What does REAL gratitude, look like?

Being grateful for what we have in our life is a fantastic step to take when we want to improve our attitude and energy in life. But is this REAL gratitude? Is this the deepest form of gratitude available to us today?

There is another form of gratitude, that even holds more power than the type we just discussed, that I call REAL gratitude.

Watch this short video to see what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmtw93kM3xQ

Slow down, and through the use of this powerful form of gratitude and watch your life radically change for the better.

Love, david http://www.davidessel.com

Maharishi and Me: A Life Changing Interview

When I interviewed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi a number of years ago, I had no idea that it would turn into the life changing experience that it did.

Maharishi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, was incredible light, joyful and filled with absolute love. We discussed everything from the foundation of TM, to the building of his university in Fairfield , Iowa.

But the amazing part of it all was what happened in my life after the interview had ended.

Watch this short video, and then think of someone in your life that has had a similar impact on you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_ixy17PrXs

Slow down, and give thanks for the people who have changed your life forever, like Maharishi changed mine.

Love, peace, David www.davidessel.com

L

Everyone is Our Teacher in Love, Yes, Everyone

At the end of a seminar I taught on leadership at a major university, one of the participants came up to question me on the statement that "everyone we meet is a teacher for us in life." It's an important concept that not only leaders need to master, but that all of us need to be more conscious about.

"My last boyfriend did not teach me a thing, I can't agree with that statement, unless you mean that he maybe taught me how to argue more. "

"What was your role in the arguments" I asked.

"I had no role, he would just argue to argue. For over a year, the same old thing", she replied.

At the end of our 20 minute conversation, she saw that he was trying to teach her a very valid lesson: there is a time to leave a relationship that is not working, or at least go and get the help we need if one is in turmoil.

Everyone , especially in romantic relationships that do not work, is trying to help us get to the next level of love. They are trying to get us to pick up "our game", to play at a higher level of love. There is a divine reason for all relationships, and it is up to us to figure out the reason so that we can become more awakened, and less resentful.

If I look at all of my love relationships that did not work, I can see the absolute beauty that each of these magnificent beings brought into my life. Some of the lessons I honestly did not want to learn, because it meant that I had to change. Some were here to help me strengthen my communication skills, while others pushed my buttons about religion, so that I could work on showing a deeper level of compassion for those who were on a different path than my own.

Others were in my life to help me to become more flexible, the teaching was to help me release the "my way was the best way" mentality. And others were definitely brought into my life to help me practice the art of listening without giving my advice, unless I was asked for it. A difficult lesson for me indeed! And last, there were those that were asking me to prove that I desired the deepest of love, when boundaries were crossed and I had to walk away.

The homeless are another great set of teachers that I have written about here before. In other words, our real teachers in life may be those who we feel most uncomfortable with. Isn't that interesting?

Former lovers, children, former bosses, the homeless....all great teachers in life about love.

Slow down and send a mental note of gratitude for all of your past, and current teachers.

Love, peace, Rev. David www.davidessel.com

Dealing with Stress: There's Only One Way

When we are faced with great, or even minor stress, the only way I know that we can begin to overcome it is to feel and bless it at the same time. Let me explain.

There once was a man who had everything in life that anyone could ever desire. Great wealth, a wonderful family and a strong religious path. One day, almost like a great depression, or a stock market crash, all of his wealth was gone. Bam! Gone.

When he went home, he went to prayer thanking God for all that he did still have.

The very next day, his children were killed in a freak accident. Through his tears, he still thanked God for all that he had remaining, as you can imagine a very difficult thing to do.

His friends came to ask him the reason for his extremely bad luck, assuming he had been the cause somehow of all of his troubles. But, in fact, he had not personally done anything that would have created the havoc he was going through.

A short time later, he came down with a serious illness, life threatening, but still managed to find the strength to give thanks in his prayers.

His wife and friends asked him to just give up, to let go of holding onto life, and his gratitude so strongly, so that he could end his personal suffering. But he refused, and instead everyday just went deeper into gratitude for what he still did have.

Yes, he also questioned God, wondering how all of this tragedy could have entered his life. And right after that, went to praise.

A while later, his life began to turn around. His health returned, his wealth returned even greater than before, and he had more children with his wife. An amazing experience!

The one grounding force during all of his trials was his daily gratitude for what he did have in life. A powerful testament to the power of thankful prayers.

Slow down, as you deal with stress today, feel the discomfort and then go to praise, to prayers of gratitude for all that you do have in life.

Love, peace, Rev. David www.davidessel.com

(the above story, is the story of Job, from the Old Testament)

The Power of a Compliment

Compliments are so powerful, so easy to give, yet we live in a society that is compliment starved. Where we could be transforming others lives and our own if we would get into the habit of looking for more people to compliment, instead, through my private coaching sessions, I see so many people who have fallen beneath their own potential, and wonder if their life will ever truly change.

