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

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We all know that without goals, we are not likely to achieve the degree of success that we desire in life. Not because we aren't working hard enough or are not talented enough - but because we fail to focus our energy on the tasks required to meet success.

There is no better time to refine your goals than the beginning of a new year when we are offered a fresh start. As 2012 draws to a close and 2013 lurks just around the corner, I've taken some time to consider my goals for the upcoming year.

In the past, I have set goals for how much I will write or how much money I will earn from my writing, but this year, I've decided to try something new. I have decided to set a goal of reaching a wider audience with my writing. This, of course, means increasing my following in social media. Although the exact numbers I am aiming for are not well-defined, just yet, I still have a few days to get that worked out.

In the meantime, if you are so inclined, you can help me reach my goals by subscribing to this blog and following me on Twitter and Facebook. You can also subscribe to any of my writing topics that interest you, or share them with friends and family you think might be interested.

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You can also find me on Maine Garden Ideas and Yahoo! Voices.

Today, I am grateful for the many outlets I have for my writing, for readers who make my work worthwhile, and for the ability to earn a living doing what I love. I am grateful for new opportunities to take my writing to a higher level, for the energy and inspiration to do my best, and the joy that comes from knowing I have given it my all.

I am grateful for new followers that I may enrich their lives as they work to reach their goals, for the technology that allows readers and writers to connect across the globe, and for the compassion of strangers that reach out to others in times of need.

I am grateful for falling snow, moonlit skies, and clouds that float aimlessly in bright-blue skies. I am grateful for the bright sun and the increasing hours of sunlight that promise us that spring will surely return. I am grateful for flowers as they sleep beneath the snow, for green grass that will once again blanket the earth, and for snow drifts that silence the world.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you focus on clearly-defined goals, today, as your go forward in the direction of your dreams.

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” ― Robert H. Schuller

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As 2012 winds down and the new year looms ahead, many of us look to our future and begin the important work of setting new goals for reaching our dreams. Unfortunately, all too often we stop short of setting goals we really want to achieve because they seem too hard and we are afraid of failure.

Consider the words of Robert H. Schuller today and give some thought to what you would attempt to do if you knew you could not fail, for in that answer lies your heart's desire.

Reaching the goal may not be quick or easy, but with planning you can set manageable steps for reaching it. If you, like me, are a writer who strives to reach that magical goal of finishing a novel or writing your family history, begin now by setting short-term goals and working diligently toward them.

The key to your success is not the goals you set, but your willingness to work toward them to bring them to reality. For today, take the time to consider what it is you really wish to accomplish in 2013 and begin setting short term goals for reaching them.

Today I am thankful for the blanket of snow that envelops my world, for trees that offer wild animals protection from the storm, and for the knowledge that this too shall pass and the sun will return.

I am thankful for the road crew that works diligently to remove the snow, for emergency crews who stand by ready to assist those in need, and for little children who hunker down in bed after a joyous day in the snow.

I am grateful for family and friends who enrich my life, for strangers ready to lend a helping hand, and for neighbors who make my world feel safe and secure. I am grateful for old friends who helped to make me who I am, for teachers who showed me the way I should go, and for writers everywhere who share a bit of their world with me. 

I am grateful for my health, for a clear sound mind, and for the inspiration of nature that fuels my soul. I am grateful for the towering trees, the vast oceans, and the infinite Universe. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you consider what you would attempt to do if you knew you could not fail and let the answer lead you as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. Buddha

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So often we become so focused on reaching our goals and dreams that we forget that happiness doesn't lie in reaching our goals. Happiness doesn't happen at some magical point at the end of the journey. Take the time today to look around you and give thanks for all that you have that you may experience happiness along the way.

Get into the habit of sharing your joy and good fortune with others so that you may both be blessed with happiness and great joy. May you take time away from your busy schedule today to laugh much and experience the joy of being alive.

“Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more....” ― Dr. Seuss

Watching "The Grinch" is always a happy time for me. As a kid, my brother and I watched it together every year and even continued  while I was in college. Although he has been gone for over 20 years, it still brings back memories of him. Christmas isn't here until I watch "The Grinch".

Unfortunately, many people act a lot like the Grinch - before his transformation - when Christmas time rolls around. I like to think they act this way out of fear and not out a mean-spirited heart.

I'd like to encourage you to make an effort to turn things around for the Grinches in your life. Show them love and compassion that they may become open to the spirit of Christmas.

Today, I am grateful for Christmas memories, for the joy of knowing I am loved, and for the love I feel for my family and friends. I am grateful for Christmas lights that brighten the landscape, for songs to lift the spirits, and for a warm home to keep me cozy inside.

I am grateful for the birds of the air and animals of the forest, for mountains that stand against the storm, and trees laden with snow. I am grateful for snow plows and road crews that work to keep us safe, for hot coffee and sugar-free creamer.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you touch the hearts of the Grinches in your life and teach them the meaning of Christmas this year, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. Roy L. Smith

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The spirit of Christmas is often lost in the constant drive to defend our own religious and spiritual views. The argument over whether to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" has reared its ugly head and the season has barely begun.

