The Winter Olympics in Vancouver have captured the attention of the world. Having been a live spectator at both the Atlanta and Sydney Summer Games, I've experienced first-hand the true spirit of the Olympics - which has been on display these past two weeks in Vancouver in a beautiful way.

Candlemas 2010 offers unique, rich opportunities for clearing, visioning, and setting or empowering our intentions. Why? Because it follows a powerful lunar and solar eclipse cycle, and occurs in what Steve Nelson, author of Mythic Times, calls a 'Venus Year' -- a time in which "all things Venusian prosper." Let's look at the symbolism, in which we can ground ourselves for rich inspiration as we look into this Venus Year, 2010.

There is a saying: "Pain pushes, until vision pulls." A vision reflects our sense of purpose. A clear vision is like our North Star, rich with a sense of who we are, what we're doing, and what we're doing it. It gives us a sense of direction and momentum, and guides inspired, efficient action. With our intention and attention on that vision, we navigate whatever is before us more easily, supported by the courage vision bestows.

As a motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies and an Olympic gold medalist, I have seen what makes an individual most successful in the boardroom and on the slopes. Over the last five years, I have researched the similarities of forty different highly-successful individuals -- including the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Prince Albert of Monaco, Dr. Stephen Covey, Shaun White and many more. And no matter the field or endeavor, I have found The Turtle Effect philosophy at the core of everyone's success. This philosophy was taught to me by my mother, who told me that I could achieve anything I wanted. I always held it close and adapted it to every situation I encountered. I'd like to help people breathe in this confidence and share the secrets that are common to those at the top of their given field.

As we embark on another new year of life, I find myself experiencing a mixture of emotions about 2010. I'm excited about the possibilities of this New Year and inspired by the energy of creation that exists at this special time. Similar to last week, there is a magical quality to this first week of the New Year that I always appreciate.

Whether you're into the Law of Attraction, cultivating a strong vision and brand, looking for improved communication, or wanting to experience better relationships and interactions with others, positive expectancy is an essential component of your approach.

As you go through the holiday season this year, try to live in the moment and enjoy each experience one at a time. Avoid the temptation to become over-committed and learn the power of the amazing two-letter word: no. Try to take a few days off before January 1st to reflect upon where you’ve been and where you want to go. Try to get out of your normal environment and eliminate all distractions so you are forced to reflect.

I've been speaking and writing about gratitude for almost ten years now – and I'm still amazed at how challenging it can be for me to focus on what I'm grateful for at times (especially when I'm feeling sorry for myself or complaining). I'm also blown away by how powerful and transformative gratitude is when we choose to pay attention to it, experience it, and express it.

With the holiday season upon us, and gift-giving a part of many traditions, many of us look for 'just the right gift' to give. Consider that one of the most valuable, precious gifts we have to offer is the gift of our full, true presence. So few of us experience the luxury of another person's full presence -- or our own -- that it's one of the most priceless gifts you can give.

During one of her shows a few years back, Oprah Winfrey made a profound and beautiful statement that I appreciated very much. She said, “We do shows about lots of ‘stuff' and my ‘favorite things,' but what people want more than anything else is to know that they're appreciated...that's the best gift of all.”

No matter how many times I've been immersed in the creative process, or found myself in that tense, creative transition-space between something ending and something new beginning, I've felt the tension and an almost unbearable restlessness in it. After all, creativity and stepping into the unknown take a lot of courage, along with a sense of heartful conviction and a strong vision. And we find all of these within us.

How do you define success? True, authentic success is not something defined by other people, but something that you have defined for yourself. Our deepest yearnings and values provide clues to the definition of success that is truest for us. Authentic success is woven from that which has real heart, joy, and meaning for us. It's an expression of our deepest purpose. What blocks authentic success, then?

If I had a dollar for every time during the past year I have heard someone say, “These are the worst economic times since the Great Depression,” I would have enough money to create my own stimulus package. I am well aware that there are many people hurting. With double-digit unemployment, the decline in the stock market, and the ongoing bleak forecasts, it can be alarming. As you go through your day today, commit to make these difficult times ones that you can look back on as the springboard to your future success.

Humanity, itself, creates an ongoing set of problems that are inevitably followed by solutions. These solutions create a new and ever-expanding set of problems. As you go through your day today, welcome opportunities disguised as problems, and seek the knowledge that is waiting to be known.

"Who would rather be perpetually stuck in cycles of fear and lack than in new experiences of trust, prosperity, joy, creativity, inspiration, and so on?" Which would you choose, if you had the choice? Lack or prosperity? Fear or faith? Grace and ease, or perpetual struggle? Joyful creativity or uninspired 'grind'? You know what's miraculous? You do have the choice (and so do I) to shed the old programs, which replay ad-nauseum as the same old issues or problems.

