"You don't need to know HOW the universe is going to rearrange itself." Joe Vitale

Many of us face the temptation to use our intellect to figure out how the Universe (or God) will bring our intentions to pass. According to the law of abundance, it doesn't matter whether we understand the process or not. We don't need to worry ourselves with how things will fall together or how the Universe will rearrange itself to bring our desires to pass. 

For those of us accustomed to doing everything on our own, this concept can be a difficult hurdle to scale. I know. I struggle with it too. Yesterday, I set my intention for financial abundance. Although I didn't post the specifics of that here, I did set specific goals privately. If you are following along with me, take the time to refine you goals and write them down in specific terms today. Think of it as drawing a roadmap to your future and always remember that if you don't know where you are going you will end up somewhere else.

I intend to let the Universe work to bring my desires to pass, as I go about my normal routine and hope that you will too.

Today, I am grateful that I can set my own schedule, that I go to bed and rise when I choose, and that I have the freedom to choose when and where I work. I am grateful for the freedom to choose what I will write, for the insight to recognize good opportunities and the wisdom to choose wisely.

I am ever-grateful for the wonderous Universe that fills me with awe, for the ever-changing clouds that travel across my sky and for tiny leaves as they unfurl in spring. I am grateful for the sounds and scents of nature, for the inquisitiveness of squirrels as they venture near my garden chair and for timid deer that venture from the woods.

I am grateful for family and friends who I would be lost without, for strangers I have yet to meet and for all those who have crossed my path and helped make me the person I am today. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May your journey be light and your day be bright as you learn to let the Universe work its magic on its own. 

“If you’re thinking of debt, that’s what you’re going to attract.” – Bob Proctor

Most of us spend our lives worrying about making that looming mortgage or car payment and stretching the current paycheck until the next. We have been conditioned to believe that is how life is supposed to work and even rejoice when we squeak by another week or another month. While keeping up with our obligations may be admirable, when those debts become our primary focus, we begin to limit ourselves and reinforce the conditions we are trying to avoid in our lives. 

I'll be honest with you. I am guilty, too. It's not easy to look past pressing financial obligations and envision a life free of those worries. It's not like I haven't been working on it. I have. I've read all the books. I've listened to all the motivational speakers. I am fully convinced that our belief is the key to getting the things we want in life. I have no doubt. Why then, do my intentions fall short and my goals loom just out of sight?

I recently read something - and I must admit the source eludes me - that stopped me in my tracks because it answered my question. It is not my belief that our thinking creates our reality that is at fault. Oh no. My belief is intact. My belief gives me a solid foundation for creating the life I want for myself and my family. 

What then, can account for my struggle? EXPECTATION. I know it sounds strange, but it isn't my belief it, is my expectation that is a faltering. Intellectually, I know that focusing on what I want and need in life will bring it to pass, but I have a problem with actually expecting it to happen.

For me, it goes a little like this: I decide I need and want financial abundance. I set my intentions and release it to the Universe (or God, if you prefer) and then I immediately take it back and try to make it happen on my own. Instead of letting go and letting the Universe (or God) bring abundance into my life, I begin to frantically double-check any source I can think of, as I attempt to do it myself.

That's why I have used a picture of a money tree for this post. I have decided to set my intention and give it time to grow without snatching it back and trying to do it on my own.  As a gardener, I can relate to the concept of reaping what you sow and already know that all trees produce fruit when it is time. So shall my tree of abundance.

Today I am grateful for fiddleheads, dandelions (although I don't eat them) and the fruit of the land. I am grateful for bats that sweep through the night air, for I know it means summer is close at hand. I am grateful for butterflies that soon will flitter through my garden beds, for lupines that stand so tall and proud, and for moss that envelopes the rocks. 

I am grateful for toast from homemade bread, for woodbine that creeps above my window and for the hummingbird who has once again returned. I am grateful for the scent of spring, for cozy blankets that take away the chill of evening air, and for the sound of the wind as it whispers through the trees. 

I am grateful for my family, for friends and for pets that make my life full. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you focus on abundance today as you go forward toward your dreams.

