Ordinary Words Extraordinary Power, A Dictionary of Distinctions, Danish Ahmed,

Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003
Subject: Special Edition DoD: 7 Ways to Give / Don't Get the Holiday Blues

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

In this Special Holiday Edition:
1. `Tis the Season to Give -- 7 Different Ways!!
2. Seasons Greetings!
3. Don't Get the Holiday Blues
~ Learn to deal with some holiday hang-ups
4. Give the Gift of Communication . . .
~ Who would enjoy a copy of "A Dictionary of Distinctions" ?
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"Don't think you are. Know you are."
- Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), The Matrix (1999, Screenwriters: Andy & Larry Wachowski)

"Movies are like life, only better, because you can get up and walk out any time you feel like it."
- Anonymous

"Sometimes, we just can't explain something in a small quote."
- Danish Ahmed
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`Tis the Season to Give -- 7 Different Ways!!

The first thing we may think of when we think of giving, is money (or gifts and presents which cost money). However, some of us may feel financially constrained . . . The second thing we may think of when we think of giving, is our time. With fast-paced lifestyles and busy schedules, perhaps that's a tall order, too. But wait! There are so many different ways to give. Don't think we need only time and money to make a difference. Here are five additional ways in which we can all give this holiday season:

1. Giving of our Space

This could be giving a seat on a bus or letting someone go ahead of us in a lineup. This could be opening our doors and inviting our neighbors into our homes. Or, we could simply be generous in giving people the space to be whoever they want to be. Let's not judge others so quickly; let's increase our level of acceptance.

2. Giving of our Heart

Take the time to really listen to someone. Feel what they are feeling. Understand who they are and why they are who they are. Let's really put ourselves in their shoes.

3. Giving of our Soul

This is giving of ourselves at a spiritual level. It may be in the form of praying for somebody. It may involve meditating on helping someone else and uncovering solutions to their problems. Or, it can simply be sending off positive energy vibes.

4. Giving of our Spirit

This is giving without reason and giving without any conditions, attachments or expectations. But what are we giving? Smiles, hugs, and compliments. It is giving joyfully with enthusiasm. When combined with giving money or time, it is giving without ever having any worry as to whether our gift will be mismanaged or misused.

5. Giving of our Being

Giving of ourselves completely is giving 100% of ourselves. What does this look like? It can look like anything . . . Recipients see it as empathy, compassion, and love.

This holiday season, let's experiment with different ways of giving. Different things work for different people, so let's give in ways that will be meaningful to others.
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Seasons Greetings!

Thank you for being an avid reader of this newsletter. We wish you and your families the very best this holiday season. Aren't our communities so much better when they're filled with laughter? When they're filled with joy? When they're filled with love?

Make your New Year great. Fill it with peace, happiness, and fulfillment. (The laughter brings peace, the joy brings happiness, and the love brings fulfillment -- but that's another article!)

Danish Ahmed, Steve Rogers, Andrei Losinski, and Naz Ahmed
The Distinctions e-Zine Editorial Team
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Don't Get the Holiday Blues
~ Learn to deal with some holiday hang-ups

It's that time of year where people are more cheerful, helpful, and caring. What a magical experience when so many of us radiate warmth and harmony . . . But amongst the celebrations, there are invariably some individuals who will go through rough moments. Maybe we will go through our own rough moments. How will we get through our challenges? First, let's figure out what kind of challenge we have. This helps us to take actions that make lasting change.

Are you stressed?

Perhaps you're the type of person who finds yourself very busy in this season. Your business may pull in more customers during this time, you may be going to many more social events, and you may be trying to host a bunch of relatives visiting from out of town, too. All this can get very hectic!

One of the natural ways to alleviate stress is to do relaxing things like taking a walk or watching a movie. Although these activities are sometimes helpful, our minds may continue to "think" -- we continue talking to ourselves about our stresses when we're walking, or we tend to find things in the movie that remind us of our stresses. In essence, we continue to stress ourselves out, trying to relax.

What we may want to do are activities that force our bodies to be active, allowing our minds to rest and NOT think at all. For example, exercise, sports, theatrical acting, and playing a musical instrument are all good activities that allow us to be in the moment. These activities allow us to focus on the task at hand, and consequently, put our stresses to "sleep." Now, our subconscious minds are able to tackle some of the problems we may have been facing. And, our subconscious minds may even come up with solutions without any of our conscious effort. What power!

Are you depressed?

For some people, the holidays can become a reminder of a lost friend, a distant family, or a confused faith. Maybe it doesn't feel right to be "cheery" when we see so much harm, cruelty, and injustice in the world. Perhaps, as we start to reflect on our past year, we feel the pain of disappointments and see the shadows of unfulfilled dreams.

No, positive thinking isn't the answer. The holidays are usually a very emotional time for people, having associated deep or unconscious memories of early childhood. Using logic to change our momentary thinking may not work.

I strongly recommend a book called "Hope & Heroes: Portraits of Integrity & Inspiration." It's all about people who have overcome great adversities and have made our world a better place. Some people we may recognize, like Nelson Mandela and Arun Gandhi (the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi). Some people are amazing activists who we may not recognize, like Julia Butterfly Hill. Julia spent over two years living in a tree -- literally -- as a protest to clear-cut logging. From a radio-powered phone, Julia spoke to the media and gave talks at various conferences!

These stories are fascinating, unique, and emotional. They have inspired me, having me realize that those who help transform our world aren't necessarily well known people. In fact, there are so many people, groups, and communities out there that are literally transforming our consciousness and creating a higher level of evolution. Learn more about Hope & Heroes at http://www.barryshainbaum.com.

Are you bored?

This will relate to the younger readers of this e-zine. Or, if you're a parent, perhaps you've noticed your child has more time on their hands than they know what to do with. There's no school, the weather may make it tough to visit friends, and T.V. just has all the same Christmas-specials from last year!

I've been bored out of mind, so I know what it's like. Don't tell me, "Oh I can think of LOTS of things you can do . . ." That's not the point. Being bored isn't about not having anything to do. Being bored is not being able to find satisfaction in doing anything. We can be doing something, and still have a feeling of boredom.

I find the best remedy for boredom is to employ a sense of contribution. Put your thoughts on helping other people. Is there something a family member needed help with that you could now assist them with? How about volunteering for a charity or cause that you believe in? It doesn't have to be anything structured - what about going to our local park and clearing away liter?

Right now, I'm working on a project with several organizations to raise money for AIDS orphans in Africa. When we try to get rid of boredom by doing an activity, we naturally focus on ourselves and our boredom. On the other hand, when we put our focus on other people, the boredom goes away automatically. It's impossible to feel unfulfilled when we're helping somebody else.

How are you?

We all have times when we don't feel good. In this intense festive season, we may try a quick-fix to jolt ourselves out of our negative state. Or, we may feel stuck and unable to change. Let's stop and ask ourselves, "What am I feeling -- really?" Uncovering our feelings and getting to the core of our being, is what helps us to transcend ourselves into happier, healthier, people.
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"If more people were for people \ All people everywhere \ There'd be a lot less people to worry about \ And a lot more people who care."
- Up With People

"The body weeps the tears that the eyes refuse to shed."
- Robert Bly, Poet & Social Activist

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen."
- Hebrews 11:1 (Contributed by Rosemarie S. in New Jersey)
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This Holiday Season . . .
Give the Gift of Communication :)
~ Who would enjoy a copy of "A Dictionary of Distinctions" ?

1. People who like words.

Hey, the book is all about words. Those who like words may be teachers, writers, librarians, poets, artists, or somebody who does any sort of marketing.

2. People who like to be more.

Yes, the book is about personal development, empowerment and transformation. People who like to be more include coaches, parents, trainers, entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone who's been in the self-help section of a bookstore.

3. People who like short stories.

With two-to-three page chapters, it's an easy read, indeed! Who likes short stories? Children, teenagers, seniors, or anyone else who has read Chicken Soup for the Soul.

"A Dictionary of Distinctions" is available at many book retailers, including Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Smith Books, and Coles. Order the book online at Chapters: Click http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Catalog=Books&Item=978097313600

I appreciate your support.
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"We must teach our children not to spend their money a dollar at a time. If you spend your money a dollar at a time, you'll wind up with trinkets instead of treasures. You can't buy much of value a dollar at a time."
- Jim Rohn

"All progress starts with asking a new question."
- Anthony Robbins

"The most beautiful thing in the world is the world itself."
- Tom Hanks, Cast Away (2000, Screenwriter: William Broyles Jr.)
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(c) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2000-2003. All rights reserved.
http://www.ordinarywords.com

Do you know anybody else who would enjoy reading these articles? Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your family, friends, and associates.

Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2003
Subject: DoD: The Many Levels of Faith

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)
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"You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight."
- Jim Rohn

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited."
- Plutarch

"Don't say, `If I could, I would.' Say, `If I can, I will.'
- Jim Rohn
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The Many Levels of Faith

Faith is a word that is talked about a lot in personal development. Many of us may conceptually understand what faith is. We may even make conscious efforts to employ faith consistently in our lives. But do we really utilize faith in ALL areas of our lives? We may not. We may have faith in certain areas of our lives, yet unconsciously lack it in other areas. What would your life look like if you had faith in ALL areas of your life? How would you feel, what would you accomplish? Distinguishing some of the areas in which we can employ faith, gives us conscious choice to employ faith in ways we may not think possible.

What is Faith?

Faith is the ability to believe that adversity has a higher meaning than we can realize. Faith is the active process of persevering through challenging circumstances, despite rational or logical judgment.

Here's a situation . . . Let's suppose we've been running a business for two years and haven't turned a profit. In the face of barriers, we choose to keep going. Are we employing faith? That depends. For example, if all our family and friends believe in our inevitable success and encourage us to continue, then we are NOT employing faith. With these circumstances, we are simply using evidence (social proof) to justify our cause. However, if our family and friends were to tell us that it won't work and that we should stop, and we continue anyway - then we would be employing faith. We would be believing and acting upon something without any tangible evidence.

Faith in Ourselves

As humans, we mess up at times. I'm sure all of us can remember moments from our past that we are not proud of or happy about. Having faith in ourselves is knowing that everything from our past has or will serve a purpose. Having faith in ourselves is knowing that every difficult experience we face adds importance to our lives, even if we may not be conscious of it.

Faith in People

We live in a world where we interact with many other people, so having faith in ourselves is not enough. Sure, some people may lack integrity or may be acting in ways that aren't consistent with our values. Having faith in people is knowing that all people do the best they can with the resources they have. Having faith in other people is demonstrated through trust, even when other people may be untrustworthy.

Faith in Our Country

Regardless of the political system we (as a country) choose, there will invariably be times when we disagree with the principles/actions of our leaders. In fact, we may feel that there's no use in even voting. Having faith in our country is feeling the pride of living in the greatest, freest country in the world. Yes, there may be great ills and obstacles that we have yet to overcome - having faith is the willingness to think and act long-term, seeing ourselves overcoming those obstacles.

Faith in Our World

Today, as you are reading this, there are many wars happening around the world. Some people are surprised that we haven't blown ourselves to bits already! Having faith in our world is understanding that change and transformation can take many generations. There may be a few "evil" forces out there . . . Having faith in the world is realizing that the "greater good" will always prevail.

Faith in God

There are so many religions out there, all claiming that they are "the right one." If there was a true and just God, why would He allow all of us to go through the headache of trying to figure who the right God is? Is there a "right" God? Are they really different Gods, or are they all the same God? Having faith in God is trusting in His ways. We are mortal, being conscious only for a fraction of eternal time. Having faith in God is knowing that whatever our current path may be, our current path is perfect just the way it is.

Too Much Faith?

Maybe you've had these thoughts: When I have faith in other people, they take advantage of me! When I have faith in God, I always get disappointed! How do I know WHEN to employ faith?

That's a good question. In fact, I'm not suggesting that we employ faith "all the time" or that we don't use our rational and logical judgment. That would be a little silly. However, every successful person I know or have read about went through many stages in their lives where nothing was going their way. In every area of their life, they had no support. They had to go past the visible evidence around them, and enter into the "unseen." They had to employ faith.

So the question is, are you at a similar point in your life? Have you tried everything, and nothing has worked? Are you at the end of your rope? If the answer to those questions is "Yes," then ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I have faith in myself?
2. Do I have faith in people?
3. Do I have faith in my country?
4. Do I have faith in our world?
5. Do I have faith in God?
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"True creativity often starts where language ends."
- Arthur Koestler, Writer (1905-1983)

"Our lives should teach the truth we believe in."
- Bruxy Cavey, Pastor, The Meeting House

"Intimacy is a shared experience of reality."
- Dr. Barbara DeAngelis, author of "How to Make Love All the Time"
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Distinctions that Make a Difference!

"Danish [is] truly a remarkable person. Every single person I've talked to about [him] has said the same. I want to make this city, province and country absolutely fantastic. [Danish's] life should be an inspiration to all Canadians."
- Alex Barnes, Social-Political Entrepreneur

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Danish for his time and his presentation on Timeless Truths in Time Management. The presentation was excellent and everyone who attended was praising it. I had a lot of positive feedback. Danish's fan club is growing and we would like to hear from him more often. Thank you very much and we wish Danish the very best."
- Suresh Nair, President, Malayalee Engineering Graduates Association
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"Love is the fulfillment of the law."
- Romans 13:8, 10; Deuteronomy 19:9

"Communication has to be harmonic, not just efficient."
- Danish Ahmed

"Unless you love everybody, you can't sell anybody."
- Jerry Maguire (1996, Screenwriter and Director: Cameron Crowe)
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Order "A Dictionary of Distinctions" online at Chapters:
Click http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Catalog=Books&Item=978097313600

Subscribe to this free newsletter by sending an e-mail to join-distinctions@mh.databack.com
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(c) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2000-2003. All rights reserved.
http://www.ordinarywords.com

Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Subject: DoD: Networking Event TODAY & Twelve Components to True Wealth

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

Catch The Communication . . .
1. Professional Networking . . .
2. The 12 Components to True Wealth
3. Distinctions that Make a Difference!
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"You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face
And show the world all the love in your heart.
Then people gonna treat you better, you're gonna find,
Yes you will, that you're beautiful as you feel."
- Carol King, Copyright 1971 Colgens-EMI Music, Inc.

"Writer's write what they know. But they don't know what they know, until they write it."
- W. H. Auden, Author/Poet (1907-1973); also referenced in the HBO Television Series, "Out of Order"
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Professional Networking . . .

"Overcoming Adversity"
I am looking forward to this event where I will share some of my experiences on overcoming obstacles in my business and personal life. By attending this session you will be empowered by great ideas that can unlock the secrets to overcoming your personal and professional barriers to success.

You will learn:
- What does it mean to be "inauthentic"? How does this stop us from effective leadership?
- How to derive valuable meaning from our challenges
- Techniques to foster and generate faith

When: TODAY (Tues., Nov. 11), 6:45 PM
Where: Groove Cafe, 3280 Dufferin Street (near Yorkdale Mall, Toronto)
Cost: $30 (snacks incl.)
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"Words of comfort, skillfully administered, are the oldest therapy known to man."
- Louis Nizer, Lawyer (1902-1994)

"Sometimes, we learn our greatest truths from the story of our lives."
- Steve Rogers
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The 12 Components to True Wealth

Napoleon Hill, best known for his book "Think & Grow Rich" itemized the twelve components to true wealth as follows:

1. A Positive Mental Attitude
2. Sound Physical Health
3. Harmony in Human Relationships
4. Freedom from Fear
5. The Hope of Future Achievement
6. The Capacity for Applied Faith
7. Willingness to Share one's Blessings with Others
8. To Be Engaged in the Labor of Love
9. An Open-mind on all Subjects Toward all people
10. Complete Self-Discipline
11. Wisdom with which to Understand People
12. Financial Security

Each of these items can be discussed individually in great detail. This is a bird's eye view. In future articles, we'll take a deeper look. For now, just consider the numerous levels of fulfillment we can have in our lives.

As I was reading the list, I realized how many of these components I, as many of you, already have (at least to a moderate degree). I realized how wealthy we already are. It truly adds perspective to some of the great things in life that we have, and that we may be taking for granted.

Try it yourself. Read each item in the list and ask yourself, from a scale of 1 to 10, how much of that characteristic you already possess. It's important to acknowledge some of the components you already have. And here's a tip: If you find an item that is at a low number for you, spend some time nourishing and expanding that trait. We'll find that by doing so, we not only enhance our quality of life, we inherently feel a lot wealthier!

One of the most important steps in our individual personal development is to acknowledge our progress along the way, otherwise we become de-motivated and eventually give up. We are, after all, human.

