Don’t forget the simple things

Remember a moment in your life where you were excited about something. A new friend, a new song, a new toy, a vacation, a book, etc… What a happy, gracious moment.

What is it in us that tends to make us forget that moment of peace, grace, and contentment? Why do we want more, need more, crave more? It seems to be our nature, but there’s something far deeper that is better. That place that appreciates, smiles, and enjoys that one moment. That moment existed and still does— it came from somewhere right? So it must always be there because it was created as such.

With no effort. I think by having an attitude of gratitude, meaning just allowing that grace to “be.” And to never forget it. Be mindful and appreciative of even the most simplest of things. The breath, the heartbeat. The sip of a tea. Simple. Then, all else you can do with or without, and handle with grace. Nice to have, but not NEED to have. Do this, and float calmly with a gentleness inside that allows you to flow through life with much more balance.

Appreciate the simple things, graciously accept the wonders that do appear, and not be disappointed by not craving them or getting them. Be happy with what you have, and gently strive for things that you want to achieve, but for the right reasons. And be honest. Are you craving it or nurturing it? Are you sharing it, or hoarding it for your ego-false-self?

We often disrespect the blessings we receive. We want more, crave more, need more, and create more vicious cycles. Sit. Enjoy. BE that contentment with anything and welcome all. Even the most unpleasant things carry with it blessings in disguise.

Being sick provides a wider perspective on how wonderful it is to feel healthy. The rainy day gives nourishment to the earth, and then moves to sunlight. The broken “things” can be left alone, or fixed— fine tuning patience and skills. So do not forget those simple happy moments.

They have always been there, and always will be. It’s how we were created to be.

How are you feeling?

I was thinking, which is a bad idea anyway… but in this case, thinking creatively to help you understand something. We often get hung up with how we feel. And you ever notice that we tend to get hung up on the negative emotions more than the positive emotions. As it’s said in Buddhism, a few key reasons for suffering is our clinging, our aversions, and cravings. We crave good feelings, and push away unpleasant feelings. In truth‚ most of what we feel are “neutral.” Neither good or bad. So why cling to the negative? Because we don’t like it. It scares us. We don’t like being uncomfortable, and we prefer warmth—comforts.

It’s wise to practice sitting with it all. Being 100% present for all of it, no matter what it is. And accept the deep truth that (1) it’s usually neutral if you are honest… (2) that good and bad, all pass… never permanent. And (3) third, that we not only welcome all of it and accept it and be the observer of it, but learn to FOCUS on the positive side of it all. One example is that you might be “sad” but in reality, you have love for something, and that’s a “good” thing! So be careful about what you “think” you feel. And here is a rough list of many of the emotions or feelings we can have throughout a day. All of these, not just one or two— in fact, most of this list I assembled over only a few days!

A list of common feelings we can have each day:

abandoned

acceptance

adoration

affection

aggravated

agitated

agressive

alert

amazed

ambitious

amused

anger, anger2

animosity

annoyed

anticipation

anxiousness

appreciative

apprehensive

ardent

aroused

ashamed

astonished

attraction (sexual)

attraction (intellectual)

attraction (spiritual)

