SuperCharging Your Attitude

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Posted on May 9, 2013 by Sean Olivares

This blog shares an interesting perspective from Peter Diamandis, the author of abundance. If you have never seen his TED talk, the video is here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BltRufe5kkI

Thanks!

SDO

Peter H. Diamandis

Apr 26, 2013 (edited) - Public

Peter’s Laws: Supercharging Your Attitude

In this blog, I take you through six more of my Peter’s Laws, how they’ve guided me in my career, and how they might give you a new perspective.

Attitude is everything and the future really is better than you think. When I tell people that we’re going to be living in a world of abundance, they sometimes look at me and ask, “Really? Haven’t you heard about the economic downturn in this part of the world? Or terrorism in that part of the world? Or murders everywhere? The world is falling apart.”

Many people have an extraordinarily negative mindset that shapes how they think about everything. But we’ve always had challenges as a species. We’ve always faced challenges in our civilizations. And guess what? We’re still here, still thriving on Earth because we’ve always learned to overcome them.

In my last blog, I introduced you to Peter’s Laws that express my mindset of being passionate and persistent in achieving seemingly impossible goals.

So, here are another six Peter’s Laws — these meant to supercharge your attitude about doing things big and bold.

1. The ratio of something to nothing is infinite. You wouldn’t believe the number of people who talk about stuff, but never actually do anything. They will always have excuses that prevent them from starting. When I’m interviewing a potential employee or partner, it’s what this person has done already in their life that matters far more than what he or she plans to do. The best predictor of a person’s future success is their past actions. It doesn’t matter how small an action is, but to do something is so much greater than just talking about doing it. So, the ratio of “something to nothing” is literally infinite. Accomplish that first step and use what you’ve learned to build the next step and the next step after that. Results will follow. Charles Lindbergh said it well: “The important thing is to start; to lay a plan, and then follow it step by step no matter how small or large one by itself may seem.”

2. You get what you incentivize. If something in your life is not working, it’s because you incentivize that behavior. Of course the opposite is true as well. In the United States, our tax code is so complicated that it creates an entire accounting and legal industry. Why is it so complex? Because we incentivize the lawyers who run this nation to keep it as such. You get what you incentivize. Along those lines, I’m a big proponent of incentive competitions, the idea that you can put up a cash prize with a very clear goal and ask people around the world to solve it for you. Incentives are a powerful way to get the smartest people in the planet to help solve your problems.

3. If you think it’s impossible, then it is‚Ä¶ For you. Belief that something is possible is the first and most critical step in doing anything. Why would you ever set out on a journey that you thought was impossible? That would be suicide. I’m amazed (and mortified) by the number of people who believe that bold objectives — such as solving world hunger or creating global literacy and healthcare — are impossible. We’re living in a day and age where impossible things are becoming possible every day. Imagine going back in time, just 20 years ago and describing to someone that by 2016 we would have one billion cell phones in Africa‚Ä¶ Or that video teleconferencing would be free to everyone. And that’s just the beginning of the insanely wonderful breakthroughs happening right now!

4. An expert is someone who can tell you exactly how something can’t be done. I love this one. When I announced the Ansari X PRIZE, many of the “experts” in the aerospace industry explained to me how naive I was. When the Longitude Board composed of the world’s greatest Royal Astronomers saw the working clock built by watchmaker John Harrison (which met all of the goals to win the Longitude Prize of 1714), they refused to pay him the purse because they were absolutely sure it would be won by an astronomical solution. A lot of times experts in a company have narrowed their vision of what is possible. In fact, in a rather perverse incentive, an expert is massively disincentivized to promote someone else’s radical and disruptive solution, because if it results in a wholesale change in their field, they are no longer the expert‚Ä¶ they are now a has-been. Some experts are therefore inspired and committed to keep that something exactly the way it is. They may not tell you that specifically, but psychologically, it’s how they feel.

Henry Ford said it best in the following quote that speaks to both experts and impossible things. Regarding his employees at Ford Motor Company, Ford said, “None of our men are ‘experts.’ We have most unfortunately found it necessary to get rid of a man as soon as he thinks himself an expert because no one ever considers himself expert if he really knows his job. A man who knows a job sees so much more to be done than he has done, that he is always pressing forward and never gives up an instant of thought to how good and how efficient he is. Thinking always ahead, thinking always of trying to do more, brings a state of mind in which nothing is impossible. The moment one gets into the ‘expert’ state of mind a great number of things become impossible.”

So, experts are sometimes those individuals who tell you exactly how something can’t be done.

5. The day before something is truly a breakthrough, it’s a crazy idea.This Peter’s Law came to me from Burt Rutan, the man who designed and built SpaceShipOne, the brilliant vehicle that won the Ansari X PRIZE and is now hanging in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. As Rutan explained it to me, a small incremental improvement is not a breakthrough. For example, a computer that is twice as fast is predictable, even expected. But during the vacuum-tube age, before the invention of silicon wafers, imagine that we told the experts that we were going to build computers out of silicon chips — that would have been considered crazy at the time. And therefore, when it actually happened, it was a true breakthrough.

I ask CEOs whom I lecture this: “Where in your organization do you allow for crazy ideas to be tried and tested? Because if you don’t do this, if you’re stuck with just very incremental steps, you’re stuck with incrementalism, not breakthroughs.”

6. The world’s most precious resource is the persistent and passionate human mind. I’m often struck by the ability of a single individual to change the world. Think Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Larry Page, Richard Branson‚Ä¶ They each started with no money, no technology, just their passion and perseverance. Ultimately three things make anything possible: People, technology and money. If you have the right people and the enough money you can create the technology — that’s called innovation. If you have the right people and the right technology, you can attract the funding — that’s called venture capital. But money and technology, without the right human mind driving them, is useless matter.

In my next blog, I’m going to share with you how as a graduate student in my mid-20s I founded an International Space University that would become a $50 million institution based in Strasbourg, France.

NOTE: As always, I would love your help in co-creating BOLD, and will happily acknowledge you as a “contributing author” for your input. Please share with me (and the community) in the comments below what you specifically found most interesting, what you disagree with and any similar stories or examples that reinforce this blog that I might use as examples in writing BOLD. Thank you!

If you liked this blog, found it informative, funny, interesting or just enjoyed it in any way and want to thank me, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee, a spirit of your choice or leave a tip just like you would at a restaurant. If you found this useful, let me know.

We Belong to the Earth

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Posted on April 16, 2013 by Sean Olivares

This was shared at church service recently. I really love many of the philosophies of Native North American’s. This was attributed to Chief Noah Sealth (Chief Seattle)

“This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth.
All things are connected like the blood that unites us all.
Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”

The Free Mind

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Posted on April 16, 2013 by Sean Olivares

The sermon at church a few weeks ago included this talk. I appreciated it. I wanted to share it. Thank you. Love you all!

William Ellery Channing, from “Spiritual Freedom” (1830)

It has pleased the All-wise Disposer to encompass us from our birth by difficulty and allurement, to place us in a world where wrong-doing is often gainful, and duty rough and perilous, where many vices oppose the dictates of the inward monitor, where the body presses as a weight upon the mind, and matter, by its perpetual agency on the senses, becomes a barrier between us and the spiritual world. We are in the midst of influences, which menace the intellect and heart; and to be free, is to withstand and conquer these.

I call that mind free, which masters the senses, which protects itself against animal appetites, which contemns pleasure and pain in comparison to its own energy, which penetrates beneath the body and recognises its own reality and greatness, which passes life, not in asking what it shall eat or drink, but in hungering, thirsting, and seeking after righteousness.

I call that mind free, which escapes the bondage of matter, which, instead of stopping at the material universe and making it a prison wall, passes beyond it to its Author, and finds in the radiant signatures which everywhere bears of the Infinite Spirit, helps to its own spiritual enlightenment.

I call that mind free, which jealously guards its intellectual rights and powers, which calls no man mater, which does not content itself with a passive or hereditary faith, which opens itself to light whencesoever it may come, which receives new truth as an angel from heaven, which, whilst consulting others, inquires still more of the oracle within itself, and uses instructions from abroad, not to supersede but to quicken and exhalt its own energies.

I call that mind free, which sets no bounds to its love, which is not imprisoned in itself or in a sect, which recognises in all human beings the image of God and the rights of his children, which delights in virtue and sympathizes with suffering wherever they are seen, which conquers pride, anger, and sloth, and offers itself up a willing victim to the cause of mankind.

I call that mind free, which is not passively framed by outward circumstance, which is not swept away by the torrent of events, which is not the creature of accidental impulse, but which bends events to its own improvement, and acts from an inward spring, from immutable principles which it has deliberately espoused.

I call that mind free, which, through confidence in God and in the power of virtue, has cast off all fear but that of wrong- doing, which no menace or peril can enthrall, which is calm in the midst of tumults, and possesses itself though all else be lost.

I call that mind free, which resists the bondage of habit, which does not mechanically repeat itself and copy the past, which does not live on old virtue, which does not enslave itself to precise rules, but forgets what is behind, listens for new and higher monitions of conscience, and rejoices to pour in fresh and higher exertions.

I call that mind free, which is jealous of its own freedom, which guards itself from being merged with others, which guards its empire over itself as nobler than the empire of the world.

In fine, I call that mind free, which, conscious of its affinity with God, and confiding in his promises by Jesus Christ, devotes itself faithfully to the unfolding of all its powers, which ever passes the bounds of time and death, which hopes to advance for ever, and which finds inexhaustible power, both in action and in suffering, in the prospect for immortality.

Such is the spiritual freedom which Christ came to give. It insists in moral force, in self-control, in the enlargement of thought and affection, and in the unrestrained action of our best powers. This is the great good of Christianity, nor can we conceive a greater within the gift of God. I know that to many, this will seem too refined a good to be proposed as the great end of society and government. But our skepticism cannot change the nature of things. I know how little this freedom is understood and enjoyed, how enslaved men are to sense, and passion, and the world; and I know, too, that through this slavery they are wretched, and that while it lasts no social institution can give them happiness.

30 day Poetry Challenge Day 4 Napowrimo

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Posted on April 4, 2013 by Sean Olivares

This is Day 4 of the Napawrimo 30 day poetry challenge. Early in the morning instead of late at night. When I rise instead of when I settle.

A Stubborn Mule

We live the words of others’ lives
We read books written for us
We follow the recipe
We follow the rule
We follow the rhyme
We follow like a stubborn mule

A stubborn mule
A stubborn mule
We follow like a stubborn mule

We live the burden of others’ lives
We carry the burden given to us
We follow the pabulum
We follow the path
We follow the prose
We follow like a stubborn mule

A stubborn mule
A stubborn mule
We don’t want to be like a stubborn mule

Write the words of manifesto for your own life
Read the Bible you write for yourself
Make your own recipe
Make your own rules
Make your own rhymes
Eat of your own pabalum
Create a new path
Dance your own poem
We don’t want to be like a stubborn mule

A stubborn mule
A stubborn mule
We don’t want to be like a stubborn mule

30 day Poetry Challenge Day 3 Napowrimo

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Posted on April 4, 2013 by Sean Olivares

This is Day 3 of the Napawrimo 30 day poetry challenge. Just getting back in to the rhythm of writing.

Listen and Hear

I’m listening to you tell your story
Of why you can’t, you didn’t, you won’t
It just didn’t happen,
It was because of him, or her,
Or them, and ALL those reasons,
Those Circumstances,
The hang-ups, the obstacles,
The lack of help, of education,
Of money, of time, of experience,
Of Love, of Understanding, of Luck.
And I hear something else in there.

I’ve listened to you tell another story
Of Why you can, you did, and you will
That It just happened
It was because of him, or her
Or them, and all ThOSE reasons,
Those circumstances,
The perfection, the clear path,
The abundant support, of teachers,
Of money, of time, of experience,
Of Love, of Understanding, of Luck.
And I hear something else in there.

Hearing all your stories
Of why, of what, of how
It did or did not happen,
It is because of you,
Of you and ALL your reasons,
Your circumstances,
The details, the distinctions,
The credit, the blame,
The honesty, the timing, the perseverance,
The Love, the patience, the Work.
I hear that it is all up to you.

The Miracle I Seek (Day 2 NaPoWriMo Challenge)

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Posted on April 3, 2013 by Sean Olivares

I am writing one new poem a day for the month of April in the http://www.NaPoWriMo Challenge.

Here is Day 2′s Poem

The Miracle I Seek

Of all the Miracles I seek
Here in these words
To Bring to Life Something
In this poetry
In this Life
Into Your Heart

Only one Miracle is true
I MUST be authentically me
In order to
Awaken and touch
the true you.

The infinity of the journey
of Being and Becoming
and Being and Becoming
the Undulation
of touching Alpha to Omega
and yet another Alpha
Round and Round
the Mobius Strip Merry-Go-Round

From all possibilites into one
A focus to be
Connected to all
through a singular point
in time, in space, in thought, in word, in deed
To Harness the grandness
of the sun’s light
into one lasered ray
From me into you

Requirements Include
Nothing Less
And Nothing more
than to be fully me.
This is the only Miracle I seek
From here
Out into the stars
And into your heart
Entering another Universe.

Cancer Survivor Lauren Graham

Video

Help Her Pay It Forward! Help others survive cancer!

I met this amazing woman a couple of years ago. I had only heard the legend of her and then heard her story. As I was putting together this blog to support her, I was moved to tears to think of how tough it was but even better, how splendid she has survived and thrived afterwards.

Her mission to Give back to those who are still living with cancer is tremendous. Please listen to this interview and support Lauren by clicking http://tiny.cc/4zrntw

Read her Story Below: Visit http://www.seanolivares.com for more stories of PIF

Cancer. It can be such a dirty word. Some people hear cancer and automatically think that it is a death sentence, that their life is over.
I was diagnosed with Stage 4 T-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma and Leukemia three weeks before my 21st birthday. I was at the point in my life where all I was focused on was my friends, trying to figure out what classes I wanted to take in college, and waiting tables. I had just moved into my first apartment with one of my best friends. Everything changed the second I felt that swollen lymph node. Within two months of my first lymph node popping up, I was learning all kinds of words I’d never thought I’d need to know…chemotherapy, vincristine, neupogen, neutropenic, lumbar punctures, bone marrow aspirations…the list is endless. Instead of worrying about whose house we were going to hang out at that night or what grade I had made on that exam, I was forced to face my cancer reality. Would I lose my hair? Would I lose my friends? Would I be the same person that I was? Would I survive?
I did lose my hair. I quickly found out who my real friends were. In the past five years since my diagnosis, I have endured more things than I ever imagined I would. I have dealt with three years of chemotherapy, countless emergency room visits, several surgeries, and unimaginable pain. I have dealt with the emotional roller coaster of hearing someone tell you that you might not survive. I reached my goal of beating this crazy disease, and now I deal with the aftermath of cancer. I struggle with constant pain in my lower back and knees. I can’t take certain medications that would greatly benefit me because I had blood clots. I don’t think I have gotten a good night’s sleep since the day I was diagnosed!
I am in no way the same person that I was before cancer. I truly believe that cancer made me a better person. I have learned that it doesn’t matter anymore if things don’t go my way. All the things that I thought were important before are no longer important. I know now what to focus my time on, because I don’t know when my time will be taken away from me. I am blessed to have overcome this disease, when so many others have lost their life to it.
I am alive today because someone researched. Someone researched exactly what medications would work with my specific disease. Someone was able to research because someone donated money. Relay for Life is such an amazing event because it raises not only money for cancer research, but it also raises awareness. While in college, I was on the Relay for Life committee, and I learned so many things about cancer that I had never known before. I never want to have anyone feel what I felt the day I found out I had cancer. It’s scary, it’s painful, it’s numbing, it’s overwhelming. Hopefully one day cancer won’t be a dirty word. Hopefully it will be something that someone hears and is able to think to themselves that yes, they CAN and WILL overcome this. -LG

As Always, Pay It Forward and Enjoy Life!!!

