"Do you want your tombstone to read: 'here lies the problem' or 'here lies the solution'? Each of us can do great things. We get but one life. Let's make it one where we help others. We have to become more then we are."
Miles Patrick Yohnke
As a writer, I'm grateful and blessed that my life has touched so many lives around the world.
From the release of the composition "Occupy Yourself" I share a few responses:
Occupy Yourself Responses:
Miles, Miles, Miles! Hello.... and thanks for that beating and thrashing! It surely came at the right time. I always thought I did a post-mortem of my actions every day. I guess I wasn't just opening deep enough. You have opened up so many events in my life that have contributed to what I want to achieve, how to go about it, and the frustration I have developed when I could not achieve. But you know what? As I read each article I saw myself, as a young bride, occupying myself with material things because I discovered I did not find love; I stuck it thru because I dreaded divorce and could not have survived on my own; I could not go back to my job in the bank (despite my job having given me so much personal satisfaction), after all the luxurious (loveless) life. Oh my god it goes on and on. One thing I know is that I was not content with the life I was living and I found my love elsewhere. I found an excuse, which cost me dearly. What I have learnt and now know (of course from your articles) is to be comfortable in my own skin, that is achieving what I can achieve best, for as long it is improving someone else and satisfying me. I once had this discussion with one of my lecturers at University. She asked me what my children were doing, and I erupted into a volley of explaining how my children did not have any ambitions like myself, and how they were not interested in attaining University qualifications. The lady (whom I have so much respect for) turned to me and said, "It didn't matter what a child did, for as long as it was their dream, legal, and not illegal, but that they should follow their dream and do it well". I was dumbfounded, but to hear it from her, taught me a lot. I was brought up by a father who believed only in University qualifications, marry a man who is an engineer, doctor, pilot, etc, and do the same for my children. To date, with four qualifications, two degrees, two Masters, I am still looking for my goal. There is one thing I have always known about myself, which has been confirmed now, (thanks to your articles): I have always loved people, wanting to help, wanting to love, wanting to comfort, share knowledge, keep people safe etc., etc. I know today that through my desire to love in all its dimensions, is my purpose to take any job that will fulfill this purpose, but this job will also meet my desire to educate, share, increase awareness and security, because it will allow me to write without being stressed. I have an application form sitting in my house for the last month, (it has collected so much dust), and guess what? As soon as I have finished this email, I will send it in the post. It is a great humanitarian job, but I have been sitting here and thinking, "I can't do this kind of work", "I deserve better", "I am too qualified" and so on and so forth. Little did I realize that all my experiences and qualifications were God's preparation for me to stand up and fulfill my purpose in life, armed with the knowledge he allowed me to achieve. I have so much peace, once I found out how I can create myself, my face is blooming; I have found myself Miles. I was lost, but now I am found. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I am sure with the joy and strength I have, I could knock out Mayweather anytime (oh yeah while he is in jail), LOL. Seriously, my life was like an IKEA item with instructions in Chinese, now it's in English. Miles, may you remain richly blessed. Have a blessed day, and God bless. --- Mary London, England Speechless, in fact, Miles. This made me realize my self-worthiness and no external sources should be the reason for my happiness; it should be myself! Thanks! --- Manisha India "I truly believe that if you want to create a healthy and honorable movement, you'll start by occupying yourself first. Developing and upgrading your own being. Upgrading your mind. Upgrading your own hard-drive. We must input new data. My input determines my output. Garbage in, garbage out. Good in, good out. You must now download anti-virus software of truth to rid your hard drives of self-pity, indecision, doubt, greed, ego, low self-esteem. Downloading apps of love, joy and peace to your own soul." --- Miles Patrick Yohnke
If one would walk away remembering but one passage from this enlightening piece, I choose this one. The examples of those in the world that mistake outer fixes to be what will fill an inner void are many. This article shows that there is a way to have what we truly need and quell the hunger to fill that void ( which most spend a lifetime filling by amassing material goods and outer recognition, possibly hurting themselves, many or humanity in the process). Thanks Miles for choosing to stand up to this and further to share what you find so those ready to hear it, will and might just find their own way.
--- Claudia
Montreal, Canada
Truly and sadly, society places on a pedestal, power, material and bling.
Hardly can one find the works of Mother Theresa, Mahatma Ghandi, nor Abraham Lincoln screened on global TV networks. Hence, our children idolize material, power, gold silver and diamonds.
I know and so do many others that when we die, we take nothing with us. No power, no material (other than the casket we are buried in), and no jewelry because normally there are so many vultures waiting to pounce on that. So then, why waste a lifetime chasing that which will never be truly yours as you will never take it with you to the gates of heaven as testimony of your achievements on earth?