awed

betrayed

bewildered

bitter

bliss

blue

boastful

bored

breathless

bubbly

calamitous

calm

camaraderie

cautious

cheerful

cocky

cold

collected

comfortable

compassionate

concerned

confident

confused

contempt

content

courageous

cowardly

crafty

cranky

crazy

cruelty

crummy

crushed

curious

cynic

dark

dejected

delighted

delirious

denial

depression

desire poem

despair

determined

devastated

disappointed

discouraged

disgust

disheartened

dismal

dispirited

distracted

distressed

dopey

down

dreadful

dreary

eager

ecstatic

embarrassed

emotional-detest

empathic

emptiness

enchanted

enigmatic

enlightened

enraged

enthralled

enthusiastic

envy

euphoric

excited

exhausted

expectation

exuberance

fascinated

fear

flabbergasted

fight-or-flight

foolish

frazzled

freaked out

frustrated

fulfillment

furious

gay

giddy

gleeful

gloomy

goofy

grateful

gratified

greedy

Gray because of a Broken Heart

grief

grouchy

grudging

guilty

happy 

hate

heartbroken

homesick

hopeful

hopeless

horrified

horrible

hostile

humiliated

humored

hurt

hyper

hysterical

indignation

infatuation

infuriated

inner peace

innocent

insanity

insecure

insecure

inspired

interest

intimidated

invidious

irate

irritability

irritated

jaded

jealousy

joy

jubilant

kind

lazy

left out

liberated

lively

loathsome

lonely

longing

love

lovesick

loyal

lust

mad

mean

melancholic

mellow

mercy

merry

mildness

miserable

morbid

mourning

needed

needy

nervous

obscene

obsessed

offended

optimistic

outraged

overwhelmed

pacified

pain

panicky

paranoia

passion

pathetic

peaceful

perturbation

pessimistic

petrified

pity

playful

pleased

pleasure

possessive

pride

provoked

proud

puzzled

rage

regretful

relief

remorse

resentment

resignation

resolved

sad

sadness

satisfied

scared

scorn

selfish

sensual

sensitive

sexy

shame

sheepish

shocked

shy

sick

sickly

sickened

sincerity

solemn

somber

sorrow

sorry

spirited

stressed

strong

submissive

superior

surprised

sweet

sympathetic

temperamental

tense

terrified

threatened

thrilled

tired

tranquil

troubled

trust

tormented

uncertainty

uneasiness

unhappy

upset

vengeful

vicious

warm

weary

worn-out

worried

worthless

wrathful

yearning

zesty

zippy

What else can you learn from a bunch of pumpkins?

I sat there and just sort of stared at the pumpkins in that field. AAnd looking up close I saw these little vines connecting them all to one another, and there were so many pumpkins—little pumpkins, big pumpkins and medium pumpkins.

Different-colored pumpkins and there were gorgeous squashes and things… but what I noticed was that they were all intertwined with the same vines. And although some were decaying and dying, many of them were still living quite well and vibrant and stuff, and I don’t know, I just sort of looked at that and I started thinking of the way of the world today and how we sort of are all connected the same way… you know in a goofy way, but symbolically.

But we really are connected, you know? we don’t have the vines per se although maybe the umbilical cord when we’re in utero, but nonetheless we’re all connected, and this just made me think of that about how we are all spiritually connected we are all “pumpkins in the pumpkin patch” connected by God, connected by the ‘one thing’ and I don’t know, I just sort of felt kind of fascinated— it was beautiful and something that I took away from today’s pumpkin patch… life lesson, thinking that we’re all connected the same way. Just think about and see if that resonates with you.

What you can learn from pumpkins?

I was out in nature today and it was a beautiful fall day. I was going through a field, and there were a bunch of pumpkins sitting in the field… hundreds and hundreds of pumpkins… and I have to admit the temptation was there to say “hey I can take one of these pumpkins home, make pumpkin pie. But deep down in the core of my center something said “that’s not so wise… it’s not right, these don’t belong to me so I really have no right to take the pumpkins.

You know that gut feeling—that thing that you feel down deep inside. That’s the thing about trusting the gut or trusting your spirit. Just like Adam and Eve, having the temptation… you can never “stop” that temptation because it’s just there sometimes. But you can always choose how you react. You can always choose what you know to be the right thing. I don’t know, that that just came to me today when I was looking at these pumpkins.

I was like, “Wow these aren’t mine I’m not gonna take them and I’m really glad that I didn’t because they were just so beautiful sitting in the field and a gray brown dingy cool day but they still look beautiful just sitting there.” And what I took away from that, was not only the honor and special privilege of being there or just a special feeling to be able to sit there with these pumpkins. But I didn’t have to “cling to them.”

I didn’t have to “have them” and make sure they were “mine.” You know, I just left them where they were, so I feel really good about that experience, and it was a really nice day and a really nice experience and something I learned simply from a bunch of pumpkins.