And here's another tip: Don't get caught by focusing solely on Component #12 first. As Anthony Robbins said in an interview with a prisoner of war, Captain Gerald Coffee, "The only way to get beyond survival -- is to start beyond it."
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"The future is determined mostly by what we believe today."
- Gloria Steinem (contributed by JP from The Philippines)

"We exercise integrity not to get what we want, but to be what we want."
- Michael Josephson, Speaker and Radio Commentator
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Distinctions that Make a Difference!

"[Danish's] CD took my breath away. It is simply wonderful. My two children also listened to it and were so inspired . . . They listened to [Danish's] CD with rapture . . . How can I say thank you for this great work? . . . There are so many positive words that describe [Danish's] work and message. The word that sticks out the most to me is OUTSTANDING. [Danish's] gift to the world stands out with courage, positivity and conviction."
- Irene Segal, Life & Business Coach
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"People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most people succeed because they are determined to."
- George E. Allen, Publisher and Author (1832-1907)

"I'd rather be a failure at something I like than to be a success at something I hate."
- George Burns, Actor & Comedian (1896-1996)
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Order "A Dictionary of Distinctions" online at Chapters:
Click http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Catalog=Books&Item=978097313600

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(c) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2000-2003. All rights reserved.
http://www.ordinarywords.com

Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Subject: DoD: Great Networking Event / Poetry

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

Catch The Communication . . .
1. Choice & Decision
2. Professional Networking . . .
3. A Dream Inside of You
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"That's the difference between you and me. You think we're fighting, I think we're finally talking."
- Jerry Maguire (1996, Screenwriter and Director: Cameron Crowe)

"The best way to predict the future is to create it."
- Peter Drucker, Writer, Teacher and Consultant
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Choice & Decision
by Steve Rogers & Danish Ahmed

Who is in charge of my life?
If I was in charge, would I not achieve
at least those things that are attainable through effort?

It's one thing to give away to destiny and unknown forces,
those things where other forces have say,
but what about those things that simply require effort?

Is it not, simply, a decision?
When no other forces have say, is it not simply your say that has power?
You're the only one who can make it happen, or not.

So, how do we take that available power,
and at least choose to turn those things that are in our power,
into our reality?

The distinction between choice and decision,
is the one that fuels
the distinction between plan and program.

The choice is the plan, the decision is the program.
The choice is the dream. The decision is the action.

Choosing implies opening a door and seeing what happens.
Deciding implies giving something up and receiving
something in return.

With a choice comes possibility.
With a decision comes commitment.

There are two ways to live.
Avoiding decisions, or embracing them.
A decision has no power until it is embraced with integrity.

If we can decide something one day,
and the next day we can undecide what we decided,
we have no power in our life,
we have no power to choose our path.

For choice to flourish, decision must flow through.
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"We can't get into someone's paradigm until we get out of our own."
- Steve Rogers
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Professional Networking . . .

"Overcoming Adversity"
I am looking forward to this event where I will share some of my experiences on overcoming obstacles in my business and personal life. Here are the details:

The Technicolour Umbrella Presents... Danish Ahmed
Get In The Groove Networking Event

When: Tuesday, November 11, 2003, 6:45 PM
Where: Groove Cafe, 3280 Dufferin Street (near Yorkdale Mall, Toronto)
Cost: $30 (snacks incl.), RSVP: 416-630-3527, technicolourumbrella@rogers.com
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"To me, good health is more than just exercise and diet. It's really a point of view and a mental attitude you have about yourself."
- Angela Lansbury, Actor
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A Dream Inside of You
by Danish Ahmed

I know it's hard to look up sometimes.
I know it's hard when everything is on your mind.
It's hard to play what some could call a game.
When we can't even quit the game we chose to play.

But dreams come true...
When you have people who believe in you.
Dreams can come to life...
Your heart knows it all right.
A special dream saved for you...
It's right there, waiting for you.

How can we believe in destiny, when we don't see the light?
How can we be the winner, when we can't win this fight?
This could be our hardest moment - something we'll never know.
How much more, can I have faith? How much more can I grow?

Dreams do come true...
When we stop to see where we have come to.
Dreams can come to life...
Your spirit will guide you tonight.
A special dream is now ready for you...
See it, choose it, and live it with you.
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"The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas."
- Linus Pauling, Scientist (1901-1994)

"Luck is the residue of design."
- Branch Rickey, Athlete (1881-1965)
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Order "A Dictionary of Distinctions" online at Chapters:
Click http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Catalog=Books&Item=978097313600

Subscribe to this free newsletter by sending an e-mail to join-distinctions@mh.databack.com
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(c) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2000-2003. All rights reserved.
http://www.ordinarywords.com

Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2003
Subject: DoD: Mentorship

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

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"Now when did you last let your heart decide?"
- A Whole New World, by Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle (Theme Song from Alladin)

"The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice. It's conformity."
- Earl Nightingale ("The Strangest Secret" recorded in 1956)

"Challenge is life's way of making sure that you truly desire the things you achieve. "
- Ralph S. Marston Jr., http://greatday.com
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Feature Article: Mentorship

A mentor is a leader who has a specific person he or she wishes to guide as they move forward. This leader creates a personal relationship with a "mentee" and allows that connection and intimacy to give confidence to the mentee, raising his or her self-esteem. Mentors illustrate the various paths they have taken and allow their mentees to choose whether they want to follow such paths. Being a mentor has its rewards too, such as gaining clarity, receiving a fresh perspective, and seeing the difference that can be made for another individual.

Is mentorship just a new and interesting trend? For me, finding and receiving mentorship has transformed my life in ways some find remarkable.

At age thirteen, I was the first person in the Toronto Board of Education to participate in Co-Operative Education (working in the job market). There I met Peter who would become my first mentor. My job was to do computer programming; however, I found great fascination in learning about business. Peter was the owner of a relatively small company and noticed my broadening interests. He took me under his wing, explaining some of the ins and outs of daily business. Peter introduced me to many of his clients and invited me to various trade shows. This experience was invaluable, causing me to became even more passionate about technology, business and everything else that I was learning.

Peter and I remain friends to this day. Sometimes people are shocked when I mention to them how I co-developed a U.S. patent in the biomedical industry while I was a teenager. The secret, of course, is that I had a great mentor and wisely chose to follow in his footsteps.

At age sixteen, I was serendipitously introduced to Dan. Dan and I developed a strong friendship with our mutual interests in technology and business. We conjured up great new business ideas together and sought out venture capital. Initially I thought, "who is going to listen to a teenager, who only has 5% sight, about a business idea - let alone invest millions of dollars in it?" Thankfully, Dan wasn't in the same category. He was much older than me, having a Masters in Business Administration with lots of experience in the oil industry, business and politics. Dan helped to increase our credibility with potential investors. More importantly, Dan was my resource for knowledge and information that can only be acquired through experience.

We did it! We got $1.5 million in capital and started an exciting new venture. What was the secret? It was my willingness to listen and appreciate the wisdom of a mentor.

I never knew that I would want to be in business for myself. I grew up on welfare in Regent Park, so there certainly weren't many opportunities for me to find role-models that I could follow. I wouldn't even know where to start, if I wanted to learn about operating my own business. What would I need to learn first? Raymond Aaron is co-author of Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul and acted as my mentor while I produced my best-selling book, "A Dictionary of Distinctions." Raymond says: "Sometimes what we most need to learn, we do not even know we need to learn. That is the huge benefit of a mentor."

In essence, mentors don't help us learn about things we don't know - that we can acquire from a textbook. Mentors help us learn about things that we have yet to realize that we don't know - things outside of our current consciousness, things we haven't thought about yet . . . And, that's why the mentorship is invaluable.

--- Check out the distinction of Manage, Lead, Coach & Mentor, on page 23 of "A Dictionary of Distinctions."
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"Real confidence comes from winning and losing and winning and losing, and winning and losing enough, until you understand that every time you lose, you're just stumbling forward to win again."
- Dexter Yager, #1 Network Marketer

"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."
- Japanese Proverb

"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."
- Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), Economist and Journalist
- - - - - - - - - -

The Final Word.

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Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003
Subject: DoD: Contradictions, Paradoxes & Star Trek

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

Let's Talk About Life . . .
1. Feature Article: Are There Contradictions in Personal Development?
2. A Tribute to Star Trek
3. Distinctions that Make a Difference!
- - - - - - - - - -

"On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux."
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
- The Little Prince (Chapter 21: Befriends the Fox, 1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944)

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? \ That depends a good deal on where you want to get to. \ I don't much care where. \ Then it doesn't matter which way you go."
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Chapter VI: Pig and Pepper) by Lewis Carroll

"No one wins unless everyone wins."
- Bowling for Columbine (2002, Written by Michael Moore)
- - - - - - - - - -

Feature Article:
Are There Contradictions in Personal Development?

