Drewsletter!

The Drewsletter is the monthly newsletter from Drew Rozell, Ph.D.

October 24, 2008

The Drewsletter :: October 2008 :: JEZEBEL

"JEZEBEL"

OCTOBER 2008

Drew Rozell, Ph.D. partners with a select number of dynamic individuals, groups, and progressive companies who understand the value of raising their level of awareness to deliberately create the coolest version of their lives and businesses.

"This stuff works!"

Maples in the morning. On the shores of Lake George, NY. Photo by Joan.

OCTOBER 2008

Welcome, my friend…

I bet you can feel it too. Change. In the air.

Sure, the weather is changing — as I type this there are snowflakes! — yes, snowflakes falling from the sky. But the changes I am referring to go far beyond the weather. So while things are cooling down here in the northern hemisphere, the intensity of life seems to heating up!

I don't need to rehash the news, you've seen it all too — the future is all in flux. Depending on who you talk to, I notice there's either a deep sense of fear or a growing sense of optimism.

I bet you can guess where I land with things. I see the old way of doing things falling away in obsolescence and I find that tremendously exciting.

In light of this, I am forming a new community of people who wish to live on purpose and free of fear. I am still looking for your input, so check out the section called Live Like No One Else below!

In other news, earlier this month I hosted my Very Cool Life Network meetup in beautiful Lake George, NY. You can check out some photos and a fun video in the post below.

Finally, I hope you find some value in this month's feature. It was written from my heart.

Thanks for your support and thanks for reading this.

Really.

P.S. If you like this, please share it with someone. Or leave a comment. Same is true if you don't like it… Thanks!

JEZEBEL

As I drove over the mountain, the orange, reds, and yellows of fall exploded all around me. I’d spent the weekend leading a group that I’d worked with for the past year. The weather had been sketchy all week, but from the moment people arrived on Friday until we departed on Sunday, the gods smiled upon us, delivering as beautiful a weekend as I could remember.

We enjoyed a wonderful sense of connection and community; everyone got what they came for. During my ride home, I felt filled with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose. As I drew closer to my driveway, I felt another wave of anticipation. My in-laws would be meeting us at the house to take us out for Karin’s birthday. I looked forward to a lovely meal together and celebrating.

Just as I was about to turn left into my driveway, I saw something on the right side of the road. Little white paws. Lifeless.

I saw nothing more than the paws, extending from tall grass. But I knew.

I never stopped the car. Instead, I raced up the hill to where Karin and her mother were standing in the yard. Oh no. Oh no. NO! NO! NO! This can’t be.

I flung the car door open and yelled, “Have you seen Jezzie?” The urgency of my question startled them.

“She’s in the house,” Karin’s mom replied.

I exhaled an internal “thank God” and was about to explain my erratic behavior. Before I could say anything, though, Karin’s mom clarified that she had seen our orange cat in the house.

But Jezzie is gray. With white paws.

And I knew my little cat was dead.

As we ran down to the road, I felt as though I’d had my front teeth knocked out. The physical pain throbbed through me, but in the midst of it, there was also that jarring awareness that something in my life would never be quite the same again.

Still in shock at how quickly my day turned, I took my little friend’s cold, stiff body up the hill. I said goodbye and proceeded to fight the earth, the rocks, and my tears to bury her.

I tell my story not because my pain is unique. To the contrary, I tell it because I believe that kind of pain is a universal human experience. Jezebel brought me a lot of joy in our short time together, and her death brought up some powerful feelings for me. To me, ignoring those feelings would be a missed opportunity.

Remember, every one of our desires is born out of contrast (it’s only from the state of feeling what we do not want that we begin to clarify and focus on that which we do want). And for me, the pain of this experience led me to want comfort. In my search to feel better, I remembered a recording from my favorite spiritual teacher (Abraham) that specifically addressed cats and the issue of death. I listened to it, and indeed, I felt much better.

On the recording (see below to listen), Abraham said many things that resonated with me deeply. First, she said that cats are not at all worried about death. Unlike humans, they know they are eternal beings. (In my experience, while many humans profess this belief, many fewer live their lives in harmony with this belief.)

Abraham also mentioned that animals often choose to run out in front of cars as they are ready for another experience. Oddly, I found comfort in this statement.

“Haven’t you ever wondered about the timing of that?” Abraham asked.

In fact, I did wonder about it. In the three years Jezzie was with us, she never went down by the road. Even if she did, there’s so little traffic passing by. Logically, it did not make any sense to me.

Abraham continued to share what a cat would say to us if it could speak. I share a couple lines here, believing the wisdom extends far beyond the relationship between humans and felines.

“You cannot control my behavior. Please do not ask me to change the condition of my life so that you can feel better.”

If you’ve ever had a cat, you can testify to the veracity of the first sentence. The second statement struck me even more deeply and as I reflected on it, I remembered how I began to learn this lesson during Jezzie’s life.

She came home one day with a small scratch on her head, not far from her eye. Before the wound could heal, she would start to scratch at it, infecting and expanding the surface area of the wound. Karin and I were determined to fix the situation (i.e., to ease our worry) and heal our cat.

At one point, I found myself on eBay buying little pink shoes that I hoped would keep her nails from tearing her skin. The only thing more amusing than watching me try to shod her with the booties was watching how fast she would shake out of them. For many weeks, we had her wear an Elizabethan collar around her neck. She hated being trapped in an inverted lampshade, but we had convinced ourselves that we were doing the right thing. We knew best, right?

After weeks of healing, one night she gave the collar the slip. In a flash, she tore at the new skin and we were back at square one. Having seen the futility of our worry-filled efforts, we finally gave up. Jezzie was going to do what Jezzie was going to do. And over time, things healed up. Every once in a while, she’d inflict a wound on herself again, but our reaction was different. We could see that was her choice and we were powerless to change her behavior. She was okay with the situation. Shouldn’t we be?

Please do not ask me to change the condition of my life so that you can feel better.

