Let the Journey Continue

Helping You Achieve More Every Day

Wednesday, February 16, 2006
www.EmpowerU.net
(775) 575-2298

"Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance. "

~ Brian Tracy

Balance Isn't a Place...
Action Steps for Today
Making a Difference - Monica Greenberg, Team 420
The Meaning of "Serene"
"Honest is Real" by Hunter Jesse
What do you want?

Important Announcements...

Urgent Call for Dedicated Graduates!

We've had a last minute staff change and need a committed graduate to step over the line and staff next week's class. Date is February 22-24, in Sacramento, California.

Even if you can't come before dinner time on Wednesday, we need you there to help another group of committed students go from a class to an empowered TEAM!

Also remember that you see the process from the 'other side' when you staff - it's like getting all the benefits of going through Awakening again, but without the speeches.

Please call the office to find out more and sign up to staff this next class. You'll be glad you did!

Have you had any problems with the new CD?

A few people who've bought the new music CD, "Steppin' Over the Line" have reported that there are tracks that don't sound clear and as a result they aren't enjoying listening to them. If you've bought one and found this problem, please contact our office at (775) 575-2298 so that we can arrange to send you a replacement. We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.

Awakening Classes Are Filling Quickly—Sign up Your Starfish Today!

If you've been planning to send a starfish through Leadership Awakening, please act now to make sure you get the dates you want. All West Coast Awakening classes are now held in Sacramento, California. Of course, we are still holding Awakening classes in Dallas as well. To see the full updated schedule, including which classes are still open, click here.

Adventure Calls

Adventure is now held exclusively on hundreds of beautiful acres just outside of Dallas, Texas. This is truly a special location for Part 2 of the Leadership Experience. If you've completed Leadership Awakening, but haven't yet attended Adventure, come find out why Adventure has been called "Awakening on Steroids." Take your leadership skills from the 1-25 level of Awakening all the way up to the 100 level of Adventure. Call (775) 575-2298 today to schedule, because your life matters!

Today's Message

Balance Isn't a Place...

by Dr. Bruce Eichelberger

"You must find your balance, no matter where it is."

As he helped me up from where I'd fallen, the old Chinese martial art teacher said the same words he'd repeated to me countless times before. I wondered if I would ever understand exactly what he meant.

It was 1973 and after my first year of training I was determined to master this martial arts lesson... at least enough to feel confident and safe walking through the world.

So why did I keep getting knocked down?

I was a good student, practicing at least 2 hours a day. I paid close attention whenever instructions were given. Yet time after time in sparring I would find myself looking up from the ground.

"... no matter where it is" kept ringing through my brain. Where could this elusive balance be? And how would I know if I'd found it?

Fast forward 25 years. It's 1998 and I get the rare opportunity to attend a series of "invitation only" Native American sweat lodges. They are run by a member of the local tribe who leads these ceremonies in the classic style, which is to say with a kind of serene focus and intensity. I do my best to attend every one I'm invited to.

Sitting in the dark sweat lodge with 6 or 8 other participants, each time we spend hours praying, singing and just being while the heat gets more and more intense. Sometimes it's so hot that I have to lay down on the floor where it's just a bit cooler in order to escape the intensity of it. It seems like we are taking the term 'sweat' to a whole new level!

Then, one day, right in the middle of a particularly blistering 3rd round, I once again hear the words of my old martial arts teacher, "You must find your balance..."

In that instant it becomes crystal clear—balance isn't a static thing, nor is it a 'place' you go. It is, rather, a process. A process of constantly sensing and adapting to the world around you. And, because that world is constantly shifting and changing, you have to find it wherever it is at the moment!

I don't know if you ever had one of those times where all the pieces just fell into place, but if you have you know what this was like for me. From then on I saw everything in terms of balance - the dynamic balance of constant awareness and adaptation. A constant recognition of and reorienting to circumstances.

Since then I've seen writings of some of the great minds of all time that support this idea. Two of my favorite are:

"You can never step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you."
~ Hippocrates (the father of modern medicine)

"In the process of living, the cost of survival is eternal vigilance and a willingness to learn."
~ Milton H. Erickson, M.D.

So, how might you apply this idea to your own business and life? See today's action steps for a powerful suggestion about how to accomplish this...

Action Steps for Today

Today, your action step is just a bit different that some others. Today you are going to simply be in the moment.

