|
www.alancohen.com info@alancohen.com (800) 568-3079 March 2006 |
|
You Deserve Better
The award-winning documentary Born into Brothels chronicles the humanitarian efforts of Zana Briski, who went into the red light district of Calcutta and taught children the art of photography as a vehicle to extricate themselves from the slums and find a better life. When Zana realized the potential of these kids, she plodded through long and painstaking efforts to enroll them in a fine private boarding school where they would be educated and shown the door out of hell. The alternative for many of these children was a life of prostitution, drug abuse, and early death. The last step of Zana's plan required getting permission from the children's parents or guardians. Some agreed and some didn't. Several parents wanted their girls to stay home so they could go "in the line" and earn money for the family. One girl's grandmother refused to allow her to go to the school intake interview because it was scheduled for a Thursday, and the grandmother's father had died on a Thursday. "I never do anything on a Thursday now," she ranted. "Once I did something on a Thursday, and it caused me great suffering. I am still suffering." Grandma's attitude, ridiculously superstitious as it is, symbolizes the part in all of us that fears to move ahead. Something inside us resists change, even if it may be for the better. The motto of the ego (the small, limited, and unreal identity we adopt) is "maintain the status quo, even if the status quo isn't working." The known, according to counsel of fear, is always preferable to the unknown, even if the unknown offers us an escape from hell. To the enlightened mind, this makes no sense. To the fearful self, this makes perfect sense. I once trapped a rat in a no-kill cage and took it out to a field to let it go. When I opened the door of the cage, the rodent scurried to the back of the cage, which seemed safer to it than a big open field. I shook the cage and the rat clung harder. Finally I gave the cage a hard shake, the rat fell out, and ran to freedom. When life rattles your cage, it may be offering you greater freedom. Charles Weston noted, "We complain when our foundation is shaking, only to discover that it is God who is shaking it." Robert Anthony explained, "If you find a good solution and become attached to it, the solution may become the next problem." Never cling to the past just because it is familiar. Open to the future because life is an eternal journey in expansion. The little girl that granny forbade to leave, left anyway. Something in her knew that she was being offered a great gift, and the voice of hysteria was not convincing enough for her to deny her opportunity. Bravo. At this moment life is offering you a great gift. A banquet is spread before you, with infinite possibilities. A voice inside you (adopted from others) may try to scare you into staying because the known seems safe. Another voice is showing you an open door. You were not born to live in squalor - physically, emotionally, or professionally. A number of the children touched by Zana Briski found an entirely new life. Perhaps you don't want or need to change your whole life, but there are parts of your life that are calling for greater aliveness. Go there.
Alan Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it. Click Here to Receive Daily Inspirational Quote
Good, Great, Magnificent
A friend of mine named Alice was feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, so she went to visit her guru and told him of her predicament. "My child," he told her lovingly. "Simplify, simplify, simplify. Get rid of the bad and keep the good." Alice went home and made a list of what was working in her life and what was not. Methodically she released what did not bring her joy, and kept what energized her. Her life changed significantly for the better, and her heart came to greater peace. A year later Alice again began to feel burdened and less than fully alive. Again she sojourned to visit her guru, and described her experience. "My dear one," the master told her again. "Do you not remember what I told you last year? Simplify, simplify, simply. Let go of the good and keep the great." Alice returned to the world she had built and once again sorted out her life, this time releasing what was merely good, but not great. She decided she would live only from dignity and participate in only those activities that she found soul-empowering. Another year went by, and again Alice felt stuck. Again she flew to her teacher and reported her distress. "My sweet soul," the sage answered, "you have obviously not fully understood my teaching. I want you to go home and really practice, now, and do not return with the same question again. Remember: simplify, simplify, simplify. Let go of the great, and keep only the magnificent."
Don't let good be the enemy of better. Don't let great be the enemy of best.
Limitless Resources
=
When 16-year-old Peter Ash's sister couldn't sleep at night because her pet hamster Elvis was running in his wheel, Peter decided to make use of Elvis's energy. He hooked up some gears and a turbine to Elvis's wheel and channeled the electricity into his cell phone charger. The result? Two minutes of Elvis's running generates 30 minutes of cell phone talk time. Peter got a C on his science project, but may change the world anyway.
Did you receive this from a friend?
We do not share our mailing list or send advertisements. You will not receive any spam
|
Assisi, Italy Retreat
with Alan Cohen and Emmanuel & Pat Rodegast March 29- April 5, 2006 Optional extension to Florence or Rome
This month I will have the honor to be in the presence of two of the greatest teachers of my life -- Emmanuel and Francis of Assisi -- and I invite you to join me. Each day we will meet for several seminars co-taught by Emmanuel and myself, followed by plenty of free time to visit the sacred sites of Assisi, connect with other participants, and explore the wonders of the Italian countryside. This will be a rare and unprecedented combination of uplifting energies that can move you at the deepest level and change your life in wonderful ways. If you feel moved to share the adventure, we welcome you with open arms.
Click here for more information & registration.
Online Course Begins April 1
Click here for more information
Each day for one month receive a lesson via the Internet ● Powerful principles, practical examples, and exercises ● Participate in a live teleseminar with Alan ● Tuition $99
To register: Email onlinecourses@alancohen.com
or
Phone (800) 568-3079
Click here for a menu of all of Alan's online courses. Register for several now and receive discounts up to 33%.
Success is no so much a matter of how much you do; it is more a matter of how much you let in.
Life Mastery in Paradise Fiji August 21 - 27, 2006
Spend a week in paradise to:
● Get in touch with your passion & purpose ● Connect with your higher power ● Love yourself more ● Join with like-minded people ● Meet Fiji's extraordinary people & culture ● Explore the island's natural wonders ● Relax, refresh, play, renew your spirit
Tuition begins at $1784 per person Includes program, lodging. meals, entertainment
What a great adventure! Click here for information and registration Phone 800-568-3079 email mastery@alancohen.com
Q & A
From the "Ask Alan" section on our web site:
Should I Take a Leap of Faith?
I have been struggling with taking a leap of faith in my life. I have been a scientist for 14 years and am now feeling a deep calling to start focusing my attentions and energies on supporting myself through my art (I had only been doing sculpture for a few months now, but realize I have a talent with it). My struggle is with letting go of my known profession; one in which I am truly unhappy, but where I can support myself financially with ease. My intellect tells me that I should make a slow transition from one to the other, but I feel strongly that I need to let go of the science so that I can focus on my creative side. Help! I am frozen with indecision and fear even though I know that my mental, physical, and spiritual well-being depends on it!"
Click here for Alan's Response If you knew that you deserve your heart's desires, what would you be doing differently?
(Click on city name for details)
Sunday, March 19 City of Angels Church
Sunday, March 26 Center for Spiritual Living w/musician Karen Drucker
Friday, May 26 - Sunday, June 4 Tokyo, Osaka, & Fukuoka, Japan
Friday, June 30 - Sunday, July 2 Omega Institute
Sunday, July 9 Soul Esteem Center
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14 Adults of Unity Conference
Monday, August 21 - Sunday, August 27 Wananavu Island Resort, Fiji
. |
|
Have a wonderful day. . .
|
If you are subscribed to this monthly newsletter, you should receive one during the first few days of each month.
If you are not receiving yours
regularly, check your spam filter or click
here and resubscribe.
If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, click
here.