Create Imagine-Time
I’ve been having a tough time sitting still lately. Not being creative. Not planning. Not getting outside the box. Maybe December brings that out with its looming deadlines, Christmas and New Years. Possibly, it’s the latest dismal and gray days. WHY? Well… Now, please don’t ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that my shoes are too tight. Or it could be that my head isn’t t screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all… most likely my heart is two sizes too small. But, whatever the reason, my heart or my shoes, its easy to just go through the motions and wind up singing the blues.
Being uncreative and just going through the motions is one of the things that shrinks my heart and kills my belief. If I want a visionary and fruitful future, sitting there and hoping it happens…. even praying it happens… rarely, well really, never does it. If I want to move forward, I will need to stop first – and use my imagination. Consider. Create.
What gets in the way? Well, me. Stuff. Laziness. And most importantly, failing to stop doing and spend Imagine Time.
Really, that’s what most of us want. We want a compelling vision for the future. We want a new path. We want plans to turn the dream into reality. And to do so, we will need to not just do something. We will need to sit there. Sit there and revisit what we really want. Sit there with the problem. Sit there and imagine the better future. Sit there to just sit there. And of course, this doesn’t feel like what December tends to be about. To create Imagine Time, we will need to stop worrying and ask: “How can this be different?” “What might a better scenario look like?” “What would happen if I went for it?”
Its clear that an Albert Einstein would practice just visualizing things in novel ways. He would open his mind to think of running alongside a wave of light. He imagined himself accelerating through space in an enclosed elevator. And he was quoted as saying, “ It’s not that I’m so smart , it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
Even before I can motivate others to a vision, I will need to imagine the vision. What if we go in this direction?
It doesn’t take a genius to realize that when we create ”Imagine Time” good things happen. WHAT IF often leads to WHY NOT. Those four powerful words have undoubtedly changed the world. But, will they change my world? Your world? Will we take the time to ask WHAT IF today. Will we sit with a white piece of paper? Will we imagine a great marriage? A great family? A great relationship with God? A great Christmas? A great company? A great solution for what we’re so passionate about? WHY NOT?
No, we were not born with fully developed imaginations. And most of us weren’t taught how to utilize what we weren’t even sure we had. But, WHAT IF a few of us were to simply increase our own Imagine Time today? And tomorrow? WHAT IF we were to become disciplined in blocking out Imagine Time? WHAT IF we were then to start teaching others how to build Imagine Time into their days? WHAT IF we were to encourage our kids to take Imagine Time? WHAT IF?…. WHY NOT?
Could change the world, huh? Just imagine!
Three Reasons Men Don’t Grow Up
Ever heard, or said, this statement?“I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up?” I’ve heard it from guys many, many, many times. So, why is that an acceptable way for us guys to answer “What do you do?” Is it just a politer form of: “I haven’t a clue!” And it doesn’t tend to come from 18 year olds… more likely 45 year olds, 55 year olds…
Really, what’s being said is: “I don’t know what I’m great at.” Or “I don’t know what I am supposed to do with my life…. and time is running out.” “I don’t have a higher purpose” “I never took that class on finding my calling in life.”
So, why do so many men NOT grow up in this way? I’d like to suggest three things..
1. No one ever helped us discover (or engage) a bigger dream: We skipped right through that part of life… too busy taking classes, playing sports, working to make some extra dough, or dating Mary Lou. Even our religious and spiritual training didn’t do much(probably nothing) to help us in this area. As time moved on we just became busy working, making “a living,” trying to stay “in shape,” making some extra dough and trying to keep Mary Lou happy. Besides, we figured that a dream was just an egotistical and selfish thing and not much related to real practicality. So, when we lost our job, instead of seeing it as an opportunity really focus our efforts on honing in on our God-given dream, we called a “head hunter” learned how to write a resume.. and moved on. Instead of dreaming “dangerous dreams” (as T.E. Lawrence called them) or of addressing the world’s largest needs, we settled for a reasonable vacation once in a while.
2. We never declared our values: If values involve deciding what matters most to us, never declaring them relates to the saying, ”If you shoot for nothing you’ll hit it every time!” And when we never decide what’s MOST important to us, we get to float along seeing what makes us feel happy now…. If we don’t draw a line in the sand and say, “Here’s what I stand for,” we’ll stand for this… then for that… depending on how we feel.
