In the world of personal development, there seem to be two distinct camps. Both approaches seem to lead to the same thing — happiness and INNER PEACE. Is one approach, more effective than the other? How can we make sense of the sometimes contradicting approaches?

The Camp of Achievement

First is the goal-oriented, achievement-based, power-filled doctrine. This school of thought tells us to “take charge” of our lives. It tells us, we CAN shape our destiny. We CAN create our own reality. We CAN achieve anything we set our mind to. It’s generally very “me-focused.” Whether it is a Tony Robbins seminar, a motivational book or Donald Trump’s Apprentice, the focus is on doing more. It’s about being the best. It’s about productivity. It’s about material success. It’s about power, taking control and taking action. It’s about MORE, MORE, MORE. Because, after all, MORE will bring you greater happiness. Right?

I personally love setting goals and achieving them. Don’t worry, I am not asking you to throw away goals or achievement. Think about it, without the world of achievement, we wouldn’t have all the luxuries and staples of our modern world. We have cars, planes, computers, internet, tv’s, Tivos, DVD’s, CD’s, GPS, cell phones, clothing, books, appliances, as well as heating and air conditioning. We can even access 10,000 songs off of a single iPod. There are countless creations you enjoy everyday because someone focused on achieving a goal. Our world continues to thrive and grow because of people and companies committed to achieving.

The Camp of Enlightenment

The other camp is focused on spiritual evolution or enlightenment as its ultimate goal. The teachers of this path focus on the ” here and now.” It’s about embracing reality, as it is, right now. It’s about letting go of resistance. It’s about recognizing the perfection of the moment. It’s about doing nothing. It’s about BEING. It’s about meditation and clearing your thoughts. Of course, many of these thoughts are going gang-busters because we were wanting to pursue our goals and dreams, and they aren’t materializing as quickly as the books promised. The path of enlightenment is more about stripping away the focus of me, me, me and recognizing the “oneness” of the Universe. This path is more about simplifying your life. It’s about doing and having less. Some practices go so far to recommend you discard all material possessions. It’s not about achievement, it’s about letting go of the striving. It’s about being. Byron Katie’s Loving What Is, Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti and Wayne Dyer all talk predominantly about this camp.

In our busy world, permission to release all thoughts in a meditation class is a welcomed invitation. Taking time to “be” when you’re “doing, doing, doing” balances out the most committed achiever. Aligning with the now allows us to savor each moment, and connect more deeply with ourselves and others. It allows us to follow our intuition, and think creatively. By simplifying, there are fewer competing thoughts and more time to BE.

I’ve personally struggled in reconciling these two camps because I recognize many of the contradictions (do vs. be, control vs. surrender, more vs. less and force vs. allow), yet simultaneously, I see tremendous value in them both. I see how each has its merits, and can contribute to pain and frustration.

The Downside of Achievement

The personal achievement or “success” camp has an implied presumption. The presumption is your life is NOT already “perfect” and wonderful the way it is. We’re told…you need to set goals. You should reach your potential. You have to commit. Your life will be better when you reach your goals. Many marketing approaches aim to highlight your deficits, and exaggerate the potential upside. And, they love to separate you from lots of money to learn their “secrets.” Achievement can be expensive and exhausting. There is a lot of energy on the future. It’s about focusing, taking actions, working hard, and doing whatever it takes. There is often a “forcing” type of energy. Get it done. Do more. Push yourself. Strive. Sound familiar? It can be very draining. When the pendulum of achievement swings to the extreme, there are a lot of associated costs.

The Upside of the Achievement Path

I believe, for many people, personal achievement is THE perfect place to start. Considering the vast majority of the population doesn’t set goals at all. Most live life more or less on auto-pilot. So, taking conscious control of their lives allows their life to become a more authentic expression of themselves. Goal achievement gives us focus and direction. From this pursuit we learn about ourselves. We can recognize unconscious limiting beliefs. We can develop our strengths and improve our weaknesses. Goal achievement also builds self-esteem. Goal achievement often contributes to the greater good of society with new products and services. Without a certain percentage of the population focused on achieving and accomplishing, can you imagine how many basic luxuries we’d be without?

The Downside of the Enlightenment Path

The Enlightenment Path also has an implied assumption. It speaks to the perfection of the universe, and tells us we don’t need to do anything. There is a certain truth in that. We are whole and complete, however most of us still have work to do to authentically “own” this truth. If we buy into the “whole and complete” wisdom without doing our inner work, we’ve just created a great story to justify our human blind spots. I’ve also seen lots of individuals become financially distraught when they focus exclusively on pursuing enlightenment. These people take “the perfection of the universe” wisdom as a “hall-pass” to stop contributing to society. It’s as though they quit listening to their creative impulses altogether. They give up on themselves. At its extreme, they start resisting anything falling into the “achievement” bucket or any kind of “doing.” These people are often part of the anti-capitalism movement. Of course, true enlightenment doesn’t resist anything…including capitalism, achievement or doing.