-SDO, Inspiration Artist!

Mental, Emotional, & Spiritual Fitness

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Posted on February 28, 2013 by Sean Olivares

Featured @ www.onefitculture.com

“You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”

The most amazing feats in human experience are those within the mind!

Mastering our ability to harness the power of our own emotions, thoughts, and actions help us to become all that we desire.

Our body becomes what we make it. What is our body anyway? It’s a collection of chemicals called emotions and electrical impulses and information through thoughts all wired 24/7 creating our world.

Connecting with the powerful source within us gives us the inspiration and enthusiasm to live a life of purpose, strength, and passion!

Conditioning our minds, emotions, and spirit gives us freedom. Want to create a fit culture, create a culture of fitness inside of you? Light up your life! Set your soul ablaze!

For More inspiration or coaching, visit www.seanolivares.com

Sean D. Olivares is from Corpus Christi, Texas, USA. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s University of San Antonio and CEO of Olivares Research and Enterprises. He is a coach and expert on the topics of health, motivation, spirituality, energy, friendship, parenting, and business. Sean had the blessing of growing up surrounded by books and teachers in meditation, law of attraction, goal-setting, and influence. It wasn’t until after 31 years young that Sean really came to life by attending a motivational seminar by Tony Robbins that changed the trajectory of his life. Since then, he has become a speaker, trainer, writer, and dedicated to serving his community and communities around the world through TEDx events, by promoting the concept of Pay It Forward, and starting several initiatives in his hometown to help those less fortunate as well as supporting many charities. He has had the opportunity to study first-hand from some of the worlds experts in the health, leadership, business, kindness, and spirituality such as Laura Silva, Tony Robbins, Joseph McClendon III, Charley Johnson, General Norman Schwarzkopf, John Maxwell, Dr. Daniel Amen, J.J. Virgin, and Lisa Nichols. Sean is passionate about sharing all that he has learned with others and his entrepreneurial background has helped many people. Become a friend with Sean and connect to all that he knows.

Oooops! And Other Ooops!

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Posted on February 27, 2013 by Sean Olivares

Hi Everybody! Sean Here!

Ooops! I left you hanging on this blog! I popped on here a few months back and told you I would keep up and I didn’t! Oooops!

I started working on a few other sites and projects and I didn’t even tell you where they were! Another Oooops!

Just thought I should jump on here and share a little honesty!

Aside from overhauling and then overhauling again my primary website @ www.seanolivares.com (which is down at the time of this posting and trust me, I know what I’m doing now) and the publishing of my very first book And Then, There Was Light that you can find @

www.awakeningpoetry.com and on Amazon/Kindle , I have redesigned my coaching program (Still have the Phoenix Session but have the new Prometheus Process), and started on a new business with Karma Corporate Consultants.

Whew!

This is not to mention the real world issues! My son moved away to Austin to live with his mother for a while! That has been a tough change since he has lived with me for over 10 years. My daughter and I have had some challenges but that seems to be expected during the teenage years. It’s been a year of big adjustments and we are learning to communicate better with each other with some help from a professional. I lost touch with my best friend months ago and believe that it was supposed to be that we have distance indefinitely. That was a very hard change. Oooop! Finances shifted downward due to a breach in security and being defrauded along with a bad business deal from the previous year.And OTHER Ooops!

OMG! Did I mention that I was mugged on the night of December 21st at gunpoint by two punks????? No, I haven’t yet! I’ve dropped some big ones in this post! I intend to follow up and explain more of them in detail. As for the mugging, I’ll briefly say that I am very thankful to be alive and the incident truly made life very simple in a ton of ways! There were things that do longer bothered me and I was very humbled by the experience.

I’m very happy and inspired about the new friends in my life, the new business partners and opportunities, the new inspirations in life. My goal is to share it…to inspire others. I’ve traveled more in the last 3 years than in the previous 10 before that, I’ve become within 1 or 2 degrees of the most influential and successful people in the world. I published a book that hit #1 in the Category of Hispanic American Poetry on Amazon Kindle earlier in the month. My son is doing what he has to in life. I love him. My daughter is absolutely brilliant on the softball field and in life. My soul brother, Isis Labelle

, is visiting me here in Corpus Christi as we plan another attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record for Most Hugs in an Hour next month at the Tony Robbins event in Los Angeles. I’m traveling with my mom soon across the country and volunteering with some of the greatest people on the planet! I’m learning, growing, sharing, and loving! I’m always here to help and inspire. Just thought I should be honest and share what has been going on! Contact me anytime at fire@seanolivares.com Much Love!!!!

AudioBlog: New Morning Resource

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Posted on October 29, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Yesterday was about being Tapped Out On Resources

Today is about how your day starts

Do you know who you are before you look in the mirror?

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

AudioBlog: Out Of Resources

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Posted on October 28, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Have you ever felt tapped out on resources?

Energy, Money, communication?

Quick Blog says where the resources are…

Long Lost Sean

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Posted on October 19, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Hi all! It’s been a few months since I posted anything at all! Let me tell you what, I have been living life! And I mean this in all respects. From some really GREAT experiences to some of those that I thought were absolutely TERRIBLE!!!!

There has been the full spectrum of emotions and what’s worse than anything is that I often was letting those events and my emotions to take control of my actions. In the process and not rising to the occasion, I’ve watched struggles in business, family relationships, and the once again argument and grid lock and all but ending of a very dear friend. I’ve made love, sang, danced, eaten and enjoyed life in a ton of ways. I’ve cried over silly notions of despair and disappointment. I’ve traveled with my kids all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and gotten in heated arguments with those two adolescences in the house.

Wow, from competing in a Usana Weight Loss Challenge, 21-Day Trim down to emotional food binges, it has been a mix of ALLLLLL the best and worst of foods.

Friendships? I’m blessed! I’ve had the chance to deepen some of the best relationships I’ve ever had with my brothers and sisters on the FireTeam and those who live close to me. Like I said, though, one of those relationships did not end well, and a few others, a distance was made. What I gather is that its supposed to happen sometimes exactly as it does. Sometimes, things have to happen like that. Just like when something deepens, it is meant to happen like that.

Business, launched a new one, poetry: a book soon done. Ebooks soon to come. Coaching? Still on it after a little slump! Business Strategy Consulting? Oh it’s coming big baby!

Like I said, I’ve been living life, all of it! I got away from blogging and sharing.

I love my son and daughter more than ever and I want to share with them how much I am in love with them. I love my family so deeply. I tremendously love coaching and serving people with my talents and gifts. I love building a business that serves others. And so important, I love you and love my friends.

I love to write and blog and call me out if you haven’t heard from me. This is just a little hello and I’ll be on it sharing so much that I know with you!

I’m off to attend another day of an amazing seminar this weekend so I’ll share even some of that stuff soon!

God Bless you all!

And remember to Enjoy Life and Live it With a Smile!

Live. Love. Laugh. (Part 3 of 3)

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Posted on June 8, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Laugh!
I know you know how to Laugh, my Love.

So Laugh!

Laugh the way we have when our sides felt like they were going to split in half!
Laugh!
Laugh the way we never have!
Go and find that new Laugh!
Laugh! Laugh!
Laugh at the past!
Laugh at every single moment and chance!
Laugh!
Laugh at every single thought and feeling – not just the funny ones,
but the anger, and fear, and sadness!
They all deserve a Laugh!
Making friends happens so fast when you Laugh!
Keep friends with a Laugh!
Laugh with them!
Laugh! Laugh.
Laugh at the absurdity of life!…
And when you laugh at your dreams, you make friends with your dreams!…
and make your dreams full of laughs!

The future? Who knows!! So Laugh!
Laugh at your favorite things and the things you hate!
What a Laugh!
Laugh at yourself and laugh at me and
Laugh at everything that is or isn’t meant to be!
Ha Ha Ha Ha!
You know you want to Laugh!
Angel Poop Laughs!
Ribbon Dancing with a muscle shirt in a chef hat Laughs!
Laugh at all the inside jokes!
The ones you have and the ones you don’t yet!
That will make others Laugh, “Your Crazy!”
Laugh!
Laugh at funerals and in libraries! Shhhhh!
Laugh. Laugh.
If anything I want more for us, is to know that
Wherever you are, you are having a laugh! And I know it!
‘Banana, Pickle, Wine Institute Research Foundation for the Sexually Curious’
(I added that in here just to make you Laugh)
Laugh Dammit!
Laugh!
If there’s anything I love in this life, it’s to hear you Laugh!

…so when you get a chance…if you do, send me a Laugh!

*This poem was written at the last minute to a dear friend leaving on a long trip. You should hear me recite it. Just sharing what came out of this impromptu letter

Enjoy LOVE and Live it with A Smile! That’s What Sean Knows!

Live. Love. Laugh (Part 2 of 3)

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Posted on June 7, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Love!
Love unlike and better than you thought Love was!
Love! Love that life!
Love, my Love!
Love so brightly that it feels as if heaven
comes beaming, streaming, teeming from your heart, Love!
Love so much that it heals your own heart, Love!
Love as much as you’ve been given but even more!
Love!
Love with such greatness that you could part waters and
Build architechtually God-Like bridges across those waters. Love.
Love to Depths? No! You ARE the depths of Love! Love!
Love the moment! Love the breath!
Love the things that try to distract you from Love!
Love everything you touch, taste, smell, hear, see!
See Love!
Love every person and let them KNOW Love!
Don’t just love to your own hearts content But to God’s content!
Love! I’m begging you to seek out Love!
Call Love! Hold Love! Never let go of Love!
And those tears that you named Love,
let them rain down like a Class 4 of Love!
Love! Love! Love!
Love your beautiful self and all of its perfection!
Love it! The way it moves and looks and feels love!
Love those thoughts!
Have thoughts of Love for thoughts become things!
You will create more Love!
Be Love! Share Love! Make Love! Give Love!
Create Love in this Life! Love!
Love every step in the winding cobblestone road,
The darkest valleys traveled, and the brightest sunlit cafe!
Love! Build up your reserve of Love!

…and then when you get the chance, show me what Love is.

*This poem was written at the last minute to a dear friend leaving on a long trip. You should hear me recite it. Just sharing what came out of this impromptu letter

Enjoy LOVE and Live it with A Smile! That’s What Sean Knows!

Live. Love. Laugh. (Part 1)

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Posted on June 6, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Live, My Love! Live like NEVER before! Live to your hearts delight.
Live until your heart feels so right. Live unapologetically!
Live!
Live as if it were your last breath and then inhale it all again.
Live!
All the dormant cells in your body are screaming for more life so Live.
Live so much that tears stream down your face and those tears, each one -
name them names of ‘joy,gratitude, sunshine and eternal light!’
Live out of spite of fear and anger!
Live to Blissful Exhaustion…have no more tears of pain…
Live!
Live so much that you’re ALIVE when you sleep! Bring those dreams to life!
Live.
Those sleeping dreams you laid to rest – Make them Live!
Wake them up!
Whisper to them,”Live!” Call to them, “Live!” Yell to them, “LIVE!”
Rise up and Live!
Wait not a moment more to Live!
Every beautiful molecule of you is waiting to VIBRATE with Life, so Live!
That smile deserves to Live! Oh What a smile! It MUST live!
Not just the smile on your face but that one in your heart! Let THAT smile Live!
I don’t care what you are doing it for, or who! No, I don’t care why!
JUST LIVE!
In those quiet moments, f&#@king Live, My Love!
Live!
I’m telling you, whispering, calling to, yelling at, begging you to Live!
And when you think you’ve lived enough, you stand up one more time
Again and again and you shout at the top of your lungs
with your hands up in the air, “LIVE!”

…and then, if you get the chance, tell me about Life.

*This poem was written at the last minute to a dear friend leaving on a long trip. You should hear me recite it. Just sharing what came out of this impromptu letter

Enjoy Life and Live it with A Smile! That’s What Sean Knows!

Memorial Day Celebration – War Hurts

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Posted on May 28, 2012 by Sean Olivares

If you know me at all, you know that I have the utmost respect for our military servicemen and women. The Valor and Bravery for the feats and overwhelming circumstances that soldiers are thrown into at times, proves the uncanny, and powerful spirit of a human. War has been a necessary evil and a shameful part of our human history. The blood shed and the losses on all accounts are tremendous. I hope that one day we can live in peace. Harmonizing with John,”You man say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one…I hope someday you will join us, and the world will live as one.”… It will not subside until, as a whole, we realize that it is an obsolete means to an end. What is that end anyway? Peace. War is the means to peace and it is absurd means.

It is not worth the losses and I never like to think that these men and women who have died for the privileges we have and that so many of us take for granted was ever in vain. So many wars are fought for reasons that don’t make sense and in the end when we look at the faces of those who have lost their families, friends, and lives, it doesn’t make sense.

The losses are never worth it. Peace is a mantra not just of nations that needs to be spoken but that of the human race. There is hope for us still. It starts in you. It starts in me.

The following is a small tribute video with a song that points out that its all wrong. Below the video are the lyrics to the song.

War Hurts. That’s What Sean Knows.

“Celebration Guns” by Stars

So tomorrow there will be another number
For the one who had a name
A desert wind and a perverse desire to win
History buried in shame[Chorus:]
Are those beating drums
Celebration guns
The thunder and the laughter
The last thing they remember

And then the next day
How will you know your enemy
By their colour or your fear
One by one you can cage them
In your freedom
Make them all disappear

[Chorus]

Goodnight, sleep light, stranger [repeat]

TEDxCorpusChristi:Share Your Voice

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Posted on May 28, 2012 by Sean Olivares

There’s something new coming to Corpus Christi, TX. It’s something BIG. It’s something that we all know needs to happen.

Change.

“Sure Sean…sure,” you say. We’ve been saying we need it for YEARS!

I moved back here a few years ago and along the way, my life took a sudden turn for the better. I hurled myself on a trajectory of change, contribution, happiness, and caring about others in such a fulfilling way that I cried at every turn because of the tears, the dreams coming true, being swallowed up by gratitude and by attempting to give more of myself to life.

From that journey came a few helpers who put me in the path of good fortune and tremendous friendship with some of the biggest movers and shakers on the planet. From people in the top of the fields, of science, global movements, education, inspiration, technology, innovation, and reinvention, I learned that there was hope out there. There was hope for me, for communities around the world, and for the world at large. I know you say it sounds idealistic, but you can’t tell me it sounds better than what we actually hear on the news and in the local coffee shops about how terrible things are. No, you can’t tell me all that sounds better than hope and about change for the better. Yes, I’ve bought into it.

One of the paths I was lead down by a twist of luck (though I don’t believe in luck) was the chance to work on a TEDx project in Las Vegas. We worked to bring a message about ‘The Human Connection” at TEDxCalicoCanyon. With world-changers on the cusp of breakthroughs, we assembled an elite group of humans committed to change for the better. It was a spectacular ride….