- If my family isn’t a high value, I’ll let them wait when they demand too much.
- If faith isn’t a value, I won’t do what it takes to nurture a relationship with God.
- If serving others isn’t a value, I won’t reach out to others I can help.
3. We don’t see the benefits of being grown up. Frankly, if ”grown ups” are those frowning, responsible types, why would we seek to grow up? “Pass me a beer and the chips please!” BUT, if we were to redefine grown-ups as purposeful, passionate and joy-filled people, who do what they love and love what they do… then that might be kind of attractive. Are there a few good real models of dreaming, value-driven and adventurous men who will lead the rest? I’d want to find what I could ”be when I grow up” if real grown-ups didn’t just walk away, but walked with others ready and willing to take that journey.
And if that happened, some day, those 18 years olds will 1. Believe in the beauty of their own dreams (Eleanor Roosevelt), 2. Choose their values and decide what matters most in their life before they get to mid-age crisis, have an affair, or become addicted to something much smaller… and 3. Redefine growing up to include living life with purpose and passion.
But, then again, I seriously wonder if it’s too late for my generation….
Well, those are three reasons I see. Do you see some others?
Being Rich
I stumble into Panera Bread with my overstuffed briefcase, balancing an Iced Tea in one hand and trying to secure a table with an electric plug with the other. Suddenly, an older woman at the next table breaks my focused zone, “Are you rich?” she asks me. Thinking, she must be speaking to someone else, I try to ignore her. Louder she asks, “Excuse me sir, Sir! Are you rich?” I look at her, huh? …. “Well, it depends,” I tell her, “How would you define rich?” She looks at me cross-eyed, squinting as if puzzled by me. Then she bursts out laughing. “I’m here to meet a guy named Rich and I thought you might be him!! I guess it does matter how you define rich, doesn’t it??”
We both laughed, and to tell the truth, I was pretty sure that’s what she meant, but it was a pretty direct question, wouldn’t you say. “Are you rich?” Or was that “Are you Rich?”
Last night in the Butera (supermarket) parking lot I was approached by two guys who quickly exited their black SUV and headed towards me….. “Hey you! Excuse me.. yeah you? ” I had nowhere to go. “Did I see you on ESPN?” “Excuse me?” I asked. “Yeah, you’re that announcer on ESPN! We watched the fight you announced the other night! You’re awesome!!” “No, sorry, that’s not me.” “Come on that’s you!” one of them insisted. “No, it’s really not…” It took me a practical argument to convince these two I was me and not someone else!
So within 12 hours, people challenge my identity. “Who am I really?” “Am I rich?” “Am I a known celebrity?”
I loved fellow blogger Mike Wilson’s comment on my recent blog post on Facing My Facebook Status Envy when he responded, “A key to contentment for me then is hope and advancement down my own path.Probably, that is why it is so important for us to “run our race . . . fixing our eyes on the prize”–our prize.”
Really, any dream-step forward DOES start with an acceptance of who we are and our ”running our race.” And “being rich” as us. No need to prove anything to anyone else.
I am rich! (even if I’m not Rich!) I have so much more than most people on this planet and am amazingly rich in relationships and in meaningful work. And I’m OK with it! I’m Jeff. Yes I may not be as known as the ESPN announcer who must look like me… but I do have some folks who know me and even love me.
Being rich and being fully me doesn’t start “someday.” It’s who I am today.
P.S. This was sent to me from my friend Dennis. 
Asking the One Question that Can Change Everything
It’s so simple that it’s amazing that we rarely ask it…. But it really can make or break us. It can help us decide whether to keep going or put on the brakes. It can help us define why we do what we do. It can make a business great and even meaningful or keep it stuck in mediocrity or mess. It can save gobs of money or direct you on where to spend it. Answering it may just save you and yours a whole lot of pain. NOT answering it may cost you dearly.
OK… so what’s the question already?
It’s simply this: “Why am I doing this?” Or if, you’re a family, company or an organization: “Why are we doing this?”
Just think about it: When you answer that question, you get back to the foundational core motivation of what makes you do what you do. You get to what’s true and authentic. You rid yourself of being phony. And you may just open up the deeper meaning of why you exist. AND: you may come to the conclusion to stop doing it if it’s not good, helpful or meaningful. Stop a business pursuit. Stop a relationship. Stop an activity.
