WOW!

My wife Michelle and I sat in our family room last night - along with our girls Samantha and Annarose and were moved to tears so many times as we watched the returns come in, saw the election called for Obama in such a powerful way, and then heard his remarkable and profound victory speech.

Like so many - I’m feeling a deep sense of gratitude, awe, excitement, pride, love, and shock…even though I had a feeling this would happen, right from the start.

Look what we all did! As Michelle and I sat at the convention center in Oakland, CA yesterday and called swing states (with hundreds of other people), it felt so good to be a part of something historic, special, and unifying. I looked around the room and saw the looks on people’s faces and felt the energy in the room…it made me proud to be an American and so grateful to be living at this time in our history.

Now the real work begins…we get to BE THE CHANGE we want to see, lean in, and actually participate. A new possibility is now opened up for all of us…it’s not about Barack, it’s about us. I’m excited, nervous, and humbled by what lies ahead for each of us and all of us. Amazing!

One of the many reasons I have been so inspired by Barack Obama is his ability to empower people. For example, here is part of the email that Barack sent out about thirty minutes after the election had been called for him:

“I’m about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first. We just made history. And I don’t want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign — every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it’s time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I’ll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing…

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,

Barack”

When I read this email (out loud) to Michelle and our friends Lara and Johnny, we all cried, felt inspired, felt appreciated, and felt as though we had played a role in this historic campaign and election. That is empowerment! If more and more of us are empowered to feel as though what we do and who we are matters to this country, we will be headed in such a wonderful direction.

If you happened to miss Obama’s incredible victory speech, here it is:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27546437#27546437

Here we go…YES We CAN!

With Excitement, Passion, and Gratitude,

Mike
www.Mike-Robbins.com

With our historic election getting underway officially this morning and at the risk of being a bit self important, pushy, or self righteous, I decided to share some of my passionate thoughts and feelings about why I’m so excited to vote for Barack Obama.

I’m very interested in politics as well as the state of our nation and world. In 2003 my wife Michelle and I got more pro-actively involved in the presidential campaign given our concern about the pending war in Iraq (at that time) and direction of the Bush administration and our country. We were fortunate enough to be at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, where we saw Barack Obama give the historic keynote address at that convention. Like so many others who saw that speech, we were moved to tears, blown away, and inspired in a way we had never been before. Over the past four plus years I have read both of his books, seen him speak live three more times, and met him in person (along with Michelle and our daughter Samantha in his DC office on 2/1/07 - see photo below), and paid attention to him in a way I have never paid attention to any political figure.

I have followed the campaign very closely and have literally heard him speak on TV, in interviews, and in debates hundreds if not thousands of times. I have read, watched, listened, discussed, debated, and more about Obama, the issues, and the other candidates - on both sides. As we sit here on the day of this historic and monumental election, I am convinced that not only is Barack Obama the best candidate in this race - but that he is a transformational Politian and man who can help heal, unify, and lead our nation into a new paradigm. Here are some of the reasons why I feel so strongly about him:

Change - Not just a slogan or a word on a poster, but I believe that what Obama stands for on the issues (foreign policy, the economy, health care, education, and more) and how he sees the country and the world is a fundamental change from the past and what we need at this time. Even more than his approach is what he has and will inspire in us and people around the world.

Peace - As a passionate advocate for Peace, I want to see not only the wars we are currently engaged in come to an end, which I believe Obama will make happen, but also an end to the mindset that got us into these wars to begin with, especially the war in Iraq - which is something he has said numerous times.

Equality - Related to race, economics, health care, jobs, the way government operates, and more - an Obama administration will bring about more equality and make things more fair in this country. “Equality,” like so many other ideals is not possible - but we can move closer to it in specific ways and with him as President, we will.

Awareness - Barack Obama is not only one of the smartest politicians I have ever witnessed, he is emotionally aware in a way that excites me, especially given my work and what’s important to me. Not only does he seem to have an awareness of himself, but also of others, of our country, and our world. His knowledge, insight, and awareness will help us move the conversations we have about life and politics to another level.

Empowerment - Watching how he has lived his life and specifically about how he has run this campaign - he understands what it means and why it’s important to empower people. As someone who has donated money and volunteered for his campaign - I personally feel empowered. We are at a time in our nation’s history where we NEED as many people as possible engaged in what is going on and also at a time where so many people feel disconnected from the process and their country. He has already in this campaign and will continue to empower those around him - in his administration, across the aisle, in his own party, other countries, and most importantly the America people - to be more than we all thought we could be.

