A Royal Event

What do you mean your family doesn't dress-up in medieval costume on festive occasions...? Doesn't everyone?! Okay... I suppose I'd better provide a little context for the picture above.

Yesterday we attended the birthday party for our neighbor Lucas - he's 4 years old :o) Lucas decided that he wanted to celebrate his birthday with a costume party for the parents and friends that emulated his medieval play castle on their front lawn, hence a theme was born. After all, for last year's third birthday Lucas had received armor including a helmet, breastplate and sword - so why not continue the theme of the gallant knight?

We had no problem finding costumes as I have my ornate and beautiful kurtas from India to use as "royal" attire - add some miscellaneous costume jewelry and a crown from Burger King and voila! The Royal Family was born.

We all had a fun time, especially Natalie, my 12-year old niece who's been staying with us every other week and helping to take care of the neighbor kids, including Lucas, his brother Jack, and their new brother and sister twins born just 8 months ago. A full house under the age of 4! Natalie and I (Uncle Mike) have been enjoying the summer and spending time exploring the town, going out to movies, and having picnics by the lake.

What a fun summer to spend with my family! Thanks, Bemidji, for always welcoming me home :o)

The Ambassador

Inspiration From The World

Today I released my third photo book, Inspiration From The World - a book that began as set of 4 photo greeting cards which best expressed natural moments of inspiration from nature I received on my travels last year. The original set of 4 photographs has now grown to a collection of 20 images shot at various locations around the world, each designed to bring feelings of peace, hope and inspiration to those who view them. The photos were taken at following locations:

• Barcelona, Spain
• Rome, Italy
• Alps of Switzerland
• Salzburg, Austria
• Kerala, India
• Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Kandy, Sri Lanka
• Singapore
• Zermatt, Switzerland
• Bemidji, Minnesota
• Tea Fields of Sri Lanka
• Kabini, India

I feel so very privileged to have had the chance to visit these amazing destinations and bring back some of the natural beauty that exists there... what an adventure. You may view sample pages of the book (and my other books) at http://www.blurb.com/user/mthomas29

I hope this book brings to others the feelings of peace and inspiration these stunning places brought to me. Order your copy today (Best option: Hardcover, Dust Jacket) and begin to enjoy the beauty of the world in your own home. Such a lovely conversation starter to compliment high tea & biscuits in the solarium!

Namaste,

The Ambassador of Goodwill

The Power of Belief

In one of my favorite films, The Evening Star, Shirley MacLaine’s character, Aurora, states, “I have come to the conclusion there’s no such thing as a mistake. I think we all create what we need.” When I first heard those words I had a light bulb moment. Could I really be creator of my experiences based on the choices I was making?! The realization was profound.

In March I wrote a blog entry entitled The Next Step, in which I discussed the shift I was experiencing and how I'd decided to write a new "business plan for my life". A large part of this new business plan was devoted to my career and the direction I was headed. As I performed this exercise I realized that I had created my "job" as the center of my life - you know the story, go to work and make money so I can afford to pay rent, buy food, go out for an occasional dinner or coffee with a friend, pay my bills, yada yada yada... the usual routine. This has been my reality for many years. Why? Because that's what I chose to believe.

Well, guess what? (I can't tell you how many times my parents have heard me say that!) I changed my mind. Literally. My new business plan for my life included a new belief about my job and how I am going to earn money. Instead of having employment as the center of my life like some sort of feeding machine (I see the automatic milker replacing the mother pigs in the movie Babe), I now see the center of my life being about stepping into my true self, living my passion, and manifesting my vision - whether it be my books, photography, blogging - whatever makes me tick. Out of those activities will flow wonderful outputs such as experiences, relationships, and that golden word "revenue". Money will come as a result of stepping into my greatness... not the other way around. How could this be true? Because it's what I choose to believe.

Initially this shift occured in my mind, but as a direct result of tapping into my feelings and, most importantly, my intuition (spirit). And, like any other type of change, there are consequences... well, let's reframe that - there are results. When you change your mind you shift your energy. Suddenly you see things differently and some things (or people!) no longer fit your new reality. Thus, changes in relationships, career decisions, environmental influences, etc., will start to occur. However, this is part of the process. As you change on the inside, the outside of your life will also change.

