WOW…have been talking about it, but now that it’s time to move, I am hit with sudden feelings of nostalgia.

This is the last serving of “kappuccino” here on the site.  But it’s not bad…we’ve just outgrown this little house and have to move.

Or, more honestly, I’ve grown into my own and have realized that the world will be better served if I am true to the purpose for which I was created.

It’s a Party…Kinda!

With the feelings of all the memories created here acknowledged, I’d like to invite you all to a wonderful cyber housewarming party at our new home.  I’ve kept the URL under wraps till now, but want to extend the official invitation to you to check it out.

I’m  not migrating all of the KK Blog content, so I don’t have a lot of content built up there yet, but you will be able to snoop around and get a feel for the new place.

It’s got a total new makeover…and the theme I’m using on the site allows me to be a bit more flexible in the variety of content I provide to you.

So, I’ll be posting my articles and insights as well as pictures, videos, audios/podcasts and other forms of content.

What You Need to Know…

The site is True Spiritual Awakening. On this site, I’ve worked to keep things inspirational and motivational.  That will continue.

I will, however be talking more about the spirit and how we can live more authentically.  I know this pot of tea isn’t for everyone…and if it’s not yours, that’s okay.  I am so grateful for your time spent with me here on the blog.

Every once in a while, I’d love it if you’d pop in on FB or twitter and say hi (or send an e-mail).

If you are wanting more–more reality, more insight with a little edge and a lot of love–then head over and check out the site.  There are great things around the bend for us and can’t wait to see you there!

Wishing each of you all the good things in life!

-Steve

What is an artist? A philosopher? An architect?

Merely one who sees us as we might be, tells us who could be, and shows to us the potential of our person with such power that for a moment the veil is lifted, the bell is tolled, and the heart surges so intensely that we dare to believe the truth.

We are.

We all have plans.

As long as I remember, I have wanted to move to a warmer climate. (Currently, the plan is to settle in the San Diego area eventually).

Over the years, I have also toyed with the idea of moving to Central or South America for a few years.  So far, I haven’t followed through.

Our lives are often like this, aren’t they?  We have plans that we never commit to.  We make excuses for why we can’t fulfill our plans.

For me, the big one is the “right” time. What is the right time or the right situation?  Does it ever arrive?  Perhaps.

Think about the persistent plans or desires that clutter your own life.  These are the ones that pop up time after time over the years.

Why wait?

If you want to eventually settle in San Diego, why not move now?  If you want to live for a few years in Central or South America, why not pick the country and begin the process?

If you want to visit Europe or Asia, start actively setting aside the money to do it.

If you want to go on a cruise, make a plan to do it.

Why wait? (This question is mostly a kick in the butt for me…but since I’m so nice, I’m passing it on to you!)  :)

My mom is A-MAZ-ING! I was just reminded of the extent to which on a quick trip I made back home over this past weekend.

When I say “quick” trip…I mean quick.  I worked till 3:30 p.m. Friday at the seasonal gig then jumped in the car and drove across Iowa, arriving at about 10 p.m. at my parents’ house.  (Love you, Iowans, but I-80 seems to stretch FOREVER when driving across your state!)

Dad was already sleeping and mom and I started catching up.  Next thing I realized, it was 2:30 a.m!

The reason my mom is even more amazing to me as an adult than she was when I was a child is because she’s real.  She’s always been one of those people with pretty killer common sense and a wicked sharp memory.

When I was small, I thought my mom knew just about everything.  (She pretty much still does)  As an adult, however, she has showed me a chink or two in the armor; and I love her even more for it.

I struggle with insecurity about my abilities sometimes. I sometimes feel like I can’t focus well enough; and even though I’ve done a lot of things, I feel like I’ve failed to accomplish anything really significant.  Maybe all of us feel this way at some point.

On Friday night/Saturday morning, mom and I chatted about a mutual insecurity.  The startling thing to me was the way in which we each viewed each other.

I see mom as competent and in-control.  She sees me as someone who’s always got a dozen plates in the air and is able to keep them all spinning.

The greatest lesson I learned this weekend is that neither is true.

Moral of the Story?

Be cautious of the way you view yourself, good or bad, it’s probably not true.  Go out of your way to find out how others view you. If they have a higher estimation of you, your skills or your character, then adopt their beliefs until you have risen to accept their beliefs as your own.

Don’t be the you that you think yourself to be. Become the you which you truly are already and recognize how much confidence and power that gives you as you move forward!

Doubtless you have heard this expression which means: Take Action Now!

I don’t know if I have ever written as direct a post as this one, but I’m in a grab-life-by-the-balls mood, so here ya go!

Here’s the deal…We creative, “big-picture” types can do the day-to-day tasks and get into the details, but that’s not where we thrive.

