China has a very special place in my heart. I have grieved over the injuries, deaths and great loss caused by the earthquake in the Sichuan province of China. Over 65,000 people have died and 5 million people are homeless. It’s hard to even comprehend.

I have made a donation to help with sending food to those in need and I am giving away a special song to China in honor of all those who have died and lost loved ones. I would like to ask that you consider giving whatever you can give in whatever way you can give it. Some people do not have money to give, that’s ok, many great gifts do not even have a price tag on them. Follow your own heart and do whatever you feel led to do. The key is to do something. Thank you so much for your consideration!

Some people have asked me which organizations I suggest they use for making donations, there are so many, here are two TRUSTWORTHY ones I have given to in times past, here are the direct links to specifically donate to the cause in China:

https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=264115335&df_id=3198&3198.donation=form1

http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=usw_20080523_china&s_src=TR5

To read more and for a free download of my song "You’re In Heaven", go here…
www.nikoonline.com/china

PLEASE share this blog entry too as many people as possible. TOGETHER we can touch MANY lives! The direct link to this page is: http://nikoonline.com/2008/05/31/please-help-china

Niko 

China has a very special place in my heart. I have grieved over the injuries, deaths and great loss caused by the earthquake in the Sichuan province of China. Over 65,000 people have died and 5 million people are homeless. It’s hard to even comprehend.

I have made a donation to help with sending food to those in need and I am giving away a special song to China in honor of all those who have died and lost loved ones. I would like to ask that you consider giving whatever you can give in whatever way you can give it. Some people do not have money to give, that’s ok, many great gifts do not even have a price tag on them. Follow your own heart and do whatever you feel led to do. The key is to do something. Thank you so much for your consideration!

Some people have asked me which organizations I suggest they use for making donations, there are so many, here are two TRUSTWORTHY ones I have given to in times past, here are the direct links to specifically make a donation toward relief efforts in China:

https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=264115335&df_id=3198&3198.donation=form1

http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=usw_20080523_china&s_src=TR5

To read more and for a free download the song I have dedicated to China, “You’re In Heaven”, go here…

www.nikoonline.com/china

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

3. Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

4. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

5. When you say, "I’m sorry," look the person in the eye.

6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

7. Believe in love at first sight.

8. Never laugh at anyone’s dreams. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much.

9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely.

10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

11. Don’t judge people by their relatives.

12. Talk slowly but think quickly.

13. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

15. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

16. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

17. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

18. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

19. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

21. Spend some time alone.

Viewing / Downloading Options

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THE EXODUS
A Story of Current Events

I recently returned from one of the most amazing journeys of my life! I was in Egypt and Greece. While in Cairo, I made an effort to go to the pyramids to film. It was an adventure getting there, riding a horse full speed across the desert while looking at 5,000 year old pyramids in the distance, I’ll never forget that moment!

When my friends and I arrived at the location, my thoughts were simply to film myself singing through a few of my songs. My goal was to get 30 seconds of good footage that would be used for a promotion. So for an hour, I filmed. The Great Pyramids were in the background and every now and then camels and horses would walk by, it was perfect! Totally unplanned, totally unrehearsed. No special lights or gear, no film crew, just a simple hand held camera and lots of passion! Every now and then people would stop at the top of the hill to look at a madman in the desert who was singing his songs with no music being played (I had in-ear headphones pumping the music to me so I could synchronize my mouth and motions to each song).

When I got back to my hotel room and looked at the footage I was in awe! I suddenly began to realize that without thinking about it I had actually just filmed the music video for The Exodus! I was flying to Greece the next day so I decided I would go to the Acropolis in Athens and film there too. Both Egypt and Greece are important to the true story that inspired the birth of The Exodus.

