Can You Scratch The Surface?

If you listen to most people talk, what you'll likely hear is that yes, it's nice to dream of better things and a better life, but ultimately, you have to be REALISTIC, because you're given a certain hand of cards to play with - be it genetics, family, intelligence, athletic ability, money sense, country of origin or whatever factor they point to - and there's only so much one can do with any given hand of cards.

You've heard this right? The argument to be realistic? To not dream too big so that you don't get your hopes up and then feel angry and cheated when they don't come true, you've heard that, right?

Well, let me tell you something, and read my words carefully here...

Whatever you can imagine for yourself or feel a desire to be, do, or have... you can achieve.

And I'm not just talking about making yourself comfortable and happy achieving things that more and more people are achieving or have achieved already. What I mean is that you have some kind of desire or vision inside of you. It's the life and being that the very deepest hidden part of your heart wishes could happen and that would mean heaven on earth for you. It's waiting for you to uncover it. It's waiting for you to make yourself ready to accept it and step into your own power to achieve it and thereby transform your personal world. It's the magic inside your soul that wants to be freed so that it can embrace life fully and inspire all who become aware of it. It's being and living the life that would allow you to be the most grateful, loving, healthy, wealthy, wise and gloriously joyous person you can be...

Now, really take a moment to breathe deeply and exhale completely 3 times before you answer the following questions:

What do you need to make this happen?

What's stopping you from being fully who you really want to be deep down in the secret places of your soul?

What's one thing you can do today to feel like you are moving forward to this ultimate freedom?

What's one thing you can do right now?

Go Do it.

Once that's done, ask yourself (again, by getting into a very relaxed state) what the next tiny step would be... then go do it. Continue to repeat the cycle and you will quickly gain momentum in achieving amazing things for yourself and those around you. The admonishon to be realistic is important as you asses where you stand as of this moment, so that you may start getting your things in order and moving in the right direction. Other than that, forget about being realistic. People with "realistic" dreams have never done anything that echoed throughout history. It's the un-realistic dreamers who change the world.

And remember:

Our true power really is without limits. Every year and decade brings with it extraordinary advances in creativity, transformation, healing and of course, world records as we continue to expand our acceptance and understanding of what we truly are capable of manifesting in this reality. Yes, some things may seem terribly out of reach or even impossible right now... but give yourself boost in confidence by starting with what you believe you can achieve, set larger and more challenging goals as you succeed and very soon you will be blowing the minds of everyone watching... and inspiring them to expand their concept of what is possible as well.

How do you pierce a mountain with nothing but wind and water?
You scratch the surface, and you continue to splash it and scratch it year after year...

Be comfortable with this immense power that you can unlock within you. Be comfortable with it and use it wisely in the manifestation of everything that you love the most and that calls to you the most. If you give yourself the time and continue to move forward, you can accomplish anything.

Yes, ANYTHING.

What would make YOUR soul explode with love and joy?

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my name (Charles Begin) and website (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

WWGD?

Yesterday I helped some friends move.

It turned out to be a very challenging day. Allow me to list the ways: we only got started around 2pm and we had to move two different places one after the other into one house, we were only a few at any one time, it took us 40 minutes to get the couch out of the appartment because the hallway was so tight, we almost didn't get a moving truck, what started out as a nice day turned bitter cold later in the afternoon and no one was dressed for it, the guy who was moving hurt his back, I almost twisted my ankle twice, we got the truck stuck in 6 inch ruts of pure ice and had to be pulled out, it was dark and cold and started to snow by the time we started loading the truck at the second location, we didn't really stop to eat we just had a couple snacks as we drove, we were exhausted, and only one of us could unload the full moving truck at a time while the others moved inside because we had minimal clothing to keep warm outside so one guy unload the first third and then I unloaded the rest, the last load was all heavy books and weight training equipment, I almost got my bare hands stuck to cold steel bars outside.

On the plus side: no one was seriously injured, nothing was really damaged, everytime we had a challenge the Universe delivered a solution, and everyone got a terrific strength-conditioning and toughness workout that lasted close to 12 hours!

AND I got to try out a powerful active meditation!

Here's what I did:

When we were unloading the last truck at 10:30 pm in -20 C temperature (with the windchill) and I was walking up the grooved metal ramp into the back of the moving truck to bring in the 47th bankers' box full of heavy books (there must have been 100 - at least it feels like it) , instead of letting my thoughts gravitate to the negative with things like "I'm exhausted, freezing, and hungry and I wish I was inside eating right now!" I told myself, what would Gotrek do? and it always got me going.

