There are many definitions for the word “MASTER” but the one I’d like to focus on and discuss during this blog is: one having control. During a conversation with a man that became a very influential mentor of mine I was told that I had “the power to be a master” - at the time I naively thought he was saying that I had some kind of rare, special gift/talent that would somehow elevate me far and above the average person. I later learned that most of us have the ability to become a master, a master of self. He explained that most people, at some time during their lives, will lose control over their free will - once this happens our lives are ruled by temptation, cravings, addictions, and desires. At that time of my life there was no question that I had already relinquished control over my will and my life was, without question, being run by some unknown forces that I had no control over - under those circumstances it wasn’t long before my life was spinning rapidly on a downward spiral resulting in some serious self loathing and depression - the good news is that there’s a happy ending to this story. My mentor also told me that I didn’t have to live this way and that he could show me a way of life that would help me regain command of my ship. I didn’t hesitate and heeded his advice which ultimately pulled me out from the darkness– illuminating a path that led me to a different perspective, a new approach to living life, and a lifestyle that changed me in many ways — most importantly it changed my spirit. I learned how to love myself - I learned how to connect to GOD - I learned how to appreciate all of the blessings that life offers - and I learned how to express my love to others - this way of life is a powerful set of tools that I believe can pull just about anyone out from the deepest darkest pits of despair - I call this lifestyle ChiForce - Living the 7. The 7 disciplines that make up the ChiForce way are your direct path to self-mastery - read through my website and consider making the 7 a regular part of your life - it doesn’t matter whether your as low as I once was or even if your pretty content - if you choose to live the 7, I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised by what you will experience - there’s only one way to find out - so do yourself a favor and give it a try! Let me know what happens - I’d love to hear your feedback -
Until then I wish you all a life filled with
Peace, Love, Health and Happiness

John Nies

Who’s up for a challenge?

Competitive sports have always kept me very active as well as physically fit - I would often try to challenge myself to get into the best shape possible leading up to a season - well its been almost ten years now that I haven’t participated in anything competitive which means I rarely challenge myself with something physical anymore.  In doing so I have definitely smoldered my competitive fire until just recently when I decided that it was time to reignite the flame. A few weeks ago I was invited to join a team of hardcore endurance athletes that were looking for athletes to run in this insane obstacle course called Tough Mudder - 12 miles long with 19 obstacles that were designed by a group of former British Special Forces soldiers - by the looks of what I’ll be attempting to do come November 20th It seems I’m not only reigniting the flame but jumping right into a burning building - I wasn’t sure whether or not I would be up for the challenge until I started training - thats when I realized that I desperately needed to get into much better condition if I intended to be a strong addition to the team as opposed to a weak link. This race has reminded me of how important personal challenges can be - every once in while we need something that will wake us up - give us a little kick to get us moving again - a little inspiration to help us step out of the same old routines that we so easily find ourselves living in. Isn’t it easy to get complacent, lazy, or stuck in a rut? Well it can be just as easy to change that dynamic. Find a way to challenge yourself - force yourself to raise the bar in some facet of your life - something that requires you to dig deep down inside and excavate those dormant powers we have inside of ourselves. The challenge doesn’t need to be a physical one it can be any number of things - maybe a concerted effort to improve a relationship, start a new business, a pledge to be more altruistic, whatever the challenge is that you set for yourself go after it with passion and purpose. Decide what it is you’re going to do and don’t give up until it’s done. I’ll leave you with two quotes that should be helpful in your endeavors - the first: “What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”–Napoleon Hill. The second: “Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging”- Joseph Campbell.

If you can’t come up with something to challenge yourself with I’ll have something for you in a matter of weeks - it’s called The 49 day challenge - be on the look out - it’s something that will turn your life upside down - in a good way!!

Live the Seven - John Nies

Life often presents us with situations that are difficult to wrap our minds around. Maybe they involve a change that needs to be made or a problem we think we need to solve or a dilemma that we feel we need to address. Maybe its a situation that causes us anxiety or it involves personal growth that we don’t think we are ready for, or it needs a paradigm shift in thinking to accept. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that sometimes I feel like my brain is tied in knots, and I’m unsure of what to do next. We all go through times when are minds become blocked. When faced with stressful situations, conflict, decisions, overload, wherever you find that you are stuck, I believe there are things you can do to clear your mind and untangle the strings. Sometimes we search so hard for clarity or for a solution that we can’t even see what is right in front of us because our brains are bursting with too many thoughts–letting fear of losing control of a situation prevent you from moving forward. Here are 7 things I do to help clear my mind, and without fail, eventually one of them or a combination of some of them will do the trick to help me untangle, unwind and refocus.