I completed the video edit yesterday and amazingly the headlines in the news were about “the exodus” that is literally taking place in Egypt right now! I don’t take this lightly. And also on the same day, the Greek Prime Minister made the first official visit to Turkey in 50 years! All of these things are important to me. You see, my Greek family fled for their lives from Turkey in the early 1900’s because of war, they left behind homes, businesses, everything. So for Greece to be seeking “…permanent improvement in relations…” with Turkey means much to me and to countless others! Then during WWII, my family once again fled for their lives, this time it was into the deserts of Egypt where they lived as refugees for several years. The timing of the completion of The Exodus and all these current events just amazes me.

For years I have known that God has been preparing me to go to nations to deliver a message of hope and love to their people and leaders, to sing a song that they can feel and connect with. I went to Egypt for no other reason than because I felt it in my heart to go, and after the decision was made and the ticket was booked that is when things began to unfold and happen. First, an invitation to sing on a national radio show, then in a moment of inspiration a few hours before I was leaving Cairo I shot the footage that has now became the music video of The Exodus! The same was true in Greece, after decided to go, it was then that I was invited for an interview on a national radio show and then as a result of the show I ended up doing my first live performance in Athens and also had the opprotunity to film footage at the Acropolis! Imagine having several dreams all come to pass in 48 hours. It was magical, I felt like time stood still. I feel very guided and that my trip had a purpose that cannot be put into words.

The Exodus is about pain, loss and persecution but it is also about resolution. The Exodus is the story of current events. This video is RIGHT ON TIME. There’s nothing "slick" about this music video, it’s raw and passionate. There are no words in The Exodus, only expressions and cries of deep feelings and emotions. Someone said to me today, "If a picture paints a thousand words then The Exodus paints a thousand languages." The Exodus is a story of HUMANITY and it speaks in an unknown tongue understood by all. ~ Niko

My team and I feel very strongly about this video. If it moves you, please help us spread the word about it by sharing this page with your friends and family. Help us take it around the world, we can’t do it with out you! Thanks!!!

PODCAST

Below is the high resolution "Podcast" version (42 MBs) - you have three options…

1. SUBSCRIBE TO MY PODCAST on iTunes! and receive it that way. To learn about podcasts, click here!

2. Download it (right click on "Download" then choose "Save Target As" or Save Link as")

3. View it here (click the big play button, let it buffer, then click the play button at the bottom left corner of the player)
 

For more info, write to Tasha at

Thanks!

Niko

For more info, write to Tasha at

Thanks!

Niko

Below is the high resolution “Podcast” version - you have three options…

1. SUBSCRIBE TO MY PODCAST on iTunes! and receive it that way. To learn about podcasts, click here!

2. Download it (right click on “Download” then choose “Save Target As…”)

3. View it here (click the big play button, let it buffer, then click the play button at the bottom left corner of the player)
 

40 Ways To Stay Fit

WEIGHT TRAINING:

1)     Lift Weights: Adding muscle to your frame enables your body to speed up its metabolism. You will burn an additional 35-50 calories per day from every pound of new muscle you develop.

2)     Limit Rest Periods: Limit rest periods to 59 seconds to add a calorie-burning element to your weight training. This has been shown to increase calorie burn by 50%.

3)     Mix It Up: Try to make incremental increases to your weights, try new exercises, shorten rest periods, switch from barbells to dumbbells… anything to keep your body guessing. After just a few weeks, your muscles will have adapted to your exercises and will crave something new.

4)     Train Heavy: Pushing your muscles beyond what they’re currently trained to overcome forces them to adapt and regenerate themselves so they’re ready for the next workout. This will also help rev your metabolism.

5)     Rest and Recovery: The real gains occur during rest. Try to get eight hours of sleep each night to allow your muscles to recover, which ups your calorie-burning potential.

6)     Don’t Over Train: Allow a few days before working the same muscle groups again. This will prevent overtraining which can cause your muscles to be dissolved.

7)     Add Weights For Your Abs: Use weights that allow you to get 15 reps per set, and allow only 30 seconds between sets. You should also slow the pace down to 3 seconds per rep.

8)      Keep A Training Log: Record your workouts, sets and reps each session, then refer to the data to assess your progress and set new goals.

