When we are fully present, we offer our whole selves to whatever it is that we are doing. Our attention, our integrity, and our energy are all focused in the moment and on the task at hand. This is a powerful experience, and when we are in this state, we feel completely alive and invigorated. This kind of aliveness comes easily when we are absorbed in work or play that we love, but it is available to us in every moment, and we can learn to summon it regardless of what we are doing. Even tasks or jobs we don’t enjoy can become infused with the light of being present. The more present we are, the more meaningful our entire lives become.

Next time you find yourself fully engaged in the moment, whether you are making art, trying to solve an interesting puzzle, or talking to your best friend, you may want to take a moment to notice how you feel. You may observe that you are not thinking about what you need to do next, your body feels like it’s pleasantly humming, or your brain feels tingly. As you enjoy the feeling of being located entirely in the present moment, you can inform yourself that you may try to recall this feeling later. You might try this while driving home or getting ready for bed, allowing yourself to be just as engaged in that experience as you were in the earlier one.

The more we draw ourselves into the present moment, the more we honor the gift of our lives, and the more we honor the people around us. When we are fully present, we give and receive aliveness in equal measure. For today, try to be fully present in your daily activities and watch a new reality open for you.

The Wealthy Freelancer

Meet the New Generation of Freelancers: The “Funemployed”

“I’m looking for the least possible amount of responsibility.” What a great line from the movie American Beauty.
In this scene, Lester Burnham, a tired and overworked 14-year advertising executive (played by Kevin Spacey), has just quit his corporate job.   He’s tired of his life at home and his dead-end career.   And upon seeing a “Now Hiring” sign at the local fast-food joint, he decides to really simplify and start all over as a burger flipper.

This scene came to mind when I read an article in the Los Angeles Times about high-powered and highly educated single young professionals who have recently lost their jobs. The article talked about a trend called “funemployment,” where many young professionals are opting to stay unemployed indefinitely.

Basically, these individuals gave their careers everything they had.   And after years of sacrifice, they suddenly find themselves unemployed…and tired of the corporate BS.   So instead of looking for another job, they’re taking advantage of the opportunity to do all the things they’ve been putting off for years.

Some are traveling the world. Others just want to hang out at the beach and drink margaritas, take road trips to see friends and family, or play golf every day.

To me, this is just more evidence that we’re about to see a massive paradigm shift in the way we view work.   The current “work them to death” model in corporate America is broken.   People are tired of sacrificing everything for their career, only to get a pink slip at the end.

And we have a new generation entering the workforce that has a very different view of what the right work-life balance should be.

That’s why I’m confident that a large percentage of these “funemployed” will come back (when their severance and savings run out!) as freelancers and solo professionals – not as corporate execs. They want the high pay, but they’re not willing to compromise too much to get it.  Which means that in many cases they’ll have to settle for less until they build their solo careers.

But I think most of them will be OK with that. The freedom to design the life they want and live by their own rules will be the biggest reward. And it won’t be long before many of them are earning more (and doing more of what they want) than they did in their corporate jobs.

What do you think?

When you talk to friends and colleagues, are you sensing the same attitude changes about work?

  Intuition   

No one loves a financial crisis, but it can be the greatest
gift of growth. The first truth to recognize is this
- the world is dynamic and changing – and no matter the
severity of the situation, it is ALWAYS possible to turn
it around. It’s simply a matter of time.

Most millionaires have been broke at least a couple times
in their life. What is the difference between someone who
turns around $25,000, $100,000, or $1M+ in debt (remember
Donald Trump years ago)? It’s their ability to embrace the
reality of the situation, then consciously act and adapt.
It may mean getting creative or taking a job that isn’t your
first choice. It could mean filing bankruptcy. It may
require you to let go of your fears and play bigger than you
ever have before.

Finding your peaceful center during a financial crisis will
allow you to remain connected to your most powerful sense of
self and make clear and conscious choices.

www.plbenson.com

The best way to get what we want from life is to first know what we want. If we haven’t taken the time to really understand and identify what would truly make us happy, we won’t be able to ask for it from those around us or from the universe. We may not even be able to recognize it once it arrives. Once we are clear about what we want, we can communicate it to those around us. When we can be honest about who we are and what we want, there is no need to demand, be rude or aggressive, or manipulate others that are involved in helping us get what we want. Instead, we know that we are transmitting a signal on the right frequency to bring all that we desire into our experience.

