As each day goes by, I cant help but wonder why ignorance continues to thrive. Then I remember it was built by design, and that people cant see past the wool that had been pulled over their eyes. The lies we buy while just a child in innocence we reside. Why oh why did the prescribe such malicious lies. Praying on peoples ignorance should be a crime.
Day by day
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on September 30, 2013
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/day-by-day/
Production or plunder?
The American government was designed to serve and protect our land and our ideals. Is that what is going on in America today?
A free government, not socialist or communist, has always been developed to aid its inhabitants to sustain production. It is designed not as a means of production but as a means of protection. A central government can only be given aid by its people for their protection, or plunder the people for their own protection. It seems to be a continuing affirmation over recent decades that all presidents are raising taxes. Why? Is it for our protection or theirs? Seems like they are plundering us for their production. This must be stopped.
America is at the most pivotal point in American history, today, right now as I’m writing this and as you’re reading this. A study of Roman and Greek history absolutely predicts the demise of America. Just as the aristocratic leaders of history had plundered their people, we too are being oppressed.
The people create production, the governing entity provides protection. As soon as the government gets power hungry it plunders away its citizens productivity. If someone keeps taking your hard earned money, will you continue to work as hard as you can to produce? An unchecked government will eventually destroy the very society which created it.
We the people are reaching a point where we will be forced to make a decision.
Let the government continue its free reign over us, surrendering the longevity of our country in the process.
or
We the people stand up and lead with influence & exemplify the correct ideology and principles in action. While holding the political sector to the very same standard.
Pick one. Because this is the future. Choose your side. America is in an idea war.
If you are concerned or fed up with the political structure, get informed on the proposed solutions.
The solutions are spelled out in a book written by real Americans. “LeaderShift, a call for Americans to finally stand up and lead” released April 16th, it will be in all Barnes and noble book stores. Get a copy and learn how we the people are going to take the power back.
God bless,
John R Oliva
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on April 15, 2013
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/production-or-plunder/
The future
Are we spending more time earning money than we spend with our children? Settling for comfort today may have unforeseen consequences. Are we sacrificing the future legacy of America only to live in comfort today? Where do we draw the line between responsibility and neglect? By giving away such a large portion of our time for money, are we neglecting our responsibilities as both parents and Americans?
I was inspired to write this post after watching the movie “Rise of the Guardians”. It was a wonderful animated film created by Dreamworks. I really like movies that inspire us. The ones that have the ability to really impact our lives. Some more than others, but it seems to me, the movies being marketed to kids that have come out recently are right on track. “Rise of the Guardians” was inspiring to me because of how it teaches the massively important impact that our beliefs carry over into everything, everyday. Our beliefs are the very foundation, the structure that permeates throughout our entire lives. Just as in construction, if the foundation we have constructed doesn’t have the concrete mixed and set just right, after we build our house on it, may be set up to fail from the slightest storm that happens to roll past. America is at an extremely pivotal point in it’s history, a point where change is the only hope we have to maintain it’s legacy.
This is the very reason I believe the founding fathers of America were such voracious readers and independent thinkers. Now, they didn’t have everything perfected, and we never will either, but we can do our best with the information we have available. Our culture is an embarrassment to the very philosophy (foundation) of the country we represent. WE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED!
The reason America is failing isn’t because of the economy, it’s not because of the government, we cannot really even blame ourselves. Most of us were born into a broken system, we had no choice, until now. We have been led into adulthood with an industrial age “conveyor belt” style education implemented with a factory type mentality. Which surly could not have sustained America forever. This did work for several generations during the industrial age, but that age is dead and gone. We are now in the information age We do, however, now carry the burden of responsibility to guard the future of this country and its prosperity for our children and grandchildren.