9)     Supersets: To help amp up your calorie burn between sets- and accomplish more in less time- incorporate supersets or drop sets to your workout.  (Superset: When one exercise immediately follows another without any rest in between)                                                                                                                                              

10)   Compound Movements: Build your workout around multi-joint movements like presses, rows and squats to recruit the most muscle fiber and burn the most calories. Isolation movements, or single joint exercises, such as bicep curls, leg extensions, and triceps extensions, should be supplemental to the multi-joint movements.

 Note: Free Weights VS Machines: Free weights force your body to recruit more total muscle because they call on stabilizing muscles to balance the weight, a superior advantage to the predetermined range of motion that machines have to offer.

CARDIO:

11)   Run For The Gold: Incorporate 3 to 4 sessions of cardio per week for 20 to 30 minutes each.

12)   Run Hungry: Perform cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Your body will burn fat as the first energy source because your glycogen stores are depleted.

13)   Start Strong-End Slow: Do your high-intensity cardio early in your workout and taper off to a slow finish to burn significantly more fat. After a 3 minute warm-up, immediately kick it into high gear for 15 to 20 minutes before slowing down for the last 10 minutes.

14)   Interval training: The best way to improve your aerobic fitness and burn fat is to alternate very intense periods of cardio with low-intensity sessions. Run at 80%-85% max heart rate for 1 to 2 minutes then slow it down to 50% - 60% MHR for 1 to 2 minutes and then back up again. Keep this cycle going for the entire session.

15)   No Smoking Please: Smoking deprives cells of the oxygen they need to maximize metabolism, keeps muscles from repairing themselves after exercise and makes cardio a lot tougher.

16)   Cardio Second: For the highest caloric burn possible, do your cardio after your workout. Since lifting depletes glycogen stores, your body will use fat as its first fuel source during cardio.

17)   Warm-Up With Cardio: Perform 5-10 minutes of cardio before you begin your weight training sessions. This helps to get your muscles warmed up for your workout without depleting your glycogen stores.

18)   Change it up: Whether you’re lifting weights or doing cardio, the key is to keep your body from adapting to what you’re doing. Regularly changing your cardio mode is the best way to keep your body responding.

 
NUTRITION:

19)   Eat More Frequently: Eating 5-6 small meals a day causes your metabolism to work constantly. Eating larger meals, however, slows your metabolism and forces leftover calories to be stored as fat.

20)   Cut Carbs: Keep your carbs low when trying to lose weight. Good, clean, fiber rich carbs include oats, sweet potato, brown rice, and whole grain bread.

21)   Eat Green: Spinach, romaine and broccoli is the best form of carbohydrates you can eat. Eat a salad before your meals to increase your fiber and consume less calories overall. Stay away from high-fat cream dressings.

22)   Protein Is King: Since muscle-building is the fastest way to lose fat, make sure your protein consumption is enough to keep up with your weight training. Get 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day.

23)   Cut Out Liquid Candy: Eliminate sodas and drink water instead. If you drink one soda per day, you’re adding 1750 calories per week to your diet.

24)   Not So-Happy Hour: Alcohol consumption can blunt testosterone levels, hindering muscle repair and growth and blunting sexual drive. Also, alcohol contains empty calories and the simplest form of sugar available in any drink.

25)   Slow Down: Fast eating and body fat go hand in hand because you tend to overeat. It takes up to 20 minutes for your brain to receive the signals that you’ve eaten enough.

26)   Dinning Out: When ordering at a restaurant, ask to have your meats grilled without oil or grease.  Order steamed vegetables with no butter. Request the doggy-bag to arrive with your meal so you can eat one serving size and take home the rest for tomorrow.

27)   Drink Water: You should try to consume at least one gallon per day to avoid becoming dehydrated. Well hydrated individuals burn more calories and become sick less often.

28)   Burn More Calories: The goal in any fat lose program is to burn more calories than you consume. Aim to reduce calorie consumption by about 250 calories per day. This will help you lose 1 to 2 pounds per week

29)   Avoid Simple Sugars: Sugar in your diet can wreak havoc on your metabolism by spiking your insulin response and promoting the accumulation of body fat.