Inspiration - Obama has been attacked in this campaign for being all about “rhetoric.” While I agree that to be a great President one must have more than just the ability to give a great speech, the power of words and more importantly of inspiration cannot be overlooked. For the first time in my life, I am deeply inspired by someone who could be our President. What if we could watch press conferences, speeches, the state of the union address, and others and actually be inspired, moved, and touched on a deep level. With him as President, we will, and with that inspiration so much positive change can and will happen.

Integrity - With all that I’m excited about and all that agree with (although I don’t agree with him on everything), I think what has drawn me and inspired me most about Barack Obama is who he is as a human being. I know he is not perfect and he has done and said things at times in this campaign that I have not agreed with, liked, and that were clearly not true. Like everyone else in his line of work, he is full of it some of the time. Understanding all of this, I am still blown away by his integrity and who he is as a man, husband, and father. I listen to him talk, read his words, and watch him operate and am so amazed by who he is. I love how he talks about and treats his wife, daughters, and family. I trust him and it feels so good. I’m sure he will make mistakes, lie, and at times let me and so many others down. However, the qualities he possesses and who he is as a human being are what I believe in my heart will allow him to not only get elected tonight, but to be one of our greatest Presidents of all time.

As long as this post is, I could go on and on! As you walk into the voting booth today, imagine what you will say to your children, grand children, and great grand children when they ask you if you voted for Barack Obama!

With Passion and Excitement,

Mike
www.Mike-Robbins.com

Below is a short inspirational video that I found on You Tube. We have so much around us that we can use as inspiration. The key is getting in touch with it, remembering it, and taping into it – even when we don’t feel like it.

Today, be inspired – it’s up to you!

With Inspiration,

Mike
www.Mike-Robbins.com

Here are some additional thoughts and tips about how we can be in awe of life on a daily basis.

To download this audio as an MP3 file, right click here and select “Save Target As” to begin download.

With Appreciation,

Mike
www.Mike-Robbins.com

I like to pretend that I’m someone who’s totally laid back, easy-going, and able to go with the flow of life. However, sometimes I find it very difficult to let go and just trust the process. Can you relate?

My wife Michelle and I are learning this as we await the arrival of our second daughter any day now. Samantha, our first, came two and half years ago and was almost a month early, much to our surprise. Since that was our first and only experience – we assumed this second time would somewhat similar.

However, this has been quite different already. The due date is today, Monday, 8/18, but we assumed the baby would have already arrived a few weeks ago. We’ve had a few false alarm trips to the hospital and the mysterious ride of this process continues to excite us, baffle us, intrigue us, and humble us deeply. What a great opportunity for us to learn, grow, and GO WITH THE FLOW.

Being able to let go of our attachments, desire to control, and of making things be how we think they should be are all important elements of our growth, fulfillment, and peace in life. What if we were able to really let go, trust, and just allow things to be as they are? That would be cool, much less stressful, and a lot more fun, wouldn’t it?

The key to going with the flow in life is to be able to appreciate what’s happening, not resist it, and be honest about we’re feeling about. Instead of blaming the circumstances, expecting always to be in control, and having to have it all figured out – we can let go and enjoy the ride. This is easier said than done for most of us and in many situations, but when we do it – the peace, freedom, and power we experience are amazing.

See if you can let go and go with the flow in your life today. Have fun…and, think good thoughts for the safe, easy, and healthy arrival of baby Annarose! Thanks…stay tuned!

With Appreciation,

Mike
www.Mike-Robbins.com

This week’s audio post is about the power of trusting ourselves – something many of us, myself included, struggle with.

Imagine how different your life would be if you fully trusted yourself.

To download this audio as an MP3 file, right click here and select “Save Target As” to begin download.

With Appreciation,

Mike
www.Mike-Robbins.com

The Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics are today and I’m fired up. I LOVE the Olympics and was fortunate enough to attend both the 1996 Games in Atlanta and the 2000 Games in Sydney – two of the most incredible experiences of my life.

The Olympics are always filled with so much passion, energy, and inspiration. One of the greatest moments in Olympic history, in my opinion, happened in 1992 in Barcelona. It wasn’t a gold medal, a world record, or even a great accomplishment – it was the courage of a man to get up and keep going, and the love and support of his father that was so remarkable.

Check out this clip and get some tissues (even if you’ve seen it before, as I have dozens of times).

Who we are, how we play the “game” of life, and being able to give and receive love – those are always more important than “winning the race.”

