February 7th, 2011 by rob white
Tiny Brown Speck
It seems that when you plant a mustard seed in soil, it’s but a tiny brown speck; it is one of the least prominent looking of all seeds. Did you know that? YET, no matter what happens in its environment – it waits patiently – KNOWING that it will grow and become a lovely tree! No amount of environmental NO’s can stop it from its earthly destiny to grow.
And when the mustard seed grows into a magnificent tree, all the birds of the air come to perch on it and sing; they even raise their young in the tree. WOW!
Student: What is the
re for me to learn from that mustard seed?
Teacher: The mustard seed contains a great and magnificent invisible power, hidden from the human eye.
Student: What has that to do with me?
Teacher: You contain a great and magnificent invisible power, hidden from the human eye.
Illuminating tip: What seems insignificant, outwardly – holds great magnitude, inwardly.
Hidden Power
You cannot access your hidden power if you allow echoes of past NO’s to influence you (NO’s tremble that you may ponder this statement). When you learn to R.O.A.R. you naturally say “NO” to echoing NO’s, and you grow; your life expands.
ROAR-ing is not refuting the echoes of past NO’s; ROAR-ing is re-minding yourself of what you already know deep inside of you (it’s performed in the secrecy of your own mind).
To ‘re-mind’ is to put yourself back in touch with your original mind – the mind that is regnant and free to create your life as you want it to be.
Speaking of seeds, let’s take a moment to glimpse at the Redwood Tree seed; it begins as a small seed that feels like a small piece of chewing tobacco. Look what that small seed is able to do when planted in California: one tree, when cut down and made into boards, can supply lumber for thirty ‘seven room homes’. WOW!
There is incredible authority that comes with believing, ‘ WOW is me’ ; it creates the strongest and best kind of mind.
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W.O.W. is my acronym for Wonderful Obsession Winning!
(winning at what? winning at the game of life)
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What happens when we get caught in a lament of ‘WOE is me’?
We take on the learned role of ‘helpless victim’ (it’s learned; it’s not natural).
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W.O.E. is my acronym for What On Earth?
(meaning that we look out onto the planet for
a 1,000 reasons to excuse our life away)
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WOW is natural.
WOE is learned.
What is learned can be unlearned.
‘WOW’ has a unique power of its own; the attitude that accompanies WOW is self-awakening – it offers you great adventures in life.
It is time to learn to R.O.A.R. so you can unlearn the faulty lessons that WOE taught you. A good ROAR clothes itself with extraordinary creative power! When WOE diminishes, WOW naturally flourishes.
If you water a thorn bush, it offers nothing but thorns
(whining is watering … echoing NO’s are thorns … WOE is the bush) 
If you water a Hydrangea bush, it blossoms with Hydrangea flowers. (ROAR-ing is watering … enchanting YES’s are the flowers … WOW is the bush).
The nature of ROAR-ing is kindness and compassion for yourself; it’s not shouting YES; A ‘YES-Shout’ has no clout. The little orange instruction book is coming.
Give yourself to more diligently reflecting on the life-lessons available with the above seed metaphors; don’t jump to quick conclusions; don’t assume you already know all there is to know about the matter – that’s being a ‘NO-it-all’. A ‘NO-it-all’ is NO-stuck; he’s stuck with saying “NO” to inspiring truths and fresh insights tapping on the door of his mind.
What do you think? What you can become is far greater than you think, so take pleasure discarding habitual thinking; stop being a ‘NO-it-all’. (I work on this daily)
Do give some feedback, please.
blessings
“Best Comment of the Week”. This weeks best comment comes from Sylvia. The runner up is Joe Wilner from Shake Off the Grind. See their comments here.
Be sure to check out my guest article on JK Allen’s wonderful (WOW) blog, The Hustlers Notebook.
Thanks for all those who braved the cold & came out to Village Books and made this stop on the ROAR Tour a success! If you are local be sure to stop into this wonderful, cozy little nook of a bookstore.
Ha ha. I’m definitely guilty of watering my thought seeds with whining! That’s great. It’s so true to the only thing that sprouts forth is thorns… and everyone around me and especially myself get pricked. I’m learning there is no benefit to useless thinking. I’m going on the “miracle grow’ regime from now on (most of the time
)
I like the ‘miracle grow’ metaphor, Roger. Can I use it? ROAR-ing is ‘miracle grow for inspiring thoughts (turning them into thought-habits). thank you.