Here are some examples:
- Why am I/we doing this job?
- Why am I/we pursuing this activity?
- Why am I/we spending so much time on this?
- Why am I/we seeking to make this relationship a priority?
- Why am I/we believing what I believe?
Possible Positive Answers: Because I feel called to this work. Because I feel alive when I do this. Because I get large profits from this activity. Because I love her with all my heart and am deeply committed to our relationship. Because I can’t argue that it’s the truth.
Possible Not So Positive Answers: Because I’m afraid to change. Because it’s become habitual for me. Because I don’t know what else to do. Because I have no idea, that’s why. Because I’m afraid to ask questions.
Yes, it takes courage and thought to ask the “Why am I doing this question?” And most will just be “too busy,” “too stressed,” “too distracted” or “too unwilling to think deeply” to ask. And they will keep doing the same things over and over again expecting different results. They will miss out on living dreams. They may even miss the deeper meaning of their lives, their callings or their opportunity to make life better for all.
Those who answer it will live in their skin and live with purpose and often passion. They say ”yes” to the best ”why do’s” and no to the not so best ones.
Are you willing to ask the ”one question that can change everything?” Go ahead. Give it a try!
Facing My Facebook Status Update Envy
I was so proud of our “staycation” Caliguire Family Labor Day weekend. Why travel anywhere far when you have so much right near home? No hassles, headaches or excessive mula spent! THEN I logged in and encountered Curtis’s post: pictures the amazing family vacation in Europe. Big Ben. Royal Palaces. Dinner on a cruise ship. The kids posing in front all hugging and smiling with their arms around each other. They titled it: “Family Eurotrip: Round 2″ Ugh, we haven’t even done the Round 1! Then there was Matt and Kim’s pictures and posts from Hawaii. ”The best part of waking up is Kona in your cup,” he writes as I sit at the table surrounded by our partially folded family laundry. Then, I see Scott’s uploads: pictures hiking with his wife in Switzerland! NOT FAIR!! I really, actually struggled with this! Of course I’m not proud of it… : (
So when author Caryn Rivadeneira quotes from a blog post called “Carla is Jealous of Your Facebook Status,” it kind of summed up one of my biggest dream-killers and “makes me feel like my life stinks” creators: Seeing other people’s Facebook Status Updates and being… well.. um.. Jealous. Envious. Just, sometimes even a little wishing my life was more interesting, exciting, rich, full, meaningful, picturesque, and well…. perfect like the rest of you all!
This whole thing of Facebook Post Envy may be one of the underrated “make my life seem mundane” and even meaningless creators these days. I once only imagined what the Jones were up to: Now I get to read about it online, see the pictures, the comments from their scores of admiring-friends and sometimes even watch the video from the comfort of my own sedentary life.
Besides Vacation Photos, here are some Categories of My Personal Facebook Envy:
Your Lakehouse: I know this is related to the vacation ones…. but NOW you even own the place! And of course the sunsets are amazing! And the perfectly fitted kitchen, and the sun room, and of course the deck with the mountain view…
Your Perfect Romance: There’s the cute love notes back and forth and the pictures of you and Lovey hugging in the setting sun. The expensive date when you “checked in” at some exotic French place with the waiter named Pierre. Of course, I’m glad for you… but then I think of my last date night at Red Robin and think: “Dude, you lose!”
Your Cute and Competent Kids: Yes, they’re amazing! They’re always smiling and don’t cuss at you or tell you you’re a lousy parent and “There’s no good food in the house!” And don’t they always win the baseball trophy, the perfect report card award and get a full ride scholarship to the U?
Your Clever Posts: Somehow Jim’s posts always have some kind of insight that gets me laughing or thinking for a while. ”Apple starts with “A”. Baby starts with “B”. Car starts with “Key” Or: “Lawn sprinkler guy is here. Jesus works on water.” Then of course, he gets 20 comments after each…. which leads to the next.
Your 20 Comments: People like Jim and Joe get comments even if they sneeze or move their toe! Joe says he’s pouring a cup of coffee and people from around the world chime in! 35 likes. I post something “clever”…. and its crickets! (Well, I thought it was clever!)
