The Topic Of God Is To Big For This Blog

"The idea of a personal God is quite alien to me and seems even naive. However, I am also not a "Freethinker" in the usual sense of the word because I find that this is in the main an attitude nourished exclusively by an opposition against naive superstition. My feeling is insofar religious as I am imbued with the consciousness of the insuffiency of the human mind to understand deeply the harmony of the Universe which we try to formulate as "laws of nature." It is this consciousness and humility I miss in the Freethinker mentality. Sincerely yours." Albert Einstein.

I agree with Einstein, not because he was such a legend and so smart, but rather because he often spoke such sense. If we as humans were smart enough to conclude that we only use a tiny portion of our brains, then surely we are smart enough to know that the topic of God is far to enormous in length, depth and width to explain.

Why do we find it so necessary to box everything, we put music in genres, people into class, race, creed and even star signs. I can't categorize you by these things! If I know every thing there is to know about you, I still can't say I'm any bit closer to knowing you, unless I can say that I've lived a day in your shoes. Which I obviously can't do.

That's the beauty of God, we can discuss him and all his levels and after an hour, day or year of talking we still wouldn't be any closer to knowing him, but we'd probably be a lot closer to understanding ourselves. It's in the humility of knowing our place, our insignificance in the great scheme of God that allows us to step fully into our potential.

Lets just try to swim in our existence and enjoy the pleasure of being alive, without simplifying everything. Enjoy being dazzled by the magic of each day. Enjoy the mystery, it's not important knowing how the cogs turn within the clock. Time is ticking and life will soon be over. Love, eat and be merry.

http://myspace.com/roryeliot

Your Website, Your Portrait

Anyone who thinks that any old website will do when it comes to business and in particular online marketing, is a fool. General perception is that people buy people and not the products themselves. The average folk is just looking for something to believe in and if you provide that dream or vision of freedom, then prepare to make sales on whatever you are selling.

Take all aspects of your website seriously and try to convey yourself in as few words, pictures, applications or links as possible. Even the colour scheme of your site is important and can convey a message, for instance I would not make my opt-in box red. We are all aware that the colour red represents stop, warning, danger and using this colour might create subconscious hesitance in your potential lead. Your photo will also play a big part in the appeal to your future leads. If your photo is shot on an average camera with somewhat bad lighting, then it is fair to presume that you are an average leader or business opportunity. Top leaders and businesses will get professional pictures taken, because it will make them and their message appear more appealing. If you are wise enough to know to dress up nicely before taking a photo of yourself, then you should be wise enough to know the importance of taken a good shot with soft lighting and in a good environment. Most professional shoots will last a few hours and hundreds of photos will be taken, yet after all that there is usually only one or two great shots.

When choosing a other photos for your site, pick pictures that are not only of you, but also of you with friends and family in as many exciting locations or even just beautiful landscape shots that in some way evoke emotion from the people viewing it. You want them to buy into you realness as a person and also your lifestyle that you are selling.

I find that links to your other social media sites, story pages, etc. are important in giving the viewer, not only the opportunity to meet you in an almost 3 dimensional space but also the ability to know you on a more personal note. They might read that you love sport on your biography page and again see photos of you at a big game and relate to your passion more earnestly. Maybe they see that you share friends on Facebook or love the same band which they have playing on there Myspace profile. Whatever the connection, it'll only come through your interactive links.

Allow your website to communicate your essence, at the same time keeping it simple. That might sound like a contradiction, however the goal is to through as much as you can into the mix and once your got it all, then begin striping it back until you are left with the best of you. Clean and Slick.

First impressions do last, so make it a good one!

Ambitious and determined, I am a successful songwriter from South Africa. I have released three albums which have produced several number one hits. However music is not my only passion, marketing is also a love of mine and watching my passive/residual income grow like a young child, is simply satisfying.

Business is about being bold, so when I was finally ready to work easy, on my terms and enjoy the lifestyle I always wanted and deserved, I simple stepped out. My life will never be the same again!

http://toponlinebusiness.us

This is an online marketing link, if you are a fan of my music then this link may not serve you.

