Reginald Cuffee

When I heard that Michael Jackson had passed away, I begin reflecting on my own life. 

What came to my mind was the subject of happiness.  Specifically, I was  thinking about how many people are waiting for some external circumstance to change so they can be happy.

The say statements such as ” when I get the right job, when I get enough money, when I get the right man or woman, when my children become successful….. then I will be happy”

Guess what? Michael Jackson had tons of money, remarkable talent, fame, and millions of adoring fans around the world.

But, was he happy?

Although I did not know him personally, I think that most of us would agree that he didn’t act happy.  In fact, a common phrase used to describe him was a “tortured soul.”  Many people used this phrase to describe him because he appeared to be fighting inner demons.

If external circumstances such as money and success cause happiness, Michael Jackson should have been very happy.  But it didn’t seem he was.

Now let’s not make a critical mistake and say that money and success cause unhappiness because they don’t.   As Abraham Lincoln said, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be.”

If you can’t be happy before you have prosperous, chances are you won’t be happy no matter how much abundance flows into in your life.
The best way I know to be happy is to practice gratitude. Yes, gratitude!  When you focus on what is good in your life, rather than what is “bad” , happiness follows.  And we all have plenty to be grateful for in our lives.

Many things in life that you experience are result of the choices you make!  Love is a choice, not a feeling.  Happiness is a choice.

How happy are you willing to make up your mind to be? Take a chance and choose to be really happy!

In this moment, focus on the blessings you have, and from that place of happiness, create the life you want.  Let the lesson from Michael Jackson inspire you choose happiness first.

You can’t flow more abundance in your life if you’re feeling ungrateful, but you sure can if you’re feeling grateful, and happy.

So, go ahead.  It won’t hurt. It’ll probably feel really good.

Say it–I choose happiness!

Namaste,

 

RC

written by Reginald Cuffee

All too often, we unknowingly get stuck in life patterns that we have modeled from others people, the media, movies and books, and society.  We follow certain career paths, get into familiar relationships, have recurring health issues, and even accept limits on what we could Be, Do and Have in our lives.

But what if God didn’t intend for us to have any of these limitations we place on our experiences in life?

What if our parents, religious leaders, teachers and society only gave us what they thought were possible?

What if they couldn’t teach us how to go beyond what they were able to achieve in their lives?

What if our bodies are designed to last for hundreds of years, yet we have accepted that our bodies are supposed to age and weaken starting in our fifties?

What if the facts and evidence for support aging are the result of our beliefs rather than our beliefs being the result of facts and evidence? 

What if our beliefs about how much money we can have, how it comes to us, how our relationships must be, how we can live our lives are all based on other people’s limited thinking?

What if you could live your life by your own rules?

What would you change about your life if you knew you had no limits?

If your family has health patterns, and you just accepted that you will be subject to this because of genetics, what if you decided to accept being healthy instead?

What if you decided to consciously let go of any emotional pain, angers and hurt that you have been holding onto for years and chose to embrace love, compassion, and peace as your new emotional pattern?

What if you embraced the joy of abundance that is available to you and you could pursue activities you enjoy to do in life instead of remaining at a job that does not offer inner fulfillment?

Even if you don’t think you could earn money doing what you love, consider letting go of that belief and imagine what you would do if you could do anything you wanted for a living.

What would you want to contribute to the world?  What inspires passion within you?

What if the slowing down of the economy is an opportunity for change to create roles for each of us to contribute in a new way?

What if money just flowed to you through unexpected sources instead of it only coming to you through your job and perhaps a job that you don’t really enjoy? What if money only comes to you this way because someone of authority told you a statement such as “You have to work hard for your money”, “Life is hard”, or “Stop dreaming and get a job”.

If you accepted that belief, then this is the way money comes to you.

If you arrived on planet Earth five minutes ago and you looked out at the vast opportunities that could be your heaven on earth, what rules would you give yourself?

What is stopping you from living from that reality now?

Realize that the major differences between a new reality and your old one is how much you believe that reality to be true and how much that reality has been practiced.

Realize that you can choose to let go of your old perspective by releasing the emotions that anchor it in place…and embrace a new perspective of Love, Peace and Hope.

What rules are you choosing to live by today?

Remember it’s your life.  Ask yourself if you really want to get to the end of it only to discover that you didn’t have to live by the rules you were given.

You can change them today.

If you don’t know how, ask and it will be given.  Seek and ye shall find.  

Namaste,

RC

written by Reginald Cuffee

 

Do you have dreams, goals, and desires that you want to achieve in life, but you aren’t taking the necessary action to create them?  If you answered in the affirmative, you probably have encounter one of the Ego’s tactics that keep you stuck in your current comfort zone. 

What is this tactic that the Ego uses to stop you from taking action and getting what you desire in life?  It is called Procrastination.