Many years ago, as my personal-growth journey was expanding, I strived to find the fundamental principals of success that would be consistent to the entire personal development industry. I was happy to find some of these principals, yet I was shocked as I noticed that one principal would contradict another! What was going on? "There's no ultimate truth," I thought, "just everyone's personal version of it."

Have you noticed contradictions from one book to the next, from one speaker to the next, or from one seminar to the next? How do we account for these inconsistencies? Do they devalue the benefits of personal development? Here's what I've learned along my journey . . .

1. Contradictions Are a Part of Life

Contradictions aren't confined to the personal development industry. They are a part of life, and they are everywhere. Have you heard the phrase, "the pen is mightier than the sword" or the phrase, "actions speak louder than words?" Which one is true? Is it possible for both of them to be true? In our complex world, I would submit that it depends. We can dissect the two statements and discover under what circumstances and under what conditions each would be more valid.

Is this an isolated example? If you think so, consider "opposites attract" compared to "birds of a feather flock together." Try "look before you leap" compared to "he who hesitates has lost." How about "absence makes the heart grow fonder" compared to "out of sight, out of mind?" My personal favorite is "knowledge is power" compared to "ignorance is bliss." I'm sure you can think of some of your own . . .

2. A Contradiction May Really Be A Paradox

Here's a mini-distinction: A contradiction is when two ideas explicitly negate each other. A paradox, on the other hand, represents two opposite ideas that, once understood, actually make sense and complement each other. Here's an example:

There's the story of the fly who keeps banging its head against the glass window. It doesn't realize that there's a window, so it keeps trying. Unfortunately, it keeps trying until it dies of exhaustion. Some would say that insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. The lesson here is "if you want a different result, do something different."

What about the story of the rock-cutter who keeps axing his rock over and over again? After ninety-nine hits, the rock is still solid. On the hundredth hit of the axe, the rock splits in two! Was it the hundredth hit that was so powerful, or was it the persistence of the ninety-nine hits? "Keep trying and you'll eventually get what you want" is the lesson here.

Both these stories make valid points, even though their morals seemingly contradict each other. Since both stories are true and have merit, what we have here is a paradox.

3. A Paradox Adds Depth to Our Understanding

Mark Victor Hansen once said that personal development can be generalized down to four words: "Tell the truth . . . faster." Understanding ourselves, our emotions, our minds, and our world is what helps us to grow personally. The quicker we are able to acknowledge such truths and be completely authentic with ourselves and with others about the truth, the more we will grow personally. This is the "rational" way of being (there are absolute truths to be learned).

In the metaphysical paradigm, we may be taught that "what we confess, we possess." From this perspective, we speak what we want into existence. Our beliefs become our reality. This teaching is known as "existentialism" (everybody's truth is unique and subject to one's experiences and interpretations). And, this teaching is on the opposite side of the spectrum of Mark Victor Hansen's four words.

I call this the fundamental paradox of personal development. Do we discover the truth and then speak it, or do we create the truth we want by speaking it first? Remember that a paradox can help us understand life at a deeper level. It may not be simple, a one-sentence summary to explain all of creation, yet it is powerful. A paradox reminds us that for every situation in life, we need to keep in mind our context and purpose, before resorting to a given generalization.
- - - - - - - - - -

"Procrastination - What is it?"
"I'll tell you later."
- Spontaneous remark from a recent seminar

"Pessimists calculate the odds. Optimists believe they can overcome them."
- Ted Koppel, News anchor

"There are two parts to influence: First, influence is powerful; and second, influence is subtle. You wouldn't let someone push you off course, but you might let someone nudge you off course and not even realize it."
- Jim Rohn
- - - - - - - - - -

A Tribute to Star Trek

"Your job is to hold on - keep trying, even if you think you can't."
- Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager)

"A lack of an explanation does not make your assumption correct."
- Vulcan High Command (Enterprise)

"I do remember. I just remember different."
- Michael Dorn (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"A little suffering is good for the soul."
- William Shatner (Star Trek TOS: "The Corbomite Maneuver")

"Change is the essential process of all existence."
- Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek TOS: "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield")

[Feeling the loss of a loved one] "I'm never going to feel like this again . . . That's true, every time you fall in love, it's different . . . I feel so empty . . . Soon, all you'll remember is the love."
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- - - - - - - - - -

Distinctions that Make a Difference!

"[Danish] has proven [he] can deliver any type of speech in a masterful way!"
- Anonymous
- - - - - - - - - -

Success & Significance
"There's something beyond success, and that's significance."
- Cherry Meadows, Independent Business Owner

Laughter
"When we don't know what's funny, and we laugh anyways . . . sometimes that just cracks us up even more!"
- Danish Ahmed

Sharing
"The more we share something, the better we remember it."
- Danish Ahmed
- - - - - - - - - -

The Final Word.

Join the Ordinary Words Community - it is growing!!
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Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2003
Subject: DoD: BLACKOUTS!!! (& Atlanta)

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

Catch the Communication...
1. What was it like in Atlanta?
2. Feature Article: The Blackout Distinction - Plan & Program
3. Distinctions that Make a Difference!
- - - - - - - - - -

"There are no answers - only choices." - Solaris (2002, Screenwriter: Steven Soderbergh, Source Writer: Stanislaw Lem)

"Sometimes what we most need to learn, we do not even know we need to learn. That is the huge benefit of a Mentor." - Danish Ahmed's mentor, Raymond Aaron, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul

"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus." - Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), Civil rights activist
- - - - - - - - - -

What was it like in Atlanta?
- The Power of Words -

"The Power of Words" was the theme amongst the various speaking engagements I had scheduled in Atlanta last week. Little did I know that I would personally go through a challenge, that had me live what it is that I teach.

I had an engagement Wednesday evening that I was hoping to get confirmed. I left several messages and didn't hear anything back. My first thought was, "Oh no! A speaking opportunity has been lost." In talking it over with my publicist, I decided to go to the address I had, just in case everyone was still expecting me.

I got in a cab, and gave the driver the address. He had no idea where it was! He called on his cell phone to ask his friends if they knew. My first reaction was "Why do these things always happen to me?" I quickly changed my thoughts to, "Wow. I must be going to a cool place in Atlanta that most people don't get to see." We finally arrived on the street, but the driver couldn't find the exact number. He let me off and told me that at least he brought me into the right area.

Now, it might not be too difficult for the average person to walk around and look for the right building. Remember, that I can't see street signs or building numbers. Plus, I had my presentation banner, a bag full of books, CDs, evaluation forms, and my VISA card reader - all to carry with me as I walked around looking for the right place. I started to think "Is this all worth it?" Then I focused the power of words. And I said to myself, "Think what a great story this will make in an upcoming presentation!"

I finally found the right building - and the doors were all locked. I waited and waited, as my mind conjured up all sorts of possible scenarios. When the start-time of the event came and still nobody was there, I thought the event had been cancelled and considered going back to the hotel. Then, I quickly changed my thoughts to "What would a positive-thinking internationally-renowned speaker do at this point?" I decided to walk all around the building looking for open doors. There were about five other locked doors, but the sixth one was open!

I walked into the secluded building and looked around. I made my way to a 100-seat empty auditorium. Being someone who always tries to look for positive possible future, I thought "Wow! A hundred seats! I didn't know they were expecting so many people at this event."

The place was deserted. It actually felt a little creepy! Since nobody appeared to be around, I screamed "Hello! Hello!" and my voice echoed through the halls. About eight seconds later, a woman came onto the balcony and said "Yes." What a relief! She welcomed me and showed me to the room I would be speaking in. The engagement was on, and everyone was there waiting for me.

It was one of the most spontaneous speeches I have ever given because I shared with them the story that I've just shared with you. Was it commitment (my desire to make things work) that made the event possible? Was it my resourcefulness (trying different things)? Or was it my persistence (not letting anything stop me) and my unwillingness to give-up that made everything work out in the end?

These attributes - commitment, resourcefulness, persistence - are all important. But what caused all of those attributes to surface in the first place? How did I get myself to become committed and persistent? It was my thoughts - my words - the chatter in my mind. There was negative chatter, of course. First I became conscious of that chatter, realizing what it was I was saying to myself automatically. Then, understanding it wasn't empowering me, and deciding to change it, is what helped me to become committed, to become resourceful, and to become persistent. And, I'm glad I did.

