DougShares

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 16, 2012

2012-02-16T14:34:00.000-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 16, 2012

"The abrogation of fear recalls the lightness ofbeing."-Douglas Holzmeier

The week that this piece was written - all of America was caught up in "Linsanity". Ihave no idea how long this will last - yet it is another example of why thereare no good excuses for sitting on life's bench.

Until two weeks ago - few people had ever heard of the modestly sized(6-3) basketball player named Jeremy Shu-How Lin of the New York Knicks.Despite being an all-state high school basketball player out of northernCalifornia - Jeremy received no athletic scholarships. In state programs likeUCLA; Cal and Stanford offered only walk-on status. Sporting a 4.2 gradeaverage - he sent his highlight DVD to Ivy League schools where they do notaward athletic scholarships. Jeremy is not tall - as basketball players go. Hedoes not jump high nor run fast. His outside shot is average. But he plays withthe enthusiasm of a child and the heart of a lion. The best compliment JeremyLin was paid while in college came from Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun whosimply said: "The kid can play".

"You'reonly missing their offer - not you're opportunity. You

haveas many opportunities as you're willing to make."-Douglas

Holzmeier

He attended Harvard and made First-Team All-Ivy League twice - re-settingmost of Harvard's basketball records. Very few Ivy League players make it tothe NBA. Lin was not drafted. He was invited to some camps where players areevaluated in one-on-one; two-on-two and three-on-three situations. That isn'thow basketball is played. Jeremy did not excel in these exercises. Only one NBAGeneral Manager asked Jeremy to participate in the NBA Summer League whereprospects can elevate their free agency profile with good play. Sometimes itonly takes one other person to believe along with you - to make a dream cometrue.

"Opportunitybreeds opportunity. The pick of the litter may be

inthe offspring of the opportunity before you."-Douglas Holzmeier

Jeremy played in five of these summer league games and showed well enoughto pique the interest of the Lakers - Mavericks - Warriors and an unnamedeastern conference team. Jeremy signed with his favorite team - Golden State -but played sparingly in the 2010-2011 season despite being a fan favorite withthe Asian-American community in the San Francisco area. Throughout his firstprofessional season he was demoted to Reno of what is known as the"D-League" or Developmental League. Very few players from the"D-League" ever make an impact in the NBA. He played so well duringhis D-League stints that he was deemed a D-League All-Star. (Is that like be aD-List Celebrity?) It was during these "demotions" that Jeremy gothis swagger and confidence back. He took full advantage of being in the"minors" so when he got back to the NBA - he'd be the star that heinherently knew he was. Well- that was the plan - anyway. His first NBA seasonstatistics (in 29 games) with the Warriors showed he scored just 2.6 points pergame.

"Mydog has no tail but he wags it as if he does. Don't allow

what'smissing to hold sway over your play."-Douglas Holzmeier

This past summer and fall Jeremy Lin considered playing professionally inChina and Italy due to the NBA lock-out that delayed the start of 2011-2012season until late December. On December 9^th - new Warriorsbasketball coach Mark Jackson waived Lin without ever seeing him play inperson. In 2006 I had a similar situation happen to me. The General Manager andVP of Programming who had hired me both left and were replaced just threemonths after I started my job in Chicago. The new boss was one of those"change-agent" guys who never even spoke to me before deciding he wasgoing to bring in someone else to do my job. Although it was hard to take atthe time - he did me a favor. Mark Jackson did Jeremy Lin a favor as well.

"Theopportunity doesn't always appear where the opening

is,but where it will be. Be here now - see what's next."-Douglas

Holzmeier

The Houston Rockets claimed Jeremy Lin off waivers on December 12^th.Lin was with the Rockets for less than three weeks playing in a handful ofexhibition games and was released! The New York Knicks - knocked next -claiming Jeremy off of waivers on December 27^th. He played verylittle and yet again - was sent to the D-League - the Erie Bayhawks - onJanuary 17, 2012. On January 20^th he scored 28 points - grabbed 11rebounds and dished out 12 assists in a game against the Maine Red Claws. TheKnickerbockers recalled Lin - again - three days later. According to reports -the Knicks were considering letting Lin go to make room for another player whenin a February 3^rd blowout against the Celtics - Coach Mike D'Antoni- put him in for all of the fourth quarter. It was just like all thoseHollywood movies where the last kid on the bench goes in because there isnothing to lose. He played well enough to earn more playing time the next night.

"Themoment is patient; it shall be seized."-Douglas Holzmeier

On February 4^th - Jeremy "the journeyman" Lin scored25 points and added five rebounds and seven assists. A Star is born - but he'dbeen there all along. The Knicks beat the Nets 99-92. Against Utah the next day- Jeremy Lin got his first ever NBA start. He scored 28 points in another Knickwin. The Legend grows! Then -he scored 23 points in a win over the Wizards. Andit is not just Jeremy's production that has made him an overnight sensation -it is HOW he plays that has everyone so excited. He whirls and twirls and slipsand slides and hustles and - smiles. He's having fun in a sport that isdominated by spoiled and arrogant divas. He is making the big shots while notacting like a Big Shot. During this two-week storybook rags-to-riches(Linderfella) fairy tale - Jeremy has been sleeping on his brother's couch in amodest-sized New York apartment. You couldn't write this if you tried -although you can bet Knick fan and film director Spike Lee has camerasrolling. No one would believe this - nobody except Jeremy Shu-How Lin.

"Youare loved to such a degree that an entire Universe was

createdfor you to play in."-Douglas Holzmeier

On February 10^th Jeremy scored 38 points leading the resurgentNew York Knicks to a 92-85 victory over the Kobe Bryant led Los Angeles Lakers.Jeremy is the lead story every night on ESPN - and now CNN and MTV! Even theTim Tebow run of amazing comeback victories in Denver pale in comparison to thephenomenon that is Jeremy Lin. Tim Tebow received scholarship offers from EVERYDivision I football power coming out of high school. Tim Tebow was a 1^stRound NFL Draft choice of the Denver Broncos. He was SUPPOSED to start and wingames at the highest level. Jeremy was less than a week from be demoted to theD-League - when opportunity met preparation and heart met hoop.

"Everydayis the day you've waited for if seeds were sown in

preparationof its anticipation."-Douglas Holzmeier

Lin and the Knicks won again on the 11^th against theTimberwolves and on the 14^th - Lin hit the winning three-point shotin a win over Toronto. No player in NBA history has scored as many points as hehas in his first six NBA starts. He followed up all of this with a 13 assistgame in yet another win - pulling the Knicks - who have not won an NBA titlesince 1973 - to the .500 mark on the season.

Jeremy Lin's parents immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in the mid-1970s.There has been much talk and speculation as to why a player of such immensetalent has taken such a long road to reach his destination. Racial profilinghas been offered up as to why Lin's talents were not taken more seriously. Mostof the racial slurs Lin received were - ironically - inside Ivy League gyms.Just goes to show you that high IQ's do not always translate to elevatedcharacter.

In this often jaded world we live in - Jeremy's initial signing with theGolden State Warriors was seen by some as nothing more than a publicity stuntto get more Asian-Americans to come out to the games. Air ball! There is alsothe flip-side of racism. Some veteran (and less enlightened) NBA playershave suggested that Lin is getting too much press coverage because he isAsian-American. Although it does add a unique context to the story - the factis NO ONE has accomplished what he has achieved in their first six NBA starts.Shaquille O'Neal comes the closest.

Lin is a devout man of faith. He wants to be a minister after hisbasketball career. He talks of wanting to work in the inner cities withunderprivileged children. Does anyone doubt that he will? When asked aboutbeing an inspiration to so many Lin responded by saying: "It's humbling; aprivilege; and an honor. I'm really proud being Chinese; I'm really proud myparents are from Taiwan. I just thank God for the opportunity."

"Think ofopportunities as privileges and the Universe will

privilege youwith more opportunity."-Douglas Holzmeier

Jeremy - we thank YOU for making the most of your opportunity!

No one knows how the rest of Jeremy Lin's NBA career will unfold - it hasalready playing well above the rim and probably will have to come downsometime. But - for as long as he is playing this child's game lightheartedly -we'll want to be on his team. He is happy just to BE in the game. And this isthe Truth I offer in my essays as often as possible. Joy doesn't come from whatyou get out of the game - it is the rebound of Joy you put into the game thatyou get from the game of Life. For Jeremy - it was fully realized - in theKnick of Time.

Keep playing. Sometimes you will step out of bounds. Sometimes you willbe hacked. Sometimes you'll be long on your attempts and other times you'llcome up short - and you may miss the basket all together - but if you stay inthe game - you'll eventually make all of the shots on your bucket-list.