When I came back home from that event in January of 2012, I learned about TEDxCorpusChristi and sought out the Curator, Emily Leach, for a chance to bring the same type of event home. Already under works, Emily, allowed me to join this team of amazing rockstars who have the same committment to sharing the possibilities for my hometown to take the next steps into a new age. I am elated to be a part of this endeavor. I’m thrilled to be working with Emily and Liza Wisner; two women I am honored to call friends now. Their accomplishments are worth great praise. At this event, Emily is being interviewed and documented by Oprah Winfrey as Miss Winfrey will be sending a camera crew to the event. Liza, if you didn’t know was once on the famous television show, The Apprentice, with Donald Trump. I’d say I’m in great company… (especially since I get to work with my brother Dominic Olivares who volunteered his graphic design and web talent to the show)…and now as we march together with a host of fantastic, hard-working volunteers and community support, we plan on shining a light on our very own Corpus Christi, Tx, on June 1st at TEDxCorpusChristi: Share Your Voice!

Highlighting the greatness of the city, the potential that it poised with, and that we, too, are doing great things like any other city, we intend on uniting this city. We intend on gathering all those voices who are doing things to make this city better, brighter, and to ‘Sparkle’ as our nickname is ‘The Sparkling City by the Sea”.

TEDxCorpusChristi: Share Your Voice on June 1st,2012 is our inagrual event! Be there!

If you don’t know what TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) is, visit TED.com.

Visit TEDxCorpusChristi.com to learn more and purchase tickets.

Needless to say, I am VERY EXCITED!

Buy a Ticket to TEDxCorpusChristi! Change is most certainly coming!

That’s What Sean Knows! =)

The Alternate Economy « Daring to Live in Love!

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Posted on May 20, 2012 by Sean Olivares

The imbalance of the world lies in the lack of generosity, the human connection, understanding that we are all in this together. This is not to say that it will always be perfectly balanced either. But there is something to be said about the notion that at this time in our human history, most people feel that it is balanced on the side of negativity. The blog post linked here, The Alternate Economy has a unique perspective that is in line with a growing consciousness of unity, harmony, and yes, even Pay It Forward. I subscribed to the blog. I enjoy this and some of the other posts that come out of the connected blogs to this.

Enjoy Life! Be Generous with your Smile! That’s What Sean Knows!

The Alternate Economy « Daring to Live in Love!.

» On Spreading Ideas » Three Thoughts On | A Curation of People & the Thoughts That Compel Them

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Posted on May 5, 2012 by Sean Olivares

This is a great post about a simple way to use social media and be effective. They key is to be more human. I personally get asked to contribute or be a part of a number of fantastic causes. I, too, either decline or glaze over it because I’m inundated by them. How do you get my attention, be more human. Make it very real and let me know that it’s more than just about you or your cause, but that the efforts will truly make a difference.

Use technology for good and accomplishing GREAT things by using it right! That’s What Sean Knows!

» On Spreading Ideas » Three Thoughts On | A Curation of People & the Thoughts That Compel Them.

by JENNIFER AAKER | Tags: SOCIAL MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY

A dizzying number of people have written about the mechanics of Facebook, Twitter, email, and YouTube, yet few have addressed one of our strongest motivations: how to leverage the power of the new social media to do something that really matters.

Most of us are inundated daily with articles, emails, videos, and blog posts. Invitations to participate in compelling social campaigns have become ubiquitous— from Avon’s Walk for Breast Cancer, to Pepsi’s Refresh campaign, to general appeals to help “save our planet.” Yet we glaze over and ignore many, if not most, of these pleas. Or perhaps we join a group, but take no real action on behalf of the cause. Anyone who has ever created a YouTube video, written a blog, or tried to get someone to join a cause on Facebook knows that simply sending out a request doesn’t guarantee results.

Yet the power of social technology, when fully engaged, can be nothing short of revolutionary. In 2010, the Red Cross raised more than $30 million for Haiti relief through text message donations. The same technologies that enable us to “poke” our friends or “retweet” an interesting article are the ones that can connect and mobilize us to bring about change. So, what differentiates those who are harnessing social media for something more powerful than fun or procrastination?

Think Human.

Focus on the person you are trying to help. Don’t rush in with a solution to a problem, test alternatives and be prepared to return to square one several times. Also, focus on the person you need help from (AKA your audience). What are their goals and dreams? How can you help them achieve them? Who are you to them? Where are your leverage points in terms of causing them to act? Match your appeal to the medium (e.g. short bursts for Twitter, logical discourse for blogs, emotional envelopment on YouTube)

Dream with Purpose.

What matters to you draws others. Emotions are contagious. Meaningful purpose garners extraordinary support. The right idea—seated in emotion—grows exponentially. Take, how Jessica Jackley, while earning her MBA, raised money online to bootstrap entrepreneurs in the developing world. Now Kiva.org has done over $120M in micro- finance loans with the assistance of individuals who have made loans.

Connect with People.

Tell stories. Stories are sticky: they bring facts to life and infuse them with passion. (Physiologically, our brains are hardwired for stories to organize and orient and psychologically we need patterns to understand. Stories also increase the chance that your audience with remember (humans remember only 1%-10% of what they hear). Salient, meaningful messages, however brief, mobilize communities.

Lymphomaniac

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Posted on May 1, 2012 by Sean Olivares

lymphomaniac. Lymphoma Sucks

With another post about being bold, This woman is really duking it out! I’m inspired,proud, and applaud her! A big Thanks for sharing the experiences. Blessings to her and her husband, German, my dear friends! Thank you Cristina!

Own yourself and share who you are! That’s what Sean Knows!

So, Yeah. I Walked on Hot Coals. What’d You Do This Weekend? | Flies in My Amber

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Posted on May 1, 2012 by Sean Olivares

So, Yeah. I Walked on Hot Coals. What’d You Do This Weekend? | Flies in My Amber.

This was a neat description of someones’ Firewalk with Tony. Thought I’d share.

Be bold! That’s What Sean Knows!

Think and Grow Rich Notes Pt.7

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Posted on March 31, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Ah the last blog of this series! Turning Desire into Gold and Organized Planning notes! I hope you got some good stuff outta here and that you finally have your own copy of the book! Thanks for following along!

You can of course still buy the book here on Amazon.com or visit my website at this link to download the entire notes. I MUST implore you to get the book if you are to make full sense of the notes. The stories and explanations of how these principles work are paramount to the understanding all of it. Besides, there is a magic in owning your own copy, thumbing through it and re-reading it and taking your own notes. Again, visit Amazon.com to get the book or go find a copy. Enjoy! If you want to know more about this book or have a chat about it, connect with me on Facebook or email me at seandanielolivares@gmail.com.

_________________________________________________________________________

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Master Key: privilege of creating, in your own mind, a burning desire for a definite form of riches.

Six Ways to Turn Desire into Gold

1.Fix in your mind the EXACT amount of money you desire. It is not sufficient to just say “I want plenty of money’. You must be definite about the amount, there is a psychological reason for this that we shall discuss in a later article.

2. Determine EXACTLY what you are going to give in return for the money. There is no such reality as something for nothing.

3. Establish a DEFINITE date when you intend to possess the money you desire.

4. Create a DEFINITE plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, ready or not, to put this plan into action.

5. Write out a clear and CONCISE statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money and describe, clearly, the plan which you intend to use to accumulate it.

6. Read you written statement, aloud, twice daily. Once just before you go to bed at night, and again immediately on rising. As you read – see, and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.

ORGANIZED PLANNING

e) Ally yourself with a group of as many people as you may need for the creation and carrying out of your plan or plans for the accumulation of money – making use of the “Master Mind” principle described in a later chapter. (Compliance with this instruction is absolutely essential. Do not neglect it.)

f) Before forming your ‘Master Mind’ alliance, decide what advantages and benefits you may offer the individual members of your group, in return for their cooperation. No one will work indefinitely without some form of compensation. No intelligent person will either request or expect another to work without adequate compensation, although this may not always be in the form of money.

g) Arrange to meet with the members of your ‘Master Mind’ group at least twice a week, and more often if possible, until you have jointly perfected the necessary plan or plans for the accumulation of money.

h) Maintain perfect harmony between yourself and every member of your ‘Master Mind’ group. If you fail to carry out this instruction to the letter, you may expect to meet with failure. The “Master Mind” principle cannot obtain where perfect harmony does not prevail.

Keep in mind

- You are engaged in an undertaking of major importance to you. To be sure of success, you must have plans which are faultless.

- You must have the advantage of the experience, education, native ability and imagination of other minds. This is in harmony with the methods followed by every person who has accumulated a great fortune.

_________________________________________________________________________

The End!

Read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Pay It Forward! That’s What Sean Knows!

Think and Grow Rich Notes Pt.6

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Posted on March 29, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Think and Grow Rich out of FEAR! This is near the end of the notes! Answer the questions! Face the Six Ghosts of Fear!

You can of course buy the book here on Amazon.com or visit my website at this link to download the entire notes. I MUST implore you to get the book if you are to make full sense of the notes. The stories and explanations of how these principles work are paramount to the understanding all of it. Besides, there is a magic in owning your own copy, thumbing through it and re-reading it and taking your own notes. Again, visit Amazon.com to get the book or go find a copy. These are some notes I found on the book. Enjoy! If you want to know more about this book or have a chat about it, connect with me on Facebook or email me at seandanielolivares@gmail.com.

_________________________________________________________________________

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Chapter Fifteen – The Six Ghosts of Fear:

Six Basic Fears:

- The fear of poverty
- The fear of criticism
- The fear of ill health
- The fear of loss of love of someone
- The fear of old age
- The fear of death

- Fears are nothing more than states of minds.
- Every human being has the ability to completely control his own mind.

Fear Self-Analysis Questions:

Do you complain often of ‘feeling bad’ and if so, what is the cause?

1) Do you find fault with other people at the slightest provocation?

2) Do you frequently make mistakes in your work, and if so why?

3) Are you sarcastic and offensive in your conversation?

4) Do you deliberately avoid the association of anyone, and if so, why?

5) Do you suffer frequently with indigestion? If so, what is the cause?

6) Does life seem futile and the future hopeless to you?

7) Do you like your occupation? If not, why?

8) Do you feel self-pity, and if so, why?

9) Are you envious of those who excel you?

10) To which do you devote most time, thinking of success, or failure?

11) Are you gaining or losing self-confidence as you grow older?

12) Do you learn something of value from all mistakes?

13) Are you permitting some relative or acquaintance to worry you? If so, why?

14) Are you sometimes ‘in the clouds’ and at other times in the depths of despondency (low spirit)?

15) Who has the most inspiring influence upon you? What is the cause?

16) Do you tolerate negative or discouraging influences which you can avoid?

17) Are you careless of your personal appearance? If so, when and why?

18) Have you learned how to ‘drown your troubles’ by being too busy to be annoyed by them?

19) Would you call yourself a ‘spines weakling’ if you permitted others to do your thinking for you?

20) Do you neglect internal bathing until auto-intoxication makes you ill-tempered and irritable?

21) How many preventable disturbances annoy you, and why do you tolerate them?

22) Do you resort to liquor, narcotics, or cigarettes to ‘quiet your nerves?’ If so, why do you not try will-power instead?

23) Does anyone ‘nag’ you, and if so, for what reason?

24) Do you have a definite major purpose, and if so, what is it, and what plans do you have for achieving it?

25) Do you suffer from any of the Six Basic Fears? If so, which ones?

26) Have you a method by which you can shield yourself against the negative influence of others?

27) Do you make deliberate use of autosuggestion to make your mind positive?

28) Which do you value most, your material possessions, or your privilege of controlling your own thoughts?

29) Are you easily influenced by others, against your own judgment?

30) Has today added anything of value to your stock of knowledge or state of mind?

31) Do you face squarely the circumstances which make you unhappy, or sidestep the responsibility?

32) Do you analyze all mistakes and failures and try to profit by them or, do you take the attitude that this is not your duty?

33) Can you name three of your most damaging weaknesses? What are you doing to correct them?

34) Do you encourage other people to bring their worries to you for sympathy?

35) Do you choose, from your daily experiences, lessons, or influences which aid in your personal advancement?

36) Does your presence have a negative influence on other people as a rule?

37) What habits of other people annoy you most?

38) Do you form your own opinions or permit yourself to be influenced by other people?

39) Have you learned how to create a mental state of mind with which you can shield yourself against all discouraging influences?

40) Does your occupation inspire you with hope and fate?

41) Are you conscious of possessing spiritual forces of sufficient power to enable you to keep your mind free from all forms of fear?

42) Does your religion help to keep your mind positive?

43) Do you feel it your duty to share other people’s worries? If so, why?

44) If you believe that ‘birds of a feather flock together,’ what have you learned about yourself by studying the friends whom you attract?

45) What connection, if any, do you see with people with whom you associate most closely, and any unhappiness you may experience?

46) Could it be possible that some person whom you consider to be a friend is, in reality, your worst enemy, because of his negative influence on your mind?

47) By what rules do you judge who is helpful and who is damaging to you?

48) Are your intimate associates mentally superior or inferior to you?

49) How much time out of every 24 hours to you devote to: a) your occupation, b) sleep, c) play and relaxation, d) acquiring useful knowledge, e) plain waste?

50) Who among your acquaintances: a) encourages you the most, b) cautions you the most, c) discourages you the most.

51) What is your greatest worry? Why do you tolerate it?

52) When others offer you free, unsolicited advice, do you accept it without question, or analyze their motive?

53) What, above else, do you most desire? Do you intend to acquire it?

54) Do you change your mind often? If so, why?

55) Do you usually finish everything you begin?

56) Are you easily impressed by other people’s business or professional titles, college degrees, or wealth?

57) Are you easily influenced by what other people think or say of you?

58) Do you cater to people because of social or financial status?

59) Whom do you believe to be the greatest person living? In what respect is this person superior to yourself?

60) How much time have you devoted to studying and answering these questions? (Should take at least one day)
_________________________________________________________________________

Almost to the end!

Read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Pay It Forward! That’s What Sean Knows!

Think and Grow Rich Notes Pt.5

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Posted on March 26, 2012 by Sean Olivares

This is almost the end of this blog series on Think and Grow Rich. After this we will close out the series on FEAR! Still more to come on a few ending notes!

_________________________________________________________________________

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Chapter Eleven – The Mystery of Sex Transmutation:

10 Stimuli of the Mind:

1) Desire for sex expression.

2) Love.

3) A burning desire for fame, power, or financial gain, money.

4) Music.

5) Friendship between either those of the same sex, or those of the opposite sex.

6) A Master Mind Alliance based upon the harmony of two or more people who ally themselves for the purpose of spiritual or temporal advancement.

7) Mutual suffering, such as that expressed by people who are persecuted.

8) Autosuggestion.

9) Fear.

10) Narcotics and alcohol.

Sources of Magnetism:

1) The hand-shake – indicates presence of magnetism, or lack of it.

2) Tone of voice – factor with which the voice may be colored, or made musical and charming.

3) Posture and carriage of the body – moving brisk, with ease and grace.

4) Vibrations of thought – mixing emotions of sex with their thoughts, influencing those around them.

5) Body adornment – careful about personal appearance.

- Man’s greatest motivating force is his desire to please woman!

Chapter Twelve – The Subconscious Mind:

Seven Major Positive Emotions:

- fate
- love
- sex
- enthusiasm
- romance
- hope

Seven Major Negative Emotions:

- fear
- jealousy
- hatred
- revenge
- greed
- superstition
- anger

Chapter Thirteen – The Brain:

- All of us are controlled by forces which are unseen and intangible.

Chapter Fourteen – The Sixth Sense:

- Close your eyes at night, and picture yourself to be chair of a very important council.

_________________________________________________________________________

Almost to the end!

Read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Pay It Forward! That’s What Sean Knows!

Global Book Reading Flash Mob

Video

https://www.facebook.com/events/117861045012220/117970021667989/

Let’s show the world that we care here at home. Pay It Forward Corpus Christi!

