LOOK AT THIS BEFORE YOU VOTE!

KANZEON ZEN CENTER

Eric & I went to the Kanzeon Zen Center for "church" this morning. I've been wanting to go to a Sunday Service for a long time, but just really felt the need this morning. IT WAS AMAZING!

It's a little house on South Temple downtown that has been converted into a modern zen center. There were probably 50 people there, barefoot and sitting on mats and pillows. The class opened with 30 minutes of quiet meditation, followed by an hour of discussion by Genpo Roshi Abbott.

He discussed with us the concept of the Triangle - the dichotomy between the "Dual Self" and the "Non-Dual Self." The left line of the Triangle is comprised of the The "Dual Self" which is the left-brain side of you that is forced to think in linear terms of past/future, right/wrong, good/bad, better/worse. This side of the brain cannot help by focus entirely on our person, and give little concern for others. It is reason and logic. This is also the side that holds anger, resentment, unhappiness, immaturity.

The other side of the Triangle is made of the The "Non-Dual Self" which is the right-side of your brain. This side is the subjective, emotional, non-judgemental, universal, accepting, healthy, and globally minded side, which focuses on the "Highest & Best" choices, and the present moment. This side is mature, peaceful, conscious, and calm.

At the apex of the Triangle, there is a union of self-mindedness which encompasses the Dual and Non-Dual Self. This point is the fame of mind which enables oneto logically assess and gauge each life situation using the "Dual/left-brain" side, then consciously choose to react in a way that is conducive to Non-Dual living , focusing on the Highest/Best/Healthy/Happy outcome. In this way, we learn to un-attach ourselves from destructive/selfish/single-minded behaviors. Once we learn to only "attach" to healthy/happy/whole things, it is easy to "lose" those things/people/behaviors which bring us pain, but that we feel forced to associate with. For example, regret, loss of life, anger, addiction, blame, resentment, unhealthy people.

The concept to too big to describe in one page. I'd suggest everyone in the world take this class.

Eric & I walked out of there feeling so totally great. So inspired by the flood of good energy, and a community of healthy like-minded, positive people. The course is free, and is taught every Sunday at 1274 East South Temple at 10:00-11:30. We are going to go again next week. If you want to come, let me know.

"Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging." -Joseph Campbell

Just wanted to report that I took 3 contracts this week as a Sales Counselor for FieldStone Homes! That's an all-time high for me! WOO! So I've been on the job (officially selling) for 2 weeks. I hope to have 3-5 homes sold this month. I know that this is happening because I have finally opened my heart to the "help" of a power greater than myself.

It's funny how sometimes you can really see that "bad" things happen for a good reason. As everyone knows, this past month has been fairly tragic for me and mine in about every way possible. Personally, I've had to deal with 3 of the 5 "most tragic and life changing events" a person can expect to deal with in a life time, so it's been a roller coaster to say the least.

For those of you who have never read the book or seen the lil' movie "The Secret" it's a little kookie - but the message is the same as scripture: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so shall he live." If you believe good things will happen and you hold goodness in your heart, the universe will provide. It's interesting: I'm at an all-time "low" in my life in so may capacities, but I've "asked" the Greater Power for "hope" and I think it's really helped. I feel motivated when I wake up, empowered, capable, and....well...hopeful! I catch myself really ENJOYING the simplest things about life - my cup of coffee, elevator music and a good Carpenter's song cover, overly-enthusiastic people, full moons. I enjoy my work and helping people. I genuinely try to improve every situation I encounter. I feel full of gratitude and charity; I can't remember the last time I felt this FOCUSED.

It's interesting how the people you surround yourself with make such a huge impact on your general attitude about life. Some of the most successful Sales coaches I've ever listened to say "If you want to be successful, surround yourself with successful people." I believe this is true for all realms of "success" - financial, professional, emotional, spiritual, etc.

For the first time in my life, I'm truly beginning to see it's not challenges we conquer, but the limitations we set on ourselves.

Chris spent the day riding the Cache Valley Motocross track in Idaho with a couple of buddies. He's getting pretty good at the jumps - look at that height! Crazy skillz!!!

"Grown Up" - by Cheryl Mercer

"When I think about marriage, what I long for most, strangely enough, is not an elevated spiritual union with a man; that's a fantasy not readily envisioned. What seems wondrous to me instead are the small, shared rituals that bind a man and woman in familiar intimacy, the borders inside which they make love, choose furniture, plan vacations, quarrel over closet space and ex-lovers, share the toothpaste, and celebrate Christmas the same way they did last year. I've been in love myself, so I know something of what it's like to build a life together - the private jokes, the friends you share, knowing in advance which of you makes the coffee and which goes for the paper, even the comfortable tedium of hearing his or her favorite story told yet again. To promise to share forever the small - not only the grand - moments of life seems to me profoundly human, more intimate even than making love with someone for the first time."

Pray for me. I've finally, pain-stakingly COMPLETED my 120 hours of Real Estate Broker's classes and have completed the school test. I am now walking, slowly, into the Tunnel of Doom and must successfully complete my Final Broker's Test with an 80% or better. I am taking the test next Tuesday.

Petrified, I'm studying my A** OFF for this final test!

Send positive energy my way! May the Force be with me, right?

***PS*** how awesome is this: I was offered an Instructors position at Stringham Real Estate school, teaching the "New Construction" & "Federal Law" courses! I met with the school President yesterday and proposed my class outline and materials and received the official invitation to teach! Rock on! I'm so excited and wildly flattered!!!