You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. Christopher Columbus

By: lcg2001

Sometimes,  we are frustrated because we think we can not reach our goals, yet spend our  time clinging fearfully to old habits and old ways. Without the  courage and faith to step away from the known and venture into new  areas, we cannot go further than our current shore. Like the sailor, we  must be willing to risk losing sight of the shore before we can cross  the ocean and reach our dreams.

Cultivate faith in your dreams today by visualizing yourself completing  them and experiencing the joy that brings. Focus on where you need to go  and step forth in faith today, casting aside fear and doubt. Know that  your desires are within your reach, but that it may require the courage  to lose sight of the shore.

Today, I am grateful for the strengthening sun that sings of approaching spring, for our nation's children who go forth toward their futures--may they be filled with the faith and courage to do what they know is right, and for teachers who we entrust with their care--may they treat them with respect and concern.

I am grateful for those who devote their lives to building up others, who are eager to share kind a word or lend a helping hand.

I am grateful for the sharing of ideas, for good conversation and laughter that makes my life full. I am grateful for air to breathe, water to drink and food to fuel the body and soul. I am grateful for road crews and emergency workers who keep others safe amid the storms that blanket our nation today.

I am grateful for family who bring joy and courage and faith in the face of any circumstances.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find the courage to step away from the shore of old habits and fears today, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence, and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has. Hamilton Wright Mabie

By cohdra

 

 

Often we fill our thoughts with the things we will do when we have enough time or enough money believing that we are powerless in our lives until the magical moment arrives when we have enough to pursue our dreams. But the power doesn't lie in what we attain, it lies in doing the best we can with what we already have.

Each of us holds the power to go forward and improve our lives--to reach our dreams--if we but consider how to use the resources we already have.

Let go of the idea that what you have is not enough to start you on your journey to reach your heart's desires. Focus on what you want and the path will become clear.

Today, I am grateful for a good night's rest, for houseplants that thrive inside the home and for flowers that will return in spring.

I am grateful for effective use of my time, for a quick, sharp mind that allows me to pursue my dreams and for much laughter along the way.

I am grateful for lazy days to allow thoughts and dreams to grow, for busy days to put them into motion and for the faith to wait until they come to pass.

I am grateful for family that continually amazes me, for friends who share my dreams and for old friends who have seen me through it all.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cast aside thoughts of lack today, and use what you've already been given to 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.

“If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.” Anthony Robbins

 

 

 

by kakisky

So often we continue on with our lives repeating the same patterns, the same actions--yet expecting to see changes in our lives. The young may not realize there are other choices of action, but as an adult you must look beyond the same old routine and take new action if you desire new results.

Consider the ways you repeat old actions expecting new results, today. Perhaps this thinking plagues you in your relationships--or perhaps your career is bound by old thinking and routines.

Summon up the courage today to step outside old habits and old beliefs and take new action to reach your dreams.

Today, I am grateful for a new day, for new ways of thinking and for the courage to take new action.


I am grateful for the written word that I may communicate my thoughts, for translators that my words may be available to all people regardless of language and for dedicated teachers who taught us all to read.


I am grateful for countries that produce plump ripe fruit while my garden lies fallow beneath the snow, for truckers who bring the fruit to market and for grocery stores that provide an assortment from which I am free to choose the fruit of my desire.


I am grateful for the warming sun that arises and chases away the chill, for bright stars that adorn the sky and for trees that stand the test of time.


I am grateful for the people in my life--for family and friends that add color and emotion to my world, strangers I may never meet and long lost friends from long ago.


And I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you find the courage to take new action today to bring about the changes you desire, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

God gives every bird a worm, but he does not throw it into the nest." Swedish Proverb

Photo by Lemar

So often in life we cultivate the belief that all we need to do is sit tight and opportunities will flow into our lives. We look to the promises of God or the Law of Attraction as the model for our lives, somehow thinking that belief is all that is required to reap the benefits of a full and happy life.

But true belief requires action. Without it, we are simply dreaming. To put the Laws of Attraction into motion, you must be willing to act on your beliefs and seize opportunities as they arise.

To claim the things that are rightfully ours, to reap abundance and to find happiness we must be willing to go beyond the dream and act on what we believe.  Cultivate the spirit of action today. Give up the notion that abundance will come to you and go forth to claim it. Whatever your desire, whatever your dream work actively to pursue it.

