This tale has been retold many, many times like any good folktale.
Here are a couple of versions….

A man named Sei Weng owned a beautiful mare which was praised far and wide. One day this beautiful horse disappeared. The people of his village offered sympathy to Sei Weng for his great misfortune. Sei Weng said simply, “That’s the way it is.”

A few days later the lost mare returned, followed by a beautiful wild stallion. The village congratulated Sei Weng for his good fortune. He said, “That’s the way it is.”

Some time later, Sei Weng’s only son, while riding the stallion, fell off and broke his leg. The village people once again expressed their sympathy at Sei Weng’s misfortune. Sei Weng again said, “That’s the way it is.”

Soon thereafter, war broke out and all the young men of the village except Sei Weng’s lame son were drafted and were killed in battle. The village people were amazed as Sei Weng’s good luck. His son was the only young man left alive in the village. But Sei Weng kept his same attitude: despite all the turmoil, gains and losses, he gave the same reply, “That’s the way it is.”

Chin-Ning Chu, in “The Asian Mind Game: unlocking the hidden agenda of the Asian business culture — a westerner’s survival manual,” New York:Macmillan Publishing Company(1991)

and another

A man who lived on the northern frontier of China was skilled in interpreting events. One day, for no reason, his horse ran away to the nomads across the border. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a blessing?”

Some months later his horse returned, bringing a splendid nomad stallion. Everyone congratulated him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a disaster?”

Their household was richer by a fine horse, which his son loved to ride. One day he fell and broke his hip. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a blessing?”

A year later the nomads came in force across the border, and every able-bodied man took his bow and went into battle. The Chinese frontiersmen lost nine of every ten men. Only because the son was lame did the father and son survive to take care of each other.

Truly, blessing turns to disaster, and disaster to blessing: the changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.

The Lost Horse, Chinese Folktale.
As told by Ellen J. Langer, in” The Power of Mindful Learning,” Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley (1997).

This article was written by Gay Landeta with the intention of helping you to Create the Life you Want to Live! All rights reserved 2011.

Surely once we have mastery over ourselves we have inner leadership?

Perhaps not. Inner leadership is not so much about managing ourselves as leading ourselves.

Managing is about doing what is necessary today to get to where you want to go.

Leading is about creating the vision.

Inner leadership is about finding that quiet place within, amongst all the clamouring of all the voices and determining what it is that you are really wanting. Once found and aligned with it creates a sense of peace in our life that can be sorely wanted in these crazy times.

Outer Leadership, on the other hand, is about being driven by what others think, what others want for us, what we think we should have or think or do. Essentially Outer Leadership is about being driven by factors that are external to who we truly are and what our purpose for being is.

If you are finding yourself focusing on these external things you have just been distracted. Our true purpose is very unlikely to be a owning a nice new car, or a lovely house. Those things could be seen as an important part of managing and supporting ourselves so we can achieve our vision and be living our purpose, but they are not the purpose itself.

Getting clear about the big picture and separating it away from the management of our lives can stop us limiting ourselves by our ego desires. We can stop trying to figure out how to make something happen and just allow our-self to dream. Dreams can create reality when they align with our highest.

In trying to figure out what our highest callings we have to let go of our cultural and family conditioning. Our society puts a myriad of expectations on us including a picture of success equals a certain type of job, a flash car, a big house, the requisite number of happy children and exotic holidays. It is oh so easy to buy into this and use these as ideals that lead us.

Instead to get to our True Vision we need to allow ourself to dream of what is important to us in our heart of hearts. And then step up to make them happen.

Lets play….

Which of these values are important to you and why:

Authenticity

Serenity

Compassion

Service

Just is

Beauty

Right Relationships

Truth

Joy

Gratitude

(you can add in any more you can think of)

Now, when you start dreaming of what your purpose may be gather the values that you hold dear and see how they fit into that vision.

Or simply gather the values together and see how that looks in the bigger picture of your life. Start to manage yourself  to achieve more of that and you may find your purpose finds you.

This article was written by Gay Landeta with the intention of helping you to Create the Life you Want to Live! All rights reserved 2011.

We are now in the few days before the full moon on the 13th and in a mercury retrograde… Most of us will be in a fairly reflective state of mind. This post from The Hames Report spoke to my heart, both as a parent and as a child. http://fiveliteracies.typepad.com/richard_hames/2011/08/stepping-into-abundance-a-letter-to-my-children.html

Another month slides by…. the essence (and theme!) for the month just emerged!

Deep Wisdom

Be fully present and connected to the deep wisdom of within.
Trust all that is.
Fall into the place of peace, calm and inner conviction
And embrace the courage of expression of the Self.