We the adults are the present and the youth of America is it’s future. Just like in any organization, it can and will only be as good as those who inhabit it. In order to maintain the legacy of the true American ideal, things must change, we must change. With suicide, divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, war, famine, homelessness, starvation, and neglected children becoming commonplace, its obvious that our culture is broken. We are struggling to produce similar financial results as our grandfathers had done through a hard work ethic just a generation ago. How is this possible? With both spouses needing to be in the workforce, we have a whole new set of challenges. The current culture we, as Americans embody, tends to value things, money and comfort much more than we do our collective legacy. In this process we are unfortunately neglecting the our children, they very future of this nation. We are allowing others to educate them with ideas which are out-dated and not as important as the government, and many people make them out to be. Don’t get me wrong here, there are many great things that teachers do. The teachers are great, and are doing a wonderful job improving those kids lives. They are caught in the middle. I feel the issue is more about how teachers are being utilized. It worries me that the public education system seems to have turned into a type of public daycare. Where parents simply drop the kids off and go to work to serve the ideals of the industrial age. why is this? What is the problem?
It’s us. Each and every individual American is the problem. We do have an impact. Right now main-stream America (the status quo) is heading in the wrong direction. The problem is being caused by our “industrial-age” thinking. The beliefs we carry day-to-day will either make us or break us, both as individuals and collectively as a nation. If we look at the cultural challenges that we are currently facing, I’m inclined to say, it seems as if they are breaking us.
In my opinion, it’s only because we’ve been given such a firm foundation to stand on as a country, that we are even still standing. We have been blessed beyond our wildest imaginations. We can’t keep letting this country slide into decline. I fear if we don’t do something, our children, and grandchildren may not be able to resurrect the dead America.
Can we turn this country around?
-How can I help I’m only one person?
-It’s gone too far, there’s nothing we can do.
I hear these responses way too often.
So I’m going to say it right here and right now.
We, all Americans, are the problem. We as Americans need to re-ignite a culture of excellence and create a new revolution. Not a revolution of force, but one which will perpetuate freedom.
Everyone will not have the guts to stand up for what is right. But I will.
Everyone will not be willing to delay their gratification. But I will.
Everyone will not be willing to change themselves. But I will.
Everyone will not be willing to sacrifice their time to help others. But I will.
Everyone will not be willing to fight against the status quo. But I will.
America will most certainly not be fixed overnight. It will be fixed by a small group of men and women who are committed to live their lives based on timeless principles set forth by the founders of this great country. These people will, over a period of generations, will pass down these principles as the legacy they were meant to be. What I’m really getting to here, is that if we see things that we don’t agree with we must never give up trying to improve them. We must continue to fight for what is right, no matter what, no matter who agrees with us, no matter how long it takes. There will be no real “change” unless we all make an active effort on implementing the changes. As long as we know why we are changing, we are the only obstacle.
It’s east to say “yea, yea I get it”, and you might, but are you willing to prove it? Each one of us has a massive impact on the people around us everyday. So big in fact, that we may not realize the magnitude. If we lead by example I know we can change. Everyone may not study like the founding fathers, but those of us who do will have a great impact on those around us. Hopefully we can inspire them to make positive changes in their lives, which will have a rippling effect that, very well could carry on forever. It is not going to be an easy road ahead for many Americans but I challenge you to become a veracious reader and independent thinker like the founding fathers, by living your life by the principles that can be learn from history, and the greatest teachers and authors of out time. For these are the only people that have made, and will continue to make this country great. We must realize that, If we
really desire change, we must be the change we wish to see in our world. We need to shed our dependence upon others to teach us, by disciplining our selves to lead a self-directed education. We need to shed our dependence on our government, for they are drastically exceeding their bounds, according to the limitations set forth in the founding documents.
Those of us who are involved with the LIFE business intend to breathe life back into our dying country by recreating the culture, and by living out these principles everyday. We lead by example everywhere we go. If you don’t like what is going on in our country today; DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Stop complaining and take action. If you aren’t willing to do something about it, then you have no right to complain about what is going on. Actions speak louder than words. Its going to take more than an opinion to make this change happen. All of us need to take action, well at least 10% of us. Are you a ten percenter? If so this is where the real movement is, so get up to speed! Mainstream politics are no longer serving the people. We are the grassroots American revolution of the information age. We have no political party affiliation other than we love America and want it to stay and be reborn! We need your help. We need a Leadershift. Will you play your part?
