Shaolin Monks Teach us How to Live in the Moment

The art of kung fu did not start as a way to strengthen the body to become an incredible fighting machine. The shaolin monks developed exercises to strengthen the mind and body so they could sit for longer periods of time. Their aim was enlightenment through meditation, not to become an 11th degree black belt.

Yes, they did become great warriors but nobody would have ever known that if they didn’t attack the temple. Then those seemingly peaceful sitting monks showed the attackers what’s what. When the shoalin monks came to visit our school they did not do any aerial kicks, break through concrete, fend off multiple attackers… No they just sat there and answered questions through an interpreter.

Many people flocked from all over the city to come to see these monks, most were disappointed not to see any flashy martial arts. What I saw was three incredible gentle spirits connected to each and every moment.

Look at their eyes in the above picture.

What do you see in these shaolin monks? Self-acceptance? Self-esteem? I see benevolent spirits that accept every moment as a gift. They train rigorously for long hours simply to revel in each and ever moment they have on this planet; to bare witness to beauty inherent in nature.

When leaving the school a student said to me, "I thought the shaolin monks were going to do a demo, show us some of their kung fu."

I replied, "Well, you should have attacked one of them. They would have showed you something."

How many of us in this fast-paced society never slow down and allow those moments of Now to overpower our busy-ness? Our minds are always so preoccupied with school, work, relationships, money and we rarely stop to revel in this incredible wondrous world so full of fascination and beauty.

When things get tough in life like an insecure job, severing a relationship, or losing a loved one can we still find the beauty? Can we see past the prickly thorns in life and still enjoy the beauty of the roses? What if we treated each moment like it was our last? Even the not-so-good moments...

Over the Edge:

A Zen Story

One day while walking through the wilderness a man stumbled upon a vicious tiger. He ran but soon came to the edge of a high cliff. Desperate to save himself, he climbed down a vine and dangled over the fatal precipice. As he hung there, two mice appeared from a hole in the cliff and began gnawing on the vine. Suddenly, he noticed on the vine a plump wild strawberry. He plucked it and popped it in his mouth. It was incredibly delicious!

Visit Mark Joyner for more of his

personal development brain puzzle cartoons.

In life are you focused on the weeds or the flowers?

Message: The Healing Power of Human Touch

The healing power of human touch is such a positive experience that many people enjoy the benefits for days, sometimes weeks, after the process. If you are a martial artist it is important to treat yourself to bodywork conducive to your unique needs. Martial artists who receive regular bodywork tend to be more focused, more relaxed and efficient in their movements. And, more importantly, suffer less injury. But the benefit of massage does not limit itself to the martial artist alone. Anybody in any occupation can benefit from the increased vitality and wellness a it can bring. Massage can:

1) Help improve circulation of the blood and lower blood pressure.

2) Act as a detoxification system by propelling toxic waste products through the lymphatic system.

3) Help to improve muscle tone and prevent muscular atrophy resulting from inactivity or illness.

4) Reduce emotional stress and promote a sense of well-being.


How can something as simple as this hands-on therapy have so many positive benefits? A tense or painful muscle is one which is often chronically contracted. In an acute situation such as recent injury, the muscle can be in actual spasm. This contraction or spasm decreases the flow of blood to the muscle, which leads to a decrease in the nutrient and oxygen supply to the cells of the muscle and related nerves. A chronically contracted muscle will build up lactic acid, a sign of fatigue. This oxygen shortage and lactic acid build up irritates the nerve cells, which perpetuates the contracted muscles. Massage can help remove the lactic acid and other metabolic waste products from the cells and reverse this process, interrupting the vicious cycle of pain-spasm-pain.

There are a multitude of styles which are beneficial, depending upon the individual's needs and preferences. They include:

Swedish: this is the basic "relaxation" style of bodywork, which uses long strokes, squeezing and kneading. The Swedish practitioner helps to improve circulation by working to loosen or relax the superficial layers of muscle. This type of massage is particularly useful for muscles which are already sore from stress or a tough workout, as it is often more gentle than other styles.

Sports: this form of massage works on a deeper level of musculature or connective tissue. This style fits more with the "no pain, no gain" philosophy. The therapist uses slow, hard strokes and deep, sustained finger pressure to work deeply into the contracted muscles, fascia and tendons. This technique increases flexibility, encourages muscles to work at their fullest capacity, and speeds up the healing process by reducing swelling following an injury. It is especially indicated for athletes and "week-end warriors" who suffer from tight or sore muscles.

Shiatsu and Acupressure: rather than being simply relaxing, this form of bodywork tends to be invigorating. Fingers, thumbs, fists and elbows are used to apply pressure to points along acupuncture meridians, which are believed to be the energy pathways of the body. The focus of this type of therapy is on relieving blocks in the pathways and rebalancing the flow of energy.

Reflexology and Zone Therapy: reflexology works on the assumption that parts of the feet (as well as parts of the ears and hands) correspond to other parts of the body's anatomy. In other words, stress or illness in a certain part of the body may show up as a painful or sensitive area on a specific area of the foot. Practitioners of Reflexology apply pressure to the side, top or bottom of the feet to help reduce dysfunction in other parts of the body.

Not all techniques work for everyone, so make sure to inquire about the philosophy and style of the massage therapist you call. If your massage isn't as satisfying as you had hoped, don't give up. Try another therapist! Massage therapy schools are a cost-effective way to test out different styles of massage; senior students generally work for lower fees while they complete their internship.

There are a few conditions in which massage would not be a good option, such as marked inflammation, fever, significant swelling or very severe pain. But for the garden variety aches and pains that most of us experience, as well as for the general stresses of life, massage is an outstanding way to treat ourselves to a positive, revitalizing experience.

Will Your Children be Swallowed by the Waves of Change in the 21st Century?

Below: A Vital Blue Print to Ensure Your Children Can Stay on the Crest of Innovation and Change

We live in a time that demands a new agility and flexibility: kids and adults alike must embrace certain attributes to prepare for a future that is rushing at them faster than ever before.

High self-esteem, confidence, and focus are not only attributes of a successful life they are attributes of survival in this new era of rapid-change.

This is no secret.

Most parents and educators understand that children need high self-esteem to thrive in this filled-with-opportunities era we live in right now.

