Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.
- Abraham Lincoln
Be resolved.
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Everybody hopes to live a happy life, but happiness is only a feeling, which has nothing to do with wealth or poverty, but with the inner heart.
- Confucious (interpreted by Yu Dan)
How happy is your life?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.
- Buddha
Happy Birthday!
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Accepting that you can make a difference in the world is an extraordinary viewpoint.
- Notes from Your Inner Samurai
What's your viewpoint?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
What's your definition of success?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Failure is often the line of least persistence.
- Zig Ziglar
What needs your attention?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Nothing liberates our greatness like the desire to help, the desire to serve.
- Marianne Williamson
Who do you serve?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Turn your wounds into wisdom.
- Oprah Winfrey
Which wound will you infuse with wisdom?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you.
- Maya Angelou
What do people see when they look at you?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.
- Mary Kay Ash
What do you believe?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path with take on greater meaning.
- Oprah Winfrey
Which significant step are you taking now?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
It was so important for me to lose everything, because I found out what the most important thing is, which is to be true to yourself.
- Ellen DeGeneres
How much do you need to lose?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
If you have entrepreneurial dreams, you have to live it and breathe it. You have to treat the idea like a baby, like your child. You don't sleep when you have a new baby. I didn't sleep. I didn't have weekends. I worked nonstop.
- Tyra Banks
How's your baby?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
We plan our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
- Kahlil Gabran
What plans are you making now?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
The incessant mental noise of thinking prevents you from finding that realm of inner stillness that is inseparable from Being.
- Eckhart Tolle
Can you hear it? No? Ah . . . stillness has found you.
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
What constitutes success? She who has achieved success has lived well; laughed often and loved much; has gained the respect of little children; has filled her niche and accomplished her task; has left the world better than she found it; has always looked for the best in others and given the best she had.
- Bessie Anderson Stanley
What's your definition of success?
Thank you, Sandy Aaron for sending this to me.
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.
- Joseph Campbell
What new life is awaiting you?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.
- Albert Einstein
What opportunity is just waiting to be seen?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Your Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Your Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:
Where are you headed?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Inner Samurai Quotation of the Day
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle
The sun is high at the zenith. Clear soft sound of a temple bell, far down in the valley. Voice of the children near the cottages above me on the hillside. The sun is warm. Everything falls into place. Nothing is to be decided. There is nothing to be judged.
Inner Samurai Interlude brought to you by Thomas Merton.
I came across this quotation while perusing Dori Luthy-Harrison's blog, I Eat Clay. Dori is a very talented ceramic artist living in Vancouver. What I liked about her blog was her emphasis on coming alive and being alive.
I thought that epitomized today's Inner Samurai Quotation by Harold Thurman Whitman:
Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
Here's to all the accidental pren-hers and women entrepreneurs of the world who are passionate about their business and feel alive and vibrant doing it!
Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Starting up a business is not for the faint of heart. At times you are so excited about birthing your business into the world that the high, heady feeling seems unending. At other times, you feel dashed to the ground as the agony of defeat threatens to overwhelm you.
When I was starting up my business, I found it helpful to keep some perspective about what I was doing. This not only helped me ride out the highs and lows of my small business start-up, it also allowed me to have the courage to reach beyond the fear and get in touch with my Inner Samurai, to what I really knew and wanted.
Ambrose Redmoon penned it from the confines of his wheelchair, after a car accident left him a paraplegic.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than one's fear. The timid presume it is lack of fear that allows the brave to act when the timid do not. But to take action when one is not afraid is easy. To refrain when afraid is also easy. To take action regardless of fear is brave.
Below are three courageous women I am showcasing who have reached beyond their fear for something greater:
Jeanie Rule -- Is a divorced mother of two teenagers who has gone against the grain to build her own business as a life coach.
Jennifer Silvera -- Lost her husband in the line of duty. Alone, and with two young children to raise, Jennifer has the courage to reach through her loss by writing a book for other women who have lost their husbands in the line of duty.
Valerie Rickel -- Made a very courageous change in her life by moving from the city of Los Angeles, where she had lived her entire life, to a lovely little soulful town in Southern Oregon. She simply packed up her car, drove and didn’t look back.
Do you know of other courageous women who have reached beyond their fear? How about sending me their names so I can include them in my next profiles of courage blog.
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Many of you, I know, are reading the latest Abraham-Hicks book, Money and the Law of Attraction. I thought this quotation was particularly powerful when considered from an Inner Samurai perspective:
To see your world through the eyes of Source is truly the most spectacular view of life, for from that vibrational vantage point, you are in alignment with - and therefore in the process of attracting - only what you would consider to be the very best of your world.