The person we believe ourselves to be will always act in a manner consistent with our self-image.

 Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Self-image is a funny thing. It hides beneath the surface and colors everything we do, yet few of us take the time to consider how we see ourselves and what we need to do to change that faulty image. I know I'm guilty of seeing myself as less able and less capable than I really am and I'm betting you are too. The problem, it seems, lies partly in the little voice that plays inside our heads - but I am convinced it has more to do with our unrealistic estimation of others.

It's not that I don't think others are capable. They are. It's just that most of us look outside ourselves at the world and see successful people who are free from the demons that plague our lives. We somehow think that others are confident and carefree and that they are finding great success in life.

Take a look at social media. Everyone is busy tweeting and posting about their great success. With a quick browse through your Tweet Feed, you will find everything from how to be slim and sexy to how to strike it rich with Internet marketing. Most of us assume those people really are successful with these pursuits. And that's where the problem lies. We assume others are more successful than us because they say they are.

Inspirational writer and speaker Zig Ziglar points out that part of our problem with our self-image lies in comparing our worst to the best in others. We look at their successes and compare them to our failures and assume we are much less successful than we are. We view their shining moments and somehow convince ourselves that those moments represent their entire lives. We forget that they too struggle with the everyday obstacles we all face.

For today, forget about the ultra-successful and focus on you. Consider who you are and what you have to offer the world. If that seems overwhelming, focus on one thing you can do today to make your life better. Clean a closet, write a blog post or do something good for someone else today. Do whatever it takes today to begin to rebuild your self-image one step at a time.

And don't forget to express your gratitude for all that you have, however meager that may seem.

Today, I am grateful for tiny blades of grass that I know are growing beneath the snow. I cannot see them yet, but I know the roots are growing and they are gathering strength to emerge when the snow melts. 

I am grateful for friends who see me through when times are tough, and who celebrate with me when times are good. I am grateful for my children who always support and love me even when I'm old and grumpy and struggling to find my way. Their belief in me is a great source of strength. 

I am grateful for the rising sun, even when it hides behind the clouds, because I know that it is there ready to bring its warmth. I am grateful for spring birds who sing outside my window, for the gentle wind as it whistles through the trees and night skies filled with stars. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and touch the lives of others via the written word.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you find joy and great success today as you work adjust your self-image to reflect the amazing person you really are. 

You teach best what you most need to learn. Richard Bach

I have a confession to make this morning. I fell off the wagon. I was following the Experiments in E-Squared and finding success, but when it came to losing weight by changing my thinking, it hit a little too close to home.

I have struggled with my weight my entire life. It is my personal demon. I haven't shared this with anyone before, but I distinctly remember the moment I became "fat". I was about five years old when I was sitting near my mother as she talked to another adult. Exactly who that was, I cannot recall. What she said shocked me and became part of my identity for a lifetime. 

"They say she is fat, but she's really not." You will notice that only the first part of the statement registered with me. I quickly surveyed my body to see if they were right. Although I couldn't see it, I knew they must be, because "they" were always right.  I wasn't sure who "they" were, exactly, but I certainly knew they were powerful. You see, I had experienced the mysterious "they" before. 

Not long before this experience they came and took our table and chairs. I know now that my mother had purchased them 'on time' and that when she wasn't able to make the payments the table and chairs were repossessed, but I didn't understand that then. My mother was frantic as she washed the table and chairs and moved them outside so they could take them. I knew she was embarrassed and scared. I watched out the window as two men in a big truck came and took our table and chairs away. After that, Daddy made wooden benches for us to sit on.

They were also responsible for turning off our electricity on occasion, and were always threatening to come again. My mother would rush in a panic to the post office to pay the bill with a money order. She'd cling to the receipt as her proof, in case they showed up. 

I knew that they knew everything because I frequently heard my mother quote them. "They say you need to drink milk every day" . . . "They say those berries are bad for you." . . . "They say you can't catch a cold from a cold draft." My life was filled with their wisdom and advice.

They were all-powerful and all-knowing and they could come to my house at any time to do what they wanted. They obviously controlled our lives and if they said I was fat, I was.

