Once upon a time
A curly headed toddler
Dressed in denim
Felt cowboy hat
Bobbing atop her head
Rode a little plastic pony
As hard as it’s bouncy springs
Would allow
As she galloped with an
Imaginary posse
In search of the bad guys
Pop-cap six shooters
Strapped to her hips
Occasionally peppering the air
With snaps and pops
The smell of sulphur
Wafted through the air
As warning shots were fired
E.A. Fussell
08.16.2023
24 hours in a day
16-18 hours invested in work, sleep, meals, hobbies
6-8 hours of discretionary time
That’s a snapshot of the average working American. You may look a little different but you have some discretionary time everyday. How are you investing that time? What if you took one hour of that time each day to explore new topics, ones outside your normal point of interest? Stretching our thinking often refreshes the mind and brings new ways of approaching challenges. Our brain doesn’t necessarily like to be stretched, so there might be some resistance to new thinking.
The brain’s job is to maintain homeostasis in our physiological processes. It is always looking for ways to conserve energy in case there is an illness or problem that requires energy stores. Our normal thought process creates grooves, pathways, automatic lines of communication. These automatic pathways require less energy(habits). When we try to change that groove (habit) by thinking differently more energy is required and our brain resists. Even if we are trying to do something that will ultimately make us healthier or better in some way, the extra energy required to change the existing pathway in our brain is seen as a threat to energy stores by the brain. Our mind has to fight to overcome the brain’s resistance. That’s why it can be so hard to change an old habit.
So, anytime you decide to study a new topic, change an old habit, try something new, the mind gets excited, but be prepared for the brain to resist. Find ways to breakthrough the barriers of thought and do it anyway. One technique is establishing a time each day to do a certain thing. The brain likes routine (less energy) much more than spontaneity (more energy). Determine what time of day works best for you to have your “new topic adventure” and then, everyday at that time do something related to the topic. Read, watch a video about it on youtube, attend a class, sit quietly and think about it, write out your ideas, anything you choose.
E.A. Fussell
08.15.2023
Once you speak a thought you give it power.
You already know I believe in the power of the spoken word, but I heard an evidence based story recently about a man (Jesse Itzler) training with a Navy Seal (Chadd Wright) for a difficult race (Last Man Standing) and how he was able to to get past his mental and physical blocks at mile 38. It made me think about how to apply some of the techniques to everyday in order to live a more vibrant life. There were several phrases that I am turning into a weekly challenge for myself and I invite you to join me. Here is week one:
Spoken Word Challenge #1:
When someone asks you how you are doing or how you feel, change your normal answer. Maybe you normally say, “fine” or “good” or “well” (those are usually what I say). Or maybe, if it’s been a tough day or so, you go into all the negative details about what has happened, or is predicted to happen.
For the next week I challenge myself and you to change our normal answer. When someone asks how your are, hold the details to yourself and use one of these responses:
“Outstanding!’
“I feel outstanding!”
“My business is doing outstanding!”
“I am doing outstanding!”
“My health is outstanding!”
“I am outstanding!’
Wouldn’t you like to feel outstanding? Do it. What have you got to gain? Gain it now. The power is in your words.
E.A. Fussell
08.13.2023
Isaiah 55:11
Proverbs 16:23
James 1:26
We tend to forget that whatever we offer to another returns to us. Good, or bad. What are we offering today? What would we like to receive? It’s a very simple concept, almost too simple for our minds to fully comprehend.
Today I offer prayers for you to have calmness in your Spirit, peace of mind in every situation. Health, fitness, vitality to live life to it’s fullest. Acceptance that all things work for your good, even those things which are painful. Comfort and security in understanding every need will be met at the appointed time. Certainty in knowing you are loved beyond measure.
E.A. Fussell
08.11.2023
Luke 6:38
The most significant thing I realized is that waiting is a creative action in itself… it creates more waiting. I had gotten comfortable in the waiting, became complacent and accepting of whatever came along even if it wasn’t what I really desired. That realization inspired this poem:
Trust your inner knowing
Waiting is creating
It creates more waiting
Action for the sake of action
Is not productive either
What might happen
If your main action was
Inspired excitement
Towards what you love and
Have joy in doing
You can choose
To shift your energy
To intentionally create
What you desire
If deciding what you desire
Becomes a stumbling block
Reframe it as an exercise
In having fun
Just get started
Write something down
The universe is limitless
You can be too
The days and years
Pass rapidly
Whether or not
You enjoy them
Why not live
An inspired life
Filled with love
And joy
E.A. Fussell
O8.09.2023
Successful personal growth often requires up-level training. Change is uncomfortable. Especially changing trainers, coaches, groups, teams or teachers. More especially when we’ve outgrown their ability to help us. However, if we don’t chose to move up we will simply move forward at the same level of existence, or worse, regress.
I recently had to make such a decision. While I am thankful for the progress made over the past few months with a certain coach, it became obvious they are not equipped to take me to the next level. Having to deal with this change reminded me of how difficult it can be for some people to put themselves first.
Personal growth and up-leveling are a priority in my life. I believe God has a purpose for every inspiration given, but each of us has the responsibility to carry out the steps required to get to our highest level in each idea we receive. That belief makes it easier for me to cut-ties when the season of growth has ended with someone.
God is glorified in the fruit of our lives. Up-leveling yourself, is not selfish. When you feel the urge to make a change in your circle but chose not to, you potentially undermine God’s plans for your life as well as others. Following your purpose won’t always be easy. You can’t please everyone or take everyone with you.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and level up.
E.A. Fussell
O8.09.202
John 15:8
What if you chose to intentionally accept God’s peace and joy today? In spite of your circumstances, regardless of whatever has happened in your past, no matter what today throws at you. God’s peace and joy are yours, if you accept them.
What if you offered that peace and joy to others? It can’t be diminished, by giving it only grows. Even if you sit quietly in God’s peace and joy, the atmosphere will change.
You are so loved. You are enough just as you are, every imperfection can be part of a perfect plan. Right now in this moment I offer a prayer for you, that you may feel God’s peace and joy today in a real and wonderful way. 💞
E.A. Fussell
08.08.2023
The lack of perfume on my dresser made me realize that I can buy myself whatever I choose but it’s still more fun to receive certain gifts from a man. Yes, I am old fashioned in certain ways.
E.A. Fussell
08.08.2023
While working on my vision board I ran across this photo which inspired the following poem.
Roses aren’t always red
That’s just what’s stuck
In our head
Like many other things
We accept the first thought
Our mind brings
Let me question
Each thought
Not just accept it
Mull it over
Look at it from every angle
Let me remember
Grass isn’t always green
Skies aren’t always blue
Oceans aren’t always deep
But true love
Always comes from You
Love is frowned upon today
Anger and angst are more Acceptable to display
Love gets lost
In societies dark shadows
Let my ego stay quiet
Retired from my mind
Let me live my life
Full of love
And joy
And curiosity
Work through me to
Encourage others
In simple ways
In magnificent ways
In totally unexpected and
Miraculous ways
E.A. Fussell
08.06.2023
Fences
Humans attempt to control
Nature ignores
Pushing against the constraints
Determined to be free
Help me always push against
The illusionary restraints
Society tries so desperately
To impose
Help me think for myself
My Creator as my only guide
Using His authority
Invested in me
Help me never forget
I am a mountain mover
A boundary bulldozer
A chain breaker
Nothing is impossible
So let my faith far exceed
That contained in a tiny
Mustard seed
Boldly, without fear
I will walk in mercy and grace
Holding onto God’s promise
I am not defined by my mistakes
E.A. Fussell
07.29.2023
E. A. Fussell 