Are you self-judging?

If you are constantly analyzing, judging, critiquing, and scrutinizing your “self”—STOP. Why? Just BE… There’s no need for excess analysis. There is honestly only one Self. Your true nature. Allow it to BE and be there with it in spirit. Take care of it, nurture it, train it, guide it, and LOVE it.

And always gently bring it back to center when astray. What you are wearing, how you look, how you appear to others is important only through your true nature or put another way, letting your real, inner spiritual and beautiful and true self glow. If you are self-critiquing, you are torturing your Self. There’s no need. Smile. Relax, and flow—seriously.

Set it all go and follow that inner energy that truly knows what’s best. Don’t worry about self fears and self conscious insecurities that are all creating by mind— cultural or genetic dispositions that muddy up our spirit. Grey hairs, crooked teeth, fat bodies, pimples, baldness, and “old clothing” LET THEM GO!

Be proud, be happy, be genuine. Be unique, be special, be different. By judging the false self we limit the true and beautiful power within us. Taking care of one’s Self is important, but do it as you were tending a garden or small child. With gentle care and love. Then you let that go and let the child play and grow and learn.

You let the garden do its magic as God created nature to do— you included!

Describe your ‘zen space’

Describe your ‘zen space.’ Your universe. Your balance. What place is the ideal ‘base’ for you specifically that which when you are in it, without any thoughts, distractions, temptations, or otherwise that may pull you out of that place makes you feel very calm, peaceful, and content? That ‘base’ is your ‘zen space.’ Go back to that and live from that space. 

For example: From me personally “I am a piece of the whole, a part of the universe as it is. Created when I needed to be, with all of my talents, traits, and unique qualities. I am a source of expression, creativity, inspiration, and energy, that loves outwardly, creates magnificently by allowing the force to run through me naturally, and there is nothing that can pull me away from my true center— only false, diluted, and ‘not-Self’ things can try to fool me out of my zen space. I calmly bring my mind, soul, and spirit back to that center, and feel at home. At peace.” 

It’s different for each of us, although many similarities exist. It is completely void of all negative energy, bad-ness, craving, worry, anxiety, sadness, over excitement or otherwise… It is your personal mental ’base.’ Protected by virtue of how you were created, and your most natural state of being and it is from there you must always remember to emanate from. Your personal and natural ‘zen space.’

Sit calmly without any judgement or negative emotions. Put them aside for the moment. Take a few slow, long, deep, and peaceful breaths. Gently close your eyes and feel deeply this space. What feels right to you? Imagine it. Feel it. See it. Are you in a beautiful natural setting, in the woods, on a mountain or island? Or are you in a city, amidst people? Are you big and strong, and simple and calmly flexible? Think of yoru setting, your space, your environment around you in this space. 

Next, imagine very softly your unique gifts. Who you really are. What you express to the universe. It’s very gentle, very simple, and very unique. You are the pinnacle an essence of that— and that which you share with the universe. It’s all positive, and flowing forward. It loves, helps, creates, and helps others. It is a part of the whole, and what and who YOU are. 

This— is your zen space. And it is from here that you will always remember to emanate from. As created by the creator.

So now, you will notice that certain thoughts pop up. Often negative. “I feel sad, I feel worried, anxious, mad, angry, self conscious, etc…” And how these thoughts (which have no physical reality— only energy) start to almost magnetically pull you away from your center. This then makes you feel “not your Self.” Well— that’s because you are lost! You are off-center. Remember, those thoughts, those feelings, those emotions are not you. They are simply energies that take your mind away from your real You. The center is where you live, and where your optimal performance derives. It’s from there you always must flow.

Most children get this. They naturally possess it. They are unhindered by the millions of interactions, thoughts, events, happenings, and otherwise through our lives… They live like nature. Much like all the natural world. The plants, tress, flowers, animals… they all “know” what to do, and do what they know. Only humans and their minds are capable of thinking their way out of their true nature. And it is with awareness, mindfulness, discipline, concentration, and effort that we change this. At times difficult, especially in the beginning. But it becomes much more flowing and natural feeling. And then you begin to help lead others back to their nature.

