July 2011 - Steve Maraboli

HI,
It feels so nice to get this new and improved newsletter back
into circulation! Thank you all so much for your patience and
understanding as we upgraded and refined our newsletter into a
magazine during these times of subscriber growth.
FROM STEVE
“At any given point you
can release your greatest self.
Don’t let anyone hold you
back. Don’t let anyone
dilute you. Don’t be peer
pressured into being less than
you are. People willing to
dilute themselves for the sake
of others is one of the great
tragedies of our time. Stop
letting others define and set
the pace for your life. Get out
there and be your best. Do
your best. Live your best.
Make every day count and
you’ll see how exponentially
more exciting, thrilling,
successful, happy and full
your life will be.”
- Steve Maraboli
The summer is in full swing here on Long Island and aside from
logging some beach time, I am continuing to work on my writing and
empowerment programs. Summertime has always been my favorite
time of year. After a cold and seemingly long winter, the summer
feels rejuvenating and healing. And of course, summertime means
I get to put my toes in the sand and enjoy the beautiful water and
scenery of the magnificent Atlantic ocean : ) !
This July issue of our newsletter is the first of the magazine
format. Our intent with this magazine is to share empowerment,
inspiration, information, humor, truth, and to celebrate our
spirituality and humanity. From this point forward, we will continue
to expand on the magazine and enhance it in any way we see the
need. Please feel free to share your opinions and suggestions so
that this magazine can reach and impact as many people as
possible.
Thanks again for your patience as we reorganized our newsletter
operation. I hope you enjoy this magazine and share it with
others so that they may benefit from it too. Remember that
today is a new day and that this beautiful day bears with it
unlimited opportunities for you to seize that will propel you to an
amazing tomorrow.
Love & Hugs,
-Steve
“When a person
is down in the world,
an ounce of help is better
than a pound of preaching.”
— Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
­:)
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­—Ghandi
“When life is s
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life is bitter, say
thank you and
gr ow.”
—Shauna Nie
quist
FEATURED AUTHOR
Integrating Spiritual
Experience
I
By: James Redfield
was being interviewed by phone on
Steve Maraboli’s radio show and the
questions were coming in hot and heavy:
What exactly was this emerging Twelfth Insight? How
do you know it is happening? What does it feel like?
I knew the last question spoke to the essence of
the public’s mood, and I stammered out a quick
answer before going on to another question and
then another. Yet after the interview, I just sat there
on my sofa, looking through the window at the red
birds eating at the feeder, my mind returning to that
one basic question.
What, indeed, did it feel like? Without doubt,
that was the heart of the matter, what everyone
wanted to know. For years there has been a constant
stream of abstract theories about spirituality that all
sounded good, especially during one of those late
night conversations discussing the meaning of life.
And for a while that kind of information sufficed.
But now we’re shifting gears. You can sense it. No
longer do we want to speculate at the intellectual
level. We want spiritual information that is directly
applicable to our lives and problems. We want to
know how it impacts our goals and challenges. We
want to know how it feels in our consciousness.
Why this shift is happening now is fairly clear.
All kinds of demographic and social changes are
happening in the world. The average chronological
age in the western nations is rising fast, lending us
all to give more urgency to existential matters. And
world events seem to be escalating out of control, with
riots and regime changes on the horizon, all seemingly
setting up an impending nuclear showdown. Worst of
all is the manmade financial meltdown that still makes
our economic lives seem unstable, even though some
think the worst is over.
In these times, we want our spiritual breakthroughs
to be real and applicable, offering solutions in the
actual world we have to live in. Most of all, we
have to be able to “prove these truths to ourselves”
as they operate day to day. No more fantasy.
For me, that radio interview was pivotal. From then
on, practical application was the measure I used for
deciding whether I thought the Twelfth Insight—
as a spiritual breakthrough beginning to emerge in
human culture—was really arriving.