Get What You Give

Count That Day Lost
By George Eliot
(Mary Ann Evans 1819-1880)

If you sit down at set of sun
And count the acts that you have done,
And, counting, find
One self-denying deed, one word
That eased the heart of him who heard,
One glance most kind
That fell like sunshine where it went-
Then you may count that day well spent.

But if, through all the livelong day,
You've cheered no heart, by yea or nay-
If, through it all
You've nothing done that you can trace
That brought the sunshine to one face-
No act most small
That helped some soul and nothing cost-
Then count that day as worse than lost.

Africa To Me

I'm not interested in the American dream. I'm not bothered about the ancient ruins in Italy, the Alps, the power of China, the sand in Australia (sorry, couldn't think of anything better for Oz), the waves in Hawaii or the freshness of Alaska. No, I only care for the African sunshine. I love it's shores, it's culture, wildlife and women. My heat beats with the African drum and pumps blood greener then a 12 year old boy with pimples on his face (you may not understand this phrase if you were born after 1985).

I remember the feeling I got when I went to Zim. 17 odd years ago, I felt connected with it. The vibe that radiated from the soil and rippled across it's great lake. Something about the place made me think that all man kind began somewhere in it's boarders. I've been lucky enough to visit all of South Africa's neighbouring countries and loved each one. I see myself drinking beer with real people in humble but beautiful places, with dust rising up around us and setting the sinking sun alight in bright red. I love our continent and if we are to ever do something for this world, let it be on our shores.

With everything our home has given us, I want to reflect it's love and glory. That is why it pains me to see the great Zimbabwe fall, pulled down by a useless philistine! However I will not let him get to me, so remaining in love I'll finish with one more lovely statement.

I do not hate Mugabe, I'd just LOVE it if he died tomorrow.

So with love I say goodnight and may we forever be blessed to be African.

Rory

www.plush.us

The Point A Person Looses Hope.

It's a sharp point, far more threatening then the blade of a sword. A sword may end your life early, but you die fighting for what you believe in. You see the moment you loose hope and let your heart die, you still have to live for what you don't believe in. Like a zombie, a hopeless man wonders aimlessly through life seeking anyone or anything to suck the life out off.

It's so important to surround yourself with people that are positive and ambitious like yourself. Befriend successful people who are not, of course, complete twats! Even if you feel like a failure, like I so often do, just cling to the knowing that you have not failed until you stop trying.

Ever once in awhile I'll stumble across something I created, an old poem or song that I forgot about or a kind gesture I gave to someone and it'll surprise me and uplift me. I'll sit there thinking, 'wow, did I do that', and I be encouraged to keep on keeping on. I hope you know how great you are!

Here is that little surprise I got, an old poem I can barely remember writing.

A Charming Young Man

although i am past like a summers burn, taken away never to return, on a road that leads to the end, one step at a time, one step at a time. why do i venture or adventure sometimes on roads that can not lead me anywhere? why do i seek an untouchable truth, pushing further but closer into. why do i devil and play with the flames, the ones that consume you and leave you dead and in blame. i trip, i stumble, but love it when i almost fall, head first into temptation, head over heels through it all. it's the dance of madness, the beating of my heart, the taste of difference, the horse and the cart, the everything i'm after and the line i might cross...

My new website is coming soon! With both sides of me represented... www.roryeliot.com

The Wanting

Why do we feel like we are the only ones who burn so hard for something? Most of the time we even feel like we deserve that something and yet somehow have been unjustly denied of our dream. Who is it that determines the outcome of our lives? If it is us, then why has little of my life turn out how I imagined it would?

I don't want to be miss read here 'cause I am so happy with much in my life, I just can't get my head around why I dreamed up all these fabulous occasions and outcomes and yet the picture I can still see so clearly in my mind is nothing but a picture. What more can we do to see our thoughts realised? Well this is a good question and so I did a bit of research and come down to 3 things we can do to start seeing better results. They are:

1) We must take the time every morning to clear our minds and focus in on our goals. We must see them clearly and in three dimensions. We must be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot SEE. Those are the wise and powerful words of Hebrews 11.

