I'm a big believer in giving fate a helping hand.

Simple changes in your lifestyle can reap profound results.

Such as the idea of saying "Yes!" to everything for a week. (Read more here.) Or spinning a wheel to figure out the destination of your next holiday, a la Dice Man.

I'm also something of a coin-tosser!

I regularly flick a penny to figure out which way I should go.

Should I turn left or right? Should I go on the walk tonight, or not? Should I ask her out on a date, or no?

But here's the thing about such mini-gambles.

We already know the outcome we desire.

How many times have you thrown the coin, only to get the wrong outcome... then said "Okay, best of three!"

(Watch the end of this episode of Peep Show for a fantastic example of this!)

Despite our attempt to surrender to fate, sometimes we already know we want to take the risk... and try to use a coin to convince us into the situation.

Well, here's a thought.

The next time you're in a position where you need convincing... where you need a little encouragement to break through your comfort zone...

... Forget the coin tossing altogether.

Just make a pact with yourself NOW that you'll just DO IT, without too much deep thought and analysis to put you off.

In my experience, fate favours speed.

Make the decision. Make it quickly. And get to it.

You already know what you should be doing, so just follow that gut instinct (even if it may seem slightly scary), and put your best foot forward.

Love-lecturer Leo Buscaglia said of risks:

"The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live."

Think about it.

And have a wonderous, risk-taking, coin-free day!

Labels: inspiration, quotes, self-development

Today, a really profound video for those that really "get it."

It's a fantastic Cat Stevens song that I think you'll love.

Play it on loop. Understand the words. If you need to, change. And if you don't, don't.

Enjoy :)

(Reading this by e-mail? Visit www.karlblog.com to view the full thing.)

Lyrics:

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

Chorus:
You can do what you want
The opportunity's on
And if you find a new way
You can do it today

You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
you see ah ah ah
its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
'Cause there's a million things to do
You know that there are

Chorus

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be

You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are

Labels: inspiration, videos

One of my favourite types of music is smooth, upbeat jazz.

It's the kind of mellow chill-out that you can listen to over and over again, wherever you are, whatever you're doing.

It's truly beautiful -- and some of you may know that back in 2006, I put together Sax FM at www.saxfm.com -- my own online radio station dedicated to such great, feel-good music.

Well, we've been revamping the site - and now have a whole selection of fresh music from a number of large jazz artists, including new smooth sensation Travis Vega.

It's free to listen, and there are absolutely NO ads.

So, why not take the time out to tune in online.

Just visit www.saxfm.com - and get ready for happiness in your ears :)

Enjoy!

Labels: music

Ever wanted to enjoy total confidence... on-demand?

A quick bonus post today to provide a subtle plug for a course I helped to author.

It's called The NLP Secret, and was originally taught by the co-founder of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Dr Richard Bandler.

It's a quick and easy method of changing your deepest thoughts, instantly and forever - in just 10 fun minutes.

You can use it to boost your confidence, get rid of any personal issue, or banish limiting fears for good.

There's no hype -- and the system is for real.

So, if you're interested in changing your life quickly, I'd highly recommend you check out this new course.

Visit http://www.nlpsecret.com/

Labels: recommendations, self-development

I don't know about you, but I'm quite a sensitive person.

Sometimes even a little overly-sensitive.

Yesterday, I took a sensitivity test and scored 7/10. That's practically paranoia!

But we're all sensitive at times.

Think about it.

How many times have you taken offence - just because somebody turns their back on you in a bar?

How many times have you thought a person didn't embrace you as much as you'd expect?

How many times have you walked back to a table, to hear the laughter suddenly die down - and wondered if they were talking about you?

It's happened to us all. Probably.

And sometimes it's important to pay attention to such matters. After all, being sensitive is a wonderful trait.

But here's the thing to remember.

"Reality" is entirely relative.

The snub in the bar may have been accidental. The non-embrace may have been because the person's dog just died. The laughter may have been about something else altogether.

Being overly-sensitive often makes life way too stressful.

So, the next time you get that oh-so-familiar feeling of over-sensitivity, just think to yourself...

"Forget it. I'm being overly sensitive - and it's just possible I don't know all the facts."

Then slap yourself around the face and get on with it.

Because life is too short to be worrying about detail.

Tenzin Gyatso wrote: "We also often add to our pain and suffering by being overly sensitive, over-reacting to minor things, and sometimes taking things too personally."

Wolfgang added: "Do not give in too much to feelings. A overly sensitive heart is an unhappy possession on this shaky earth."

If this sounds like you, take a check on your feelings - and stop taking things so personally.

Maybe - just maybe - it's all working out perfectly.

Labels: inspiration, quotes, self-development

Today, I'd like to chat about that distinctly human quality...

Hope.

The idea that things can change. That it can get better, that the day will be brighter tomorrow, that people will smile again.