What do you think? Great reminder, yes?
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Orison Swett Marden, founder of Success magazine - one of my favorite business magazines, btw - knew his Inner Samurai. This quotation perfectly reflects the inner knowing and strong action steps that are hallmark characteristics of our Inner Samurai.
"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them."
What do you think? Do you like that bold statement? Or, find it too strong?
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Shunryu Suzuki was a 20th century Soto Zen priest born who was born in Japan and spent a lot of time in the U.S.
Here are five of his Inner Samurai quotations for you to ponder today:
What do you think of Suzuki's thoughts? Do you know of any others? If so, leave a comment and share them with us.
The original Accidental Pren-her™Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Here's an intriguing quotation from an interesting woman.
Annie Dillard is an author who never promotes herself or her books. She used to give public readings; now she doesn't. She doesn't travel. Can't meet with strangers. Doesn't sign books or answer letters.
She is driven to read and concentrate. Still, she writes. And writes she does. Very interesting books on intriguing topics.
Here is her quote on scheduling. I think the image of the leaf provides the perfect scaffolding for the drop of water.
A schedule defends from chaos and whim.
It is a net for catching days.
It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time.
— Annie Dillard
What do you think of this quote from Annie?
Leave a comment. Weigh in!
The original Accidental Pren-her™Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Our Inner Samurai Quotation of the Week is from spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle.
The incessant mental noise of thinking prevents you from finding that realm of inner stillness that is inseparable from Being.
Reflect on that awhile and let us know what you think.
The original Accidental Pren-herAuthor of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Food for thought for your Inner Samurai.
For whereas the mind works in possibilities, the intuition works in actualities, and what you intuitively desire, that is possible to you. Whereas what you mentally or "consciously" desire is nine times out of ten impossible; hitch your wagon to a star, or you will just stay where you are.
— D H Lawrence
Want to know How the Mind Works in Possibilities and Intuition Works in Actualities? The answer will blow you away, oh students of the Law of Attraction.
What think you, my fellow Accidental Pren-hers™?
The original Accidental Pren-herAuthor of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Maria Shriver's latest book, Just Who Will You Be? is full of wisdom and advice along the journey to self discovery. Today's Inner Samurai quotation is taken from page 84. Here she says,
What matters most to me now is what I expect of myself. What matters most to me now is that I know myself -- what my heart feels, what my inner voice is telling me.
Have you read her book? What do you think about this quotation. Agree? Disagree? Let me know!
The original Accidental Pren-her™Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
My friend and colleague, Carol McClelland over at Green Career Central sent me this great Inner Samurai quotation. It's by Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 Astronaut and Founder, Institute of Noetic Sciences:
There are no unnatural or supernatural phenomena, only very large gaps in our knowledge of what is natural...We should strive to fill those gaps of ignorance.
Edgar came to this knowing while traveling back to Earth, after having just walked upon the moon. As he approached the planet, "he was filled with an inner conviction as certain as any mathematical equation he'd ever solved. He knew that the beautiful blue world to which he was returning is part of a living system, harmonious and whole — and that we all participate, as he expressed it later, 'in a universe of consciousness.'"
As you can imagine, this experience radically altered his world view.
He became convinced that the uncharted territory of the human mind was the next frontier to explore, and that it contained possibilities we had hardly begun to imagine. Within two years after returning from his walk upon the moon, Edgar founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences to explore the next frontier.
The inner conviction that Edgar experienced was his Inner Samurai. The beauty of his example, is that he took action from his deep, inner knowing. That's what inspired him to found the Institute. His belief in a universe of consciousness is what's driving the Institute. This is a perfect example of what happens when we listen to our Inner Samurai.
Have you ever known something . . . you know, the deep down inside knowing, that you took action on? Took action on despite there being no or very little physical evidence to support it? If so, tell me about it. I'd love to know.
Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
My former business coach . . . BZ Riger . . . used this quotation by Chelle Thompson in her Master Success Mindset eZine. What I like about it is the inner river metaphor representing the outer flow of the Universe.
For a long time now, I've kept track of my inner river, what I call my Inner Samurai, to see how well I'm flowing. When things are flowing well, I feel like this picture . . . calm, renewed, excited. Calm at my center, supplied by Source, with anticipatory excitement radiating outward for all that is to come.
