Eustress

"There is power in the pressure of dissatisfaction, in the tension of temporary discomfort. This is the kind of pain you want in your life, the kind of pain that you immediately transform into positive new actions.

This kind of pressure is known as eustress as opposed to distress. Eustress can be a driving, positive force that pushes you forward to constantly increase the quality of your life for yourself and all those you have the privilege to touch. Ponder it; use it to spur you forward. Many people try to avoid pressure, yet the absence of any tension of pressure usually creates as sense of boredom and the lackluster experience of life that so many people complain about. In truth, when we feel excited, we feel a sense of pressure or tension within ourselves. However, the level of stress is not overwhelming, but rather stimulating.

There is a difference between being stressed out and being the master of stress. Use stress (eustress) to drive you in the direction your desire; it can generate tremendous transformation within you. By learning to utilize pressure and make it your friend instead of your foe, you can truly hone it into a tool that assists you in living life to the fullest. Besides, we need to remember that our stress level is self-induced. So let's induce it intelligently."

- Anthony Robbins, Awaken The Giant Within

Words To Live By

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand." Woodrow Wilson

Sean Brodrick Reports on U.S Mortgages

Thanks for this revelation Sean.

"I’m about to tell you something anecdotal, but it tells me that the mortgage system is truly broken, and mortgage lenders are doomed.

We had some wonderful neighbors who moved to a new neighborhood at the height of the housing bubble. They paid about $420,000 for their new home.

Now, the bubble has imploded. A home on the same street that they live on - the same model as their house - is LISTING for $185,000.

In other words, they are never getting their money back.

After discussing things over with a lawyer, they decided to stop paying their mortgage. The bank said pay up or we’ll foreclose. My friends told the bank: “Show us the official mortgage paper.”

The bank can’t do that, because it sold, sliced and diced that mortgage from here to Kingdom Come. The foreclosure went to court … and the judge threw the case out. So, our friends are living in their house rent-free - which they’ve been doing for months — while they see what happens next.

Now, a bunch of their other friends are talking about doing the same thing."

"Jaw Dropping" Snippets From Casey Research

By Jeff Clark, Senior Editor, Casey’s Gold & Resource Report

“There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll have a mania in gold. And because the gold and especially silver markets are so tiny, the rush into them will be like trying to push the contents of Hoover Dam through a garden hose. Our positions will go absolutely ballistic.” –Doug Casey, September 2009

The value, as measured by market capitalization, of all gold producers around the world is less than Walmart’s. Every gold stock would need to nearly double just for the industry to match ExxonMobil. The oil and gas industry is about 12 times bigger.

When your neighbors and relatives and co-workers and friends all start clamoring to buy gold stocks, the pressure on prices will be enormous, rocketing our positions upwards.

Meanwhile – and admitting we’re first and foremost gold bugs – the picture for silver is even more dramatic. The potential for silver stocks is jaw-dropping.

If the gold industry is tiny, then silver’s $9 billion market cap makes it a nano industry. The entire silver industry is over 21 times smaller than gold’s! If gold explodes, silver will go supernova.

Consider these macro-facts about a micro-market and what they reveal about silver’s enormous potential:

• There are over 200 companies in the S&P 500 with a market cap larger than the entire market of silver producers
• There are five times more gold stocks than silver.
• Total silver production in 2008 was valued around $10.3 billion (at today’s prices). That represents just 1.5% of the $700 billion bailout last year, and 0.006% of the current U.S. monetary base.
• Of the 20 largest silver producers, only five actually call themselves a “silver” company, due to the fact that about 73% of all silver mined is a byproduct of other metals mining.

Any flood into the silver market would overwhelm it. In other words, the rise will be stunning. While it’s not going to happen tomorrow, I strongly suggest you get on board before that rocket ship takes off.- Jeff Clark

Join Me at i5

Join Me at i5

Something interesting is unfolding over here at I5. It's still in the development stage but these guys are onto something.

SOD - Potent Antioxidant

For those of you that take your health very seriously, I would like to share a quote from Dr. Howard Peiper from his book "Polysaccharides Polypeptides, Natures Healing Miracles".

"Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an extremely potent antioxidant enzyme that fights cellular damage from single oxygen molecules (also known as free radicals). As an enzyme, SOD has particular value helping to protect against cell destruction. Research suggests that SOD may be the most important enzyme in the body for the control of free radicals, keeping our cell membranes young, supple, and healthy(anti-aging). Although SOD has been sold as a supplement, research shows that oral SOD is destroyed by the digestive system before it can fight free radicals and repair damaged joints. This suggests that the most viable means of building healthy levels of SOD in the body would be to consume natural food substances that bind protein to SOD and therefore deliver it via the digestive system to the body, without being destroyed in the gut. Polysaccharides / polypeptides facilitate that process and increase the level of SOD in the body."

Get Your polysaccharides/ polypeptides today

Brilliant Video

You gotta love email. Occasionally a link comes in from a friend that really turns your crank. We sometimes forget about the value of sport and competition when deriving meaning in the bigger context of life. Half time shows are filled with too much hot air often times served up more for the ego's of broadcasters than the benefit of viewers. What I would like to hear from these guys is more analysis pertaining to the aesthetics and finesse of the sporting skills. Watch this six minute video to get your fresh week off to a great start.

http://digdeepwithin.com

Mentioned at The Racquet Network

Well, it looks like I've been quoted over at The Racquet Network. Brent Johner is doing an admirable job of facilitating participation in racquet sports and it looks like his network has grown world wide.

Share The Bar

Share The Bar
This thing is just rolling out but all signs look positive. Folks behind it seem very strong.

The Power of Now - A Book Review

Upon receiving a recommendation from my brother to read this book, I figured I'd give it a go because it would give us something to deliberate. One is often leary about receiving a recommendation on subject matter that deals in self-development because of a sense that someone thinks that someone else needs some fixing but I put this notion aside and gave my local Indigo book store the business.

No, Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now" does not deal with procrastination. It deals with "the mind" and man's propensity to allow the mind to dominate over the active present thereby restricting our ability to access a sense of "being". Tolle describes the mind as the road block that prevents us from achieving a state of "being" and"consciousness". We are said to be "unconscious" if our mind and thought muddles us in "time". Yes, Tolle uses the word "time" throughout the book in a way which can be difficult to understand. Apparently "time" refers to historical events that create predispositions and judgments in our processing of the "now". Hence, our "now" becomes tainted with our experiences unless we've discovered freedom from our past. Most of the book is concentrated around this theme. The theme is revisited with anecdotes and postulations from an italicized character. Herein, it is an effective method of expression.

The introduction deals with the concept of "God" versus "being" and Tolle admirably represents the anxiety surrounding "God" without offending any religion while keeping any worshippers of "God" inside the fold of the text. Fearlessly, Tolle desribes "emotion" as a place where mind and body meet and hence one is compelled to question the merit of emotion if "mind" is an abberant variable to "being". Yet, in a subsequent passage, he exclaims that "glimpses of love and joy or brief moments of deep peace are possible when a gap occurs in the stream of thought." Tolle states that "if you are pulled into unconscious identification with the emotion through lack of presence, which is normal, the "emotion" temporarily become "you". Ultimately, one can imagine the behavioural ramifications if states of unconsciousness persist?

The importance of forgiveness is examined in terms of liberating the burden of "time" and the inner body is identified as a place of focus when seeking the presence of now. "Chi" is thought to be the link between the "unmanifested" and the physical universe. "The unmanifested by way of negation expresses that which cannot be spoken, thought, or imagined." The book is purposefully repetitive because the author is intent on conditioning the reader with his material.

In closing, Tolle does make reference to applications for obtaining a state of "being" such as transforming illness into enlightenment or the eradication of anxiety or paranoia. It was a fitting way to close.

Hanging Out Together

Thank you Stephanie for the wine and cheese invite. T'was a great group and the human's need for affinity has never been stronger in an era of isolation and marital strife. I was alarmed by the number of couples that you have encountered in your travels that have split up!

Coaching theory outlines the desire for "affiliation" among the top motivators of young athletes to participate in sport. I contend that the desire persists throughout life. It's unfortunate that some groups have an element of dysfunction due to competing agendas or agendas misaligned with the common good. Perhaps, groups are best suited for certain sizes. Perhaps, checks and balances implemented can safeguard any abuses of the individual that could potentially arise from the psychology of a group dynamic. Perhaps, leadership can become overly zealous with belief systems and structure that become burdensome for the individual to express one's autonomy. A capitalist system justifiably upholds the individual as the source of economic energy - yet civilizations require the synergy of groups for conducting social discourse.

