"A tiny change today brings a dramatically different tomorrow." — Richard Bach

By: melodi2

 

 

 

Consider the flowers of the earth today. They don't appear in full bloom, but unfold naturally according to their time. Your life is no different. Exercise patience as events begin to form and work diligently to bring them to full bloom.

So often, we expect to see big changes and overlook the little changes that transpire around us leading us to our dreams. Get in the habit of celebrating the little changes and giving gratitude for what you already have and soon you will be surprised by the way your life transforms.

Today, I am grateful for the morning sun that catches the clouds before it breaks the horizon, for distant clouds that pick up hints of pink and rose and for the first silver rays that shoot upward from the sun.

I am grateful for the distant cry of birds and the sound of dripping water that celebrate the arrival of morning.


I am grateful for eyes that see, ears that hear and a heart that feels. I am grateful for the marvelous power of the mind and the God that created it all.


I am grateful for family and friends who share my life.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your celebrate the little changes in your life as you go forward in the direction of your 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.

Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain...

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vintage point.”
- Harold B Melchart



Photo by kananaskis_country


Sometimes, we become so focused on where we want to go that we forget to enjoy and appreciate everything around us. This is particularly true when our goals involve making money or paying the bills.Although keeping your goals in sight and maintaining focus on ways to achieve them is important to success, don't forget that without gratitude for what we already have, the journey is incomplete.

Take the time to look around you today, and learn to express your gratitude for all that is good and just in the world. You may not have reached your goals, yet--but there is great beauty and goodness around you, if you but take the time to look.

Resist the urge to think that you'll be happy when you attain your goals. As we learned in "Happy for No Reason" by Marci Schimoff, if we can't experience happiness where we are, we will not experience it by attaining more money or material things. Happiness comes from within when we appreciate what we have already been given. Only then, can we go forth with confidence to attain our goals.


Today, I am grateful for new fallen snow that envelops the world in white, for Christmas lights that twinkle into the night and for the stars in the heavens that perform their own light show. I am grateful for gentle music, purring cats and the sound of the wind.

I am grateful for eyes to see, ears to hear and a mouth to speak. I am grateful for the natural energy to do the things I love, for words that flow easily from my soul and and the ability to change negative thoughts to positive by simply changing my focus.
 
I am grateful for family, for friends, and for neighbors who keep my world secure, promise a bright future and share my life. I am grateful for opportunities to help others as they meet obstacles in their lives, to share their joy in celebrating their successes and to encourage them when times are tough.
 
And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you celebrate all that is good and pleasing in your life today as you work toward your goals.

We awaken in others the same attitude of mind we hold toward them. ~Elbert Hubbard

Photo by kakisky



It's easy to believe that our attitude would be different, that our lives would be more enjoyable or that we would be better able to reach our goals if those around us would simply get with the program and change their attitudes towards life.

If you are like most people, you have probably experienced days when everything runs smoothly, everyone you meet is in a happy and uplifting mood and life simply flows. You've probably also experienced days when everything goes wrong and those around you are in sour or depressed moods.

You might even be guilty of saying that the moods of others are getting you down.

Consider that your attitude, your mood, your approach toward the day may actually be the attitude that starts it all.  Guard your attitudes and outlook carefully today. Consider not how others effect you. Consider how you effect them.

Today, I am grateful for the beginning of a new week, for the energy and commitment to meet my goals. I am grateful for gray skies that remind me that winter will come, for changing seasons that add beauty to our world and for frozen puddles that crackle and pop with my step.


I am grateful for time to complete daily tasks, for cozy evenings to read good books and for the infinite expanse of the Internet filled with wonderful uplifting stories of those who overcome all odds to meet their goals. I am grateful for the ability to filter what I feed my mind, the insight to seek out that which is uplifting and the wisdom to make the right choices.


Am grateful for the people in my life that I call family. For friends who offer support and all the  lives that my words touch today. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you guard your attitude well, today and make a positive difference in the world.

“Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”

Sometimes we think that dreams are just mysterious wishes that pop into our thoughts and our lives for no reason, and treat them as though they are fleeting fancies that belong to the night. Some dreams may be fleeting, but those that linger are given to your for a reason.

Consider the dreams of your heart today. Perhaps you want a better home, a happier lifestyle or perfect health.  Develop the courage to Follow Your Dreams because they will lead your where you need to go.


Today, I am grateful for the break of dawn, for the beginning of a new and glorious day, for courage and strength and vision as I go forth into the world today.

I am grateful for the vast universe that inspires awe, for a human body to house my soul and for the smell of rain and the feeling of approaching snow. I am grateful for evergreen trees that stand strong in winter storms.


I am grateful for family that makes my house home, for holidays to call us together and memories that build strong bonds.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your follow your dreams today and learn from them what your need to learn.











Photo by NASA.gov

Things do not change; we change. ~ Henry David Thoreau

I found the amazing book Happy for No Reason tucked beneath other more popular books at my local store the other day. I haven't read it all, but the first three chapters have me hooked--so I thought I'd take a moment to share with you today.