30)   Timing Is Everything: When you eat is just as important as what you eat. Consume two-thirds of your daily calories before dinner to avoid overeating late at night.

31)   Eat More Fiber: Fiber, both soluble  and insoluble, is essential to health and helps decrease body fat. Consume large amounts of fibrous vegetables, such as broccoli, and spinach to attain your daily intake and promote satiety.

32)   Prepare In Advance: It’s very difficult to find healthy foods at work or in restaurants. Before leaving the house, pack healthy foods for the day with plenty of bottled water. Make sure you bring enough for emergencies i.e. an extended meeting, a traffic jam, delayed flight, etc.

33)   No Yolk: Eating plenty of egg whites for breakfast was found to reduce hunger and food cravings for up to 24 hours after consuming.

34)   Salt Free: Excess sodium    consumption can make you look bloated and soft and can cause you to burn less fat. To help you look leaner and strip sodium from your diet, drink more water, cut back on processed foods and enjoy to true flavor of foods.

35)   Go Nuts: Eating a hand full of almonds each day helps test subjects lose 62% more weight, 56% more fat and 50% more from their waist-line after 24 weeks compared to those who followed the same diet without almonds.

36)   Drink Coffee: Drinking Coffee before doing cardio will help you burn fat. Subjects who consumed two cups of coffee (300 mg) two hours before exercising on a stationary bike for 30 minutes were able to burn more total calories and used a much greater percentage of body fat for fuel.

 
MOTIVATION:

37)   Discipline Yourself: If you’re tiered of how you look, then understand you’re the only one who can change it. Create a plan and stick to it, budgeting time for the gym, food preparation, and rest for the week.

38)   Set A Goal: Giving yourself a reason to get in shape is a great way to stay on track with your goals

39)   Cheat Meal: Allow yourself one cheat meal every 7 days. Small indulgences make dieting more tolerable, keeping you on track longer.

40)   Stay the Course: Consistency is key to losing fat. The first week may be tough, but by the third, you should be a creature of habit.

A woman by the name of Ammie wrote in response to this blog entry, “Don’t forget to breath! Slow down and go deeper into your soul! The most beautiful people is calm and warm person!” Thought I would share that with all of you. : ) ~ Niko

"Hey Niko, let’s do something about domestic violence/abuse. Anything, please."

I decided to share my response in my blog…

Niko

—————————————————————————————————–
SheUnlimited.com / Daily Confection recently had the chance to talk with Niko:

Q. Hi Niko. It is an honor to speak with you. Tell us a little about the beginning, when the soul of Niko started to take flight.

It was when I was 18. I fell madly in love, she was my first girlfriend. Suddenly, the lover in me was awakened and unleashed! I began discovering many things in myself such as my gift for writing, photography, a deeper part of my musical gift, an artistic side I had never expressed, a romantic side… I wrote poetry, beautiful (mostly melancholic) love songs, starting thinking for myself and moving toward the path of being true to who I was.

At the age of 22, while alone at my apartment one evening, I had a spiritual experience that changed me forever. I realized my destiny was to touch the world! And that it would occur through my artistic expressions. That was 11 years ago and from that moment, I have never been the same.

I am driven, determined and relentless in the pursuit of my dream. I have been on a search for truth and on a journey of self discovery that has taken me around the world. I am a warrior on a mission with every intention of fulfilling my purpose for being here - to bring a message of hope and love to mankind. At all costs. And the fact that I am having this interview is proof that it is coming to pass. Not nearly as soon as I might have thought, but it is happening. Blood sweat and tears, concurred fears, the changing of my site, countless sleepless nights. I do stand before you now, I take a humble bow, I give my all in hopes to see, that we will all rise up and simply BE!