The Upside of Enlightenment Path

For some, completing “letting go” is exactly their path, even if it includes financial devastation. For the achievement junkie, letting their foot off the peddle is EXACTLY what they need to balance out their being. When achievement becomes so “mind-driven,” the intuitive, creative impulses can get drowned out. Relaxing into the flow of life seems to brings a different sort of serendipity and flow. Living in the present moment IS where life is happening. Most of us can learn to live here more often. The principles of enlightenment do allow us to connect more deeply inside of ourselves and with others. There are countless more benefits, including, my favorite…inner peace.

The Happy Middle

Perhaps there is wisdom from both camps for us to integrate into our lives. If we could be aware of swinging the pendulum too far to the “achievement camp” or too far to the enlightenment camp,” maybe we would all be living in a natural place of flow.

We’d be living in the present moment pre-dominantly, while occasionally learning from the past or getting inspired about the future. We’d be consistently honoring our own inner voice of guidance, often referred to as our intuition, our Higher Self, God or Spirit. This inner voice would be inspiring authentic goals and desires. This inner voice would also guide us to rest and relax. We’d be nurturing this inner voice through silence and stillness. This inner voice would get our FOCUS and attention. Through this inner voice we would naturally honor our creative impulses.

We would NOT be trying to artificially speed things up. The Achievement Camp is often about trying to artificially speed things up. It shows up in the form of pressure, guilt, overwhelm and stress. In the middle, this would melt away.

We would NOT be trying to artificially slow things down. Sometimes the Enlightenment Camp gives us permission to slow things down too much. Although, admittedly, members of The Achievement Camp can fall prey to this form of resistance also. It shows up in the form of procrastination and fear. In the middle, we would simply be inspired to act.

The Perfect Blend

I am not exactly sure what the perfect blend is of both camps, but I know it intrigues me. I am continually aware of the extremes. I continually try to relax back into the moment, keep my energy vibration high, embrace the reality unfolding before me and listen intently on my inner voice. From this place, conscious choices flow. And, from this place, I experience INNER PEACE.

By: Mary Allen

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This October brings us the, um, triumphant return of Michael Moore to theatres with his formerly unnamed Capitalism: A Love Story. This time, he’s going back to familiar ground, going after the big banks and the government insiders who fuelled literally billions in bailout dollars. This movie will, of course, contain all the Michael Moore antics we’re used to, but will it include the frequent refusal of interview subjects to talk to him? Or the half-baked research? Check out the trailer …

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www.DealzHQ.com Coming October, 2009 A controversial flick about why the economy took a downfall and the impact it had on American people. By Michael Moore.

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There’s still time to build that retirement nest egg….

History has shown us one of the most amazing financial shifts ever, as we’ve gone from being a nation of savers to a nation of investors. Even somewhat more amazing is that it has happened in less than a generations time.

Welcome to chronologically speaking, middle age or as I like to call it: The AARP Generation.

With retirement just around the corner and old age looming in the suddenly not-so-distant future for those of us in the baby boomer generation, financial concerns have become critically important. Just where do we find the extra income or the how to generate that extra income for those maybe not so golden years?

In the past we might have skipped the newspaper’s financial pages to read the sports section or worked on the crossword puzzle. Now we find the earnings reports and mutual fund listings endlessly fascinating weather online or reading the paper.

The challenge facing many of us even if we aren’t baby boomers is how to finance our busy lives while trying to save for our retirement years or maybe other unforeseen expenses. This challenge looms even larger day by day as we get closer to retirement. One of the best ways to meet the challenge is to start a small home based business.

For generations, security and safety were more important than high returns on investments. Having grown up during or in the aftermath of the Great Depression, they were very reluctant to put their money in anything that involved substantial risk. Investing hard-earned dollars in the stock market was only for gamblers and speculators, not for the average person. A mattress was a safer place for any of their extra money.

Their plan for building wealth was pretty straight-forward. Stay with the same company for a long time and forget about any other business opportunity. Rely on a great pension plan from that employer, and salt away any extra income in a federally insured personal savings account.

For our generation, however the blueprint has changed and earning extra income from home has become a business opportunity for many.