I've seen pictures of myself at that age and I most certainly was not fat. I was a normal, healthy little girl who happened to live in a poor family who struggled to pay their bills (although I didn't know that then). It is my belief that that moment changed my life. Until then, fat had never been an issue, but suddenly I knew what I was. I was fat.

One could certainly argue that I was too inclined to view myself as others saw me and not as I really was - but I was five years old. I formed my beliefs, like we all do, on what I was taught, and I had been taught that they were never wrong.

I've been aware of this for many years. I've tried to change my thinking about it, but it resists my efforts. It is how I have seen myself for my entire life, even during those brief times when I managed to lose 50 or 60 pounds at a time. It has always come back. Some would say that it is because I resumed old eating habits or made poor lifestyle choices, but I firmly believe it has more to do with my belief about myself than any external causes. Yet, I remain unable to change that thinking.

Perhaps now, you can see why I fell off the wagon when the subject of weight came up. The thought of failing once again in my battle with this demon was more than I could bare. I've decided to temporarily skip this part, because it poses a greater challenge than I can "think away" right now.

But, let's move on the interesting part. I skipped ahead in the book and read the other experiments. Although I didn't feel comfortable about skipping some experiments or posting about it, I secretly set an intention of being contacted by someone I haven't seen in at least 25 years. I made no attempts to locate this person - quite frankly, I scoffed at myself, as there is no reason this person would contact me after all these years. I didn't even think about it after the brief intention setting session.

This morning, I received a Facebook friend request from that person. Apparently, he has just joined the cyberworld.

I don't know about you, but I take this as proof that our thoughts and intentions really do change the world around us. I'm ready to move on with the rest of the Experiments in E-Squared and hope you will follow me on my journey.

Check back tomorrow to learn about the next experiment.

 

To really believe that you’re meant to be happy is the first step to enlightenment. Pam Grout

Experiment #5 from E-Squared by Pam Grout instructs readers to ask for an answer to something that is important to them and give it 48 hours to materialize. I gave this considerable thought after the results of my last experiment. At 4:41 p.m. on Monday, I decided I needed an answer to the direction I should go with my writing, or rather for ways to earn a comfortable living with my writing skills.

As many of you know, I have been a content writer for close to 8 years now. You can see what I do Here. Most of what I write comes to me from third parties who contract with others to provide content for websites and blogs. The work is interesting and it pays my bills, so I'm not complaining - but it's not exactly a writer's dream. Not anymore. As a new writer, it was exciting and thrilling to earn a living writing, but there comes a point when a writer needs to move on to new things and I think I've reached that point. 

The problem is, I'm not sure how to make that profitable. Sure, I'm working on a book - like every other writer out there - but it's a local historical book that isn't likely to gain a lot of fame. It's a labor of love to honor my mother, but was and is never intended to be a source of income.

I don't intend to give up content writing anytime soon, unless some marvelous opportunity comes my way. I'm good at it, it's profitable and for the most part it is enjoyable work. I just can't help but think that perhaps there is something better out there waiting for me.

That being said, I'm not sure what direction I want to take, so I've handed it off to God to find my answers. My ears and eyes are wide open and I'm keeping a tally of anything I think might be writing related. I've noticed an upturn in interest in my gardening site Maine Garden Ideas and I've had a couple of inquiries related to my paranormal articles. I don't know if they are related to my 'request' for guidance or not, but I'll keep them in mind.

If you haven't done so already, please take the time to read my previous posts about the experiments in E-Squared. Check back soon to find out how Experiment #5 is working out for me!

Nannette Richford's Writing Services
Maine Garden Ideas 

Whatever you focus on expands… Pam Grout

I’m a little embarrassed to report that my “Go Big or Go Home” goals didn’t work out as planned. I did break my record for pageviews in a day, but not in the way I wanted. I got the fewest pageviews I have ever gotten in a day on both days.

I’ll be honest with you.  It’s been a difficult two days. I didn’t understand what was going on. I’d check my views in “real time” and have 0 readers (which is practically unheard of). I couldn’t understand why when I’d set an intention to break my record that I would get even fewer readers than normal. It didn’t make sense.

