I’ve just started another book… “The Right to Write – an Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life”, by Julia Cameron and this one is very important for me because I have found the personal value, benefit and beauty of putting on paper (i.e. journals, articles, blogs, etc.) for the mere expressing of what is inside of me and in which needs to come out in the various forms – usually in ways of going deeper than the surface of things, like: Venting - when I’m not seeing clearly due to something pressuring me or getting in the way of what I need to see/experience/understand; Brainstorming – when I need ideas; Meditation – writing to quite the multiple thoughts in my head (just for starters); which all feel to me like multiple forms of Prayer – purposed times I need to get more focused on the spiritual truths revealed within my heart/the God-space within.
So, I’m going to take this moment to share a few items that have inspired me thus far and that may do the same for you too, even for some of you who think that writing isn’t for you! Enjoy…
“Why should we write? …We should write because it is human nature to write. Writing claims our world. It makes it directly and specifically our own. We should write because human beings are spiritual beings and writing is a powerful form of prayer and meditation, connecting us both to our own insights and to a higher and deeper level of inner guidance.
We should write because writing brings us clarity and passion to the act of living. Writing is sensual, experiential, grounding. We should write because writing is good for the soul. We should write because writing yields us a body of work, a felt path through the world we live in.
We should write, above all, because we are writers, whether we call ourselves that or not.” ~ back cover of The Right to Write, by Julia Cameron
Julia goes on to share passionately the bigger picture of writing, to make sure that understand foundationally that most of us have been taught in school the subject of writing (as what writers do) and she argues the point that maybe we may have been “taught wrong” or at least we’ve not been taught the wholeness of it – leaving out so much of what it really can be and is for us as humans. I can certainly relate, because English Lit and English in general weren’t my strongest subjects in High School or College, in fact I felt as if I weren’t very good at it at all… until I began to be invited into journaling by my coach Jim Spivey a few years ago and then through a friend’s recommended to read The Artist Way, also by Julia Cameron, as more of a place to share and find my inner thoughts, not in checking off boxes to fulfill my “assignment” to do so. I remember the first time I shared with Jim my journaling efforts and it felt just like I was reporting to the English teacher (my performance mode). That’s when he began to open my awareness through his own experience of writing. It went something like this (in my own words): “I don’t write for others, I write for myself. Writing keeps me present in being who I say I am and for the life-work that I have been called to by God”. Hum, and as I write that I realize that is now, not only his thoughts, but my mantra of sorts, at least I’m coming clearer on that while doing it for a few years now (sporadically and mostly kept personal). Now, I’m feeling in my heart that all that’s about to change – as I throw myself into the good and God experience of it. Boy, it sure does feel good!
Ok, here’s something that bubbled up just after reading on pg. 14, about the “if-I-had-time” lie that gets in the way of writing. She stated that “Sentences can happen in a moment. Enough stolen moments, enough stolen sentences, and a novel is born – without the luxury of time”, which came as a response to the many myths she exposes such as, “All that stands between me and the greatest American novel is a year off”, which leaves many with the thoughts of “I don’t have time to ‘really’ write do I?” Maybe we can…
“LOVING - is an invitation straight from the source of who we are and who’s we are – and when we are aware of the full implication of that, the struggle to do it is dissolved because we just let the source flow through us as we are being that which we already are.” ~ By little ole Dave, in a moment of writing
Well, that should do it for this entry… for now. I’m also practicing shorter writings – that some well be certainly glad about (hehe)!
I invite any of you to check out Jim’s blogs. For years, he has written on a daily basis, and I’m sure he’d say that the benefits for us (the readers) are just a bonus for what it has done for him. Thank you Jim for your persistence and courage! http://www.revolutionconsulting.com/blogger.htm, please email him at jspivey@revolutionconsulting.com to be added to his direct emails send outs!
~ Dave E. Anderson, writing for its own GOoD experience!
http://www.freedomlifeconsulting.com/
To buy this book
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Getting to the other side (Pt. 2) – my changing observations!
Wow, I’d love to share how things have changed after a bit of healthy ranting and purging out the crap that IS there (like it or not) and getting to the other side to see more of the “whole truth” vs. the lopsided one I began writing from on last Monday (3:45 PM).
After sending out, “Dave’s getting to the other side”, I still felt a bit negatively-focused on the situations at hand, which also served to open up my eyes to what I still was yet to see from a heart-focus real Me vs. the fear-focused head/egoic me (and what a interesting paradox we all are). Ultimately part of the reason I wrote that, was to purposely give myself permission to feel what I was feeling and share it openly – a raw living moment.
And now I’ll share some cool stuff that showed up almost immediately after writing. Monday, one hour later, we went out to the mailbox to find a notice telling us that our food stamp card (yes, we have a food stamp card which is not easy to admit – practicing open and honesty) had been unexpected money credited to us due to some Hurricane relief efforts (Bam, we had food money). Then later that night Michelle’s mom offered to give us some gas money for our cars (Bam, now we had gas money). Then a voice mail came in from a dear friend Rhonda, with http://www.revitalizenetworking.com/ offering her services (a bartering blessing) in assisting me on calling and getting more companies for our life-work, followed by a great phone conversation with her that left me very inspired about all the possibilities (Bam, this is huge -you rock Rhonda!). Then at 10 AM on Tuesday, as I was walking into the Love Machine (L.M.), I got a voice message saying that my check that wasn’t supposed to be here until Friday was ready for pick up (Bam, money inflow). Then during L.M., I was really gifted inwardly with a dose of loving and honest conversations that brought even more clarity to my situation - an invitation to become more aware of what was going on – within this choice I/we made “to follow God/the path/this calling” and here’s one rich insight came of it:
My following was to “serve as an example of pushing through to the other side in the midst of the difficulties in life for the connection to God for all the needed Love, joy and peace – and even being able to say ‘thank God for the difficulty’ as a means of getting there.” That’s what people really need…to openly experience with their fellow sojourners – the whole and fully honest journey that is on all sides of their getting what is to be gotten for that moment in life – like with the onion – the layers ARE the onion, not something to be removed in order to get to something else…Now there’s a lesson in enjoying the entire journey (the layers), not just the destination (the core: no-thing).
Then, just to add few more to my gratefulness list, a friend, Ann Perle, connected me with Patt Cottingham, who has created http://www.creditheart.com/ : “Concrete advice, support, and encouragement from fellow travelers who have journeyed through financially rocky times and lived to tell the tale” - a resource for people like me! Wow… it’s amazing to consider all the loving emails, calls of support and conversations – even a gracious “accountability” conversation with a contributor to our lifework. What struck me so beautifully was how God just worked some things out – and that it had nothing to do with someone reading and responding to the email… and when that happens I just sat in awe of the reality that God was/is already at work in ways that we certainly aren’t aware of. Duh!
So, to wrap this up almost a week later (it’s taken a multiple sitting to finish this), I am left with: a growing awareness of God’s unconditional love and humor for me/us; the abundance of all that I need; a greater appreciation for all the many sacred invitations, so lovingly presented, in order to get the lessons that are concealed within every so-called “problem”; and the paradox of my human and spiritual self – the great reminder to give less attention to the ego-thoughts and become more fully present to the heart – where an authentic life is truly lived.
Practicing living and loving from the heart…
~ Dave E. Anderson
http://www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
After sending out, “Dave’s getting to the other side”, I still felt a bit negatively-focused on the situations at hand, which also served to open up my eyes to what I still was yet to see from a heart-focus real Me vs. the fear-focused head/egoic me (and what a interesting paradox we all are). Ultimately part of the reason I wrote that, was to purposely give myself permission to feel what I was feeling and share it openly – a raw living moment.
And now I’ll share some cool stuff that showed up almost immediately after writing. Monday, one hour later, we went out to the mailbox to find a notice telling us that our food stamp card (yes, we have a food stamp card which is not easy to admit – practicing open and honesty) had been unexpected money credited to us due to some Hurricane relief efforts (Bam, we had food money). Then later that night Michelle’s mom offered to give us some gas money for our cars (Bam, now we had gas money). Then a voice mail came in from a dear friend Rhonda, with http://www.revitalizenetworking.com/ offering her services (a bartering blessing) in assisting me on calling and getting more companies for our life-work, followed by a great phone conversation with her that left me very inspired about all the possibilities (Bam, this is huge -you rock Rhonda!). Then at 10 AM on Tuesday, as I was walking into the Love Machine (L.M.), I got a voice message saying that my check that wasn’t supposed to be here until Friday was ready for pick up (Bam, money inflow). Then during L.M., I was really gifted inwardly with a dose of loving and honest conversations that brought even more clarity to my situation - an invitation to become more aware of what was going on – within this choice I/we made “to follow God/the path/this calling” and here’s one rich insight came of it:
My following was to “serve as an example of pushing through to the other side in the midst of the difficulties in life for the connection to God for all the needed Love, joy and peace – and even being able to say ‘thank God for the difficulty’ as a means of getting there.” That’s what people really need…to openly experience with their fellow sojourners – the whole and fully honest journey that is on all sides of their getting what is to be gotten for that moment in life – like with the onion – the layers ARE the onion, not something to be removed in order to get to something else…Now there’s a lesson in enjoying the entire journey (the layers), not just the destination (the core: no-thing).