Your Countless Opportunities: Yes, Angela speaks to audience of thousands all over the place and her books ring the bell on Amazon. Bill gets yet another big sale. My own wife hanglides in Rio on her “business trips!” I head to the office and forget the cord for my laptop at home! AArgggg…
Your Exercise Regimen: I now know that you ran 18 miles training for your marathon (sponsoring 39 children in Africa) and can even track my friend Tim on his 7 mile runs. My college roommate Gregg posts,”Got a personal best set of 25 pull-ups yesterday.” And I was proud that I took the dogs for a walk yesterday and looped the whole park!
So the truth is: sometime Facebook Envy still gets the best of me. It doesn’t do good things in my soul and I need to own it: “I’m feeling jealous right now.” Yes contentment is a spiritual issue and I should know better. ”Sorry God.” In fact, it’s actually pretty great that I have friends with so much going on… and so clever and that can do more pull ups than me!
AND Might Facebook Updates even remind us that most of us really do have some pretty incredible lives? We’re extremely fortunate and have some great things worth celebrating and sharing. And if you perused my FB, you might even think “What’s that guy thinking?” Yes, I do have cute and competent kids and my parents own a lakehouse! And Jim once commented on my clever comment!
Then again, it might be fun to start posting some of my moody junk (just to encourage the rest of you of course!) ”I feel like eating potato chips and chocolate all day and never exercising again!” ”My son thinks I’m a cheap skate and a jerk!” ”Still stuck in traffic.” ”Yuk again today.” “Could ya just pass the Prozak?”
Got Envy?
www.Dreamhabits.com
Grieve Dead Dog Dreams
I realize that some people just don’t want to talk about dreams because as someone said to me recently, “Dreams are just too painful!” You may relate. This person knows the sad, sad disappointment of having believed in something wholeheartedly, then that something went awry. The dream “didn’t work.” They lost money on the “sure thing.” Others thought it was dumb. The amazing relationship turned out to be a farce. The dream died or was slowly killed. And something inside them died. Something that said that “life is good” died .And it’s almost easier to just quit dreaming. Quit risking. Maybe even quit believing that dreams come true.
I get it. I understand. I’m 47 now. (meaning: long enough to watch plenty of dreams die or be killed) Then, the spoken or silent question that arises, “Should I risk dreaming again when I’ve dreamed before? And lost? And suffered setback? And the dream died? And something in the way I viewed the life I wanted died?”
This morning I read something from Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira (I thought Jeff Caliguire was long!) that challenged me to consciously “grieve my dead dog dreams.” If I don’t grieve those past dreams, it may be hard to dream again or even believe in a bright future. In her book, Grumble Hallelujah Rivadeneira describes her need to grieve when her beloved five-year old dog Rocky died. Quoting James Herriot’s Favorite Dog Stories, she said, “It is always said that however many wonderful and happy years a dog lives, you know that one day, the day he dies, your dog will break your heart.” Her aha: That’s what this dog had done to her.”That’s what it was. That was the emotion! My dog had broken my heart and it hurt like crazy.” 
If you’ve ever loved a dog, and that terrible day arrived when you had to pay a vet to ”put them to sleep,” you get the broken heart. Five years ago, we said that horrific goodbye to our beloved miniature black lab Cindy (Cinderella) after she had eaten poison and destroyed her kidneys. No matter how many people might say, “It’s ONLY a dog,” Cindy held a piece of my heart and when I said goodbye my heart broke. The “life is good” t-shirt was tucked in the bottom of the drawer. Even the “God is good” t-shirt was placed there. Would I be able to wear those ever again?
While browsing a Boston bookstore area years ago, I read that anytime we love, we set ourselves up for death and loss. Love always ends in death..either the death of the beloved or the death of the relationship. Insightful, huh? “Till death do us part” is still a loss. ”I don’t love you anymore” is death as well. The temptation at that point is to grow hard: Quit loving! Quit giving your heart! Quit trusting! Quit building friendships. And in this context: Quit dreaming! Then get new t-shirts… ones that say: ”I’ll never write it!” “I’ll never succeed!” “I’ll never experience it!” “I’ll always fail!” ”I won’t dream!”
OR :another option for us: Grieve our “dead dog dreams.” Acknowledge our disappointment. Recognize our loss. Feel the pain. Then heal. Then move on. Then dream again. Then love again. We do have a choice.