Rob,
Thanks for the reminder that I am a NO it all.
I found a tremendous amount of value throughout this post but the one that sticks the strongest with me is the mustard seed. Since I am christian I immediately think of faith anytime that I hear that mentioned and it gives me great hope and inspiration. It doesn’t take a whole lot of faith to make something happen. All it takes is a small seed of inspiration, water of encourgament, and some TLC of hard work and great things can happen out of one of the smallest things. I am grateful I was apble to read this today. Now I can focus on getting rid of those NO’s and watch my seed grow no matter the circumstances.
Thanks Rob.
I like your poetic fashion in this comment, Frank. It has rhythm, which is what the subconscious mind (heart-mind) loves. When you influence your subconscious (heart-mind) you get your whole mind to back you up. That is where your power lies. I call the subconscious ‘the heart-mind’ because you can feel it in your heart; it’s where your emotions dwell. blessings
Rob – As I read this beautifully written piece, I felt as though it was crafted specifically for me. It reminded me of a time when I went to church as a early teenager and I literally thought that the message was directed to me, specifically. I think what this means for myself is that the message has touched me in a way that I’m currently unable to understand…but it’s impact will be great. What is your take on that?
You’re a wonderfully gifted writer Rob. I was trying to make a list of quotes, for my own sake from this blog and realized that my list was getting too long to properly manage. This post is one huge notable quote – just amazing!
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The last few words in bold reached out, touched me and said: “stop being a ‘NO-it-all’ James Allen, you’re retarding the harvest of the Redwood within you”. I wanted to share that I’m currently in war with my ‘NO-it-all” side…but in reality, I’m getting more in touch with my heart-mind, minus the defenses that I’ve built from the WOE’some NO’s that have plagued my growth with minute progresses.
If it wasn’t from you Rob, I wonder how much longer it would have been until I came into this information on “real personal development”. Would I have ever, I wonder? It’s a rhetorical question, but one I ask myself after feeling the change within me happening. It’s one thing to say it, but it’s another to actually feel it.
Thank you so much Rob. Again, thank you.
Inspirational messages are directly meant for you, JK. They are directly meant for anyone who has the courage to act on them and prove the messages are true. You were right when you thought church messages were being pointed directly your way. You are one of the few who listened, and now is doing something with them. You are one of the few who is willing to put his life on the line to prove to yourself (and humanity) that anyone can experience their unlimitedness if they’re willing to do what it takes. Indeed the ‘harvest of the Redwood’ within you is slowed significantly when you are being a NO-it-all, JK. (I know from my personal experiences). When you insist you know the truth, pause and notice if you are nervously insisting (that’s the NO-it-all).
blessings
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Hi Rob,
Love the red wood seed analogy. I actually made it to Muir Woods in CA a few years ago. Now I want to go see Avenue of the Giants. Why didn’t someone tell me about that when I was there. But I love another reason to go to CA!
Exploring the grandness of California is a fabulous quest, Tess. I own a home on the ocean there (and love it when I’m there). However, nothing is more fabulous a quest than exploring the grandness of our personal nature! blessings.
Very wise words Rob. I agree we really have to learn how to be ‘woe’ about life. It just is not natural. For the life of me, I don’t know why we all would rather suffer and toil than be happy and free. My life has been all about working hard and making it in this world. Even though one can “make it” in the world with tenacity and perseverance it seems a waste if we are suffering. We may be winning but what’s the point if we always feel WOE is me? Any one can win at WOE. I want to be going through the rest of my life with joy and ease – that’s the new seed I want to water.
I love your new seeds, GeorgieBoy, Joy and Ease. Water them daily by re-minding yourself of the wonderful value they bring to your life; they will reward you wonderfully.
Rob,
When I think of a mustard seed – I’m reminded of the parable Jesus told of the mustard seed: He said “even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed you can move mountains.”
We can start small – face the littler Nos square in the face and say, “Be gone!” And then as our faith grows we can face even the larger ones!
I love what you have to say here Rob. It’s always so inspiring to me.
