Thank you for visiting Baloani, which I hope will prove to be a great point of reference for your personal philosophical
and spiritual journey.
My name is Paul Becque. When I first dated my wife, she called me Beqster, and the name has stuck! Now my friends and work colleagues use it too.
Since I was a child I wanted to know what life is all about. Consequently, I’ve studied many different beliefs and kept an open mind.
Buddhism and Taoism have been very inspirational for me. And, more recently, “The Secret” and our growing knowledge of quantum physics has taken me to an even deeper level of commitment to my discoveries. “Baloani” is simply a video diary of my journey and a reference point for anyone that resonates with my exploration.
Blog week 6 -
When I first read that statement, I was a little concerned that the book was gonna get a little crazy on me. But within a very short time it all made complete sense. Imagine, if you’re paranoid, you tend to suspect that everyone is against you and you’re going to be kept busy by guarding against the delusions and baseless, probably excessive, suspicions.
This is simple. Do the opposite. Imagine that the whole universe is behind you... supporting you, providing you with all the serendipity you could ever need... that’s an Inverse Paranoid!
If you’d like support on that, to get you can join Mike Dooley’s TUT Club which provides daily “notes from the universe”. They are designed to shed light on your own inner path, to spark your memory, attract like thinking, and awaken the slumbering deity within. They contain info regarding who we are, why we're here, and the magic at our disposal. I’ve already subscribed to this, and think they’re fun to receive... but I’ll email him and see if I can get them added to this site... that would be cool.
Another easy week!
How come? I really expected this to be hard work, but no. Why not? I guess I am laying the foundations to a new way of thinking, and to date, I am simply thinking about thinking! And
by taking a week to do it, the changes are becoming habitual and...
life changing!
So ultimately, another week of thinking about the way I think. Do I tend to see the negative in everything? Do I think that every one is against me? No. But, the more I thought about the idea of becoming an Inverse Paranoid the more I realised that I DO often see things in a negative light. But it’s only by putting my focus on it, that I have realised this. For example, if somebody asked me to do them a favour, and a little voice inside says “argh, why do they always ask me to do that?” I’m being negative.
When I’m driving, I always see the bad drivers and make comments about their stupid behaviour. The better way to deal with this, is see the bad drivers, get out of their way, get behind ‘em, reduce the possibility of an accident... and start noticing good drivers, the one’s that use their indicators and don’t cut you off as they pull in front... notice the polite drivers, the one’s who allow you to pull out, or in, the one’s who let you know they about to leave the car park.
So this change in thinking can happen on all levels. From small, seemingly insignificant moments... it’s raining on your day off and you usually get upset, declaring that “it always rains on my day off” to realising that the rain is great for the garden and by keeping you indoors, you’ll spend some time with the kids, or get that letter written that you’ve been putting off for weeks. It’s all in the thought process. It’s all a matter of deciding to see in a positive light, rather than a negative.
I don’t know about you... but I immediately think, it’s easier said than done! And I can already imagine you reading this, thinking to yourself “yeah, yeah, yeah... heard it all before. And what happens when something bad happens? You’re full of it!”
Well... I got my test! My great friend Tyler came to visit from Texas. So we cleaned the house up and decided to throw loads of bits and pieces away... some of it went to the rubbish tip, but some of the clothes, kitchen gadgets, books and folders could be useful to someone... so I wanted to give them to a charity shop.
The one that I usually donate to had closed down, so I decided to visit a nearby shopping area that was likely to have a couple of charity stores. Within minutes I found one, but after circling a couple of times I couldn’t find a parking spot and decided to pull up on the pavement right outside the store and run in with the twelve bags of goodies... Hey, it would only take a minute!
By the time I had entered the store, dropped off the first four bags and returned... she was there!!! A Traffic Controller, already writing out my ticket. I had been less than 30 seconds! I felt my habitual reaction happen... blood started to boil, anger raced through me, I could hear screams in my head and see steam coming out of my ears... and... and... and... I had a “Baloani moment” (never called it that before, but from this point forward it’s gonna become a regular thing).
A baloani moment? I pulled myself together, calmed down, and
thought. Yes, instead of following the habitual reactions which
I have learned over a period of years...
I THOUGHT and RESPONDED.
I stopped, I smiled and I talked to the Controller politely.
Explaining that I was only here because I had 12 bags of
goodies for the charity shop, I was confident that she wouldn’t
give me the ticket after all. I was wrong! She slapped a ticket in
my hand for £100!!! But I still remained calm, because I had this
confident feeling that the local Council would reconsider the fine after receiving
a pleasant letter of explanation.
That remains to be seen, and I will give you the honest outcome in the next week or so. At this point, I really do see the Council dropping the penalty charge.