"Opportunityis like the day. It's here. Seize it."-Douglas

Holzmeier

You Are God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You Are God's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Livingthe Undeniable Life! (Balboa Press/Hay House)

If you are seeking a Life Coach who can give you direction;inspiration; motivation and treat you like the star you are - can contact me here www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 14, 2012

2012-02-14T15:34:00.000-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea!Daily Epigram for:

February 14, 2012

"Loveyourself as you are - God does the unconditional part."-

DouglasHolzmeier

Love someone tonight.That is the familiar catch phrase for the long-running syndicated radio LoveSong Show – Delilah. Delilah – the self-professedQueen of Sappy Love Songs- is listened to by over eight million listeners aweek on hundreds of stations. Delilah is arguably one of the 10 best knownradio air personalities of my lifetime. She has a rightful place alongside thelikes of Dick Clark – Wolfman Jack – Casey Casem and Rick Dees – as a personalitywho is able to entertain; inform and touch our hearts – while spinning thehits.

Myassociation with Delilah began in the late summer of 1996 when I added her showto my station in Wheeling, WV – WKWK. In those days Delilah often had her youngestchildren on the air with her. It was the very definition of family-friendlyradio. WKWK was one of the first 10 stations to put Delilah on. By the end ofthe 1990s - her radio show was on well over 200 stations across the country. Delilahwould have conversations with her listeners (in between the love songs) abouttheir relationships - the hope and the heartbreak. It was a show about realpeople with real problems - and real triumphs. This had never been done quitelike this before. Delilahwas a phenomenon – appearing as a guest on network television shows and beingfeatured in well-respected magazines – all of which is ironic considering howmany radio stations she had been fired from earlier in her career. Today’sdarling was yesterday’s misfit.

AsI have written so many times – you are a unique creation here to express yourinherent divinity as no one has before – or may ever do again. Radio – like mostindustries – is not kind to people who are labeled as nonconformist. Radiostations are often managed and programmed by people who are strictlypaint-by-numbers types. It is a monkey-see, monkey-do world they live in. It iswhy you hear the same songs over and over again and also why the personalitieson the stations come and go without much fanfare. But Delilah Renee was an anomalyand she paid for her uniqueness with pink slips until it - paid off. Shepartnered with someone who embraced her eccentricity and they launched one ofthe most successful enterprises in broadcast history.

Delilah’slife has been powered by faith and love. She has been candid on the air regardingthe strained and dysfunctional relationship with her father. When I sent herthe Butterfly Kisses song and sheplayed it for the first time – the heartbreak of that parental relationshipfilled the airwaves with so much emotion that it literally launched ButterflyKisses to #1.

Delilah– as all great communicators are – is a storyteller. Whether it is her ownroller-coaster life stories - which include three marriages and divorces – or thelife affirming tales of adoption and redemption from her loyal audience – Love andDevotion is the message in Delilah’s song.

"Thereis a child inside that needs your love - be your own best

parent- love yourself."-Douglas Holzmeier

Speakingof adoption – Delilah has adopted eight children! She is a mother of 12!! Sostrong is her adoption advocacy that she has created an organization called Point Hope – a voice for forgottenchildren everywhere. PointHope's immediate focus is on alleviating the suffering of Liberian refugees whoare camped at Buduburam - a refugee camp that was established in Ghanafollowing the Liberian civil war. Delilah talks the talk and walks the walk.She has used her celebrity and influence to change and save lives. She is oneof God’s very best ideas!

Delilah has written several books whereshe tells her story better than I can – and she leaves no doubt that a faith ina higher Power that reveals itself as Love – pulled her through each and everytime. It was when she was able to love herself with and through God – that shewas able to offer her heart to the World.

"Godreceives your love when you use the love of God to love

yourself.This is the Miracle."-Douglas Holzmeier

Onthis Valentine’s Day – and every day - start with your heart.

Love Yourself Tonight!

Tovisit Delilah on line go here: www.deliah.com To visit the Point Hope charity –visit herewww.PointHope.org

You Are God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You Are God'sBest Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are – contact me here

www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 12, 2012

2012-02-12T17:47:00.000-08:00

You AreGod's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 12, 2012

"Learnto love being in your own company if you want others to join in your enterprise.”-DouglasHolzmeier

TheLaw of Attraction works equally well at repulsion. And that’s a good thing. Lifeis a gift exchange. We want to partner with people who are congruent with ourideas; dreams and goals.

Inthe Thesaurus – the synonyms for attractioninclude: allure – chemistry – enchantment – endearment – invitation – and magnetism.All of your manifestations must begin with your own self-love and acceptance.Some call this being comfortable in your own skin. In the story I shared a fewdays ago about my friend Janette who has the disease called Neurofibromatosis – she knows how lovedand beloved she is. Despite the pain of a thousand tumors – her self-love andacceptance makes her comfortable in her own skin. Her light attracts and herstory inspires.

Some additional synonyms for attractionare of a negative nature: bait – come-on – enticement – lure – pull – seductionand temptation. This is what the con-man or fraudster uses to manufacturesuccess as opposed to revealing their divine inheritance. There have been a lotof famous swindlers – an alarming number in the last 10 or so years with thelast names of Madoff – Minkow – Pearlman – Kozlowski – Ebbers – Lay – and fromthe 1920s - Charles Ponzi – who the Ponzi pyramid scheme is named after. Someof these people still exclaim their innocence or ignorance. The courtsdisagreed.

All of these men – and millions of others- are not void of talent or inherent divinity – just character. And when did they compromise their character?They we’re not born that way. Every moment offers a choice to be the love thatwe are or scheme to create a synthetic energy that does not last or pay tributeto a lasting legacy. Change your character – change your life.

Sanity deliberately finds company in thesolitude of those who allow the crusade of fools pass by. Your dream is yourown business – so keep it open and associate with those who share in similarconvictions. Staying one step ahead of the competition puts you two stepsbehind your creation. You waste energy trying to beat the other guy. Using a golf analogy - the best golfers aretrying to shoot a particular score to win a tournament. They start a roundsaying I need to post a 66 to win. If their focus is on beating the players intheir group – they may be passed by a contestant in another pairing.

In the fall of our economy that wasfueled in great part by the mortgage industry and financial institutions – somecompanies were trying to have it both ways. They were selling products (debt)they knew were bad all the while taking out insurance policies to protectthemselves if the products failed. A house divided against itself cannot stand.It is why you must make where you live – a home of harmony. People who want to ventureand invest with you and your message will make their way to your door if youleave the light on.

At the end of the day - it doesn’t matterwhether anyone has kept their promises to you – it’s whether you have honoredyour own. I promise – however – that if you honor yourself – others will takeyour cues. Be careful not to con yourself. If you attempt to harvest more thanyou have sown – you’ll earn the deficit of deception. If you haven’t achievedall you want by now – understand that you are not finished. You are perfectionin progress.

You must love your message if you want othersto join in your calling. You have an entrepreneurial spirit. You are goingwhere no one has gone before. You are on the SS Enterprise. The successful person knows that the best reason inlife to get ahead is to show the way.

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking a LifeCoach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat you likethe star you are - contact me here www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 11, 2012

2012-02-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

You AreGod's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 11, 2012

"Lifeis beautiful. Adding "tragic" to describe our ending - does adisservice to the Life ordained."-Douglas Holzmeier

Iam writing this piece just minutes after learning that music icon Whitney Houston has passed away at theage of 48. As a radio air personality I played Whitney Houston songs thousands oftimes over the past 25 years. I am heartbroken – yet grateful that God gave herto us.

Oneof her early hits – and best recordings is - Greatest Love of All. Here are some of the poignant lyrics:

"GreatestLove Of All"

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

I decided long ago, never towalk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

And if by chance, thatspecial place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

Thelyrics of this song - in so many ways - describe her life. We all search for heroesbut at some point we realize that the hero is found within. It is the greatestlove of all – our inherent Divinity. It is the message I share with you eachand every day. It is my one and only objective – to share the message that YouAre Divine and Important – Needed and Necessary – Loved and the Beloved: YouAre God’s Best Idea!

I’msure the word tragic will be used todescribe her unexpected passing. We have all experienced the premature death ofa loved one. I wrote my book in part because of the suicide of a dear friend atthe age of 40. But her life was not tragic. Her life has influenced me and ittouches you despite its unnecessary close. I wrote a piece in honor of myfriend called The Undeniable Life.It was my way to honor the lives of all who we are blessed to know – even if itis for a short time.

The Undeniable Life

“See Life as your song and sing!It is your song in your

voice. Your Life is anindividualized sonnet of God.”

Life is what comes from love, and love is God. All Life is an expression of God: All of It. Everything thatlives: God thought, God meant, and God expressed. From one cell to the 50 trillion that, combined and working as one,becomes you, Life. You Are God’s Best Idea!

Life is a gift, the Gift for which everything else in Creation wascreated for, for you and me, for every living thing. Without Life, there would be no need for all that is--Life experiencing Life, loving Life, embracing Life, expressing Life, expressing God through living, Life.

Celebrate Life!

Life is eternal. Itwas something, it is something, and it becomes something new and becomessomething more. How many times it does this we don’t know, but we do know thatGod is back of it, and God is expressed in and through it as much aswe choose to embrace God in it.

Embrace Life.

If you wantthe life of your dreams, begin living the dreams of your Life. No one stands in the way of the dream except thedreamer. Between the visible and the invisible is the undeniable stuff dreamsare made of, your dream Life. Live undeniably; Love undeniably. Live the Undeniable Life.

