Both shows dealt with the power of choice. These weren't just daily choices, but they were life changing choices. The kind that are very difficult to make, and even more difficult to fix if the wrong one is made. 

Good and Evil

The classic battle of good and evil was portrayed before our eyes. I find it very interesting that both shows portrayed evil sometimes very despicably, and other times very subtly. 

In both episodes, really serious evil was portrayed as a monster. This type is easy for us to identify and only very few of us choose to follow that. But both also portrayed evil in the guise of people that look just like you and me. Their agendas were very evil, but their faces were very attractive. The characters on the show, and even some of the viewers, find it very difficult to discern if they are really evil, or if they are simply misunderstood by those around them.

Good was not portrayed in an over-the-top manner like the evil monsters. We were simply left to trust our instincts in who we think is good. Sadly, we were not always right. 

Lifetime Choices

Fortunately, very few of us experience the monstrous side of evil in our life times. I know it exists, but if you are reading, you have probably done a pretty good job of either avoiding it, or escaping its clutches. However, we all struggle with subtle shades of good and evil on a daily basis. We seek good, but it is often difficult to tell what good is, especially since politically, we are constantly redefining it.

Our choices shape our freedom and the quality of life we experience. When we are fooled into using our agency to choose something evil, we feel good at first, and then we discover the debilitating force of the dark side. It can make us feel discouraged. It can make us feel worthless. It always makes us feel encumbered. Those feelings are constantly with us until we become willing to admit that we made a bad choice. Our ego, makes it difficult for many of us to make this admission so we flounder in the ever increasing darkness that comes from one bad choice leading to another. 

Fortunately, only a few choices lead us to having no further choices. Everyday, we are capable of choosing who we want to become. We can move toward becoming our best possible self, or we can move toward becoming our worst possible self. The choice is ours.

You Have Changed

Sometimes we run into people that we haven't seen in a while and they say something like, "I can't believe how much you have changed." This phrase at time bothers me because I feel like I have always been the same in my core, but I recently came to realize that my choices have not always accurately portrayed who I am at my core. 

It took me many years to figure out how to radiate the energy and light that I feel at my core. Even today, I do not do it perfectly, but many of those around me can see the progress I am making. I am thankful that they are noticing, and even more grateful to discover that the choices I am making are leading me to be a better me.

How are you using your agency?

Will the choices you are making today propel you into becoming your best self?

Are you consciously making a choice between good and evil? or Are you letting life happen to you?

I value choice more than any other freedom. I am thankful that we have the power to choose. I don't always choose right, and I am thankful for that too because I always learn from the evil choices I make. They give me perspective and allow me the freedom of making new choices that redefine and reestablish my desire to make good choices. The best choices are made when we allow ourself the space to step out of the current moment and look at the long term repercussions. Remember, evil choices always feel good from a short term perspective. It is only after we either consider or experience the long term consequences that we are able to see their harm. Take a look at the choices before you, and go do the right thing!

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

I was asked to play the role of the Landlord, which is the dark role representing the influence of Satan. I didn't want to do it at first, because I couldn't really imagine myself playing a dark role. My life is focused on seeking the light, so I didn't want to let any darkness into my character. I struggled with the thought of allowing myself to authentically play the role without gaining a new level of understanding of the real darkness that often influences the world in which we live. I didn't want to act out the confusion and hate that I knew would be directed toward One that I love.

I loved the music that I would be singing, so I agreed to do the part. I struggled with getting into character. I just couldn't let myself portray the darkness that was required to make it real. Two days before opening night, I was still refusing to go the distance. Suddenly, a burst of light entered my mind as I was running. I saw an image of the impact of the show if I did not do justice to the part. I realized that if I did not allow myself to get into character, the people watching would not recognize or feel how darkness really feels. They would see it as humorous instead of dangerous. Then, I knew that it was OK for me to let it all out. In that moment, I gave myself permission to portray this evil in such a way that those watching would feel its reality. From that point on, the fear of becoming lost in the darkness departed from my soul.

The show was a success, and many people commented that I was an incredible "bad guy" and that they were sure glad to know that I was on the good side. Many said that I made them feel uncomfortable, and that I successfully captured the darkness of evil. It took a lot energy to get to that point. I was thankful to authentically play that role, but even more thankful that it was behind me.

My Amazing Dreamcoat Experience

My efforts in The Garden, opened the door for an amazing community theater experience. Shortly after, I was cast in the title role of Joseph, in Andrew Lloyd Weber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

This role seemed much more comfortable for me. I identified with the role and felt like it was a role that I was born to play. I loved the experience and enjoyed singing and dancing in my very own amazing technicolor dreamcoat. It was great to play a light bearing role. 

I had no problem getting into character. The biggest challenge was preparing to be onstage in nothing more than a loin cloth. I was exercising a lot and eating very little. This time, it took very little emotional energy, but every ounce of physical energy that I had to prepare for the part. 

The happiness and disappointment I felt in the show were easy to portray because they reflected many similar experiences that I had faced in my own life. The show was a success. When it was all over, the people spoke of how much they enjoyed my energy and how comfortable I looked on stage. At the end of each rehearsal and show, I felt energetic and ready for more. I truly felt like I was in my element.