Continued on the next page...
self why that thought had come now, at this
It didn’t take long for the evidence to come in. The
particular time. It hadn’t occurred because I
next day I awoke with a very practical problem on
had seen the store; it was a mile up ahead. And
my mind. Our beloved dog Bell was getting old,
my thoughts were on my
and we needed to find another
appointment, not on finding a
watchdog. We live in the middle
dog. The thought had come into
of a deep forest full of coyotes
my mind purely “out of the blue.”
and sometimes bear, and we had
Finally, I concluded it might be
to have another dog to alert us to
an actual intuition, a moment of
these inquisitive animals, before
spiritual guidance. I would have
they ventured in too close.
to dash in to the store and find out
The last time we had looked for a
why.
dog, we had set out to methodically
When I entered the pet store, I
check all the rescue agencies in the
“We’ve been doing
looked around and immediately
area, one by one, but hadn’t had a
a series with
met eyes with a beautiful yellow lab
lot of luck. So that morning, I
James Redfield
mix, about a year old. And in that
remember uttering a little prayer
for over 3 years
moment I couldn’t have been more
intention, asking for help. Then
and we are excited
certain she was meant to be our
without thinking any more about it,
that his new book
dog. We named her Ginger, and in
I went about the day I already had
‘The Twelfth Insight:
retrospect I have to say she has been
planned, rushing out of the house
The Hour of Decision’
a treasure, loving to children, and
heading toward another appointment
has been released.”
keenly alert in the darkest night.
that had nothing to do with dogs. In
I also have to say I haven’t been
minutes I had forgotten about the
the same since I listened to that particular intuition.
issue altogether.
Not because I haven’t had intuitions that have paid
Yet, as I drove out the gate, and up to the top of
off before. I have. Some alerted me to impending
the hill, an image of me entering the local pet store
crises with my children. One even moved me to put
suddenly came to mind. I immediately began to
on a seat belt, minutes before a car crash. And I bet
dismiss the idea. Stopping would make me late.
you’ve had important hunches in your life that have
There would probably be no rescue dogs available
paid off as well.
that day. Anyway, I could check later.
Thankfully, I stopped, remembering to ask my-
Continued on the next page...
No, I wasn’t shifted because I was suddenly
convinced intuition was real. I was elevated in
awareness because I realized that guiding intuitions
weren’t just for dire situations. They were available
for everyday matters as well—that is, if we don’t
shrug them off, or otherwise ignore them.
Looking around later at a lot of internet
conversations, I quickly came to the
conclusion that many, many people are
all taking intuition more seriously, and
applying it to all the issues and goals of their
lives. In a real sense, we’re integrating a part
of our mental life that has always been there,
waiting for us to put it more fully into action. It’s
an important part of the Twelfth Insight, and it’s
really happening.
In my first Countdown [to the 12th Insight]
Article, I spoke about the importance of truth, and
here in this second article, the subject has been
intuition and the important synchronicities that can
take place when we follow them. Yet you will find
that we are stepping into the Twelfth Insight through
a series of other integrations, as well: an ethical
Alignment that will allow Karma to work for us
for a change, a Oneness Intention that will energize
our relationships, and a special Influence that can
potentially solve every challenge that is bearing down
upon humanity.
At the personal level, all the integrations are
coming together to give us a new level of certainty
and assuredness, even mastery, with which to move
through life.
What does the Twelfth Insight feel like? It feels like
clarity.
About the Author:
James Redfield is the New York Times best-selling author of ‘The Celestine Prophecy.’ In 1995 and
1996 ‘The Celestine Prophecy’ was the #1 American book in the world, and the #1 international
bestseller of 1996. This phenomenal novel spent over 3 years on the New York Times best sellers list.
Redfield continued the story with the sequels ‘The Tenth Insight: Holding the Vision’ and ‘The Secret
of Shambhala: In Search of the Eleventh Insight.’
The final installment in the Celestine series, ‘The Twelfth Insight: The Hour of Decision,’ was released
Tuesday, February 15, 2011.
James Redfield is also the author of the non-fiction title, ‘Celestine Vision,’ and co-author of ‘God
and the Evolving Universe.’ He co-wrote and co-produced the film version of ‘The Celestine
Prophecy Movie.’
Website: www.celestinevision.com
6
This
month’s
featured
listener
contributed
artwork.
6
Do Something!
I was sitting on a plane after a long, tiring business trip.
I was a bit grouchy and irritable because the rigorous
schedule I had made for myself left me exhausted.
Looking to not talk to the person next to me and simply
endure the flight, I decided to open my newspaper and read
about what was happening in the world. As I continued to
read, it seemed that everywhere I looked there were stories
of injustice, pain, suffering, and people losing hope. Finally,
fueled by my tired, irritable state, I became overcome with
compassion and frustration for the way things were.
I got up and went to the bathroom and broke down.
With tears streaming down my face,
I helplessly looked to the sky and yelled to God.