Traditional pension programs and savings accounts have all but disappeared. The number of workers covered by traditional pension plans has dropped 73% over the past 20 years. Nationwide, according to the latest federal data, personal savings have dropped from about 10% of disposable income in 1980 to -1% in 2006. In other words people today, weather a one or two income family, spend more money than they make. By the way, the credit card companies love it.

The primary source of retirement savings/pension income today is a 401(k) account. Again we have gone from savers – investors, safety – risk. Making a home based business one of the best ways to make extra income and take advantage of the many tax savings available to those working at home.

The main problem is that our generation came late to the 401(k) game. Whether through career changes, conversions from traditional pension plans or some unforeseen circumstance we really weren’t prepared to manage our own retirement funds. Now many of us are trying to make up for lost time with an extra income from a network marketing company or some other small business opportunity.

The 401’s always work best if you start saving a good percentage (10%) of your income very early in your working life. Future generations will be much better prepared to invest over their entire working lives and manage their own resources. The problem for those now nearing retirement age is how to invest those dollars to provide a decent return. Even the simplest calculation demonstrates the problem. If you’ll need $3,000 a month in extra income and you plan on living for 20 years in retirement, you’ll need to accumulate $720,000 in your 401(k) or by other means. Now that’s a lot of extra income to make up for, if you got in the game late.

So, let I ask… How is your retirement savings plan doing?

To make up for lost time, some people will be tempted to choose very aggressive, and very risky, equity investment options. This may seem wise today, but tomorrow it could be one of the worst moves you could have made. Has anyone watched what the market has done in the last couple of weeks? Great America theme parks could model one of their rides after it. This also makes an online business opportunity or work at home business all the more palatable.

Ready or not, we’re all capitalists today. The game of saving for retirement has changed the landscape of our future and betting our futures on what the Dow Jones will be on the day we retire is a high-risk and a high-stakes game that we can’t afford to lose.

Eleanor Roosevelt said it very well: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Why risk everything on a roller coaster? The sooner you get in a small business opportunity, the sooner you can earn the extra income it looks like we’ll all need.

Watch for more articles on this and other subjects…

As Always, God Bless and Always Remember To Make It A Great Day!!

Michael J Kohn
New Image Marketing Group, Inc.

By: Michael Kohn

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www.maximotv.com LosAngeles Premiere Screening of ‘CAPITALISM A LOVE STORY’ at The Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, Ca USA September 15, 2009 Interviews with Michael Moore, Roseanne Barr, Olivia Wilde, Thora Birch, Hal Sparks, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and Phoebe Price. Also attending Arielle Kebbel, Larry King, Jesse Metcalfe, Michael Rady and others. Interviews by Abbey Scott ***This footage available for licensing*** The viewing of this clip by website visitors is only permissible …

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Where are the winds of change drawing us? We must look more deeply at what kind of community spirit we are building for our country’s future. One of our greatest strengths can be found in our community life.

Bad practices got us into this “downturn”. Everybody wants to have the “nugget” of the answer but there is no “silver bullet”, no formula that we can follow. Let’s reflect and consider fundamental honesty. Sometimes we live in “make believe” land. How can we come out of this time? We can either get back “into the cave” or “step out of the cave”. Let us ask ourselves as the new year unfolds:

Where have we come from?
Where are we at?
Where are we going to?
A reflective step back and yet a forward look as to where we are going.

We are now talking about the short-term. How we survive the next 6 or 12 months in Ireland are urgent and important matters right now. It’s the short term outlook. The regulation of companies has recently left a lot to be desired. There now needs to be significant global regulation. With the downturn, the “playing field” will become a lot more balanced. Over the past 10 years we have come into significant wealth. We should now step back and reflect. What’s special about what we have? and what can be improved?. Balance is something we should always be working on as we strive to improve. Business and economy is part of the fuel that supports and grows community. Sometimes we get pretty narrowly focused in “what’s in it for me” instead of “what’s in it for us”?

We have been very reliant on foreign investment in Ireland. It has been one of the main contributors to our major success. Our cost factor became too high. This has worked against us in that many manufacturing companies are moving away from our shores to other countries at lower costs. Now we must become more dependent on our own intellectual abilities. We have always been a people who have been building other countries, we must now do this at home. As a people we can be negative towards ourselves. Let us congratulate our accomplishments and work now on supporting each other rather than knocking each other. We need not wait for US entrepreneurs to do the work for us. We must retain our vast wealth of talent within Ireland to prevent emigration. For all of the young talent considering emigration as the answer. Why not consider other options, for example:

• Can I develop an alternative career or enterprise?
• If I am a “home bird” why should I “flee” now with the first hint of a “downturn”?