But, how do we make them understand?

Accelerated Learning Model

This Accelerated Learning article comes from information I interpreted from Introducing NLP by Joseph O’Connor & John Seymour. This is an excellent book that should be on every teacher’s book case.

Important Note: Dynamic Balance does not stand as an authority on any system or model. Nor do we believe that children fit nicely into categories.

In fact we believe that trying to fit children into psychological compartments is as counterproductive as jamming 30 students in a classroom and expecting them all to learn in the same way.

What we seek out are flexible tools that anybody can use. NLP is a practical tool for thinking and acting effectively. At Dynamic Balance we are learning, too; not by thinking, but by acting and safely experimenting with new ideas.

Our biggest challenge is how to deliver these ideas to you in a way they understand and can internalize. Two projects to date have been: The Human Touch and The Eye of the Storm

Often children look at education as a chore. And who can blame them? What they don’t realize is that they learned more before going to school than in the classroom.

Think about it.

Walking, talking, running, playing. They discovered amazing things like how a ball will roll, a cube will not; by crying out they could receive food, hugs and kisses, or a toy.

Now think about this. If your children had the language and negative belief to say, “I can’t!” when learning to walk, where would they be right now?

In fact every time they failed and fell on their cushioned diaper you probably clapped and cheered, “Way to go! You almost did it!”

Everything we do at Dynamic Balance is based around the fact that every child is different and, more importantly, already knows how to learn. We aim to help them remember what works best for them. It begins with attitude.

Accelerated Learning: Attitudes for Success

What do you remember most from school? I can safely say that it probably isn’t any particular material. Yes, you may remember reading Shakespeare for the first time in high school or another book that anchored within you during your K12 years. If so that only shows the power of stories, not education per se.

The fact is children are taught many subjects at school and forget most of them by the time they reach adulthood. The missing link in the public school system is that children are not taught how to learn; they do not understand how to achieve success. For the most part they are taught to memorize.

We believe that education should foster the healthy state of the whole student to emerge naturally, maximizing her innate potentiality for a highly creative life replete with personal and business successes. It should train the rational faculty to absorb, reason, and then facilitate the means to bring the student’s unique gifts into the world.

Enter NLP…

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) shows people how to learn by modeling success; it is the science and art of personal excellence. NLP studies how people excel in a certain field and then teaches those patterns to others.

What field is best suited for us?

Enter Howard Gardner...

In 1983 Howard Gardner, a Professor of Education at Harvard University, published a book on human intelligences called Frames of Mind. He postulated in his book that there are seven intelligences that we all have. More recently he’s updated that to eight-and-a-half intelligences. We use them to different degrees but are naturally more proficient, or drawn toward one or two.

By understanding our natural talents and abilities we can make better choices of what kind of career to pursue; we can help children find thier natural drives and ambitions. As Brian Tracy says, “The very best way to ride a horse is in the direction it is already going.”

I go into more depth in my book "The Engaged Mind" about Gardner's Intelligences.

The most important thing in achieving success is to have a proper attitude.

Success is Over 80% Attitude

In my mid-twenties I was a tradesman making decent money. But I was guided there by default, not pursuit. My poor marks in school limited my choices, or so I thought.

That’s when I discovered Accelerated Learning Techniques by Brian Tracy and Collin Rose. This tape-set is highly recommended for anybody that wants to help their children succeed.

That program introduced to me to Howard Gardner and my life changed, forever. I am now a published author, teacher in kung fu, and put on dynamic motivational seminars for children and adults. In short, I learned my own unique way of learning.

If somebody had told me that all this was possible for me coming out of high school I would have laughed at them. My attitude was that I was destined to live a life of mediocrity.

Where does attitude come from?

Belief

Belief has profound influences on our lives. Henry Ford coined the phrase, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t; you’re right!”

Through Accelerated Learning Techniques I understood that my past was not my potential. I took personal responsibility for my life and decided to go for it!

I picked the craziest dream I could think of and decided to become a published, best-selling author. Of course I needed to work on myself. I was 30 years old, which meant I had 30 years reprogramming my attitudes and beliefs.

My journey has brought many great things into my life. I am happily married, I travel to exotic places, I have great mentors, I have worked closely with some of the top people in the personal development industry today, and, most importantly I know I can achieve anything on which I direct my thoughts.

Today I am going to share with you a simple, elegant model for thinking about personal change and success that really helped me to get through some difficult times in this challenging career. Believe me 60,000 words into a 120,000 word novel a lot of old programming comes up: “Who am I to be writing this? I was lousy at school. This story sucks! Nobody is going to like this. I’m wasting my time!”

The following model was designed by Robert Dilts. I presented this a couple of years ago to a grade nine class. I know it was a great success because the students asked many questions after my presentation. Their curiosity piqued, their minds were engaged, and their visions widened.

Some students followed me out and asked in the hall (out of ear-shot of their teacher), “You mean I can be successful if I don’t do well in school?”

I replied, “Of course, but given the information I provided today, is there any reason why you can’t apply that model to your schoolwork?”

They did not answer but I could tell they were looking at school differently.

It was a great tool to get those kids believing in themselves and following their “crazy” dreams.

It is a great intellectual tool for teachers and parents to help kids find their way through difficult situations; especially learning situations.

Inspired, in part, from page 78 of Introducing NLP

1: Spiritual: This is the deepest level, where we consider and act out the great metaphysical questions. Why are we here? What is our purpose? Spirit guides and shapes our lives, and underpins our existence. When we see the world through the vision of our inner spirits our minds and bodies will naturally acquire the intelligence and strength to move us toward success, happiness, and fulfillment.

2: Identity: This is our basic sense of self, our core values and missions in life. Many of us carry around identities given to us by other people; including parents, teachers, cultures, society, friends…etc.

3: Belief: The various ideas we think are true, and use as a basis for daily action. Beliefs are feelings of certainty; they can be both permissions and limitations. That feeling of certainty comes from our interpretations of experience. NLP has great tools for reframing experience to serve your higher purpose.

4: Capability: These are the groups or sets of behaviours, general skills and strategies that we use in our life.

5: Behaviour: The specific actions we carry out, regardless of our capability.

6: Environment: What we react to, our surroundings, and the other people we meet.

