On Radical Acceptance and the Power of Surrender

Amor Fati: Love everything that happens, without any reservations or regrets.

Memento Mori: Remember you will die,this too shall pass.

You control ONLY “how you play” and nothing else. Let go of everything else.

From the Daily Stoic

In the Zone

How does one get into and consistently remain *in the zone*, where you are centered and calm, most creative and productive, where things work best for you? By first *showing up* and then creating life on the spot, all you desire to achieve becomes possible.

It is maintained by knowing that distractions to your concentration will always be there, inner and outer noise, phones and doorbells ringing, and spontaneous calls to action that arise; and knowing that these are not really a problem. The problem is only if I choose to believe the illusion that this creative zone is a product of fortunate outer circumstances alone, and that the slightest distraction has the power to remove me from this state of wellness and focus. So long as your well being and productivity is at the mercy of inner and outer conditions, you might as well drop all hopes of any real long term accomplishments or creative aspirations.

By remembering to simply show up, over and over again if necessary, I am once again back in the zone. The key is to not clutter up my own inner zone of mental and physical well being, by taking long breaks, eating or drinking to excess, watching too much television or indulging in frivolous online entertainment. The less obstacles to creative well being I create for myself, inside and out, the more easily I remain centered and energy is freed up for authenticity of insight and expression.

Becoming inwardly present for the present moment task at hand involves the initial step of *eliminating all obstacles*, all internal/external clutter, mental noise, and general excess or toxicity. At the same time you are *collecting yourself*, your personal presence (physical body, appearance) and necessary work items, so you are immediately ready to get to work! With a ready presence and the tools you need to get going, you can now set your intentions and concentrate effectively to spontaneously create an inner/outer atmosphere (a good vibe) that works best for you. Keeping this alive you take small action steps, one at a time, working without distraction and at your best... Inwardly ready at any moment to instantly drop the task at hand (momentarily, or until a later time) and pick up it again right where you left off (just as instantly) if need be.

JDZ

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Added Notes on "The Working Process" and "Workflow Management":

Along the path forward you build a structure and organize your surroundings, your papers, possessions, overall workload, in a way that is most meaningful, efficient and effective for implementation. You make a point to always review, evaluate and continuously update your structure, your daily and master task lists regularly, so that the full preparation needed for initiating future actions are complete.

Those calendar actions deferred for a later date are what make up the structure or system of organized responsible implementation. Most directly these are produced and result from actions taken here and now, while in the zone. All such actions lead either to further sequential actions (projects, creative tasks), or they indicate an end in themselves (routines, miscellaneous tasks) either to be repeated again the next day or are simply completed and not thought of again.

Creation without Competition

The Intelligent Substance which is All, and in All, and which lives in All and lives in you, is a consciously Living Substance. Being a consciously living substance, It must have the nature and inherent desire of every living intelligence for increase of life. Every living thing must continually seek for the enlargement of its life, because life, in the mere act of living, must increase itself.

Intelligent Substance will make things for you, but it will not take things away from some one else and give them to you. You must get rid of the thought of competition. You are to create, not to compete for what is already created.

You do not have to take anything away from any one. You do not have to drive sharp bargains. You do not have to cheat, or to take advantage. You do not need to let any man work for you for less than he earns. You do not have to covet the property of others, or to look at it with wishful eyes; no man has anything of which you cannot have the like, and that without taking what he has away from him. You are to become a creator, not a competitor; you are going to get what you want, but in such a way that when you get it every other man will have more than he has now. Riches secured on the competitive plane are never satisfactory and permanent; they are yours to-day, and another's tomorrow. Remember, if you are to become rich in a scientific and certain way, you must rise entirely out of the competitive thought. You must never think for a moment that the supply is limited.

KNOW that there are countless millions of dollars' worth of gold in the mountains of the earth, not yet brought to light; and know that if there were not, more would be created from Thinking Substance to supply your needs. KNOW that the money you need will come, even if it is necessary for a thousand men to be led to the discovery of new gold mines to-morrow.

First, you believe that there is one Intelligent Substance, from which all things proceed; second, you believe that this Substance gives you everything you desire; and third, you relate yourself to it by a feeling of deep and profound gratitude.

Wallace D. Wattles ~ from "The Science of Getting Rich"

Karmic Number Thirteen

The Tarot card for thirteen is entitled "Death" or "The Reaper". It is symbolized by the skeleton, which is the accepted figure of death, taken figuratively. You fear death mainly because you fear the unknown beyond the grave. The actual interpretation is that death does not mean the end of life, but it constitutes change, motion, or transformation. Change is what we call death. In other words, death is a rebirth, renewal, and an inspirational beginning. The thirteenth card or karmic number signifies that death is merely a change of consciousness.

Through superstition the number thirteen came into ill repute. It really is a period of regeneration. The keyword is work on the material plane. The warning given is that there is danger of backsliding into laziness, negativity, and inefficiency. Trials and tests of proficiency will be given on the material plane, and work is the solution. It warns against being indifferent, discontented, and ill-mannered.

Helyn Hitchcock

Take a jump!

"You are that which can never change.. you appear as this body, you appear as this form, you appear as your thoughts and emotions, but you are really the back of it all... That is you, my friend, the Oneness the Source." ~ Burt Harding

Six Action & Awareness Steps to Success - Dumbing it Down

0 to 1 - Cleaning and Clearing: Example: Gather/Collect all lists and notes, weed out the duplicates, old documents and stuff I don't need. Clear the decks, simplify the point of focus, then:

1 to 2 - Focusing & Vision: Having simplified and narrowed down the point of focus, one step/item at a time visualize/determine the desired outcome and next action steps for each, begin to implement, then:

2 to 3 - Structure & Organizing: Streamlined efficiency and maximum productivity. Blueprints, plans, lists, mind rooms, etc. Create a meaningful system of implementation, based on efficiency AND aesthetic/creative considerations, giving importance to every last detail, recall what needs to get done and cover every loose end, then:

3 to 4 - Review/Prepare/Choose & Take Action: Have all predefined work ready to go on cue. Be ready to take appropriate action(s) at appropriate time(s). Dive in, give thinking mind a rest and just DO THE WORK... Show Up and Complete the Job, perform a daily regimen without fail, then cross off all tasks off to-do list(s).

4 to 5 - Concentration/Insight/Re-Invention: A constant upgrading and unfolding of new brilliant, creative ideas, the result of hard work, perspiration, full attention and dedication/determination.

5 to 6 - Imagination/Dreaming/Intuition & Digestion: The internalization of experience, rest from action, reflection, rejuvenation and relaxation, prayer and meditation. The primary internal determining factor (the inner life) of all that manifests outwardly. The end that precedes new beginnings...

JDZ

*Each step comes in twos, a transition from one phase of activity to the next, showing the interrelationship of each to each other.

Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun

Cockpit ready for take off... Destination: The Heart of the Sun, E.T.A. uncertain. Take the controls and get ready for the RIDE OF YOUR LIFE...