I'd like to urge you all to practice tolerance and compassion this year and simply say whichever you want and let others do the same. For me, the season will always be Christmas. If you subscribe to a different belief, that's fine with me. But, I do hope you find the season filled with love and compassion.

To me, the heart of Christmas is love and compassion for others, whether we agree with their views or not. When we stoop to arguing over silly things, like how to greet each other during the season, we give up the heart of Christmas.

If you find yourself in the battle of semantics or arguing with another human being because his beliefs differ from your, take a step back. Channel that energy into something positive to improve the lives of others and the spirit of Christmas will grow in both your heart and the heart of others. Instead of trying to prove that your view is the correct view, let your heart lead the way and stand as testament of your beliefs.

Today, I am grateful for family who fills my life with joy, for pets that make the home warm and comforting, and for winter clouds that will soon drop blankets of snow.

I am grateful for the beauty of trees, for the balsam fir that adorns homes across the world at Christmas time, and for wreaths that welcome visitors to the home. I am grateful for the blue jay in his bright coat, for the deer that nibbles on grass, and for the mighty bear that enters his long winter's sleep.

I am grateful for blue-black skies that display winter stars, for the round full moon that glows above the world, and for the sparkle of snow in the moonlight.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May  love and compassion fill your heart this season, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

When you re-read a classic you do not see in the book more than you did before. You see more in you than there was before. ~Clifton Fadiman

I've recently begun rereading books that I read in my youth and am struck by how my focus has changed. As a former teacher, I am struck by the fact that perhaps we expect too much of our youth when we assume they will gain insight and wisdom from classics that they are not ready to understand. Oh, its not that they are not savvy enough, or smart enough to dissect the text. They are. It's just that some things cannot be understood without the life experience to support them. I'm not sure we should make them try.

I suppose it is the same with all things in life. How we react, how we see the events in our lives, and what we learn from them is intertwined with the being we are at the moment. It's not so much what happens as it is how we interpret those events.

When we view life with a critical eye, scanning the horizon for threats, that's exactly what we see. Not because the threats are there, but because it's how we choose to see them.

If you are in the habit of viewing life from a superficial lens, as you scan the horizon for threats to your success, don't be surprised if that is all you see. Like the young reader who tries to read the classics from the viewpoint of youth, you will only see what you are ready to see.

If, on the other hand, you are willing to give up the constant scanning for threats, and are willing and able to look beyond to opportunities that lurk just past the horizon, there is no limit to what you may discover.

For today, cast aside the tendency to scan for threats and set your sights beyond the horizon, as you go forward to reach your dreams and goals.

Today, I am grateful for the amazing ability of the mind to overcome obstacles and see beyond the obvious. I am grateful for the courage and vision to step out and go beyond the limits that seem to loom in the distance.

I am grateful for the crisp, cold air of fall that hints of winter to come. I am grateful for the birds of the air and animals of the forest who take the changing seasons in stride. I am grateful for my garden that lies silently waiting for another spring.

I am grateful for family that brings life meaning, for children who bring laughter to the world, and for the elderly who take the time to share their wisdom. I am grateful for strangers who I may never meet, but who touch my life in unseen ways, as we all journey together to reach our dreams.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you look past seeming threats to your success today, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.”

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It is so easy to forget as we go about our own lives that those around us may be facing battles we simply aren't aware of. It's not that we are self centered or uncaring, but that we become so wrapped up in our own lives that we simply don't see what is around us.

Last night, I learned that a young man in my community is battling a brain tumor. Not only is this young man in my community, he has been a close friend with my son since they were young children.Yet, I have been oblivious to his struggles. Not because I didn't care, but because I've been too caught up in my little world to even notice.

Although my heart goes out to this young man and I wish him peace and comfort as he struggles to overcome  this hurdle, it also goes out to his friends who are suddenly confronted with their mortality. At 26, one shouldn't have to think about such frightening possibilities.

His friends have rallied to begin fundraising to provide this young man with the financial resources to travel to the Cancer Center for treatment. Feel free to share the link with anyone who can help them reach their goal and alleviate the stress of worrying about not having the gas to travel to and from treatments. HELP Josh get the treatment he needs.

Today, I am grateful for my own health and the health of my family. May we learn not to take good health for granted and give thanks for it daily.

I am grateful for the sound of rain on the window, the coming of fall when the air smells crisp and earthy, and for my garden as it prepares for a long winter's sleep. I am grateful for squirrels and chipmunks that scurry to collect nature's bounty of seeds and nuts for a mid-winter feast.

I am grateful for the sun that will soon return, for the brightly-colored foliage and for fall flowers that continue to bloom. I am grateful for birds that wing their way south with a promise to return again in the spring. May their journey be joyous and food be plentiful.

I am grateful for work that keeps me busy, for inspiration to take my writing to new levels, and for readers who are blessed by my words.

I am grateful for eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to love.

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