Change on a lower level will not necessarily cause change on a higher level. Of course being in a hostile environment makes it difficult to change. Living in Ernest Hemingway’s house, on the other hand, would not enhance my capabilities as a writer. But if I’m renting an apartment, living pay check to pay check, and believe that I can learn to write, my behaviours will change.

I will invest in myself with programs like Accelerated Learning Techniques, I will stay home after work and write instead of hanging out with friends, and my capabilities with get stronger.

Belief: I can become a great writer

Behaivours: Study writing, take courses, write

Capabilities: I get better daily

Belief: Strenghtens; I knew I could do it all along...

You see, it is not enough to just believe. To be successful we must act. For example it was not enough for me to believe I could be a published author. I needed to become more capable. So I took numerous creative writing courses, I joined the martial arts, and I did the most important thing a writer can do to become successful: I wrote. …and, to be honest, it was horrible.

In NLP terms, I moved from unconscious incompetence to conscious incompetence. The red scribed all over my work was a clear indication of my writing level. In NLP terms I had moved up the Four Stages of Learning. I went from not knowing that I was a lousy writer to knowing for sure I was a lousy writer.

I may have quit there if I hadn’t known about the Four Levels of Learning

1: Unconscious Incompetence

2: Conscious Incompetence

3: Conscious Competence

4: Unconscious Competence

Now I am between 3 + 4 with writing. Sometimes the words flow like magic out of me, other times it is more of a conscious effort. Of course as knowledge increases and whole new dimensions of the unknown unfold before my eyes I find myself between 1+2. This truly is an exciting time in history.

But I learned the true meaning of words such as, Perseverance, Commitment, Focus, Action, Humility, Discipline, Clarity, Positive…etc. I learned that success is over 80% attitude.

Here’s an equation I learned from Tom Wood:

Desire + Action + Belief + Strategy = Success.

7 Steps to Help Your Children Do Better in School

Parents and families that get involved in education, have children that do better in school and grow up to be more successful in life. The fact is, dropping your kids off at school and picking them up at the end of the day is not enough to give them a proper education.

Realize first that school is not only about classes for your child. It is a social institution where your child wants to feel she belongs. To you grades are paramount; to your child they may be third or even forth on the list. Don’t fight it. Work with it. Education is more than grades. At it’s best it shows children how to learn. Not only about academic subjects, but about their strengths and weaknesses, goals and dreams, how best to overcome difficulty and challenge.

The following are seven tips on helping your children do better in school.

1: Build Trust by Listening to Your Children:

Be receptive to what they are saying. Too often parents think they are listening but they’re really reframing what their children say through their own lens. They are offering a solution before really understanding the problem. You will find that if you remain quiet, receptive, the real problem does not come out until trust in the conversation is established.

For example: Your child says that he was offered drugs at school today. Don’t go into a tirade about how drugs are bad. Your child most likely knows that. Start by asking, “How did that make you feel?” Then stay quiet. You will discover the problem is deeper than drugs, maybe it’s a desire to be accepted, or worse, your child is being bullied into taking drugs.

Whatever the case is stay quiet until you fully understand the issue. Then ask your child if he would like your input. Yes, ask. This helps to build trust. By fully understanding the issue you can help your child find her or his own solutions.

2: Don’t Compare Your Child to Other Children:

Children learn at different rates. Your child is unique. If your child is moving at a slow rate, don’t blame or worry her or him about it. Your child has an untapped reserve of attributes and talents. Because he is not good at math, for example, does not mean he is stupid.

Let your children know that they are important and that you love them for what they are and that you will continue to love them no matter how they do in school.

Balance Challenge and Praise:

If your child is getting a 57% in math, challenge her to get 65% next time and move slowly. Every percentage point higher is a big win. Celebrate it with praise. Remember that even Einstein was considered slow at times and had many bumpy roads throughout school.

3: Encourage Reading Stories:

This, by far, is the greatest skill any child could have to help her succeed in life. The most powerful lessons we carry with us into adulthood do not come from math, Science, and English; they come from stories. Think about it. What do you remember better Algebra equations or the story “A Boy Who Cried Wolf”?

All cultures, planet wide, have used stories for thousands of years—written, pictorial, and acted out—as a means of transmitting important moral and cultural lessons between generations. Metaphorical prose promotes creative visualization and helps us all to see patterns and interrelationships between different areas of life. In short stories engage the mind.

4: Read With Your Children:

Children are delighted to have stories read to them. But don't now stop there. Ask your children leading questions after reading a section. Questions like, "What do you think will happen next? Why do you think so-and-so acted that way?" If your children ask questions during reading, wonderful! They are seeking to understand; they are engaged. Their comments show that they are making connections either within the story or with information they already know. This is the essence of learning.

5: Have Your Children Read to You:

This will show you how much your children know about phonetics. This is great practice for them to build confidence in a caring, nurturing environment. Helping them to pronounce words properly and create better flow of the prose will provide a greater understanding of the story or material. It will also help in all other subjects in school.

6: Support, Encourage, Be Positive:

Use positive reinforcing comments during the learning process. Words like: “Great job! Good Thinking! You should be proud of yourself. Incredible! Way to go! I can see you've put a lot of work into that. You really rose to that challenge. I really enjoy listening to you read. Just look at the progress you've made! It's fun to work with you. I love you.”

7: Be Patient:

Your children are going to make mistakes. Some things will come more quickly than others. It’s important that you don’t become angry or huffy. New learning often requires more than 15 repetitions before it is absorbed. Nothing hinders learning more than a tense atmosphere. If you find your self becoming impatient, take a break and do something fun together.

Yes, the above tips do take some time. But you will find that it is time well spent. Investing in your children this way will reward you with a closer relationship with your children and a life-time of fun memories.

A Powerful Combination for Parents and Teachers!

Begin Your Child's Journey Toward Inner Calm, Knowledge, and Self-Confidence with...

THE HUMAN TOUCH: The Heartbeat of Education. (For Parents, Teachers, and Principals)

and for kids...

The Eye of the Storm

Parents, Teachers, and Principals Are Loving THE HUMAN TOUCH: and are Amazed at the Values Kids are Getting From The Eye of the Storm!