To accomplish this, you will want to find a place where you can be undisturbed. Most people choose a room in the house where they can go, but even a busy public area like an airport or mall can work so long as you can find a place where people won't be stumbling over you.

Wherever you choose, here are the simple instructions: sit, either with eyes closed or partially closed and breathe down into your 'orange ball.' As you've done before, imagine that orange ball expanding and filling you with energy.

Now, recognize that the center of the orange ball is your center. This makes it the central point for maintaining balance in the midst of changes. Think about a circumstance or situation in the recent past that threw you off balance. Then, imagine how different your response would have been if you had been able to tap into your powerful center of balance.

Usually, spending just a few moments doing this about a past experience gives you a strong reference point for the next time you are in such a situation.

Congratulations! You taken an important step in reinforcing your ability to maintain your balance regardless of circumstances around you!

Brand New Music CD is Out NOW!

You are Going to Love It!

Another great collection of EMPOWERING songs from Dr. Wu is now available.

This new music CD, "Steppin' Over The Line" will rock you, inspire you and help you keep your passion, commitment and vision strong.

The new songs on this CD include:

It’s a Great Day to Be Alive
Want It, Create It, Live It
Shine Your Light (In the Darkness)
Stop Your Lyin’
Will I Be Awakened
Plus 5 more...

People are raving about this new CD!

To place your order, click here or call the office at (775) 575-2298.

Making a Difference - Monica Greenberg, Team 420

The experience I had at Empower U was and is still incredible. I truly feel it was the hardest thing I did for myself, however it was the best thing to me!!

My relationship with my brother is much better than I could imagine. The Empower U experience made me realize I was missing some of the important things.

I have already made some I had already made some changes for myself and I had some tough decisions to make. Two of the "What do you want's" have become the "What I want's" in my life.

Specifically, I am referring to a new job (I was miserable and would not get off my butt to do anything about it).

Up until now I was living too far away from my family, so I made a move closer. This experience has helped me to tell people more clearly what I need, what and what I expect from them and from myself. I am not embarrassed any more to tell people how I feel.

The benefits I have gained from this are - I am more confident and I give more of myself to others. I am more driven and proactive in my life.

Word Play
"Serene" means an attitude of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude without suggestions of agitation, trouble, fitful activity, or sudden change. You can see it used in today's article in the sentence, "They are run by a member of the local tribe who leads these ceremonies in the classic style, which is to say with a kind of serene focus and intensity."

2 Great New Additions to the Empower U Clothing Line

V-Neck Women's Shirts

Thinking of great gifts for the Empowered woman in your life?

Look no further! You can now get these great-looking short-sleeve, v-neck women's shirts in 3 colors!

Each one has the full-color Empower U logo beautifully embroidered over the heart. Perfect for casual wear, graduations and a wonderful reminder to Live It! every day!

Click here to learn more about the Women's V-Neck Shirt:

All-Weather Hooded Jacket

Also new is the limited edition Empower U Hooded Jacket. Striking in cobalt blue with the full-color Empower U logo over the heart and a very special version of the color "Heart, Body, Soul" shield on the back.

We only have a few of these available, so if you want to order, the Time is Now!

Click here for more info on this jacket:

"Honest is Real" by Hunter Jesse

EmpowerU brings to the forefront, through action, the opportunity to be real. Throughout the process, being honest becomes a key cornerstone to busting through the barriers that have held one back. I was told, before ever entering the room, TRUST the process . . . GIVE 100%.

I recently had these principles reinforced by a book called, "The Velveteen Principles." It has proven to be a great and simple read that offers additional answers to pass the test. It discusses objectification and how, in viewing people and things with an “object” mind set, it is easy to lose the values and principles that make us real, emotional beings. Without being real, emotional beings, it is difficult to TRUST and GIVE. Awakening started this process and this book offers a chance to refine the laser-light focus.

Pam, my wife, however, provided a more powerful reinforcement of who I am today and how I have been LIVING IT with her. She takes what I offer and incorporates into her daily life. While I have not been successful in gaining her attendance to Awakening, I have been successful in shifting the way I live, which has shifted the way she lives, which shifts the way my family lives... the Chinese Emperor story at work.

This isn’t to say that I haven’t fallen down, but it is true that I have picked myself up, dusted off, and hit again. In this process, I have gained a greater level of trust in myself, which has permitted a greater level of giving.

