Advice and dissent: Obama Reaches Out To Ex-Rivals

Why on earth would anyone reach out to someone who had treated them so brutally in front of the entire world? That’s the question that many are likely asking President-elect Obama. Has he lost his mind? Is he a glutton for punishment.

Think again.

President-elect Obama proved his character in the campaign. In my humble opinion, that’s what got him elected.

I watched this whole campaign, allowing each event, each attack, each accusation, each pointed finger and each ludicrous supposition. I kept a keen eye on the tactics and attitude that prevailed in each candidate.

Attitude reveals character. Character is strength in the end.

All throughout the campaign, President-elect Obama persistently treated his opponents with fairness, integrity and as much compassion as can be had in political elections. Many in the Democratic party were wanting him to come out stronger against Senator McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin. Then Senator Obama restrained much of what he could have done in retaliation to some of the more vicious attacks.

Why did he take this position?

I believe that deeply in his own heart and mind, he knew that answering every ludicrous slur about him (i.e. palin’ around with terrorists, being a radical Muslim, being a radical Christian, blah, blah, blah…) would not work in this favor. He restrained himself and his campaign from making the run for president any kind of personal attack or vendetta against his opponent.

Bottomline, dirty campaigning doesn’t work.

The American people are smart enough to elect officials based on ‘what they are for; what we believe they can do’ and not how bad the other guy is. In essence, don’t give us, ‘my opponent is a bad, bad man so don’t vote for him. Oh…..and…..I’m the only other one on the ballot, so, ‘vote for ME!’

Politicians underestimate the wisdom of the people who go into the poll boothes. Almost intuitively, we see through the dirty tricks, the fear mongering, the ‘those people are bad’ tactics. The truth is, throughout history, the candidate that campaigned the dirtiest, with an onslaught of personal attacks on his opponent, has almost always lost their campaign.

So what would President-elect Obama seek the help of his former rivals?

I believe that he is using the wisdom of a Lincoln to pull this country together. He knows that if he can win the hearts of his former opponents then he can win the hearts of the 48% of Americans who didn’t vote for him. His appointments of former rivals can be the most powerful force in turning around what we are presently facing in this country and the world.

Though I declare no affiliation with either party, I applaud what I’m seeing right now. I believe it is vital in leading us to many answers our country and the world needs right now. Let’s learn from this example. Unity is power. Let us continue to remember that we are ‘one nation’. Let’s regain the respect of the world!

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Michael Murphy is the author of ‘Powerful Attitudes’. He is a speaker, author and positive living business and personal coach. Visit his website at http://www.positiveattitudes.com or write him at mike@positiveattitudes.com .

Obama and McCain Meet – First Meeting Since Election

Why It Matters

This afternoon, in Chicago, Illinois, John McCain will make good on supporting his former rival, president-elect Barack Obama. Senator McCain and President-elect Obama will be meeting this afternoon.

If you saw the concession speech of Senator McCain, then you likely saw the ‘real’ John McCain. At least, you saw John McCain at his best. It was genuine, sincere, from his heart. In fact, anyone with ‘ohs, ahs or boos’ were silenced as he shared his true feelings. Thus, the meeting today between the two, is not surprising.

My field of training and expertise causes me to sit up and take notice of the underlying attitudes of people. The underlying attitudes of two candidates that are so publicly displayed in a political election reveal several things about the private person and his/her true motives and desires.

With that said, I’m going venture far out on the limb and ask what I felt all along in this presidential election. That is,

Did John McCain really want to be president?

Now before you fire off an email to me, hear me out.

Most of us who have any voice at all in the personal development/self help industry, separate politics (and particularly campaigns) from our philosophies that we assert in our books, products, speeches and articles. We allow the deepest desire to ‘always keep everything positive’ our primary aim. I know. I do it myself.

However, I can’t help but listen intently and watch the actions of such public figures and search for their true meaning..

The first obvious sign to me that McCain really didn’t want to the office was when he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. Whether she was qualified or not, no one knew who she was or anything about her. The strategy of having her on the ticket, in that moment, could only be a move to secure the female vote that might have gone for Hilary Clinton.