Life is not onsale. There is no rush to grab the best bargains. Abundance abounds; the supplyis not limited. God doesn’t promise an unlimited number of days, but God doesnot limit your promise, your potential to fulfill Life’s promise. Looking through the eyes of God, you would see everythingthe Divine has inspired:Perfect, whole, and complete: Life.

Love is in you. Life is in you. You are in Love with Life. And that is Undeniable.

It is in the silencewhere the professions of our hearts audibly recount the stories of divine gloryand eternal life. Let us pause and reflect in silence the Beautiful Life that isWhitney Houston – one of God’s undeniably best ideas.

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me here www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 10, 2012

2012-02-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

You AreGod's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 10, 2012

"Thepuzzle is perfectly complete together or apart. You are completely perfectwhether together or puzzled."-Douglas Holzmeier

I believe that all the pieces ofour lives are present – they just need to be rearranged and put back into placefrom time to time. But nothing is inherently missing per say. And those piecesare almost always just where we left them.

Don’tconfuse a temporary condition for an eternal Truth. You are spiritually perfect– whole and complete. Let me illustrate this idea with a powerful story.

WhenI was living in Rockford, Illinois – one of my friends was a beautiful ladynamed Janette. Janette is full of positive energy and love. Janette is also inalmost constant pain. The pain is so bad at times that it is borderlinemaddening. Janette has a skin condition that covers her with painful tumors of varyingsizes. And they keep coming.

Janettehas had this disease for a very long time and there is no known cure. Myimpression was that this condition very often ends in a premature passing. Shehas great faith. I saw a post last night on Facebook where she was crying outabout the pain from the tumors – especially the ones on the back of her headand neck. When I think of the times I get upset about insignificant things –compared to the excruciating pain of my dear friend – I am ashamed of myself.

Janettehas a twin sister - Jeanene. She is a wonderful sister who supports Janetteunconditionally. Jeanene does not havethis disease. Janette’s sister is a mirror image of what she would look andfeel like- if she were not ill. Janette could be happy for her sister’s health –or angry about her condition. She chooses to be grateful for her siblings’well-being.

Manypeople believe that because we can see imperfection - that we must beimperfect. They point to disease as evidence that we are not meant toexperience perfection let alone be perfect. But couldn’t you look at this injust the opposite way and make a better case FOR perfection? There are far moreperfectly well people walking around on a given day than ill people. Why doesone person with the sniffles trump the tissueless 99? Janette and her twinsister are genetically identical – yet having a different physical experience.Janette is not defined by her tumors anymore than I am exemplified by my needfor glasses. These are physical – therefore temporary conditions. WhetherJanette’s disease or my eyesight will ever be corrected in this lifetime isirrelevant regarding the eternal Truth of our Divinity.

Hereis Janette in her own words:

I love that it is so not about me! Yet I am ONE - so ONE - with God, ITIS FINISHED!! The beauty of understanding Truth - being so free, free to love,and live - I count it all joy! Free to live in this body full of tumors - free!IT IS FINISHED - really does mean just what it says! The beauty is living inthis place - I notice a changed heart in me - and yet I don't remember TRYINGTO WORK ON MYSELF TO MAKE THAT CHANGE!

IT IS DONE - We are ONE!

~Janette

Thank you, Janette,for your divine example.

We are not only theVessel of Light – we are the Light. Our cargo and destination is far more importantthan the barnacles that try to leech our Peace – Love and Understanding. Theyjust remind us - all the more - that the Kingdom is within.

Peace is free ofconfusion as Love is immune from fear, and Understanding – invulnerable todoubt. Life may look like a puzzle but there is only one peace that fitstogether in all ways – Love.

The Divine Pattern isperfect. Count the Joy!

"We all have access to thesame notes; how we arrange them determines whether others want to sing ourpraises."

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me at www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 9, 2012

2012-02-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

You AreGod's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 9, 2012

"Whenyou're worried about who is in your corner - you miss meeting the interestingpeople in the middle of the room."-Douglas Holzmeier

Have you spent a lot of timetrying to convince someone to support you only to realize that you were wastingyour time? Networking is something we all do and there is a time and place forit - but not everyone is going to be your buddy and the Universe is probablydoing you a favor when you fail to connect with some folks.

Justbefore I launched my book last year - I reached out to an author who I haddeveloped a relationship with over the previous two years. He was a life coach –had developed an interesting self-development program – and had just publishedhis book based on that program. I was asking him advice on how to getendorsements for my book and any other suggestions he might have. The recommendationhe gave me - was to NOT write the book. He added that it was going to be all too hard and heartbreaking for me. He said it took him 20 years to get where hewas and that I should concentrate becoming a marketer before being an author.In fairness – he was trying to shoot straight – but we had different aims. Hewas in this to make a lot of money. I want to change lives – and be richer forit.

Ihad already completed the book at the time this fellow was telling me to stop.I already had a publisher when he was telling me how hard it was going to be tofind one. I already had my motivation – which was to give the book to my son onhis graduation day. I was looking for a bit of direction on where to turn nextand he was telling me to stay in the garage. I hope he has better advice forhis paying clients!

Myadvice today is to be open – step into the middle of the room. You can target themovers and shakers in your area of interest but don’t take it personal if theyare not moved or shake you off. Successful people are busy and in demand. Don’tbe surprised if a few of them are not looking to help create new competitors. Iknow you are a Creator – but those in a lower vibration may see you as a competitor.Instead of being inspired by your new product or service – you may remind themthat they have been sitting on their laurels. Years ago I had a mentor who was also a consultant. Even though I hadtold him that my goal in those days was to be a consultant – when I told him Iwas going to open up my consultancy – he said he had every intention ofcrushing me. He’s no longer my mentor and I am no longer standing in the shadowof his darkening corner.

Thereare seven billion people on this planet. You want to partner with people whobelieve in you and your message. It would be great if those people werecontemporaries; friends and blood relatives– and some of them may very well be – but don’t limit the shoulders you standon to only those which you already are rubbing.

Tobe a world champion – you must champion the world. Tell the world how much youlove it and it shall oblige. If you accept the whole world as friend – who bethy enemy?

Whatclears the room, crowds the hallways. If you want to stand out – stay in. Don’tallow the dimmed faith of one - keep your dream from the multitude. Theself-sufficient always have the best support!

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me here

www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 8, 2012

2012-02-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 8, 2012

"If you want bigger fish to fry, expand your pan."-Douglas

Holzmeier

Today'sepigram was inspired by a joke I heard that goes something like this:

Therewere two friends fishing in a boat on a Sunday afternoon.

Thefirst friend could not help but noticed that the second friend would measureevery fish he caught by spreading his hands about six inches apart- and throwback the ones that were longer.

Aftera couple of hours - Friend #1 asked Friend #2 why he was throwing back all ofthe bigger fish.

Friend#2 replied - spreading his hands slightly apart: "Because my frying pan isonly this wide."

Ilove that joke. I love its metaphysical implications even more. How many of usare limiting our Good by accommodating our abundance with a thimble-sizedConsciousness? I love watching the Food Network. I especially like watching GuyFieri's: Diners; Drive-Ins and Dives. It isextraordinary how many ways there are to making fish sandwiches. The same is true for Hamburgers; BBQ;French Fries; Biscuits & Gravy; Grilled Cheese; Pizza and Milk-Shakes! Thesecooks and chefs are limited only by their imaginations. And the moreimaginative they are - the more customers who love their creations - come toenjoy them.

Thereis an Intelligent Law that does unto us what we believe. How much Good do youwant? It will be determined in great part by how much Good you can embody. Weneed a Mental Equivalent. I know I ammentioning Eli Manning for a third day in a row - but his story is also one ofMental Equivalent. If Eli would have grown up in a home without the example ofsuccess he saw with his father and brother - he would not have had the MentalEquivalent of the professional quarterback. Eli does not have the strong arm orpin-point accuracy of brother Peyton or the swiftness of father Archie. Hisskills are not that exceptional - but his belief and faith and real-worldexperience - are! He used them to forge a mold large enough to pour two SuperBowl rings into.

Haveyou ever wondered why there are so many actors named Baldwin? Only one is ultratalented - but the other three brothers had a Mental Equivalent on order tofollow in Alec's imprints. Success knows Success. Like attracts Like. This iswhy getting a Mentor or Life Coach is essential. A Navigator - wise counseloror teacher - a sponsor or supporter - is what almost every person of greataccomplishment has had. You might be surprised how many great golfer's; tennisplayer's and boxer's career's dived or went off course after they lost orchanged their caddy; coach or manager. This is true of almost all co-creativeenterprises. Start with your inner Guidance.

Itis okay to buy or borrow another's imagination. Life is a gift exchange. Youdon't have to go it alone. One of Napoleon Hill's most imitated success rulesis that of the Master Mind group. Did you ever notice how so many successfulpeople are connected and intertwined with other similarly successful people?Birds of a feather flock together. How is the stock of your flock? BecauseI have successfully published a book - I know of at least a half dozen friendswho are now writing books that had only been a bit of a fancy heretofore. I amtheir Mental Equivalent. And it brings me great joy.