Today, I am grateful for a good night's sleep, for a bright new day and for clarity of thought. I am grateful for the passing of the storm and the return of the sun. 


I am grateful for the cycle of the seasons that brings new beauty and breathtaking views throughout the year, for the ambition and drive to reach my dreams and for the insight to take action when action is needed.


I am grateful for family, for friends and for readers.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you take action, today, and go forth to claim your dreams.

Having the world's best idea will do you no good unless you act on it. People who want milk shouldn't sit on a stool in the middle of a field in hopes that a cow will back up to them. Curtis Grant

Photo by mensatic

Consider the time you spend waiting for things to happen in your life instead of actively seeking opportunities and working to reach your goals. Most of us fall pray to thinking that if the Law of Attraction really works, all we need to do is develop and attitude of faith and cultivate a positive attitude and all the is good and just in the world will suddenly land in our laps. After all, the Law of Attraction does state that like attracts like and that releasing positive energy to the universe causes positive energy to flow into our lives.


It really is a lot like sitting on a stool in a pasture waiting for the cow to back up to you. The cow, like opportunities in your life, is there--but you need to make the effort to reap the benefits it offers. To get the sweet warm milk the cow offers, you my must get off your duff. 

Life is no different. If you are practicing the art of releasing positive energy in your life the opportunities are already there. Open your eyes and look around you today. You will likely see opportunities you never knew existed or that you thought the effort required to attain them was too great. 


Get off your comfortable stool today and get ready to attain your dreams.


Today, I am grateful for the ability to see new opportunities, for the courage to pursue them and the energy to see them through. I am grateful for the opportunity to express my gratitude, for it releases positive energy to the universe and reminds me off all that God has given me.


I am grateful for photographs so I may see places I will never go, for morguefile.com that houses thousands of photos I can share freely and for mensatic a photographer who has an incredible eye and chooses to share those views with the world.

I am grateful for fellow writers who have taught me much about writing and shared their resources. I am grateful for Google who provides the adsense program  that matches ads to my readers interests and needs, so that I may earn a living when they click the ads which offer services or products that in turn improve their lives.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your opportunities be many and may you always have the wisdom and drive to pursue them.

Sometimes opportunity knocks, but most of the time it sneaks up and then quietly steals away. ~ Doug Larson

photo by cohdra


Many of us are in the habit of sitting back and waiting for opportunity to knock on the front door, but what we don't consider is that opportunity is every where if we but look. 

Sitting idly by expecting opportunity to enter our lives with fanfare and announce itself is a bit naive, to say the least. If you seek opportunity in your life, you must be ready to recognize and act when it appears.

Keep your options open today and don't be too quick to close doors that may lead you down the path you should go. I'm not suggesting you follow every "fly by night" opportunity someone puts in front of you--but I am suggesting you consider your options regularly.

Today, I am grateful for the winter sun, clear roads and grocery stores that provide fresh fruits and vegetables in the midst of winter. I am grateful for seeds that lie silent throughout the winter and burst forth into lush green plants in spring. I am grateful for snow laden trees that decorate the wintry world.


I am grateful for talented and intelligent children who express there concern for the world, for family that I can count on and for friends who share my journey. 

I am grateful for the approaching new year ready to unfold, for new opportunities to go beyond what I ever dreamed possible and for recognizing them when they appear.


And, I am grateful for you dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your opportunities be many and may you be ready to act when they arrive.

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.

To change one's life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions. ~William James

by matthew_hull

Consider the changes you desire in your life today and take the leap towards  change. So often we spend so much time considering the changes that we never really take any action.

If there are areas in your life that need change, let today be the day that you step forward and begin the journey.


Today, I am grateful for the vastness of the universe, the beauty of the earth, and rainbows. I am grateful for grand oceans that teem with life, for mighty rivers that carry water back to the sea, and for meandering brooks that shimmer in the sunlight.

I am grateful for family that provides a solid foundation, for friends who brighten my way, and for neighbors who share my world.

I am grateful for the soft purr of loving cats, the graceful flight of birds, and the sound of rain. I am grateful for trees that bring beauty to the world and provide fresh air to breathe. I am grateful for mighty rocks and tiny pebbles that punctuate the earth.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share your day. May you be filled with courage and strength today, as you take the leap to make the changes you desire to see in your life. 