The Next Level

Before my run as Joseph was over, I was approached by a new director with a request to play the role of Jesus in the musical production of Godspell. I enjoyed breathing life into the directors dream, but I kindly declined the request.

The director wouldn't take no for an answer. I gave him all my excuses – I believed Godspell was a sacrilegious experience, I didn't want to be involved in something that would make a mockery of the teachings of Jesus, I thought the show was goofy, and I didn't have time. He patiently broke through all of those excuses, which left me with only one – I really didn't think that I could authentically play the role of Jesus. I didn't even know how to approach it – I felt like a hypocrite even trying. He assured me that I could do it, and I eventually listened to the music and decided to play the role.

Interestingly enough, my permission to play this light role came in a similar way that the permission came to play the dark role. I was out running and contemplating the possibility. I just didn't feel like I could do it. I knew there would be people who would say, "who does he think he is?" I knew that I would need to raise myself to a new standard of living and take one more step toward perfection. I worried that I would somehow fail. Suddenly, I heard a voice saying, "Andrew, this your opportunity to prepare the way for me. You don't have to be like me, or carry my weight – I will do it for you. I will breathe the life into you, that will you need to represent me." The message was beautiful and freed me to deeply embrace the role.  

Our show opened last week, and we are now entering the second week of our three week run. I can't adequately describe the experiences that I have had and the emotions I have felt as I have prepared for this role. In the daytime, I still do not feel capable of playing this role, but something happens when we open the show. I am able to raise myself to a new level.

The experience is draining, At the end of each show, I am totally spent. The person who betrays me is someone that I really love, and I feel the emotions over and over again of being betrayed by someone I love. The people in the cast are people that I really love, and the experience of saying goodbye to them moves me to shed very real tears every time we play that scene. The desire to escape is just as real as my willingness to submit my will to the will of my Father. The pain of the crucifixion scenes are intense. Dying and being carried around by those who love me is surreal. Coming back to life and seeing the joy on the faces of loving disciples is exquisite. Words cannot describe the whole experience. I wish you could witness and even see it through my eyes.

There are people who have seen me in all three productions and at the end of this show, they are saying that this is my finest hour. I feel what they mean. 

The Road To Redemption

I share this story with you, because it is not just my story, it is our story. I never thought last April, that over the course of the coming year I would play the roles of Satan, Joseph and Jesus. That is quite a progression. Thankfully I moved in ascending spirals and not in the dreaded downward spiral patterns. 

Naturally, we are all captivated by the energy of this world. The world tells us that we can float without purpose, that we can do whatever feels good, and that there will be no lasting consequences. The world is wrong. 

We must be anxiously engaged in making forward progress. There are things we do today, that seem ok, but tomorrow we will realize that they cause us pain. We must learn how to move forward and leave them behind. That journey is made more difficult, even impossible, when we attempt to do it by ourselves. We need to follow the One who advocates so lovingly for our redemption. The dark ways of the world, no matter how enticing, can only lead us to the cruel cul-de-sacs sin and despair. 

Where are you at in your journey toward the light?

Are you making progress?

What is your next step?

I am thankful for the spiritual intelligence that I posses and the impact that it has in my life. I invite you to develop your own. I love you for who you are and I look forward to watching you grow. As one who has studied and portrayed both light and darkness, please accept my findings. The dark paths of the world bring fear, confusion, worry, despair, frustrations, feelings that we are not good enough and hate. The paths of light bring us peace, understanding, acceptance, happiness, goodness and love. Where do you stand?

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

As we looked out the window towards Paris Mountain, a magnificent hawk soared into our view. We marveled at its beauty and its ability to the ride the invisible air currents. It barely moved and yet it continued to rise in a tight spiral. When it floated out of the mini-jetstream, it gently flapped its massive wings and repositioned itself so that it could continue to float effortlessly upward. This image captured our attention and all we could do was stare out the window in wondrous awe.

The View Below

On the ground, far below this incredible display, is the city cemetery. It was a strange feeling to look down upon the graves of the men and women of Greenville past. I thought a lot about their lives. Of course, I know nothing about them, but I know they lived with the same types of passions and purposes that you and I embrace. Their life is over, but their tombstones mark their existence.

When I looked down, I was reminded that I am only a temporary resident of this planet. My opportunity to stand in that window was only given to me for a moment. Someday, I will be interred and somewhat forgotten.

This thought is enough to discourage some people into believing that there is no purpose to this life. We live and we die without much notice. I am sure that many people walk by that cemetery every day without even noticing it is there. I am also sure that the remains of some of the greatest people in Greenville are firmly planted in that city cemetery. Where are they now? Have they lost all influence?

Descend, Or Ascend – You Decide

In that magical moment the stunning contrast of life and death stared me directly in the face. Far below were images of death and despair – yet soaring in my level view was an image of life and graceful power. Up above, soared the hope of an even greater power.

I pondered the freedom we have to choose were we want to look. We can see life or death from almost any vista. Both, will always be present. We can choose to engage in the downward spirals of life, or we can choose to soar in its ascending spirals. I choose to look upward. That view brings so much happiness and joy. It fills my life and makes me whole.

Where do you choose to look?