Now, Gotrek Gurnisson is one of my favorite fictional book characters ever. In my mind he is the greatest warrior to ever grace the pages of a fantasy novel. From the Warhammer universe, Gotrek is a Dwarf and a member of the Slayer Cult. What this means is that in his past he did something to bring great shame to his family or clan in some way and now he has taken the oath to find his doom in battle with the most fearsome monsters in the hope of atoning for his sins. The thing with Gotrek is that he has a powerful magical axe and he has killed everything he ever faced, even an insanely powerful Chaos Deamon! The simple truth is that Gotrek is a super muscular, super strong, super conditioned and super tough monster slaying machine. He is just unstoppable and the tougher things get, the more he likes it... because he loves the challenge. In "Slayer" novels by William King and Nathan Long (of which their are 9, soon to be 10), Felix is Gotrek's human Rememberer - sworn to record his doom in an epic poem - and follows the invincible Slayer wherever he goes, therefore he has become a accomplished warrior as well, killing a dragon no less. So if you look for the books, they'll all be about "Gotrek & Felix".

Anyway, so that's who I was picturing in my mind when I felt my resolve slip a little. I simply brought a vivid image of this near-invincible warrior with limitless energy to mind and I allowed that inspiration to open up my energy flow and allow me to keep going. And today, I really don't feel that bad. My arms and back are a little bit sore from all the lifting and I could use a few more hours of sleep, but other than that, I feel great!

The point is that if you know of something that really inspires or motivates you to do something, use that image to give you energy and power when you need it. Use every (healthy) tool at your disposal. It can be the difference between success and failure.

CHB

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my name (Charles Begin) and website (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

Hey! Where Are You Going?

That's a very important question. Where ARE you going? And here I'm referring to your life direction.

So, where are you going with your life?
Or, permit me to refrase the question like this:

If you keep moving in the same general direction, where will your life take you in 5 years? How about 10 years? Where will you be by then? What kind of financial, relationship, health and happiness situation will you find yourself in?

Who are you in the process of becoming? Those are very important questions to ask yourself. Why? Because if you don't like the path that you are currently on and the person that you are becoming, then you need to realize it now and change it. When you look at your present situation and circumstances and see that if you keep doing what you've been doing you're gonna end up somewhere you don't really want to be... then you have to figure out where you DO want to be in 5 or 10 years and start moving over to a path that will take you there.

What do you REALLY want for yourself, for your life?

Be honest.
Tell yourself the real truth.
No more secrets or lying to yourself.
What do you really want?

What kind of lifestyle do you want to have? What kind of friends? What kind of body? What kind of home?

Just play with all kinds of ideas in your imagination. Look in magazines, books, movies, TV, or on the internet. Open yourself to be inspired and to find the answers you seek. And start moving in the direction of your dreams. Find the path that will eventually lead you there and take the first step. Then take another step. Then another. And so on, and continue until you reach your goal. Then pick another goal and move towards that. It never ends. That's why we say that life is a journey and that we have to enjoy the process as it happens instead of waiting for the end to allow ourselves to be happy. And there is no end.

Hey! Where are you going?

Figure it out, and notice how far off from your dream life you are. Then get on the right path to lead yourself to the reality that you truly desire. You can be, do, have, experience, create, ect, ANYTHING that your mind can imagine. Get yourself on the right track and everything will be a lot simpler. Although it won't always be easy.

Keep readjusting your course as you go, like a smart missile making minute adjustments to its trajectory as it flies, in order to successfully hit your target. And to get the insights you need for making wise choices along the way...remember to take time to relax and breathe every single day.

1.Choose your destination.
2.Take off towards your target.
3.Be aware of your trajectory and goal at all times to make the necessary corrections along the way (relax often to clearly hear the inner voice of wisdom and to make wise decisions).
4.Keep going until you succeed.
5.When you succeed, choose your next destination and go!

Those are 5 very simple steps that can take you to the ends of the Earth... or whatever your goals might be.

CHB
Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my name (Charles Begin) and website (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

What Do You Love?

Most people can tell you (with quite a bit of detail) what they don't like. They can rattle off a list of everyone and everything that gets on their nerves and irritates them into frustration and righteous anger. Ask them what they really love however, and they often have to take a minute and think about it. That's not always the case, but it happens enough that it becomes apparent that most people focus more on what they don't love than on what they do love. That brings anger and fear... and attracts more things to be angry and fearful about.