Think and Grow Rich Notes Pt.4

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Posted on March 23, 2012 by Sean Olivares

This is the 4th blog about Think and Grow Rich. One of the most important parts of the book is here and the notes leave you hanging…Chapter Ten you must read! Still more to come!

I will be giving out the notes to this book piece-meal for a few blogs more. You can of course buy the book here on Amazon.com or visit my website at this link to download the entire notes. I MUST implore you to get the book if you are to make full sense of the notes. The stories and explanations of how these principles work are paramount to the understanding all of it. Besides, there is a magic in owning your own copy, thumbing through it and re-reading it and taking your own notes. Again, visit Amazon.com to get the book or go find a copy. These are some notes I found on the book. Enjoy! If you want to know more about this book or have a chat about it, connect with me on Facebook or email me at seandanielolivares@gmail.com.

_________________________________________________________________________

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Chapter Eight – Decision:

- Reach decisions quickly and change them slowly

Chapter Nine – Persistence:

Causes of Persistence:

a. Definiteness of purpose
b. Desire
c. Self-reliance
d. Definiteness of plans
e. Accurate knowledge
f. Co-operation
g. Will-power
h. Habit

Weakness of Persistence Which Must Be Mastered:

1) Failure to recognize and to define clearly exactly what one wants.

2) Procrastination, with or without cause.

3) Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge.

4) Indecision, the habit of ‘passing the buck’ on all occasions, instead of facing issues squarely.

5) The habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the solution of problems.

6) Self-satisfaction. There is little remedy for this affliction, and no hope for those who suffer from it.

7) Indifference, usually reached in one’s readiness to compromise on all occasions, rather than meet the opposition and fight it.

8) The habit of blaming others for one’s mistakes, and accepting unfavorable circumstances as being unavoidable.

9) Weakness of desire, due to neglect in the choice of motives that impel action.

10) Willingness, even eagerness, to quit at the first sign of defeat.

11) Lack of organized plans, placed in writing where they may be analyzed.

12) The habit of neglecting to move on ideas, or to grasp opportunity when it presents itself.

13) Wishing instead of willing.

14) The habit of compromising with poverty instead of aiming at riches. General absence of ambition to be, to do, to own.

15) Searching for all the short-cuts to riches, trying tog et without giving a fair equivalent, usually reflected in the habit of gambling, endeavoring to drive ‘sharp’ bargains.

16) Fear of criticism, failure to create plans and to put them into action, because of what other people will think, do, or say.

4 Steps of Persistence:

1) A definite purpose backed by burning desire for its fulfillment.

2) A definite plan, exposed to continuous action.

3) A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.

4) A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.

Chapter Ten – The Power of the Mastermind:

- You must build a mastermind group to compete with other such groups.
_________________________________________________________________________

I will be adding more notes over the next week or two!

Read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Pay It Forward! That’s What Sean Knows!

Think and Grow Rich Notes Pt.3

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Posted on March 20, 2012 by Sean Olivares

This is the third blog about this book and this is where it can get really into the deep stuff so this section has a amazing notes on leadership but TONS of questions to ask yourself and set course to something GREAT! Still more to come!

_________________________________________________________________________

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Chapter Five – Specialized Knowledge:

Knowledge is only potential power.

Chapter Six – Desire:

By putting a plan in writing, you will have given concrete form to the intangible desire.

Chapter Seven – Organized Planning:

How to build plans that will be practical:

a) Ally yourself with a group of as many people as you may need for the creation and carrying out of your plan or plans

b) Before forming your ‘Master Mind’ alliance, decide what advantages and benefits you may offer the individual members of your group, in return for their cooperation.

c) Arrange to meet with the members of your ‘Master Mind’ group at least twice a week, and more often if possible, until you have jointly perfected the necessary plan or plans for the accumulation of money.

d) Maintain perfect harmony between yourself and every member of your ‘Master Mind’ group.

Keep in mind

- You are engaged in an undertaking of major importance to you. To be sure of success, you must have plans which are faultless.

- You must have the advantage of the experience, education, native ability and imagination of other minds.

- A quitter never wins—a winner never quits.

Important Factors of Leadership

1) Unwavering courage: based upon knowledge of self, and of one’s occupation. No follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader for very long.

2) Self-control: The man who cannot control himself can never control others. Self-control sets a mighty example for one’s followers, which the more intelligent will emulate.

3) A keen sense of justice: Without a sense of fairness and justice, no leader can command and retain the respect of his followers.

4) Definiteness of decision: The man who wavers in his decisions shows that he is not sure of himself, and cannot lead others successfully.

5) Definiteness of plans: The successful leader must plan his work, and work his plan. A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a rudder. Sooner or later he will land on the rocks.

6) The habit of doing more than paid for. One of the penalties of leadership is the necessity of willingness, upon the part of the leader, to do more than he requires of his followers

7) A pleasing personality – No slovenly, careless person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect. Followers will not respect a leader who does not grade high on all of the factors of a pleasing personality.

8) Sympathy and Understanding. The successful leader must be in sympathy with his followers. Moreover, he must understand them and their problems.

9) Mastery of detail: Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of the leader’s position.

10) Willingness to assume full responsibility: The successful leader must be willing to assume responsibility for the mistakes and shortcomings of his followers. If he tries to shift this responsibility, he will not remain the leader. If one of his followers makes, and shows himself to be incompetent, the leader must consider that it is he who failed.

11) Co-operation: The successful leader must understand and apply the principle of cooperative effort and be able to induce his followers to do the same. Leadership calls for power, and power calls for cooperation.

The ten major causes of failure in leadership:

1) Inability to organize details
2) Unwillingness to render humble service
3) Expectation of pay for what they ‘know’ instead of what they do with what they know
4) Fear of competition from followers
5) Lack of imagination
6) Selfishness
7) Intemperance – excessive, indulgent
8) Disloyalty
9) Emphasis of the ‘authority’ of leadership
10) Emphasis of title

Thirty major causes of failure:

1) Unfavorable hereditary background
2) Lack of well-defined purpose in life
3) Lack of ambition to aim above mediocrity
4) Insufficient education
5) Lack of self-discipline
6) Ill health
7) Unfavorable environmental influences during childhood
8) Procrastination
9) Lack of persistence
10) Negative personality
11) Negative personality
12) Lack of controlled sexual urge
13) Uncontrolled desire for ‘something for nothing’
14) Lack of a well defined power of decision
15) One ore more of the six basic fears
16) Wrong selection of a mate in marriage
17) Over-caution
18) Superstition and prejudice
19) Wrong selection of a vocation
20) Lack of concentration of effort
21) The habit of indiscriminate spending
22) Lack of enthusiasm
23) Intolerance
24) Intemperance
25) Inability to cooperate with others
26) Possession of power that was not acquired through self-effort
27) Intentional dishonesty
28) Egotism and vanity
29) Guessing instead of thinking
30) Lack of capital

Self-Analysis Questionnaire for Personal Inventory:

1) Have I attained the goal which I established as my objective for this year?

2) Have I delivered service of the best possible quality of which I was capable, or could I have improved any points of this service?

3) Have I delivered this service in the greatest possible quantity of which I was capable?

4) Has the spirit of my conduct been cooperative and harmonious at all times?

5) Have I permitted the habit of procrastination to decrease my efficiency, and if so, to what extent?

6) Have I improved my personality, and if so, in what ways?

7) Have I been persistent in following my plans through to completion?

8) Have I reached my decisions promptly and definitely on all occasions?

9) Have I permitted any one or more of the six basic fears to decrease my efficiency?

10) Have I been either over-cautious, or under-cautious?

11) Has my relationship with my associates in work been pleasant, or unpleasant? If it has been unpleasant, has the fault been partly or wholly mine?

12) Have I dissipated any of my energy through lack of concentration of effort?

13) Have I been open-minded and tolerant in connection with all subjects?

14) In what way have I improved my ability to render service?

15) Have I been intemperate in any of my habits?

16) Have I expressed, either openly or secretly, any form of egotism?

17) Has my conduct toward my associates been such that it has induced them to respect me?

18) Have my opinions and decisions been based upon guesswork, or accuracy of analysis and thought?

19) Have I followed the habit of budgeting my time, my expenses, and my income, and have I been conservative in these budgets?

20) How much time have I devoted to unprofitable effort which I might have used to better advantage?

21) How may I re-budget my time, and change my habits so I will be more efficient during the coming year?

22) Have I been guilty of any conduct which was not approved by my conscience?

23) In what ways have I rendered more services and better services than I was paid to render?

24) Have I been unfair to anyone, and if so, in what way?

25) If I had been the purchaser of my own services for the year, would I be satisfied with my own purchase?

26) Am I in the right vocation, and if not, why not?

27) Has the purchaser of my services been satisfied with the service I have rendered, and if not, why not?

28) What is my present rating on the fundamental principles of success?

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I will be adding more notes over the next week or two!

Read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Pay It Forward! That’s What Sean Knows!

Creed for Optimists

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Posted on March 19, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Creed for Optimists

by Christan D. Larsen

 
Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

Make all your friends feel there is something in them.

Look at the sunny side of everything.

Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about
        your own.

Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater
        achievements of the future.

Give everyone a smile.

Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left
        to criticize others.

Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.

Think and Grow Rich Notes Pt.2

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Posted on March 17, 2012 by Sean Olivares

This is blog numero 2 for this book. If you have never read it, go to your local book reseller and get a copy it is very much worth it. I just decided to share some of the wealth of knowledge. To read more about the book you can visit the Wikipedia page here.

I will be giving out the notes to this book piece-meal for a few blogs here and there. You can of course buy the book here on Amazon.com or visit my website at this link to download the entire notes. I MUST implore you to get the book if you are to make full sense of the notes. The stories and explanations of how these principles work are paramount to the understanding all of it. Besides, there is a magic in owning your own copy, thumbing through it and re-reading it and taking your own notes. Again, visit Amazon.com to get the book or go find a copy. These are some notes I found on the book. Enjoy! If you want to know more about this book or have a chat about it, connect with me on Facebook or email me at seandanielolivares@gmail.com.

_________________________________________________________________________

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Chapter Three – Faith:

- Repetition of affirmation of orders to your subconscious mind is the only known method of voluntary development of the emotion of faith.

- All thoughts that have been emotionalized (given feeling) and mixed with faith, begin immediately to translate themselves into their physical equivalent or counterpart.

- Perfection will come through practice. It cannot come by merely reading instructions.

- Faith is the ‘eternal elixir’ which gives life, power, and action to the impulse of thought!

- Thoughts which are mixed with any of the feelings of emotions constitute a ‘magnetic’ force which attracts other similar or related thoughts.

Self-Confidence Formula:

1) I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my definite purpose in life; therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action towards its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.

2) I realize that dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outwards, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality; therefore I will concentrate my thoughts for thirty minute daily, upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture.

3) I know the principle of autosuggestion, any desire that I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it; therefore, I will devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence.

4) I have clearly written down a description of my definite chief aim in life, and I will never stop trying, until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.

5) I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure, unless built upon the truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me, because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing a love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude towards others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me because I will believe in them, and in myself. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

Chapter Four – Autosuggestion:

When visualizing the money you intend to accumulate, (with closed eyes), see yourself rendering the service, or delivering the merchandise you intend to give in return for this money.

Principles of Auto-Suggestion:

1) Go into some quiet spot (bed at night), close your eyes, and repeat aloud the written statement of the amount of money you intend to accumulate, the time limit for its accumulation, and a description of the service or merchandise you intend to give in return for your money. As you carry out these instructions, see yourself already in possession of they money.

2) Repeat this program night and morning until you can see (in your imagination) the money you intend to accumulate.

3) Place a written copy of your statement where you can see it night and morning, and read it just before retiring, and upon arising until it has been memorized.

_________________________________________________________________________

I will be adding more notes over the next week or two!

Read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Pay It Forward! That’s What Sean Knows!

Think and Grow Rich Notes Pt.1

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Posted on March 14, 2012 by Sean Olivares

So this book by Napoleon Hill has been floating around since 1937 and many of the most successful businessmen and women, successes in any area of life, will attest that this book had a major impact on them. If you have never read it, go to your local book reseller and get a copy it is very much worth it. I just decided to share some of the wealth of knowledge. To read more about the book you can visit the Wikipedia page here.

_________________________________________________________________________

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

All achievement, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea!

Chapter One:

- An intangible impulse of thought can be translated into material rewards by the application of known principles

Chapter Two – Desire:

Six Steps of Desire:

1) Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. It is not sufficient to say ‘I want plenty of money.’ Be definite as to the amount.

2) Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire (there is no such thing as ‘something for nothing’)

3) Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.

4) Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.

5) Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.

6) Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read—see and feel and believe yourself already in the possession of the money.

- There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge
- Both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought

_________________________________________________________________________

I will be adding more notes over the next week or two!

Read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Pay It Forward! That’s What Sean Knows!

Kismet: When We Met

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Posted on February 22, 2012 by Sean Olivares

I often tell people that if I had no other desires, I would usually just prefer to sit on a beach for eternity and write poetry. It is a blissful moment that I choose. What would you do? There is no truer story than this poem. This brief and simple poem is what I felt like sharing today and it let’s you understand my own belief system. I’d like to get to know yours. Have an amazing day! Enjoy Life and Live it with a Smile! – SDO

Kismet: When We Met

I met you earlier this year… but you were not there.
This does not make sense to you, or does it?…

I was in a far off land,
And I had my feet in the sand.

I met you in a RUSHING moment!
It was a FLOOD of emotion!
And there was a calm that washed over me.
And you felt it because you were there… by the ocean…
but you did not know it… much like now…

I was in search of my OWN soul when I saw you.
I saw the real you in my search.
It was a search for more than just meaning.
It was a search for FEELING.
And you were there!
And you have never left me since!

I KNOW that you can feel me now.
I can feel you though you are not always there…
You are TRYING to be…
You are WANTING to be…
You are NEEDING to be…

When you look into my eyes,
YOU CAN SEE ME!
In my voice, you can now hear my love more deeply than EVER before
You can hear the both the depth and the excitement to know you!
I know that you can.
Within the touch of our hands, you can feel me DOWN INTO THE SOUL.
For both a moment, AND an eternity, you can feel the grand joy and gratitude of life!
I KNOW that you can FEEL this.
I know that you can feel this ENERGY of life.

Think about this. Think about this. FEEL about this! FEEL IT! You know this to be true!

The day that I met my soul is the same day that I met YOU. The REAL YOU!
When I touched my own soul, like a cloud touching a pond, we ALL felt the ripple.
We all felt it because THIS is where I met you.
And all that you see, hear, and feel from me,… this is really you.
This is the real you.

DARE to meet you, too.

I will be waiting.

And for the Romantics…

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Posted on February 14, 2012 by Sean Olivares

There is this entry in my personal journal from a year or two ago about the first time I kissed a particular girl. Thought it would be a great Valentine’s Day share for all you hopeless romantics. And this is what keeps the human race spinning. It is edited a bit to conceal the identity. You don’t get any back-story and you don’t get any follow-up. All you get for now is this entry. Happy Valentine’s Day you gushers! I don’t think she will read this so I might be in the clear. And if she DOES read this…Oh well…

By the way ladies, yes I’m single. Lol. It’s just a recorded moment in time.

