Vibrant Life: The Book Combo

By Nic Olvani

In short, why can we all not have an amazing life? We will open the ‘box’ within which man lives. Ceilings people placed upon themselves will be removed. A new, unknown flow of energy will emerge and reign! Synchronicity and a true, wide open, fearless and loving dialogue will take place. Relationships and lives will be healed! Human and social decay will be reversed. Man can now live life fully and fulfill his calling on Earth!
Life is vibrant, alive and joyous for some and plain depressing and problematic for others. This may even change from the one extreme to the other for many people, many times during their lives. We all have some hope of a good life sometime, even if we are in terrible conditions. Despite this hope, some take the option to end their lives, because life became too complicated and troublesome to continue. Others thrive in luxury and seem to be on top of it all. These opposites create many issues and raise many questions to many aspects in people’s lives and the world in general.
Life we also hope and believe has a purpose, but we do not understand why some have to struggle and why some have it all and what each and every one is supposed to do and achieve in life. Very few will agree on what the ultimate goal is and how to achieve it. Do you know what yours is?
Life takes us through many learning curves, but the one lesson which we are never learning properly, is the one to really have a vibrant life and to experience a vibrant and joyous life all the time. We all have our ups and our downs, even if we perceive ourselves to be successful. Is there a recipe or a method which we can follow to change this around once and forever? Will it be easy to achieve or proof to be too complicated? Well, it may seem a little far-fetched to even try and achieve something like that. However, vibrant life is possible; just ask those who really are living it. It in addition is easy, very easy! There are only two rules to apply. Only two rules? Are you serious? The two books in the series “Rhythms of life” are dedicated to take you there. Are you willing? Essential reading for all. When the learner is ready, the teacher will appear!
“An enjoyable and refreshing read about a personal journey of discovery. The author’s positive attitude and desire to help others achieve the same positive outlook on life and find their purpose for being can be commended.” Editor’s comment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nic Olvani
• Release date: Sep 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9780620562607

Nic Olvani

Author, amateur philosopher, artist, architectural designer, entrepreneur, project manager, outdoor enthusiast, jack of all trades, spreading a Vibrant Life!

Book preview

Book Combo: Cover

Review:

I found your series enjoyable and refreshing. I love your positive attitude and the fact that you’re trying to help others achieve the same positive outlook on life and find their purpose for being. We really need more books like this out there! Good on you for sharing your personal journey!

The concept is a brilliant and unique one that investigates the age-old subject of personal/societal-development in a very fresh and exciting way. The enthusiasm of the author comes through clearly within the first few pages and I felt myself carried away by this enthusiasm and swept up by the tide in my desire to learn more. Everything seems to have been so well thought out, right down to the finest detail as one could probably expect from someone with the author's background in course development. I thought that perhaps because of this background the text would be too stifling and educational but I was pleasantly surprised by the personal and conversational tone of the writing. The writing itself is of a high quality and I must repeat that the clever way in which the author has planned and introduced ideas and concepts is commendable. Although this subject matter has been written about extensively, I have certainly never seen it written from such an original angle. I'm sure many would find it intriguing and be captured and inspired by the author's unique take on life and the solution to self-realisation/actualisation.

Editor: Reach Publishing

Vibrant Life

The Book Combo

By Nic Olvani

Copyright 2013 Nic Olvani

Smashwords Edition - License Notes

Thank you for downloading this e-book. This e-book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by the Author - assisted by Reach Publishers

Edited by Vanessa Finaughty for Reach Publishers

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Reach Website: http://www.aimtoinspire.com

E-mail - [e-mail]

The Series: Rhythms Of Life

Presented by:

Academy for Inner Peace

Author: Nic Olvani

Website: http://www.vibrantlife.co.za

This book is the property of First Choice Academy for Inner Peace. No part of this document may be disclosed to a third party or reproduced in any way, unless permission has been granted in writing by First Choice Academy for Inner Peace.

Copyright of Intellectual Property Reserved 2013

*****

Vibrant Life

Life is vibrant, alive and joyous for some and plain depressing and problematic for others. This may even change from the one extreme to the other for many people, many times during their lives.

