Consider this: Even in the book of Genesis all was “dark and void” first, before creation began.

Please stop… and think long and hard about that one.

So maybe, just maybe, as we begin to see clearly, we can appreciate the burn, the fall, the ashes and the darkness instead of attempting to reject and ignore them. Maybe part of our problem is that we’re so busy trying to run from, suppress and deny the burn…. that we live in denial and romanticism.

We’re roaring down the highway of life in our car, while the gas gauge is empty and the two back tires are blown out… but we’re smiling, visualizing, and stating everything is fine. Good luck with that one.

Many have asked for my “strategies for making it through,” or “getting beyond” the fall. There will be time—but understand I’m still in it. Here’s an important one for new beginnings:

The first step I’ve already shared is recognizing a “nail as a nail” (versus candy: see my blog on Gratitude). You’ve got two flat tires; and I possibly have four.



Let’s recognize that we’re all sailing on the same ship of humanity; and that we all experience the same hurts, insecurities and fears. Even your teachers, saints, heroes, the guy or gal you see on the big screen, and the family with the big house on the hill—it’s part of the human experience.

Before you begin a journey you must know exactly where you are before you can go anywhere. You’ve got to recognize you have a blow out before you can fix it. Your GPS always clearly accesses your current location before it finds its new destination. Do you follow?

Those who want their teachers and mentors to be “perfect” (what does that mean anyway?) are living in the supreme illusion that they themselves can also escape their own pain and suffering and some day also become a “nonhuman.”

I suggest to you that superhuman is possible… but only by fully embracing the totality of being human. You must see clearly.

You want a couple more steps? Here are two more important ones:

First you must forgive yourself, for your own ignorance, self-importance and false illusions. I had a lot to forgive.

Leaders realize that when they forgive others, they’re actually forgiving themselves. Read more about it here.

Secondly, you must love yourself… including all your shortcomings, self-importance, insecurities and bad habits. I have a lot of those things to love and accept.

Only when you love and accept these parts of yourself can you ever love others—for these are all part of every human being.

Not one of us—no one—is without them. Please don’t fool yourself.

To continuing the adventure,

James