The fact is, most Republican lawmakers and party loyalists stood there and must have at least thought, “What is he doing? Again, no judgment on her qualifications. No one knew anything about her except that she was a governor of a state with an entire population equivalent to the city of El Paso, Texas.

Though ridiculous barbs were thrown back and forth between these two men who will be meeting today, Senator McCain’s campaign (including Governor Palin) ventured into the arena of being at least soiled campaigning if not down right dirty. The media would say that this in itself ‘sends and underlying message’ to the American people. I read it as, ‘look at him/her, they are bad; I’m the only one left in this campaign. Vote, but don’t vote for the other guy.’

Too many campaigns have used manipulative fear to get voters’ votes. This election was no exception. To me, the negative campaigning sends a negative message to the American people. I believe that the American people are savvy to such. You may not find it in the media, but I believe that it does exist in the hearts and minds of people.
Today’s meeting of these two men contributes to the ideal of the past two weeks historic events.

I know that John McCain cares deeply about America. I don’t just believe that he offered his life once for this country. I believe that he would do likewise today. To humble himself as he did in his concession speech and now, to reach out so quickly to his for opponent by having this meeting today, I believe is a sign that there is indeed tremendous hope for America.

I applaud both men believe that they have been instrumental in making a positive turn for our country.

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Michael Murphy is the author of ‘Powerful Attitudes’
Email: mike@positiveattitudes.com

Controlling Your Thoughts

Controlling Your Thoughts

I hear people say, “I can’t think positive all of the time. Its just impossible to see everything in a positive light all of the time.” Everyone struggles with keeping a positive attitude. I do. You do. We all do. Our upbringing, conditioning and environment is constantly bombarding us with negative information. Most of us have come to the conclusion that the world is just a ‘negative place.’

So how can you get more of a positive attitude and keep it longer in your day?

I asked myself this question recently and made the following discovery.

First, you need to acknowledge that ‘now’ is the only real time that exists. Yesterday is gone. An hour ago is gone. And hour from now isn’t here yet. There really is no reality other than ‘right now.’

And, secondly, the thought you have ‘right now’ is the only thought that you have any power to control. Even if you make a decision to do a certain thing 3 hours from now, you decision is made ‘now.’ You only have control over the thought that is in your mind ‘now.’

Next, the only thought that you can change is the thought you have ‘now.’ You can’t change thoughts you’ve already thought. Like an hour ago. They are gone. You can’t control thoughts an hour from now. They don’t exist until you’re living that hour or moment.

So, the big key to living with a more positive attitude is realize your power to choose your present thoughts and then, choose positive ones. You have the power to do this. If you’re thinking about something that may happen in your future and you are imagining a negative outcome, only you have the power to see it as a positive outcome.

The decisions that you make now will determine your future. You don’t have to fear your future outcomes. Even if you choose to see them as positive and they don’t live completely live up to your expectations, the least you’ll be is a bit disappointed. However, when you start to control your present thoughts, you’re going to find more favorable and desirable results in your life.

Revive Your Dreams

Revive Your Dreams

Go back and imagine you are a kid again. Back to when you were 7, 8, 10 or 12 years old. Remember how you thought about your life. Especially when you were alone and you’d allow yourself to dream about your future. You saw yourself being what you wanted to be. You dreamed about it.

Now, see yourself as a teenager. Perhaps you are 17 or 18 years old. Those dreams were still there even though they likely had lost a lot of the dominance they once had in your thinking. Then, into your 20s; perhaps you got married and started a family. People told you that you were going to have to get realistic about your life. Dreaming of your future was an activity that was now dormant in the back of your mind.

Its funny that dreams hardly ever go completely away. They get pushed to the back of the mental bookshelf. They get forgotten. But, even as I mention it to you right now, they are still there.

I’m not going to tell you that all dreams can still be lived in the way that you once imagined. If you didn’t do the training and pay the price to do so, you aren’t likely going to go and win the Olympics today. However, many dreams can still be revived and lived out at some level.