Then, just to add few more to my gratefulness list, a friend, Ann Perle, connected me with Patt Cottingham, who has created http://www.creditheart.com/ : “Concrete advice, support, and encouragement from fellow travelers who have journeyed through financially rocky times and lived to tell the tale” - a resource for people like me! Wow… it’s amazing to consider all the loving emails, calls of support and conversations – even a gracious “accountability” conversation with a contributor to our lifework. What struck me so beautifully was how God just worked some things out – and that it had nothing to do with someone reading and responding to the email… and when that happens I just sat in awe of the reality that God was/is already at work in ways that we certainly aren’t aware of. Duh!
So, to wrap this up almost a week later (it’s taken a multiple sitting to finish this), I am left with: a growing awareness of God’s unconditional love and humor for me/us; the abundance of all that I need; a greater appreciation for all the many sacred invitations, so lovingly presented, in order to get the lessons that are concealed within every so-called “problem”; and the paradox of my human and spiritual self – the great reminder to give less attention to the ego-thoughts and become more fully present to the heart – where an authentic life is truly lived.
Practicing living and loving from the heart…
~ Dave E. Anderson
http://www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
Monday, November 03, 2008
Getting to the other side…(Pt. 1)
Hello friends… I’m writing because I know I need to…so that I get past my head and into my heart in all of what I’m facing. I believe that if you knew what I was feeling you’d ask me to share it…and because you don’t, I’m just going ahead and doing that for you – for my heart’s sake and for the sake of expressing it before I blow up with it inside of me.
If I could ask for this one thing: Please hear me with your heart as I vent (the stuff of my head) to get to the other side…and thank you in advance for helping me love myself. I’m NOT looking for a handout – I just need to vent so that it won’t feel damn lonely inside. Thank you for listening… and being with me!
Progressively, these last two weeks of the month (as well as most months) has been the toughest for us… There’s been hardly any money flowing in, I don’t get my monthly contribution till the last day of this week (first Friday following the 1st), we are just about empty in the gas tanks, a little ground meat, some pasta and sauce, a few bananas and a box of cereal and some yogurt is just about all we have left to eat. We WILL make it through this lean time…so be assured we won’t starve. It’s just that my son doesn’t understand why I have to constantly say (when he asks for the normal snacks), “I’m sorry – we don’t have any of that right now Caeden” and Dash is too young to know how to ask. When all that happens the trusting and God-centered state of “we are gonna get through this” feels like it flies out the window because the kids are hungry for their favorite snacks and they don’t understand why we can’t go buy more yet, (one of the smaller financial issues we face).
This past week Michelle said she would go find some work… but that isn’t possible with our choice of parenting. Then she mentioned that “it would be nice if we just had at least one more client-company” around the size we have now, so that we aren’t so strapped and broke half of the month. She’s right…but who do I call on? Which triggers my own frustrations with and resistance to making the calls for that to happen. Even my individual clients(who are really FRIENDS) seem to be all out of money too…so getting paid for showing up when they are in need of us, is not guaranteed either (which is an agreement we have mutually agreed upon). So, All of this really doesn’t make sense to us (in the head)… so we just carry on and trust that God’s working it all out…and it always does happen somehow.
Saturday while in Whole Foods (to get free samples to eat for their “taste of the holidays”) in lieu of the snacks we didn’t have, I noticed one of their shopping bags that said something like: “The Path is what we’ve chosen…” and it struck me with a shot of perspective…that we have “chosen” to do our life’s work, even if it doesn’t provide consistent payments, insurance, or any guarantees at all (at least the way we think we need them) … in lieu of trusting God to provide surrendering to his invitation to trust that “it will all work out” (which is a state that we seem to forget often these days). So, in writing this all… I’m asking for what I really need - to be reminded that God’s ways are not our own and that He has it all worked out – and usually just in time. Missing THAT is to miss the whole point.
The two extreme opposites that I sit here with is interestingly beautiful: on one hand I’m freaking out and the other is that “I get it” and feel very trusting that everything is as it is supposed to be – Perfect, in a spiritual sense. Grabbing a hold of the one that matters most (in my heart) and putting the head/ego in its proper perspective is my work to do…but then there’s this thought of just going out and getting a regular job (fear talking) to guarantee something so that I don’t have to trust God for the “daily manna” will (should) be there in the morning.(Hum…I’m a mess at times aren’t I?)
Recently I was inspired to play around with some words and their meanings and came up with this one: MIRROR. A word used often in my conversations and those around me. And the truth behind this is really needed in the moment…
M y
I nner
R eflective
R eminder
O ffering
R ealignment
….Realignment to God, the Truth, Life, the journey, understanding, surrender, etc…
So, there you go…
I’ve vented and feel better now… thank you for your love and holding us in your heart as we continue on in the journey.
And a reminder for you…Fixing it isn’t the answer (nor could you), SO… could we just have a sacred moment together to mutually be reminded and feel whatever we are feeling so that we get to the other side of it? I’ve found that after the rusty pipes get flushed out – there’s plenty of fresh water in unlimited supply (abundance) on the other side… (feeling it now) which makes the venting or flushing a process in remembering and being refreshed with all that is needed – unconditional Love in the moment, God’s way to expand our perspective (and acceptance) of it all.
So, what is on the other side of this? Well, 1) Michelle has a couple of new clients that she loves working with and so do I. 2) We feel like there will be another client-company to work with in the near future or just enough individual ones that will allow us to continue the work He’s called us to. 3) The opportunity of the moment by moment experiences where we learn to surrender to God, who gives us a clearer appreciation of the gift and beauty of “not knowing” in light of the “already Knowingness” of God, which is perfectly fitting (thou challenging) for the work we are doing. 4) Life as an Adventure: We feel that our calling is not ordinary, nor is the path we are to walk in living it, even when some of the time we think we have strayed from the path altogether, simply because we’ve never walked this before. And one more… 5) A deep sense of gratitude for all the wonderful people we get to love on and who love on us simultaneously – as we all grow into being who we really are! The double Mirror!
I wish you well as to how you will take all of this in… I can’t get all worried about that – I’ll just trust God that you and we will find our own way (however it looks) and become more aware of how to surrender and trust that God is in all of it…taking us to a greater understanding and acceptance along the path.
PS… Jim, your message a few days ago is really being felt, of how Jesus sent out the workers to do the work of loving people without knowing how they would be cared for – and in doing so, was always taken care of. Thank you for following God, as well as offering some guidance (as you get it yourself) along the way in this journey – I feel your heart and your own journey too!
Living and loving Life and others…OUT LOUD and on purpose!
~ Dave E. Anderson
http://www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
If I could ask for this one thing: Please hear me with your heart as I vent (the stuff of my head) to get to the other side…and thank you in advance for helping me love myself. I’m NOT looking for a handout – I just need to vent so that it won’t feel damn lonely inside. Thank you for listening… and being with me!
Progressively, these last two weeks of the month (as well as most months) has been the toughest for us… There’s been hardly any money flowing in, I don’t get my monthly contribution till the last day of this week (first Friday following the 1st), we are just about empty in the gas tanks, a little ground meat, some pasta and sauce, a few bananas and a box of cereal and some yogurt is just about all we have left to eat. We WILL make it through this lean time…so be assured we won’t starve. It’s just that my son doesn’t understand why I have to constantly say (when he asks for the normal snacks), “I’m sorry – we don’t have any of that right now Caeden” and Dash is too young to know how to ask. When all that happens the trusting and God-centered state of “we are gonna get through this” feels like it flies out the window because the kids are hungry for their favorite snacks and they don’t understand why we can’t go buy more yet, (one of the smaller financial issues we face).