We all have some hope of a good life sometime, even if we are in a terrible condition. Despite this hope, some take the option to end their lives, because life becomes too complicated and troublesome to continue. Others thrive in luxury and seem to be on top of it all. These opposites create many issues and raise many questions to many aspects in people’s lives and the world in general.

In life, we also hope and believe we have a purpose, but we do not understand why some have to struggle and why some have it all and what each one is supposed to do and achieve in life. Very few will agree on what the ultimate goal is and how to achieve it. Do you know what yours is?

Life takes us through many learning curves, but the one lesson we are never learning properly is the one to really experience a vibrant and joyous life all the time. We all have our ups and our downs, even if we perceive ourselves to be successful.

Is there a recipe or a method we can follow to change this around once and forever? Will it be easy to achieve or prove to be too complicated? Well, for some it may seem a little far-fetched to even try to achieve something like that. However, a vibrant life is possible; just ask those who really are living it. In addition, it is very easy! There are only two rules to apply.

Only two rules? Are you serious?

The following two books combined in this Book Combo in the series Rhythms of Life as listed below, are dedicated to take you there. Are you willing?

Enjoy…

*****

The Series: Rhythms Of Life

(A rhythmical process in personal growth – as seen through two separate pairs of spectacles.)

The following two books under the series should be read in sequence and are based upon a personal journey in a quest for truth and reflect some of the more interesting and compelling lessons learnt from it. You often hear people say ‘everything is relative’, but that depends what you compare it to. Nothing has any meaning or value if it is not the truth. The truth is never relative; it always has a higher authority and meaning. It is only when you compare something with truth that relativity disappears. This conveys the essence of life.

BOOK 1:Want to Fly? GET A GRIP

The Game Of Life: A New Game

A Journey to Control and Harmony

(As observed through the first pair of spectacles.)

Available as a separate e-book or print book from:

http://www.vibrantlife.co.za

Or as an e-book from:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/355489

BOOK 2: AGENT UNDER COVER

The Game Of Spirituality: A New Life

A Journey to Surrender and Eternal Life

(As observed through the second pair of spectacles.)

Available as a separate e- book or print book from:

http://www.vibrantlife.co.za

Or as an e-book from:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/359090

*****

NOTE:

These two books and their contents are backed up by a website providing access to video material, courses, books and support programs. Please visit:

http://www.vibrantlife.co.za

*****

Book1: Cover

Book 1: Table Of Contents:

Introduction

Background

Preface

Chapter 1: Want To Fly?

Chapter 2: The Game Of Life

Chapter 3: Get A Grip

Chapter 4: Investigating Our Game

Chapter 5: Analysing Our Game

Chapter 6: Analysing Our Game

Chapter 7: Analysing Our Game

Chapter 8: Analysing Our Game Even More

Chapter 9: Analysing Our Game Even Further

Chapter 10: Analysing Our Game Even Deeper

Chapter 11: Creating A New Game

Chapter 12: Playing Our New Game

Bibliography

Diagrams

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Human Motivational Diagram

Expanded Human Motivational Diagram 1

Expanded Human Motivational Diagram 2

Wheel of Life

Key Elements

Keep Perspective and Focus

*****

To my loving wife and children.

To all the lessons we learned together,

that made us stronger.

*****

Let us sing…

Let us dance…

Because…

Life Is Vibrant!

*****

Book 1

Want To Fly? GET A GRIP

Introduction

The world around us seems to be evermore in chaos, despite some very positive things happening at the same time. This presents the world and its people not only with many issues and problems, but also with many opportunities in life. It is, in fact, life. Motivated by the need to find a solution to why the world and its people are struggling so much and not living a life full of love, peace and abundance, I set it as a personal goal to find a solution and share it with the world and its people. My ten-year journey eventually transpired into two books in a series called Rhythms of Life. Life has different phases and two very natural phases in the life of man, lead man on his journey in life. The two separate books each cover a phase in the life of man. Each book arrives at a rule book with one very simple rule for willing and able people to adhere to, in order to live fully.