Believe there is good in the world.

The actual stone I found on a rainy day on a wooded path—under a tree…

Lesson of kindness from the base of a tree

You don’t need to believe in any thing to understand the nature of things and live from your core— your center. I was walking one day talking to a very close friend of mine on the phone. One of my best friends in fact and we have had many great discussions. He tends to generally side on negativity. It doesn’t really match his true Self, being very generous, kind, caring, etc. I think it’s like most of us—what we think we see is often out of fear, frustration, anger, etc…

The news media’s task is to share things that either provide them with better ratings, push their own agendas, and more or less spread gossip and bad news—and often lies. Not always, but most often. So it can be difficult to see the sun behind the clouds, the blue sky behind the dust and dirt. But it’s there. I was walking on a beautiful path in the woods as we spoke. Our discussion was about his moving away to a “safer” place. Understood, as there is a bit of trouble in the town he’s in. But again, from my perspective, not all that much— and we tend see what we believe and focus on. I asked him his belief in percentage of good people vs. bad out of curiosity. He said 90% bad, 10% good. Wow I thought…

That would certainly have an effect on one’s outlook on many things. For me I said, I tend to think more 95% good, 5% not so good. That we all “really” have the ability for good, and that it’s simply what we’re taught and then express that might be “good or bad” actions, thoughts and behaviors that create the issue. In other words, if we all focused on our best and truest Selves we truly would be in a beautiful place. At that exact moment, no lie— under a huge oak tree with rain lightly falling, I saw a bright little object near the base of the tree. As I was talking about kindness on the phone,

I approached this thing and was blown away. It was a small stone, beautifully and colorfully painted with the words “Believe there is good in the world” with a little heart next to it. I picked it up carefully and examined it and was goose-bumped and moved. Someone painted that message and left it. A beautiful intention and act of kindness, found by a stranger, and at the same moment in thinking of it. Coincidence?

Maybe. But nonetheless, these things do happen and evidence that what we think about expands and we attract what we think about— always. What really matters is what’s most important and that all people are born with kindness, and there is in fact— good in the world. A lot of it. Nurture that.

Todd’s Zen

Story of who I am and what I do.

I’m Todd—a 40-year Zen and martial arts enthusiast and practitioner. My mission is simply to share my Zen journey with others, and help as many people as I can. 

I’m committed to helping others achieve their personal best.

I’m not specifically ordained as, or confirmed as a Zen Priest, but my personal passion in Zen, my personal journeys, teachings, and studies have led me to continual enlightenment with so many beautiful life changing experiences and meeting so many beautiful people. I simply want to share that with others, as I continue on my Way…

Join me on my continuing 40-year Zen journey. Discovering beautiful people, methods, cultures, and life changing beliefs. Let me help guide you on your quest—to help you discover your best Self.

“ToddsZen” is really simply my own personal journey and what I’ve found along the way. It’s also what I want to share with others. Think of me like an experienced trail guide. Walk with me and join me on an exciting and enlightening journey.

I am committed to helping others uncover their best Self—their Zen nature… their enlightenment. To live their best life imaginable. By sharing what I’ve learned, as well as inviting others to join my quest, we will get there together. Born an empath, I care dearly about people. And I’ve dedicated my life to personal, professional, and spiritual mastery — and I am committed to helping everyone I can on their way.

I am mesmerized by the Self. Who we really are. And I’m also convinced there’s a “best Self” in each of us. Unique skills, talents, abilities, and traits that make us each not only different but can have a profound and beautiful affect on all of humanity. So as long as it’s recognized, accepted, and expressed.

I help others find their best Self and to live their best life. Personally, professionally, spiritually.

To teach, guide, and inspire others on their path, just as much as I have been and will be committed to personally now for over 40 years.