AsI grow and expand - I am finding myself meeting people who are already there -and are willing to share. They respect the person who put in the extra effortto get where they already are. If you're looking for respect - you'll find italong the extra mile.

Today'sUndeniable Life Coach Lesson isn't about buying a large house to store stuffin. It is about expanding your Consciousness to allow and accept the biggestand best ideas in and not be bothered by the fact that it may well mean takinga little extra time to scale and gut the parts that do not serve the greatergood.

Youare no small fry. You're going to need a bigger boat! There is a Panoramic Viewon the Starboard. The big fish are inviting. You are Captain Fantastic!

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are and/or. you desire prayer andclarity – contact me here

www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 7, 2012

2012-02-07T14:40:00.000-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 7, 2012

"Faith in one good idea isbetter than fear of a hundred great

ones."-Douglas Holzmeier

I recently heardthat the average person has between three and six - one million dollar ideas ayear! If you are 40 years-old – it means you have had between 60 and 120 - onemillion dollar concepts since your second or third year of college. How many ofthem did you act on? Me neither.

Emerson wrote in the essay on Self-Reliance:

In every work of genius werecognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certainalienated majesty.

Emerson wrote to inspire. He didn’twrite the passage above so it could be just quoted – it is supposed to emote –remind you of your unique genius and move you to act upon it. You don't honorthe dead by worshiping their ideas, only by building on them. You are a greatidea – it only stands to reason you have great ideas to express.

How much of your originality haveyou waved off because you thought almost certainly this has been thought of before? It may very well have been thought- and disposed of - previously. A fleetingthought must be caught as it flies by the mind. Thoughts whistle by in aneffort to gain our attention and are grasped only by those who are payingattention. Attend to your ideas. Pay yourself!

When I joined Twitter in May of2009 – I started writing my own stuff. I’d then Google what I wrote and foundthat everything I authored – had never been written before. Whether the ideawas new (I’ve had a few) or the way I articulated the view – it was a newCreation. And these bite-sized bits of wisdom are what I used to build a 300 pagebook and are the dais for the DailyEpigram and Life Coach Lesson.

I was asked yesterday how I cameup with the quote to match the Eli Manning story. I had written the epigramabout being your brother’s believer two years ago. I keep all 1500 of myepigrams in a PDF file. When I get an idea for an essay I do a key word searchin the PDF and see which, if any, of the epigrams work. After I heard thestatement about the number of great ideas we have and usually don’t act on– I searchedthe word Idea and I found theperfect one to open today’s lesson with. Here are a few more:

"The faith you have in your ideamust be matched by an equal

faith in the process. The idea isyours, the process is God's."

"Fortunate is the mandetained by divine ideas; arrested by

Heaven."

"Just as the eagle is notsubject to imaginary borders, your ideas

need not be bordered by imaginedlimitations."

“Success follows ideas.”

"Stubbing one toe usuallygets the idea across to the other

nine."

"A variance of ideas createsa communion of souls and spirited

reflection."

"Rome may not have beenbuilt in a day but the idea was! What

Empire will you buildtoday?"

Who’s afraid of the Big Idea? Who is the Big Idea? Take a look in the mirror.

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me at www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 6, 2012

2012-02-06T17:07:00.000-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 6, 2012

"Believe in those who are inunbelievable circumstances. Be

your brother'sbeliever."-Douglas Holzmeier

When I wrotethis – it was the day after the New York Giants won the Super Bowl for thesecond time in four years. The quarterback of the Giants is Eli Manning. Eli isnot following the script others had supposed for him. Eli Manning leading histeam to two NFL Superbowl Championships is like Fredo Corleone becoming theGodfather.

Eli Manning is the youngerbrother of Peyton Manning and a son of Archie Manning. Archie was anAll-American and Heisman Trophy candidate at Ole Miss in 1969 and 1970. Sobeloved is Archie Manning that the speed limit on the Ole Miss campus is 18miles an hour in honor of the #18 Archie wore. The elder Manning was the secondplayer drafted in 1971 and played QB in the NFL for 14 seasons – twice earningAll-Pro status – but never coming close to winning – or even playing on a SuperBowl Sunday.

Peyton Manning was the #1 mostrecruited high school quarterback in America in 1993. Every big time collegeprogram offered him a scholarship. Peyton was a Blue Chip. A can’t miss – and hedid not disappoint. Manning threw for over 11,000 yards in his four-year careerat Tennessee. He was a model citizen and an All-American. He won almost all thecoveted collegiate awards except the Heisman – finishing as the runner-up in1997. He was the 1998 NFL #1 draft choice going to the Indianapolis Colts. Hehas had a Hall of Fame caliber career with the Colts – being named to the ProBowl 11 times and throwing for nearly 55,000 yards! When he is done – he mayvery well own every quarterback record. In 2006 - Peyton Manning led the Colts to the Super Bowl – beating theChicago Bears. None of Peyton’s success has been unbelievable.

When Eli Manning was a highschool senior – the nation did not come calling – not even his brother Peyton’sTennessee Volunteers. Despite the famous lineage – Eli was not seen as a futureAll-American. He did not have the rocket arm and pin-point accuracy of Peytonor the ability to scramble and run like father Archie. Eli was not all thatdifferent than 100 other pocket-passing quarterbacks playing high school footballin the fall of 1999. Even with the Manning name and all that comes with it –Eli was seen as a second-tier prospect. There has never been much expected fromEli Manning – which is why – even after becoming an All-American at Ole Miss –being the #1 player taken in the 2004 NFL Draft – and winning a Super BowlChampionship in 2007 with the Giants – very few of the television pundits werepicking the Giants to beat the celebrated Tom Brady led Patriots yesterday in thestadium brother Peyton built – Lucas Field in Indianapolis. Yet – as he has athousand times before – he disappointed - his critics!

You see – Eli Manning is notsupposed to be at the head of the NFL class – or any other class for thatmatter. Manning's motivation to constantly improve - is rooted in the academicstruggles he had as a boy. Manning had trouble reading. He was tested forlearning disabilities and attended a school for specialized teaching for fiveyears – second through sixth grade. It took him five years to catch up to thekids who didn’t have a famous lastname. Imagine how much moredetermination is behind rising up to exceed the accomplishments of two of thebest NFL quarterbacks of all time in father Archie and brother Peyton? Ofcourse – these are the same two who are Eli’s best fans and biggest believers.

In the summer of 2008 - after thefirst Super Bowl win - Eli was quoted as saying: "When you start feelingcontent or feel like you've got it figured out, that's when something usuallyhappens to put you back in your place. It's part of growing up. It's strugglingand working your way through it with hard work and dedication.”

I have no doubt that the love andencouragement of the Manning family has played a large role in Eli’s success.But it was Ely who has made two of the most famous pass completions in Super Bowlhistory. To be in that position - Eli had to believe he could pass his way froma 2^nd grade demotion to a first class ticket to Disneyland!.

There was a time in Eli Manning’slife when he was called a dumb jock. It was unfair and not true- but the DunceCap might have been as easy to strap on as his helmet – if he chose to acceptthe conclusions of a few who thought they knew better.

The NFL administers a cognitivetest to draft eligible players. It is called the Wonderlic Test. The highestpossible score is a 50. Most players get marks under 25. Tom Brady posted a 33.Peyton Manning produced a 28. Eli scored – a 39! Not bad for a kid who refusedto be held back. Can you believe it? Brother – I do!!

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

P.S.If you desire clarity on your vision – whether it is to manifest something newor release something old – feel free to contact me at the number below.

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me here www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 5, 2012

2012-02-05T23:01:00.000-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for:

February 5, 2012

"Enlightenment is theunderstanding that you are the answer to

your prayer."-DouglasHolzmeier

For three yearsI have been taking the same spiritual and metaphysical classes that Louise Hay –Michael Bernard Beckwith – Terry Cole-Whittaker and Mary Morrissey took on theirway to becoming celebrated spiritual authors and teachers. These inspirational wayshowers all practice Affirmative Prayer.It is at least as old as Luke: “Ask – andit will be given to you.” It is theidea that the Universe has already given Its all – the substance and themechanism to manifest your Good. Prayer is not a plea. (No matter what theDictionary says!) God already knows the desires of your heart. It is the certaintyof your mind that is in need of certitude.

Affirmative Prayer – also knownas Spiritual Mind Treatment – is a five-step process that clears the Mind ofillusions and false appearances and replaces them with the Spiritual Truth ofPerfection. Anyone can affirm the Truth of wellness and prosperity. Anyone canbe a practitioner of Truth. You do this when you know - to the bone - you arecreated from Love – by Love – for Love. Affirmative Prayer helps you get centeredand proclaim the Truth of your Divinity.

It is very easy to lose sight ofTruth. Illness – pain – loss – unemployment – heartbreak - hardships of almost anykind can blur our vision. This isunderstandable. You are not a robot. No one expects a celebration after a lifealtering event. Grieving and mourning are healthy parts of the healing process.I never suggest that people deny pain as it is the body’s way of letting youknow how much you rightfully hurt. You just don’t have to remain in pain – at aloss or heartbroken - for long.