I could see how these words applied to my cat, but the depth of these words resonated beyond my pet. After all, this is what we do to each other all the time, yes? Instead of minding our own vibration, there is a strong tendency to look outside ourselves and lay our responsibilities at the feet of the people around us.

If effect, we often treat the people closest to us with a kind of conditional affection that says “If you would just behave the way I want you to, then I would feel good. If you would just change the condition of your life, then I would feel good. But you cannot create a happy, connected life using this recipe. If you try, peace of mind will always exist just outside your grasp, and the result will be a life filled with frustration, not joy. Love is unconditional or it is not love at all. And love, not fear, is the correct response to any question.

I still miss my cat. Normally she’d be somewhere in my office as I write this. I have no insight as to why she chose to leave this experience, but I believe she did leave by choice. What’s more, I believe she left with no fear, no regrets, and no guilt. She simply followed what felt best for her, minding her own vibration.

A lesson for us all, perhaps?

My former co-worker and me in the morning light. Photo by Ned.

* Notes: If you're not aware of Abraham, you can find out more here. As far as spiritual teachers go, I recommend them higher than any other. You can even check them out with a search on YouTube. Many thanks to loyal supporter and friend Brian for introducing me to them many years ago. My life is better because of it.

Here's the full audio of the Abraham teaching that helped me so much. I'm guessing that posting it is a copyright violation, but my desire to share this won the day. The full recording is 17 minutes, so perhaps allow yourself some quiet time to bask in the words and notice how listening makes you feel.

Evolution Coaching Services

Most everyone wants something to be better in their lives.

Smart people invest in their personal development.

The rest wonder why nothing much seems to change.

Do the smart thing.

For yourself.

More here.

Schedule a session here.

Call Drew 518.642.3111

I'm starting a new community.

Still working through the details.

But I can see the big picture.

And the big picture is about leading a tribe of people who are interested in living like no one else. What does living like no one else mean?

It means living a life full of freedom, ease, and connection. It means living a life that is free of fear. It means stepping outside of your old, conditioned ways of being. It means living life on purpose, on your own terms.

I will be hosting an R and D call on my vision for this group soon.

If the idea of joining a community of sharp, like-minded people stirs you, I invite you to read more here or just get on the list by sending a blank e-mail to:

drewrozell-376575@autocontactor.com

After all, you may say I'm a dreamer… but I'm not the only one

>>> BOOKS <<<

all these reads are solid…

Tribes by Seth Godin
Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas Friedman
Money and the Law of Attraction by Jerry and Esther Hicks
Strength for Life by Shawn Phillips

>>> RANDOM NEURAL FIRINGS <<<

>>> This is my favorite video over the last month. I love me some musicianship… the purity of it. Wonder if non-metal fans can appreciate it? Remember seeing this tour in college.

>>> In this election, I think the coolest candidate will win. Don't you? Perhaps it could be argued that this is always the case? Cool attracts. Cool wins.

>>> Okay, was just sent a link to this video. Be warned, more politics. But my childhood hero is the co-star and I think it's damn funny too. Check it out. Thanks to Monty for sending it to me.

>>> Oh, and I love the new Google Chrome browser. Better than Firefox or IE.

Check this page for updates throughout the month…

Subscription Information :: To subscribe, just enter your information in the box to the right side of the page. To unsubscribe, just follow the link on ANY mailing to you.

Archived Issues :: Find 'em here.

Contact Drew :: To comment on this issue, just leave your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below. e-mail <drew at drewrozell.com> phone (518) 642-3111

Filed under Blog, Drewsletter!, Freedom, Ease, Connection Files, Law of Attraction Stuff, Profiles by drew

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September 19, 2008

September 2008 :: THE WALL

"THE WALL"

SEPTEMBER 2008

"This stuff works!"

This September morning. In sepia. From the porch. Mist included, no extra charge.

SEPTEMBER 2008

Welcome, my friend…

Ah, lovely September. There's still a couple weeks left of my favorite month. We had our first frost last night, but the days have been warm and filled with sunshine. In the mornings, as the legions of geese go honking by, I see a plume of white smoke coming from my neighbor's chimney. Haven't fired up the woodstove yet, but the wood is stacked in the shed and it won't be long now.

The trees began turning in early August this year and probably will not peak for another month. A walk around the property smells like blackberrys, hay, and apples (looks like a good crop this year). Monarch butterflies dance across the fields with deceptive speed. Each day, another field of corn gets harvested.

Did I mention this is my favorite time of year? True, I would be even more excited had the Yankees made the playoffs, but I suspect I'll find a team to root for.

In any case, I hope you enjoy this month's feature on the concept of taking full responsibility. Quite simply, I believe that if you do not look within when dealing with any problem, you are looking in the wrong place and limiting your capacity for a truly cool life.

Finally, last month I hosted a free community call on the Foundations for Living A Very Cool Life. Over 140 people registered for the call (you can access the recording here), so I think I've struck a chord. I am hosting a free follow-up call later this month called The Common Barriers to Very Cool Living.

Details below and I hope you'll join me.

Enough of my yakkin'… let's boogie!

Thanks for your support and thanks for reading this.

Really.

P.S. If you like this, please share it with someone. Or leave a comment. Same is true if you don't like it… Thanks!

THE WALL

I live on a hillside. A large retaining wall stands at the mouth of my driveway. Constructed more than 30 years ago from old railroad ties, the wall is six feet high and ninety feet long. The wall bids me farewell when I leave and welcomes me home upon my return.

For the past two years, I've eyed the wall carefully, inspecting it with each pass. I could see that the relentless forces of gravity, water, and time were closing in on another victory. I knew the day was coming when the wall would surrender to the elements and the earth would fall into my driveway.

I also knew that replacing the wall would be a major undertaking. I'd recently invested in several home improvements and I did not have much left in the kitty for a landscaping project. However, in sudden and unexpected fashion, I attracted the funds for the project just days before a heavy rain caused the wall to give way. The timing of everything felt perfect. I hired a contractor to complete the job.

He and I agreed that work and payment would take place in stages. I wrote a check, and the next morning his crew arrived and got to work. Making good progress, a week later the second stage of the project was ready to launch. I wrote a second check. That was six weeks ago. No one has returned to work at my home since.