I can also feel when I am hung-up on a snag. I feel agitated, stuck, and restless.
Chelle's quotation reminds us of the Divine opportunities that come about when we are in the flow of the Universe:
Change has long been a fearful thing for human beings ... and at the same time, it is our most Divine opportunity. Clinging to the banks of the river may seem safe and more secure, but life's possibilities are truly engaged only when we trust, release and become part of the flow of the Universe.
What about you? Are you aware of your inner river? Can you tell the difference between when you are flowing easily and effortlessly, and when you are clinging to the shore, fearful? What's it like for you? Let us know.
Susan L. Reid, the original Accidental Pren-her™
Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
Found this quotation from Almine Barton that I thought was a great Inner Samurai reflection point.
What do you think?
Life is a mirror and that which is within will most certainly manifest without . . . Thus the warrior changes his world by changing himself.
The other day I came across this quotation from Love's Labour's Lost by Shakespeare. I was intrigued because I wasn't sure what it really meant, though certainly liked the reference to light.
So, I went 'splorin'.
Seems that this phrase is but part of a longer quotation that Michael Macrone explains, quite well. I'll let you click the link and read it for yourself.
Here is what I took away from this quotation. Indeed, it is an Inner Samurai quotation because it speaks against placing too much importance on seeking truth from outside yourself. Instead, turn inward for guidance. Inward for guidance and outward for support. Not the other way around.
Read Michael Marcone's explanation and see what you glean from this oft bandied about quotation from Love's Labour's Lost. What's your interpretation of this quotation? Think it's an Inner Samurai quotation or not?
Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Twentieth century Irish poet and storyteller James Stephens really gets it. He knows the value and importance of listening to your heart, to your inner voice . . . to what I call, your Inner Samurai.
The head does not hear anything until the heart has listened, and what the heart knows today the head will understand tomorrow.
What do you think about this quotation? Agree? Disagree? Does it resonate within you?
This morning I was over at spirituality mentor and energy practitioner Janice Puta's new blog site, Every Day Mystic, reading her latest post and came upon this for our Inner Samurai quote of the week:
Know that you are sourced in the Eternal.
Sourced in the Eternal. If you think about this a bit and flip it around, the inverse is also true:
We are an outsource of Eternal.
Isn't that a marvelous thought?
What's the difference between listening deeply to your heart and listening for the quiet, sure voice of your Inner Samurai?
Nothing.
They are one in the same.
This is a fabulous quotation from Carl Jung, the father of analytical psychology and one of the creators of modern depth psychology, which seeks to facilitate a conversation with the unconscious energies that move through us all.
Mid-life is a time to listen deeply to your heart.
I think this a lovely quotation to reflect upon and take in. How does it speak to you?
Here's a great quotation from Eckhart Tolle.
Clearly, Eckhart knows his Inner Samurai, knows what to do to get himself in touch with his inner knower, and has made it a habit of his to do so.
When Challenges come,
as they always do,
make it a habit to go within at once
and focus as much as you can
on the inner energy field
of your body.
What do you think? Have you made going within to connect with your Inner Samurai one of your New Year resolutions?
I'm a big fan of Mike Dooley, the originator of TUT. Are you?
Each weekday I receive Mike Dooley's daily email Notes From the Universe. In it, are daily reminders about living life from an inner perspective -- Inner Samurai style.
Here's a great Inner Samurai reminder from a recent TUT email:
Little else you say can change so much in the life of another than words of praise, compliments, or encouragement. ~ The Universe
You know, It's a really simple quotation. Nothing really complex about it. Nothing to discern. Nothing to chew on or noodle about. It's so simple and so easy. Just compliment someone. Give them a pat on the back. Let them know when they have done something well. Thank them for what they have done for you. Let them know they have made a difference in your world.
Mike Dooley's quotation dovetails nicely with my "Gratitude Attitude" post that generated a lot of great comments last month.
What do you think? Is praise, gratitude, and giving people compliments just a lot of hype? Is it meaningless dribble or powerful portent? Weigh in. Let us know your thoughts.
My client and book illustrator Dana Weelkey of Nine Tomatoes fame sent me this wonderful Martha Graham quotation. In it, Martha is describing to fellow dancer and choreographer Agnes DeMille about that extraordinary piece that each person has to offer to the world -- what I like to call your unique signature.
There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.
What each entrepreneurial woman needs to keep in mind when starting up her business is that she indeed does have something unique to offer to the world. Something extraordinary that only she can offer. To quote boldly from chapter 14 of my book:
Look no further. You are extra-ordinary. You do have something unique and special to offer the world. Dare to show it. Dare to offer it. The world is your oyster. The Universe is working on your behalf for all great and good things.