The first book in the series is called Want to Fly? Get a Grip. It explores man’s need to gain control over his life and live this ideal life he so much wants (to fly and be free). In the process, however, he makes many mistakes because of poor motivation and poor decision-making abilities, clouded by millions of influences received from his environment around him, and he fails to fly. The ‘game of life’ of man, his motivation and his deepest heart is dissected and a new rule book with new coaches and referees is developed, allowing man to live freely in love and peace (to get a grip on a better life). This view is achieved through looking at life through the first pair of spectacles, an intellectual approach, from dependence at birth to control as an adult.

The second book in the series is called Agent Under Cover. This book explores the second phase of man as seen through the second pair of spectacles, where the control gained in the previous book is now reversed. Man needs to surrender his control to God and live within his control under God. Man, however, experiences many barriers to fully surrender to a life in God. The second pair of spectacles dissects our ‘spiritual game of life’ and provides a view and perspective from a completely different angle in truth, on many of these barriers experienced. In the process, we expose the ‘agent under cover’ in man, preventing him from fully surrendering and entering into an eternal life with God.

Our families, churches, schools, universities and life in general does not support an educational environment and a modern language in which man can fully learn about himself (understand his deepest motivation and heart) and about God (practically understand and live in a deep personal, loving relationship with God) and the interaction required between the self and God to achieve a life in God. These two books are an attempt to bring man and God closer to one another by teaching man and his children where we go wrong and how to rectify our mistakes under two very easy and uncomplicated rules, combined into one final rule. This does not take away anything that is taught in the Bible, but it just adds to a better understanding of it.

*****

Background

We make millions of decisions throughout our lives. Everyone tells us that we and our world are a result of our decisions and that good choice is, therefore, really important.

However, it seems as if no one actually knows how to really make good choices, all the time and without fail. Our world around us and our lives bear testimony to this.

The problem is that the behavioural patterns of the world, including mine and yours, are fundamentally flawed. Our behavioural patterns stem from our decision-making abilities. Our decision-making abilities are totally inadequate.

Our behaviour is very deeply rooted in the past; so are the decisions that we make. It is so ingrained into our existence that we act automatically. We never challenge it and, as a result, we are unknowingly and unintentionally caught up in a flawed existence.

We are creatures of social habit and we are desperately trying to satisfy all our survival needs. We live fear-based lives and we do not understand why. We fear hunger, death, poverty, sickness, rejection and many other things. We do not know what truth is anymore!

Imagine if we can turn this around… and yes, we can!

We can fly!

However, before we can fly, we need to get a grip, to solve the problem.

*****

Preface

THE DRAMA

The universe is amazing! Life is amazing! People are amazing! You as an individual are just as amazing! Do you have any idea how amazing you are?

We as humans actually very seldom take the time to reflect on how amazing we really are. When we do, we greatly admire our achievements, either individually or collectively. Consider the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China for a moment. Amongst thousands of others, they serve as excellent examples of truly amazing human achievements! Contemplating and admiring great achievements like these and thousands of others through our history, makes us feel proud of ourselves and fills us with wonder about our extraordinary achievements and abilities.

Sadly, also, when we sometimes reflect on life and look around us and at history, we more than often see and experience many things about this very same amazing and capable human race that are actually not so amazing at all. Poverty, war, famine, racism and hatred, etc. come as heavy punches right into our faces. We then see that we, as humans, actually are not as amazing as we may think and we sometimes wonder how these same amazingly capable people allow themselves to get into such a mess!

Amongst others, this leaves us sad, makes us feel inadequate and fills us with shame, guilt and even disgust at our behaviour. We then many times wonder, what went wrong? How, where and why do we make these mistakes and why can we not, on a continuous basis, get things right, or do things correctly and be as great as we can be? We then also sometimes wonder if there just may be a way we can get things right, if ever, in order for all of us to have good, sensible lives, without poverty, war, famine and pain, whilst at the same time also have peace within ourselves and amongst all people and nations across the world.

In short, why can all humans on our planet not have an amazing life? A life in harmony and in peace…

How can we fly? How can we get a grip on life?