“She came over and she had this look of both weakness and determination on her. It was peculiar. The conversation was hesitant and wandering. She was inquisitive about my day. I’d met a girl that day and spent the day with her. Nikki was her name it was like I met another version of me. I didn’t know how to describe this and even as I did, I knew I was holding back. I held back because I didn’t know how to quite put into words what had transpired and I didn’t know what parts to leave in or leave out. It seemed though that I needed to leave some things out even though I wanted to share it all. So there we stood in my living room with me smiling and saying what it was like and nearing the end of that, she shook my hand to congratulate me on such a great time. It was funny. I have to admit that there was a difference in her hand when I touched it. I don’t know what it was but I liked it. I exited us out through the front door onto the balcony and we sat [on the nearby chairs.] The conversation went to all sorts of the usual places. I know we touched on my being mean by her standards and how I said that I was sorry but that I tend to also say things how they are. Its how I’d felt and she wanted me to know that I was wrong about being ditched [that day]. But there were things that bugged me. Flirting was the usual… funny and heavy. I have to admit that I really like it. I knew she was stopped by on her way to [spending time] with her friends and since there was already a failed kiss attempt last time she came over, I wasn’t going to keep her any longer. While I didn’t want her to leave at all, I’m also not going to keep her from her passion. But then she said, ‘This is one of my passions, too,” and there was a shutter in my soul. I was surprised. Maybe after about 30 minutes of chatting and joking and resolving, we stood up. Our hands and our hugs seemed to wander and keep finding each other. This was new. This was something I wanted. We stood there playing and I could feel nervousness in her body. Her hands were light to the touch and somehow they found themselves clasped into each other in such a natural way that you’d think we’d done it before. Still though, this was new. Our hugs gave way to our cheeks touching and our hands kept us close to embrace. My heart was pounding but I stood still. That same weakness and determination that she arrived with had entered me and it was some thing I had not felt for the longest time. I could feel my breath heavier but controlled. I stood there and after a few moments of tension, our lips found each other. And they did not move. They stayed there almost if they could not move. Motionless. But then they did [move] and we kissed again. I could feel a quiver in her bottom lip and with all of our focus on our lips and the tilt of our head to kiss again, our hands slipped apart. The kisses were long and slow. I couldn’t help but stand there and smile in between the kisses. It was absolutely perfect. There was a hesitation between each kiss and our breaths were slow. In the fullness of each exchange, we explored just for a moment. One of the thoughts crossing my mind was that those had to have been the softest lips I could have ever imagined… And then it was done. Like two adolescent kids kissing someone for the first time, we stepped apart and looked the other way. I walked one way and she said she didn’t want me to say anything or I would ruin it. I walked her to her car. We said bye like we usually do and like nothing happened…and that was that.”

Enjoy Life and Live it with a Smile! THAT’s what Sean Knows!

I do not own the pictures and the last one is by Aldo Luongo and can be purchased at this link.

I Don’t Do Valentines. U know that

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Posted on February 13, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Anyone else send that text this week? That was the text that I got when I mentioned Valentine’s Day. She sent it with almost no punctuation at all though. It was,

'I don't do valentines you know that'

And she was right. I knew it. Ha. I know her all too well.

Did any of YOU send a text like that to someone? Did any of you get a text like that?

There are dozens of reasons why some people get completely dismissive about a commemorative day like this. And they are some of the same reasons that some people become jaded about the Holiday Season of winter around Christmas. Not only does it hold emotional feelings of rejection or love gone wrong, but its also feelings attached to a holiday gone wrong. Just like during Christmas, a time of love and giving, how many times have we heard or felt like people are out buying gifts for ALL the wrong reasons? Just before that, there was the frantic Thanksgiving rush to make the perfect meal and gorge ourselves into a coma from eating all the things we know that we shouldn’t. It isn’t all bad if it comes together nicely and if we consider the real reason to celebrate – giving thanks, love, family, friends, miracles, cheer – then it can be great. More often than not, there is a cynical, sad feeling that I hear or see in peoples behavior around the holidays, and just a month after the new year…HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!!

What’s it even about? If there is an oversight of what Christmas is all about, Umm…Jesus in a great part of the world, then who on earth really remembers who Valentine was? And here we go buying hearts of every kind, in every chocolate flavor, with an estimated 1 Billion, yes billion cards sent every year in the United States. This does not include flowers, dinners, and other extravagant gifts which creates an annual estimated spending of $18 Billion on February 14th alone in, again, the United States! Yes…each time I said BILLION not million.

Let’s go back a bit to oh…about 1700 years ago when there were martyrs of the Christian church all named Valentine. There are historical facts and legends that you can look up. So back between the years of about 200 A.D. and 400 A.D. there were stories of a couple of Valentines who stood up for their beliefs and died for it. There was the story of the St. Valentine who fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, healed her and sent her a note signed Valentine. There is no historical proof but its a great spin on the romance. But the romance associated to St. Valentines Day didn’t arrive until about the 14th Century at the height of when courtly love and chivalry began.

A long tradition of romantic love expressed around this day of the year grew and flourished more every year in poetry and flowers. The greatest poets wrote of the day and it’s sentiment from Shakespeare to Donne and what a way that it was carried out to commemorate a day of Love!

There is no denying that such a day is to be celebrated. A day of romantic love…what more gets the heart pumping? And yes, it is now that I will switch gears and bring together what it should or might be better about.

St. Valentine stood for what he believed in and died for it. In his case, twas Jesus and the Christian Faith. For the poets that are alive today in their words of romantic love, unrequited or fulfilled, through poetry and music, they too died for what they believe in. Isn’t it something to think about rather than flowers, candy, dinner, and jewelry? Are you willing to die for that? Should not every day be a celebration of that love, passion, hope, lessons learned and the heart’s experience?

We need more days to celebrate this emotion of love, this cataclysmic, galvanizing event in every single humans life! Love starts wars and ends them!

Love is eternal. It knows no bounds. It hears all cries and quiets them. And this is just one of the loves that we have. There are other loves. Celebrate those also.

So you can get wrapped up in what everyone else is doing or honor the day in a way that actually means something. As for me and the text that I got, well…she already knows we are on the same page but she also knows what I would die for….(after posting this blog she reminded me to mention that I told her I was sending a small marching band with a enthusiastic drum major to follow her around all day starting @ 5 am and she would have to explain her ‘not doing valentines’ to them.)

Love like never before! And that’s what Sean Knows!

You Have No Excuse | Goins, Writer

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Posted on February 10, 2012 by Sean Olivares

This blog and link is reposted and the guys name is Jeff Goins! Awesome stuff! check out his page.

You Have No Excuse | Goins, Writer.

Ever wanted to write a book? Record an album? Make your own movie?

You now have no excuse.

There is no “I can’t” anymore. No waiting for the right time. No asking permission.

You’re in charge. No one’s one holding you back but you.

Stop waiting for perfect

No more stalling. It’s time.

The tools are on your side.

Now, you can publish your own bookwithout having to knock on doors.

You can start a podcast or launch a blog. You can spread a message worth hearing to thousands of people for free.

You can record an album on your laptop and raise money for it through crowd-funding. All in the comfort of your own home.

This is the age of no excuse

The other day, I had a disturbing phone call, followed by a challenging meeting.

I walked away from both, having heard something I didn’t want to hear — that my dreams were closer than I realized.

If I wanted to publish a book, I had people who would help me. If I wanted to share my writing with the world, then I could.

These are scary thoughts

This left me feeling unsettled. Fear began to well up inside of me. Excuses filled my mind:

I’m not ready yet.
I need a larger platform.
If only I had more time.

The truth is I didn’t have much content for a book. I hadn’t been writing. I wasn’tplanning for this moment.

I had only been dreaming.

I realized an important truth, one that sobered my thoughts: The only thing holding me back is me.

Now, I have to do something. And I hate it. Because if this doesn’t get done, I have no one to blame but me.

By now, you are thinking of your own dream

Immediately, apprehensions and roadblocks come to mind. You start thinking of excuses. Which turn into justifications for why you haven’t started. Then, you start consoling yourself…

And you are completely full of crap.

Enough. Please. Let’s stop passing the buck and take responsibility. Admit that you have no excuse. Embrace this. And start moving forward anyway.

You may be years away from your dream. That’s okay. But don’t you dare spend another minute lying to yourself and others about what’s holding you back.

You are what stands in the way of your dream.
You have no excuse to not begin today.
You are lazy and afraid.

And that’s fine. But it’s time to grow up; it’s time to get over it.

I hope this frustrates you enough to do something

I hope it puts a fire under you to do something.

Because we don’t need more dreaming. We need more action.

We need your life to count for something, for you to create the art you were destined to create.

And we need it now.

For an additional kick-in-the-butt, read the following: The Myth of the Perfect Writing Environment

What’s your excuse? Share it in the comments or on Twitter. Heck, write your own post about excuses and leave the link here.

Share other peoples good stuff and also have no excuses! That’s what Sean Knows!

Because we all need a little more Rumi in our Hearts…

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Posted on February 9, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Confused and distraught

Again I am raging, I am in such a state by your soul that every
bond you bind, I break, by your soul.
I am like heaven, like the moon, like a candle by your glow; I am all
reason, all love, all soul, by your soul.
My joy is of your doing, my hangover of your thorn; whatever
side you turn your face, I turn mine, by your soul.
I spoke in error; it is not surprising to speak in error in this
state, for this moment I cannot tell cup from wine, by your soul.
I am that madman in bonds who binds the “divs”; I, the madman,
am a Solomon with the “divs”, by your soul.
Whatever form other than love raises up its head from my
heart, forthwith I drive it out of the court of my heart, by your soul.
Come, you who have departed, for the thing that departs
comes back; neither you are that, by my soul, nor I am that, by your soul.
Disbeliever, do not conceal disbelief in your soul, for I will recite
the secret of your destiny, by your soul.
Out of love of Sham-e Tabrizi, through wakefulness or
nightrising, like a spinning mote I am distraught, by your soul.

Rumi

Click on his name to find out who he was.

Get to know Rumi! That’s what Sean Knows!

Do YOU know this man?

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Posted on February 1, 2012 by Sean Olivares

20 years ago, in 1992, a song was released about how we view our homeless brothers and sisters by a rap group and it got a good bit of buzz at the time. Respectively, the song, Mr. Wendal by the group Arrested Development, rose to the top of Billboard lists in the US and the UK. It’s a fun, powerful and serious song. 20 years later, with all the hard work that we do, we can still play this song as if it just came out today and see the issue of homelessness and how we treat them still a pervasive problem in human culture. Do YOU know Mr. Wendal?

This blog is not to spark debate about the social conditions that create homelessness nor to evoke discussions about our personal perception of whether or not it is solely up to one’s own self to change their destiny in some kind of underdeveloped Ayn Randian Objectivism philosophy of personal triumph (even though I think ANYTHING can be manifested from will and action.) I digress… No! This blog is about one thing, to look at your neighbor for a moment, without judgement towards them or society, and to be kind to them. To be kind to the person next to you. To be kind to the homeless human that you see. To be Genuine.

We cannot completely surmise all human circumstances.

This blog is about enlightenment and kindness.

Watch the video below. I do not own the rights to the photos or the video and of course I do not own the rights to the song. I’ve also posted the lyrics below for your reading.

Thanks all! Pay It forward! Bring the Human Connection to life all around you!

Mind what you think about the man next to you! That’s what Sean Knows!

Song: Mr. Wendal by Arrested Development
Go ahead, man

Here, have a dollar
In fact, no, brotherman, here have two
Two dollars means a snack for me
But it means a big deal to you

Be strong, serve God only
Know that if you do beautiful heaven awaits
That’s the poem I wrote for the first time
I saw a man with no clothes, no money, no plate

Mr. Wendel, that’s his name
No one ever knew his name cuz he’s a no one
Never thought twice about spending on an old bum
Until I had the chance to really get to know one

Now that I know ‘em to give him money isn’t charity
He gives me some knowledge, I buy him some shoes
And to think blacks spend all their money on big colleges
Still most of you all come out confused

Go ahead Mr. Wendel
Go ahead Mr. Wendel

Mr. Wendel has freedom
A free that you and I think is dumb
Free to be without the worries of a quick-to-diss society
For Mr. Wendel’s a bum

His only worries are sickness and an occasional harassment
By the police and their chase
“Uncivilized” we call him but I just saw him
Eat off the food we waste

Civilization, are we really civilized?
Yes or no, who are we to judge?
When thousands of innocent men
Could be brutally enslaved and killed over a racist grudge

Mr. Wendel has tried to warn us about our ways
But we don’t hear him talk
Is it his fault when we’ve gone too far and we got too far
Cuz on him we walk

Mr. Wendel – a man, a human in flesh, but not by law
I feed you dignity to stand with pride
Realize that all in all you stand tall
Go ahead, Mr. Wendel

Mr. Wendel, yeah
Yeah, Mr. Wendel
Mr. Wendel, yeah
Lord

Mr. Wendel

Mr. Wendel
Mr. Wendel, yeah
Lord
Mr. Wendel
Mr. Wendel, yeah
Lord
Mr. Wendel

Mind what you think about the man next to you! That’s what Sean Knows!

Can Love Understand Everyone? (A Poem)

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Posted on January 31, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Can Love Understand Everyone?

Jailing Unbridled Sensibility Today
Allows Beliefs Of Utopia To
Alter Never-ending Yesterday.
Tomorrow Hides Incredible Nearness Governing
Conviction And Notable Benevolent Emotion.
Seek Answers In Despair.
Hear Eternal Ringing Everywhere.
Walk Humanly.
Ever Revealing Eternity.
Neglect Only Our Needful Ego.
Whisper Of Unconditional Love.
Despair Runs Easily Away.
Live Life.
Your Love Outweighs Only Knowledge.
Affix Senses With Inner Teachings.
Have All Learning Live Through Hope.
Intensifying Negativity Gardens Sorrow Throughout Humanity Everywhere.
Reveal Ethericness.
Immobility Sends Away Love.
With A Yielding Simplicity, Save Oneself.
Meander Endlessly Through Hope.
Invite Nothingness, Goodness, Balance, Energy.
Never Empty Another.
Think Happily Endlessly.
Venerate Everything.
Regenerate Yourself Thoroughly.
Hold Ideal Notions Graciously.
Teach Hearts.
All True Wisdom Eventually Shows Enlightenment.
Enlightenment Only Rears Knowledge Notable Of Wisdom.

With Our Never-ending Development Rising In Never-ending Galaxies
With Hopes Attracting Truths
Inevitability Turns
We Ode fully Uproot Living Death
Tap Always Kinetic Energy
Test Our Gathering Emotional Truths
Take Only Kindly Nestled On Wisdom
Yesterday Owns Understanding
Intricacies
Words Rhyme Overtures Telling Emotion
Tether Heart, Evolution, Soul, Energy
Why Orchestrate Reality Denying Sacredness?
Torturing Ourselves Brutally
Rallying Evil Against Kismet
Think Hopefully Endlessly
It Creates Energy

Alternative Trips Trail Harmonious Epicenters
Very Easily Repose Yourself
Letting Every Adulation Sit Touching Internal Tepidness
With Internal Luminous Language, Sing Evolutionary Tales
Taking Out Sadness, Anger, Insecurity…
Love Overcomes Neglect
Sit Offering Freedom To
Water Alternative Thoughts Ever Revealing Scintilla
Seek Out More Earnestly The Hidden Intricacies Not Given
Gracefully Offer Opportunities Denied
Always Neglect Disdain And Treachery
Teach Hope Endlessly
Venerate Everything
Regenerate Yourself
Become Every Saintly Trait
Ignore Tumultuousness
Wield Illuminating Light
Let People Revere Our Visions Involving Delightful Evolution
Adore Never-ending Sounds Whispered
Entering Reopening Senses
Avoid Negativity’s Death
Every Nihilistic Response Invites Chaotic Happenings
Apathy Finds Renewal In Eruptive Negativity
Shun Hate In People

In Having All Volition Expunged
Unnatural Notions Create Empirically Real Totality And Indulge Necrophobia
Have Open Perspectives Evoking Spirit
Overcome Necromania
Trash Hateful Endings Saving Energy
Paradigms Always Give Engaging Symbols
Break Unchanging Thoughts
Allow Love Within All Your Spirit
Grant Real Emotion And Truth
Evoke Xanadu Propelling Every Creative Truth And Tell Others Needed Sympathies

Gather Inwardly Virtuous Energies
Share Happiness And Risen Energies
Generate Realties Of Wings
Enjoy Neverland Joyous Of You

Seek An Eternal Nature

Can you find the very simply steganography in this poem? There is a message hidden in this poem. Let me know when you got it.

