That’s my new word, “Fantastic.”

It’s Arnold’s favourite word and that’s a good reason by itself. If ever a man was achievement orientated, he’s the one.*

Also, it’s positive and happy. Most importantly, it’s true. Even on your bad days you are fantastic and have enormous love and goodness within you, waiting to burst out.

Sometimes, I’ve discovered, feeling enthusiastic about yourself can be as much about eliminating bad habits and negative behaviours as being positive. Now, when you replace them with new good habits and thoughts, this is where the fun that begins.

The fun that says, “I’m working, and I feel great about it.” Or, “I’m not working, and I worked when I worked and now I can enjoy and relax with pleasure and pride.”

How does this relate to tomorrow, which is Easter? In no way I can imagine! It was on my mind, so I thought I’d share.

Well, maybe in a way. Easter is the day Christians celebrate when Christ rose from the dead after being punished for sins — sins that, in His case and unlike you and me, were not even His.

We can also arise from sin (bad habits and behaviours — thoughts are a tougher one, but doable in large measure!) if we will decide to do so, then immediately set about learning how. And once we learn how, conditioning — training — the new habit(s) so they becomes natural for us.

Not entirely an Easter story, however, Jesus taught people to live well in this world so it is my earnest opinion… and that’s all it is, my opinion… that He would want that for us.

As He said:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For whoever asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds…

He was speaking on an entirely different level than what I am qualified or able to speak. I acknowledge that.

Still, in many areas of life, isn’t it the truth? And — with a veritable certainty — isn’t the opposite true too?

Happy Easter. May you love God and/or goodness in your own way. While you’re doing that, consider the feelings of accomplishment, peace, and love you’ll receive when you choose to get rid of some of the less than fantastic ways of living you’ve been engaging in and replace them with even small, yet practical, new habits, thoughts, and behaviours out of which you’ll enjoy long-term benefits.

And moments of unexpected pure joy.

* Now I don’t agree with every item of his politics or his past personal behaviour, so understand me clearly. I’m referring to the dedication it takes to become an athlete, training even while being a member of a tank crew in the Austrian army. Then going to a new country and becoming the very best in the world, popularizing your sport, and lighting the way for people to follow you. Writing a book on your sport, “The Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding,” that’s relevant and in print today over 30-years later. Also, supporting yourself by your business ventures, making tens of millions of dollars in real estate, and giving people advice and encouragement, helping them do the same. Breaking into Hollywood and dominating box office revenues when you don’t even speak the language well. Mastering that language, cleaning up your personal life, marrying, having 4 children (not necessarily in that order), and becoming Governor of the largest state in the most powerful country in the world, a state with a population almost twice the size of Canada and three times that of Australia.

Having met her and been totally sold on her that she is the best woman I have ever met in my life, it’s dawned on me that I am so much happier with Bear than alone.

I can handle either. But one requires a bit of “handling” and the other unleashes torrents of wild joy and senses of inner love and peace.

Recently, after following a hybrid process from a variety of sources, from:

• The Neuropsychology of Self-Discipline by SyberVision
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill (highly recommended that you put your headphones in your ears or turn your computer speakers on and listen to the 17 Secrets of Success which will start playing automatically a minute after you enter that site, and that you do so more than once)
• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, the American Founder
• How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger
• Goals by Zig Ziglar
• Apple iTunes. That’s right, iTunes software. This amazing tool I resisted downloading for years, and I just got a week ago to listen Jeffrey Gitomer’s podcast. The stunning variety of quality additional free podcasts available in their directory is wonderful. You can (and I am) conveniently learn about whatever you want and need. It converts files to MP3 if you don’t have an iPod. I listen online a lot, even while I get dressed and do easy office tasks. It also streams great online radio, so I don’t have to open a tab in my browser to listen to music like I used to every day. Apparently it does other great things too, like let you buy audiobooks or songs for a small amount. Even on the free side, this Apple software is a great gift to the world.
• The Importance-Urgency Criteria of Commander of Allied Forces in Europe on D-Day during WW2 (also 34th President of the United States) Dwight D. Eisenhower (popularized by Steven Covey in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
  The wonderful Personal Development for Smart People website of Steve Pavlina, and many more

I decided…

… in addition to setting up projects, defining and doing Next Actions, and getting myself organized using the Getting Things Done workflow methods of David Allen, to define my purpose in life and review it every day, as well as 13 habits, qualities, and/or attitudes I wish to develop.

I do, now, no later than 5:05 AM.

How so? Well, one of my projects was to become an early riser, so I now wake up at 5 every morning, weekends included. And I had to learn how to bring it about, because during my first 35 years I simply did not make this happen despite many attempts. Part of the process of learning was, literally, practicing the day before. Conditioning myself to immediately arise and begin my “personal victory” / “hour of power” / “rudder for the day”.

By 6, I’ve worked on five different life-long personal growth projects I’ve had “half a mind” to work on “someday” in my life when I could “get around to it” after, you know, other things had happened.

One of those includes my purpose, defined in 5 key areas: spiritual, physical, personal, business, and financial.

While I won’t read the exact wording (it’s a “trade secret”), Jacqui, by name, is the driving dominant driving force behind one of them.

Last night she asked me if I love her “urgently”.

I do: And I love her importantly.

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So that’s what was in my box yesterday. Great gift(s), honey!

As the man’s title says, “Arctic sea ice back to its previous level, bears safe; film at 11″.

Apparently all that melting ice which was supposed to doom all the polar bears, who can’t swim, has refroze. Possibly because it’s winter, but what do I know?

Maybe that explains why there was snow in Baghdad recently.

Awww, poor bears.
Tired from swimming.

I say with this wave of freak winter weather assailing the planet, we’re all in grave danger from global warming:

Tehran

China

Tokyo

Hawaii

Saudi Arabia

… and back to Baghdad