“God, look at this mess. Look at all this pain and suffering. Look at all this killing
and hate. God, how could you let this happen? Why don’t you do something?”
Just then, a quiet stillness pacified my heart.
A feeling of peace I won’t ever forget engulfed my body.
And, as I looked into my own eyes in the mirror,
the answer to my own question came back to me…
“Steve, stop asking God to do something.
God already did something, he gave you life. Now YOU do something!”
© Steve Maraboli
Letters from
A Better Today
Community
Steve,
I have to admit I have been listening to your show for
over a year and have heard you talk about simple kind
gestures so many times, but by habit I never really
made a conscious effort to try it for myself. My work
days are long and frustrating at times and I guess the
last thing that I felt like doing was being extra nice to
someone else.
On one particular day, I felt really down and frustrated.
Frustrated at my boss, my car, my work load, my kids,
my husband, you name it and I was frustrated at it
on that day. I had to run into the store to get some
groceries for dinner and of course, the line to pay was
long and only added to my frustration. While waiting,
I heard someone say “excuse me”. I looked over and
there was a woman on another line motioning me with
her arm to come over in front of her. She said, “You
look like you are in a rush, I know how that can feel
so please get in front of me.” I thanked her and shared
with her a little of my frustration and she said, “Well
then I’m glad to help you today.”
Steve, her simple gesture helped me realize that at
any moment your day can turn around. Her kind act
diffused my frustration and I went home and we had
a great family dinner. The next day, I began with my
conscious effort to share a simple kind act. Seems
like a simple thing to do for someone but it really can
change their day and even their life. Please never stop
reminding people of simple acts of kindness!
~ Kendra L.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Steve,
Your relationship shows have become a
favorite for my wife and I. At first, they
were very uncomfortable, especially the
part where you focused on calling us
men on their bulls**t. But they have
opened a dialog in our home and helped
both of us get past the conditioned roles
in our relationship and get to the truth of
our hearts. We now tell every couple we
know to listen to your relationship
shows for healing, truth, love, and
laughter. Thank you from both of us!
~ Henry and Vanessa T.
Tacoma, Washington
Mr. Maraboli,
After listening to your conversation
with Mary Anne Radmacher, we
decided to chip-in and help our public
school art programs. We are a small
community but we have been able to
help in a tremendous way. Our efforts
have also helped the community grow
stronger together, making new friends,
and even getting the children involved.
Through bake sales, car washes, movie
and poker nights, we have helped boost
the art experience in our schools and
we will keep this tradition for years to
come. Kudos to you and Mary Anne
for talking about the real needs and
inspiring us to help ourselves.
~ Charles, Nancy,
Rebecca, Michelle R.
West Plains, Missouri
HEALTH SECTION
S
Allergen-Proofing
Your Home
ometimes creating a healthy home is more complicated than just switching cleaning products. Many of us have allergies —
caused by beloved pets or household dust — that need to be tamed without upsetting one’s lifestyle. Allergy-proofing your
home will cut down on exposure to dust mites and other indoor allergens. Here are some helpful suggestions:
•
Dust-proof your rooms. Eliminate wall-to-wall carpets and any other dust catchers. Use window shades
instead of Venetian blinds, which can trap dust. (You can leave curtains in place, provided you wash them
regularly in hot water to kill dust mites.) Dust your furniture regularly with a damp cloth, and clean the
floors with an oiled mop. In your bedroom, eliminate down-filled blankets and feather pillows, and encase
your mattress in an airtight, dust-proof plastic cover.
•
If you have a pet, ask someone who isn’t allergic to the animal to brush it frequently. Bathing your pet
frequently will also help, and try to keep your pet out of your bedroom.
•
Consider buying a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which removes particles in the air by
forcing it through screens containing microscopic pores. These devices work well and aren’t too expensive. Get one for the main rooms in your house, or move one from room to room regularly. Avoid air
filtering equipment that generates ozone (HEPA filters don’t).
•
Upgrade your vacuum cleaner: Many vacuum cleaners on the market today incorporate HEPA filters,
which means you can clean the air as you clean your floors and upholstery. Older vacuums with less
effective filters can actually kick up more dust into the air than was there before.
•
Keep your furnace filters clean: This can not only help clear the air, but save money, as the furnace
blowers now operate more efficiently.
Andrew Weil, M.D., is a world-renowned leader and
pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, a healing
oriented approach to health care which encompasses
body, mind, and spirit.
