I Have A Dream – The Affirmation Spot for Monday January 19, 2009

Today’s Affirmation:

“I believe in the future of humanity. I believe our species’ most prosperous, peaceful, and enlightened times are ahead. I am living my life in a way that turns that belief into reality.”
(Click the affirmation to hear the mp3 version)

Today I am recognizing the celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday. As has become tradition on this blog, I am doing so by posting the video of Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech delivered August 28, 1963.

This week – regardless of your political point of view – an historic step towards Dr. King’s dream becomes a reality with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of The United States. It’s unlikely that even Dr. King anticipated such a big step so soon.

While Dr. King’s speech was aimed at the specific circumstances in The United State in the early 1960s, it’s message is timeless and transcendent. It is a message that needs to be heard in Israel and Gaza, Pakistan and India, Iraq and Afghanistan, and, yes, in the halls of power in Washington, London, Moscow, and elsewhere.

In too many places, man’s inhumanity to man is the rule of the day. Let us – all six billion of us – heed Dr. King’s wise words. Let us create a new dream where Israeli and Palestinian children walk arm in arm. Let us create a world where we work together to bring about justice.

Then, we too, can say, “Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty. We’re fee at last.”

Runtime is 17:57

Stay inspired!

Ray

2009 Affirmation

“This year I am absolutely committed to being the person I came here to be.”
MP3 version of this affirmation

Obama Won, But Now What? – The Affirmation Spot for Friday November 7, 2008

Today’s Affirmation:

(click to hear it)
“Recession proof…I have the skills and the confidence to compete in a tough economy.”

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Today I am looking for some feedback from you. The United States elected Barack Obama as its next president on Tuesday. Now What?

Leave a comment to share your hopes and concerns about the new administration. What do you think are the potential positives about the new administration? What gives you concern? What would you like to see the new president address in his first term?

Most importantly, how do we use this moment to re-empower ourselves as citizens and human beings?

Stay inspired!

Ray

Obama Wins: Long Election Ends on a Positive Note – The Affirmation Spot for Wednesday November 5, 2008

Today’s Affirmation:

“I believe in the future of humanity. I believe our species’ most prosperous, peaceful, and enlightened times are ahead. I am living my life in a way that turns that belief into reality.” (click the affirmation to hear it)

“Yes we can!” After last night, who can honestly argue? If nothing else, Barack Obama’s rise from unknown to the presidency proves that all is possible in The United States of America.

Whatever your political leanings, last night was a breakthrough night that will be remembered by all Americans for generations. For a large segment of the population, the night was the realization of a seemingly unattainable dream. This is proof again that dreams do not rely on reason, but on our willingness to continue to pursue them.

After more than 20 months and nearly $1 billion spent, the U.S. presidential election came to an historic end last night. Senator Barack Obama who inspired America’s youngest voters and many others in a way not seen in decades, won an overwhelming victory over Senator John McCain.

Current Results

Electoral Results

• Barack Obama 338 (349 from new outlets projecting Indiana for Obama)
• John McCain 161

Popular vote

• Barack Obama 62,531,378 (52%)
• John McCain 55,446,011 (46%)

Support him or not, Mr. Obama’s victory offers the hope of a new start for The United States. There is a chance to heal old wounds and move forward to something bigger and better for this country. There is a chance to restore American leadership on this planet in the positive way that can move it forward.

It is a moment for celebration for new possibilities. How the President-elect will govern remains to be seen. Clearly, the challenges facing the nation are such that he cannot be granted the kind of blind support George W. Bush’s followers granted the outgoing president.

The country’s needs demand that he really be a president of the people and not simply a new package for the same old top-down control. We have elected him, but the question remains who is Barack Obama?

The expectations and the promise are as high as the challenges.

This election is not about Barack Obama or John McCain. It is about the American people reasserting their will over a bipartisan government that has too often failed to heed the will of the people. It is up to all of us to ensure that is the ultimate outcome.