This past week Michelle said she would go find some work… but that isn’t possible with our choice of parenting. Then she mentioned that “it would be nice if we just had at least one more client-company” around the size we have now, so that we aren’t so strapped and broke half of the month. She’s right…but who do I call on? Which triggers my own frustrations with and resistance to making the calls for that to happen. Even my individual clients(who are really FRIENDS) seem to be all out of money too…so getting paid for showing up when they are in need of us, is not guaranteed either (which is an agreement we have mutually agreed upon). So, All of this really doesn’t make sense to us (in the head)… so we just carry on and trust that God’s working it all out…and it always does happen somehow.
Saturday while in Whole Foods (to get free samples to eat for their “taste of the holidays”) in lieu of the snacks we didn’t have, I noticed one of their shopping bags that said something like: “The Path is what we’ve chosen…” and it struck me with a shot of perspective…that we have “chosen” to do our life’s work, even if it doesn’t provide consistent payments, insurance, or any guarantees at all (at least the way we think we need them) … in lieu of trusting God to provide surrendering to his invitation to trust that “it will all work out” (which is a state that we seem to forget often these days). So, in writing this all… I’m asking for what I really need - to be reminded that God’s ways are not our own and that He has it all worked out – and usually just in time. Missing THAT is to miss the whole point.
The two extreme opposites that I sit here with is interestingly beautiful: on one hand I’m freaking out and the other is that “I get it” and feel very trusting that everything is as it is supposed to be – Perfect, in a spiritual sense. Grabbing a hold of the one that matters most (in my heart) and putting the head/ego in its proper perspective is my work to do…but then there’s this thought of just going out and getting a regular job (fear talking) to guarantee something so that I don’t have to trust God for the “daily manna” will (should) be there in the morning.(Hum…I’m a mess at times aren’t I?)
Recently I was inspired to play around with some words and their meanings and came up with this one: MIRROR. A word used often in my conversations and those around me. And the truth behind this is really needed in the moment…
M y
I nner
R eflective
R eminder
O ffering
R ealignment
….Realignment to God, the Truth, Life, the journey, understanding, surrender, etc…
So, there you go…
I’ve vented and feel better now… thank you for your love and holding us in your heart as we continue on in the journey.
And a reminder for you…Fixing it isn’t the answer (nor could you), SO… could we just have a sacred moment together to mutually be reminded and feel whatever we are feeling so that we get to the other side of it? I’ve found that after the rusty pipes get flushed out – there’s plenty of fresh water in unlimited supply (abundance) on the other side… (feeling it now) which makes the venting or flushing a process in remembering and being refreshed with all that is needed – unconditional Love in the moment, God’s way to expand our perspective (and acceptance) of it all.
So, what is on the other side of this? Well, 1) Michelle has a couple of new clients that she loves working with and so do I. 2) We feel like there will be another client-company to work with in the near future or just enough individual ones that will allow us to continue the work He’s called us to. 3) The opportunity of the moment by moment experiences where we learn to surrender to God, who gives us a clearer appreciation of the gift and beauty of “not knowing” in light of the “already Knowingness” of God, which is perfectly fitting (thou challenging) for the work we are doing. 4) Life as an Adventure: We feel that our calling is not ordinary, nor is the path we are to walk in living it, even when some of the time we think we have strayed from the path altogether, simply because we’ve never walked this before. And one more… 5) A deep sense of gratitude for all the wonderful people we get to love on and who love on us simultaneously – as we all grow into being who we really are! The double Mirror!
I wish you well as to how you will take all of this in… I can’t get all worried about that – I’ll just trust God that you and we will find our own way (however it looks) and become more aware of how to surrender and trust that God is in all of it…taking us to a greater understanding and acceptance along the path.
PS… Jim, your message a few days ago is really being felt, of how Jesus sent out the workers to do the work of loving people without knowing how they would be cared for – and in doing so, was always taken care of. Thank you for following God, as well as offering some guidance (as you get it yourself) along the way in this journey – I feel your heart and your own journey too!
Living and loving Life and others…OUT LOUD and on purpose!
~ Dave E. Anderson
http://www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
Friday, July 07, 2006
Pilgrimage Ride Report – Two AMAZING rides of my life! (1 of 2)
“To really live from the heart, one needs to take a journey to new places to unplug and explore, separate from family and familiars, in order to be open to new influences, to bold growth, and dramatic change.” ~ Dave E. Anderson, (a modified Katherine Butler Hathaway quote)
I recently returned from two amazing rides (Pilgrimage Rides) and would love to tell you about them. I’ll start by telling you about the first one, and in a follow-up email tell you about the second. If you don’t ride... hang in there because this is more than JUST a ride-report... these have been two experiences that have produced needed change in my life. PLUS, you will also get the detailed story of the crash... that totaled my bike (sad to say), in the follow-up email.
Ride #1: DEAL’S GAP (a.k.a. “The Tail of the Dragon”) in North Carolina. (The Inaugural Ride)Saturday, May 13, 2006, we pulled out of N. Houston, for a 7-day, 2,740-mile journey. Enthusiastically, three men on three BMW bikes (two on the K1200S and my K1200GT), headed out for North Carolina to ride “the Dragon”. This is the “Mecca” for motorcyclist. Why? Because of the 318 curves in an 11-mile stretch of road... plus a plethora of other roads uniquely incredible. Yeah baby! The first day we made it to Birmingham, AL, 687 miles of interstate (not the fun part), but we were on “a pilgrimage”, so we paid the price of sore buns. Of course we had to take the necessary “tourist” pictures by all the state lines: LA, MS & AL. Traveling four states on the first day felt really good. The second day we headed out for a 320-mile day through Atlanta and into twisty roads of Suches, GA, home of the T.W.O. (Two Wheels Only) Campground and Wolf Pen Gap road, on our way up to NC. Suches was the beginning of where you really had to pay attention to the extreme technical twisties in varying inclines, which demanded our 100% focus. Even though I had ridden the area before and they had track experience, we all had to polish-up our skills with the intensity these roads offered. These weren’t the normal “Texas twisties” we were used to. We stopped for a picture at T.W.O. and you should have seen the WOW factor in our eyes... we were in Motorcycle-Heaven! That night we completed the 1,007-mile trek, arriving at the Tapoco Lodge, NC, where we stayed in a remote cottage overlooking the Cheoah River. After a relaxing massage from Teresa, the local therapist, we soaked in the chilled moist air of the mountains. With no TV or phones in the rooms, it was quiet, except for the smoothing sound of the river below. Ah, this was truly unplugging in style. Our cottage was nestled in a rainforest-like setting, complete with a path, overflowing with foliage that led down to the main lodge, where we enjoyed breakfast each morning. Over the next 4 days, we road “The Dragon”, Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Foothills Parkway, and more back roads of the Smoky Mountains. Our journey took us through riding in the heat, cold, rain, and even sleet (with temps below freezing). We hiked to waterfalls; walked along the river; herd local ghost stories; road the Dragon at night; and experienced the amazing adventure of life in so many spontaneous ways. On the sixth and seventh days, we made our way back through Memphis, taking in the BBQ Festival and staying at Elvis’ Heart Break Hotel (a surprise detour), then on through Arkansas into Texas, for a total of Seven States. We took in and experienced so much beauty in our surroundings; in ourselves; in our conversations; and in the quiet times we took alone with God. It was like we, and God-who created it all, was intimately connecting to our hearts deeper than ever. It WAS a ride of our lives. So, thank you B.W., B.R., and R.H. (one more who joined us from Atlanta) for the ride together.
While this inaugural ride was a truly amazing trip to the best roads and sceneries in the USA, it also had a few very rough moments mixed in. And it’s only after a lot of deep soul searching and introspection of the experiences, conversations and feelings we had before, during and after the trip, that I’m able to write about it... almost 2 months later. Before now... It just didn’t make much sense. Trust me... It’s making more sense now, because I’m committed to being a learner from my entire journey in life, however ugly it can look at times. I’ll explain. This particular pilgrimage ride was set up to be “a spiritual journey... to become better men, husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and friends, while asking God to show us how to remove that which was not in our best interest as men.” This meant that I would lead the group with that intention from the beginning, which is by the way, one of the primary objectives of the “Pilgrimage Ride” experience. But that’s where things seemed to fall apart and my greatest lessons were realized. This was the first trip to guide others on... so I had to put together “the agenda” for the experience. That was my first mistake. I went to an ego place of, “I know what they need,” and began to work my agenda, which was met with much resistance, followed by more of my own resistance to stop, lay down the agenda and listen to their hearts and God’s “ultimate knowing” of what we all needed. Yep, I just plainly forgot that HE INVITED ALL OF US into His beauty to learn... not just them. So basically, in my attempt to create the spiritual experience of a lifetime, my ego (not my heart) showed up and created a disruptive connection within the group. It was like the proverbial “elephant in the room”, or in this case... the elephant on my front fender... blocking where we needed to go; ruining the steering ability; and creating all kinds of tension and unbalance. Yep, being out of integrity, even so slightly, is a huge thing to ride around with... yet so freeing as I’m learning to stop the bike (my life) and properly deal with the root problem that’s within myself... versus blaming someone else for it. Now that feels really good to own... which is impossible for me to do until I surrender it over to God and let it all go... anger, blame, guilt and even trying to fix it. I’m learning to trust, surrender, love and forgive others and myself through this whole experience. I believe this was still designed for each of us to learn from it in our own way... and so I trust Him to work it out in His timing and in the way He chooses to in the end. I have learned a very costly lesson about myself that will stick with me for the rest of my life. The place He has called me to work, involves the precious hearts of people, and it is a sacred work, and I’m committed to doing it with His ability, which is far better that the best of my ability... as I’m so clearly learning.
