“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” ― Abraham Lincoln

Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net

I've been doing a lot of research and thinking about exactly what it is that makes some people travel through life with a positive attitude enjoying happiness and peace of mind, while others stumble through life dragging all their negative baggage with them. It's tempting to attribute a person's happiness to the circumstances of their lives, but that doesn't really hold water. Some are happy under dire circumstances, while others cannot find happiness even in the best of circumstances.

Something else, then, must determine a person's degree of happiness in life - but what is it?

After reading volumes of self-help and self improvement books by authors like Norman Vincent Peale, Richard Bach, Marci Shimoff, Dale Carnegie and a host of authors that span generations, I have come to the conclusion that the cause of your happiness - or lack thereof - is you. More specifically, the thoughts you allow into your mind, the thoughts you chose to entertain, and your willingness to control those thoughts determines your happiness.

As many of you may know, I am a freelance writer and publish my work on a variety of sites across the Internet. One of those places is Examiner.com where I write under the topic of New Age, which of course, includes the Law of Attraction and other programs that empower people to take control of their lives - and minds - to reach their potential and find joy and happiness in their lives.

I have started a series of articles on Finding Happiness that I hope you will find helpful in attaining happiness as your work to achieve your goals and dreams. I won't duplicate them here, but please feel free to visit my work on Examiner.

Today, I am grateful for my beautiful morning glories in full bloom, for vine-ripe tomatoes and for fresh vegetables to grace the table. I am grateful for summer rains that refresh the earth, for cloudless skies in soft blue, and for trees with leaves that dance to the slightest breeze.

I am grateful for the sound of the distance jay as he calls out for rain, for the hummingbird that gathers energy for his long flight south, and for butterflies that flutter lazily in the herb garden. I am grateful for the scent of lavender, for ever-blooming petunias, and chipmunks that fill their tiny cheeks with food.

I am grateful for family and friends who always make me laugh and for the comfort of a meager home that offers safety from the storm. I am grateful for lazy Saturdays to write as I will without regard to deadlines and editorial rules.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May  you make up your mind to be happy as you go forward in the direction of your dreams. 

"When we are no longer able to change a situation... We are challenged to change ourselves" ~ VIKTOR FRANKL

Many of us spend our days looking to others and thinking if only "they" would change, my life would be better, without realizing that life isn't about changing others to fit our needs. If it seems that those around you are in need of drastic change, consider the fact that it might be you that needs the change, not them.

Refusing to accept your part in creating the conditions of your life is no different than refusing to change to clock from daylight savings time to standard time and then lamenting the fact that those around you are never on time.

So often, I hear others lamenting the fact that the world around them is filled with ungrateful, spiteful people who work diligently to make "their" life miserable--yet, never realizing that their dissatisfaction with others is merely a reflection of their inner selves.

If it seems that those around you are unappreciative or lack the compassion you desire in life, try expressing appreciation and compassion in your own life. You may be surprised by how much others appear to change.

Today, I am grateful for the soft rays of morning sun, for fresh clean air to breathe, and for the dew that sparkles on the grass. I am grateful for the hoot of the owl, the dance of leaves in the breeze, and soft, cool grass against bare feet. I am grateful for the brilliant sunsets, proud tall mountains and flowing fields of hay.

I am grateful for healthy food to eat, for clean water to drink and for caterpillars who creep along the garden wall. I am grateful for the sound of the lone dog's bark in the distance, for wispy smoke from wood stoves that settles heavy in the air, and the smell of leaves that forewarns of fall. 

I am grateful for my family who makes me proud, for a husband who supports my work and children who have grown strong and always stand for what they know is right. I am grateful for bothers and sisters, for my parents who have gone before me and for extended family that makes me who I am today.

I am grateful for the people in my life that challenge my thinking, for those who lend a helping hand and those who serve as examples sharing their goodness and kindness with the world. I am grateful for artists who capture life's beauty, for musicians who touch the soul and for writers who bring the word to life.

And, I am grateful to you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you be the change that is needed in your life as you go forward in the direction of your dreams. 

"As a man thinketh in his heart so is he..." (Proverbs 23:7).

Many of us are accustomed to going through life without concern for our thinking. We mistakenly assume that life happens to us and that we have little control over our circumstances. Yet, the Bible tells us that " as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he ..."   How much more then are we capable of simply by focusing our thoughts in the direction we want to go?

Cultivate the habit of believing in yourself and your ability to achieve the seemingly impossible, today. Cast away doubt and fear that you may reach your potential and bring your dreams and goals to pass.