Party "whips" are at work to ensure that politicians maintain the party line while casting votes in government. Principled dogma overtakes practical jurisprudence when developing laws that matter and have meaning to average people. Corporate elite carve their influence and agendas into the minds of men hired to serve the populous. Groups ultimately must be careful not to lose their way and fall victim to causes unbecoming of their purpose to be.

System - Running It or Running You?

It was only a mere fifteen years ago that only academics accessed the internet to share research material. How times have changed. In the age of technology we've seen companies like Google, Apple and Adobe Systems rocket to the top as market leaders by market capitalization while PC's and laptops have become the instruments whereby home based entrepreneurs now thrive. These technolgy behemoths have become powerhouses by tapping into market niches and have actually impacted consumers habits of working and living. The next wave of wealth is already here while the time clock punchers of traditional business worry for their pay cheques. Technology companies have proven that people are actively seeking out efficiencies in the ways they live their lives and I suggest that the foundational platforms for exploiting business systems has arrived. We can plug into a new way of doing business through technology or wait for the inevitable demise of traditional business forms. The manufacturing sector transferred to China and the communications service industry transferred to India are not coming back any time soon. We need to operate our financial lives in the arena that's been showcased for our era.

Courteous or Curt

Aug 24, 09....Mankind appears to take great pride in being busy. I hear it everyday because I'm a recruiter part time (of which I also take great pride). My friend Chris has a great question for most that espouse such ominous schedules. "What do you like the best about that." I use it all the time now and get a royal kick out the the reactions from everyone. Do you think maybe I might have had one lonely soul answer succinctly with a philosophy that exudes rational thought? Nope. Perhaps then we should reconsider how we are spending our time. Now, I complement this supposition with the notion that way too many of us are not taking the time deserved when conducting normal human relations and it's impacting the quality of our lives. So, next time that we are waiting in line, or speaking with someone whom needs a listening ear, or witnessing a driver that needs a lane change, or identifying an elder that could use your chair, let's do the right thing. We need to reverse the trend. It all starts with yours truly including I.

Proud To Be in The X Section

The Stampeders game last night was something to behold. I've never seen fans like those carrying Rider pride from Saskatchewan. They pretty much consumed our X section at McMahon last night....and they got just what they came for. It was looking a little bleak for them after a touchdown was called back with time becoming dear in the closing minutes but with the wind in their face, a well time throw put a galloping wide out in the end zone with a mere minute left on the clock and a one point margin of victory. I didn't envy the event staff attempting to banish the rider pride flag waving.

The wind gusts that blew down the stage at Camrose's Big Valley Jamboree last night briefly hit us in the stadium albeit with less intensity. Condolences to families affected by the event's stage collapse at Big Valley and also the parents of the toddler downtown Calgary whom lost their young one due to falling building debris.

The Things You Believe

"It takes great effort and discipline for personal success, and your belief window determines how effectively you are able to perform because it ultimately controls all of your choices and actions. Our belief window is shaped by the facts or ideas we accept as truth and our personal experience as it relates to those facts. The speed of life presents a constant, unending flow of information that contains a mixture of fact, truth, myth, rumor, and in some cases downright deception."

"Your belief window doesn't always provide a wholly accurate view, however. This potentially results in significant errors in the way your mind filters the information that passes through it. What are the consequences of your belifef window framing something incorrectly?"

Tony Jeary - Strategic Acceleration

First Things First

What do you value? Where do family, personal growth, spirituality, health and exercise rank on your priority list? Are your activities and the amount of time devoted to your priorities congruent with your values? Most people spend hours each day on professional responsibilities while the things they cherish receive only a few moments' attention. Covey challenges you to reevaluate the way you look at your time, and leave a legacy by devoting your time and energy to putting first things first. (Publisher: Free Press, 1996)

http://www.amazon.com/First-Things-Stephen-R-Covey/dp/0684802031/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247005058&sr=1-1

Little Something from Philippians

2.i-iv
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than hiself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Appleton surges on Gold Assays

Appleton Explorations Inc.'s shares traded tremendous volume last week with the news of a ten metre intersection grading just over six ounces gold per tonne. These numbers would have caused a ballistic uptick prior to the fiasco from Busang but naturally the market is now tempered to numbers that are anomalous on the upside. However; the company managed to trade volumes that earned a ranking in the top five of all issues on the Canadian venture exchange last week. It's important to note that on a fully diluted basis, the company only has 55 million shares outstanding and any news that corroborates these results could provide stimulus to rocket the stock. Undoubtedly, company warrants will now be in the money and hence funds for continued exploration will be readily available. Obviously, this a a stock for any speculators watch list. (v.aex).