Two days later, just to see if I was listening and taking notes from the lessons of the first ride, I left for a second Pilgrimage Ride with three other men, that’s incredible in it’s own way... and I can’t wait to tell you about it. Ok, here’s a small taste. It involves multiple crashes and my own bike being totaled in the end. So, stay tuned for part two of these back-to-back real life adventures...
Living and Loving Life and Others... OUT LOUD!
Dave E. Anderson, Humbled Guide
www.PilgrimageRide.com “A Motorcycle Journey of the Heart & Soul”
...A Freedom Life Consulting motorcycle experience!
I recently returned from two amazing rides (Pilgrimage Rides) and would love to tell you about them. I’ll start by telling you about the first one, and in a follow-up email tell you about the second. If you don’t ride... hang in there because this is more than JUST a ride-report... these have been two experiences that have produced needed change in my life. PLUS, you will also get the detailed story of the crash... that totaled my bike (sad to say), in the follow-up email.
Ride #1: DEAL’S GAP (a.k.a. “The Tail of the Dragon”) in North Carolina. (The Inaugural Ride)Saturday, May 13, 2006, we pulled out of N. Houston, for a 7-day, 2,740-mile journey. Enthusiastically, three men on three BMW bikes (two on the K1200S and my K1200GT), headed out for North Carolina to ride “the Dragon”. This is the “Mecca” for motorcyclist. Why? Because of the 318 curves in an 11-mile stretch of road... plus a plethora of other roads uniquely incredible. Yeah baby! The first day we made it to Birmingham, AL, 687 miles of interstate (not the fun part), but we were on “a pilgrimage”, so we paid the price of sore buns. Of course we had to take the necessary “tourist” pictures by all the state lines: LA, MS & AL. Traveling four states on the first day felt really good. The second day we headed out for a 320-mile day through Atlanta and into twisty roads of Suches, GA, home of the T.W.O. (Two Wheels Only) Campground and Wolf Pen Gap road, on our way up to NC. Suches was the beginning of where you really had to pay attention to the extreme technical twisties in varying inclines, which demanded our 100% focus. Even though I had ridden the area before and they had track experience, we all had to polish-up our skills with the intensity these roads offered. These weren’t the normal “Texas twisties” we were used to. We stopped for a picture at T.W.O. and you should have seen the WOW factor in our eyes... we were in Motorcycle-Heaven! That night we completed the 1,007-mile trek, arriving at the Tapoco Lodge, NC, where we stayed in a remote cottage overlooking the Cheoah River. After a relaxing massage from Teresa, the local therapist, we soaked in the chilled moist air of the mountains. With no TV or phones in the rooms, it was quiet, except for the smoothing sound of the river below. Ah, this was truly unplugging in style. Our cottage was nestled in a rainforest-like setting, complete with a path, overflowing with foliage that led down to the main lodge, where we enjoyed breakfast each morning. Over the next 4 days, we road “The Dragon”, Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Foothills Parkway, and more back roads of the Smoky Mountains. Our journey took us through riding in the heat, cold, rain, and even sleet (with temps below freezing). We hiked to waterfalls; walked along the river; herd local ghost stories; road the Dragon at night; and experienced the amazing adventure of life in so many spontaneous ways. On the sixth and seventh days, we made our way back through Memphis, taking in the BBQ Festival and staying at Elvis’ Heart Break Hotel (a surprise detour), then on through Arkansas into Texas, for a total of Seven States. We took in and experienced so much beauty in our surroundings; in ourselves; in our conversations; and in the quiet times we took alone with God. It was like we, and God-who created it all, was intimately connecting to our hearts deeper than ever. It WAS a ride of our lives. So, thank you B.W., B.R., and R.H. (one more who joined us from Atlanta) for the ride together.
While this inaugural ride was a truly amazing trip to the best roads and sceneries in the USA, it also had a few very rough moments mixed in. And it’s only after a lot of deep soul searching and introspection of the experiences, conversations and feelings we had before, during and after the trip, that I’m able to write about it... almost 2 months later. Before now... It just didn’t make much sense. Trust me... It’s making more sense now, because I’m committed to being a learner from my entire journey in life, however ugly it can look at times. I’ll explain. This particular pilgrimage ride was set up to be “a spiritual journey... to become better men, husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and friends, while asking God to show us how to remove that which was not in our best interest as men.” This meant that I would lead the group with that intention from the beginning, which is by the way, one of the primary objectives of the “Pilgrimage Ride” experience. But that’s where things seemed to fall apart and my greatest lessons were realized. This was the first trip to guide others on... so I had to put together “the agenda” for the experience. That was my first mistake. I went to an ego place of, “I know what they need,” and began to work my agenda, which was met with much resistance, followed by more of my own resistance to stop, lay down the agenda and listen to their hearts and God’s “ultimate knowing” of what we all needed. Yep, I just plainly forgot that HE INVITED ALL OF US into His beauty to learn... not just them. So basically, in my attempt to create the spiritual experience of a lifetime, my ego (not my heart) showed up and created a disruptive connection within the group. It was like the proverbial “elephant in the room”, or in this case... the elephant on my front fender... blocking where we needed to go; ruining the steering ability; and creating all kinds of tension and unbalance. Yep, being out of integrity, even so slightly, is a huge thing to ride around with... yet so freeing as I’m learning to stop the bike (my life) and properly deal with the root problem that’s within myself... versus blaming someone else for it. Now that feels really good to own... which is impossible for me to do until I surrender it over to God and let it all go... anger, blame, guilt and even trying to fix it. I’m learning to trust, surrender, love and forgive others and myself through this whole experience. I believe this was still designed for each of us to learn from it in our own way... and so I trust Him to work it out in His timing and in the way He chooses to in the end. I have learned a very costly lesson about myself that will stick with me for the rest of my life. The place He has called me to work, involves the precious hearts of people, and it is a sacred work, and I’m committed to doing it with His ability, which is far better that the best of my ability... as I’m so clearly learning.
Two days later, just to see if I was listening and taking notes from the lessons of the first ride, I left for a second Pilgrimage Ride with three other men, that’s incredible in it’s own way... and I can’t wait to tell you about it. Ok, here’s a small taste. It involves multiple crashes and my own bike being totaled in the end. So, stay tuned for part two of these back-to-back real life adventures...
Living and Loving Life and Others... OUT LOUD!
Dave E. Anderson, Humbled Guide
www.PilgrimageRide.com “A Motorcycle Journey of the Heart & Soul”
...A Freedom Life Consulting motorcycle experience!
Friday, June 23, 2006
"Showing Up..." (Out of Hiding)
This one is looooong. But if you wonder: 1. Where I’ve been..., and 2. How my bike got totaled... you’ll want to read the whole thing. Thank you for understanding.
Sometimes I go into hiding... because I’m afraid, embarrassed, ashamed or I just don’t think what I have to say is all that important. That’s where I’ve been for a while, but today, I’m showing up and being MYSELF in the midst of a lot of “stuff” that I’ve allowed to distract me from telling all of my story. Even with my wife and so many friends asking me to tell others about my journey, I’ve been stalling. Why? I think because there are parts that are amazing (and exciting to tell) and some feel like failures (which I often attach shame to), and I’m struggling (but learning) how to “show up” fully in the midst of both... so that I learn from both... and celebrate both. Deep down inside, I know THAT is the place God has me - a place of surrender... and where trust, character and faith are being forged.