Interview with Brad Hutchinson

Remember the first day you dropped your child off at kindergarten? What questions went through your head? Will she get the education needed to survive and thrive throughout life?

Now picture your child on a playground having fun, minding his own business. Suddenly a bully approaches to inflict pain; emotionally and physically. Is your child prepared? Are you prepared for the fall out?

As a teacher in the martial arts I hear many concerns like the ones above from parents.

Ultimately it comes down to...

Will your children stumble timidly through a mediocre life always looking to someone else for direction and happiness? Or, will they embrace…

• Self-Confidence
• Passion
• Curiosity
• Resourcefulness
• Accountability
• Teamwork
• Loyalty
• Openness
• Energy

Constant career change and rapid scientific advances will make tomorrow a great place for those that understand what is needed to thrive and survive.

It will be a scary place for those that don’t.

Before we go any further…

If you think that dropping your kids off at school and picking them up at the end of the day is enough to keep them safe and give them a proper education STOP READING THIS RIGHT NOW!

Otherwise, take the time to read this through to the end. You will discover little-understood facts that can begin unveil the mysteries of your children’s (and your) potentials and free them from fear, anxiety, and underachievement.

By reading this right now you're one step closer to really helping your children succeed.

What you are about to discover is the single most beneficial skill your children could ever have. No matter what happens in their lives, once they have this skill they will always be able to wield its amazing power toward any goal or dream.

Yes, this engaging message can change your children’s lives forever. It is that powerful.

You will get a deeper sense of that truth as we move along.

The World of Change

There was more change in the last century than in all previous centuries, combined. The growth of information has changed from linear to exponential. It is estimated that we will see more change in the next 14 years than we did in the entire last century.

This accelerated and unstoppable pace of knowledge will have a profound influence on the shape our world takes from politics to warfare to medicine to health to education to the arts and beyond.

One thing for sure is that the future will look much different than anything we have seen in the past.

This new era requires new kinds of leaders; creative, cooperative individuals that are aligned in a quest for a better world. Yasuhiko Genku Kimura calls it Alignment Beyond Agreement.

That simply means that people can have different opinions but still be aligned toward a common goal or quest.

To see this principle in action go to any Sick Children’s Hospital. You will see men and women of different cultures, values, and opinions aligning themselves toward the healthy recovery of children. This is an effective model for any leader, especially leaders of the world.

This plurality and diversity of ideas creates synergy toward a common quest; a dynamic energy that pioneers pathways toward innovative solutions. As Einstein said, “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”

It is our job as parents and educators to show children that they have power inside to enter this era with a sense of cooperation, responsibility, and enthusiasm.

They should know that they have the ability and inner strength to respond to any situation in life; never as the victim but as the driving force of their successful futures.

We need to show them the bridge.

To do this we need new educational tools. Fast!

Enter two very important books: The Human Touch and The Eye of the Storm. These books are designed to work together to help you achieve incredible results as a teacher and parent.

It’s true many teachers are frustrated. They are trapped by standardized methods in a system with many channels and levels of control. They are on the front lines in the most important battle there ever was: Teaching the leaders of tomorrow.

Changing Methods in the Public School System is like Trying to Turn the Titanic on a Dime

Beneficial information on how human beings learn is cascading toward us at ever faster rates. And the education system really does seem to want to embrace some of these changes.

After twenty-five years, however, they’re still grappling with Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, the study of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and other modern discoveries of how human beings learn.

First they need the expensive study, the report, the arguments, the politicking, further studies, more reports…only to conclude that these theories are “not accepted within academic psychology.”

The following is a standard argument against Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory:

“There is no comprehensive and full grounding study in empirical research to support this theory. For the moment there is not a properly worked-through set of tests to identify and measure the different intelligences.”

What that really means...

“By the time new ideas get passed through the lethargic bureaucratic system it will be your grandchildren (possibly great grandchildren) that benefit from discoveries available today, not your children."

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and NLP are important discoveries that bring us closer to understanding how the brain works and how to help students learn.

When I walk into a classroom I can tell immediately if the teacher knows about NLP and Gardner’s Theories.

Her classroom is brightly lit with many different splashes of colour; pictures of children succeeding; positive affirmations abound; mind maps teaching math, English, science; there may even be intelligence-boosting classical music playing in the background…etc.

She would have paid money out of her own pocket for such “frills”, however.

The Greatest Discovery Ever

DISCLAIMER: There is no comprehensive and full grounding study in empirical research for this discovery; there is not a fully worked-through set of tests to identify and measure this discovery.

Use at Risk of Success.

The Greatest Discovery Ever states: We Become That Which We Think About Most of the Time.

Success Begins and Ends in the Mind

NLP has been studying the effects of positive self-talk and how it affects our physiology and emotional state for decades. There is a common thread that runs through most successful personal development programs today; whether it be relationship, financial, or emotional wellness programs. It simply states: Thoughts lead to Feelings which lead to Actions which lead to Results."

Thoughts-->Feelings-->Actions-->Results

"Where Thoughts Go Energy Flows”

Is it any wonder that ADD/ADHD is on the rise? Some of the most creative kids I know have been drugged indolent because they don’t mould into a classroom of twenty to thirty other students. What do you think happens to self-esteem and confidence when we label children as being DEFICIENT or having a DISORDER?

Thoughts: I’m no good/stupid

Feelings: Inadequate feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, persistent saddness, pessimism...

Actions: Aggressive behaviour or silent retreat from the learning process; sometimes leading to depression.

Results: Continuous disciplinary actions and/or poor grades, hospitalization…or worse

…and the cycle of negative thoughts continues as insecure feelings follow them into adulthood. So language, instead of freeing the inner spirit to live its greater purpose, becomes a prison of repressed energy.

Eastern Philosophy says our bodies are channels of flowing energy. Chakras are the centers that function as pumps or valves, regulating proper flow of our energy systems. When energy is blocked by stress or repression it can create dis-ease in the body.

Believe me I know all about that. When I was fifteen years old I developed a five inch tumour in my neck and chest. [Hence my intimate understanding of how people of different cultures and values aligned them selves toward the quest of my recovery. …And a fine job they did :-)]

Reflecting back: I wasn’t good at school, my home life was kind of chaotic, but I had a strong sense of something very special inside; blocked creative energy with no avenue of expression. I internalized and BAM! Tumour.

