 Easter. I took a break from my “Two Little Words.” To be exact, I paused for 3 days. Today, Easter Sunday, is the day that represents the initiation of the countdown to ascension *. According to Wikipedia, Christianity is the most adhered to religion in the United States, with 65% of polled American adults identifying themselves as Christian in 2019. This is down from 85% in 1990, 81.6% in 2001, and 12% lower than the 78% reported for 2012. Yet, when I invested a few hours one day asking Christians “What is the Greatest Commandment,” I was often met with blank stares and very few answers. Likewise, when I asked about the Second Greatest Commandment, the same held true. Some professing Christians confused my question with the 10 Commandments, which is kind of oddly ironic, given that the 10 Commandments are initially presented in the Old Testament, and not in the New Covenant of CHRISTianity. Please understand: Today’s restart to my commitment of 40 Days and Two Little Words is not a diatribe against non-practicing, but professing Christians. It is, however, a small reminder that, I truly believe the majority of us Americans DO truly love God, and for the most part, many of us are doing far more than merely taking advice from politicians on how to handle this pandemic. Back on March 26th, I specifically mentioned that, over the next 40 days, I would share a potentially mind-altering foundation from which we can launch an expanding base of freedom from stress and strife… and perhaps alleviate some of the anxiety associated with our current life-threatening challenge. With daily reports indicating the total number of worldwide infections, along with the associated number of deaths, the next few weeks could pose not only a physical and economical challenge to our previous way of living… but it could also exact an emotional and spiritual toll on how we feel about ourselves, each other, and life in general. Beginning that day, March 26th, I initiated quick 5-minute posts – beginning with 2 Little Words - to assist with offering a small-but-potentially significant reprieve from the daily blitz of news. Why? Well, as I previously stated, we have found ourselves in a bit of a dilemma. We want (and sometimes need) the latest news. Yet, too much of this steady stream of numbers, negativity, news, and naysaying can have a devastating effect on our emotional well-being. However, in the initial post, I did not fully explain the specific rationale for “40” days. After all… why not a week’s worth of worthy reads? Why not a month? Why “40 Days and Two Little Words,” as opposed to “60 Days and Two Little Words?” Well, as is the case with many of the more popular world religions (including Christianity), much is misunderstood about the teachings of what and who I call “The Masters.” If one were to research the original beginnings of Buddha, one would find some fascinating parallels to other world religions. In fact, I will share one super-powerful parallelism among Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, and Jewish beliefs: 40 Days. Yes… 40 Days. The account of Jesus the Christ begins with His birth and early childhood. Then, the accounts of Christ leap forward to when Jesus reached the age of thirty. Likewise, Siddhartha Gautama, the first enlightened Buddha, began his ministry at the age of thirty. According to the Gospels, Jesus fasted in the desert for exactly 40 days and 40 nights, and was tempted by the devil. Buddha also fasted for exactly 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and was tempted by a great evil spirit. Similarly, in the accounts of Islam, Muhammad is reported to have been praying and fasting in a cave for 40 days. In Judaism, rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights during the Great Flood. And Moses reportedly spent three consecutive periods of 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai. Please note: All these accounts appear to be about renewal amidst temptation... or temptation amidst renewal. So…Your mission today is to consider the possibility that 40 Days is a perfect timeframe in which to change your point of view. Notwithstanding that last sentence, I must reiterate my intentions and goals for this e-course. It is not my intention to try to change you; only you can do that. It is my intention to offer you a different perspective. And when we change how we view the world… The world changes its view of us. And when THAT happens… WOW! ...the world has truly changed! Yet and again… it all starts with S.E.L.F. If desired, catch up and follow the perpetual path: DAY 1: GET CLEAR DAY 2: SET GOALS DAY 3: HAVE FAITH DAY 4: MAKE PLANS DAY 5: PAY ATTENTION DAY 6: PLEASE PRAY DAY 7: BE POSITIVE DAY 8: PUSH UP DAY 9: BE GRATEFUL DAY 10: THEME SONG DAY 11: COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY DAY 12: SELF CONFIRM DAY 13: ON PURPOSE DAY 14: MORE FAITH DAY 15: SIMPLY BE DAY 16: SIMPLY BE DAY 17: SIMPLY BE DAY 18: EASTER SUNDAY Quick question… Where will you be on May 21st? Aloha, John Forgive. Focus. Find. Accept. Adapt. Achieve. ®  John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist. Principal consultant at The PIE Group, and Executive Director of TeenBuilding USA, [a non-profit 501c(3)], John believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need. And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me). Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}. An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work! An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life, a teen-focused guide, Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens, and the Christian-based book, God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life. He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets. His trademarked phrase is a winner:  * Ascension, in Christian belief, is the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after His Resurrection.
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