What if, the reason that you were born was to live out those dreams that you once had and which were so vivid in your mind? What if they still are? You see, I think dreams were divinely given to be lived. I realize that some things, such as going to the Olympics, aren’t likely going to happen. But perhaps you could coach children to be all that they can be.

Whatever your dream is in your life, just consider that you were and are, meant to live those dreams. Allow yourself to entertain that consideration for just a moment today. Then think about what you CAN do about your dreams. Go ahead. It will cost you nothing. Let your dream come into your consciousness again. And, at least, enjoy the moment.

Follow Your Heart

You’ve heard it before. ‘Follow your heart.’ I’ve found that its the only way to be truly happy.

Perhaps you look back over the years and realize that you’ve always been conflictive about following your passion. I’ve learned that until you live your purpose daily, your life won’t make sense. You will not experience the peace that you deserve.

What is it that, (1) as a child, you always looked forward (wished for) to doing, being or having when you got older? (2) what is the dream you’ve had, could never shake from your mind; you always keep coming back to even though you may have felt frustrated by it constant haunting your mind? (3) what is it that you would do even if you never got a penny for it? (4) what is it that you’d do if you knew you could not fail at it?

I can assure you that when you’ve answer these questions (or perhaps even one or two of them), then, you will know your purpose for being born. Then, take at least a few small steps towards that purpose, beginning today. If you don’t know ‘what to do’, then, I always suggest that today’s ‘action’ is to seek the answer to, ‘what is my first step?’ Remember, when you ask you’ll be told; when you seek, you will find.

I’m here, nudging you today to start living your purpose.

With love,
Michael

How To Find Happiness

How To Find Happiness

The pursuit of happiness seems to be the most elusive goal that most people seek. It was not until I sat down and wrote out on a 3×5 index card, my true purpose for being born, that I began to find true happiness in my life.

What is your purpose for being here on this planet? If you don’t know, how do you find out what it is?

First, search your heart to discover what it is you dream about doing in your life. Perhaps it was when you were a child that you had dreams about ‘being’ something in particular or doing something that you longed for. Listen, do not discount childhood dreams. You had them for a reason. People and/or events in life may have talked you out of those dreams. But, your challenge in life is to revisit those dreams and discover how they can be lived out in your life today.

Second, your purpose for being here is directly tied to your service to other people. Dozens of studies have proved that we are happiest when we are serving the needs of others. There’s many ways to do this. I know a man who is a carpenter. He frames houses. He recognizes the incredible joy that his work brings to others in contributing by building the walls, roofs and finish work within the house. He said to me, “Have you ever seen anyone unhappy when buying a home?” I never have. Its one of the happiest times of their lives.

When I was a teenager, one of the many jobs I had was carrying groceries out at the Kroger grocery store near my home. I loved serving people in this manner. I loved, especially, the little old ladies who I would assist in getting their groceries into their cars. It built character that created joy in me by serving them.

Later, I had a job delivering the daily newspaper. Again, I loved providing that service for people to read and be informed of the daily news. I liked going the extra mile and making sure their paper was on their front porch. I wanted to serve them the very best I could. It made ME happy.

Your purpose in life will make YOU happy. It will likely be, in some way, connected to helping others.

Discover your purpose in life and start doing it. Happiness will show up in your life like you’ve never experienced before.

P.S. If you haven’t already, go see your name in my amazing book. That’s right. YOUR NAME in my book. Go here and see for FREE http://www.youramazingbook.com

Did You Forget This?

What You Really Are

When you begin to identify the stages of life, it all somehow, starts to make sense. Why do you feel special? Why do you feel ‘different’?

I think about the little egg that becomes a tadpole and looks a lot like a tiny fish. Yet, in time, it grows legs and that wiggly tail it once had becomes two very powerful back legs. So powerful that in a second it can leap a foot or two. Those two legs recoil and immediately jump another foot or longer.

I also think about the egg that becomes a long fuzzy worm. Its the caterpillar. Then at a certain stage of life, it grows an outer shell, a cocoon. From that, what used to crawl on the ground without much beauty or aesthetic appeal, it emerges with wings and becomes an amazing beautiful butterfly.