In short, my contractor–and my dollars–vanished. With each passing day, the situation occupied more and more of my thoughts. Accompanying those thoughts were some powerful emotions. Fear, resentment, frustration, and anger have all colored the spectrum of my reactions to the situation.

As the days grew into weeks, the intensity of these emotions built to a crescendo. Thoughts of my contractor filled my head as I lay in bed. Waves of anger washed over me as I entertained visions of visiting him at his home, Tony Soprano-style, letting him know that he'd messed with the wrong man. Often, I'd wake the next morning and begin my day by leaving him a stern warning of my intentions on his voice mail.

In my mind, he was dishonest, incompetent, clueless, and pathetic. And I could prove it — after all, I had the terms of the agreement written in black and white on the contract we'd both signed. Yet as the storm of emotions swirled within me day after day, there was an inescapable truth. All of my outrage had not added a single stone to the wall. Not only was my approach unproductive, but I was poisoning myself with my toxic thoughts. Something needed to change.

The foundation for a very cool life begins by taking full responsibility for your life. Now this probably sounds familiar, and in my experience, most people are willing to accept this idea. However, when it comes to living into this principle, somewhere we hit our personal wall — the threshold where it's no longer my fault, it's your fault. We hit a threshold of our willingness to accept responsibility and we look outside ourselves to find a cause for our unhappiness.

I've found that most people are willing to be somewhat responsible, or maybe even mostly responsible. But taking 100%, absolutely-no-exceptions responsibility? This is where things get tricky. We struggle with taking full responsibility for our lives because we're conditioned to blame, complain, and make excuses. However, I believe that the willingness to be fully responsible for everything in your life is the single greatest factor that separates an ordinary life from an extraordinary one.

In order to live the coolest version of your life, you must begin to see everything that touches your life as a perfect reflection of the thoughts, feelings, and energy you are sending out to the universe. Trying to argue whether this is statement is 100% true or engaging in debates regarding exceptions to the rule are distraction of the ego that only keep you distant from your true power. The point here is not to attempt to control or understand every event that shows up in your life, but rather to accept responsibility for how you respond to the events of your life.

For example, I failed to take full responsibility in my situation with the contractor. In my mind, I had met my end of the bargain. Clearly he was at fault. Clearly, he was to blame. By approaching the event with this mindset, unconsciously I was taking on the role of the victim. I was the innocent fly who got snagged on a strand of the spider's web. In that critical moment of choice, instead of coolly choosing to free myself from the single strand, I allowed the rush of my emotions to seduce me into thinking that fighting the spider was a better idea. However, by thrashing about in fits of fear and anger, I quickly found myself completely entangled and exhausted. Easy prey indeed.

When we live in a world where things happen to us, we live as victims of our circumstances. In this place, we become the puppets that allow the people, forces, and events around us to pull the strings of our lives. In my case, I gave a complete stranger and an inanimate pile of stones a great deal of power over my life. As ridiculous as this sounds, I'd wager heavily that somewhere in your life, you're operating in the same manner.

If you want to know where your personal wall to taking full responsibility for your life lies, notice where you feel a charge or a reaction to someone or something (e.g., money, a family member, the fool who cut you off in traffic, etc.). As you notice the feelings that come up, notice the thoughts that accompany those feelings. Now notice that those thoughts are directed outward, at something or someone else. Finally, notice that those thoughts do not feel good. Understand this is what you are choosing for yourself. In turn, understand that this is what you are creating for yourself. Not cool.

If you're waiting on a person, situation, or the world to change before you can allow yourself to feel better, best of luck to you. The smarter move is to put your focus on the one thing that's truly in your control — how you feel. By changing how you feel, you immediately align yourself with your desires and eliminate the resistance that keeps those desires from manifesting.

My retaining wall still isn't built. But since flipping this switch, I've been able to talk to my contractor and converse with him from a place of compassion instead of anger. I can see that he's just a guy doing his very best, just like me. And by choosing to respond to the situation from a more peaceful place, I live in the knowing that somehow, someway, someday, the wall will stand, tall and solid as a bunch of mortared rocks.

UPDATE: My contractor magically returned to work yesterday. He hit a rough patch in his life. In our conversation, I found it unusual/interesting when he made the remark that I was his only customer who ended up taking a hit.

Evolution Coaching Services

Consciously creating a very cool life requires your attention and awareness.

Okay life?

Very cool life?

You choose.

More here.

Schedule a session here.

Call Drew 518.642.3111

If you want to live a very cool life, you'll need to know thine enemy…

In this free one hour call, I'll share what I've learned in the past 13 years of study.

So I invite you to join me on Thursday, September 25th at 11AM EST for a tele-forum discussing the most common barriers to creating a very cool life. I'd like to share my thoughts with you, hear your thoughts, and most of all, connect!

If you'd like to be a part of this free community call, simply send a blank e-mail here.

drewrozell-365066@autocontactor.com

You should receive a confirmation e-mail very soon after registering (check your spam folder if you do not or contact me).

I'll tape the call if you cannot make it live…

Just like the lighting on this one. P-Nut to boot.

Attractionville.com = Practical Attraction.com = Now Live

Several years ago, when The Secret was still a secret, I created a community website full of resources on how to live into the Law of Attraction. After creating many, many hours of content and information and dealing with too many technical issues, I let the site go fallow. However, I always intended to upgrade the infrastructure, as I believe the materials are excellent.

Inspiration took hold last month and the Attractionville site is now reborn as Practical Attraction.com, all running on the Wordpress platform now.

Check it out if you're interested in that sort of thing.

(And if you're a previous member of Attractionville, the new password for the member's area is simply the old login.)

>>> BOOKS <<<

too many books, too many magazines

>>> MOVIES <<<

The Business of Being Born - Read into our movie choice what you will, but this was a fascinating look into the choices we make regarding how children enter the world. Worth a look, for sure.

The Wire (Season 4) - Still loving this series. Put it in your queue. Karin is hooked as well, so it ain't just for dudes.