Over the last few months I’ve had some dreams that have been rather disturbing. I share this one with you because it has helped me learn some things about myself and the bad places I go in my mind at times. Here’s the one from Wednesday, June 7, 2006:
It was an enclosed (almost dungeon-like) container that a woman and I were brought into by a man we didn’t know. There were two bodies lying on the floor wrapped up like mummies. They seemed lifeless, yet I knew they were still alive, though very weak and helpless. Their bodies also seemed as if they were rotting there in their wrappings. The man who took us into the container said that we didn’t want to get into the wet spot around them, because that was where they had relieved themselves and it had soaked through and onto the floor all around them. At that moment I could smell the awful smell of urine and waste. It turned my stomach. I seemed to feel like I was in trouble or being punished to be here in this place. I also felt as if I was just visiting the place to see it for some reason. The container was hot and stuffy, and seemed to be totally enclosed with wooden slats and old rags in the joints, but you could still see small rays of light through the cracks. At the same time, it also seemed like I could walk outside to a green grassy wooded area that was just off one side of the dungeon-like container. I liked it better in the wooded area... and wanted to stay there. From the wooded area, I could see Michelle and Caeden (my wife and son) on the 2nd floor of a very nice air-conditioned building, playing on a bed. It was white, clean and comfortable – totally opposite from the container. She couldn’t see me, or at least hadn’t noticed me, so I thought I’d whistle to get her attention. But I felt that by doing so, I’d be in trouble so I didn’t whistle. I also thought that I could call her from here (like a call home from a hotel room), so that made it seem not so bad being here... as long as I could call her. Then the man started wrapping up the girl that had came in with me. She didn’t like that at all and squirmed hard. She was almost wrapped up when she kicked so hard that she loosened the wraps a little from her legs. Before this time, I didn’t realize I would be next to be wrapped up. Then it hit me, this meant that I couldn’t be in the nice wooded area, or see my wife and son, or call them, and that I would be wrapped up in this hot container, with no fresh air on my face, sweating and in my own human waste. It was a gross thought and I panicked and started yelling, “No – don’t wrap me up! Please! Please! Don’t wrap me up!” At the same time, the girl was still squirming and yelled to the man, “I’ll change! I’ll change!”, as if that would keep her from being wrapped up and allow for her freedom. Then he held her firmly and said with a deep and serious tone, “We have a motto down here... CHANGE DOESN’T EXIST!” Then I woke up.
As I told Michelle the morbid dream, she asked what I thought it meant. I remember the feelings that were going on in me as I told her about the dream: All I thought was, “Would she have to look at me through the 2nd story window, in her cool and comfortable place and watch me suffer in the container, laying there in all my crap and waste, trapped and unable to talk to her or be released? That would be miserable for her, not being able to do anything about it and freaking out to do all she could to have me released and cleaned up.” As I wrote this in my journal that morning, I asked God to show me what this dream meant and what I needed to learn. This is what I got:
When I believe that I am not able to change, I am held captive and wrapped up in my ugly state of helplessness and crap... not being able to live fully and barely live at all, in the most foul smelling containment of torture possible. And by my belief in that lie... I am actually the one leading myself into the dungeon... wrapping myself up with wraps that really don’t exist themselves—except for the fact that I think they do. My lies (illusions) actually takes life away from myself and others, and the sad thing about it, is that I hold the power to change and free myself by believing the truth that I can change. Everything can change—and I don’t have to be wrapped up and left to die in my own crap. That’s not what I was meant for... yet so many times I allow the lies to be lived out as if they were true. I believe that life is all about personal change... freedom... love... possibility... hope... newness... joy... peace... and everything is possible and actually waiting for me to just receive it. Yes... JUST RECEIVE IT. I have to recognize the lie--as a lie. Believe only what is true. Daily live completely free... free from bondage and free to really live the life I was meant to live. So, I choose to live my dreams... not in a nightmare in an existence held tight to a dungeon of lies.
I have found that by identifying and exposing the lies with someone who loves and supports me, is a great way to deal with them. I’ll share some of my personal ones so that you can see what lies torment me and constantly try to keep me hidden, so that I don’t “show up” for myself, family or anyone else. As I tell you these, I acknowledge that they are lies, while admitting that they often feel very REAL. This is my struggle. Maybe by sharing some of mine, you can identify some of your own... so that we, as a community growing together, can walk our journeys released to live life to the full... a life of abundance.
My lies...
“God is failing you. You chose to follow him in this life calling and it’s not working out. This is just a nasty trick He’s been playing on you.”
“You’ve gotten yourself too deep... and bankruptcy is the only way out... then you still won’t have enough to pay for necessities.”
“If you tell people where you are financially and your debt level, people will judge you as a failure, which you really are.”
“You are not a good life coach, don’t know how to market it and it shows by the lack of clients you get and that stay with you.”
“You can’t provide for your family and it will cause you to loose everything, including your home.”
“You need to go get a job...cause life coaching isn’t paying off.”
“You aren’t enough in what you do... so go do something else that you can do.”
“You will have to sell even more stuff to try to keep the bills paid... and it still won’t be enough.”
“All the stuff breaking recently, like: garage door; car’s water pump; shifter knob (held in place by rubber bands); Durango’s Cruise control; A/C duct work needed; bad siding; and Tires going bald... with no money in site to repair them, is all a sign that it’s getting worse, and you are getting even further behind.”
“Your credit cards will all be maxed out in less than a month and you will have to go the way of bankruptcy.”
“You will not get enough back from the insurance for your bike that was just ‘totaled’, so you won’t be able to get a good replacement one or you will have to use the money to keep your lights on and bills paid... and without a bike you can’t lead rides.”
“You don’t act on the ideas you have... and you never will... therefore give up now.”
Well, you get the idea. We are in debt--way in over our heads. We have lived on credit cards to keep us going while we birthed Freedom Life Consulting, and now 2 years later, we still are not making enough to keep going on like this and doing this as our only income. Therefore we are asking God to show us what He has in mind. If this means we coach people at night and on weekends while we work other jobs, we are willing to do that. Even though that just feels so wrong (in our hearts), so we’ve left this as the last resort. We have hung in there for so long and we are exhausted. We kept thinking that it would pick up and be different, but each month it was more of the same. Michelle has recently taken on a new business (from our home) with her mom that involves finding notes that people need to sell and matching them with investors who will purchase them at a discount rate. She would get a commission on the deal. To top things off, during the second Pilgrimage Ride, while on the way home from the hill country, my motorcycle was totaled in an accident, after a car pulled out in front of me at about 35 mph. Thank God I walked away from the accident, which is a miracle in itself. That was 4 weeks ago, and I don’t know what the results will be on the settlement. When I get alone with God... I hear him saying to me that “All is well”. My coach, Jim Spivey says the same... calling this a “Sacred place” we are in, and for a greater reason than we can see at the moment (which by the way--feels true), yet we haven’t gotten a clear word from God what we are to do... so it just feels like we are in limbo.
So, there you have it. I’ve showed up. Told the truth... and waiting expectantly to discover our next steps. Please pray for us. You are welcome to share anything you may feel you are supposed to share with us. But please, don’t feel sorry for us. We know that we will not always be in this place... and that when we are on the other side of this... it will all make sense and we will completely get the amazing messages within this whole journey. Until then... we will remain faithful to our calling and surrendered to whatever He has in store for us.
PS. This reminds me of a verse from the Bible that says:
“You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” Matthew 5:3-8, the Message Bible
God, I’m listening, surrendered and becoming more and more aware of the sacredness of this journey and the intimacy we share. Thank you for your nearness on this journey... and the path you have led me (us) on. I rest in you alone. ~ Amen
I love you all! ~ Dave E. Anderson, Motorcycle Life Coach
PS... stay tuned to future blogs about two amazing Pilgrimage Rides I took to North Carolina (through 7 states) and to the Hill Country of Texas.
www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
www.PilgrimageRide.com
Sometimes I go into hiding... because I’m afraid, embarrassed, ashamed or I just don’t think what I have to say is all that important. That’s where I’ve been for a while, but today, I’m showing up and being MYSELF in the midst of a lot of “stuff” that I’ve allowed to distract me from telling all of my story. Even with my wife and so many friends asking me to tell others about my journey, I’ve been stalling. Why? I think because there are parts that are amazing (and exciting to tell) and some feel like failures (which I often attach shame to), and I’m struggling (but learning) how to “show up” fully in the midst of both... so that I learn from both... and celebrate both. Deep down inside, I know THAT is the place God has me - a place of surrender... and where trust, character and faith are being forged.
