Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian political and spiritual leader once said “”be the change you want to be in the world” but actually putting that into practice can seem to be a challenge.

Today I happened to discover a link to a video news cip about a cafe in St Paul Minnesota where the owner and his wife are taking that message to heart and doing their bit to create a more kind and generous society.

Its called the Q Kindness Cafe and owner Lisa Cotter Metwaly and her husband’s  mission is to make Minnesota a friendlier, kinder place by encouraging people to commit random acts of kindness and to pay them forwards. Watch the video clip and you will see what I mean. (p.s. apologies for the short commercial break before the main show -it’s the way the TV company release it I’m afraid.)

The Q Kindness Cafe Video

Have you come across any other inspiring examples of Gandhi’s challenge in action – if so tell us about it here!

 Other Media

I recorded this message during a recent trip to Spain.

 

 building your own future video message Gavin Meikle: Play Now | Play in Popup

How are you today?
We all ask this question or our colleagues, friends and family members many times every day and others ask us the same question.

But how do you they and you respond?
I’m a Scot and our stereotypical response is “Not bad thanks”
Another friend of me replied “I’m fine” whilst yet another said “Not so good, its been a terrible week!”

What’s become obvious to me recently is that I and my friends seem to be confusing how “We” are with our external situation. We are linking our own internal state to what’s been happening around us. Seems a natural enough thing to do on the face of it but isn’t there a danger in it.

This kind of stinking thinking is really a case of mistaken identity, we are mistaking our own internal identity with the labels we give to our behaviours and external results and this in turn condemns us to always be at the mercy of our circumstances.

Imagine if you could break this link so that externally you could be having a difficult, bad or even c**p day and still be amazing internally!

How would that change the kind of results you get in your life?

So next time you ask me how I am I will reply “I am amazing!” regardless of what life is throwing at me.

Namaste

I have started to read an amazing little book by Vietnamese Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh after hearing him on a BBC documentary a few months ago.

His message is all about living in the now through the principle of mindfulness and the book I am reading called “Peace is every step”. Whilst all the articles I have read so far have resonated deeply. One right at the beginning seems to hold the key to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

It’s so simple you might be tempted to dismiss it but don’t – just try it out for yourself and see what you think.

Breath in and say to yourself “Breathing in I calm my body”
Breath out and say to yourself “Breathing out, I smile”
Breath in and say to yourself “Dwelling in this present moment”
Breath out and say to yourself “I know this is a wonderful moment!”

check this test out

 

 Online Video: Play Now | Play in Popup

Hi This is my first ever podcast!

 

 Standard Podcast [3:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

I will be posting in different ways depending on the topic I’m covering.  Sometimes it will be words like these.  At other times it will be in the form of an audio file you can listen to here or download onto your ipod or mp3 player.  Finally, you will also get to see me as well as hear me as I offer “stress free TV” broadcasts and tutorials to help you get off the treadmill.  

Can’t wait to get started?   Well neither can I. See you soon.

 Gavin