And even yesterday I looked into the big brown eyes of our dog Scrappy, (named after Scrappy Doo!) I said, “I love you Scrap! What did I ever do without you?” A that moment I remembered that Cindy: And I realized I had given my heart to another dumb dog! (And if you know Scrappy, dumb is pretty accurate!) But, loveable: absolutley. And I wouldn’t want it any other way?
What dead dog dreams do you need to grieve? And then leave?
Steve Jobs Seven Transferrable DreamHabits
Since when does the retirement of a CEO light up the news, the tweets and the Facebooks within moments of the announcement?
Steve Jobs brought something special to the world of business and to the world period! Every day of our lives is different because this one man’s willingness to “Think Different.” He led Apple in the past months to grow even larger than Exxon Mobil AND can lead us to turn our own dreams into reality as well… IF we will listen. Jobs can teach other leaders how to lead organizations, not through typical survival, compete and “eat what you kill” mentality: but through vision, innovation and inspiration; the kind of organizations people LOVE to work for. Organizations that change the world.
I did some research and came up with seven transferable dreamhabits of Steve Jobs. Mull on these… or discuss with a group of other leaders.
1. Don’t do what others do – Bring the next dream to life.
”We’re gambling on our vision, and we would rather do that than make “me too” products. Let some other companies do that. For us, it’s always the next dream.”
2. Do More Than Just Make Money with Your Life and Work. Do Something Wonderful Instead!
“”Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me…Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me.” (Wall Street Journal, June 1993)
3. Do More Than Dream It! Actually Build It!
“We used to dream about this stuff - Now we get to build it. Its pretty great!” (Speaking to the Worldwide Developers Conference, June 2004)
4. Lead Through Creativity. (DreamHabits!)
“It’s really hard to develop products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what you want until you show them.” (Quote in Businessweek, May 1998)
5. Innovate Into the Future. Create the Future!
“The cure for Apple is not cost-cutting. The cure for Apple is to innovate its way out of its current predicament.” (Apple Confidential 2.0, 2004) How?? “Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or talking to each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea.” (Quoted in Businessweek, October, 2004)
6. Say “No” to 1000 Good Ideas and Opportunities
“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.” (Forbes.com, May 2011)
7. Do What You Love and Love What You do. Don’t settle for anything less!
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” (Stanford University Commencement Address, 2005)
And finally, Steve Jobs shamelessly invited others (specifically Steve Wozniak in 1987) to willingly give up spending their life making sugared water and help change the world. He recognized that Apple needed to be profitable… but beyond that he realized his creative leadership could help others lead better lives. (Better Education. Better Creativity. Better Entertainment. Better Work Environments…)
And that’s the challenge I’ll offer to you as well: Like Steve Jobs,find what you’re uniquely suited to do and supposed to do – then go change the world.
And besides, “sugar water’s” not good for you! : )
Pedal Then Relax
Biking this morning, I found myself slowing down and hardly exerting energy, even though I had determined I needed a workout. Typically what happens about this point: a REAL BIKER roars by me shouting “On your left!!” scaring the pants off me and reminding me that in the words of Toby Keith, “I’m not as good as I once was.” Ugh. Not gonna buy that one!
However, something entered my mind as I rambled: Kick up the pace. Pedal hard now and earn a rest. Get to the flat and THEN you’ll have momentum to coast - then do it again.
It made me how this pattern also applies to dreamhabits. Some days or times: We just need to pedal hard. Push…Make it happen. Do it. Then we can gain momentum. Then relax. Push hard. Relax hard. It’s a rhythm of life. In the Bible its God’s rhythm of creating and work: then Sabbath. Rest. Pedal now. Relax later.
Exercise coaches call this “interval training.” Sports performance experts and authors of The Power of Full Engagement Loehr and Scwartz say, “We must learn to live our lives as a series of sprints…,” Then of course rests. And as Annie Dillard says “How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.”
Might you be at a spot where you can exert effort,maybe something you put off, but if you do it today – you can coast some later?
Here’s a great question once posed to me by a mentor and coach Bobb Biehl: What can you do today that will have the biggest payoff 30 days from now?
You will then have the momentum to carry you to the next place? What’s that for you? Are you willing to do it?
www. Dreamhabits.com
Ask Anyway
Here goes the thinking in the head: “Don’t bother them.” “They don’t need what you do.” “They won’t even take your call!” “Why should they?”