For those of you who are not aware, Marci Shimoff appeared in The Secret and does motivational speaking across the globe. I expected to hear more of the same, but I got  a big surprise. I expected to be told that I needed to do to find true and lasting happiness was to change my thinking--but I found much more.

The first three chapters referenced actual scientific studies that supported the fact that--are you ready--we have a happiness set-point ( much like the weight set point) and no matter what happens in our lives we return to the same level of happiness within a very short period.

Unless you suffer from clinical depression or some other biological disorder, it doesn't matter if the event is positive or negative. As human beings we return to the same point we have spent our whole lives functioning at.

The good news is, we can reset our happiness meter and enjoy peace and happiness we never thought possible.

Isn't that just amazing?

Of course, one of the ways to reset your happiness meter is by expressing your gratitude for the things you already have in your life. Check back tomorrow to see what other amazing things this book has to offer.

Today I am grateful for wide-open fields, scurrying field mice and fall berries that continue to linger until snow. For crisp cold mornings and chimneys that send up a straight gray plume, for golden lights that illuminate distant windows and dog barks that tell me the world is wake.


I am grateful for the distant call of the chickadee that will soon find his way to the feeder, for blue jays that teeter on branches looking for a frozen treat and mourning doves as they draw close for cracked corn.


I am grateful for family and friends who share my world, for old friends who have gone on to their own lives in their own worlds and for future friends whose path I am destined to cross.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your happiness meter remain on full as you go forward to reach your dreams.

“Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.” ~ Edgar Cayce

Photo by badrobot

According to Edgar Cayce, tomorrow's questions have already been asked and you get the wonderful chance to answer them by following your own dreams. Think about that for a bit and you will realize there is never an excuse for arriving unprepared.

Consider your dreams and goals for your future and what questions in life they may answer for you. Hold tight, move forward and always strive to follow the dreams of your heart.


Today, I am grateful for clean, fresh sheets dried on the clothesline, for for soft pillows on which to rest my head and cuddly blankets that keep me warm as the fall chill overtakes the air.

I am grateful for sandwiches for a quick dinner, for steaming hot coffee and wool socks. I am grateful for wind chimes that sing out in the crisp fall wind, for bunny rabbits that hop down the road and the moon in its continual change of shape and beauty.


I am grateful for family and friends that I hold dear, for neighbors whose light shows the way and strangers I will someday call friend.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your dreams provide the answers to the questions of tomorrow.

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.

Those who wish to sing, always find a song.  ~Swedish Proverb




photo by napfalevel



Consider your song, today. People recognize it by the quality of your voice, the message you choose to send and the words you choose to use. Even though the quote refers to expressing joy and gratitude in song, many choose to sing the mournful song of loss and lack. 

Guard your song carefully, today. Make it one that brings joy, uplifting both yourself and others, today. 

Today, I am grateful for light that illuminates the world, for air that fills my lungs with breath, and for soil beneath my feet. I am grateful for leisurely hours to contemplate this awe-inspiring world, for clouds that swim swiftly across blue sky, and leaves that have not yet turned to red and gold.

I am grateful for my backyard that allows me to sit amidst nature, a clothesline for freshly washed clothes, and garden beds that nourish my plants. I am grateful for plumbing, electricity and telephones that bring convenience to my life.

I am grateful for smiling children, laughing adults and animals that add color to the world. I am grateful for bees that buzz, crickets that sing, and daisies dancing in the breeze. I am grateful for the promise of a new day.


I am grateful for family that brings meaning to my life, for friends that listen to my song, and neighbors who share my world.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find your song and sing it joyfully throughout the day.
 

“People only see what they are prepared to see.”~Ralph Waldo Emerson


What you see in this picture depends on how you look at it. Some see a polar bear as he climbs out of a pool of water, while others see a seal. 

Many of us can see either by shifting our focus, but others become so fixated on one image that it is all they are able to see.


It's a lot like life, really. As Emerson says, each of us sees exactly what we are prepared to see.


Consider what you are prepared to see this morning, as it will surely color your day and your life. Focusing on the negatives around you fine tunes your ability to see the negative, but with a slight shift in focus you may be surprised at the positive you will see.


Practice shifting your focus today to allow yourself to see the positive around you. Look for opportunities today and be ready to act. 


Today, I am grateful for darkness that gives way to light, rain that replenishes the earth, and joyous birds that flit from tree to tree untouched by gentle rain.

I am grateful for a clear, sound mind, a heart that beats, and feet that will carry me through my day. I am grateful for the scent of summer as it gives way to fall, for wildflowers that punctuate the earth, and natural springs that bubble cool, fresh water from the earth.


I am grateful for family and friends who share my life and give me strength, for new perspectives that allow me to see the world in another way, and for opportunities I have yet to recognize. 

I am grateful for insight and understanding that improves my life, for laughter that lightens the load, and for forgiveness that allows me to release those who have wronged me.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you stretch your mind today to see the world through a new perspective and grasp the opportunities you find along the way.