Q. How do you think your music can change the world?

Very simply, through its sprit and message. My music speaks for itself. It is spreading across the world at an exponential rate not because I am personally spreading it, it is alive. I am both honored and humbled by this. But it is EXACTLY what I saw would happen that evening in my apartment. Here are two invaluable things I learned from one of my greatest mentors: “Say what you see and you will see what you have said.” “You will be what you see.”

Q. The heartfelt, passionate strains of your songs are inspiring and soothing; more like poetry. What comes first, the words or the melody?

My lyrics are often inspired by the sound of a musical progression, I’ll do something on the piano or guitar and within myself I will hear words or a certain phrase. This is the most common way that I write all of my songs.

Now this leads me to share with you what it is that actually inspires me to play a progression in the first place…I would summarize this answer by saying “Life!” It might be the laughter of a child, a friend in need, pleasant or painful memories, dreams, happiness, frustrations. Nature. I write little songs for our animals here at “Freetown” (the property where most of the team lives). Traveling and being in other places far away stirs things up in me - the sights, the smells, the sounds of another culture and land. Sound inspires me. I will hear something like a car engine cranking up or the horn of a train or the wind blowing through the trees and it will actually inspire a melody or lyric or chord progression in me. Also, just sitting down at my piano inspires me. Most every time I sit to play, something fresh and new comes out. Sometimes it’s a song while other times it’s an idea or a melody that later becomes a song. And the hope of my music touching the world, that inspires me deeply. It is important that we always have hope in our hearts for through hope we find inspiration to fulfill our dreams. The content of my lyrics tend to focus on positive things, I like knowing that my songs are helping people and helping to bring light into this world. If I can do this, then when I breathe my last breath I will have peace in knowing I fulfilled my purpose on this earth.

Q. I would include your music in a meditation routine; would that surprise you?

Not at all. As a matter of fact, some of the songs on the Journey Within album were used on a CD that accompanied a book on meditation written by a guy in Maui. Many people write to tell me that my music is peaceful and relaxing. I am glad my music brings a calm energy to a not so calm world. Knowing that people are in their cars and in living rooms unwinding to “Niko” brings a big smile to my face! : )

Q. Living in Nashville, the country music capital of the world, how have you kept from being influenced by the genre?

Well, I think it’s all in there, inside of me. And it comes shining through in strange ways. For example, in the song “Joy!” (which no one would say had an inkling of a country sound), there is a thick “country” sounding vocal, during the chorus of the second part of the song. You cannot hear it so much when it’s mixed in with everything else, but I put it in there because I felt inspired to do so and I loved the way it made the chorus sound. If I was to take it out and you listened to the song, you would suddenly feel like something was missing. Whether or not you knew what that something was is a different story.

I grew up in Texas, predominantly on country music – Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Marty Robins… So, it’s in my blood and culture. It shines through a little on “Together Forever Whenever”. I think that in time to come, you will hear more “country” sounds in my music. But like with all my compositions, I compose by inspiration, so if tomorrow I feel “country” comin’ on, then I promise you will get a country Niko song! Maybe I’ll do a duet with Gretchen Wilson, she lives nearby.

Q. You are very in tune with your Greek heritage. Tell us a little about your upbringing.

I was born in Houston Texas, I came out with cowboy boots on and a rope in my hands. Just kidding! Actually, the typical “Texan” stereotype is not so accurate. Not everyone has boots and a cowboy hat. But I will say this, I think there are more pickup trucks in Texas than there are in the whole world combined!!! Texans love their trucks!

I am very in touch with my Greek roots. My father, Kimon, was born and raised on the island of Samos in Greece. My mother, Faye, is from Texas. An interesting match wouldn’t you say? *laughing* It was a strange mix of culture at times while growing up but I wouldn’t trade anything for it! My dad was always eating his yogurt with honey (such a Greek thing to do!) and my mom was always frying chicken and baking things (such a Texan thing to do!). And I was right in the middle of it all just soaking it up like a sponge. It added much richness to my life.

I was raised with a great spiritual awareness, with far more emphasis on spiritual things than earthly things. Faith hope and love were at the foundation of my upbringing and are the solid ground I stand on today.

