Sal's Reflections

Using my two goals of getting at least a hundred reviews on Amazon for my two novels and garnering an additional twenty five speaking engagements I will address the question of beliefs. To support these goals it is essential to consciously state some beliefs. I believe that I have the skills and contacts to achieve these goals. My network and so many helpful friends and family will support me.My conscious and sub-conscious will find ways to actualize these goal. Now for you state at least two conscious beliefs that will support your goals. If there are any negative beliefs that you hold offer your brain a positive alternative, For example” I am too old “replacement” I am not to old”. Negative “I don’t know how” Positive”I will find out how.”

WE often state that change is difficult but I think that change is not so difficult once leverage is established for the change. One reality that supports or hinders change are our beliefs. There are many self limiting beliefs that we accrue along the way and many of these are subliminal. Raising them to the conscious level is the first step to leverage. Are some of your beliefs standing in the way of your goals? If so do you still accept them? If not what beliefs could you substitute that would give you leverage?. For example some persons hold on to things like” I am too old” or “it is the wrong time “Or I blew it years ago”. New beliefs always create leverage

Going to suspend the goal setting for one day.This afternoon I was on my way to the metro to meet Elaine. About twenty feet in front of me I saw a tree literally have a huge branch come crashing to the ground. I was stunned and initially though it was an individual lightning bolt.The branch was huge with part in the road and part covering the sidewalk. A woman noticed that there was a piece of clothing in the middle of the branch. Three of us gently lifted the huge branch and… underneath the leaves was the still body of a woman. She apparently jumped from the apartment building.One person went to move her and I prevented him because you should never move someone who is that seriously injured. In the next few minutes the police and hordes of medical staff arrived. She was unconscious but had a weak pulse. So very very sad and though I have in the past known persons who killed themselves it was still stunning. Not sure she jumped but suicide is not the act of a coward but rather for that person the only choice they see at that moment. I hope that if anyone in my circle is ever that desperate I will be aware of their pain.

A key source of leverage to successful goal setting is the monitoring of speech. Goals are often sabotaged by negative speech patterns .The “I could never statements”that are made to ourselves prevent the brain from focusing on the essential behaviors required for success. If you want to change behavior and provide psychic energy to your goals then substitute positive speech patterns.”I will find a way’,I am committed to these goals”I will develop the necessary skills and secure the essential resources.” Statements like this are critical to building momentum that provides and sustains goal supporting behaviors.

• One powerful assets in the goal setiing process is the power of the visual. We have a part of our brain that seeks to implement the concrete goals we desire. I love the phrase”What does finished look like”? Seeing the goal actually finished can give real leverage and motivation. When I was writing Hitler’s Priest I would go to Barnes and Noble and imagine it being on the Fiction shelves. Seeing the end result can provide energy and inspiration. Picture your goals accomplished as if the process had been successful. The more visually concrete the more leverage you will acquire

One of the keys to goal setting and achievement is to provide as much leverage as possible. I like to begin with an honest assessment of three words. They are wish, want and choose.Wishing and wanting something to happen are nice thoughts but they never provide sustained leverage. To choose something requires a commitment of sustained behavior. I clearly choose my two goals this morning and that will provide leverage in all of the behavior that must follow. Where are you this morning? In the whimsy of wish and want or have you moved to choose?

The Jewish Book site chose my blog as their feature.It was a surprise.

http://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/_blog/The_ProsenPeople/post/how-a-former-catholic-priest-gained-a-new-understanding-of-the-holocaust/

Many of us as children had people who believed in us. They encouraged us, often dealt with our fears and enabled us to grow and learn. It might have been a parent, a teacher,a friend or a loved one. The  need for this support of others does not end when you reach adulthood, and it is important for us to garner those who believe in us and to provide support for those who cross our path. I have seen it over and over that when someone believes in us we move out of our comfort zone into the areas where we would not have ventured. It is not the phony compliments that make a difference but rather the commitment to see what others can become when we stand next to them

I must admit that as a die hard Cardinal fan I watched the game last night but lost hope when they went down 6 to 1. They were being mowed down by the best pitcher on the planet when the miracle happened and they won 10 to 9. It was only a game but it reminded me that never giving up has merit in almost every human adventure. Surely failure hurts and disappointment can sear the soul but getting off the deck is always worth it.Today is the day when the dream begins again.

We are all familiar with the expression “keep you eye on the prize” The prize for most of us may be a long cherished goal or the repairing of a fractured relationship. Reflection on the important issues should not be an occasional event. Life is so tangible and there are so many prizes within our grasp. The touching of others lives,the caring for elderly parents, the trip you never seem to take,the new business or class that somehow never fits your schedule. For some of us it is reopen your eyes and see the prize. They are out there so clean the glasses and take the first step.

Three years ago I dusted off an old dream and began on a road with minimal awareness about where the road would lead. I had made a promise to my mentor that at some point I would become a witness to all that I had heard from Holocaust survivors. This pledge was to take form in the writing of two novels and a series of presentations. The journey literally started with one step and a great deal of unanswered questions. Every dream and pledge begins in similar fashion. You don’t need to have every step pre planned and figured out. Dust off one of your dreams today and take that first step. It may lead you to moments and events beyond your imagination.