If commitment and persistence are keys to success, how do we make sure we are committed and we persist? The genesis of these great attributes is in the effectiveness of the communication we have with ourselves - The Power of Words.
- - - - - - - - - -

Words

"Words are but pictures of our thoughts." - John Dryden (1631-1700), Poet and critic

"Vocabulary enables us to interpret and to express. If you have a limited vocabulary, you will also have a limited vision and a limited future." - Jim Rohn, mentor to Anthony Robbins

"The purpose of reading books is not to read books, but to read them, and then discuss them with others." - Danish Ahmed
- - - - - - - - - -

The Blackout Distinction
Plan & Program

By now many of you have probably heard of the blackouts that spanned the north-eastern US States, Ontario (Canada) and now London, England. I was listening to the radio and heard an official talking about emergency situations and how these situations could and should be dealt with. He talked about a distinction between Plan and Program. He suggested that currently most governing bodies have an Emergency Plan, and do not have an Emergency Program. Although he quickly mentioned this distinction, I believe a closer look can help us understand the problem, and by comparison, apply it to our personal growth journey.

1. Plans are based on theory; Programs are based on results

The official mentioned how Emergency Plans tend to document policies and procedures. They outline "what-if" scenarios. We need Emergency Programs because they will demonstrate what WILL happen, with whom, when, where, and how fast. Programs will discuss relationships with other parties, and their interdependent roles. In essence, it is not about "what-if", it is about "what-is".

Now, in terms of personal development, think about a goal that you have. Do you have a plan for it's attainment, or do you have a program? Perhaps you have a bunch of "what-if" scenarios - waiting for the right job, waiting for the right contact. Based on your present professional direction, you may "plan" to retire on a given date. Or, you may constantly be on the search. Are you building relationships that will serve your program? Can you see the results of your daily actions serving to fulfill a long-term goal?

2. Plans are dormant; Programs are active

The official on the radio stated that plans are documented and sit on the shelf - only to be looked at in an emergency situation. Programs, on the other hand, are viewed regularly. They are always being practiced and tested. {Mini-Distinction: Practiced=tried/exercised; Tested=Done/Pushed beyond their limits)

Some people have great plans for their lives. They take the time to brainstorm and to write their goals down. That's awesome. But they let these sheets of paper or files in the computer sit dormant. They don't fuel their dreams. They don't check to see if they are still passionate about their dreams. They continue along their "plan", and perhaps they eventually arrive. And then they say "is this all there is?" Personal development programs are not called "personal development plans" for a very good reason. Actively check and test your goals and dreams. See how life has influenced you over the years, and discover where you want to go today.

3. Plans become obsolete; Programs evolve

Documentation that sits on a shelf will inevitably become obsolete. Life changes and the world changes. Programs naturally change and evolve as they are being practiced and tested. Moreover, they become optimized and streamlined for maximum efficiency. Programs that evolve are not only up-to-date, they are the most practical and most easily implemented.

Do you know someone who says, "Yeah, I did a personal development program ten years ago." As Dr. Phil would ask, "And how's that working for you (today)?" It doesn't matter whether the program made a significant difference for us a long time ago. It's important to realize that even personal development programs themselves evolve. They change with the times, they change with the culture, and they change with people. Yes, success principals don't change. But the way in which they are presented, and the way in which people relate to them, understand them, and implement them, certainly changes. Are you stuck in your personal-growth journey? Perhaps it's time to take a good look at your personal "program" and see if it has been evolving with you.

Imagine if we're doing a treasure hunt on an island. We're given a map that clearly shows us how to get the treasure. Eventually, using our intelligence and wisdom {DoD Vol 1, pg. 89}, we'll find the treasure. Now, imagine that the terrain is constantly changing. Imagine that the island itself is changing form as we're walking. The journey suddenly becomes exponentially difficult. Life is like that. Life is always changing. Difficult circumstances are seldom expected. Having a "plan" may show us how to get somewhere right now. Having a "program" is like having a personal guide who will keep us on the course throughout our journey.

This little distinction has been slanted towards the benefits of a "program" to make a point (and to keep this newsletter reasonably short). Don't forget that plans have value, too. In fact, programs have little value without good plans to get them started right. One of the editors of this newsletter said: "I believe plans and programs support one another. The plan is the objective and the vision, whereas the program is the content and steps taken to reach the goal."

I hope all of you and your families have made it through the blackouts without much difficulty. Some of my friends talked about how weary it was being downtown not being able to see a thing at night! I said, "Well, now you know how I feel most of the time..."
- - - - - - - - - -

Listening
"Silence is chaos in the ears of a good listener." - Author Unknown

Dreams
"Dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die tomorrow." - James Dean

Faith
"Instant gratification is only desired when there is a lack of faith for an inevitable attainment." - Danish Ahmed
- - - - - - - - - -

Distinctions that Make a Difference!

"[Danish has] an incredible background in the self-development field and [he speaks] with clarity and authority. Most importantly, [he has] developed [his] unique angle of distinctions -- something that separates [him] from other speakers and authors in [the] field . . . I LOVE the "distinctions" concept - it provides great learning and is unique."
- Jeff Keller, best-selling author, "Attitude is Everything!"

"I was at the right place at the right time."
- Anonymous, Atlanta, Georgia
- - - - - - - - - -

Beliefs & Convictions
"You control your beliefs. Your convictions control you." - Bruce Wilkinson

Life & Money
"May your finances be organized and your life be random." - Author Unknown

Reality
"What we believe to be true is what shapes our reality." - Danish Ahmed
- - - - - - - - - -

The Final Word.

Join the Ordinary Words Community - it is growing!!
Click http://www.ringo.com/friends/724142a761432b2

Ringo Community: 7744
E-Zine Subscribers: 1254 in 25 countries

Order "A Dictionary of Distinctions" online at Chapters:
Click http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Catalog=Books&Item=978097313600

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(c) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2002-2003. All rights reserved.
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Sent: Wednesday, August 13
Subject: DoD: Atlanta & 4 Cornerstones of Personal Development

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

Catch the Communication...
1. Coming to Atlanta.
2. Feature Article: Four Cornerstones to doing any Personal Development Program RIGHT
3. The Final Word...

"Children have never been very good at listening to adults, but they have never failed to imitate them." - James Baldwyn

"The brain sees what the heart wants it to feel." - Anthony Robbins in the movie, Shallow Hal (2001)

"Why is it that people who need the most help won't take it?" - A River Runs Through It (1992)
- - - - - - - - - -

Coming to Atlanta. (August 20 to 24, 2003)

This time last year, I was in Atlanta speaking with business students at Georgia Tech University. Back for the anniversary date, I will be doing a special speaking tour in this major southern-US hub.

Do you know anyone in the state of Georgia? If so, tell them to come and see me in action as I deliver my message of "The Power of Words." I will be speaking at several private events, and my tour will be topped off, presenting at the International Toastmasters Convention. This is the annual gathering that brings representatives from 8,800 clubs in over 80 countries around the world.

For details on this event, visit our web site at http://www.ordinarywords.com -- click Speaker, then click Upcoming Events.
- - - - - - - - - -

Truth
"The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth." - Niels Bohr

Purpose
"If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking." - Buddhist Teaching

Life
"Life is about handling what happens, and having it work." - Danish Ahmed
- - - - - - - - - -

Four Cornerstones to doing any Personal Development Program RIGHT

Before we begin, let me say that I use the term "personal development" very loosely. Anything that we are doing in life that helps us to grow personally, is personal development. So, taking a new cooking class is personal development . . . Deciding to travel to a new country and experience the native culture is committing to personal development . . . Even if all we're doing is trying out a new Church, we can apply the steps listed here to help us give it everything we've got.

This is a follow-up article to "Three Critical Steps to Starting a Personal Development Program RIGHT", which was in the last issue of this newsletter. (You can read that article at the bottom of the home page of http://www.ordinarywords.com.) Now, let's talk about what it takes to actually go through the process of a personal development program - successfully.

1. Understand Consistency

What happens if we exercise like crazy for two months and then stop? What happens to a business that gives itself three months to become profitable? It doesn't matter how good the exercise program was or how good the business idea was - the secret to success in every area of life is consistency.

So how do we know when to give-up? Maybe we were committed, passionate, and flexible - all the great characteristics we know - and it still isn't working. What do we do then? Where do we draw the line? The first thing to do is to ask ourselves, were we truly being consistent? Or, were we being "discretionary"? Let's be brutally honest with ourselves.