Last night Mr. Obama began with an inspiring victory speech and Senator McCain gave a generous and gracious concession speech. Mr. McCain’s speech did not douse the social fires intensified by the rhetoric of this campaign, but it was a strong and principled call for the nation to do so. The speech gave the nation a glimpse of the John McCain many Americans from all sides respect.

The two speeches are below. Stay inspired!

Ray

John McCain’s Concession Speech from Phoenix.

Barack Obama’s Victory Speech from Grant Park in Chicago.

Obama Victory Speech (two parts)

Freeing Your Mind – The Affirmation Spot for Friday October 24, 2008

Today’s idea:

“The mark of a moderate person is freedom from his own ideas. Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a tree in the wind; she has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring her way.”

Tao Te Ching, Verse 59

Most of us like to consider ourselves open-minded and fair. We like to think we look at things objectively and tolerantly. The fact is, however, that our life experiences have indoctrinated and biased our views.

Most of us are not, as Lao Tzu suggests, “free from our own ideas.”

The mention of certain words or concepts evokes waves of emotion that have little to do with the concept and a lot to do with the mental baggage we have accumulated. Worse, our views are often formed based on what other people have told us rather than what we ourselves know.

Since awareness is the doorway to understanding; let’s do a little test.

I’m going to list some words. As you read each word, take a moment to listen to your reaction. I’m not saying you should feel one way or the other about any of these words or the concepts they conjure. I’m simply suggesting you become aware of your blind spots and prejudices so that you can release them and truly deal with life in the open and honest way you want to.

Some of these words may cause little reaction within you, while others may cause a strong, visceral reaction. Becoming aware of your reactions is a very empowering way to take back control of your own thinking.

Ready? Read the words one at a time (silently if you like) and pay attention to your reaction.

• New and Improved
• Capitalism
• Communism
• Sarah Palin
• Barack Obama
• Democrat
• Republican
• Christian
• Jew
• Muslim
• Buddhist
• Hindu
• Immigrant
• Labor union
• Russia
• Israel
• Corporation
• Old
• Young
• Fat
• Freedom
• Fear
• Math
• Wall Street
• Science
• Religion
• War
• Peace
• Terrorism
• Love
• Hate
• Rich
• Poor
• Environmentalism
• Profit

The Greek sage Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” The more you examine and pay attention to your auto-reaction to things the better able you are to look at each circumstance with fresh, unconditioned eyes.

The key to freeing your mind is to ask yourself why. Why does this word evoke this emotion? What information is that feeling based on? Where did I get that information? How do I know that information is accurate? It takes a lot of strength to really examine your unconscious assumptions.

You don’t have to use this list. You can make your own list of emotionally charged words and explore your feelings.

The fact is that – for better or worse – words that create unconscious reactions when they are even uttered hold the potential to be used as manipulation. An empowered thinker is able to set aside the initial reaction and explore what is being said beyond the word.

We see this all the time in political campaigns. Labels start getting tossed around. The labels are a kind of psychological warfare because the labelers know people react to those words.

You may find that this approach helps you break free from old programming and allows you to move forward in your life.

Know thyself!

Ray

Who is the Most Positive Presidential Candidate? – The Affirmation Spot for Friday October 10, 2008

True leadership is more than a combination of experience and charisma. It is the ability to project a positive vision for the future on the consciousness of the people. I am conducting a poll to see who you think is doing the best job of that.

The poll runs now through election day. The purpose of the poll is to determine who you think is the most positive or inspirational candidate running for US President this year.

It does not have to be the person you actually plan to vote for. I’d also welcome comments on the blog to explain why you believe this candidate is the most positive or inspirational.

Click below to cast your vote.

Cast Your Vote Now

Current Results (as of October 15)

John McCain/Republican………15%
Barack Obama/Democrat……..72%
Ralph Nader/Independent………4%
Bob Barr/Libertarian……………..3%
Chuck Baldwin/Constitution……1%
Cynthia McKinney/Green………..3%

Stay inspired!

Ray