Life and times, An Assessment

This past year has been tumultuous to say the least on the economic front. Looking back and recalling the news headlines as we lurched into recession, I get the feeling that most pundits and politicians don't have a clue what to think about what lies ahead, yet they spew much rhetoric regardless. One week the sky is falling and the next week we're screaching forward with surging stock prices. Here is what we know for sure. There has been a significant up move in commodity prices. Oil has been a stellar performer and natural gas seems to be skimming near a bottom. Junior equities have bounced hard from their November 2008 bottoms and hence those that held their noses and bought before Christmas are looking like market magicians. This influx in capital as injected by G8 governments is definitely starting to take effect but the jury is out whether this infusion will do more harm than good in the long run. I'm still a believer in holding junior gold producing companies given the difficulties facing fiat currencies right now.

Strangers With Good Ground Srokes

You just never know who you might meet while walking in the park. While basking in a beautiful spring Wednesday over at Prairie Winds Park having pulled myself from a tax file, I strode across the singles tennis back board and stumbled into brief pleasantries with a quiet spoken British fellow. It was his first day out and without a partner and assuming he was a novice, I introduced him to a web site where he can pick up a hitting partner. I did one of those - "and one more thing" exits and gave him my card mentioning that I play.......a splendid move indeed 'cause we just got off the court. The fellow has played for over 40 years and his ground strokes are excellent. He competed here in Calgary as a youth and I'm blessed to have made a new friend and hitting partner. Let's continue spinning the ball between the baselines Sandy Man.

Pragmatism or Passion

You wake up and go about your day doing the things you enjoy, the things that make you responsible, and the things that hopefully make a difference in the lives of others. Routines and rush hours take hold and then the slippage of time prompts some pondering of best utilization of your uniqueness. Plan A becomes Plan B and the rational overtakes instinctiveness in a complex world muddled by expectations of others. You breathe in the context of a summation of past decisions - oftentimes stymied instead of stirred. Your innocence darkens like the extinguishing coals of fire meant for future promise. The belief in the invisible spirit comes under question until you emerge yet this time rebuking all things logical all of the time.

Collegial Governing

Sentiment among market prognosticators this week is that all things economic are on the rebound. It doesn't appear conducive to one's political career in Washington right now to speak ill of Obama's policies and plans. Hence; I see trouble brewing. Rarely, have we seen such dramatic growth in government in such a short time span. Not only have we witnessed a gargantuan increase in the size of U.S debt but we've seen the federal U.S government become a large stake holder in banks and auto companies which must gnaw at the ideals of market capitalists. The ABC - This Week's round table this morning was all punditry and spin with respect to a political appointment but lacking in candor on the merits of taxpayer bailouts and equity stakes in corporations. Governor of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney, this morning exclaimed that the Canadian bank rate will remain at 0.25% until mid 2010 which leads me to wonder about the confidence economists have in Canadian business to exert risk capital efficiently in an environment of government prolificacy.

Calgary Investment Conference Review

This years attendance at the gold show was probably off by 25%. What struck me the most was the lack of conviction in market views. It seems like all the newsletter writers are starting to hedge in lieu of some market miscalculations. Many of the same folks that have predicted the market meltdown now seem to be growing cautious in their forecasting. Nobody wants to risk their reputations by taking previous dire predictions to the next level of down tick on the DOW. However; I give them some latitude in the wake of enormous economic stimulus provided by governments which logically speaking should give lift to the markets once funds find their way back into equities.

I enjoyed a brief chat with Ron Schorr of Maudore Minerals. He's a quiet man whom has been working diligently at proving up a high grade gold resource in Quebec. Gordon Keevil of Selkirk Metals spoke eloquently on his zinc project near Revelstoke, B.C. He is confident of his ability to put this in production with a partner and believes that the metallurgy is simple.

As usual, Jay Taylor was a shining star of the event speaking with the sincerity and charisma that has put him on television and internet radio with his commentary.

All and all, it was a worthwhile venture out this past Saturday. The crowd was older and subdued - undoubtedly shell shocked by market events.