Can you see the beauty of your current circumstances?

Do you casually flap your wings when you need to re-enter the jet streams of life? or Do you allow yourself to get lost in the free fall of despair?

You are empowered to choose. Today, a new you will be born. You can be whoever you want to be. Your journey begins with a plan. You are responsible for filing that plan. Please give yourself permission to soar in life's ascending spirals. The view up here is breath taking. Wake up! Look up! Now fly!

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

When the couple broke up, the young man was angry and he decided to post the photos to some internet site. Naturally, the young lady was upset and so were her parents. Charges were filed and the young man was convicted of a sexual crime and he now will have on his record a sexual offense.

Guarding The Home

My friend was unaware that his son was in this kind of trouble. Because he is involved with his children, he really did not think something like this could happen. Of course he is devastated and is worried about his son's future. He never thought this could happen to him.

I know my friend well enough to know that he would never intentionally allow anything to happen to his family. He was concerned enough about the safety of his family to install a state of the art security system to protect them against the potential intrusion of thieves and robbers, but unfortunately, he failed to protect them against the current threats of  our society.

The world we live in today, is much more dangerous than the world we grew up in. You and I are most likely only minutely aware of the negative influences that threaten our youth. The world is continuously holding up immoral heroes and heroines as role models. Our youth are faced with dangerous invitations and enticing descriptions of evil in nearly every technological forum they enter. The reach of pornography is now felt in some subtle way in nearly every channel our children find. We cannot afford to be complacent.

Tiger Woods Is Not The Problem

I am watching the Tiger Woods story with a bit of amusement. He is being condemned by many who are guilty of some of the same offenses. He is taking responsibility for his actions, but he is refusing to discuss the details with the press or the public. I applaud him for taking this stance. It really is none of our business and like I said, many of his accusers are equally guilty. We do not need to know the details. 

Tiger has work to do with his family and I am hoping for the best. I am happy to see that he understands that his "real apology" to his wife, "will not come in the form of words." Instead, it will come as he modifies his behavior over time. 

This is a message that we all must endorse and take to heart. We must begin to modify our own behaviors. There is so much in the world today that is purposefully designed to take our money and lead us into experiences that will utterly destroy everything that is good in our lives. These industries will not be satisfied until they have expanded their control into every segment of our society. We must not let them catch us unaware. Guard your homes from these influences and protect your family.

This Critical Message

I know that some will consider this message, out dated and old fashioned. They will argue that there is no real danger. Near our home there is a sign that asks, "Do you have defensible space around your home?" The message is there to remind us to clear away the tumbleweeds and brush from our homes so that in the event of a fire we can defend our homes. It is in the spirit of that reminder that I am putting forth this message. Our families need us to create a safe zone so that they can be protected from the filth of the world.

Do you know what is being allowed in your home via cell phones and internet connections?

What are you doing to open the lines of communication with your family and establish safe guidelines?

Does every member of your family understand what to do when they are invited and enticed to participate in these harmful activities?

We must show them the way out. We must help them know what to do when they are approached with addictive substances, illegal drugs, pornography and other evils. If we do nothing, they see it as sign of permission to misbehave. Don't make that mistake.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

Let me be clear, my experience as an actor is very limited and I wondered if I could really do this in a credible and authentic manner. But that was not the real issue. What worried me the most was the thought of playing the part of Jesus. For the first time in a long time, I feel like there is no way I can measure up. 

Just Be You

I expressed these thoughts to my director and friend Eddie Peterson. He took the time to understand my concerns and then said, "Andrew, I cast you in this role because I know you can do this. I don't want you to be any different than you are in real life. I just want you to be you." 

I must admit that this was a very reassuring thought. It gave me the confidence to accept the role and to move forward. As we progress through the rehearsal process, Eddie has had to remind me of this conversation more than once, but now I feel like I am becoming more and more comfortable in the role. 

What Was I Afraid Of?

My biggest fear was that somebody would look at me and say, "That is Andrew Thorn up there. Does he really think he is Jesus?" Or, "That is Andrew Thorn up there playing Jesus. I saw him just the other day behaving this way. Why did they cast him?"

I overcame this fear by realizing that all I really need to do is be my best and forget the rest. I can never be perfect in this role, but I can be me. Fortunately, that is something that I am comfortable being. I know that I am capable of putting the real me behind this role and that will lead to a successful run for the show.

The Authentic Me

Sometimes, I run into people who express themselves differently depending on the setting. They believe so much in situational ethics that they really think they can be one person in their business dealings and another in their personal life. I don't believe this is possible and I think behaving this way is the primary cause of feeling burned out and out of balance. 

Happiness comes from learning how to live consistently with our values and principles. Thankfully, we each are responsible for picking our own values. I have known people who live much differently than I do. Their values seem to be polar opposite, but because they are committed to living them, and consistent in doing so, they live a happy life.

Discontent comes from pretending to be something or somebody that we are not. When we have different acts for different situations, we are incapable of feeling aligned. Our inconsistent behavior creates an inner turmoil and eventually an identity crisis. 

There is nothing worse than running into somebody we know from one situation while we are involved in another and having them say, "I can't believe this is you – are you for real?"