 It didn’t occur to me until this morning to check what I had actually written. If you read my intentions carefully, you will notice that I never specifically said I would break my record for the most views in a day - although that is what I meant. What I actually said was “My intention for Experiment #4 is to break my record for pageviews in one day on Examiner.”  When I read what I had written, I laughed out loud. The experiment didn’t fail; it just didn’t work out how I had planned.

I’m not sure if this was an example of God’s sense of humor, or if it was meant to teach me about the importance of being specific and focusing on the details, but it sure got my attention this morning.

I’m counting this one as a success, even though I didn’t get what I really wanted. I will continue with Pam Grout's Experiments from E-Squared as planned. Check back later to learn about Experiment #5.

Go Big or Go Home -- E-Squared Experiment #4

Okay folks, I'm ready to set my intentions for Experiment #4. I decided that I should either go big or go home. I mean, really, either it works or it doesn't. "The Universe" can bring me something big just as easily as it can bring something little ... so here we go.

This experiment has a time limit of 48 hours. That means that by this time on Monday, my intentions will be a reality.

As many of you know, I am a writer. I write on several topics on Examiner. This site pays writers according to the number of readers who read their articles each day. The number of views I get varies widely, but I've had a couple of block-buster days that I intend to surpass. That's right. My intention for Experiment #4 is to break my record for pageviews in one day on Examiner.  Don't misunerstand me here, This goal is BIG. It means hundreds of thousands of views. I have no idea where they will come from, but with the help of "The Universe" and a couple of high profile links, it can be done.

Feel free to help me out by reading and sharing my work on Examiner, but don't feel obligated. "The Universe" can find readers for me!

Paranormal Examiner
New Age Examiner 
Gardening Examiner

Check back tomorrow to find out how my new goals are working out.

The energy of the mind is the essence of life. Aristotle

By Dream Designs via www.freedigitalphotos.net

Welcome to Experiment #3 from Pam grout's book E-Squared.  You can read about experiments #1 and #2 - as well as my results - in my prior posts. In fact, I encourage you to do so before continuing with this post. Go ahead, we'll wait for you.

Today's experiment is a little different from those we've seen so far. This experiment is meant to illustrate the powerful force of our thoughts.  Grout instructs us to create makeshift dowsing rods from coat hangers (at least they sound and look like dowsing rods to me) and watch as the rods react to our thoughts.

I haven't tried this yet, but I intend to as soon as I finish my daily blog posts and writing assignments. According to Grout, the rods will swing outward in response to positive thoughts and positive energy and swing inward with negative thoughts or memories. I'm already thinking of practical applications of this little gadget.

Check back later to find out how it works out for me! 

E-Squared Experiment #2, Part 2 Results

Experiment #2 Part 2 was a tremendous success. As I shared in my previous post, today's goal was to manifest frogs. I began with the intention to see neon frogs but decided I was being too nitpicky and settled on just plain frogs.

I'll be honest with you. I expected to see frogs on Facebook or somewhere online - but that's not where I saw them. I had to run to the grocery store today and I stopped at my local Marden's to look for buttons for a craft project I want to do. I deliberately avoided the fabric department because I didn't think it would be fair to go ambling down that aisle when I didn't need or want anything there and knew there was a good chance they would have some frog fabric.

I stopped to look at some discount craft items and noticed there were more on the other side of the aisle. I rounded the corner to look into the bin and right beside it was several bolts of fleece. One of them was filled with big, bold frogs that were as close to neon as fabric can get. There were hundreds of colorful frogs covering the bolt.

Next, I drove to Walmart to continue my search for buttons. On the way, I noticed the sign for The Frugal Frog, a little shop that sells new and used items. There were two big green frogs on the sign.

Seeming Frogs were my theme for the day and I'd never been into The Frugal Frog, I thought I might as well stop on my way home and look through the used books. I saw two more frogs on the front of the store and a big old happy frog on the Holiday flag still flying in the front of the store.

