Just mow around the stump...

Hello all,

I used to work as a Biomedical Equipment Technician in a hospital in Tennessee. Those are fancy words for...I fixed medical equipment. It's a really good career and I did enjoy it most of the time. But somehow, I manifested the most negative, cynical and manipulative person in my life. And to make matters more interesting, I manifested this person to sit at a desk less than 10 feet from me.

Now...I don't think it was all my fault actually. I had been working with a fellow technician for about 3 years, and that technician died of a heart attack one weekend. We were actually very good buddies and I don't mean to make light of the fact that he died, but that's what happened. I left one Friday and never saw him again and I still miss him to this day. Especially when I looked around and saw what kind of idiotic jackass took my buddy's position.

So, I either manifested my buddy's death or God stepped in and it wasn't about me at all. That is what I think happened. Anyway, one day I was venting about my circumstances to a friend/coworker one day and he relayed a story to me that his Father had told him.

"Picture this person as a huge, ugly, dead tree stump in a field of beautiful green grass. When you have to mow that field, don't complain about it and focus on the eyesore in the middle of it. If it is in your way, mow around it. Don't focus on the stump, focus on the beauty of the lawn and nature."

I thought that was awesome and I have used that visualization everyday since then. It really helped me too. I recently left that position to pursue more exciting endeavors...those more in line with my passions. But I will never forget how that simple visualization helped me get through some very tough days.

Thank you God for putting that person in my life and thank God for all my blessings.

I am truly grateful.

Peace to all,

Phil

We are blessed...truly blessed.

There is an old saying, "Count your blessings...things could be worse."

Well, those old sayings come from somewhere and are usually based in truth. I'll go one better. Don't just count your blessings, list them and read them every morning. I keep them posted on my wall so I can see them every morning.

For example, as little 150 years ago, people owned people. Just a few years ago, we got 3 channels on television. When I was a kid, my grandparents didn't have running water or indoor plumbing. My Dad was born at home. College was not an option except for those who were wealthy. 70 years ago, we were in a depression and people were not only broke, they were starving...standing in line for bread. 75 years ago, the convenience of running to the store for a gallon of milk was not an option for anyone. I could go on and on.

Life is good, life is great. We are so blessed! It is imperitive that we take a few minutes out of every day to thank God for all the wonderful things in our life. You will be surprised how your perspective changes.

Peace and love,

Phil

"The Prayer of Jabez"

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,

"Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!"

So God granted him what he requested.

Peace, joy and love to all who read this,Phil

Do it anyway...

The verses below reportedly were written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India, and are widely attributed to her.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

How Wayne Dyer changed my life...

Hello everyone!!

Here's a quick Wayne Dyer story and a perfect example of the law of attraction.It was 2000 and I was in a horrible relationship, considering selling my guitars (I had already sold one) and never playing music again or writing or anything. I was at the lowest point that I can remember. I was sitting in my living room pondering everything and wondering what the hell I did to deserve all this...pity party. Deep down I still wanted to move to Nashville, write music, perform and live the dream, but it seemed so far away, I was ready to quit.

I was flipping the channels and paused on PBS just long enough to hear Wayne Dyer say, "Don't let your music die with you." Now that made me immediately break down. It was like God himself had spoken in an audible voice straight to me.

So, that week I wrote a song, "Don't let your fire go out.". It was the first of many songs that jump started me. A year later, the bad relationship was history, I was living in Nashville and starting a wonderful journey that has led me right here and now.

It was an amazing experience and I will never forget it. I just wanted to share that with you all.

Keep the faith!!

Peace and love,

Phil