There is always something Deeper! That’s What Sean Knows!

How Can I Make the World a Better Place?

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Posted on January 28, 2012 by Sean Olivares

Everyday we can look around at the world we live in and it is far too easy to be surrounded with everything that is wrong with the world that we live in. From the moment you get up to the moment you go to bed, from stories of loss, pain, and violence on the highest levels proliferated throughout the media and our communities. Even in the smallest of ways, we find the lack of courtesy from a friend or neighbor a stab into our hearts. It’s there. We are hard-wired to feel the effects and affects of the poor decisions that humans near and far make every day. This is what sets us apart from other species. It’s this innate ‘feeling’ that we get when some injustice or unkind act is done. What’s worse is that even though we are hard-wired for this intelligent and emotional understanding, many people become desensitized when we see it all around us through our day and our lives. We become numb to it because it happens so often that we find it common-place, a way of life, and normal…

While we may think we have ALL of the answers even though we are supposed to be the most intelligent species in the world, we don’t. When will the pendulum shift? What needs to take place? What question can we ask that helps us to make a paradigm shift take place in our own daily, moment-to-moment lives AND the world at large?

There is a common thread that is woven into every spiritual teaching, religion, and heck, its even in most kindergarten age classrooms: Kindness.

Wait with me for a bit; it’s more profound than you think!

I’m going to share a brief story that took place and then a video by Charley Johnson, President of The Pay It Forward Foundation. The story is how it works. The video is why it needs to get done. It isn’t some life-changing story, but THAT is the beauty and simplicity of why this works.

A few months ago, I was standing in line at the local Subway Sandwich shop for lunch. A young girl was in the line before me and as she got to the cash register realized she didn’t grab enough for the total of the order. She quickly decided to just say forget it and was about to leave when I told her not to worry about it and I paid the difference. Now, I’m no millionaire but I had enough for me and the few dollars to cover the distance. I didn’t know her name or anything about her and wasn’t looking to be repaid for that. She was delighted, said thank you, told me where she worked and if I ever needed a haircut to stop by. That was a few months ago and I had forgotten all about it.

This morning, as I was rushing around, decided to cut my hair, and as I was driving I saw the place that she mentioned. When I saw it, I saw a golden chance to go leave a Pay It Forward bracelet that I got from Charley Johnson and the Pay It Forward Experience. I didn’t know if she was there of course so I planned on leaving a note and a bracelet. Low and behold she was there. She remembered me from the Subway and insisted on taking good care of me. While I was disinclined to receive special treatment, I still needed a haircut and we got to gossiping like we all do with hair-stylists. We finished up and even though she insisted to ‘hook-me-up’ with an AWESOME haircut, I just wanted her to Pay It Forward because, as I told her, that was the only reason I really came…to give her the bracelet. As I explained the bracelet, I noticed that it caught the attention of the other workers and the customers there and I told them that the world needs to get better and the bracelet was a reminder to that every day and to pass it on to the next person that they do something for and so on…

As she went to get change, I tipped her jar, dashed out to the car to get a few bracelets and told everyone in there that they would get one. Even the lady just waiting to get her hair done who sat off to the side wondering what was going on. I made them all put them on and the owner came out and I gave her the lesson too. Then I made them take a picture.

It’s a commitment! And I’m entrusting it to them! And I’m entrusting it to you! What does it take to do this with every human that we meet? What does it take from you to make that commitment? How can YOU make the world a better place with a kindness that could essentially overthrow the ridiculousness of our lives? What if our daily lives were filled with THESE types of stories? What if the world AT LARGE were filled with these types of changes? If it happens enough, we will see the difference. And this would become the new normal. There are dozens of Pay It Forward stories out there with people helping on large scales, but its also the very little ones that changes somebody’s day, might change their life, and might change the world. Thank you, Aurora the hair-dresser, for committing to pay it forward. Thank you to all of you for that same commitment. This is how we will change the world, believe it or not…when this is common place.

And Here, my friend Charley Johnson!

If you want to donate to The Pay It Forward Foundation or get more info to get involved, click on this link. It’s vitally important that we support this movement. It’s already started and you may not be on board. Join the Movement.

You can also join the Pay It Forward group on Facebook here. Tell them SDO sent you and connect with me. Together, we can make the world a better place.

Pay It Forward! That’s what Sean Knows!

Remember

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Posted on December 29, 2011 by Sean Olivares

Not too long ago, I stood on the shore of the Third Coast on Padre Island just over the bridge from Corpus Christi. I had my poetry journal in my hand with the intent of writing what came to me. I left the beach without writing anything immediately but later that day wrote the poem, ‘Remember’.

It was one of the poems that I gave to my close friends and family this year for Christmas. I give my own poetry every year. Sometimes it’s individualized; other times, it’s one of my favorite poems of the year. This poem will be in the upcoming book of poetry And Then, There was Light… that I will finally release in the first few months of 2012. I hope that you enjoy it.

Remember

The Ocean lets you get lost just long enough
To remind you where you are.
A God of Forgetfulness,
A God of Memory.

Every sunlit sparkle on the horizon -
A reminder of your soul.
Every moonlit twinkle -
A glimmer of you.

You are the sparkle among the billions of others,
Floating on the surface, drifting -
A single reflection of hope -
Yet, altogether a wave of brilliant possibility.

You are, on the surface, a twinkle of wonder…
Shine Brighter!
You, part of the surface, are a wave, crashing powerfully on the shores,
Crash Harder!
You, under the wave are a depth in an abyss of love.
Go Deeper.

You, in that abyss of love,
Connect to every other abyss across the world.
Go Further.

You are the ocean of the world.
Full of twinkling lights of wonder -
Waves of power – abysses of love
That span across and flows around the world.

You are the depth.
You are the reminder.

The Ocean lets you get lost just long enough
To remind you where you come from.
A God of Forgetfulness…
A God of Memory.

Remember.
Breathe and Remember.

Remember all that you are. That’s what Sean Knows!

Journal Entry

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Posted on December 12, 2011 by Sean Olivares

I came across a journal of mine from many years ago. I suggest you give yourself the gift of a journal and write down all the things in your head and heart. Find out who you are, revisit who you were, and write about who you are going to be.

This was the first page dedication:

January 5th, 2004

Dedication to change through a willingness to make decisions and an overwhelming desire to create a humanity very seldom experienced and hardly ever even heard of or imagined. Dedicated to success!

Success

To Laugh often and much;To will the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (One of my heroes)

Use a journal! That’s What Sean Knows!

Click Here to buy your own journal

Are You Acting Like a Lower Life-Form?

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Posted on December 12, 2011 by Sean Olivares

This story of the Processionary Caterpillar has been around for a while and had a huge impact on me about 10 years ago. I makes you think about whether or not you are thinking for yourself, and being a leader, or following someone else for a number of ‘good reasons’ that really get you no where. The question that you MUST ask is if they are really ‘good reasons’. Are the traditions and style of the society in general a good thing to follow? Is what you are doing getting you the results you not just NEED but WANT? Do you just follow the herd? Do you mistake activity for achievement? Are the people you surround yourself with going where you need to go?

The noted French naturalist, Jean Henri Fabre`, studied this unique little furry insect in great detail. What makes this caterpillar special is its instinct to follow in lock step the caterpillar in front of it. This behavior, not only gives the caterpillar its name, but a deadly characteristic also. As a matter of fact, the followers’ behavior becomes so automatic that their eyes become half-closed as they shut out the world around them in faith and let the leader do all the thinking and decision making about which direction to pursue. Their behavior is rote and automatic

An experiment Fabre demonstrated the rigidity of the processionary caterpillars’ behavior when he took a flowerpot and placed a number of caterpillars in single-file around the circumference of the pot’s rim. He then enticed the leader to start circling the edge of a large flower pot. The other caterpillars followed suit in a tight procession, forming a closed circle in which the distinctions between leader and follower became totally blurred, and the path had no beginning and no ending. Fabre` then placed the caterpillars’ favorite food in the middle of the circle. Each caterpillar followed the one ahead thinking that it was heading for the food. Round and round went those silly insects–for seven days! After a week of this mindless activity, the caterpillars started to drop dead because of exhaustion and starvation. All that they had to do to avoid death was to stop the senseless circling of the flower pot and head directly toward the food—less than six inches away from those ever-circling crawlers. However, the processionary caterpillars were locked into this lifestyle and couldn’t extricate themselves from this mindless behavior. Relying totally on instinct, past experience, custom, and tradition, the caterpillars achieved nothing because they mistook activity for achievement.

Many times, we confuse activity for achievement. We get caught in ruts, which cause us to dysfunction at work, school, or home. The ruts become vicious circles and don’t get us any further than the processionary caterpillar gets on the flowerpot.

If you fear that you share some of the style of the processionary caterpillar, here are three questions you can ask to help identify this scenario in your own life. Ask so that you can breakout of that senseless circle.

In what ways, if any, have you or someone you know well behaved like the processionary caterpillar? Explain how and what happened.
Are you or others you know well susceptible to falling prey to the phenomenon of the processionary caterpillars? Explain.
What can you do to prevent yourself and others from becoming like the caterpillars in the story?

And here are 3 things you can do to break the pattern.

Drive to and from your destination by a different road the next time. As you go a different way to work, look at the sights. You will discover an entire world out there that you might not have ever seen. Blaze new trails to work, school, or shopping. After you are comfortable about changing your driving routine, dare to do other things differently.
Be adventuresome about your approach to life. Try an ethnic restaurant sometime. Go to a music concert or movie that isn’t your normal fare. Dare to be different. The worst that could happen is that you will learn to appreciate your tried and true choice more. The best thing that could happen would be that you would have expanded your horizons.
Ask the person you spend time with the most if they have any idea why you both continue to do things the way that you do. Ask your spouse or significant other if traditions make sense or if something could be eliminated for an actual empowering result. Ask your business partner the same type of questions about how things are done.

Movement isn’t necessarily meaningful. Activity and achievement are two very different things. We are human. Explore the opportunities of it!

Be Bold! Be Daring! Break the Mold! Set New Standards! That’s What Sean Knows!

A Few Bits of My Philosophy…

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Posted on December 9, 2011 by Sean Olivares

A few bits of my philosophy…

“Enjoy Life and Live it With a Smile.”

That’s it! It’s actually very simple. There is an unfathomable amount of energy, life, spirit that we are all born with. We spend most of our lives forgetting that. Remembering it is the key to life. If we can get find that happiness that we all truly want, we can live a life that we are proud of. No matter what we think we want in life, we truly and deeply want happiness. There are many ways to get there and many names for it, but that is what we want. In an instant, we can have it. Lost in what our purpose in life is sometimes, we lose so many things. I say decide what your purpose is! Find happiness. Enjoy life. Live it with a Smile! You only get this one shot. It isn’t a dress rehearsal.

There are a infinite ways to find happiness, infinite ways to get there. Behind all the science and all the spiritual teachings to help us get where we want in life, it’s all still very simple. Just be grateful and enjoy it. Take charge of your life. Change for the better. Help those around you. Love more than you ever thought was possible. Take chances. Destine yourself for greatness. Tap into that unfathomable YOU that is waiting to shine and smile!

Smile. Smile? Smiling holds more power in humanity and in ourselves than we give it credit for. Smile and things begin to change. Smile with Purpose. Smile to change your biochemistry, your emotions, and your life. Smile to change the person in front of you and let that person be you in a mirror everyday, too. Smile to change the world. It’s universal. It’s eternal.

“Enjoy Life and Live it With a Smile!”

I don’t care if it’s you that you want to change personally or you have wild dreams of success in anything, learning to enjoy life, smile, and share the journey with others will get you there. The old ways of the world are soon coming to pass. The new way that has been heralded about for thousands of years still lies dormant in us. In order to change everything, we must engage in gratitude, enjoy the moments of our life, the people in it, and smile about it all!

That’s What Sean Knows!

A Journey of 2 Books – Part 2 – A Human Being

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Posted on December 9, 2011 by Sean Olivares

Along the journey with Milo, the book My Spiritual Journey by The Dalai Lama…
Taking a path down a quiet wooded dirt road with a brook on one side and listen to the your heart scream and then quiet, ebbing and flowing, with the waters, all of your thoughts surging and then purging…in compassion and peacefulness. It all begins to beg the question of humanity. With the simple stories of his life to the more complex essays about humanity and relationships, The Dalai Lama presents it in a manner that we can all relate to, being human. I could go on and on just like I could about Milo’s poetry, but you need to read this book for yourself. Find out more about yourself and what this life is all about. If you care for a seemingly casual yet extremely engaging journey, read this book and some of the poetry of Milo Adorno.

Excerpt from My Spiritual Journey by The Dalai Lama

It’s time to think in human terms

WHEN I SPEAK OF KINDNESS and compassion, I am not expressing myself as a Buddhist, or as the Dalai Lama, or as a Tibetan, but rather as a human being. And I hope that you also consider yourselves as human beings, rather than as Americans, Westerners, or members of one group or another. Such distinctions are secondary. When we speak as human beings, we can touch the essential thing. If I say, “I am a monk,” or, “I am a Buddhist,” it’s a question of realities that are temporary in comparison with my human nature. The fact of having been born human is fundamental and will not change until death. The rest, whether or not you are learned, rich or poor, is secondary.

Today we are confronted with many problems. Our responsibility is directly involved in conflicts provoked by ideology, religion, race, or the economy. Consequently, the time has come for us to think in human terms, on a deeper level where we respectfully take into consideration the equality of others, for they are human beings like us. We must construct close relationships in mutual confidence, understanding, and support, without paying attention to differences of culture, philosophy, religion, or belief.

After all, all human beings are the same – made up of flesh, bone, and blood. We all want happiness, and we all try to avoid suffering. We are the members of one single human family, and our arguments are born from secondary causes. Disputes, lies, and killings are useless.

Be Compassionate! Remember that you are human! That’s what Sean Knows!

A Journey of 2 Books – Part 1 – Milo Adorno

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Posted on November 21, 2011 by Sean Olivares

In July, I began two reading journeys. Both of them have come to influence me in ways that I deeply appreciate.

The two books are My Spiritual Journey by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the other is a book of poetry 33 by Milo Adorno.

I’ll start with Milo’s surreal, flowing, honest, beautiful, caring words reflective of a nature that we all have inside of us. His bold and gentle display are the kind of words that we all deserve to hear wrapped up in thoughts and sentiments that we wish our daily lives were filled with. Being from Puerto Rico, Milo also has the Spanish versions of the poems which are elegant in language as well!

I came across Milo by some random Facebook post shared by someone that I can’t remember. It was a whimsical view. I proceeded to his page and pressed the ‘Like’ button because ‘why not, right?’ I didn’t know it would make such a difference as it has and I haven’t even told him yet. On his page he had just begun promoting his new book of poetry. I checked out his website, liked a couple of the featured poems, and figured I would buy the book. And so I did, and let him know on his Wall Post that I had done so. I immediately began his journey reading the fluid and fantastic poems of hope, truth, and soulful observations.