Dr. Weil is an internationally-recognized expert for his
views on leading a healthy lifestyle, his philosophy of
healthy aging, and his critique of the future of medicine and health care. Approximately 10 million copies of Dr. Weil’s books
have been sold, including Spontaneous Healing, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, Eating Well for Optimum Health, The Healthy
Kitchen, Healthy Aging, and Why Our Health Matters.
Small Gestures That
Make a BIG Difference
(from “The Power Of One”)
Gesture #200 — “Buy a bunch of travel-sized bottles
of sunscreen and give them out at the park or beach.”
Gesture #177 — “Leave a note that says, ‘I love you
just the way you are’ on the bathroom scale.”
Gesture #155 — “Invite a friend to join you for a
morning or evening walk...great inspirational and healing conversations
are born on such walks.”
Gesture #87 — “Give up your seat on the bus or subway
to ANYONE who looks like they could use it.”
Gesture #261 — “Today, make sure you close every
encounter with someone by saying, ‘thank you,’ ‘have a nice day,’
‘I appreciate you,’ ‘I love you,’ etc...anything that leaves them feeling
uplifted.”
Let today be the day you touch someone’s life...
cause a smile today... give someone hope today...
share your love today... live the power of one today!
KNOWLEDGE
SECTION
What Most People
Don’t Know
M
ost people know the magical story of Cinderella, her prince, and her famous
glass slippers. But what most people don’t know is that the story of Cinderella was
passed along orally for centuries before it was written down by Charles Perrault in 1697. While
doing so, Charles mistook the word “vair” meaning ermine (a type of fur), for the word “verre”
meaning glass. By the time he realized his mistake, the story had become too popular to change,
and so instead of an ermine slipper, Cinderella wore glass.
M
ost people know the cultural icon Betty Crocker and her famous recipes. In the
1940’s Betty Crocker was voted the second best known woman in America, second
only to Eleanor Roosevelt. But what most people don’t know is that Betty Crocker never existed.
She is a brand name and trademark of Fortune 500 company General Mills. She got her last name
in honor of a former company director and they added “Betty” because they thought recipes should
come from a woman with a friendly and familiar sounding name.
“Holding a g
r
anger/resen udge & harboring
tm
soul. Get ev ent is poison to the
en
those who ha with people...but not
v
instead get e e hurt us, forget them,
ve
helped us. A n with those who have
c
— Steve Ma t in Gratitude today!
raboli
, have
mistakes
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NOW wit
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Maraboli
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—
“If people re
fuse to look a
t you in a
new light and
they can only
see you for
what you were
, only see you
for the
mistakes you’v
e made, if the
y don’t
realize that yo
u are not your
mistakes,
then they have
to go.”
—S teve Ma
raboli
, Laugh ,
(Submitted by Listeners From Around the World)
Knowledge is knowing a
tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not
putting it in a fruit salad.
My father says, “Marry a girl who
has the same beliefs as the family.”
I said, “Dad, why would I want a
girl who thinks I’m a schmuck?”
– Adam Sandler
Evening news is where they
begin with ‘Good evening’,
and then proceed to tell you
why it isn’t.
Whenever I fill out an application, in the part
that says “If an emergency, notify:” I put
“DOCTOR”. What’s my mother going to do?
Democracy is three wolves and
one sheep voting on what to
have for dinner.
Whenever I pick up a
hitchhiker I say, “Put your
seat belt on, I want to try
something I saw in a cartoon.
–Steven Wright
A frog telephones the
Psychic Hotline and is told,
“You are going to meet a
beautiful young girl who
will want to know
everything about you.”
The frog says,
”This is great!
Will I meet her at a party, or what?”
“No,” says the psychic.
“Next semester in her biology class.”
“Steve Maraboli is the real thing! If you want down to Earth,
practical advice and discussion about how to energize and
enlighten your life, check out Steve’s show.”
- James Redfield, The Celestine Prophecy
“Steve Maraboli is amazing and genuine! He offers exactly
what people need to wake up, free themselves of their
imagined burdens, and live a life of joy and success.”
- Byron Katie,
A Thousand Names for Joy
“Simply remarkable! Steve Maraboli shares potent
strategies and breakthrough philosophies that will
undoubtedly boost all aspects of your life.”
- Mark Riley, New York Times
“Steve takes you from just existing to truly living!”
- Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
Listen live or download from our amazing archive
library 100% free: www.empoweredlivingradio.com