"You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." -- MARK TWAIN

Often in life we think we know what lies before us. As humans we are accustomed to seeing what we already believe to be true. As Marl Twain points out, if you imagination is out of focus, what you see may be too.

A long time ago, I dealt with a young man who had overheard his father's conversation on the phone. As the father spoke, unaware that the son was listening from another room, he made a reference to a name. Now, the son knew someone with this name, and quickly assumed the father was talking about his friend. The conversation continued and because of this one assumption, the young man built up an elaborate story in his head to accommodate the various parts of the conversation. He was sure his father was talking about him and his friend and grew angrier by the moment at the things he imagined his father was saying about them. But he kept silent.

Some weeks later the son he revealed his beliefs in a fit of anger.It was then that the father became aware of this simple misunderstanding. The son, of course, would have nothing to do with his father's explanation. He knew what he heard and he was unable to see outside himself long enough to consider alternate explanations. He had relived his false assumptions so many times that no other explanation would do. This one incident colored their relationship and determined the path the young man would take in the future. Yet, his imagination was out of focus and what he saw (heard) was too.

How like this young man we are sometimes as we hold fast to the things we believe are true, and think that our choices are limited to only what we see at the moment. 

Strive to put your imagination in focus today, so that you may see the many opportunities before you as you go forward to reach your goals.

Today, I am grateful for sunny skies, gentle breezes and the smell of impending fall. I am grateful for mums that bring bright color in the last leg of summer, for hummingbirds that get their fill in the summer sun, and for cats that laze in the summer rays.

I am grateful for family and friends who I hold dear, for good books, and the music of the crickets into the night.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you strive to keep your imagination in focus, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions. Albert Einstein

Sometimes, we get so busy with the little details of our lives that we forget to dream. We become trapped in the here and now and overlook the fact that there is more than the moment to consider. When we forget to dream, when we forget that there is a world beyond our limited view, we still the power within ourselves to go beyond.

Take the time to dream, today. Refine your goals and begin the journey of working steadfastly to achieve them. Renew the mind by casting away your defeating thoughts today and filling it with positive and uplifting thoughts.

Still the voice that tells you you are not good enough, or smart enough or good looking enough to achieve your goals. You are. You always have been.

Today, I am grateful for sunny skies and singing birds. I am grateful for flowers, butterflies and trees. I am grateful for the gentle sound of the wind in as it flutters the leaves, for hummingbird that flashes in the sun and for fluffy white clouds against a rich blue sky.


I am grateful for family and friends who share the moments of my life, for neighbors and for community. I am grateful for wind chimes that bring music to the soul.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you cultivate a spirit of imagination as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions. Albert Einstein

Imagine for a moment that you have the power to bring anything into your life that your heart desires. Imagine that there are no limits either physical or financial. Imagine that it were impossible to fail. What would you choose to do? Go ahead, take a moment to form the image in your mind. Now hold that image.

Now tell me, what is preventing you from accomplishing that goal? Oh, I'm sure you can come up with more reasons than you can name and some of them may be pretty convincing--but the truth is all that is preventing you (or me) from reaching those goals is our beliefs about reaching them.

Consider your heart's desires today and evaluate the real stumbling blocks that stand in your way. Brainstorm ways to overcome them and set short term goals that will lead you in the direction of your dreams.

Today, I am grateful to be filled with energy, for a productive day's work and for a clear sound mind. I am grateful for what surely must be the last winter's storm, for warm dry socks and slippers.


I am grateful for a hot shower, for the smell of clothes dried on the line and for bumble bees that will return when it is time. I am grateful for soft pillows that cradle me to sleep, for cats and their relaxing purr, and books.


I am grateful for family and friends who bring a smile, for children who put all their energy into play and for the elderly who share their wisdom with the world.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May your imagination be vivid and and your future be bright as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.