Here is an example of just one AffirmativePrayer process:

1.) Step One - Recognition: Recognizing that there isone Power and it is a Power for Good. Most call this Power - God. You can usethe language or symbolism that you are most comfortable.

2.) Step Two - Unification: I am One with God. The Creative Intelligenceof the Universe which animates Life at the ocean floor is the same Power thatis back of you. This is the basis of my message. You Are Divine and Important –Needed and Necessary – Loved and the Beloved: You Are God’s Best Idea!

3.) Step Three – Realization: State in the affirmative present tense the SpiritualTruth of what you are praying and treating to see. This is not a petition - forGod does not play favorites and if one prayer has ever been answered – all prayerhas been answered.

4.) Step Four – Thanksgiving: This is a statement of appreciation andgratefulness for the clarity of your consciousness in advance of your manifestation.

5.) Step Five – Release: You release your word into the Creative medium(this has many names – just think of it as fertile soil). Know that theinfallible Law of Action will open the seeds of your idea and literally will moveHeaven and Earth to mirror your beliefs. The medium is non-personal. It doesnot care whether the potato or tomato seed has been planted. The medium doesnot argue with you. Fortunately – Divine Time may afford you an opportunity todig up the seed you may have cast in anger.

Here is a very simple prayerusing these steps:

A. God is allthere is…

B. And I am Onewith God.

C. I know that Iam Perfect – Whole and Complete. I am Well. I am Healthy. The Body Temple knowshow to keep me Energized – Balanced and Well – and does so easily – completely andbeautifully.

D. I am sograteful that the Spiritual Truth of my Perfection is clear – that the InfiniteIntelligence of the Universe is working through – with and as me - preservingmy natural state of well being. Thank you – Thank You – Thank You.

E. I release the SpiritualTruth of my Well Being into the Creative Medium of Mind (Soul) knowing that theinfallible Law of Action makes it so.

AndSo It Is.

I have used this formula hundredsof times - never stating my Truth the same way twice. The way that you affirmyour abundance and well-being will be unique. You may want to write yourSpiritual Mind Treatment out. What is important - is that you feel the Truth ofwhat it is that you are proclaiming - deeply. This isn’t always easy to do when allappearances are to the contrary. I would suggest that – if this type of prayeris appealing to you – begin now while things are good. Practice a couple timesa day. If you feel blessed - state it as such in an Affirmative Prayer. You willget goose (or God) bumps. This practice will help you now for the times when itmay be harder to see and feel the Spiritual Truth.

As a Practitioner of Healing – Ican assist a person who is having trouble realizing the Truth of their inherentWholeness. Just today I spent two hours withthree clients helping clear and raise Consciousness. I do this by clearing myown – first. Fear and doubt is at the root of most problems. Sometimes we believewe have been separated from our Good. But this is just an illusion - for yourGood is always where you leave it – just outside the edge of awareness.

The Body Temple is keeping youwell - continuously. On the occasions that a dis-ease breaks through ournatural defenses – the body immediately sends its resources to begin repairing damageand getting you back to new as soon as possible. This is also true of unwantedmanifestations of the mind. Just this past week I thought a dear friend hadunfriended me on Facebook. I was devastated. The thing is – it wasn’t true. Shehad simply suspended her account for a few days while she was starting a newjob. I felt hurt - but I had not been hurt. This was a lie which I accepted astruth and it manifested 24 hours of confusion that was all illusion. We do thisall the time. Affirmative Prayer can help you clear away the fog of doubt.

It is your consciousness that projects and frames thelife you experience. Henry Ford said “Theman who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can’t - are both right.” Youcould substitute the word thinks forprays - because your thoughts areyour prayers. The woman who prays she can and the woman who prays she can’t –are both right. Ford also said: “Anidealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous.”

I am an idealist. Life is as perfect as your ideals – and yourideas and ideals can be proclaimed affirmatively in the form of prayer. Here area few more of my epigrams regarding the Power of Prayer:

"Prayeris not a petition- it is conscious unification."

"Youdo not need a prayer for joy - you should put joy behind

yourprayer."

"Ourown prayers are answered when we include all others."

You’veheard it said that we should practice what we preach and teach – but we shouldpractice what we pray as well. Pray today knowing it is so. Pray tomorrow inappreciation and gratitude for yesterday’s clarity. If your teeth are importantenough to brush and floss each day – so is your Mind.

Thereis no right or wrong way to pray. Praying is personal. If praying in specificsseems foreign or forward for you – just start by being open to Divine Will andasking that the Highest Good unfolds for all concerned.

Ifyou are ready and excited about the Power of Prayer – know that your prayer iscalling. Say Hello! It’ll be a Treat.

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

P.S.If you desire clarity on your vision – whether it is to manifest something newor release something old – feel free to contact me at the website below.

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 4, 2012

2012-02-04T20:45:00.001-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea!Daily Epigram for:

February 4, 2012

"Even the mountains bow uponthe casting of the chrysalis. May

the Sun bid youpardon."-Douglas Holzmeier

If you’ve readyour fair share of inspirational and spiritual books - it is almost impossibleto escape the obligatory allegories of the acorn and the caterpillar. The acornanalogy is that the mighty Oak tree resides in the comparatively tiny acorn.The caterpillar metaphor is about the lowly worm turning into the beautiful butterfly.

The problem - is that there is nosuch thing as the lowly worm. The canker and snail are as divine as the butterflyand whale. There is no symbol of strength in the Oak without squirrel food -the acorn. There is no Monarch Butterfly without the caterpillar. The danger in rags to riches parables is theydiminish the divinity of rags – our humble beginnings. A rag is a remnant ofwhat was once a grand towel – or a small cloth. A doily is a very nice rag. It’sall linen – threads of fabric that can come together to provide a purpose – to polishour furniture or our promise. Interestingly – an acorn is also known as finial – which is the ornament that isoften placed at the top of furniture or architecture.

Smalls things have purpose. Sourthings have purpose. Cold things have purpose. Dark things have purpose. Mymessage is that wherever you have been – are – or will be – You Are God’s BestIdea! You are a grand idea in motion. The idea of you is a perfect and divine expression.How you express this perfection is choice. The acorn and caterpillar do notchoose.

Human beings can cast off thecasings of what Ralph Waldo Emerson calls our foolish consistencies. You mustdecide whether you will be a divine seed that reaches its highest potential orhide your glory beneath the surface. In either case – you are still a child ofthe most high – even if you choose to climb your mountains a step at a time.The real weight - is that you rise to embrace Illumination.

Shed what no longer serves yourmission. Travel lightly. It is the elevation of your mind that gives wings toyour ideas. Ascend with Love. The in flight movie is Your Life. It comes with a refillable bucket of Acorns and all the Good & Plenty you desire.

Enjoy the Show!

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me at www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 3, 2012

2012-02-03T15:47:00.000-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea!Daily Epigram for:

February 3, 2012

“While you are reliving yesterdayand imagining

tomorrow - you might be missingthe best part of today.”-Douglas Holzmeier

On Groundhog Day 2007 - I wasworking in what is known as Chicagoland.The population of Chicago is 2.7 million. The outlying areas - known as thecollar counties - contain nearly 7.5 million more citizens. Woodstock, Illinoisis a northwest Chicago suburb of collar county - McHenry. McHenry County is themost populated county in the United States without a single mile of highwaygoing through it. Woodstock was best known as the home of Dick Tracy creator ChesterGould (there’s a museum there) and where Orson Welles lived and went to school as a teenager. (There shouldbe a museum there!) It is also where myfavorite movie was filmed: GroundhogDay. The theater Orson directed plays – the Woodstock Opera House - played aprominent role in the Groundhog Day movie. It is the hotel Rita and Larry stayin while Bill Murray is at the Bed& Breakfast on Cherry Street.

Groundhog Day was filmed anddirected by Chicago area native HaroldRamis in Woodstock (Doubling for Punxsutawney) between March and May of1992. The metaphysical movie met with warm reviews and box office success atthe time. The screenplay by Danny Rubin received an Oscar nomination. Still –it came and went with only moderate fanfare. Over time, however, just like thestory itself – a greater appreciation has emerged for this contemporary “WonderfulLife” movie companion. My Google search of GroundhogDay movie generated nearly 700,000 hits. Because an untold number of loyalists (includingme!) are keeping its revelatory message alive - that Life – is really how you seeit and what you make of it – Groundhog Day – much like It’s a Wonderful Life –will be embraced by generations to come. Its theme is as timeless as the dayPhil Conners relives.

The radio station I programmed waslicensed to Woodstock. I confess that I was drawn to this particular job inpart because of my adoration for the Groundhog Day movie. The town of Woodstockcelebrates Groundhog Day with a bit less (but ever growing) attention thanPunxsutawney, yet the setting and celebration in the city square is similar towhat you see in the movie. (Minus the blaring repetitious Pennsylvania Polka) AsGroundhog Day 2007 approached - I was nearly giddy. Our stations did livebroadcasts that morning as temperatures dipped to near zero. The attendance forthe annual weather prognostication from the groundhog named - Woodstock Willie -was among the best in the town’s history. We celebrated with the (unofficial) World’s Largest Toast to World Peacethat evening in the jailhouse bar where Phil and Rita do the same.