Today I am grateful for the robin that sings outside my window exhorting me to wake up and live another day. I am grateful for the sun as it peaks from behind the clouds, for lilacs about to bloom and for butterflies that float from flower to flower.


I am grateful for the gently flowing of woodland streams, for ferns that adorn the forest floor and moss that is soft and cool beneath my feet. I am grateful for the white trillium, big purple violets ad dogwood that bring beauty to the world. I am grateful for flowers, for grass and for leaves.


I am grateful for family that brings me great joy, for neighbors who are eager to lend a helping hand and for strangers that share a willing smile.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cast away fear and doubt and cultivate the habit of believing in yourself today, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

“Make sure you visualize what you really want, not what someone else wants for you.”~ Gerry Gillies

Sometimes, visualizing what you want in life gets clouded by what other people want or what other people think you should do. Although it is a good practice to take advantage of the opinions of those you trust, guard against the tendency to accept those opinions as your own without careful consideration.

There are many paths in life and it is up to each of us to choose our own way, to aim for our dreams and to visualize our future.

Develop a vision of where you want to go, today, and hold that vision in your mind.

Today, I am grateful for a day of rest that allows me to gather my thoughts and refine my goals. I am grateful for my children who both have a strong vision of who they are and where they want to go. I am grateful for family that I can count on, for friends who lend a helping hand and for coffee.


I am grateful to stay inside on an icy day, for the knowledge that spring will come eventually and for gentle birds that feed eagerly at my feeder.


I am grateful for good books, soft music and inspiring photography that add new dimensions to my life. I am grateful for those who challenge my thinking, for great thinkers who have gone before me and the vastness of the Universe.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you visualize what you really want as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Life is just a blank slate, what matters most is what you write on it. Christine Frankland

I've known people who have spent their entire lives waiting for  their lives to happen--peering over the horizon waiting for their proverbial ship to come in. Typically, these people spend their lives being disappointed and never realize that they are the directors of their own lives.

Begin writing your own life today and stop waiting for some magical moment when the slate will suddenly be filled and the direction of your life will become clear. This is you life. You are the director and you have the power to produce your heart's desires.

Today, I am grateful for clothes to wear, air to breathe and the knowledge that soon I will run barefoot across fresh green grass. I am grateful my children have grown into responsible young people who have the ability to go forth and create their world.


I am grateful for the beauty of nature as it unfolds into yet another spring, for the pockets of snow that melt slowly and add moisture to the earth and for cars that provide transportation to the places we need to go.


I am grateful for buds that spring open with fully formed leaves, for seeds that contain the makings of new plants and babies who enter the world filling it with love and warmth.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you begin writing your life today as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

"To bring anything into your life, imagine that it's already there." — Richard Bach

by tinah

The gardener has no difficulty imagining the beauty of the flower when he plants the seed, why then is it so difficult for us to imagine the beauty of our future?

Develop the faith of the gardener today and know that as you plant the seeds of a prosperous and bright tomorrow that it will surely come to pass in its time. It will, however, require nuturing and care as it begins to grow. Consider the seedling that soon withers under the heat of the sun if it is neglected--but flourishes when provided the right care.

Nurture your dreams and desires by maintaining faith and cultivating a positive attitude, for the energy it releases provides the environment for your dreams to grow.

Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to dream and to go forward and claim those dreams. I am grateful for the courage to rise above seeming obstacles and to nurture my dreams even when they seem far away.


I am grateful for the power of the universe in its infinite beauty, for night that transitions to day and for the illumination the sun provides. I am grateful for the vast, unexplored regions of the brain that hold great power to manifest that which is good and just and uplifting.


I am grateful for people who share my dreams, for family that makes the journey light and for old friends who have been part of my world and always see me through.


I am grateful for those I have yet to meet, for I know they hold hidden treasures and insight into this journey we call life.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. You provide focus and keep me ever conscious that we are all in this journey together. May you cultivate the faith of a gardener today, knowing that the future you imagine is already there. May you nurture it with faith and a positive attitude as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Always be a firstrate version of yourself, instead of a secondrate version of somebody else. Judy Garland

By manicmorff

So often in life we become so caught up in being what others expect or what we think the world wants from us that we lose sight of who we really are. Before we know it, we are modeling ourselves after someone we simply we never meant to be.

Consider who you are today and strive to be the best you you can be and let go of the idea that you should be like everyone else.