For me it’s not hard to see why violent and anti-social behaviour is on the rise in our schools. We’re halting the natural energies of highly creative kids at the Thought level by telling them they have a DEFICIT or a DISORDER because they learn differently from others.

First was ADD. Then came the "H" for Hyperactive. How many more letters are we going to add before we realize labelling children with a disorder is counter productive?

Here’s an interesting statistic: Over 70% of people in prison were told at some point in their youth, “You’re going to end up in prison one day!”

Think there’s a connection?

Now, let’s move to the positive…

Positive Mind-Set-->Opens the Heart to-->Spread Wisdom/Love-->Resulting in a Fulfilled Life

Thoughts: I’m powerful; I can affect change; I can rise to any challenge.

Feelings: High self-esteem, compassionate, empathetic, desire to help

Actions Continually moving toward success while lifting others in their wake

Results: A person that adds value to society on many different levels; a person that loves life

Negative and positive self-talk is self-perpetuating. This simply means the more you use it the more you will use it by habit. When children start early practicing and using positive affirmations they will attract wonderful things into their lives.

We Cannot Give Children Self-Esteem

We can tell children that they are great, beautiful, smart, deserving of great things in life, and are worthy of the highest love. But if they don’t feel it in their own minds and hearts our words are empty.

Self-Esteem comes from within. It’s how we value ourselves and our achievements. It is not enough to tell your children how good they are; they must tell themselves.

This is where stories can help.

Stories: The Key to Elucidation

Stories help us to safely process life experiences and the feelings that surround them. The ability to create, understand, and respond to stories is a central characteristics of learning.

All cultures, planet wide, have used stories for thousands of years, written, pictorial, and acted out as a means of transmitting important moral and cultural lessons between generations. –The Engaged Mind

Why are Stories So Captivating?

The human brain naturally perceives and latches onto patterns, like the plot sequences of stories. The mind engages—switches on—when presented with an interesting pattern. As the pattern is being played out the long-term memory is storing information. The brain is remarkable at processing stories.

It is the subconscious mind that does the work. An engaging plot-line distracts the conscious mind while activating an unconscious search for meaning and resources.

But there’s a problem…

We are bombarded daily with negative stories, most notably news stories. You see the brain does not discern between positive or negative patterns; it picks them all up. For example, have you ever had a song stuck in your head that you didn’t like?

What about an advertisement that drives you crazy? Do you think those advertisers are crazy? They know by engaging your thoughts and feelings, even if it's in a negative way, they have better control over your actions. The result? Look around your home. Why do you buy the products you use on a daily bases?

Going back to our Thoughts-->Feelings-->Actions-->Results equation we can see how we can perpetuate negative results in our lives.

The Solution

It is impossible to eliminate all negative stories from our lives; in fact, negative stories also help us to learn important values. The key is balance. That way we have better control of our thoughts when presented with a negative story. We have mind-tools to think positively; to know that we can rise up in the face of challenge and adversity; to, "Never Say Die!" to our dreams…

Positive self-talk is the chisel that defines and shapes our self-image. It really is as simple as that. Remember we become that which we think of most of the time.

Here’s a powerful thought you can use every day: "Today I'm going to love my life." I learned that from Ted Nicholas. These seven words, used daily, can make a huge impact on your life.

We still have an unanswered problem. How do we get kids to use positive self-talk? How do we help raise their self-esteem?

One way is to study NLP and Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory with your children. Dynamic Balance is a growing body of knowledge that studies new ways of learning to help your children really understand their potentials; whether, at this point, they do well in school or not.

Learning together is a powerful tool to help your children build confidence and self-esteem. It is a meeting ground for your family and, as Brian Tracy recommends, provides daily “knee to knee” time with your children.

Another way is to enrol your children in the martial arts. And keep them there. I know parents that make the martial arts mandatory for their children until they are 16 years old.

Still another way is to present interesting patterns with positive messages strategically placed within. The evolution of children’s stories it at hand.

Rising to Success with Characters

When we follow characters in a story rising up through adversity and doubt to become successful we can see possibilities that we didn’t know were there. This is most important for children that feel helpless or confused.

Enter The Eye of the Storm, a fusion of visual art and literature that captivates children's imaginations and communicates positive messages in a powerful way.

“It’s smart how you write about stuff kids can relate to. Like how Johnny feels when Franklin is bullying him because everyone is bullied sometimes…The illustrations are great! I like how they give you a little clue of what is going to happen. The book is suspenseful as I have already said. I just can’t put it down!" –Megan, Grade Six Student

This story is a new tool that embraces Gardner's Intelligences and the essence of NLP. It deals with the strong emotions that children feel and can effectively model. It presents complex concepts—self-esteem, insecurity, bullying, responsibility, overcoming fear, environmental issues—in scenes children can understand.

"Some of the chapters remind me of a lot of things like in Helpless Johnny gets bullied[…]and sometimes I get bullied. Also some of the chapters actually gave me courage and bravery. Another message the book gave me is to never give up."--Shubdip, 11 Years Old

If You’re Looking for a Safe Way for Your Children to Explore Emotions and Behaviours that Lead to Better Grades and Higher Self-esteem thenThe Eye of the Storm and The Human Touch are For You

The Eye of the Storm is a synthesis of words and visual images. Brain research of the 1990’s tells us that images leave the most unforgettable impressions in our memories.

We personally tested this story on a group of public school students. The story was read to them while the chapters' pictures were propped up for them to see.

Five months later we visited their class. On seeing just the chapter's picture they could recite the exact events of that chapter. Metaphorical prose combined with visual images is a powerful tool reach children.

The kids were also very happy to know that because of their input we changed the bully's name from Franklin to Mitch. ...something about Franklin reminding them of a friendly turtle from "the toddler's show"...

(For some completely honest, and entertaining remarks about the story you can go to the Testimonials Page.)

What Grade Level is this Story For?

Our research shows that Grade Six seems to be about the middle point to initiate this story into the classroom. Like any good metaphor, however, the concepts are ageless. For example, do your remember the story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"?

Imagine for a moment the power and control your children would have in life if they could rise to any challenge with enthusiasm, energy, and confidence.

Now, picture your child being approached by a bigger, stronger person that aims to inflict harm. You are not around. There is no teacher around. It is only your child and the bully.