For millions of people, the world is not a nice place to live in. They see it as problematic, unfair and even chaotic, and it looks as if nobody in the world knows how to fix it, or moreover even wants to try to fix it!

When we then reflect on the above, it makes us sometimes wonder, what is the meaning of life? Why are we here? Why do we live? What are we trying to achieve? What is the essence of life? Is there a solution or an explanation to all of this somewhere? Why are life and the people in it so amazing on the one hand and such a total mess on the other hand? It just does not make sense at all!

*****

Chapter 1: Want To Fly?

THE PLAY

In stark reality, people are primarily driven through needs. This trigger, ‘needs’, sets all human thoughts and activities into motion. Our thoughts, feelings, choices and deeds come from a need; determine how we react upon that need and, therefore, determine the outcome of that need. The outcome then again determines the lesson learnt or the experience gained as well as the feelings generated around the outcome. This lesson learnt in return may again trigger another need and influence us on how the next need will be approached. This influences how the thought processes will develop, what feelings and emotions are present, how decisions are made, what plans are made and how these plans will be executed. All of this will yet again bring another result, another lesson learnt, and will bring more feelings and experiences about ourselves. Millions of these repetitions, as a result, form and shape man right through his life. It ‘programmes’ us, so to speak. It shapes our behaviour.

The physical ability of man, together with a host of other surrounding factors, unmistakably influences this process and the ‘programming’ of man, which results in a very complex and unique individual. No two people are ever the same as a result.

In the process, the individual is subjected to factors outside his control, such as his environment and his own physical restraints. He is also subjected to factors over which he may have some influence and control, which may be certain personal issues such as health and personality. The individual is also subjected to factors over which he has full control, for example, choices. Man can, therefore, largely control his life and his future through the choices that he makes. He then, through choices, actually influences his own ‘programming’ to the same extent. However, people are mostly unaware and very ignorant of this internal power that they possess and how complex and powerful it really is!

Based on the above, and if it is true, we can then, by influencing the decisions of people collectively, also influence the future of the world! Yes, it is true and it is proven repeatedly in history by power-hungry politicians and great leaders. They only influence their environment and the people around them to such an extent that they reach their personal or more global needs or goals.

As mentioned earlier, this does not necessarily mean that everyone is happy in the process. For many, it may be a truly bad experience, although, for others, it may be a real highlight at the same time.

The question then arises: is there a way that we can create a win-win situation for all at the same time and moment, and I really mean for all? Is it possible for humans to achieve this ideal, for all to experience an amazing life all the time? On the other hand, are we doomed to mostly suffer and just have a bit of good luck sometimes?

A DEEP NEED

I have a deep need to answer the above question and find a lasting solution. I need an easy and simple, no-nonsense solution, which is within reach and within the ability of the entire world and its people to achieve!

I can see your eyes pop out of your head! I can hear you asking, Is this man nuts and out of his mind? I can hear you laugh and snort in disbelief! I can even sense your disbelief! I can even understand it if you want to put this book down straight away or want to throw it out of the window! I can also understand your reasoning that the above-mentioned need is utter crap and impossible to achieve! Somehow, I can also understand it if you want to read further and see how this person is making a fool of himself, or not! I can understand if you think deep down, how will he do it? I am sure you think the world is crazy enough that it isn’t possible to fix it at all!

However, I have this need, I think it is possible and I think we can achieve it. The solution is actually very simple, but getting to the solution and getting people to agree on this is not a simple process at all. Ask me, I know. Having found a solution, I will take you there! I promise! However, I can only take you there if you really want to go there. Only if you have a similar need! Otherwise, you may put this book down right now, or throw it out of the window if you please, or you may keep reading… and prove yourself either right or wrong!