Ever hear those “don’t bother” words?
So, we’re tempted NOT to ask them to get involved with our dream. We’re tempted to forget to invite them to participate in our service. Not to ask their help with our campaign. Not to invite them to distribute our book. Not to enlist them to help create a needed program… We’re tempted to stay busy doing what we’ve always done. And we get what we’ve always received. They do too. Even if it’s not working.
I have a great way of professionally procrastinating myself out of asking others… feeling like I’m inconveniencing them. Its the ”Who am I” shame? Or the “You really don’t want it, do you?” game.
Over coffee this morning, I share my vision with a woman who challenges me to ask anyway. Upon hearing what I have to offer she says: “If you don’t succeed in your business… the whole world loses! Others don’t ever get to experience all you have to offer them. You’ve GOT to succeed!”
Wow! I needed to hear that this morning. I needed to be encouraged. (Given courage once more)
And you may need this reminder as well. If you don’t succeed in your dream, sure you lose. But what about the rest of us? Do we lose also?
Even if this post is just for one person needing to hear this now: Please listen: Others need what you have to offer them. Don’t they? You have something that can make the world a better place. Don’t you? By gaining traction, your dream will be a win for others, won’t it?
Then be willing to hear their ”no.” At least they will know! Just ask anyway.
Mama Maggie’s Silent Impact
“God has chosen someone like me,” Mama Maggie Gobran humbly told thousands gathered last week at the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit. “And He will do miracles in you.”
Tears welled up as I listened to this once wealthy woman, who now works with hungry, impoverished children in Cairo. In incredible humility Mama Maggie left her former life after being touched by the needs of the poorest of the poor in Cairo’s slums and her ministry, Stephen’s Children, now touches more than 25,000 families through ministries that enlist almost 1,500 workers and volunteers. It also matches home mentors with children and supports 80 preschools with medical clinics.
Known as the “Mother Teresa of Egypt”, her presence changes people for good. They want to touch her… to embrace her… to feel the love flow from her, her smile, and her touch. How is it that in a world marked by self-centered celebrities, one human can radiate so much love and peace? Of course, she’s not God, but when this woman spoke last week, seven thousand people sat absolutely still in that auditorium – as did thousands in dozens of satellite locations around the world – straining to hear every quiet word. She brought God to us… all I can say.
I can only remember being touched this way by one other person: Mother Teresa herself. I was among hundreds of others gathered to simply see her when she visited Fall River, Massachusetts in the mid-1990′s. Peace. Freedom. Incredible LOVE. Other worldly influence. Her very presence silenced the people, who stared transfixed as she knelt to pray. Now, almost twenty years later, another woman shows this same spirit.
Is this just a once in a generation person? Or does she have something for the rest of us to learn? Might more discover her way of life, even outside of the slums of Cairo?
Sacrifice? Incredible! Yet she says, ”I’m so disappointing to God. How could He have chosen someone like me?” And “If you want to be a hero, do what God wants you to do.”
After listening to her speak, and even more, simply being in her presence, I am left to wonder, “Am I loving people… AT ALL?” “Am I caring about people’s needs… AT ALL?” “Am I serving God… AT ALL?” It’s not a comparison or meant in a competitive way. It feels more like a challenge flowing from silence, “How can I have more of what she has?”
Last night, I asked a friend who spent last week hosting Mama Maggie at her home, “Is there any hope for people like me, who waffle between peace and faith, between anxiety and anger? What about those of us who don’t work with the poorest of the poor? Can we have that kind of peace? That kind of love? Her response: “Yes! She wants to share her way of life with others! It begins with learning to pray as she does. It begins with YOUR OWN silence.”
And in Mama Maggie’s words :
To be in silence is to be full inside of yourself. It’s not easy.
Silence your body to listen to your words.
Silence your tongue to listen to your thoughts.
Silence your thoughts to listen to your heart.
Silence your heart to listen to your spirit.
Silence your spirit to listen to His presence.”
“In silence, you leave the many to be with the One.”
OK… so, to change the world… Don’t just do something, sit there. Be still. Be silent. Listen. Listen. Listen….
PS. To learn more about Mama Maggie: http://stephenschildren.org/