If you are like me, then you know that we can get so wrapped up in the grandeur of our dreams and the magnificence of our plans that days (or weeks or months or even years) pass and we find that we have accomplished nothing.

Maybe you’re not like me. That’s okay.  The world wouldn’t function filled with “me’s.”

Maybe you have all the spreadsheets to manage your life and relationships most efficiently.  Maybe they’re all organized alphabetically or numerically.  You know exactly what you’re supposed to be doing and when it needs to be done to maximize efficacy.

Either way, we all fail to take action because we lose steam.  We get distracted. We are afraid.

Let It Go!

Whatever it is, NOW is the time to let it go.  You can do it. It’s that easy.  Just let it go.

Most all of the things that hold us back are stories that we believe about ourselves or our circumstances.  If a story is no longer serving you, let it go!

What do you need to let go? There is no time like the present!

A Lesson in Tapping

No, I’m not referring to dancing.

The first weekend I came to Madison (Wisconsin), I was fortunate to stay at a hotel two blocks from the state capitol building.

On Saturday morning, we saw lots of people heading up to the capitol.  Honestly, I was surprised to see so much activity on a weekend.  The hotel desk attendant informed us that a weekly farmer’s market is held around the capitol every Saturday.

This isn’t your local community farmer’s market…this is a gigantic enterprise circling the giant government building on all four sides (on both sides of the sidewalk).

We walked for nearly an hour around to see all the booths.  Local cheese, produce and fresh-baked goodies from Amish families enticed me at every turn.  The thing I was most surprised to see was the delicious maple syrup.  I had to have some.

I have always heard of syrup from Vermont, but never from Wisconsin, so that is why I was surprised to see it at the market.  I am SO glad I picked some up.  I don’t ever think I’ll be able to go back to the synthetic stuff in the store.

The other night I remembered this experience, and my curiosity got the better of me.  I have never tapped a maple tree to extract the sap to make syrup, but I decided to see if I could find out more about the process.  I found this short video (about 4 minutes long)

Maple Tapping Demonstration 

The tapping process is fairly simple.  You drill a hole in the side of the tree, insert the tap, hang the bucket…and wait.

What You Can’t See Yet

You don’t see it yet, but you are much like the maple tree. Great power and strength lies hidden in its roots. It stands tall, imperfect, yet unashamed.

The best part—the sweetest and most potent sap—lies beneath the surface under the roughness of the exterior layers.

A couple of comments from the video struck me.  After a particularly cold night that gives way to a warm morning, there is a wonderful “run” where the sap just streams from the tree.

So if you are in the middle of the dark, cold night, remember the maple tree.  A warmer morning is coming!  Stand in your strength. Stand tall in your perfect imperfections. You are more powerful than you can imagine.

As the sap flows freely from the tree without effort or strain, you can allow your power, love and grace to flow just as easily as the maple tree.  There is a whole wide world waiting to taste the delicious gift that you have to offer.

If you could see a maple tree planed, you would be able to see all the “scars” from where it had been tapped over the years. (They call that character in the wood).   Once the scars have formed from where the bark has been punctured, the sap will never flow that way again.

Instead of working so hard to hide your pain or scars, recognize that you are beautiful.  Your scars are the crafters of your character.  The power that lies within you is more than enough to lift you above any adversity that may come into your life.

You are so much more!

More than your adversity.

More than the vision you have of yourself as powerless.

You are even so much more than the image you have of yourself succeeding.

You are the power of God to touch the life of another man or woman, boy or girl and bring healing to his or her wounds. You can tap yourself and lift them up in order to remind them of what you already know…your roots run deep!

Which Direction Are You Going?

Life is in perpetual motion. That is its nature.

I struggled with clarity for a long time.  The past few years have been a study in gaining clarity.  I gained clarity about my purpose…and got stuck.  I gained clarity about writing my book…and got stuck.  I finished and published my book…and got stuck.

Often we say things like…

“I’m stuck in a rut”

“I feel bogged down”

“I can’t get any traction.”

And honestly, that’s where I have been for the last 8-9 months.  Just trying to figure it out.

Of course, these are simply metaphors used to describe how we feel at any given moment (and I’ve been there…and said all three of the above, and others beside).  If you have been reading this blog over all these months, then you have had a front-row seat to my “stuckiness”.

The truth is that we are not really “stalled out” in life. Our life is just going in a direction in which we do not want to go or in a manner in which we feel out of control.

When it comes to living the life you dream for yourself, take a look at the direction you’re headed.

Heading In The Right Direction

Directing your life in the right direction requires some discipline, skill and even a bit of blind luck–if you really believe in such a thing!

That is why I have been touting the changes coming to this blog.  I love this site and I love each of you…but a blog is not a business.  It won’t pay bills or buy food.

