There are certain moments that occur in life that are so exquisite, they leave you breathless.
The challenge is, if you blink, you might miss them.
There was just such a moment during the dramatic rematch of last summer’s hit show, Dancing with the Stars.
Whether or not you saw the show, see if you sense the profundity contained within the moment about to be described:
Chrissey’s response on my blog at http://tinyurl.com/9t6h7 was the first that came closest to figuring out the answer to last week’s newsletter. She said: “The one thing I have learned about human nature is its phenomenal ability to go into denial rather than be responsible for ones own behavior.”
But Chrissey didn’t figure out if it was the husband or wife. And there’s a profound difference between “being in denial” – where you won’t admit something to yourself – as opposed to not being willing to admit you’re wrong to others even when you know it yourself. This was the phenomena so beautifully demonstrated in this episode of “House”.
Suresh Menon figured out who was lying and how the show ended, and was correct when he said “They {people} resort to lies to escape the consequences.” But he preluded it by saying “You could figure it out because your background as a holistic doctor has taught you that most human beings cannot resist the temptation of love and sex.”
Though this obviously has truth to it, it was not a primary reason the writers would have chosen this ending for the show. The primary reason was to portray how, as I described in the newsletter, “people sometimes would rather die than admit to being wrong.”
So, Chrissey nor Suresh got it completely correct. However, because both came closer than anyone else, I’ll let both share the prize and give each a 25 minute coaching session. (Chrissey and Suresh, please email me by replying to this week’s newsletter and we’ll set a time up).
Now, my friend, please provide your personal thoughts, comments and stories to the Wealthy Soul lesson portrayed in this magnificent T.V. episode. Comment box is below.
A big hug!
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On a recent television episode of the hit medical drama series, "House," the doctors are completely bewildered over the diagnosis of a woman who is mysteriously dying. Her main symptom is such deep sleep she can’t wake up except for brief periods.
After endless testing and eliminating every possible cause, the only diagnosis that remains which matches her symptoms is African Sleeping Sickness. Though treatment will cure the otherwise fatal disease, the medical team cannot dispense the cure without being certain of the diagnosis.
The doctors question the woman’s husband if she or he ever has been to Africa. The husband states that neither of them ever have. The medical team is forced to ask a very delicate question: if he or his wife has ever had an affair – because the disease can be transmitted sexually.
RE: Gift 30 of Immortality
Michael, thanks for the "gift".
I too am awakened in the night (lately) and that is when I turn to your book. I am at the part where you are in hand to hand (combat) with Dr. Solihin. Perhaps something is “irritating me” too??
I really appreciate the concept of the soul being pure vs our minds and maybe we should try to let the soul run the show more… I think I will try to do that!
THANKS!
____________________
The Wealthy Soul:
Dear Kevin,
Thanks for sharing your kind thoughts.
Indeed, we’d all be better off if we could let the Soul “run the show” a bit more. But we’ve got this thing called a mind, that . . . well . . . seems to have a mind of it’s own!
Sleep tight!
Many blessings,
Michael
You may want to argue with what I have to say here –
You may believe that television is a waste of time, as many
people do (despite continuing to watch hours of "junk" a day!).
But I believe, depending upon what you choose to watch,
television can be one of the most transformative mediums
in your life.
I say this because there are extraordinary Wealthy Soul lessons certain shows can teach you without you having to go through the oftentimes great challenge of living through those particular experiences yourself.
Up until recently, there were four particular moments on television that I always counted as touching me to the deepest core of my soul.
Then, in the last few months, there came a fifth.
I am a collector of such moments. And this particular one came on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
The entire program had held me absolutely transfixed. And then the featured guest, who had told one of the most extraordinary stories I ever witnessed, said the words about his experience that I’ll never forget:
"The beauty in the midst of it was so staggering."
The context in which the young man said these words is truly life-changing. And I say "is" as opposed to "was" because I wish you to be present with those words for at least the next week.
Hold them in your silences. And look deeply in your own life where such words might apply.
And if you can begin to see their hidden relevance to the most unexpected of your own experiences, you will discover a brilliant new meaning and depth to your life.
Next week I’ll share with you who the guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show was and the story that led him to say such words.
Meanwhile, meditate on how "the beauty in the midst of" one of your own experiences "was so staggering."
What experience was it?
Was such beauty expected?
Or was this beauty, as in the case of Oprah Winfrey’s guest, a paradox?
A Gift?
The last thing you could have imagined under such circumstances?
And therefore, was such beauty an act of Grace?
Share your experience in the form at the bottom of this page. You will not only light up your own soul, you’ll light up the souls of thousands ofother Wealthy Soul readers from around the world.
A big bear hug to you,
Michael
** Why not be a true Wealthy Soul and share this newsletter with a friend? And if you have received this from such a friend, you may subscribe to the Wealthy Soul Newsletter or read about the Wealthy Soul books .
