Will Bowen Audio

Back when I was taking flying lessons, one of the things that struck me was how careful my instructor lives in making sure that someone is always in control flying the plane.

If he wanted to show me something, he would often say, “give me the plane.“

After the instruction, he would say “It’s your plane” and I’d take back over piloting the plane.

So, my question is: “Who’s flying your plane?” That is, which voice in your head has control of your life most of the time?

Everyone has two voices in their head – – the highest and most loving voice, and the lowest and most angry voice.

The question is: if we check the logbook of your life who is flying your plane most often?

The answer to that question will determine your level of health, happiness, and prosperity.The other day I was receiving sound less than enthusiastic service from an airline.

As many of you know, I live on a small lake near Kansas City and last summer we had a severe drought.

The lake was down more than 30 feet and some residents were certain the lake would never come up again.

This year, you guessed it, we’ve had a deluge of rain and the lake is swelling its banks.

Sometimes, we need to back off and trust that things will right themselves over time.

Our lives have an amazing capacity for self - correction and we can tap into that starting today.

Something that I've tried to figure out for years is “Why does our ego kick in when they’re tired and they are hungry."

Beyond the physiological impact, what causes us to become easily angered when we are hungry or tired?

I totally buy in to the idea that each of us is two distinct selves. Some call these selves the ego and the highest self.

Whereas some therapists have called this our fully integrated self versus our fractured self.

The bottom line is that we all have both Dr. Jekyll AND Mr. Hyde inside of us. BUT, why does Mr. Hyde we show up most when we're tired or hungry?

In this post I answer that question and help you understand keep that ego side of you from coming out and hurting yourself and others.

By now, I hope you’ve realized the power of an apology.

“I’m sorry” has built more bridges than the US Army core of engineers.

Today, I want to inspire you to say “I’m sorry” less.

Yes, LESS.

How?

By setting an intention to do more noble things.

By constraining your tongues, by mastering your deeds, by putting thoughtfulness at the forefront of your mind and kindness in your words.

Saying the words “I’m sorry” when they are appropriate is a sign of maturity.

Going further to cease to create pain and conflict is aspiring mastery!

I love this true story about the human penchant for worry.

Larry David, the creator of “Seinfeld“ and “curb your enthusiasm“ was working as a cab driver in New York City before his big break.

David once told the story of someone getting out of his cab and him being struck with the fear that “what if no one ever got into my cab again?“

Actually, fear about potential negative outcomes is natural – – it’s designed to prepare us should they happen.

However, constant focus on negative outcomes draws them to us creating an unhappy self-fulfilling prophecy.

In this post, let’s study how to be aware of our fears without being consumed by them.

The other day I was passing through an airport and stopped in at a restaurant in one of the terminals.

The hostess told me that there were several vegan options both on and off the menu that I would enjoy so I sat down to eat.

Unfortunately, my server looked at the very same menu and concluded that there was nothing vegan they could prepare.

What a profound example of the power of perspective.

(Luckily, I called the hostess back over and asked her to order for me — delicious!)

What could you do, create, enjoy, achieve, give, or give life to if you would simply change your own perspective on the possibilities available in your own life?

Just imagine...

Many times people have said to me, “I wish I had more belief” to which I always think, “It’s not the quantity but the quality of the belief that matters.

You were born with all the “belief” you’re ever going to have — think of it as pie. The question is, how much of the pie is focused on what you WANT to happen and how much is focused on what you’re AFRAID might happen.

Either way, you’re applying belief and belief generates words and actions which combine to create your future.

It’s not easy to harness your mind on what you want rather than what you DON’T want, but it can (and should) be done.

Did you know that many film critics consider “Jaws“ to be the greatest movie of all time?

And yet, the filming of “Jaws" was plagued with problems.

The biggest issue was a mechanical shark that rarely seemed to work and, when it did, looked fake on camera.

These problems forced Steven Spielberg to discover creative solutions (such as rarely showing the robo-shark), which gave the movie its frightening magic.

Spielberg turned problems into opportunities to create a movie that will endure forever.

What problems in your own life might actually be the source of something new and wonderful?

Embrace the problem and find the blessing!

Today, let’s delve deeper into “positive thinking.“

The word “positive“ literally means “that which is present.“

“Negative“ means “that which is absent."

Negative thinking is focused on what’s missing whereas positive thinking is focused on what's present.

When you’re thinking positively, you’re not being Pollyanish--you’re actually being real.

That is, you’re dealing with what is real and present rather than what may be ideal; but is missing.

Positive thinking works because it inspires you to proactivity, which yields BIG results!

As you probably know, I’m not anti-complaining.

Rather, I’m pro healthy communication, which means speaking directly and only to the person who can resolve a problem.

If you’re going to send a complaint to someone, the ultimate goal is to get that person to help resolve your issue.

So, here's some tips to making that more likely happen:

Don’t make assumptions

Speak about yourself and how things have impacted you personally

Don’t kill a gnat with a bazooka

Be brief

In this post, I expand on each of these ideas and the best way to implement each of them.