It is a fantastic tool for communication; however, and I love the dialogue this site affords you and me.  The truth is that I haven’t been entirely honest.  But that is changing as I inject greater authenticity into the work I do here (and more honesty about why I do it)

I guarantee that when you align your life in a direction that serves you, you will not struggle to motivate yourself to take action.  When you are headed in the right direction, gaining clarity occurs much more easily.

That’s why I am so excited.  I have been working feverishly on the new direction.  I want to share a few of those with you.  I am planning to launch a regular podcast for you (very soon…think, within a week or two)…still working out the logistics.

I also have our new “home” on the web (new URL) picked out and I think you’ll like it.  I just want to get it spruced up a bit before I invite you all over for a housewarming party!

Be looking for a regular newsletter going forward as well.  I don’t want to inundate you with more “stuff”…that is not the purpose.  However, I do want to provide you with support, guidance and inspiration on your journey.

Bottom line is that the next time you find yourself complaining about a lack of focus, energy or direction; stand up, take courage, and set your own direction.  We’re waiting for you to show us that the miraculous is still possible.

Some of the wisest advice from the Bard.

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

-Shakespeare 

Seems self evident, but it is amazing to me how often I lie to myself.  I may not be overtly dishonest, but I hedge to protect myself from the criticisms and ridicule of others.

I expect that this endeavor–to be true to one’s self–is a lifelong one, but I have spent the few years learning to be true to myself.  Over the past eight or nine months, I have been doing so in greater and greater portions through this blog.

We have all grown together and I have been so grateful of your company on this journey…for without an audience to write for, it would be far less fulfilling to me.

I have lived afraid to speak my truth. How about you?  Well, no more.

Speaking My Truth

Recently, I had a great chat with my friend, Sherrie Korteke about the direction of my business and my blog.  She encouraged me (as always) to honor my gifts and my message.

I am a teacher. I am a spiritual teacher.

This is my gift. It is what I was meant to do.

This is the truth that I have been afraid to accept and publicize over the last year or so. Even in writing my book, I tried to steer clear of terms like “self-help” or “spirituality” when describing my work.

I tried to make myself something I was not. I tried to fashion myself as a business consultant, author and writer.

The truth is that I call others to awaken and live aware and alert in their lives. I teach through communication. Speaking and writing are the tools of communication, but they are not who I am.  The method is not the message.

Sherrie encouraged me by saying, “Your message is bigger–broader–than this, Steve.  You are trying to fit into someone else’s mold instead of crafting your own.”

So I am choosing to embrace her advice and honor and respect my gifts and my purpose.

What Next?

March is our first “blogoversary” here at the KK Blog.  I am excited about this and looking forward to some ways for us to celebrate.

However, I will also be making some adjustments along the way and hope you will enjoy them.  I hope this process will also inspire you to look for ways where you can further honor and respect your own gifts and purpose.

1. New Home – No, I’m not buying a house!  We will be getting a new URL.  I haven’t decided what it will be, but it will be better branded to represent the truth of what I have shared above.  (If you have any thoughts or ideas for names, share them.  You’re as much a part of this community as I am)

2. Adjusted Focus – Our blog will still be inspirational and motivational, but more and more I will be delving in and drilling a bit deeper (beyond basic personal development).  I will be talking about the philosophy and theory behind my insights.  (I won’t get overtly religious and will always try to balance the spiritual with the practical)

3. New Platforms – I will be experimenting with expanded platforms to share my message…things like periodic newsletters, web-based TV show, videos, podcasts, etc.  (Again, if you have a favorite format you’d like, please share…it’s all fluid right now)

The Bottom Line

This all comes down to integrity. You and I must be congruent–body, mind and spirit.  I hope that your idea of a life well-lived includes all these perspectives, and I hope you’ll continue to grow and relish life with me.

I am really excited about what the future has to offer. Be looking for some additional exciting things coming down the pike.  I’ll be rolling out a new free web-based class in the coming weeks…and after the first of the year, I’ll be re-launching my book with additional new materials included.  Keep an eye out.  You all will have “first dibs” and special discounts.

As we go forward, I want to say a deeply sincere, thank you.

You all inspire me so much every day when I read and respond to your wise insights and kind comments.  I appreciate your support and would appreciate your continuing to share our conversations and insights across your social media networks.

To all my US readers, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I hope that all of you, no matter what country you hail from, will take time this week to dwell in gratitude for all you are and all you have.

Oh, Yeah…

And that whole “expanded platforms” thing?!?  Here’s a first attempt at the web TV show…if you want to listen to me give more in-depth coverage of the topic we discussed the other day.  (Letting Go of Anger)  It’s about 28 minutes long, but will take you through the 3 layers of anger and expose the root and how you can eradicate it.

If you can’t view the video above, watch here

Imagine this scene.  You are about to go to sleep on a Sunday night.  It’s about 10:30 and you have work Monday morning. After brushing your teeth and preparing for bed, you climb under the covers.

