Some people have an incredible ability (awareness) to consistently see opportunities and turn them into something more, while many of us walk around wondering why we don't get those same amazing chances.
We do... but we're not open to them.
We're unaware.
And we're missing out.

We need to develop our opportunity consciousness.
We need to look at things (situations, circumstances, events) through different eyes.
We need to consciously, methodically and consistently bring ourselves back to that place (of opportunity consciousness).
Mentally and emotionally we need to approach every day with this mindset:

"Today will be an amazing day because that's what I choose... and today I will recognise and consider every opportunity that presents itself. I will be more aware, more conscious, more proactive and more open to what comes my way. I will not be handicapped by laziness, apathy, ignorance, fear or selective blindness and I will step up to the plate every day. EVERY day. I will not wait for gifts or luck, I will find opportunities and I will squeeze every ounce of potential out of every cell of my body. I will not make excuses; I will find a way and I will not die with my music still in me."

*You might wanna put that on the fridge... or tattoo it on your arm!

One thing that virtually all successful people have in common (irrespective of their field of endeavour) is their ability to see opportunities where others don't.
Or won't.

The program will be a mix of the practical, the theoretical and the fun!
There may be cheesecake.
In my room.

It will be a life-changing experience for those who can make it.
About a week ago we had a bunch of you say "I'm interested... save me two spots" which is cool... except that half of you told us that via an anonymous comment at the bottom of a post!
While it's still a concept at the moment (we need about fifty people to make it work), we need to get some idea of numbers... so (if you're interested) we need you to email us (left sidebar - email Craig) with your contact details and an indication of how many places you would (may) like to secure should this little extravaganza go ahead - and no, this does not obligate you in any way; we're merely trying to see if we should pursue this as an exercise.
You will book officially (or not) when we're sure it's viable.

Despite the fact that he has the love and support of his family and all the practical resources to do what needs to be done, he continues to sabotage his health and his life. Surrounding himself with the best people and the best resources will amount to zero long-term change if he keeps rationalising, making excuses, procrastinating and talking crap.

When will Danny get healthy?
When he's READY.
When he makes that choice.

Real change is not about words, it's about behaviour.
And thinking.
It's not about making another call to me.

A letter to Danny:

Dear Danny,

I can't 'fix' you; only you can do that.

Your life can be amazing if you make that choice.
When you change (your mindset), your life will change.
A year from now you can be a different person, on every level.
A new and improved version of you.
Or you could be more out of control than ever.
When you change, then you will lose the weight; not the other way around.
I am not the answer for you.

You are the answer.
Everything you need to create an amazing life, you already have.
I can support you, educate you and encourage you.. but I can't change you.

The ball is in your court Dan.
Make a decision.
A 'forever' decision.

Love,

Harper.

*Danny has gone away to think.. he's gonna call me when he's really ready to do what needs to be done. I wonder when that call will come... or if it will come at all.
Yes, I had his permission to share this story, yes it's all true and yes, that's his real name.
Feel free to send him some encouragement when you comment... I'll make sure he gets your support (ideas, feedback, advice, suggestions).

Others might call it a 'bullshit' thing.
Harsh.

Stupidly, I'll probably explore the meaning of life for myself.
Yes I'll listen, yes I'll read and yes I'll ask some questions, but ultimately I'll decide what my beliefs are rather than embrace yours.
Thanks anyway.
Maybe they'll be the same.
Maybe not.

Even when it comes to religion (dangerous ground Craig, be careful... I can hear the noses going out of joint already) we don't really know, we only know what we believe we know (with me?). We tell ourselves we know but if we really did know (as in we could literally and practically prove something) then we wouldn't need faith... right?

When we can prove something (irrefutably), then there's no need for faith, because we have knowledge.

I am not trying to be disrespectful to anyone (I have faith in things I can't prove) but I think it is important that we don't simply stumble through life believing what we're told without seriously considering, evaluating and meditating on things for ourselves.
We need to do our own learning but in order for that to happen, we need to get ourselves in that learning space.

If we were all completely honest (about what we know and don't know), we would acknowledge that often we're simply making informed (or ill-informed) guesses.
I'm meant to be an 'expert' with many years of experience but even when I'm prescribing exercise for people, I'm still making an educated guess; I don't know exactly what the outcome will be.
I have a pretty good idea, but I don't actually (with certainty) know exactly what will transpire.

I think it's sad that people adopt 'other people's truth' because they can't be bothered to think or explore for themselves.
It's one thing to respect the opinion of others (parents, spiritual leaders, bosses), it's another to be a drone or a pathetic replica of someone else.

It is important that we learn our own truth.
Listen to and respect others but don't be them.
Think for yourself.

Harpothesis 3.
The meaning of life shouldn't be about the accumulation of stuff, yet for many people, it seems to be.

We talk the talk but more often than not, we don't walk it.
Even (some) people who like to represent themselves as 'seekers of the truth' are full of crap when you get to know them beyond the public show.
The real them.

Sure, we sound all spiritual, philosophical and deep but under that skinny veneer we still obsess about what we have, what we look like and what people think of us.
Sad.
And ultimately an un-winnable battle.

If I worried about what people thought of me, I wouldn't write anything.
I absolutely know that a percentage of people won't like what I write or like me.
I get criticised every day.
That's okay, it's called life.
I'll cope.

I don't want people to 'agree' with me, I want them to consider what I've written, to weigh it up... and ultimately, find their own truth.
Their meaning.
Not mine.
To be challenged, confronted.
Uncomfortable even.
To grow.

We don't need Craig Harper clones... some people would argue that one is excessive.

I know that I'm wrong on a regular basis.
But if I'm not making mistakes, I'm dead.
So I wanna keep making them.

One thing I do know is... of all there is to know, I know virtually none of it, so who am I to be arrogant?

Big Winnie (Sir Winston Churchill) asserted that "we make a living by what we get and a life by what we give."

So maybe the meaning of life is to give.
And by giving, we get the most.
Or maybe not.
Maybe it's about getting that smaller ass and six-pack.
Er... probably not.

Maybe it's different for all of us.

Maybe we need to find the meaning of life for ourselves.
Yeh, probably.

* Of course I want your thoughts... click on the comment thingy.