Imagine your child finding the strength and power inside to say, “Back Off!” with the conviction of a Lion protecting her cubs.

Now watch as the bully backs off and walks away. Without incident!

Can The Eye of the Storm really do this for children?

The Eye of the Storm was written under a simple premise dating back to Galileo: You cannot teach a person anything; you can only help her to find it within herself.

"Your book has made me realize how and when it’s the right time to take responsibility, not just apologizing but finishing homework chores and etc. Your book also gave me the strength to continue in my situation, to solve it until the end (never say “die”)." –Sanjot, Grade Six Student

This story did not teach or give Sanjot anything. At no point in the story did I write, “You must take responsibility, not only with apologizing but finishing homework and chores.” That was something Sanjot took from the action of the story, through the events and emotions of the characters.

You, me, and public schools cannot give your children confidence and high self-esteem. We can only help them to find it within.

This is where you come in:

The Human Touch was written to give you tools and ideas of how to model the types of behaviours you would like to see in your children and students. It is an invaluable and illuminating guide filled with brilliant insights into human relationships. The Human Touch is a tool that any teacher can use to bring about positive change in the classroom.

“A breath of fresh air! The Human Touch provides simple yet powerful reminder of the essence of teaching and leadership. When individuals feel valued, they become internally driven learners. This book can assist educators to become more consciously reflective in their practices; yielding positive results.”

--Peter Duncan, Elementary School Principal

“The Human Touch is a must read for all educators and leaders. The straight forward, engaging, easily readable style offers a refreshing message of good sense and practical wisdom which provide the frame work for success. The simple messages of the seven guiding principles will yield profound results forthe reader.”

–Christopher Letters, Vice Principal, Secondary School Panel

To find out more about The Human Touch and The Eye of the Storm go to:

www.communitycave.com

www.chapter-books-for-children.com

A Powerful Combination for Parents and Teachers!

THE HUMAN TOUCH: The Heartbeat of Education. (For Teachers and Principals)

And for kids:

The Eye of the Storm!

Interview with Brad Hutchinson

Remember the first day you dropped your child off at kindergarten? What questions went through your head? Will she get the education needed to survive and thrive throughout life?

Now picture your child on a playground having fun, minding his own business. Suddenly a bully approaches to inflict pain; emotionally and physically. Is your child prepared? Are you prepared for the fall out?

As a teacher in the martial arts I hear many concerns like the ones above from parents.

Ultimately it comes down to...

Will your children stumble timidly through a mediocre life always looking to someone else for direction and happiness? Or, will they embrace…

• Leadership Qualities


• Self-Confidence


• Passion


• Curiosity


• Resourcefulness


• Accountability


• Teamwork


• Loyalty


• Openness


• Energy

Constant career change and rapid scientific advances will make tomorrow a great place for those that understand what is needed to thrive and survive.

It will be a scary place for those that don’t.

Before we go any further…

If you think that dropping your kids off at school and picking them up at the end of the day is enough to keep them safe and give them a proper education STOP READING THIS RIGHT NOW!

Otherwise, take the time to read this through to the end. You will discover little-understood facts that can begin unveil the mysteries of your children’s (and your) potentials and free them from fear, anxiety, and underachievement.

By reading this right now you're one step closer to really helping your children succeed.

What you are about to discover is the single most beneficial skill your children could ever have. No matter what happens in their lives, once they have this skill they will always be able to wield its amazing power toward any goal or dream.

Yes, this engaging message can change your children’s lives forever. It is that powerful.

You will get a deeper sense of that truth as we move along.

The World of Change

There was more change in the last century than in all previous centuries, combined. The growth of information has changed from linear to exponential. It is estimated that we will see more change in the next 14 years than we did in the entire last century.

This accelerated and unstoppable pace of knowledge will have a profound influence on the shape our world takes from politics to warfare to medicine to health to education to the arts and beyond.

One thing for sure is that the future will look much different than anything we have seen in the past.

This new era requires new kinds of leaders; creative, cooperative individuals that are aligned in a quest for a better world. Yasuhiko Genku Kimura calls it Alignment Beyond Agreement.

That simply means that people can have different opinions but still be aligned toward a common goal or quest.

To see this principle in action go to any Sick Children’s Hospital. You will see men and women of different cultures, values, and opinions aligning themselves toward the healthy recovery of children. This is an effective model for any leader, especially leaders of the world.

This plurality and diversity of ideas creates synergy toward a common quest; a dynamic energy that pioneers pathways toward innovative solutions. As Einstein said, “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”

Today, the world of politics, business, and culture is opinion centred. A mentality that says,

• “You’re either with us or against us!”


• "If you don't like the way things are run in this company, there's the door!"


• "Our religion reigns supreme; no others offer any value!"

It is our job as parents and educators to show children that they have power inside to enter this era with a sense of cooperation, responsibility, and enthusiasm.

They should know that they have the ability and inner strength to respond to any situation in life; never as the victim but as the driving force of their successful futures.

We need to show them the bridge.

To do this we need new educational tools. Fast!

There are many great caring teachers that want to help your children excel. They are frustrated. They are trapped by standardized methods in a system with many channels and levels of control. They are on the front lines taking orders from the ivory tower.

Changing Methods in the Public School System is like Trying to Turn the Titanic on a Dime

Beneficial information on how human beings learn is cascading toward us at ever faster rates. And the education system really does seem to want to embrace some of these changes.

After twenty-five years, however, they’re still grappling with Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, the study of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and other modern discoveries of how human beings learn.

First they need the expensive study, the report, the arguments, the politicking, further studies, more reports…only to conclude that these theories are “not accepted within academic psychology.”

The following is a standard argument against Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory:

“There is no comprehensive and full grounding study in empirical research to support this theory. For the moment there is not a properly worked-through set of tests to identify and measure the different intelligences.”

What that really means...

“By the time new ideas get passed through the lethargic bureaucratic system it will be your grandchildren (possibly great grandchildren) that benefit from discoveries available today, not your children."

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and NLP are important discoveries that bring us closer to understanding how the brain works and how to help students learn.

When I walk into a classroom I can tell immediately if the teacher knows about NLP and Gardner’s Theories.