As the world evolves, humanity is learning to work from the heart. We may have been taught that the way to get what we want is to follow certain rules, play particular games, or even engage in acts that use less than our highest integrity. The only rules we need to apply are those of intention and connection. In terms of energy, we can see that it takes a lot of energy to keep up a false front or act in a way that is counter to our true nature, but much less energy is expended when we can just be and enjoy connections that energize us in return. Then our energy can be directed toward living the life we want right now.

Society has certain expectations of behavior and the roles each of us should play, but as spiritual beings we are not bound by these superficial structures unless we choose to accept them. Instead, we can listen to our hearts and follow what we know to be true and meaningful for us. In doing so, we will find others who have chosen the same path. It can be easy to get caught up in following goals that appear to be what we want, but when we pursue the underlying value, we are certain to stay on our right path and continue to feed our soul.

You see, Jordan, a co-worker and a very nice person.  He was a big guy, a Teddy Bear of a man, married (very much in love with his wife), father of three little children. 

He died doing something he loved — snow machining in Alaska.  Man, machine and nature.

I truly believe that when our time here, in our mortal body, is up then there is nothing for us to do –but that does not ease the sadness one feels when someone who is so young, has so much more living to experience, and has a young family nurture – when their life has ended so soon.

Remember – life is meant to be lived and to enjoy– to love and be loved — always live fully and love freely — have no regrets at the end of each day.

Jordan will be deeply missed.

Accidental Death

Jordan Williams

4-18-09 at approximately 1245 hours, Alaska State Troopers and Valdez Fire Department received a report of a snow machiner being caught in a Avalanche at Thompson Pass.  Investigation revealed that the snowmachiner, identified as Jordan D. Williams, age 27, of Anchorage,was riding his snow machine in Niches Valley located at Thompson Pass near mile 31 of the Richardson Hwy.

 Jordan Williams was climbing a hill when the Avalanche started.  Jordan Williams then turned and started heading back down the hill.  JordanWilliams was overtaken and buried by the Avalanche. 

Many people convince themselves that they have to know so much, do so much, and be capable of so much.

Spending time on all the things they have to, there is not any time left for what they want to.  Seeing life as a series of have to’s can be destructive. In reality, you don’t have to do anything.  On the contrary, you choose to do everything. 

If, in fact, you were governed by have to’s, you would be renouncing all responsibility for your life.  Taking full responsibility for your existence on Earth gives you the key to recognizing your freedom of choice. It is liberating to stop saying to yourself that you have to and rather say that you choose to.

Of course, consequences follow from your decisions, and become apparent as you actively make choices.  If you decide not to choose, there will be consequences nonetheless.  Taking a step back from your life lets you see that what you are and where you are results from the choices, conscious or not, that you’ve made along the way.  That’s why it’s so important to practice being mindful of your choices.

Now, reading about this is helpful, but it won’t change you unless you use this information to take a deeper look at yourself and make some new choices about your life.   Master this, and you master the Art of Leading Yourself. 

The reason www.plbenson.com exists is to make this process easier, faster and more pleasant for you. 

Contact me and lets talk about your goals, life desires, and where you want to be in your life.  info@plbenson.com

Over the weekend I found a great source for Meditations — I had listened to this particular practitioner before and really enjoyed her voice and the very light music in the background.

Well, I have finally found her website and was so happy to find how easy it is to download the meditations that I want (very affordable too!)

If you are looking to find some special and specific meditations – I encourage you to check out Debbie Friedman’s site for a complete listing of her products.

You can (Click Here) to see her website and you can also listen to samples of her CD’s and MP3′s.

Let me know if you like this site and if you purchase any meditations – I would love to hear your feedback.

Cheers, P.

However, today, at least where I live, is not like any other Saturday.  Today, is the day, the day that most Alaskans will be receiving what we call the PFD – Permanent Fund Dividend — and we will also receive an additional $1,200 to help off set the high cost of fuel and heating for 2008.

Wow – the additional $1,200 plus the dividend is an additional $3,296 per person (not household) in Alaska (for those who qualified under the Alaska Residency qualifications.)

My questions is, what would, what would you do with an extra $3,296 in your bank account today?  Give it some thought — just because you are not getting this amount of money doesn’t mean that you can’t dream about what you would do with the extra financial funds . . .

Have fun, dream, imagine, write about it . . .  your dreams can happen – believe!

Cheers, P.