Over the last few months I’ve had some dreams that have been rather disturbing. I share this one with you because it has helped me learn some things about myself and the bad places I go in my mind at times. Here’s the one from Wednesday, June 7, 2006:
It was an enclosed (almost dungeon-like) container that a woman and I were brought into by a man we didn’t know. There were two bodies lying on the floor wrapped up like mummies. They seemed lifeless, yet I knew they were still alive, though very weak and helpless. Their bodies also seemed as if they were rotting there in their wrappings. The man who took us into the container said that we didn’t want to get into the wet spot around them, because that was where they had relieved themselves and it had soaked through and onto the floor all around them. At that moment I could smell the awful smell of urine and waste. It turned my stomach. I seemed to feel like I was in trouble or being punished to be here in this place. I also felt as if I was just visiting the place to see it for some reason. The container was hot and stuffy, and seemed to be totally enclosed with wooden slats and old rags in the joints, but you could still see small rays of light through the cracks. At the same time, it also seemed like I could walk outside to a green grassy wooded area that was just off one side of the dungeon-like container. I liked it better in the wooded area... and wanted to stay there. From the wooded area, I could see Michelle and Caeden (my wife and son) on the 2nd floor of a very nice air-conditioned building, playing on a bed. It was white, clean and comfortable – totally opposite from the container. She couldn’t see me, or at least hadn’t noticed me, so I thought I’d whistle to get her attention. But I felt that by doing so, I’d be in trouble so I didn’t whistle. I also thought that I could call her from here (like a call home from a hotel room), so that made it seem not so bad being here... as long as I could call her. Then the man started wrapping up the girl that had came in with me. She didn’t like that at all and squirmed hard. She was almost wrapped up when she kicked so hard that she loosened the wraps a little from her legs. Before this time, I didn’t realize I would be next to be wrapped up. Then it hit me, this meant that I couldn’t be in the nice wooded area, or see my wife and son, or call them, and that I would be wrapped up in this hot container, with no fresh air on my face, sweating and in my own human waste. It was a gross thought and I panicked and started yelling, “No – don’t wrap me up! Please! Please! Don’t wrap me up!” At the same time, the girl was still squirming and yelled to the man, “I’ll change! I’ll change!”, as if that would keep her from being wrapped up and allow for her freedom. Then he held her firmly and said with a deep and serious tone, “We have a motto down here... CHANGE DOESN’T EXIST!” Then I woke up.
As I told Michelle the morbid dream, she asked what I thought it meant. I remember the feelings that were going on in me as I told her about the dream: All I thought was, “Would she have to look at me through the 2nd story window, in her cool and comfortable place and watch me suffer in the container, laying there in all my crap and waste, trapped and unable to talk to her or be released? That would be miserable for her, not being able to do anything about it and freaking out to do all she could to have me released and cleaned up.” As I wrote this in my journal that morning, I asked God to show me what this dream meant and what I needed to learn. This is what I got:
When I believe that I am not able to change, I am held captive and wrapped up in my ugly state of helplessness and crap... not being able to live fully and barely live at all, in the most foul smelling containment of torture possible. And by my belief in that lie... I am actually the one leading myself into the dungeon... wrapping myself up with wraps that really don’t exist themselves—except for the fact that I think they do. My lies (illusions) actually takes life away from myself and others, and the sad thing about it, is that I hold the power to change and free myself by believing the truth that I can change. Everything can change—and I don’t have to be wrapped up and left to die in my own crap. That’s not what I was meant for... yet so many times I allow the lies to be lived out as if they were true. I believe that life is all about personal change... freedom... love... possibility... hope... newness... joy... peace... and everything is possible and actually waiting for me to just receive it. Yes... JUST RECEIVE IT. I have to recognize the lie--as a lie. Believe only what is true. Daily live completely free... free from bondage and free to really live the life I was meant to live. So, I choose to live my dreams... not in a nightmare in an existence held tight to a dungeon of lies.
I have found that by identifying and exposing the lies with someone who loves and supports me, is a great way to deal with them. I’ll share some of my personal ones so that you can see what lies torment me and constantly try to keep me hidden, so that I don’t “show up” for myself, family or anyone else. As I tell you these, I acknowledge that they are lies, while admitting that they often feel very REAL. This is my struggle. Maybe by sharing some of mine, you can identify some of your own... so that we, as a community growing together, can walk our journeys released to live life to the full... a life of abundance.
My lies...
“God is failing you. You chose to follow him in this life calling and it’s not working out. This is just a nasty trick He’s been playing on you.”
“You’ve gotten yourself too deep... and bankruptcy is the only way out... then you still won’t have enough to pay for necessities.”
“If you tell people where you are financially and your debt level, people will judge you as a failure, which you really are.”
“You are not a good life coach, don’t know how to market it and it shows by the lack of clients you get and that stay with you.”
“You can’t provide for your family and it will cause you to loose everything, including your home.”
“You need to go get a job...cause life coaching isn’t paying off.”
“You aren’t enough in what you do... so go do something else that you can do.”
“You will have to sell even more stuff to try to keep the bills paid... and it still won’t be enough.”
“All the stuff breaking recently, like: garage door; car’s water pump; shifter knob (held in place by rubber bands); Durango’s Cruise control; A/C duct work needed; bad siding; and Tires going bald... with no money in site to repair them, is all a sign that it’s getting worse, and you are getting even further behind.”
“Your credit cards will all be maxed out in less than a month and you will have to go the way of bankruptcy.”
“You will not get enough back from the insurance for your bike that was just ‘totaled’, so you won’t be able to get a good replacement one or you will have to use the money to keep your lights on and bills paid... and without a bike you can’t lead rides.”
“You don’t act on the ideas you have... and you never will... therefore give up now.”
Well, you get the idea. We are in debt--way in over our heads. We have lived on credit cards to keep us going while we birthed Freedom Life Consulting, and now 2 years later, we still are not making enough to keep going on like this and doing this as our only income. Therefore we are asking God to show us what He has in mind. If this means we coach people at night and on weekends while we work other jobs, we are willing to do that. Even though that just feels so wrong (in our hearts), so we’ve left this as the last resort. We have hung in there for so long and we are exhausted. We kept thinking that it would pick up and be different, but each month it was more of the same. Michelle has recently taken on a new business (from our home) with her mom that involves finding notes that people need to sell and matching them with investors who will purchase them at a discount rate. She would get a commission on the deal. To top things off, during the second Pilgrimage Ride, while on the way home from the hill country, my motorcycle was totaled in an accident, after a car pulled out in front of me at about 35 mph. Thank God I walked away from the accident, which is a miracle in itself. That was 4 weeks ago, and I don’t know what the results will be on the settlement. When I get alone with God... I hear him saying to me that “All is well”. My coach, Jim Spivey says the same... calling this a “Sacred place” we are in, and for a greater reason than we can see at the moment (which by the way--feels true), yet we haven’t gotten a clear word from God what we are to do... so it just feels like we are in limbo.
So, there you have it. I’ve showed up. Told the truth... and waiting expectantly to discover our next steps. Please pray for us. You are welcome to share anything you may feel you are supposed to share with us. But please, don’t feel sorry for us. We know that we will not always be in this place... and that when we are on the other side of this... it will all make sense and we will completely get the amazing messages within this whole journey. Until then... we will remain faithful to our calling and surrendered to whatever He has in store for us.
PS. This reminds me of a verse from the Bible that says:
“You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” Matthew 5:3-8, the Message Bible
God, I’m listening, surrendered and becoming more and more aware of the sacredness of this journey and the intimacy we share. Thank you for your nearness on this journey... and the path you have led me (us) on. I rest in you alone. ~ Amen
I love you all! ~ Dave E. Anderson, Motorcycle Life Coach
PS... stay tuned to future blogs about two amazing Pilgrimage Rides I took to North Carolina (through 7 states) and to the Hill Country of Texas.
www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
www.PilgrimageRide.com
Thursday, February 23, 2006
The Gift in Being Ourselves
I am finding it so true these days, especially when I slow down enough to listen, how God is speaking so clearly to me exactly when and what I truly need, using unsuspecting delivery persons and situations to remind me of the constant knowing that he is with me. Wednesday, it happened again...
It came by simply writing down the date in my journal, 2/22/06. This day was significant because it was the day that I was “supposed” to be on our Inaugural Pilgrimage Ride. At least that’s what I thought. The beautiful thing about writing down the date was that the night before, my friend David Ripley, had mentioned that God gave him his “222” while driving... explaining that it was God’s way of winking at him. So, in the moment of my pondering the ride that DIDN’T happen... God gave me a wink too... reminding me that He is with me in this journey.
I called David, just to tell him my experience and thank him for being God’s delivery person... and he said that it’s not very often that we actually hear from someone the impact we have on their lives... and thanked me for sharing. So, that inspired me to think about other people who have been used by God recently... and SO many came to mind. That sparked a thought... “Maybe they don’t know the impact they are making on people... because they haven’t been told... so why not tell them... to give them the gift of my gratitude.” I felt led to do this, so, here I am... giving honor to only a few of the many special people, who have spoken, not just with words, but with being who they are in life. God is speaking... and I’m doing my best to listen!