Thanks Anita

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."~Mother Teresa (Let's Follow Her Lead). Thanks to Anita for her update.

Subscribers to Twitter are fabulous at digging up some stunning quotes. I appreciate their efforts. It's a place for the banal and the brilliant depending on whom you "follow". It's remarkable the press that this new social cyber tool has attracted lately.

As a loyal follower to the Korelin Economics Report, I'd also like to congratulate Jay Taylor on the launch of his new radio program on Voice America. Jay appears regularly on BNN up here in Canada and his model portfolio (resource stocks with an emphasis on precious metals) has performed exceptionally well during this period of market instablility. This is a fellow that articulates his positions well and I look forward to seeing him live in Calgary on the weekend of April 4th when he appears at the Gold Show.

Reaction to Toxic Asset Purchase Plan

Okay - I finally found a cerebral response to this new rescue plan unveiled by Treasury Secretary Geithner yesterday.

http://tinyurl.com/d8ll34

Crisis of Confidence

Tom Brokaw is sounding better at the receiving end of questions in his twilight years as a reporter. He eloquently spoke of the mood in America this morning on MTP. Washington and Wall Street are out of touch with Main Street America and this fiasco of bonus payouts to executives of companies receiving tax payer bailout money is ultimately coming to symbolize the disconnect.

The most stunning of proclamations made in criticsm of the new Secretary of the Treasury revolves around Wall Street's criticsim that Mr. Geithner has not been "creative" enough in helping solve the financial crisis. Hasn't it been "creativity" with derivative products that got the U.S into this pickle. Imagine removing the creativity and letting losers who fail lose.

Relaxing, Friendly Way to Earn On Line

Settlers of B.C's Cariboo

While sipping on a Sleeman last night I pulled out an old book that I've been meaning to flip through that gives an historical account of the Wells /Barkerville area of B.C. Bill Hong took up the hobby of compiling his memoires in the '70's much to the appreciation of folks that follow the early days of gold mining. Things were a lot different back then. There weren't the environmental laws on the books that now prevent alluvial excavations. "And So..That's How It Happened" will likely be out of print now but it has some great old photos from the town of Stanley which no longer exists. Bill highlights some old tales of how the gold miners kept themselves entertained. He depicts all the different working in all the various creeks disbursed through the Barkerville region. In 1905, there were about 500 people in the town of Stanley during the summer months, 200 of which were of Chinese descent. Bill point out in his foreword that "the significance of the role of the Chinese have not properly been recognized" in the settling of these small mining communities.

Ecommerce Community Convulses

March 9, 09
Ann Sieg has created quite the buzz with her new report titled the "Marketers Manifesto". A very good read indeed.

Economic Excess Excised

Mar 3, 09
Jaw dropping aberrations from capitalist norms have inundated the pysche of politicians, regulators, and market analysts alike. Who would have thought - other than legendary Richard Russel (founder of Dow Theory) that the indexes would see these levels today? On second thought, I guess that Ian Gordon has been talking this up for a good while along with Jim Willie and Doug Casey. I know - good chance you've never heard of them because they were all considered unworthy of attention due to some screws being loose. Funny what unfolds away from the fold. The only mantra that hasn't yet come to fruition for these mavericks of market musings is skyrocketing junior gold share prices and consistent four figure bullion. Obviously still a developing story.

Fearless Youth at The Aussie Open

Jan 24, 2009
Occasionally you stumble acrose moments of athletic genius upon channel surfing late into the evening. TSN puts on its top ten hightlights of the night which oftentimes gives reason to pause. However; tonight the last half of the deciding set between Alize Cornet and Dinara Safina in the round of sixteen down under was raucous. With the favourite Safina down 5-2 and two breaks of serve, she came screaming back like a ferocious tiger. In no way shape or form did the nineteen year old Cornet wilt with fatigue because her ground strokes were matching in heaving power and topspin. The kid just out of juniors was simply the target of a rejuvenated Safina destined to step through to the finals and ultimately into the number one world ranking. We'll see how things wind up with the rest of the draw.

