My new manifesto

Here’s the deal: my whole adult life has been full of the wrong kind of compromise. I've been afraid to move my life forward; I've been too indulgent to take on healthy habits and relationships; and I'm often about taking the easy/lazy way out.

My marriage, despite lots of threats and conversations, and random (if little) signs of improvement, is not going to be the passionate, loving 'group hug' I was looking for.

Based on what I've learned over the past few years and from reading Conversations with God, here's where I now stand on my life:

The ego will command whatever machinations are necessary (lying to others and one’s self; cheating, finding quick-fixes and short-cuts, stealing, pretending, or actual hard work in some cases) to achieve being important, being the center of attention, being the hero, not changing, being perfect. The ego is always about being right.
Being connected to God is about accepting things as they are, about witnessing life and relationships for what they are (not what you want them to be), and about becoming more of who you are designed to be in this world.

Here are some other things I’ve learned from Conversations with God:
1. There is no “us” and “God”. We are all connected as parts of Him. He did not create us from nothing. God created us from Himself. I am a part of God and therefore capable of much much more than I’ve ever realized.
2. There is the Great Nothingness and God. There is more of the Great Nothingness.
3. Thoughts combine into feelings, which combine into Actions. In order to experience desirable actions we must experience them, then have feelings, then have thoughts. Trying to think our way into change is impossible.
4. “I am” statements are the most powerful creative force in the Universe
5. The Universe responds with what you project. All ways.
6. Relationships are for making a contribution to helping each party become excellent at being themselves – not for needs gratification/fulfillment. Staying together for a lifetime is much less important, because such life-long relationships are often confining and filled with obligation and conformity, which is the opposite of what God wants.
7. I wish, I want, etc are statements of lack
8. Fear-based thinking and actions and feelings are supported by the Great Nothingness, and therefore are more powerful.
9. Be the change you want to see in the world. If you want to be successful, find out what successful people do, and do that. That’s your responsibility.
10. Yesterday and tomorrow are not as important as what you DO, Now.
11. God is much more interested in experiences that help Him know Himself for what He is.
12. Meditation is the way to reduce the grip of the ego on oneself
13. We are creation machines, designed to bring about whatever we decide – good or bad.

So, when we think of changing, we often start off with the wrong question, namely “How can I do that?” Such a question is egotistical. It is saying ‘how can I not change, but also adopt that behavior with out any inconvenience?’ Impossible question, usually.

Perhaps the right question is, “How is it done?” Then do that. If it is being done, you can do it. I think that's the MO of Tim Ferriss.