Her classroom is brightly lit with many different splashes of colour; pictures of children succeeding; positive affirmations abound; mind maps teaching math, English, science; there may even be intelligence-boosting classical music playing in the background…etc.

She would have paid money out of her own pocket for such “frills”, however.

The Greatest Discovery Ever

DISCLAIMER: There is no comprehensive and full grounding study in empirical research for this discovery; there is not a fully worked-through set of tests to identify and measure this discovery.

Use at Risk of Success.

The Greatest Discovery Ever states: We Become That Which We Think About Most of the Time.

Success Begins and Ends in the Mind

NLP has been studying the effects of positive self-talk and how it affects our physiology and emotional state for decades. There is a common thread that runs through most successful personal development programs today; whether it be relationship, financial, or emotional wellness programs. It simply states: Thoughts lead to Feelings which lead to Actions which lead to Results."

Thoughts®Feelings®Actions®Results

"Where Thoughts Go Energy Flows”

Is it any wonder that ADD/ADHD is on the rise? Some of the most creative kids I know have been drugged indolent because they don’t mould into a classroom of twenty to thirty other students. What do you think happens to self-esteem and confidence when we label children as being DEFICIENT or having a DISORDER?

Thoughts: I’m no good/stupid

Feelings: Inadequate feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, persistent saddness, pessimism...

Actions: Aggressive behaviour or silent retreat from the learning process; sometimes leading to depression.

Results: Continuous disciplinary actions and/or poor grades, hospitalization…or worse


…and the cycle of negative thoughts continues as insecure feelings follow them into adulthood. So language, instead of freeing the inner spirit to live its greater purpose, becomes a prison of repressed energy.

Eastern Philosophy says our bodies are channels of flowing energy. Chakras are the centers that function as pumps or valves, regulating proper flow of our energy systems. When energy is blocked by stress or repression it can create dis-ease in the body.

Believe me I know all about that. When I was fifteen years old I developed a five inch tumour in my neck and chest. [Hence my intimate understanding of how people of different cultures and values aligned them selves toward the quest of my recovery. …And a fine job they did :-)]

Reflecting back: I wasn’t good at school, my home life was kind of chaotic, but I had a strong sense of something very special inside; blocked creative energy with no avenue of expression. I internalized and BAM! Tumour.

For me it’s not hard to see why violent and anti-social behaviour is on the rise in our schools. We’re halting the natural energies of highly creative kids at the Thought level by telling them they have a DEFICIT or a DISORDER because they learn differently from others.

First was ADD. Then came the "H" for Hyperactive. How many more letters are we going to add before we realize labelling children with a disorder is counter productive?

Here’s an interesting statistic: Over 70% of people in prison were told at some point in their youth, “You’re going to end up in prison one day!”

Think there’s a connection?

Now, let’s move to the positive…

Positive Mind-Set®Opens the Heart to®Spread Wisdom/Love®Resulting in a Fulfilled Life

Thoughts: I’m powerful; I can affect change; I can rise to any challenge.

Feelings: High self-esteem, compassionate, empathetic, desire to help

Actions Continually moving toward success while lifting others in their wake

Results: A person that adds value to society on many different levels; a person that loves life


Negative and positive self-talk is self-perpetuating. This simply means the more you use it the more you will use it by habit. When children start early practicing and using positive affirmations they will attract wonderful things into their lives.

We Cannot Give Children Self-Esteem

We can tell children that they are great, beautiful, smart, deserving of great things in life, and are worthy of the highest love. But if they don’t feel it in their own minds and hearts our words are empty.

Self-Esteem comes from within. It’s how we value ourselves and our achievements. It is not enough to tell your children how good they are; they must tell themselves.

This is where stories can help.

Stories: The Key to Elucidation

Stories help us to safely process life experiences and the feelings that surround them. The ability to create, understand, and respond to stories is a central characteristics of learning.




All cultures, planet wide, have used stories for thousands of years, written, pictorial, and acted out as a means of transmitting important moral and cultural lessons between generations. –The Engaged Mind

Why are Stories So Captivating?

The human brain naturally perceives and latches onto patterns, like the plot sequences of stories. The mind engages—switches on—when presented with an interesting pattern. As the pattern is being played out the long-term memory is storing information. The brain is remarkable at processing stories.

It is the subconscious mind that does the work. An engaging plot-line distracts the conscious mind while activating an unconscious search for meaning and resources.

But there’s a problem…

We are bombarded daily with negative stories, most notably news stories. You see the brain does not discern between positive or negative patterns; it picks them all up. For example, have you ever had a song stuck in your head that you didn’t like?

What about an advertisement that drives you crazy? Do you think those advertisers are crazy? They know by engaging your thoughts and feelings, even if it's in a negative way, they have better control over your actions. The result? Look around your home. Why do you buy the products you use on a daily bases?

Going back to our Thoughts®Feelings®Actions®Results equation we can see how we can perpetuate negative results in our lives.

The Solution

It is impossible to eliminate all negative stories from our lives; in fact, negative stories also help us to learn important values. The key is balance. That way we have better control of our thoughts when presented with a negative story. We have mind-tools to think positively; to know that we can rise up in the face of challenge and adversity; to, "Never Say Die!" to our dreams…

Positive self-talk is the chisel that defines and shapes our self-image. It really is as simple as that. Remember we become that which we think of most of the time.

Here’s a powerful thought you can use every day: "Today I'm going to love my life." I learned that from Ted Nicholas. These seven words, used daily, can make a huge impact on your life.

We still have an unanswered problem. How do we get kids to use positive self-talk? How do we help raise their self-esteem?

One way is to study NLP and Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory with your children. Chapter-Books-for-Children is a growing website that studies new ways of learning like NLP and Gardner's multiple intelligences to help your children really understand their potentials; whether, at this point, they do well in school or not.

Learning together is a powerful tool to help your children build confidence and self-esteem. It is a meeting ground for your family and, as Brian Tracy recommends, provides daily “knee to knee” time with your children.

Another way is to enrol your children in the martial arts. And keep them there. I know parents that make the martial arts mandatory for their children until they are 16 years old.

Still another way is to present interesting patterns with positive messages strategically placed within. The evolution of children’s stories it at hand.