In The Shadow of Others' Dreams

Feb 3, 2008
Today at 6:30 pm EST, tens of millions from around the world will tune into watch men thrust themselves at each other at what's called the "line of scrimmage". It's a place where two teams of 5-7 people exert physical pressure at this notional line with the goal of assisting the advancement of a ball carrier or defending against him. Nothwithstanding interceptions or fumbles, it's a struggle where ball control and time of possession and the ability to convert field position into "touchdowns" can lead to victory. Meanwhile, the lives of desperate souls looking for meaning in an otherwise mundane world of shift work and routine throw their spirits into something that will mean nothing to them on the Monday after. Humankind's ability to foster faith and hope in a sporting event where oftentimes none exists in a professional life is something to behold. A culture void of substance at the community level appears readily eager to become enraptured in the circus of a media driven football game heavily interrupted with station breaks. Theses commercials are carefully crafted with the aim of pilfering the pockets of beer chuggling men whose minds may be absent from concrete goals or aspirations but if fulfilled could someday put them on a similar centre stage.

Go West Young Man

Nov 2, 2007
I woke up this morning to a Canadian dollar, jobless rate, oil price, and gold price that have all flirted with all time records. The pace of Canadian currency ascent has absolutely shocked all. Recruiters are holding seminars in Toronto encouraging folks hit by the manufacturing sector to jump on the commodity boom and come west while shoppers boycott stores reluctant to match U.S prices. Suddenly, Canada is becoming something more of an economic footnote with expertise, capital markets, and reserves of energy and materials available for exploitation. Governments appear prudent and reliable notwithstanding some peculiar posturing on non-economic matters. Indeed, it's a different kind of environment from the recession of 81-82 (my senior high school year). Young workers are walking from job to job nowadays with ever increasing rates of pay in the industrial parks of Calgary. Brand new commercial condo bays are under development in the vast city outskirts as are office towers downtown (twelve in all). Good luck finding parking in the cities' core. Apparently, it's among the richest parking spaces in North America. Last week's news of a royalty rate increase in the oil patch is all but forgotten in lieu of awe inspiring economic indicators.

Hard Done By Auto Workers

Oct 6, 2007

Amaaazing. Oshawa couple are stunned that they are going to be losing their $70,000 per year jobs at the GM plant. Yes each. $70,000 each for unskilled assembly line labor work. How often have the smothering legacy costs of GM been reported in the financial news over the past two years? Too many to count on fingers and toes for certain but all of a sudden the McAuliffe's are surprsised. Trish says, "but when you have based your life and your plans on having a certain income, it feels like the rug has been pulled out from under you." Well, earth to Trish - we live in a global economy where capitalism has won out. You probably should have started retraining twenty years ago with the launch of the NAFTA free trade deal. Consider yourself lucky that your overpaid menial work has lasted this long. I suggest that you stand up straight, look into the mirror and start taking responsibility for your families welfare in the context of the global economic reality instead of laying blame at the feet of some entity that you thought was going to look after you throughout your adult years. Countries outside North America have simply done a better job at building cars more efficiently, more cost effectively, and with more sensitivity to the market place. Guess what Trish - capitalism produces winners and losers. GM is losing and must make decisions to adjust back to the winners circle. Had you spent some time and energy observing the trends in your industry, you may have forecasted your plight. It is people in your precise demographic that don't seem to have enough "time" to examine a home business. Well perhaps, now you are better positioned. Unfortunately, you could have transitioned yourself nicely while still in the employ of GM.

Quiet Lives of Desperation

Aug 30, 2007

Was out for a run this morning before sunrise and was shocked to see the major arteries filling with cars at such an early hour. Thankfully, my inspiration and guding light has paved the path of self determination. An associate and I were exchanging thoughts last night and she confirmed the depth of fear that she has been encountering in the lives of people holding jobs. Upon concurring with her assessment, I am comfortable exclaiming that for most, the prospect of plunging into a commitment based on resolve of the self in the spirit of ultimate entrepreneurial expression is too much of an undertaking. Most people have not brought themselves to the threshold of demanding change. Excuses have often worked so well over time that they continue to be a good crutch.

"If you are an employee and feel out of control, consider what you can do on a part-time basis (ie. start a part-time business) to change that. You will be amazed at how quickly your confidence increases, just from feeling more in control of your life."

- Donald Trump -

Economic Realities Today

July 24, 2007

The sub prime mortgage market continues to head south, the U.S dollar continues its nose dive, the GDP in China continues at its torrid pace all while Canada benefits from rising commodity prices. Little is known about the accelerated pace of mining financings over the past 18 months but something very interesting is going on. Junior mining companies with credible management and resources in the ground are spiking higher in share value while a sense of complacency is overhanging non resource based blue chip equities. The general market has been awakened to the prospects of satisfying China and the Indian sub continent's overwhelming appetite for raw materials. Bay Street analysts have been proven wrong again by their suspicion of a temporary blip in upward metals prices. This bull market appears to have legs.