** Now, go ahead and add your own story how "The beauty in the midst of your own experience was so staggering."
Last week I shared with you a shocking statement made by a woman to a nun, which I later heard the nun share. The woman’s statement was:
"I hope my children die before I do."
I asked you to share with me and other Wealthy Soul subscribers why you thought the woman made that statement. You can view all your insightful responses on this blog at:
So before I tell you the rest of that story, I want to tell you what I saw recently on television that triggered me to recall the nun’s story, which I heard a number of years ago.
This is a short newsletter, with a quick question, and a powerful message.
It is a true story I heard told by a beautiful nun.
A woman she was speaking to made the shocking statement:
"I hope my children die before I do."
What’s your first reaction hearing something like that? I personally was horrified.
Share your thoughts about it in the comment box at the bottom of this page.
Write what you think the statement says about the woman who made the statement, what kind of person she must be, and what in the world might have motivated her to say something so appalling.
It’s important you share your feedback. You’ll see why when next week I tell you the shocking rest of this story about this woman.
Big hug to you! (You may need it after reading all of the above!).
Yours for the greatest wealth,
Michael
*** The extraordinary end to this story, believe it or not, relates to a famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model!
Share your comments below –
Dear L,
(See her letter below). Indeed, part of forgiveness is knowing that we are capable of handling the same situation if it arises again. People who forgive are people who know they will be able to handle the situation appropriately if it arises again.
"Turning the other cheek" only works as a technique of sorts. If it enlightens the person who is transgressing a trust, then it’s a valid technique and, indeed, the most effective one . . . for it allows for self-correction.
If, however, the other person continues doing the same thing, it obviously isn’t working. And continuing to turn the other cheek, as your mother did, will eventually breed the opposite of forgiveness – as it did with your mother.
But, when kind-hearted people like your mom later can’t forgive, who it is they can’t forgive is what’s interesting.
It no longer is the other person, but rather – for having permitted the transgressions to continue – it sadly becomes themselves.
And thus self-forgiveness is what truly becomes the first and most necessary spiritual act.
You’ve indeed learned many lessons. And thank you for all your kind words about the books.
God bless,
Michael Norwood
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
My mother used to say that when you love someone, it is easy to forgive them. I was always amazed at the way she did that with my father. She adored him for most of her life. But I knew since I was in the sixth grade, that my father didn’t love my mother, that his relationship to her was one of duty, obligation and much disrespect. He had at least two affairs, one that was longstanding till the time of his death. At the end of my mother’s life, she refused to be buried with him. I think your heart can be broken once too many times that there’s nothing left to give anymore.
Roy was a professional animal trainer; Siegfried a illusionist. Accidents with such a deadly species will bound to happen sooner or later. Humans are a flawed species; We can ‘t improve our imprefections. We have faults in our design. Like any species we try to perfect our skills; But we all can only do so much! We love our work no matter the consquence.
____________________
The Wealthy Soul:
Well said, Michael! There’s risks to everything.
And as another man once said, "I rather live a year as a tiger than a lifetime as a lamb."
(Jay’s original letter is below my response).
Dear Jay,
You’ve got a good heart, and I know continuing to support your son and his girlfriend seems a noble thing to do despite how apparently abusive they are to you.
But I’ve got to tell you, my friend, I believe in "tough love." I believe in accountability. And I believe in making people earn whatever greater favors you bestow them – especially misbehaving children.
Now, I didn’t say they have to "earn your love." That love is unconditional.
But I believe "turning the other cheek" is more a form of self-indulgence than true unconditional love.
I don’t mean to be hard on you Jay, because up until now, you’ve come to believe that that is what good parents do, and it probably stems from having been abandoned yourself as you described in your childhood.
But I believe (for whatever it’s worth) that when we allow anyone for any reason take advantage of our kind gestures, it is a disservice to ourselves and to them not to put them in their place.
And it is self-indulgent because perhaps it makes us believe we are being noble.
True kindness and true love is long-term. Long-term for your son and his girlfriend means molding them into being responsible loving adult – Wealthy Souls – and not people who believe they have everything coming them.
That means setting boundaries with them, and making them pay the consequences when they cross those boundaries.
Big subject here, Jay. But the bottom line is, you can believe that Siegfried and Roy knew well how to train their tigers. Their unconditional love was demonstrated when they didn’t lose their love for the tiger as a result of it’s one bad and nearly fatal action.
Learn how to "train" your little Tiger, my friend. Learn when to give him rewards, and when to (metaphorically speaking) bare the whip. He will eventually love you much more for that form of love than the formless kind you now are giving.
Otherwise, you indeed will find that your home becomes a cage, your son a wild animal, and your love destroyed by very predatory behavior.
God bless,
Michael Norwood