I do about an hour's worth of morning rituals (meditations, visualizations, exercises) everyday. I usually wake up at 6:30 AM in order to give myself enough time to do these rituals and start my day. One day, I had an early breakfast meeting to attend, requiring me to wake up at 4:00 AM in order to complete my rituals. One of my friends said to me: "You're getting up at 4:00 AM?? Why not make an exception since this is a unique occurrence." I responded, "Unique occurrences seem to happen more often than we'd like to admit. If I make an exception this time, I'm training my mind to think that exceptions are OK. I want to train my mind to be consistent. And this is the first test in being consistent." Exceptions kill consistency. Exceptions are euphemisms for excuses.

2. Acknowledge Yourself

As important as consistency is, we won't be perfect. We're all human and we're going to fall short of our potential and some of our goals. Let's not dwell on what we've missed, instead, let's acknowledge what we've gained. Anthony Robbins says "Sometimes we think we're losing the game of life when we're really winning, simply because we're not keeping score." It's easy to lose perspective and to forget where we've come from. It's important to take a step back and to acknowledge ourselves for what we have accomplished.

Sometimes I get frustrated with myself and my business success (can you believe it?). Then I think. Three Publications, CD with Chicken Soup Co-Author, 1000+ subscribers in fifteen countries, and record sales at Canada's largest book retailer - not bad for fourteen months in business. :)

Take the time to acknowledge yourself. If your life is worth living, it's worth recording. If you haven't written in a journal in a long time, maybe the first thing to do is to list all the things you've done in your life. Don't just make it like a resume; make sure to include the lives you've touched over the years and the difference you have made for your family, friends, and co-workers. Think of how you've changed in your values, your beliefs, and your attitudes. Then, most importantly, read it back to yourself and smile. :)

3. Exercise Patience

It still isn't happening!!! What do we do? In our fast-paced culture, people seem to want miracles in minutes. I know I'm guilty of this sometimes. You might be thinking, "Wait a minute - what about all these programs that claim to change people over a weekend?" Well, that's true. In fact Tony Robbins says "Change happens in an instant." So what we need to do here is define what "change" is.

There's internal change, and there's external change. Internal change has to deal with mentality, attitude, insight, perspective, desire, motivation, values, beliefs, etc. External change deals with the results we're after like relationships, finances, vitality. Internal change causes external change. Internal change happens in an instant (when the student is ready). That's why some people who attend life-changing seminars have their lives consequently go in a noticeable new direction. They look different, they feel different. They have a new energy and a refueled passion about life. These are examples of internal change. How about the external change? When do the attendees see tangible differences in their lifestyle? When will passive acquaintances notice the difference in these people? Sometimes the external change comes quickly. Sometimes, it doesn't. That's life.

And when external change doesn't come quickly, we need to exercise patience. Giving up is not the answer. Having faith and continuing to be consistent in our plans will eventually yield results.

4. Teach What You're Learning

Let's talk with other people about some of the new insights, distinctions, and knowledge we've been learning. This helps us to conceptualize and understand information at a much deeper level. When we are articulating a concept or idea to someone else, our brain tends to believe it and apply it more effectively and more consistently. In the movie "Training Day" we heard a phrase repeated many times: "It's not what you know, it's what you can prove." This is why it's important not only to learn, but then to teach what we've learned to others. This ensures our ability to prove what we know.

You don't have to be a professional speaker or an accomplished author to be able to share your experiences. The operative word in step number four is "learning" not "learned." Before I made my passion of personal development into my career, I was talking to people about it for thirteen years. And I think that's what had helped me to apply the teachings in my own life - and that's what helps me to apply it today. By sharing the education with others, I also get valuable feedback and perspectives from a variety of people with varying personalities and opinions.

We don't just learn from tapes and books - we automatically learn from the people we associate with, whether consciously or unconsciously. Remember that poor minds gossip and talk negatively about other people. Most people talk about places, events, news and activities. Visionaries talk about concepts and ideas.

Personal development programs transform peoples lives. Sometimes, it depends on the program; sometimes it depends on the person's ability to pick a program that is right for them. More often than not, it depends on the person's commitment to understand and follow these four cornerstones. Personal development programs DO transform peoples lives. Personal development can transform your life, too.

(And if you're reading my book, "A Dictionary of Distinctions", remember these four cornerstones as you flip through chapters.)
- - - - - - - - - -

"If you want to bring something into your life do not wish for it, or hope for it, or pray for it, but thank God for it having already happened and then behave as if it has happened." - Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God

"You may be able to fake your facial expressions, but you can't fake your energy." - Steve Rogers & Danish Ahmed

"Children need your presence more than your presents." - Jesse Jackson
- - - - - - - - - -

The Final Word...

Join the Ordinary Words Community - it is growing!!
Click http://www.ringo.com/friends/724142a761432b2

Ringo Community: 7689 in 138 countries
E-Zine Subscribers: 1061 in 17 countries

Order "A Dictionary of Distinctions" online at Chapters:
Click http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Catalog=Books&Item=978097313600

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(c) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2002-2003. All rights reserved.
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Sent: June 16
Subject: DoD Newsletter: A Special e-Invitation, Thursday, June 26 - 7PM

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

Catch the Communication...
1. Your Invitation...
2. The One-Sentence Books
3. Jackpot!! Stop Gambling Your Time & Money Away!
4. Professionally Speaking...

“I’m a doctor, you’re a patient. --- Doctor, Patient. Curious human distinction.” - K-Pax (2001, Screenwriter: Charles Leavitt & Bryan Goluboff)

“Everybody knows that I’m the champ -- and I’ll be the champ until I quit.” - Undisputed (2002, Screenwriter: Walter Hill & David Giler)

"I cannot tell you my truth until you stop telling me yours." - Conversations with God, Book 1
- - - - - - - - - -

Your Invitation...

“Unlock the power of ordinary words through the discovery of everyday distinctions.”

You are invited to attend, the first in Toronto, author reading and book signing with me, Danish Ahmed! You’ll hear stories about my background, my history, and get an understanding of “distinctions” and the difference they can make for you.

Thursday, June 26, 2003, 7:00 pm
Indigo, Manulife, 55 Bloor Street West (Entrance south of Bloor, East side of Bay St.)

I’ll be signing copies of my book, “A Dictionary of Distinctions,” and my new CD, “Applying Ordinary Words in Everyday Life.”

I would appreciate getting an RSVP back from you (via this e-mail address) so I know the approximate number of attendees. Thanks. :)
- - - - - - - - - -

Liberty
“Liberty can only be maintained by having an educational system that teaches it, a governmental system that protects it, and an economic system that funds it.” - Don Pinson, Heritage Ministries

Fear & Courage
“Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” - Author Unknown

Desire
"Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value." - Jim Rohn
- - - - - - - - - -

On The Lighter Side
The Quick, One-Sentence Books(tm) on Personal Development

The one sentence book on Relationships:
“Be Yourself.”

The one sentence book on Investing:
“Buy Low, Sell High.”

The one sentence book on Time Management:
“Do It Now!”

The one sentence book on Health:
“Exercise & Eat Right.”

The one sentence book on Lifelong Success:
“Think Positive.”

The one sentence book on Spirituality:
“Be Here Now.”
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“When you’re going through hell... don’t stop! Don’t look at what you’re going THROUGH - look at what you’re going TO.” - Various Authors

“The precision of our language creates the depth of our understanding.” - Danish Ahmed

"There's no point in speaking the truth if everyone else thinks it is a lie. Change begins with trust." - Danish Ahmed
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You Hit The Jackpot!!!
Now Stop Gambling Your Time and Money Away.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t have the money” or “I don’t have the time.” Have YOU ever said that to other people? Here’s a bold statement: Time and money are never issues - they are only excuses. Why? Because both time and money are concepts we, as humanity, have invented. They really don’t exist.

What is Money???
When I was in Grade 9, I was offered to enroll in a program called Shad Valley. I really wanted to participate, but declined since it would cost $2,000. I didn’t have the money. This was before I listened to Tony Robbins’ tape on financial mastery. Continuing to get “distinctions” around finances caused me to enroll in every program that would catch my eye. My financial circumstances didn’t change. My mind-set did.

Rob Proctor, in his article “It’s Easy to Earn Money,” says, “The paper you fold and place in your purse or pocket is not money. It is paper with ink on it. It represents money, but it is not money. Money is an idea. The earning of money has nothing to do with the paper stuff. It has to do with consciousness.”

Why do we have money? Currency is an efficient way of exchanging goods and services that have varying costs. In other words, money is nothing more than the indication of VALUE. “I don’t have the money” translates into “I don’t put that much VALUE on the product or service you have presented to me.” It’s not about what we have or don’t have - in fact, we can always find/make more money. It’s about the VALUE we place on an offer.