2) We must not get stuck planning. It's an easy and subtle way to get nowhere, you feel as though you're spending you're whole life working towards the goal, but in fact you haven't yet stepped out into action. Write a list of things that need to get done in order to accomplish something, break it down into small groups and do 2 to 3 things on that list every day. No questions asked!

3) You'll get what you give, so find something or someone that needs giving and give with your heart wide open. Do it whole heartedly and lets see what happens.

My giving starts now, so to everyone who has asked me to record my next vlog on How To Play Your Favourite Plush Tracks, well here it is. How To Play 2, featuring HALO.

Check it out below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koTw2HKmAsk

To everyone else, much love and here's to dreams!

Rory

www.myspace.com/roryeliot

Mr Controversial

Now anyone who knows me would tell you that I am far from a controversial guy, in fact I'm sadly way to diplomatic for that. It is neither good or bad, but what if you knew that by being a little contentious you could create more hype and publicity around your campaign and in turn boost your business in someway or another? I say, speak your mind and voice your vibes however what I keep learning is to be honest and sincere and if that leads to a stir then fine, but don't go looking for it. If you do, you risk being made a fool!

What is the most controversial thing you've said or done? I wanna discuss this topic and hope we can be open about it. We have all said and done a few things that have gone onto light some fires, so lets gloat a bit in the impact of our words or plead forgiveness for there foolishness, whatever be your story.

http://myspace.com/plushlive

Morning Tea, Afternoon Jihad

What view is it, to think that the good God would deliver us into a world to murder and die young? These views are built upon sand and would come crashing down under the slightest scrutiny. It's a shame that this world is so mislead, so set on power and things that can't last. A king is here and gone tomorrow, but his words are alive forever, bouncing of the planets as the descend in to darkness and eventually return again.

I believe in love, because it transcends the grave. We all have jobs that are vital in keeping us all alive, but we do all this tedious work for the things that we live FOR. Love, passion and romance. These are the reasons for life and may we experience them all, in abundance.

As Good As It Gets

I use to have an unshakable faith, one that was free in it's beliefs and boundless in it's vision. It use to be my crowning jewel, the best thing about me. Any one who new me pre-2005 will tell you that my faith was sometimes reckless and so big it was hard to believe.

Then one night all that I believed in, suddenly went away. I felt robbed of and betrayed, because I had always thought that faith turns dreams into reality. When the sun hides behind a cloud it takes the heat with it, so do dreams vanish when faith is shaken. That is why our dreams are so often subdued. We are fearful, that if we think to big we might be let down and in return have our faith reduced. Then again our dreams become even smaller and we spend the rest of our lives in worldly submission, just accepting mediocracy and believing that maybe that is as good as it gets for us.

We can't control somethings in life, but we can have faith regardless. You see faith might not get you everything you want, but it certainly will get you closer. It's our ticket out of here and it's we going 1st class.

"Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see." Heb. 11:1

Actually hear what this phrase says, be SURE of what you hope for. How often are we not so sure? I mean seriously think about, you want to get the editor position at a big magazine and you believe that you are the one for the job, but then someone in the industry tells you that you too young and that no-one in there 20's has ever held the position before. So your faith gets swayed and before you know it you're thinking, well junior editor is actually what you want and anything above that is a bonus. You see how subtle it is, we are all so persuadable and it is subduing our faith and dreams that should be even more refined then when we were kids.

I've been subdued for long enough now and don't really care if all my aspirations aren't reached before death comes knocking. I just want to believe that they could and that tomorrow will be the product of my thoughts today.

I challenge you to pinch yourself every time you find yourself thinking negatively and then re-think that thought positively.

I will be one of the 'Carbon Copy Pro' millionaires (more info@ link below) and I will find the freedom to continue writing music under my terms. That is one of the crazy ass dreams I've decided to go for, why? Because I can!

http://TOPONLINEBUSINESS.US

Here are some lyrics to a song I wrote about the pain of loosing someone, for what ever reason.

