The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Mark Twain

For many of us the problem does not lie in accomplishing the task at hand, but it getting started in the first place. Oh, we may justify our reluctance by saying the time isn't right, we aren't prepared or that the world is not ready for us yet. The truth is: we are lying to ourselves.

To reach our dreams and goals, we must get down to the business of starting. Yesterday, I posted about my experience of wallowing in a bit of self pity and being jousted out of bed with a voice that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere, exhorting me me to "get out that bed!"  You can read about that in yesterday's post. The important part is: I did get out of bed -- and I got started.

For me, the dream is to secure paying work writing about the things I love. Right now, that is wrought with challenges for many online writers. If you are writer, you already understand -- if you are not, suffice it to say that the face of online writing is changing, forcing writers to change as well.

Once I got down to the business of starting by making a few simple contacts, amazing things began to happen. Interesting work appeared when I least expected it.

If you, like many of us, are still spending your time mulling over your dreams, it is time to get started. Step out in faith -- you may find pleasant surprises where you least expect them.

Today, I am grateful for new-found work, for the courage to step out on foreign land and the energy to pursue my dreams. I am grateful for opportunities yet to come my way, for the ability to touch the lives of others and for those who have helped me along the way. 

I am grateful for the rain that washes the world clean, for sound of raindrops that will lull me to sleep and for warm, fall weather that delays the winter cold. 

I am grateful for good books to read, cozy slipper to wear and plants that breathe life into my room. I am grateful for music to soothe the soul, candles to scent the air and cool water to quench my thirst. 

I am grateful for family and friends without who my life would be incomplete. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you summon up the courage to start today -- as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Keeping the faith is easy when all things work together as they should, but for many of us, when things get difficult, our faith begins to waiver. I've been waivering lately. Not because I don't have faith, exactly --  but because I am not sure of the direction I should go. 


As many of you know, I am a writer by trade. Recent situations have arisen where my main source of writing income has suddenly dwindled. This has forced me outside my comfortable bubble in search of meaningful and profitable work. 


I tell you all this, not because I want your sympathy -- but because it leads me to today's quote. 


After yet another blow to my livelihood as a writer -- which I won't go into here -- I checked my mail to see if I had any responses from the many leads I have followed. In frustration over the empty mailbox and the lack of immediate prospects, I settled myself down for a nap. 


When I awoke, I didn't jump out of bed to get to work, but instead mumbled "What's the use?" and turned my face to the wall.


Suddenly -- out of nowhere -- the phrase "Oh ye of little faith, get out of that bed." echoed through my thoughts. 


Needless to say, I obeyed. I'm not sure what is in store for me or the direction my life as a writer will take -- but I am sure that something wonderful awaits me right around the corner.


May you cultivate faith today as you strive to reach your dreams and goals.

Today, I am grateful for the starry sky, the brilliant moon and for the soft rustle of wind in the trees. I am grateful for the melody of my wind chimes, a lone dog barking in the distance and the soft damp air. 

I am grateful for my daughter as she works tirelessly on her studies knowing that they are the key to where she wants to go, for my son who has grown into a responsible and caring adult and my husband who is always there to support me. 

I am grateful for brothers and sisters who helped make me who I am, for parents who built my foundation and for friends along the way who have helped determine my path. 

I am grateful for opportunity to touch the lives of others with my words, for the luxury of a warm home, clean clothes and healthy food to eat. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you have the faith of a mustard seed, today  -- as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind. Author Unknown

So often, we spend so much time thinking about what we are going to do that we never accomplish the things we want in life. Somehow, we think that everything will fall in place -- if only we wait for the right time. But the right time never comes, because we have not prepared the field for our dreams to grow.

The gardener doesn't wait until the conditions are perfect for growing and then plant a seed. The gardener knows he must prepare the soil and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to do it. Be like the gardener, today, and begin preparing the soil for your dreams to flourish and grow.

Consider your dreams today and go about the business of making them come true. Continually turning them over in your mind will not bring them to pass. It takes action. Act.

Today, I am grateful for the new fallen snow that envelopes the world, for the sound of birds as they seek shelter, for excited dogs who prance in the snow and for children who scurry to find last year's mittens. 

I am grateful for the big white flakes that swirl and dance in the wind, for snow-laden trees who bow down to its beauty and the glorious preview of another winter to come. 

I am grateful for the excitement in the air, for a cozy warm home and for my office window that allows me to watch the gentle storm. I am grateful for hot coffee and the gentle chickadee that stops by for a bite to eat. I am grateful for changing of seasons as it tells me life will go on as it should. 

I am grateful for family, for friends and for pets that enrich our lives. I am grateful for days off that refuel the soul, for abundant work that allows me to meet my family's needs and for the ability to recognize new opportunities when they come may way. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your day be filled with joy as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

"The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never scoring." — Bill Copeland

How often we go through life dreaming of something more -- something better -- without any clue as to what that something more is. Yet, we squander time striving for the seeming impossible simply because we haven't taken the time or energy to define what that something more is.

 Knowing the right path to take to reach your destination requires knowing where you want to go. Strive today to refine your goals and dreams into something more than the vague notion that you want to find success. Take the time to define what success means to you.

Many find themselves without adequate work to meet the demands of their everyday lives -- particularly now when jobs seem to be few and far between. They set on on the journey to "find work" without any notion of what that work might be.