God Bless,
John R Oliva
I encourage a change in your habits toward living out the priorities you would like to lead, not those for which you only have the means. Real change is coming. I hope you will be ready. There is and amazing book being released on April 16th by Oliver DeMille and Orrin Woodward called “Leadershift”. This book will be a landmark in the future evolution of our country.
Here is a site where you can learn about the book: http://tenpercentleadershift.com/
You can read the first four chapters here: http://tinyurl.com/10-LS-preview
You can pre-order your copy here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/leadershift-orrin-woodward/1113517374
or here: http://amzn.com/145557337X
ENJOY!
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on March 24, 2013
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2013/03/24/the-future/
Don’t be the stinky kid
We all remember in high school there was that one guy that hadn’t quite figured out the deodorant thing or maybe it was bathing. It’s possible they didn’t care or had low self-esteem. Perhaps they were just oblivious that they were that way. They may have even been proud of it. You surely remember innocently walking down the hallway, when all of a sudden your sense of smell was attacked by that person’s foul, disgusting stink.
I’m certain and hope that over the years that smelly young adult eventually understood his offensive odor was almost a repellent, keeping others at a distance. He then made a decision to change his ways. Learning the art and science of self-discipline and personal care and has grown into a successful productive member of society.
I tell that story to set the stage to help others understand how without really being conscious of our own issues we can be extremely offensive (stinky) with our attitude to those around us.
I’m writing this article to express how as an adult I became the stinky kid, not by a lack of hygiene but through the expression of my attitude. Those of you who know me will certainly relate.
I remember graduating high school not knowing what I really wanted “to do” with and for the rest of my life. The same old song and dance the counselors, teachers, and parents bombard America’s youth with still to this day.
Before I knew what really happened I landed a job and over a number of years became successful in the field that I stumbled into. What I didn’t realize was that I was slowly becoming the stinky kid. I remember feeling and thinking that there was something missing. I slowly started to resent the people around me as if they had some factor in how I got to where I was. That resentment began to build into a distaste for pretty much everyone and everything. I felt justified becoming biter by blaming my situation on my employer, wife, or “the man”. Now that I had solidified and justified my bitterness, I put that chip on my shoulder and it began to grow.
I really started to like the quick witted sarcastic ways that I tore others down. At this point I still was unaware of why I was doing what I was doing. It was much easier to take the pressure off myself by projecting my pain and disappointment onto others than it was to admit that it was my attitude, so it was my problem. I went on for a number of years like this. Hurting countless people with the wake of my abusive stinky attitude.
I am very thankful to tell you that, over the last couple of years, I have become self-aware about this issue. I am actively improving everyday and still repairing the destruction that was completely my creation.
My liberation would never have been possible if it wasn’t for the grace and information I acquired through my association with the organization known as LIFE. Through reading, listening and associating my personal and professional lives, I am proud to say, are improving all the time! I now actively help others self-identity and assist them with the liberating information provided by the LIFE company.
I hope this article has shed light on how applying some information can and does truly have immeasurable and lasting effects. I also challenge you to take a step back and ask yourself how can I change? What can I do to become better? Have I become a stinky adult? In life there are only two options, we can choose to get better or get biter. The choice is yours.
God bless,
John R Oliva
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on March 11, 2013
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/dont-be-the-stinky-kid/
Know thyself
To know thyself is to unlock one’s true potential.
One can’t even begin to understand why he is here until he first discovers who he is. Second he must understand how he has been gifted. Finally after his self-discovery he must uncover his purpose. This self-discovery process gives birth to one’s truth.
Our cultures potential has been significantly restricted by conformity, with a specific intent fit someone else’s gain. Don’t get distracted, seek truth to understand who you are, why you are here. Don’t waste this precious gift of life. Be the difference maker in a cause that matters, to you. I have a righteous anger toward the status quo’s system of oppression. In this system people are programmed to be distracted from their truth.