When the NO-it-all speaks of the spiritual side of life, it distorts everything (never knowing the damage it is doing to itself). I see a wonderful absence of NO-it-all in your responses. Angela. It’s a gift to us. blessings
Rob, you seriously have a gift for taking common words we are all used to chucking around and turning them into messages of meaning and wisdom. That’s why I like your blog so much– I can always take some great little nugget away from each and every article. Great stuff my friend.
Marcus
Our friends are as careless with our lives as they are with their own lives; this is why it is important to choose friends wisely. I sense you do that, Marcus. blessings
Hi Rob. Wow so much to take in here. I feel a bit overwhelmed, like I still have soooo much to learn. I’ve been so naive lately thinking that I know better than everybody else. Like at work, I think I overstepped my boundaries by being a No-it all to the older managers. Ughhh… I’m so embarrassed now! I was like “wha wha wha you guys just aren’t thinking positively…” and I thought I had ALL the answers. In hindsight I respect them more now… I think I need to just work on listening and learning for a while.
Bing ‘a listening’ is a great gift to humanity, Tara. Most folks are too busy talking. Nice noticement of yourself. blessings
Thanks for this Rob. Sometimes my own “head trash” gets in the way of seeing what’s right before and what’s inside of me. These little seeds are a good reminder of what’s truly growing in my life.
Alex
Observe a person’s response when introduced to honest truth, and you will know the direction he is choosing for his life, Alex. You are choosing growth and enhancement – wise choice! blessings
One thing I am definitely learning is I don’t know squat! In a good way. My eyes are opening to new ways of thinking about myself. It’s almost like everything I thought I knew is wrong. I can see that where I was raised everyone in my town was always playing the victim. It makes sense now. If we are playing a role we must have learned somewhere.
YES, Alan, the role of NO-it-all is learned; it’s not natural. We are all naturally inquisitive beings (which is the opposite of a NO-it-all). You are taking the time to acquaint yourself with your ‘True Friend’ (your authentic-self); you are going to love him! blessings.
Hi Rob,
Wonderful post! We are all students of life and there is no one that knows everything. I agree with you each one of us has power, but unfortunately the majority don’t know how to use this power to improve their lives. Our mental power is great, this is why we should spend as much time as possible learning mental power, subconscious mind programming, so we can access our hidden power. Thanks for this my friend
Denial of our extraordinary power prevents us from healing, but watch out for the ego, Dia … when the ego gets a sense of our power, it becomes a ‘know it all’, and we become ‘NO-it-alls’; we say “NO” to all new, fresh insights that enhance our ability to heal. thank you
Hey ya Rob. I am a nature lover so the Red Wood metaphor works for me. Sometimes I feel that there really is no stopping me, and my unlimited potential will come out. I don’t think Red Woods ever experience self-doubt so I’ve got to remember to be as solid as those trees. Just like the tree never even has the thought “woe is me” I am working on unlearning all that. If it is to be — I am to be a TREE!
Make your desire visible by converting it into a natural vision, Rus … the Redwood Tree is a great vision to help promote your unlimitedness. Thank you
Hey Rob, looking forward to seeing you next week on the ROAR Tour! I hope you talk more about this NO it all business. It has me waking up lately. All week I’ve just been really peaceful. I think it because I’ve just told myself “John you don’t have to know everything! Relax.” I think it has really eased some anxiety about my future and helped me trust more in myself. I know I’m a work in progress and just have to be cool and stay focused.
INDEED, John … when we become ‘know it alls’, we become ‘NO-it-alls’ (we say NO to anything fresh and new that comes our way). This close-minded attitude guarantees a hostile world in our future. blessings
You’ve got the mustard Rob and I enjoyed this with relish. It has a real P.O.W for me, no not Prisoner Of Weakness but Powerful Observational Wisdom. In all of us the seed of all possibility and you inspire us to make that a reality. You always make us more than we thought we were before. Bless you for your constant inspiration injections for our spirit.
Hey John, you’ve become quite the poet with your writing style! Nice. It is possible to have ideas of cosmic quality – you are proving that. blessings
Greetings Rob. Your articles are getting better and better. It’s sinking in a little deeper every week. In the past I have been watering thorn bushes believing I was watering hydrangeas. This made me bit of a holier-than-thou no-it all. I’ve been more aware of watering with real YES and thus showing up as a glowing spirit. My friends and family say it is more fun to be around me. I’m just letting people be instead of trying to teach them something.