I am really looking forward to this. I am finding such interesting synchronicity with the essences… I found last month’s essence  Balanced Divine Strength  incredibly supportive during the floods. I remember taking it one day (maybe the Wednesday?) and absolutely gathering the strength to trust the process of the day…..

Anyway, those in the Club will get it early next week! If you want to know more about the club click here

enjoy!

Gay

….Now I’m going to scrap that little chunk of crap off the bottom of my
soul and fling it onto my pile of past mistakes and carry on with my life….. Bill Harding

This email came from my Action Plan Coach Colleague and friend Geoff Kelly, I think it sets a perfect note at this time of year when we are reflecting on the past and beginning to be ready for the new and thought you might enjoy it!

I wish you a wonderful and refreshing holiday break and an joyous and abundant New Year!

Warmest regards,

Gay

With Gratitude and Best Wishes…

About 10 years ago I heard some words that changed my life from Canadian achievement scholar and expert Bob Proctor:

“When you set goals, don’t worry so much that you’ll need to live up to them. Focus on setting goals that are worthy of you. Make them goals you would give your life for…because whatever you are doing now, you are expending your life on it.”

I find it helpful to collect and reflect on the wisdom of people who have achieved much in life. I’ve attached a brief selection of these on the next few pages, as you might enjoy reflecting on them too as you prepare for next year. These are people and words that have changed lives and changed history. If we reflect and act on their wisdom, we can expect no less of ourselves. I hope you and your family have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and that you make 2010 your most fabulous year yet. I’ll look forward to sharing that journey.
Best wishes
Geoff Kelly

“If you want to know your past – look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future – look into
your present actions.”
Chinese Proverb

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, Physicist

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of
being.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749-1832, German Poet and Novelist

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968, Civil Rights Leader

“You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence is not an event – it is a habit.”
Aristotle, 384-322 BC, Greek Philosopher and Scientist

“Let us become the change we seek in this world.”
Mohandas Gandhi

“What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
Napoleon Hill, Author of Think and Grow Rich

“The first step to becoming is to will it.”
Mother Teresa

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
St. Francis of Assisi 1181-1226, Founder of the Franciscan Order

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
Alexander Graham Bell, 1847-1922, Inventor

“It is no use saying, “We are doing our best.” You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.”
Winston Churchill, British statesman

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do
anything you decide to do.”
Amelia Earhart, Aviator

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou, Poet

“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for
something and that this thing must be attained.”
Marie Curie, Physicist

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”
Ferdinand Foch, Military strategist

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to
lose. You are naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Steve Jobs, CEO Apple Computers

What I will do to make 2010 my best year ever:
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And if you want to subscribe to his newsletter, Leading Minds, the online newsletter for leaders who want others to support their ideas simply go to http://www.kellystrategicinfluence.com.au and enter your name and email address in the subscription box.

OK folks – this is the week for change! Well – at least an auspicious one from a astrology perspective – resist and perish is one way it could be seen…. as Babula Clemens, a well respected Brisbane Astrology teacher comments, and I quote… “On September 15th, we have the 3rd of a series of 5 dynamic oppositions between Saturn, planet of the old, and Uranus, planet of the new. This opposition began in November 2008 (when Obama was elected), continues through to the end of July 2010 and is a major factor in the huge changes we are all experiencing. The Shift is upon us”….

Pus we have a new moon (new start) at the end of the week – powerful stuff for Virgoans and also Pisceans or those with strong Virgo/Piscean influences…

enjoy!

Gay

Just a reminder as this seems to be the theme of consultations this week ; Life is way to important to be taken seriously!

Take time out for a laugh with friends, a stupid movie or whatever it takes to tickle your funny bone. It truly is the most healing thing we can do!

laugh lots!

Gay

April 8th, 2009

This is an amazing story of a man who is still making wonderful choices for himself and the whole world, working and serving others still at 97! His life insights are truly inspirational. We are truly only as old as we feel! I love that he has plans for 2016.

I want to make big art in my life – not small squiggles! xxgay

‘ A man is but a product of his thoughts ‘ — M.K.Gandhi

At the age of 97 years and 4 months, Shigeaki Hinohara is one of the world’s longest-serving physicians and educators.  Hinohara’s magic touch is legendary .. since 1941 he has been healing patients at St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo and teaching at St. Luke’s College of Nursing. After World War II, he envisioned a world-class hospital and college springing from the ruins of Tokyo; thanks to his pioneering spirit and business savvy, the doctor turned these institutions into the nation’s top medical facility and nursing school.  Today he serves as chairman of the board of trustees at both organizations.  Always willing to try new things, he has published around 150 books since his 75th birthday, including one “Living Long, Living Good” that has sold more than 1.2 million copies.  As the founder of the New Elderly Movement, Hinohara encourages others to live a long and happy life, a quest in which no role model is better than the doctor himself.