Aligning Moments

Aligning with consistent values and principles is really much easier than we allow ourselves to believe. All it really takes is our willingness to define who we are and who we want to be. Ask yourself the following questions:

Who am I?

What values and principles are important to me?

How can I be the real me at all times and in all places?

The answers to these questions may scare you a bit at first. I want you to know that living in a consistent manner creates a harmony and balance that is difficult to describe. There is no pretending required and others recognize the difference and learn to accept us for and in spite of our beliefs and values. They feel fortunate to know someone who is so committed to being authentic and they never have to ask – "are you for real?"

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

The table was delivered to the office last year. It is an impressive work of art, even when nobody is sitting around it. I am fortunate enough to see it every day that I work in the office. I marvel at the fact that not a single power tool was used to create its beauty. 

A Symbol of Love

The table is inscribed with a giant banyan tree. In the Hindu culture, the banyan tree is a symbol of unity and wish fulfillment. It certainly lives up to its symbolic nature, but to me it stands for something even greater.

Every day, when I walk into my office, I am reminded of my beautiful wife and her never ending support for my efforts. She believes in me and that great blessing inspires me to believe in myself. The work that I do is continuously stretching me and creating new opportunities to step up. Sometimes, the seeds of doubt creep in and frustrate my self-belief for a moment. When I find myself wondering if I am up to the task, I take a moment to regard this beautiful table. Every time I do so, I remember the trust and confidence Stacy places in me and I receive the energy I need to act with poise and purpose.

Seeds of Gratitude and Generosity

Remembrance prompts a sense of gratitude. The expression of a grateful heart is usually manifested through some generous act. A thankful heart is more than willing to speak a kind comment or perform an act of service. When we allow ourselves to live in the moments of gratitude, we are reminded that because we have been given much, we too must give. 

Service to others is the natural desire of an enlightened being, and these selfless acts increase our ability to love the other. They create a comfort within us that removes the fear of being passed over and the anguish of living in scarcity.

The abundant life is the result of our conscious choice to live abundantly. Yes, it it a choice we make and we must make it before it can ever be bestowed upon us. Growth is a positive function and it cannot occur when we act defensively. To truly grow, we must be open to the whisperings of the spirit. Those whisperings only come to us when we are willing to do something more than seek after our own agenda. 

What moves you to remembrance?

What evokes gratitude in your heart?

When was the last time you expanded the reaches of your generosity?

I know these are difficult times. Each day, there is bad news. We can fight against that by abandoning our selfish pursuits and meeting the needs of others. We live in abundance. There is a seat for you at our table.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

I was fortunate enough to be flying business class, which meant that my seat would fully recline into the flat position. it also meant that I would be one of the first passengers to board. Time seemed to be at a standstill and I wanted to get on that plane pretty bad.

Overzealous Behavior

Finally, they announced that it was OK to board. Because I of my fatigue, I failed to notice a couple of people who were clearly in front of me. I did not run them over, but I definitely behaved in a way that would have made my mother angry with me. I was rude and inconsiderate.

It would be easy to say that I was not aware, and that I just was moving as quickly as I could to get on the plane, but in reality, I purposefully moved in a way that said, "get out of my way", and everybody in my way knew it.

Most of the passengers got out of my way without saying anything, but one man stopped me and said, "why don't you go on ahead. I am sure I will have plenty of time to board and I don't think they will leave without me." He actually said it in one of most loving and caring voices that I have ever heard. There was not a hint of sarcasm or anger in his voice. 

His tone actually woke me up from the "sleep deprived, get-out-of-my-way charge" that I was inflicting upon my fellow passengers. I immediately recognized what I was doing and asked for his forgiveness. He was more than willing to offer it and we boarded the plane together. As we went our separate ways, I thanked him again for sending me a polite wake-up. He was even more polite and said not to worry about it.

Awareness

He was sitting just a couple of seats away from me and as we were preparing to take off, I am overheard a conversation he was having with his seat mate. My new friend was talking about the day he had had. He said that his earlier flight had also been delayed and that he had spent most of the day in the airport trying to get home to his country. The flight we were on was a substitute flight and would not take him home. He was going to have to take another flight before he could get there and this one would make his total delay in getting home about 13 hours.

I knew that if anybody had a right to be uptight, upset and angry, it was this man, yet for some reason he seemed to be the calmest man on board. As I sat in my seat, I thought about what made this possible. Why was it, that this man was able to demonstrate so much patience? What made him so delightful?

As I pondered this experience I actually dug a little deeper and turned my thoughts inward. I am happy person. Like many of you, I have a good life. I like life. So why did I find myself on that day possessing so little patience? Why was I so easily upset by a nominal delay? What was causing me to behave this way.

As I asked myself these questions, I realized that the answer was because I was behaving in a selfish way. Instead of looking around and seeing how I could help others, i was looking around and seeing how I could increase my own advantage. It was then that the real impact of my travel companion's words hit me. Once again, I heard him say in my mind, "why don't you go on ahead. I am sure I will have plenty of time to board and I don't think they will leave without me." That was the key. No matter how fast I boarded, I was not going to get to my destination any quicker. His patience and kindness lifted my spirits and inspired me with a desire to behave the same way. I cringe as I think about what my behavior inspired in others.