Procrastination is the intentional habit of avoiding, putting off, or delaying taking action that will bring you closer to what you desire.  In fact, it is the polar opposite of power, and it manifests in many different forms such as excessively watching television, surfing on the internet, sleeping, playing computer games, social activities, etc.

I don’t mean to sound overly dramatic, but procrastination is one of your worst enemies for living a prosperous life, and it is the difference between barely surviving and thriving in life.  It steals your youth and keeps you trapped in the reality of one day or someday, but if you haven’t noticed, one day and someday isn’t on the calendar.

If you are ready to overcome your habit of procrastinating, here are my top 7 ways to conquering this habit, so you can start living the life you desire.

1. Make A Commitment To Yourself

If it is your intention to overcome procrastination, you must make a choice that you will no longer accept inaction.  Say it out loud or better yet, write and post it so you can see it everyday.   “I choose to take action on my dreams, goals, and desires.  I am choosing to create my dream life, and I am doing it NOW!”

Great work!  You’ve taken the first step to overcoming procrastination by making a commitment to yourself!  Now hold yourself accountable because you deserve to have the life you desire.

2. Make Health and Fitness A Priority

If you are unhealthy and out of shape, you will probably be lethargic because your energy levels are low.  Without good health, you are less likely to have the energy needed to do what is necessary to make positive changes in your life.  So make it a habit to eat foods that boost your energy levels,  get sufficient sleep, exercise three or more times a week, and meditate daily to connect with God.

 3. Set Mini-Goals & Complete Them

Setting mini-goals for yourself will keep you in action and heading in the right direction.  Furthermore, as you accomplish these mini-goals, you will remain motivated to take more action to achieve your major dreams, goals, and desires. 

It is not necessary to make this the mini goal process complicated, so keep it simple by selecting targets that you can accomplish each day. 

It is best to write them down your main goals or desires. Then write three tasks you will complete each day that will lead to the achievement of your goal / desire.  Complete the first task before you work on the second task, and complete the third task before you move to task three.  If you fail to complete any tasks in a day, move the uncompleted tasks to beginning of your list and start with them on the following day.

You can apply this process any area of your life.  For example, if you want to lose 20 pounds you don’t need to do it all at once.  Simply make it a goal to lose the weight.  Next, pick three tasks for each day that will help you achieve the goal.  On day one, your list can be as follows:

A. Choose exercise (i.e. biking)

B. Check bike for proper maintenance and operations.

C. Ride bike for 30 minutes today.

This simple process of setting mini-goals will keep you on task and help you avoid procrastinating.  With this process, you don’t have to focus on the big picture of losing 20 pounds.  Instead, focus on completing the 3 tasks each day. 

4. Visualize Your Life Without Procrastination

Take a few minutes, close your eyes, and visual your life five years from now.  Imagine that you are still procrastinating on your dreams, goals, and desire as you normally do now.  Really see yourself continually delaying taking action whether it is to start your new business, develop a blissful relationship, get in shape, spend time with your kids, or whatever your dream are now.  Imagine yourself keep saying “I’ll do it someday”. 

Now open your eyes.   Are you still working at a job you don’t enjoy?  Are you still lonely?  Are you still out of shape? Did you like the picture you saw?  If you didn’t like it, change it starting NOW.

Close your eyes, and imagine in your mind’s eye that you are taking action and feeling the benefits in your life because you are not procrastinating on your dreams.  Really make mental pictures and/or movies of the life that you want.  See what you want as if you already have it.

Now open your eyes, and begin to act as if you’re person of action.  We all categorize ourselves as many different things.  We call ourselves skinny, fat, loud, quite, outgoing, shy, tall, short, active, inactive, etc.  What you call yourself is who you are being in the moment. So be a person of action.

5. Overcome the Control of the Ego

The Ego is that little voice in your head that makes excuses for you.   It says things like “I don’t have time for this” or “I do it later”.   Your Ego is a saboteur from within.  If you listen to it, you will never take the necessary actions to manifest your dreams, goals and desires. 

The best way to overcome the power of the Ego is to reprogram your subconscious mind using affirmations and meditation.  As you mediate, you will make contact with your Higher Self, which can provide inspiration and guidance to manifest what you desire.

Another thing you can do is stop lying to yourself.  If you say you will do something, keep your word because your Ego is listening.

Let me ask you a question– what do you call a person who says they will do something, but fails to do it multiple times? Most people will call this person a liar.

Guess what? If you don’t keep your word to yourself, your Ego will know you as a liar and person who can’t be trusted.   So, say what you’re going to do, and do it.  No exceptions.

6. Reward Yourself

Once you start taking action and completing tasks, reward yourself by giving yourself something that you want, even if it is just acknowledge that you succeed. 