Always Awake

Verse

I’m always awake, haunted by your face

Every night and day, chasing a dream of what could have been

Pre-chrous

Although you’re not here, I can still feel you

Chorus

I can feel you, Like a wind off the sea, you cut to the middle of me x2

Verse

I sometimes escape, to hide from the pain

I wear the evening like a dark cape, but I can never get away

I always see your face, always

Pre-chorus

I can still feel you

Chorus

I can feel you, Like a wind off the sea, you cut to the middle of me x2

Bridge

Verse

I’m always awake, haunted by your face

Every night and day, but I can never get away

I always see your face, always, always awake, always, always

I’m always awake

Music and Lyrics by Rory Eliot

Any Given Someday

Watch this clip before proceeding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO4tIrjBDkk

I find myself acting out scenes like this in my head, as I walk the streets and sit alone at the quant coffee shops. I've been lucky enough to travel to many cities in the world, but honestly I'd be fine even if I never left Cape Town again. I say this because, before I had even left the safety of my own home town (Umtentweni, KZN South Coast), my mind had taken me to all kinds of situations and places. I had won the rugby world cup, acted alongside Julia Roberts, won 6 grammys in one night and given more 'Al Pacino' speeches then I could remember to count. I have always loved to dream, it fuels the flames of hope.

I also have a particular place in my head that, I think, represents the pinnacle of my life. I have a feeling that I'll be fully aware of the moment I reach that place. I'll be in my holiday home somewhere near Hang Clip on the Cape coast. I'll have just showered ofter having taken a run with my future children and will be reclined on the couch. The smell of wholesome food will blanket the room in a soft and comfortable manner. The fine mix of wine and endorphins course through my veins and my family talk freely in the kitchen and their laughter pleases me deeply. I'll know in that moment things couldn't be better, not even if Shakespeare wrote the script himself.

Now I know that sounds like the cover of some lifestyle magazine, but it's how I see my future. Everything I do now, I do for that moment. My decisions are motivated by that thought and a part of me feels it as though it's matter of fact.

So far none of my hopes and desires have planned out quiet like I imagined, but they were hopes and hopes are vague. Vague hopes, lead to vague outcomes. This dream is more like a prophecy that must be realised. Every day I'll fight for the inches that'll pave the road to it.

Surely you also have a 'someday' dream and surely you haven't let go of them yet? They must be protected like children and not left alone in a busy city centre, cause they will get lost and you'll loose hope.

We must encourage each others dreams, because any given 'someday' one of us is going to taste their success. It'll rise like a cobra out of all our hard work and strike quicker than we can imagine. I believe it, do you?

Don't fear to dream bigger than you can imagine right now and don't listen to the people that are fearful themselves. They'll only bring you down. Rather share the place you dream of with someone who'll understand. Like me.

Rory

http://myspace.com/roryeliot

For The Love Of Music.

I understand that over the last decade most of you have gotten to know me for my music. Possible also for my cheesy jokes and ability to make an arse of myself at every show, without fail. Whatever it is, it is probably not because of business or at least not in the traditional sense. However with a baby on the way, with my deep desire to leave this mud island and come home and obviously because of music itself. I am finally spreading my wings and flying recklessly into the world or big bucks and business.

You see I along with so many, have a dream to be free with my time and the captain of my own ship. I've dreamt of making passive income from when I was a teenager, I loved the idea of money rolling into my account as I sleep or while I drink beer with my friends and family under the African sun. Let me be honest, that dream made up half the reason I got into music in the first place. I might have been a bit deluded by that concept, but my faith is still ski high, although shaken from time to time.

Luckily I'm an adaptable guy and have spent most my adult life rolling with the punches, I suppose we all have hey? I'm just not someone who can just settle into a b-grade life, even if it pays for a comfortable lifestyle. I'm to determined for that and frankly when all the wealth in the world has been spent and the world stops its drunken spin, I want to know I LIVED my life and didn't rather get ridden by it.

So friends, here I am, searching new horizons and pushing myself shamelessly to new extremes all for one thing. For LOVE! My love for life, family and of course song.

This is my hunt for passive income all so that I may be blessed enough to keep making music on my terms.

Love,

Rory