~ David Ripley... for the “222 story” and helping me realize the importance of appreciating people.
~ Ron Lacy... for reminding me: Peter’s “water walk”, is not about “trying harder”.
~ David McGee... for your continual openness, struggle and surrender to love others and yourself more purely.
~ Pam Ormsby... for the message to “repot” that came from our conversation.
~ Jim Spivey... for calling forth “the song” from within... and seeing the weight of it.
~ David Peck... for “seeing outside the box” conversation.
~ Philip Poindexter... for the gift in being allowed to see your connected journey with God.
~ Darin Hufford... for the power of your belief in me...and your message of God’s amazing Love.
~ Robert Bayman... for helping me seeing various possibilities.
~ Brent Walker... for encouraging me with your own get-away pilgrimage.
~ John Crabb... for the amazing support, ideas, expansive vision you gifted me.
~ Jim Jacobus... for showing me the beauty and impact I am having on others.
~ Paul Smeltzer... for reminding me who I really am... deep below the surface.
~ Veronica James... for the reminding me to let go and fly. Your life speaks to me!
~ Greg Thibodeaux... for team heart and support and for “A Ride of your Life” ideas.
~ Chris & Gail Osborne... for “this wasn’t my idea...it was God’s” comment and all that meant for me.
~ Jan Cramer... for grace and forgiveness in a constant way.
~ Laura O’Neill... for the gift of “Awe” and excitement in your voice as you shared your riding story.
~ Steven Carr... for your encouragement, love and support... in the midst of your own journey and “birthing”.
~ Sheldon Anderson... for your commitment to love yourself and others, as you are being healed.
~ Stefani Twyford... for reminding me that “being” is all that is needed.
~ Carmen Poole... for your willingness to explore and risk to go deeper.
~ Ryn Spiegelhauer... for your beautiful heart beaming through the tragedies surrounded you, as you connect to God.
~ Caeden Anderson (my son)... for teaching me to smile, laugh, and just “be” all the time.
~ Michelle Anderson (my wife)... for your everyday unconditional Love, and for always calling me to be of who I really am.
~ God... You are my all... and to you, I surrender all, and appreciate you for my life, family and friends!
.... just to name a few of the many. Ah... It feels so good to show gratitude...maybe I should make this the norm.
Think about it... the power of just being ourselves... the awareness of the impact we have on others in big ways... in everything we do, say and are, ...in conversations ...not because we are trying to do anything, just because we are being ourselves, showing up fully. I’m seeing that happen all around me... and if it’s happening to me, it must be happening to others too. This gives me an overwhelming peace, leaving me knowing that we don’t set all these up... someone so much bigger than us is at work... perfectly synchronizing each detail ...every conversation ...everything in and around our lives. All I have to do is expect it, watch for it, listen and receive it when it comes. Wow... that’s huge! When I stay aware of this, I relax into knowing God has everything in control and is working it all out and that I can trust him fully. Thank you God – I surrender!
~ Dave E. Anderson, Motorcycle Life Coach
www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
www.PilgrimageRide.com
It came by simply writing down the date in my journal, 2/22/06. This day was significant because it was the day that I was “supposed” to be on our Inaugural Pilgrimage Ride. At least that’s what I thought. The beautiful thing about writing down the date was that the night before, my friend David Ripley, had mentioned that God gave him his “222” while driving... explaining that it was God’s way of winking at him. So, in the moment of my pondering the ride that DIDN’T happen... God gave me a wink too... reminding me that He is with me in this journey.
I called David, just to tell him my experience and thank him for being God’s delivery person... and he said that it’s not very often that we actually hear from someone the impact we have on their lives... and thanked me for sharing. So, that inspired me to think about other people who have been used by God recently... and SO many came to mind. That sparked a thought... “Maybe they don’t know the impact they are making on people... because they haven’t been told... so why not tell them... to give them the gift of my gratitude.” I felt led to do this, so, here I am... giving honor to only a few of the many special people, who have spoken, not just with words, but with being who they are in life. God is speaking... and I’m doing my best to listen!
~ David Ripley... for the “222 story” and helping me realize the importance of appreciating people.
~ Ron Lacy... for reminding me: Peter’s “water walk”, is not about “trying harder”.
~ David McGee... for your continual openness, struggle and surrender to love others and yourself more purely.
~ Pam Ormsby... for the message to “repot” that came from our conversation.
~ Jim Spivey... for calling forth “the song” from within... and seeing the weight of it.
~ David Peck... for “seeing outside the box” conversation.
~ Philip Poindexter... for the gift in being allowed to see your connected journey with God.
~ Darin Hufford... for the power of your belief in me...and your message of God’s amazing Love.
~ Robert Bayman... for helping me seeing various possibilities.
~ Brent Walker... for encouraging me with your own get-away pilgrimage.
~ John Crabb... for the amazing support, ideas, expansive vision you gifted me.
~ Jim Jacobus... for showing me the beauty and impact I am having on others.
~ Paul Smeltzer... for reminding me who I really am... deep below the surface.
~ Veronica James... for the reminding me to let go and fly. Your life speaks to me!
~ Greg Thibodeaux... for team heart and support and for “A Ride of your Life” ideas.
~ Chris & Gail Osborne... for “this wasn’t my idea...it was God’s” comment and all that meant for me.
~ Jan Cramer... for grace and forgiveness in a constant way.
~ Laura O’Neill... for the gift of “Awe” and excitement in your voice as you shared your riding story.
~ Steven Carr... for your encouragement, love and support... in the midst of your own journey and “birthing”.
~ Sheldon Anderson... for your commitment to love yourself and others, as you are being healed.
~ Stefani Twyford... for reminding me that “being” is all that is needed.
~ Carmen Poole... for your willingness to explore and risk to go deeper.
~ Ryn Spiegelhauer... for your beautiful heart beaming through the tragedies surrounded you, as you connect to God.
~ Caeden Anderson (my son)... for teaching me to smile, laugh, and just “be” all the time.
~ Michelle Anderson (my wife)... for your everyday unconditional Love, and for always calling me to be of who I really am.
~ God... You are my all... and to you, I surrender all, and appreciate you for my life, family and friends!
.... just to name a few of the many. Ah... It feels so good to show gratitude...maybe I should make this the norm.
Think about it... the power of just being ourselves... the awareness of the impact we have on others in big ways... in everything we do, say and are, ...in conversations ...not because we are trying to do anything, just because we are being ourselves, showing up fully. I’m seeing that happen all around me... and if it’s happening to me, it must be happening to others too. This gives me an overwhelming peace, leaving me knowing that we don’t set all these up... someone so much bigger than us is at work... perfectly synchronizing each detail ...every conversation ...everything in and around our lives. All I have to do is expect it, watch for it, listen and receive it when it comes. Wow... that’s huge! When I stay aware of this, I relax into knowing God has everything in control and is working it all out and that I can trust him fully. Thank you God – I surrender!
~ Dave E. Anderson, Motorcycle Life Coach
www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
www.PilgrimageRide.com
Sunday, February 19, 2006
The Baby's Stuck!
"Birth is violent, whether it be the birth of a child or the birth of a new idea. Beginning stages of development are rough. The most giant tree begins life as a tiny green sprout, pushing dirt out of its way as it forces itself up through the earth to the sunlight." ~ Marianne Williamson
The last 2 weeks for me has felt like the birth experience my wife had (of going 15 days PAST the Oct. 3rd due-date), of our first-born son, Caeden. (Guys: hang in there, for the main point)
We had planned for the ideal home birth, with our midwife Cathy Rude, using a birthing tub, her mom present and with our friend Pam video taping the whole thing. We had a vision of our desired birth experience, and resisted all the “not so ideal” stories that others had experienced. Well, to make a long story short... it didn’t happen the way we planned.
On day 12 of being overdue, our midwife felt (because of a bad dream) that we needed to get an ultrasound done, revealing Michelle’s amniotic fluids were dangerously low, which required immediate hydration. On day 13, the fluids were up, leaving us hopeful that all else would go as planned. That morning, her contractions began, but they were not strong enough to cause efficient dilation for labor. We did everything possible and natural to bring labor on...breast pump stimulation, chiropractic labor-adjustments, walking and still nothing. Then on day 14 came the dreaded Castor Oil treatment. While Castor Oil is effective in irritating the uterus for contractions, it’s also MORE effective at irritating the bowels (enough said on that). So, here we are on day 14, and everything is coming out except our son. All kinds of things were going on in our heads, like... “Why is he so late?” “Doesn’t he want to come out?” “Is something wrong?” etc. Our midwife wasn’t happy with our progression or his heart rate during the contractions... so we transported to the hospital, where more of what we didn’t want became necessary.
