Steve's Personal Journey

Take Your Time

2006-10-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have a problem. I tend to be so focused on accomplishment that often my pursuit of success actually limits me. The continual pace and never ending pursuit zaps my energy. It blocks my creativity. And ultimate works against me in some many ways.

Just over a year ago, I started trying to find news ways to relax. I have never been much into meditating or just chilling out or at least up to that point it had not worked for me. My brain tends to never want to turn off which makes settling down difficult.

Fortunately for me I have several great friends that taught me some amazing techniques. First they had me concentrate on my breathing. By pushing everything else outside of my mind but the pure concentration of breathing in and out had an amazing impact on me. It has allowed me to find a new found level of focus and consciousness.

I then transferred my ability to calm my mind into running. I find that if I focus on breathing just before I run (like when I am stretching) and again as I start the first leg of my run, then my mind opens up to all sorts of things. I have discovered incredible levels of creativity and imagination. I have found a new form of peace and in general, I think I am a lot more mellow on all fronts. No matter the stress, I seem to be able to handle it much better these days.

Take your time to find your pace. Find some way to allow yourself to reflect inward and reflect and do it daily! I bet you will find life in general takes on a whole new meaning.

Steve

Body of Water That Stirs You

2006-07-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

I have a friend that is as passionate about ripples as I am. He has a little company and website called the Ripples Project.

Well, being a part of his community, I discovered a question that I simply had to answer. What body of water moves you. What I posted to the group is contained below.

There was this little stream that ran through the Jemez mountains (1.5 hours NW of Albuquerque) where my dad and I used to fish. It is without question, my most favorite place on Earth.

It was the perfect little winding stream that stood at the base of an amazing mountain range. In the early morning, we would shiver with cold waiting, no, begging for the sun to hurry up and finally escape the tops of the mountain range and warm our wet feet which had been soaked on the small hike from the road to the beautiful little stream. When the sun came down, it was like the world was born anew and all was right in the world.

The trickle of water as it causually poured through the grassy landscape made just enough bubbly noise to make you feel alive. The wind in the trees reminded me with each rushing whoosh that they were the stewards of the land and they remained ever watchful of this little place I called paradise. Watching and waiting each year until my dad, who was and is still my best friend, returned each year.

I moved away in 1991 and sometime after that, Dad and I journeyed to our sanctuary on one of my return trips home. We discovered that the road leading to this desolate little place was no longer open and to this day, we have not discovered why. We just know our little piece of watery paradise now sits, alone and likely empty. A standing testament to the wonderful memories Dad and shared.

The trees in my mind often remind me that they are still there, watching, waiting and protecting my little paradise...somehow hoping we will return some day.

Whenever I need to return to what is really important in life, I return, although only in spirit, to that little perfect stream. I drop my line into it's cold cold water and wait for that tug. It refreshes me to this day and the bubbles and the whoosh of the wind are the only sounds that really warm my heart.

Thanks for making me think of this today Paul!

Ripple On!

Steve Harper

The New Steve

2006-07-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

October of 2005 marked a transition period for me. I began to surround myself with people that were nothing but supportative and encouraging and discarding, painfully at times, those that weren't in alignment with what I am all about. Now as I approach this new month of July 2006, I can honestly say that my life has never been better. No longer am I surrounded by people that care only what I can do for them or guilt me into thinking that I am less than I really am. It is absolutely liberating. Seriously! It feels as if a tremendous weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

I learned that I no longer need to hold ill will towards anyone that wants to bring me down. They do not know what they do and those that do, need my sympathy and my well wishes more than they could imagine. However, I am not their sponge. I am not their despository for negative feelings or jealous bouts of envy. I no longer have time or patience for that.

For those that have seen this tranformation in me, I believe they know it to be sincere. For the first time in my life, I truly feel like I am flying high and believing in myself. Something I am not sure I have ever fully felt in my entire life.

Now my mission is to continue to work on being a better husband, a better father and a better person all the way around. I need to continue to get comfortable in my own skin and realize that everything that is due me will come to me when and if I am open to receiving it. Like this past 9-10 months, I have realized that every day is an enormous gift and one that should be cherrished to it's fullest.

My next goal.....eliminate negative or taxing language from my vocabulary.

Uncovering

2006-04-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

Through the experience of writing my book and the follow on speaking that has been necessary to promote it, I have learned a great deal about myself. First and foremost, I learned that I have a voice and that even a simpleton like myself can take that voice and make an impact out there in the world. The fact that people had interest in what I had to say through the written word suprised me. It suprised me even more when people actually wanted to hear me speak and stayed after the first five minutes despite likely noticing my hands shaking like a leaf.

I learned that public speaking will not kill you. It will give your heart a run for its money however.

I learned that people who you thought were your biggest supporters and friends often were neither.

I learned that no matter what, someone will likely always have to tear you down.

I also learned that these people come in all shapes and sizes. Their agendas may be different but they all have one thing in common....They are truly little minded, resentful people that only feel good when they are telling you how they would do it. Which is ironic given that most of them have never done an original thing in their life to begin with.

On a lighter note, I discovered that there is an amazing array of special people out there that God has directed me to. Their energy, their passion, their support for my work and my message is unshakable. I believe these people were put in my path for a reason to show me a lesson that I am only beginning to understand.

I discovered that I have passion and that wanting to change the world isn't just some cliche you read on a fortune cookie. It can happen and will happen!

Finally, I discovered that I am capable of creating great things with my mind, my writing, my speaking and most importantly my spirit. I am not perfect and I certainly don't have all of the answers. I think my quest is to find as many of them as I can however.

Most important out of all things...I think through this journey, I may have uncovered The Real Steve Harper and as it turns out....he isn't such a bad guy after all!