We as freedom loving Americans need to stand up and lead the change. We all know the political “leaders” in Washington will not make the necessary changes. They are bought and sold. Get your hands on a copy of LeaderShift. This book will show you the step by step process of how we the people are going to bring America back to freedom.
God bless,
John R Oliva
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on November 25, 2012
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/know-thyself/
The illusion of time
Time is the most interesting illusion. It’s the most valuable commodity we posses. It’s interesting how men can be selfish with their time. Everything is weighed upon the value one can receive for giving up his time. Often time is spent frivolously living through professional sports, or various forms of escapism. Is this the American dream our fore fathers were thinking of?
“Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years.”-Marcus Aurelius
If we look back in history time was utilized differently. People would not just put time into a project they would invest into it because they knew that they would be maintaining a moral and ethical standard for the long-term. Continuing to hold character, autonomy, mastery, and purpose atop the things which truly have the most value.
Today’s man is mostly concerned with; “what’s in it for me” Immediate or instant gratification. Few people today are willing to offer their time to a cause where a long-term victory can be achieved. Everyone’s sights have been shortened, as if they were heavily intoxicated and can’t hardly see past the end of their noses.
I challenge you to challenge the paradigm of the status quo. To not be selfish with your time but to invest it liberally. Not squander it on things that are unimportant. Our lives should be led with purpose for a purpose, and if we do it correctly we will achieve amazing results.
Are you going to create history with your time? or just be history? the choice is your option to change, will you?
God Bless
John R Oliva
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on July 16, 2012
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/the-illusion-of-time/
The lost art of America
Being Americans we owe a debt to to our founding fathers. A debt which is filled with honor, blood, sweat, tears and a dream. A dream to be free.
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” – Henry David Thoreau
Is being American a lost art form? I have come to believe this is true. Being an American isn’t as simple as living in a place, and understanding its history.
To me being an American is more than a label. It comes from deep within ones soul. It’s the passion which ignites you to know right from wrong. It’s standing up for what is right, even when no-one else is willing to stand. It’s not only understanding the principles and history, but it’s maintaining and living out the ideas the founding fathers bestowed upon us. It’s the privilege to be living in the land of the free. It’s the honor of being born here to carry on, to carry on the most honorable debt of the dream. A dream which once was only an idea held by a handful of courageous men and women, who stood upon their ideals, morals, ethics, and principles. That dream is freedom.
It seems as if freedom has nearly been forgotten. Perhaps neglected, as if it has gone stale or has been left to rot, disregarded, perhaps left behind. Seldom to be spoken of. Living in a time where our battles consist of driving through traffic, or attempting to resist the temptation of losing ourselves in the trivial pursuit of technological distractions. It has become a battle of ease and affluence. Daily, most of us maintain a level of security which has become our status quo. We have fallen in line continuing on a path of little resistance. Keeping things simple has become the mainstay for the masses. Few Americans are willing to step outside their comfort zone in an attempt to pursue what they really desire. The masses have submitted, thrown the towel in.
I encourage everyone to take a second thought. To take a look back, make an attempt to visualize the struggle, determination and sheer will it must have taken those amazing people who paid the price to secure our freedom. They never submitted, they never gave up. With the most resilient resolve they chose to live the life they had always wanted.
I sincerely hope I can find the courage to at least make an attempt to become a shadow of the men who once fought for my freedom.
Don’t we at least owe our fathers the debt of at least making an attempt to sustain freedom for our grandchildren?
I resolve to be the best American I can be; not only for my family, my friends, my state, my country, but to honor the men and women who cultivated the thought of challenging the status quo. The people who sacrificed life and limb in pursuit of an ideal, the very ideal which gave us a chance, an opportunity to pursue our dreams. We can never repay this debt, therefore we must honor it.
Will you resolve to restore the lost art of America?
God Bless,
John R Oliva
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on July 11, 2012
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/the-lost-art-of-america/
The restoration of American culture
There is something going on in America today, something unseen, unheard, and often unspoken. It may be apparent to many of us, however it may not be obvious. The people can tell something isn’t right. The intangible concepts, principles, and ideals which paved the way for freedom in our land, have fallen victim to our modern culture.