It is a proven fact that we must first give to this world that which we desire to receive. This is the basic law of abundance. The catch is that when we give, we cannot expect to receive in that moment.

I have worked with some amazing leaders in my life that are masters at giving compliments, and the attitude of the people they surround themselves with shows me the power of a simple gesture like this.

In my own life, when my partner compliments me on even the smallest of things, it resonates deeply within my heart and soul. It validates my existence. Does this sound a little too strong maybe? That a simple compliment could go so deep into a persons heart that it might "validate" their existence? Sometimes the simplest of truths carry the deepest of meanings. Yes, for me and millions of others who know this as reality, no compliment is ever to small, and no compliment is ever taken for granted. They all carry immense power. We may not need them to exist, but they make life joyful, passionate and fun. So much so, that in turn we look for others to compliment daily, or even hourly.

To hear a compliment about ones body from someone they love or care for will inspire that person to continue on with the practice of honoring their "temple", or their body. When I take a moment to compliment my partner on her skills as a therapist, I can see her appreciation for her own talents, which then allows her to stretch herself even more, and go deeper into the work she absolutely loves.

When I compliment someone for their year, month or day of sobriety, I see how it moves them to stay on track. When I compliment a hostess for her stunning attitude, I see her reaction that says "thanks for validating my existence as a worthwhile human being. " This is really big stuff were discussing here, yet we are compliment starved.

Oftentimes it's our own insecurities that get in the way of giving someone a compliment. If we would just quell the small ego, and do it anyway, we would grow immensely as a human being. Yet, too often, the small ego wins, and both parties lose.

Look today for someone you know, and someone you don't know, to compliment. Make it a goal to give at least two compliments out every day from now until you leave this plane.

Slow down, and see the power behind giving compliments daily.

Love, peace, David www.davidessel.com

Manifesting a New Career

Over the years one of the most exciting ventures that I have been involved in is helping clients to manifest a new career path. They may be in a career and facing burnout, or downsizing, or they just feel it's time to move on and upwards in life.

After deciding where they want to go, we let go of the "how" they will get there and start to create a daily system to follow in order to make this their reality. (I go into great detail on this process in my book and CD "Slow Down" through Hay House Publishing, but this will give you a start. )

1) Create an intention beginning with the words "I AM..." and follow that with what type of work you will be doing by a specific date. "I Am a licensed realtor, therapist, personal trainer, life coach, accountant etc on or before December 1st 2009 doing the work I love with positive associates. "

2) Create a statement of gratitude for what you have in your life right now regarding your current work situation. "I Am grateful for the work I have now that covers my rent. or I Am grateful for the time between jobs that I have right now so that I can find the career I desire. "

3) Create a list of daily action steps with a timeline to follow to create all that you desire, 5 days per week.

A." I awaken at 7am and repeat my intention out loud, then visualize myself in my new position with passion and emotion!"

B. "I follow this with all that I am grateful for right now in my life. "

C. "I send out 5 emails, and make 5 prospecting calls everyday to create the energy that will solidify this new position. "

D. "I write out what I am willing to give in return for this new position. Time per day, willingness to move IE. to Ft Myers Florida for this new job that I am manifesting right now!"

E. Now, we let it go, trust in God or your Higher Power to carry through the rest of the work.

Slow down and realize that you can manifest the career you desire, if you have a plan and follow it daily with passion and persistence!

Love, peace, David www.davidessel.com

You can continue on with the action steps as you see fit, remembering that we get out of life what we put into it.

How can we be grateful when under stress??

A number of years ago when I was going through a challenging divorce, my very good friend Ardith Bissinger called me with a profound, albeit challenging , thought: "If you can just be grateful today for one thing that is going well, even with all the pressure you're under, your day could change in an instant!"

I thanked her and hung up the phone, not sure if I even wanted to try what she had suggested. A few hours went by and I decide to sit and write the one thing I was grateful for.

With my dog Kona sitting peacefully next to me, I smiled at her and began to write a list that had to include at least 50 things I was grateful for that day!!!!

Within 30 minutes my attitude had shifted so dramatically that I pulled out the manuscript for my book "Slow Down" and wrote more that afternoon than I had in the previous 2 weeks.

The feeling of gratitude for what we have right now, not what we want, but truly what we have in this moment is the fuel for greatness. It's the energy source that is just waiting to be tapped.

But here's the key: For it to be truly powerful it must be put in writing.

Keeping it in your brain offers less than 1/10th the power of those same items/thoughts you are grateful for than when you put it on paper.

So, let's go. Right now..................=)

Slow Down.

Love, peace....David Essel www.talkdavid.com