Watering our wonderful ideas with “real YES’s” is a superior way of thinking, Alicia (available to all of us). Thank you
Yo whaz up ROB-O I’m gonna try to HIT you up on the ROAR TOUR. We need to talk! I’m WOW is me all the way BABY. I’m obsessed with winning just like YOU. What makes me a winner is I don’t think too much. I notice that people who are mad smart just think, think think their way into NADA NADA NADA. I don’t get that!! It’s like they have to figure out ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG and just NO NO NO. If that’s the case I’m happy being DUMB!!! HAHAHHAHAH!!!!
The question is, Marc, how can we see that we do not really know what we insist we know – now comes the opportunity for growth! blessings
Rob, I wonder if this is why Jesus uses the mustard seed example in his teaching. The mustard seed is small – nothing spectacular to look at, and yet its growth potential is massively powerful. What does this say about the human condition? And what would it say if our belief in ourselves were so focused and relaxed in its certainty? And what if those focused minds came together for the better of humankind? All from small tiny specs of thought. You have quite the imagination, Rob. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bryan, welcome aboard. You ask dynamic questions. The quality of your questions determine the quality of your life. NICE JOB! thank you
Ha ha. The No-it-all concept is very clever. I love it because it works perfectly. I know I have an inclination to be a contrarian just for the hell of it. My automatic response has always been NO because I enjoy a good debate. As long as I don’t take myself too seriously I’m OK. I have to watch out for when I limiting myself or just having good time. Good NO’s are good for a lively discussion — playing devils advocate is fun.
INDEED, Salty, a ‘good NO’ enlivens a discussion; we simply have to be aware of what we are using the NO to do. blessings
I’ve certainly learned enough WOE in my lifetime. The unlearning is tough. I wish I could just drain it all out of me at once! Oh well. What’s helped me lately is learning to go easy on myself. I used to beat myself up when fell back which just made me more crazy. I think allowing myself to be angry is the key… I just have to remember to water the other seeds more often.
YES, Ramone, be a good gardener and water the flowering seeds by neglecting the NO-seeds. NICE thank you
Hi There Rob. Excellent lesson this week. I’ve really been reflecting on it all. I had a revelation this week when I caught myself being a ‘NO-it all’. It’s like a light flashed on and I said watch out Carol Anne! Your being a NO-it all! I was basically being a grumpy nay-sayer just because I was in a foul mood. I was presented with an enthusiastic idea for a new Ad and automatically I thought of a thousand reasons why it was no good. I was able to just let it pass through and waited until I was in a better mood to make a decision. It’s still a work in progress but we are fine tuning it into something great now.
Thank you for sharing a NO-it-all experience from your real life, Carol Anne; that’s where growth occurs. blessings
Great to meet you at the Village Bookstore, rob. Loving my 180… This is pretty deep… I’m going to take it slow for now.
As you begin to go through the days of the 180 process, Jerry, you will learn that darkness is simply the absence of light … and what at first seems deep will seem easy with greater understanding (deep is dark … understanding is light). blessings
I’m hoping to make it to one of your seminars next week. I think this could be a great Sales training course. I got damn good at being a salesman because I basically unlearned the NO’s. I had to eliminate my shyness and be bold and brash. In my prime I was flying high on WOW is me… kicking ass and taking names! ha ha. The only problem is all that high flying WOW gave me ulcers. I’m looking for a buddah-like-WOW experience these days.
I love that, Richard: ‘A buddha-like WOW’ … NICE. Can I use it in my book? blessings
I like that. Wow is natural. Woe is learned. Great words.
When we use words that matter, rather than pound them out like a mad drummer in an orchestra, we find that simplicity makes a difference, jonathan. Thanks for noticing. blessings
> You cannot access your hidden power if you allow echoes of past NO’s to influence you
Beautiful words of wisdom.
> To ‘re-mind’ is to put yourself back in touch with your original mind – the mind that is regnant and free to create your life as you want it to be.
Beautiful re-frame on remind.
I love looking at deeper meaning of words than what ordinary conversation offers, J.D. Thanks for noticing