have you believe that achieving a tremendous goal in your life is accomplished by merely sitting back and waiting until everything that is required to achieve the goal aligns between and amongst themselves to then simply manifest before your eyes. While this sounds very compelling to those who lack awareness, it is less intriguing to those who are aware of the Natural Laws of the universe and furthermore, it is somewhat of a simplistic view of the true workings of the universe.

Harnessing the Natural Laws for success

Now, this is not to say that you must work hard and sacrifice your physical health and your spiritual Self to achieve a goal. Far from it, rather, manifesting your goal is about harnessing the Natural Laws to work for you as you work with the Laws. Thus, we witness a symbiotic relationship occurring with both parties benefiting from the interface of our goals with the benevolent Source instead of a one-sided relationship where we receive everything and contribute nothing to achieve what is offered freely from the Source.

Change your present to change your future

It is important to fully comprehend the process of goal achieving or we simply repeat what we have done in the past and naturally, since our attempts failed in the past then they certainly will fail again in the future if nothing changes. First, even though it may seem to be contradictory to common sense, you should plan big goals to achieve the success that you want to reach and the success that is freely provided by the Source.

Focus upon BIG goals, ones that you don’t know how to achieve

When you plan your goal, if you know how to achieve that goal at the moment that you set it, then it is far too small of a goal. You are clearly underachieving with this stratagem as you are freely admitting that your outer world is ruling your inner world. This is playing it safe, however, do not be afraid of setting tremendous goals; set them and have full confidence in the unerring laws of the universe to manifest your goals.

Why do you need to accomplish your goal?

Second, it is critical for success to focus upon the solution and not focus upon the problem. When approaching goal setting from a state of want, this will only keep the want in the present and future since you are in a state of lack and not in a state of abundance. Instead, it is key to wrap your mind around the idea of not only focusing upon what you want, but, why you need it. For example, rather than focus upon only the need to earn a specific monthly amount of money (the problem), focus upon your family enjoying a nice home or having an extended vacation at a very nice tropical setting (the solution).

Your focus determines your achievements

And there are other examples to apply which have you refocus upon the why and not only the want: you want to start you own business since you are afraid of being fired from your present job vs. you start you own business and enjoy more family time and your children can attend and graduate from a good college. With the proper focus, you are attracting the goal to you and not repelling it from you. And one last thing to consider, do not wait until you achieve your goal before you believe…believe it first in order to achieve it.

Faith and belief creates peace along your path to success

Third, once you have the faith and belief to set that tremendous goal, it is now imperative to relax, with meditation and visualization sessions, and wait until the means to achieve your goal is provided to you by the benevolent Source.

Listen to your inner voice

Take time to be still, to shut-out the noise around you and to get in touch with the deepest part of your Self. You will not be disappointed; however, you must be patient and not become anxious or nervous if the answer does not immediately become apparent to you.

Action follows after you discovered your plan

Still, once you have heard the plan how to achieve your goal from the Source, you must act upon it immediately. Take time to write-up a plan of action and then work at it and not half-heartedly. Even though the Source will provide the path to your goal, you must not sit by idly and wait until the goal comes to you, you must take the initiative to take those steps needed to achieve your final goal.

BIG thinking and action manifest results

At the end of the day, it is easy to understand that a big effort is no more than big thinking; it has been said that achieving a small goal takes just as much energy as it takes to achieve a big goal. The Source will provide all that is required to achieve what you can perceive, still, if you make a half-hearted effort the result will be far less than what you can achieve. Face your life with a think big attitude and you will be surprised where that road takes you.