Looking Through Selfless Eyes

An observer, would have seen two travelers that day. Both would arrive at their destination at the same time, but one would arrive with a smile and the other with a grimace. After that day, I decided to be the traveller with a smile. It is amazing what a smile and a kind word can do.

What would our world be like if we all behaved in a kind and gentle way?

What is the risk of being kind to others? Are you willing to let it begin with you?

Are you willing to be thoughtful enough to consider your own behavior and how it impacts those around you?

I invite you to behave in a delightful way. The next time somebody cuts you off, smile and let them in. You will deeply appreciate the peace and energy that will come to you from doing such a simple thing. I am not afraid to use myself as an example of what not to do in this post, because through this experience I learned to be a better me. That is why I can authentically promise that when we behave this way, it is worth it.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

End Of The Year Calories Don't Count

A much lesser known, but equally serious condition, is the "December Fifteen". It happens to most of us every single year.

It starts at halloween when we let our guards down and indulge in the candies and sweets that we have successfully avoided since the beginning of the year. Then at Thanksgiving time we gorge on the wonderful pies and trimmings that accompany our healthy turkey dinner. Finally, at Christmas, our defenses are destroyed and we find ourselves eating holiday treats instead of exercising. We tell ourselves that the end of the year calories don't count and we allow ourselves the opportunity to eat whatever we want. 

Is it any wonder that the most popular New Year's resolution is focused on losing weight. The end of the year binge is fresh on our mind and we are ready to do something about it.

I Subscribe To Responsible Bingeing

I confess. I thoroughly enjoy the freedom to sleep in and eat savory (ok unhealthy) food during the holiday season. I don't mind the weight gain or the fitness loss. I admit that the older I get, the harder it becomes to step back into the rhythm of daily exercise and eating unsavory (healthy) food, but I don't care. I love the chance to eat without guilt.

The opportunity to cut loose suits me well. By the time New Year's day rolls around, I am actually feeling sick of all the sweet and rich food. I find myself ready to return to my healthy diet. The fact that my pants no longer fit comfortably inspires me to get back in the gym. Rested and well fed, I enter the new year with a desire to pursue my physical goals. 

This re-kindled fire usually motivates me to hit it hard until the next Halloween arrives. Then I happily slip into binge mode again.

To Your Health

I want you to be healthy. I want you to be active as you advance in years. I think it is possible to take a break from all your hard work, as long as you are responsible. Unless you have very little resolve, I am certain that your commitment to a healthy lifestyle will not be destroyed by a couple of weeks of feasting on a high calorie taste filled diet.

My friend Peter Urmston recently said that his New Year's resolution is to gain enough weight so that he can be on the Biggest Loser next year. Of course I am not recommending that for everyone, but Peter is an Ironman Triathlete and I seriously doubt he will reach for this new goal with the zeal he went after his Ironman training.  

I guess what I am saying is that you don't need to have killer abs. They require much more work than they are worth. It is very important to strengthen your core muscles, but we must live a little along the way. We can be fit without denying ourselves the occasional pizza or chocolate chip cookie. Just leave the bingeing for the end of the year.

I Know I'm Crazy

Feel free to write to tell me I am crazy, but please be advised that I already know I am, and I won't deny it. I firmly believe that it is this kind of thinking that keeps us all sane. Life is too long to always deny ourselves a double bacon cheeseburger with onion rings and a vanilla shake. Every once in a while we need to splurge. I give you permission do it without feeling guilty.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

Foul Ball

I remember watching a close game that was very important for us to win. The season was hanging on the outcome. If we won, we went to the playoffs, if we lost we stayed home. 

It was near the end of the game and we were losing. Reggie Smith, one of our power hitters got up with a couple of men on base. He had a chance to win the game with one swing. He hit a towering fly ball down the left field line. There was not question, it was deep enough, but at the last moment, it curved foul. On the next pitch, he struck out and ended the rally. We ended up losing the game.

I was young enough to not really understand the rules and so I spent the next couple of days cursing them. My young mind, could not understand why a hard hit ball like that could be deemed worthless. How could we call it a foul? He hit it a long way. I remember telling my brother that the rule was stupid.

The Power of Obedience

My dad overheard the conversation and a couple of days later, he asked me to imagine the game of baseball without any rules. He gave me a couple of days and then simply said, "it wouldn't be much of game would it."

To be honest, I had no idea what he was talking about, but his words stuck with me. Every once in a while I would think about it, but it wasn't until I grew up a bit before I saw his point.

The rules of the game are there to establish order. Without them, there would be no game, only chaos. It just wouldn't work. Sometimes, we see the rules as restrictive, but in reality, they make the enjoyment we get from the game possible.

Back in the day, our society was much more conscious about keeping and obeying rules. Sure, there were people who broke the rules, but the overwhelming behavior was to keep them. I am not sure where we went wrong, but we seem to now be living in a world where the prevailing behavior is to cheat and break the rules.

The interesting part about this switch in behavior is that we are seeing the results of it unfold right before our eyes. Everywhere we look, there are champions, politicians, business leaders, church leaders, and regular men and women paying the price for cheating. It is sad to watch. Some of these people have been real heros to us. Maybe they thought they were above the rules, but in the end, they are paying the price just like everybody else.