The beginning of the book defines the meaning of the title ’33′:

“One of the master numbers in numerology.

Jesus’ age.

The total number of vertebrae of the spinal column.

The divinities invoked in the songs of the Rig-Veda.

The double triangle.

The first number that repeats in Pi.

When you reach it, you reach the truth.

33.

My journey to you.”

Engaged by this opening alone, I ventured into it and found myself inspired! I reached out to him through Facebook and we began a dialogue about the TEDxCalicoCanyon – The Human Revolution and the REDiscover: The Human Connection events that I am blessed to be hosting in January in Las Vegas. I felt that he would want to be connected to these revolutionary events. I wanted to pick his brain and it turned out that he was flying from New York to Houston that weekend for his birthday and he invited me to his birthday party. I made tentative plans but I didn’t get to make it. I continued on the poetic journey and found myself realizing that I, too, could publish my poetry like he did to share the way he has. He doesn’t know all this yet but he did ask where he could find my works as we corresponded briefly. I sent him to this blog but rarely post the works… Not yet anyway. All-in-all, his poems struck me as the were similar to the things I wrote! I made a commitment thereafter to write 30 more poems in the month of August and exceeded that number. I intend to model his success, his freedom shared.

Thank you, Milo, for being you and sharing that! I encourage to visit his blog here at The Milo Adorno Journal on Posterous, his Facebook page here, or download the book from Amazon here if you like his writings as well. If you do, let him know.

Along the same timeline, I purchased the latest translated autobiography of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, the spiritual leader of Tibet. What a peaceful journey! Human, fantastically joyful, thought-provoking, and teaching such a deep sense of compassion through his spirit, I will cover that journey in the Part 2. So there you are, Milo in the same blog of a spiritual journey as The Dalai Lama! Haha.

Read! Take it in! Connect with other minds in the world! That’s what Sean Knows!

Here is a poem from 33:

Believe

You have the choice.

Yours is the power.

You can actually stay and cry.

Live forever in that miserable drama.

Or believe that there’s a way out.

You have the choice to become a herald of negativism…

Or…

You have the power to claim your freedom.

You have the power to be a hero,

You have the power to be better than optimism.

- Milo Adorno

111 Lessons Life Taught Us

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Posted on November 21, 2011 by Sean Olivares

I thought this was a great blog! I really just wanted to share it so I threw the link up here and pressed it! Enjoy!

http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/05/15/111-lessons-life-taught-us/

Enjoy Life and Live it with a Smile!!! That’s What Sean Knows!

May I Have This Dance?

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Posted on November 19, 2011 by Sean Olivares

My Dear Friend,

I’ve said it countless times. I’ve shared with you face to face and in poetry, letters, and telephone calls how because of you, I learned to dance. Your kindness and compassion taught me more than the Dalai Lama could have ever taught me. You once gave to me as a gift and a reminder this song and I cannot ever hear it without thinking of you. Every line and every rhyme spoke to me and I always felt that you truly meant it for me.

Amidst the changing turmoil and challenges of mine through the years, you always wanted the best for me. I believe that. Never quite knowing what to always say to me, you always listened and were the perfect friend to help me see things differently. It always meant the world to me. Just the way you were with me and my anger, confusion, and cavalier style always calmed me and you never really had to say anything at all. Just to know that a person like you existed and was actually a part of my world taught me what it was to be full of love, hope, creativity, and most of all, FUN.

Color in life flourished like never before until I met you and color has never faded since.

When I hear this song, I hear you telling me these lines and I listen no matter how hard it is to follow through. I always felt that I was letting you down by not living up to this softness and boldness.

And I let you down along the way…and you loved me anyway. You’ve watched all the worst of me and seen me change into the better version of me, and I have to admit that so many times I would strive to become a better me for you. I never knew what I expected to come out of that but it didn’t matter. The fact that I was becoming better mattered the most. It’s like you were this soul here as a teacher for me…teaching me to never give up, to be kind, to be loving, to be forgiving, to shine, to relax, to let go, and to always try new things. It was a gentle teaching all through the years. I’ve let you know this. And it isn’t some burden for you to bear… no expectation that I have of you. It’s just who you are and what you are to me…Mi Alma…and my friend.

And maybe it was a fluke and you were just being nice on an odd day and you shrug it off as nothing, but it changed me life. I don’t believe that things like this are happenstance.

I can’t help but try to convey how much you have meant to my life and how just the thought of you, more often than not, warms my heart and enlivens my blood.

It took many years for it to sink in but now I’m dancing. I choose to dance. I don’t know if you can imagine how much impact you have had on my life but it has been more than I feel I can ever repay. It’s a lifetime of gratitude and living in the way that I feel you would expect me to live in repayment to you…in a way that you would actually be proud of me. I don’t want to ever let you down. I’m trying really hard.

God knows I’m trying everyday.

When I heard this song today, I thought of all these things and a single tear dropped from each side of my face. One was of thankfulness and another of heartache.

The shoe is on the other foot. I want to sing this song to you, play it for you, send it to you…

I want to return the favor. I want you to know that I have these same hopes for you…the hopes that this song sings about. I know it’s hard sometimes. It is for me sometimes, too. But I hope you dance.

I don’t know what to say sometimes. I will scramble to find something to fill the quite and make you laugh. I’ll talk about nothing at all. I will be quiet.

With everything that I have learned and grown into, I pray everyday that you know how much I deeply love you and wish that I could ease your pain. I know life can be so damn tough, but I know that everything happens for a reason and a purpose. I wish that I could tell you what it was but I can’t. What I can tell you is that I am here for you and would run into hell and back for you. I’ve got my firewalker training done so I’m ready for a journey.

I will be like the ever rising sun and shine all on you that you have shone on me. I will never give up nor will I ever let you give up. And in your pain, confusion, and anger, I will try my best to be for you what you always were for me that you never knew you were for me…hope.

My dear friend, I love you and thank you. Dance with me.

Your friend,

Sean Daniel Olivares

Dance. That’s what Sean Knows.

A Day of Freedom and Paying it Forward -Part 2

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Posted on October 23, 2011 by Sean Olivares

So where were we? Sunrise, car stuck, stranger helped me, favor for Lauren, errands, running, FREE Yard Sale, volleyball net for Sierra, running, picking up trash, Sierra’s Homecoming dance… Saturday was done just right I’d say. All this in PART 1 of this blog. In the backdrop of everything that took place, there were those other things that were going on that I didn’t mention, one of which was Paying-it-Forward. I pretty much had an impeccable day and was high energy and really happy with one exception. You see, there was a brewing crock-pot of miscommunication growing with Lucky. Lucky is a girl that I suddenly found myself in that ‘more-than-friend’ zone here lately. I was actually very much enjoying this shift however long it would last knowing our history. Lucky had been insisting on plans for Saturday night and the conversation and negotiation had begun last Saturday. I had a number of reasons why I couldn’t make it, didn’t want to make it, or whatever you want to call it. She was persistent and nearly convinced me to go, but when it came down to it, I’d decided against it. Friday was challenging on the business front and the home life. There were scheduling mix-ups and a tad of tension with the teenagers. My dog, Phoenix, had um…rearranged my bedroom and left a few gifts for when I got home as well that evening.

I knew that I needed to finish a writing project Saturday night as well as spend some time with family household duties. It was out of hand. With my trip to LA to see Tony Robbins and be some of the most fantastic friends on the planet on the 1st, I just needed to focus. Maybe it wasn’t so much that I didn’t want to spend the evening with Lucky, but I knew that what she had planned was NOT what I knew I should be doing. I think that was a big part of it. Of course, there was the pins-and-needles of my daughter’s first high school dance, making arrangements for my son if I went out, and knowing that I was still going to have to come home to a disaster at the house as we had been busy all week.

I was a bit disappointed at the level of intensity on the phone with Lucky. It’s a conversation I wish we didn’t have, but we did. Bottom line, no date night. Stay with me here, we are getting to the major shift of the day.

Sierra was having dinner with friends at a restaurant and I got dressed to go see her and give her cell phone and the homecoming dance ticket that I kept forgetting. We took pics and chatted for a few minutes. She came out to get the phone from my car and we saw a homeless man near the car talking to another woman. I didn’t pay immediate attention but was aware of the situation. When I actually looked up towards him after talking to Sierra, I saw this VERY dark-skinned man with a HUGE SMILE calling over to me in Spanish. I walked over to where he was and was right in front of him almost personal space violation close for most strangers.

“Amigo! Amigo! Hey mayne! Do chew have a minute? I berry hungry mayne! Do you have any extra change because necessito comida!” He kept talking but in very fast spanish and I couldn’t understand him. I laughingly told him, ‘Hold on! In English again! In English!’ I told him in Spanish that my Spanish skills were not very good. He laughed loudly and said, “I’m hungry!” He said this very respectfully and jovially. I gave him a big hug and then I’m not sure what exactly through my head at that very moment but I knew I was starving, also. I said, “Well, is that all that you want is some change or do you really want to eat?” I thought his smile couldn’t get bigger and then he said, “I’m not playin, mayne! I’n hungry! I want to eat son food!” He was serious but happy. I laughed and said, “Yea me too. Let me take my daughter back inside and then we will go get something to eat for dinner.” He stopped me and said, ‘No sir! You go be with your daughter. It’s ok.’ He was very concerned that I was going to take him to dinner instead of be with Sierra. As she and I were walking back towards the door, I told him to wait and that she was having dinner with friends before a dance. He smiled and said ok! Sierra was stunned and didn’t know what to say. Then, something stuttered out of her mouth, “D-d-d-ad, you are a GREAT man…you are just such a great person…” She look at me at amazement of what just happened. She spoke as if the wind was taken out of her. It was probably the fact that I treated him like I would treat any other friend. I didn’t hesitate and acted as if it was already planned. I told her to hurry up since her friends were waiting.

I came back out and there he was waiting. He had a plate of food in his hand that somebody gave him as they were leaving and he tried to tell me that we didn’t have to go eat because he just got some food. I said, “What’s your name?” He said “Abarito Hernandez Guzman.” “Abarito, you can save that for later! Let’s go have dinner. My car is right there and the door is open. Let’s go!” I was smiling and non-chalant about it and he was so excited. As he opened the door to the Mustang, he was a bit unsure of what was happening but I could tell he didn’t want to pass this chance up so he didn’t hesitate. He put his box of food in his duffle bag and I told him to just put it in the back seat.

“So, Abarito…what do you want to eat?”

“Well, whatever is fine…” just as happy as can be.

“Whatever? I though you were hungry. You don’t know what you want?”

“Well,” laughing, “a buffet mayne, there is one sign over there that says Asian?”

He had an extremely strong accent. As a Cuban Refugee from the Reagan era of the 1980′s, Abarito came here alone and was very grateful to be here though he missed his family very much. Abarito was 55 years old and did not always live on the streets. As a matter of fact, he worked in places that I knew the same people that he did. He was educated in Cuba but never learned how to read or write in English. Over the past 30 years here, he had a wife, children, and even grandchildren, a job, even a career, and lived in places that I recognized when he told me. I asked him where he slept, where he stayed. He told me he had some friends that sometimes let him stay with them but that he NEVER stayed at the homeless shelters. Untrusting of many of the other homeless people, he just didn’t like the feeling that he always had to keep an eye out from them stealing his possessions. In fact, he remembers years ago when he was first out on the streets when someone did steal a few important belongings, his identification, and his citizenship papers. If you were to look at how calm, happy, and kind this man was, you would know that he is the type of person that would simply avoid negative people or embrace them and share a kind word. For himself, though, he didn’t like looking over his shoulder and didn’t trust others out on the street. He prefers sleeping by the ocean but says that it’s never safe for someone like him to stay in the same place because if other homeless people know your routine, you might lose the last few things that you own when you aren’t looking. Obviously, this distrust was something that kept him a bit tense. Most of this I didn’t get on the drive to eat, it was during the meal.

I insisted that he leave his bag in my car as we went inside. He trusted me so fully that he didn’t question it. The looks of the hostess and cashier were that of being a bit stunned as we walked through the doors. I expected it. They didn’t hesitate too long though before treating us normally. I was using my sensory acuity the entire time and noticed this distinct proud walk that my Cuban friend had. He looked like he was breathing fully with two full lungs of fresh air. I could tell he was a bit nervous, but he was so happy! We had a good chat on the way there and he was EXTREMELY respectful with ‘Yes, Sir. No, Sir,’..and quick honest answers from questions that I had which caught him off-gaurd.

I like to do that. I like to ask avant-gaurd questions as to read the person better. How they respond in timing, sincerity, and body-language in those first few seconds speaks volumes. He passed the test so-to-speak. Heck! I felt I trusted him more than some of my acquaintances. I could see that he had nothing to hide.

He really wanted a Fanta Orange soda and asked if it was ok. I said that soda’s were evil and unhealthy but if that’s what he really wanted, who was I to stop him. His proud swagger from the table to the buffet line was kingly! His smile was legendary! His excitement was poised. I went to the buffet line as well and we spoke like just a couple of guys. It was like two teenage kids, ‘I like this and not that…I really like this! Do you like this?’ He just smiled and picked out exactly what he liked and would just say ‘Yes,Sir…Yes, Sir.’

When we sat down we talked about homelessness, emotions, family, love, life, happiness, and what he talked about mostly and with grand dignity was God and gratitude. He felt more and more comfortable talking to me openly as I asked him questions. ”How did this really happen, Abarito? Drugs, alcohol? He looked at me stunned but could tell I was honestly asking and not looking to judge him or fix him. He could tell I wanted a real answer. I cringed for a second, put his food down, and respectfully answered. ”I used to drink alcohol berry bad. I was berry bad. That’s why my wife left with my kids. That’s why I don’t see my grandchildren that live in Houston. That’s why I lost my job many years ago.” ”Ok…but be honest with me, why in the world would you start drinking like that?” He kind of gave me a look like he couldn’t believe I was asking these very straight questions, but he was happy to answer. Maybe he felt he owed it to me or maybe he just needed to say it outloud but I had struck a chord. Water came up into his eyes in a flash and then he said, “When I found out my father died back in Cuba, I started drinking. At first it was a little bit, but then it was too much. And then, when they told me my mother died, I drank all the time.” He didn’t cry but was a very still moment. I apologized and asked if he still drank like that. He said no and that he learned to much from doing that. He learned he could lose it all. He did admit to having a beer every now and then if its offered but that he needs to stay alert in the life that he has. Too many things could go wrong.

“Tell me about Cuba!” He described how he grew up and the community he lived in. He talked about communism and that it isn’t better or worse that capitalism because no matter they way it is, there is always still violence, poverty, and struggle. We talked politics and religion. A Catholic, he is very grateful for the help that the Church provides to people like him. We just talked and talked, smiled, laughed and shared honesty. I told him everything going on in my life emotionally and how things had shifted in my life…shared some experiences. We talked about peoples judgements in general and being grateful about living life. There were some deep moments. I explained that I was doing this and do other things because strongly believe that helping others through life or just sharing happiness is what life is all about. He said, “Everybody has their gifts. This is one of yours.” In the back of my mind thinking, “How am I going to tell Lucky that I had dinner with a homeless man instead of seeing her gorgeous face and being with her?”