By this time, I was amused and thought I'd seen enough frogs for the day. But "The Universe" wasn't through with me yet. I browsed the books and had several in my hands. I turned to set them down on a bench beside the books and was greeted with even more frog fabric. Once again these cute little frogs were brightly colored and some might call them neon. I stopped and counted the frogs and counted 25 of them.

All in all, I think it's safe to say that my day would have been successful, even if I had stuck to the intention of seeing neon frogs.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to find out about Experiment 3!

What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are. Anthony Robbins

How easy it is to begin to define ourselves by the things that we lack. I am not smart enough. I am not talented enough. I don't have enough money  - I am too old - too fat - too thin - too set in my ways to do things I want to do in life. Yet inside each of us lies the amazing power to change our lives.

Recently, I noticed a friend referring to her life as "before I got sick" and "after I got sick," as though they were two separate lives. It struck me then how eager we are to define ourselves by our external surroundings and how easily we let go of our own control of our lives.

Many of us may catch ourselves referring to life as "when I was young" and "as I got older," as though they too are separate lives. Yet, few of us stop to consider that the changes that have befallen us are a result of defining ourselves by our lack - a lack of health - a lack of youth - instead of the abundance we have in our lives.

Cultivate the art of defining yourself not by lack but by abundance, today. Give thanks for what you have and embrace your God-given ability to change your life according to your desires and beliefs about yourself. Let go of old hurts. Banish thoughts of real or imagined lack today and embrace all the is good in your life, that you may regain the power of self today.

Today, I am grateful for the rising sun, for clear blue skies, and leaves that shimmer in gold at morning's first light. I am grateful for birds who meet the new day with a song in the soul, for flowers that spring from tiny green buds, and for squirrels that scurry to meet the day.


I am grateful for cool clean air, for the mist that rises with each new breath, and for dewdrops that reflect the sun. I am grateful for trees clothed in summer green, for sound of wind chimes in the morning breeze, and bees.


I am grateful for family and friends with who I share my life, for strangers who offer as smile and continue on their way, and for children who are eager for the freedom of summer.


And, I am grateful for you dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you learn to define your life according to your abundance and  never by its lack, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Avoid problems, and you'll never be the one who overcame them. Richard Bach

As humans, we often accept obstacles in our way as a reason to quit or as sign that our dreams and goals are not meant to be. Instead of finding a way around them, we give up, giving them the power to control our success and direction in life.

Cultivate the habit of viewing obstacles as challenges to overcome and work diligently to reach your goals and dreams, despite the obstacles in your way.

Today, I am grateful to Richard Bach whose work is filled with inspiration and universal truths. I am grateful for eyes to read, a heart to understand and the courage to overcome obstacles. I am grateful for encouraging words, giving hearts and opportunities I have yet to see.


I am grateful for new opportunities that have come my way, for the ability to meet them with grace and confidence and for a future filled with light. I am grateful for rainy days that precede the sun, for nights that bring us rest and for sunsets in all their glory.


I am grateful for air to breathe, food to eat and time to play. I am grateful for work that motivates me, for an outpouring of words that touch the lives of others and for coffee.


I am grateful for a circle of people I call friends, for family bonds and for children everywhere. I am grateful for the elderly who share their experience with the world, for the young who meet life with exuberance and for Baby Boomers who still strive to find their way in the world.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cultivate the art of overcoming obstacles as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

~More inspirational words from Richard Bach~

Inspirational Richard Bach Quotes
A Forerunner of the Secret
 If you are a product of the seventies, you probably remember "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" and "Illusions" by Richard Bach. Their truths ring as true today as they did over 30 years ago.

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Many people assume the Law of Attraction is nothing more that new age thinking that has no real basis. Some question whether the principles are Biblical in nature and shy away out of fear or uncertainty. From my point of view, the incredible power of the human mind is evidence of the divine hand of God in creating the vast Universe. Read more about what the Bible has to say about how your thinking and your faith affects the world around you~

Does the Bible Support the Law of Attraction?