Q. I know your management company is working hard to take the next step in getting you worldwide recognition. Are there any plans close to fruition? Tours, record deals, etc?

Yes. Yes. And yes. Boy oh boy am I happy to give that answer, finally! Ummm, we are talking every day about touring and we plan to tour in 2008, all of where we are not sure just yet but Asia is definitely a hot topic. Europe too! As far as a record deal goes…there are few options in the air… with all the changes happening in today’s world through the internet, everything has changed! And especially for independent artists! The power is finally back in our hands and in the hands of the people! That opens up a whole new world of possibilities for me and my music and its global distribution. Already, through the internet alone and no radio promotions, I have listeners in over 100 countries! That was unheard of just a few years ago. But it is happening and it is happening fast! Truly an exciting time to be alive!

Q. Your song, “Joy” was used in a local Nashville commercial and garnered an outstanding reply. You’ve stated a plan to take it on a national level? How will this happen, since the commercial was for a local merchant?

It was filmed with a national audience in mind. The only thing “local” about it is the content of the graphics, which can easily be changed for each dental office that wishes to license the commercial. We are still putting together the paperwork and such but there has been interest expressed from several states and we are anticipating it to go national next year.

Q. OK, Niko, I’m sure everyone would like to know: What’s the secret to inner love and worldwide peace?

Becoming childlike again.

Not childISH, but childLIKE - which is all about humility, forgiveness, not judging people (by their gender, skin color or cultural differences), being creative, playful, adventurous and imaginative! Letting go of sarcasm, deception and all the things we hide behind to confuse the truth. As small children, we did not “hate” people, we did not feel worry.

I watch small children and I’m just amazed, I ask myself “When do we lose THAT! And WHY!? For what and for who?!?” Of course, everyone has a different story - some were abused, some where fatherless and the list goes on. The good thing is that we can get it back! We can return to incense and find inner love and peace.

Just today someone wrote to tell me how much the lyrics of my song “My Son” touched them, “Grasp what is truth with all your might, become YOU, again!”

Thank you for this interview! Great questions! ~ Niko

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Direct link to this interview…
http://www.sheunlimited.com/2007/10/01/interview-with-niko-ulysses-papasidaris

She Unlimited (also known as Daily Confection) has 300,000 podcast subscribers and 2.7 million visitors each month. Be sure to check out their page! We thank them for their support!!! www.sheunlimited.com

“It is humanity (the music) calling out to humanity.” ~ Niko

Not since John Lennon have I heard an artist so focused on love, hope and peace. Niko has the soul of an angel. Passion flows from every note he plays and every word he sings. The strains of his very unique and mesmerizing compositions leave you wanting more and experiencing an eerie type of contentment.

Inspired by his idol, Vangelis, this 33 year old Greek songwriter/performer offers himself to the world as a vessel of kindness and hope. He says he’s not interested in the money or fame, but only to change the world with his music.

His albums can be found on his website, where he offers twenty full song downloads for the world to enjoy.  www.nikoonline.com

“I might just want to throw (rules) out the window and follow my heart and release a song the night it’s born and not wait until the whole album is complete. How cool would it be to get to hear the song of an artist you enjoy the very night they complete it? I love that idea.”

Born Nicholas Ulysses Papasidaris, Niko’s gift for music surfaced when he was fourteen years old at the home of a friend. The friend was playing a popular love song on the piano and Niko was stricken by the beauty of the sound. He asked his friend to show him how to play. His life changed from that moment. Niko spent every waking hour practicing his newly found gift. It sent him on a soul searching excursion for truth and hope that he wants to share with the world.

Niko’s journey can be found in his 2004 Indie release, ‘Love’. The CD/DVD package includes studio tracks, videos, photographs as well as Niko’s own journals that chronicle his search. It is a look into the heart and soul of a young man looking for the meaning of life and love. A coming of age story, if you will. It shows how his songs are created from initial inspiration to finished product.