When life seems empty, hollow, lacking direction - and just plain pointless - hope is the one thing that pulls us through.

And the great thing about you and me - is that we have it.

Miles and miles of unlimited hope, all stored neatly inside ourselves.

Think about it.

Are you feeling sorry for yourself right now?

Are there things in your life you've resigned yourself to having lost... or having second best... ?

Is there something you know you should change?

We always have HOPE.

A belief - an intention - of change for the better.

A knowingness that we can always hope for a brighter today - and accept those things we simply can't change (and maybe even become stupidly obsessed about).

Scottish author Alexander Chalmers said "The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

In the areas of your life that are hollow right now...

... How's your hope looking?

And here's a thought.

Why not pump up your hope? Make it big and bright and beautiful. Keep it high. Stop feeling sorry for yourself - and get out and change the world.

Remember, your HOPE - your intention - sets your direction. (Read more about that here.)

So, hope for better things - and then make them happen.

Then get ready for many, many happy endings!

Love - Karlos ;)

PS. Here's a great video to get you inspired today! I absolutely love this song. Keep fascinated! Reading this by e-mail? View the video online at www.karlblog.com. Whoo-oh, whooh-ohhh!

Labels: inspiration, quotes, self-development, videos

1.  Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'  And the devil's name is  Alzheimer's.

4.  Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6.  The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.  Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9.  Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

Labels: inspiration

When making choices in life, how often do you trust your intuition?

Most times, we instinctively know what is right for us ...

It's just we don't always act on our instincts.

Other influences may play their part in the choices we make ... ego, other points of view, experience, circumstances or comfort zones.

We will make what are considered to be informed decisions rather than follow a hunch because it seems more logical to do so.

After all, intuition is so vague and transient.

Yet, gut instinct is often right. And the more you start acting on your intuition, the more in-tune you become with your inner wisdom.

Using your intuition to make choices on a daily basis makes you more sensitive to "psychic" energy.

You start to acclimatize to subtle thoughts and feelings and are able to differentiate intuitive thoughts from ego-based thoughts to make choices that are right for you.

Start trusting in your instincts today.

The more you tune-in to that small voice of wisdom that resides inside you, the better choices you'll make.

And remember the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr. ...He said:

'The time is always right to do what is right. '

Listen to your inner voice ... reflect on your gut-feeling ... and do the right thing.

Labels: inspiration, quotes

Is the world weighing heavy on your shoulders?

Are you tired and finding that everything requires just too much effort?

If so, it's time to take a break and lighten up.

Take a day off and relax.

Too busy? Well, life isn't going to stop just because you're taking a well-earned break.

Reflect on why you're feeling so weighed down.

Have you taken on too many commitments? Are you not asking for the help or support that you need? Are you involved in energy-robbing disputes or relationships?

Think about it and take action to change the situation.

It's possible that your chosen path isn't right for you at this moment or that you need to take a different path or course of action.

Of course, you may simply need some time out or a bit of TLC.

If that's the case, treat yourself.

Have fun!

Do something that you really love doing just for relaxation and a change of scene.

You'll find that taking a break will help you lighten up so that you feel rejuvenated.

And if you really feel down in the dumps, laugh!

Roll about laughing. Feel the positive energy of laughter.

There is a Yiddish proverb that goes...

"What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul."

It doesn't matter if you feel that you have nothing to laugh about. Start laughing and wake up that tired spirit that has been squashed for so long because of the perceived pressures of the world.

Laugh and the entire world lightens up!

Give it a try.

Labels: interviews, quotes

"Life is just a series of peaks and troughs.

"And you don't know whether you're in a trough until you're climbing out.

"Or on a peak until you're coming down.

"You never know what's around the corner.

"It's all good.

"If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain."

(Visit www.karlblog.com to play this video clip, from The Office, UK release. The above quote comes near the end of the clip.)

Labels: fun, inspiration, videos

In Chinese, the word that represents threat also stands for opportunity.

Anything that challenges you is an opportunity to create change.

Think about it!

What problems have you encountered recently?

Perhaps you experienced a difficult client at work... or found a fault on your new washing machine... or struggled with a project; and so on.

What did you learn from these experiences?

What did you do to resolve them?

By resolving them, how are things different?

More than likely, the problem has presented you with a new direction.

Albert Einstein believed so. He said: "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."

You just have to look a little closer!

Perhaps you have gained a new skill or experience; perhaps you have a better understanding about a situation; maybe you have gained intellectually, financially or spiritually from the experience; or maybe the problem has opened doors to better life choices.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."

Problems really are an opportunity for positive change.

So, next time you have a problem, immediately think - OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!

Welcome the problem.

Open the door and let opportunity step right in.

Work efficiently towards a resolution, without complaining, and learn from the outcome.

You have everything to gain!

Labels: inspiration, self-development