August 29th, 2010
I have always been drawn to the spiritual side of life. My focus at a very early age was “where did I come from and where do I go when I die?” Being surrounded by people who had a definite lack of interest in that area of study, I soon gave up asking them for answers. I got a little jaded and decided I would just have to live to the end of my life to find out. Now remember, these were BURNING questions in my mind. Waiting 60 or 70 years was unbearable but I didn’t see any other option. This lead to a certain disdain for my life and living a life of insane risks. For example, I became a Union Ironworker. You know, those guys who put hi-rise buildings up. So there I was, at age 19, walking steel beams several hundred feet above the ground. Usually high on various substances like pot (my favorite at that time) alcohol, valium, etc. There were many areas I took equal risks yet the result was the same. I survived everything. I began to realize I must have some purpose for being here and I wasn’t going to get out of this life so easily.
Then I met a group of seekers in ‘88 or so. I was 27 and had all but forgotten my ardent desire to LEARN. These people weren’t only learning, they were directing their experience with love and compassion for each other and themselves. I was like a guy falling into a stream of pure cold water being unaware I was dying of thirst. I got to immerse myself into the learning, growing and becoming. I found a love for myself and my life I didn’t think possible. I learned I am a pretty great guy and I have a lot to offer the world! I fell in love with ME for the first time in my life. It changed everything! Instead of being angry in traffic, I could feel love for every other person out there.
Over the years, I let that part of myself go in the daily struggles of life, becoming a father, working to pay the bills, etc. Now I am being reminded that I can live my passion in service and help those who are ready to experience the joys I know firsthand.
merlin |
Merlin's Meditations |
August 27th, 2010
When I first got online in ‘96 I had a great time. I met lots of cool folks and had tons of interesting conversations. I am still friends with some of you. Tubbs, that means you. I was invited to lead a weekly chat group. The subject of the group was basically Spirituality In Today’s World. I really loved that time in my life and the energy of the group. I am going to revisit that early time and bring it up to date. So here is the latest iteration.
I love meditation! What its done for me, how I feel helping others experience and learn it and most importantly, how it feels in a group. (get your mind out of the gutters!)
I believe true healing can take place while meditating. That power is expanded exponentially when there are more people joining in.
I am looking to lead more groups, learn what people are curious about and helping them find their answers.
Any feedback would be great. I am considering some ustream.tv stuff. Maybe an audio file to download and play on your mp3 player. Just riffing here, still in planning stages. Just wanted to give the few people I know the heads up. Let me know what YOU want and how I could help you in this area!
Thanks,
Merlin.
PS. Coming soon, Merlin’s Meditations
PPS. Don’t go there now, Its really horrible.
PPPS, Here is a little background on the direction. Read @Garyvee’s book Crush It! to get a clearer understanding
merlin |
Merlin's Meditations |
September 18th, 2009
After 5 years of networking 21 years ago and almost a year (since October, last year) with Vemma, I finally got the Holy Grail! Tuesday at a mastermind meeting of leaders in our company, the discussion surrounding third party validation revealed something that will have a huge impact on our business.
Some background: when I started in that other mineral supplement business in 1988, I went to work and enrolled over 50 people into the business. I didn’t have any people who duplicated my efforts and ran with the ball the way I did. As a result, our success was very limited. Only my efforts showed, not the efforts of a team of people I got started in the business. This has been a point of concern regarding this current endeavor. I am quite capable of recruiting. I am also capable of recruiting for our team. The issue lies in the duplication of my efforts.
Now, after all these years, I believe I have the answer! A new person may not have the skills, knowledge or mindset to go out and do what I do. When someone I am presenting to asks me a question, I simply answer it. Instead, the invitation and presentation are done by two different people. I do the invitation to chat with one of my upline leaders. If they have a question, (hopefully they do) I can now say the Magic Words: "I DONT KNOW. Let me have Ron answer that for you. When is the best time to have him call?"
Simple but this effectively sends two distinct messages. First, you don’t have to know everything to do this business. (critical!) and second, you will have help doing this business.
I believe this lends itself to duplication more than someone who can do the invitation, presentation and recruiting all in one step.
What do you think?
merlin |
Blog |
September 11th, 2009
I’ve been in a bit of a panic lately about the household budget. Not fun and sort of stressful. Then Thursday rolled around and I remembered there was a direct deposit in the account because of our little side deal. I have been working with Vemma since November last year. I have seen the money from it grow and wane. Its in a slow phase right now, some of our leaders are on vacation or have a different focus right now. There are still a few of us left who are walking the walk and talking the talk. To everyone. Its quite plausible that within a year from now there will be no worries like the ones at the beginning of this post. I aim to work diligently until this is the case. If it takes 1 year, 2 years, etc. I still believe it will be time and effort well spent. The fact that this stuff actually works makes this endeavor a lot easier to envision. The stories I could tell! get a hold of me and I will share some if you want. In the meantime, I love life and all its challenges, opportunities to grow and become a better man, father and husband.
Thanks for reading!
"Merlin"
merlin |
Blog |
May 21st, 2009
Been following Gary Vaynerchuck for awhile now. I’ve seen a few of his talks on video. I relate to him mainly because of his LOVE for people. He talks about caring enough to answer every email, even when he gets several hundred a day. To listen to him, he wants us to find our passion and go for it with all our hearts. Sounds familiar! I have believed that for years. All the while I have been wondering what my passion is. I believe I am closer to that answer than I have ever been. I love helping people. With my computer business, I have been able to help people in a technical way, making their lives easier, simpler. Very gratifying to hear the comments of those people. Funny how when I reread those comments, how it makes me feel about myself. Then I get involved in health and wellness, again. 21 years ago, I did this with limited success. I loved what I was doing and felt like I was making a positive difference in the world. It led me to personal development and personal growth. I am such a product of that way of thinking, way of life that I now wonder what the "average joe" thinks about people like Tony Robbins. Loosing touch with my roots has never been easy for me. I love connecting to Ironworkers. Thats where I started 28 years ago. The friends I made there are real and substantial. I will value those connections for the rest of my life. I connect to others with that same passion and intensity, even when to them, its a peripheral, unimportant thing. I would like to hone my communication skills to the point where people can get the fact that I care about them. How do I create lasting relationships with people? I let them know I care. If I am not being effective communicating that, I fail.
So the new business is making friends, building those relationships and showing them that my purpose for connecting is to help them, if I can, in some significant way. Any comments? I welcome them!
Thanks.
merlin |
Blog |