You decide…

THE STAGE

Taking into account what was said earlier, it is a fact that, firstly, humans in our current environment and right through the world, in many ways, are not properly equipped to deal with this problem. Secondly, they are, as a result, experiencing a feeling of hopelessness and they do not even want to try to do anything about it. These two factors are fuel on an already blazing fire and just make things worse. In addition, because all humans are different and because each have so many ‘inputs’ into their already busy schedules or lives to deal with, it makes for a very complex situation and it is never the same for any two people. This forthwith brings even more confusion and a feeling of hopelessness to humankind, because what works for one does not necessarily work for the other. It causes chaos and depression at a huge scale and sets the table for a problem that may seem incurable.

However, there is also an overwhelming, fundamentally deep need by most people to survive on Mother Earth despite the chaos they may experience. They have a deeper need to bring order to this mess and gain control over their environment, their homes and their lives. They want to feel safe, sound and secure and feel good about themselves. Everyone longs for and dreams about a better life, as seen in the media and displayed on billboards and on TV. They want good things to happen. They want to be happy and peaceful, but they are not. It also seems that, every time they are getting nearer to the target, the goalposts move just a little further away, by means of the very relentless, dynamic and fast-changing world that we live in. They then never arrive at this everlasting feeling of peace and joy that they long for. The current way of life within this world is just too complex to master it fully. It remains a dream for most…. Sadly, only a few think it is possible. Sadly, also, only a few are really living a happy, controlled, peaceful life. I am not referring to rich, so-called successful people necessarily, as they are also often experiencing this same need. Are you living a happy, controlled peaceful life? If you are not, do not despair. I think it is meant for everyone! Everyone can!

THE AUDIENCE

The purpose of this book, against the above background, is to make this world a better place for all, by addressing mankind’s need to gain control over his life and his environment. The book will also assist man and his quest to achieve a happy, peaceful life, regardless of his or her circumstances.

It is done through a programme of human development based on the principle of how yeast, or leaven, works. A small amount of leaven will bake many loaves. If we start small, one at a time, slowly but surely, the solution to the problem will make its way into the masses, just like a small amount of yeast will bake a lot of bread. By positively changing people’s behaviour for the better in a cumulative way, acceptable to everyone without any resistance, we will eventually change the way the world works and turn it around for the better!

This book will provide positive, life-changing input, thought patterns, methods, knowledge and skills to individuals, through a process of facilitation, by which individuals are empowered to willingly and cleverly, within their environment, motivate themselves, plan and work from a basis of love and passion for life, accept their responsibilities and build positive relationships, all the time. Individuals will be able to successfully live life within all its facets and all its sectors in:

Work and wealth

Education and knowledge

Health and fitness

Spiritual and religion

Family and friends

Holidays, relaxation and personal time

The individual will be exposed to a new thought process. We all have the ability to form new thoughts, thought patterns and processes. This ability may be dormant in the beginning, but may become very dynamic in future. It allows individuals to grow personally, willingly and unhindered at their own pace, within their own frame of reference and environment, with a common purpose, within a universal value system, which leads to a better life for all. This, in turn, brings forth a new reality wherein people will experience peace and happiness all the time!

We will open the ‘box’ within which man lives. Ceilings people placed upon themselves will be removed. A new, unknown flow of energy will emerge and reign! Synchronicity will now take place and a true, wide open, fearless and loving dialogue will take place. Relationships and lives are healed in the process! Human and social decay is reversed. Man can now live life fully and fulfil his calling on Earth!

THE ACTORS

Everyone who is a scholar of life should read this book, and everyone old enough to understand and grasp the essence and concepts contained herein, as it works with undeniable universal truths and principles, acceptable to all, irrelevant of your denomination and religion or spiritual beliefs.

The essence and the concept are very simple and easy to explain and to grasp, even for children (younger than 10 years?) with the aid of adults.

The role of anyone who reads this book can be explained as follows:

You are reading the book of your own free will and choice.

You can read it individually or in groups for discussion.

You promise to be true to yourself, with yourself, and to other members of the group at all times. This is not negotiable.

You will open yourself to new inputs, concepts and thoughts, listen to it, think it over, keep what is true and reject what is not true, at all times.

Be willing to listen and learn.

Be willing to respect other people’s input and learn from them. They may be more correct than you are!

Accept the saying:

When the learner is ready, the teacher will appear!