Therefore, why not then live a life of fulfilling your purpose on this earth? We all have a purpose on this earth; no one was created by accident.
The life of Miles Yohnke was ordained even before he was born; that he shall be born as he was, struggling to learn to read and write, and that he shall lose his dearest father, but only after he had learnt so much from him, but that the spirit of his father shall live through the love and grace of a faithful, and serene mother.
The writing of Miles today reflects his purpose on this earth. But, when he was struggling to learn to write and read, little did he know that one day he will share with me and many others that we need to occupy ourselves with only that which we can take away to the gates of heaven as testimony.
I have chosen, since I read Miles Yohnke's 'Occupy Yourself', to occupy myself only with love, respect for others and myself, and to achieve my purpose in life, which is neither power, material, nor bling, but it is doing that which I am best at. And I have so much peace.
Thanks to Miles for jump-starting me, yet my humblest gratitude is to our Creator and his dearest parents. Miles has a standing ovation in heaven.
--- Mary Kabwe United Kingdom "Sensational article! My favorite line is in paragraph nine where you say: "The problem comes in when we think our value is based on what we have, what we do, who we are. Our outer world mirrors our outer reality." This concept thoroughly ties in line with what "A Course in Miracles" teaches and that is: "our world is a reflection of an inner condition" (that of the ego) and "to go within go without." This article is a superb observation that the material world never reflects genuine happiness. Focusing on material greed derails any individual from illuminating their God-given gifts of authenticity designed to bring blessings to the world! It is an honor to be associated with a man who is real and expresses the truth without hesitation. His vigor to live life honorably is clearly demonstrated in his articles. Miles deserves high praise in his continuous efforts to exemplify conscious living." --- Sarah Hongerloot / "This Month's Special..." Kansas City, Missouri, USA "I have been so unhappy because my success has not manifested. I've always wanted to achieve certain things that will put me in the social standards of success. (Example) If I have a car and money I would be able to hang out with my successful friends. I didn't realize that was just putting my happiness on hold. The 'waiting' to be one of the successful people, I just let my life pass me by; missing the present moment because the future will be better. Reading this article makes me want to do more of what makes me happy NOW and not sit around waiting for the future so I can validate myself. Being happy now is exactly what I need to succeed. I will not frown towards my present moment because I haven't achieved all I had hoped to achieve. I will keep going, try again and I will be happy while doing it. Being more present." --- Esther Johannesburg, South Africa
"After reading Occupy Yourself, I agree with Mr. Yohnke's premise. Develop yourself, daily. Yet, how many do? There's not enough time, it's too expensive - yet what price will you pay if you don't? This is a complex world requiring us to be at our best always. We are in the people business. Day after day we have to interact with our fellow human beings. Could we all learn to be better communicators? Could we learn to be better leaders? Better partners? Better people? Of course! There are many tools to enrich and improve your life everyday. Listen to a seminar while you drive or walk or run. Sit down and view a dvd or video that touches on areas you want to improve. Read or listen to a book. Don't wait until tomorrow, because tomorrow becomes another tomorrow and so on and so on. You control your life or you don't. Thanks Miles for always bringing your best thoughts to paper in the hopes that someone reading your stories and articles will see a bit of themselves in them and decide that today is the first day of their new life. Our lives are like a home that needs a bit of remodeling: putting off improvements until you are forced to is never a good idea. Do what needs to be done, today, tomorrow and every day in your future." --- Marlene Blaszczyk Publisher, Editor and CEO of Encouragement MotivateUs.com Motivating Moments LLC "Miles Patrick Yohnke is a brilliant mind, an amazing soul. He is a rare and precious jewel, a treasure awaiting the world's discovery. He's deep. He's real. He's true. Miles does not just talk the talk, he walks the walk. Therein lies his power to motivate and inspire others to action. Words backed by action alone have the power to touch, move, and inspire others. Most people are subjected to their bodies, they let their bodies tell them what to do, a lower energy field. To reach that point where your mind dictates to your body, that is the world in which Miles exist. That energy field, boundless, limitless. He vibrates at a very high energy field. It was said that when Mother Theresa or Gandhi walked into a village, that their very presence raised the level of consciousness in the village. Through his insight, wisdom, knowledge, discipline, and service to humanity, Miles raises the consciousness of those around him. I am deeply indebted to Miles, overwhelmingly grateful for him, for pushing me to be all that I can and should be, so that I'm not like the millions of others who die with their songs in their heart." --- Adrienne Whitner 5th Grade Teacher South Carolina, USA
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