Rising to Success With Characters

When we follow characters in a story rising up through adversity and doubt to become successful we can see possibilities that we didn’t know were there. This is most important for children that feel helpless or confused.

Enter The Eye of the Storm, a fusion of visual art and literature that captivates children's imaginations and communicates positive messages in a powerful way.

“It’s smart how you write about stuff kids can relate to. Like how Johnny feels when Franklin is bullying him because everyone is bullied sometimes…The illustrations are great! I like how they give you a little clue of what is going to happen. The book is suspenseful as I have already said. I just can’t put it down!" –Megan, Grade Six Student

This story is a new tool that embraces Gardner's Intelligences and the essence of NLP. It deals with the strong emotions that children feel and can effectively model. It presents complex concepts—self-esteem, insecurity, bullying, responsibility, overcoming fear, environmental issues—in scenes children can understand.

"Some of the chapters remind me of a lot of things like in Helpless Johnny gets bullied[…]and sometimes I get bullied. Also some of the chapters actually gave me courage and bravery. Another message the book gave me is to never give up."--Shubdip, 11 Years Old

If You’re Looking for a Safe Way for Your Children to Explore Emotions and Behaviours that Lead to Better Grades and Higher Self-esteem then The Eye of the Storm is For You

The Eye of the Storm is a synthesis of words and visual images. Brain research of the 1990’s tells us that images leave the most unforgettable impressions in our memories.

We personally tested this story on a group of public school students. The story was read to them while the chapters' pictures were propped up for them to see.

Five months later we visited their class. On seeing just the chapter's picture they could recite the exact events of that chapter. Metaphorical prose combined with visual images is a powerful tool reach children.

The kids were also very happy to know that because of their input we changed the bully's name from Franklin to Mitch. ...something about Franklin reminding them of a friendly turtle from "the toddler's show"...

(For some completely honest, and entertaining remarks about the story you can go to the Testimonials Page.)

What Grade Level is this Story For?

Our research shows that Grade Six seems to be about the middle point to initiate this story into the classroom. Like any good metaphor, however, the concepts are ageless. For example, do your remember the story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"?

Imagine for a moment the power and control your children would have in life if they could rise to any challenge with enthusiasm, energy, and confidence.

Now, picture your child being approached by a bigger, stronger person that aims to inflict harm. You are not around. There is no teacher around. It is only your child and the bully.

Imagine your child finding the strength and power inside to say, “Back Off!” with the conviction of a Lion protecting her cubs.

Now watch as the bully backs off and walks away. Without incident!

Can The Eye of the Storm really do this for children?

The Eye of the Storm was written under a simple premise dating back to Galileo: You cannot teach a person anything; you can only help her to find it within herself.

You, me, and public schools cannot give your children confidence and high self-esteem. We can only help them to find it within.

That is why discoveries like NLP and Gardner's Intelligence Theory are important. They give us all tools to help others find their own sources of power and control.

The Eye of the Storm is a self-discovery tool for children. Take the following quote from a grade six student after reading The Eye of the Storm:

"Your book has made me realize how and when it’s the right time to take responsibility, not just apologizing but finishing homework chores and etc. Your book also gave me the strength to continue in my situation, to solve it until the end (never say “die”)." –Sanjot, Grade Six Student

This story did not teach or give Sanjot anything. At no point in the story did I write, “You must take responsibility, not only with apologizing but finishing homework and chores.” That was something Sanjot took from the action of the story, through the events and emotions of the characters.

In closing let me tell you about one of my newest teachers; of the greatest martial artists I’ve ever known. And I do not say that lightly.

He is so in tune with the higher wisdom of the martial arts that I am in awe of his connection.

Here’s the story…

We were testing students a Beyond Kung Fu Studios. After a two hour test this six year old came up to proudly receive his yellow sash. This slight youngster is short for his age, wears thick glasses, and is at a reading level far beyond his years. In my eyes this kid is cute beyond the word’s meaning; to his classmates, a geek.

While tying the sash around his waist, I listen to Mike Cann, the studio's head instructor, tell this story (relayed by his grandfather).

One day the boy comes home a little dishevelled with, scuffs on his clothes. His grandfather asked concernedly, “How was your day?”

The boy replies, “Great!”

His grandfather asked about the scuffs.

“Oh that,” the boy replied. “I got pushed down to the ground and called names by another kid at school.”

“Didn’t that bother you?” the grandfather asked.

“Yeah,” the boy sighed.

“Tell me why,” the grandfather encouraged.

“Well,” started the six-year-old boy, “I was sad because I thought he must be having a really bad day to be acting like that.”

Read that response again, and again. This is enlightenment in the highest form. At six years old he is my newest teacher. There is no victim mentality whatsoever in that boy.

This is a true story. What if we all had that attitude at work, home, and in the community? What if we held our leaders to those standards? What would the world look like?

Do any of these ideas presented within this message resonate as true within you?

Given the information above, doesn’t it make sense to have The Eye of the Storm as a learning tool for you and your children?

Here’s my advice.


Start by uploading the PDF for only $4. There are a few reasons for this.


First you get to critique this story for only $4. Of course if it’s not all that we say it is we will refund your money. No questions asked. You risk nothing.

Second, once you read the story you will think about all the kids that you know that might really like it. If you buy one hard copy for $8.99 you will be missing out on the discount volume rate. Believe me, as you read the story you will think of kids that should have this book. Guaranteed!

Third, if you do decide you want hard copies, you will have the PDF that you can print off and let your kids colour, draw, and make notes on the bigger sheet of paper. This makes the story interactive and ensures that your child will own the concepts in this story.

Parents of toddlers are downloading this PDF to introduce new words to their young ones while they color in the pictures. They understand the positive impact starting early with children makes to future academics.






Again, we will refund your money if you are not completely satisfied with this product.

Sincerely,

Brad Hutchinson

P.S. If you Act Now I will give you access my book The Engaged Mind.

Absolutely FREE!

The Engaged Mind explores...

• Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligece Theory


• Illuminates Five Principles of Mastery


• Uses Stories to Communicate Lasting Impressions of Personal Growth


• And much more...

P.P.S. Whether you purchase this story or not, I hope your children find the world a wondrous place filled with beauty, peace, and opening doors of opportunity.

All the Best!

If you would like more information go Here.