If you, like many of us, find yourself in the position where you must step outside your comfort zone, take some time to consider what you want and need. Setting goals defines the direction you must go.

Today, I am grateful for a warm, cozy home, the aroma of fresh-baked bread and wind chimes that play music for the soul. I am grateful for the calm, still air that envelopes the world, the sound of rain as it falls softly in the night, and the first rays of morning light. 

I am grateful for the ocean that teems with life, the forest that provides homes to weary moose and deer and for trees that stand strong throughout the seasons.

I am grateful for my family, for neighbors and for doctors who dedicate their lives to helping others. I am grateful for firemen who brave the raging fire to rescue those in need, for students who work long and hard to achieve their goals, and for teachers who show them the way. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you take time to refine your goals today and find much success as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

“When you have come to the edge Of all light that you know And are about to drop off into the darkness Of the unknown, Faith is knowing One of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or You will be taught to fly” ~ Patrick Overton

Many of us go through life with the mindset that obstacles in our way prevent us from achieving our dreams. Instead of forging forward with faith in ourselves and the guiding hand that created us, we turn back if we think the way is blocked.

Cultivate faith today. Have faith that there are no obstacles you cannot overcome. It may require work and thinking outside the box, but you already have everything you need to overcome them. Faith in yourself, faith in your abilities and faith in a higher power -- whether you prefer to call it the Universe or the Almighty God -- will carry you through.

Today, I am grateful for fellow writers who are always willing to share what they have learned, for readers who seek out the information I share and for publishers who make it possible for me to share my thoughts and skills with the world. 

I am grateful for sunshine, brightly-colored foliage and the awe-inspiring transition into fall. I am grateful for the invigorating fragrance of sheets dried on the clothesline, for fluffy pillows that cradle me in rest and for  my cat that purrs me to sleep. 

I am grateful for bright toadstools on the forest floor, a carpet of moss to cushion my feet and rocks that serve as a seat for weary travelers. I am grateful for babbling brooks that twist and turn making their way over the terrain, for darting fish who call it their home and for the giant woodpecker that swoops from tree to tree. 

I am grateful to be blessed with a family that I hold dear, for my children who make me proud and a spouse that is always there. I am grateful for brothers and sisters who have taught me how to be who I am, for the grandparents I never knew and for parents who have gone before me. 

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

Change always comes bearing gifts. ~Price Pritchett

Today

Recently, I have encountered some challenging events that require me to step outside of my professional bubble and seek out new writing opportunities. Those of you who are writers, undoubtedly understand how intimidating the process can be. Those of you who aren't, let's just say it requires getting out of your pjs and taking action to find your place in the ever-changing world of writing. But, that's not the focus of my post.

Today's focus is change -- more specifically the changes that positive thinking, visualizing your goals and dreams, and expressing your gratitude can make in your life. 

It can be difficult to see the changes wrought in your life because they often happen gradually. It's hard to identify what we cannot see or quantify with "evidence." Sometimes, we are offered glimpses into those changes. 

While evaluating my progress, I stumbled upon a picture of myself taken just before I began the journey to reach my dreams. I didn't consciously make an effort to change my appearance and didn't participate in any life-altering lifestyle changes other than improving my outlook on life and cultivating a positive attitude. I'd like to share with you those two pics today so you can see for yourself that changes are being wrought in your life, even when you think progress is slow or you are unable to see your progress.

Today

Before 

Today, I am grateful for new opportunities I have yet to recognize, for a clear sound mind, a healthy body, and the desire to succeed. I am grateful for insight and wisdom, the passion to develop my craft, and the vision to light the way. 

I am grateful for stars that linger into dawn, for moonlight to light the night, and for the rays of sun across the frosted earth. I am grateful for the glorious moose standing proud in the morning light, for the sound scurrying leaves in the brisk fall wind, and for pine cones. 

I am grateful for family and friends who fill my world, for children everywhere as they find their way in the world, and the elderly who chose to share their wisdom. I am grateful for strangers who offer a smile, for long-lost friends who once shared my life, and for those who have yet to enter my life. 

I am grateful for ears that hear, eyes that see, and a heart that beats.  

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

                                                                                                         

Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be. Joy Page

Many of us fall short of what we want in life, not because we are not capable, but because we lack the courage to give ourselves permission to succeed. Cultivate the courage to dream big and give yourself permission to reach those dreams, today.

Know that what lies in you is greater than the ways of the world. It is bigger than the petty thoughts of those who want to prevent your success. It is not limited by what someone else says or does or believes. They are not your enemy -- although it may seem like they are at times. Your enemy -- like your success -- lies within. Your enemy is your inability to believe in yourself enough to grant yourself permission to succeed.

Today, I am grateful for rain and the heavy musky scent of fall. I am grateful for fallen leaves and pine needles that blanket my yard in carpet of gold. I am grateful for pine cones that bring visions of Christmas in its glorious blanket of snow.  

I am grateful for the miraculous cycle of the seasons that brings beauty at every turn, for the grace of summer folding silently into fall and for the promise of winter that envelops my world in soft blankets of white. 

I am grateful for the blue jay that cries out to announce the coming rain, for the chick-a-dee that flits from tree to tree never tiring of his cheerful song, and for the purple finch who wears his red coat despite his name. 

I am grateful for family and friends and the house I call my home. I am grateful for those who lend a helping hand when they see a need, for the fruit of earth that fuels our bodies and for coffee to start my day. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cultivate the courage to dream big and give yourself permission to succeed as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.