Someone might be thinking, what about low-income people? What about people who are living in poverty? They just can’t go and find more money. Yes, they can! It’s hard, I know. I’ve been there. It feels impossible sometimes. And, it is possible. Look at any rags-to-riches story. How did they do it? It all starts by seeing possibility in our future, instead of blaming our present circumstances.

What is Time???
Again in Grade 9, I was doing pretty well in school. I had time on my hands, in fact, so I went to my guidance counselor and asked if I could take an additional night-school course. I HAD the time. My guidance counselor showed me that although I had the time, I really was running away from something - I didn’t have much of a social life and I was hurting inside. So, I took his advice and changed my priorities.

What is time? We all have twenty-four hours in a day. Therefore, what we choose to do in any given moment is based on the PRIORITY we place on doing that thing. We do “this” instead of “that” because we PRIORITIZE “this” more. “I don’t have the time,” therefore, translates into “I don’t PRIORITIZE that activity over anything else that I am doing in my life.” We can always find/make time for the things that become a PRIORITY to us.

Someone might think, what if we’re too busy with three jobs, just trying to make enough money to survive? How can we possibly MAKE more time? When we’re all stressed out and exhausted from our day-to-day activities, it can be very difficult to see how we can make more time. There are lots of ways and lots of resources available to us that teach us how to maximize our time. Again, the first step is realizing and acknowledging that it is POSSIBLE. Seeing something as possible, is the first step in seeing something as real.

What are we Saying???
Sometimes, when we say “I don’t have the money” we really do mean “I don’t place that much VALUE on that product or service.” In this case, why not just tell the truth? Why are we trying to be so polite? By being polite, we end up conditioning ourselves to live with a mentality of poverty. Similarly, when we politely say “I don’t have the time,” we end up conditioning ourselves to live busy lives full of clutter.

Integrity is an important characteristic that is taught in many personal development programs. Some people think, “I have integrity because I don’t lie.” Now, have we ever been guilty of saying “I don’t have time/money” to someone? Sure, we can say that we weren’t LYING - however, can we honestly say that we had INTEGRITY? Could it be that we were just trying to quickly end a conversation? I know I have been guilty of this.

What’s the Source???
Other times, those translations aren’t accurate - It’s not a value/priority issue, it’s something different. In those scenarios, let’s discover what is really going on for us. Why are we putting up an obstacle? What’s the source of our feelings and emotions? Do we have a prejudice against the person who made the offer? Do we have a better offer from someone else? Are we just not in a good mood? Once we find out what’s really behind our reluctance for an offer, we may find that our objection is not well founded. Or, we may find a true “reason,” in which case, that’s even better! Now we have a valid reason instead of a poor excuse.

Where’s the Jackpot???
You’ve hit the Jackpot! You understand that time and money are CONCEPTS and YOU control them. Don’t gamble your time and money away by using language that doesn’t communicate authenticity.
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"The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money." - Old Proverb

“Knowledge creates choice.” - Andrei Losinski, Sales Trainer

“It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.” - James Thurber
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Professionally Speaking...

Telus Mobility
100 Consilium Pl., Room 6A
Wednesday, June 18, 6:00 PM

Author Reading & Book Signing
Indigo, Manulife
55 Bloor St. West (Toronto)
Thursday, June 26, 7:00 PM

For a complete list of events, visit http://www.ordinarywords.com, click Speaker, then click Upcoming Events.
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"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." - Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Humanitarian, Theologian, Missionary, and Organist

“Your life is about your choices, and you can only make choices when you're in the moment of distinguishing that you have choices.” - Andrei Losinski, Sales Trainer

“Your future has nothing to do with getting somewhere you think you need to be. It has to do with the awareness that getting there means being here.” - Carl A. Hammerschlag, Psychiatrist and Motivational Speaker
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(c) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2002-2003. All rights reserved.

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Sent: March 26, 2003
Subject: DoD: Winnipeg and Fitness

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

It’s like this...
1. Books Sell-Out in Winnipeg!!!
2. In the Press...
3. Fitness and Personal Development
4. Money Talks...
5. Professionally Speaking...

“No one gets a break from their reality.” - Mathew St. Patrick, Six Feet Under, HBO Television Series (Season 3, Episode 3)

“You know the Greek didn’t write obituaries. They only asked one question after a man died. Did he have passion?” - Jeremy Piven, Serendipity (2001), DVD Chapter 15, 1:17
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Books Sell-Out in Winnipeg!!!

Have you ever visited a different city in your own country and felt a different culture? Every city has a different feeling and a different energy, causing one’s experience to be unique when visiting. Winnipeg was all of this to me and more. I was happy that people were so friendly, personable, and helpful. It was like a small-town atmosphere in a mid-sized city.

Some of my friends asked me, “what is there to possibly do in Winnipeg?” I say, “You don’t know Winnipeg!” I went to the ballet, the planetarium, and visited the parliament buildings - just to name a few activities. I was dined at restaurants that had the absolute best submarines I’ve ever tasted! And remember, there’s always something to do, if you have good people to do something with. I was fortunate enough to have a host family that was simply amazing. I was also lucky enough to meet some great people and create lasting friendships.

Oh yes, we did sell out of books. More encouragingly, I was amazed at some of the positive comments I received on my evaluation forms. It’s something else to see people being touched, moved, and inspired through the power of communication.

Now, there’s a difference between simply being inspired and taking action. Some people talked to me about business ideas that surfaced for them during my presentations. Some people talked to me about having deeper relationships with their families and friends. Whatever the inspiration was, I encourage you to put it into action. One of my favorite quotes is from Anthony Robbins: "What's talked about is a dream. What's envisioned is exciting. What's planned becomes possible. What's scheduled is real."

One of the toughest things about for me as a “motivational” speaker is to leave a community that has made such a difference for me, and wonder if the difference that I helped to create for others will last. So I encourage you Winnipegger’s (or should I say Winner’s), to continue to be a source of energetic inspiration in your city. In being touched, moved, and inspired, you now have the bug. Go out there and spread it!
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Soaring
“The thrill of soaring begins with the fear of falling.” - Scott Michael, Independent Business Owner

Worry
“Worry is interest paid on a debt that may never be owed.” - Russ Lagasse, Entrepreneur, Winnipeg, Manitoba
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In The Press...

This Thursday morning, Danish Ahmed will be making a one-hour guest appearance on University of Toronto’s radio station, CIUT 89.5 FM. Following their theme of “Real Radio” this one-hour appearance is not pre-produced - it is completely improvised, spontaneously generated, to give you the Real Danish! View the CIUT web site at http://www.ciut.fm for a list of frequencies in your area.

When: Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Where: CIUT 89.5 FM
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Fitness and Personal Development

As I was growing up, I did very little in terms of exercise. I wasn’t permitted to go to physical education classes in school because my blindness wouldn’t allow me to participate in many of the activities. And, it wasn’t too compelling for me to go to a gym because I knew I would have trouble trying to figure out how to use the equipment, not being able to read the instructions or see the particular weight measurements.

After high-school, I wanted to travel and have fun. I was open-minded, so I tried out for this program called Up With People. They are a group of youths who travel around the world, volunteering in communities and putting on Broadway-style shows. They said I didn’t need to know anything about singing or dancing at all - so, I said “Perfect - that’s me!”

The first month of training involved working out for an hour a day! This was very difficult for me, but I was excited as I learned some of the principles of jazz dancing. In fact, when I came back to Toronto, I enrolled myself in singing, piano, jazz dancing, Latin dancing, and ballroom dancing lessons.

It’s amazing how much exercise and fitness one can get from these types of activities. I found a pathway to fitness that I enjoyed, and so sought out other similar things. I experimented with Hatha Yoga. I got active in martial arts. I went on a 21-day Outward Bound adventure, rock-climbing, canoeing, and portaging. And today, I’m discovering all sorts of fitness activities that are gaining popularity because of the self-growth movement.

People are becoming more interested these days in their health and well-being. And to capture a market, different industries are coming together and popularizing various fitness activities. I heard that there was an article in Cosmopolitan Magazine recently about the right kind of Yoga bag to carry to be fashionable.

What’s most interesting to me is the integration of fitness activities. Look at Tae Bo which is a combination of martial arts and aerobics. Several weeks ago I tried Bikram Yoga - a type of Yoga that is done in a heated room. It’s great and makes a lot of sense. It’s like yoga inside a sauna! It helps to much more effectively release toxins from our bodies while we stretch. I also tried this new kind of dance called Nia. It is a combination of jazz dancing and yoga. I love it because it’s a good medium between the mellowness of yoga and the intensity of jazz, allowing me to add my own freestyle movements. I’m also looking into taking a pilates class, which is like westernized yoga.