The Dark Knight - Actually made it to the theater to catch the blockbuster. Liked it. Can't say I loved it.

>>> RANDOM NEURAL FIRINGS <<<

Waaay more shaved head/bald guys out there nowadays. Noticed this in the airport on recent Denver trip. Shaved my head 12 years ago. Stood out. Now, not so much. Just sayin'

New Rule: If someone (like me), prefers not to be on the dancefloor at a wedding, please don't keep waving us on, encouraging us to "join the party." We're fine just where we are, thank you.

I want one of these to park on my property.

Rented a VW Rabbit when in Denver. Smallest car I've ever driven. While I found none of the German-made controls to be intuitive to my brain, I liked the ride.

I just turned 39. This is my last year to get my act together and be nominated by a local Chamber of Commerce for one of those "40 under 40" awards. But seriously, it does go fast, doesn't it? Seems like just yesterday I was the young buck in the field… No more.

Okay… One more photo…

Took this shot in Boulder, Colorado a few days ago. Don't know these kids. They were just playing in the water, trying to guess where it was going to shoot up next. They caught my attention because they knew how to have a good time.

Check this page for updates throughout the month…

Subscription Information :: To subscribe, just enter your information in the box to the right side of the page. To unsubscribe, just follow the link on ANY mailing to you.

Archived Issues :: Find 'em here.

Contact Drew :: To comment on this issue, just leave your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below. e-mail <drew at drewrozell.com> phone (518) 642-3111

Filed under Blog, Drew's Photos, Drewsletter!, Freedom, Ease, Connection Files by drew

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July 25, 2008

The Drewsletter :: JULY 2008 :: The Good News

"THE GOOD NEWS"

JULY 2008

"This stuff works!"

The Good News x2.

Molly and Lilly (I have trouble telling them apart) say Hi… My brother's dogs. We've been dogsitting while his family takes their vacation.

JULY 2008

Welcome, my friend…

Mid-summer greetings (at least to those in the northern hemisphere), and welcome to the July issue of The Drewsletter.

On the whole it's been a lovely season. Sure, I can do without the humidity and deerflies, but the good far outweighs the bad…

Hey, that's this month's theme! Goodness is all around us… so easy to forget sometimes. I invite you to read on and tap into some more GOOD NEWS.

A quick note: While this month's feature is written from the perspective of an American, I am conscious (and very grateful) of the fact that many readers of this newsletter hail from other countries. I believe the greater message still applies and I'd be interested in hearing those perspectives.

Also, please take note of the free community call I'll be doing August 5th on the Foundations for Living A Very Cool Life. You're invited…

Okay, then. Off we go… It's time to load the kayak on the truck and head to a nice lake in Vermont for some sunshine, paddling, and a swim. See you on the water.

Thanks for your support and thanks for reading this.

Really.

P.S. If you like this, please share it with someone. Or leave a comment. Same is true if you don't like it… Thanks!

THE GOOD NEWS!

Catch the news lately?

Doesn't matter the medium - TV, radio, newspapers, blogs…

Doesn't matter the subject. The news ain't good: Gas prices, war, mortgages, job losses, bankruptcies, salmonella, government-sponsored torture, climate change…

It's heavy. It's bleak. It's crisis.

In America today, many people will tell you that the sky is falling. No really, this time they mean it. They point to numbers, cite statistics, and offer lessons from history as evidence that things are going to hell in a hand basket.

I understand their point. But it's not in my nature to accept it. Yes, I am an optimist (I've never seen the advantage of being a pessimist). Yes, I believe everything moves in cycles, and yes, I believe that I have the ability to create my reality no matter the circumstances around me. Whether or not you share my worldview, with all the heaviness permeating the ether, I feel compelled to inject a dose of good news.

For argument's sake, let's agree that America is in a state of crisis. Certainly, crisis is not an ideal place to be, but as I promised you, there is some good news.

In fact, in many areas of life, we spend a good portion of our energy neglecting or band-aiding growing problems. For example, when a dam needs attention, at first it will show some cracks and a few drops of water will make their way through. The crack most likely revealed that the integrity of the dam was compromised. In other words, unless deeper changes are made to the infrastructure, the problem will return. Water, gravity, and the path of least resistance are relentless forces in exposing weakness.

While change is the nature of life, part of human nature is to resist change. In the face of a problem, the two most common responses are to 1) neglect the situation, and 2) patch the leak and hope to get by a little longer. We tend to cling to the beliefs that it's easier, safer, and cheaper to maintain the status quo. But the nature of life moves with the power of the universe behind it - it's impossible to stop. With time, the crack will open up again, the drip will become a stream. And now, as you face the prospect of the entire dam breaking down, you have a crisis on your hands.

Ah, but I said that there was good news, yes? Here it is: Crisis awakens.

Humans are remarkably adaptable creatures; we can get used to just about anything. Earlier this summer I had to do some work on my septic tank. I spent the first few hours gagging, but by the end of the day, I worked with little regard for the smell. While our ability to adapt serves us well in many ways, it also desensitizes us to making changes in a pre-emptive manner.

You can drive with brakes that squeak a little bit every time you come to a stop. However, when the grating sounds of metal on metal fill your car as you strain your calf muscle depressing the pedal further into the floorboard — and you still glide through the stop sign - there's no getting around it any longer. It's time to get your brakes fixed.

Cleary, it's not ideal to wait until situations reach a point of crisis. As is the case with your car's brakes, usually the longer we ignore a growing problem, the higher the final cost of repairs.

Still, crisis is not without its merit. Crisis holds purpose. Crisis provides contrast. Crisis moves us to clarify what we really want. When we embrace crisis, crisis is often the catalyst to evolution. So individually and collectively, we ignore crisis at our own peril.

In my experience as a coach, change often comes more slowly for those who fall in the "good enough" category. In other words, they know they want to upgrade their lives, but in the current reality, things are good enough (e.g., they have enough money, decent relationships, some free time, etc). In these cases, change comes in baby steps. The prevailing thought seems to be "why risk it?"