What do you think of Martha Graham's quotation? Do you believe there is something extraordinary within you that you have to offer the world? Let us know.
20th century American author Lillian Smith's quotation about the importance of balancing the outer with the inner journey is perfect for today's Inner Samurai quotes.
I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.
This balance is so important to keep in mind, whether we are traditionally employed women, accidental pren-hers, or entrepreneurial women. I like the concept of creating depth while expanding breadth.
How about you? What do you think about this quotation? Agree? Disagree?
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
This Lee Harris quote was sent in by Dana Weekley of Nine Tomatoes.
Thanks Dana! Great food for Inner Samurai thought.
The act of becoming, it is a present moment act. It is carved every second, with every fiber of your being.
Weigh in. Let us know what you think. Agree? Disagree?
Mary Ellen Whitaker of Voice of Clarity sent me this quote from Esther Hicks-Abraham. I thought it was such a great Inner Samurai reflection point for today.
What do you think?
So, the truth is, there's not one path. The truth is, there's not only one right path. The truth is, all paths can be made to be the right path. The truth is, that every individual has a different path. And that different path that every individual is launching incrementally—and amending constantly—that true path is known by Source and is guided by Source if you will pay attention to the way you feel.
Thank you Mary Ellen!
Found this quotation from Almine Barton that I thought was a great Inner Samurai reflection point.
What do you think?
Life is a mirror and that which is within will most certainly manifest without . . . Thus the warrior changes his world by changing himself.
My new blogging friend Debbe Kennedy over at Women in the Lead Inspiration blog wrote this past week about the commitment it took for her to finish her book. Her post, "The Quality of Commitment" talks about that inner focus and vision that is so necessary and important for us all to have when going for the gold. Here is the part of her blog that I thought spoke particularly cleary to commitment from the inside out -- Inner Samurai style.
COMMITMENT
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.
It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions and
The actions which speak louder than your words.Commitment is making time when there is none.
Coming through time after time, year after year.Commitment is the stuff character is made of.
It is power to change the face of things.
It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.
I especially liked the words transforms, intentions, character, power to change, and integrity.
What were your favorite parts? Anything else you would like to add?
I am a Mike Dooley fan and of his TUT emails that arrive in my inbox each morning. This one just blew me away!
This is the answer to Inner Samurai creation and manifestation!
When your dreams or "end results" are stated generally, in broad brush strokes, like wealth and abundance, friends and laughter, health and harmony, then please, by all means attach yourself to them. Attach, attach, attach. There is no limit to what you can have and no reason to expect anything less.
But when your end results are specific, like the ultimate car, a hot date, or a home in the country, do not attach, do not attach, do not attach.
Material details and specifics are always "how" to get to a grander picture of your life and are never important in and of themselves. They're "cursed hows" disguised as end results. Steps disguised as destinations. By all means, think of them, put them in your scrapbook or on your vision board to remind yourself of the kind of possessions and adventures that are your birthright, but do not give them an importance, through attachment, greater than what you are truly after: a fuller, richer life with all cups running over, the details of which will take care of themselves, when this is your end result.
Know the "wows" not the "hows."
— The Universe
Did this just blow you away, too? Here's the secret to all creation!
Weigh in and let me know what you think!
Jambo!
Everything you need you already have. You are complete right now, you are a whole, total person, not an apprentice person on the way to someplace else. Your completeness must be understood by you and experienced in your thoughts as your own personal reality.
~ Beverly Sills
Would you say that about says it all?
What do these five people have in common? They have found a way to take their multiple streams of passion and turn them into thriving, exciting businesses.
Here are quotations from five passionate people who pay attention to their Inner Samurai voice.
Be inspired. Be very inspired. You can do this, too.
Great dancers aren't great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.
Martha GrahamBe still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.
D H LawrenceThe essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, passion.
Nadia BoulangerPassion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.
Oprah WinfreyWithout passion you don't have energy, without energy you have nothing.
Donald Trump
What do you have to say about passion?
How have you combined your many passions into a multiple stream of passion business?
What do you think of this quote from Annie Dillard?
I discovered it while writing a chapter in my book on structure and chaos. I think the leaf to the right provides the perfect scaffolding for the drop of water.
A schedule defends from chaos and whim.
It is a net for catching days.
It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time.
— Annie Dillard
What do you think?
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