Many of us at one time or anothercan identify with the sardonic (and narcissistic) Phil Conners character andhis “Is that all there is” view oflife. Phil Conners is self-serving and self-absorbed through three-fourths ofthe story. Screenwriter Danny Rubin suggests that Phil spendsmany years reliving the same Groundhog Day – the only thing that ever changesis his reaction to the circumstances and appearances. He goes through all thestages of loss: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Ah – there’sthat magical word again – Acceptance. Phil tries to con others – then tries tokill himself. It is only after he stops fooling himself and accepts hissituation and makes the best (and most!) of it, that he is redeemed - embracedby the entire town when he chooses to love and serve them, and, in the end, belovedby the angelic Rita, played perfectly by Andie MacDowell. He even develops an appreciationfor the most authentic person in the movie – the unabashedly joyful andannoying – Needle-Nose Ned Ryerson.

In Groundhog Day, after Philwakes up on February 3rd with Rita in his arms, he says: “Today...is tomorrow.”He realizes what a gift he has been given to see a new day in a new way, andyou know he will make the most of it.

Make today your February 3^rd- fully awake and aware - grateful and ready to serve - knowing this is theUndeniable Life!

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You Are God'sBest Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me here www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 2, 2012

2012-02-02T16:47:00.001-08:00

You Are God's Best Idea!Daily Epigram for:

February 2, 2012

"Prophesy is the firstPrinciple of Success."-Douglas Holzmeier

No one has succeeded who didn’tknow they would in advance. You may be surprised by the level of success youexperience – to one degree or another - just as the weatherman may be amazed bythe actual numbers of inches it rained compared to his forecast – yet it does usuallyrain.

You are a rainmaker. Rain is freshwater – the best kind. In NativeAmerican tradition – the rainmaker is the person who appeals on behalf of thecommunity - to Spirit - in order to end the drought. In the business world – arainmaker is someone who can make sales others do not believe they can. Theyare the ones with the magnetic personalities that can make statues walk. Theyare the movers and shakers. They work undeniably! The popular phrase, “I’ll make it rain up in here” - is aterm a person who has total confidence in their abilities may use beforestarting their business day. They have a hop – skip and a jump – to their lifestride. They expect manna from heaven – or at least a refreshing spring shower!

The kind of rain that fallsevenly and does the most good for growth is what you want your success to looklike. The sudden violent storm from a Cumulus cloud can create a flash flood - butit leaves very little for an encore. This is the equivalent of the one-trickpony or the flash-in-a-pan. The Nimbus cloud is the kind that releases a steadyrain that is best for Mother Nature. In Mythology – the Nimbus is a shining cloud that surrounds deity. It is also the auraaround a charismatic or spiritual being – also known as the halo effect. Youalready know you are divine. When you are operating with and through yourdivinity – people see and sense this internal light and are drawn to you. Thisis Divine Success.

In the radio industry – I wasknown as a turn-around specialist – a rainmaker. I took no less than sixstations from life support to the top of the radio market in their target demo. Success begets success. I had a secretformula that worked. Like Kentucky Fried Chicken – my radio stations weretastier than the others. The only problem I ever had was when a company wouldnot allow (or allocate) the ingredients I needed and watered down the recipe.It only takes the omission of one or two vital elements to manifest less than ourbest. It may still rain – as in a sprinkle or drizzle. Light rain comes fromStratus clouds – which are thin single layer clouds. You don’t wantsingle-layered success. You want multiple streams of income!

Walk and talk with an air ofconfidence – not ambiguity. People buy what they are confident you have –Confidence! Confidence is a belief in Power– Trustworthiness and Reliability. Your confidence comes fromthe only reliable Power there is. When you are working in harmony with –through and as this Power – your client is responding to the assurance andcertitude of the Universe: The Rain Maker!

Sow the seeds of principled successwhile prophesying proliferation. Dance with the Rhythm of the Rain and ready theharvest. Will and Serve.

YouAre God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You AreGod's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (BalboaPress/Hay House)

If you are seeking aLife Coach who can give you direction; inspiration; motivation and treat youlike the star you are - contact me here www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com.

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: February 1, 2012

2012-02-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

“He who bites his tongue should think of something better to chew on."-Douglas Holzmeier

In my less enlightened days - I used to be proud of my ability to “bite my tongue”. People never knew just how much I wanted to offer a repartee to their arguments. 99 times out of 100 - I’d “keep it to myself” – but – boy, when I would let go - I’d really let go. Damming negative emotions is no better than damning people. As long as we hate each other for our differences, there will be little emotion or love left to unify our consents.

In broadcasting school - to limber up our chops - we would put a pencil in our mouths and read aloud this poem:

The Disagreeable Man
by William Schwenk Gilbert:

If you give me your attention, I will tell you what I am:
I'm a genuine philanthropist - all other kinds are sham.
Each little fault of temper and each social defect
In my erring fellow-creatures, I endeavor to correct.
To all their little weaknesses I open people's eyes,
And little plans to snub the self-sufficient I devise;
I love my fellow-creatures - I do all the good I can -
Yet everybody says I'm such a disagreeable man!
And I can't think why!

To compliments inflated I've a withering reply,
And vanity I always do my best to mortify;
A charitable action I can skillfully dissect;
And interested motives I'm delighted to detect.
I know everybody's income and what everybody earns,
And I carefully compare it with the income-tax returns;
But to benefit humanity, however much I plan,
Yet everybody says I'm such a disagreeable man!
And I can't think why!

I'm sure I'm no ascetic; I'm as pleasant as can be;
You'll always find me ready with a crushing repartee;
I've an irritating chuckle; I've a celebrated sneer,
I've an entertaining snigger; I've a fascinating leer;
To everybody's prejudice I know a thing or two;
I can tell a woman's age in half a minute - and I do -
But although I try to make myself as pleasant as I can,
Yet everybody says I'm such a disagreeable man!
And I can't think why!

We tell the world what we think of it and the Universe obliges. What we assume or think we know about another is whispered into their consciousness. It is the “echo effect”. Remember – you are transmitting thoughts – whether they are spoken out loud or not is irrelevant. Pet peeves bite the hands that hold them.

We can do better than this. You are not obligated to agree with a given point of view or even take a peek from it – but as we allow others to have their perceptions without judgment – our own allowances multiply.

I never write about politics or religion. I belong to a spiritual party with open primaries. People find fits for their personalities. There was a research project recently which found that people who see what is - tend to belong to one party while those who see what can be - tend to belong to another. We need both! It is the Yin/Yang - Complimentary Opposites: Dark/Light – Male/Female – Hot/Cold – Water/Fire – Air/Earth.

If we – as a global society – are always turning in one direction - we’d be going in circles and ending up where we started. When we send rockets into space we have to send radio signals to make slight right and left corrections because if the craft is off even a centimeter – it can send the probe thousands of miles off course. Correction can be divine.

So – how do you tactfully correct a friend who is off course? This has to be done with – through and as – Love. When I am talking with a person who is making poor choices I say: “With love – have you thought about…?” This works virtually every time. But if you just blurt discontent - it hurts. People never forget the times we bruise them. It is a built in and instinctive mechanism that teaches us to stay away from snakes that rattle and bees that sting. Try substituting understanding for judgment and you may very well find authentic and glorious differences. Thorns have Roses – Rinds have Oranges – Bathwater has Babies. You’ll never get the full story if you are bound to the cover.

As the famous axiom goes – we become what we think about most. We are literally consuming – or being consumed – by our thoughts. Give yourself good thought for food. Remember to chew well and swallow your pride. Your tongue will thank you!

"Life is meant to be nourishing - it is up to you to season or
sweeten to taste."-Douglas Holzmeier

You Are God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You Are God's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (Balboa Press/Hay House)

www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com Order You Are God's Best Idea! (The Book)

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: January 31, 2012

2012-01-31T14:16:00.000-08:00

"To live happily ever after requires you put happiness before
every after."-Douglas Holzmeier

The pursuit of happiness is a joyful journey when there’s a YOU turn.

Happiness is found in happiness as much as orange juice is found in oranges. You can have your fancy tickled but the happiness you feel is a divine attribute that is always there. How much of this divinity you allow to surface is the God that people you meet are faced with.

Early in my radio career my boss stopped me in the hall and said I could do a lot for my reputation if I’d smile every once and while.