On the other hand, give me someone on the other end of the phone who's in the middle of crisis (they hate their job, lost a spouse, etc), and I'll show you someone who's ready to walk through some fire to reach the ocean. These folks have hit the threshold where the risk of doing more of the same is greater than the risk of changing. In other words, they are experiencing a crisis.

Quoting the economist Paul Romer, "a crisis is a terrible thing to waste." While it may sound like a feel-good cliché, it's nonetheless true: Crisis holds opportunity. On a national level, America's energy and identity crises holds the power to slingshot the country back to greatness. On a personal level, while crisis is unpleasant, it holds the potential for lasting transformation.

While the good news is that crisis can serve as the bucket-of-cold-water-to-the-face in the process of awakening, going forward, this is not the preferred mode of operation. Waiting for crisis and choosing to swim in the drama is the less conscious, reactive way of being. Ideally, we want to sensitize ourselves and lower our thresholds of discomfort rather than maintain them. By noticing and adjusting at the earliest whiff of a new problem or a recurring issue, the emotional and physical costs remain low. This awareness, and the willingness to respond, are the differentiating factors between those who live a very cool life and those who do not.

Finally, expect dark news to continue for a while, but do not get too caught up in it. Refrain from being part of the "ain't it awful?" crowd. Remember that evolution is a process, not an event. And know that, in the end, it's all good.

Evolution Coaching Services

Consciously creating a very cool life requires your attention and energy.

It's all waiting for you.

But you have to claim it.

If you're ready for a better life, a very cool life, then let's connect.

More here.

Schedule a session here.

Call Drew 518.642.3111

In my definition, a very cool life is a life full of connection.

Connection to self, connection to others, connection to source.

When I'm coaching, teaching, and relating to like-minded people about the dynamics of conscious living, I am connected. In those moments, I feel totally aligned — like I am doing what I was built to do.

So, I figured, if it feels so good, why not do even more of that? Why not connect, share, and learn?

And just to keep it simple, why not make the party free?

So I invite you to join me on Tuesday, August 5th at noon EST for a tele-forum discussing the foundations of a very cool life. I have a theory that's been evolving for several years, and I'd like to share it with interested folks and hear your thoughts. And most of all, I'd like to connect with you.

If you'd like to be a part of this free community call, simply send a blank e-mail here.

drewrozell-349171@autocontactor.com

(I'll tape the call if you cannot make it live)

Getting my nephew Kelly started on Cape Cod. Photo by my sister, Nora

Learn the step-by-step way to create websites and blogs using Wordpress… In one hour!

If you're inclined to send a bigger signal out to the world, in less than one hour, you can have your website, blog (or your website with a blog, like this drewrozell.com) up and running with Wordpress.

To read more and to get started, just go here.

>>> BOOKS <<<

The Road by Cormac McCarthy. My review in 10 words: Cold. Death. Dark. Starving. Ash. Gray. Cold. Death. So Cold.My friend Chris' review:"A light-hearted whimsical romp through the hopelessness of post-apocalyptic cannabilism.

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin. Good summer book. A quick read about an interesting, multi-talented dude.

Continental Drift by Russell Banks. This is my nightstand book, 10-20 pages a night. This is an earlier work Mr. Banks, one of my favorite writers. Every time I read his work, I learn a little more about the art of writing. A true master.

>>> MOVIES <<<

The Savages - Story of siblings coming together to care for their father with dementia. Having lived this film, I must say they nailed it. Not an upper of a film, but it will make you feel. Someday, perhaps, I will explore this period of my life with some writing.

The Wire (Season 3) - Still loving this series. Put it in your queue.

Juno - Very good. As advertised. And those Moldy Peaches write some catchy tunes…

12 Angry Men - When I used to teach social psychology at Syracuse, I'd spend the first two classes showing this classic 1957 film as I believed it captured so many of the dynamics we would study later in the semester. Henry Fonda leads an all-star cast. Still holds up.

Talladega Nights - Caught this on cable. A couple times. i remember when it came out, the movie got mixed reviews, but I found it laugh-out-loud funny. Quotably good.

Me and my nephew, 'lil Drew capture the beat. Photo by my sister Nora.

>>> RANDOM NEURAL FIRINGS <<<

Want to see The Dark Knight and Wall-E. Been months since I've been in a theater.

On a related note, I bought a flat screen TV. Baseball in high definition brings me joy.

I've bought 2 music CDs all year (remember those things?). I still think there's lots of great music out there, but I miss the thrill of getting to know a really great album. Anyway, if you're a fan of the rock genre — dudes who can really play their instruments, lay down a groove, and write some intelligent lyrics, the new King's X album XV delivers the goods. A song of good news is here.

Check this page for updates throughout the month…

Subscription Information :: To subscribe, just enter your information in the box to the right side of the page. To unsubscribe, just follow the link on ANY mailing to you.

Archived Issues :: Find 'em here.

Contact Drew :: To comment on this issue, just leave your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below. e-mail <drew at drewrozell.com> phone (518) 642-3111

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June 13, 2008

The Drewsletter :: JUNE 2008

"THE CRE8VINU"

JUNE 2008

"This stuff works!"

Posted this previously, but it's still the best shot I took this month. Good times for P-Nut the cat and Tasha the dog…

JUNE 2008

Welcome, my friend…

"Hot town, summer in the city.

Back o' my neck getting dirty and gritty…"

(A little Lovin' Spoonful to open the June issue of The Drewsletter…)

It fits, because after a bona fide spring full of cool weather, we've hit the wall here in the Northeastern United States. I've been in full summer mode, pulling the shades and hiding underground until the waves pass.

Speaking of waves (note the segue), I'll be hitting them this weekend! Heading to Cape Cod for a little R & R. Will see if my boogie boarding skills, honed in Costa Rica, translate to the chilly Atlantic.

Thank you for reading this month's newsletter, THE CRE8VINU and you are most welcome to share your thoughts!

THE CRE8VINU

If you were to visit my parent's house in the mid-1970's and sauntered over to the refrigerator to pull out a cold Tab, it's a good bet that you would have noticed the pencil-sketch of a dragon on full display, hanging by a magnet.

