This will require me to be a better student than I've been.

It will require me to be open to inspiration so I can be lead in the best way.

It will require me to be humbly embrace the next steps of my life's purpose with courage and faith.

All of this to say, that I felt prompted to open up one of the oldest personal development books this morning... and start from the beginning, again.

Religion completely aside, life and success, seems to be about finding meaning, values and beliefs that support us in the best ways as we move forward in whatever it is we're doing.

We as people tend to do this through stories and metaphors.

I'm always on the lookout for a good story or metaphor that has a powerful piece of understanding or meaning to bestow upon my consciousness so I can serve myself and others in the best way.

I'm not super picky about where this wisdom comes from, nor to I worship the book, person or group that brought it to me.

I believe that the Infinite has guidance for us and if we have ears to hear and eyes to see, this guidance can show up in many, many, many places.

Anyway, all of that to say, I found some guidance for myself this morning and wanted to send it your way in case it can touch you, like it touched me.

And yes, I'm getting to the first commandment, I wrote in the subject line of this email.

The old story says that 'in the beginning, the earth was without form and void.' It also says that 'Darkness was on the face of the deep.'

I stared at those lines and wondered what they could mean for me and my life.

I realized that life can be without form and void.

There have been times where I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing, or where I was supposed to be heading.

I was lost and without form and void.

Oddly enough, during some of these moments - my soul felt dark. For us humans, I can't think of anything more deep than the essence of what's inside.

What is it? Where does it lead? Do we have a soul that's separate from the body?

Deep, deep, DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP questions.

So if there's 'Darkness on the face of the deep' - a logical meaning could be that our soul is temporarily lacking in light, clarity, clear direction and purpose for our future.

In the story, God says 'Let there be light. And there was light, and it was good.'

It seems to me that at any point, the spirit of vision can move within us and help to shine light on our current path as well as the road ahead.

The story says that 'The Spirit of God moved' just before the words 'let there be light' arrived upon the scene.

As I reflect back on my journey, there does seem to be something to the idea that, at times, the spirit moves within us and inspires on to the next step.

Call it what you will. The spirit of God. The spirit of inspiration. The spirit of vision. The spirit of Imagination....

Point is, it seems to me that something can work through us that comes from a much higher place.

And if we are open to that, and are doing the best we can to seek out the highest good for ourselves and others, light can be shined on our lives in the most profound ways.

Just like God in the story, created organization and light, from the formless and void with words - we can create organization and light in our lives and futures - with the words of our goals, dreams and intentions.

And just like God, in the story, saw that it was good.

We too, can create good things in the world - and see that it's good.

As I continued to read and reflect, I then stumbled upon what you could say was the first commandment in recorded history.

In other words, as the story goes, the very first piece of advice spoken from God to man.

Do you know what that advice was Friend?

Be fruitful and multiply.

Many people have taken this to mean procreate, and maybe that's part of it.

For me though, it seems to mean...

Be productive.

Produce.

Multiply your talents, your words, your prosperity, your freedom.

Be a tree that bears fruit.

Good fruit.

Fruit that multiplies for yourself and those around you.

And whether or not this is a God Given commandment straight from the heavens or not...

It sure does seem to be an extremely useful way to look upon life.

Well Friend, my wife just called and reminded me I need to come in and get ready for the day.

So I'll bring this email to a close.

I love you. I believe in you. I believe that you have greatness within you... (The deep) < - and that as we continue to shine our lights in the best way we can - whatever clouds of darkness may appear from time to time - can reveal a beautiful sun shining behind them and into our hearts, minds and futures.

All the best,

Paul