I’m Todd, I’m a lifetime artist, 30 year creative professional, entrepreneur, and 40 year zen practitioner. I’m fascinated by living our best life and helping others achieve their personal best. I love helping others and want to share my journey with others.

Whether you are an inspired leader, or on similar paths that we can share teachings and stories—or someone who’s really struggling… I want to talk to you.

My personal spiritual journey began as a young child. Catholicism fascinated me and oddly (compared to most kids) I really loved church and felt a connection to spirit—to God, very early. Later in my childhood—the martial arts, and Zen. My early adulthood on to now I am on a quest to not only nurture my personal best, but committed more to helping others reach theirs.

Judo, Ninjitsu, Karate, Boxing, Chi Kung, Gong Fu, Zen, Tai Chi. A one-time Connecticut State Judo champion and Junior Olympian, formally trained in Gong Fu and Tai Chi— I LOVE the martial arts. To this day I am enamored by the masters. Book upon book, video upon video, class upon class on martial arts and specifically masters.  And it’s beyond the fighting—beyond the physical. For me, it’s the mental aspect. The spiritual. It’s that that I love— and committed to as long as I live, as much as to help others attain. Although I believe in the physical as much as the spiritual, and that tending this fleshly body of ours is important as well as defending ones’ Self, and others—thus physical training… I am more interested in the mental aspect. True enlightenment. Mastery of One’s Self. I am committed to that— and to helping others find it, and nurture it.

I am committed to wellness. I am a student of and teacher of general wellness. I am not an expert, not that any one is, but do not hold any kind of official degree or formal training. And while I have respect for all of that, and learn quite a bit from those teachers, most of my own wellness foundation is again based on my own personal exploratory journey. From a young age again, fascinated by nature. Health, wellness… Things like longevity, pure happiness, and high energy people fascinated me. My own relatives that lived near or past 100 were very inspiring. My recognition of the opposite was also critical. People’s suffering. Seeing what people did and what was affecting their own suffering fascinated me. Smoking, drinking, drugs, junk food, lack of exercise… Even seemingly healthy people that suffer intrigue me. How? Why? What can I do to help? I am constantly learning about this stuff. Netflix documentaries, books, and just conversations with thousands of people. From doctors and experts to every day people. And when I hear statistics like this one: Roughly 9 million children PER YEAR have no clean drinkig water— that compels a deep seeded sadness, anger, and drive to figure out ways to want to help.

Over many years I have been enraptured by “self help” gurus. It started with Tony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, and others, but over the years I have just been plain enthralled by what I “thought” was my own personal desire to succeed… fascinated by book after book, seminar after seminar, and movie, podcast, video, and talk after another… and although my growth has been integral, I came to realize what I really was doing was training. Training and learning so I can help teach, lead, and inspire others. I believe that is what I am supposed to be doing, and that is what I am committed to doing. I will share, teach, and hopefully inspire with everything I have learned, and continue to learn…

For reasons unknown, I found Zen. Always attracted to it, and continue to find remarkable and often miraculous and beautiful aspects to it. My Nana. My grandmother. She was the first one that seemed to resonate with this, and at around 10 years old, I wrote to her and asked her “what we’re here…” “What’s the meaning of life…” “What is Zen?” Since‚ many wonderful conversations and teachings of hers that inspired much of my quest. Many books, a LOT of reading and practicing, and a lot of working with and learning from others—as well as teaching.

My creative nature, and my loving, empathetic and nurturing nature I owe to my mother who always taught—“people first.” She instilled manners, kindness to all others, and to help others. She introduced me to the Catholic Church as a child, and often suggested I might some day me a priest. Her artistic abilities passed on go me. She inspired, taught, and shared all of her creative skills and encouraged my creative growth as well as my inventive, creative, and imaginative personality. All of my many ventures and entrepreneurial endeavors she welcomed and encouraged undyingly. Much of my creative agency success I contribute to my Mom.