The artist was a curly-haired boy who wanted to offer his mom something for Mother's Day. Despite my dubious assumption that my mother was into dragons as much as I was, she appreciated my gift. In fact, she seemed to think that I had real talent, stating several times that she "could never draw like that in a million years…"

While I was proud of my work and pleased by her faith in my abilities, I knew better. My dragon reflected persistence and patience, but not artistic prowess or original thought. I had been flipping through one of my drawing books, spotted a cool picture, and simply copied what I saw on the page.

No, I was no artist. I was not creative. I was just clever enough to find good things to reproduce. Looking back, this way of thinking persisted into my adolescence and far into my adulthood. During high school as I pondered my future, I believed that the world was divided into two groups: Creative Types and Practical Types.

And where did I belong? There was little question…

I did not sing. I certainly did not dance. My favorite experience playing the cello was the day I quit. I could not draw. I could not paint. I was not a thespian. I preferred to spend my time thinking than working with my hands. No, while I appreciated the Creatives, clearly, I was not one of them.

Seeing myself as a Practical Type led me to set my sights on a respectable career in engineering. However, once entrenched in college-level chemistry and calculus, I quickly discovered that I was not necessarily the linear thinker I considered myself to be. Soon after, I found psychology and embraced my life-long fascination of people, relationships, and behavior.

However, even in the face of this new evidence, I still maintained the belief adopted in my youth - that one was either Creative or Practical; that creative was a synonym for artistic. Years later, having become aware of my faulty thinking and sharing my insight with many people, I discovered that it's common for us to forsake the Creative Nature that exists in all us.

The greater truth is that everyone is creative. Yes, this means you. You ARE creative.

In fact, if you're ever sitting on a barstool, contemplating the meaning of life with the person next to you, I'll save you the time and the cost of another round by giving you the answer: The purpose of your being here is to immerse yourself in the experience of creating and reveling in the delight of being a Creator.

The form of your creation matters little and will most likely evolve over time. Some people are creative in business, some in bull riding. Others in acting, building, writing, accounting, relationships, fishing, cooking, making people laugh, arguing, gardening, training dogs, surfing, fixing cars, computer programming, designing shoes, advertising… the list is as large as your imagination.

What really matters is that you begin to embrace, recognize, and respect your Creative Nature.

Not sure where it is? Look to that which fills your heart with inspiration, excitement, satisfaction, and joy. If you do not see it, chances are the people around you do. It's there, I promise you.

Look. Allow. Notice.

Why is this important?

Because there are consequences of brushing aside your Creative Nature. By ignoring your passions or failing to see yourself as the Creator of your experiences, you relinquish the true source of your power, you hand over the key that unlocks your well-being, and you allow the Circumstances of Life do the creating for you.

Again, the question is not whether you are creative or not. You are.

The real question is this: What are you creating today?

$drew\'s dragon$

After writing this, I went to my basement and within two minutes (to my great surprise), I found the original, torn and stained. According to the left bottom corner, my Dad owed me a buck for something or other.

Personal Coaching Services plug

I will show you more of who you really are.

Are you ready to hear it?

If so, the rewards are great.

(and it's really kind of a cool process, really…)

More here.

Schedule a session here.

Call 518.642.3111

Learn the step-by-step way to create websites and blogs using Wordpress… In one hour! *

Lots of people ask me how to create a website or a blog. You used to have to be a technical whiz to do this stuff, but now it's easier than ever. So, if you're inclined to send a bigger signal out to the world, I want to help you get the basics down.

In less than one hour, you can have your website, blog (or your website with a blog, like this drewrozell.com) up and running with Wordpress. If you're not familiar with Wordpress, it's a state-of-the-art publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability. WordPress is free, open source (means it's always getting better) software. In my opinion, if you're going to have a website and/or blog, the future is Wordpress. (Note: Microsoft no longer makes or supports Front Page!)

In this course, I will show you step by step how to get your website at "yourdomainname.com" fully hosted, up and running with ease.

Again, your total time getting things up and running should be less than an hour. And your total cost for this course is $49.00.

Keep in mind, you can learn all of this is free online, but in my experience, it will take you much more time and you'll end up paying more than you have to — much more than 50 bucks.

In addition, through this course, I have a special offer with my hosting company that will give you $50 off your first year of hosting and a free domain name registration. Can't beat that!

So, to learn how to set up as many websites and blogs that you can think of on the most powerful, flexible web publishing software in less than one hour, with your domain name (yourname.com, NOT yourname.wordpress.org), and one year's worth of web hosting from the top company (with outstanding customer support) is $49 (for the course) + $67 for the domain name/ 1year hosting = $116.

Trust me, that's a pretty sweet deal. In truth, you're really only paying for the webhosting, because you will save $50 on your first year by using my preferred webhost (Dreamhost).

The course begins on June 26th.

Everything you need to know and do will arrive to you via e-mail in simple, step-by-step instructions. Of course you are free to ask me any questions as well.

What the hell, I'll even guarantee (full money back, no strings) that you'll have a good experience and a working site!

<< Register here now >>

Call or e-mail with questions.

But if you're ready to get out there, let's do it…

* May take way longer than one hour. Seriously, to get things set up should not take you more than one hour. But, like any software, you'll have to invest some time getting comfortable with the program.

>>> BOOKS <<<

Still reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road. After the first 25 pages, I put this book down and found myself reading lighter material before sleep (the book is set in dark, post-apocalyptic world). But I pushed through, and have gotten into the rhythm of the writing. I'm still not sure if I like it, but my appreciation grows. Need a book for the beach.

>>> MOVIES <<<

Michael Clayton - As I was writing this review, my friend Paul sent me an e-mail saying the office scenes were filmed in his new workplace. He also said he and his wife did not much care for this movie. Gotta disagree with him, as I thoroughly enjoyed this film precisely because it was different. I found it engaging, mostly because I could not predict what was going to happen and thought Mr. Clooney did a fine acting job. A-

The Wire (Season 2) - A police drama worth your time. A

Planet Earth series - This National Geographic-style series of documentaries will restore your faith in just what a beautiful, magnificent place Planet Earth really is. (It ain't hard to forget that sometimes.) Outstanding, Fabulous. Magnificent. A+ Buy it now. I beseech you.