Working with his long-time friend, manager and co-producer, John Walker, from his home in Nashville, Tennessee, Niko continues to garner worldwide support and respect with his genuine vision for love.

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Direct link to this review…
http://www.sheunlimited.com/2007/09/11/niko-ulysses-papasidaris

She Unlimited (also known as Daily Confection) has 300,000 podcast subscribers and 2.7 million visitors each month. Be sure to check out their page! We thank them for their support!!! www.sheunlimited.com

The writings I share with you are born out of my personal journey and experiences. My hope is that you will somehow find encouragement in what I share, that it will inspire you to… Pursue Your Dream! ~ Niko

Pursue Your Dream

I encourage you to pursue your dream. Each of us has a free will and the capacity and power to follow after our dream. Most don’t because it usually comes at such a high cost. For some, it has even cost them their lives. But what is life if one does not pursue their God given dream? That unquenchable thing that burns deep within you? I would rather die in pursuit of my passion than to exist in this life doing something that makes me feel miserable and incomplete.

Each Day
We are confronted with lies, fear, control and manipulation on a daily basis. That is why each day we must renew our hearts and minds of the truth - that we have a free will and that we can pursue our dream, that we are gifted and unique, and that we can walk in love and fulfill our destiny. It does not happen on its own though. It requires letting go – of pride, selfish desires, judgment, prejudice… It requires forgiving those who have done us wrong, a willingness to give, a willingness to be accountable for our actions, a willingness to seek the heart of God.

Giving
Your dream will always be linked to giving in some shape or form for giving is what life is all about. It is not money that makes the world go round, my friend, it is giving! Who paid for the sun to shine today? And for the oxygen in the air? These are gifts. Take giving out of the equation of life and everything would cease to exist. A mother gives to her newborn or else it could not survive, a father gives to his son by preparing him for manhood so that he will not become a fool and a thief, a friend gives to a friend to lift them up and bless them, a stranger gives to a beggar out of compassion because in their heart they know it could just as well be them on the cold street with no home or food. God gives us seasons and the laws of nature so that food will grow and so that everything can survive and flourish.

If Einstein would have listened to his teachers, he might have never discovered his genius. If the Wright Brothers would have listened to their critics, they would have never flown! If I would have taken over the family business like a good little boy then I would be managing restaurants right now instead of composing music that is being enjoyed and celebrated around the world! So, turn down the noise, get rid of all the distractions and unnecessary obligations in your life (that can be bad relationships, bad habits, etc.), find a quiet place all alone and look deep within yourself. Get face to face with the divine and it is there you will find the answer. (This writing is split into two blog entries, scroll down to read the rest of it!)

(continued in Part II below)

]]> http://nikoonline.com/2007/09/19/pursue-your-dream-part-i/feed/ http://nikoonline.com/2007/09/19/pursue-your-dream-part-ii/ http://nikoonline.com/2007/09/19/pursue-your-dream-part-ii/#comments Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:05:27 +0000 admin http://nikoonline.com/2007/09/19/pursue-your-dream-part-ii/  

(continued from Part I)

My Glass Is Running Over
All my life I have heard the quote, “Do you see the glass half empty or half full?” On the night of August the 20th, 2007, I realized for the first time that I will never again see the glass as half full but rather I will see the glass as running over! In all that I am and in all that I do from now on, I will always see the glass as running over! I will live and see life with a perspective of blessing and abundance. My glass is full and all that runs over from it is for any and everyone who will receive it. For example, the songs I share with the public are but a handful of the songs I compose and sing out while alone in my time of personal communion with God. The Sun The Moon The Stars is what is spilling out of my glass, Illusion, The Exodus, Aliesha Shine, Together Forever Whenever, Kali Spera, these are all spilling out. I encourage you to see life this way, see your glass as running over. Say what you see and you will see what you have said. See the glass running over and it shall be. Jesus taught, Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened.