So, in short, I have resigned from my job at Target, I'm moving out of my apartment, simplifying and scaling back in many areas of my life, and leaping into my new life without looking back. Why? Because those are the external results of my internal changes. How can I do this? Because I truly believe that "if you jump the net will appear" (thanks for that, Mary). I have faith that I will manifest the opportunties, people, and experiences to help me step even further into my greatness - to fulfill even more of the purpose for which I have been placed on this earth. Pretty cool, huh? :o)

As I move back out into the world please continue to follow my travels, read my insights on The Balance Factor, (buy my photography books! :o) as I continue to spread a message of connection and goodwill across the world. Who knows where it will take me next. I really have no idea what's going to happen, but I can't wait!

Peace.

The Ambassador of Goodwill

Who's Calling, Please??

"Hello."

"Yes, is this Mr. Soon_ _ _ airr _ _ barrg??"

"Almost. Who's calling, please?"

"Hello Sir. This is Todd Pimpkin calling from BankOne. How are you today?"

"Not interested."
(click.)

Ah, yes... a topic near and dear to all of our hearts. Telemarketing.

Most likely near, but definitely not dear, telemarketing is indeed a part of our reality. And the conversation above? That was me a few years ago before I finally got rid of my land line and went exclusively to a mobile phone. But even if you migrate to the land of cellular towers and satellite beams, the threat of unsolicited advice and "free trial" offers will continue to make its journey directly to your telephone. Congratulations! Didn't you read the fine print...?

However, in response to an ever-pressing need to "do something about this craziness", as my friend Shawn would say, I've compiled a few tactics and strategies you can employ to cope with the all-you-can-eat sumptuous buffet of delicious subsidies of which telemarketers are trained to feed you. It just so happened that I've prepared a short eLearning module (thanks to Tom Kuhlmann) giving you the latest lowdown on how to deal with telemarketers--well, with my "spin" of course. How could I resist?!

Click on this snap below to check it out:


I hope you enjoyed my lively and informative module. Just be thankful I didn't add a quiz or proficiency test. Oh, I've got it--just try out some of those lines on your next telemarketer and be sure to let me know the results, and if you do find true love you'd better invite me to the wedding! Now that would make quite a unique blog entry... hmm...

Incidentally, I produced this eLearning module using Articulate Presenter, one of the many quality products by Articulate, Inc., a growing technology company and global online community with whom I've had the privilege of partnering the past couple years, most recently producing a case study about creating effective blended learning from boring PowerPoint. Their products are quite easy to use (and affordable, as well ;o) Check them out!

Tomorrow I'm off to the Spring CEdMA Conference in San Jose to present the case study and assist more of our national training leaders with eLearning transition tools like Presenter. Getting back in the conference loop these past months has been such a great way to keep me "movin and shakin" since returning from India. After all, the best knowledge is that which is shared.

Happy Spring to All,

The Ambassador of Goodwill

Family Matters

This past week I had a fantastic visit from my sister, Becky. She was scheduled to attend a software workshop on Monday so she came down from Erhard (a small town located between Pelican Rapids and Fergus Falls, Minnesota) on Sunday and decided to stay with her brother "in the big city" for three days--right on!

Ever since returning from India a few months ago it's been rather quiet in my life, not like the noise and activity of my experience in Bangalore. This quiet often feels nice, but also feels a bit empty. One of the things I miss most about my expat life is having the other expats around. Living in our apartment building, Zen Gardens, was like a college dorm and Melrose Place wrapped into one--some excitement, some drama, some challenges, but lots of time together. It was my expat family! Even though we all had our own apartments we were never more than a few steps away from one another. Now I'm back up by myself in my corner apartment and I only know one of my neighbors so far... quite the change.

While Becky was here we spent the first couple of nights setting up her new laptop and watching episodes of The Office on DVD--what a hilarious show! We just sat there laughing. It was great :o) On Tuesday Becky came into work so I could give her a tour of Target Headquarters. We stopped by the Bullseye shop, visited the Target history displays, and stopped by my office before we headed off to lunch at Bank, a unique restaurant in the old Farmers & Mechanics Bank building which is now the new Westin Minneapolis Hotel. What an excellent time! Tuesday evening was a dinner party at my apartment with Becky joining my friends Blaine, Ryan and Megan. We had a great time breaking-in my new dining room table (purchased at Target, of course), eating Blaine's amazing dinner, laughing and sharing stories. It was so fun to bring people together. Between my monthly mixers, visits from family, and now a small dinner party, it's been so nice to have people in my apartment--it warms the space and keeps my apartment a "home".