Dan in Real Life - A couple people asked me if I had seen this movie. The funny thing was that when I answered that I had not, they just replied, "Oh." That was it. They did not recommend it or pan it, and the conversation moved on. After seeing the film, I think I understand why. The movie was quite enjoyable and furthered my notion that Steve Carrell is now taking all of Jim Carrey's best roles, but was not wildly remarkable. Just really pleasant. I'd say check it out. B+

Into the Wild - Read this book years ago when it first came out, a compelling story by a gifted writer. On my trip to Alaska a decade ago, I even found myself at the access road to the bus where McCandless made his vision a reality. I read mixed things about this film — it was too long and uneven — and maybe it was. But, for me, Sean Penn tapped into that primal desire for freedom and beauty deeply enough to sell me on this film. There's a scene where Alex is alone (of course), just watching some caribou up close, in the wild, and tears well up in his eyes at the simple beauty of it. In that scene, I felt I understood what motivated this young man. I could relate even though I have no desire to live alone in an abandoned school bus. Finally, Hal Holbrook's character was a dead ringer for my Dad in looks and mannerisms. Wonderfully eerie. B+

review here

link

>>> RANDOM NEURAL FIRINGS <<<

Cooking a steak on the grill? Make the okay sign with your thumb and index finger. Poke the base of your thumb. That’s what rare steak feels like. Using an okay sign with the middle finger will give you the feel of medium-rare, and so on. (lifted from Esquire)

Ed McMahon is not the face of the U.S. mortgage crisis. I feel for the guy, but please…

Seth Godin nailed it with this post regarding your finances.

Check this page for updates throughout the month…

Subscription Information :: To subscribe, just enter your information in the box to the right side of the page. To unsubscribe, just follow the link on ANY mailing to you.

Archived Issues :: Find 'em here.

Contact Drew :: To comment on this issue, just leave your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below. e-mail <drew at drewrozell.com> phone (518) 642-3111

Filed under Blog, Current Events, Drew's Photos, Drewsletter! by drew

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May 9, 2008

The Drewsletter May 2008 :: The Creamy Middle

"THE CREAMY MIDDLE"

MAY 2008

This shot with the reflections of the daisies in the droplets is better than any shot I took this month. The dude takes some great photos…

	Subscription Information :: To subscribe, just enter you information in the box to the right side of the page. To unsubscribe, just follow the link on ANY mailing to you.

	Archived Issues :: Find 'em here.

	Contact Drew :: To comment on this issue, just leave your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below. Call 518.642.3111e-mail drew at drewrozell.com

May 2008 Boom boom boom!

The warm weather is finally here after a long winter. Everything is in booming, blooming, alive, and growing. There's a buzz in the air and it's not just the sound of my new chainsaw clearing the trees and brush around my property. Feels good indeed.

The softball season is underway (we're 0-3, but really finding ourselves as a team) and Yankees baseball is my companion on the radio (they are finding themselves as well). I hope this finds you well and feeling vibrant. Thank you for reading this month's newsletter, THE CREAMY MIDDLE and you are most welcome to share your thoughts!

P.S. Thanks for sharing this with your like-minded friends and family. You can always point them to drewrozell.com or evolutioncoaching.com.

THE CREAMY MIDDLE

In creating a very cool life, most people think the ultimate goals are to manifest more stuff and to always make "good" things happen.

Sure, we'd all like that place on the beach or that ski house (or both) while having massive amounts of income float into our bank accounts while we play in the warm sunshine.

Nothing wrong with any of that.

But let's not mistake these sorts of things as being the end goal of a very cool life.

'Cuz they ain't.

A very cool life is not about what you do. Or how much you have. And it's certainly not about how respected or famous you are…

A very cool life is all about how you feel. It's a way of being.

Think about it. Your life cannot be very cool if you do not feel good physically and emotionally. I became acutely aware of the preciousness of my physical well-being as a nasty virus knocked me on my back recently. Likewise, when considering the importance of your emotional health, think of it this way… I’d guess Eliot Spitzer, Amy Winehouse, or Roger Clemens have more money and fame than you. So, if you could, would you trade places with them? Didn’t think so.

Upon closer inspection, a cool life has nothing to do with the external measures we are conditioned to believe denote “success.” Rather, a very cool life hinges on your ability to manage how you feel at any given moment. The more proficient you are at this skill set (yes, it is a skill set and yes, you can learn it), the cooler your life will be.

Though it’s easy to forget, everyone has problems. Life is designed to add some curve balls to the mix (along with some nasty splitters in the dirt) just to make sure you're still engaged, still learning, still evolving. This is just the nature of life and no one is immune to the intense experiences of being human.

In light of this fact, the critical (but easily overlooked question) to ask yourself is this: How well-prepared am I to handle the emotional intensity of life?

In order to arrive at an honest answer for yourself, it’s a good idea to get an objective look at your patterns of behavior when life doesn’t appear to going your way.

How do you tend to respond?

Do you fill with anger and spit venom at the world? Do you feel the urge to escape, hoping that if you run and hide long enough, everything will work out? Do you freak out, diving headfirst into the vortex of drama, and become a histrionic slave to your emotions? Do you let thoughts of fear and anxiety wash over you? Or, do you maintain your equilibrium and stay cool?

Certainly, the latter is the most attractive option.

So if the secret to creating very cool life is about consciously managing how you feel, why isn’t this the top priority for every person on the planet?

I think there are a few basic reasons. First, we’re not in the habit of looking inward and taking full ownership of our well-being. Simply, it’s just easier to blame something or someone else for how we feel and so this becomes our default way of being.