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson






photo by nrichford

So often in life, we become so focused on the thistles that we forget to see their beauty. Consider the lowly thistle today. It's prickers are sharp and it can be an annoyance, but with its bloom it brings us the soft down that serves to line the nests of the striking Goldfinch and inspired Clement Clark Moore when writing "Twas the Night Before Christmas."


If you have ever seen the down of a thistle as it floats through the air then "Away they all flew like the down of a thistle" takes on new meaning.


Examine the thistles in your life, today and consider what hidden beauty they may hold.
Sometimes, we become so focused on the things we do not want in our lives that we forget they may have gifts to bear. That momentary set back may well be a sign to take stock of your life, change your focus and look for undiscovered treasures. Take a moment today and seek out the beauty around you and appreciate all that you have. Only by deep appreciation and gratitude for what life has given us can we go forward to attain seemingly unreachable goals. 

Today, I am grateful for misty air that once again promises rain, for the squirrel that stamps his angry feet to scare me from his path and for soft gray clouds that envelop my world. I am grateful for dancing leaves, thistle blossoms and bold wild flowers. I am grateful for another day to share my thoughts, to laugh and to enjoy the wonders of the world around me.


I am grateful for new babies and I am grateful for those yet to be born as they have much to give to this world. I am grateful that my heart holds compassion for those who struggle, that I have eyes that see beyond the surface and the drive to make a difference. I am grateful for family and friends who help me make sense of the world when it becomes confusing, from guidance from an unseen force that I call God when I lose my way, and for the knowledge that the path is always open if I but open my eyes and see it.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader as you stop and share my day. May you take the time to see the beauty around you today as you go forth to reach your goals.

Human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes.  Norman Vincent Peale

Photo By: siilur

How we see the world is influenced by what we have been taught. For most of us, that means focusing on obstacles that prevent us from from obtaining our goals in the thinly disguised cloak of being cautious and being realistic ~ by seeing the world the way it really is. The error is in assuming that there is one way to see the world and that things really "are" a certain way. They aren't.

Life is how we see it and if we choose to see it from a negative point of view and live our lives with a negative attitude, that is exactly what we will get -- negative experiences that confirm what we choose to believe.

When you make the decision to see the world from a positive point of view by developing a positive attitude, you may find yourself surprised by the good you find in the world and the good you find in people -- even those who you were convinced had nothing to offer.

So many times, I hear someone boast that they "tell it like it is" or "see it like it is" (usually in guise of being blunt and disrespectful to others) when in reality they simply see it the way they choose to and call that reality. 

Change the way you view the world today and the world will open up in ways you never imagined. Cultivate a positive attitude and seek out all that is good and just and uplifting and you will change your life.

Today, I am grateful for a clear sound mind that is capable of choosing how I view the world. I am grateful for the confidence and courage to change my thoughts knowing it will change my life. I am grateful for the breath of life, for a beating heart and for nature that inspires me. I am grateful for family and friends that I hold dear, for loving relationships and courage to pursue my dreams.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your day be filled with great changes as you change the world by changing your attitude. May you find all that is good and uplifting it the world to guide you on your journey. 

You are always free to choose a different future . . . or a different past. Richard Bach

Yesterday, we talked about creating new futures by letting go of the past. Let's take a look at our past today. Whatever has happened in our lives up until today has been cemented into our memories and formed the foundation of who we are. It is over. Gone. It is what it is and we are powerless to change it, or are we?

I was born the youngest of 8 siblings, but more importantly, I was born much later making me the little sister that was never really part of "their childhood" and certainly not a part of my parent's youth. I never really minded. Life was what it was and I didn't question that.

One day, when we were grown, my sister commented that I had grown up in a "different family" than she had. She was right, of course. Our parents had grown and life had changed and the world was a very different place when I came along, but I also realize it was much more than that.

Of course we grew up in different families. Our family is a reflection of our thoughts, our beliefs, our personal perception of the world. My life was different, not because of the people and events that unfolded in my lifetime, but because of my interpretations of those events.

Your life is a reflection of your individual perception, too. What you call reality is nothing more than your interpretation of a series of events you call the past. You can't change the events, but you can change the way you look at them.

If you have pain and hurt and struggles rooted in the past that are holding you back today, make a conscious effort to examine the events that created them and view them from a different light. Come to peace with your personal demons and move forward toward the future knowing you can accomplish your dreams.

Today, I am grateful for the dusting of snow that shimmers like a thousand diamonds in the morning light. I am grateful to hear, to see and to feel. I am grateful for the winter chill that proves I am alive. I am grateful for age and the timeless beauty of remaining forever young in mind and soul. I am grateful for laughter to lift the spirits, for solitude to rest the soul and companionship of family that makes life full.

I am grateful for healing of old wounds, for beginnings and for the hope of what is to come. I am grateful for a past that has molded who I am but has no power to alter my future, unless I allow it. I am grateful for the understanding that I alone can reshape my past by viewing it in a different light and accepting it for what it was and nothing more.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, for allowing me to share what I have learned and for joining me on the journey to the future. May you consider your past today and give thanks for that which has made you strong and view your old struggles in a different light. Take its power away today, by creating a different past that leads to a different future. May you day be filled with abundance.