| "We're in a time when we must choose between | | | | - Think about one option and the possible |
| what is right and what is easy. And | | | | consequences. |
| remember, Harry, whatever happens, you're | | | | |
| never alone." | | | | - What do you feel in your body? Do you |
| | | | feel: a knot in your stomach; tightness in |
| Wise words to Harry Potter by Dumbledore, the | | | | your back, shoulders or legs; jittery-ness; |
| head wizard at Hogwarts School of Magic. | | | | heart pounding? |
| | | | |
| Recently, I had the opportunity to see 'Harry | | | | - Is this feeling a 'not right' feeling, or |
| Potter, The Goblet of Fire' at an IMAX | | | | an uneasy 'this may be tough' feeling that |
| theatre. For a country bumpkin like me, who | | | | will force you to stretch? |
| rarely watches TV let alone visits a theatre, | | | | |
| this was a fantastic experience to be | | | | - How will this option and the consequences |
| immersed in a brilliant work of art. | | | | affect others - build trust and rapport, or |
| | | | tear it down? |
| By a mysterious event, young Harry is entered | | | | |
| into an extremely treacherous competition | | | | - What and who can you ask for support? |
| against older and more experienced wizards. | | | | |
| The challenges are far beyond the abilities | | | | Now use the same process for additional |
| of which Harry thinks he is capable. | | | | options. Notice your thoughts and feelings. |
| | | | |
| Time and time again, Harry overcomes the | | | | As I practice this, I usually sense one |
| dangers, fears, battles, and spells through | | | | option as 'the right' choice - not |
| his determination, kinship, and love. He was | | | | necessarily easy, but one which forces me to |
| continually challenged to do what was right | | | | go beyond my current level of competence and |
| in his heart, rather than to do what was | | | | confidence. And I feel motivated because of |
| easy, and naturally, he was victorious in the | | | | how it will affect my life and the lives of |
| competition. And consequently, the movie | | | | those I love and care for. |
| ended with a clever segue for another sequel. | | | | |
| | | | I have a hunch that if you are honest with |
| The other attendees vacated the theatre | | | | yourself, you have experienced the sick, |
| within minutes and I sat there, all alone, | | | | gut-wrenching feeling when you make the |
| reflecting and pondering the lesson for me. | | | | 'easy, life sucks' choice. |
| The credits rolled for almost ten minutes, | | | | |
| accompanied by an enchanting musical | | | | It takes courage to make the 'right' choice. |
| composition. | | | | As Albert Einstein said, 'Great spirits have |
| | | | always encountered violent opposition from |
| Where in life do I take the easy, quick, or | | | | mediocre minds.' I take this to mean |
| convenient way, rather than do what is right | | | | opposition from our own mind, and from others |
| in my heart? | | | | who, unconsciously, would like to keep us |
| | | | small. |
| When honest with myself, I see that it | | | | |
| happens more than I care to admit. | | | | Rise above mediocrity and complacency, listen |
| | | | to your body, and choose what is 'right'. |
| As humans, we are continually in positions | | | | Accept ownership for your choices and |
| that require us to make choices. Some are | | | | results, and keep in mind that you are not |
| almost automatic and others require more | | | | alone. Others feel honored to help you, just |
| thought or 'being-ness'. | | | | as you feel honored to help them. |
| | | | |
| When I think about my life, there were many | | | | You don't need a Harry Potter magic wand. |
| times that I made easy or convenient choices, | | | | The real magic is inside of you. And just |
| which allowed me to stay small and mediocre. | | | | like in Harry's world, love is the bright |
| When I made a habit of these choices, I found | | | | clean light that cannot be masked by |
| that life sucked - big time. I felt empty, | | | | darkness. |
| alone, and negative. And often I ended up | | | | |
| having to re-do what I had done, or found | | | | Copyright© 2006 |
| myself eating a lot of 'crow' to mend | | | | |
| relationships that I had damaged. | | | | Dan Ohler is a relationship, change, and |
| | | | happiness specialist. Through Dan's insights |
| Yet, when I am mindful of what is occurring | | | | & humour you learn to apply the basics of |
| and make 'right' choices that require me to | | | | human psychology - the natural laws that |
| stretch beyond that which I think I am | | | | create life-long flourishing relationships, |
| capable, cognizant of enhancing my | | | | and abounding success. |
| relationships with others, I feel inspired, | | | | |
| invigorated, positive, and heartful. | | | | Visit to subscribe to Dan's FREE e-zine, |
| | | | 'Soaring Insights', and see Dan in action |
| These are the moments that help me to feel | | | | while you're there! |
| victorious in life. I don't mean that I win | | | | |
| at the expense of others. It does mean that I | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| have encouraged myself to make decisions to | | | | |
| enlarge my comfort zone to a new bigger | | | | Source: |
| level. I have swallowed my pride and asked | | | | |
| others for their support, and have willingly | | | | Occupation: International Author, Speaker, |
| supported others on their journey. These are | | | | Facilitator |
| the moments that give me a 'buzz' and allow | | | | |
| me to feel that I am on a good path. | | | | Who is Dan Ohler? |
| | | | |
| What about you? | | | | Dan is based near Edmonton, AB, Canada. |
| | | | |
| As you approach your daily challenging | | | | As a relationship, change, and happiness |
| choices, take a moment to stop and 'be' on | | | | specialist, Dan uses high-content keynote |
| your options for a moment. Use your body as | | | | presentations, workshops, and comedy |
| a barometer to make the choice to 'go' or | | | | presentations to help you and your |
| 'no-go'. Use this process: | | | | organization excel. |
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