Obedience seems to be an old-fashioned word, but it is the pillar upon which all success is predicated. In order to achieve success, however you define it, we must be willing to obey the laws of success. They cannot be circumvented. We can try, but sooner or later it will catch up to us.

Play Ball!

I don't know why the rules are what they are, I just know they are real. Whether we are playing ball, business or life, they must be obeyed. Personally, I feel the strength and the safety that comes from obeying the rules. I use to to be frustrated by the traffic lights in our town until the day a powerful windstorm knocked the power out. It took me nearly an hour to get through an intersection that normally takes moments. I was very thankful when the power was restored.

Being obedient, like stopping for a traffic light, can seem inconvenient and limiting. But, when we step back and look at the big picture, it is easy to see that true power, the kind that brings good to our lives, comes from being obedient. That is because obedience gives us greater control over our lives. It creates the capacity to work and create without penalty. We never need to worry about being caught in a scandal. Of course we will face difficulties, but we will always survive them with our dignity in tact.

Please take a moment to review your behavior. Think about the areas in which you are being obedient:

How are things working in those areas of your life?

Are those areas the ones that bring you the greatest satisfaction?

How do you feel about the successes that you achieve when you play by the rules? Are they more or less meaningful to you?

I am happiest, when I am being obedient. It is definitely not the easy way and it can be frustrating to watch someone seem to succeed without obeying the rules. My clear conscious is worth more to me than achieving a dishonest success. 

The great part about obedience is that it provides a measure of how we are doing. The ability to enjoy life, even in the face of trials, is a result of obedience. In a way, it is the fountain of peace.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

Today, the mission and vision statements of nearly every organization, includes a statement about its commitment to increasing quality and bringing greater value to the marketplace. Our organizations are not the only ones obsessed with quality. As consumers, we are constantly demanding a raising of the bar. 

Fascinating Contradiction

Interestingly enough, at a time when we are experiencing such an insistence for quality in the goods and services we consume, we see little evidence of a similar focus in our personal lives. Despite the fact that we are driving better cars, watching bigger and better TVs, enjoying the most advanced technology and benefitting from some of the greatest services ever imagined, many are choosing lifestyles that are eroding their personal quality of life.

Our most celebrated individuals serve as the most prominent examples of this fascinating contradiction. Every day, we learn of a trusted celebrity gone bad. It is easy to point the finger and attribute their failures to the cost of fame, but they are not alone. Normal, everyday people, are making similar mistakes. As a whole, we seem to demand quality for the things we can buy, but make opposite choices in the lives we lead. 

Shifting Our Focus

The pursuit of excellence should be the major work of our personal lives. Just like the quality of the products and services we consume, our quality of life is measured by the incremental improvements we make. Reaching for perfection simply means that we will stand just a little taller each day. Perfection is a process best defined by our ability to become complete, finished and fully developed. 

In the coming year, I invite you to look up at the stars and not down at the mud. I dare you to wake up and set your sights on a more excellent way of living. 

See You At The Top

I often quote the words of Daniel Burnham. He said, "make no small plans for they have not the power to stir the souls of man". I am sure if he were alive today, he would have included women in his quote, so I will for him. Small plans do not inspire us to be better men and women. They only lead us to the type of pain and suffering so publicly displayed by the champions of the athletic world and the stars of our entertainment industry. 

We must constantly be evaluating and reevaluating the way we are spending our time. We must also think about what and who we love. These choices determine what we seek and what we seek significantly impacts what we think and do. What we think and do creates the momentum for who we become. Don't allow yourself to make choices that put the risk of moral failure high. It isn't worth it.

I am an advocate for creating a life strategy that requires us to live life with all of our heart, with all of our might, with all of our mind, and with all of our strength. This means that everything we have must be focused on living a better life. Our entire being must be sharply tuned to this desire. If we want to live with purpose and meaning then we must be willing to live to this standard. Any other way only yields a series of dissatisfying life experiences. Align your focus today. You won't regret it.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

I Believe In Santa Claus

I particularly enjoy the giving of gifts that is so closely associated with this time of year. I like to think of things that will brighten the faces of my children or that will express my love for my beautiful wife. I love thinking of my clients and friends and considering their individual needs and then coming up with something that will demonstrate that I see them and that I know them. 

I don't mind that our society now sees Christmas more as an opportunity to stimulate the economy than as a Holy Day. I am not bothered by Black Friday and Cyber Monday, because I understand the root of the message. I know that even though many have forgotten; Christmas is about the ultimate gift that we were all given by a loving God. I realize that for some, this message is one sided, but for me, this great gift is offered to everyone. Even the story of Santa is a symbol of this great truth. Santa seeks to fulfill our hopes and dreams with no thought of receiving anything in return. 

Even if you are unable to connect with the message of the ultimate gift, I hope that you will allow yourself to connect to a truth that transcends all religions: It is better to give than receive. 

The New Me

I love the new year, because it gives me an opportunity to dream about the future me. I love thinking about the goals and aspirations that will birth the new me. The new year is a time to thank and appreciate the old me and then to say goodbye to that previous me.