See how you can utilise your talents here to benefit yourself and your community/country? Do not be afraid to try out different career paths in life. Do not be afraid to fail when things do not work out. Be strong in the knowledge that you have tried. Failure can be a major learning curve before you begin again with a valuable lesson gained.

“If you do what you always did you will continue to get what you’ve always got”

Vision should never be engraved in concrete because vision must change with time. What is your vision of where you are at now? It can be worrying when a company’s Mission Statement (Vision) is engraved in concrete in their office foyer.

We are all ordinary people but together we can create extraordinary things. Focus on “the world with you” versus “the world without you”. Focus on what contribution you have made to the world last year and consider the contributions you plan to make in the coming year. “The world with you” is a far better place to be. It is the effort you make and the openness you have in your mind and your heart that matters. Do not be afraid to take a massive leap of faith.

The world needs us all to work together. We must respond to the downturn positively. It is a challenge. It is the time to ask “am I going to give it my best shot”? Easy to do when things are good. It is now we need to stand up and be counted. We have made great progress in the past number of years. Peace was attained in this country of ours. The geography of where we live is extremely special. The friendship of our people who love to talk and interact.

By: Nuala Duignan

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This is a bit more complicated than one might first suspect. While being rejected for Christ does end in eternal rewards – there are tightly defined qualifications for eligibility to such trophies. I want to begin by retracing my steps on this issue.

“Count the Cost”

I began seeking God … battered and bleeding. The wounds were internal – but real – and life was exiting through them. I decided to read the Bible for myself – and was soon intrigued by some statements … and confronted by others. For example, when speaking to potential adherents, Jesus used this illustration: “Which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost? … Otherwise, when … not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule …” (Lk 14:28-30). Elsewhere He said, “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher” (Lk 6:40). I soon realized that part of “the cost” was, “you will be hated by all nations on account of My Name” (Mt 24:9) … and there was no guarantee my fate would be better than His. Indeed, I should expect His. Boy, … what an encouragement.

God’s Enemies and God’s Enemy

The call? “Come to Me” (Mt 11:28) … and be ready to pick up God’s enemies. That last part was not too … exciting. I already had plenty of enemies. And if I cooperated with Him, I would still be Caucasian, American, male, young, and part of a “Christian country” espousing capitalism. So, let’s see, … that’s already a few billion enemies – give or take a few million. “Jealousy is as cruel as the grave” (SS 8:6). But, as I continued reading, I discovered … God Himself was my “natural” enemy! In fact, He topped the list … with no intention of being supplanted by some underling. So, “the choice” became – retain God as enemy Number 1 … or cooperate with Him – and pick up His enemies. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Lk 12:4,5).

After submitting to sane reality, it seemed reasonable to investigate this rejection matter more fully. The bedrock is probably in the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on account of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” (Mt 5:11,12). This is a conditional promise.

Condition 1: “Falsely”

The insinuation is that one can be insulted and persecuted … truly. Unfortunately, that may constitute the bulk of the human resistance I have incurred over the years. “By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler (lit. ‘one who oversees others’ affairs’)” (1Pet 4:15). “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience?” (1Pet 2:20). This rhetorical question is an emphatic literary device in Koine Greek. The answer is, “None.”

Condition 2: “On Account of Me”

… not, “on account of me” – little “m.” But troubles “on account of Me” will be recompensed beyond any mortal’s ability to now comprehend. One prerequisite though, is one must be known … as a follower of Christ. That requires some degree of previous verbalization. A sole commitment to “lifestyle evangelism” will not suffice. While our behaviors are to be consistent with His Word, they are not meant to replace it. How can outsiders know what they are seeing – if they do not know the injunctions behind the behaviors? “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with His holy angels” (Mk 8:38).

In new relationships, I want my Christianity known as early as possible for several reasons. First, if left hidden, acquaintances have said, or done things, that later embarrassed them – after learning I was a Christian. This has damaged relationships – not in me … but in them. Second, by making my Christianity known early, the platform is set for the relationship to proceed on terms I prefer – whether it becomes “hot” or “cold” (Rev 3:16). Third, if a relationship does degenerate – there’s a better chance it will be worthwhile. “If you do what is right, and suffer for it … this finds favor with God … If you should suffer for the sake of righteousness – blessed” (1Pet 2:20 and 3:14).