Be Patient
It may be a while before you can see your dream manifest in the physical realm. Perhaps there are some things you need to learn first, some areas in which you need to grow and mature, some obligations you need to take care of. One does not fulfill their dream of becoming a doctor until they complete medical school and go through years of training. One does not perform in an arena until they have practiced thousands of hours while alone and performed in smaller venues. What I am saying is that all of these things you may feel are holding you back from your dream are actually part of it! You cannot get to the top of a ladder at the first step.

On the island of Maui in Hawaii there is a place called Hana, many people hear about Hana and can’t wait to go only to find out that when they arrive, there isn’t really anything there at all! It’s the RIDE to Hana that is magical, it’s the 700 turns in the road, the waterfalls along the way, the fruit trees, the views of the ocean and rainforests! If your goal is only to get to Hana, your arrival will most likely be rather anti-climactic. But if your goal is to enjoy the ride, then you will tell everyone like everyone told you, “You gotta go to Hana!”

My Personal Search
Personally, to become who I really was and to begin fulfilling my dream, I had to “get out of my father’s house”, meaning I had to leave my comfort zone and place of familiarity. Comfort and familiarity breed a certain kind of habitual living, it can be positive or negative, in my case there were many things I needed a clean break away from – people and their ridiculous expectations, organizations and all their absurd rules and regulations, jobs and their monotonous routine, etc.

Your Search
For each, it is different. “The Search” certainly does not always involve moving somewhere else but it does always involve doing something different. You can’t do the same thing over and over and expect to get different results. If you mix half water with half juice you will always get the same drink. If you want to discover something you’ve yet to find, then you’ve gotta do something you’ve never ever done before!

Success
Do not measure success by monetary gain or by how others see you, measure the success of each day by whether or not you were true to yourself, by whether or not you walked in love. A day of truth and love is the most successful day any man or woman can ever live. Mother Theresa had few possessions yet undoubtedly lived a very successful life. Life is not about what you’ve got, it’s about what you give.

Be Honest With Yourself
I am a person who encourages people to follow their hearts and dreams but it’s necessary that people be honest with themselves. For example, if you do not have a single athletic bone in your body then you might want to reconsider your “dream” of becoming the next Michael Jordan. : ) That’s a fantasy, not a dream. There is a BIG difference between a dream and a fantasy, do not confuse the two. I’ve seen some people in singing competitions on TV who couldn’t even carry a tune, for that person to pursue a singing career is absurd. I always wanted to be an artist (with pencils and paint) but I have NO natural talent for it whatsoever, I can hardly even draw a stick figure! It would be crazy for me to pursue such a thing when it’s blatantly obvious to me that it is not the gift God put in me. I was always fascinated by gymnastics and would have loved to be involved in it. As a matter of fact, the world famous coach Bela Karolyi had his personal training gym not far from my house, but I did not have natural talent for it, it was not my gift.

A Question For You…
What is it that you can do effortlessly? Stop and REALLY think about it. Can you write? Can you cook? Are you good with numbers? Good at focusing on one thing all day long? Good at organizing? Good at leading? Are you good with mechanical things and with using your hands? Do you love to be around people? Do you love to travel? Do you speak multiple languages? Do you enjoy reading? Do you love nature? Animals? Are you always thinking of ideas for new businesses? I assure you that the things which come to you so naturally do not come naturally to everyone else. Find out what your gifts are and then start to walk in them and you will naturally begin to fulfill your dreams.

The Time Is Now!
You can change your life today! Now, in a single moment! It’s up to YOU and no one else! It’s your life, your day, your choice! How? With a simple decision. You see, most people think of change in terms of something you can see with your eyes and touch with your hands, and this is true, but FIRST change happens WITHIN! Change is a DECISION. It is not based on external things - it doesn’t matter where you live, how rich or poor you are, how old you are, etc. You are a person, you are beautiful, you are priceless, your life is a gift from God! Decide today that you will BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. Decide today that you will GIVE and always BE MOTIVATED BY LOVE. Decide today that you will FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE! Decide today that you will PURSUE YOUR DREAM! ~ Niko