Many view the Law of Attraction and the teachings of the Bible as opposing views, but with close inspection they may be more similar than you think. Inspirational Bible verses to get you on track for receiving blessings.

 

Today, I am grateful for the vast Universe in all its beauty, for clouds filled with rain that replenish the earth and for birds that sing happily from treetops.

 

I am grateful for the fragrance of newly mowed lawns, for the tiny white violets and for daffodils. I am grateful for leaves unfurling, lilacs that will soon bloom and for the soft green grass beneath bare feet.

 

I am grateful for  Family and friends that fill my life, for those I have yet to meet and those who have touched my life long ago that made me who I am.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your life be filled with abundance 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.

Most people wish to serve God - but only in an advisory capacity. ~Author Unknown

kananaskis_country

How often we turn to God when we have needs, lay our souls bare and ask for his guidance--only to then try to direct his answer. Instead of giving our needs to him and trusting that he knows the way to bring our hearts desires to pass, we take it back into our own hands and view it from our own limited view, thinking we can somehow direct God's hand.

Faith is letting it go and trusting God to show you the way--not using your own fallible intellect to direct God's way.


Get into the habit of offering up your heart's desires and allowing God to direct the way.

Today, I am grateful for dawn as it makes way for day, for a sleeping world that rests silently at night and for puffs of new snow that cover the world.


I am grateful for music that lightens the load, for artists who add new perspective and for the manual laborer who works quietly to complete his tasks. I am grateful for scientists that study our world, for parents who provide guidance to our youth and for communities who pull together to improve the world.


I am grateful for family and friends who form the foundation of my life, for laughter and pizza that enrich our lives.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cultivate the art of allowing God to direct your ways as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

To begin to think with purpose is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment. James Allen

By Greenfinge

The runner doesn't win because he cannot fail; he wins because he meets failure with determination as he uses his failure to improve his performance. Why then do we think we that failure is the end of the path?

So often in life, we give up on the things that are important to us, we succumb to the slightest hint of failure assuming that all is lost without considering altering our path.

Consider your seeming failures, today and cultivate the habit of seeing them as mere bumps in the road that give you strength and  direction to the path you must take to reach your goals.

Today, I am grateful for  rolling mountains, for untamed forests and the mysterious ocean teeming with life we have scarcely discovered.

I am grateful for the vastness of the universe that we call home, for the beauty of nature and for the unseen hand that created it all.

I am grateful for changing seasons, the rise and set of the sun and the cycles of the moon that sets the world aglow on dark summer nights.

I am grateful for family that surrounds me, for friends who brighten my day and for strangers who challenge my thinking. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you meet failure with strength and determination today that you may find the pathway that leads in the direction of your dreams.

When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky. Buddha

photo by Benhur

Sometimes, we become so focused on the things that go wrong in our lives that we allow it to overshadow all that is right in the world.  We are so accustomed to viewing our lives for what it lacks, that we forget that what we already have.

Strive to view your life through the lens of abundance today. Look carefully to what you already have and you will soon discover that what you lack pales in comparison. Tip back your head and laugh at how silly your obstacles really are in comparison to the goodness you have received.

Focus on the good and the just to draw more of the same into your life today as you go forward to reach your goals.

Today, I am grateful for the abundance in my life--for air to breathe, food to eat and shelter from the storm. I am grateful for work that keeps me focused, for electricity to fuel my computer and the energy to do my work well.

I am grateful for opportunities to expand my work, for insight to know the directions I should take and for the courage to follow my dreams.

I am grateful for an unseen force that directs my life, for the awe-inspiring universe that I call home and for laughter that warms the soul.

I am grateful for the people who fill my life--family, friends and neighbors who are always near. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you tip back your head and laugh at how perfect your life is becoming as you go forward in the direction of you dreams.

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Photo by mconnors

As we turn the page to a new year, life looms before us filled with opportunities and unexplored dreams.  Take the time today to really consider what that means to your life and set goals for reaching your dreams this year.

Don't worry that you dream too big, as that is seldom the case. It is not that our dreams are too big that cause I us to fail, it is that our faith is too small.