And from the Church— specifically, Catholic. That is where I was confirmed, etc… But generally, non-denominational. I have a deep and spiritual appreciation and love for God, the Creator, or whatever you want to call it. My personal view is that there are many beliefs, denominations, cultures, religions, etc… and while some may condone violence, and evil— those I do not resonate with, there are many that are quite beautiful and often point to the same God— spirit, creator, energy, etc… I personally can only choose to be respectful to all beliefs, and follow my Way. Led by my own spirit. I obtained a certification of ministry a few years back— non denominational ordination, so as to personally commit to God, and the work I feel I need to do. More or less “minister” the best in people— of the true Self. 

My male values. My values toward respecting not only all people, but taking care of, protecting, and looking after women and family I got from my Father. As did he support and instill my passion of building, hands-on work, and imagining and doing just about everything.  Most everything I love to do around house, home, automobile, and otherwise “handy” I owe to my father. He was at every Judo meet I ever had, and encouraged my success every step of the way. Always a people person— sense of humor, great story teller, and always a yes man who just plain old enjoys life. I owe that to him.

My two younger sisters was a great joy. We were all very close. And it’s because of them, I came to really understand and cherish family—sisters. And to appreciate women, and all of their beautiful and complex gifts, abilities and characteristics. They each have their own nature—and I get to share that with each of them, as I learn from them both. I am proud to grow spiritually with them each in their own unique way and privileged to love and look after them both. It’s important to me.

My younger brother has been nothing short of my best friend. Best man at my wedding, collaborator, teacher, and contributor to many of my businesses successes, and a great inspiration to me over the years. Spiritually, creatively, and as a friend. My early creative business success included my brother and his inspiring talents. Most of my best laughs have been due to him. I owe much of my happiness in my life to my brother.

My brother in law, equally a dear and very special friend.  Having him as a second brother, though my wife’s family, I took him in as such at around 10. Since, have not only appreciated, valued and loved our relationship, he too has always been considered my best friend. Many laughs, many adventures, and many a talks… we have collaborated on many business ventures, worked on many a hands-on projects, and he has taught me a lot about many different skills. 

Needless to say, and deserved of many pages of text here, but my children are my most valued gifts, as is my wife. My purpose, value, and meaning are all clearly defined by them all. I learn from them almost daily, and cherish each of them in their very unique and beautiful ways. Being a husband and father is indeed my most honored and special honors. I am committed to continuing to be the most and best that I can. They are each my best friend, and teacher.

There are many others worth mentioning in my journey— but it continues to unfold. As it should for all of us. Constant change. Having faith in change, and who and what is around the corner is amazing. My special friend, teacher, and great Master Yang Yang is someone I am eternally grateful for. His teaching, wisdom, friendship, and and inspiration is beyond words and very special to me. 

At a young age I liked helping people. I liked making people laugh, and helping them feel better. To a fault— I wanted everyone to be ok. If someone was in trouble, hurt, upset, or needed something I was always often on the front line. It came naturally. Not that I always acted upon it, and had my hinderances along the way, but through life, have learned that letting go, trusting God and being your truest Self, means letting all of these “natures” be… expressing and living your true nature. We all have it.

Over the years, while some (many) may complain about how bad things are, I personally see the opposite. I see the good. I believe in the good, have faith in God, nature, and of all things and truly believe in the best of things. I haven’t always! I struggled a bit here and there— with many stories to tell. But with error, mistakes, and pitfalls hide the teaching… so I’m grateful for each and every one them. I asked God years ago to help guide me to be his helper— and that’s what I intend on doing. I’m listening intently to that and striving to help others attain their best nature and to join me on this beautiful, adventurous and incredible spiritual journey.

I am committed to helping others uncover their best Self—their Zen nature… their enlightenment. To hear and follow God, the inner voice, the “one who knows.” To live their BEST life imaginable. By sharing what I’ve learned as well as inviting others to join my quest, we will get there together. I care— and I am committed to helping everyone I can on their way.

Join me on my continuing 40-year Zen journey. Discovering beautiful people, methods, cultures, and life changing beliefs. Let me help guide you on your quest—to help you discover your best Self. My Zen— is YOUR Zen.