With Inspiration,

Mike
www.Mike-Robbins.com

As you have probably seen or heard about, Randy Pausch, professor at Carnegie Mellon University inspired millions through his “last lecture” which he delivered last September called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” Below is a segment of that lecture that he reprised on the Oprah show a few months later:

Randy Pausch passed away on Friday, July 25th. He will be greatly missed by his wife, three children, all of the people who knew and loved him…and by millions of us who never got to meet him, but were touched by his message, his story, his wisdom, and his courage.

He wrote a book based on this lecture that has been at the top of the bestseller list since it came out in April. Click here to purchase.

With Appreciation,

Mike
www.Mike-Robbins.com

Like millions of people around the world, my wife Michelle and I participated in the online class that Oprah Winfrey did with Eckhart Tolle that took place between March and May of this year (and is currently re-playing on Oprah.com each Monday night at 8:00 PM CDT - check it out).

We loved the class and are still getting so much out of it and Tolle’s book A New Earth. One powerful moment of the whole experience for me was the final moment of the final class. After Oprah and Eckhart said their goodbyes to each other, to all of us who had participated in the class, and as the out-going music was playing - she turned to him and gave him a “high ten.” It was a cute and sweet moment of excitement and connection between the two of them. From the look on her face you could see and feel her joy, enthusiasm, and genuine passion.

I turned to Michelle and said, “That’s why she is one of the most powerful, influential, and admired people on the planet.” Her passion was and is so real. Oprah gets excited about all kinds of things - books, cars, movies, growth, dogs, gratitude, helping people, and so much more. When she does, you can feel it - it is real and it runs deep.

This is not about Oprah, it is about our own ability (or inability) to feel and express our passion. For some of us, based on how we were raised, our personality, and the environments we find ourselves in, the people around us, and more - it might be easier to express our passion; while for others, more difficult.

When we get in touch with our passion and are willing to express it, not only do we come alive, we tap into one of the most powerful forces in the universe which can allow up to manifest what we want (not just things, but feelings and experiences as well) and in the process inspire others.

The key is that for passion to have real power, it has to be genuine…you can’t fake it.

What are you passionate about? What makes you come alive? How can you more fully express your passion today and every day?

I will close this post with one of my favorite quotes:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman

With Passion,

Mike

One area where many of us struggle to appreciate ourselves is with our bodies. Many people, my self included, are super critical of how they look and of the size, shape, and appearance of their bodies. Over the course of my life, some of the deepest pain and self loathing I have felt has had to do with me feeling ugly, flawed, or simply not good enough physically.

We live in a culture that has an obsession with appearance and with “body beautiful.” And while there is nothing wrong with us wanting take care of ourselves and wanting to look good, I think that many of us go overboard with this. We forget that our ability to appreciate our bodies and feel good about our appearance is not based on how much we weigh, how tall we are, the size of certain body parts, how our skin looks, how much hair we have (a big one for me these days), or anything else. It all has to do with how we feel about our body and how we look.

We can appreciate our bodies at any time and for any reason. No body is perfect. All bodies change with time. There are so many things about our bodies and our appearance that are great, work well, and look good. We often forget to “focus on the good stuff” about our bodies, instead choosing to pay attention to the areas where we think we “need work.”

The world of “form” is always evolving and changing. Our physical bodies, like everything else physical, exist in this world of form. While we would not expect to still have the body size and appearance that we did when we were toddlers, we similarly should not expect to look the same at 40 as we did a 20, or at 65 as we did when we were 45. It is almost as if we are trying to apologize for being human, for aging, or for being physical beings.

One of the best things we can do for ourselves physically, as well as mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, is to appreciate ourselves and our bodies.

This issue really hits home for me and is something that I personally find challenging…which is part of the reason I am writing about it today. As they say, “we teach best what we most need to learn.” While this body image and appearance issues are talked about quite a bit in our culture, mostly by women (even though many men, like me, worry about their appearance as well), I don’t think we really go very deep in our inquiry or discussion about it. We mostly focus on the surface - food, weight, skin care, hair care, clothes, plastic surgery, etc. None of that stuff really matters if we don’t ultimately feel good about ourselves and our bodies.

As with most things in life, appreciation, when it is genuine, comes first and can lead to the outcome, result, and feeling we desire. Instead of holding our breath until we lose those 10 or 20 pounds, have the money to buy all the new clothes we want, or get whatever it is we think we need to get to feel better about our bodies and appearance - what if we started right here, right now and appreciated our bodies exactly as they are and loved them unconditionally.

Being able to appreciate ourselves physically, while challenging for many of us, can and will create such a sense of freedom, peace, and love in your life - for yourself and with others. I’m working on it…wanna join me?

With Appreciation and Vulnerability,

Mike