Don't turn away from possible futures before you're certain you don't have anything to learn from them. ~Richard Bach

 





Consider all your choices today and use caution with discarding possible paths to your goals simply because they aren't what you expected.


In the movie Beyond the Secret, Bob Proctor speaks of the value of intuition in reaching our goals. When a thought or idea pops into your head, take a moment to consider its value. Would acting on that idea move you closer to reaching your goals? 


Today, I am grateful for those who choose to share their insights and knowledge of the world, for freedom of choice that allows me to find my own path, and for intuition to guide my day.


I am grateful for an open mind that allows me to consider the world from varying viewpoints, for a sound clear mind with which to think, and for a heart that beats.


I am grateful for family and friends who fill my day, for afternoon naps, and kittens.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you take the time to consider all paths to your goals before casting them aside without thought.

There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate.  ~Robert Brault








photo by earl53

Consider what you choose to focus your energy on today. Each of us holds the power to to focus on the good things in life and celebrate the events and people in our lives that bring joy and peace into the world. Look for those special occasions in your life that give you cause to celebrate and let them be your focus.

Make a decision to cultivate a positive attitude about yourself and about your life. If you hold ill feelings toward another or harbor resentments and hurt today, make a decision to let them go. They can only hold you down and rob you of your joy. Lift up your heart and your life to the light today and celebrate.

Today I am grateful for a good night's sleep, for a soft pillow on which to rest my head and comfortable blankets to keep me warm. I am grateful for streaks of sun that tell me it is time to awake. I am grateful for pouncing cats, ambitious dogs and cawing crows that announce the beginning of a new day.

I am grateful for a day off from work so I can gather my thoughts and refresh my mind for another week. I am grateful for the great oceans that I know exist beyond my view, mountains that stand strong against the storm, and forests.

I am grateful for family and friends that bring me strength, for online friends who lift others up when they are down, and those who will cross my path as I follow my dreams and strive to reach my goals.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find much to celebrate today as you lift up your heart and seek all that is good in the world. 

In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia. ~Author Unknown 




photo by Cohdra 



Consider your goals today. Are they vague notions of where you want to go, or are they clearly defined? Without direction our lives are destined to be spent doing the mundane, the trivial and meaningless tasks we somehow build into our lives.


Stop wasting your time on trivial things and cultivate the habit of concentrating your energies into reaching your goals.

Today, I am grateful for quiet time to work, for opportunities to refine my skills, and  the drive and desire to excel. I am grateful for the insight and wisdom to recognize opportunities, for the courage to take a chance and the energy needed to complete the tasks.


I am grateful for the sound of rain, the passing cars as others rush off to work, and for teachers who hold our children dear. I am grateful for socks to warm my feet, a solid floor on which to stand and shelter that keeps me warm and safe in the winter's storm.

I am grateful for family that fills my heart with joy and pride, for friends who always lend a willing ear, and old friends who taught me how to make my way in the world.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your day be filled with accomplishments that lead you to your goals.

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.”~ Dr Seuss

Consider your goals and heart's desires today. They are out there waiting for you, all you need to do is go forward and claim them. Too often, the mountain looks too big or the distance seems so far that we become discouraged and fail to strive for what we want.

But we can't cross the distance or scale the mountain simply by viewing. Visions are wonderful, but to reach them takes action. 


Are you ready to take action today? Go forward with singleness of mind and conquer that mountain. Never forget the power that is inside you.


Today, I am grateful for soft damp air that whispers that rain may come and renew the earth. I am grateful for a reprieve from the beating sun that has dried the earth. I am grateful for unfolding flowers that bring beauty to my day.

I am grateful for grasshoppers as they spring from plant to plant, for crickets that sing into the night and for leaves that rustle in proud strong trees. I am grateful for the faraway cry of the crow, the barking of dogs and the tender meow of loving cats. I am grateful for old country roads that ramble through the wilderness, moss covered rocks and meandering streams.


I am grateful for a family to love, for friends to share a laugh and for the kindness of strangers. I am grateful for work that beckons, for eyes that see and a heart that feels.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day while you go forward to conquer your mountain. May your heart be filled with joy that overflows to the lives of others today.