Today, I am grateful for clear, crisp nights aglow with stars, for the glowing moon and the infinite universe. I am grateful for clean air to breathe, fresh water to drink and soap bubbles that glitter in the light.


I am grateful for tiny puppies that nuzzle together for warmth, for baby bunnies that arrive in spring and newly hatched birds with gaping mouths waiting to be fed.


I am grateful for family and friends, for good books and the singing of frogs in spring.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you become at first rate version of yourself, today as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. Author Unknown

By aconant

So often in life we become immobilized by the fear that what we wish to achieve is too hard, too far away or too difficult to attain and turn away from our heart's desires by convincing ourselves that we cannot go a step further.

Seldom do we admit that fear controls our actions. We rationalize and look through the eyes of the world and tell ourselves that we are being realistic, but in truth we have allowed fear a stronghold, as it cultivates doubt and colors our thoughts.

Guard against fear, today. Cultivate positive thoughts and faith and know that you can achieve the seemingly impossible--if you but believe.

Today, I am grateful for the seeds of success that have been planted with positive thoughts and the faith that all shall come to pass as it should.


I am grateful for ladybugs that survive the coldest of winters to remind me that spring is on its way,  for the gentle fall of lacy snowflakes that glitter in the morning light and for the day that is set before me.


I am grateful for those who lend a helping hand, for those who offer a positive word and those who offer up their lives for the good of man.

I am grateful that positive thoughts and positive energy chases away doubt and fear, that I have the ability to choose my thoughts and that I have the ability to touch the lives of others.


I am grateful for a past that has made me strong, for the present that holds great joy and for the future filled with awesome possibilities.


I am grateful for family that I call home, for my children who have grown strong and for the bright vision of their futures.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cultivate an attitude of gratitude for all you have been given and challenge your fears so that you may go forward 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.

"As you climb the ladder of success, check occasionally to make sure it is leaning against the right wall." Anonymous

by mensatic

Sometimes we become so focused on success that we become blinded to those around us as we single mindedly go forward to reach our goals. Instead of building a solid foundation, we lunge forward grasping at anything that will further our goals. It makes no difference if our goals and dreams are personal or professional, whether they are simply to earn a living from what we do, or if they are lofty change-the-world goals. Climbing the ladder of success without a solid wall to lean on insures that we will topple and fall.

Consider the foundation of your support, today. Leaning on people, beliefs or things that have not stood the test of time may help you rise quickly, but they will not catch you when you fall. Do what you know is right and build a solid foundation for your work, even when the temptation arises to compromise your principles in order to find success quickly.

Today, I am grateful for furnaces to heat our homes as temperatures dip into the deep freeze. I am grateful for shelter, for food and for a place to call home.

I am grateful for guidance from above as I work steadily to reach my goals, for the vastness of the universe and the knowledge that all will work together for good when I follow what I know is right and good and just. I am grateful for the ability to discern the direction I should go, for helping others along the way and for the help others extend to me.

I am grateful for early-morning quiet that allows me to focus my thoughts, for laughter and happy times that gives me strength and for warm hearts that fill me life.

I am grateful for an amazing family, for thought-provoking friends and brave leaders who blaze the way.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May the ladder of your success be firmly planted on a solid foundation today, as you go forth to meet your dreams.

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”

According to the Laws of Attraction, our thoughts determine the direction of our lives. For those who have grown accustomed to the belief that thoughts merely come and that we have no control over them, this may not be a comforting thought. But for those who understand that we choose our thoughts, or at least we choose which we will focus on, it opens the door to enlightenment.

Before you declare that you do not have control over the thoughts that enter your mind, let's take a moment to explore that belief.  If I ask you to think about pizza, surely you can change your thoughts to images of crispy brown crusts, covered with melted cheese and dotted with hot spicy pepperoni. Chances are you have no difficulty visualizing your favorite pizza complete with topping and may even conjure up the aroma, taste and texture as well. Sure, my suggestion may have prompted it--just as circumstances and events in your life may prompt thoughts--but you chose to entertain the thought and create the image.

As human beings we have the remarkable ability to govern our thoughts and determine the direction they will go. It is this ability to direct our thoughts that determines the direction and circumstances of our lives. Jesus tells us in Matthew 17:20 "... For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Surely, if he instructs us in the measure of faith required to create action from our thoughts, the ability to choose those thoughts must lie within us.