After reading below, if you are interested in this man check out an interview from 2006
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20060108x1.html

Doctor Shigeaki Hinohara JUDIT KAWAGUCHIPHOTO

Energy comes from feeling good, not from eating well or sleeping a lot. We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It’s best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime.

All people who live long   regardless of nationality, race or gender   share one thing in common: None are overweight… For breakfast I drink coffee, a glass of milk and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work.. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat..

Always plan ahead. My schedule book is already full until 2014, with lectures and my usual hospital work. In 2016 I’ll have some fun, though: I plan to attend the Tokyo Olympics!

There is no need to ever retire, but if one must, it should be a lot later than 65. The current retirement age was set at 65 half a century ago, when the average life-expectancy in Japan was 68 years and only 125 Japanese were over 100 years old. Today, Japanese women live to be around 86 and men 80, and we have 36,000 centenarians in our country. In 20 years we will have about 50,000 people over the age of 100…

Share what you know. I give 150 lectures a year, some for 100 elementary-school children, others for 4,500 business people. I usually speak for 60 to 90 minutes, standing, to stay strong.

When a doctor recommends you take a test or have some surgery, ask whether the doctor would suggest that his or her spouse or children go through such a procedure. Contrary to popular belief, doctors can’t cure everyone. So why cause unnecessary pain with surgery  I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine.

To stay healthy, always take the stairs and carry your own stuff. I take two stairs at a time, to get my muscles moving.

My inspiration is Robert Browning’s poem “Abt Vogler.” My father used to read it to me. It encourages us to make big art, not small scribbles. It says to try to draw a circle so huge that there is no way we can finish it while we are alive. All we see is an arch; the rest is beyond our vision but it is there in the distance.

Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Luke’s we have music and animal therapies, and art classes.

Don’t be crazy about amassing material things. Remember: You don’t know when your number is up, and you can’t take it with you to the next place.

Hospitals must be designed and prepared for major disasters, and they must accept every patient who appears at their doors. We designed St…. Luke’s so we can operate anywhere: in the basement, in the corridors, in the chapel. Most people thought I was crazy to prepare for a catastrophe, but on March 20, 1995, I was unfortunately proven right when members of the Aum Shinrikyu religious cult launched a terrorist attack in the Tokyo subway. We accepted 740 victims and in two hours figured out that it was sarin gas that had hit them. Sadly we lost one person, but we saved 739 lives.

Science alone can’t cure or help people. Science lumps us all together, but illness is individual. Each person is unique, and diseases are connected to their hearts. To know the illness and help people, we need liberal and visual arts, not just medical ones.

Life is filled with incidents. On March 31, 1970, when I was 59 years old, I boarded the Yodogo, a flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and as Mount Fuji came into sight, the plane was hijacked by the Japanese Communist League-Red Army Faction. I spent the next four days handcuffed to my seat in 40-degree heat. As a doctor, I looked at it all as an experiment and was amazed at how the body slowed down in a crisis.

Find a role model and aim to achieve even more than they could ever do. My father went to the United States in 1900 to study at DukeUniversity in North Carolina. He was a pioneer and one of my heroes. Later I found a few more life guides, and when I am stuck, I ask myself how they would deal with the problem.

It’s wonderful to live long. Until one is 60 years old, it is easy to work for one’s family and to achieve one’s goals. But in our later years, we should strive to contribute to society. Since the age of 65, I have worked as a volunteer. I still put in 18 hours seven days a week and love every minute of it.

Have a great Easter!

Gay

March 26th, 2009

I have been fairly frantic lately so loved this reminder about the importance of stopping to smell the roses. Do yourself a favour – read it through and ask yourself the questions at the end of the piece ……

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the
violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for
about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated
that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their
way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician
playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then
hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman
threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him,
then the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he
was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3-year-old boy. His mother
hurried him along, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist.
Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning
his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other
children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed
for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal
pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over,
no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best
musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever
written, with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a
theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100 each.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station
was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment
about people’s perception, taste, and priorities.

The questions were:

In a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour:

• Do we perceive beauty?
• Do we stop to appreciate it?
• Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we don’t have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Think about it.

That’s all for now!

Cheers, Gay