In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. Bill Cosby

So often in life, we let our fear get in the way of success. The thought of failure becomes so overwhelming that we avoid the very things that may bring us the most success. Often that fear is unfounded and out of proportion to the actual risks. The imagined failure we may experience  becomes magnified fooling us into thinking that if we fail to meet our goals all is lost. Don't listen to the deceitful voice of fear. Strive to quiet its voice, today, as you go forward to reach your goals.

Today, I am grateful for soft spring air, for the nearness of spring and for the tiny hummingbird as he makes his way north. I am grateful for eyes that see, ears that hear and hands that touch. I am grateful for the vision of a glorious tomorrow, for the enjoyment of the day and the memories of my yesterdays.


I am grateful for quiet moments in my garden, for shrieks of joy as children play and laughter that soothes the soul. 


I am grateful for the vastness of the Universe, the power of God and moments of pure joy. 


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you quiet the voice of fear today, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

“Make sure you visualize what you really want, not what someone else wants for you.”~ Gerry Gillies

Sometimes, visualizing what you want in life gets clouded by what other people want or what other people think you should do. Although it is a good practice to take advantage of the opinions of those you trust, guard against the tendency to accept those opinions as your own without careful consideration.

There are many paths in life and it is up to each of us to choose our own way, to aim for our dreams and to visualize our future.

Develop a vision of where you want to go, today, and hold that vision in your mind.

Today, I am grateful for a day of rest that allows me to gather my thoughts and refine my goals. I am grateful for my children who both have a strong vision of who they are and where they want to go. I am grateful for family that I can count on, for friends who lend a helping hand and for coffee.


I am grateful to stay inside on an icy day, for the knowledge that spring will come eventually and for gentle birds that feed eagerly at my feeder.


I am grateful for good books, soft music and inspiring photography that add new dimensions to my life. I am grateful for those who challenge my thinking, for great thinkers who have gone before me and the vastness of the Universe.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you visualize what you really want as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

"Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, 'What's in it for me?'" ~Brian Tracy~

The butterfly brings beauty and inspiration without worries of what he will get in return. As long as his basic needs are met, he is more than happy to share his beauty and grace with the world.  How much more are we than the butterfly, and yet, we scan the horizon to see what's in it for us before we embark on a new journey. Sometimes, its not about us and our needs--sometimes its about others and what we give to the world.

One of the principles of the Law of Attraction states that we must give to receive--but giving must be done with a willing heart. Giving out of a sense of obligation or duty is not that the same. Put you emotions and your heart behind helping others achieve their goals as you work to achieve yours.

The Bible tells us in Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Yet, many of us have become accustomed to looking first toward the benefit we will receive. Not because we are selfish--not because we don't care about our fellow man--but because we have been raised to believe that the world is full of lack and giving to others means we will go without.

The Universe is overflowing with abundance. God tells us this. The Law of Attraction tells us this. When then do we take it upon ourselves to believe otherwise?

For today, look first to the benefit you can bring to others and strive to give of yourself or your resources that you may lighten the load of another or touch their lives in a positive way.

Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to touch your life with my simple words, for the hope that inside of you something will stir and your actions will send out a ripple of goodness across the mighty universe. I am grateful for hearts that wish to share and love and help their fellow man.


I am grateful for the insight that comes from looking within, for the vision of a bright future and for the breathe of life that surges within.


I am grateful for the bright spring sun, for puffy white clouds and the brisk wind that dries the earth and prepares it for another season. I am grateful for smoke that curls above the housetop telling me the inhabitants are cozy and warm, for the glint of sunshine as it catches the remnants of snow and for the robin that hops lazily in the sun.


I am grateful for family as they go forth into the world and touch the lives of others today.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find opportunities to positively influence the lives of others today, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Life is just a blank slate, what matters most is what you write on it. Christine Frankland

I've known people who have spent their entire lives waiting for  their lives to happen--peering over the horizon waiting for their proverbial ship to come in. Typically, these people spend their lives being disappointed and never realize that they are the directors of their own lives.