Even though you are the director of your thoughts, there are times when it seems you simply cannot get an idea, a fear, or an annoying thought out of your head. Believe it or not, there is a reason for this. Your mind can not process a negative thought. Now, I know what you thinking. Look closely. I didn't say your mind can not think negative thoughts--I said it cannot process a negative thought. In this context a negative thought refers to your instructions to stop thinking about something. 

Let's give it a try, shall we? Right now. Right this very minute--do not think about penguins. Be strong. Be adamant. Instruct your mind not to think about penguins. What happened to your thoughts? The more you instruct your brain to NOT think about penguins the harder it is to move past the thought. The mind does not process the word NOT and focuses on penguins, simply because it is the way the mind functions. To remove the thought of penguins require a conscious shift in thought.

You probably had no problem erasing the image crispy pizza, but the image of penguins persisted. In the first instance, you simply changed your thinking away from pizza. In the second, you fed your mind a negative command and experienced your mind's inability to process a negative.

So what does all that have to do with your future? Everything. Many of us make the error or thinking about the things we don't want in life. We don't want to be fat. We don't want to be tired. We don't want to be poor. We don't want to think about penguins. In turn, our mind refuses to let go of the image and we release to the images of the things we don't want to the universe. It in turn complies and brings more of what we don't want into our lives.

If you want to change your life. Change your thoughts. Focus on what you do want and go forward to reach your dreams.

Today, I am grateful for the flickering light of a candle that adds warmth and comfort in cold winter months, for rich color that enhances my life and for artists who bring a canvas to life.

I am grateful for the department of transportation that works to keep winter roads clear, for firemen willing to risk their lives to save others and for electricians who keep our homes safe.

I am grateful for weathermen who warn me of winter storms, for news anchors who keep me informed and for television to brings news to the world.

I am grateful for my children who always make me proud, for a husband who shares my life and for siblings who have formed my world.

I am grateful for parents who taught me much, for teachers who showed me the way and college professors who encouraged me.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your thoughts be filled with goodness and light today that you may go forth and claim 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.

“Memory is deceptive because it is colored by today's events.” Albert Einstein

by anitapatterson

We are so accustomed to the belief that our memories reflect our past, that it may be difficult to accept that what we remember is also a reflection of our current beliefs and values.

We remember the events of our lives by the feelings they evoked, by the values we attributed to them and by our individual perception at the time.

Surely, we have all experienced recalling a memory when a spouse or sibling suddenly reveals new information that alters our perception of the event. What we have held dear as the truth in our memories suddenly takes on a new appearance and we realize that what we remember is only a glimpse into our past.

New knowledge and new beliefs have the power to change memories and in essence change your past. If you are faced with negative memories that cause you pain and discomfort, consider the fact that your memories have been colored my your own beliefs. Let go of old fears of not being good enough or not being smart enough, and look at your memories from a fresh perspective today.

Today, I am grateful that our ancestors gave us the written language and that translators have the ability to transform the word from one language to another, so that all may read freely regardless of language.


I am grateful that the great minds of those before us preserved their words in written form, that we might learn from them even after they are gone.


I am grateful to be blessed with family that I love dearly, for a bright future and for today.


I am grateful for moments to simply relax and take in the beauty of this world, for the energy to pursue my dreams and the wisdom to find my way.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your memories fill you with joy and happiness as you learn to view them in a new light.

We all live under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon. ~Konrad Adenauer

by superchappie

One of the amazing things about the power of the human mind is the ability to see what it wants to see--to fix its gaze in the direction it wants to go and exclude that which doesn't fit into the picture.  Two people in the same circumstances rarely envision the same future and as a result achieve drastically different goals.

Get in the habit of focusing on all that is good and positive in your life that the horizon may be filled with possibilities and opportunities.

Let go of the tendency to see areas of lack, for there is much to celebrate in any circumstances. Show your gratitude for what you have and set your sights on what you will achieve to activate the Law of Attraction in your life.

Release positive thoughts and energy to the world, today, that your life may be filled with positive energy. Remember that like attracts like. Whatever you embrace, whatever you express, whatever you release to the universe returns to your life. Make sure you are releasing the energy you want to receive.

Today, I am grateful for oceans teeming with life, for desserts that absorb the sun and for icebergs in their magnificent beauty. I am grateful for water that refreshes the world, for positive thoughts that cleanse the soul and for laughter.


I am grateful for tiny seeds that harbor entire plants, for roots that provide support and for leaves that gather food that plants may adorn our world.


I am grateful for the changing weather that adds variety to the land, for weathering rocks and fallen logs that provide shelter to small animals.