Even better than just acknowledging your success, do a fun activity that you enjoy.  It could be as simple as taking your spouse out for ice cream or yogurt or going for a cruise on the Bay.  The important thing to do is reward yourself because Ego likes rewards.  As you reward yourself, you are reprogramming your Ego, and it will do anything to continue getting the rewards. 

7. Just Do it!

Have you seen the Nike commercial on television?  The message of the commercial is “Just Do It”, or as one my mentor says, Who cares you’re not in the mood. “Just freaking do it.”

So Always Act Now!  No more excuses!  Seize each moment and take control of your life by starting with what is easiest.  That way you experience immediate success, which will give you the fuel and motivation to take on larger tasks.

If you follow these suggestions, you’ll be well on your way to ending the procrastination habit.  If you’re procrastinating over doing any of the above suggestions, then remember that life is the biggest deadline of all.

Life is what happens while you wait around for something to happen.

No more waiting for someday.  Do it NOW.

 

Namaste,

Reginald

written by Reginald Cuffee

 

One of the most important factors for living a prosperous life is being healthy and fit.  However, many people are overweight, and they are using excuses to remain stuck in out of shape.

Excuses will not only keep you out of shape and unhealthy, but they will also help you to continue to create more of what you already have - negative feelings about your body and a body that is not providing your optimum energy to enjoy life 

 

Excuses! Excuses! Excuses!

Although there are so many excuses people use that keep themselves out of shape, I will discuss the top three that I believe that is prevalent among most people that I have spoken with, met or assisted beyond their excuses.  In the past I have used these excuses, but I know it is possible to release them and begin changing your physical health.  However, the only way you will move beyond your own excuses is to choose to do it NOW.  If you are more invested in staying stuck in your excuses than you are in releasing them and allowing yourself to get fit and healthy, then not amount of information will  help transform your body so you can enjoy physical vitality.

 

3 Excuses That Will Keep You Out of Shape

• 1. Procrastination - I’ll Do It Tomorrow - This is the number one excuse that most people use that will keep them out of shape. The plain and simple truth is…Tomorrow Will Never Come. Today is the Tomorrow that you told yourself would be the Tomorrow when you would change. Today is Always Tomorrow and as long as you continue to use the excuse that you will do it tomorrow, you are forever putting off your life and forever living in a body that is not allowing you to enjoy life to its fullest.

 

• 2. I’m Too Busy - Everyone on this planet has the same amount of hours in their day - 24 hours. So if you are saying you are too busy or you don’t have enough time to get fit and healthy, STOP IT! If you don’t do it now, when will you ever have the time to get fit and lose the fat? When will you ever have the time to lose the excuse? Using the excuse that you don’t have time is an excuse, and it is also a value. You Always have enough time for that which you value in your life. So what do you value more — your excuses or being fit and healthy?

 

• 3. It’s Too Hard - If you believe “it’s too hard” to get in shape, you are totally correct because your beliefs create your life. If you continue to choose to use the excuse that it’s too hard then “it” will be too hard. This is the most interesting of the three excuses that will keep you unfit because as you start getting in shape, the easier it gets. Here a simple program anyone can follow: Do an exercise that you enjoy such as walking, swimming, biking, etc for 30 minutes a day three to four times a week. In addition, eat 5 or six small-portion controlled meals a day, and drink 60 -100 ounces of water each day. That’s sounds easy doesn’t it?

 

Excuses Keep You Stuck

If you are choosing excused that keep you stuck in being unhealthy and unfit, I can tell you that it’s No Fun, and I always say that “If It’s Not Fun, Why Do It?”.  It’s not fun to be out of shape because it limits your enjoyment of life.  When you are healthy and fit, you have more energy to do the fun things in life you desire to do, and you feel better physically

If you are out of shape, my wish for you is that you consciously choose to release all excuses that are keeping you unhealthy and unfit and that you choose to think thoughts that will move you forward into the healthy lifestyle you could be living NOW if you were to choose to do so.

Namaste,

Reginald

written by Reginald Cuffee

One of most powerful abilities we have been given is our imagination.  With imagination, we have the freedom to choose the details of our life, dream any dream, uncover the secrets of our heart, and see them manifest right before our very eyes, but many people dangerously misuse this innate ability.

How do we misuse their imagination?  We WORRY!   

We worry about the economy.  We worry about money.  We worry about our health.   We worry about something someone said that offended us three weeks ago.  We worry that we might get what we want.  We worry about our  family members.  We worry about our futures.  Worry! Worry! Worry!

Our worries go on and on.  I could fill this article with lists of all the worries the ego invents to sway us from our path and to stand in the way of our manifesting prosperity.

As hard as it is to believe, our ego thinks it’s doing us a favor by prophesying what can go wrong.  It sees “problems”  or anything out of our comfort zones as danger; thus it thinks it’s protecting us from what can go wrong.  But worrying only cause us to get what we don’t want.