Cultivate the faith to believe you can accomplish your hearts desires, as your life will follow wherever you thoughts lead. It is up to you to set the sails and determine the direction you will go.

Cast off the belief that people and circumstances control your destiny, for surely your faith and determination are greater than the minor details that appear to hold you back.

Go ahead. Open the book. Begin writing the pages of a brand new year, filled with hope and promise of all good things that will come to pass. Get ready for the amazing journey that lies before you. You have the power inside you to make things happen. It's always been there. Isn't it time you set it free?

Today, I am grateful for a fresh new slate to start a new year, for the faith to carrying through and for the vision to see where I need to go. I am grateful for the "still quiet voice" that guides me, for the power to realize my dreams and the courage to stand by my beliefs.


I am grateful for the drive and determination to succeed in everything I do, for a sound mind that will see me through and for a healthy strong body to support me. I am grateful for renewed energy and a renewed mind that sees clearly where I need to go.


I am grateful for family that share my journey, for readers who benefit from my words and for opportunities I have yet to see. I am grateful for love, for laughter and for quiet moments to reflect on the beauty of nature, the song of the bird and the incredible will and faith of people around me. 


I am grateful for those who share my vision of a bright tomorrow, who are willing to work toward their goals by casting their gaze on all that is good and just in the world, and who know that the real power to change the world lies within each of us.


I am grateful for music that lifts up my soul, for a higher being that knows exactly where I should go and who never tires of showing me the way.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your vision is bright and your heart be light as you go forth to realize your dreams in this glorious new year.

In honor of my daughter..

My Favorite Photo (I've Ever Taken) 3 Brickfish

I'd like to deviate from my typical post today to share my daughters work. She has entered this photo in a competition to earn a scholarship for  college and can use your support. Voting is quick and easy and only takes a second. You can vote twice a day, everyday for the next 45 plus days. To win, she needs to make her way to the top. As of this writing, she is rated as 33 out of 8518. Points are earned both from votes and from posts to other sites, such a twitter, facebook and blogs.


Today, I am grateful for good friends, the generosity of strangers and sugar free French vanilla coffee creamer. I am grateful for family that lighten my load, for writers who share their knowledge and for photographers who capture what the eyes cannot. 

I am grateful for holiday wrappings, dangling ribbons and candy canes. 


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader as you stop to share my day. May your holidays be cheery and your heart be light.


UPDATE: 12/23/10: Her entry is now #28 out of 9251 entries. Thanks for your continued support.

“The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car… a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little.”

~Ben Sweetland  

Photo by earl53


Many Americans, it seems, live in a culture of lack, expecting nothing great from the world and quite willingly accepting a life of lack in return. But this doesn't need to be the case.

You hold the power to change your thinking about yourself and your life.Once your expectations increase, you are on your way to meeting your goals.

Today, I am grateful for Christmas lights, for multi-colored bows, and boxes tied up with ribbons. I am grateful for the fresh scent of the tree and my cat as she gently bats the balls.


I am grateful for Christmas music to make my heart light, for feelings to make my life full and words to express it all.

I am grateful for family that I hold dear, for old friends who send Christmas cheer and and snow that creates a winter wonderland.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you expect much and receive much as you go forward to meet your goals.

“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”~ Ovid

by seemann

Take time to rest today and resist the urge to make your work all-consuming. Consider why you have the goals in the first place. For most of us, they are a way to improve the quality of our lives, but when they begin to take over every waking moment, we defeat their purpose.

Rest your mind and your body today, if possible. If today is not an option, set aside a day soon that you can devote to rest.  You deserve it. 

Today, I am grateful for solitude that refreshes my soul, for the freedom to choose rest, and the ability to enjoy it. I am grateful for the distant cry of the blue jay that announces "the feeder is full," for the tiny hummingbird that has not yet winged his way south, and stray flowers that continue to bloom.

I am grateful for bright blue skies and scattered white clouds and the soft flutter of leaves in the morning air.  

I am grateful for family and friends. May their hearts be filled with warmth and their days filled with joy. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find rest from your work and comfort for the soul.