There’s nothing revolutionary about any of these fitness activities - some of them have been around for quite a while. It’s the growth of the personal development industry (now a super-set of the fitness industry) which is bringing more and more people to be health conscious. The great news is that today we have so much choice. You don’t need to go to the gym in order to be fit. Try different activities and experiment with them. Then, pick an activity that you like and discover what works for you.
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Money Talks... Does yours keep saying “Goodbye?”

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve come across and had conversations with people about money and finances. It’s amazing how much information is out there and readily available to us. Some of it may seem strange, or contrary to popular belief. Be open, take on what is being said as if it is a possible truth, and discover what works for you. The following quotes are just teasers - learn more by getting your hands on these kinds of books and tapes.

Money, Health & Courage
“If we lose our money, we’ve lost a little. If we lose our health, we’ve lost a lot. If we lose our courage, we’ve lost it all.” - Ed Courtney, Independent Business Owner

Money, Time & Value
“Poor people ask ‘how much does it cost?’ The middle-class ask ‘how much time does it take?’ Wealthy people ask ‘is it worth it?’” – Danish Ahmed

Money & Money
“You don’t need money to make money. You just need words.” - Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing

Money & Investing
“Investing is not a product like stocks, or a procedure like trading. It’s a plan.” - Robert Kiyosaki, author, Rich Dad/Poor Dad

Money & Problems
“Financial wealth does not get rid of the problems we face in our lives. What it does is get rid of the petty problems, so that we deal with a higher quality of problems in our lives.” - Danish Ahmed (inspired by Dexter Yager)
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Professionally Speaking...

Distinguishing Words and Distinguishing Ourselves
Oceans of Opportunity, Spring Conference
Regal Constellation Hotel (900 Dixon Road, Toronto)
April 11 to 13, 2003, Speaking Saturday April 12
9:30 AM - Book Signing
10:45 AM - Workshop

For a complete list of events, visit http://www.ordinarywords.com, click Speaker, then click Upcoming Events.
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Fluid Communication
“Discovering distinctions allows you to discover the hidden gems in between words. If you think about it, language and communication should be and in fact is, fluid. As human beings we are putting together this eventual fluidity, but at the moment, it's in bite-sized chunks called words.” - Steve Rogers
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(c) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2002-2003. All rights reserved.

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Subscribe by clicking danish@ordinarywords.com
Please forward this newsletter to your friends.

Sent: Jan 1, 2003
Subject: DoD: Resolutions & Flirting Dreams

Welcome to the Distinctions e-Zine...
Ordinary Words ~ Extraordinary Power (tm)

In this issue...
1. The Secret to New Year’s Resolutions
2. Flirting With Our Dreams

“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” – Epictetus, Philosopher (also referred to in the movie Serendipity, DVD Chapter 13, 1:09)

“You don’t get to pick when you tell the truth. The truth is beyond that.” – Robin Williams, Insomnia (Screenwriter Hillary Seitz, Source Writers Nikolaj Frobenius & Eric Skjoldbjaerg)
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The Secret to New Year’s Resolutions:
The Science of Achievement, The Art of Fulfillment

Happy New Year!! I recently purchased Anthony Robbins’ new Get The Edge program and have discovered a distinction that will help us in our new year’s resolutions. That’s the distinction between achievement and fulfillment.

Is this an obvious distinction? Achievement is what we want to get, fulfillment is how we want to feel. Simple, right? Sometimes, when we don’t achieve what we want, we become frustrated, disappointed, and eventually give up. I’ve been guilty of this, just like anyone else. On the other side, some people set goals, they actually achieve them, and then they ask themselves “is that all that there is?” I know I have been guilty of this many times in my life.

What’s missing? The art of fulfillment. Remember, we are happy not when we get something that we wanted. We are happy when we become present to the possibility of getting something we want. We must learn to enjoy the process. The way to do this is to add fulfillment within our goals. Make sure that you not only strive to “get” something . . . Make sure you also strive to “feel” a certain way as you go for it.

How do we do this? For every resolution, ask yourself “How do I want to FEEL in the process of attaining this goal?” For example, if we want to lose weight, then we may want to feel healthy, sexy, and vibrant during the process. In other words, we don’t just stare at the scale at the end of a workout and feel frustrated. We ask ourselves, am I feeling healthier, am I feeling sexier, and am I feeling more vibrant? Answering these kinds of questions authentically will help us enjoy the process and be fulfilled as we strive for our goals.

In another example, if we want to get a promotion, then we may want to feel appreciated, valued, and recognized in the process. Now, is that in OUR hands, or is it up to our boss to demonstrate some kind of action or words that have us feel valued and appreciated? What if our boss never exhibits those kinds of actions or words? What then? Maybe we need to put in some additional structure when what it is we want to feel seems to be in the hands of someone else. The book, The Four Agreements, talks about not making assumptions. Don't wait for your boss to step up to the plate in your quest for a promotion, or to feel valued. Talk to him/her about your work, about your latest project. Ask for feedback. Make your boss a part of your process. If at first it doesn't feel right, don't stop. Find a way. Communication is the key to fulfillment.

Isn’t this simple? Is it too simple? We sometimes say “I knew that! That's simple, it's easy to do” and then we don't do it. That's because, no matter how easy something is, it's always EASIER NOT to do it.

I want you to achieve all your resolutions this year. More importantly, I want you to enjoy the process. Remember this distinction between achievement and fulfillment.
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Happy, Joy & Enjoy
“Happiness is attained when we take our focus off happiness and put it on helping other people.” – A Dictionary of Distinctions, page 82

Result & Effort
“It’s easy to fall in love with the result. But it takes a winner to fall in love with the effort.” – Dexter Yager, #1 Network Marketer
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Flirting With Our Dream

I’ve heard the importance of having dreams. I’ve also heard the importance of touching and getting a taste of our dream. As an easy example, if we want to own a BMW, it’s one thing to set the goal and visualize it. What’s better is to actually go out and test-drive it! Feel it, touch it, experience it. Make the sensations real, so that when we do visualize it, we have more depth and accuracy in our feelings.

Sometimes, it’s not that easy to be able to touch and feel our dreams. This is when flirting with our dreams comes in. We need to be creative. We need to create the experience through our imagination – not just through visualizing, but by playing with our reality. Let me give you a personal example...

One of my dreams is to be able to visit different countries on a regular basis. I want to be able to experience different cultures. I want to learn from them, to gather distinctions from them, to have fun, to meet different people, and to bring that understanding back into my writing and into my presentations.

How do I taste and touch my dream? This holiday I found out about Snow White’s Magical Castle which is being presented right here in Toronto at Casa Loma. The castle has been transformed to create the experience of Snow White, with special rooms, special walking characters, and special shows. I just had to go.

When I went to Casa Loma, I imagined myself traveling to another city. As I lived the Snow White experience, I imagined myself learning about a new culture. Some of the shows were obviously for kids, and consequently, there were lots of kids there. Now, isn’t being surrounded by children really experiencing a different culture? It’s being surrounded by a sense of curiosity and excitement. It’s being surrounded by the magic of wonder, hope, and awe. As I was experiencing all of this, I thought about writing this article and sharing this information with you. I was flirting with my dream!

The universe unfolds to the reality that we create. What’s your dream? You may not be able to have it or create it today. However, you do have the option of flirting with it today. As you know, flirting is so much fun! Flirt with your dream today.
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Fulfillment
“We can't always control life. But we can be fulfilled in each moment. The secret is in enjoying our current path - whatever it may be, it's perfect.” – Danish Ahmed (inspired by Amelia)

Action
“We never do anything until we really have to do it.” – Danish Ahmed

Sales
“A good salesperson is ironically not someone who delivers their presentation flawlessly. It is someone who prepares their context (and their way of being) such that the presentation is always unique, even to the salesperson.” – Steve Rogers
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Chapters/Indigo

A Dictionary of Distinctions is now available at Chapters/Indigo stores across Canada. Please visit: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Catalog=Books&Item=978097313600

"I read [Danish’s] book on the plane home, it's fantastic!!! I enjoyed it and will read it throughout my life. [Danish] really put everything into such an insightful, interesting and meaningful flow." – Ken Ballard, Business Systems Coach, The Monthly Mentor
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(C) Copyright Ordinary Words Inc., 2002-2003

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