"Change starts when someone sees the next step."

"Change starts when someone sees the next step."
Thomas Drayton, member of the Continental Congress, spoke these words to Thomas Jefferson regarding additional funding for the war effort. Along with other men and women they decided to take a stand against the tyranny of a greedy monarch. This decision entailed many risks and The inertia of our comfort zone living constantly challenges our higher self; the part that dreams, imagines and knows of our greater potential. Our creative self, the dreamer, is aware of the next step...an action against inertia.
"When faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof." This statement by John Kenneth, Harvard economist, reminds us that our marvelous capacity for creativity and giving is most often directed toward being right about remaining in the safety of our comfort zone. Another way to express this is, "I'd rather be right than happy!" and "I would rather give a great reason than have results that I desire." The truth is that it's your life and it is up to you to make the most of it!
The next step is action! True freedom results when you and I take real responsibility for our actions. This choice creates change! It requires utilizing our consciousness and becoming physically, emotionally and spiritually present. You are responsible for your level of consciousness and the results in your life. Actions are the results of decisions. Many substitute talking, studying, reading and discussing what would be nice to be, do or have as a substitute for decision and action.
We have all the information we need for the next step.
Everyone of us can experience the dream of William Drayton and Thomas Jefferson. They were willing to have what they wanted. Are you? Are you willing to have what you want? What action can you take? Here is an exercise that will move you in that direction - every morning for a week, write 3 endings to each of the following sentences.
1) Today, being fully conscious and responsible for what is in my life, I will ...
2) Today, being fully conscious and responsible in my relationships, I will...
3) Today, being fully conscious and responsible for my personal growth, I will...

Freedom from… Freedom to become….

What is the difference between people who are able to pick themselves up and get over life’s problems and those who are not?

This question was put to Viktor Frankl in an interview during the mid 1980’s. His response was “The decisive factor is decision, the freedom of choice, the freedom to come up with a decision.”

Our ultimate freedom lies in our capacity to choose! Many believe they are victim of circumstances, heredity, and childhood experience and wait to see what happens. As a result the world changes them on a day to day basis. Our freedom of choice allows each one of use to act freely as a responsible being, which is a human being rather than a thing. Every one of us has the power to change and make a difference in our world. Each has the capacity to choose light over darkness; or “choosing to create value” in all things. All of us have something valuable to give to others.

Each one of us can choose to be extraordinary and passionate rather than being ordinary and passive. Too often we only want to let go of those things that we consider negative in our lives. When we give up the negative things, we seem to keep having it return to us; give up or give out the gifts that are in your possession! Giving in love multiplies and returns in kind. Each one of us can stand up rather than stepping down or back. We have the choice to change the world or continue to allow the world of circumstance, heredity to change us. Step up and forward, claim your right to you personal power! ~ Russ ~

First Steps

Christmas is such a joyous season, and would be incomplete with out the little ones. Just this past Sunday, one of these little ones thrilled a crowd by standing alone, and taking some of her first steps. The applause, shouts, laughter and congratulations from over 20 relatives was shared joy visible on the 11 month old’s face. She repeated the process of walking to mom several times, and each time the crowd of onlookers cheered.

Regardless of one’s personal beliefs about Christmas, the little ones remain the focus. Jesus came as a new born. As the Christmas story unfolds, common folks and royalty alike become equals. In the presence of a child, we are able to experience both the miracle of existence and our fragility. Without condition, we are connected with the vital truth that each one of us is someone, not something.

Christmas is a time in which each can be reminded of the value of our lives, and choose to advance to our next challenge, much as did our grand daughter. The memory of her first steps will soon fade from her consciousness, being replaced by the joy of walking without encouragement, running, climbing, jumping and ever greater independence.

The experience is reflective of a question, “What is the difference between those of us that pick ourselves up and get over tough times and those who don’t?” Knowing that each one of us, has the choice to make a decision to go to the next step or stage rather than remaining in our present condition, yielded to circumstances may be the answer to that question. Christmas is about beginnings, love and celebrating life. Merry Christmas, and May you have a most wonderful and magical New Year.


23Dec2009
Russ Hardesty

What I fear I create!

What I fear I create!

The banner with the statement “What I fear I create!” hanging on the wall reminded me of the first time I considered this truth almost 25 years ago. After 40 plus years coaching and encouraging people to better their lives, I realize the statement is one of the universal truths governing our future. Most of my life I have just made do, thinking and believing my life events were results of my heredity, environment, karma or other external forces. It often seems that natural limitations explain the circumstances of life more than intentions or choices. We become victims rather than accountable in life. Quickly arguing for and defending our limitations.

The psychologizing of one’s situation is the norm, which only reinforces belief that each is the victim of circumstances of external forces.

The good news!

The statement, “What I fear I create” is only a portion of the greater truth – “I experience what I create”. I can choose to create from my fears or from my positive intentions. Each of us are made in the image of the Creator, giving each of us the power of creation, will and choice! One of my favorite writings is found in Genesis 2:4-5, “The Lord God made the earth and heavens and every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew.” Each is given the capacity to choose much of our future. We can make our future bigger or more powerful than our past and present circumstance. Fear lives in the past, and only has power that is given to it.

What do you want?

None of us has to remain believing what is to be will be. Our world is full of mystery and our creative minds allow us to aspire and live abundantly. Begin by forming the image of what you want that is in harmony with your being (contract) and directing the energy into actions (doing). Energy comes from the image or idea of what we want. We become true to our nature, co-creators with the Creator – powerful and potent.

Russ Hardesty 9Dec09

Goals and Gratitude

One of the more powerful parts of Life Success is the BE - Do - Have. The Being is that which you are. Doing is the natural expression of the actions of who you are. Having is the willingness to have what you have created by doing who you are. The challenge for me is to answer the question, "Am I willing to have what I want?"

This thanksgiving time is a definite opportunity to reflect on our willingness to Have what we want. Thankfulness, or being full of thanks is the most powerful force for creating what we want. Gratitude is an affirmation of who we are (our being) and appreciation of actions (doing) of ourselves and others.

As you work on your goals, reflect on the question, "Am I willing to have ......(the goal)?" "What actions require that I have ....(outcome of the goal)?" Living in faith would have each of us to say, "I am grateful that I am (result of the goal). for example, "I am grateful that I am healthy and thinner".