In our daily lives, you and I have the opportunity to perform any number of tasks. Many of these tasks are simple and even mundane. We can perform these tasks in a haphazard or mediocre fashion. On the other hand, we have the privilege of beginning to perform simple and unnoticed tasks with a degree of excellence. In doing so, we can begin to improve our lives and elevate our existence.

For the past five years or so I have made a practice of reciting The Serenity Prayer several times a day, often while on my daily walkabout up and down the hill on which I live in San Francisco.  I have also learned a few things in this practice and they each have to do with the integrity with which I engage this prayer.

The perennial spiritual invitation that has been given us by every sage and tradition east and west is this: surrender and open through absolutely everything - no matter how it appears. We are told that this is the sacred route from the shell of our ego structure to the depths of our divine nature that is naturally infinite in peace, love and fulfillment. Much of daily spiritual practice centers on cultivating the courage, understanding and resolve that strengthen our capacity to truly let go and open into deeper reality again and again.

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” Marie Curie

This is an appropriate quote when we are facing a recession, at war in the middle east, and the stock market is at its lowest since the great depression. So, what’s to be understood?

Did you ever wonder why things seem to come up to derail the manifestation of your vision, or why you'd get close or even accomplish parts of it only to watch it 'wash away' in a series of events or waves? Or wonder why even when things are going well you have a sense of impending doom, dread, or loss? It wasn't until I started to integrate what I'd learned from my business and life experience with what I'd learned from my various energy/shamanic, Indigenous Wisdom, intuitive, and vibrational-healing teachers that I really started to understand the dynamics that were at play.

A month or so ago, a fellow from corporate-training company approached my publisher and invited their authors, including me, to contribute content to their training database. In his conversation with me, he invited me to contribute in areas of my expertise that were under-represented in their database. Wonderful! Then came the clincher: "I love your web site and the work that you do; you're obviously a thought-leader. But in the content you contribute, we can't use the "F Word".

Do you consider yourself to be visionary? Intuitive? Creative? Having some unqiue genius? Do you sense these gifts calling for greater expression -- personally or organizationally?

What's the difference between a life of fear and a life of possibility? It's a pretty big difference. It's time to come alive, throw off the shackles, and move into a greater sense of connectedness and expansiveness. Just imagine … in a good way.

The 'fine art of surrender' seems strange to our Western minds, trained as we've been in 'efforting' -- planning, doing, rolling that boulder up the hill, and swimming against the currents. And that can be pretty exhausting, and not a little frustrating, can't it? It can feel like you're traveling incognito -- pretending to be someone other than the unique and radiant being that you are.

I just heard a story on the business channel of my satellite radio about a self-made person and their business success story. It was, indeed, an impressive story about a person who came from an impoverished background and--through diligence, determination, and tenacity--became a tremendous success. While I admire this person, and while there are elements in their story that we can all learn from, I was left with the question: Are any of us truly a self-made person?

Can you dissolve or shapeshift the obstacles that are before you? Yes, though it may be in different ways from what we expect (or not), and it requires practices that take place despite current worries, fears, and old ways of seeing things. It's 'mastery practice', right in the belly of the crucible!

When college professor Randy Pausch was told he had six months to live, he delivered his last lecture. It was filled with wisdom from a man who had lived a good life and wanted to leave a legacy; for his students, friends and family. If I were told that I had six months to live, and could share one last lecture with my friends and loved ones, what would I say? If I could share some of what drives me, then maybe a small part of what I'm saying might make a difference to someone.

These three words, “yes we can,” became the mantra for Barack Obama's successful presidential campaign. Whether you voted for, support, or agree with President Obama or not, these three words are powerful and important for each of us in our lives, especially in the face of the challenges that many of us are facing these days.

All over the world the eyes are on the US. This is truly a day in history. Today we swear in our new president and a new era. Our first African-American president, our first internet president, a president so smart that he has the wisdom to put his former adversaries in his inner circle of advisors - his brain trust. The whole world is watching and it's thrilling.

War anywhere, at this point in our history, is an action that threatens peace everywhere. Particularly when it comes to the Middle East. From its spiritual significance to its political significance, it is humanity's hot spot. It always has been and probably always will be. It's where all the rivers of human perspective meet, to become either a cauldron of hatred or an ocean of love.

With the holiday season now in full swing, it's easy for us to get caught up in the stress of getting everything on our “list” crossed off, preparing for parties and events, and rushing around to buy gifts. And, with money tight for some this year, there's added stress for many of us as we think about what to get for our family members, friends, co-workers, and others. Instead of just giving "stuff" for the holidays, what if we gave the people in our life the best gift of all; our appreciation?

One gift that we can offer to others is the gift of our full presence -- being fully present with and for another. Deeply listening, looking for and receiving the very best within them, and being open-hearted and kind.