FACILITATION

This book wishes to fulfil the role of a facilitator.

A facilitator is someone similar to a catalyst. A catalyst is a material needed to speed up or enhance a chemical reaction, taking place between two other materials, but does not participate in the chemical reaction itself. The chemical reaction will not take place without the catalyst at all, or the process will be very slow.

In this instance, the role of this book as facilitator is to assist you with the process of personal development and change. To help you get to the point where you can also experience this promised life of happiness and peace for all. You, however, remain in full control of the process, by allowing the facilitator (catalyst) into your thought processes as you see fit, or not.

Man learns best only when he is in control of the learning process. If something is forced onto him, he normally acts in opposition to it. It is only when you are in control and willing to learn that you will be able to take the information provided and internalise it. Only then will you make it your own and act upon it, so that the renewed thought patterns and renewed actions become an integral part of you and your motivation to live.

Once mastered and implemented, you are now in a position to return the favour to others through facilitation by:

Facilitating and teaching in love what you learnt from truth

And,

As you continue teaching, you will learn even more from truth!

*****

Chapter 2: The Game Of Life

THE JOURNEY

To me, life is a journey and many people share this view. I wish to share a minute part of my journey with you. It may just as well mean something to your journey.

I remember growing up on a farm in the mountains of the southern parts of Namibia in Africa, where life was pure bliss! I was happy, life was peaceful, I had no worries, and I was secure and enjoyed life as never before! For my parents, however, it was a very different scenario. I was blissfully unaware of this, still too young and ignorant to have a clue of our real circumstances. The rainfall in our part of the world is a mere 25mm of rain per year on average. It was very dry and no more grazing was available for the sheep on the farm. It appeared as if they were living by eating sand and rocks. My parents had to move the sheep overland over a period of three months on foot, to better grazing, in an attempt to survive the drought. We settled on a rented farm in the central Kalahari region, where we stayed in two small round canvas tents for more than a year. Living from the veld, by hunting game and from bare necessities, with no money, we survived. I was as happy as I ever was! My parents, in contrast, certainly had a different point of view and a different experience.

At the time also, I had a feeling that life was good. People were good. I trusted everyone. We as a family trusted people in general. There was absolutely no crime! We did not know what it was! We left our farmhouse open with supplies and bedding for anyone passing in our absence, to stay over, prepare meals and move on, as they wished. Nothing but food was consumed or taken by anyone during the time we were away! Food taken and consumed was replaced at a later stage, usually with more food than that taken, for the benefit of the next traveller in need. Remarkable! People cared as if there was no end to caring. Now, I want that life. I had it, but sadly, it is no more.

I also clearly remember the ability I had as a child to instinctively know what was right and what was wrong, and I opted for the right things straight away. I was a good, happy kid and I wanted to stay that way. However, as I grew up, going to school and university later, slowly but surely, as I came into contact with more and more adults, family and other children, teachers and students during my school years and at university, this life of bliss slowly but surely slipped away from me. As I learnt more and more about real life and the people filling it, I changed too, and definitely not for the better.

I became disillusioned to the extent that, after completing university, I felt that the educational process cheated me. They taught me many things for which I am very grateful, but I was very angry about being taught so little about life, all the issues concerning life and all the people issues. I wanted to know more about how to work with people, because, firstly, relationships with people are extremely important in life and, secondly, people are very difficult to get along with, never mind work with, trust, love and live with. You are always on eggshells! You have to be very careful, cunning, clever and bold, hold back, lie, fight, beg, steal and borrow, depending on the situation, in order to survive and keep relationships alive. Then you are still not sure you will manage it properly! From being a happy kid, I changed to the extent that during my second year at university, I became depressed about life for a while. Life, its complexity, difficulties and responsibilities started to leave its mark on me. I changed my direction of studies and overcame my depression, but still missed and never regained my previous happy life, for many years to come.

After completing my studies at university, as per South African law at the time, I served a two-year mandatory military training period in the South African Defence Force, which I did not enjoy either. I, however, experienced an overwhelming need to change my life around. Because I could not wait to change my circumstances for the better,