"It isn't that our calls for help are not answered - we’re just too
busy hanging up on happiness to say hello."-Douglas Holzmeier

There have been numerous “happiness” research studies done over the years and without exception – it is the monetarily poorest countries that have the happiest people. The University of Michigan - which has been conducting research of this kind for over 20 years – rated the Top 5 happiest countries a few years ago in this order:

1. Nigeria
2. Mexico
3. Venezuela
4. El Salvador
5. Puerto Rico

The researches ask two questions: How happy are you? – and - How how satisfied are you? When the scores of the two questions are added together it generates a “Subjective well-being” score. The Top 5 ranked countries for subjective well-being were:

1. Puerto Rico
2. Mexico
3. Denmark
4. Colombia
5. Ireland

If you are wondering where the United State ranks – we’re #15 – just behind Luxemburg and just ahead of Australia. Interestingly – the Nigerian people – who were the happiest people surveyed - only ranked #19 on the subjective well-being rankings. The take away is in the emotion of satisfaction – which is not a divine attribute.

This is so key to understanding Truth. The Nigerian people are very happy – yet not satisfied – and why should they? At the time this particular survey was done, Nigeria was the second poorest nation in the world. Don’t confuse true happiness -which you inherently are - and outer satisfaction. Many of our maladies come for the pursuit of satisfaction – not happiness. When in a lower vibration of consciousness we eat to satisfy – escape to satisfy – scheme to satisfy – hurt to satisfy. We’re mixing our emotions and it is a detriment to our happiness and well-being.

When people strive and struggle – scratch and claw to obtain material things and recognition - it is to satisfy a void that should be filled with a natural state of happiness – joy - and even – bliss! But bliss is not something you purchase – it only comes with the fulfillment of purpose.

Your life is made up of over 200 million moments. Moment by moment we can choose happiness regardless of circumstances. We can be who we are – divine. Happiness isn’t always followed by a dance and a jig – or a whoot and a grin. Happiness is a knowing that all is well even when so much seems invalid.

Happiness is an understanding that even our greatest sorrows were preceded by joy and are followed by blessings - if we allow heartbreak clear passage.

Pursue the true you. You’ll be happy you did – after all.

You Are God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You Are God's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (Balboa Press/Hay House)

Order You Are God's Best Idea! (The Book)

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: January 30, 2012

2012-01-30T13:39:00.000-08:00

“Supply is subject to application. Accept what
is already yours. Apply for your inheritance.”-Douglas Holzmeier

Have you applied for today’s supply?

No one reading this is unfamiliar with the Law of Attraction. We all understand that we combine our desires with positive thinking which raises our vibrations and what we conceive in our minds have a particular frequency of vibration and as we speak our word and know that it is so and begin to take action steps we say YES to the Universe which only knows YES and the flow of resources and circumstances unfold from within and are attracted to us and in divine time you have your manifestation.

I’ve read dozens of similar descriptions most with a tweak here or there but it is essentially the same concept. As a radio broadcaster I easily identify with the idea of invisible waves of energy being transmitted and received at specific frequencies because that is exactly how radio stations and radios work. These radio wave particles literally go through solid objects and are received by radios (cell phones too) even when we are in doors. So if you have ever doubted the Law of Attraction - you are using the physical (and metaphysical) Laws of the Universe to listen to your favorite music on the radio or talk to your friends on cell phones. But - you must be tuned in!

Radio stations are broadcasting content 24/7/365. You only hear what’s being broadcasted when you turn the radio on and tune in to a specific frequency. Even -then you must pay attention to the information emanating from the speakers to understand and enjoy what is being transmitted. You could call this the application process. The term broadcast was first used in 1767 (more than 100 years before the initial radio wave transmissions were sent and received at sea) to describe the application of seeds in a field. Can you believe it? Literally – with the Law of Attraction – you must apply by broadcasting the seeds of your dream into the fertile soil of Divine Mind. The Law of Action automatically begins to germinate what you have sown. This is not only the Principle of Life seen in the corn field – but the Field of Dreams.

Metaphysically speaking – the Good of our world in spiritual form is being transmitted and offered up freely and continuously. It is when we are tuned into our desires that we transmit them into the ether in anticipation and expectation that they will return – fully formed from and by spirit back into our lives as we keep communications open and remain dialed to positivity. This is a choice. You can check out what the networks categorize as the (bad) news or watch and enjoy uplifting programming.

Did you notice I used the term – check out? Our language is far more specific than we realize when we use popular vernacular. I mean – are we not literally checking out the negative vibrations of the days’ news when we turn on and tune in these programs that promote and amplify less than favorable human behavior? Just which supply are we applying for anyway? We get what we supplicate ourselves to.

Today’s Life Coach Lesson is a reminder to apply for the days’ Good. Just because you had a good idea in mind last year doesn’t mean you have continued to broadcast the message of expectation. God – or however you define the Power and Source of All that Is – is not parsing out its potential expressions like bowls of porridge at an orphanage. You don’t need to beg for more – but you do have to take your chalice out of the cupboard so it can be filled – pressed down and overflowed!

Ask and you shall receive. Ask and it shall be given. Take at least five minutes a day and stop whatever else you are doing. (Especially if it’s watching the cable network news channels trying to convince you that the sun didn’t come out today and that it won’t tomorrow! Quick – would someone please send Anderson Cooper a You Tube link of Andrea McCardle!)

You are not orphaned! You have a glorious inheritance!! You Are God’s Best Idea!!! You have the Abundance of the Universe available in reserve – but it must be applied for before it can be served. It has already been signed for. You just need to ask - to be in receipt. See the dream. See the ending. Feel how good it is!

Did you know that millions of dollars in scholarship and grant money go unused every year because no one applied for them? My son has had his first year of college almost totally paid for because his mother went through the application process. A few hours spent filling out forms with enthusiasm and an expectation that all was well – manifested over $15,000 in assistance. The supply was there but it would have remained nothing more than digital numbers on a ledger sheet had it not been applied for – and so it was granted. Great Appropriations begin with Great Applications!

"Soap and water works - when applied consistently. Positive
thinking works - when applied constructively."-Douglas Holzmeier

There are LOA skeptics. They see the frustrations of Law of Attraction practitioners who really are in abstention. These confounded amateurs have mistaken a want with an order. The waitress doesn’t fill out a want or wish slip – they use an order form! Again – look at these words and understand the language. Orders – take form. A want saps energy as it is lost in lack. An Order is found in Demand!!!

Apply your Imagination. Supply your Will. There is nothing too good to be true for you.

You Are God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You Are God's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (Balboa Press/Hay House)

www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: January 29, 2012

2012-01-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

"Withholding forgiveness is like barbed-wire - hard to get past."-
Douglas Holzmeier

Two of the greatest barriers to living the Undeniable Life are self-loathing and being unforgiving - and they are usually related. You were mistreated - neglected and abused - which leads to low-self esteem and anger toward the abuser. It is a toxic cocktail that is sipped – day by day – month by month – year by year - slowly inebriating hopes and dreams.

Forgiveness is as essential to living as cutting the umbilical cord is to the survival of the new born. Whatever the tie is between you and your abuser needs to be severed because it no longer serves a positive purpose. The abuser is usually a family member. Once you have started your own family - it takes priority and precedent over the old. This alone should help you move forward but from personal experience – I know how old wounds like these often heal slowly. More slowly if we are expecting the abuser to apply the salve.

Virtually all of the ailments we have ever had and their associated treatments – were healed by ourselves. Most medical treatments are used to mask symptoms and to alleviate pain until our body temples repair. The actual cure almost never comes from a pill or anything else outside of you. In other words – you don’t need your bully to apologize in order to get better. Heal thyself!

I wrote a rather long chapter (Divine Forgiveness) about being forgiving in You Are God’s Best Idea! Here are some of the epigrams from that chapter:

Pardon precedes peace. There is no peace without
forgiveness.

The pain of the unforgiven pounds heaviest on the hearts of
the unforgiving.

Every day is a great day to give the present the gift of
forgiveness.

The chains of the unforgiven are carried by those who
withhold the key to conciliation.

Loving the unlovable and forgiving the unforgivable is the light
that will illuminate your hour of darkness.

If you go into the darkness, to fight darkness, with more
darkness, it's going to be awfully hard to see.

If you are doing all of your manifestation work correctly - with enthusiasm – yet you are still finding mixed or even poor results; there may be a block of negative energy attached to unforgiveness. Be mindful that what we withhold – is withheld. It is the Law of Attraction and Reciprocity.

I attempted to receive an apology from my source of anguish on several occasions. They wouldn’t even admit they had hurt me - let alone apologize for it. The only way I was going to be able to remove pain was to accept that I was really nothing more than the surrogate for their suffering. My bully had a lot of good reasons to be angry – at someone else. If they had been able to love and forgive the object of their discontent – it would have spared me their malcontent.

Forgiveness heals three-ways. You remove your negative energy from them - which will often allow for healing - while keeping you from directing your hurt toward an innocent. Spiritually speaking – we are all innocents.

You cannot change the events of the past - but you can change what they mean to you. Since my antagonist fails to see the role they played in my pain – I have recast them as teacher. They taught me how NOT to treat another. Those were important lessons, even though they could have been taught differently. Regardless – I passed the class and treating people with peace; love and understanding - is the grade.

You can get past your strain when you leave it behind and withdraw the energy it needs to keep up with you. You can turn the cards over by simply folding the hand you were dealt. When you release and let go of pain - you will possess more than you could ever hope to hold - of Peace.