At 7 A.M. on day 15, they administered pitocin followed by an epidural, and by 6 P.M. Michelle still had only dilated to a 5, of the needed 10. The nurse, midwife and I all decided that we needed to inform Michelle that a C-Section was inevitable. The doctor would pass by in an hour, at 7 P.M., and if she wasn’t ready to deliver he would have no choice but to take him out. We prayed, then Michelle had her own personal time with God, where she felt God ask her if “she was ready to receive him”. She felt she needed to surrender to “the process” of how he came out, because him being out was the most important thing...not the process. She surrendered and was at peace. A few minutes later the doctor came in and checked her... informing us that she was now dilated to a 9, followed by “Are you ready to push?” Push? Yes, it was happening... she was able to push him out (with help from the forceps, because his head was “stuck”, thus the reason she couldn’t deliver on her own). Caeden was born at 8:43 P.M., after 3 days of laboring. (He was 4 months old yesterday!)
So, how do I feel like Michelle in her giving birth to Caeden? Well, March 2004, almost 2 years ago, an idea, dream and experiential journey was conceived, as an extension of us - Freedom Life Consulting. It, the “baby”, was given the names: “The Pilgrimage Ride”, or “A Ride of your Life”. And the due date for our very first (of 6 rides) was scheduled for 2/22/06 (this week), but unfortunately there are no riders signed up, so this ride had to be cancelled. Two years in the planning... emails sent out... calls made... discounts given... and even a total change of it’s price to “give what you feel it was worth”... and still – No Birth! Not only is this first ride important for the birth of this dream... but also our financial pressures and debts are expanding bigger than Michelle’s belly was before Caeden came out.
So, during these last couple of weeks, in my head and emotions, I’ve gone to all kinds of places that haven’t been good. I’ve vented, expressed my frustration, sought understanding, perspective and much needed assistance from my wife, friends, family, life coach and other motorcyclists... like Michelle had the midwifes, nurses, doctors, forceps, pitocin, and epidural to get Caeden birthed... for me, there’s still – No Birth! So, last Thursday, I did what Michelle did on the hospital bed, and surrendered to God and to “the process” of this “baby’s” birth. I laid it all before Him, and do you know what happened? No, not the “baby” yet, but... my head came “un-stuck,” and I’ve begun to stop resisting how these rides will look and moving beyond the box of MY original idea. Of course, God also reminded me that it was “His baby” all along... and that I would only parent it... not control it, and that I wasn’t the one who sets the “due date” and specific look of the “baby”. I’ve become more aware and open to new ways this could be done, and thoughts and ideas are coming together even now, as I write this. Many of your comments have expanded me... so thank you! So, I’m still not sure of how it will look in the end... but I’m certainly open and listening to this whole process and trusting the “baby” will come forth, the way it’s suppose to. You will be hearing more from me soon...
So, all of you out there that want the most out of life and have a dream, idea, plan for your life that is BIGGER THAN YOU... I hope you hear in this message, some of the truths that I’m becoming more and more aware of: 1. Nothing happens by accident. 2. Surrender to the process and the timing. 3. Let go and trust. 4. If you can do it without Him... then it’s smaller than it could be, and 5. You cannot fail... if He is in control.
---------------
By the way, it’s been 2 months since my last email, which is partly why my “head was stuck”. I’m back in the saddle now... surrendered to the journey of who I am and... IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK!
~ Dave E. Anderson, Motorcycle Life Coach
www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
www.PilgrimageRide.com
The last 2 weeks for me has felt like the birth experience my wife had (of going 15 days PAST the Oct. 3rd due-date), of our first-born son, Caeden. (Guys: hang in there, for the main point)
We had planned for the ideal home birth, with our midwife Cathy Rude, using a birthing tub, her mom present and with our friend Pam video taping the whole thing. We had a vision of our desired birth experience, and resisted all the “not so ideal” stories that others had experienced. Well, to make a long story short... it didn’t happen the way we planned.
On day 12 of being overdue, our midwife felt (because of a bad dream) that we needed to get an ultrasound done, revealing Michelle’s amniotic fluids were dangerously low, which required immediate hydration. On day 13, the fluids were up, leaving us hopeful that all else would go as planned. That morning, her contractions began, but they were not strong enough to cause efficient dilation for labor. We did everything possible and natural to bring labor on...breast pump stimulation, chiropractic labor-adjustments, walking and still nothing. Then on day 14 came the dreaded Castor Oil treatment. While Castor Oil is effective in irritating the uterus for contractions, it’s also MORE effective at irritating the bowels (enough said on that). So, here we are on day 14, and everything is coming out except our son. All kinds of things were going on in our heads, like... “Why is he so late?” “Doesn’t he want to come out?” “Is something wrong?” etc. Our midwife wasn’t happy with our progression or his heart rate during the contractions... so we transported to the hospital, where more of what we didn’t want became necessary.
At 7 A.M. on day 15, they administered pitocin followed by an epidural, and by 6 P.M. Michelle still had only dilated to a 5, of the needed 10. The nurse, midwife and I all decided that we needed to inform Michelle that a C-Section was inevitable. The doctor would pass by in an hour, at 7 P.M., and if she wasn’t ready to deliver he would have no choice but to take him out. We prayed, then Michelle had her own personal time with God, where she felt God ask her if “she was ready to receive him”. She felt she needed to surrender to “the process” of how he came out, because him being out was the most important thing...not the process. She surrendered and was at peace. A few minutes later the doctor came in and checked her... informing us that she was now dilated to a 9, followed by “Are you ready to push?” Push? Yes, it was happening... she was able to push him out (with help from the forceps, because his head was “stuck”, thus the reason she couldn’t deliver on her own). Caeden was born at 8:43 P.M., after 3 days of laboring. (He was 4 months old yesterday!)
So, how do I feel like Michelle in her giving birth to Caeden? Well, March 2004, almost 2 years ago, an idea, dream and experiential journey was conceived, as an extension of us - Freedom Life Consulting. It, the “baby”, was given the names: “The Pilgrimage Ride”, or “A Ride of your Life”. And the due date for our very first (of 6 rides) was scheduled for 2/22/06 (this week), but unfortunately there are no riders signed up, so this ride had to be cancelled. Two years in the planning... emails sent out... calls made... discounts given... and even a total change of it’s price to “give what you feel it was worth”... and still – No Birth! Not only is this first ride important for the birth of this dream... but also our financial pressures and debts are expanding bigger than Michelle’s belly was before Caeden came out.
So, during these last couple of weeks, in my head and emotions, I’ve gone to all kinds of places that haven’t been good. I’ve vented, expressed my frustration, sought understanding, perspective and much needed assistance from my wife, friends, family, life coach and other motorcyclists... like Michelle had the midwifes, nurses, doctors, forceps, pitocin, and epidural to get Caeden birthed... for me, there’s still – No Birth! So, last Thursday, I did what Michelle did on the hospital bed, and surrendered to God and to “the process” of this “baby’s” birth. I laid it all before Him, and do you know what happened? No, not the “baby” yet, but... my head came “un-stuck,” and I’ve begun to stop resisting how these rides will look and moving beyond the box of MY original idea. Of course, God also reminded me that it was “His baby” all along... and that I would only parent it... not control it, and that I wasn’t the one who sets the “due date” and specific look of the “baby”. I’ve become more aware and open to new ways this could be done, and thoughts and ideas are coming together even now, as I write this. Many of your comments have expanded me... so thank you! So, I’m still not sure of how it will look in the end... but I’m certainly open and listening to this whole process and trusting the “baby” will come forth, the way it’s suppose to. You will be hearing more from me soon...
So, all of you out there that want the most out of life and have a dream, idea, plan for your life that is BIGGER THAN YOU... I hope you hear in this message, some of the truths that I’m becoming more and more aware of: 1. Nothing happens by accident. 2. Surrender to the process and the timing. 3. Let go and trust. 4. If you can do it without Him... then it’s smaller than it could be, and 5. You cannot fail... if He is in control.
---------------
By the way, it’s been 2 months since my last email, which is partly why my “head was stuck”. I’m back in the saddle now... surrendered to the journey of who I am and... IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK!
~ Dave E. Anderson, Motorcycle Life Coach
www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
www.PilgrimageRide.com
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