Well I see by the old clock on the wall that I have been doing this podcast for two years now. Wow has it really been two years? I can’t believe it’s been that long! I must say that I’m very happy that all of you out there like what you are hearing and continue to listen, learn and share. I want to take this time to thank each and every one of you for all of your support, love and kindness over these last two wonderful years. I know that “A Quiet Mind” would not be here without you and your support. I’m very grateful to all of you and I’m honored to have this gift in my life. I thank you with all my heart and so does little Crucita.

I’m writing this post on the second day of a fast so I’m feeling rather lucid and sentimental. I don’t know how long the fast is going to be; as long as it takes I guess. Why am I fasting you ask? Well I wanted to do the fast for a few different reasons, number one being holiday over-indulgence and number two being the cheating. No not that kind of cheating – the other kind. For those of you who didn’t know I’m diabetic (type II) and vegan (type IV “the cheating type”). Oh cheese you are a devil and a temptress. That being said, I also wanted to fast because it brings me clarity when I’m having difficulty with something and can’t seem to get my head around it. Even when the usual means of walking meditation, quieting the mind, breathing, etc. have little or no effect, there’s nothing like a little self imposed starvation to inspire clarity I always say. So the result is what you see before you. I’ve been inspired to write the longest post in AQM history. Hold on, here it goes…

I was reflecting back on the podcast today and I realized that many of you might not know the history of AQM and how it came about. So if you are interested, read on. One evening about two years ago, a co-worker of mine (that at the time of this posting shall remain anonymous) was in need of a good listener and confidant. I received a phone call from him and he began to confide in me with some of the difficulties he was facing in his life. I was simply there for him and listened intently. I gave him a few things to try out that I thought would hopefully ease his pain and suffering a bit like breathing, forgiving himself, and accepting what is so. We said good-bye and I thought nothing of it.

The next day he called and told me that he had not felt better in years and that his depression was gone! Not only that, he said he felt fantastic! As we spoke further, he related to me more information about his present “condition” and mentioned that the tools and suggestions I had shared with him that previous night had worked better and more effectively than the drugs and therapy he had been receiving for most of his life. I was amazed and in utter disbelief. As far as I was concerned we had just had a simple conversation between friends and I had mentioned very casually a few things that I thought may help him . I had no idea these few simple things I shared with him could have such a powerful and life changing impact on him and myself.

As the conversation continued, my friend mentioned that I should share these concepts and tools with others. He said that these concepts could really help people out like himself tremendously. Then he asked if I had ever heard of a thing called a podcast. “What’s a podcast?” I said, “Sounds like a 70’s Sci-Fi movie that I remember. Didn’t it star Donald Sutherland?” Needless to say he patiently explained podcasting and blogging to me in great detail and of course, I was overwhelmed with all the techy stuff. After all, I was a visual web designer and back then we didn’t do all that coding stuff. As I told him this he said something truly amazing, “Hey you helped me Robert so I’ll help you. I’ll set up a podcast for you and teach you how to do it.” “Wow!” I said, “That’s so cool!” So this wonderful new friend who just happened to be a very savvy web guy set up the AQM blog and podcast in a couple of days! Not only that, he mentored me for months thereafter in the ways of The Techy Warrior.

He taught me how to do everything that was involved from creating the podcast itself, to uploading the files, images and podcasts. He also taught me about blogging and how to post and tag things so that I could be found by people. He also set up the Itunes account as well. Every time I think back to that moment I’m forever grateful for his help and feel indebted to him always for his generosity and inspiration. I don’t think he really has any idea of the impact that he made on me and what has become you, our listeners as well. One other thing that will always leave me in awe was the snowball affect that occurred after we launched. I can still vividly remember being blown away at being in the Itunes top 100 in Religion and Spirituality shortly after the blog was created. What a moment. Especially since I didn’t even know this list existed and received the news one day from this same friend. It was also a real thrill to see my subscriber base rise and rise from hundreds to finally thousands of listeners in a few short months. What an amazing journey this has been.

As I look back over the last two years as host of A Quiet Mind, I can’t help but think about the truly amazing miracles and many wonderful people not mentioned here that have led to its creation and success. It has brought me not only some of the most touching, personal and special moments in my life but has allowed me the gift of sharing and being of service to all of you. It’s been my humble honor to be here for you and to be a part of your lives in my own small way. I will continue to help you in any way I can along your journey of awakening and enlightenment as long as I’m able.

On that note I must say that I have found out a truth in my life recently that has come about by hosting this podcast. I have discovered that this is my only wish; that I can be of service to those in need and help bring joy and peace where I can. I now realize that hosting AQM is not only my life’s dream, it’s my true purpose and passion as well and there isn’t anything else I’d rather do in the world than be here for you right now in this way. I have seen that I have abilities that can help people that are in pain and I feel it’s my duty and honor to continue to share these. The path that has been given to me is to serve. I know that I must share from my own personal experiences, traumas and triumphs the tools that have helped me to overcome my own pain and realize a more peaceful and happy life. I can see that when I do this it helps people to heal and it fills me with joy to see that happen for you. Not only that but I know that when I do this for you, you will do the same for someone else when they are in need. This is magical, miraculous and liberating. I love it! I love being a part of that magic.

The magic works a bit like this. When a person is in pain they can’t function and can only think about and feel their own suffering. They become like an island unto themselves blinded by the aching misery from within. They are no good to anyone else or themselves. This causes a feeling of great sorrow in me to see this because I know that this pain can be lifted from us very easily and we can be free from our heartache. When a person is in this state there is only the pain and the primal need to escape or simply put an end to it forever. Without the necessary tools to make that escape, misery takes over. But once they posses the tools they need for transformation, they are free almost instantly. In this state of freedom they express joy instead of sorrow, courage instead of fear. Now that they have the tools for overcoming their agony, they can help others escape from their own self imposed prisons. This spreads joy from one person to the next. As others are relived of their pain and suffering they are filled with joy and pass it on. We are doing that with AQM; we are spreading joy. So as I see it, the more joy-spreading the better!

That’s a good segway into the next part of this post. (I can’t believe I just used the word “segway”!)

At this time I’m working on creating new and helpful content and more in-depth articles that deal in greater detail with the topics that are discussed on the podcasts. As you can see, the site has a new look and I have added some Amazon and Google links in the right hand rail and within the context of the blog. Some of you may wonder why these changes have been made. I’m glad you asked. Some of this has been added due to your requests for book recommendations and related content. Some of this has also been added in an effort to enable me to respond to the many requests I receive in comments and by email. Many of you who write are truly suffering and in need. I want to reach out to each and everyone and ease the sorrows right away and provide more in depth help but I simply can’t find the time in my busy life. In order to be able to help all of you that are in need and do this full time I must put some ads on the site and make a few changes. I’m sure this will have little or no effect on the quality and content on the site and as a matter of fact, may actually help boost it.

I’m sure that a few ads will not scare you away and after all; they may make it possible for me to be here more for you and create more helpful content. As always the content of this site will remain totally free of charge and you may share it with those you love in any way, shape or form. So I do hope that I have your continued support as we let AQM grow to its full potential in the coming years.

In closing this very long post I just wanted to mention the two blogs that inspired me to take this giant leap into the full time blogosphere. They are Zenhabits and Steve Pavlina. Thanks to you Steve and Leo! I highly recommend both of these blogs for your self-enrichment and inspiration. If you don’t already read them I’m sure that you will find them a good addition to your life and practice.

Happy New Year!

Yours in service,

robert

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