Alan Cohen Newsletter March 2007

Defending the Constitution

While speaking with a seminar participant before a program, I asked him what he wanted to receive from the training. "I am an officer in the United States Army," he explained. "As such, I am sworn to protect and defend the constitution of the United States. One of the significant tenets of the constitution is 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' I have come to a point in my life where I am focusing on the pursuit of happiness, beginning with my own inner peace. I believe that the more whole I become, the better position I will be in to help my fellow countrymen successfully pursue and find their happiness."

Well, that's about the most poignant take on the constitution I have ever heard. I congratulated the fellow on his intentions, and walked thinking deeply about his words. The pursuit of happiness. . .

We pursue lots of things in the name of happiness, yet find it only when we discover it where we stand. Or when we make it our priority over busyness, stuff, or being right. Author Hugh Prather likens inner peace to an infant we wish to carry through our day. If you had a baby you loved and valued, you would put its well being before any distractions. If you went into town and heard a loud horn honk, you would not drop the baby. If someone was rude to you, you would not drop the baby to argue with them. If you saw an attractive man or woman, you would not drop the baby to follow them. Imagine that you gave your inner peace the same priority as the baby! What if, upon awakening in the morning, you decided to keep happiness at the top of your to-do list, and no matter what happened around you, you would rest in love. Now there's an intention.

Each morning you are given an endowment of 2,880 to spend during the day. Not dollars -- seconds. How you invest your endowment determines how you will feel during and at the end of the day. Every moment you invest in joy will multiply itself in return, and each moment you invest in fear or resistance will multiply itself in return. How rich can you get over the course of a day?

The activities you do matter less than the attitude you hold during them. I know waitresses, cab drivers, and small shopkeepers who are soaring in spirit because they use every interaction to practice and enjoy connection. The rules of the world say that you succeed when you have the most toys. The rules of spirit say that you succeed when you have the most joy.

Perhaps, like my army officer friend, we should all take an oath to protect and defend the constitution, especially the part about the pursuit of happiness. If you would like to see more peace in the world, begin with your own, and you will lift everyone you meet simply by your presence. People will walk away from your interactions feeling better for their moment with you, and events and experiences will come to you in miraculous ways. So don't drop the infant and defend the constitution. Then you will serve not just your country, but life itself.

Alan

How much of what you want

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Building Consciousness

My friend David Wingert, who participated in our Personal Mentorship Program, has been a successful radio show host for many years. After starting out in Omaha, Nebraska,

Dave's career took him to Seattle, where his nighttime show, Dave 'til Dawn was highly popular on a syndicated 100 stations throughout the U.S.. Dave's format and message were heart-centered and positive, as he read inspiring stories, shared from his personal life, and played uplifting songs. I was a guest on Dave's show many times, and we received many emails from appreciative listeners.

When Dave's show was cancelled suddenly, he found himself wondering why and what was next. Over a period of time I worked with Dave to tune in on his right place. He received a number of show offers that seemed attractive at first blush, but when he looked more deeply into his heart, he realized they were not a match for his intentions, and for one reason or another they did not pan out. I suggested to Dave that this was a time for inner growth rather than outer expression, and trusting the process would yield greater results than taking an unfulfilling position, Dave agreed and used the period to practice faith and vision.

Then Dave received a phone call from a station in Omaha, Nebraska, where he had had his beginnings. The station manager offered Dave a sales position, which was not his ideal, but his connection with the manager and the station felt so good and Omaha felt so much like home that he decided to take it.

A few weeks later a show slot opened up, and Dave was offered the job. Back in the saddle. The station manager informed Dave that since he was known and loved in the city, they wanted to brand the station around Dave. A few days later when Dave drove to work he stopped at a traffic light, looked up, and was stunned to see a huge sign announcing "Welcome home, Dave!" Talk about manifestation!

As Abraham-Hicks teaches, a manifestation is 99.9% complete inside you before you see it show up in the outer world. If you do not see the results of your intentions immediately, or even over a period of time, despair not. Your answer is on its way, and when you are ripe, gelled, and ready inside yourself, it will show up, often in amazing ways.

The photo atop this article was taken by fishermen who saw a volcano form an island formed before their eyes. Beginning with a plume of smoke, the lava built in a short time to create a new chunk of land on earth. Yet that volcano did not pop up overnight. It built over time from the ocean floor up, until one day it became visible. That is the best way to build your success -- from the ground up, steadily, surely, with integrity and trust. Then one day you will see the results of all the building you did within you. Who knows - life might even send you a billboard.

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Love is heaven and fear is hell.

Where you place your attention

is where you live.

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