That’s when you hear it.  Yelling. Someone’s angry. Really angry.  You can’t hear exactly what they’re saying, so you jump up from bed.

You shut off the lights in the room and peek out from behind the blinds. There, in the middle of the street is a skinny guy flailing his arms, screaming at the top of his lungs.  You can’t quite here what he’s saying, so you quietly slide the window latch over and raise the pane a few inches.  (Don’t laugh, you know you’re nosy enough to do it!)

“We’re not doing this!” He screams. He’s obviously very upset with the other person standing in the street.  ”This isn’t how this relationship is gonna go.  And if you think it is, maybe it is time for a break!”

The body language coming from the object of his rage conveys shock and bewilderment.

“You know what? I don’t know what to do with this,” snaps Bewildered.  ”I’ve never seen you this way.”

“Yeah?  Well maybe it’s high time!” Crazy Man screams.

“I’m done with this conversation,” Bewildered turns to walk away.

“Don’t walk away from me!” Screeches Crazy Man. “This conversation isn’t over.  Sit the f*ck down! This will be over when I tell you it’s over!”

Have you ever been that angry? So angry the hairs on your neck stood up? So angry that you went into “red-eye” mode and it felt like you were out of body, reacting to everything around you?

I am normally the most laid-back guy.  I don’t get too riled up about much of anything.  (That doesn’t mean I’m not stubborn as heck, though).

Up until a couple of years ago, I would have said I couldn’t ever remember a time where I yelled at anyone in anger (beside my little brother and sister when we were growing up).

You may have noticed I said “up until a couple of years ago”.  That’s right…I’m ashamed to admit that “Crazy Man” from our story was me.

Anger consumes us.  Doesn’t it?  We think we are angry at someone or something else, but the fundamental truth is that we are scared.

Several years ago, I suffered the breakup of a close relationship.  The other person moved on. I was devastated. When I say devastated, I mean the depressed, call-your-friends-and-cry-all-night type of devastation.

No matter how much I vented, cried, or tried to purge all the “ick” out of the situation, I couldn’t move on.

I was SO angry! Angry that I had let myself be so vulnerable.  Angry that I couldn’t move on. Angry the other person had. I was consumed by the anger.

This morning, I read this about anger in A Course In Miracles.  I had to share.

The relationship of anger to attack is obvious, but the relationship of anger to fear is not always so apparent. Anger always involves projection of separation, which must ultimately be accepted as one’s own responsibility, rather than being blamed on others. 

How I Let Go of Anger

So how did I move past my anger?

Ultimately, I took responsibility for it. The other person had not quit living. The other person had not lived in hurt for over a year. The other person had not “done” this to me.

As soon as I recognized that I was the one who had created the hurt by projecting that meaning onto the circumstances, I realized that I could choose a different meaning. In that moment, I freed myself.

That doesn’t mean all the emotions were simply resolved. I had spent over a year reinforcing neuropathways of hurt and betrayal in my brain. It took some time to reprogram those, but the venom was gone.

How You Can Let Go of Anger

You can let go of anger too. Follow these steps.

1. You Choose the Meaning – Recognize that you choose what every situation in your life means to you.

2. Take Responsibility for the Projection – Remember that anger is often projected onto someone or something else in order to preserve the ego.

3. Make a Different Choice – You have the power to choose the meaning. You always have. That’s why you’re in pain. So make a choice that serves you better.

Anger always involves projection of separation

Whenever you are faced with anger, look for the fear.  It will always be there.  If you can eliminate the fear, the anger subsides because it has no “host” from which to leech it’s requisite enormous emotional energy.

Backlogged

This evening, I logged in to Google Reader and found 246 articles waiting for me.  So I dove right in.

Now, (nearly 3 hours later), I’m taking a break to write this post.

About half an hour ago, I quit reading (with nearly 100 posts still to wade through) and started skimming…or more accurately, “page-downing” (the act of pressing the “page dn” button, scanning the headlines and repeating).  I still have 48 articles to page-down through.

Why am I doing this? I wondered. Why am I even reading these blogs at all?

Those two questions granted me a moment of lucidity, and I realized that I am tired.

I’m Tired

I am tired of reading about “tricks” and “tips” for better blogging.

I am tired of learning “how-to” get a job/follow a dream/build a brand.

I am tired of reading about what it is like to be someone else or do business like someone else does business.

What I Want…

I want to learn about how I do business.

I want to learn about how I connect to my readers.

I want to focus on being true.

I want to learn to better compete with me and let all the others watch.

I want to be the guy whose work is backlogged in someone else’s Google Reader when they realize that all they need is already within them and that they can launch out into the deep and do their own thing.

What about you?

So Ignore Me, and Do your own thing!