“Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.” ― Arthur Schopenhauer

photo by Theophilos/flickr

We all know that what we focus on is what we see - but sometimes we forget that we have a choice. I recently watched an episode of "Brain Games" that reminded me that focusing on obstacles prevents me from seeing opportunities that lay just beyond my reach.

Let me share it with you. Hold your index finger in front of you so that it rests between your eyes and the picture above.. Stare at your finger for 10 to 15 seconds and then shift your focus to the scene of the boat in the water. If you are like most of us, you discovered that you can see through your finger to the beautiful scene in the background. Even though your finger is still there before your eyes, you are suddenly able to see the view beyond it with clarity and your finger seems to disappear from view.

If a solid object like your finger can disappear with a simple shift in focus, imagine what happens to obstacles when you shift your focus and concentrate on your dreams.

Today, I am grateful for the approach of fall and the cool night breeze, for the flight of the hummingbird as it inspects bright red and gold nasturtiums, and for the sweet fragrance of my herb garden. 

I am grateful for the bark of a distant dog as it echoes in the night, for the bat that wings its way through my garden in search of food, and for rainbows that will come to call another day. 

I am grateful for wild berries that feeds God's creatures, for trees that bring comfort to the world, and rocks. 

I am grateful for grown children who always make me proud, for my husband who is always there, and for brothers and sisters who helped make me who I am. I am grateful for parents who taught me the way to go. 

I am grateful for food to eat, water to drink and air to breathe. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you resist the urge to focus on obstacles and look beyond them as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

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The minute you alter your perception of yourself and your future, both you and your future begin to change. Marilee Zdenek

By: nanette

 

 

 

The lowly caterpillar does not know that what lurks inside will someday be a beautiful butterfly able to soar above the earth. He believes he is destined to crawl upon the earth for a lifetime. So it is with people.

We are bound by our limited perception of ourselves and what we can achieve, often clinging to our lowly stance and refusing to unfold our wings and soar. Isn't it time you let go of your limiting perception of yourself  and envision a bright and joyous future?

Allow yourself the luxury of transformation, today, by altering your perception of yourself and your future.

Today, I am grateful for cleansing rain that washes away the winter snow, for gray clouds that announce the nearing of spring and for birds that bob and dart through the soft wet air. I am grateful for deer as they emerge from deep winter snow in search of food, for plants that stir beneath the snow ready to burst forth in the warm spring sun and for sunny days that are sure to come.


I am grateful for possibilities and opportunities that come my way, for good times that bring laughter and fill my life with joy and for inspiration that strikes amid the cover of darkness. I am grateful for courage and strength to carry me through the difficult times and the vision to lead me into the light.


I am grateful for family that creates a tight bond, for friends who remind me of who I am and for strangers who inspire me with their great courage and strength and commitment to do what is right, not what is popular.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find the courage to change your perception of yourself and your future as you soar in the direction of your dreams.

“It is one of the commonest of mistakes to consider that the limit of our power of perception is also the limit of all there is to perceive.” C. W. Leadbeater

jdurham

 

 

It is so easy to assume that what we see with our eyes or hear with our ears is all that there is. The Bible tells us, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2. It is the renewing of your mind that allows you see beyond the physical realities around you and into the infinite possibilities your life holds.

 

Get in the habit of looking beyond what is before you to seek out opportunities and possibilities that are hidden from sight. Don't settle for false limits your senses impose.

 

For today, consider that what you see as the limit to what you can do may be an illusion and that beyond the veil lies infinite possibilities and opportunities.

 

Today, I am grateful the storm has passed and left in it wake white, fluffy snow that envelopes the world, once again. I am grateful for bright sunshine, blue skies and the promise of a new day.

I am grateful for mild air that replaces the blowing winds, gentle birds that flit from tree to tree and sing out in joy, and for the untouched beauty of rolling mounds of clean white snow.

I am grateful for family that shares my life, for words that encourage me and lift me up and for new challenges to overcome--for surely they make me strong.

I am grateful for new opportunities that flow into my life, for the ability to see beyond the "here and now" and for the promise of all good things to come.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you transform your thinking by the renewing of your mind today, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.