Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I accomplish. — Michelangelo Often, desire is portrayed as selfish. But that’s a very superficial perspective. When you step back and look at the bigger picture, it’s clear that desire is much more than merely a tool of the ego. Desire is a compelling connection to purpose. Certainly desires can be misinterpreted, and that’s one big reason why desire gets a bad reputation. The desire for nutritional nourishment, for example, can... Read more

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child — our own two eyes. All is a miracle.         –-Thich Nhat Hanh Whatever else this... Read more

By John J. Murphy Patience is a form of peace, the very result we so often seek but struggle finding. When we are patient, we are still. We are at rest. We are resting in peace – a term we might want to use more often with people who are actually alive in spirit. Patience is a virtue. It is a gift we give ourselves and one another. It is abundant and infinite. There is no limit to patience. It... Read more

If you lack confidence, then do something about it — literally. Do something. Take action. No matter how little confidence you may have, still there is something you can bring yourself to do, some small action you can take. Go ahead and do it. Take that first step. Keep doing it until you develop the confidence to take the next step. Before long, you’ll have enough confidence to go anywhere you choose. Though confidence is much more than an act,... Read more

You are just as good, just as worthy, just as valuable as anyone. No one can intimidate you, no matter what kind of car they drive, or what their business card says, or how big their house is, or how big their factory is. No one is better than you. You are the best there is. Inside you is the potential to do, or be, or have anything you desire. No one has more than that. Some may have progressed... Read more

There’s only so much pleasure you can get from pleasure. There’s only a limited amount of satisfaction you can experience from the good, enjoyable and valuable things that come your way without your effort. Sure, it can be nice for a while to receive life’s goodies without having to put forth any effort. But only for a while. Even if you could snap your fingers and make anything appear — anything you wanted — you would soon be left empty.... Read more

Do you remember ever having a really great teacher in school — someone who inspired you to learn and to do your best? If so, you’ll probably recall that he or she challenged you to a much greater degree than most of your other teachers. At the time, the extra challenge may have seemed unfair, or even cruel. Yet looking back on it, you realize that it was not cruel at all, but rather was a true expression of respect... Read more

By John J. Murphy Thoughts come and go without effort. They are like birds landing in the tree of our minds. Some are true and many are not. Most thoughts fly away, as they should, because we choose to let them go. Others stay and “nest” in our minds, because we allow them to, becoming deeply held beliefs, memes and paradigms. These are the thoughts that matter most to us, true or false, because they manifest into our perceived reality.... Read more

The core of civilized behavior is respect. Respect is an interaction. To earn respect, you must give your respect to others. Think about it. Is there anyone you respect who does not respect you? Respect comes from seeing other people as equal to you, and treating them as such. You don’t have to agree with someone to respect that person. Everyone has a different perspective. And “different” does not necessarily imply “better” or “worse”. Respect comes from judging the value... Read more

Do you want to be rich? Do you want to have more money than you know what to do with? Do you want to be able to pay off all your debts? Then consider this. As long as you want to be rich, you will never be. In fact, wanting to be rich actually prevents you from becoming financially successful. The more you want it, the more it eludes you. Yes, your urgent desire may bring you temporary victories. It... Read more