Then there’s you. You were once a microscopic tadpole. A seed with amazing potential. You start as an embryo. You emerge into this world as a human being. In those first few years, scientist have proved that you possess genius. You do what is almost impossible for most later in their life. You learn a language. Think about it. You start with no vocabulary at all and in 2.5 to 3 years, you learn the vast majority of words that you’ll need to function for the next 70 years.

Then, as time goes by, you learn that you have the capacity to consciously love. You experience that emotion. Then, about this same time, people start to tell you things that literally counteract everything that you’d felt up until that time. They tell you that life is hard and unfair. They tell you that you don’t have the same opportunities as many others. They tell you things that stop the natural growth for which you were born.

If you are fortunate enough, as I was, you learn that you are a child of God. You find out things that were definitely true back when you were first born. That you have potential. That you are intelligent. That your life can continue to evolve into something magnificent. That you are in fact, amazing.

This IS YOUR reality. There is no denying just how awesome YOU ARE. Wake up today. Wake up today to who and what you really are. Let your life, even your day today, be transformed by realizing who you are and what you are meant to become.

Massive Monday Motivation: “Today is the day of expectations. A new week, a new start. Its the day to entertain your dreams, review your goals and get your expectations, up! Go ahead and feel amazing. YOU ARE AMAZING! “

Love Yourself

Loving Yourself

If you read my column much at all, you will know that I advocate possessing a ‘powerful attitude.’ As I like to say, “A positive attitude believes that you ‘can’ do a certain thing or achieve a great goal; a powerful attitude, does it.”

Well, in this season of love, the middle part of February, I want to share with you a vital part in having a powerful attitude. That is, choosing and learning to love yourself. The essence of true faith is love. The scriptures say that ‘God is love.’ They also command that we love. That love is directed three different ways. Love to God, love to others and love to yourself. The biggest struggle that most people have is, loving themselves.

Loving yourself involves forgiving yourself for past mistakes. When you stop right now and think about it, you know what you’re beating yourself up about things you’ve done in your past. In fact, you’ve likely beat yourself up over past mistakes to the point that you’ve repeated the mistake several times by now. The key to getting free of such actions is, forgiving yourself.

Next, realize that you’re worthy of love. How do I know that you’re worthy of love? Well, you’re worthy of love because regardless of what’s happened in the past, you know that deep in your heart, there is ‘goodness’ there. There is something deep within that causes you to feel compassion, care and love in your life. I like to say, ‘if you’re able to give love, you’re worthy to be loved.’

Next, recognize that love is the essence of truly living. You can’t really live a quality life without love. You certainly won’t live a happy life without love.

Last, I think most importantly, you’ll never be able to love others until you love yourself. The fact is, love is a spiritual act. You love yourself from your spiritual capacity. To love yourself is one of the most powerful spiritual acts you can engage in. Loving yourself brings happiness, satisfaction and even, good health.

I want to encourage you to continue to love yourself each and every day. When you do, you’ll develop and realize a powerful aspect of living with a powerful attitude. You’ll be happier and feel better emotionally, physically and spiritually in your life.

YOU Are In Charge Of YOUR Life

How you feel, what you think and what you say, defines your life. And only YOU, are in control of all three. YOU can direct your mind what to think. YOU can determine what your emotions feel. If your emotions aren’t feeling what you want them to feel, then, start telling them what YOU want them to feel. Demand that they feel it. If you aren’t happy, tell your emotions, “I’m taking charge over you and demand that you feel happy today”! YOU decide what you’re going to say; the words you speak from your mouth. Make them positive words.

Once more. How YOU feel, what YOU think and what YOU say, defines your life. YOU are in CHARGE of all three!!

This feels good for you…..

You have a gift that no one else possesses. You know what it is. Take just a few seconds and allow yourself to imagine you being wildly successful in using this gift. See, hear and feel yourself in that moment. Do it. You deserve a little break and, you’ll feel good. Oh, and smile while you’re doing it.

What’s Going To Happen For YOU

You have a pattern of winning in your life. Nothing has ultimately defeated you. Even when you’ve thought you wouldn’t make it. You did. You will again. Just wait. Watch and see. You’ll win again. Its your pattern.