Second, there is an awareness issue. We still live in an ego-centric world where we’ve been conditioned that our thoughts and ability to reason should trump our feelings. We learn that it’s better to take action — even if this action is motivated by fear or anger – than to wait for calm, cool, clarity. (The United States’ decision to begin a “pre-emptive” war is a particularly salient example). The idea that managing our feelings has a direct impact on what we create is just beginning to take root in human consciousness.

The final issue is what I’ll call the Dalai Lama Dilemma. According to a recent interview, the Dalai Lama stated that his primary goal is to maintain an emotional equilibrium. “Ups and down,” he said, “are not good.”

The challenge is that while living like the Lama looks great on paper (he sells many books), it’s not very sexy. One of my favorite metal bands summed it up when they sang, “Peace Sells, But Who’s Buying?” In other words, most people will tell you they resonate with the idea of living a peaceful life, but in decisive moments, they still choose the default response, reacting with drama, blame, or fear.

Further, there’s also the tendency to associate a peaceful life with a monk-like existence full of chastity and boredom. Indeed, the idea that the coolest life is the most peaceful life presents a unique marketing challenge. In fact, it flies in the face just about every marketing message you’ve ever been exposed to.

Fast cars, fast sex, fast money, fast times? Those ego-based appeals stir the adrenaline; there’s no need for a complicated sales pitch.

However, chasing the highs is always the less conscious choice. Why? Because with every dizzying high comes a crushing low. An inconvenient truth, but the two extremes are a package deal.

So then, how do you market the Creamy Middle as a better way to live?

People are always interested in results, so what’s the benefit of getting in the habit of turning your awareness inward and sensitizing yourself to what you feel?

When you expand your capacity to feel things fully, you develop the confidence that you can handle anything and everything that comes into your experience. With this total confidence, you eliminate the most insidious force that drives much of human behavior – fear.

Free of artificial highs and lows, you notice and allow that which you DO want (rather than struggling to avoid that which you DO NOT want) and you send a clear, clean signal to the universe. In this place, the manifestation of your desires is a natural by-product of living your life in a deliberate conscious manner.

Remember to look inside because the sweetness of life always lies in the creamy middle.

PROFESSIONAL COACHING SERVICES

Remember, managing how you feel is a skill set. In my opinion, there a few skills that have a bigger impact on your life.

This is what I offer to progressive-thinking individuals and businesses. If you see the wisdom in investing in your personal infrastructure, let's connect and see what we can create together.

I really don't use the megaphone. Much. In this depiction, I am also a dead ringer for Kevin Youkilis. A cartoon from the archives created by an old partner in crime, Frank

Ready to remember what you're really capable of?
Ready to upgrade how you think, feel, and what you create in your life?
Ready to explore that deep, wonderful, final frontier that is … you?
I offer a full range of professional coaching services for cool people and progressive businesses for most price ranges.
Looks like I will be offering a new group focused on consciously creating a very cool life, kicking off sometime in the summer! Details to follow as they come into my head…
If you own (or make decisions) for a growing company that is committed to the growth and development of the people that make up that company, please contact me to see what I can bring to the table.

More here.

Schedule a session here.

Call 518.642.3111

DREW'S RAVE

Eliminate Your Junk Mail

Every one wants to simplify, right? Well, I do any way. Junk mail is an annoyance to everyone. Not only did you not ask for it and not want it, but dealing with it occupies mental space. I stumbled on this service a few months back, and indeed, my mailbox is free of much junk. Feels good every day for the $15 investment. Check it out.

Greendimes.com.

DREW'S LINKS

Suze Orman Has Your Back

Years ago, as I struggled with money, my first coach bought me some cassette tapes of Suze Orman. She helped me understand my relationship with money and how things had gotten twisted. Years later, I saw her give the keynote speech at a coaching convention and she was dynamite. Fearless.

So you can consider me a fan.I do my best to keep my finances in order, and having gotten married recently, I looked into the best way to protect my investments and have them pass to Karin easily in the event of my death. Most services I looked at cost megabucks to set up a will, a living trust, etc. But then I found myself on Suze's site where she offer everything in a slick online package for — get this — 15 bucks?

Yes it's tedious to fill this stuff out. Yes, there's a lot of paperwork. Yes, you have to contemplate your own death. But if you really want to take care of the people you love, and respect your money, just do it.

Go here. Then click Will and Trust Kit

Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?

Couldn't resist including this link. I know most people do not have an ear for this kind of music (my dad used to strongly encourage me to "turn that sh!t down!" when I'd be jamming in my bedroom), so I'm not expecting to convert anyone. But written 22 years ago, I think the message of the song is still relevant. Oh, and the killer bass line and guitar riffs rock too…

BOOKS

Just finished Richard Russo's Nobody's Fool. I savored twenty pages or so every night. Loved it. Now into Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Talk about switching gears!

MOVIES

For the Love of the Game - Karin hits a home run on Netflix. I'm mixing my sports analogies here, because this is a documentary film about a girls high school basketball team. Trust me, this movie is better than you can imagine — suspenseful sports scenes and poignant lessons. Recommend this to anyone. A

The Wire (Season 1) - Had heard the hype about this series and I needed a replacement for The Sopranos. Am happy to say that The Wire has proven a worthy successor. Season 1 was brilliant. A

Kramer vs. Kramer - Karin rented this classic film, having never seen it before. I must say it held up magnificently. A

There Will Be Blood - A Friday night feature for an audience of one. Me. Karin was not home and had no interest in this film. A drama all the way and a rather dark one at that. Daniel Day-Lewis is a peach of an actor. Appreciated the film but doubt I'll ever watch it again. B

Ratatouille - Visually stunning, but the little mouse never won me over. Finding Nemo is the benchmark for me on these types of movies. C+ (In truth, I let myself fall asleep halfway through with no regrets).

RANDOM NEURAL FIRINGS

Avoid excuses. There's nothing more lame than getting a message that says "things have been crazy around here." Please. Save it.

My definition of a sport? It's not a sport unless you sweat every time you play. Otherwise, you got yourself a "game." Was thinking about this after all the Tiger Woods/Gatorade ads (He got paid $100 million to endorse this product? Good for him). But is he really sweating that much out on the links? I know… I need to think about more important things…