A few years ago I remember being at a point of confusion and frustration in my life. I could tell something was drastically wrong, something just didn’t feel right. That lost feeling persisted for probably four years or so, until I realized that I didn’t know; what I didn’t know. I then began to dig into information and knowledge about psychology, religion, politics, history, american history, economics, personal development, and leadership from some of the greatest minds in history. During this journey I discovered that I was lacking a significant understanding of what being an American actually was.
Being American used to convey many ideas. One example is that to be an “American” relayed the idea that an American believed there was a higher power and there was a greater purpose for each individual. Americans lived their lives in a way which entrenched this idea throughout their entire life. In the founding documents the founders used the word “providence” (God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny). At the time of the writing of those documents there were over 1400 different forms of Christianity. They understood that their writings had to be written in such a way, where they could be understood by many types of religion. They believed so strongly in freedom and liberty that they were willing to sacrifice their lives to protect these beliefs. In fact Thomas Jefferson lost his wife and son while he was signing his name on the founding documents.
The founding fathers fought passionately for the ideas they believed would keep our country free and prosperous. They studied the history of world governments. There were many heated debates between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton about what type of society america would be. They both agreed on a commercial society which is defined as a society that promotes the basic needs of the people and to have the opportunity to create wealth and prosperity(the american dream). Hamilton wanted an industrial type of commercial society, where there would be big organizations that everyone would work for to create huge wealth together. This would create a nation of dependents, who were dependent upon the existence of these organizations. Jefferson wanted a nation of independents, small shop owners, farmers, land owners, and business men. This idea would carry more freedom and a better opportunity for an individual to earn his own definition of wealth dependent only upon his own efforts. This is how America coined such maxims as “the American dream” and “the Land of Opportunity”. As a nation comprised of independents will be a nation of independence.
The idea of a nation of independents flourished as majority of Americans were mostly farmers and small shop owners until the 20th century. In the 20th century our culture began to develop into an industrial society, where large companies began to employ many people. Many american began to come into town from the fields and started working in factories. This industrial revolution gave birth to the very ideas which Jefferson diligently attempted to protect society from. Hamilton’s ideas were now becoming dominant. Soon the 16th and 17th amendments were passed. These amendments furthered Hamilton’s ideas of a top heavy system of people dependent on someone else for their economic prosperity, creating a nation of dependents.
For most of us, we have just followed the status quo of going to school, getting good grades, and attempting to get a safe secure job with great benefits and a retirement plan. Not completely understanding how this would end up defining our life, our time, our loved ones, our freedom, and how it takes so much influence away from our country. Freedom is our most important American ideal, without it we may as well change the name of our country. For the very principle which America stood for is now in violation. A hypocrisy of American culture is upon us.
To achieve a restoration of American culture, we must restore Jefferson’s ideas which promote freedom and prosperity. In order to do this we must create a new revolution. A revolution where entrepreneurship becomes as American as the very idea which brought our people here in the first place. There are many affordable business opportunities for the masses. I recommend researching home-based business’. As there are many opportunities where you can begin to be rewarded based on your own performance. You can build your business part time which greatly minimizes the risks involved with conventional business’ or franchises. Several home-based business’ can be started with a few hundred dollars. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
I am quite biased however, as I own an independent home based business: the-life-business.com We specialize in an affordable education of timeless principles of personal development and leadership. With a primary focus on educating in the eight most important areas of life; Family, Faith, Freedom, Finance, Fitness, Following, Friendship, and Fun. Our main purpose is to assist individuals in the creation of a profitable home-based business. Our product is your improved life! We are paying people to learn about and to promote FREEDOM! This will create a ripple affect of freedom and prosperity which we hope will bring a much need freedomshift to our great country.
I encourage all of you to study in depth the ideas of America and to create your freedom. I enjoy the writings of Oliver DeMille. his titles include; A Thomas Jefferson Education, The coming aristocracy, Freedom shift, and soon he will be releasing a new book outlining the devastating effects from the forceshift of 1913.