Begin writing your own life today and stop waiting for some magical moment when the slate will suddenly be filled and the direction of your life will become clear. This is you life. You are the director and you have the power to produce your heart's desires.

Today, I am grateful for clothes to wear, air to breathe and the knowledge that soon I will run barefoot across fresh green grass. I am grateful my children have grown into responsible young people who have the ability to go forth and create their world.


I am grateful for the beauty of nature as it unfolds into yet another spring, for the pockets of snow that melt slowly and add moisture to the earth and for cars that provide transportation to the places we need to go.


I am grateful for buds that spring open with fully formed leaves, for seeds that contain the makings of new plants and babies who enter the world filling it with love and warmth.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you begin writing your life today as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine. Ralph Waldo Emerson

So often in life we look at opportunities, but instead of seeing all they have to offer, we concentrate on what might go wrong. We become so concerned that there may be inherent pitfalls that we cast a shadow over our dreams.

Develop the habit of letting the sun shine without constantly looking for what may go wrong. Seize opportunities when they come and know that the sunshine will always outweigh the shadows.

Today, I am grateful for the ability to see opportunities for what they are, for the courage to look past the possible shadows that may come and the faith that everything will work out as it should.


I am grateful for music, for fine art and watermelons. I am grateful for the roaring stream filled with fresh spring runoff, growing green things that emerge under the cover of the night and for laughter that fill the soul.


I am grateful for family and friends who bring joy to my life, for the beautiful blue jay that swoops in to gather food, and for paperclips.


And, I am grateful for you dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your day be filled with sun shine as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first. Shakespeare

So often in life we set off thinking that we should conquer out mountains swiftly. That reaching our goals is simply a matter for making a mad dash toward the goal. We become discouraged when the climb is steep and the way is difficult.

Develop the habit of working steadily in the direction of your dreams, today, realizing the climb may be slow at first. Each step takes you closer to your goal.

Today, I am grateful for the rising sun that brings the promise of a bright spring day. I am grateful for tiny green shoots of daffodils and tulips that just now have emerged from beneath the snow. I am grateful for sheets dried on the line, for spring birds that sing a chorus as I awake and for melting snow.


I am grateful for quiet moments, for Mt Katadin as it towers above the earth and tiny goldfinches that don their coats of brilliant gold announcing the arrival of spring.


I am grateful for my children who never cease to amaze me, for my husband who has always been there and for my extended family--may their days be filled with joy today.


I am grateful for those I have met along the way and those I have yet to meet. I am grateful for those who have touched me with the written word and those who have shared a bright smile. I am grateful for laughter, for tears of passion and the ability to love.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you work steadily to reach your goals, even though the hill may be steep and the climb may be slow, at first. Have patience and know that all things are possible as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. Earl of Beaconsfield

By: Saffrodite

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is an old saying that opportunity never knocks twice. Although its not really true--life is filled with opportunities--it is worth bearing in mind, today. Being ready for opportunities and recognizing them when they come along is the key to your success.

Many of us become accustomed to thinking of opportunities as big block buster events that hold the power to alter our entire future and are disappointed when they don't materialize. But opportunity doesn't work that way. Sometimes, opportunity comes in the guise of your fellowman, sometimes a moment of inspiration and at other times a light-hearted adventure that inspires you to more.

Think of opportunity as crack in the door that allows you to move forward without resistance or that meadering side road that holds answers along the way. Richard Bach once said, "Don't turn away from possible futures until you are sure you have nothing to learn from them." It's the same with opportunity. What seems like a little gain now, may prove to make monumental changes in the direction of your goals and dreams.

Be ready for opportunity, no matter how small, and seize it when the time is ripe.

Today, I am grateful for the many opportunities in my life to grow and learn from others, for the insight to see opportunities as they appear and the courage to follow them down the meandering path toward the future.


I am grateful for a clear sound mind to approach my day, for the incentive to work hard for what I want and the courage to take risks along the way. I am grateful for abundant work, for unbridled energy to complete my tasks and for the skill to go further with my craft.