But the important part for me... was my response. It was proof that this new way of thinking is really, truly sinking in and becoming an integral part of my lifestyle. I’m not talking “Baloani®” I’m living it!
I already told you that my great friend Tyler, from Texas, came to visit this week. Well, I’ve known Tyler for years, we went to school together. He is a personal fitness instructor and runs his own business. Since one of my own goals is to get fitter and lose some weight, I decided to take this opportunity to get some individual advice. I didn’t realise this at the time, but Tyler can provide his clients with internet programs which they have to hold themselves accountable to, and if followed, the goals can achieve the desired outcome... generally thinner and fitter bodies... perfect. So I’ve signed up.
The first thing he’s told me to do is change my eating habits and diet. I’m gonna share with you the guidelines that Tyler has set out for me, but it doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If you have any questions, Tyler said he’d be happy to answer them for you by using the link to Training Redefined.
Apparently, 70% of losing weight is down to diet, only 30% is exercise. That’s great news for me, coz I’m not a fan of gyms! And the big key to success is reducing portions whilst having three smaller meals, with two snacks each day.
Tyler had a couple of suggestions...
1) Smaller portions are key. If you’re eating at home, trying using the side plates instead of dinner plates and if you’re at a restaurant, ask for a “to go box” or “doggy bag” and put half of the meal in there immediately.
2) Try to avoid processed food. Eat fresh. Meat, veg, fruit. If it’s in a box, packet or can... it ain’t that great... he’s starting to sound like Chef Ramsey! I wonder if he’s been watching “US Kitchen Nightmares”.
My first mistake is breakfast... hey I thought I was doing great on this, because I recently started eating breakfast... I used to eat nothing until lunch. Well, the cereal is apparently nothing but dead food, carbs and sugar. It’s got to be replaced with fruit and yogurt or even a lite English Breakfast is better than the cereal. Getting some protein into the system will help the metabolism and you won’t feel as hungry throughout the day, so a small portion of eggs, in an omelette, or scrambled is brilliant... But equally as good with some mushrooms, tomatoes, beans and even a little bit of bacon (grilled, not fried). GREAT!!!! My Mum’s old saying “start the day with a hearty breakfast” is apparently true... as long as it’s not fried!
The mid-
Lunch... should be a meal that is predominantly vegetables or salad, with some protein, a meat of your choice or an egg dish. It can be followed by some fruit with water or a smoothie.
The mid-
Dinner... should be a meal that is predominantly vegetables or salad, with some protein, a meat of your choice or an egg dish. If ya wanna have a change, some pasta, breads, rice or noodles is fine now and again... but try to stay away from excessive amounts of carbs... (which I looooove!). It can be followed by some fruit with water or a smoothie... but even a glass of wine now and again is fine... just don’t drink the whole bottle... been there, done that!
And if you’ve got to have a late night snack... go for fruit, seeds or nuts... but no meals or biscuits.
I reckon I can do it. It doesn’t sound like a crazy diet, but a sensible way to eat. Again, this all comes down to THINKING. Exactly what we learned in week 1.
Take 100% responsibility for your life.
E + R = O Event + Response = Outcome
The event in this case is eating, the response is to prepare a sensible meal, not chuck something in the microwave, and the outcome is a healthier, lighter individual.
When it comes to exercise, I’m pleased to tell you I don’t need to go to the gym. Coz I would find that soooo difficult. But Tyler has told me to walk more, go swimming, get on my stepper or bicycle, use the Wii fitness games or get into the garden as often as possible. All pretty easy to do, but again, I’ve got to chisel some time into my day to make it an integral part of my new lifestyle. I’m gonna buy some scales and keep ya posted.
Now, don’t forget, this site is all about participation and sharing, so please feel free to jump on facebook or send a message to email@baloani.com with a baloani moment of your own.
Next week... Unleash the Power of Goal-
Sarah Mathieson 09 March 2010, 14:00:26
My favourite at the moment: "Your actions become your destiny". I'm sure the quote should be longer than that, but that's the bit that sticks with me! xx"
Nick Shephard 09 March 2010, 18:57:03
Paul this stuff is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited like never be4. I wish you all the very best.
Alan Roberts 011 March 2010, 00:52:32
I’ve just paid £60 for no seat belt... But in your case I don’t think I could be so forgiving.
Tyler Smith 11 March 2010, 04:46:52
Your passion is infectious. And if you don’t get off the ticket, at least the money will be spent for a good cause... Hopefully. To improve the community? You should find out where that money goes.
squeeze it and make lemonade
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Bob Proctor
and Mary Morrissey
the complete package
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