On our way back from getting more food, I returned first. While both patrons and workers were glancing at us the entire time, some smiled, others looked away. The waiter stood by our table and smiled. When I sat he said, “If you saw this man outside, next time, ignore him. He probably does this all the time and I’ve seen him places before. ” He tried to say this respectfully as I knew that many there thought I was either naive or just weird. It made everyone so uncomfortable and we knew that but as we saw it and talked about, it didn’t matter. We were two guys, hungry, and came to eat. I kindly looked at the Chinese waiter and said, “It’s ok. Actually we came here in my car. But I do think its strange that you said that because I remember a time when you and me would have been treated the same way and told to ignore.” Of course, I was referring to our skin color and race but maybe is there not a line of inequality between us and others in income levels or no income? I handed him my card and told him that if anyone ever has an issue with this, tell them to contact me. I briefly included that I appreciate his concern but that my concern for my new friend was greater. He smiled respectfully, took my card and could tell that I really meant business in a generous and powerful way…I then kindly asked him to refill Abarito’s Fanta Orange.

Abarito swaggered back full of pride and I asked him, “So what does Abarito mean? What is that translation?” Puzzled, he said, ‘Abarito means Abarito. I could tell you sonting mayne, but I’d be lying to you!” We laughed loudly.

He had a piled-high plate of freshly steamed crawfish and asked if I liked it or wanted some. I said no and that I rarely if ever eat animals and especially not that becuase it was WAY too much work to take it apart. He laughed. He asked why I don’t eat animals. ”It’s not good for you!” Astonished, he said,”Are you serious man?” “Yup! Things have changed man; food isn’t the same.” He said, “Well I’m gonna eat this,” pointing down and smiling, “…and I think about what you said.”

We finished and left. I asked him where he was going to sleep so that I could take him there and he told me. I asked him if there was anything he needed. He said socks, shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt. I told him we’d go back to my place to see if I had shoes. I brought him some socks and a shirt and he was ecstatic. No worries dude.

At the drop of point, he was so thankful and respectful. He had a bounce in his step. I went to give him a Sean O. Hug. We hugged but not properly and I asked him why he didn’t hug me properly. He pointed at the sunglasses hanging on my shirt and said, “Jour glasses mayne. I’n not gonna break those, ” laughing. I removed them and we hugged. I told him when I saw him again that I wanted a story about how he helped somebody and that I was going to go look for him where we talked about and that he would buy me a 27 cent cup of coffee and tell me about it, so he had better have the money! He said for sure!

I went home. I didn’t see Lucky that night and still haven’t. Sierra had a great time at Homecoming. I have a story here about this day and I won’t forget some of the insights that Abarito gave me about life, gratitude, love, family, and friends.

Thank you Abarito!

Enjoy Life and Live it with a Smile! Pay-It-Forward! That’s what Sean Knows!

A Day of Freedom and Paying it Forward – Part 1

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Posted on October 17, 2011 by Sean Olivares

On Saturday morning, I didn’t sleep in late at all. I had a busy day of getting to work on a few projects that were very dear to me. Mostly, I needed to spend some time setting some goals and evaluating where I really was. I call it ‘Getting Dirty’ with yourself. It’s about getting honest with yourself, looking at yourself boldly in the mirror, figuratively and also actually looking at myself in the mirror and deciding what actions to take immediately to get what I really want. Whether what I want is a new consistent feeling in my life, getting to the next financial goal, planning an event I’ve always wanted, developing a relationship, or overcoming a fear or obstacle, ‘Getting Dirty’ is where it starts for me.

What my kids didn’t know is that I had sneaked out early to catch the sunrise. That’s always an important event for me, the sunrise as it comes up over the Gulf of Mexico from a spot on Padre Island. There were a ton of things on my mind but not during the sunrise. I stood atop the sand breathing. As I begin to feel the overwhelming feelings of gratitude for all the blessings in my life, I then usually can’t help but take off my shirt and run into the moving shores of the ocean. It was great!

I came in to find my car was a bit stuck in the sand. I laughed. A man came by with a large truck and stopped to ask if he could help. He’d just finished fishing all night and started telling me all that he had caught. It wasn’t much but he was really happy. We got the car out and I thanked him and tried to offer him breakfast or coffee for his help. He wouldn’t take it and we chatted a bit about how awesome the morning was. I didn’t let him leave without a ‘Big Sean O. Hug’. This catches people off-guard at first, but they usually embrace pretty good back. If I feel the hug isn’t engaged enough, and if you know me then you know I do this, I step back, realign our body and posture and tell them, ‘Now give me a good hug, a proper hug.’ His name was George and he was now late and his wife was calling to bring breakfast. He laughed at her grump, I handed him my card, and thanked him again. I knew I had to pay this forward.

I raced home and in an instant fell back to sleep. I guess the relaxation sent me into Alpha (brain-wave reference). The kids left with their grandpa early and got up to run a few errands, so I had some wiggle room.

First I went to open the Outback Steakhouse for my friend, Lauren Graham who had come
down with a double ear-infection over the last few days. I was there for about an hour and didn’t mind. She texted me that she owed me bigtime! I just told her to Pay It Forward.

It was time for a Freedom Run. Sierra’s phone needed to get repaired but instead of driving, I ran down to the store to drop it off. It was a quick mile and a half or so. On my way back, I stopped at a yard sale just to look around. I didn’t expect to buy anything but I saw this strange bag and asked what was in it. The man said it was a complete volleyball net and he would take it for $2 dollars. I told him I’d give him three. Sierra would be thrilled! He was REALLY happy about that. I gave him a hug, put this bag over my shoulder and kept on running home. Sierra had plans to get her hair and makeup done for her first Homecoming High School dance so I needed to be quick as she was probably home by this time.

At the next block, however, I saw another yard sale but there was a sign on a car seat that said “FREE”. I ran past it but the stopped to go see what they also had. I walked up to a family that gave me a big greeting and I said “Hi” to all of them. I told them I came to see what they had going on. The first woman said something immediately that got my attention. “Everything is FREE.” She went on to tell me that they had donations from the church that had been collected as well as their own things and instead of just donating them, they were having it all as a Free Yard Sale. She said something along the lines that there is a reason that people go to yard and garage sales, that it is because people need things sometimes but can’t afford it so that’s where they go. They really wanted people to just come and take whatever they wanted. Why not, right? They aren’t going to use it and they know people would be out yard sale shopping. This is a definitely a treat to people coming by and finding out it’s all FREE.

I immediately thought about Charley Johnson and the Pay It Forward Experience and asked them for a picture. I went on to explain how I was involved in a movement about The Human Connection and through the conferences being put on, I’d come into contact with amazing people doing good things for others around the world. I told them that what they were doing was ‘Paying It Forward’ to others and I really loved it! They were happy to take the picture and we talked about a few other things. They noticed my Vibram Five Finger Shoes and mentioned how they saw me doing Parkour as I was running by and jumping over the bushes. I laughed and joked with them for a few minutes and shook hands with the whole family. Why didn’t I get a group hug from this? LOL

They told me they were also with a non-denominational church, Community Bible Church Corpus Christi, that meets every Sunday at the CC Event Center. They gave me a flyer and I wish I’d had a card on me. I came back later to get all of their names for this blog. They were so happy and it was another pleasure of the day. A big THANK YOU to Tim, Desiree, Lourdes, Rudy, Mike, and Denise. This is a GREAT way to do something for others, to Pay It Forward, and to be an OUTSTANDING way of showing what The Human Connection is all about.

Rushing now back to the house for Sierra, I picked up another full bag of trash from the streets. Did I mention that I do that as I run? As the guy who started The Sparkle Initiative Corpus Christi, I got into the habit of picking up trash on my run. To anyone who wants a great workout, try running and picking up trash as you run without actually stopping! Just run and pick it up on your way. I promise that this is an amazing core and cardio workout. I challenge my family at Corpus Christi Parkour to do this for 15 minutes on a run this week!

It was a blessed an eventful day, but it was only about 1 o’clock in the afternoon and the day was young. Still with many things on my mind, I had to shake this day up a bit more!

It’s funny how people walk into your life at just the right time…that’s when I met a homeless man named Abarito from Cuba…(To be Continued)

Learn to Pay It Forward! That’s what Sean Knows!

Ask Better Questions When You Want Better Answers

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Posted on October 5, 2011 by Sean Olivares

Ask Better Questions When You Want Better Answers

by Krisna Flum on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 11:46pm

A common question I have heard, asked from people of all ages and backgrounds, is something along the lines of “What do I want?”

Look through the multitude of ‘self-help’ books out there, or talk with some of the biggest speakers of manifesting…. This is one of the questions they tell you to ask yourself!

I believe the question is a difficult one to answer because it feels incomplete. Doesn’t it? Say it outloud to yourself….. it’s open ended to the point of confusion, and very few people will get any kind of answer without asking further questions. At the very least, the answers may not be all that deep or compelling, so the search will continue, unless we ask a NEW question….

We can assume that anyone who is struggling with getting an answer to the above question of “What do I want?”, is a Go-Giver. Someone who’s ultimate desire is help OTHERS. This conclusion lead me to believe that asking this question in it’s present (incomplete) form somehow feels selfish. How dare we ask to receive!!

As most of us have heard or read, Zig Ziglar’s motto is: “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

So, here is what I suggest:

Instead of asking yourself “What do I want?”, here are two NEW questions you can use to replace, or complete the TRUE question:

“What do I want to GIVE that other people want or need?”

“What do I want to give that will be worth something to someone else?”

There, doesn’t that feel better?!? When you are a Go-Giver, asking a question like one of the two above, you will begin to receive answers that are more aligned with your core values. And when you’re aligned….. it’s called Effortless Manifestation! “Answers” will appear out of nowhere. People and resources will become readily available to you, because you asked a question from the heart.

At our very core, what we WANT (or DESIRE if that’s a better word for you here), is to be of service. To be useful. To be needed (not in an energy sucking kind of way). And when you come from a place of service, then you will benefit in ways you never thought possible. It may be in the form of a romantic relationship, a business partnership, financial gain, and opportunities for anything you can imagine!

Try it now – get quiet for a minute or two, and then ask one of the above questions, whichever feels the best, and see what happens!

What answers came to you? For some, it will be an incredible ah-ha moment with amazing streams of incoming information. For others, it may take a few times of asking the question in this way to begin receiving answers they believe are useful.

Be sure to pay close attention to the things that happen around you after asking these questions. Did someone call that you’ve been thinking about? Did you read a blog or article that sparked something in you? Make a new friend or business connection? Find new ways to improve a current situation with a loved one or finances? Expect these kinds of things to happen, possibly within minutes!

This blog was by my dear friend Krisna Flum!

She is Awesome and THAT’S WHAT SEAN KNOWS!

Hispanic Heritage Month – Third Coast Style!

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Posted on September 16, 2011 by Sean Olivares

Hot! SpIcY! ExCiTING!

Ok you Foodies! I only have one cooking recipe for salsa and its an amazing Watermelon Salsa recipe! This is about the art and movement of dancing the to the Latin beats of Salsa! This about letting your body be finely tuned to the traditions of one of the most popular forms of dance ever to come out of Cuba and into every kind of Hispanic Culture in the Americas and around the world.

“Sean, do you know how to dance?”

Great question! I’m glad you asked. Fortunately, I was blessed with natural Latin moves growing up in South Texas and attending quincenierras, finding tejano bands at every wedding,… and in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood, it was just something that I couldn’t get away from . My mom taught me how to dance when I was young so that’s pretty special! It also helped that my sister, Beatrice, is quite an AMAZING dancer herself and showed me a few things along the way when I would let her. She studied and performed with Chris and Blanca Flores. Oh Yeah, I also happened to be best of friends of Chris and Blanca Flores who are two of the most phenomenal dancers in the United States! No joke! If you know them they are beautiful, elegant and very professional! Find out if you are near them on the east coast to take lessons!

But this leads me to the purpose of this blog!

If you want to learn to dance here in Corpus Christi, the fun, fantastic, and encouraging owners and instructors of Third Coast Dance Co. in Corpus Christi, TX. Adrian Garza and his beautiful wife Venessa Santos-Garza have some pretty amazing skills, an amazing group of dancers that provide color and life to Salsa in Corpus Christi, and own this perfect studio where you can learn Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and if you in the mood for a little cardio, guess what?…you can do Zumba with them there too!!!

‘Sean, have you ever taken classes with them?’

Another poignant question!

In the winter/spring of 2011, I took classes with them for several weeks before my schedule got turned upside-down! Here is what I think about the beginners classes: Within just a few classes, not only did I learn enough to make me look good on the dance floor (it helps to have an beautiful girl as a partner to make you look good, too…THANKS SHERRIAN!), I actually felt more confident about what I was doing and had a big deal of fun learning from them….especially the joke of being like Ben Stiller in the movie Along Came Polly!

Man! Can they move! Adrian can dance like you would not believe on the dance floor with things that seem absolutely unreal, but guess what?…Venessa as sexy as possible with her moves too! Wow!…they can teach you that too! Seriously watching them on fire out there gets you on fire. As a matter of fact, Sherrian and I were at a local Martini bar and saw them dancing and decided to take classes with them because we wanted to eventually look like that. Fact was that we didn’t know where to start. After a few classes, guess who got out on the dance floor with them?…we did! And we had a blast!

While I haven’t been to classes in a while due to travelling and work, I remember all the lessons and will never forget how great they really are as people and instructors. Their program is growing strong and you need to go try a class. Sometimes they are even free and they will take you with them out to the local clubs so that you can get a real idea of what it is like to dance outside of the classroom.

For Hispanic Heritage Month, take a Salsa class or the like. Learn the culture, learn your roots, move your body, enjoy yourself, and experience hot, spicy, and exciting world of the Hispanic Culture! Contact Third Coast Dance Co. either on their website or follow them on Facebook. I wouldn’t be endorsing them if I didn’t think they were really worth getting to know!

Surround yourself with that kind of fire!

Step out of your comfort zone! Celebrate your culture or your friends culture!

Enjoy Life and Live it With a Smile! That’s What Sean Knows!

30 day Poetry Challenge Day 1

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Sean Olivares

This is Day 1 of the Napawrimo 30 day poetry challenge. So much more to come.

I also started a 30 day video bleg!

Much Love

Walkie Talkie
“You are a walking advertisement
trying to sell
goods that you don’t even have.”
Said the Preacherman

That message in me reverberated
and I felt
compelled to share what I had heard
from the Preacherman

A wake-up call to committment
to the self
to our dreams, our jobs, our families,
to our spouses, our children, our communities

Click, Click, Click,
Share, Share, Share,
Will they watch, will they listen, do they care?
Can they face it, can they own it, do they dare?

Our words come to life when once spoken
Our life becomes real when once in action
Our actions create our truths
Incongruent actions make us false

Walk your talk
congruence creates strength
Committment builds charater
Love creates life

“You are a walking advertisement
trying to sell
goods that you don’t even have.”
Said the Preacherman

don’t be thay guy or gal
that the preacherman
said not to marry.
Own Your Greatness!

Cinnamon Sticks in tha Mouth! O Cenela en Rama en la voca

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Sean Olivares

Found this article about health benefits about cinnamon. Tried it out! Check it out!

http://www.livestrong.com/article/527096-what-are-the-benefits-of-chewing-on-cinnamon-sticks/

A Stubborn Mule

Listen and Hear

The Miracle I Seek

Think Human.

Dream with Purpose.

Connect with People.

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Creed for Optimists

by Christan D. Larsen

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Kismet: When We Met

Stop waiting for perfect

This is the age of no excuse

These are scary thoughts

By now, you are thinking of your own dream

I hope this frustrates you enough to do something

Confused and distraught

Can Love Understand Everyone?

Believe

Ask Better Questions When You Want Better Answers

Hot! SpIcY! ExCiTING!

But this leads me to the purpose of this blog!

Follow “Sean Knows”