I love the feeling that I am free to invent a new and more excellent me. I am not a static being. I am a dynamic being full of hope and potential. I love to think about what I may become. I love to engage in dreaming about meeting the future me. 

If Every Day Could Be Just Like Christmas

Elvis sings a great Christmas song titled, If Every Day Could Be Just Like Christmas. Of course, the message of the song is that if we could live that way, it would be a wonderful world. Long live the King!

What does Christmas mean to you?

How do you remember it?

What do you want for yourself in the New Year?

How much thought do you put into making and keeping your resolutions?

My desires for you at this time of year are pure and sincere. I wish for you to hear a message of hope. Please do not hear a message of conversion or judgment. I am simply sharing with you, one of my most beautiful beliefs. Please receive it in the spirit of love, in which it is expressed.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

Building Endurance

I am fairly confident right now, that on any given day, I could decide to run a marathon without any additional preparation or advanced warning. 

I can do this, because of the consistency that I mentioned above. But I wasn't always in this good of shape. In fact, when I began running, a little more than ten years ago, I could barely run to the end of my street, which is only about 150 yards. 

To get to where I am at now, I had to train. I didn't even begin by running. When I first started, all I did was walk. I charted a course that was about a mile and made it a point to walk it three or four times a week. I remember it being difficult for me to do. I walked up a hill by my home and then back down it and I was tired before I got to the top of the hill. There were many times that I cut through a vacant lot without ever making it to the top. It was hard for me to do, but I stuck with it.

At first, it was hard for me to even imagine running. It seemed like too much work and I didn't know I would enjoy it. I remember the first day I ran my route, instead of walking it. I felt so alive. I was surprised I could do it and my confidence was boosted. I decided to create a new route and things just kept building from there.

Pretty soon, I was regularly running routes that were 10, 15 and even 20 miles long. I began to feel energized instead of tired during the day. Even at the end of most runs, I felt like I could go farther.

Surprising Benefits

The physical benefits were amazing, but they did not compare to the emotional and mental benefits, nor are they enough to keep me running. 

I now run without thinking about running. I run without feeling pain and without feeling challenged. I just run. It is so much more than physical, in fact, I hardly ever realize that it is a physical activity.

My run time is a time of meditation. It is the alone time that I use to think and make sense of everything that is going on around me. I see things more clearly when I am running than at any other time. I truly see it as a time of personal inspiration and revelation.

Our Biggest Challenge

You may be thinking. "that sounds good for you Andrew, but I am not a runner and I have no interest in becoming one." That is ok, because I am not really talking about running, I am talking about building endurance. 

I love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do – not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased.

His words help me articulate that the benefit of endurance is that we become more capable of doing the things that we need to do in order to stay fit and active. Our biggest challenge may very well be that of enduring to the end. The end of what? The end of our mortal lives.

There may come in time in my life when I am unable to do any of the things that I currently do for enjoyment. This thought does not frighten me because I understand what it means to endure. It means that we find a way to make it, even when we are tired, and even when what we normally do doesn't work any more. The key is to constantly persist at making forward progress.

What are you doing to learn the lessons of endurance in your life?

What challenges are forcing you to discover new pathways to success?

How can you increase your ability to stick with a difficult task that is good for you?

I am certain that when we spend our time doing the things that foster opportunities for us to become our best, we build reserves of strength that make it possible for us to not just endure, but also to enjoy life with a smile on our face. 

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

I feel inspired to share the entire text of that proclamation with you today as we prepare to celebrate our day of thanks. It is my prayer, that we, as a nation, and even as a world, can return to regularly acknowledging the hand of God in our lives. I truly believe that happiness comes from following His ways.  

General Thanksgiving – A Proclamation

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and single favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the single and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;– for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;– and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

Signed – George Washington

I am excited about sharing these stories of success. The work that we are doing is very meaningful and it is producing outstanding results. This opportunity will allow the message to be broadcast to many more people than I could ever possibly reach on my own. 

Shining For The Whole World To See

I frequently struggle with the idea of promoting the work that I do. I understand that it is necessary and appropriate. My inner conflict revolves around the idea of my persona overcoming the message.

In order to succeed in the roles of author, teacher and guide, I understand that I must become a person worth following. I need an audience who will embrace my ideas and who will be willing to practice them in their own lives. I am not hungry for personal adulation; I just want others to benefit from the ideas I am discovering along the path of my own personal growth and development. I believe these ideas can benefit society and I want to share them in that light. 

I have seen many people become confused by the attention their ideas receive. The accolades affect them and they change. They begin to see themselves as some sort of "guru" and proclaim themselves, not always by the words that they say – but certainly by the way they behave, as being bigger than the message. Their constant thirst for more attention can never be quenched. Their efforts to promote their own shine often extinguishes the light of their ideas before they ever have a chance to illuminate the room. 

The examples of those who successfully avoid falling into the traps of fame and fortune are few and far between. For this reason, I reluctantly approach opportunities for self-promotion. I simply do not want to be overcome by the attention those efforts may generate. I want to always be humble enough to recognize that the thoughts that I receive, are not mine. I am simply blessed with an understanding of how to apply them in my life. This understanding does not come magically to me. I spend a lot of time pondering and studying so that I can gain it. I feel fortunate to be able to share these ideas with others so that they can accelerate growth in their own life. I want the attention to be on those nuggets of understanding and not on me, the miner. 