I am grateful for insight to choose my path well, for the comfort that comes from a job well done and for new opportunities I have yet to realize.


I am grateful for family that supports my work, who provide encouragement when times are difficult and who never complain when my work occupies my time. I am grateful for their faith in me and my ability to reach my dreams.


I am grateful for people and places that serve as my inspiration, for this glorious home we call the Earth and for the magnificent Universe that holds us all.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find and seize new opportunities as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." — Albert Einstein

I can't claim the credit for finding today's quote, as it came from my incredible teenage daughter who never ceases to amaze me with her grasp of things that lie just beyond the surface.

Consider the comparisons you make today as you measure your success in striving to reach your goals. Judging yourself against the achievement of others or against what you think you should have achieved is no different than judging the fish by his ability to climb a tree.

Cultivate the habit of working to reach your goals and dreams, knowing that you will get there in your own way and in your own time--for inside you lies the genius to accomplish great things.

Today, I am grateful for Orion that sparkles in the night, for the moon that sends its glow back upon the earth and for night skies that fill me with awe. 

I am grateful for the warm, peach sky that announces the arrival of dawn. I am grateful for clear black skies that melt slowing into blue. I am grateful for the swollen buds that adorn the trees waiting for the right moment to burst forth into green-gold leaves.

I am grateful for the call of the crow, its swift and silent flight and for its eagerness to start the day. I am grateful for treetops that catch the morning light, for hills that come alive with the touch of the sun and for rolling mounds of snow not yet melted into the earth.


I am grateful for family that brings inspiration when I least expect it, warmth when I need it most and laughter.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you be filled with your inner genius as you go forth in the direction of your dreams.

"Do not wait for your ship to come in - swim out to it." Author Unknown

Many of us live our lives with the underlying belief that "someday my ship will come in", mistakenly believing that something from the outside world must happen before we find success and happiness in life. We wait and watch for that perfect opportunity to land in our lap, never realizing that we allow opportunities to sail past because we are unwilling or unmotivated to swim out to meet the ship.

Cultivate the desire and motivation to strive to reach those opportunities that may seem a bit out of reach. Resolve to take action to make your dreams and goals come true and let go of your old beliefs that keep you stationary, waiting for your fictional ship to come in.

Today, I am grateful for the bright spring sun that promises to melt the snow, for soft-blue skies and the gently wavering pine. I am grateful for spring birds that flit and dart oblivious to the snow-covered world below, responding only to the knowledge that spring will return. I am grateful for squirrels that chatter and scurry singing the praise of the coming of spring.


I am grateful for gardeners who hold a vision of green and growing things in their hearts, for the tiny hummingbird as he wings his way north and for houseplants that begin their burst of new growth. 


I am grateful for words to express the desires of my heart, for dreams that lead me where I need to go and for the vision of bright tomorrows. I am grateful for health and happiness and the comforts of a secure home, for homemade bread and steaming coffee.


I am grateful for family that molds my world, for memories that will last a lifetime and for dreams that lead into the future. I am grateful for friends who share their thoughts, for acquaintances that inspire me and for neighbors who are always near.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cast aside thoughts that opportunities must come to you and cultivate the courage to swim out to meet them as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Gandhi

So often in life we spend our time waiting for someone or something to change that we may find happiness in our life--never realizing that the change must come from inside.

Many of us are guilty of thinking in terms of "if only".
~If only I had more money, I'd be happy.
~If only others appreciated me more, I'd be happy.
~If only I'd catch a break I could reach my goals.

Don't sit back and wait for change--be the change and you will soon find yourself nearing your goals.

Today, I am grateful for color that adds depth and dimension to the world, for music that soothes the soul and the sense of smell that allows me to breathe in spring or inhale the scent of fresh baked bread.


I am grateful for the brave robin that returns each year in spite of the snow, for frogs that stir beneath the soil in preparation of spring and for shoots of grass that work their way through the pavement.


I am grateful for friends who make me laugh, books that make me cry and family that makes me feel safe.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your be the change you want to see in the world as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.