Yesterday afternoon Becky's husband, Jim, and my nieces Nicki and Natalie stopped by to pick her up as they headed over to the U of M campus to watch Pelican Rapids play in the high school basketball tournament. Our mini-vacation came to an end, but not without three days of fun, laughter and good conversations. Sometimes it's those little spontaneous visits that make all the difference!

Whether it's my expat family from India, my family here in Minnesota, or my family of friends in Minneapolis, I am reminded once again that "family" comes in many forms--and spending time with them is so important. For family does, indeed, matter.

Peace.

The Next Step

You know how some days you're just ready for change? I realize that spring is still around the corner (especially after 6 inches of snow and subzero temps this week...), but I've been itching for something to shift. So in a moment of inspiration last week I decided to sit down and write a new business plan for my life. "A what?" you say... Yes, you heard me, a business plan for my life.

During a working session this morning with my good friend Bob Manning (mentioned in my last blog entry), we chatted about our current projects and I told him about my business plan. Bob's first reaction was, "Write about it!" So because he was inspired, I have also been inspired to write about it on my blog today. Here's the lowdown...

Until last week I'd always made short term plans--you know, like my top goals for the year on New Year's Day or planning my next monthly trip, etc., even created multiple "vision boards" over the years (see The Secret), but never really sat down and described what I wanted my entire life to look like. Actually, to be more precise, what I wanted my life to feel like (sometimes you have to believe before you see :o) So I got out a notepad & pen and decided to take the next step--write it out.

Now if you know me personally you'll know I've been actively editing my first book in The Balance Factor series for the past month, so writing's been taking up most of my free time; however, writing a book is much more challenging than I had assumed. When you can speak about something, that's great! Conversation flows because it's dynamic and has a lot to do with the context, your mood, and the relationship you have the person you're speaking to... but the written word does not. Words are not concerned with your mood or if you're having a good day--words are static. But this writing was different, so sitting down and writing something other than my book came as a welcomed relief!

What does a business plan for life include? Whatever you want it to. I just went down the list and made categories for my "big buckets" and then added bullet points for each:

• Career
• Home
• Family
• Finances
• Vision/Business/Projects
• Personal (Mind, Body, Spirit)

These were my top sections--many of which have subsections and bullets for each area, but the most important thing was that I took time to focus on what I really want to create in my life. Since I'm a firm believer that we all create what we need, I wanted to truly harness that power and create a life filled with what I want most--happiness and harmony. Hey, why not?!

Ever since I wrote down my personal business plan my energy has been shifting. Over the past week I've noticed in change in my level of focus and concentration, and when I get a little hazy or off kilter during my day I can glance back at my list and see where my thoughts and behaviors are aligning with my goals. I can ask myself, "Is what I'm doing/saying/being in-line with what I am wanting to create?" And that, my friends, is the ultimate question!

What an interesting exercise it's for me. I dare you to try it and see what it does for you...

Be Well,

The Ambassador of Goodwill

Passing It On

Last month I had the unique opportunity to visit Stillwater Junior High School to "pass on" some of my key insights and stories about living in India and being an expat. My good friend, Bob Manning--a fantastic teacher, global consultant, and visionary--had arranged for these presentations to his ninth grade Geography classes as a follow-up to a series of video Skype calls from India with the same students last Fall.

My presentation, Incredible India!, highlighted my reason for moving to India and the different stories, people, and traveling destinations I experienced during my 12 months there. The presentation is similar to the one I give at Target, but customized for the minds of ninth grade students. I loved showing some pictures, telling my many stories and sharing the differences and similarities of the Indian culture--reminding the students that even though we may look and sound differently on the outside, people are generally the same on the inside--warm, friendly and willing to teach you about their culture.

I encouraged the kids to travel, learn more about the world, and focus on our differences as strengths. The world is an amazing laboratory of learning just waiting to be experienced! My hope is that I could replace a fear of the world with a curiosity of it. The students seemed to enjoy the presentations and even made comments on my Michael's India blog. I even ended up in the Country Messenger regional newspaper and was touted as a "World Traveler"--how exciting! I felt so honored to be featured in their publication.

I know that I had received the many benefits of living and traveling abroad, so it's always nice to have the opportunity to pass it on. Thank you, Bob, for allowing me to do that!

Onward,

The Ambassador of Goodwill