“Rejoice and Be Glad …”

This too is somewhat … complicated. When thinking soberly, I want people to say, “Yes” to God. Paul told King Agrippa (after having his sanity challenged), “I would pray to God … all who hear me … might become such as I am, except for these chains” (Ac 26:29). And though Paul had told some gospel-rejecting Jews, “you … judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life” (Ac 13:46) – he still experienced “great sorrow and unceasing grief” in his heart and could pray himself “accursed” if that could result in his countrymen’s salvation (Ro 9:1-5). He wanted everyone to say, “Yes” to God. Jesus once looked upon “a great multitude and felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mk 6:34). He took the job – and to be rejected as the Shepherd does not bring joy. He takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezk 18;23 and 32). So, … upon what grounds can one “rejoice, and be glad” when rejected on account of Christ?

First, a negative reaction … is better than no reaction. One time, a fellow at a Gospel Mission I staffed became quite hostile. In the heated exchange, I said, “I have more hope for you than most people coming through here – at least you are reacting!” The conflict ended because – he didn’t know what to say. We know “God did not send the Son into the world to damn the world (it’s already damned) but that the world should be saved through Him” (Jn 3:17). I do not believe any spiritual exchange I have with anyone is “an accident” … even you – right now. I trust God to bring each person “in” – sometime before his/her last breath. I do not care when, where, … or how. Has God brought me into one’s realm … for additional judgment? His “mercy triumphs over judgment” (Ja 2:13). He stages these “visits” … and I am glad – at least in the long run.

Second, from a self-centered view, such opposition “is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation” … for me (Ph 1:28). Persecution, on account of Him, is an evidence of salvation. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Ro 8:16). Such understood interventions by God immediately creates rejoicing … even if one is in prison, beaten, and in chains (Ac 16:25). By the way, “a sign of destruction” is not “assigned to destruction.”

I guess it all comes down to one word: hope. I hope in our Redeemer … as Redeemer. And if He can redeem me, He can redeem anybody. He is plundering Satan’s house (Mk 3:27)..

First Strike

There is another way to approach this. The world may reject me on account of Christ, but I … rejected it first. And it should be upset with me. After all, I am a betrayer. I once willingly reclined in it, and partook of its offerings – but have now turned against it. I attack its false hopes, its empty promises, and declare it incapable of delivering substantive purpose. Should I expect no retaliation? But, the world is reacting … as I acted with the first strike. The chorus to my song, “The World” (Oct, 1981), says:

“World, don’t bother rejecting me – ’cause I’ve already rejected you.
As God opens my eyes – exposin’ each of your lies,
I keep findin’ – myself sayin’- to you, ‘World, we’re through!’”

Conclusion

Because we seek to benefit people by our work and witness – rejection is often startling, hard to understand – and hard to rejoice about. Often, it is clearly “on account of Me” (Mt 5:11) … but not always. An accurate assessment may not come until the Judgment. A key factor is … the troublemaker’s rue motives. It will be interesting to see if attacks from carnal Christians … end in eternal rewards. If so, many of the Christian ministries I have been in – may prove “gold mines.” So, the bottom-line? “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God” (1Pet 4:15-16). God, … help us qualify.

By: Robin Calamaio

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The Federal Trade Commission is now in charge of Energy Price Gouging? Okay so what does this really mean? Well it means during Energy Week in Washington DC, the FTC announce that it was in charge of FREE Act? What Free and Energy in the same sentence in the same week even, what a farce indeed?

Nevertheless, FREE Act stands for Federal Response to Energy Emergencies Act; you have to love these creative Political Staffers who dream this up? Must be all that ********** Male pent up energy or something?

Sorry if I sound cynical, but at least I know what I am talking about unlike these podium pushers and their lap dog agency the Federal Trade Commission. The most incompetent agency in Washington DC in my opinion and the one with the flooded parking structure across the street and the soggy Starbucks Patrons on the corner.

So how is the exactly what is the Federal Trade Commission going to do to stop energy price gouging this I got to hear after listening to all their public relations press releases after they were assigned with the CAN SPAM Act. Remember they spent 6-8 months coming up with a definition of what Spam was, while SPAM increased some 3000%.

Well it seems the FTC or Federal Trade Commission will come up with and establish the definition of what; Energy Price Gouging Is. Well here we go again, a lot of good that is going to do? Do these politicians even hear themselves talk? FTC taking a bite out of price gouging? Not if their lives depended on it. The FTC in my professional opinion cannot do anything right? Consider this in 2006.

By: Lance Winslow

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On the 20th anniversary of the US premiere of ‘Roger & Me,’ Michael Moore brings ‘Capitalism: A Love Story’ home to Flint, Michigan. The audience was electrified. It was a very special day for everyone involved, to say the least. Every day is special at www.michaelmoore.com

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