I am grateful for family and friends that make my life full, for teachers who carry the load of educating our children and for doctors who commit their lives that we may be well.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share your day. May you see a bright horizon as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

You are the only one who can use your ability. It is an awesome responsibility.

It's easy to think that the talents we have been given are less valuable than the talents of others. We have been raised to compare ourselves to others to see how we "measure up" in the game of life. That practice brings with it some inherent dangers. Not only does it blind us to our own unique talents, it sometimes fools us into thinking that we can never measure up to the skills and talents of others. But, it is only an illusion.

Your have your own special abilities that differ from the skills and talents of those around you. To find happiness in life and improve the lives of others, take the time to develop your talents. Look deeply and consider what you have to offer the world--you may be surprised at what you discover.


Today, I am grateful for light that allows me to view the beauty of the world, for sound that brings music to my ears and for the sense of touch that I may feel the soft fur of purring a cat or the crispness of icy cold snow.


I am grateful for good friends who encourage me, for family that sustains me and strangers who have yet to cross my path. 


I am grateful for cloudy skies that make me appreciate the sun when it appears, for snowy days that cover the world in silent blankets and for icicles that glisten in the afternoon sun.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as your stop to share my day. May you go far with the talents you have been given.

Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish. Ovid

Photo by demondimum

Sometimes, we get discouraged when our goals and dreams don't come quick enough to suit our desires. Instead of exercising patience we give up and go in search of other opportunities or to test the waters in other areas. 

We will never know how many opportunities we have missed due to our lack of patience, for all things come in their own time.


If you are struggling to reach a particular goal today, use care not to give up too soon. Develop the patience of the angler today as he sits quietly casting his line over and over waiting for the big one to strike. 


Today, I am grateful for the sound of snow as it lights softly on the trees, for the silent flight of winter birds and for the fragrance of winter.


I am grateful for the muffled whoosh of cars as they travel past, for the joy of dogs as they tussle in the snow and for squirrels that prance lightly on the surface.


I am grateful for electricity to light my world, for old movies and well-loved books.


I am grateful for family, for friends and readers who share my day.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your lines always be cast and may your catch be great.

Happiness is not in our circumstances, but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are. John B. Sheerin

Photo by Beanworks

Consider your happiness today and the degree to which you let your circumstances determine your happiness. If you are like most people, it may never occur to you that happiness is more than a reflection of the things that happen in your life, the attitudes of those around you and the your degree of success --whatever you conceive it to be.


Happiness runs deeper than the fleeting emotions we feel as we react to the world. It resides in the very core of who we are. If you have trouble finding happiness, try looking within.

If you find yourself thinking that you would be happy if your financial situation changed, remember the work of Marci Shimoff in Happy for No Reason that showed us that once our basic human needs are met, money has no bearing on how happy we are.  

Today, I am grateful for renewed energy, for the bright winter sun and for dark winter skies alive with stars. I am grateful for eyes that see, ears that hear and feet that walk. I am grateful for cold crisp air to fill my lungs, for water to quench my thirst and for laughter that fills the air.

I am grateful for pencils, clean blanks pages and the desire to fill them in. I am grateful for wind chimes, pine cones and rocks.

I am grateful for family and friends who share my life, for pets that trust so willingly and children nestled snug in their beds.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May your heart be light and your life be filled with the happiness that comes from within.

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.

New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

 Photo by grafixar

I've always liked New Year's Eve, not for going out or entertaining guests, but because it holds that magical moment when our symbolic past and our hopes for the future lie in balance, waiting for the scales to tip. 


It's not that I don't value the past or that I have anything negative in my life that I wish to put behind me. I don't. It's the anticipation of new adventures, the hope of reaching new goals and the light of a brand new year approaching that I love the most.


In it lies the promise of reaching new heights, accomplishing new things and going new places.


Consider where you've been this year and take pride in all you have accomplished. Express your gratitude for all you have, but aim for more. 


Today, I am grateful for the hundreds of people who have voted for my daughter's entry in a photo contest so she may win a college scholarship. Your votes bring her closer to realizing her hopes and dreams for the future. (You can vote here, if you are so inclined.)


I am grateful for the opportunity to share my holidays with my son, even though he is miles away, for my brother who cared for my animals while I was away and for family to spend the holidays with.


I am grateful for another year to work towards my goals, for the opportunity to spend my days doing what I love best--writing.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you view your past with pride and view the future with hope and never lose sight of your goals.
 

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.