Finding The Balance

Whenever I contemplate this internal dilemma, I begin to debate the pros and cons of self-promotion. I want to discover the balance in such activities. I want to know how to reach for it, without being overcome by it. I want to know how I can shine my light into the world without believing that I am the source of the light. I want to discover how I can receive credit for my work without becoming hungry for the credit. It is a difficult conflict to resolve. 

I even feel a bit insecure about writing about it here in this space. My fear is that I will communicate ineffectively. I am pushing forward because I know that many of my clients struggle with this same issue and I imagine that many of you also have struggles with this same thought. 

My search for answers led me to three actions that help me keep my self-promoting activities in the proper perspective. They are as follows:

1. Always recognize the contributions of others – I truly believe that there are very few ideas that enter our minds that were not originally stimulated by the work of someone else. When I remember to acknowledge the impact of those ideas in my own work the focus tends to remain with the idea and not on the voice of those ideas.
2. Be a facilitator – It is easy to be a lecturer but lecturers are usually self-absorbed and boring. I am at my best when I facilitate dialogue around the applications I am discovering. This means I need to create enough space for other people to contribute their own ideas to the conversation, which provides them an opportunity to also own the solutions generated by the discussion.
3. Invite Thought – The greatest leaders invite others to think for themselves. They have a non-presciptive way of speaking to us. They do it so naturally that we hardly recognize their call for us to follow. We follow because they help us hear our own voice and we feel our own identity growing through our followership. Everything we do adds to our own identity and so we gladly follow.

Adding To The Puzzle

These are the simple thoughts that came to me as I pondered the art of self-promotion. I now want to learn from you. How do you promote yourself? What are the lessons you have learned in your efforts to magnify your own work? What ideas do you have that help you promote yourself? I know I am still missing a few pieces to this puzzle, what do you see?

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548

As the day went on, I became even more enraged. This is not normal behavior for me. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. For some reason, this dark mood held a grip on my day and I could not muster enough power to escape it. 

The Battle For Brightness

I wanted to let go of the rage I was feeling, but it was a real struggle. I did my best to be pleasant in the phone meetings that I had scheduled, but that was a challenge for me. I went home for lunch and behaved in an offensive way – alienating most of my family.

Instead of staying inside, I went out to the yard. It was a pleasant day and I thought I might get a small nap to invigorate me. That didn’t work either. I went back to work, still clinging to this foul mood. 

I did my best to behave professionally in my afternoon meetings. As the day wore on, it became clear that I was not doing a very good job of hiding my frustration. I just needed to get out of the space I was in, and find some place to chill out.

My Impact On Others

I went home craving some exercise. I thought that a workout would give me a venue to express the frustrations I was feeling. I got into the workout and began to experience its soothing effects. When I finished, I still was feeling a bit uptight, but I felt like I had turned the corner.

There was some work to do on our pool,  and even though it was dark, I decided to do it. I wanted to protect myself and my family from a potential outburst so I flipped on the outside lights and went to work. I just didn’t want to be around anybody at that moment and the work provided a reasonable escape.

Stacy came out to talk to me while I was in the middle of solving the problem. She said she had an errand to run, but before she left she wanted to see if everything was ok. She was so sweet in her approach. She even asked, "did I do something to get you upset?"

It was then that I clearly saw the impact of my bitter behavior on others. I let her know that she was not the problem and that I was just feeling uptight. I told her not to worry about it, that it was not caused by anything significant and that I would be ok in a little while. 

She left and I began to ponder what this mood was all about. I still couldn’t shake it, but at least now I was aware of how I was behaving and how that was effecting others, especially those I love the most. A twinge of happiness began to enter my being as I thought about how important those people are to me. I did not want to hurt them. I knew I needed to make a choice to be happy now. Slowly, I began to feel better. 

The residue of this sickening mood is still lingering in my being, but I am on my way to recovering. I do not know what caused it, I just know that its impact was real and that I felt helpless in dealing with it for a few moments. 

Life Sometimes Gives Us Bitter Moments

None of us can guarantee that we will live a life of constant sunshine. We can only commit to figuring out how to manage our emotions in such a way that they do not yield negative consequences for others. Emotional intelligence is a critical skill to develop. One of its primary tenets is to develop the ability to recognize our own emotions and them manage them effectively. Throughout  the day, I found enough awareness to remove myself from circumstances where I might blow up and later regret it. Sometimes, we just need to take a break from it all and collect our thoughts. 

Good moments and bad moments will always be a part of life. The real test is in learning what to do with those moments. When we do our best to shake off the moments of darkness and embrace the bright shining moments we enjoy life a whole lot more.

What do you do when you get upset? How long does it take you to become aware of your impact on others? How do you bring yourself back into a good mood? How long does it take for that to happen? Part of being emotionally intelligent is thinking about things like this after the fact. Being emotionally intelligent does not mean that we will not pass though moments like I experienced yesterday, it just means that we will be better able to deal with them when they happen. How can we develop that confidence if we never look back on the experience and learn from it.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

760-559-3548