Remove the barbs from around your charm and be an embrace-let for peace. Peace is simple – we choose its ease.

You Are God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier

Author of You Are God's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (Balboa Press/Hay House)

www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: January 28, 2012

2012-01-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

"Your life will not be measured by treasures acquired - but by
the love you inspired."-Douglas Holzmeier

Of the 1500 (and counting) epigrams I've written - this one has received the most Re-Tweets. A Re-Tweet (or RT) is a Twitter social media tweet/post that your followers like enough to tweet themselves and pass along to their followers. I thought I would share it here today to remind ourselves that no matter how much attention and intention we give to the manifestation of our goals and dreams - that Love is the real measurement of success.

It is very easy to get caught up in the tangibles. People want to cut to the chase. Just show me how - they say. Have you ever heard a baby tell its Mother: Would you just tell me how to do this walking thing? The missteps are half the fun! Baby goes boom!!

The most revered vocalists of all time never took a voice lesson. The greatest writers and authors were not necessarily A students at grammar and creative writing. If you've read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - you may have noticed that Dickens uses the word ruddy six times in a relatively short story - most of which are in the first 10 pages! No one would be taught to use a word like ruddy so often. They'd probably be told not to use it all! But that is the charm of Dickens - his originality that we received through his divinity in writing one of the most beloved redemptive tales.

When it comes to building a bridge across the San Francisco Bay - you better have a great blueprint; plan; materials; skill and manpower to erect the Golden Gate Bridge. But you can bet a lot of love went into those expansive plans as well. Every successful endeavor has at least a modicum of preparation and planning; training and execution. We desire to learn the HOW'S of life and they do have an important role to play. But it is real easy to tip the scales so far in favor of How to Do It that we lose sight of the WHY.

Now - hold that thought while I DO share some HOWs. If you are seeking some tangible ideas regarding creating and manifesting an entrepreneurial dream - here are a few:

• Get a website: You can be up and running in a day at minimal cost. I use Website Tonight but there are lots of inexpensive templates to get you going. A domain is usually less than $10. If nothing else - reserve your name (or product name) today!
• Start a Blog. They're FREE! Use Blogger or Word Press.
• Write! This can be in your Journal or on your Blog. By doing this you will create a discipline and generate material for future products and services. Jot down notes. When I write and post an epigram - I can come back to it months later and be inspired to write. (Like I am doing now)
• Record your Blogs and post Podcasts. It takes one or two minutes to record what may have taken you hours to write. A podcast literally gives voice to your authoring.
• Build your Social Media. Start on Twitter by following like minded individuals. You can follow up to 2000 people a day. You'll be followed back by 25 to 30% of these people. In a week you could have 1000 or more followers. Interact with them. They like that. Make sure your profile has key words. If you are into consciousness make sure Consciousness is in your profile. Put a link to your webpage in your profile.
• Facebook is great to use as well. Generating followers beyond your real social network is harder. Facebook does not allow you to follow people you don't know in large numbers. Once you have established some Twitter friends - attempt to convert them to a Facebook connection. Send them a message via Facebook that you have "friended" them and you know them from Twitter. This will generate a high conversion rate of requests to connections.
• Build a database. It is important. Every artist (and you are an artist) has a fan base. Connect! Offer what you do best as a gift and reason to receive permission to share. For example - I offered my seminar recordings as a thank you in advance for those who opted to receive the Daily Epigram and Life Coaching Lesson.
• Create additional products and services from your work. My book is available in hard cover - paperback - Kindle and Nook. It is also available as an Audio Book that can be downloaded in mere minutes. I created a Workshop/Seminar from my book and recorded that for sale and as a gift. These short essays will ultimately be used as foundational material for the next book(s). You have value and so do your expressions. Share them!
• You have probably seen eBooks or Special Reports. Once you have at least 40 pages of quality information to share - share it! The rules of engagement in the Internet era (which is never going away) have changed everything! You can use a 30 to 40 page eBook you have composed as a great business card! Don't be shy. Give it away!
• You Tube. If you like being in front of the camera - create short video messages and post them on your You Tube Channel and Website. Practice a lot first. Not everyone comes across confident on video. If you look unsure of yourself you could undermine the authority that you have built so far. Video should be entered into cautiously - but if mastered - can make you a star! (You already are)
• Promotional Services. There are so many marketing and promotion services out there it would make your head spin. I can give you a few names and organizations. But nobody can promote you better than yourself.
• Life Coaching. If Peyton Manning and Drew Brees and Jack Canfield and just about every mega-successful person that has ever existed has had a mentor - or what we would call a Life Coach these days - then why not you? A Life Coach can help you with the tangibles (like today's email) and the metaphysical and spiritual. (Like today's email) They help you define your wants - needs and desires. They help YOU come up with the answers you know are best. They facilitate clarity - and can be the catalyst for action. They help you be accountable to yourself and your goals. Make sure the coach you choose has a coach as well. A Life Coach who doesn't have a Life Coach isn't practicing what they are teaching. (FYI- I am a Life Coach with a Life Coach)

These are some tangible ideas that you can utilize in the promotion and marketing of your brand (if that has any interest at all to you) as well as ways that can lead to material wealth.

It is really important that the desire to serve is the objective behind your ideas and that the enterprise is powered by Love. Love is the only thing that is real and the only thing which is eternal. If you want what you create to have great and lasting impact - do it with - through as Love.

All the plans of mice and men fade unless they are a part of Divine Will. The parts of those men's (and women's) plans that remain - are the ones that were imbued with divinity. The only HOW that matters is how much Love was used in the expression of the dream.

Money is not a measurement of competency. Be Inspiring and people will line up around the clock to try your treasures on for time.

You Are God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier
Author of You Are God's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (Balboa Press/Hay House)

www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com

You Are God's Best Idea! Daily Epigram for: January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T12:51:00.000-08:00

"Life rolls a few changes our way in order to practice gathering our bearings."-Douglas Holzmeier

In 1987 my wife and I sang on stage with REO Speedwagon. This was while we were doing a Morning radio show at WJLQ in Pensacola, Florida. The song we got to add background vocals to was “Roll With the Changes”. Keep On Rollin’ – Keep On Rollin’ - Ohhh-oohh – with the Changes! Kevin Cronin came by and stuck the microphone in Denise’s face and sweated on her. She didn’t wash for a week!

In 1989 – the lead guitarist for REO – Gary Richrath – left the band. As hard as it is to believe – Gary has not been a member of this legendary rock group longer than he was its driving force – writing “Ridin’ the Storm Out” and “Take it on the Run”. I tried to go to Gary’s webpage today – it was blank.

On several occasions I have met the remaining members of REO Speedwagon at concert venues – never failing to ask lead singer - Kevin Cronin - about the prospects of Gary returning to the band and adding his signature guitar sound. Kevin always says that there is an open invitation and that they love him very much.

As I wrote in You Are God’s Best Idea!; the story behind the changes that happen in bands like Chicago; Styx; Journey and REO are very similar. It is usually EGO injected with foreign substances. Not all that different than the things that separate us from our Good.Yet – the beat goes on. The bands play on. The Show Must Go On! The group Chicago has now played thousands of shows over the past 25 years without Peter Cetera. Journey is as popular as ever without Steve Perry – replaced by a guy on You Tube. STYX rock’s the paradise without the soaring and theatrical voice of Dennis DeYoung. And Danny Hutton along with Cory Wells, have sung in two-part harmony for 35 years in the Three Dog Night sans Chuck Negron.

Life is full of changes. The only thing that doesn’t change – is change. We live in an ocean of motion. The planet Earth is spinning at 67,000 miles an hour. How we handle and adapt to change will determine our level of peace and harmony. If you are part of a group – even the most important part of a group – throwing the rest of the band under the tour bus is not divine.

My message is that You Are God’s Best Idea! But so is everyone else. My efforts are to raise and rock and roll your consciousness. We should applaud and support each other when the seats are filled or empty. If you abandoned ship – you can’t be real hurt if those still on board - sail on. In life - there are times when we get dumped and when we do the dumping. Usually you have been done a favor if you have been given the pink slip. But if it is you who has given everyone else the slip – don’t be surprised if they don’t catch your subsequent fall.

Consider this a cautionary note in the song of your life. Chances are we have pushed our fair share of buttons and have set up camp underneath a colleague’s skin threatening to erupt if we don’t get our way. Sometimes it is just better to drop our drumsticks for a day or two and allow energy to realign with the rhythm of life – which is love and brother/sisterhood.

I’m still holding out for a Rock N’ Roll Reunion for our brethren above. Hey – if David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen can bury the spandex – anything is possible!

Get your bearings straight. Imagine that the great balls of fire that are bowled our way from time to time are not an Attack of the Killer Tomatoes – but a lovely Bouquet of Roses – a little thorny – but not worth breaking up the band for.

Oh and – remember to Keep On Lovin’ You – and Don’t Stop Believin’!

You Are God's Best Idea!

~Douglas Holzmeier
Author of You Are God's Best Idea! Divine Acceptations and Living the Undeniable Life! (Balboa Press/Hay House)

www.YouAreGodsBestIdea.com