Hey, if you're always complaining, whining and pissed off, you will be a pain to work with and spread stress and negativity where ever you go. You've trained your mind to focus on the possible dangers and problems that could arise, so you notice everything that could potentially become a problem. You don't notice all the potential good that could manifest.

Try this instead:

Make a list of everything that you love.

If you're having trouble just start by writing down everything that you hate or that annoys you and then make a list of the complete opposite (hey, it helps). Take a page or open up your computer and write all the things that you truly love and that you are grateful to have in your life, or that you want to have in your life and that you would feel gratitude for.

You'll see, as you write, you'll relax as the tension in your body will melt and dissipate, a smile will form on your face and in your eyes, and you will start to feel better.

As long as you let go of the fear or anger you hold about your life not being "right" or "perfect" now. Just let your mind go to what you love and what you would love to have in your life and you will condition yourself to attract and notice more to love and feel grateful for.

Go ahead, give it a try right now.
It's really simple and easy.

And, as you will soon find, surprisingly powerful.

What do YOU love?

CHB

P.S. I love to dream and find wonderful ways of making my dreams come true, and I love to have fun too... I'm doing both in the picture above. Well, sort of, haha!

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my name (Charles Begin) and website (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

Did Someone Say 'Impossible'?

I've just been reading No Shortcuts To The Top by Ed Viesturs. Ed is one of the greatest american mountaineers today, having climbed all 14 of the highest mountains in the world - those above 8,000 meters - and he did it without using bottled oxygen. That's an extraordinary achievement, although he's not the first to do it. That honor goes to the legend of climbing, Reinhold Messner, who reached the highest points on Earth without supplemental oxygen. Ed was the 6th man in history to do this. By doing it, these guys disproved the long-held belief that to even try such a thing would be fatal, and it had to be true, ALL the foremost experts and scientists of the time said it would be suicide to attempt. It took two guys to follow their heart/instincts instead of listening to the "experts" and show the world that whatever we can imagine, we can accomplish... if we really want to.

That reminds me of another such instance in the sport of distance running.

For decades, scientists and doctors fiercely affirmed that it was physiologically impossible to run a mile in under 4 minutes. To try to do so would burst one's heart with the effort. Well, one young physiology student knew that that had to be wrong. He knew we could run faster. He knew HE could break the 4 minute barrier and prove the "experts" wrong. To make a long story short, Roger Bannister ran a mile in fractions of a second under 4 minutes and made history. A year later, dozens of runners had run sub-4 minute miles. Once the world saw that it could be done, many others allowed themselves to do it.

But it always takes those courageous few who are willing to follow their hearts and close their ears to everyone who would tell them that "it's impossible".

Things are only believed to be impossible until someone actually goes out and does it. Then more people go out and do it. Eventually it becomes commonplace, anyone can do it if they really want to.

So whatever dream you may have, no matter how big or how small, close your ears to those who would discourage you and bring you down, and open yourself to the guidance from your heart - from your deepest instincts - and listen. Ed Viesturs constantly comes back to the point that the reason why he is so successful on the mountains is due to his motto "Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory" and to the fact that he trusts his instincts. If something doesn't feel right, he turns back. Even if he is only a few hundred meters from the top - like he did on one of his first attempts to climb Mt. Everest. In other words, you can achieve your goals, and you can do it and still be happy and healthy at the end.

Whether it's climbing a mountain, running a mile, making a fortune or having your dream relationship, nothing is impossible. Those who focus on the obstacles never get past them. Things are only impossible until someone goes out and does it anyway.

Whatever it is that you hear whispered in the deepest recesses of your soul, whatever your deepest desire... it would not be there if there was no way for you to achieve it.

If you seek, you will find a way.


CHB


Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my name (Charles Begin) and website (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

Light the Darkness

A lot has been said over the years about the importance of feeling what we are really feeling and 'being in touch with our emotions'. To most, that may sound too "touchy feely" and weak, a simple excuse for being a wimp and cry-baby, blaming everyone and everything instead of toughening up and getting the job done.

I for one had the very same attitude.

And don't worry, I am not one to blame others and play the victim so that others may come and rescue me... not by a longshot. I believe in taking 100% responsibility for everything that shows up in my reality... every single person, thing and situation I helped create, so I might as well learn from it and resolve it as best as I can.

Lately I have been realizing something though. I realized that I had been ignoring and suppressing many of my emotions and bodily sensations in an effort to block out the negative from my experience and try to just focus on the positive.

I was trying to minimize the negative and maximize the positive.

Sound familiar?