If you find your ego causing you to worrying, STOP it because when you worry, you are using your imagination to focus on what you don’t want to experience instead of what you do want.  Thus you are setting the stage for that feared outcome to manifest in your reality.  

When we are worrying, we are not trusting our personal connection to the Universe (God), and we have stopped being grateful for what IS.  Instead of being grateful,  we are now focusing on the negative aspects of “what if” this or that occur in the future.  Furthermore, we have become attached  the idea that this future event will not happen the way it think it should.  

The act of worrying is a massive drain on our ability to manifest prosperity in our lives ; however, it is not all bad if we use it as a feedback tool.  I know this statement may sound strange, but worrying can be good because it creates awareness.  It is a real-time indicator of how your ego is working against what you desire to experience.

For example, if you are worrying about a lack of money to pay your mortgage, or you are worrying that your spouse is cheating because he or she is late getting home, is that what you really want to experience.  No!  You want the opposite of what you are focusing on when you worry.  Instead, you want the money to pay for your mortgage or you want a faithful and loving spouse. 

So, if you find yourself worrying, you can choose to step out your worry state by recognizing what is occurring.  This is the most important step which is to become conscious aware that you are worrying.  After you choose to stop worrying, you can use your imagination and refrain your worrying into what you want to experience.  To accomplish the refrain, use the following 3 Minute Reframing Technique.  I have been using this technique for nearly five years, and it works better and better each time I use it. 

3 Minute Reframing Technique

This technique is an effective tool for replacing any form of doubt, fear, and worry that may be blocking the path to your desire.  This technique allows you to reprogramming your subconscious mind with a vision of what you desire.  This vision is made powerful by adding the enthusiastic anticipation of living your life as it would BE in that new reality.

To use this technique, complete the following 4 steps:

Step 1:  Go To Your Safe Harbor

Go to your safe harbor which is simply a mental “place” to which you can retreat to whenever you choose.  It may be an image of a childhood hideaway, a memory of an especially peaceful scene, or a “picture” of your own creation.  Whatever you choose, it is a place where you can go just by closing your eyes and visualizing it.  It is a special peaceful place where no one else can come.  This is why it is called a “safe harbor. 

 Your peaceful place could be:

• on the beach, listening to the waves rolling in,
• on a path in the woods communing with nature,
• enjoying a Summer breeze while fishing on the lake, or watching waving field of grass,
• at the oceanfront admiring a beautiful sunset.

Think of your favorite place and go there in your mind.  Be at peace for a full minute or two.  This moment of peace may take longer to establish the first time you do it, but having done it once or twice, you will find yourself at peace almost the moment you close your eyes to go to your safe harbor in the future. 

This moment of peace, intentionally, places a buffer between you and your fears, doubt, and who you are currently Being.

After you feel relaxed, go to step 2.

Step 2: Set Your Intention

Declare your intention for your desire by saying it out loud in your head.  For example, “I have $2500.00 to easily met my July 2009 mortgage payment.  I will manifest this in a way that is easy, joyous, and for my highest good.” 

Step 3: Imagine who you are Being  

Visualize your life as it would be if the reason for your fear (or weakness or doubt) no longer existed.  Who would you be BEING and how would you FEEL if your fear, weakness, and doubt were gone, and you manifested your desire in your intention?  Your intent in this step is to experience the feeling you would have if you are Being the person with your intention manifested. 

In your imagination, you are not looking for the solution or how to do it; you have already manifested it, and are FEELING the joy, the satisfaction and over all good feeling you would just naturally experience if your fear and doubt were gone and your desire was manifested.  

The important thing is to put yourself in the picture.  Do not see yourself as you look at a movie screen.  As you are visualizing, empower your vision with the joyful feelings of a happy ending.  Generate and experience the good feeling you would have if your intention manifested NOW and then experience that triumph with all the good feeling you can muster.

Remember what you think about and focus on will expand and become your reality. 

As you do, the Universe will send you ideas, the right people, and circumstances  that will assist you in manifesting your desires.  When you receive these ideas, you must take action.  If you desire $2500.00, do you really believe you will get it if you just set and intention and focus on it?  No!!!  You have to take inspired action.  When you DO, you will HAVE what you intended.

Step 4: Thank the Source (God)

Give gratitude to Source, Spirit, or whatever you call your higher power, for manifesting your intention.  Say, “Thank you, God!  And So It Is!”  Your vision is empowered; you have seen your intention manifested, and you are feeling thankful for the new reality that is already your.  It is important, in this step, that you feel a very strong sense of gratitude.  An attitude of gratitude is the most powerful of all vibrations.

Use the technique for 3 or 4 times a day or as often as necessary, when you become aware that you are worrying.  

Namaste,

 

Reginald

written by Reginald Cuffee