Stanley F. Bronstein – Personal Development BlogPersonal Development Blog of the Founder of the Achievement IQ Movement and Creator of the Laws of Positioning

Getting Started

Today is the day I’ve been waiting for. For those of you who have been following me, you know that over the past 8 months, I’ve had to deal with a ruptured achilles tendon and all the complications that can go along with it.

What Were Some Of The Issues?

Well, rupturing your achilles tendon forces you to hobble around until you’re able to heal.

You wind up having to immobilize your foot for at least 2 months, if not longer.

Then (in my case), I wound up with a partial blood clot in my lower calf, which resulting from wearing a boot cast for a little longer than 2 months. That required me to take, in my opinion, one of the nastiest drugs around (warfarin / coumadin). For those of you who are unfamiliar with that drug, it is a blood thinner. BUT, not only is it a blood thinner, warfarin is commonly used as rat poison. Yes, that’s right, it is fed to rats in order to make their blood so thin that they will bleed to death. As I said, that’s some nasty stuff.

All the while, you can’t do any lower body exercises or aerobic exercises very well, as your lower extremities are impaired. This forces you to be very careful about watching your weight. In my case, it caused me to gain about 45 pounds (20 of which I have since taken off).

It’s not a fun process.

Where Am I At Now?

As of last week, all my doctors have cleared me. I’m no longer seeing my foot doctor for the achilles. I’m no longer seeing my family doctor for my blood clot (it’s gone, I got a clean ultrasound about 10 days ago). I’ve finished my physical therapy.

If you had to ask me, I think I’m about 80% of the way back to where I was 8 months ago.

A Necessary Definition

Vision Quest

• Native American spiritual practice for opening up to the universe and perceiving a clairvoyant vision of your personal guide for the purpose of prophecy, protection and discovering your life’s purpose. Traditionally a time of fasting and praying. …
• A ritual performed in many Native American societies in which an individual travels to an isolated area for the purpose of entering a trance, during which a life path or destiny is revealed.
• A sacred quest for vision, healing, and wholeness in nature. Includes instruction, ritual, and preparation to enter the sacred world in quest of your gifts, purpose, and path with heart.
• Typically involves isolation, fasting, and the inducement of a trance state for the purpose of attaining guidance or knowledge from supernatural forces.

Australian aborigines have a similar concept, except they call it Walkabout. The correct term is “Going Walkbout”, which is a walking journey where you go about meeting people until finally, you meet the most important person; you meet yourself.

A Little More Background

In August, September, October and November 2007, I conducted what I am now referring to as my EXTERNAL Vision Quest. By external, I mean that it was a journey designed to get me out on the road, to encounter a wonderful group of people who would change my life.

As my great friend Charlie “Tremendous” Jones says:

You will be the same person you are now, 5 years from now, except for two things: the books you’ve read and the people you’ve met.

This EXTERNAL Vision Quest was designed to help me meet some of these life changing people and it was a smashing success.

When you read my upcoming book, Achievement IQ Moments: 50 Stories About Powerful People Who Positioned Themselves To The Top, you’ll see why.

What Do I Want To Do From Here?

My original game plan AFTER completing the EXTERNAL Vision Quest was to conduct an INTERNAL one.

Unfortunately, my health issues got in the way.

BUT NOW, those issues have been resolved. I am primed, and I am ready.

It is time to begin my INTERNAL Vision Quest.

What Do I Mean By INTERNAL Vision Quest?

My EXTERNAL vision quest was designed to get me out of the office. To get me out on the road to meet the people I needed to meet. It was a smashing success.

My INTERNAL vision quest IS designed to purify my body. To get all the poisons out of my body that have accumulated over the past 8 months while dealing with my achilles tendon issues. It is ALSO designed to clear my head. It’s not so much that my head is cluttered, but having a little bit of time to think never hurt anyone.

My INTERNAL vision quest is going to consist of an extended period of fasting, along with proper mental discipline.

What Is Fasting?

For a good definition of fasting and it’s benefits, I refer you to this website, from which I quote below.

Fasting is a period of abstinence from all food or specific items. Fluids are consumed in sufficient quantity to satisfy thirst and physiologic requirements. During the absence of food, the body will systematically cleanse itself of everything except vital tissue. Starvation will occur only when the body is forced to use vital tissue to survive. Although protein is being used by the body during the fast, a person fasting even 40 days on water will not suffer a deficiency of protein, vitamins, minerals or fatty acids. In the breakdown of unhealthy cells, all essential substances are used and conserved in a most extraordinary manner. There is an unwarranted fear of fasting that strength diminishes from the catabolism of proteins from muscle fibers. Even during long fasts, the number of muscle fibers remains the same. Although the healthy cells may be reduced in size and strength for a time, they remain perfectly sound.

Yes, I Have Fasted Before

I’ve had numerous fasts of 1 to 2 days each. I have done probably 4 or 5 fasts of 4 days each. Last year, I did a fast of 8 days.

Yes, I do know what I’m getting into.

It Starts Tomorrow

Today is Day 0. It is the day that I declare what I am about to do.

Tomorrow will be Day 1. Stay tuned, as I plan on blogging about this each and every day to keep everyone informed. The goal is to get inside my head like never before and to reattune my Mind, Body and Spirit together.

Your comments and encouragement will be greatly appreciated.

Do You Want To Join The Vision Quest Project?

FIRST, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN DOCTOR BEFORE YOU TAKE ANY ACTION, SUCH AS A FAST. I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND I AM NOT GIVING ANY MEDICAL ADVICE. IF YOU DECIDE TO FAST OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK, WHICH IS WHY I RECOMMEND YOU SPEAK WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION.

If anyone along the way you decide you want to join me, in your own personal Vision Quest, please let me know as I’ll set something up (maybe a forum) so you can post your experiences too.

Remember, each person’s Vision Quest is different. You don’t necessarily need to do the same thing I’m doing. You only need to do what works best for you.