What follows are excerpts and a rewrite of an Instant Messenger conversation I shared with Pam. The tears I cried were real . . . the smiles I shared were real . . . emotionally alive with each typed heart beat. I trusted the process and gave 100%.

Pam says:
You are back! I looked for you when I ate my lunch but you were away.

Hunter says:
Hey - yes, ate lunch in the break room and read my book.

Hunter says:
Anyway - missed you, but thought of you.

Hunter says:
The book is great and a good read for you. It addresses some of the things that you have discussed . . . the pressures of being a "modern" day woman . . . Perfection wrapped around being a great mother, a great lover, and a great wife.

Pam says:
Wow, so has it given you a different perspective of what I have described?

Hunter says:
No, at least not a new perspective . . . once you opened up, I began to understand it better. This book just reinforces the principles behind the objectification and the "generic" life we led as conformist to what we thought we had to do. I have described similar situations throughout my career, the feelings of conformity . . . I HAD to do this job! I also complained about forgoing my writing after graduating in order to conform to a notion of how I was supposed to work and live.

Pam says:
Exactly . . . that is the exact feeling I was describing to you about how I felt a few years ago . . . very generic and I was living the life of a conformist. I look forward to reading it.

Hunter says:
When I couple this book with Awakening, the combination is very powerful.

Hunter says:
BTW, I don't have a hang-up about the past anymore. Empoweru put it in perspective for me. I am in full control to change and make choices that will get me where I want to be.

Pam says:
Yes, I understand and realize.

Hunter says:
It is funny that I have the voice now and am able to see it for exactly what it was; but, in being unable to articulate it, I was never able to create a consensus on how I felt or on what I wanted.

Hunter says:
At the time, I wanted to be liked by you and therefore I conformed. I conformed to a society that demands this type of role from me, rather than pursuing my real self. This, of course, relates to my “happy” self and, in being happy, allows me to relate with other people more effectively.

Hunter says:
Thus, all those years of being unhappy, are very clear now and I am smiling because of it. Another piece to the puzzle my lady and another way I GET to be the white knight of our house!

Hunter says:
I feel like I have the life I have always wanted and am excited about where I will be based on our Mission and Vision. I know where I am headed and I know what I want!

Pam says:
WOO-HOOO!! Go Hunter....go Hunter...go Hunter!!!!

Hunter says:
And this is about casting aside the "object" life and enjoying the journey to the goal of being real!

Pam says:
Amen brother! You have a way of putting things into words

Hunter says:
Thus, more than ever, I now know why every day is a new day with you when I wake up. I get all the previous-good parts of you and know that today's journey will be all the new with you as well!

Hunter says:
Thank you for coming home and whispering in my ear that you want to be Mrs. Hunter Jesse again!

Pam says:
You are making me cry.

Hunter says:
Love you . . . again . . . with all my heart

Pam says:
I love you with all of my heart.... you are an amazing man.

Hunter says:
I am crying too, but with a smile!

Pam says:
I am so glad that opened my eyes and saw you before you were gone...

Hunter says:
I am excited for who I am, understanding who I was, and who I get to see at this moment in the mirror!

Pam says:
I am so grateful for you, for my life, and for the kids . . . "our" family. I still remember the day that you told me you were afraid of having kids, because you were AFRAID of being a bad dad.

Hunter says:
Yes, fear - false expectations appearing real!

Pam says:
I reassured you that you wouldn't be doing it alone and that we would be there for each other and that I would help you out.

Hunter says:
And, you have held to that!

Pam says:
As Marita (she is our yoga teacher) sees....we have an amazing relationship . . . we smile, we hold hands, and we share a glance and a grin.

Hunter says:
In other words, we make the opportunity to share our love!

Pam says:
Yes, we do

Pam says:
OK, I have to focus . . . I GET to enter payroll

Hunter says:
Hahahaha . . . Good . . . congratulations!

Pam says:
Thank you

Hunter says:
You are welcome . . . my heart is bouncing with joy!

Pam says:
i will enjoy every second!

Pam says:
Mine too. Thank you for the word candy! I am high on the soul sugar!

**What do you want?**

We hope you enjoy receiving "Let the Journey Continue". Our intention is to include articles and features that are useful and inspiring and above all, that help you achieve more every day!

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Wednesday, February 16, 2006 www.EmpowerU.net (775) 575-2298