The trigger for me was really a Star Wars novel I read just out of curiosity and fun (I know- geek alert!) . It just kept drawing my attention every time I walked in a bookstore (trust your instincts) so I finally bought it and read it. I'm glad I did. The story is about Darth Bane, a powerful Sith Lord (the "bad guys" in the Star Wars universe) and how he rose to power and dominance. I have to admit that part of me was completely drawn by the descriptions of the Force flowing through his body and the extraordinary confidence and power it brought with it.

I wanted to feel powerful energy flowing through my being as well.

There was also many discussions about the importance of giving in to the passion that fueled the Dark Side of the Force and that the reason why the Dark Side seemed stronger much of the time was that we allowed ourselves to surrender completely to it more easily so that the full power of the Force flowed freely through our being. The ancient Jedi of the Old Republic, the Sith argued, tried to control the Force by contolling and even eliminating all emotions (which could get out of control) so that they would not make horrible mistakes that would cost people their lives... and thus they limited their own power.

I started to wonder about the power of our emotions at this point.

I also wondered about what we could really accomplish if we opened ourselves and surrendered all resistance completely to the Force, um... I mean the Universe, and also found a way to cleanse our emotional pain? What could we do if we purified our emotions in the fire of awareness and openened ourselves into a clear channel for the true power of the Cosmos? And how can we stop running away from what we consider our "Dark Side" so that we can finally love our entire being and be powerful in that wholeness?

There is much here to ponder I think...

In the meantime, do as Gary Zukav says (in The Heart of the Soul) and feel your feelings in your body as well as the thoughts in your mind at ALL times. The insight and wisdom you will gain from facing the pain and immersing yourself fully into the experience of every moment will awaken you to your true authentic power in a way that you can't even yet imagine...

And remember, the deeper into yourself you have the courage to go, the greater the depth of your power you will find. Feelings aren't just for sissies. Harnessed in the right way, they hold the key to untold potential power.

What are you feeling in your body right now?

CHB

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my name (Charles Begin) and website (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

Freezing? Love It!

It's pretty darn cold right now here in Edmonton, Alberta. Yesterday the temperature was a frigid -38 celcius and with the wind chill factor that totalled to a icy -47 degrees below zero. Enough to freeze your bones through your skin. Most people were having issues with their cars not starting and everyone needs to wear multiple layers of clothing and winter wear to avoid frostbite and physical exhaustion from their bodies generating enough heat to survive, especially for anyone who has to wait outside for a bus. It should be a few degrees less cold by the end of the week.

I love it!

Seriously. I wouldn't want it everyday and I am as thrilled as everyone else when spring finally comes along, but I love the toughness that we build in ourselves by facing this extreme cold. Sure, living somewhere tropical by the beach is absolutely wonderful... but take that person off the beach and into a country with ice and snow and you will never hear the end of the moaning and complaining.

I once remember watching a special on the Discovery Channel which showed monks meditating in Tibet in the middle of winter. What they did that was so special was that they first soaked their bed sheets in ice water and then wrapped them around their nearly naked bodies as they sat down. All of them would chant their mantras and soon steam would rise from the soaked bed sheets as the monks increased their body temperature enough to heat the icy water. After a little while the monks would then stand up, fold, and put away their now dry bed sheets. Their bodies would be warm and dry as well. Another test was to sleep outside in the mountain on the coldest night of the year with only their own thin monk's robe as a blanket. In the morning they would shake the snow off of themselves, wrap the robe around their bodies and walk back down to the monastery. They didn't even shiver.

If they can do it, it means we all can. We just have to learn how.

I'm just making a generalization about the cold here, because you can surely find tough people all around the world, but living and working in the cold is one of the best ways I know to force people to place their attention totally in the present moment.

Think about it. If you don't pay attention to what's happening with your body in every moment when it's -47 degrees outside, you could very well lose a limb or freeze to death. To survive, you must dress according to the conditions and monitor your body to know just how much you can take before it's time to go back inside. The same is true for driving and taking care of your home and vehicle. You must drive according to the conditions or you will have an accident. Your car must be well taken car of so that it will run. Your home must be well insulated and maintained.

When you take something to an extreme, you either make it or brake it. The trick is to be prepared and to plan ahead. When you are ready for something, you can thrive in any environment and in any circumstance. Whether it be the extreme cold, heat, humidity, dryness, war, famine, the economy, or whatever. As an old samurai axiom goes:

Expect nothing, be prepared for anything.

What can YOU do to learn to thrive in your environment?
Love it for the lessons it brings.

CHB

PS. That's a picture of Canmore in December.

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my name (Charles Begin) and website (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!