
"How'd they do that?" I asked myself time and time again in my youth.
As a journalist and documentary filmmaker, I witnessed ordinary people performing extraordinary feats on countless occasions. I documented individuals in moments of crisis and emergency going beyond the limits they and society believed possible. Caught up in earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and accidents, I watched mild-mannered people become super-heroes.
When extreme circumstances demand action, paranormal abilities arise from normal folks. Women lift two-ton trucks and hold them aloft until their child or husband is freed from beneath the vehicle. Young boys perform successful medical procedures as if they were trained professionals. Men lead victims to safety through burning buildings, pitch-black forests and raging floods. Teenagers bend steel and rip open closed elevator doors to liberate loved ones. Scared people jump ten feet over a chasm to safety. Given a death sentence by doctors, people heal themselves spontaneously.
"Where do human beings get the power and knowledge to perform such implausible feats?" I wondered. I observed that when life offers people a choice between their beliefs in what is possible and the necessity to save another from harm, people often scrap their perceived limitations and choose to do whatever needs to be done. Every day people choose life, caring and rescue over the restrictions of their belief systems.
"If we can break out of our belief box when life has us up against the wall, why can't we release our limiting beliefs at will when we are not in a crisis?" I inquired within myself.
I looked around in my world for examples of people who know how to free themselves from tribal collective limitations-mainstream cultural beliefs-in order to access fresh possibilities of human potential. I discovered my models through reading biographies of dynamic individuals and interviewing adventurous people. I found that people who are forerunners, pioneers and explorers in social, political and artistic expression invariably refer to one or more moments in their lives in which they opened to a peak experience.
And not only do these resourceful people make reference to these extraordinary moments, they draw strength, wisdom and compassion from these glimpses of their true power. They have learned how to tap into these past moments of heightened awareness and achievement in order to surmount present life challenges. Whether it be excellence in athletic or artistic expression, or success in business or romance, these potent moments of "transcendence of the ordinary" act as wells of inspiration and inventiveness that enable people to handle current predicaments.
With a degree of benevolent innocence, I decided that if these people could break free of their restrictive belief systems and tap into the power of previous peak experiences, then I could as well. Their successes inspired me to try this approach myself-to reach beyond my perceived boundaries.
Every day now I invite magic into my life and welcome miracles into my world. It is my heartfelt wish that you too are inspired to go beyond your own self-created limits.
What do we have to lose-except our fears and imaginary walls?
(c)2004, Keith Varnum. All rights in all media reserved.
About The Author
Drawing from the wisdom of native and ancient spiritual traditions, Keith Varnum shares his 30 years of practical success as an author, personal coach, acupuncturist, filmmaker, radio host, restaurateur, vision quest guide and international seminar leader with "The Dream Workshops." Keith helps people get the love, money and health they want with his free Prosperity Ezine, free Empowerment Tape and free Coaching at www.TheDream.com.
AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.
AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.
AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."
AP - Rain and high winds lashed Washington state Wednesday, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures as the heavy snowfall that has buried parts of the state began to rapidly melt.
AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.
AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.
AP - Holy, People's Choice Awards, Batman! "The Dark Knight" soared away with every trophy it was nominated for Wednesday at the 35th annual fan-favorite CBS ceremony. The caped crusader flick won five awards, including favorite cast, superhero, action movie and on-screen matchup for Christian Bale's Batman and Heath Ledger's Joker.
AP - Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, three days after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina.
AP - Eric Mangini is the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after being fired by the New York Jets. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced Thursday at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea.
Reuters - Israeli warplanes bombed the Gaza Strip on Thursday and tanks pounded Palestinian guerrillas on the ground as U.S. backing for a proposed truce raised expectations of an end to the offensive.
Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
Reuters - The U.S. budget deficit will swell to a record $1.186 trillion in fiscal 2009, congressional forecasters said on Wednesday, the result of an economic recession that has cut tax receipts and caused massive government bailouts of banks and automakers.
Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.
Reuters - An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.
Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff should be jailed for violating a court order by mailing $1 million worth of diamonds, watches and other jewelry to friends and family, U.S. prosecutors told a court on Wednesday.
Reuters - Russia and Ukraine argue their case to Europe on Thursday in a gas price dispute that has choked off energy supplies to EU countries beset by bitter winter weather.
AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.
AFP - Envoys from Russia and Ukraine go to Brussels on Thursday for emergency EU-brokered talks to resolve a bitter gas fight between the two ex-Soviet giants that has engulfed Europe in a major energy crisis.
Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before he revolutionized the world by... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Yesterday, I went above and beyond the call of duty for community... Read More
Every artifact, every tool, everything ever designed or created by human beings... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
The most progressive Think Tanks, Brain Trusts, research facilities in companies and... Read More
One of the ways a person must advance past perfectionism is to... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Is it the dawning of the Age of Aquarius? For years, predictions... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Leaders, consultants and managers must be competent in at least thirteen domains... Read More
I can't help it--I am a confirmed neuroscience geek.So I was very... Read More
Imagination is the unreal, real state of mind, where all things are... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Here's a subject that we don't normally think of when we think... Read More
Are you a right-brainer or a left-brainer?The greatest thinkers are at a... Read More
Recently I read an excerpt from a new business innovation book wherein... Read More
The relative ease of i) generating good ideas and ii) lack of... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
The thought that every great thing that has ever happened, been spoken... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
As the pioneers of aviation took to the air (not skies), in... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
One definition of creativity states that creative people look at the same... Read More
It just might save your lifeThink of the many times throughout your... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
You've probably heard it a hundred times by now - if you... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
You've heard of applied science, well how about applied Magick. The personal... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Basically what innovation does is making your business unique and often more... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
What would you say to yourself if when faced with a severe... Read More
Whether you're an executive, manager, professional, or entrepreneur, you need to think... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Some ideas occur in the office and others occur away from the... Read More
There were four of us at dinner. Three ordered "regular" coffee, the... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
The constant search for Good Ideas has resulted in many techniques for... Read More
Set Yourself Up For Success!~ By... Read More
Before I reveal it, shall we review some things that will help... Read More
"How'd they do that?" I asked myself time and time again in... Read More
It is that time of year again. Yuletide?Christmas in the air. Nostalgia,... Read More
Ever hear "You can't teach an old dog a new trick?" Well... Read More
Do the NewAn old pair of shoesDo you have a really comfortable... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
The most progressive Think Tanks, Brain Trusts, research facilities in companies and... Read More
The relative ease of i) generating good ideas and ii) lack of... Read More
When you have a problem, sometimes you need a new skill or... Read More
Innovators are opportunity-oriented.What's the hidden opportunity in that problem? Where is the... Read More
Is it the dawning of the Age of Aquarius? For years, predictions... Read More
Spontaneity occurs when ideas or behaviours are expressed without evaluation. This lack... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
A new idea is merely the combination of two or more old... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
The world is now changing again, it appears. The logical and analytical... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
"How'd they do that?" I asked myself time and time again in... Read More
Innovation, in a business context, is generally thought of as the product... Read More
There were four of us at dinner. Three ordered "regular" coffee, the... Read More
You've probably heard it a hundred times by now - if you... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
You've probably heard the phrase "repetition is the mother of learning" well... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
You've heard of applied science, well how about applied Magick. The personal... Read More
Set Yourself Up For Success!~ By... Read More
Are you a right-brainer or a left-brainer?The greatest thinkers are at a... Read More
When I first heard Jim Rohn talk about the importance of keeping... Read More
Whether you're an executive, manager, professional, or entrepreneur, you need to think... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Change, like almost every other life experience, is a learning process. With... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Excerpted from the Jim Rohn Weekend Seminar-Excelling in the New Millennium)Have you... Read More
As the pioneers of aviation took to the air (not skies), in... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Every artifact, every tool, everything ever designed or created by human beings... Read More
At 28, Ellen MacArthur is a world record holder. In 2005, she... Read More
I lived for several years on the Japanese island of Okinawa. It... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Have you ever gotten a really great idea ? one that you... Read More
How many times have you heard the phrase "knowledge is power"? Probably... Read More
Some ideas occur in the office and others occur away from the... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Basically what innovation does is making your business unique and often more... Read More
To creatively solve problems you need to get your mind looking in... Read More
Based on Proprietary Research"If you want to increase initiative and innovation, you... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation... Read More
Ideas happen all the time. And when I say an idea, I... Read More
Innovation Innovation |