I just finished reading an article in the Globe and Mail (online) about Frederic Bilodeau, the elder brother of Alexandre Bilodeau (winner of Canada’s first Olympic Gold on home soil!), and I was, once again, struck by the depth of human spirit.

To me, the obvious love, respect, and admiration that all of the family members appear to have for each other is truly remarkable.  How many of us really stop and acknowledge the gifts that our family has to offer?  How much more often do we hear people complain and run-down their families?  What would life be like if we were able to take a step back for a moment and truly embrace these gifts?

Last night, I was having a conversation over dinner with two friends, and we were discussing the process of Trancendence (moving beyond) versus Translation (moving laterally).  Basically, what it came down to, was this:  how many people do you know that claim to be searching for enlightenment, peace, love, joy, and awakening that still continue to do the same old, “less than enlighened” behaviours?  Do you do this?  I know that I sometimes am still challenged with this, especially with my family.

Does this mean that I am only Translating, or does the Transcendence come with increased Awareness, Acknowledgement, and Acceptance, followed by new actions?  After all, Transformation of our lives is an active process; doing different actions, although uncomfortable, creates different results.  Through this process, we loosen our “model of the world,” our stories of our life, and this allows the space for new perceptions, behaviours, and structures in our life.

So, what does this have to do with the Bilodeaus and receiving the gifts of others?

In the above-mentioned interview, there was a definite thread running through the life of this family, that showed the ability to recognize, appreciate, and receive the gifts of each other.  I believe that when we are able to do the same, to the best of our abilities, with the family, friends, community in our life, that not only does our life become enriched, but they too feel heard, appreciated, loved, and connected as a result.

I think that this is one of our basic human needs; to be able contribute something worthy to our world.

What do you think?

I’m just sittting here watching the Men’s Downhill at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.  As an alpine ski coach myself, this is one of my favourite events to watch.  Many people have asked me if these athletes are ever afraid; I mean they hit speeds in excess of 140 km/hr (nearly 100 mph) on two little boards stuck to their feet (here in Ontario, we have a street racing law that impounds your car if caught exceeding 150 km/hr)!

I can’t speak for them, but I have to believe that there are always some fears lurking in the back of their minds.  It is how well they are able to handle these fears, limiting beliefs, and negative emotions, that determines how well they perform on a given day.  And really, isn’t this just like life?  How well do we manage these same things in our life?  What keeps us from BE-ing the best that we can be?  How do you respond to the stressful events of your life?

Our past experiences are only indicators of where we have been and choices we have made in the past; the past is not an indicator of our future! We can make different choices in the NOW to create a different experience  for our future.  Our past only determines our future if we continue to focus on it!  How can I BE different today?  What can I DO different today?  If we continue to BE and DO the same things we have always done, we will continue to BE, DO, and HAVE the same things we always have.  However, if we simply take one, small, baby step that is different today, we begin to change the arc of our life.

Each step ripples outward in expansion.  It may only look like a small step, but as BJ Palmer once said; “[you never know how far reaching something you think, say or do, will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.]”

So, my question to you is:  Who will you BE differently today?  What will you DO differently today?