I anticipate more manufacturers in the U.S to be beaten up by in the short term. Interest rates must rise if the U.S administration intends to appeal to the saturated Asians whom are reaching their fill of U.S dollar denominated U.S debt. The consumer is destined to hit the wall when faced with unmanageable monthly payments. Keep you eyes pealed for the "Plan B" that could potentially become your savior.

http://excellenceonly.net

Our Longest Days

June 24, 2007

June is my favorite month because of the late sunset and the emergence of female mid riffs. I can loiter around the tennis court with acquaintances made while looking for hitting partners. It's refreshing learning about the lives of new people. The paved trails have been groomed for blading, and the driving range fills with hopefuls that the swing will be better this year. People seem to reach out a bit more in the spring. Vacation planning hits full stride with families more engaged as school winds down. The soccer pitch behind my home is abuzz with cheers of triumph.

June is also a time where we look forward to the Stampede here in Calgary (1st week in July). There are many cynics that observe the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" as over commercialized and too expensive. Well. I suppose another source of income would help! The events are very well organized and few details are left amiss. It is a time when the whole city likes to spend and celebrate.

Rockets Red Glare

June 11, 2007

Well the Albanians love George Bush and ya can bet it's not 'cause of his personality. This is a nation that has struggled asserting its autonomy and sees George Bush as a symbol of freedom and hope. The nightly news is a huge reminder of the privilege bestowed upon us first world democratic citizens. It hurts me on a daily basis to witness hopeless souls trade time for money in low paying jobs without deploying the seeds of capitalism as a tool to improve their lives. Internet and e-commerce is now available to the masses. The cost of entry has now declined to the point where the capital risk component has been eliminated. If you are reading this message now, I encourage you to get informed. If you are not a professional, a traditional business owner burdened with a large capital outlay, a tradesman stuck in the bush, or independently wealth, then please do some reading on the growth of e-commerce and non-traditional business. A great place to start would be to listen to the video on my page. This man has a message for you.

Busted Out

June 2, 2007

The sly poker players realize that they'll bust out many more times than make trips to the final table. Family, friends, and associates will look upon them as operating with a few loose screws but the brave soldiers on fully cognizant that with practice comes experience and ultimately an adjustment in conditioning and ultimately success. However; the stubborn seldom succeed. The conditioned response must remain pliable and accepting of the cards that are dealt. In fact the inkling affinity of some conspiracy against success must evaporate from any hint of operation in the subconscious mind for the cards to start falling in favor. Such is often the way in life.

I met a smart 23 year old young man in a line up today. Upon learning that he was working in production for a steel fabrication company, I was surprised given that he had the look of a college preppie. Good on him to exploit a red hot economy right now while his friends spend the big bucks on tuition. I was impressed by his open mind. Youth have no fear because they've had fewer hands to play but are keen to engage in a heads up confrontation. Fold'em or raise, most winners take stabs at the pot.

Little Bit of Eustress

May 21, 2007

Learned this term in "Growth and Development" class in university. Was reminded of it on a conference call a few months back and again today upon leafing through one of my fave's by Mandino.

"All too often we humans indulge in the cowardice of being too 'careful', selling out for a promise of security. And we get cheated. You've ssen it. The futility of using ones job as a place to hide. It's futile to live for some future time when things will be different, believing that as soon as 'I'm older,' richer,' 'more educated,' (or in a more sophisticated vein: 'when I finish my therapy') then all will be well ....dream on, for these are but futile delusions."

- Og Mandino

The thoughts you processed today are enormous and they make up your identity which oftentimes goes unpublished and open to constant editing. The filter is mostly set to high and Og claims that you "insure yourself against danger." Indeed, we've been conditioned to hold back in a fashion confined to society's norms but have we not taken this lesson too far by repressing our inner most sanctum which reflects our true identity? Since when has the liberty police imposed sanctions against your free will to act passionately in a way that serves yourself and your fellow man? Speak up and be heard my friends.

"The pilgrims and the people with Columbus didn't board up on three ships and come to America to get a job." - Severn