I hope and challenge you to become an advocate for the restoration of American culture. Develop your skills, become a leader and get active in your community. Its our turn to protect America; from the inside. We are responsible to ensure the sanctity of America for our children and grandchildren. Together we will make a difference and change the tide of our culture.
God bless
John R Oliva
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on February 28, 2012
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/the-restoration-of-american-culture/
Being the victim or becoming victorious
Frustration caused by the lack of a desired result, creates an option: suffer from the ease of self-delusion and maintain the ego or suffer the pain it takes to change the ego.
Everyday we are overwhelmed by the chaotic world around us. The busyness of the masses rushing to work to sell their time and build their bosses dreams. We all have many responsibilities to maintain our environments; personal fitness, relationships, children, vehicles, homes, etc. All of these chores maintain the existence of our physical environments. The parallel of this is the intangible interior of ourselves. The ego or the mind is the environment where all realities are determined and maintained. These determinations made in the mind have the most profound affect on the physical environment.
Most of us proceed through our lives giving little or no thought about how we have achieved our view of reality. As children we had many amazing ideas upon which we had hoped we could turn the future into. We enter into adulthood, some going onto college others going straight into the work force. Time becomes overwhelmed with the responsibility to maintain our physical environment. Many of us being overwhelmed with our view of reality seek fun or entertainment as an outlet, sports, consumerism, sex, drugs, alcohol, gaming, music, media, internet or TV. This is the culture of escapism. These tools are used to assist the mind in evading the reality escapists believe they cannot change or are unwilling to change. We often look outside of ourselves for the solution, however we fail to realize that divinity resides within us. Whether we realize it or not, our minds are always in the creation process. While we are busy being entertained, our minds are busy working to create realities upon which our minds believe to be truth. The mind ends up convincing itself what “reality” is by means of the maintenance it is given. “you get what you give”
As we are busy living out our lives many of us become frustrated with things in our environments. Whether we become frustrated with people, jobs, goals, or the realization that the dreams we had as children were unlikely to manifest in our reality. Our minds attempt to create an outlet for this frustration, which often comes in the form of Being the victim, blaming someone else, or making an excuse to ensure there is no damage to our ego. This can create a self-delusion where we believe our own lies to avoid being at fault.
Instead we can make the decision to confront our self-delusion and correct the situation at hand. This decision sounds easy, unfortunately it is much more difficult than it seems. The mind does not like to admit fault (at least mine doesn’t). In order to obtain a desired result, not settling for mediocre, one must confront the lie or self-delusion the mind has accepted as reality. During the confrontation process we have two choices: suffer the pain of staying the same or suffer the pain of changing. Both have their own set of challenges.
Self-delusion is the water pill the mind takes to ignore the lack of results or accept being the victim. Thus the mind has been sold the idea that it cant win, coming up with excuses and ideas to reinforce its self-deluded belief. This often comes out of the mind as a bitterness, or an attitude of resentment toward the world. We all know someone who is a jerk or has an attitude problem, as the frustration must have an outlet. The mind has accepted or believes that it has lost or cannot win.
Self-awareness is the understanding and confrontation that occurs when the ego makes the decision to confront the self-delusion and decides to Become victorious against the status quo. This is not an easy road to travel, it requires diligent planning, hard work (kung-fu), checking to ensure the plan is being properly implemented, and making adjustments along the way to ensure the desired result will be achieved.
Either one hates changing enough to lose , or they hate losing enough to change.
In closing we are left with a question:
Am I willing to struggle and be uncomfortable long enough to change and acheive my victory?
or
Am I willing to create a self-delusion large enough to encompass all of my short-comings, blaming my situation, making excuses to protect my precious ego and settle for being the victim of my situation?
The choice is yours; live with the regret that you could not change yourself or do the kung-fu and become the master of your mind.
Persist until your weakness quits
God bless,
John R Oliva
Posted by John R Oliva Leadership on January 22, 2012
https://johnroliva.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/being-the-victim-or-become-victorious/
johnroliva 